I Have a Dice Left by a God-Chapter 342 - 209: The War of Public Opinion

Old Morton doesn’t care what people say outside; he only believes in Your Majesty. Anyone daring to speak ill of the King at his stall will face his wrath.

"Eat more; young people need to grow strong," Old Morton said with a smile. "Little Morton received a scholarship. I knew this kid could do it. He’s like me when it comes to studying. I’ve been in business for years and never got the numbers wrong." He pointed to Little Morton still studying in the tent, "He says he wants to enter the Saint Grace Canon Law School like you."

"Haha, he certainly can. He’s much more capable than me," Li Xin laughed. After all, letting him take the exam doesn’t guarantee he’d pass, but Little Morton’s grades are genuinely excellent.

"Young Master Xin is truly humble. Although we received the scholarship, we shouldn’t take advantage. Your Majesty is too considerate of his subjects. I donated the money to help others in need. It may not be much, but it’s a kind gesture." Old Morton placed his hands on his chest, full of gratitude. All of this is the grace granted by Your Majesty, finally reaching their household.

"For the just King, I must have another bowl," Li Xin said with a smile. Seeing from his perspective across two eras, Ola the Eighteenth has indeed accomplished many things. While not everything reaches ordinary people, he at least took a significant step forward.

Societal progress doesn’t happen overnight; it’s the work of many generations. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Old Morton, besides focusing on Little Morton’s studies, will immediately counter any derogatory comments about the King. Similar disputes and discussions frequently arise in the market.

On the way back to the inn, he enjoyed a cup of desert-specialty coffee. Every time he watched the bubbles in the coffee pot, Li Xin felt quite comfortable. Regardless of taste, the ritual was complete. Carrying a bag of high-sugar fruits, another exciting combat night ensued. Truth be told, few authors are as diligent here in this foreign world.

Crunch.

These dates are incredibly crisp, juicy, and sweet. How do they grow? It seems opening a fruit store might not be a bad idea.

Without needing special attention, rumors are everywhere. The Zheng Family’s eyes are spread throughout Hedan, evident from the newspaper mastery they exhibit, showing their prowess in the battle of public opinion.

The whole market is abuzz, as citizens are naturally interested in royal affairs. When Achilles returned not long ago, even the color of his underwear was gossiped about. And such things get more absurd as they spread. However, this is all he can do; the rest depends on whether Miss Aries can reverse the tide. Hex Bird Society and Hedan Daily haven’t made any moves yet, but this is the calm before the storm. Hopefully, Miss Aries will take the newspaper seriously since it’s the era’s most potent tool of influence.

The Heavenly Principle University is brightly lit with everyone working through the night to get the manuscript out urgently, while the workers from Hex Bird Society and Hedan Daily are all on standby.

In the Royal Palace, Estella lay on the soft big bed, tossing and turning. Like an arrow released from the bowstring, from the initial tension, excitement, and confidence, she now hesitated and felt uneasy. Nothing is guaranteed, after all. How will Father and the Grand Scholars handle this? Will the public accept it? And Duke Zheng and others won’t sit idly by either...

Mist Continent, Divpo City.

As speculated at the Round Table Conference, Batty wasn’t judged, but he wasn’t free either. Karoni, the prison warden, treated him well. After Batty re-studied the Creator God’s Tragedy Classics and the Trinary God’s Redemption Classics, he was sent to labor at the Sarawo Mine as a penalty for damaging the lighthouse. This Tishili was the most amicable one Batty had encountered, not that he’d met many Tishilis.

Sarawo Mine is located in the suburbs of Divpo City on the Sarawo Mountain. Divpo City itself was also constructed leveraging Sarawo Mountain. The classics of the First Reverend’s gate record this as the Trinary God’s mountain transformed from a finger, bestowed upon humanity as redemption, but requires enough devotion and effort to attain survival conditions. It’s one of Divpo City’s places of atonement; Lightkeepers have stringent selection criteria, whereas here it’s much laxer.

