West Mountain Law Zone, underground cave.
Pale blue fluorescence rippled out from the pool, casting hazy shadows across the cave walls.
Several dozen clones sat around the pool, each holding a large coarse porcelain bowl as they lowered their heads and shoveled food into their mouths. The sound of chewing rose and fell continuously.
The main dish was a pot of stewed meat. Large chunks of pork belly had been braised with soy sauce, star anise, and cinnamon bark until they were tender and richly flavored.
The glistening oil coated the meat, while its rich, mellow fragrance drifted freely through every corner of the cave, whetting everyone's appetite.
Mo Yi crammed rice into his mouth as he mumbled indistinctly, "This meat turned out pretty good today, Mo San. Your cooking's improved."
Mo San chewed his piece of meat unhurriedly, bright droplets of oil still clinging to the corner of his mouth. "Obviously. The ingredients were fresh, and it stewed long enough. How could it not taste good?"
Mo Er chimed in from the side, "It's just a little too salty. How much salt did you put in?"
"Why do you care how much I put in? You've got meat to eat and you're still being picky?" Mo San immediately shot back.
"I'm just making a suggestion..."
"I don't accept it!"
As the two bickered, Mo Yi raised his head and glanced toward a spot not far away in the cave. More than a dozen stiff figures were working in the darkness.
Their skin was grayish-white, giving off an eerie sheen beneath the fluorescent light.
Their movements were slow and mechanical as they chipped away at the rock wall with pickaxes. Rubble clattered down, baskets were filled and carried away, then empty baskets were brought back, and they continued digging.
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