The reason for asking Wang Manni to emphasize that it’s an internal cigarette is to prevent security from mistaking its value, turning an alliance into animosity.

When speaking to those on the lower rungs, it’s best to be direct; playing games with unspoken understandings only backfires.

"Alright."

Wang Manni didn’t ask further questions and took the cigarette box to the security guard.

"This is from Mr. Liu for you, a staff-only cigarette from the Environmental Department."

She emphasized the words "staff-only."

"Thank you, Mr. Liu. Thank you, Manager Wang."

The security guard accepted the cigarette box with a face full of smiles.

He didn’t plan to smoke it; saving it to boast during drinking sessions was the best use.

Wang Manni nodded elegantly before returning to Liu Zheng’s side.

The two took the elevator to the sixth floor, where Wang Manni led Liu Zheng to the door of room 666.

"Mr. Deliveryman, I’ll wait outside for you."

Wang Manni said.

"Hmm."

Liu Zheng nodded and pushed the door open.

To his surprise, the inside wasn’t bloody, nor were there any torture devices; it was just a normal office.

Lin Pinru was sitting neatly in a single sofa in the corner, while a large, fat alien insect occupied the boss chair in front of her.

"Thanks for coming in person, Mr. Liu. I’m William, the chairman of Green Shade Culture."

The plump alien insect stood up from the chair and extended an insect limb towards Liu Zheng.

"I’m also a shareholder of the company, so contributing to the company is only right."

Liu Zheng grasped its insect limb with sincerity.

"It’s rare to see someone like Mr. Wei personally order delivery; it’s truly admirable."

This sentiment was indeed genuine.

"Actually, my surname is Fiedeneler... but forget it, knowing Mr. Liu is busy, let’s get straight to the point."

William said.

"Sure."

Liu Zheng was okay with that.

He scanned the room briefly, then casually sank into the long sofa, comfortably nestled in.

"Let’s begin then."

Liu Zheng said softly.

Despite his relaxed posture, a pressure began to permeate the small office as soon as he spoke. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"What a reputation indeed."

William was slightly startled, thinking to himself.

This innate pressure without any supernatural abilities has surely been honed through countless battles and challenges, considering the rapid rise of the other party is quite terrifying.

Still, if not for this, it couldn’t have endured the enormous losses caused by the other party, swallowing its pride to recruit them, even having multiple collaborations later.

"Miss Lin, you’ve now seen Mr. Liu; can we proceed with significant conversations now?"

William turned to Lin Pinru.

"Aren’t you going to tell Mr. Liu what we discussed earlier?"

Lin Pinru glanced at Liu Zheng and counter-questioned.

"I don’t want to know."

Liu Zheng said.

"If you’re thinking of using me as a pawn, you’re mistaken. I promised your father to protect you, but you chose to abandon that. Now, I’ll at most ensure you’re alive, but in what condition, I don’t care."

"If you annoy me, I’ll toss you into the sewer. The sewer’s agent is my elder, and he’ll surely entertain you well."

His voice was icy.

"Mr. Liu, I harbor no ill will towards you."

Lin Pinru smiled weakly.

She had cleaned up and changed into fresh clothes, with a sickly charm about her.

Unfortunately, Liu Zheng never understood tenderness towards beauty.

"But I do towards you."

He said bluntly.

If he hadn’t promised the Antlered Insect and Green Shade Culture, he would have dealt with such vile characters long ago.

"Mr. Wei, show me what you’ve got; I’d love to broaden my horizons."

Liu Zheng told William.

"Since Mr. Liu insists, alright then."

William raised his forelimb and tapped thrice on the table.

A hidden door in the wall opened, and a creature resembling an octopus walked in.

"Mr. Liu?"

The Heart Stealer paused upon seeing Liu Zheng.

"Heratut?"

Liu Zheng was also taken aback.

"Yes, I’m Heratut. At times, Metropolis can feel even narrower than the goblin’s den."

