Chapter 57 The Zerg Army Presses In
The human empire has been closely monitoring the Zerg's reaction.
This probing of the Dumbstone will determine how the Empire will treat its relationship with the Zerg in the future.
Between two species, if one is weak, the other will naturally be strong.
Moreover, there is now market competition for core gems between humans and the Zerg.
Such a direct conflict of interest forces humanity to try every means to test the Zerg's bottom line.
One day was enough for them to find out the answer.
Upon hearing the Knight Commander's report, the Emperor remained calm, but the smile and ambition that gradually rose in his eyes revealed his true thoughts.
That's really interesting.
The newly born Zerg queen is surprisingly a bully within her own ranks.
Half a day had passed since the Insect Queen learned that the Dark Rock Clan had given her a shortage of the dumb stones.
But she still didn't react at all.
He was even more cowardly than he had guessed.
The fact that the Zerg have such a queen is a tremendous blessing for humanity.
Next, he needs to think carefully about how to adjust his attitude towards the Zerg.
It certainly can't be as friendly as before.
But no matter what the newborn queen is like, the Zerg are still powerful, and he cannot underestimate them.
Finding the right balance—keeping the Zerg from becoming agitated while still maximizing benefits—is the most pressing issue for the Empire right now.
However, before that, he still needed to give the Dark Rock Clan a good warning.
If the Zerg really makes any moves, then all the consequences will naturally be borne by the Darkrock Clan, who have violated their agreement with the Zerg.
The Empire... simply bought more Dumbstones because it needed them.
They simply paid a little more money and didn't pressure the Dark Rock Clan Chief in the slightest.
The Darkrock Clan doesn't want to sell, so naturally they can't buy it.
The Darkrock Clan Chieftain is a wise man; he should know that revealing the Human Empire would only anger the Zerg and the Human Empire, bringing even greater disaster to the Darkrock Clan.
While the emperor was deep in thought, the Dark Rock Clan Chieftain was looking out of the hall with his eyes open.
He didn't dare to rest all day.
Ever since he sold that one-sixth of the Dumb Stone to the Empire, he had been sitting motionless in the stone hall, clutching his bag of star coins.
Although the Zerg have been somewhat more friendly towards other species during this period.
But he had seen how insane the Zerg were in the past.
Duke Decker had already regretted it when he left with Dumb Stone.
He dared not offend the Zerg, but he also dared not offend the humans.
The Dark Rock Clan Chief sat in the stone hall, his heart pounding with anxiety, not daring to close his eyes.
He was terrified that when he woke up from his sleep, he would see the insectoid race wielding their pincers, ready to take his life.
As time passed and the sky brightened, the sky remained calm and still.
He finally felt relieved.
The Zerg... they actually didn't settle scores with him?!
His previously tense heart finally relaxed.
The wrinkles on his face gradually smoothed out.
The Dark Rock Clan Chief slowly exhaled, his mind becoming increasingly active.
Since the Zerg are not reacting, could he slowly raise the price of the Dumb Stone?
Humans were once the only species with the ability to forge the Dumb Stone, and no other species had any way to sell it to them.
Therefore, they can only trade with humans and can only let humans set the price of the Dumb Stone.
But now, the Zerg have become another species capable of forging core gems.
The Zerg are still capable of being on par with, or even more powerful than, humans.
Could the Dark Rock Clan gain greater benefits from among them?
This time, humans paid three times the price for the Dumb Stone.
Is it possible that the Zerg...
Thinking of this, the Dark Rock Clan Chief quickly shook his head.
It's only been a month; he should observe the Zerg's performance more closely.
Even if he raises the price, he must do it slowly and absolutely cannot let the Zerg realize that something is wrong now.
The Dark Rock Clan Chieftain breathed a sigh of relief:
No species would complain about having too many star coins.
Haven't you noticed that the Zerg are now selling Core Gems to earn Starpoints?
Even the Zerg are not immune to this, let alone the Darkrock Clan who make a living by selling stones.
He clenched the folded space in his hand, which was filled with star coins, and pretended to think:
He did this for the sake of his own people's development.
