Chapter 132

Chapter 132

Jiang Xingzhuo sat before the All-Knowing Eye, munching on duck feet while observing the development of this world. Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner, aligning with her expectations. It was perfect.

The braised duck feet were delicious, seasoned to perfection and tender enough to be the ideal snack.

The Death God, wearing a bull helmet, watched her eagerly. Jiang Xingzhuo took a moment to realize what he was doing.

"Delicious! These are the best braised duck feet I've ever had! Love you~"

The Death God, pleased with the compliment, seemed to sprout pink flowers around him. Jiang Xingzhuo could almost see them.

"How do you have such a talent for this?"

The Death God shyly replied, "It must be because of love."

Jiang Xingzhuo nodded seriously, her mysterious smile turning into a sweet grin. "Yes, it must be because of love."

The Death God, captivated by her sparkling black eyes and sweet smile, fell deeply into her gaze, sitting dazed beside her. While she watched the All-Knowing Eye, he watched her eat the duck feet.

...I really want to hug Stars... I really want to hug Stars... I really want to hug Stars...

He became a love-struck fool once again.

In another dimension, the priest collapsed with blood streaming from his orifices, supported by Kede and others. His eyes wide open, he muttered, "Hug... hug... hug..."

"What? Hug what?"

"Hug pot stickers??"

"..."

Jiang Xingzhuo checked on the other worlds. Xiang Qin and the others were progressing smoothly, one world after another becoming her power plants, continuously providing her with faith energy. Liu Minyi's world was almost entirely hers.

Jiang Ying's progress was also smooth, and Qin Lanyue's world would soon be hers as well. As for Jiang Mian, things were progressing steadily. If both worlds continued at this pace, the Overlord might soon realize something was amiss, and she would meet this cunning human soon.

...

Liang Shousheng successfully escaped, even eluding his mother. The imperial government suffered another public failure, causing yet another shockwave in society.

Yizekai sat in his chair, lost in thought.

The Secretary-General assumed the matter was troubling Yizekai and consoled him, "At least we obtained more cards this time. We've proven the feasibility of our plan."

After a long pause, Yizekai slowly said, "Zeng Jian didn't have to die."

The Secretary-General was taken aback, not understanding. "Yes." This was already known; when facing only one person, the rule of certain death could be changed.

"But Zeng Jian died, and it was ridiculous." Zeng Jian's family paid the professors to kill Liang Shousheng, but Zeng Jian ended up being killed instead. From other testimonies, Liang Shousheng never made a move; Zeng Jian was killed by his own people.

"Sir, that's human nature," the Secretary-General said. He couldn't understand why the decisive and perceptive President would suddenly dwell on this issue. He should know human nature well.

"I'm not talking about that... forget it." Yizekai paused, realizing his thoughts were inappropriate for his position. Such musings would not benefit him if discovered.

The Secretary-General left, puzzled.

Yizekai still struggled to regain his composure. They always claimed Jiang Xingzhuo was a devil, but no one knew what she truly was. Liu Yi and others proclaimed her a god, looking down upon humanity and giving them choices.

The Chen Liang couple made the wrong choice and died, while Liu Yi and others made the right choice, enduring hardships but ultimately surviving and even causing their enemies great trouble, transforming both mentally and physically.

When facing only one person, the rule of certain death could be changed. After discovering this rule, they didn't think much of it. Now, after Zeng Jian's incident, a thought emerged.

Was it because a god left a glimmer of hope for every human, even the wicked?

...No. Yizekai shook his head, dismissing the idea. He must have been influenced by Liu Yi and others, leading to these absurd thoughts, speculating about her divine intentions. This was precisely what Liu Yi wanted.

Regardless of what Jiang Xingzhuo was, they wouldn't surrender their interests. That was human nature.

Moreover, they had experienced firsthand the consequences of over-relying on a deity's existence and authority. Mugan was their cautionary tale.

With this in mind, Yizekai suppressed his inexplicable emotions and focused on work.

...

Initially, people didn't believe Liu Yi's claims that the Son of Heaven system was destroyed. However, over time, they had to accept it.

People noticed a significant reduction in the empire's surveillance. Previously, anyone who spoke out of line would quickly face police intervention, but now, nothing happened, as if the empire was unaware.

They had to believe that the Son of Heaven system was indeed destroyed, allowing them to speak freely at home.

From the live stream of the Chen Liang couple's death to Liu Yi's successful escape, the destruction of the Son of Heaven system, and Liang Shousheng's escape, the imperial government repeatedly failed. All these events seemed to prove whether the former gods truly existed or if it was just a lie concocted by the empire and devils.

Many people wavered.

The imperial government realized they were at a disadvantage in the psychological war. Jiang Xingzhuo's presence ensured they could never win against Kede and others, so they quickly initiated their plan.

"You were trying to seduce my boyfriend, weren't you?"

"No, I wasn't, really... sniffle..."

"Do you think we're blind?"

A group of girls beat up another girl in the restroom. The victim, accustomed to school bullying, hugged herself in despair and numbness.