Surrounded by lighthouses, the Sarawo Mine effectively resists attacks from the Fallen and the encroachments of mist. However, the environment within the mine is extremely harsh, and for punishments here, the whispers are even more intense, the death rate extraordinarily high.

Here, a large number of Rotos are housed, most not voluntarily but pushed by economic hardship, some are like Batty. Divpo City’s main energy and iron ore mostly come from here; it’s an essential black water production site. Occasionally, other things are unearthed, like gold, or divine artifacts. If a Roto finds something, they’re lucky enough to be granted amnesty and complete their transformation from Roto to Sheren, though such opportunities are extremely rare. Yet, many are willing to take the risk.

The sound of whipping and screams frequently pierces from the mine area; Batty is among them, endlessly swinging his hammer to extract materials. Being a Lightkeeper in the beginning, he was physically stronger than common Rotos. After acquiring the Mother Blade, his physique and stamina further intensified. In a few days, he became a local leader in this smaller locale due to seriousness, high efficiency, and the Sheren overseers viewed him favorably. With more Baties, the overseer’s production tasks are more easily accomplished, especially since Batty doesn’t cause trouble. Usually, those as sturdy as him create havoc.

Rest periods are short, and they eat black mush, perhaps something people on the Dao Yuan Continent would find impossible to swallow, but here, it’s already quite rare. It’s not enough to satisfy hunger, just to stave off starvation.

Of course, these aren’t the hardest; the pain lies in the nights—the boundless whispers. Almost every night, someone goes mad and is then dealt with. The place they reside is very humble, just an area marked out and simply fenced with Yin Wood. Most people are huddled together, although Batty himself has a separate space; that’s the treatment for the strong. Many suffer, biting various things silently, rolling in agony—out of control shouting means losing control, hence processed by the overseers—each with whatever strength they have desperate to contain themselves until the whispers fade away. Each one’s condition varies; some last ten minutes, some several hours; the weaker their body, the worse it gets.

Leaning against the wall, Batty carved a piece of Yin Wood. A new wooden fish was gradually taking shape. Batty’s emotions are genuinely stable. He’s gradually realizing this might be his mission; whether danger awaits or not, it’s something he must complete.

...

At the fifth branch of Hex Bird Society, the editorial department and factory were on high alert, sleeping was impossible on this night. After receiving orders, they started assembling. Across the way, Hedan Daily was similar, but differently, they were likely to act only after reviewing the manuscripts. Of course, they wouldn’t openly defy the Cabinet’s orders, but the occurrence of some accidents with Hex machines could happen anytime.

Hex Bird Society, on the other hand, fully stood on the King’s stance. Should the King fall from power, perhaps the King with his lineage could continue for a while longer, but Hex Bird Society and Night Patrol would undoubtedly be Duke Zheng’s first targets to eliminate, whether for power or economic needs. In terms of revenue and influence, Hedan Daily is steadily overshadowed by Hex Bird Report. Only in the matter of Inner Demon did a brief crisis emerge, soon reversing, and thanks to the Utopia Mountain Feud being a golden emblem, it allows Hex Bird Report to remain undefeated.

Ma Zhe, Christie, and several main editors waited in the editorial office with skepticism about the King’s abrupt decision. If it were a counterattack, it wouldn’t be this hurried. Could it be a genuine intent to release a self-reproach edict?

The discussion suggested such a possibility; if a counterattack, it should be more composed. This kind of all-out overtime work can easily reveal flaws. This battle of opinion is mature in Dragon Capital, yet in Hedan, it’s still inexperienced. The Heavenly Principle University lacks combat experience in this regard, yet neither Ma Zhe nor Christie has any say in this matter.

Christie remained silent, making preparations for the worst-case scenario. Should the King lose power, she has to act before Night Patrol is purged – that’s her mission.

Perhaps due to Christie’s silence, a formless pressure weighed heavily on Bird Society. The editors sensed something amiss; lately, "Christie" had a significant aura even commanding the respect of the president.