The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human? Chapter 1378 837: Garbage Street (Part 2)

The captain of the anti-smuggling team took a sharp intake of breath.

"Isn't it? This kid is truly something else. Don't be fooled by his quiet demeanor now; that's only because our deputy captain emphasized countless times before we came that he absolutely cannot lay a hand on anyone from our own City Supervision Department. If it were any other department, who knows what this kid might have done."

Lie Chang rolled his eyes and changed his approach.

"Of course, with you here, captain, I doubt he can cause any major trouble. But we're all family here, are we not? Causing harm to each other isn't good for anyone, right?"

"You cheeky kid, you talk like a human but act like one too. However, he's been caught with the goods; would it be appropriate to just let him go?"

The captain of the anti-smuggling team inquired.

"It's definitely not appropriate. Firstly, the stolen goods must be confiscated; that box contains items which will surely satisfy you. Secondly, regarding the people from the Bloody Restaurant, if we catch them, it's all well and good; but if they manage to escape back there, we won't be able to pursue them, and closing the case would become a hassle. A fine would be more practical, wouldn't you agree, captain?"

Lie Chang proposed.

The captain of the anti-smuggling team cast a glance at him, not responding immediately.

Lie Chang's intention was clear: he was suggesting reporting the incident as if only the goods were confiscated and the person wasn't apprehended, with the understanding that they would then split the collected fine amongst themselves.

"Let's see the goods first."

After a moment of silence, the captain of the anti-smuggling team stated.

"Alright."

Lie Chang followed the captain back to Liu Zheng.

"Go on, open the box."

The captain of the anti-smuggling team gestured towards Lie Chang with a nod.

"Huh? Sure."

Lie Chang hesitated briefly, then squatted down and opened the box without further ado.

He didn't place much trust in Liu Zheng, but he did trust the Silver Wolf who had rescued him from the arena.

And, as expected, the box contained nothing other than the batch of deep-sea jewelry that Jiang Weisheng had handed over to Liu Zheng.

"Hmm... a fine of fifty thousand."

The captain of the anti-smuggling team observed the jewelry for a period before suddenly announcing.

"Alright."

Liu Zheng promptly produced fifty thousand and placed it into the box.

"Considering you still have urgent deliveries to make, let's treat this as a minor infraction rather than a major offense. Don't let me catch you again, or even if you're an employee of the Bloody Restaurant, I'll ensure you face justice."

The captain of the anti-smuggling team declared.

The underlying message was essentially a warning not to conduct any such transactions within his jurisdiction again.

While confiscating goods and collecting fines without a struggle was satisfying, failing to apprehend the culprits repeatedly would eventually draw unwanted attention.

The captain, being greedy but not excessively so, decided after some consideration to maintain a distance from Liu Zheng.

"Yes, thank you, leader, for your guidance and admonishment."

Liu Zheng replied respectfully.

"Very well, hurry up and leave now."

The captain of the anti-smuggling team waved his hand dismissively.

"Understood."

Liu Zheng drove away, with Lie Chang following closely behind on his motorcycle.

Once they had left the industrial area, he pulled the car over, and Lie Chang stopped as well.

"Thank you, Brother Lie, for assisting me."

Liu Zheng exited the car to express his sincere gratitude.

"We're family; there's no need for thanks, you're being far too polite, really."

Lie Chang said with a wide grin.

"Just a small token, a gesture of appreciation."

He produced a wad of cash and attempted to slip it into Lie Chang's pocket.

"What are you doing? I already said we're family, and you're still acting like this. Do you truly believe I helped you for money?"

Lie Chang's smile vanished.

"Don't be upset, Lie Chang, I didn't mean it that way..."

"If you genuinely want to show your thanks, don't offer money. You're from the Bloody Restaurant, aren't you? Just get me some good food and drink."

Liu Zheng was about to offer an explanation, but Lie Chang cut him off with a smile.

"Haha, alright. Infinite Heavenly Venerate."

He chuckled heartily, then retrieved some dried fish, a bottle each of Silver Label and Copper Mark wine from his Qiankun Ring, and a package of Universal Meat Eater Food from his System Space.

"Du Kang Wine Workshop's wine!"

Lie Chang's eyes sparkled with delight upon recognizing the wine.

"Good wine deserves good company. Though these dried fish are quite tough, be careful when you eat them, Brother Lie, don't chip a tooth."

Liu Zheng offered a word of caution.

"No worries, I prefer them tough, perfect for grinding my teeth. I should head back now; go take care of your business. See you later."

Lie Chang packed away the wine and meat, gave a casual wave with his paw, and rode off on his motorcycle.