The Heart Stealer’s laughter echoed in his mind.

"The two of you know each other?"

William was slightly surprised.

"I’ve served Mr. Liu twice; he’s an exceedingly generous patron."

The Heart Stealer explained.

"What a coincidence. But reminiscing might wait; we need to have an honest conversation with Miss Lin first."

William said.

"Alright."

The Heart Stealer nodded to them and then walked behind Lin Pinru.

It lowered its head, and the tentacles near its mouth wriggled like long worms.

Though appearing free, Lin Pinru was actually unable to move, forced to watch helplessly as the tentacles moved towards her ear canal.

Feeling the cold, damp aura, her fear escalated rapidly.

"Mr. Liu, I can help you break the Universal Key’s bloodline curse!"

Driven by fear, Lin Pinru could only reveal her trump card.

"The bloodline curse can be lifted?"

Liu Zheng was shocked.

"Yes, and I can even help bind it to your bloodline."

Lin Pinru hurriedly said.

"You should’ve spoken sooner. I sold that thing a while ago."

He regretted.

"Huh?"

Lin Pinru looked incredulous.

She couldn’t fathom someone would discard the "Universal Key," a treasure whose practical value far surpasses its benefits, allowing someone impoverished to easily become a multimillionaire.

Moreover, the stronger the user, the greater the "Universal Key’s" potential.

"Don’t be upset; plans often can’t keep up with changes. Heratut, proceed."

Liu Zheng signaled with a nod.

"I’m willing to cooperate."

Lin Pinru immediately declared.

The final trump card proved useless, so it was better to cooperate willingly to avoid suffering.

"Good, those who understand timing are wise. Mr. Wei, please sign for the delivery then."

Liu Zheng said.

"Actually, Mr. Liu, you’re welcome to listen in too."

William said.

"Forget it, I can’t understand this kind of large-scale business; better focus on my delivery service."

He waved his hand.

"Mr. Liu jests; if all delivery workers were like you, City Hall would need a delivery department."

William half-joked.

"Well said. I’ll write an anonymous suggestion to City Hall later."

Liu Zheng replied with a joke.

"Mr. Deliveryman, the new debt contract is ready; would you like to sign it now?"

Leaving the office, Wang Manni spoke up.

"Let’s sign it now then."

He nodded.

Otherwise, he’d have to come by again.

"Alright, please follow me."

Wang Manni led Liu Zheng to her office.

"Here’s the new contract, please sign."

She knelt down, presenting the contract with both hands in front of Liu Zheng.

Perhaps due to not long being a manager, Wang Manni’s body largely retained human form.

As she knelt, her body’s curves became fully visible, along with the perilous cleavage.

"Extreme clustering is bad for blood circulation; avoid wearing it next time."

Liu Zheng said while signing.

"Oh! You noticed?"

Wang Manni was slightly shy.

"Hard not to notice."

His office had several youthful women, conversation unrestricted in any topic.

"Besides, yours are large enough; you don’t need that."

Liu Zheng stated.

"Hmm."

Wang Manni responded softly.

If it were someone else, she’d already become even more ambiguous.

But when facing Liu Zheng, she inexplicably felt ashamed.

"Here’s fifty thousand cash; please check."

After Liu Zheng signed, Wang Manni took a suitcase out from the safe.

"No need, I trust you."

Liu Zheng opened the suitcase, putting the cash into his System Space.

"Hmm."

Wang Manni sweetly responded, then took out a pack of cigarettes from the safe.

The package featured a devil brandishing a fork with a grim smile, standing on a sea of flames, in which countless souls wailed.

"These cigarettes were gifted to me; supposedly, their potency is very strong, so avoid inhaling deeply if you smoke them."

Wang Manni said.

"Okay, Infinite Heavenly Venerable."

Liu Zheng accepted them without hesitation, storing them in his Qiankun Ring.