The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?
Chapter 611 - 451 is so tender and soft, hehehe

Chapter 611: Chapter 451 is so tender and soft, hehehe

"By the way, what does the head chef like to drink?"

Liu Zheng asked the White Feather Chicken.

"Iced lemon cola."

The White Feather Chicken glanced at him and replied.

"Hmm... Got it, I’ll remember that."

Liu Zheng responded with a peculiar expression.

The White Feather Chicken and iced lemon cola—well, they do make a perfect pairing, especially if you fry the chicken.

"Are you itching to get fried?"

The White Feather Chicken asked coldly.

With its years of cooking experience, how could it not know what Liu Zheng was thinking?

"No, no, of course not. Uh, well, I’ll be on my way now. You guys carry on."

Liu Zheng quickly greeted and bolted out.

If he stayed any longer, he might end up as a midnight snack in the kitchen.

When he returned to the lounge, Niu Ma was reading a newspaper.

"Boss, I’m back."

Liu Zheng called out.

"Just get back then, why all the shouting? Where’s my drink?"

Niu Ma asked without even looking up.

"Here you go."

He pulled out cooking wine from his pocket.

"Only wine? Where’s the food?"

"Better than nothing. I begged for ages just to get this bottle!"

Liu Zheng replied.

"Look at you, such a wimp. Why don’t you have the guts to fight that chicken?"

Niu Ma mocked him with disdain.

"Well, it’s the department manager and I’m just a regular employee. Our ranks don’t match, you see. How about you take me along next time? I’ll cheer you on."

He suggested.

"Forget it. I’d probably stomp it to death in one hoof, and if the boss makes me the head chef, what do I care, but you wouldn’t be able to handle the entire delivery department."

Niu Ma paused and explained.

"Makes sense. As expected of the boss, you’re truly farsighted, always considering us little guys."

Liu Zheng praised admiringly.

"Hmph, of course. Where’s your dried fish? Give me a few pieces to barely count as snacks."

"Sure thing."

He placed both the wine and dried fish in front of Niu Ma.

With no table around, he simply put them on the floor.

Anyway, the lounge was only used by the two of them—dirty or not, you won’t get sick.

"Why does this bottle look so familiar?"

Niu Ma picked up the bottle, glanced at it, pondering.

"Boss, you’ve had so many drinks; it’s normal to see a similar bottle now and then."

Liu Zheng said.

"Hmm, fair enough."

Niu Ma accepted the explanation, bit off the wooden cork, and poured a swig into his mouth.

"Damn, you punk tricked me with cooking wine, didn’t you?"

Niu Ma cursed immediately.

"Napoleon gave this to me, it wasn’t something I picked up on my own."

Liu Zheng quickly cleared himself of blame.

"Couldn’t you swap it for another bottle?"

"He said this one’s free, and wouldn’t give anything else. What could I do? Besides, I can’t beat him."

Liu Zheng said indignantly.

"Bullshit, I think you did it on purpose."

"Cooking wine is still wine, right? At least you didn’t spit it out, boss, meaning it’s not bad. It’s free; what more do you want, eh?"

Liu Zheng shrugged.

"Hmph, I’m not paying anyway, so technically it’s free for me too. Fine, give me ten more dried fish."

Niu Ma begrudgingly accepted his reasoning.

"Boss, where’d you get that newspaper?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"From the customer service department."

"But you don’t get along with Britain, do you?"

He asked, puzzled.

"Getting along means scoring benefits, not getting along means scoring even more. Besides, they toss out so many newspapers and magazines every day; what’s wrong with me picking up a few?"

Niu Ma said righteously.

"Makes sense. Can I take a look?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"Why should I? Go pick one up yourself at the customer service department."

Niu Ma replied, displeased.

"I don’t have what it takes. Let me look—it might help me find a way to make money."

"Ha, as if finding one would mean you’d have time to act on it."

Niu Ma sneered.

A mere delivery boy, busier than the directors and managers at City Hall.

"I may not have time, but boss, you do. If we make money, just give me a 20% cut."

Liu Zheng said.

"Keep dreaming. Be happy if I throw in a consulting fee. Take it, take it, read somewhere else, don’t bother my drinking."

Niu Ma seemed tempted.

"Sure thing."

