The Old Miner

While the sugar was boiling, Su Ming returned to the library. He remembered that Zijin Su Ming in-depth research materials on high-ranking undead creatures, but he couldn't find a single one no matter how hard he looked.

Returning to his workspace from the library, Su Ming saw the unicorn using the "Flame Cage" to speed up the juice-reducing process, with bright flames enveloping the large stainless steel vat.

"Wait!" He rushed over to stop it, only to find that the soup had shrunk to the perfect consistency, and the unicorn had displayed astonishing magical control.

Foodies are truly invincible! Su Ming couldn't help but give her a thumbs up.

He cast a heat-resistant spell on his hands, pinched a small piece from the pot, and tasted it. The rice was fragrant and sweet—not bad!

Su Ming took out the shelled peanuts, crushed them into peanut crumbs, mixed them with malt syrup, added cooked glutinous rice flour, shaped them, and cut them into slices.

Su Ming cut a slice, and Qiluo immediately popped a slice into her mouth; she ate it faster than Su Ming cut it.

"Take it easy. Half is yours, and I have a use for the rest," Su Ming said.

"Why!" Qiluo demanded, her cheeks puffed out, her voice muffled.

Su Ming tapped her head. "You've received so much, be content! Also, the candies that have already been eaten are part of your share!"

"Stingy and petty!"

After the distribution method was determined, Qiluo stopped eating and instead packed away her share.

Su Ming cut out a plateful and had his skeleton servant divide it into small paper bags. Then he divided out another portion of syrup, stretched it out, and this time added sesame seeds. He took out some pills, ground them into powder, and mixed them in.

After calculating the dosage, he cut the maltose into pieces, weighed and repackaged it, and then put it in red paper bags.

Qiluo picked up the medicine bottle curiously. "What's this? If it's an aphrodisiac for Beianqi, I can pretend I didn't see it." She gestured with her hand, "But you have to make me just as much maltose!"

Su Ming was speechless. "You've been bribed with just a little candy?"

"Huh, it really is?" Qiluo's eyes widened.

"Of course not, this is for the children in the mining area," Su Ming said irritably, interrupting her before she could continue, "I don't smelt copper, this is insect repellent!"

Qiluo gave her a look that said, "You're so boring."

"How many times do I need to take this medicine?" she asked seriously. She had indeed used the deworming spell on the children, but one spell wasn't enough to completely solve the problem. Considering the children's tolerance, the next spell would have to wait at least half a month.

Qiluo won't stay here that long.

"I increased the dosage, and combined with the effects of your technique, it should kill the parasites in one go," Su Ming replied.

He packed the prepared maltose into a cloth bag and handed it to Qiluo, "Miss Ruishou, use your charm to become the leader of the children, go and hand out the candy!"

Qiluo didn't refuse, but as she took the bag, she also grabbed Su Ming's hand. The unicorn's clothes transformed into a princess dress, a red Butterfly appeared in her hair, and white leather shoes appeared on her feet. The simple bag turned into a pink handbag, making her look exactly like a carefree rich young lady.

"I can play the role of a kind, wealthy young lady," Qiluo said, "But it would be strange for me to appear alone in the mining area like this! Shouldn't I have guards watching over me?"

Su Ming thought the unicorn's appearance was too exaggerated. Nevertheless, he put on the magic-forbidden cloak, casually found a flashy-looking sword in the Zijin Warehouse, hung it on his body, and disembarked with Qiluo.

Before leaving, he left a dish of maltose on the table. He hadn't seen Zijin and Beianqi, so he guessed they were busy with something.

****

There was a stone-paved area in the residential area where many children played. Qiluo easily gathered them together.

Distribute the corresponding candies.

She invited everyone to play some games, and all the children obediently lined up and sat down, holding the malt candy in their hands and munching on it.

Many adults also gathered around, watching Qiluo with delight.

