The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human? Chapter 1379 838: Rare Goods in the Garbage Processing Plant

"Wastewater must have more than just one purpose, wouldn't you agree?"

Liu Zheng questioned, his expression peculiar.

"Indeed, but this particular application is its most renowned and classic use," Qian Duoduo replied with a chuckle.

"Very well. Do you offer it for sale here?" he inquired.

"We typically don't stock it due to low demand; it's quite perilous, you see. However, I recently acquired a shipment requiring preservation with this very wastewater. Should you purchase this batch, the wastewater will be included as a complimentary bonus," Qian Duoduo explained.

"My word, no wonder your business thrives; you truly master the art of bundled sales," Liu Zheng quipped, a smirk playing on his lips.

While others might pair a purchase with a freebie, Qian Duoduo's strategy went further, bundling an entire consignment, a tactic more aggressive than even the most persistent free travel offers for seniors.

"Farewell."

He clasped his hands together, preparing to depart. He possessed wealth, but he had no intention of being swindled.

"Please, wait."

At Qian Duoduo's plea, the area around Liu Zheng abruptly plunged into darkness, as if an impenetrable barrier had materialized.

"What is this? Is Boss Qian attempting a forced transaction?" he sneered, unleashing his Asura Great Dharma Wheel from above his head. It spun, instantly slicing through the shadowy wall. However, he deliberately held back, creating only an aperture rather than obliterating the obstruction entirely.

"Certainly not; you've misunderstood," Qian Duoduo stated, his eyes gleaming. The encroaching darkness receded.

"As the saying goes, business is business. You are welcome to propose a counter-offer," he suggested with a smile.

"Oh? Why don't you state your price first, then?" Liu Zheng replied enigmatically.

"Perhaps you should examine the goods firsthand; it might alter your perspective," Qian Duoduo proposed.

"Agreed," Liu Zheng nodded.

"Bring forth item B204," Qian Duoduo commanded into a walkie-talkie retrieved from his pocket.

A crackle of garbled noises emanated from the other end before falling silent. Shortly after, colossal centipedes emerged from the gloom, bearing a glass tank. Inside the tank, murky, dark-brown sewage swirled, obscuring various floating objects of indeterminate shapes.

"These items were all recovered from this very wastewater. Originally, there were eight pieces, but after I removed one, it gradually evaporated, leaving just these seven," Qian Duoduo elaborated.

"If I were to use the wastewater to prepare a soup and consume it, wouldn't these items also evaporate?" Liu Zheng inquired.

"You needn't concern yourself with that. You'll have ample wastewater for at least ten pots of potent broth. Should you require more, I can arrange further supplies as a post-purchase service," Qian Duoduo assured him with a laugh.

"That's certainly attentive service. And what are the uses of these seven items within?" he asked.

"I haven't the faintest idea," Qian Duoduo admitted, shaking his head.

"Hmph? You dare to peddle items without knowing their function?" Liu Zheng's eyes widened in disbelief.

"You might be new to Garbage Street and unaware of the local customs. Most articles at the Garbage Processing Plant possess hidden properties that only reveal themselves through a process we term 'Enlightenment'. The methods for 'Enlightenment' vary, and consequently, so do the eventual unveiled effects. Therefore, we generally do not appraise items unless specifically requested by a buyer," Qian Duoduo clarified.

"There's an additional charge for 'Enlightenment', I presume? And if the appraisal reveals the item to be useless, there are no refunds, correct?" Liu Zheng blinked, piecing it together.

"Precisely. It seems my initial assessment was mistaken; you are indeed quite knowledgeable," Qian Duoduo beamed.

"Haha."

While not truly an expert, Liu Zheng had seen enough on television to recognize this scenario—it was akin to betting on uncut stones. "What about potential side effects?" he inquired.

The absence of apparent effects didn't preclude hidden drawbacks; he recalled the Pond Master falling prey to such deceptive terminology employed by unscrupulous merchants.

"Initially, their side effects caused the fingers of those nearby to gradually vanish. Once the fingers were gone, other limbs would slowly disappear. However, after one piece was extracted, this detrimental effect also ceased," Qian Duoduo responded.

"So, by logical deduction, these items are inherently interconnected. Now that one has been removed, their positive effects might also be diminished or gone entirely?" Liu Zheng inferred.

"That is a distinct possibility," Qian Duoduo conceded reluctantly.

"Understood. No need for 'Enlightenment'. Just provide a package price for these items," Liu Zheng stated.

"I neglected to ask, what is your surname?"

"My surname is Liu," Liu Zheng replied.

"Given Mr. Liu's directness, I shall offer you a fair price: eighty-eight thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight," Qian Duoduo declared after a moment's consideration.

"I don't fancy such a number, forty-four thousand four hundred and forty-four. Take it or leave it," Liu Zheng stated impassively.

Qian Duoduo offered a wry smile. "Mr. Liu, your bargaining is excessively harsh."

"We both understand that you'll still be profitable at that figure. Initially, I only intended to purchase the wastewater; you insisted on bundling it. I'm amenable to buying it, so that should suffice."

Liu Zheng observed Qian Duoduo, his expression shifting slightly as anticipated. "You might argue that if I don't buy from you, no one else will dare sell to me."

"However," he continued, "I'm opting to buy simply to avoid hassle. If I wished, I could have the Fire Mage acquire it for me."

"The Fire Mage! Isn't he a wanted man?" Qian Duoduo exclaimed, startled.

"He won't be for long," Liu Zheng replied, a confident look on his face.

"And where is he at the moment?" Qian Duoduo inquired cautiously.

"You wish to know? If you do, I shall have to take you to meet him."