The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?
Chapter 191: Red Ghost Beats Up the Sewer?

Chapter 191: Chapter 191: Red Ghost Beats Up the Sewer?

"Hey, tell the sewer that I have found a doctor to take care of its hemorrhoids."

After leaving the office building, Liu Zheng made a call to Fisherman.

"Once you’re ready, let me know, and I’ll order takeout."

Fisherman said.

"There’s something else in the meantime."

"What’s that?"

Fisherman asked.

"Help me get an advance on the payment from the sewer."

Liu Zheng said.

"No way, there’s no precedent for that."

Fisherman firmly refused.

"No precedent doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Tell them, the doctor I’ve hired is highly skilled, can perfectly revive the dead, and has a unique approach to treatment. Most importantly, I’ve got my hands on that item we used last time, though it’s a bit less potent."

He had no intention of giving up.

"Where the hell do you get all these gadgets from?"

Fisherman was already shocked when Liu Zheng managed to pull out the Golden Finger last time, and now the kid had something similar.

"Exclusive channels, you don’t need to worry about that. Just tell me, are you going to help or not?"

Liu Zheng said.

"And what if I don’t?"

Fisherman snorted coldly.

No one could threaten him except the City Hall.

"If you don’t help, I’ll send Galina to the trash processing station, settle all our favors, and from then on, we owe each other nothing, each going our separate ways."

"If we meet in the sewer afterwards, it’ll be a contest of strength and a fight to the death."

Liu Zheng’s voice was even colder than his.

You think you can?

Fisherman wanted to say that, but in the end, he didn’t.

Last time, this kid almost got him killed. Given his capability to cause trouble, it’s very possible he could drag Fisherman down with him.

"Have you been drinking the sewer’s piss? You’re so hot-headed."

Fisherman asked.

The kid used to be quite slick, but now he was so aggressively confrontational all of a sudden.

"I originally thought that in the Metropolis, as long as I kept my head down, made deals and reasoned with people, I wouldn’t necessarily have a good life, but at least I could survive."

"Now I realize I was wrong. Some people are taking us for fools, so I’ll let them open their eyes."

Liu Zheng said calmly.

"What exactly happened?"

"A friend of mine got into trouble because of me."

He briefly explained the janitor’s situation.

"...Are you sure she’s just a friend?"

Fisherman asked.

"Sure."

"What if it was Galina?"

"Same thing."

Liu Zheng’s tone was even.

"What compensation do you want in advance?"

Fisherman asked after a moment of silence.

"I want it to help me find a shelter or the Red Ghost."

He said.

"What’s a shelter? And who’s the Red Ghost?"

Fisherman asked.

"It’s a red shadow, wearing a military coat and a wide-brimmed hat."

"The entrance to the shelter looks like the door to a bank vault, only much smaller."

Liu Zheng described.

"How come I’ve never seen these things you’re talking about?"

Fisherman frowned over the phone.

Although he wasn’t a native of the sewer, as a part-time river cleaner, he had been to every corner of it.

Yet, he had never seen any red shadows nor such doors.

"That’s probably because it doesn’t want to be found by you."

Liu Zheng said.

"Alright, I’ll try to negotiate for you, but I can’t guarantee anything."

Fisherman murmured after a moment.

"How long will it take?"

He asked.

"Not long, about ten minutes."

"Fine."

It would take him about that long to get there anyway.

Liu Zheng hung up the phone and ran wildly towards Rose Street.

The security guard put down his phone, watching his retreating figure with a complicated and unfathomable expression in his eyes.

Before he even reached Rose Street, Fisherman’s call came through.

"The sewer has found the shelter."

Fisherman said.

"Good."

Liu Zheng said with satisfaction.

"But because of this, it got into a conflict with the person you’re looking for, so the reward for treating its hemorrhoids is canceled. And if the treatment fails, it will come after your life personally."

Fisherman added.

"...Okay."

He nodded with some annoyance.

Forcing the Red Ghost out of its lair was obviously not a good idea.

But he had no choice; he could wait, but the janitor couldn’t.

"The Red Ghost said it knows you’re looking for it and will wait for you at the place where you met last time."

Fisherman said.

"That’s perfect."

The place where Liu Zheng encountered the Red Ghost was near a sewer opening on Rose Street.

When he arrived at Rose Street, the French Plane Tree seemed eager to test the fishing net.

A few roots rubbed against the fish inside the net, much like a male boss, with lustful intentions but no courage, trying to flirt with a drunk female subordinate.

"What are you doing?"

He said speechlessly.

"Ah!"

The French Plane Tree shrank back its roots in shock.

"I, I was checking to see if these fish were dead for you."

It said, eyes darting about.

"So, are they dead?"

Liu Zheng asked, dragging out his voice.

"They’re not dead. Humph, hurry up and take them away, the fishy smell is making me nauseous,"

The French Plane Tree said begrudgingly.

"Keep an eye on them for a bit longer, I need to make another trip to the sewer."

He shook his head, then handed two cups of Unlucky Coffee to it.

"What’s so great about coffee."

The French Plane Tree muttered, but still took the cups.

"Dear Dai Legao, noble of France."

Liu Zheng called out with seriousness.

"What is it now?"

The French Plane Tree’s skin crawled at the title.

Every time this human addressed it that way, he was about to raid its collection again.

"Do you still have that self-destruct button from last time?"

