The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human? Chapter 1389 1389: Still Foggy in the Head

"Wild House..."

Liu Zheng contemplated the name of this settlement. In his experience, a community with an ordinary name could harbor secrets, but one with an unusual name was invariably strange. Therefore, as a precaution, he decided against delivering the hearty soup to the cemetery first and proceeded directly to Wild House. "Hmm?" As he drove, Liu Zheng noticed the route felt somewhat familiar. He consulted his map again and realized it was the same path he had taken to Green District previously. "Green District and Wild House... Could Wild House be a community exclusively for carnivorous beings?" Liu Zheng mused. If that were the case, would the proximity of these two communities truly avoid any conflict? With this question lingering, he arrived at the entrance of Wild House. "Well, no need to wonder, it definitely is." Upon observing the two imposing statues at the entrance, Liu Zheng's prior guess was confirmed. They depicted two wild beasts in an embrace: a majestic golden lion and a pristine white tiger. The sculptor's talent was extraordinary, not only imbuing the statues with life but also giving the illusion of movement to the lion's mane and the tiger's tail. Curiously, their embrace didn't signify aggression; it appeared more like a graceful dance. The security guard on duty was equally distinctive – a leopard. However, this leopard had tear tracks near its eyes and hollow patterns on its fur, making its exact species, whether cheetah, leopard, or a hybrid, uncertain. "Halt, state your purpose here." Predictably, he was stopped a short distance from the entrance. "Delivering food," Liu Zheng indicated his uniform. "Food delivery is prohibited here. You're fortunate; I'm saving room for a buffet tonight, so be quick and leave before I lose my appetite on you." Hua Liebao, the leopard guard, waved a dismissive paw, as if shooing away an insect. "Which buffet?" Liu Zheng inquired. "The Meaty Hot Pot BBQ Buffet. What, you interested in joining?" Hua Liebao retorted. "Actually, I am." He nodded. After all, the usual sustenance was rather bland, and frequently visiting the Jidao Public Bath for meals felt awkward. "Ah, then by all means, go ahead. It's a rather unique establishment; the meat is sourced daily from farms outside the city, exceptionally fresh. Moreover, unlike other buffets that annoyingly impose time limits of two or three hours, they don't restrict your dining duration. "However, they do implement penalties for unfinished meals. If you can't pay the fine, you'll have to compensate with your own flesh, forfeiting the portion you leave uneaten. So, if you attend, ensure you only take what you can consume. Don't push yourself trying to get your money's worth and end up losing your life," Hua Liebao advised. "Thank you for the guidance, Brother Leopard. How about we go together? My treat." Liu Zheng saw an opportunity to foster a connection. "Attempting to bribe me, are we? It's futile; I'm an owner myself. If I allow you entry, I'll face repercussions within the community. So, don't even consider it." Hua Liebao saw through his ploy. "Do your community owners take turns handling security duties?" Liu Zheng asked, surprised. "Certainly not." Hua Liebao looked at him as if he were simple-minded. "This residence was bequeathed to me by my parents. I ended up in security because I couldn't secure employment elsewhere," Hua Liebao explained. "I see. But Brother Leopard, finding a job shouldn't be difficult for you, should it?" Liu Zheng remarked. Judging by Hua Liebao's discourse, he seemed quite sensible, and the fact that his parents had left him a house suggested a favorable family background, likely indicating a good education. "Mostly, I can't be bothered to search. I possess a home, an inheritance; why endure the rigors of external labor? Furthermore, I am already an owner here, so the property management won't mistreat me excessively – it's quite satisfactory." Hua Liebao responded. "Indeed, to be frank, I envy you, Brother Leopard," Liu Zheng stated sincerely. "I envy myself as well. Alright, you should depart now. I'm in a pleasant mood presently, but if I become irritable later, you might not be able to leave." Hua Liebao said. Feline species possess an inherently volatile temperament, with jaguars being the most extreme example of this nervousness. Although Hua Liebao only had a quarter of jaguar bloodline, he still experienced his temperamental episodes. This was one of the reasons he opted against seeking employment outside. After all, strangers would not exhibit the same level of tolerance as the familiar residents within the community, and he might risk losing his life if he failed to earn any income. Naturally, these personal matters were not necessary to disclose to Liu Zheng, whom he had just met. "Do you indulge in smoking, Brother Leopard?" Liu Zheng inquired. "I do. I was smoking before I could walk, and I knew the names of tobacco brands before I could fully recognize the alphabet," Hua Liebao said proudly.

"Suit yourself."

Liu Zheng offered Hua Liebao a cigarette from the pack Wang Manni had given him, then took one himself.

It was simple enough when offering to someone familiar, but presenting a cigarette to a stranger required lighting one up yourself first, lest they feel awkward accepting it.

"Hell Lord. My, you're quite well-off, aren't you?"

Hua Liebao spoke without pretense; he genuinely recognized the brand of cigarettes Liu Zheng held.

He had only ever seen them before, never actually smoked one.

A single stick cost sixty to seventy, a price that made his entire day's work feel wasted.

"These were a gift. If this brand isn't to your liking, Brother Leopard, I have others," Liu Zheng stated.

Liu Zheng then produced another pack, this one marked 'special supply'.

"Environmental Protection Department special supply. These are truly something else; they offer a clean taste, don't overwhelm you, and even leave a hint of sweetness. You could smoke a whole pack and still feel perfectly fine."

Hua Liebao's eyes gleamed with interest.

For a seasoned smoker like himself, the cost became secondary; a superior smoke was the ultimate consideration.

"Here, take the whole pack."

Liu Zheng extended the pack towards Hua Liebao.

"No, no, I couldn't possibly. Smoking just one Hell Lord is more than enough for a consultation fee. If I were to accept a whole pack without even granting you entry, people would surely say I have a faulty Leopard character."

Hua Liebao firmly declined, shaking his head.