Chief Steward of Blackstone Mine

"Something happened at Blackstone Mine," Yang Zhenshan said in a deep voice.

Zhou Qi did not respond, merely listening quietly.

Yang Zhenshan continued, "The Wang Family and Zhao Family lost twenty percent of their mine shafts. They acknowledged it openly, but behind the scenes, they have not been behaving."

Yang Yuanshan took over and explained in detail, "Blackstone Mine is a mineral vein resource belonging to the Upper City. Our four Lineages of Lin'an only possess mining rights."

"The Upper City entrusted the mine to Lin'an. No matter how we divide it among ourselves, we only need to hand over a fixed amount of minerals each month."

"We divided it into four shares according to each Lineage's strength. We have always managed our own affairs and handed over our respective portions at the end of every month."

Yang Yuanshan paused, irritation seeping into his voice. "But in this Great Clan Tournament, we came out on top and won twenty percent of the mine shafts from the other three families."

"Though the Wang Family and Zhao Family have kept saying they would hand them over, they have been making every excuse during the transfer. They will not hand over the account books or the routes, and they even keep the exact locations of the mine tunnels under wraps."

Yang Zhenshan added, "More troublesome still, they have begun contacting the Li Family's stewards, hoping to draw the Li Family in against us. The Li Family has always been neutral. Though they also lost shares, their strength was not harmed at its roots."

"If the three families truly join forces, then reclaiming that twenty percent of the mine shafts will be nothing but empty talk."

After hearing this, Zhou Qi fell silent, inwardly thinking they had it coming.

Then he asked, "What does Master intend?"

Yang Zhenshan looked at him, his gaze profound. "The mine needs someone to keep watch over it."

The moment Yang Jinshan heard this, he sprang to his feet. "I'll go! I've long found those Wang Family bastards unpleasant to look at!"

Yang Zhenshan shot him a glance. "Sit down."

Yang Jinshan sat down sullenly, still muttering, "I can fight..."

Yang Yuanshan sighed. "Fifth Brother, this is not about fighting. Those stewards at the mine are each craftier than monkeys. They will be polite to your face, then lead you in circles behind your back until you are dizzy. If you go, they will have you acting as their spear within three days."

Yang Jinshan was unconvinced, but after opening his mouth, he could not think of anything to say and could only close it again.

Yang Zhenshan looked at Zhou Qi, his tone carrying a hint of testing. "Zhou Qi, how do you think this matter should be handled?"

Zhou Qi did not answer immediately.

He lowered his head, appearing to be deep in thought.

But in truth, countless thoughts had already run through his mind.

Yang Zhenshan intended to use him.

Sending him to the mine might look like appointing him as a steward, but in reality, he was being sent to make trouble for the Wang Family and Zhao Family. If he succeeded, he would solve the Yang Family's problem; if he failed, every bit of trouble would fall on him.

But this was also an opportunity.

At the residence, Yang Jinshan watched him and Yang Zhenshan kept an eye on him. His every move was under surveillance.

Once he went to the mine, the sky would be high and the emperor far away. There would be far more he could do.

Moreover, a place like Blackstone Mine was a murky mix of fish and dragons. Perhaps he could uncover clues about the antidote.

At that thought, Zhou Qi raised his head. "Master wants me to go?"

Yang Zhenshan nodded. "You are clever, capable in combat, and know your limits. I will be at ease with you keeping watch over the mine."

Zhou Qi was silent for a second before asking, "Then regarding the Wang Family and Zhao Family, how far does Master intend for me to go?"

Yang Zhenshan narrowed his eyes slightly. "What do you think?"

Zhou Qi said, "If they are merely throwing stumbling blocks in our path, I can deal with them. But if they want to turn to force..."

He paused, his tone calm yet carrying a trace of chill. "In a place like the mine, it is perfectly normal for accidents to happen."

Yang Zhenshan stared at him for several seconds, then suddenly smiled.

There was a measure of satisfaction in that smile.

"Good," he said. "We will do as you say."

He looked at Yang Yuanshan. "Yuanshan, make the arrangements. Send Zhou Qi there as the mine's chief steward."

At that point, Yang Zhenshan paused before continuing, "Also, Jinshan, you will go with him as deputy chief steward."

"Good! I've been itching to beat the hell out of those Wang Family brats! Second Brother, leave this to me and rest assured." Yang Jinshan had been waiting to hear his name. At once, he slapped the table and rose to his feet.

