Previously on The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?...
Liu Zheng and Niu Ma discuss wedding plans, with Liu Zheng agreeing to consult an expert on traditional weddings and Niu Ma reluctantly providing funds. Liu Zheng also receives calls regarding Ace's writing materials and follows up on a delivery for Niu Daji, arranging for Xia Kai to explore Bathhouse Street. Meanwhile, Black Skull reports that Wild Pig bribed their captain, and Liu Zheng agrees to cover the costs for further investigation, assigning Wang Manni to deliver the funds.
"She is not my side chick, to begin with. And second, I agree she will do."
Liu Zheng stated.
Naturally, this was merely a preliminary notion.
When the moment arrived, he would still need to devise a selection strategy that everyone could endorse and that demonstrated impartiality. The selection of the main wedding planner, in particular, required meticulous handling,lest he meet an ignominious end.
"Mr. Delivery Guy, the payment has been sent."
Wang Manni called shortly thereafter.
"Alright, thank you for your efforts," Liu Zheng replied.
"It was no trouble at all," Wang Manni responded cheerfully.
"Then I shall burden you with a little more. Have you ever participated in a wedding?" he inquired.
"Numerous times. Relatives', classmates', colleagues'... all together, it must be ten, perhaps twenty," Wang Manni mused before answering.
"Perfect. My boss desires to renew his vows, but he wishes to conceal it from his wife to surprise her, so he has entrusted this to me. Naturally, I haven't the slightest clue about this, so I wanted to ask you..." Liu Zheng explained.
"Certainly!" Wang Manni agreed instantly, before he could finish.
"Very well, I will inform everyone first, and then we shall discuss the specific plan," Liu Zheng stated.
"You can inform me about the budget, the number of guests, the desired style, and any other requirements. I can begin drafting a detailed proposal immediately," Wang Manni said, barely able to contain her eagerness.
"Uh, we will discuss it later, later," he hastily ended the call.
If he allowed Wang Manni to continue, it would be impossible to avoid entrusting her with the role of chief planner for this wedding.
Once the funds are secured, everything becomes simpler.
Soon, Black Skull initiated a call.
"I've discovered it. That scoundrel Boar gave the captain fifty thousand, and even surrendered a temporary worker position to him," he reported through gritted teeth.
"Has there been a vacancy for captain recently?" Liu Zheng inquired thoughtfully.
"Huh? I don't believe so. While the work in the Sanitation Department is unpleasant, it's still quite secure," Black Skull responded, momentarily stunned.
"Then your captain isn't concerned? Boar is merely a vice-captain; why would he require so many elite troops? It's not as if he's enhancing your captain's performance through sheer benevolence," Liu Zheng pointed out.
"Are you suggesting Boar intends to seize the captain's position?" Black Skull grasped the implication.
"Who wouldn't desire that? My friend, if you had the opportunity, wouldn't you want to be captain?" he retorted.
"Of course, only a fool wouldn't. If I were captain, would I need to beg for a skin for my girl? Then again, if not for that, I wouldn't have met you, brother, so perhaps it's for the best that I'm not captain," Black Skull revealed, displaying considerable tact.
"Therefore, regardless of whether Boar harbors such intentions, as long as your captain *believes* he does, that is sufficient. How much did you give that logistics fellow?" Liu Zheng asked.
"Twenty thousand," Black Skull replied.
Twenty thousand for a piece of intelligence was already a substantial sum.
"Then give the remaining one hundred and eighty thousand to your captain," Liu Zheng instructed.
"That... likely won't be enough," Black Skull admitted with a wry smile.
The value of money differs from person to person.
Boar, the vice-captain, possessed wealth many times that of Black Skull's.
"Just give him that amount for now. Get this matter suppressed. I will handle it once I'm out," Liu Zheng stated.
"Understood. Little brother, it's not as if I *must* have those Fly Men. What truly concerns me is that if I simply tolerate this, those bastards will push their luck further. Your nieces haven't even reached adulthood, and already several men are approaching me to propose. Do you think I'm unaware of their true intentions?" Black Skull expressed through clenched teeth.
Marrying a Painted Skin wife was akin to having countless wives in one. What man wouldn't desire such an arrangement?
"I understand. Rest assured, with me here, they will not gain anything from you," Liu Zheng declared with unwavering resolve.
"I believe you. Oh right, brother, you mentioned something you wanted to tell me earlier; what was it?" Black Skull inquired.
"Didn't I tell you? My matters are not urgent. We will deal with your business first."
"Absolutely not, brother; you must let me do something for you, otherwise, I won't be able to rest easy," Black Skull insisted.
"Very well. I accidentally spilled a pot of the Metropolitan Most Smelly Soup in the cemetery, and the Tomb Guardian tasked me with eliminating the remaining stench. I figured your Sanitation Department is quite professional in this area, so I wanted to ask if you had any suggestions," Liu Zheng reluctantly confessed.
"..." Black Skull fell silent upon hearing his explanation.
"My friend, what's wrong with you? Don't tell me I've scared you speechless?" Seeing his continued silence, Liu Zheng raised his voice and asked.
"Brother, kindly cease startling me like that again. My soul fire nearly extinguished from the sheer fright."
Black Skull stated his observation calmly.
"It wasn't that dire, merely a pot of soup. Observe me, I remain hale and hearty."
Liu Zheng boasted with unbridled shamelessness, artfully omitting the detail of him nearly succumbing to an overpowering stench on the spot.
"Do you truly believe everyone possesses your resilience? The last instance of the Metropolitan Most Smelly Soup appeared, it quite literally caused the demise of half a street's populace due to its offensive odor. The Sanitation Department exerted their utmost for an entire month before that particular street was rendered marginally habitable once more."
Black Skull narrated his recollection.
"Eh? It was that perilous? How is it that I perceived nothing amiss?"
"I attained my permanent position as a consequence of that incident, precisely because of the considerable loss of life. Do you truly suspect I would fabricate such a narrative? However, the soup that momentous occasion contained certain supplementary components. While I lack the precise specifics, should you desire, I can undertake an investigation on your behalf."
Black Skull offered his assistance.
"Is such an inquiry... permissible?"
"Naturally, it falls outside the bounds of compliance. Nevertheless, for your sake, my brother, disregarding non-compliance, I would even venture into clandestine activities."
Black Skull declared with conviction.
"Then, proceed with the investigation."
Liu Zheng did not refuse the offer.
He harbored absolute certainty that the components utilized in that particular batch of Most Smelly Soup were vastly inferior to his own. If he could ascertain the additional elements they incorporated, and subsequently amalgamate them with his unique, ultimate-ingredient formulation to concoct another batch, its potency would undoubtedly ascend to unprecedented levels.
