Chapter 1200: Honor Code

Old Seven paused, staring at Wang Shu for any hint of an ulterior motive, but he only saw a natural, genuine smile on the pretty woman’s face.

He took a deep breath and mustered his courage. Taking a few steps closer, he reached his trembling hand out to take hers, feeling like his heart was lurching into his throat. It didn’t feel any different from a regular girl’s hand—slim, soft, slightly cool, like a lily covered in dew at dawn.

Old Seven took some time to confirm nothing was amiss before nodding at Liao Liao. She came up to take his other hand.

Old Seven activated Contract. “In the next ten minutes, awakener Liao Liao and Sloth, also named Wang Shu, will play rock-paper-scissors. One game to determine the winner.”

“During the process, both parties are prohibited from cheating in any manner or method. The winner will live, and the loser will die. Violation of the contract will end in death, too.”

“Upon agreement, the contract will come into effect.”

“Do you agree, Sloth, Wang Shu?”

“I agree.”

“Do you agree, awakener Liao Liao?”

“I agree.”

Energy rippled from Old Seven, rustling Wang Shu’s and Liao Liao’s hair.

Liao Liao perked up. It worked!

Old Seven had only formed a contract between Liao Liao and Wang Shu. Even if she lost the game, she would be the only one to die. The other three could walk away from the contract.

Liao Liao was trying to create some wiggle room by playing dumb. To her surprise, Wang Shu didn’t stop her.

Wang Shu, my friend, you should read the small text when signing a contract no matter how lazy you are, or sooner or later you’re gonna get cheated out of everything.

Liao Liao’s satisfaction was short-lived, though. She realized that Wang Shu might not even care since she would stand a good chance against the other three awakeners if Liao Liao died.

“You may begin.” Old Seven let go of their hands, retreating to Hong Xiaoxiao and Nainai’s side, keeping a safe distance.

Liao Liao took a deep breath and sat down cross-legged, a meter across from Wang Shu.

“Come. We’ll see who’s the lucky one.” She clenched her fist and hid it behind her back.

“Okay.” Wang Shu nodded, doing the same.

It was a simple move, but with Contract’s binding power, neither of them would be able to cheat. The moment they decided on what they were playing, they couldn’t change it.

“I’ll count down from three,” Old Seven announced. “And you’ll play your hand together.”

Liao Liao nodded. Wang Shu merely blinked.

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

They showed their hands at the same time.

Wang Shu did rock.

Liao Liao did paper.

Liao Liao won.

...

“Ah!” Old Seven screamed. “We won! We really won! We fucking won!”

“Won...we-we won...” Hong Xiaoxiao’s heart finally returned to her chest. She couldn’t believe it even when the result was right before her.

“Hmph!” Nainai puffed out her chest with her hands on her hips, pretending that she had anticipated the victory. “Challenging this Empress’s destiny is akin to an ant trying to shake a tree!”

Liao Liao stared at her splayed hands before looking at Wang Shu’s fist. She checked and re-checked to make sure she hadn’t seen wrong. Her stuttering heart finally recovered its beat, thumping against her ribcage.

To others, it would seem like a simple rock-paper-scissor game. Liao Liao was the only one who knew how much pressure she had been under and how many neurons had died as casualties of her decision-making.

Thank God she won.

Her three companions quickly calmed down and readied for a fight after the fleeting thrill. Liao Liao remained in her seated position, but she was already drawing energy in case a fight broke out—no one could guarantee that Wang Shu wouldn’t resist in some way.

Violating the contract would kill her, though. And even if she didn’t die, she would pay a heavy price.

Four pair of human eyes fixed on Wang Shu.

She cracked a small smile. “You won, Liao Liao. I admit defeat.”

Liao Liao hid her shock behind a poker face.

Really? She’s just gonna honor her word?!

Wang Shu leisurely tore open another lollipop and put it in her mouth. “You’re lucky.”

“It wasn’t just luck,” Liao Liao said. “I played paper after careful consideration.”

“Why?” Wang Shu blinked curiously. “You’ve never played rock-paper-scissors with me. How could you guess what I would do?”

Liao Liao raised her right hand and balled it into a fist. “Most people put their hands into a fist and hide it behind their back when they play this game.”

Wang Shu nodded. “And? What does that mean?”

Liao Liao extended two fingers to make scissors. Then she splayed her fingers to make paper. “The three take different levels of effort.”

“Oh, that’s right. Haha, I am lazy.” Wang Shu praised. “You’re amazing, Liao Liao.”

“It’s nothing.” Liao Liao’s eyes tensed. “You said you accepted defeat.”

“Yeah.” Wang Shu looked up at the white moon with the lollipop dangling from her mouth. Her eyes looked soft with what could be attachment or sorrow. “About what you asked me, Liao Liao. I gave it some thought. Haha, I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I kept thinking about it.”

Liao Liao took some time to remember the question.

“Do you have an answer now?”

Wang Shu grinned. “Wanna hear it?”

Liao Liao nodded.

“Perhaps humans aren’t seeking self-destruction...”

Wang Shu’s body grew translucent, her energy leaving her body to rise into the sky as moonlight. This close, Liao Liao could sense that the moonlight wasn’t Sloth’s second form, but cold light without any vitality. Wang Shu was committing suicide.

“Humans seek to prove that lives have once existed...”

The translucent form melted into an intangible wind and dissipated. Gone was the death monster. The lollipop fell to the ground and rolled to Liao Liao’s feet.

Sloth, death monster, also known as Wang Shu.

She died.

Liao Liao remained seated. Picking up the lollipop, she stared at it for a silent moment.