Eternal Life as False Emperor

"If Brother Zhou needs it, I can make one especially for you."

"This... wouldn’t it be too much trouble for you?" Zhou Shitou said with a sheepish smile.

"It’s fine, it’s just a matter of spending some time." With that, Zheng Yi’s expression changed, and he lowered his voice to speak solemnly: "But Brother Zhou, this matter is known only to heaven, earth, you, and me. We cannot let others know easily. Otherwise..."

Zheng Yi didn’t specify what would happen; he believed Zhou Shitou understood his meaning.

If the Zhao Family learned about such a more convenient tool, it would only push them to exploit the workers even harder, offering them no benefit whatsoever.

"Don’t worry, Younger Brother Zheng, I’d rather die than spill this secret; I absolutely won’t tell anyone."

Although it only took one night to make the mining pickaxe, Zheng Yi deliberately delayed for several more days.

No matter how good something is, if obtained too easily, it often isn’t cherished enough.

Despite believing that a clever person like Zhou Shitou should not make such an immature mistake,

being cautious never hurts.

When Zhou Shitou finally received the mining pickaxe Zheng Yi made for him, he was so excited he nearly shouted.

Even though Zheng Yi reminded Zhou Shitou several times that while the pickaxe was useful, he shouldn’t mine too much Fire Rock Ore, it barely curbed Zhou Shitou’s excitement.

In the end, they had to find a place to bury the excess Fire Rock Ore and only took slightly more than usual to hand in.

Even so, their haul drew some curious glances.

During inspection, Zhao Qing was even more critical.

"You dare bring such small stones to hand over? Day in and day out, all you do is slack off. If you try to play tricks next time, I won’t let you off easily."

With that, Zhao Qing, acting as if it was justified, stuffed the piece of Fire Rock Ore into his own arms.

Facing Zhao Qing’s harassment, Zheng Yi didn’t get angry; instead, he looked self-reproachful: "I’m really sorry, Steward Qing, I’m new here and don’t understand the rules, I’ve caused you trouble."

He apologized while discreetly slipping a fist-sized piece of Fire Rock Ore into Zhao Qing’s arms.

Zhao Qing’s previously gloomy face now displayed a much friendlier smile: "Young men making mistakes once in a while is no big deal, just be mindful in the future."

That night, Zheng Yi insistently dragged Zhou Shitou to Elder Chen’s home for dinner.

Initially, Zhou Shitou tried to decline: "Younger Brother Zheng, I appreciate it, but I know Uncle Chen’s situation well. Life is quite tough; I won’t disturb you."

At Elder Chen’s doorstep, Zhou Shitou’s nose suddenly twitched twice, and his stomach inopportunely rumbling.

It absolutely was meat, without a doubt.

Zhou Shitou couldn’t recall the last time he tasted meat. The refusal lodged in his throat, unable to be spoken.

To treat Zhou Shitou to dinner, Zheng Yi spent a full hour catching three mountain chickens.

Catching mountain chickens wasn’t difficult; the challenge was dealing with the Heavenly Dao’s constant malice.

Curiously enough, whenever Zheng Yi ventured out alone, he would always encounter strange misfortunes.

But having spent so many days in the Cangyan Realm and working in the mines, no misfortune befell him.

Thinking it through, Zheng Yi concluded there was only one possibility: mining was work for the Zhao Family, akin to working for the Azure Moon Flame Emperor, favored by the Heavenly Dao.

Even if it’s just mining, it aligns with the Heavenly Dao’s will, naturally escaping its antagonism.

"It seems, to achieve that goal, facing the Heavenly Dao’s hostility is unavoidable."

Despite the obstacles, Zheng Yi had no intention of giving up.

Fighting desperately might just uncover a chance.

Otherwise, it would be waiting for death.

Inviting Zhou Shitou for dinner was the first step in his grand plan.

No turning back once the bowstring is drawn.

Zheng Yi pressed Zhou Shitou into a chair: "Brother Zhou, feel at home here, do not stand on ceremony with me."

