Hell Game: Starting from Metropolis

The two strokes at the bottom of the character "义" (righteousness) resemble two sheep hooves, heavily stepping on his shoulders.

Liu Zheng grunted, feeling as if he were carrying not just a word, but a mountain.

The mountain wasn't pressing down on his body, but on his soul.

As he pressed the character "义" down again, countless images flashed through his mind.

There's a story about Liu Zheng getting into a fight with other older kids when he was little, in order to protect the child who offered him bubble gum.

When he was in middle school, a female classmate passed him a note confessing her feelings, which was discovered by the teacher. Liu Zheng simply ate the note.

It wasn't until Liu Zheng hugged the cleaning lady, sacrificing his own heart to block the stinky fart bomb aimed at her.

Countless images solidified into bricks and stones, building up from his feet until they finally reached above his head, supporting the character "义" (righteousness).

These bricks and stones are not stable, and even teeter on the brink of collapse under the pressure of the word "righteousness".

But in the end, she still helped Liu Zheng uphold the great responsibility of "righteousness," making his soul feel lighter.

"You actually managed to pull it off."

Si Xue looked somewhat surprised, but not particularly surprised.

"Indeed, if you use the average morality of the metropolis as a standard, you could almost run for sainthood."

Her tone carried a hint of sarcasm.

"If that's the case, why doesn't the city hall try to improve the moral standards of the public?"

Liu Zhenggang snapped out of his daze, his mind still reeling, and asked instinctively.

"Morality? Whose morality?"

Si Xue countered with a question.

"Humans have human morality, cattle and horses have cattle and horses' morality, vampires have vampire morality, and there are thousands of certified races in Metropolis. So, whose morality should be used as the standard?"

"We can seek the greatest common denominator."

Since Si Xue didn't tell him to shut up, he continued talking.

"Then who determines this greatest common divisor?"

Si Xue pressed for an answer.

“A lower house could be established, with representatives of each race serving as members, who would then be responsible for relevant matters.”

Liu Zheng said without hesitation.

As a journalist who has gone through compulsory and higher education, he still possesses some political acumen.

"Which races benefit most from the morality of choosing this greatest common denominator?"

Si Xue asked again.

"It is most advantageous to those weaker races."

Liu Zheng replied.

"So, do I need to ask any more questions?"

Si Xue sneered.

"No need, boss."

He sighed.

This is an extraordinary world, where the gap in strength between individuals is greater than the gap between humans and insects in reality.

At least an insect can bite or spray some venom.

In this world, a powerful figure like Si Xue would die if he even glanced at him.

What maintains order in the metropolis is not a common denominator of morality, nor a compromise between races, but the violence of the city hall that is sufficient to suppress all races.

"If one day you can go beyond the border and see for yourself, you'll realize that the metropolis isn't so bad after all. Of course, by then you'll have forgotten about this conversation."

Si Xue said calmly.

"I just want to stay in the restaurant and work hard; I don't want to go anywhere else."

Liu Zheng immediately pledged his loyalty.

Given the trouble he's caused, without the protection of his status as a restaurant employee, he would have been torn to pieces long ago.

Even hiding in the sewers might not be safe, unless he goes directly to a shelter.

But once he hides in the shelter, Liu Zheng will gradually forget, and eventually he will probably forget even about returning, and then he will completely decay.

"I'm not an animal; I don't need your constant flattery. Are you still going to choose me or not?"

Si Xue asked.

"Is one word enough, boss?"

"It's hard to say, it depends on how much attention he pays to you."

Si Xue shook her head.

The president of the Writers' Association is a very mysterious person. She has actually only had a few interactions with him and is not quite sure about his abilities.

"Then let's add the character '信' (xin, meaning 'trust')."

Liu Zheng gritted his teeth and said.

"it is good."

With a wave of her hand, Si Xue tore the character "信" (xin, meaning letter) off the five-colored phoenix.

The character "信" (xin, meaning "faith"), like a guillotine, landed on his neck. This time, it wasn't a mountain-like pressure, but rather a sharpness brought on by the acceleration of gravity.

