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"Wu Que was out all night and only came back in the morning?"

The middle-aged man pondered briefly, his gaze sharpening:

"Constable Yang, how do you know Wu Que was out all night and never returned?"

Yang Ling thought for a moment: "That night I was a bit happy and couldn't sleep, so I lay there with my eyes open until dawn. In the morning, I heard Supervisor Wu come back."

"Why couldn't you sleep?"

The middle-aged man pressed on.

Yang Ling smiled: "That day, Captain Lin promised to let me fill a vacancy in the Qingshan City yamen."

The middle-aged man showed a hint of understanding, then said politely:

"Constable Yang, don't mind my asking too many questions. It's just that Wu Que's matter is serious this time—even the Sect Master might personally look into it."

"Xiao Yang, you might not know yet, but something big has happened at our ore vein. The inventory is short by a full three thousand jin of Fire Crystal Rock. We'll likely need your help tracking down Wu Que's whereabouts."

Steward Niu said gravely.

Yang Ling gave a bitter smile: "I'm just a lowly constable. A matter this big probably won't involve me."

"Constable Yang, the reason Wu Que gave for taking you out was Dou Mine. That's quite strange. How about you come back with me to Mountain River Sect? I'm afraid if the Sect Master asks, I won't know how to answer."

The middle-aged man spoke again.

Yang Ling felt somewhat helpless inside.

He knew the other party was afraid of taking responsibility and wanted someone else to divert the attention from above.

"Steward Li, Yang Ling probably doesn't have time to go to Mountain River Sect."

Xu Qing walked into the hall, a faint smile on his face.

"Xu Qing?"

The middle-aged man was slightly startled.

"Senior Brother Xu."

Steward Niu stepped forward to greet him.

Xu Qing looked at the middle-aged man:

"Steward Li, to be honest, I've long suspected that Wu Que not only stole Fire Crystal Rock but might also have been raising a group of Mine Bandits to do as they pleased. Steward Niu was an informant I placed by his side. Over these past few years, I've known every move Wu Que made."

"What!?"

The middle-aged man stared blankly at Steward Niu.

Yang Ling felt a dawning realization inside.

"It's just that I didn't have enough evidence, and Wu Que was also someone my Senior Brother valued, so I didn't want to break the window paper."

Xu Qing said thoughtfully: "This time, Wu Que realized he couldn't cover up his shortfall, and the sect was about to audit the accounts, so he naturally had no choice but to flee. As for Yang Ling, I plan to appoint him as the supervisor of the Red Gold Mine—he's also my man. If you think he's a problem, then I'm the problem."

"Junior Brother Xu, has the sect already put the Red Gold Mine under your management?"

Steward Li's expression turned strange.

"That's right."

Xu Qing nodded slightly.

Steward Li's scalp went numb.

So this power struggle had already reached its conclusion.

He hadn't received even a hint of news and had nearly caused a disaster!

If he had carelessly dragged Xu Qing into this matter at this point, he might not be able to stay in Mountain River Sect in the future.

"Junior Brother Xu, it seems Wu Que was lining his own pockets and fled out of fear of punishment. Should this matter be handed over to Qingshan City for handling?"

Steward Li asked respectfully, cupping his hands.

"Spreading news like this would only bring shame."

"As one of the Mine Gangs, if Mountain River Sect is known to have a supervisor under its command who could embezzle a full three thousand jin of Fire Crystal Rock, we'll become a laughingstock in others' eyes."

Xu Qing shook his head: "I will report this to the Sect Master and let the sect handle it internally."

"I understand."

Steward Li nodded.

"Steward Niu, this place still needs someone to keep an eye on things and prevent chaos. You'll act as interim supervisor for now."

Xu Qing instructed.

Steward Niu's expression turned solemn as he clasped his fist and bowed:

"Yes!"

Steward Li inwardly marveled at the deftness of the move.

In the blink of an eye, the other party had not only secured a Red Gold Mine but might also claim this Fire Crystal Rock Ore, which should have been under That Person's control...

"Steward Li, I'll trouble you to return and report everything here truthfully."

"I need to make a detour to the Red Gold Mine, lest something similar happens there."

Xu Qing said.

"Rest assured, Junior Brother Xu, I'll set off immediately."

Steward Li nodded crisply, took the accounts from this side, and promptly departed for Mountain River Sect.

After he left, Xu Qing looked thoughtfully at Yang Ling:

"How did you become a constable?"

"Senior Brother Xu, I gave Captain Lin ten taels of silver."

"..."

Xu Qing: "Does Captain Lin know you're my man?"

Yang Ling nodded sheepishly:

"He didn't want to take it at first, so I invoked you as backing, Senior Brother Xu, and Captain Lin's attitude changed right away."

"That makes sense. If he didn't know you were my man, he wouldn't dare accept those ten taels, and even if he did, he wouldn't give you the constable position."

Xu Qing nodded slightly: "It's good you became a constable. You'll have a chance to enter the Iron Clothes Department later."

"That will be quite beneficial to our Mountain River Sect."

Seeing Xu Qing's stance, Yang Ling felt a wave of relief.

"Do you have any luggage? I plan to head to the Red Gold Mine now."

Xu Qing said.

Yang Ling's expression shifted: "Senior Brother Xu, I'd like to bring a few helpers."

"Can you trust them?"

"I can."

"Then call them along."

In the carriage, Chen Xu was somewhat tense. Chen Guoqing had more social experience but knew that the Divine Domain had strict hierarchies, unlike modern society, so he didn't dare strike up a conversation with Xu Qing on the road.

"Yang Ling, you really do love mining."

Xu Qing remarked with some emotion: "If I were you, having obtained a constable's position, I'd just enjoy myself in the city. Why would I still run to the mines?"

"Senior Brother Xu, mining earns money."

Yang Ling smiled: "Besides, if I don't work hard at my age now, when I'm old, I won't even have the strength to try."