Idiot

"One Liang Silver?! He's that rich?!"

Lin Guoliang and the others were stunned.

Staring at the silver in Yang Ling's hand, they swallowed instinctively. They worked themselves to the bone, and it took several of them just to scrape together ten Copper Coins.

The nearby miners also swallowed hard, their eyes gleaming. The Copper Coins they earned on a normal day were mostly spent on food and drink. Even if they had saved a little, they weren't qualified to exchange it for Loose Silver. It could be said that in the vast Fire Crystal Mine, miners with Loose Silver were few and far between.

Uncle Wang clicked his tongue in surprise but reacted quickly, shouting at those miners: "Xiao Yang has put up his savings. Give him face and let this go!"

"Fine, we'll give Xiao Yang face."

"These brats got a beating today, they shouldn't dare again next time."

Several miners immediately crowded forward, took the One Liang Silver from Yang Ling's hand, and prepared to go to Steward Niu's place to split it up.

Seeing this, Macaque's face alternated between pale and green.

Yang Ling walked slowly over to Officer Chen: "Let me see the wound."

Officer Chen smiled weakly: "Should be nothing serious. Thanks, Brother Yang."

Getting used to the local customs pretty fast?

Yang Ling smiled, pried open Officer Chen's hand, and saw a thumb-sized gash on his forehead, still bleeding. He took out a bottle of Healing Ointment and sprinkled it on. The blood stopped immediately.

He glanced at Officer Chen's Attribute Panel. Strength was 6 Points, much higher than an ordinary person, and Health Points were 60, but now only a little over 20 remained. With this Healing Ointment and a few days' rest, his Health Points would be nearly full.

Chen Xu felt his scalp tingle. He hadn't realized Officer Chen's injury was so severe. If not treated in time, the consequences would have been unthinkable!

Suddenly, Officer Chen's expression changed: "Watch out!"

A gust of wind blew.

Yang Ling reached back and grabbed the pickaxe.

Macaque was startled and instinctively tried to pull the pickaxe back, but it didn't budge. Yang Ling gave a slight shake, and the pickaxe fell into his hand.

The nearby miners exchanged glances.

"Nice move!" Officer Chen exclaimed in admiration.

Chen Xu and the others were also shaken. That whole scene happened in an instant. Even they hadn't noticed Macaque's sneak attack. They never expected this Brother Yang to defuse it so casually.

"Yang Ling, sticking up for them breaks the rules here!" Macaque blustered, though his voice betrayed his fear.

Yang Ling said nothing. He stepped forward, grabbed Macaque by the neck, and slowly lifted him. Macaque's face turned red as he struggled, flailing his arms and legs desperately. But Yang Ling didn't budge, not even a tremor in his arm.

"Such strength..."

Not only were the miners stunned, but the Mine Guards watching the commotion exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of gravity in the other's eyes. One of the Mine Guards muttered to himself: "Steward Niu's guess should be right. This kid's background isn't simple."

Uncle Wang and the others clearly hadn't expected that the usually gentle Yang Ling could have such terrifying strength.

"Spare... spare me..."

Macaque's hands were locked tight around Yang Ling's tiger's mouth, the whites of his eyes rolling upward as his tongue involuntarily lolled out.

"Xiao Yang, if you kill him, you'll have to report it to Captain Lin in the city—what a hassle. Let it go for my sake."

Steward Niu strolled over slowly.

The nearby miners immediately scattered, their gazes toward him filled with deference.

It was only because Steward Niu was generally fair in his dealings that, aside from Supervisor Wu, he held the highest authority among the miners at the Fire Crystal Mine.

Yang Ling released his grip, and Macaque instantly collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, his eyes full of terror as he looked at Yang Ling.

"Steward Niu, what do you think about today's matter..."

Yang Ling said thoughtfully.

"The dispute over the mining claim is settled. You handled it well."

"As for Macaque ambushing you just now, he'll be fined ten jin of Fire Crystal Rock Ore."

"From now on, he'll have to hand in a full ten jin before he can get paid again. How about that?"

Steward Niu said with a smile.

"I have no objections."

Yang Ling nodded slightly.

Macaque's face turned even paler at the words.

Ten jin? How was he supposed to eat and drink in the meantime?

"Alright, then, everyone scatter. Work comes first."

Steward Niu waved his hand.

The nearby miners obediently dispersed.

Macaque didn't dare linger either, slinking away in disgrace.

Having resolved the matter, Steward Niu slowly ambled back to his seat.

"Brother Yang, that medicine of yours is really something. I feel much better all of a sudden."

Officer Chen slowly stood up, a hint of surprise in his voice.

What kind of medicine was this? Why was it so effective?

From his experience, even if this injury wasn't fatal, it would still take at least ten days or half a month to recover.

"They sell it at the pharmacy—five wen a bottle. Healing Ointment."

Yang Ling said with a faint smile.

Five wen a bottle?

That wasn't expensive.

Chen Xu and Officer Chen both thought the same.

Chen Xu quickly clasped his hands:

"Brother Yang, if it weren't for you stepping in today, Brother Chen and the others would definitely have been in trouble."

"This one liang of silver is a loan to you. Pay me back when you can."

Yang Ling said.

Chen Xu was stunned for a moment, then slowly nodded:

"I will definitely repay it!"

One liang of silver was a lot, but he believed that given some time, he could absolutely earn it back!

"Brother Yang, we're injured too. Could you spare us some Healing Ointment?"

Lin Guoliang helped Wu Meng over as he spoke.

"All out."

Yang Ling said casually.