Mine Vein Unsealed, Returning to the Mine

"Yang Ling, after today, I, Zhang Wei, won't owe you anything anymore."

Zhang Wei smiled and waved his hand before turning to leave.

Yang Ling watched his retreating figure.

"You set me up twice. The benefits I got from you only offset one of them. You still owe me once."

Zhang Wei paused, then quickly walked away without responding to Yang Ling.

Back at the wooden hut.

Yang Ling continued cultivating the Mountain-Crushing Fist and Vajra Wisdom King Art.

The next day.

His Mountain-Crushing Fist proficiency increased by another twenty-odd points.

The Vajra Wisdom King Art's experience had also reached 40.

Initial Mastery at 100 points was no longer far away.

He left his hut and headed toward the mine vein entrance, intending to see whether it had been unsealed.

But halfway there, he ran into Zhang Wei again.

"Why haven't you left yet?"

Yang Ling smiled. "Can't bear to leave the Fire Crystal Ore? Planning to level up here?"

"You think I don't want to leave?"

Zhang Wei's expression darkened. He glanced toward the mine vein entrance, his eyes filled with gravity and solemnity.

"A steward from the Mountains and Rivers Sect has arrived. His status is higher than Supervisor Wu and Steward Niu's."

Zhang Wei said in a low voice, "This steward gave the order. No miner is allowed to leave."

"What happened?"

Yang Ling's heart stirred, though he knowingly asked.

"Who knows."

Zhang Wei replied distractedly.

Yang Ling guessed that he was afraid his connection to Zhang Hao would be exposed.

Just then, a mine guard approached them.

Feeling guilty, Zhang Wei immediately left when he saw him.

"Yang Ling? Supervisor Wu wants to see you. Come with me."

The mine guard called out to him.

"Me? What is it about?"

Yang Ling was slightly startled.

The mine guard impatiently said, "Why are you asking so much? Just come with me."

"Yes, yes, yes."

Yang Ling nodded repeatedly and followed him toward the mine vein entrance.

Zhang Wei watched this scene in surprise.

"They're looking for Yang Ling? Why does Supervisor Wu want him?"

He couldn't figure it out, but he still felt relieved.

As long as they weren't looking for him, it was fine.

He believed Yang Ling wouldn't be foolish enough to expose the Mountain-Crushing Fist.

At the mine vein, before Mine Cave No. 1.

Fifth Brother and the others' bodies had already been dug out and lay side by side at the cave entrance.

Having been dead for several days, their corpses had begun to rot and gave off a foul stench.

Seeing this from afar, Yang Ling couldn't help taking a deep breath.

Had Supervisor Wu called him over because he'd discovered something?

My strength is now 11. Using the Mountain-Crushing Fist adds another 3, but then I can't hold the refined steel pickaxe. So my maximum strength is only 14.

The Vajra Wisdom King Art hasn't reached Initial Mastery yet. I'm still no match for Supervisor Wu.

Yang Ling's thoughts raced, and a trace of sweat gradually appeared in his palms.

But after walking closer, he found that not only was Wu Que there, but Steward Niu, Constable Lin, and even Master Hui Neng were present.

A young man in white, with mountains and rivers embroidered on his robes, was chatting amiably with Hui Neng. However, there was a faintly ingratiating look in his expression.

"Supervisor Wu, Yang Ling has been brought here."

The mine guard said respectfully.

Supervisor Wu nodded slightly and turned his gaze toward Yang Ling.

"Yang Ling, do you know who the bodies on the ground are?"

Fear appeared in Yang Ling's eyes. He glanced at the corpses and hurriedly shook his head.

"I can't recognize them."

They were already rotten. How could anyone identify them so easily?

"It's Old Fifth."

Supervisor Wu said lightly, "As far as I know, he only formed a grudge with you recently."

"What!? It's Fifth Brother!?"

Yang Ling staggered back several steps in terror.

Hui Neng and the young man, who had been observing him all along, nodded thoughtfully at the sight.

"Master Hui Neng, it appears these miners were all killed by Prisoner Slayer."

