The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?
Chapter 457 - 375: Bowing is Also a Profound Science

Chapter 457: Chapter 375: Bowing is Also a Profound Science

"Minister, am I hallucinating, or do I detect a hint of malice in your smile?"

Liu Zheng said with a glint in his eye.

Since he’d already started the job, his way of addressing others had changed as well.

"What are you talking about? It’s your first day here, and you’re a friend’s relative. How could I possibly wish you any harm?"

Shisan Yao denied vehemently.

"Really?"

"Of course it’s true, and I’m going to assign you an easy task."

Shisan Yao spoke earnestly.

"I shouldn’t be getting an easy task on my very first day. Maybe leave that opportunity for a more seasoned employee?"

Liu Zheng politely refused.

Just by looking at the clothes, he could tell that whatever Shisan Yao had in store could hardly be considered an easy task.

"Quit your yapping, newbies don’t get to pick and choose. You do what you’re told."

Suddenly, Shisan Yao’s face became stern, and he rebuked sharply.

"Oh."

Liu Zheng responded calmly.

Although the other’s expression suddenly changed, it didn’t really matter to him.

He didn’t plan on sticking around at Hundred Ghosts for long anyway; if he encountered something he couldn’t handle, he’d simply walk away.

"What was that? I can’t hear you, speak up."

Shisan Yao put his hand to his ear, feigning difficulty in hearing.

"YES!"

Liu Zheng stood at attention and shouted.

"Louder, I need more volume. You’re showing no spirit!"

Shisan Yao remained dissatisfied.

"YES!!!"

He took a deep breath and then roared loudly.

Despite his fierce expression, his heart remained tranquil, and he even felt like sighing.

This usual corporate jargon is all the same everywhere; he’d grown numb to it.

"Very good, that’s the spirit. Follow me."

Shisan Yao, now in a set of black work clothes, led Liu Zheng out of the Paper House.

After passing about fifteen Paper Houses, they came to a fork in the road.

"Remember this, we from the Massage Department always turn right at a crossroads. If you go the wrong way, even I might not be able to find you."

Shisan Yao suddenly said.

"Minister, what’s on the left?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"Why don’t you see for yourself."

Shisan Yao answered casually.

As he looked to the left, he saw Paper Houses lining both sides of the corridor, each one lit and emitting sounds of music.

Customers were coming in and out, accompanied by scarcely-dressed Maids, their faces flushed from intoxication.

Some of the customers, seeing Liu Zheng watching them, even gestured for him to join in the merry and harmonious atmosphere.

"Do you see anything wrong?"

Shisan Yao inquired.

"I see it."

He nodded.

"Let’s hear it?"

"All those customers are human."

Liu Zheng replied.

"Hmm? Ah, that’s also one way to look at it."

Shisan Yao had expected him to analyze things through clothing, expressions, music, etc., but he hadn’t expected him to notice the species of the patrons.

After thinking it over, it wasn’t quite problematic.

Humans rarely venture to Bathhouse Street, and even fewer to the Hundred Ghosts Bathhouse. A sudden influx of human customers was definitely unusual.

"Right now, you’re standing at the crossroads, so you can distinguish them. But once you take the wrong turn, your thoughts won’t be as clear."

Shisan Yao advised.

"As long as I closely follow the Minister, I won’t go the wrong way."

Liu Zheng said with a smile.

"Hmm?"

Shisan Yao scrutinized him.

"Eager to take sides on your first day, aren’t you, rookie?"

"As a newbie, I certainly am not in a position to hold out. I trust my uncle would not harm me, and since he entrusted me to you, I will look up to you as a reliable elder. Just like ducklings follow the mother duck, it’s only natural for a junior to follow his elder."

He said all this without changing his expression.

"Hmph, Elder Qing’s nephew is not my nephew, nor am I your elder. Remember, at work, address by position!"

Shisan Yao reprimanded.

"Yes, Minister."

Liu Zheng quickly corrected himself.

"Hmm. Loyalty without capability is no more than the steam on the surface of the hot spring. It seems significant but is utterly useless. If you want to be part of my team, you’ll need to show a lot more."

Shisan Yao’s tone softened slightly.

"Understood, I guarantee not to disappoint you, Minister."

He bowed a little.

"You’re fortunate to be in the Massage Department. If you were in the Servicing Department, that bow would have had you performing a kneeling apology."

Shisan Yao evaluated the angle of his bow.

"A kneeling apology..."

Liu Zheng couldn’t quite visualize what that involved.

Naturally, he wasn’t inclined to ask.

Since arriving at Metropolis, although his rationality hadn’t significantly decreased, it had been greatly challenged.

To remain as normal as possible upon his return to reality, Liu would do well to minimize his intake of these peculiar bits of knowledge.

"Don’t take it lightly; here at the bathhouse, bowing is an incredibly important skill. Master it, and you’ll not only earn recognition from colleagues and superiors, but it also increases your chances of survival when facing customers."

"The previous Shisan Yao was consumed on the spot by a customer for failing to perform an adequate bow during an apology."

Shisan Yao explained.

As a general rule, new employees inheriting a codename would investigate the cause of death of their predecessor to avoid the same fate in their future work.

Although there’s no proof that this strategy increases their survival rate, it’s still a widespread superstition.

"What’s the big deal about bowing? How sophisticated can bending at the waist get?"

Liu Zheng expressed his confusion.

"Of course, there are variations. Angle, firmness, speed, precision, rhythm, cohesion with speech, coordination with the outfit... and so on. There’s a whole science to it."