"Master Gu, how could you tell?"
Master Gu pinched up some stone chips and examined them closely for a moment, then nodded. "These fragments are half-new, half-old, with a stale decay to them. And these chisel marks... The artifact picks used by mine cultivators around Lone Mountain—our artifact guild has forged them all. I know them better than anyone. A normal mining pick would never leave marks like these on stone."
"These marks were left by artifacts used for tomb raiding."
Master Gu thought back for a moment, then said, "When I was learning artifact refining, I met several fellow cultivators. We got along well. While drinking and chatting, I heard them mention some secrets. That was how I learned... they had forged tomb-raiding artifacts for tomb raiders."
Mo Hua's expression turned somewhat strange. "Wouldn't the Dao Court Office trouble them over that?"
Master Gu smiled bitterly. "Nothing can be done. It's a gray trade. Some Artifact Refiners live in great hardship. If they don't take on a little side work to earn some Spirit Stones, their cultivation cannot advance, and their artifact-refining skills cannot move forward an inch."
"Generally speaking, the Dao Court Office cannot be bothered to investigate such matters. Unless something huge happens, they will not trace things back to the Artifact Refiners."
"Besides, sometimes there is no choice. Tomb raiders are ruthless desperadoes. If they set their sights on you and make you forge artifacts, doing as they say might let everyone keep the peace. If they say nothing and you say nothing, no one will trace it back to you."
"But if you refuse, they will try every possible means to threaten you, seize your weaknesses, or even use your family, relatives, and fellow cultivators against you."
"It is better to avoid trouble than seek