Killing for a life, paying off debts, a matter of course.

It's the simplest of truths, yet for the families of the miners, it cannot be realized.

The miners have had their wages withheld, lost their lives, and yet receive no compensation.

Their families tirelessly confront the mines, risking being beaten to death and tortured, while at home they are so poor they can't afford a meal, forcing children as young as ten to collect scraps to make ends meet...

When clothes are torn, they dig through trash piles for scraps to sew dozens of patches.

When hungry, they consume the cheapest "nutrition powder" and drink heavily polluted water.

When sick, they lie in tents, leaving fate to take its course... If they pull through, that's fortunate; if not, it is merely another body buried around the mine.

After everything they've sacrificed, they still have to rely on an "external force" like Yun You to claim the justice that should be theirs and witness the countless trampled bones and remains.

The miners' families have stopped hoping for financial compensation because they know clearly that in the eyes of dignitaries and the Apprentice Death God, they aren't even seen as grass blades.

Just like the "mother" in front of Yun You said...

Seeing the remains, witnessing the downfall and punishment of the culprits, is satisfaction enough for them.

"..."

For some reason, Yun You felt a bit sad.

She had suffered much and knew how tough bitterness can be; she didn't wish for any innocent, aside from her enemies, to live the same hard lives.

The little girl couldn't contain the sympathy in her heart.

"What? Pitying these people?"

Wang spoke softly.

"Want to play the 'wise king'? Or just overwhelmed by compassion?"

"I think there's no need for that, little girl. Because this is the fucking way of the world, it's a matter of course, and politically correct, no need to find discomfort for yourself."

"When you suffered, I didn't see many people pitying you... Those wolves instead wanted to peel off your skin, and eat you up."

"For the person who wants to be king, a little emotion like this can't be a stumbling block."

"I might as well give you some advice."

Wang paused slightly, then resumed its usual mocking tone.

"I mentioned before, that this severe unrest among the miners isn't your everyday conflict."

"Just coincidentally, Yang Lie and his group were drinking tonight, and getting ambushed by out-of-control miners due to drunkenness resulting in death fits the usual logic, doesn't it?"

"If these miners dare kill regular management, they surely dare kill the BOSS... After all, they've surrendered everything, willing to fight for justice..."

"You just need to give a little guidance, have the hacker leave some 'evidence of the crime,' and easily shift the suspicion onto those civilians."

"They hold no weight and power, even if they deny or retract their statements, they would never win the trust of judges and enforcers."

"Moreover, Yang Lie has no father or mother, maybe a cheap mentor, but their friendship is certainly not as solid as a normal mentor and student..."

"He does have friends, but they are just some idle friends, unlikely to seek the so-called truth for him without any profit."

"As long as you want exoneration, they can't possibly offend you because the dead are never more important than the living, and your unknown master behind you will be dreaded by them too."

"If you do this, getting off scot-free is incredibly easy... Even if Yang Lie's friends are furious, they ultimately can't do anything to you, maybe at most, just kill a few miners to vent their anger."

"This is the top-tier strategy, not only will it leave you unaffected, but you can also seize Yang Lie's assets in a justified way — people won't know the details of this riot."

"Even if you brazenly claim that the fifty million in cash was all stolen, and large amounts of expensive industrial equipment were destroyed by miners, no one can doubt you, or even bother to investigate... In fact, most irreconcilable accounts within those companies are wiped clean this way."

"You are not only the king but also the most noble Apprentice Death God in Nest City, in the absence of any direct vendetta, no one would seriously contest you, it's not worth it... Organizations and courts might detain you, but that will just be a formality because a little decency is required even for the death of an Apprentice Death God."

"But what you have to pay is limited to just that."

"Tonight all the miners involved in the conflict will probably end up dead, maybe even dragging in other ordinary workers, how many heads will roll in the end? Ten thousand? Twenty thousand? Probably around there... After all, Tiger Heavy Industries is a major taxpayer in G District, if all the workers were to be killed, there would be no one left to be beasts of burden."

"But it has nothing to do with you, in fact, I think you could take it a step further — after most miners are dead, step out as a bystander to stop the Law Enforcers' slaughter."

"The Law Enforcers will surely give you face, and those workers who survive through the calamity will see you as a savior, from then on pledge their loyalty to you, become your devoted followers."

"Isn't this just making the Death Warriors a king should have?"

Wang glanced gently at the desolate miners through Yun You's eyes.

"Why aren't you speaking? Is it that this plot feels too sinister? Or..."

"..."

Yun You remained silent, not answering, just lowering her head to herself.

"Oh, I see."

Wang suddenly came to a realization and said, "You feel that these people are in trouble because of you, that you used false information to manipulate them, so you feel you owe them, right?"

"Objectively speaking that might be the case, but to be honest... I can't help but scold you for being naive."

"You used them, but didn't you also help them find their relatives' remains, fulfilling their wish? It balances out."

"Besides, what do they have to do with you? Whether they starve or get killed, they won't hold anything against you."

"This is your best choice at the moment. If you want to be king, you can't be shackled by the mere thousands of lives, nor hold on to any ridiculous notions of mercy, even dogs disdain that."

"Why sacrifice your bright future for them?"

"Do it..."

Wang whispered in Yun You's ear, chuckling...

"Go do what you should, do the most selfish... and most beneficial thing for yourself."

"In your heart, you know this is best for you, don't you?"

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