This is the first time a unicorn has broken free of its Ignore Spell and appeared here; the auspicious beast's affinity is irresistible to ordinary people.

Su Ming sat to the side, playing the role of a taciturn guard. He observed the crowd and found that the adults in the other world were all physically strong, and only the children were trapped by parasites.

He noticed that the girl Little Cuckoo, whom he had met the day before, was not there. So he called over an older child and, as a reward, gave him an extra piece of malt candy to fetch the missing child.

Soon, seven or eight children darted out from all over the residential area, chattering and lining up in front of Qiluo, among them was Little Cuckoo.

Su Ming didn't do much, just gave her an extra piece of candy as a thank you for the glass of water she'd given him that day. Qiluo also gave her an extra piece.

"The piece of dried sweet potato you gave her was compensation," Su Ming said. "It will be deducted from your share."

Qiluo gave him a disapproving look, then swallowed the candy she had hidden in her mouth.

"People who are too calculating will get cavities!"

"This piece you stole counts too, that makes two pieces."

An old man walked over. He picked up a piece of candy from a child's hand, smelled it, and suddenly his expression changed drastically.

"Stop eating!" he shouted, his voice hoarse. The old man reached out and began to pry the candy out of the child's hands.

Su Ming tried to grab him, but was easily dodged.

Su Ming had no intention of hurting anyone and didn't plan to use any weapons, but his opponent was no pushover either. The old man glanced at Su Ming's high-quality cloak and the magic Wind and Flame hanging at his waist, and didn't dare to attack.

But no standoff ensued; the old man quickly retreated and grabbed Qiluo.

He was about to threaten Su Ming when the exquisitely beautiful little girl in front of him grabbed his arm and slammed him to the ground with an over-the-shoulder throw.

A cloud of dust billowed across the stone pavement. The old man lay there, bewildered, unable to comprehend how this tiny girl could possess such terrifying strength.

"Calm down, we mean no harm." Su Ming stepped forward, took the malt candy from a child as he passed by, and popped it into his mouth in front of the old man.

The old man composed himself, squinted, and asked, "What's in it?"

"Albendazole, a drug you haven't heard of, it's used to expel parasites," Su Ming explained.

Noticing that the old man had calmed down, Qiluo released her grip.

The unicorn regained control of the situation with a simple smile, explaining to those around her that she and the old man were just playing around, and that the old man was deliberately letting her have her way.

The people around applauded. The two children whose candy had been taken away came forward, sobbing, and asked the young lady if she could give them replacements.

Qiluo granted their request, and the two children immediately stopped crying and started laughing.

The old man scrambled to his feet. Despite being thrown hard by the unicorn, his movements showed no sign of hesitation. He immediately bowed deeply to the two men, "I have misunderstood you two, my utmost apologies!"

"It doesn't matter." Su Ming waved his hand. He noticed a scar on the old man's throat, which seemed to be related to his hoarse voice. The old man was also wearing work clothes, obviously a miner as well, but his clothes were completely different from the others.

"My lords, why don't you just say it directly?" The old man hesitated for a moment before finally asking the question that had been bothering him.

Su Ming couldn't answer that question. He was a wanted criminal, an evil necromancer in the eyes of ordinary people. If the trackers found him here, the news could spread and cause unnecessary misunderstandings and panic among the public.

So it's best to do this quietly.

However, when the old man straightened up, Su Ming saw the words on the chest of his work clothes. "Dome Coal Mine?"

"Ah, sir, I used to work there." The old man didn't dare to ask any further questions and instead quickly answered Su Ming's question.

"Are there coal mines in the Dome Mountains too?" Su Ming asked him.

"Yes, it supplies most of the heating needs for the Tingbulike Icefield," the old man replied. "However, two years ago, due to glacier movement, the road from the coal mine became too rugged to transport goods, so the mine was forced to close. That's why I came here to make a living."

Su Ming waved to him, led him out of the crowd, and handed him several bags of candy.

