I am a full-level celestial master, you let me enter the strange talk of rules?

After saying that, Zhang Yangqing walked into the depths of the mine without looking back, his steps unhurried.

The killing and the shock that just happened are nothing more than a speck of dust brushed off a piece of clothing, not worth mentioning at all.

His figure quickly disappeared into the deeper darkness, where even the glow of the miners' lamps seemed powerless, leaving behind only a pile of wrecked corpses and a group of terrified miners.

But is the seemingly casual remark, "wait three hours," really just a casual remark?

of course not.

This reveals Zhang Yangqing's insight into and application of human nature, the situation, and the underlying logic.

It's important to understand that every time a miner goes down into the mine, they must bring back a certain quantity or value of ore. This is an ironclad rule set by the Qing Tong family, and it's the foundation upon which they rely for survival.

To put it simply, they exchanged it for a pitiful amount of "rice balls" and water.

Returning empty-handed would result in anything from going hungry to being whipped, having their wages withheld, or even more severe punishments.

Zhang Yangqing's instruction for the Eagle Eye miners to "wait for three hours" meant that Eagle Eye would find nothing during this precious time, which was meant to be used to search for ore to save their lives.

This practically cut off his usual way of returning to report.

You want to be with me? Sure, I'll give you a chance.

But you also have to show sincerity.

You can't just place a bet by talking.

If you're gambling, why not gamble bigger!
I'm betting your survival for the next period of time, even your life! Let's see if you dare to follow!
I won't take you in, nor will I act like a benevolent leader, slowly demonstrating my abilities, building relationships, and winning your heartfelt loyalty.

Because you are not the old miners I rescued by chance and walked alongside for a while, we do not have that "deep" foundation of friendship or the bond of life-saving grace between us.

You're clearly a sycophantic opportunist, so I won't play any of your gentlemanly tricks of winning people over with virtue or showing respect to the virtuous.

Do you think you can gain my protection and guidance with just a few nice words? That's impossible.

You should know that it's not that I, Zhang Yangqing, need you burdens, but rather that I'm in a good mood and giving you a chance that might change your destiny.

Whether you want it or not is up to you.

This is Zhang Yangqing's unspoken message.

He didn't need to say anything; his actions and the conditions themselves spoke for themselves.

Hawkeye the miner wasn't stupid; on the contrary, he was shrewd and calculating.

As soon as Zhang Yangqing left, he immediately understood the stakes involved.

If I don't mine for three hours, what will I bring back to explain myself?
I'm afraid we won't even get those barely edible rice balls and water. How are we going to get through the next few days?
If the supervisor investigates, the consequences could be disastrous!

His expression shifted constantly, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

The thrill of gambling and the harsh reality intertwined, leaving him in a state of utter confusion.

At this moment, besides him and the two gradually cooling corpses, there were more than fifty miners at the scene, most of them pale-faced, with panicked eyes, gathered together at a loss.

They dared not follow that terrifying god of death like Hawkeye did, nor did they dare immediately disperse to mine. Who knew if that god of death would blame them upon his return?

A few miners who were fairly familiar with Hawkeye cautiously approached and asked in low voices, "Brother, what do we do now? Are we really going to wait here for three hours?"

Clearly, Zhang Yangqing's terrifying strength has shaken the resolve of some people.

Perhaps following such a powerful person can truly change one's destiny?
But the price is too high. Is it worth risking hunger, punishment, or even worse, to gamble on a vague "different scenery"?
As the eagle-eyed miners looked at their hesitant and fearful faces, they too were struggling internally.

He is a petty person, good at scheming, but he is also a "clever person" who has struggled at the bottom for many years.

He had seen too many so-called hopes turn into greater despair, and he had also seen those who dared to take a gamble either die quietly or actually climb to the top.

He recalled Zhang Yangqing's calm yet powerful gaze, and how the other party had so effortlessly dealt with a core disciple who had been freed from restrictions.

That composure and strength were something he had never seen in any miner, or even an ordinary member of the Qing Tong family.

Damn it! I'm gambling!
Eagle Eye Miner gritted his teeth, his hesitation replaced by a ruthless determination. He took a deep breath and deliberately raised his voice, not only for the miners who had asked the questions, but also for everyone around who had pricked up their ears:
"What do we do? Damn it, with Big Brother's ability to take care of us, what are we afraid of? Look at this guy on the ground!"

He kicked the muscular man's corpse.

"The core disciple of the Qing Tong family! He's regained his strength! So what? He was still slaughtered like a chicken by our eldest brother! What do we miners with nothing to lose have to be afraid of?!"

He first used the irrefutable evidence before him to reiterate Zhang Yangqing's unfathomable strength, dispelling everyone's hopes and doubts.

Then, he changed the subject, his voice filled with a inflammatory indignation: "Besides, do you really want to spend your whole lives in this godforsaken place, mining like rats, eating food worse than pigs and dogs, and dying in some random corner without anyone to even collect your body?!"

This statement struck a chord with many low-level miners, touching upon the most numb and painful parts of their hearts.

Who would want to? It's just that there's no other way; in order to survive, hope is slowly being worn away.

With his emotions stirred, Eagle Eye Miner pressed his advantage, beginning to describe more specific and relatable scenes: "Once, the foreman asked me to repair houses outside the inner fortress of the Qing Tong family, and I saw it with my own eyes! The leftovers, big fish and meat, that the core disciples and managers ate were dumped into the swill bucket!"

The guard dogs tied up nearby eat better than we do! They'd rather feed the dogs and throw the food away than ever think of giving us starving miners a single bite! Tell me, how can you swallow this insult?!

"Damn it, who can swallow this!" Someone in the crowd, provoked by the stark contrast and humiliation, let out a low growl.

Immediately, more suppressed and resentful voices of agreement arose.

This is exactly the effect Eagle Eye Miner wanted.

Many of these low-level miners, unlike the older miners, do not still harbor distant fantasies of a "savior" or ideals of changing the world.

They are more realistic and humble; their greatest wish is probably to have enough to eat, to be beaten less, and to live a little longer.

The deprivation of food and dignity is what hurts them the most.

Seeing the crowd gradually become enraged, Eagle Eye Miner knew the time was right.

He stood up, his gaze sweeping over the faces—some excited, some hesitant, some fearful—and said in a deep voice:

“Brothers, I won’t force you. You chose this path yourself. I’m telling you right now, I’m going to follow you, Big Brother! I think Big Brother definitely has a way to lead us down a different path! The rest of you who don’t want to can leave now, go find the ore, finish your tasks, and go back to your old lives.”

He paused, his eyes suddenly turning fierce, like a venomous snake eyeing its prey, and said, word by word, "However, one thing is certain: anyone who dares to utter a single word about what happened here today, or dares to trip me up behind my back, I will be the first to not let them off! Don't blame me for turning my back on them then!" (End of Chapter)