[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-gods-foolish-game":3,"chapter-the-gods-foolish-game-the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-992":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Gods' Foolish Game",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2362120,4617,"Chapter 992: Hehe~ Wait till I pry off all your masks","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-992",992,"\u003Cp>Hehe~ Wait till I pry off all your masks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But fate contradicted his wish—before Long Jing could utter that name, the black-robed figure across from him struck first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fascinating. I’ve finally waited for another clown—otherwise, I thought I’d missed this splendid memory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Jingming, are you done pretending?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And... a clown!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this really the gathering place of clowns?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Jing found it hard to believe, for he had never received an invitation to join the clowns. Compared to trusting what he saw before him, he leaned toward the idea that this was a test launched by the other party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it was a test, then speaking too much would invite mistakes, but saying nothing would confirm he knew about the clowns. So why not... lie wildly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took two steps forward and laughed loudly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought today when I stepped out, why were magpies chirping nonstop—turns out I met Long Wang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fascinating. You really are one of the clowns!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pleasure. I’m Li Jingming. I wonder, Long Wang... have you ever looked in a mirror?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It proved true: when you’re crazier than others, silence becomes their refuge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, the scene grew cold—but soon after, the other burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I said there’d be gains at the clown gathering, but I never expected the memory to become so thrilling even before it began.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well. Of course I’ve looked in a mirror—and recently, I’ve gained quite some insight from it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you’ve come, find a seat. When everyone arrives, you and I can exchange thoughts on mirror-gazing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Jing had anticipated the other wouldn’t be rattled, but he hadn’t expected him to be so composed—as if he didn’t care who he was. Yet the way the man spoke truly resembled Long Wang. So could he really be Li Jingming?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the probe fail, Long Jing turned to look around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like there’s a grand performance today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other chuckled lightly: “Whether it’s grand depends on whether the actors give their all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Has he sensed my identity?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossible. Where did I slip up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Jing’s heart skipped a beat. Though the word “actor” triggered a reflex, he concealed it well, pretending to choose a seat as he scanned the surroundings—and in doing so, he truly noticed something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the gathering ground held many tombstones, the front row contained exactly fifteen. Did that mean fifteen participants would attend this gathering?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clowns must be quite numerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He carefully observed the defensive terrain of the gathering site, searching for a suitable position—but in truth, this was all a ruse. From the start, his attention had been fixed entirely on that man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one could be certain whether this graveyard-like gathering ground held traps, so he dared not relax, staying ever alert, seeking a safe spot among the other’s reactions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the other concealed himself equally well—beyond turning his head, he made no extra movement. This only increased Long Jing’s pressure, especially when, seeing Long Jing hesitate, the black-robed man suddenly laughed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? None of these suit you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the words left his mouth, Long Jing froze in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, his pause wasn’t due to what the other said—but what he saw...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suit you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tell me, what counts as “suiting” you!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is “suiting” you sitting casually atop a tombstone engraved with [Memory] and chatting with me like this, huh!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dude, holding a gathering in a graveyard is already eerie—but why carve the names of the gods onto them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’re not even dead yet, and you’re already mourning them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So today’s mask gathering is sponsored by [Death], is it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are the clowns this wild? Or do they lure people into the abyss of sacrilege this way, to control them and turn them into members!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, I’ve begun to believe the gods aren’t true deities—but I only believe, I’m not stupid!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I can say “no” to the gods, how could I dare sit atop their tombstones?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who can guarantee that if I sit down now, they won’t descend upon my grave tomorrow?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Jing hesitated—but he couldn’t avoid choosing. Showing hesitation would unbalance his aura and put him at a disadvantage. After long deliberation, he gritted his teeth and walked toward one tombstone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he stopped before the tombstone engraved with [Time], the black-robed man seated atop [Memory] paused, then smiled faintly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does a believer of [Memory] wish to bury [Time]?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Jing snorted and gave no reply. Inside, he thought: This was a desperate move—I chose [Time] to prevent others from “desecrating” it. If Lord [Hour Hand] finds out, surely he won’t punish such a devout follower?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then again, why is there no tombstone for the God of Entertainment?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered, another figure appeared beyond the tombstones—a black-robed, masked person emerged into view. The identical attire startled both men present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s this? Telepathic coordination?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we don’t even know who the other is—how could there be coordination?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newcomer remained silent, walking forward as if familiar with the place. Seeing two others already present, he merely nodded in greeting, said nothing, and then slowly climbed onto the tombstone of [Death].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His target was clear, his movements decisive. When the new clown chose [Death], the black-robed man atop [Memory] smiled and praised:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third black-robed figure merely nodded, saying nothing. This left Long Jing suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two clearly know each other. The clowns must have held gatherings before—otherwise, they wouldn’t be so familiar with the place, nor so at ease with each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But who is this man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To desecrate [Death] without hesitation, yet remain silent throughout—could he be a believer of [Silence]?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Shu!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cursed name flashed into Long Jing’s mind. His face darkened as he glanced at the newcomer, thinking: If this really is Chen Shu, then this gathering will be worth watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would’ve thought the second cursed one was a clown—so what’s the clowns’ recruitment rule?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine selection?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does this mean I, even without the title of divine selection, possess its substance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if that’s true, then wouldn’t the first cursed one also be a clown?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speak of the devil—he appeared. Before the name Zhen Yi had fully formed in Long Jing’s mind, a familiar tinkling laugh echoed from beyond the tombstones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the first sound of that laugh, all three present changed expression. They turned their heads together and saw a youthful, radiant figure, unmasked, skipping into the center of the tombstones, eyes sparkling as she counted the three black-robed figures:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One, two, three...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hehe~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guessing three names is too hard. Why don’t you just introduce yourselves?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hm? Why aren’t you speaking? Are you all mute?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can’t all be Chen Shu’s clones—he likes to talk, unlike you, who are utterly boring.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hey, if you don’t speak, I’m going to take action!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait till I pry off all your masks—then see how you hide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she rolled up her sleeves, the three simultaneously replied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fascinating. Try it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“......”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough. I am Li Jingming.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1164,"2026-06-21T06:05:16.216Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b182035a0d5930c2001a51ff5660705d22a14fcf2e2240df3bd634471c5b4ddd","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-993","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-991",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-gods-foolish-game-cover.jpg"]