The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?
Chapter 555 - 423 French Plane Tree: No Matter How Big It Is, It’s Not Bigger Than Me_2

Chapter 555: Chapter 423 French Plane Tree: No Matter How Big It Is, It’s Not Bigger Than Me_2

The French Plane Tree extended its drill-like roots as a threat.

"You can bring me a Legendary Hat or seventeen or eighteen pairs of Legendary Underwear, and I’ll drill wherever you want."

He made a ridiculous demand.

"Dream on. Get off this street and come back in ten minutes."

The French Plane Tree replied.

"Oh."

Liu Zheng couldn’t be bothered to ask why and returned to the truck, instructing the Driver to leave Rose Street.

He monitored his phone, and as soon as the time was up, he told the Driver to head back.

"Take it away."

The French Plane Tree pushed out a black coffin from the Black Soil.

"Hmm? The color seems a bit off."

He stared at the coffin lid.

The last time, it was more of a grayish-brown color.

"Why care about the color? As long as it’s a coffin, it’s fine. If you don’t trust me, just leave it. I’ll return the corpse and the Ginseng Sprite to you."

The French Plane Tree protested angrily.

"Look at you, already impatient. I only said the color is off, I didn’t say anything was wrong with the item. Alright, alright, I’m leaving."

Liu Zheng pushed open the coffin lid, reaching in with his tentacle to drag it to the truck.

But as he applied a little force, he found the coffin completely immovable.

"Huh?"

He froze for a second, peering into the coffin’s interior. A pale yellowish-white color greeted his eyes.

"Is this... wooden planks?"

"Why are you standing around? Hurry up and go."

The French Plane Tree urged.

"Your voice sounds a little weak."

Liu Zheng raised an eyebrow.

"Does it? Maybe you’re hallucinating. Humans have terrible Perception; if you’ve got money, go replace your ears."

The French Plane Tree said defensively, his eyes flickering.

"This coffin is made from your trunk, isn’t it?"

Seeing the Plane Tree still being stubborn, Liu Zheng decided to expose him outright.

"None of your business."

The French Plane Tree refused to answer.

"Can you handle it? Don’t tell me you’ll weaken during the corpse absorption process and someone will snatch it away."

Liu Zheng asked with concern.

"Hmph, even if I’m down to just one root, I’m still the top dog on Rose Street."

The French Plane Tree declared stubbornly.

"Alright, stop pretending to be tough. I’ll find someone to guard you for a bit."

He waved his tentacle dismissively.

"With the kind of people you can summon, what help could they possibly be?"

The French Plane Tree scoffed disdainfully.

Nonetheless, he didn’t actually refuse.

Liu Zheng understood this and ignored him, immediately dialing Doctor Nile’s number.

"Are you free, Doctor?"

He asked.

"Do I look free? I already knew you’d order me around today—I’ve even hung the ’Closed for Business’ sign."

Doctor Nile replied grumpily.

"Haha, much appreciated. Anyway, I need your help on Rose Street."

Liu Zheng replied.

"What for this time?"

"My friend, the French Plane Tree, needs to heal. I need you to act as a protector."

He explained.

"Who’s your friend?"

The French Plane Tree grumbled softly.

"Got it, I’m coming over."

Doctor Nile hung up.

"Shut up. While I’m handling business, don’t interfere."

Liu Zheng shot a glare at the French Plane Tree.

"Human, don’t think you can insult me just because I’m weak. Believe it or not, I’ll hang you from a tree right now."

The French Plane Tree raged.

"Go ahead. Hang me, and I’ll burn this coffin, then tell the Tomb Guardian I couldn’t do the job. Let him deal with it however he wants."

He shot back.

"?"

The French Plane Tree hesitated, eventually realizing what Liu Zheng implied, looking even more puzzled.

"How does doing that benefit you?"

"It doesn’t, but as long as it hurts you, that’s enough. By then, you’d lose both your crafted coffin and the only friend willing to help you advance into a Phoenix. Broke and alone—how crushed would you be? Answer me, aren’t you crushed?"

Liu Zheng said confidently.

"Zut! You’re nuts, aren’t you?"

The French Plane Tree indeed felt crushed.

"Now you realize. If you don’t want me to go crazy, then shut up. Don’t pull stunts like cutting yourself up to save someone without prior notice. What do you think this is—some filial piety drama?"

He shouted.

"Never seen a human like you before—getting the best deal while still acting smug."

