The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human? Chapter 1380 838: Premium Goods at the Garbage Processing Plant_2
Previously on The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?...
A faint smile graced Liu Zheng's lips.
"Honestly, I'm not particularly keen on knowing either," he replied.
Qian Duoduo fidgeted slightly, his words laced with awkwardness.
"So, do you agree to the price of forty-four thousand four hundred and forty-four?"
Liu Zheng inquired.
"Since you're a friend of his, I suppose I have no other choice but to accept."
A sigh escaped Qian Duoduo's lips.
Those who made a living from the Garbage Processing Plant could not afford to antagonize a Fire Mage; it was akin to inviting certain death. Within the confines of the Garbage Processing Plant, even if every individual from Garbage Street united, they would inevitably be outmaneuvered and defeated by the Fire Mage alone. And this was without even considering the Fire Mage's formidable ally, the Wolf Knight.
"Boss Qian, you are truly generous,"
Liu Zheng offered a thumbs-up.
"By the way, Mr. Liu, do you possess any storage equipment?"
Qian Duoduo's question followed.
"Yes, I do. Why do you ask?"
"Ah, that's good to hear. Items originating from the Garbage Processing Plant are best kept discreetly stored, especially this particular one, as its significant size could attract unwanted attention from City Hall."
"Furthermore, once placed within your storage device, try to avoid taking it out too frequently, as this might inadvertently trigger the item's mutation."
"Lastly, a word of caution: many items from the Garbage Processing Plant carry residual side effects that can permeate storage equipment and even breach seals."
Qian Duoduo's reminder was earnest.
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, Boss Qian."
Liu Zheng gave a nod.
The transaction was concluded, yet Qian Duoduo remained less than entirely satisfied.
The "business" conducted on Garbage Street wasn't the kind that happened only once every three years, allowing one to live off the profits for the subsequent three. While there was indeed a profit margin on this deal, it fell short of his personal expectations.
"Mr. Liu, would you care to examine anything else?"
Qian Duoduo probed further.
"No, it's unnecessary. My sole purpose was to acquire the wastewater; I have no intention of getting entangled in further complications."
Liu Zheng shook his head.
"Rest assured, the item I presented to you is truly exceptional. Had I not been capable of managing it myself, and knowing your connection with the Fire Mage, I would never have offered it."
Qian Duoduo asserted.
"Oh? Does it possess particularly severe side effects?"
A flicker of interest crossed Liu Zheng's expression.
"Precisely. Its side effect involves the destruction of one item from the Garbage Processing Plant within its vicinity each day. Should no item be present, it will claim the life of one intelligent creature nearby."
"Although I have stored it alongside numerous low-grade items, if it remains unsold indefinitely, the cumulative losses will far exceed its potential value,"
Qian Duoduo admitted with a rueful smile.
"Then what exactly is its function?"
Liu Zheng inquired.
"This particular item has not yet undergone 'Enlightenment.' However, you can be assured that the more potent the side effects of an item, the greater its inherent function; this is a widely acknowledged principle on Garbage Street,"
Qian Duoduo guaranteed.
"Will the side effects cease to exist once it achieves Enlightenment?"
"Generally, no."
Qian Duoduo shook his head.
"Then what use does it serve me? I don't possess an abundance of items from the Garbage Processing Plant to feed it."
Liu Zheng rolled his eyes.
"I can offer you a batch at a significantly reduced price."
Qian Duoduo immediately proposed.
"Haha, Boss Qian truly knows how to conduct business. Not only do you offload problematic assets, but you also secure a long-term client. It's no wonder you've managed to construct such an imposing establishment."
Liu Zheng's voice dripped with cold amusement.
"Regarding the price, I am prepared to offer Mr. Liu the most substantial discount possible."
Qian Duoduo remained undeterred.
"What is the price?"
"Eight hundred thousand, which includes the item itself and thirty low-grade items."
Qian Duoduo stated his offer.
With a consumption rate of one item per day, thirty items would ostensibly last for a month. This seemed manageable in the short term, but for someone like Qian Duoduo, who could not utilize or sell it, the long-term cost became increasingly unpalatable.
"Four hundred thousand."
Liu Zheng, emulating his previous negotiation tactic, halved the proposed price.
"The acquisition cost of this item alone exceeds three hundred and fifty thousand. Forty thousand is simply not feasible; I can show you the ledger if you doubt my word."
Qian Duoduo protested.
"Then fifty thousand. Take it or leave it."
Liu Zheng displayed no inclination for further debate.
"This... alas, very well. Let us consider this a transaction made in the spirit of our burgeoning friendship."
Qian Duoduo sighed once more.
"Then let us proceed with the delivery."
He placed fifty thousand currency units on the ground.
"Summon item A201. And retrieve an additional thirty-five low-grade items,"
Qian Duoduo instructed into the intercom.
