Previously on The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?...
Liu Zheng practiced with his new blade, "Anger," but found he needed more sparring to truly master it. Ace contacted him with a deal: the third bureau would help him in exchange for capturing a fugitive Tiefling who murdered an entire family of 103 evolved lemmings. The suspect has fled into the Black Market, and the bureau believes he might be at the Demon Casino. Liu Zheng agreed, and with the Black Market opening the next night, he convinced Niu Ma to accompany him, promising to cover expenses but forbidding visits to pleasure houses.
"Great job, boss."
He offered Niu Ma a cursory compliment.
With Niu Ma’s assistance, tasks became considerably simpler. Even if victory was out of reach, escape was possible, and as a last resort, Oynk provided backup.
Speaking of which, a trip to the black market necessitated the procurement of some extraordinary items for draws at the Wonderful Blind Box House.
Previously, Liu Zheng had considered a modest figurine a poor acquisition, only to discover its surprising utility later.
"Boss, is there a way to acquire a substantial quantity of extraordinary items?" Liu Zheng inquired of Niu Ma. "The quality is paramount; the higher, the better."
"What for? Thinking of opening an extraordinary item shop?" Niu Ma asked offhandedly.
"Not exactly; I’m heading to the black market and intend to bring some goods for blind box draws," he replied.
"What, did you pull in a fortune last time you visited the blind box house?"
"Heh, a small profit," Liu Zheng chuckled.
"Damn it; I even used the Joker Card, and it wasn't nearly as effective," Niu Ma grumbled with envy.
"Well, someone once told me that without sufficient personal fortune, even the most potent lucky charms are ineffective," he explained tactfully.
His luck was so immense it nearly gave a panda’s master a heart attack. The origin was irrelevant; its sheer potency was what mattered.
Of course, Niu Ma’s fortune was above average, otherwise, it wouldn't have ascended from livestock to the head of the Bloody Restaurant’s delivery department.
"You always find a way to boast," Niu Ma rolled its eyes.
Niu Ma had witnessed Liu Zheng’s meteoric rise firsthand and couldn't refute the element of luck.
While a sliver of envy existed, it was largely overshadowed.
Everything had a price. Liu Zheng's extraordinary fortune was akin to a canoe propelled by a tempest—swift but perilously unstable.
With a family to consider, Niu Ma sought modest and secure prosperity.
"So, do you have any?" Liu Zheng persisted.
"No, extraordinary items aren't like the non-citizens in the Old City District who can multiply endlessly with just basic sustenance," Niu Ma stated.
"Do you have any spare extraordinary items? I'll purchase them all," he proposed persistently.
"Who would hoard useless extraordinary items? Anything not personally useful is invariably traded away," Niu Ma replied with irritation.
The French Plane Tree could afford to be a collector since it was public property and rarely engaged in combat. Niu Ma, however, as a delivery agent for the Bloody Restaurant, faced work intensity comparable to combat, making the hoarding of non-essential extraordinary items a dangerous proposition.
"Didn't you bring out a few last time?"
"None left, alright? I discarded them," Niu Ma said impatiently.
"Tsk, stingy."
Seeing its unwavering refusal, Liu Zheng relented.
Fortunately, he still possessed a considerable stash of takeaway replicas, which could be exchanged for numerous lottery draws.
After concluding a prior engagement, Ghost Hand arrived.
"Come on, brilliant, come on, brilliant," Liu Zheng murmured a prayer as he accepted the new takeaway order.
"Dish: Life, Old Age, Illness, and Death Stew"
"Address: Kongxiang Gallery"
"Orderer: Timor Layman"
"Time limit: One hour"
"Hiss!"
He inhaled sharply.
The dish's name was indeed sophisticated, but the location and the orderer suggested a connection to the Buddhist Sect.
Though a temporary truce existed with the Buddhist Sect, these bald monks were notoriously difficult to handle.
Considering this, Liu Zheng promptly dialed Yong Ren's number.
"Director Yong, are you currently occupied?" he inquired politely.
"Not at all. If Mr. Liu calls, no matter the matter's gravity, I will make time," Yong Ren responded with equal courtesy.
"May I then inquire about an individual?" Liu Zheng asked.
"Please proceed. If I know of them, I will share what I know without reservation," Yong Ren readily agreed.
"Are you acquainted with Timor Layman of Kongxiang Gallery?" he inquired.
"...You're not delivering food to him, are you?" Yong Ren asked after a brief silence.