Saying this, Zheng Yi placed a large bowl of meat directly in front of Zhou Shitou.

Besides meat, there wasn’t even a shred of leafy greens in sight.

"Well... I won’t be polite then." Zhou Shitou gulped, staring intently at Zheng Yi.

As soon as Zheng Yi took a bite, Zhou Shitou immediately seized his bowl and began devouring the food.

In the blink of an eye, the entire bowl of meat vanished, leading Zheng Yi to suspect he might not have chewed at all, just gulping it down.

Having anticipated this situation, Zheng Yi signaled Elder Chen, who swiftly refilled Zhou Shitou’s bowl.

Were it not for catching some game daily, Elder Chen might not have spared so much meat for Zhou Shitou.

After years of intense physical labor with nary a trace of meat or fish, if not for cultivating the Fiery Scripture, Zhou Shitou’s body would’ve likely collapsed already.

While a cultivation technique can absorb Spiritual Qi, it ultimately cannot compare to directly eating meat.

All three mountain chickens found their way into Zhou Shitou’s stomach, apart from a small portion Elder Chen and Xiaobao set aside.

Not until he licked the last drop of chicken soup clean did Zhou Shitou heavily place the wooden bowl down and contentedly burp.

Zheng Yi could clearly see tears welling up in Zhou Shitou’s eyes: "To have a hearty meal like this once in a lifetime, I’d die content."

Smart men indeed, Zheng Yi silently praised.

Clearly, Zhou Shitou didn’t know what he intended. But his attitude was revealed.

Just one meal, and Zhou Shitou was willing to risk his life for him.

Zheng Yi wouldn’t trust Zhou Shitou’s commitment fully.

Zhou Shitou, being a clever man, tends to weigh pros and cons. If need be, he might pledge loyalty to others.

Of course, if handled well, clever men can serve as invincible swords.

With a hearty laugh, Zheng Yi said, "Just dying for a meal is too high a price, wouldn’t you say? We’re dignified men, how could we live like mice, burrowing in mining pits?"

"Mere food should be ours by right, not something we toil daily for only to fill our bellies with tasteless gruel."

Initially stirred by Zheng Yi’s encouraging words, Zhou Shitou’s face suddenly turned pale.

He urgently tried to stop Zheng Yi: "Zheng the Elder, one should not speak recklessly."

Just then, Zhou Shitou noticed Elder Chen had quietly left.

Within the cabin, only he and Zheng Yi remained.

Zheng Yi smiled faintly: "Brother Zhou, with only us here, let me speak from my heart."

"The Zhao Family treats us like cattle and horses; I don’t believe you hold no grudge."

With a wry smile, Zhou Shitou responded, "What’s the use of grievance? We’re just ordinary people, powerless to act."

Cautiously scanning his surroundings, Zhou Shitou lowered his voice: "Not to hide from you, Zheng the Elder, countless people hold grudges against the Zhao Family."

"Every year, there’s rebellion waving the flag."

"Yet it’s futile; the Zhao Family’s elder is an immortal who shatters the void. Who can stand against an immortal?"

"Even if immortals abstain from mortal affairs, the Zhao Family has ruled for millennia. Troops cover the land; countless powerful cultivators are unknown."

"Consider last year’s Square Banner Army rebellion; the Zhao Family didn’t even deploy their forces. A single tributor wiped them out completely."

Zheng Yi refrained from immediately contesting Zhou Shitou’s words, patiently listening before inquiring, "Brother Zhou, in your knowledge, how many rebellious forces rose in the past three years?"

Zhou Shitou pondered quietly: "Square Banner Army, Danming Army, Nine Dragons... about five or six times."

Not until now, did Zhou Shitou sharply inhale, realizing — two rebellions each year, on average.

Even for their remote Riverbend Village, with limited news, there could be more he remained unaware of.

"Brother Zhou," Zheng Yi gazed at the moon outside the window, "knowing they face certain death, why do they still rebel?"

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