Just as the Dark Rock Clan Chief thought things had calmed down and wanted to go back for a good night's sleep, the bright sky outside the stone hall suddenly darkened.
Before he could even wonder, he saw a member of his tribesman tumble and crawl into the hall, his voice filled with despair:
"Something terrible has happened, Clan Chief!"
"The Zerg! The Zerg are here!!"
During the time it took for the clansmen to report, tens of thousands of Zerg had already turned the sky of Dark Rock into a gray-black expanse.
The Dark Rock Clan Chieftain's face turned ashen the moment he sensed it.
Such a large number of Zerg, such a powerful Zerg aura—
Oh no!
The Dark Rock Clan Chief's face was filled with despair:
Given the Zerg's behavior recently, even if they discovered something was wrong, shouldn't they have sent Zerg to investigate first?
How could this be? How could this be... without even a word, they've already sent a large army to invade?
His carefully prepared excuses and responses to the Zerg questioning him were all useless.
He panicked and tried to stand up, gripping the armrest of the chair.
What should he do?!
Hearing the panicked running and pleas for mercy from the tribesmen outside the stone hall, he deeply regretted his greed.
He had a perfectly good one-hundred-year contract with the Zerg regarding the Dumb Stone, but he took the risk for three times the amount of star coins.
Now everything is over.
The Dark Rock Clan Chieftain, recalling the 'friendly condolences' message he had received from the Human Empire just a few hours earlier, turned so pale that no other species could bear to look at him.
He himself chose to sell a portion of the Zerg's Dumbstones to the humans.
If he really dares to say that, I don't know about anything else, but the Zerg will definitely wipe out the Darkrock Clan before they settle accounts with the humans.
Moreover, if he dared to say it, it would be tantamount to offending two of the most powerful species in the interstellar space.
Then, the Dark Rock Clan will have no place to stand in the entire interstellar space.
This time, the Zerg acted decisively, unlike last time when they surrounded the Fuzhi Clan for a long time without making a move.
In the less than three seconds that the Darkrock Clan Chieftain was regretting his actions, the Zerg in mid-air, wielding their pincers, arrived on Darkrock Star.
What followed was a command that sounded gentle and calm:
"If any member of the Dark Rock Clan dares to resist, we will use our pincers to crush them to death."
Immediately following was a thunderous response from the Zerg:
"Yes, sir!"
"king."
Upon hearing the commotion outside, the Dark Rock Clan Chieftain could no longer hold on and collapsed limply into his seat.
The insect queen has actually descended!
This is really the end.
Outside the stone palace.
On the vast Dark Rock planet, all was deathly silent.
Upon hearing the sound that had resounded across the entire planet, none of the Dark Rock Clan members dared to move.
They simply cannot defeat the Zerg.
If we don't take action, we might still have a way to survive.
If they dare to make a move, they will only face certain death.
They stood there shivering, the wind blowing the rock dust off their bodies and scattering it all over the ground.
Inside the stone hall, Ai Ying walked in unhurriedly.
She only came to the Darkrock Clan today because her insects need to rest.
Anyway, the Darkrock Clan is here and can't run away, so what's more important than the rest of her insects?
Moreover, Ai Ying recalled that because there weren't enough dumb stones, the insect playground could only operate for another half a month, and glanced indifferently at the figure in the stone hall.
She came back when they thought everything was alright.
Their emotions must have been fluctuating greatly.
It was a way of letting her vent her anger.
Just as Ai Ying was walking towards the center of the stone hall.
The five lord insects beside her had already begun to move.
The Dark Rock Clan Chief, who was sitting in the main seat of the stone hall, was mercilessly thrown off by Fidelock's black energy.
With a wave of his hand, the magnificent stone throne in front of the temple vanished instantly, and he carefully placed the throne that the king had sat on during his travels back in its place.
Isaiah, on the other hand, had a layer of light-colored, top-quality gemstones laid around the throne.
After the king took his seat.
Horace quickly placed a desk that the king was used to in front of the throne.
Norman immediately prepared the energy liquid that Wang liked and placed it on the table.
