Hell Game: Starting from Metropolis

"Drinking fake alcohol didn't kill you, but eating a little meat will make you feel stuffed."

Liu Zheng looked at the plane trees and shook his head.

He didn't know when the other person would wake up, so he had to prepare for long-term protection.

The staff at authentic massage parlors and yakuza-style private bathhouses have to leave at a certain time; you can't rely on them.

Although the Nile doctors and their men could hold out for a long time, the black-armored men had already fought with them and would definitely be better prepared next time.

As for Liu Zheng himself, he will also start delivering food after the holiday ends.

It's okay to take a quick look when you have some free time, but staying for an extended period is not an option.

"Otherwise, let's take advantage of the fact that everyone's here and wipe these guys out."

A fierce glint flashed in Liu Zheng's eyes.

The best way to solve a problem is to solve the people who created it.

However, he gave up on the idea a second later.

We have no idea how many people they have, what their trump cards are, or whether they have any helpers. Rushing to their door is like a lamb jumping into a tiger's mouth.

Liu Zheng himself wouldn't care, but he couldn't risk other people's lives, especially since these people had come to help him.

Moreover, since the other party already knows that he guessed that the other party's hideout is in the slave market, it's uncertain whether the person is still there.

"Sigh, if only either the fisherman or Brother Killer could come out."

Liu Zheng sighed.

If either of those two could come out, he wouldn't have needed to make such a fuss.

Aren't plane trees supposed to be public property, and no one dares to touch them? Why don't these men in black armor seem hesitant to do anything about it?

Oh right, their target isn't the plane trees. They just need to dig up the black soil and remove the corpses of the wood elf royalty.

Indeed, exploiting bugs is not a human invention.

"By the way, public property."

Liu Zheng's eyes lit up, and he took out his phone and dialed Yoko's number.

"what happened?"

The background noise from Yoko's side was a bit loud.

"Are you busy, Yoko-neechan?"

"No, my colleagues just treated me to drinks to celebrate."

Yoko said.

"Celebrating what?"

"Celebrating my successful return alive from His Excellency Kunguna."

Yoko said.

"That's definitely something to celebrate. There's something I need to trouble you with, Yoko-neechan."

After exchanging pleasantries, he got down to business.

"Wait a moment."

The noise gradually faded away; Yoko must have been looking for a quiet place.

"You say it."

After a moment, she said.

"I remember your brother-in-law works for the city hall, right? Which department is he in?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"It's from the Market Supervision Department."

Yoko told him directly.

"No wonder."

Even in reality, the Market Supervision Department is a very powerful department with the broadest licensing and enforcement powers.

In metropolitan areas, where commerce is strong and administrative agencies wield absolute power, the Market Supervision Department holds an even higher position, in no way inferior to the Public Security Bureau.

With a brother-in-law like that, it's no wonder that everyone in the Hundred Ghosts Parade gives Yoko a wide berth.

However, given the current situation, the Market Supervision Department's expertise is not a good match.

Does your brother-in-law know anyone in the sanitation department?

Liu Zheng asked.

“I don’t know. I never ask my brother-in-law about things. My sister always tells me.”

Yoko shook her head.

Even if sisters have a very good relationship, they should avoid suspicion in this regard.

"Well, I need help from the sanitation department about something."

He told Yoko about the plane trees.

Theoretically speaking, asking 4399 for help would be more reliable.

The other party was not only from the Border Management Agency, a super-powerful department, but also a member of the human "anti-slavery faction".

Judging from the fact that they helped investigate Yuan Bao'er's whereabouts, the other party clearly has extensive connections within the city hall.

However, unless absolutely necessary, Liu Zheng was unwilling to establish further contact with the "anti-slave faction".

There are many kinds of relationships between people, but political relationships are undoubtedly the most complex and difficult to escape.

Besides, he hadn't even paid the other party for the favor he asked last time, so he couldn't keep taking advantage of every single one of them.

“I can ask my sister for you, but I really can’t make the decision on this matter.”

Yoko said, frowning.

"It's nothing, you've already helped a lot by asking for me."

Liu Zheng comforted him.

"Hmm. Is that tree male or female?"

Yoko suddenly asked.

"Uh, trees shouldn't have genders, right?"

"Not necessarily."

Yoko hung up the phone.

He waited a while, and then his phone rang.

Liu Zheng looked at the caller ID; it was an unfamiliar number.

"Hello, Mr. Liu Zheng. I am Yoko's older sister, Yuriko."

He pressed the answer button, and the other party introduced himself.

"Hello, Yuriko-neechan, I'm Yoko's friend, Liu Zheng."

He also introduced himself.

"Thank you for saving my sister."

Yuriko's tone was very formulaic.

"Yoko also helped me a lot. We have a relationship of mutual help and support. There is no question of one saving the other."

Liu Zheng corrected.

"You're too modest. I know Yoko's abilities; it's good enough that she doesn't hold you back."

Upon hearing his explanation, Yuriko's tone softened.

"No, Yoko is a gentle yet strong person, and a very precious friend."

"I have some things to take care of, so I'll hang up now. I'll treat you to afternoon tea and coffee when I'm done."

Liu Zheng was about to hang up the phone after he finished speaking.

"Wait, didn't Yoko say you needed my husband's help?"

Yuriko quickly stopped him.

"That's how it was originally. But I don't want my friends to help me out of obligation or out of a sense of obligation."

Liu Zheng shook his head.

Relationships based on repaying kindness cannot last, and repaying kindness unwillingly is even more unreliable.

The key to building a network of connections lies in continuous mutual benefit, ensuring that both parties gain the benefits they need from these interactions.

Well, he admitted that Yuriko's initially harsh tone did indeed provoke his rebellious side.

"If there's nothing else, Yuriko-neechan, I'll hang up now."

Liu Zheng said calmly.

"Wait a minute. What's wrong with you? Didn't Yoko say you were very good with words?"

Yuriko said somewhat exasperatedly, forgetting to use honorifics.

"That applies to outsiders; I prefer to tell the truth to my own people."

He said.

"Sigh, another bad-tempered man."

Yuriko sighed on the other end of the phone.

"Thank you for the compliment, Yuriko-neechan."

Liu Zheng was not ashamed but rather proud.

"And shameless."

"You've made me blush with your praise."

He said shyly.

"Alright, let's get down to business. It's not that I'm unwilling to help you, but my husband is currently at a crucial stage in his career, so we have to proceed with caution."

"Interfering in the affairs of other departments is very sensitive. If we are not careful, we may not only fail to help you, but also get ourselves into trouble."

Yuriko explained.

"It's okay, I understand. You don't need to feel guilty, I can find someone else to help."

Now that things were out in the open, Liu Zheng spoke frankly about it.

"May I ask which department you're from?"

Yoko had told Yuriko about the family member certificate, so she wasn't surprised.

"Border Authority".

Liu Zheng hesitated for a moment, but still told her.

"It's the Border Management Bureau. Why didn't you just ask your family for help?"

Yuriko asked, puzzled.

Having a family member in a powerful department like the Border Management Agency is definitely more reliable than relying on roundabout connections.

“They hope I can inherit their political ideals, but I am still young and want to travel more and see more before making a decision.”

Liu Zheng said vaguely.

"It's not wrong for young people to have this kind of thinking. They should travel more and see more of the world to know what they really want and what they should do."

A deep, steady male voice came from the other end of the phone.

He wasn't surprised; Yuriko's husband would definitely be present to listen to such an important event.

"Hello, brother-in-law."