Treason and Collusion

Captain Lin was somewhat surprised when he saw Yang Ling in Qingshan City.

Especially after learning what had happened at the Red Gold Mine, Captain Lin felt even more astonished.

He glanced at Fang Qingyang, whose face was ashen, then at Wang Er, and after hearing the testimonies from the few miners Yang Ling had specifically brought along, he turned to Yang Ling:

"So you took out all those Red Gold Mantises by yourself?"

"Boss, the Official Saber is broken."

Yang Ling gave a wry smile, then pulled out the Official Saber, which had already shattered into several pieces.

Captain Lin looked at the notches on it, nodded with a smile:

"Red Gold Mantises usually eat Red Gold, supplemented by flesh and blood.

They spend all their days around Red Gold ore, so their bodies are tough as hell.

That Official Saber of yours is pretty ordinary—it's normal for it to break from chopping them.

Go get another one later."

"Boss, what's going to happen to those two next?"

Yang Ling asked.

Captain Lin looked at Wang Er and Fang Qingyang, sneering:

"Killing ten miners—that's no light crime."

"By the way, were the dead miners Refugees?"

He glanced at Yang Ling.

Yang Ling thought for a moment and said, "Three were Refugees."

"Oh, got it."

Captain Lin immediately ordered:

"Someone, take them to the big prison."

At once, some Constables stepped forward and dragged Fang Qingyang and Wang Er away.

"For a crime like that, it's usually an Autumn Execution."

"Once they're in the big prison, they won't be coming out alive."

Captain Lin chuckled, then toyed with the Red Gold Ore Essence in his hand.

"Boss, if there's nothing else, I'll go get a new Official Saber and head back."

Yang Ling cupped his hands.

"Don't rush off. I was just about to send someone to notify you—an official from above has come down."

Captain Lin said, "They're here to investigate Wu Que's matter."

"What?!"

Yang Ling was slightly startled.

Wasn't Wu Que's matter already settled?

Why was the government getting involved again?

"That Wu Que, he's really an idiot."

Captain Lin sighed softly, glancing at Yang Ling:

"Do you know where the Fire Crystal Rock Ore he embezzled was sold?"

"No."

Yang Ling shook his head slightly.

"He sold it to the Rong Tribe up north!"

Captain Lin sneered, "They're the sworn enemy we've been fighting for nearly a hundred years in Zhao State.

An official from the Iron Clothes Department just happened to find a cart of suspicious Fire Crystal Rock Ore up north.

The evidence points straight to your Mountain River Sect's Wu Que."

"If he'd just sold it privately to other merchants for a bit of pocket money, that'd be no big deal."

"But betraying the country and colluding with the enemy—that's a huge problem."

Yang Ling sucked in a cold breath.

He hadn't expected Wu Que to have such balls!

Was this his own private treason, or was there something wrong with Yang Zhiwen behind the scenes?

"Boss, will this affect the Mountain River Sect?"

Yang Ling asked, mustering his courage.

His heart was pounding incessantly.

He had only just managed to settle down, and he certainly didn't want anything to happen to the Mountain River Sect!

"As for the specifics, we'll need to find the guy who was in contact with Wu Que."

Captain Lin smiled. "Don't worry, the Mountain River Sect has put in plenty of effort over the years, even if not always with results. As long as they weren't aware of this matter, it won't drag them in too much."

Yang Ling felt a wave of relief inside. Judging by the other's tone, it probably wasn't a big problem.

"Since you're somewhat involved in this matter, stay here at the Prefectural Office for now. Tomorrow, when the Lord from the Iron Clothes Department arrives, you'll come with me to see him," Captain Lin said.

"Understood."

Leaving Captain Lin's side, Yang Ling had a few miners head back to the Red Gold Mine first. He also had them pass word to Chen Xu and the others that he probably wouldn't be returning for a few days. Mining operations should be paused for now.

That night, Yang Ling stayed in the Prefectural Office's rest quarters. Since he was alone, he could practice the Vajra Mingwang Technique. After finishing his training, he continued cultivating the Thief-Catching Saber Technique.

In the morning, Yang Ling went out to buy breakfast—steamed buns, fried dough sticks, and soy milk. He ate as he walked back toward the yamen.

Suddenly, his vision went dark. A massive figure blocked his path.

"Yang Ling?" The man looked down at him, staring intently.

Yang Ling kept eating his bun, took a sip of soy milk, and unhurriedly opened the other's Attribute Panel:

Character: Wu Man Occupation: Martial Artist Strength: 31 Agility: 12 Spirit: 7 Martial Arts: Collapse Mountain Fist (Entering the Hall and Room) Black Tiger Fist (Entering the Hall and Room) Mixed Iron Skill (Mastery Through Practice) Faction: Giant Spirit Sect

"I'm not Yang Ling. You've got the wrong person, sir." Yang Ling put on a puzzled expression. "My name is Chen Guoqing."

A vicious grin flickered across Wu Man's face. "You are Yang Ling. Are you coming with me now, or do I beat you to death right here?"

"Yang Ling, there you are! Went to buy breakfast? The boss already told me to get some for you." Old Zhao walked over, greeting him as he approached. "The higher-ups are almost here. We need to head back and assemble."

"Old Zhao, go back and tell the boss I ran into an old acquaintance. I'll be back later." Yang Ling smiled and cupped his hands.

Old Zhao frowned slightly, glanced at Wu Man, nodded with a somewhat odd expression, and said, "Alright, come back soon." He muttered to himself as he walked away, "What a big fellow."

Wu Man narrowed his eyes, waiting until Old Zhao was far off before turning his gaze back to Yang Ling. What met him was the Red Gold Crane Beak Hoe!

Vajra Mingwang Technique! Boost: 15 points Strength, 15 points Agility!

Red Gold Crane Beak Hoe, amplifies 10 points of Strength!

At this moment, Yang Ling's Strength reached 36 points!

Even higher than Wu Man's!

[Crazy Ten Consecutive Strikes]

The Red Gold Crane Beak Hoe swung out afterimages!

Wu Man let out an instinctive roar, his muscles bulging all over, and a faint gray mist seemed to flow across his skin.