Chapter 985: Let Me See Who This Desecrator Is That Has Come

Let me see who this desecrator is that has come.

Carrying a suspicion so absurd even he found it unbelievable, Cheng Shi hung up the phone and began reciting the prayer again, staring at the mask in his hand.

Not everyone’s request for an audience is accepted by the Lord, but the favored child of 【Fate】 is clearly different—when he finished this blasphemous prayer, the desecrator’s figure vanished instantly from the rooftop.

Void—again, void!

Looking at the pair of icy eyes so familiar to him, Cheng Shi’s heart tightened, and he immediately began his praise.

“Praise the great 【Deception】 God!

May your mood remain as perpetually uplifted as the corners of your eyes, and may my devotion always ‘reach the Sacred Ear’!

Your most devout believer, Cheng Shi, greets you.”

The coldness in those eyes vanished instantly, and the entire void erupted into dazzling, hallucinatory radiance—yet His tone remained distant, as if an infinite distance separated this one mortal from this one god...

“Oh? Let me see who this desecrator is that has come?

So it’s the undevout 【Void】 Walker, the dishonest 【Time】 Follower, the thief of lies and history, the impostor at the threshold of 【Death】, the blind choice of 【Prosperity】 and 【Decay】, the eavesdropper on the birth of history, the fool in the gamble of 【Folly】, the jester who became a puppet of 【Silence】.”

What, did all of you come together to overthrow me from this divine throne?”

“...”

Why are you staring at me?

Laugh!

The God of Fun said all that—aren’t you going to laugh? Are you trying to break your oath!?

You’re not devout!

If you don’t laugh, I’ll strike you with lightning.

Cheng Shi forced a stiff grin, on the verge of tears.

No, my Lord, I said all that precisely because I’m devout!

Even if this devotion stems from fear, why isn’t fear-based devotion still devotion!?

You always mock your subordinates and crush your employees—you’ll eventually...

“Hmm?”

“...Remember to eat.

After all, health is most important. You’re the backbone of all liars—if you collapse from exhaustion, we’ll have no future, my Lord.”

Seeing the eyes grow colder, Cheng Shi immediately activated his talent “Read the Wind and Adjust,” while wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Close call—I forgot He can read minds.

But this can’t end here. I’ve just accepted a long list of crimes—I’ve got to get something in return, or was I just foolishly confessing for nothing?

So Cheng Shi, still forcing a laugh, straightened his posture slightly and muttered quietly: “I accept the charges, but before judgment, my Lord, I request a defense.”

The eyes glanced at the jester, suppressing a chuckle: “Granted.”

Cheng Shi perked up instantly: “My Lord, I was reciting the 【Fate】... another prayer—why did you appear?”

“A desecrator commits blasphemy before the deity, repeatedly mentioning his blasphemous acts—clear intent to provoke the Tribunal. Guilt increased.”

“No no no, that doesn’t count—I was just curious...” Cheng Shi’s forced smile was frozen; he thought, 【Order】 is locked up, not eaten—why does your mouth reek so strongly of 【Order】?

And what kind of tribunal are you even?

I asked for a defense just to get an excuse to snack on peanuts—now you’re putting on a show?

But he dared not think it aloud—Cheng Shi could only mutter again.

“My Lord, the blasphemous acts you mentioned do indeed exist...”

“Good. The desecrator admits guilt. Execute him.”

“...Wait!” Cheng Shi’s forehead broke into cold sweat. “But that was my most devout offering to you!

Whether disguising my identity with illusions or cleansing my sins with lies, I was clearly demonstrating my devotion to you.

I swear—I am the most devout believer you’ve ever had. In this entire universe, no—not even beyond it—is there anyone who follows you as steadfastly as I do.”

“Pfft—lies.”

“Truth shows my loyalty; lies represent my offering. Whether you believe this is true or false, my devotion remains unchanged.”

The eyes paused, surprised to have been outmaneuvered by the jester. He chuckled again, the spiral turning slightly:

“What a clever tongue you have. You so fervently emphasize devotion—next, are you going to beg for a reward?”

Cheng Shi rubbed his hands sheepishly, shaking his head vigorously: “I’m not that kind of person... but, is there one?”

“Hmm?”

“Merit is merit, fault is fault—they can’t be mixed.

You punish what needs punishing—I accept it. But don’t withhold the reward for my devotion.”

The eyes burst into loud laughter—clearly, His mood was excellent today.

Then, under Cheng Shi’s stunned gaze, 【Deception】 blinked gently and tossed a ball of fire before him.

For some reason, the first thing Cheng Shi thought of when he saw the fire was the Firebearer!

What does this mean? Does He want me to approach the Firebearer—or become the Firebearer’s fire!?

Either option, he did not want.

Cheng Shi froze. He did not reach for the fire, but instead stared at the eyes, his face filled with confusion.

The eyes saw through the jester’s inner turmoil and scoffed:

“If you have not seen the truth, you believe the lie.

No need to display your devotion further. Your current devotion may not be devotion at all—just pure stupidity.

Those mortals who chase after flames need no protection from you—【The Flame of Hope】 is enough to bring them true warmth.”

The Flame of Hope?

Is this how the God of Fun protects the Firebearer?

Cheng Shi silently noted this and said nothing, turning instead to the fire before him. Only when he stared intently did he realize it was not merely a flame!

Beneath the roaring fire lay a shadow untouched by its light—and that shadow was not pure darkness. Cheng Shi stared long without understanding, so he extended his hand to test it. After all, this was the Void, with His Lord watching overhead—how could anything go wrong here?

He moved. His fingers touched the shadow—and instantly, a thick, viscous sensation spread from his fingertips.

This is... blood!?

Cheng Shi’s eyes sharpened. He gripped the shadow firmly and lifted the object before him—shock on his face. It was a sandglass made of flame and blood.

Now he finally understood what 【Deception】’s “gift” was.

“The... vessel of 【War】!?”

“What, aren’t you collecting these things?

This was the price 【War】 paid in your deal with Him.

I’m just delivering it on His behalf. Now it’s the jester’s turn to pay his price. I heard you’re taking Him to see the world?

Good—I’d also like to know how a jester sees the world.”

“...”

I’m scared, my Lord—if you keep talking like this, I’m going to become a believer of 【Yin-Yang】.