The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human? Chapter 1420 - 848: Liu Zheng Becomes a Father (Part 2)

Ma Fuguo cast a glance at her, then at Liu Zheng, and a second time at Liu Zheng’s uniform, his words caught in his throat.

"Let's go."

Liu Zheng departed from the martial arts hall, proceeding directly towards Kongxiang Gallery.

Situated beside an artificial lake and embraced by verdant foliage, Kongxiang Gallery presented a striking contrast to the stark, industrial aesthetic dominating the rest of the Metropolis.

The architectural design of Kongxiang Gallery was equally distinctive, taking the form of a four-story stilted house constructed from bamboo.

Delicate columns, planted firmly in the water, evoked the image of a spider's spindly legs.

Encircling the man-made lake were four additional structures, each a miniature replica: one resembling the Sydney Opera House, another the Bird's Nest stadium, a third a grand castle, and the final one a six-tiered cake.

Naturally, these were all scaled-down versions.

Liu Zheng offered only a cursory look before shifting his gaze elsewhere.

Being neighbors with Timor Layman meant they couldn't afford to appear too shabby; he preferred to avoid unnecessary complications.

Ascending the stairs to the first floor of the stilted dwelling, clutching four secret martial arts manuals, he promptly knocked on the door.

"Please hold on for a moment."

A voice resonated from somewhere above the stilted structure.

Liu Zheng tilted his head up, yet his eyes met with empty air.

Shortly thereafter, the door swung open.

A man of considerable height yet strikingly thin frame presented himself before Liu Zheng.

Dressed in a blue flannel loungewear set, his features included hollowed eyes, a prominent hooked nose, high cheekbones, and downturned lips, collectively projecting an aura that was both austere and menacing.

Fortunately, his eyes were large and round, possessing a clarity that softened the severity of his overall appearance.

"What business do you have with me, benefactor?"

the man inquired directly.

"Are you Timor Layman?"

Liu Zheng responded with a question of his own.

"Indeed, I am,"

the man affirmed with a nod.

"I am a delivery courier from the Bloody Restaurant, and I have a package requiring your signature."

Liu Zheng stated.

"I must decline your delivery."

Timor Layman’s response was gentle, yet his resolve was unyielding.

"I understand. I was informed of your fondness for collecting secret martial arts manuals, which is why I went to the trouble of acquiring these four specific manuals for your expert appraisal."

Liu Zheng bowed slightly before presenting the four manuals.

"It is rather uncommon for a delivery courier from the Bloody Restaurant to bring me manuals. Since you are my guest, please do come inside."

Timor Layman offered a smile and a welcoming gesture.

"Then I shall not stand on ceremony."

Liu Zheng accepted the invitation without hesitation, offering a polite phrase before crossing the threshold.

The first floor was arranged like a gallery combined with a reception area, its walls adorned with numerous picture frames; some displayed vibrant paintings, while others remained conspicuously empty.

He observed that each frame possessed a unique size and shape.

"Since you have graced my establishment with your presence, benefactor, why not select a painting?"

Timor Layman proposed.

"Very well. Is there anything particular I ought to be aware of?"

Liu Zheng decided to play along.

He wasn’t concerned by demanding patrons, only those who remained entirely disengaged.

"You are permitted three selections. Should your chosen painting prove to be the correct one, you may take it with you. If not, you are compelled to remain here."

Timor Layman elucidated.

"I do not fully grasp your meaning. Could you please elaborate further?"

Liu Zheng’s brow furrowed slightly.

"The Buddhist Sect often speaks of conditions arising from emptiness. If your selection is correct, it signifies a predestined connection to the painting; if not, your destiny lies within this gallery. Where there is destiny, you should remain, become one with the frame, and thus attain emptiness."

Timor Layman offered his explanation.

"That is not how those terms are typically interpreted, is it? Furthermore, did you not depart from the Buddhist Sect? Why then employ their philosophical tenets?"

Liu Zheng narrowed his eyes as he posed the question.

"I have left the Buddhist Sect, but not the practice of Buddhist Law. My intrinsic nature remains unchanged; my methods are derived from Buddhist Law."

Timor Layman’s tone was tranquil, yet his words carried an undeniable weight of authority.

"If I select the painting correctly, will you then sign for the delivery?"

Liu Zheng ventured, testing the waters.

