The next Mortal Kombat game is called Shaolin Monks, and on the magazine cover you see Kung Lao and Liu Kang.
Now, in Deception, Liu Kang is a HUGE secret character who you only unlock after completing Konquest mode.
Then there is Kung Lao, a character you will not meet either, until you finish Konquest, BUT the trick is to see him you have to talk to Mr Wen & Shen before you get locked up in the jail. Only then you can unlock the appearance of Kung Lao.
Then there is the Shao Lin temple in the village that you can not enter... only shao lin monks can enter.
Tell you I have no idea where I am really going with this... but in my mind, I feel this is the connection between this game and the NEXT game.