Chapter 794: Chapter 794

"So what do you say?"

"In that case, only the bark and branches are needed."

The bald manager said.

"Alright, then can you first tell me what benefits I’ll get?"

The bald manager was still a bit hesitant.

"Forget it if you don’t want to tell. Let’s pretend this never happened."

He said with a frown.

Liu Zheng wasn’t trying to play hard to get; he was genuinely considering giving up.

Finding someone to write a memorial couplet, getting bark and branches from the French Plane Tree, and spending money on talismans—if the benefits weren’t worth it, it would just be ridiculous.

"Alright. Our funeral parlor has a secret technique that can use the luck of the person writing the memorial couplet and the yin virtue of the deceased and their ancestors to enhance the luck of the worshippers. The shorter the duration, the stronger the effect."

The bald manager finally revealed.

"That I don’t know. We haven’t tested the limits of this secret technique, but it’s enough to make a person win every gamble and turn every misfortune into a blessing."

The bald manager replied.

"Can it be used on anyone worshipping?"

"The writer of the couplet and the deceased must genuinely agree, at least. Forced borrowing isn’t impossible, but its effect will be greatly reduced, or even backfire."

The bald manager explained.

"What happens to the person whose luck is borrowed?"

"If their luck and yin virtue are borrowed, they’re gone, and even if they’re not fully consumed, they won’t be returned."

The bald manager continued.

"That’s quite a scam. So this secret technique comes with lots of limitations, huh? Then why are you keeping it so secretive? It’s somewhat like hoarding your own things."

"Mr. Liu might have far-reaching visions, but ways to defy destiny in the Metropolis are rare, and they often either have significant side effects or are illegal. Not to exaggerate, but our funeral hall’s secret technique is ranked in the top ten comprehensively."

The bald manager said proudly.

"Alright then. Does using this secret technique require an extra fee?"

"Of course, we can offer you a base cost—a million." Follow current novels on NoveI[F]ire.net

The bald manager stated.

"That’s really not cheap."

"Luck is intangible. Its value depends entirely on how you use it."

The bald manager explained.

How would Liu Zheng use it?

Of course, he’d use it to scratch lottery tickets. A trip to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains was still a long way off, and the White Feather Chicken was eyeing him eagerly. If he delayed any longer, who knows if it would kill Liu Zheng. It certainly wouldn’t help anymore.

Without the help of the White Feather Chicken and the kitchen, he’d lose a crucial leverage point.

Not to mention, just the fact that he wouldn’t be able to pet the San Huamao was something Liu Zheng couldn’t accept.

And even if he got the Chaotic Dice, the outcome might not be as desired.

Because there’s no guarantee the probabilities would change after a reshuffle, and he’s quite used to re-rolling dice hoping for better fortunes only to find nothing’s changed.

"Who should I get to write the memorial couplet?"

After hanging up, Liu Zheng fell into deep thought.

There shouldn’t be much trouble with the Earth Spirit. It has already attained enlightenment, and without descendants, who else would get its yin virtue if not Liu Zheng?

However, borrowing luck from the living was not easy.

Niu Daji, the Vampire Sister, and the cleaning staff might be willing, but their limited luck might only win a second prize at best.

The Fisherman, Sha Jiang, and the French Plane Tree were powerful, but they didn’t necessarily have abundant luck.

After all, they were either prisoners or fugitives, and the French Plane Tree still had two life-and-death tribulations ahead.

Among the people he knew, only a few had the strength, status, and stability, and yet each one was more difficult to deal with than the last.

"Should I find the novelist? Or the Red Ghost?"

Liu Zheng wavered between the two options.

The novelist’s luck was unquestionable, being both a high-born lady and a bestselling author with a hermit lifestyle, she had few calamities.

And the Red Ghost was even more remarkable, having survived a power struggle and still managed to threaten the current regime; this was not just a testament to her prowess but also her formidable luck.

Look at the former Empire, which also vied with City Hall. Only the Colonel remains, who’s now been dragged by the Bloody Restaurant to work as a driver—a clear difference.

"Let’s find the Red Ghost first."

Liu Zheng quickly decided.

He had to go to the French Plane Tree for bark and branches anyway, so it was on the way.

If things didn’t work out, it wouldn’t be too late to contact the novelist.

He called the driver to rent a car and quickly walked out of the delivery entrance, where the familiar Koenigsegg One:1 was parked outside.

The driver asked, hands on the steering wheel.

"Straight to Rose Street."

After all, the "Steamed Oedipus’s Foot" in the system space wouldn’t spoil, and he could deliver it next time.

The driver didn’t say much else and stepped on the gas until they reached their destination.

"The way you drive could only be tolerated by a tank."

Liu Zheng said, pushing open the car door while gagging.

At this speed, they wouldn’t just crash into another car; even a bird dropping on the windshield could be catastrophic.

"I’ve already slowed down. If it weren’t for you onboard, this car wouldn’t even touch the ground."

The driver declared proudly.

"Were you actually an Air Force strategist before?"

He narrowed his eyes.

"I wouldn’t stoop to associating with those prissy types who just drop bombs from above. The clash of armored vehicles is the true romance of soldiers."

The driver said disdainfully.

"Wouldn’t it be more romantic to bash each other with clubs and rocks?"

"Of course not. True romance requires efficiency and synergy. What you described is more like primitive fighting."

"Very precise. By the way, are you the only one left on your side? Colonel."

"Probably. Maybe there are some survivors, but they’re likely not much better off than I am."

"And what about your supreme leader?"

"The former leader has heroically sacrificed himself. There’s no doubt about that."

The driver immediately replied.

"Not like those cowardly gray beasts."

Seemingly aware of Liu Zheng’s thoughts, he added another line.

"And I see a shadow of the former leader in you, Liu Zheng."

Suddenly, the driver said.

"Indeed. You have the same energy, the same bold and meticulous nature, the same indifferent temperament, and are well-connected. Even the calmness in your anger is strikingly similar."

The driver said with some infatuation.

The driver suddenly raised a hand and pointed forward.

As his finger pointed at himself, Liu Zheng felt as if countless hands were reaching for him.

Behind those outstretched palms were countless eyes filled with hope.

They longed for food, beer, and work.

And mixed among those eyes of hope were more fervent and greedy gazes, desiring wealth, power, and glory.

As long as Liu Zheng made promises, they’d become his swords and plows, conquering land for him.

"I can’t promise anything."

Facing those outstretched hands, he firmly shook his head.

Food, beer, and work—these could be provided by City Hall.

As for wealth, power, and glory, he didn’t even possess them himself.

Faced with Liu Zheng’s refusal, the hope in those eyes quickly turned to despair, which in turn grew into rage, intent on destroying everything, including themselves.

Confronted by the impending wave of public backlash, Liu Zheng’s response was simple.

He simply raised his tentacle and blinded himself.

As those palms and gazes faded into darkness, the tsunami of cries also receded.

"Colonel, stop testing me. I truly have no intention of reviving the Empire."

If someone else kept doing this to him, he would have lost his temper long ago.

But the driver was generally pleasant to get along with and had saved him many times, so Liu Zheng could only grumble a bit.

"The Red Ghost is more than just the Red Ghost, and the Colonel is more than just the Colonel. We are the inheritors of many people’s legacies and are inevitably influenced by their wills."

The driver explained.

"Can you at least apologize?"

After a long silence, the driver said.

"Alright, I forgive you. But if you pull this again, I’ll lose it."

Liu Zheng patted the driver’s shoulder and headed towards the French Plane Tree.