Ouyegan scoffed.

"I've never learned it, so it's normal that I don't understand. Can you understand if I teach you how to write a novel?"

He retorted.

"Still dare to talk back to me? Return the item, and give 'laziness' back to me."

Ouyegan said angrily.

"Dream on. The transaction is complete, there's no use even if you take me to court."

Liu Zheng said smugly.

"Hehe, boy, you forgot, the Taiyi Essence Gold hasn't been given to me yet, so the transaction isn't complete."

Ouyegan sneered.

"...You're right, I'm just a deadwood, the kind that even moss grows on. Please calm down, don't stoop to my level."

He admitted defeat quickly.

"Hmph, don't think that I am just someone who only knows about sword casting. When I was traversing the martial world, your ancestors were still drinking milk."

Ouyegan said with slight pride.

"Yes, yes, you are highly respected, with both virtue and skill, you've traveled more roads than I've swum rivers, and eaten more rice than I've eaten... well let's not continue."

"Stop, it gets more disgusting as you go on. It's late, forgive me for not hosting you longer, remember to bring the Taiyi Essence Gold next time. Rong Er, see our guest out."

Ouyegan issued the order to leave.

"Got it, Dad."

Ouyegong walked out again, holding a tablet.

"Please, sir."

She reluctantly put down the tablet and led Liu Zheng outside.

"I just heard you say, sir, that you can write novels?"

Ouyegong suddenly asked.

"Well, it's just an ordinary skill of mine."

Liu Zheng said modestly.

"Then why aren't you a novelist but a deliveryman?"

Ouyegong asked curiously.

"I used to be, but I gave up after seeing my limits. Writing novels and sword casting are different; writing is a consuming process, and without enough positive feedback, it's hard to keep going. Now I've changed careers to a deliveryman, to rebuild my reserves. Maybe when inspiration strikes, I'll write again."

He smiled and said.

At that time, I'll write an "Epic Deliveryman: Starting from Metropolis" and give it as a gift to a novelist.

"I see. I've always wanted to be a screenwriter, but my dad wants me to inherit his mantle and become a swordsmith."

Ouyegong said.

"That's not conflicting. Whether writing novels or scripts, it hinges on talent and long-term accumulation, both can be side jobs. You can learn sword casting while writing scripts. It's not like Master Ouye will truly treat you like Niu Ma, casting swords 24/7."

Liu Zheng comforted.

"Sir, you truly are perceptive, no wonder you convinced my dad to sell you 'laziness'"

Ouyegong admired.

"Miss, you're too kind. By the way, I have two female writer friends whose novels should be adapted into scripts. I can introduce you to them if there's a chance."

He thought for a moment and said.

"Sure, sure, I seldom go out, and I'm actually in need of female companions too."

Ouyegong said happily.

"Really? Does Master Ouye really control you that strictly?"

Liu Zheng asked in surprise.

"It's not Dad's fault. Ever since I was born, I've carried sword Qi, which needs to be suppressed with the Hundred-Weapons Qi in the workshop, or I'd be harmed by it."

"My dad forced me to learn sword casting, also to help me refine the sword Qi within and get rid of this root problem."

Ouyegong explained.

"I understand now, no wonder Master Ouye said every family has its problems."

He sighed.

"You must introduce me to those two sisters, sir."

Before leaving, Ouyegong reminded him.

"No problem, right?"

Liu Zheng only realized as he sat in the spirit car.

The nightingale and Sea Girl could be because of forced reasons to complete assignments, but what's up with Ouyegong?

Having gotten 'laziness', thinking the reason was not strong enough for the Xueyin Mad Blade without even a blueprint.

Thinking about the women scorned above him with knife arms unnerved him.

If he lost his second life, which even so many demons and monsters didn't take away, just because he didn't have the right legs to cut... he'd probably make the Hell's Game players' bizarre action awards top ten.

But not telling the truth wouldn't work either, let alone Liu Zheng not being one prone to lying, and a novelist isn't stupid, they'd find out with a simple question.