"Quite the amusing dog, indeed."

Witnessing Lie Chang's amusing silhouette receding, Liu Zheng couldn't suppress a smile.

Back inside the car, San Huamao was intently observing the Deep Sea Snake Lumps King Fish, while the fish's twin eye-snakes retaliated with menacing hisses.

"Liu Zheng, where are we off to now, meow?"

Upon hearing Liu Zheng's return, San Huamao pivoted its head and posed the question.

The instant it turned, two eye-snakes shot forward, their bodies elongating like taut elastic cords, their six fangs grotesquely large as they lunged towards San Huamao's neck.

Any creature bearing the title "King" is, by its very nature, far from a mere ingredient.

Even within the perilous depths of the ocean, the Deep Sea Snake Lumps King Fish signifies extreme danger.

However, it had the misfortune of encountering the ace of the Bloody Restaurant, the trusted second-in-command to head chef Napoleon.

"Snap, snap!"

Without even turning its head, San Huamao flicked the two eye-snakes away, sending water splashing everywhere.

"Heading to Garbage Street. You might bump into Black Claw again, feel scared?"

Liu Zheng inquired.

"Not scared meow, both Liu Zheng and the owner will look out for me meow."

San Huamao shook its head resolutely.

"Indeed, I will."

He gently ruffled San Huamao's small head before steering towards Garbage Street.

Garbage Street, while not an open expanse, is certainly not a conventional street either.

If one were pressed to describe it, it resembles a desolate wasteland.

Structures and dwellings stand alongside tents and corrugated steel houses, and numerous open-air stalls are scattered about.

"Stay in the car, don't get out."

Liu Zheng instructed San Huamao before exiting the vehicle.

"I wish to disembark too meow, Liu Zheng is quite vulnerable now and requires my protection meow."

This time, San Huamao did not comply as readily.

Its assertion of protecting Liu Zheng was not contradictory to its earlier statement about Liu Zheng protecting it.

The former stemmed from Liu Zheng's normal combat efficacy being diminished without the Legendary Armor, while the latter was due to Liu Zheng's peak combat power surpassing its own.

"Truly can't do anything about you then."

A helpless smile touched Liu Zheng's lips as he scooped San Huamao up by the scruff of its neck, placing it onto his shoulder.

After stepping out of the car, he proceeded towards the nearest building.

Although treasures might be found at the stalls, the likelihood of encountering worthless items is substantially higher.

Furthermore, erecting a building on Garbage Street suggests an endeavor bordering on legitimate commerce; even if deception is involved, it's unlikely to be outrageously so.

"Dodo Department Store."

Liu Zheng's gaze fell upon the sign affixed to the entrance as he stepped inside.

The automatic glass doors slid shut behind him, obscuring the intrusive, unwelcome gazes from outside, as if simultaneously sealing him within the pervasive negativity.

"Welcome to Dodo Department Store."

A voice emerged from the surrounding darkness. As the voice materialized, light pierced the gloom, illuminating the entire area and revealing its source.

It was a being of peculiar appearance, possessing four arms, two of which occupied the space where legs would normally be.

Its face was situated where the right chest should be, while the left chest was a vacant hollow.

Naturally, it wore no upper garment, only a red and black checkered skirt reminiscent of a Scottish kilt.

"I trust neither of you has been unduly alarmed by my appearance."

The four-armed individual remarked with a smile upon noticing Liu Zheng's expression.

"It is rather startling."

Liu Zheng acknowledged with a nod.

"You're not wearing a shirt; I initially mistook you for a pervert."

He quipped.

"Ah? Well, there's no alternative; if I were to wear clothes, I wouldn't be able to see."

The four-armed individual responded with a hint of resignation.

"Why not create two openings for eyes, or perhaps don a fishnet top? That way, you could see while remaining somewhat ventilated," Liu Zheng suggested.

"Doesn't that strike you as even more perverted?"

The four-armed individual narrowed its eyes.

"It does seem that way. And what should I call you?"

It inquired.

"I am Boss Qian of Dodo Department Store; you may address me as Xiaoqian or Xiaodu."

The four-armed individual replied.

"Greetings, Boss Qian. I am seeking to purchase some wastewater from the Garbage Processing Plant; do you happen to have any in stock?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"Wastewater? Whatever for would you need such a thing?"

Qian Duoduo inquired, a touch of bewilderment in its tone.

While other commodities from the Garbage Processing Plant might be coveted treasures, wastewater was merely wastewater.

"For making soup."

Liu Zheng answered simply.

"The Metropolitan Most Smelly Soup?"

Qian Duoduo blurted out in surprise.