Hell Game: Starting from Metropolis

He looked at Thirteen Orphans.

"This is a tradition of the Stone Spirits, exchanging the skulls on their bodies as a testament to their friendship."

Thirteen Orphans explained.

"I see."

Liu Zheng thought for a moment, then pulled out his serrated butcher knife and cut off one of his tentacles.

"Then please accept this gift as a testament to our friendship."

With a sincere smile, he handed the still-bleeding tentacle to Shi Tiantian.

"Hee hee hee!"

Shi Tiantian carefully took the tentacle with its huge hand and then pressed it against its chest.

Soon, the tentacle began to petrify from the broken end, becoming part of its body.

"Hehehe?"

"So, dear human sir, what would you like me to do for you?"

"That's what Shi Tiantian said."

"Dear Mr. Human"

Yoko barely managed to suppress the urge to roll her eyes, thanks to her years of professional training.

"It's like this, dear Miss Stone Spirit. I have a request; I need to go to the Ten Thousand Mountains."

Liu Zheng told Shi Tiantian everything he could about the Yorozuya's commission and his grudges with Oeyama.

"After much thought, I realized that to accomplish such a difficult task, the Stone Spirit Clan's help is absolutely essential. And among the Stone Spirit Clan, Miss Stone Sweetie is the most gentle, virtuous, intelligent, beautiful, generous, kind, and warm-hearted."

He showered Shi Tiantian with a string of positive compliments as if they were free.

"Hehehe~"

Shi Tiantian was indeed all smiles as she was thrown around.

"You're so good with words, dear human sir. Your massage technique is so excellent, and you're so good at complimenting people, I'm almost falling in love with you."

Thirteen Orphans translated expressionlessly.

"What? So my dear Miss Shi Tiantian hasn't fallen in love with me yet? I'm so heartbroken."

Liu Zheng put on a sad expression.

"Hehehe?"

"You haven't even told me your name yet, how can I fall in love with someone who doesn't have a name?"

Thirteen Orphans translated.

“It was my fault. My name is Liu Zheng, dear Miss Shi Tiantian.”

He bowed.

"Hehehe~"

"Your name is so beautiful, dear Mr. Liu Zheng."

Thirteen Orphans dutifully acted as the mouth substitute.

Of course, he can only translate the content; he can't translate the tone and expression.

"And what is my request?"

Liu Zheng asked tentatively.

“No problem. But if that mountain has an owner, I can only help you find the mountain core, not accompany you up the mountain. As for your conflict with Mount Ooe, I can help negotiate. If a fight breaks out, I can protect you, but I can't help your entourage.”

When she mentioned the word "attendant," Shi Tiantian glanced at Yangzi, seemingly unintentionally.

"As you know, our Stone Spirit clan has always adhered to the principle of neither provoking trouble nor being afraid of trouble. After all, we are still a member of the Ten Thousand Mountains, and we can't be too biased towards outsiders."

Contrary to its appearance, its speech is not stiff at all, but rather very smooth.

"I understand. That's enough."

Liu Zheng nodded.

He hadn't placed all his hopes on the Stone Spirit Clan anyway.

Besides needing to rely on the Stone Spirit Clan to find the mountain core, the main purpose was to have the Stone Spirit Clan endorse the legitimacy of their entry into the Hundred Thousand Mountains, so as to prevent other mountain strongholds from attacking them incited by the Great River Mountain.

"Okay. Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation, dear Mr. Liu Zheng."

Shi Tiantian proactively extended her large hand.

"It's a pleasure to work with you, dear Ms. Shi Tiantian. But how shall we contact each other then?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"As long as you blow my little skull within the Ten Thousand Mountains area, I can sense your location and come to find you."

"That's what Shi Tiantian said."

"understood."

"I still have some things to take care of, so goodbye, dear Mr. Liu Zheng."

Shi Tiantian greeted them politely, then bowed and left the private room.

Liu Zheng looked at its massive silhouette, his expression subtle.

"Doesn't it feel quite different from what you imagined?"

Thirteen Orphans saw through his thoughts.

"Indeed, the Stone Spirit Clan is truly cunning."

He nodded.

"No, the rest of the Stone Spirits are all quite honest and kind."

Thirteen Orphans shook his head.

"What's Shi Tiantian doing here?"

"Shi Sang is probably a result of genetic mutation. In addition, as a member of the Stone Spirit Clan, it has been traveling around for many years to help the clan, which has also made it more shrewd."

Thirteen said.

"I see. It seems I've been praying to the right Buddha."

Liu Zheng smiled and said.

"That's right. Did you think that just anyone who comes to the Hundred Ghosts Guild would receive a personal reception from the head of the department?"

Thirteen Orphans said proudly.

"Yes, yes, yes, Minister is awesome! Minister is the best!"

He raised his hands in a gesture of worship.

"Look at how perfunctory you are. Alright, alright, hurry up and leave after you're done. If that old geezer finds out, I'll get whipped again."

Thirteen said disdainfully.

"It's not over yet, and Uncle Hachijo still needs to talk to me about something."

Liu Zheng said.

"You still want to go to the boiler room? Don't even think about it. I'm not taking you there. That's not a place for a guest like you."

Thirteen Orphans shook his head like a rattle drum.

"I don't need you to take me, I can go down by myself."

"You don't mean to let Yaoji take you down there, do you? Let me tell you, taking customers to the lowest level without permission is a serious crime. Even her brother-in-law in the market supervision department can't protect her."

"Kid, women are meant to be pampered. Even if you're going to use them, there's a limit."

Thirteen's expression turned serious, and he looked at Liu Zheng as if he were looking at a bug.

"With your words of reassurance, Minister, I'm relieved. I'll have to ask you to take good care of Yoko at Hyakki-ko from now on."

Liu Zhengfei wasn't angry; instead, he said with a grin.

"Huh? You don't need Yaoji to take you down?"

Thirteen Orphans understood his subtext.

"My friends have more trouble than I do."

He said it meaningfully.

After saying goodbye to the two, Liu Zheng, accompanied by a waiter, arrived at the elevator.

"How do you raise it? Is there any news on the breathing techniques?"

he asked.

"Sir, it's only been half an hour. Even finding a pair of socks wouldn't be this fast."

The waiter smiled wryly.

"I was just asking to give you a little push, don't be so nervous."

Liu Zheng spoke in the tone of a leader reprimanding his subordinates.

It can only be said that people will eventually become the kind of person they hate.

The waiter pressed the down button, and the elevator doors opened quickly.

He was about to go in when Liu Zheng stopped him.

"Sir, what are you doing?"

The waiter looked puzzled.

"You don't need to come down with me."

He said.

"what?"

The waiter's eyes widened.

"For your own good."

Liu Zheng patted him on the shoulder and then stepped into the elevator.

"Here, these are paper and pens. Give some to the woman and the old man."

He took out the paper and pen he had asked Yoko for and handed them to Samurai Ichihatsu.

"Very well, sir. I have already spoken to them, and they are willing to communicate with their own kind. However, they would like you to help them with the cleaning as well."

"Ichiro said."

"no problem."

Liu Zheng nodded.

It's normal for him to set conditions; he would find it strange if he didn't.

"However, I don't have the time myself. I'll have someone else help me with this when the time comes."

He said.

"Okay, I will explain it to them."

The samurai immediately agreed.

"Then I'll go and have them write the letter."

"Go."

Liu Zheng waved his hand and said.

The samurai turned and left, disappearing into the darkness at the edge of his sight.

About half an hour later, he emerged from the darkness again.

"This is my letter, this is Xiao Sixi's letter, and this is Green One's letter."