Females have an intuition about whether a male has been unfaithful, often highly accurate.

The ones that miss usually have other issues.

For example, he has a friend in real life.

Forget it, let's not give examples.

"How about introducing Nightingale and Sea Girl to her?"

Liu Zheng thought about it and felt it wasn't a good idea.

Those two aren't just friends, they're a couple. What's Ouyegong doing by getting involved?

If Ouyegong turns gay, Ouyegan might as well forge him into a knife instead of making one for him.

"Forget it, we'll deal with things as they come."

Liu Zheng steeled himself, stepped on the gas, and started the spirit car.

Anyway, the novelist had saved him several times, so he'd return this life like sheep to her.

"Hey man, where's my Divine Weapon?"

As soon as they entered the Clinic, Panda extended a paw, demanding his stuff.

"It's at the Sword Casting Workshop."

Liu Zheng replied.

Panda was disappointed for a few seconds, but then he got excited again.

"Haha, the Inheritance Jade Scroll is mine now."

"You wish. I'm just borrowing it for someone to appreciate for a month, then I need to get it back."

He said.

"I don't care, if you don't return it to me soon, the Inheritance Jade Scroll is mine."

Panda obstinately said.

"Sure, sure, I didn't even ask you for it. Look at you being all stingy. Oh, and give me that Taiyi Essence Gold, this is what I promised to someone."

Liu Zheng said.

"What right do you have to promise my stuff to others?"

Panda was not happy.

"What do you mean your stuff? We captured it together, and ownership hasn't been divided yet."

He retorted.

"I don't care, whatever lands in my hands is mine."

Panda played the rogue.

"Weren't you the one who said that once we're in the city, you'd have all the heaven-material-earth-treasure you want? Yet you still have your eyes on my trifles."

"I've only been with you for less than a day and I've been heavily injured multiple times. Even my Lifebound Magical Artifact has suffered damages, and yet you treat me like this. I can't live like this."

"Let's split up. You live in your Metropolis, I'll go back to my Ten Thousand Great Mountains!"

Panda shouted.

The Metropolis, in the narrow sense, referred to the Old City District plus the new district, and some enclaves included within the city limits.

"Alright, alright, it's not like I'm taking from you for free. Can't I just buy it from you?"

Liu Zheng said helplessly.

"I don't want money. Even if I had money, I wouldn't have anywhere to spend it. Just find me an Artifact Refiner to repair my two flags, that'll do."

Panda immediately said.

Truly, you don't know until you come to the city; once here, it's quite the shock.

Even someone as skilled as Doctor Nile, who could easily beat him, could only open a small Clinic in the city.

Panda had heard from other Demon Kings that sometimes city folks would catch them to make pets or ingredients.

Without an ID here, if caught outside, there'd be nowhere in the Abyss for it.

"Alright, alright, I'll find one for you, I promise."

Liu Zheng said helplessly.

"Oh right, I almost forgot about your identity problem."

He called Ace.

"Impressive, big guy."

Ace shouted as soon as the call connected.

"Brother Pai, don't mock me. If you do that again, I'll call you Young Master Biers."

Liu Zheng said.

"Yikes, that's too gross, please don't. But you're really impressive, how did you manage to make the Criminal Investigation Bureau swallow this bitter pill?"

Ace said with amazement.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau is the kind of department that doesn't take anyone seriously other than the Deputy Director and Director, demanding aggressively even from the Logistics Office.

Other Criminal Investigation Bureaus in their eyes are nothing more than garbage disposal stations.

This time they really had to eat humble pie, and the whole Security Department was practically cheering.

This is also why the "Refuse to Pamper Faction" was able to make peace with the Criminal Investigation Bureau so quickly, because the entire incident began with the Bureau stirring up trouble under the guise of the Security Department.

"What bitter pill? They didn't lose anything."

Liu Zheng shook his head.

"Two internal exam slots, right? The price is certainly high, but not unreasonably so. Your worth is far more than that of two regular employees."

Ace praised.

"Brother Pai, why do I feel like you have something to ask of me?"

He said with squinted eyes.