The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?
Chapter 215 - 214 You Come and Sit in Niu Ma’s Place

Chapter 215: Chapter 214 You Come and Sit in Niu Ma’s Place

The Five-Colored Phoenix let out an earth-shattering cry, stirring waves across the entire Lava Sea.

But the Obsidian Pillar remained immensely sturdy, showing no sign of cracking.

The character for "virtue" fixed its gaze on Liu Zheng, and a fierce flame immediately ignited above his soul.

Countless images then transformed into kindling, pulling the fire away, burning in place of his soul.

The sword-like character for "benevolence" plunged towards Liu Zheng, and even before the tip struck, he felt the agony of being pierced.

Countless images turned into ropes, weaved into a fishing net, allowing the sword tip to pass through the mesh while the netting ensnared the hilt.

The "benevolence" sword continued to fall, stretching the net into an arch and finally halting its force.

But by then, the sword tip had already touched Liu Zheng’s crown, sinking an inch deep.

The invading sharpness caused his head to throb painfully, but at least he had withstood it.

"It seems I still underestimated you,"

Si Xue said with interest as she watched him.

"Only the character ’propriety’ is left, won’t you try it?"

"If you possess the Five Virtues, you can directly obtain the Phoenix Power without even changing your race. By then, even Niu Ma would have to willingly cede the boss’s seat to you."

Si Xue tempted.

"I’d better not, boss. My luck is shallow and my fate meager, I can’t withstand it."

Liu Zheng forced a smile as he spoke.

Surviving the character "benevolence" nearly killed him; taking on "propriety" would undoubtedly be fatal.

"Coward, don’t say you work under me. I can’t afford that kind of embarrassment,"

Si Xue said disdainfully.

He bowed his head, offering no reply.

As if they wouldn’t recognize the uniform on him unless he confessed.

Of course, ordinary people might not indeed know who the boss of the Bloody Restaurant was.

"Alright, get lost,"

Si Xue gestured dismissively.

"Oh,"

Liu Zheng gingerly set her down and left the cave, returning to the lounge.

"Did you go there for a reward or a punishment?"

Niu Ma asked him, noting his distressed expression.

"Half and half, I suppose,"

Liu Zheng sighed.

If he could withstand the Five Virtues, it would be a reward; if not, it was a punishment.

As for his current state, it was neither—it was more like torture.

"Want some painkillers?"

"Sure,"

Liu Zheng replied, massaging his temples.

Though his pain was primarily at the soul level, any physical relief was welcome.

Then, he saw Niu Ma pull out half a bottle of vodka from the cabinet.

"Here, strong painkiller,"

Niu Ma said seriously.

"Better you drink it yourself,"

Liu Zheng declined politely, expressionless.

If it were a normal day, he wouldn’t mind using alcohol as an anesthetic.

But with an upcoming dinner, it was probably best not to tempt fate.

Speaking of which, it seemed like time was almost up.

He checked his phone and then called Big White Goose.

"Big brother, could you please come over and help me with my makeup?"

Liu Zheng said respectfully.

"Sure can,"

Big White Goose agreed readily, then quickly knocked on the lounge door.

"Boss?"

He opened the door, looking towards Niu Ma.

"I’d rather stay outside, it’s more comfortable,"

Big White Goose shook his head.

"Well, okay then,"

Liu Zheng amicably agreed.

"What style of makeup do you want?"

Big White Goose asked as he opened his suitcase.

"What style, huh..."

He fell into thought.

"Just the plain style, the kind that makes sure nobody notices my existence,"

Liu Zheng mused aloud.

"Well, that’s quite a tall order,"

Big White Goose said.

"Why?"

Liu Zheng asked, puzzled.

"A Black Mountain Goat Cub touched by the Gospel stands out just as much as a single hair on a bald head, wherever you go."

"I believe in your skills, Big Bro."

He delivered a bit of flattery.

"I could do it, but are you sure this is what your lady friend wants?"

Big White Goose spoke slowly.

"Huh?"

"For such an important ball, no female would want her male companion to look bedraggled."

Big White Goose stated.

"This..."

Liu Zheng fell into thought again.

Indeed, he hadn’t considered the novelist’s thoughts.

Moreover, someone even Si Xue was wary of, Big White Goose’s makeup skills were probably not very effective.

"Then, Big Bro, I’ll leave it up to you,"

Liu Zheng simply handed over the choices to Big White Goose.

"Cunning lad."

Big White Goose chuckled at him but didn’t seem angry.

"So, what ball are you attending?"

It asked.

"It’s the novelist association’s salon ball."

"Novelist association, huh..."

Big White Goose mused.

"Let’s give you a steam-era literary giant look then."

"Fine."

Liu Zheng didn’t understand what a steam-era literary giant was, but he trusted the professional’s judgment.

"Let’s start with a facial cleanse."

Big White Goose took out a face washer he’d used last time and spat on his face again.

After rolling the face washer on Liu Zheng’s face for a while, his originally dusty face immediately became cleaner than newly grown ones.

After the facial cleanse came the concealer, and once the foundation was done, Big White Goose began the targeted makeup application.

First, it used a box of bone ash powder to thicken Liu Zheng’s facial bones and used pliers to elongate his face, turning it into a rectangular shape.

Then, it used a small chisel to shatter Liu Zheng’s eye sockets and created a more profound set of eyes using glue.

Next came the nose bridge, ears, skull top, forehead...

Big White Goose made fine adjustments to nearly every area, making Liu Zheng feel he was not under makeup, but sculpting.

"All done, come, take a look in the mirror."

Big White Goose held up a small mirror and said.

The mirror was only the size of a palm, but when Liu Zheng looked into it, he saw a face that was proportionally clear.

It was hard to describe his feelings when he saw the face in the mirror.

It wasn’t a complete change of person, as he could still recognize it as himself overall.

But his temperament had changed significantly, becoming more mature, confident, resolute, with a touch of melancholy and restraint.

Yet, this touch of melancholy and restraint was just right, not diminishing his vitality but rather making Liu Zheng irresistibly captivating.

Although it was a face filled with non-human features, he felt like he was looking at gentlemen from old Western movies.

"Big Bro’s makeup artistry is truly magical."

Liu Zheng said admiringly.

In the real world, there’s a term called "upper class face," used to describe some people who are very distinguished and photogenic, who could elevate the quality of a film even if their acting is not great, just by standing there.

This "upper class face" is rare, even fewer in this era of aesthetic decline.

But if Big White Goose could come to the real world, then it could mass produce these "upper class faces," enhancing the aesthetics of the whole world on its own.

Too bad it can’t.

"Don’t rush to praise yet, it’s not over. Take off your clothes."

Big White Goose said.

"Huh? Why?"

"Of course, to adjust your physique."

Big White Goose held a bone saw in one hand and a bone file in the other, speaking kindly.