The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human? Chapter 1424: Still Not Done Working Overtime, Just a Little More, Update Around 1 AM

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Previously on The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?...
Ma Baoli unleashed a powerful Five-Colored Thunder Lotus attack, draining her life force as she chased Liu Zheng. Liu Zheng, realizing Timor Layman's intent might be to help Ma Baoli advance her skills rather than harm her, decided to use his own Innate Qi provided by his artificial body. A golden hand from the painting absorbed the thunder lotuses and Ma Baoli's Innate Qi, then transferred the Qi to her, stabilizing her condition. Liu Zheng then took Ma Baoli and Ma Fuguo to a clinic.

Doctor Nile quickly identified Ma Baoli's ailment.

"Then you must hasten to replenish her," Liu Zheng stated.

"Xiao Mei, ready the medical arrows, supplementary supplies, and the infusion apparatus. Await me in the operating theater," Doctor Nile commanded towards the interior.

"Understood, Doctor," the cleaner responded.

In a clinic of this modest size, the cleaner also undertook minor nursing duties alongside their cleaning responsibilities.

"Could she not ingest it orally? She appears to be a young maiden still," Liu Zheng inquired, attempting to preserve a shred of Ma Baoli's dignity.

"Considering her current state, it's uncertain if her digestive tract is functioning adequately. If an infusion is undesirable, an IV drip will suffice," Doctor Nile replied indifferently.

As a mummy, gender held little consequence for him, unless Sasha was involved.

"Then we shall proceed with the infusion; it's the method she's accustomed to. May Xiao Mei administer it?" Liu Zheng asked.

"You're not harboring an interest in her, are you?" Doctor Nile's suspicion was piqued.

"Doctor, please refrain from engaging in further wagers with my superior; your inquiries are beginning to resemble those of a village gossip," Liu Zheng responded sheepishly.

"I merely posed a casual question. Even if you were interested, it would be inconsequential. Every ruler has numerous consorts, yet Sasha's standing would undeniably remain unique," Doctor Nile commented as he gently took Ma Baoli from Liu Zheng.

"How much time will this procedure require, Doctor?" Liu Zheng pressed.

"The infusion itself lasts merely half an hour. Her recovery hinges on her own resilience," Doctor Nile answered.

"In that case, I shall depart. Her father may remain at the clinic for the time being," Liu Zheng declared.

"My establishment is practically transforming into your personal childcare facility," Doctor Nile remarked with a pointed look before carrying Ma Baoli into the inner room.

"Hehe."

Liu Zheng then escorted Ma Fuguo into the clinic and piloted his spirit vehicle towards the Old City District.

In his haste, he bypassed a stop at the Pink Kingdom, heading directly for Yan Xu's workshop.

Liu Zheng rapped sharply on the door, and Yan Xu, peering out, opened it.

"Whoa!"

Upon witnessing Liu Zheng's uniform, Yan Xu's beard trembled with alarm, nearly causing him to drop his wrench.

"Observe closely; it is merely I," Liu Zheng called out.

"Huh?"

Yan Xu looked up, hastily tucking his wrench away.

"Apologies, a mere reflex," he uttered, awkwardly smoothing his beard.

"I shall reflexively carve you next time. Infinite Heavenly Venerate," Liu Zheng retorted, rolling his eyes, and then produced a crate of Silver Gemstones from his Qiankun Ring.

"Here, what you desired," he stated, nudging the crate with his foot.

Yan Xu eagerly unsealed the box, his gaze falling upon the bounty of Silver Gemstones within.

"Such abundance!" he gasped in astonishment.

The quantity of Silver Gemstones present was sufficient for ten grand final projects.

"Is it excessive? If so, take half, and leave the remainder for me," Liu Zheng offered.

Ouyegan, he mused, would likely appreciate these rare minerals as well.

"Huh? No, not at all, it's not too much," Yan Xu hastened to assure him.

"You seem quite eager. I shall take one box, and the rest is yours, agreed?" Liu Zheng stepped back.

"Agreed, agreed, hehe," Yan Xu replied with a sincere smile.

"And where is my wine?" Liu Zheng inquired.

"It resides in the storage chamber. Please, take a seat for a moment; I shall retrieve it," Yan Xu invited him into the workshop before proceeding to the storage area to procure a sizable chest.

Liu Zheng lifted the lid of the chest. Inside, rows of wine bottles lay horizontally, each encased in silk and nestled within protective foam padding.

"Impressive. You've clearly put considerable thought into this," he remarked with palpable satisfaction.

"Naturally. Fine wine and precious minerals are as vital as life itself to dwarves. Entrusting them to my care is akin to entrusting me with your very existence and fortune. I could never betray such a trust. This chest was meticulously crafted specifically for these treasures," Yan Xu declared with evident pride.

