Pieces of charred meat were spat out by him, each uniquely shaped, with complete brows and eyes.

And with each piece he spat out, his body shrank a little.

By the time he stopped vomiting, his body was only the size of a monkey.

"When did you hook up with those bald donkeys?"

Si Xue asked.

"Huh? What bald donkeys?"

Liu Zheng was confused.

Everything that happened in the spirit world was like a forgotten dream to him.

"Just now there was a halo of Buddha's light behind your head, it's not possible that just one verse from me turned you into a Buddha, right?"

Si Xue said.

"Ah, maybe because I was cut by the Seven Treasures Wisdom Sword."

Liu Zheng told her about the Seven Treasures Wisdom Sword.

"What a pity."

Si Xue looked at him and shook her head.

"Pity about what?"

"If you really could have passed this calamity in enlightenment, you'd at least become an Arhat in the future. Pity, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was severed by me."

Si Xue said, shaking the long sword in her hand.

"Let it be extinguished then, don't even mention an Arhat, even if you offered me Bodhisattva, I'd have to think twice."

Liu Zheng shook his head and then looked at the long sword in Si Xue's hand.

"What a handsome sword!"

His eyes lit up.

"Weren't you using a knife? Why do you like swords now?"

Si Xue asked.

"Because all I have are knives."

Liu Zheng said innocently.

His weapons mostly came from the White Feather Chicken, and they were mainly knives, weren't they?

He did envy Master Beethoven's Moonlight Greatsword, but the leader of Yate rudely kicked him out of the city, what could he do?

"Besides, neither swordsmanship nor sword technique am I proficient in, so using a knife is simply easier."

Liu Zheng said.

Actually, compared to knives, he still preferred swords.

From an aesthetic standpoint, symmetric weapons like swords are more appealing than asymmetrical ones like knives.

From a cultural perspective, a swordsman sounds more elevated than a knife user.

Consider names like Qinglian Sword Immortal, Wine Sword Immortal, Dugu Sword Saint, they sound full of prestige and legend.

If you change them to Qinglian Knife Immortal, Wine Knife Immortal, and Dugu Knife Saint, it sounds like some mid-level boss out of a third-rate martial arts novel.

"This sword is called the Three-Five Evil-Slaying Male and Female Swords, this is the male sword, the Treasure of the Sect of the Five Pecks of Rice Religion."

Si Xue introduced.

Years ago, Ancestor Heavenly Master Zhang Daoling founded the Five Pecks of Rice Religion, the predecessor of Taoism, and Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad bestowed three magic treasures upon him to slay monsters and demons, conquer mountains and temples, and command ghosts and spirits across the land.

These three magic treasures were the Three-Five Evil-Slaying Male and Female Swords, the Yangping Control Seal, and the Zhengyi Alliance Authority Talisman.

The Three-Five Evil-Slaying Male and Female Swords are among these three treasures, known for their unmatched might.

Liu Zheng, having read many cultivation novels, knew the background of the sword, and his eyes shone even brighter.

"Do you want it?"

Si Xue asked deliberately.

"I want it."

He replied honestly.

"Then just keep wanting."

Si Xue sheathed the sword, speaking coolly.

"The sword has been contaminated, who knows how much spiritual energy is required to nurture it again. It's good enough that I'm not charging you for repair costs."

She sneered.

"Boss, I'm willing to take responsibility and have this sword repaired."

Liu Zheng said, rolling his eyes.

"You know how to repair swords?"

"I don't, but I know someone who can. The one who forged the Seven Treasures Wisdom Sword that slashed me can probably repair the Three-Five Evil-Slaying Sword as well."

He replied.

"What's in it for you?"

Si Xue asked bluntly.

She knew Liu Zheng well enough to know that something was up if he was this proactive.

"That person might use my flesh and blood as material to forge weapons, so if I hand over the Three-Five Evil-Slaying Sword to him, it might inspire him to forge a divine weapon that's not worse than this one and more suitable for me."

Liu Zheng said, half-truthfully.

"And what else?"

Si Xue asked calmly.

"Also, boss's kindness is too precious; I'd hate to waste it."

He said sheepishly.

While others' favors can only help, Si Xue's favor could literally save his life.

