The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?
Chapter 557 - 424 No, this is a different price_2

Chapter 557: Chapter 424 No, this is a different price_2

"So, what’s your name after all?"

"I’m not telling you. Wait until you complete the assignment I gave you, then we’ll talk."

The deputy minister said with a haughty air.

"Actually, I’m on my way to the cemetery right now."

Liu Zheng said.

"That fast?"

The deputy minister exclaimed in surprise.

Although she believed Liu Zheng wouldn’t break his promise, she didn’t expect him to be so efficient.

"You don’t actually need to rush; I haven’t even pushed you to act."

The deputy minister seemed a bit apologetic.

"I’m not the kind of person who holds grudges overnight. If I find the way in the morning, I can settle scores by evening."

Liu Zheng said.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, if I know where my nemesis lives in the morning, by sunset I can take them out. Revenge or gratitude—it’s all the same."

He declared firmly.

"Wow, you city folk really have a strong sense of time."

The deputy minister said admiringly.

"Hmm... if you want to put it that way, sure."

Liu Zheng found himself momentarily unsure of how to respond to her teasing.

"How’s Sister Yangzi and Minister Yaoji doing? Did Granny Tang trouble you guys?"

He steered the conversation elsewhere.

"Trouble is inevitable, but firstly, what she does can’t really see the light of day, and secondly, she didn’t catch us red-handed, so she can’t punish us directly."

The deputy minister replied.

Though Minister Yaoji had taken Liu Zheng in and even given him a nickname, it was just an internal appointment that required registration with the General Affairs Department.

But Liu Zheng had completed everything in less than a day and had already made his escape, leaving no record in the Hundred Ghosts’ files.

Though there was surveillance and eyewitness evidence, without proper records it was an ambiguous case.

If Yaoji refuses to admit it, Granny Tang really doesn’t have much recourse.

And if they investigate deeper, what if they uncover something else?

At that point, Granny Tang might face opposition from more than just Minister Yaoji.

"That’s good to hear. Keep me updated if anything happens. If Minister Yaoji tries to force you into the group, just tell him I disagree."

Liu Zheng said dominantly.

"What a great guy. No wonder Yaoji’s smitten with you. Don’t worry; I’ll pass the message on."

The deputy minister said flirtatiously, though unfortunately it wasn’t a video call, so the charm was lost.

"Okay, what’s the plot number for that grave?"

He looked at a distant archway and asked.

"The number is 18918."

The deputy minister replied.

"Want to strike it rich? Is he trying to change his fortune through feng shui?"

Liu Zheng mused aloud.

"Oh, it’s not that. This was the number he had in the breeding farm, and he went with it as his name after leaving."

The deputy minister explained.

"Did he find life at the farm a bit too enjoyable?"

Liu Zheng remarked dryly.

"No, he felt that going from livestock to a city-dwelling citizen, and even creating a family estate, was an impressive feat. So he wants to be buried in a cemetery lot matching his name so his descendants know how badass he was."

"Okay, when you put it like that, it makes sense."

Liu Zheng nodded.

Kind of like Zhu Yuanzhang in real life—other founding emperors tried to fabricate impressive backgrounds for themselves, while Zhu brazenly embraced his humble beginnings.

After all, rising from being a beggar to an emperor is already an extraordinary story.

Speaking of which, Niu Ma has never disclosed its name. Even to its friends like White Feather Chicken, Oynk, and Doctor Nile, they only call it Niu Ma—it must be its real name.

What kind of mindset leads someone to take their species as their name?

"Alright, I’m hanging up."

Liu Zheng ended the call, unloaded the French Plane Tree’s coffin, and dragged it toward the cemetery.

As he stepped through the archway, a chill ran down his spine.

The Tomb Guardian was sitting on horseback, looking down at him.

"Surely you haven’t been waiting for me here all this time? I’d be truly honored if that’s the case."

After a moment of awkward silence, Liu Zheng quipped, trying to ease the tension.

"Not the whole time."

The Tomb Guardian shook his head.

"Just since you left the cemetery."

He added.

"Uh..."

Wasn’t that essentially waiting the entire time?