But this time was different. A girl burst in, helped her, and chased away the bullies.

"Are you stupid? Still getting bullied? Get up, you're filthy." The cool girl took off her jacket and threw it over her. The jacket carried her warmth and scent, making the victim feel incredulous.

This was an Apeituo, while she was merely a lowly Gaya. Why would she help her?

Because of the leaking water pipe, the neighbors upstairs and downstairs had been arguing for a long time, even to the point of causing trouble for each other. You break my door lock, I throw trash at your doorstep. Both sides believed the other was at fault and deserved punishment.

The other neighbors merely watched the spectacle, with no one stepping in to mediate.

Until one day, a neighbor suddenly appeared, choosing to stand with one side.

"It's their fault. The water pipe leaking wasn't something you could control. Why can't they be more understanding?"

"Exactly! So petty, they deserve to have children without anuses!"

"Do you remember the near-fire incident? I suspect it was their family's fault. Room 2701 was wrongly accused."

"What?! My child almost died from the smoke!"

...

"As far as I'm concerned, you shouldn't be so lenient with him. Cheating is unforgivable!"

"But..." The woman didn't expect her to say that, because she was just Kela. How could Apeituo's husband deserve death for cheating?

"But the woman he cheated with made you lose your child and brazenly moved into your home, treating you like a servant. Don't you feel any resentment?"

"..."

...

Suddenly, there were more people showing kindness, and more busybodies. Countless hearts were stirred by words, pulsing faster.

In the end, the bullied Gaya girl, encouraged by the Apeituo girl, decided to confront her bullies at the school dance.

Many people attended the dance, including not only students but also many socialites. She felt confused but didn't have the energy to think about it.

She looked at her friend with dependence, who led her to the girls and encouraged her, "Speak up; I'll be with you."

"Okay." She gathered courage, unaware that everyone at the dance was watching with a strange fervor. She mustered all her courage, looking at them with disgust and anger, "Since the day I entered this school, you've bullied and insulted me for no reason. You've gone too far."

"Hahahaha, so what? Do you think having an Apeituo friend will make us afraid? Who isn't an Apeituo?"

"You've gone too far! You're guilty!" she shouted angrily.

In that instant, everything in the dance froze. Light emerged from the ground, swallowing everyone.

"Welcome to the Judgment Arena. Let's play a game." That mysterious, enchanting, and dangerous voice echoed.

The girl felt both fear and excitement, quickly turning to her friend, only to see her release her hand and run excitedly to others: "Amazing! Mom and Dad, I did it, I did it!"

"Good job, sweetheart!"

"You're Dad's pride!"

The girl watched, confused and bewildered, calling her friend's name, but received no response.

Although during the card-drawing phase, everyone except the few who bullied her stood on her side, she felt no warmth. Everyone was frantically drawing cards, with no one paying attention to her.

...

What started as minor friction escalated into resentment due to someone's deliberate fueling of the fire.

"You're guilty, do you know that? You're guilty, you deserve to die!"

The light intensified, and everyone in the building disappeared.

"Welcome to the Judgment Arena. Let's play a game."

...

"You're guilty!"

"Welcome to the Judgment Arena. Let's play a game."

...

They soon realized that this was the true purpose of these people, with no genuine intentions, just wanting to use their hands to enter the Judgment Arena, a plan long in the making, known to many. They were mere tools.

They could have avoided such emotional manipulation if they had applied when the government sent out invitations instead of turning away in fear, preferring to remain ordinary.

Without the Tianzi system, obtaining cards required creating opportunities. These high-ranking beings designed and guided situations, notifying other high-ranking beings to gather when the Judgment Arena opened, allowing them to enter together.

Then they would stand with the accusers, enforcing the rule that two-thirds must die if the opponents outnumbered them. If there was only one opponent and they were a high-ranking being, they wouldn't die.

Due to Jiang Xingzhuo's intimidating presence, the imperial government had become more restrained, leading some to suffer only emotional deception.

In places unknown to Yizekai and others, people acted recklessly to enter the Judgment Arena. For example, they captured innocent Mugan, torturing them and even their families, provoking cries of "You're guilty."

Of course, those who dared to do this today were usually foolish and ended up dying in the Judgment Arena, hindering the imperial government, as the angry Mugan joined Liu Yi and Kede upon release.

Kede and Liu Yi used similar methods to collect cards, but theirs were simpler. There were many injured Mugan with deep grievances, easily swayed by the priest's encouragement to seek revenge and open the Judgment Arena.

Kede and Liu Yi's method was easier but limited in numbers and resources. They needed money. The imperial government faced more difficulty but had the advantage of numbers and a printing press, making them evenly matched.

Both sides frantically collected cards, causing the world to visibly split, filled with silent tension. Everyone's eyes seemed different, full of suspicion and scrutiny.

Are they allies or enemies?

In November, the world entered a harsh winter.

Due to insufficient funds for card drawing, Kede made a decision—to establish their own government and print their own currency.