The night was deep and silent.
The Udon Mining Field, which had been noisy with clanging sounds all day, was now completely quiet.
The samurai who had worked hard during the day were all fast asleep, conserving their energy for tomorrow's labor.
But some had their eyes wide open in the darkness. During the day, they had only met the bare minimum requirements, saving their strength.
"Are we really going to run? Our current situation is much better than when Queen was in charge!"
"Of course! Do you actually believe those Beasts bastards? They're just tricking us into working ourselves to death for them!"
"Even if they do keep their promise in the end, only a few dozen will gain freedom. Are you sure you'll be among them?"
"I have no family ties holding me back. The only reason I didn't escape before was lack of strength, but now..."
"Rather than waiting for some illusory freedom handed down by others, I'd rather fight for it myself. At worst, we'll just be caught and beaten!"
"Hahaha, those Beasts fools actually think we've submitted. They don't even lock the cells anymore—how naive!"
"Then let's go for it! Our fate should be in our own hands!"
Creak~
Throughout the mining field, cell doors quietly opened. In the end, over a hundred samurai joined the coordinated escape attempt.
Among them, a group of about a dozen samurai didn't head for the mountains. Instead, they stealthily made their way toward the Executive Tower.
"That woman... she's Kaido's daughter. We can't let her live!"
The dozen samurai radiated killing intent, determined to eliminate Yamato.
"And who exactly do you think you won't let live?" A calm voice spoke up behind the samurai.
"Who's there?" The samurai whirled around, their faces paling with terror when they saw Luo Xia standing behind them.
"Human greed knows no bounds. I showed you a little kindness, and you immediately overstep. Seems you still don't understand your place," Luo Xia murmured, flames igniting in his eyes.
Whoosh~
Blazing fire illuminated the night sky. Where it passed, only charred bones remained of the samurai.
Meanwhile, at the mining field's mountain slope.
"You actually dared to run?" Ulti glared coldly at the samurai climbing the slope.
"Big Brother gave you a chance, but since you don't want it, you'll never get another!" Page One transformed into his Terror Fisherman form.
All 123 prisoner samurai who attempted to escape were annihilated—not a single survivor.
Hiss~
Hiss hiss hiss~
In every cell, the cautious samurai who had stayed behind gasped in shock, abandoning any further rebellious thoughts.
"He actually killed them all? That kid's more ruthless than even me when he gets serious," Queen shuddered upon receiving the report. "Damn it, fine, take it! You can have Udon—I don't want it anymore!"
The next morning.
Queen was packing his belongings, ready to flee.
"Where are you going so early, Queen?" Luo Xia appeared before him with a smile.
"I'm giving Udon to you. Can't I just go back to Oni Island?" Queen snapped irritably.
"Not acceptable. You're Udon's second-in-command. When there's nothing urgent, you'll spar with me so we can both grow stronger," Luo Xia said.
"Go to hell with your 'grow stronger'!" Queen couldn't help but curse.
"You're cursing at me?" Luo Xia's expression darkened.
Seeing this, Queen stiffened and subtly stepped back.
The next second—smack—a resounding slap landed on his face.
"Ahhh, I'll fight you to the death!" Queen roared in fury.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A fierce battle erupted, their clashes causing the mine's structure to crumble continuously.
Bold samurai, under the guards' orders, risked hauling away the readily available ore.
An hour later, Queen fell for the third time, while Luo Xia's clothes were only slightly dirtied.
Queen had played a part in last night's prisoner samurai escape—like forgetting to lock certain cells—something Luo Xia was well aware of. There was no way he'd let him off so easily.
After breakfast, it was time for the employees to start their workday.
Following last night's incident, the atmosphere in the Mining Field was noticeably heavier today.
The samurai had expected Luo Xia to use the event as a warning, perhaps even cutting their benefits.
To their surprise, Luo Xia said nothing, carrying on as usual as if nothing had happened.
At the moment, he was engaged in post-meal training with Yamato, Ulti, and Page One.
Watching the mine collapse under the force of their battle, the samurai couldn't help but shudder from the depths of their hearts.
"He's telling us with his actions—go ahead and run, if you're willing to pay the price of death!" Hyougoro of the Flower murmured with a sigh.
...
...
In the blink of an eye, Udon Co., Ltd. had been established for a week, and the employees' first performance rewards were due.
Udon didn't have a Peach Orchard Farm; their daily food supplies were transported from farms in Kuri and the Flower Capital.
Half a day earlier, Luo Xia had sent Page One to Kuri for negotiations.
Brrrring—click!
The Smart Transponder Snail connected.
"Big bro, Jack not only refused to cooperate, he beat me up!" Page One whined, on the verge of tears.
"Got it. Wait for me," Luo Xia replied calmly.
Page One's failure didn't surprise him—he'd expected it.
With Jack's stubborn nature, there was no way he'd comply easily.
First reason, then force. If words didn't work, well… he knew a thing or two about fists.
Whoosh—
Scorching flames erupted from Luo Xia's palms and feet, propelling him into the sky.
With the flames accelerating him, it took only two hours to reach Kuri.
Peach Orchard Farm.
"Lord Holdem, are we really okay refusing to provide food for Page One and the others? I heard…" Speed spoke timidly.
"What's there to fear? Kuri is Lord Jack's territory! If Lord Jack says no, then no! No one can change that!" Holdem, the true combatant, gloated.
BOOM!
A deafening crash echoed as the farm's gate was smashed open.
In his "Fisherman" form, Page One roared triumphantly, "Hahaha, I'm back, motherfuckers!"
"Page One, you dare show your face again? Gah!" Holdem stormed forward angrily. "Was the last beating not enough? You want another—gah!"
Holdem's blustering words cut off abruptly, his eyes bulging as his face twisted in horror.
Through the settling dust, a figure slowly approached—unclear at first, but to Holdem and the others, it felt like a dragon descending.
"L-L-L-Lord Luo Xia…"
The Drought Faction pirates who had followed Jack to Oni Island and witnessed Luo Xia's might all gasped in terror.
"What! H-he... he's..." Holdem stammered in shock, his previous arrogance and smugness completely gone.
"I'm taking the food here. If you have any objections, tell Jack to come find me!" Luo Xia said calmly.
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