The young man said gravely, "Prisoner Slayer most likely hid Precious Treasure Temple's Buddhist scripture in Mine Cave No. 1.

I'll have people dig three feet into the ground if necessary. We must find that scripture."

"It would be best if it can be found. I must ask Benefactor Wang to take this matter to heart."

Hui Neng pressed his palms together.

"You're too polite, Master."

The young man smiled. "Bitter Enlightenment Temple's business is the Mountains and Rivers Sect's business!"

After saying that, he looked toward Supervisor Wu.

"Transfer your most skilled miners to Mine Cave No. 1. Dig hard for half a month. If you find Bitter Enlightenment Temple's lost scripture, I'll credit you with a merit!"

"Yes, Senior Brother Wang."

Supervisor Wu immediately cupped his fists in salute.

"Master Hui Neng, Supervisor Wu and the others sealed off the mine vein as soon as they discovered this anomaly. They've also taken this matter very seriously, so there won't be any mistakes if we leave it to him.

We can stay in Green Mountain City for a while and wait for news."

The young man said with a smile.

Only now did Yang Ling realize he was no longer in danger, and he quietly checked the young man's attributes.

Character: Wang Jing

Profession: Martial Artist

Strength: 19

Agility: 10

Spirit: 5

Martial Arts: River-Mountain Draw-Sword Art (Advanced Mastery), Black Tiger Fist (Advanced Mastery), Ironhide Art (Complete Integration)

Faction: Mountains and Rivers Sect

Three martial arts! Two at Advanced Mastery!

Is this the difference between a Mountains and Rivers Sect disciple and Wu Que? He's indeed far stronger than Wu Que, though probably still a step below Hui Neng.

Yang Ling thought to himself.

"Benefactor Wang Jing, we can simply stay in Miner Village and wait for news. Green Mountain City is thirty li from here, and traveling back and forth is inconvenient."

Hui Neng said with a smile.

"Miner Village... Fine, I suppose."

Wang Jing seemed somewhat disdainful of Miner Village's environment, but since Hui Neng had spoken, he naturally couldn't object.

He gave Wu Que an instruction, then personally led Hui Neng, Constable Lin, and the others away.

Fifth Brother and the others' bodies were naturally taken away by Constable Lin's subordinates. They would likely have the coroner examine them again.

After they left, Wu Que once again regained the bearing of the mine vein's leader.

"Yang Ling, you're already an experienced miner. You may join the search in Mine Cave No. 1 this time.

It'll also help you gain experience for sparring with veteran miners from other mine veins later on."

Wu Que said lightly.

"Yes!"

Yang Ling hurriedly nodded.

That was exactly what he wanted!

As long as he could level up through mining, anything was fine!

"Steward Niu, arrange the others. We don't need too many people, just keep it to forty or fifty.

That way, no one can fish in troubled waters."

Wu Que ordered.

"Rest assured, I'll handle the arrangements."

Steward Niu nodded with a smile.

After a brief pause, he asked, "Should the mine vein be unsealed, then?"

"Senior Brother Wang has already come, so of course it must be unsealed. Whether we find anything or not, the Mountains and Rivers Sect has already shown enough sincerity.

I believe Bitter Enlightenment Temple won't take its anger out on us.

The Fire Crystal Ore is our top priority."

Wu Que said.

After saying that, he hurried away as well, seemingly not the least bit saddened by Fifth Brother's death.

Before long, news of the mine vein's unsealing had spread.

Countless miners swarmed in like ravenous wolves and began working to earn money.

Yang Ling, meanwhile, was assigned to enter Mine Cave No. 1 with Uncle Wang and a group of other veterans.

More than a dozen mine guards followed alongside them, clearly tasked with watching them.

Before they entered the mine cave, Steward Niu gave them only one instruction.

"Do your best."

Uncle Wang and the other veterans naturally understood what that meant, and they were relieved.

As long as they weren't required to find something, they could easily kill time in Mine Cave No. 1 while digging up Fire Crystal Ore.