"You nasty human, don't think I can't tell you're being sarcastic."

The French Plane Tree said discontentedly.

"But you really wouldn't do that, would you?"

Liu Zheng said leisurely.

"I really wish I could, so I could rip your head off and hang it on my branches!"

The French Plane Tree said through gritted teeth.

"A head won't do, but if you want to hang something, I can offer you my body. Of course, for an additional fee."

He shrugged and said.

"Purée! Get your stuff and scram, stop polluting my sight!"

The French Plane Tree extended its roots to wrap around him, then tossed him a dozen meters away.

"A tree's emotions are so easily provoked, no wonder it can't cultivate to become a spirit."

Liu Zheng commented while lying on the ground.

If the French Plane Tree could cultivate into a spirit, it wouldn't have to evolve into a Phoenix to gain freedom.

Of course, it might immediately be taken by the sanitation department as a lifelong Niu Ma.

"What did you say?!"

The voice of the French Plane Tree came from the gradually thinning green mist.

"I said, dear French Noble, thank you for seeing me off."

Liu Zheng said respectfully.

"Hmph!"

The French Plane Tree ignored him.

Liu Zheng got up and found something shiny on the ground.

He picked it up and saw that it was a piece of shrapnel with extremely sharp edges.

"Name: Merit Bullet Shrapnel"

"Type: Equipment"

"Quality: Excellent"

"Effect One: Greatly increases the hit rate of remote and explosive attacks."

"Effect Two: Greatly increases the hit rate of remote attacks and explosive attacks."

"Remark: Whatever doesn't blow me up will only make me stronger."

"Can it be taken out of the instance: Yes"

"Goodness."

Looking at the item's effects, Liu Zheng exclaimed.

If he brought this shrapnel to the battlefield, wouldn't he become a living target?

So, should he wear it or not?

After thinking for a moment, Liu Zheng decided to wear it.

After all, he was originally a walking target, one more wouldn't matter.

"Please equip the 'Merit Bullet Shrapnel' in an appropriate position."

The system prompted.

Where should he equip the shrapnel?

"No way?"

Frowning, he inserted the shrapnel into his chest.

"'Merit Bullet Shrapnel' is now effective."

The system prompt sounded again.

"Darn!"

It really had to be inserted into the body, does the Main God system have to respect reality so much?

Liu Zheng tried to move, and sure enough, there was a stabbing pain in his chest.

Although he could endure it with his current willpower, it would inevitably affect him in intense battles.

But even if he didn't insert it in his chest, putting it in his abdomen, limbs, or butt would have the same effect.

"Got it."

He pulled the shrapnel out and horizontally inserted it into his forehead.

Liu Zheng tried shaking his head. Although there was some pain, it did not significantly affect his actions.

"I'm really a genius."

He said proudly.

While others might worry about inflammation, infection, or allergies, Liu Zheng didn't have to worry at all.

With his current constitution, even superbugs in real life would be nothing to him — he wouldn't even fear drinking a ton of Ganges River water.

Leaving Rose Street, Liu Zheng returned to the Bloody Restaurant.

"Hahaha!"

As soon as he entered the lounge, Niu Ma pointed at his forehead and laughed heartily.

"Your head is more swollen than Ottawa. Hahaha, you're killing me."

The Big White Goose's head had a protuberance similar to a Red-crowned Crane, only it was more pronounced and positioned more forward.

"Boss, can you stop laughing? You're bothering my eyes. Besides, that's not a hematoma, that's embedded shrapnel."

Liu Zheng said expressionlessly.

"Why? Did you get ambushed by the City Hall's troops?"

Niu Ma stopped laughing and asked.

"No, I inserted it myself."

He shook his head and said.

"Hahahaha!!!"

Niu Ma laughed even louder.

"Divine Gold."

Liu Zheng rolled his eyes and returned to his trusty little stool.

He had just picked up a newspaper and hadn't had time to read it when a call from the Red-crowned Crane came through.

"Sir, we've just received news that the Black Swan is about to take a long vacation."

The Red-crowned Crane said when the call connected.

"How long? Where to? For what reason?"

Liu Zheng asked three questions in a row.

"Not sure, but it should be at least more than half a month."

The Red-crowned Crane replied.

"What a coincidence, I was just about to make a move on it, and now it's taking a vacation. You didn't let it sense anything, did you?"

He doubted.

"Absolutely not. Rest assured, sir, I'm an actor, after all; I have some level of acting skill."

The Red-crowned Crane assured him.

"Hmm..."

Liu Zheng nodded, not too concerned.

After all, it's the Metropolis, and perhaps the Black Swan has some prophetic abilities or Extraordinary Items for all he knew.

But since the other side wanted to run, he'd better act quickly.

"Does it have a performance today?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"Yes, it has a solo ballet 'Swan's Lament' tonight at seven."

The Red-crowned Crane said.

"Swan's Lament? Quite fitting as its last show."

He revealed a hint of a cruel smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Sir, if you need a ticket, I can prepare one for you now."

The Red-crowned Crane said diligently.

"Hmm, prepare one for me... no, wait, I'll let you know once I'm sure."

Liu Zheng was contemplating whether to invite the novelist since she invited him to a salon last time.

But he was going to kill the swan, inviting the novelist might drag her into it.

"As you wish, sir, but you'd better hurry; the Black Swan's performance tickets are highly sought after."

The Red-crowned Crane reminded.

"Got it."