"Well spoken. These two bottles are for you; the chest, however, is mine," Liu Zheng stated, extricating two Copper Mark bottles for Yan Xu.

"My gratitude, Liu Zheng. Henceforth, you are my most esteemed human companion," Yan Xu exclaimed with unbridled joy.

He had assisted him with acquiring minerals and now provided fine wine; even blood brothers rarely shared such a bond.

"Then you are my most esteemed Dwarf friend. I must take my leave now. Infinite Heavenly Venerate," Liu Zheng said, carefully securing the chest containing the wine, preparing to depart.

"A moment, my friend. A Dwarf never accepts a gift from a companion without offering a return token. Pray, wait; allow me to select a gift befitting your stature," Yan Xu called out, halting his departure.

"Very well, if you insist," Liu Zheng conceded with a shrug, observing as Yan Xu retreated back into the storage room.

Not long after, Yan Xu emerged once more, this time cradling a dark green vial.

"This is a quenching agent, passed down through generations to my mentor's mentor. Its efficacy ranks amongst the highest within the Dwarf Clan, and I possess but this single bottle. Now, I bestow it upon you, my human friend," Yan Xu stated with solemnity.

"My sincere thanks, my Dwarf friend," Liu Zheng replied.

Liu Zheng gravely accepted the potion vial, and its item description immediately materialized before him.

"Name: Alchemist's Potent Quenching Agent"

"Type: Sundry"

"Quality: Superior"

"Effect: Imbues metal creations with heightened properties, mitigating material incompatibility and purging internal structural imperfections to elevate the final product's caliber."

"Note: This is the coveted secret of Master Alchemist Balin Windbox, a key to his legendary craftsmanship."

"Can be extracted from instance: Yes"

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"Whoa!" Yan Xu exclaimed, startled by the sight of his own uniform, his beard quivering as he nearly flung his wrench.

"Take a closer look, it's me," Liu Zheng called out.

"Ah?" Yan Xu looked up, hastily stowing his tool.

"Apologies, it's a reflex." He awkwardly tidied his beard.

"Next time, I'll reflexively return the favor with a blade. Infinite Heavenly Venerate." Liu Zheng rolled his eyes and produced a chest of silver gemstones from his Qiankun Ring.

"Here's what you desired," he stated, giving the chest a nudge.

Yan Xu eagerly opened it, revealing a treasure trove of silver gemstones.

"So many!" he gasped in astonishment.

These silver gemstones were sufficient for ten final academic projects.

"Is it perhaps too much? In that case, you can have half, and I'll keep the remainder," Liu Zheng proposed.

Ouyegan would likely appreciate these rare minerals as well.

"Ah? Not at all, not too much, not even a bit." Yan Xu quickly reassured him.

"Seeing your eagerness, how about I take just one chest, and the rest are yours?" Liu Zheng conceded.

"Alright, alright, haha." Yan Xu offered a simple, genuine smile.

"Where is my wine?" Liu Zheng inquired.

"It's in the storage room. Come in and have a seat; I'll retrieve it for you." Yan Xu ushered him into the workshop before heading to the storage area to bring out a substantial crate.

Liu Zheng opened the crate, finding the fine wines he had pledged as collateral neatly arranged, each bottle swathed in silk, with cushioning filling any gaps.

"Impressive, a great deal of care was invested here," he commented with satisfaction.

"Naturally. Fine wines and rare minerals are treasures as vital as life itself to a Dwarf. Entrusting them to my care is akin to entrusting your life and fortune, so I would never betray that trust. I personally crafted this specific container for them," Yan Xu declared proudly.

"Well said. These two bottles are for you, and the chest is mine." Liu Zheng extracted two Copper Mark bottles for him.

"Thank you, Liu Zheng. From this moment onward, you are my most esteemed human friend," Yan Xu beamed with joy.

He had assisted him with acquiring minerals and also gifted him fine wine; even sworn brothers wouldn't share such a bond.

"Then you are my most valued Dwarf companion. I must depart now. Infinite Heavenly Venerate," Liu Zheng said, securing the chest containing the wine, preparing for his exit.

"Wait a moment, my friend. A Dwarf never receives a friend's gift without offering a token of return. Please, hold on while I select a fitting gift for you." Yan Xu called him back.

"Very well, if you insist." Liu Zheng shrugged, observing as Yan Xu re-entered the storage room.

Shortly thereafter, Yan Xu emerged, clutching a dark green vial.

"This is a potent quenching agent passed down from my mentor's mentor. Its efficacy ranks among the highest within the Dwarf Clan, and I possess this sole bottle. It is now yours, my human friend," Yan Xu stated with solemnity.

"Thank you, my Dwarf companion." Liu Zheng gravely accepted the potion vial, and its item description immediately materialized before him.