"Work, I have no alternative," Liu Zheng admitted indirectly.
"Then your workload is truly arduous," Yong Ren said sympathetically.
"Is this Timor Layman exceptionally powerful?"
"Extremely. To put it in perspective: before departing the Metaverse, he proclaimed himself the victor of the Battle of 60 Billion Nuns," Yong Ren stated.
"Wow, that's quite an accomplishment," Liu Zheng clicked his tongue.
While sixty billion might be an exaggeration, even among six million monks, being the most formidable fighter was undeniably impressive.
"Have you ever encountered him?" he asked.
"I fear Mr. Liu might find it amusing, but forget about facing him; I don't even possess the qualifications for a theological debate with him," Yong Ren confessed.
Yong Ren offered a wry smile.
Though Yong Ren had achieved a respectable standing as a monk, his comparison to Timor Layman was akin to a county-level school's top student facing off against a premier high school in the capital; the disparity was immense.
"Have you encountered him before?" Liu Zheng inquired further.
"No, though it's said Timor Layman possesses a rather volatile temperament and harbors a particular disdain for the stringent tenets of Buddhist Sects. This very reason led to his defection from the Buddhist Sect and his departure from Metaverse," Yong Ren shared some insider details.
"A fiery disposition and he runs an art gallery?" Liu Zheng mused, thinking that painting required immense patience, and someone hot-tempered should perhaps open a salon instead.
"I'm uncertain. Even during our time in Metaverse, I never heard mention of any artistic talents. However, following such a significant upheaval, a change in temperament is not out of the question," Yong Ren elaborated.
"Very well. Might you offer me some guidance, Director Yong?" Liu Zheng boldly requested.
"This… alright. It is rumored that Timor Layman holds martial prowess in higher regard than divine abilities. Perhaps you could procure some rare secret martial arts manuals to win his favor," Yong Ren suggested after a moment's thought.
"Understood. Thank you for your advice, Director Yong. Such great kindness deserves reciprocation. Please provide your address, and I shall send you some local specialties," Liu Zheng expressed his gratitude.
The 'specialties' of the Metropolis, naturally, were the cash exclusively issued by its Central Bank.
"It was merely a small gesture, nothing significant. Should you be occupied, Mr. Liu, I shall take my leave now," Yong Ren politely declined and ended the call.
"Secret martial arts manuals..." Liu Zheng pondered for a moment before dialing Ma Baoli's number.
"I need to borrow some secret martial arts manuals for a bit," he stated directly.
"Just come over to the martial arts hall; I'll teach you. What can you truly grasp from a manual anyway?" Ma Baoli responded. She felt no particular resonance with Liu Zheng, sensing that true talents recognize each other instinctively.
"I'm not looking to learn; I intend to gift them," Liu Zheng clarified.
"If it's for gifting, I can't part with any of the truly secret ones," Ma Baoli replied. Despite societal advancements, not all martial arts halls guarded their techniques as fiercely, with many secret manuals even available online. However, some elite martial arts remained jealously guarded secrets, occasionally passed down exclusively to males or females.
"If they aren't particularly secret, the recipient likely won't hold them in high regard," Liu Zheng frowned. In truth, even highly secret martial arts manuals might not impress Timor Layman, who famously claimed 'First in the Battle of 60 Billion Nuns' and had likely mastered all Buddhist Sect martial arts.
"Is he that formidable? Can I spar with him?" Ma Baoli, unaware of Liu Zheng's predicament, was eager for a challenge.
"You should aim to defeat Shi Yidao first," Liu Zheng remarked, too preoccupied to explain the vastness of what lay beyond her current understanding.
"Hmph, you're underestimating my abilities," Ma Baoli retorted, displeased.
"To elevate your standing in my eyes, you should help me devise a solution. Otherwise, if I meet my end in the line of duty, you won't even have the chance to see me," Liu Zheng stated.
"Is the situation truly that dire? Very well, I will discuss it with my father," Ma Baoli, sensing the gravity of the situation, adopted a more serious demeanor.
"Then hurry; I'm heading to your martial arts hall now." He spoke without ceremony, ending the call and departing the break room.
Opening the meal box, he found a stew made from unidentifiable ingredients.
"Name: Life, Old Age, Illness, and Death Stew (One-time Use)"
"Type: Tool"
"Quality: Perfect"
"Effect One: Recover massive stamina within the first quarter-hour, lose massive stamina within the next quarter-hour, and..."
"Remark: How can this be considered a mere side dish? At least serve some delicacies."