In just a few seconds, the previously somewhat dark stone hall became dazzling and extremely luxurious.
The energy within the stone hall was so abundant that the Dark Rock Clan Chieftain felt a sense of panic, as if he couldn't breathe.
He was left in a corner, too afraid to look up, only able to vaguely see the Zerg's movements out of the corner of his eye.
The more he looked, the more panicked he became.
When the five lord insects stood obediently on either side of the throne, the figure on the throne glanced indifferently in his direction.
The Dark Rock Clan Chieftain froze on the spot.
He doesn't even have the strength to close his eyes, let alone look up.
The other Dark Rock Clan members in the stone hall knelt on the ground, not daring to move, their eyes filled with despair.
Ai Ying looked at the dozens of Dark Rock Clan members trembling in the stone hall, and finally her gaze settled on the most robust and ornately dressed figure on the stone body.
This time, her grand visit to Dark Rock Star wasn't just because of the short supply of the Dumb Stone.
Furthermore, it serves as a warning to others, showing them the consequences of deceiving the Zerg.
The Zerg are now recuperating and participating in the interstellar market by selling core gems.
This is a good thing, something that will stop other species from being hostile to the Zerg and will allow the Zerg to continue to develop.
So from the very beginning, she wanted all species to know that when the Zerg were willing to follow the rules, they had better also follow them and fulfill their responsibilities.
otherwise……
Ai Ying's gaze gradually darkened.
The Dark Rock Clan Chieftain felt the Insect Queen's gaze upon him and dared not even breathe.
He felt more desperate than death itself, especially the agonizing wait before his passing.
He swallowed a mouthful of rock dust, knowing that if he continued to wait like this, he and his people would only face certain death.
He's just greedy, not stupid.
He carefully adjusted his kneeling position, then wept and confessed towards the Queen's throne:
"Your Majesty, it's the Dark Rock Clan's fault, it's my fault!"
The Dark Rock Clan Chief knew that at this moment, admitting his mistakes had to be sincere, and he had to take all the blame upon himself.
He lay prone on the ground, tears of fear mingling with the ash on his face as they streamed down his cheeks.
"The Dark Rock Clan provided you with so many less Dumb Stones. I could die ten thousand times and still not atone for this sin."
“It’s because my people are too useless. They’ve worked themselves to the point of illness and still haven’t completed the number of mute stones you requested.”
"But don't worry, I will have my people work day and night to deliver double the number of mute stones to you!"
"No Star Coins Required!"
"We'll refund you double the amount of all the Star Coins!"
Regardless of whether it's useful or not, he quickly admitted his mistake and then showed his sincerity.
At the same time, his language also subtly conveyed the difficult situation he and his people were facing.
For a moment, the entire stone hall was filled with his wailing and lamentation.
Ai Ying listened to the Dark Rock Clan Chief's explanation, but her expression remained unchanged from when she entered the stone hall.
If it had been a long time ago, she might have softened upon hearing these cries.
But now, after experiencing so much, her resolve is much stronger than before.
She knew that she now represented the Zerg.
Behind her were countless insects.
If she takes a step back now, countless steps will follow, waiting for her and her insects to retreat.
There were some things she had to do.
and……
Ai Ying recalled the current state of Dark Rock Star that she had just seen.
The Dark Rock Clan members all looked pale and thin, with dull eyes, and wore nothing but rough clothes.
No one was as robust as the Dark Rock Clan Chief, with a stone body and piled-up gemstones.
The Dark Rock Clan Chief lived a much better life than he claimed.
His people might actually have lived as miserably as he described under his rule.
Ai Ying picked up the energy liquid on the table and took a sip:
Moreover, a little thought reveals many flaws in the Dark Rock Clan Chief's words.
Why were there not enough Dumb Stones before, but there were enough as soon as she arrived?
Is the Dark Rock Clan really as valuing its members as he claims, letting them rest whenever they're tired?
There are other issues as well.
But that's not important.
Reasoning is something that needs to be done when the strength of two species is not much different.