He rolled up the newspaper and returned to his own stool to dig into the pieces he was interested in.

Luckily, there weren’t any updates on the lottery prize pool, so the surprise could still be preserved.

Relieved, Liu Zheng began to browse the newspaper carefully.

Soon, he came across an article that caught his attention.

"Today, the Deep Sea Empire submitted a protest to City Hall regarding the abduction and trafficking of the mermaid princess Kova and numerous mermaid citizens. City Hall stated that Metropolis and the Deep Sea Empire have always been amicable neighbors and mutually respectful."

"Regarding the human-trafficking of mermaids, City Hall expressed profound shock and distress. City Hall spokesperson Geng Bushuang stated that next, the Security Department will coordinate a joint law enforcement effort with multiple departments to crack down on human-mermaid trafficking and smuggling of uninspected goods..."

"Good grief, the Round God Sect is in for a miserable time."

Liu Zheng clicked his tongue.

"What’s up with being miserable?"

Niu Ma asked casually.

"It’s about Garcia—it’s all been exposed."

He gave a brief recap of the newspaper content.

"That’s all because you let her go."

Niu Ma said irritably.

"I couldn’t help it—she gave me way too much."

Liu Zheng lifted the Heart of the Ocean hanging from his chest.

Although its activation conditions were a bit tricky, once triggered, it was no worse than Perfect Quality equipment—it had won him several life-or-death battles and was definitely worth it.

"No matter how much she gave, you still needed to survive to use it. If it hadn’t been for me putting in a good word, White Feather Chicken would’ve butchered you on the spot."

Niu Ma scoffed.

"Yes, yes, boss, your kindness and munificence, I’ll never forget."

He spoke earnestly.

"Hmph. Still, that old bastard Garcia really is going to have it rough. Serves him right for trafficking me back then, hahaha."

Niu Ma let out a wild laugh.

The coordinated action involving multiple departments, and even a diplomatic incident—forget a small fry like the Round God Sect. Even those balding priests in the Metaverse would be trembling.

"Speaking of which, boss, how did you end up getting sold to the Bloody Restaurant?"

Liu Zheng seized the opportunity to ask.

He was genuinely curious.

"I escaped the farm and ran into people from the Round God Sect stealing goods. Got caught and sold straight to the restaurant."

"Well, that’s some dark humor."

Liu Zheng didn’t know what expression to make.

"Stuff like this happens all the time. The world isn’t filled with tragic heroes—most of us are just clowns."

Niu Ma said nonchalantly.

"Maybe so."

He replied indifferently.

Liu Zheng thought of the Lucky Clown Card.

If Niu Ma truly didn’t care, he wouldn’t have kept that card with him.

Ultimately, there was still a touch of reluctant bitterness.

"Good thing I didn’t agree to Garcia’s offer to become their Saint Heir."

Liu Zheng said, relieved.

"What are you afraid of? With your skills, you’d probably become the belle of the prison. When you get out, you’d lead a gang to rise and shine again, build a business empire."

Niu Ma teased.

"Enough, I’d more likely end up ruined. I lack the enlightenment; let the others go to Dragon Field to attain wisdom."

He shook his head.

"Speaking of which, if the Round God Sect gets wiped out, wouldn’t your contraband business, boss, have an easier start?"

Although the White Feather Chicken had promised to prioritize Niu Ma, other smugglers definitely wouldn’t welcome a new competitor.

Especially the Round God Sect—they already had a feud with Niu Ma, and would want him eliminated for sure.

"Damn! Easier, my hoof! This screws up my startup plan again."

Niu Ma froze, then howled loudly.

"Why?"

Liu Zheng asked, confused.

"It’s all over the newspapers—do you think City Hall will only target the Round God Sect? They’ll definitely hit everyone while they’re at it."

Niu Ma explained.

"Look on the bright side. If City Hall wipes out smugglers entirely, the market will open up. Then you can sell to the restaurant and other buyers have no choice but to turn to you."

He tried to comfort him.

"You’ve got a sharp mind, but who knows how long this joint crackdown will last? If it drags on for a year or two, it’s game over."

Niu Ma calmed down slightly.

"It won’t take that long."

Liu Zheng shook his head.

"Why not?"

Niu Ma asked.

"Because..."

He was about to explain but suddenly stopped and looked toward the door.