Chapter 2819: Liu Jin City

“There’s always some people who aren’t quite right.” Xu Huo raised his glass to him.

Tang Xu chuckled, downed his drink, and added, “But in Zone 003, some Governors have issued bans, so there is progress. Let’s not talk about these unpleasant things. We’ve arrived at Liu Jin City.”

Xu Huo turned to look ahead. The aircraft’s windshield became transparent, and under the bright sunlight, a massive city crafted from metal, resembling a split eggshell, came into view.

Half of the eggshell lay in the desert with its base sunk into the sand, while the other half floated high above. Buildings spanned both up and down with jagged edges, separated for now, but it seemed the entire eggshell could merge into one.

At this moment, the city’s architecture could be seen from afar. The city, not small by any means, was shrouded in a layer of barriers. The intense sunlight caused a visual distortion of the barrier, yet the green patches within the city were visible, and the incoming people looked fresh-faced, rarely needing sun protection.

The aircraft queued up to enter through a tunnel underneath the eggshell’s jagged edge. Once the outer hatch closed, the inner hatch would open, allowing the aircraft to enter Liu Jin City without disrupting the protective barrier.

“Liu Jin City is quite large.” Xu Huo looked upward. The upper and lower halves of the eggshell were similar, with buildings hanging upside down. Few people were visible to the naked eye. There were some public platforms for walking, but not many, most of them transparent, allowing those below to see the feet above.

However, most building bases were opaque. Occasionally, an aircraft would go directly inside a building, unlike on the ground where one could park anywhere.

A giant projected screen appeared in front, displaying hands on piano keys on a projection several stories tall. Floating text next to it announced an upcoming concert, with the performer labeled as “Genius Hands.”

“Is this a stage name?” asked Xu Huo.

“No,” Tang Xu said with a complicated expression. “The fame comes from these hands.”

“The performer is from a prestigious musical family, powerful and influential, among the top tier in Zone 003. But someone targeted his hands, wanting to buy them.”

“Their family was neither short of money nor power. Why would they sell their hands?”

“And then, in a short time, nearly the entire family was wiped out, their assets divided and taken. You can imagine what happened next.”

“He sold the hands, and the buyer promotes them, never mentioning the performer’s name at the concerts.”

“That’s why I don’t like staying in Zone 003,” Tang Xu sighed. “I met that family when I was a kid. My parents and I went to great lengths to get an invitation, and I watched them be adored like stars from a corner of the banquet hall. Who would’ve thought just a few years later it would all turn out like this…”

You think you’re at the top of the food chain, but you’re merely prey for a stronger predator.

“Hey, hey!” After a moment of reflection, he pointed at another projection ad in the distance. “My luck is really good; there’s a hunting show in a few days!”

Tang Xu said, a bit excitedly to Xu Huo, “Looks like another Sand Whale has matured. This is a famous show in Liu Jin City!”

Xu Huo watched as he hurriedly instructed his secretary to book seats, generously offering to take the secretary along.

But the secretary remained calm, operating the communicator, “Every hunting show has fatalities. I’m not a Player, so I won’t get involved.”

“Is that so? Haha!” Tang Xu didn’t mind much and began arranging to meet his friends in Liu Jin City.

Before long, they reached Tang Xu’s residence. He lived alone, and the villa was quite luxurious. Once inside, he let Xu Huo choose any room, telling him to instruct the robots if he needed anything.

You could not only order supper and breakfast but also adjust the room’s lighting and humidity based on mood and personal preference.

“The food on the train was decent but not varied enough, so let’s feast before heading out for fun.” Tang Xu showed off his hands, “I’m going to take a bath and get a nice manicure.”

Xu Huo picked a room, and the robot delivered new toiletries. He soaked in a bathtub as large as a small pool, finally dressing in clean clothes after a relaxing wash.

When he went downstairs, the dining table was already full of various foods. Tang Xu explained these were some of Liu Jin City’s top dishes; not knowing Xu Huo’s tastes, he simply served them all.

“Feel free, feel free,” Tang Xu said with a hearty laugh as he sat.

The meal was pleasant for both host and guest, bringing them closer as they chatted. That afternoon, Tang Xu needed to renew his contracts, so he arranged for a new secretary to accompany Xu Huo and planned some projects famous in Liu Jin City for him.

After consulting with him, the new secretary adjusted the itinerary, removing the casino and arena visits and opting for quieter activities instead.

It’s worth mentioning that spirit healing in Liu Jin City is quite renowned and a must-do activity for visitors.

Xu Huo looked at the introduction, learning that with the assistance of doctors and Evolvers, devices released comforting Psychic Power. Since these devices consumed Secondary Stones, the price was high, and queues were long. When he asked for a spirit healing appointment, the secretary visibly hesitated but then promised to try getting a slot for today.

“Mr. Xu, I’m sorry, but today’s slots are fully booked. The earliest is two days later.” The secretary apologized, “I wonder if you’ll be available then.”

“Book it for me,” Xu Huo said, having the time.

The secretary sighed with relief and then awakened the aircraft to accompany him out.

*

Neither short of money nor power, why would they sell their hands?”

“And then, within a short time, nearly the whole family was wiped out, and their assets were carved up. You can imagine what happened next.”

“He sold the hands, and the buyer promoted them, with concerts never mentioning the performer’s name.”

“That’s why I don’t like staying in Zone 003,” Tang Xu sighed. “I saw that family when I was a child. My parents and I went to great lengths to get an invitation, and from the corner of the banquet hall, we watched them be adored like stars. Who would’ve thought just a few years later it would turn out like this…”

You think you’re at the top of the food chain, but you’re merely prey for a stronger predator.

“Hey, hey!” After a moment’s reflection, he pointed at another projection ad in the distance. “My luck is really good; there’s a hunting show in a few days!”

Tang Xu said, a bit excitedly to Xu Huo, “Looks like another Sand Whale has matured. This is a famous show in Liu Jin City!”

Xu Huo watched as he hurriedly instructed his secretary to book seats, generously offering to take the secretary along.

But the secretary remained calm, operating the communicator, saying expressionlessly, “Every hunting show has fatalities. I’m not a Player, so I won’t get involved.”