The Zerg nowadays don't need gentle, reasoned explanations.
Hearing the Dark Rock Clan Chieftain's incessant wailing, Ai Ying lazily said to Isaiah beside her:
"Didn't you see the Dark Rock Clan Chief singing happily nonstop?"
"Why don't we set off some fireworks and join in the fun?"
When Isaiah heard the king’s words, he immediately understood what the king meant.
His amber eyes blinked with a smile, he knelt on one knee, and his voice was devout:
"Yes, Your Majesty."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a mineral planet controlled by the Dark Rock Clan exploded.
This explosion was far more violent and terrifying than the previous planetary explosions manipulated by Isaiah.
The energy contained in the explosion was dozens of times greater than before!
The aftershocks of the explosion alone affected most of the planets in the surrounding galaxy, causing them to tremble incessantly.
Many species finally realized that this was the true power that the Lord Insects should have possessed during their heyday.
What they saw between them was Isaiah, who was on the verge of death without the comfort of the queen insect.
At that time, Isaiah was a being that many species dared not even challenge.
If we encountered Isaiah in his current form...
Inside the stone hall, the Dark Rock Clan Chieftain felt the ground beneath his body tremble, causing it to shake into a stone sieve-like shape.
His mouth, which had been trembling for a while, couldn't utter another word.
He has now truly witnessed just how terrifying the Zerg are.
Just one Zerg Overlord possesses such immense power...
There are now five Zerg lords around him.
If the Queen decides, not only will the Dark Rock Clan be left, but even the planets surrounding them might not be left with a single speck of dust.
He lay the entire stone on the ground in despair, overwhelmed by overwhelming regret:
How dare he... how dare he play tricks on the Zerg?!
After the Dark Rock Clan chieftain finally quieted down, Ai Ying calmly responded to his earlier statement about sending star coins to the Zerg:
"The Dark Rock Clan Chief is joking."
"We Zerg have always followed the rules. How could we possibly act like robbers and take your star coins for free?"
The Dark Rock Clan Chieftain was scared half to death.
Upon hearing her words, his already sluggish brain completely shut down:
What did she say?
What has been the Zerg like all along?
Follow the rules and regulations?!
The Dark Rock Clan Chief looked up at the Insect Queen not far away, and when he met her smiling black eyes, he felt a chill run down his spine.
His fear of death made his brain work faster than ever before:
The Insect Mother Rules!
Yes, the rules!
He spoke, his voice trembling:
"You're right. It was the Dark Rock Clan that violated the signed contract and the rules first."
"Yes, yes!"
"Those star coins weren't a gift, they were compensation!"
Because that was the first time the Zerg had signed a contract with him, he remembered the amount of compensation.
The Dark Rock Clan Chieftain quickly said:
"The Dark Rock Clan will definitely offer up ten times the compensation!"
Not a single star coin will be short!
Now, let alone ten times the compensation, even a hundred times the compensation, he would agree without hesitation.
Pentacles are nothing compared to life!
Ai Ying said nothing, but simply looked at the scenery outside the hall and sighed softly:
She now has so many Star Coins that she can't possibly spend them all, so she doesn't need the Dark Rock Clan's Star Coin compensation at all.
With her sigh, the five lord insects beside her, their cold, murderous gazes all fell upon the Dark Rock Clan Chief.
When his life was at stake, the Dark Rock Clan Chief finally showed some wisdom:
The Queen Insect does not want Star Coins.
What does she want?
Among the Darkrock Clan, what kind of creatures would the Queen of Insects find appealing?
Suddenly, the Dark Rock Clan Chief seemed to have thought of something, and spoke respectfully and tremblingly:
"If you don't mind, I will give the Zerg the Dumbstone Star, which is rich in Dumbstones, as compensation."
Is this alright for you?
Ai Ying finally shifted her gaze from outside the hall to the Dark Rock Clan Chief.
After realizing that only members of the Dark Rock Clan could mine and produce the Dumb Stone, the Dark Rock Clan Chieftain quickly continued:
"I will select several hundred strong and healthy members of our tribe for you right away!"