Not to mention, giving Liu Zheng a day off meant he could accomplish quite a bit.

"Heh. Since you're taking this on yourself, I'll leave it to you. If you can't fix it, just wait."

Si Xue tossed the Three-Five Evil-Slaying Sword to him.

"Thanks for the trust, boss."

Liu Zheng caught the magic sword, unsurprisingly, no item description popped up.

"Where's the takeout?"

Si Xue extended her hand.

"Here it is."

He hurriedly took out the takeout from the Legendary Takeout Box.

"Name: Braised Peacock Meat (One-time)"

"Type: Item"

"Quality: Common"

"Effect: Restores a small amount of stamina when used."

"Note: Doesn't satisfy cravings, but calms anger."

"Can be taken out of the instance: Yes"

"Just enough for another meal. Do you want some?"

Si Xue asked politely.

"No, thanks, boss. You enjoy it yourself. I'm already full."

Liu Zheng shook his head like a mechanical toy.

He must be out of his mind to eat peacock meat, including the portion replicated by the Legendary Takeout Box which he never intended to eat.

Who knows if a peacock can smell the ability of someone who has eaten its kin?

The previous offenses against her were all business-related, theoretically still reconcilable.

But if he ate peacock meat, it would turn public grievances into personal hatred.

Although Liu Zheng didn't plan to make friends with the peacock for now, anything is possible, and it's always good to have a backup plan.

"Then get lost."

Si Xue glanced at him, then kicked him across to the other side.

"Thankfully, I didn't land face-first."

Liu Zheng rubbed his butt and walked into the elevator, which opened automatically.

Back in the break room, Niu Ma was already asleep.

"Boss?"

He tentatively called out, receiving no response from Niu Ma.

Seeing this, Liu Zheng decided to make a bed on the floor with newspapers and lay down.

After a whole day from the city to the mountains and back, he was exhausted.

Soon, he fell into a deep sleep.

Dreamless all night, Liu Zheng woke up the next day.

It was the eleventh day since he arrived in the Metropolis.

"Wake up, wake up, time for breakfast."

Niu Ma nudged his big head over.

"Boss, can you back up a bit? It's quite scary."

Liu Zheng said with a straight face.

Given their size difference now, Niu Ma could swallow him whole in one bite.

"Who told you to make yourself so small? Blame me?"

Despite his words, Niu Ma moved his head back a bit.

"Hurry up and get your breakfast out."

Niu Ma urged.

"I need to reach it first."

Liu Zheng spread his tentacles.

He could jump to reach the keyhole, but performing the high-difficulty task of inserting and turning the key simultaneously was a challenge he could do without.

"What a hassle. Hurry up and get on."

Niu Ma extended a hoof, and after Liu Zheng stepped on it, he was lifted to the front of the locker.

Liu Zheng opened the locker and took out his breakfast.

A large platter, containing grilled tomatoes, scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, tomato beans, along with toast, oatmeal, a freshly squeezed orange juice, and a glass of milk, quite sumptuous indeed.

"Boss, save me some this time."

He swallowed his saliva and said.

"In your dreams. If you want to eat, go out and eat. You have so much money, why not spend it to boost the Metropolis's GDP?"

Niu Ma refused without hesitation.

"Wow, boss, you even know about GDP."

Liu Zheng was filled with admiration.

"Your boss has a wealth of knowledge, just doesn't show it often. I wrote the lyrics back in the band days, they were earth-shatteringly good, every word a gem."

Niu Ma boasted.

"It's 'every word a pearl.'

He corrected.

"You're so talkative. Give it here!"

Niu Ma snatched the platter and went back to the pile of grass to eat.

As for his own portion, it was long gone.

"Sigh, risking life and limb for a job is one thing, but even having the work meal snatched by the boss, this is a life of hardships."

Liu Zheng sighed, jumping from the locker to the floor.

"Jinzi, prepare me a big meal."

He called Jinzi with his phone.

"Okay. When will Zheng Chan come over?"

Jinzi asked.

"Not sure, I'll come when there's an order. You prepare first, so I can eat as soon as I arrive."

Liu Zheng replied.

With his break over, he had to work against the clock again.

"No problem."

Jinzi agreed readily.