He asked.

"No more. Do you think that thing is as cheap as cabbage? It’s a controlled item."

"Any similar ones?"

"No, none."

The French Plane Tree shook its head frantically.

"Please help me, I really need it."

Liu Zheng’s voice grew deeper.

"Really, there’s none. What are you going to blow up this time?"

The French Plane Tree asked.

"Going to blow up an office building."

He mentioned the cleaning business again.

"After so many transactions with me, don’t you understand the principle of a deal being done once the payment is complete? Idiot humans."

The French Plane Tree rolled its eyes.

"I think it’s not settled if it’s not settled."

Liu Zheng said stubbornly.

"Hmph, I don’t know where you get all this kinship from. I’ve seen other humans, they sell their own kind happily."

The French Plane Tree said.

"It’s not because of kinship. If you were locked up in that kind of place, I would rescue you just the same."

He shook his head.

"You? Not dragging me down would be good enough."

The French Plane Tree said disdainfully.

Liu Zheng laughed, not arguing.

"What if I was locked up outside of Metropolis?"

The French Plane Tree suddenly asked.

"The same. If I have the chance, I’ll figure out a way."

"Hmph, who knows whether your words are true. Two cups of coffee aren’t enough, I want at least six bottles of liquor of the same quality as before to make the exchange."

The French Plane Tree said.

"Alright, thanks."

His frightening maw showed a gentle smile.

"Ew! Gross. Get lost, hurry up and go, or I’ll throw you down there."

The French Plane Tree shook off its leaves in disgust.

"Tch."

Liu Zheng pursed his lips and turned to leave.

Even trees are discriminatory based on looks, Metropolis really does lack ancient virtues, as times degenerate.

He walked to the sewer entrance and climbed right in.

Even though he lost the bonuses of the Legendary Armor, he felt much more relaxed.

Because Liu Zheng knew the Red Ghost was waiting for him ahead.

With this true powerhouse around, there was no need to worry about other dangers.

Emerging from the sewer tunnel, the Red Ghost was squatting by the dirty river, seemingly fixated on something.

Its squatting posture was strange, hands crossed and lifted in front, thighs and calves at a 45° angle, which looked awkward.

Upon hearing Liu Zheng’s footsteps, it stood up and turned around.

"I originally thought the sewer had gone crazy, but it turns out you were instructing it. Young man, your progress is beyond my expectations."

The Red Ghost said wistfully.

Just a few days ago, when they had met, he was almost killed by a fart in the sewer, and now he could instruct it to find the Ghost.

"No way around it. A thousand years is too long, seize the day."

Liu Zheng said with a smile.

"Nice saying. Let’s go in and talk."

The Red Ghost led him slightly forward, and then an emergency door appeared.

He took it upon himself to twist the valve and then entered.

With the sufficient electricity Liu Zheng provided last time, the interior was no longer pitch-dark but brightly lit.

The children were sitting at their seats, seriously engaged in their activities—some reading, some doing exercises, and others crafting.

Only Galina and Paul sneaked a glance at him: the former showing a sweet smile, the latter giving him a resentful gaze.

The contrasting behaviors of the two made him smile, easing the gloominess in his heart a bit.

"So, what business do you have with me?"

The Red Ghost asked.

"Let’s fulfill my promise first."

Liu Zheng lifted the big bag he was holding.

"Alright."

The Red Ghost showed a hint of a smile.

"Children, stop what you’re doing. The electrician has brought you gifts."

It clapped its hands to catch the children’s attention.

At its words, the children stopped pretending and jumped off their chairs, rushing towards Liu Zheng.

"Is it food?"

"Is it toys?"

"Is it pretty clothes?"

"Is it beautiful flowers?"

...

The children babbled around him, like a flock of sparrows.

Their eyes kept darting to the bag, yet none of them reached out.

It was clear the Red Ghost had taught them well.

"It’s coffee, juice, and desserts."

Liu Zheng announced the correct answer.

"Hooray!"

Upon hearing the answer, the children cheered joyfully.

It had been a long time since they drank fresh drinks, let alone such luxurious desserts.

"Since the electrician has brought gifts, how about we celebrate our collective birthday a little earlier, shall we?"

The Red Ghost suggested.

"Yeah~"

The children elongated their response.

"Alright, everyone take your seats. The electrician will distribute the supplies to you."

The Red Ghost said.

"Yes!"

The children responded in unison, then scurried back to their seats.

"Go ahead."

The Red Ghost nodded at Liu Zheng.

"Alright."

He walked to the center of the classroom and started distributing gifts, beginning with the child in the top left corner.

Each child received a drink and a dessert, then beamed with joy.

"There’s also this. I got it from the cemetery. It’s a special product that the children should like."

Liu Zheng took out "Netherworld Fresh Milk" from his system space.

"Netherworld Milk!"

The Red Ghost’s eyes brightened.

"You’ve given me another surprise."

"Is this really useful?"

"Yes, very useful. For the next month, they’ll be able to sleep well."

The Red Ghost nodded.

"Next time I get a chance, I’ll buy some more."

Liu Zheng said.

"Initially, I planned to give you some compensation and then erase your memory of us. But now it seems, your existence is more beneficial than harmful to us."

"So tell me, why are you in such a hurry to find me?"

The Red Ghost took off its wide-brimmed hat, its eyes turning to solid grey.