"Do not act rashly." Yang Zhenshan frowned and barked a reprimand.

"Once you get there, listen more to Zhou Qi's counsel. If he tells you to act, then act. If he does not, endure it."

Yang Jinshan's face was full of dissatisfaction. "Second Brother, that kid may have some skill, but I am an elder. He is only a newly promoted outer elder. Why should I listen to him?"

Yang Zhenshan glared at him.

The latter stopped talking.

Listening from the side, Zhou Qi was speechless. He truly did not know whether Yang Jinshan and Yang Zhenshan had been born of the same mother.

Yang Zhenshan looked at Zhou Qi again. "After you get there, do not rush to fall out with them. First, sound them out and see what they truly intend. If they can be won over, win them over. If they cannot..."

He lifted his teacup and slowly took a sip, his tone light and casual. "Then let them know the consequences of disobedience on the Yang Family's turf."

Zhou Qi clasped his fists. "Understood."

Yang Zhenshan waved a hand. "You two may return first. Set out early tomorrow morning."

Zhou Qi rose and turned to walk outside.

Yang Jinshan also got to his feet and left in a foul mood.

After the two had gone far away, Yang Yuanshan, who had remained silent all along, finally spoke. "Second Brother, can that kid be trusted?"

Yang Zhenshan did not answer right away.

He lifted his teacup and slowly took a sip before saying, "Trusted? Not really."

Yang Yuanshan frowned. "Then why are you sending him to the mine? That is our foundation."

Yang Zhenshan set down his teacup, his gaze profound. "Precisely because it is our foundation, I am sending him there."

Yang Yuanshan froze for a moment, then understood. "Second Brother means... let him fight the Wang Family and Zhao Family. No matter who wins or loses, it benefits us?"

Yang Zhenshan nodded, then shook his head. "Not only that."

He rose and walked to the window, looking at the night outside. "That kid is powerful and deep-minded. He is cut out for great things, but the more someone is like that, the harder he is to control."

Yang Yuanshan walked to his side. "Then what does Second Brother intend to do?"

Yang Zhenshan was silent for several seconds before saying, "Sending him to the mine serves two purposes. First, to use his abilities against the Wang Family and Zhao Family. Second, to see whether he is truly willing to work for the Yang Family. If he devotes himself at the mine and helps us resolve this trouble, then at least he understands what matters."

He paused, and a hint of coldness entered his voice. "But if he harbors other intentions at the mine..."

Yang Yuanshan continued, "Then we make sure he cannot return?"

Yang Zhenshan shook his head. "We will not need to act."

He turned and looked at Yang Yuanshan. "At the mine, the Wang Family and Zhao Family people are all holding back their anger. If he dares to act recklessly, those people will tear him apart alive without us lifting a hand."

Yang Yuanshan nodded, then thought of something and asked, "Fifth Brother is not exactly sharp-witted. Can he keep watch over Zhou Qi?"

"There is no need to keep watch over him. Zhou Qi only needs to know that someone from the Yang Family is right beside him."

"Understood."

After a stretch of silence.

As though making casual conversation, Yang Yuanshan continued, "Second Brother, would you say Zhou Qi is a genius?"

"Why?"

"His talent is too astonishing. Zhou Fu sent word that his Flashing Swan Steps and Sky-Splitting Blade have both reached at least the Minor Mastery stage."

Yang Zhenshan's gaze tightened slightly.

Yang Yuanshan looked at him and said gravely, "Second Brother, is that kid really at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement? Could he be concealing his strength?"

Yang Zhenshan was silent for several seconds, then suddenly smiled.

"Concealing his strength?" He shook his head. "Impossible. If he were concealing his strength, I could not possibly fail to see through it. In the Qi Refinement Realm, those at higher realms can see through those at lower realms with a single glance."

Yang Yuanshan nodded.

"Go make the arrangements. Have Fifth Brother and Zhou Qi set out tomorrow."

Yang Yuanshan rose and clasped his fists. "Yes."

He walked to the doorway, then stopped and turned back. "Second Brother, should we give Zhou Qi another warning before he leaves?"

Yang Zhenshan waved a hand. "No need. He knows what he is doing."

Yang Yuanshan nodded and strode away.

The main hall fell silent.

Yang Zhenshan lifted his teacup and slowly took a sip, his gaze profound.

Zhou Qi, Yao Qing, Blackstone City, the Champion Marquis...

Those threads intertwined in his mind, forming a chessboard.