"That was over a decade ago. Speaking of which, it has something to do with Red Pig."

Niu Ma, holding the wine Liu Zheng offered, started telling the story.

"Oh? How so?"

Liu Zheng played along.

"Back then, wasn't it trying to sneak across the border? Although I didn't agree with the idea, I still helped it scout out whenever I had the chance."

Niu Ma said cryptically.

Scouting naturally meant finding less vigilant spots of the Border Control Bureau.

"One time, when I was scouting, I noticed a guy acting all sneaky, so I discreetly followed him."

It continued.

"Boss, how can you call someone else sneaky?"

Liu Zheng squinted and said.

"Mind your own business, kid. Do you want to hear the story or not?"

Niu Ma glared.

"I want to hear it, please go on."

He quickly responded.

"If you want to hear it, then keep quiet. Interrupt again and I'll shove this bottle in your mouth."

Niu Ma threatened while shaking the wine bottle in its hand.

Liu Zheng mimed zipping his lips.

"I followed him for a couple of hours. Eventually, he couldn't take it and asked me why I was following him."

"At first, I thought he was bluffing me, but then I realized he kept looking in the direction where I was hiding. That's when I knew I'd been exposed."

"Since that was the case, I showed myself and asked straight up if he was also trying to smuggle himself out of the country."

"He said yes, so I suggested we team up and share information."

"He agreed, but the next second he attacked me with a spell."

"Could I let that slide? First, I dodged the spell with a swift leap, then I pinned him down with a heavy slam, and finally, I pummeled him so hard even his mom wouldn't recognize him."

Niu Ma recounted animatedly.

"And then?"

Liu Zheng pressed for more when there was no further story.

"Then, of course, I searched his body. And let me tell you, this old guy had quite the stash. Made me ten years richer instantly."

Niu Ma said proudly.

In truth, it was being modest; at least half of its current power came from that sudden windfall.

"Was there anything related to Iron-eating Beasts?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"Are you deaf? I just said I've never seen an Iron-eating Beast. How would I know what things relate to them?"

Niu Ma replied, exasperated.

"Haha, I forgot, I forgot. Boss, hold on, I'll get the doctor to send you a photo."

He laughed awkwardly and called the doctor.

"Doctor, please take a picture of Ah Bao and send it to my boss."

After connecting the call, Liu Zheng said.

"Okay."

The doctor hung up and quickly sent a photo message to Niu Ma.

"Oh, so this is an Iron-eating Beast. Gotta say, it does look quite appetizing."

Niu Ma was a bit tempted.

"It's the only one left, boss. Don't even think about it. I'll get you something more 'appetizing' later. Do you remember anything now?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"I do remember, but it's no longer with me. I sold it to Napoleon."

Niu Ma scratched its head.

"What was it?"

"A complete hide."

Niu Ma said.

"Damn, don't tell me it's been made into aspic already?"

He thought of the worst possibility.

"How should I know?"

Niu Ma shrugged.

"Boss, please call Napoleon and ask if the hide is still there."

Liu Zheng said urgently.

"It's just a piece of hide, not a living thing. Why so anxious? Planning to make it your memorial?"

Niu Ma teased.

"At least it's something to remember by. Boss, you have a family, a clan, a future. Spare a thought for those without."

"Now you're lecturing me?"

Niu Ma gave him a look but still called White Feather Chicken.

"Hey, do you remember the hide I sold you a few years back?"

"That bear hide, black and white patterned."

"Yes, that one. Do you still have it?"

"Why would I want that? It's someone else's request. They got a new underling of the same species as that hide, called an Iron-eating Beast."

"The entire species is extinct now, so they want the hide back for old times' sake."

"Mind your own business. My underling's underling is my underling too. You want to recruit others from outside? Do you have what it takes?"

Niu Ma retorted, then hung up the phone.

Seeing its expression, Liu Zheng wisely refrained from asking what Napoleon had said.

A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door.

He quickly went to open it, finding White Feather Chicken standing outside with a large sack.

"You asked at the perfect time, I was just about to make a batch of aspic."

White Feather Chicken said.

"That's perfect. Head Chef, name your price."

Liu Zheng smiled.

"No need, consider your debt for procuring the liquor settled."

White Feather Chicken said.

"Thank you, Head Chef. Actually, I also want to buy another hide from you."

He shared Black Skull's request.

"I have one."

White Feather Chicken nodded.

"And the price?"

"I don't need money. If you want the hide, you have to trade it for another hide."

White Feather Chicken said.

"What kind of hide does the Head Chef want?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"Any kind will do, as long as it's high-grade. If you can get a Divine Demon's hide, I'll give you the perfect hide for crafting Painted Skin."

White Feather Chicken said.

"Never mind then, it doesn't need to be that good."

Last time, with the help of White Feather Chicken, Dragonfly Captain, and the Sphinx, he had to use all his trump cards to take down the Divine Demon.

If it happened again, what he had accumulated now probably wouldn't be enough.

"You always say that, but then... haha."