Liu Zheng was speechless, though slightly relieved he hadn’t tried stalling. With the Tomb Guardian’s level of dedication, annoying him might lead to unpredictable consequences.

"My apologies for keeping you waiting."

He courteously said.

"Not long. My bullet hasn’t landed yet."

As the Tomb Guardian finished speaking, a golden bullet fell from the sky.

Liu Zheng blinked, and in that instant, the Tomb Guardian had already drawn his revolver, skillfully letting the bullet click into the chamber.

"Ah, it landed. Very good timing."

The Tomb Guardian nodded approvingly.

"Punctuality is a consistent trait of mine."

Liu Zheng replied half-heartedly.

Even a fool could tell the Tomb Guardian was messing with him.

"Where’s the coffin?"

The Tomb Guardian asked.

"Oh, over here."

Liu Zheng stepped aside, revealing the French Plane Tree’s coffin behind him.

"Very good."

The Tomb Guardian glanced at it and commented.

"I’m glad you’re pleased."

"I’m very pleased, even pleasantly surprised."

The Tomb Guardian added.

"Doesn’t show at all."

Liu Zheng thought to himself, noting the Tomb Guardian’s expression, stiffer than a corpse.

The Tomb Guardian patted his horse’s head. The lean horse understood and walked over to the coffin, kicking the lid off with one hoof.

Then, the Tomb Guardian leapt gracefully, performing a few flips before plunging into the coffin like a diver.

"Not bad, it’s a perfect fit."

After lying there a moment, he remarked.

"What do you want?"

The Tomb Guardian asked.

"Uh... maybe we can talk once you’re out."

Liu Zheng squinted as he replied.

"No need. I feel safer talking like this."

The Tomb Guardian declined his suggestion.

"Well, then you might as well put the lid back on. That’ll feel even safer."

Unable to resist, Liu Zheng threw in his own jab.

"Fair point. Old fellow."

The Tomb Guardian called out to his horse.

The lean horse walked over to the coffin lid, lowered its head to bite it, and placed it back on, nudging it tightly shut for good measure.

"Indeed, much safer now."

The Tomb Guardian’s distorted voice came through the coffin.

"As long as you’re happy."

What else could Liu Zheng say?

From Niu Ma onwards, all these big shots carried a streak of eccentricity. Is this the price of becoming powerful?

"What do you want?"

The Tomb Guardian repeated.

"I actually have a request I’d like your help with."

Liu Zheng explained the matter of buying cemetery plots.

"Alright."

The Tomb Guardian agreed immediately.

"What do I need to pay?"

"Three hundred thousand, or free."

The Tomb Guardian replied.

"I’ll pay."

Liu Zheng counted out three hundred thousand and placed it in the lean horse’s saddlebag.

Liu Zheng understood that if he chose "free," the value of the coffin would balance out.

Thinking it over, he took an extra stack of bills and placed it in a smaller pouch.

The lean horse turned its head to look at him, its big eyes filled with curiosity.

"Sorry for the delay. This is a bit of fodder money."

Liu Zheng whispered.

"Neeeigh~"

The lean horse rested its head on his shoulder and snorted in his ear.

From a farming novel, Liu Zheng had read that this gesture meant friendship.

He cautiously raised his tentacle, intending to scratch the lean horse’s chin.

The lean horse lifted its hoof to hold down his tentacle, then shook its head seriously, as if to say:

"No, that costs extra."

"Alright."

Liu Zheng sighed and retracted his tentacle reluctantly.

"What do you want?"

The Tomb Guardian asked again.

"I also..."

At first, he wanted to say he didn’t know what he wanted, leaving it up to the Tomb Guardian to decide. Typically, powerful figures gave generously.

But as Liu Zheng was about to speak, a sudden thought crossed his mind.

"Tomb Guardian, do all souls of deceased beings within Metropolis end up in the cemetery?"

He asked.

"What do you want?"

The Tomb Guardian didn’t answer, instead repeating the question for the fourth time.

"I have a friend whose wife used some method to commit suicide, and her soul disappeared as well. I’d like to ask you to help find her soul."

Liu Zheng requested.