Chapter 641 - 462: Investigate as You Wish

Zheng Yi hid at the back of the crowd.

Next to him, there were two tall miners serving as cover, convinced that he wouldn’t be too conspicuous.

Unexpectedly, the other party still sensed something amiss.

Pretending to stand up, he squeezed out a smile and was about to walk toward the envoy.

But the other party angrily shouted, "Who told you to stand up? Don’t you understand human language? I meant you, not him!"

Though it sounded a bit confusing, Zheng Yi understood that the envoy was referring to someone else.

Secretly heaved a sigh of relief, pretended to tremble in fear, and staggered to kneel back down.

Of course, Zheng Yi merely bent his legs; he truly couldn’t bring himself to kneel for such a person.

Beside Zheng Yi, Zhou Kunshan gruffly asked, "Lord, are you referring to me?"

"Yes, you, come over here now." Zhou Kunshan quickly stood up and walked briskly toward the envoy.

Zheng Yi wasn’t the only one relieved; Zhao Tianming also let out a sigh of relief.

Heaven knows, when the envoy was barking orders at Zheng Yi earlier, Zhao Tianming’s heart threatened to stop beating several times.

If that fellow named Zheng Yi really went over, the aura he carried would be impossible to conceal.

By then, everything might be exposed.

Fortunately, the envoy seemed genuinely uninterested in Zheng Yi.

Before Zhou Kunshan left, Zheng Yi quickly transmitted a message to him, "As long as it doesn’t threaten your life, agree to whatever he asks."

Zhou Kunshan subtly nodded, then walked quickly to the envoy and knelt down earnestly, "I greet the envoy, my lord."

"Oh." The envoy’s eyes, almost hidden by fat, twitched twice, "You’re quite good."

"I need someone familiar with the situation. Before I leave, stay by my side to assist me."

In his heart, Zhou Kunshan was obviously unwilling. Yet, he had no choice but to accept the request.

Never mind Zheng Yi’s prior reminders, facing such demands, it was impossible to refuse.

Though he wasn’t a true Zhao Family member, his surname alone spoke to his elevated status.

In the Cangyan Realm, most people couldn’t refuse requests from someone of such status.

His mind was a swirl of thoughts, leaving him momentarily unable to respond.

The envoy noticed Zhou Kunshan’s lack of response, his face darkening, he shouted shrill, "If you’re not willing, then just..."

Zhou Kunshan silently chided himself, wondering what nonsense he was thinking.

He quickly kowtowed forcefully, making a loud clattering sound on the Bluestone ground, "Willing... I’m willing to serve you, my lord. I was overjoyed earlier, please don’t hold it against me."

His "sincere" expression managed to quell the envoy’s anger.

"Alright, alright, stand up. Silly boy, no need to push yourself too hard."

Seeing Zhou Kunshan still kowtowing nonstop, the envoy’s initial displeasure dissolved, "Get up now, don’t hurt yourself or I’ll need to find someone else to run errands."

"I said stop kowtowing, why don’t you listen? Keep this up and I’ll truly get angry."

Only then did Zhou Kunshan stop, standing up with a simple-minded expression, "You’re not angry with me, my lord?"

If someone else spoke like that, the envoy might verbally lash out.

But coming from Zhou Kunshan, he found the guy’s foolishness somewhat endearing.

"You’re good, work well, and you might get rewards from me."

Zhou Kunshan was extremely pleased, "Thank you, my lord."

His seemingly naive demeanor made the envoy like him even more.

The envoy grew increasingly fond of Zhou Kunshan.

"What’s your name?"

"I’m Zhou Kunshan, I’m thirty-one." He not only stated his name but eagerly divulged his age.

After speaking, he puffed out his chest proudly, as if stating his age was a remarkable achievement.

"You..." The envoy shook his head helplessly, "From now on, only answer what I ask, don’t speak out of turn. Got it?"

Zhou Kunshan immediately replied loudly, "Got it. I’ll answer what the envoy asks, won’t say anything unnecessary."

Possibly because they wanted to greet the envoy, they didn’t dare eat lavishly that morning, so the fare was the same as before.

Used to having meat and rice aplenty, eating such bland fare now truly left Zhou Kunshan without appetite.

Thus, only an hour had passed when his stomach was already growling.

Just after speaking, his stomach growled audibly.

Seizing the opportunity, Zhao Tianming quickly said, "Envoy, let’s not stand outside. You’ve come a long way, let’s go inside to eat and rest."

Facing Zhao Tianming, the envoy reverted to a stoic expression, "Let’s go. By the way, prepare something for this young man, so he doesn’t go hungry."

It wasn’t until mining operations were ending that Zhao Tianming found time to meet with Zheng Yi.

"Lord, I’ve found out. This envoy indeed came because of the deaths of those Zhao Family members."