Chapter 624 - 453: Young Master’s Life Is Worth a Fortune (Part 2)

This is truly too intimidating for the people of Riverbend Village.

Originally, these villagers were just temporarily angry, having only just begun to enjoy a good life, and then Young Master Zhao of the Zhao Family comes with people to cause them trouble.

According to Zheng Yi’s original plan, as long as they quietly eliminate all these people, there naturally won’t be any repercussions.

Although the Cangyan Realm is Zhao Family’s domain, the realm is so vast that missing one or two Zhao Family members wouldn’t be noticed.

Only by doing this could they preserve their good life.

Of course, the people of Riverbend Village were unaware that Zheng Yi was just hoodwinking them.

The Zhao Family has ruled the Cangyan Realm for countless years, their reach extending throughout the realm.

If a person suddenly died, they might not notice it in a short time.

But given enough time, they would surely find something amiss.

If they didn’t have such capabilities, those Zhao Family members active outside would have long been killed off.

After all, no matter how prolific the Zhao Family might be, their true family bloodline is ultimately finite.

Compared to the entire population of the Cangyan Realm, the number of Zhao Family members is merely a drop in the ocean.

The reason they can command the entire realm isn’t just because they have a patriarch who steps across the void.

More crucially, it’s their guaranteed ability to ensure no one dares to lay a finger on any Zhao Family member within the realm.

Whenever such an anomaly occurs, they must retaliate in the most cruel and bloody manner.

Because, once the untouchable golden body of the Zhao Family is broken.

Those oppressed by them would certainly rise up like a wolf pack attacking an elephant.

Yet these things absolutely can’t be disclosed to the villagers of Riverbend Village.

Currently, his grand plan is just starting out, and the people of Riverbend aren’t his genuine supporters.

The fundamental reason they are willing to follow Zheng Yi is simply because he has provided them with meat, that’s all.

This kind of relationship is very unstable and may not withstand a true test.

To make these people truly loyal to him, he needs to achieve victory after victory to build their confidence.

To ensure these people no longer have any doubts about his words.

Even if he asked these people to fight against gods, they would pick up weapons without hesitation and charge ahead.

But now, the people of Riverbend Village are truly frightened by the old eunuch, everyone stopping in their tracks.

Zhou Kunpeng angrily shouted: "Why are you all frozen? You don’t really think the Zhao Family would be lenient with us, do you?"

"Let me tell you, as soon as the Imperial Court’s army arrives, we’re certainly doomed."

A significant number of people in the crowd began to waver.

"But, Chief, what if this guy actually can follow through?"

"Idiot, is your mind messed up, actually believing what the Zhao Family says?"

"But we don’t have any other options now, could we really wait for the soldiers to come and kill us all?"

"Yes, I might die, and that’s that, but I can’t let them harm my son."

Seeing how severely these people were wavering, Zhou Kunshan instinctively glanced at Zheng Yi behind him.

But Zheng Yi was staring into the distance, apparently indifferent to what was happening in front of him.

Right when the villagers were hesitating, the old eunuch hurriedly transmitted a message to Zhao Mingtang: "Master, quickly swear now that you will never harm the villagers of Riverbend Village in the future."

Zhao Mingtang’s eyebrows shot up as he immediately transmitted a rebuttal: "Bastard, what madness has gripped you, you dog servant? How dare you want me to give assurances to these muddy-legged peasants? That’s absolutely impossible."

"As soon as I break free, my first task will be to lead the army to hunt these despicable peasants down mercilessly without leaving a single one!"

The old eunuch really wished he could slap this guy into waking up.

Couldn’t he see what situation they were in now, still putting on a stinking facade?

Fortunately, Zhao Mingtang hadn’t completely lost his mind and knew better than to further provoke the villagers of Riverbend Village at this point.

So, the rebuttal was transmitted silently and not spoken aloud.

The old eunuch kindly advised: "My Master, the most important thing for us now is to leave this place of trouble."

"What does it matter even if you swear? As long as we can return alive, it doesn’t matter who comes to slaughter these peasants."

"If you end up dying by the hands of these peasants, then it would be a massive joke."

"Even if the soldiers came and killed these people to avenge you, what would be the point?"

Thinking it over, the old eunuch’s eyes gleamed: "The most important thing is... Master, think about it. Wouldn’t it be equivalent to exchanging your life for the lives of these peasants?"

This remark from the old eunuch finally struck a chord with Zhao Mingtang’s sensitive nerves.

"You dog servant make a good point, the value of a young master’s life is inestimable. Forget a mere village of peasants, even the lives of tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of peasants could not compare to a single hair of this young master."

A moment of realization struck Zhao Mingtang, as if he had suddenly awakened.

Desperately, he quickly addressed the villagers of Riverbend Village: "I hereby swear by the ancestors, as long as you release me, I shall absolutely not pursue any retribution for today’s actions."

"If I break my oath, let me be struck by the Celestial Tribulation experienced when the Zhao Family Patriarch steps across the void, condemned to never attain rebirth."

While swearing, Zhao Mingtang didn’t forget to secretly mumble in his heart.

"Ancestor, ancestor, I was forced into swearing this deadly oath. I will not pursue the responsibility of these peasants. But just because I won’t pursue it, doesn’t mean other Zhao Family members won’t care."

"When the time comes, if they insist on wiping out these peasants, it has nothing to do with me."

Hearing Young Master Zhao of the Zhao Family taking such a deadly oath in front of them, more and more people began to lose resolve.

If possible, they didn’t wish to kill a Zhao Family member either.

Zhou Kunshan once again looked to Zheng Yi, seeking his guidance. But what met him was Zheng Yi’s icy, emotionless gaze.

It was as if he was a completely different person from the Zheng Yi he usually knew.

The moment he met Zheng Yi’s gaze, Zhou Kunshan felt as if struck by lightning; he suddenly understood Zheng Yi’s intention.

All this time, Zheng Yi had prepared everything for them.

They had meat to eat every day, unlike before, when they opened their eyes each day to nothing but desperate mining with no time to think about anything else.

The cultivation techniques were ready for everyone, and whenever they faced issues in cultivation, Zheng Yi provided extremely considerate guidance.

Having done so much, could it simply be because Zheng Yi’s heart was kind and couldn’t stand seeing them suffer?

If it were someone else, Zhou Kunshan might believe it, but not about his master, who’s definitely not just a compassionate fool.

Hence, under these circumstances, Zheng Yi’s silence is perfectly understandable.

They are being tested on their stance.

To see if they have the resolve to safeguard what belongs to them. Whether they have the courage to truly stand opposed to the Zhao Family.

If their performance satisfies Zheng Yi, naturally everything would be negotiable.

If not...

The consequences are too daunting for Zhou Kunshan to even slightly contemplate.

Without Zheng Yi, not to mention the revenge that would follow from Zhao Family. Even if Young Master Zhao Mingtang was really an honest fool—no—a well-meaning person.

Could they still live as they have been lately?

While such thoughts raced through his mind, in reality, it was just a fleeting moment.

Grinding his teeth, Zhou Kunshan quickly made a decision.

"People of Riverbend Village, don’t be fooled by this man’s honeyed words."

"Even if he doesn’t pursue us, could other Zhao Family members just ignore our deeds?"

"Look at the meat we’re eating now and our current lives; you are all well aware of how it came to be. Do you truly think the Zhao Family would let us live like we have been?"

Once Zhou Kunshan finished speaking, the villagers of Riverbend Village fell into an immediate silence.

Seeing the situation, Zhao Mingtang hurriedly comforted: "Rest assured, even if I leave, I’ll ensure you can maintain the status quo..."