Chapter 993: Three Present, Only One Fooled |
A person's name casts a shadow like a tree's.
The world had suffered under Zhen Yi for far too long. But once she realized the effect of her reputation, she'd gained another tool for mischief.
Just like now — three responses alone were enough to deduce a great deal.
Whoever introduced himself as "Li Jingming" was definitely not the real Li Jingming. Or rather, no one would believe such an introduction came from Li Jingming himself. On the contrary, the casual "Interesting" sounded eighty percent like the real Dragon King.
But was reality truly so simple?
No. Not at all.
The one who'd said "Ahem, I'm Li Jingming" was precisely the composed black-robed figure seated on the [Memory] tombstone. And the one who'd uttered "Interesting" was Long Jing — who'd channeled the Dragon King down to his bones.
Unfortunately, the talented performer President Gong was outmaneuvered at the critical moment, undone by the classic "wanting to deny but compelled to respond" technique.
Now, whether he played Li Jingming or not, he was Li Jingming.
Long Jing wasn't scared exactly — even with a single faith, he'd never feared clashing with Zhen Yi. Now merged with [Time] and armed with the Pointer Knight's confidence, he feared no one in this hall. But Zhen Yi's lingering menace was overwhelming. Matching combat power didn't mean matching face.
This lunatic could throw away pride to mess with you. Could you abandon your dignity to mess with her in return?
You could. Of course you could. But since her notoriety had grown, everyone who'd opposed her — except a certain Fate Weaver — had become a laughingstock.
Long Jing was never insecure. Quite confident, in fact. But against Zhen Yi, an oppressive sensation simply wouldn't leave.
He often consoled himself that his time hadn't come, that he needed more experience. But by all appearances, he'd still lost.
Because just as he steeled himself for a potential battle, Zhen Yi suddenly stopped. Smiling, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, then elegantly drew a playing card from her breast pocket.
It was a gold-edged poker card. Nobody caught what was printed on the face. They only saw her flip it, glance at it, and grin:
"Merged with [Time]?
Not bad. So you've found Lord Shi Zhen. Yu Xi's guidance really was correct — which means that Cheng Shi wasn't lying either.
Though I will say, President Gong's deception skills are a bit lacking, but your luck is solid.
Want to go back?
Trade me details about your experience — how's that?"
"Zhen Xin!!??"
Long Jing was shocked. Gnashing his teeth at the smiling magician before him, he thought: 'One exchange and she extracted all my intel. This is humiliating.'
But the next second, the magician quietly pocketed her magic card, turned to the black-robed figure on the [Memory] tombstone, and said:
"Three present, only one fooled. Setting aside the one who's committed to silence — Li Jingming, since when have you been this lively?"
Li Jingming... correct. The figure on the [Memory] tombstone was indeed the real Li Jingming. He chuckled softly, lowered his hood and removed his mask, smiling faintly as he glanced at Long Jing. With identities blown, disguises were pointless. All four present were acquaintances — deception had lost its purpose.
"The fact that you stood there giving us a few seconds to prepare proves you're definitely not Zhen Yi. Her cursed aura doesn't come from conversation.
I know badmouthing someone to their face isn't great, but considering you might find her annoying too as her older sister, I'll scold her on your behalf. No need to thank me."
Zhen Xin snorted softly, unbothered, and fired right back:
"Thanks anyway. But I'll personally relay your words and make sure Zhen Yi comes to thank you in person."
Tension hung faintly in the air. Had the two not already interacted previously, this might have actually escalated.
Zhen Xin surveyed the room, taking in the divine tombstones, then turned to the black-robed figure on the [Death] stone and nodded:
"Where is Cheng Shi? Why hasn't he arrived?"
She'd clearly identified this figure. He shook his head:
"Have a seat. No rush. Besides, how do you know it's him who hasn't arrived?
Perhaps the Fate Weaver has been hidden somewhere watching us the whole time."
The moment that familiar voice emerged, Long Jing recognized him.
[Death]'s Chosen — Zhang Jizu!
Sure enough, when the hood came down, those signature squinting eyes reappeared before everyone.
'Well, well, well!'
Now everything clicked — not about the current situation, but about the San Dales trial!
'So at the Joy Theater, five people onstage and off — and four of you were Jokers!?'
'I treated you as peers, and you played me like a dog!?'
'And what about Yu Xi?'
'No — Lord Yu Xi must have been real. Otherwise there wouldn't have been the Shi Zhen guidance afterwards. Thank goodness. At least [Deceit] was looking out for me. At least He tipped generously for that performance.'
'But the rest of you...'
Long Jing was furious. No — he gave up. Since you lot were all such accomplished liars, he'd stop lying. He couldn't beat them in scheming? Fine. Surely he could beat them at sincerity!
Besides, he already knew this universe's truth. At this gathering, he was essentially a prophet. With such knowledge, why waste brain cells on fellow victims still kept in the dark?
With that thought, Long Jing also pulled back his hood and removed his mask. When President Gong's face appeared, Zhen Xin chuckled again.
"Giving up already?
Your mentality needs work, President Gong. There are still people who haven't arrived. Go win back your dignity against them.
How about this — tell me about Shi Zhen, and I'll help you fool the latecomers. Deal?"
The de-robed Long Jing completely ignored this "temptation." He sat cross-legged on his tombstone, cracked one eyelid at Zhen Xin, and scoffed:
"What do you want to know?"
"?" Zhen Xin raised an eyebrow. "Depends on what you want to tell me."
"Anything goes."
Zhen Xin's pupils shifted: "Who is Shi Zhen? Where is He? And why has He never been recorded in the Land of Hope?"
"Shi Zhen is the very first clock hand forged by [Time]'s own hands at the moment of descent. It's understandable that mortals don't know of His existence — because since the day He was created, He never once left the platform of the Universe Clock.
Everyone here was present at the time, so I won't beat around the bush. Lord Yu Xi's guidance was actually a test. He and Lord Shi Zhen had a misunderstanding, and I... well, I personally resolved it.
I earned Lord Shi Zhen's recognition and thus merged with [Time].
Satisfied with that answer?"
"..."
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