The French Plane Tree muttered, exasperated.

"That’s just how we humans are. If you don’t like it, you can try being one."

"You! Hmph!"

The French Plane Tree turned his face away in a huff, refusing to respond further.

Liu Zheng chuckled silently, then dialed Guo Koutangzi’s number.

"Why are you calling? Are you heading out of the country again?"

Guo Koutangzi immediately asked.

"What kind of nonsense is that? I’m not some smuggler constantly crossing borders."

"Then why’d you call me? Don’t tell me it’s just to catch up."

Guo Koutangzi retorted.

"You seem to be in a good mood."

He detected a teasing tone.

"Not bad. Negotiated with the new owner of Jiwei Group’s restaurant—they’re willing to sell it to us at a discounted price."

Guo Koutangzi laughed.

Jiwei Group’s former restaurant, Jiwei House, set the context immediately.

"That’s great news. Need help?"

Liu Zheng offered proactively.

"Actually, yes. About that plan to take down the Jordan family—when are we going to act?"

Guo Koutangzi asked.

"Can’t say yet. Too many things on my plate—I haven’t gotten around to it."

He shook his head.

"Well, make it quick. The landlord might change their mind if we delay."

"Sure."

Liu Zheng nodded.

"So why are you calling me this time?"

Guo Koutangzi asked.

"Here’s the thing: I have a friend who needs to heal, so I need your group to act as bodyguards."

He explained.

"Jiwei Group does provide bodyguard services..."

"My friend is the top dog of Rose Street whose root network spans underground—he can provide rare gourmet ingredients."

Liu Zheng interrupted.

"But helping a friend isn’t a business—it’s an obligation. We’ll head over immediately."

Guo Koutangzi quickly changed his tone.

"Interesting."

After hanging up, Liu Zheng smiled.

Gotta hand it to the underworld folks—slick and smooth compared to your average office worker.

Shortly after, Doctor Nile and Niu Daji arrived.

"Boss, I’m here."

Niu Daji, clad in his family heirloom armor, greeted cheerfully.

"Fine, since you’re here, if things really go south, take it as a chance to gain some experience. This is my newly recruited underling, Niu Daji. Recognize his face so you don’t eat him by mistake if he passes by."

Liu Zheng introduced Niu Daji to the French Plane Tree.

"Behold the esteemed French Noble, grand collector, and Rose Street’s big shot, Sir Dai Legao."

He then introduced Dai Legao to Niu Daji.

"Greetings, Dai Legao, sir."

Niu Daji bowed hastily.

Having come from Bathhouse Street, he clearly had expertise in bowing and serving.

"Hmph, do you think I’m like you humans, eating anything and everything?"

The French Plane Tree turned back to glance at Niu Daji before speaking.

"How are you even confident enough to hang all that random junk on you and still make such a comment?"

Liu Zheng squinted mockingly.

"None of your business!"

The French Plane Tree swivelled back again.

"A tree this prissy—wonder who it learned from."

Liu Zheng shook his head.

A while later, Guo Koutangzi arrived with the Scallion, Ginger, and Garlic trio.

All four sported black bathrobes, samurai swords strapped to their waists, wooden clogs on their feet, fully decked out in Edo Period ranger attire.

Unlike traditional rangers, however, they also wore half-body Nanban armor and carried dual-barreled firearms.

"Impressive."

Liu Zheng gave them a thumbs-up.

Apparently, in history, a Meiji Era warrior once donned armor and wielded firearms to take down dozens of assassins solo.

"Jiwei Group’s emblem might have been removed, but our core skills remain intact."

Guo Koutangzi declared proudly.

"I trust your expertise."

He nodded.

After mutual introductions and logistical prep, Liu Zheng got Niu Daji to help load the coffin into the truck, then sped away.

"Doctor Nile, I’ve long admired your reputation."

Once the truck vanished down the street, Guo Koutangzi struck up a conversation with Doctor Nile.

As part of the underworld, forging relationships with top-notch medics was an unspoken rule.

"From what Liu Zheng told me, your territory is quite close to my clinic?"

Doctor Nile asked.

"Indeed, not far."

Guo Koutangzi confirmed.

"Then why has none of you come to my clinic for treatment before?"

Doctor Nile asked, puzzled.

Despite his peculiar treatment methods, his services were affordable and highly regarded in the area.

"Well... if I’m completely honest, can you promise not to take it personally?"

Guo Koutangzi hesitated before speaking.