The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human?!

"Uh, Brother Bai, do you really have to pluck wool from there?"

Liu Zheng said with some difficulty.

"What do you mean?"

The Sheep was first taken aback, then noticed the part he was looking at.

"No way, brother, did you learn your language skills from a music teacher?"

It clamped its rear legs tightly and shouted.

"Haha, just kidding, Brother Bai. I wouldn't really pluck your wool."

Liu Zheng laughed.

"Don't joke like that in the future, it scares the sheep."

The Sheep gave him a big eye roll.

"Mistake, mistake, I won't dare next time."

He clasped his hands together in an apologetic gesture.

"You really don't have any airs, you're someone we can deal with."

The Sheep praised him.

"Of course, would I randomly acknowledge just anyone as a brother?"

The Black Skull said proudly.

"Alright, I'll take you to see it. But let me warn you, I'll be watching you closely. If you make any moves, don't blame your Brother Bai for not showing mercy with my horns."

The Sheep said seriously.

The spiral horns on both sides of the sheep's head reflected a metallic sheen, with the tips dyed a deep red, carrying a sulfuric aroma.

Though it seemed amusing for a mere sheep to issue such a threat, no one would doubt the capability of a formal employee of City Hall.

"Rest assured, Brother Bai, I won't cause any trouble for you."

Liu Zheng said earnestly.

"Alright, let's go."

The Sheep lifted the silence barrier and, alongside the Black Skull, escorted him towards the French Plane Tree.

Other formal employees cast curious glances but none came forward to stop them.

Very soon, Liu Zheng saw his "old" friend.

Compared to the previously spirited look post-drinking, the French Plane Tree now appeared utterly disheveled.

Not only had numerous branches been broken, but its trunk was also left pitted after being drenched by the sprinkler truck, and even its roots were uprooted from the ground.

Furthermore, its "face" was covered with a black cloth, much like a criminal before execution.

"What's with the black cloth?"

Liu Zheng pointed at the black cloth and asked.

"It's to block its five senses, part of the punishment."

The Sheep replied.

"Can it be lifted?"

He asked.

"Well..."

The Sheep didn't answer immediately.

"I just want to say a couple of words to it, promise not to do anything excessive. Please, Brother Bai."

Liu Zheng spoke to the Sheep, while stuffing a wad of cash into the Black Skull's pocket.

"Alright, seeing how sensible you are."

The Sheep glanced at the thickness of the wad and nodded satisfactorily.

It stepped forward, using its horn to remove the black cloth.

"You lousy dogs..."

"Haven't you had enough?!"

Reemerging to daylight, the French Plane Tree was about to start cursing, but Liu Zheng smacked it on the face with the back of his hand.

Even though its face lacked pain nerves, the realistic damage from the backhand still silenced it.

"Stupid human, you're helping them beat me?"

The French Plane Tree's tone carried a mix of shock and anger, with an added note of grievance.

"I'm helping you beat yourself. Can't you see? I'm here to save you."

Liu Zheng also became a bit annoyed.

Ghost Hand being a lightweight was one thing, but you, a seasoned drinker, still couldn't gauge your limit?

"I don't need you to save me. I'm the only tree that developed sentience by itself, they won't cut me down."

The French Plane Tree stubbornly said.

"They're indeed not cutting you down. They plan to transplant you into a volcano to drink magma, just unsure if your roots can withstand high temperatures."

He sneered.

"Impossible, I'm public property, after so many years serving as a street tree, clearing sewers and harmful creatures from the streets, even though there's no merit, there's hard work. How could they treat me like this?"

The French Plane Tree said in disbelief.

"Because you refused to cooperate in official duties and resisted arrest!"

Liu Zheng shouted loudly.

"Luckily you didn't kill anyone, otherwise even the Supreme Councilman couldn't save you."

"Cough cough, if the Supreme Councilman himself came, he'd surely be able to save him."

The Black Skull corrected.

"Nigga, I'm teaching this kid a lesson, please don't undermine me."

He turned to say helplessly.

"Who's your kid? Stupid human, don't take advantage of me."

The French Plane Tree grumbled unhappily.

"Shut up, I'm teaching you now, just listen quietly. Do you know how much I've sacrificed to save you? I've spent five million just in terms of money, not to mention countless favors."

"I'm not even this good to my own father, what's so wrong about being your dad for once?"

Liu Zheng said eloquently.

"Wow! Lao Hei, this young brother of yours is quite wealthy."

The Sheep nudged the Black Skull with its horn.

Five million was a massive figure for it as well, and a regular formal employee would need decades to save it up.

Of course, if Liu Zheng intended to use that money to save the French Plane Tree, it wouldn't be enough.

The issue was both the lack of connections and its low rank.

"Humph!"

The French Plane Tree turned its face away, ignoring him.

"Don't turn away. You're a collector and a drink lover, rounding off that makes you a connoisseur, so why indulge like those drunks and cause such a mess?"

Liu Zheng wouldn't let go of it.

This chance to rightfully and boldly chastise the French Plane Tree was too rare, it couldn't be wasted.

Moreover, he indeed wanted to know the reason, to prevent another recurrence.

"How should I know? I just drank five bottles; the rest I kept stored."

The French Plane Tree looked aggrieved.

"I never downed in one go those cheap wines you brought before; why wouldn't I be careful with Du Kang Wine Workshop's wine? Five bottles, to me, were just rinsing my mouth."