"Certainly not."

Timor Layman responded, shaking his head.

"Then why should I bother making a selection?"

Liu Zheng pursed his lips.

He had no inclination towards endeavors that offered no personal gain and carried inherent risks.

"Why visit a gallery if one has no intention of purchasing art? If you are not my guest, then there is nothing further to discuss. Moreover, any painting offered for sale by myself naturally possesses its own unique mysteries."

Timor Layman stated.

"Very well then. How precisely does one go about making a selection?"

Liu Zheng inquired.

"You may choose by any means you deem appropriate. You are welcome to look, to listen, to smell, to taste, or even to strike it with a knife. So long as you can successfully remove the painting, you have made the correct choice. Likewise, any action taken with the intent to acquire the painting constitutes a valid selection."

Timor Layman explained.

"Should I happen to damage it, will I be held responsible for compensation?"

Liu Zheng asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice.

"Naturally, you would be obligated to provide compensation."

Timor Layman stated with unaffected simplicity.

"Ha. Perhaps your name should be less Timor Layman and more Timor Boss."

Liu Zheng remarked with a touch of sarcasm.

"Names are born from discrimination; without a discriminatory mind, names hold no distinct meaning. You may address me by any designation you prefer."

Timor Layman remained unperturbed by his sarcasm.

"I can’t outtalk you, so I’ll choose a painting."

Liu Zheng conceded, turning to face a painting.

This painting was an oil painting depicting a lady lounging on a couch, reading a book.

The lady was beautiful and voluptuous, her clothing light and thin. While nothing inappropriate was exposed, it provoked endless imagination.

Liu Zheng’s eyes lingered on the lady’s chest for a few seconds before moving on to the next painting.

The second painting was an ink painting of a peddler selling goods to a few children.

The peddler was wearing light gauze, barely concealing a skeletal frame.

The children were plump and fair but only had half their bodies.

Liu Zheng wrinkled his nose, as if smelling the scent of decay.

He stared at this painting for a while before decisively grabbing the frame with both hands.

In a moment of disjointed perception, he became the peddler, while the children reached out to him with their small hands.

"What will you sell to them?"

A voice echoed in Liu Zheng’s ear, perhaps Timor Layman’s, perhaps not.

"Whatever they’re missing, I’ll sell,"

He replied without hesitation, then swung his blade, slicing his own waist.

The two thick and sturdy goat legs bent backward, walking to a child. The child hopped up, and upon connecting with the goat legs, transformed into a small version of Liu Zheng.

Seeing their companion complete, the other children grew anxious, crying out sharply.

"Don’t worry, everyone will get one,"

Liu Zheng reassured them, raising his blade to cut off the newly regrown lower half.

After several swings, all the children had lower bodies, and they all looked like small versions of Liu Zheng, as if multiple births.

"Daddy, Daddy, play with us,"

The small Liu Zhengs clamored.

"I don’t have time to play with you; I need to earn money to feed you brats,"

Liu Zheng rolled his eyes and said.

"Then what should we do?"

The small Liu Zhengs asked.

Now with legs, they didn’t know where to go.

"Of course you should find those bastards who ate your lower bodies. Don’t tell them you’re mine unless you win; I can’t afford that disgrace,"

Liu Zheng said arrogantly.

"But they have sharp teeth and claws,"

The small Liu Zhengs said timidly.

"What’s there to fear? They have sharp teeth and claws, you have knives and clubs,"

Liu Zheng said, splitting open his chest to pull out his entire rib cage, then breaking them into bone knives, swords, spears, and other weapons.

"Go, and bring their heads back, or don’t return to me."

He tossed the bone weapons to them, speaking loudly.

"We will follow Daddy’s orders."

The small Liu Zhengs distributed the weapons among themselves, then laughed and hopped away.

"Hiss!"

Liu Zheng drew a sharp breath.

"Damn it hurts,"

He muttered, clutching his chest.

Though he was touching the hard shell of his artificial body, the soul’s torment of being divided was similar.

"Congratulations, benefactor, you are destined for this painting,"

Timor Layman’s voice came from behind.

Liu Zheng looked at the painting in his hand, where the children had vanished without a trace, leaving only the skeletal peddler in the Legendary Armor, his basket no longer filled with goods and toys but rather a variety of weapons made from white bones.