Following a series of rustling sounds, the colossal Centipede reappeared, bearing two containers: one substantial and one modest.
The larger container was filled with miscellaneous detritus – a deflated soccer ball, a scorched milk pot, a sweater missing a sleeve, and other similar refuse.
The smaller box held a hammer lacking a handle, its head fashioned with a long, flat profile, one end sharpened to a point, the other remaining blunt.
The tip of the object was coated in a viscous, tar-like black liquid that exuded a pungent odor. "The extra five items are a bonus for leaving a good review." Qian Duoduo stated with a smile. "A good review, absolutely! You deserve to get rich, Boss Qian." Liu Zheng's current praise was entirely sincere. "Thank you for your kind words. Are you planning to perform the 'Enlightenment' here yourself, or would you prefer to have the Fire Mage do it for you?" Qian Duoduo inquired. He mused that after being cut short by thirty thousand, every bit of additional profit counted. "I'll ask around first." Liu Zheng then made a call to Sha Jiang. "Brother Sha, what are you up to?" he asked once the call connected. "Just fishing right now. I've developed a new bait; even I find its aroma irresistible. I'm certain it will yield a great catch," Sha Jiang declared with confidence. "I believe in you, you've got this. I managed to find a rare item on Garbage Street, could you possibly help me perform 'Enlightenment' on it?" Liu Zheng got straight to the point. "I can help, but I'm not sure how to perform 'Enlightenment'," Sha Jiang confessed, scratching his head. "Huh?" Both Liu Zheng and Qian Duoduo were taken aback. It seemed utterly preposterous that the uncrowned king of the Garbage Processing Plant, the renowned Fire Mage, wouldn't know how to perform 'Enlightenment' on items. It was akin to a chief surgeon at a hospital being unable to perform surgery. "Don't you acquire items from the Garbage Processing Plant?" Liu Zheng questioned. "I do pick things up. But it all comes down to fate, you see. If an item is destined for you, you'll intuitively know how to utilize it upon discovery. Conversely, if it's not meant to be yours, even after 'Enlightenment', it won't truly belong to you," Sha Jiang explained. "Alright then, I'll bring it to you later to see if you're fated with it," Liu Zheng said with a hint of reluctance. "Sure thing," Sha Jiang readily agreed. "In that case, I'll have the Fire Mage take a look first. If he can't manage it, I'll return to ask Boss Qian for assistance with the 'Enlightenment'," Liu Zheng informed Qian Duoduo after hanging up. "Certainly, certainly, Mr. Liu is always welcome here," Qian Duoduo replied with a slight bow. After gathering his newly acquired items, Liu Zheng departed from Garbage Street, making his way directly to Rose Street, and then descended into the sewer. "Here's your river mud," the Fisherman said immediately upon their meeting, tossing a bucket of sludge towards him. "Thank you, father-in-law. Brother Sha, this is it. Please take a look at it for me. Infinite Heavenly Venerable." Liu Zheng retrieved the hammer head from his Qiankun Ring. The Fisherman, before he could even express annoyance, was captivated by the object. "This thing is quite sinister. It's no good; the sewer is watching." The three men abruptly looked up as a pale eyeball on the ceiling slowly opened. "Quick, put it away!" the Fisherman yelled urgently. "Infinite Heavenly Venerable." Ignoring Qian Duoduo's reminder, Liu Zheng swiftly concealed the hammer head back within the Qiankun Ring. Witnessing the pale eyeball gradually close and vanish, the Fisherman finally exhaled a breath of relief. "Where did you obtain such a dangerous artifact this time?" he asked, fixing Liu Zheng with a stern gaze. "From Garbage Street, from a vendor named Qian Duoduo. He was reluctant to accept my bargaining and insisted on selling me more items. I saw it wasn't too expensive, so I purchased some. Do you know him, Brother Sha?" Liu Zheng responded. "I don't know him; I haven't sold anything there," Sha Jiang replied, shaking his head. He was the sort who favored established relationships, preferring to stick with sellers who didn't gouge him. "Understood. So, what do we do now?" Liu Zheng inquired. The sewer's reaction had been so intense that Sha Jiang hadn't even had a chance to properly appraise the item. "Wait." The Fisherman shot him a sideways glance before diving into the Underwater River. After a short while, he resurfaced, carrying a fish that resembled a bottom-feeder. "I'll count down from three. When I reach one, shove that item into the fish's belly. Don't worry about touching anything; just make sure it goes all the way in. Do you understand?" the Fisherman instructed. "Understood," Liu Zheng nodded with utmost seriousness. "Three!" "Two!" "One!" "Infinite Heavenly Venerable!" As the Fisherman pried open the fish's mouth, Liu Zheng seized the hammer head that materialized and thrust it directly into the fish's maw.