Ai Ying smiled gently upon hearing this:
"I already said, the Zerg are a reasonable species."
"It was the Darkrock Clan that broke the contract first." The Darkrock Clan chief, hearing her words, fearing she wouldn't accept the Silent Stone Star, said with trepidation.
"Dumb Stone Star is the one that should be compensated by the Zerg."
"If you don't accept it, I really won't feel at ease."
Please accept this.
*
Outside the stone palace.
The Dark Rock Clan members are scattered in twos and threes throughout various corners of the planet.
In front of each member of the tribe were many powerful insectoids whose mere sight filled them with fear and despair.
They all heard what the Queen of Insects said when she descended.
These insects will kill them without hesitation if they resist.
They dared not move, and could only tremble as the Zerg surrounded them.
Hearing the deafening explosions of the surrounding mining planets, all the members of their race were filled with despair, believing that they would surely die under the Zerg's pincers today.
Especially the insects around them, who were becoming increasingly excited by the explosion, were so cold that not even a thin layer of rock ash could rise from their bodies.
The already withered stone body became even more gray and colorless.
The native insects and the fluffy insects looked excitedly at the Dark Rock Clan members in front of them.
Previously, these insects would have eagerly awaited the stones in front of them to make the first move.
As soon as they make a move, they can follow the king's orders and move their pincers in return, giving them a good beating.
But now, they'd rather show off than fight.
They need to save their energy for hitting records on the game console, so they don't have the energy to hit these seemingly weak stones.
A velvet saw the rocks in front of it bowing their heads and not daring to move, and could no longer hold back. It swung its pincers and lashed out at the rocks.
He slammed his hairy pincers into the ground next to a Darkrock Clan member.
In an instant, the ground shattered into pieces, and the net-like cracks continued for five or six meters before stopping.
The velvet lowered its head even further as it looked at all the stones, its fur standing on end in anger.
Why aren't they looking at him?!
They weren't looking at him, so how could he still boast about the obsidian he was rewarded with for passing the game?
If they don't look at him, how can he still boast about how happy he is after the king appeared!
The velvet never hides its thoughts; it does whatever it wants.
He brandished the pincers and hissed loudly:
"All of you, look up at me!"
The Dark Rock Clan members dared not resist and could only raise their heads in trembling fear.
Upon seeing his pincers, which could easily shatter their bodies, they were so frightened that they instinctively tried to shrink back.
The velvet didn't care what they were thinking or whether they were afraid of him.
He straightened his insect body with all his might, and his hairy pincers inadvertently brushed against the obsidian hanging from the energy rope in front of his insect core:
"Hiss—did you see that?"
"This is the obsidian that the king bestowed upon me!"
He swayed his body happily:
Hiss—
"Black is the most beautiful color, my absolute favorite color!"
This velvet isn't the only one with a desire to show off.
The other insects, not to be outdone, hissed in response:
"I have one too!"
"I have one too!!"
The other clumsy native insect, with its pincers and claws, received no reward, and its antennae drooped limply.
But soon, as if he had thought of something, his antennae suddenly stood up again.
He looked at the ugly rock in front of him and boasted:
"Hiss—have you ever played video game consoles?"
"It's one of those fun machines that you can bounce around on and you can hit as hard as you want!"
"That's right, that's right!"
Another insect hissed in response:
"That's an amusement park that the king built especially for us!"
"Every insect can go in and play the game!"
Then, just like every previous interaction between the insects, they all began to happily praise the king:
"Hiss—the king will build us a fun playground!"
"Hiss—Wang will gently heal our wounds!"
"Hiss—the king will also order us to rest and not keep searching for gifts!"
"Hiss—the king can sing to cheer us up!"
Listening to the insects' words, the Dark Rock Clan members felt that the insect queen must have driven them mad.
Every species in the entire interstellar space knows that the Queen of Insects exhausted countless insects in her quest for the core gem.
How could the insect mother possibly look like what these insects described?
These insects must be insane!
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Author's Note: Mwah to all my darlings, mwah mwah mwah~~
Today's red envelopes are random!
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