Liu Zheng felt that he was about to be decapitated in the next second, and this decapitation, which affected the soul, could not be cured even by "regeneration of flesh and blood".

At that moment, countless images reappeared, transforming into chains that bound his neck.

Keeping promises is both a constraint and a protection.

Chains were repeatedly severed by the guillotine of faith, only to be reborn again, until the guillotine's sharpness was completely worn away.

"Whoo~"

He breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he had overcome another hurdle.

"Two words already, are you coming again?"

Si Xue was not surprised that he had upheld the word "trust".

The words "trust" and "righteousness" are often used together; a person who is truly loyal is often also trustworthy.

"Come on, this time we need the characters '德' (virtue) and '仁' (benevolence)."

Liu Zheng gritted his teeth and said.

He doesn't like to leave his fate to luck.

Rather than being killed by the president of the Writers' Association later because there aren't enough "words" to carry, it's better to be crushed by these "words" now.

Besides, Si Xue couldn't possibly let him die here.

"it is good."

Si Xue reached out again, and the characters "德" (virtue) and "仁" (benevolence) were torn off together.

Chapter 216 You Take the Seats of the Ox and Horse

The five-colored phoenix let out a deafening wail, which even stirred up waves in the entire lava ocean.

But the obsidian pillar remained incredibly sturdy, showing no signs of breaking.

The character "德" (virtue) that resembled an eye looked at Liu Zheng, and a raging fire immediately ignited in his soul.

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

The character "仁" (ren, meaning benevolence) pierced Liu Zheng like a sharp sword, and even before the tip of the sword touched him, he felt the pain of being pierced through.

The countless images then transformed into ropes, weaving a fishing net through which the sword tip passed, while the ropes secured the sword hilt.

The sword with the character "仁" (ren, meaning benevolence) continued to fall, stretching the fishing net into an arch shape, finally stopping its momentum.

But the tip of the sword had already touched the top of Liu Zheng's head, penetrating about an inch deep.

The intrusive force gave him a splitting headache, but at least he managed to withstand it.

"It seems I underestimated you."

Si Xue looked at him with great interest and said.

"All that's left is the word 'etiquette,' why don't you give it a try?"

"If you possess the five virtues, you can directly obtain the power of the phoenix without having to change your race. At that time, even cattle and horses will have to give up their positions as department heads for you."

Si Xue tempted her.

"Forget it, boss. I'm too unlucky to handle this."

Liu Zheng forced a smile and said.

Carrying the word "benevolence" is already half-dead, carrying the word "propriety" will surely lead to certain death.

"Coward, don't go out there saying you're one of my men, I can't afford to lose face like that."

Si Xue said with disdain.

He lowered his head and did not respond.

Even if he doesn't say anything, it's as if no one can recognize the uniform he's wearing.

Of course, ordinary people may not know who the owner of the Bloody Restaurant is.

"Alright, get lost."

Si Xue waved her hand and said.

"Oh."

Liu Zheng carefully put her down, then left the cave and returned to the rest room.

"Are you going there to collect a reward or to be punished, kid?"

Niu Ma looked at his ugly face and said.

"It's about 50/50."

Liu Zheng sighed.

If you can withstand the five virtues, you will receive a reward; if you cannot, you will be punished.

As for him now, he is neither; he can only be considered to be under torture.

"Want some painkillers?"

"Okay."

Liu Zheng said, rubbing his temples.

Although his pain was mainly on a spiritual level, it would be good if the physical pain could be relieved even a little.

Then he saw Niu Ma rummage through the cupboard and pull out half a bottle of vodka.

"Here, a strong painkiller."

Niu Ma said in a very serious tone.

"You should drink it yourself, sir."

Liu politely declined without any expression.

Normally, he wouldn't mind using alcohol as an anesthetic.

But since we're about to attend a banquet, it's best not to do anything reckless.

Speaking of which, it seems like the time is almost up.

He glanced at his phone and then called the white goose.

"Brother, could you please come over and do my makeup?"