"I can tell you're no ordinary person either. Don't tell anyone about us distributing medicine today," Su Ming said. "The red ones contain deworming medicine; the other colors are just regular candy."

The old man bowed again, "When I was young, I was a mercenary for over ten years, so I've developed some discernment. Today, it's entirely thanks to the two gentlemen's leniency; I will not say anything I shouldn't."

Su Ming took out a gold coin. "I'm very interested in the coal mine in the Dome Mountains. Can you tell me more? For example, the exact location of the mine, its structure and depth, and its geological type?"

The old man was clearly interested in the gold coins. "Sir," he said, "I was the blaster, so I know the layout of the mine like the back of my hand. I still have the original blueprints; I'll get them for you when I get home!"

Blasting refers to the use of gunpowder to blast rocks or minerals; blasters are considered highly skilled workers in the mining industry.

"Let's go together." Su Ming gestured for the old man to lead the way. "What's your name?"

"My name is Hansite, sir."

"No need for such formalities," Su Ming said. "If we were truly the kind of noble lords, we wouldn't be here distributing medicine."

"Okay, okay."

Upon arriving at Hansite's house, he indeed found a file folder. Inside was a stack of documents, including topographical maps of the coal mine and various records.

"This is something I kept while I was working there; I kept it as a memento and couldn't bear to throw it away," Hansite explained.

Su Ming glanced through the records and found them to be very organized, with a remarkably detailed tunnel map. "You're not just an ordinary blaster, are you?"

"I'm just a foreman," Hansite replied, "So I have a lot to worry about."

Su Ming put the documents back into the paper bag, then took out a gold coin. "Two gold coins for it, no problem, right?"

Hansite bowed again, "Sir, you don't need to give me any money. You saved my life."

Su Ming glanced at him, thinking of what happened a few days ago, "Were you also trapped down the well back then?"

"Yes. If it weren't for your help, I definitely wouldn't be alive to get out."

Su Ming nodded. He put away the paper bag and raised his fingertips to gather Magic Power. Despite the suppression of the forbidden magic cloak, he could still use a minor spell like memory erasure.

He flicked his finger, and the ball shot towards Hansite's head.

The old man dodged the ball with a speed far beyond his years, and for a moment the two looked at each other awkwardly.

"I suggest you endure this; erasing your memory will be better for both you and us." Qiluo appeared behind the old man.

"Don't worry, it's just erasing ten minutes of your memory," Su Ming said calmly. "It won't cause any harm."

Or rather, it caused too much damage.

The old man suddenly knelt down with a thud, bowing to Su Ming, "My lord, please don't act yet, let me make a request."

"Stand up and speak," Su Ming said.

Hansite did not get up. "Please, sir, take me with you. I'll do anything you need!"

"Why?" Su Ming asked, puzzled. "You're smart; you must have guessed that our identities can't be revealed. And stand up and speak!" His tone turned stern. "Otherwise, I'll erase your memory immediately and leave!"

Hansite quickly stood up, but instead of immediately answering Su Ming's question, he brought up another matter, "Sir, the coal mine in the Dome Mountains has been leased to the Temple of Light since last year, and is being mined by prisoners from the Holy Mountain Divine Might Prison."

Su Ming's eyes narrowed, and he waved his hand to release a soundproof barrier that enveloped the room. "Explain in detail!"

Realizing his judgment was correct—the other party was indeed interested in the Holy Mountain Divine Might Prison — Hansite quickly continued, "The priests of the Sacred Mountain have always purchased their coal from the mines, but after production ceased, their supply was cut off. So they leased coal mines at low prices..."

The prisoners' hard labor was changed to coal mining, enabling them to be self-sufficient and even sell surplus coal to nearby areas.

"Is the coal mine very close to the Holy Mountain Divine Might Prison?"

"We're in the same mountain range area, with Divine Might Prison above us," Hansite said, counting on his fingers. "The elevation difference is about seven hundred meters."

Interesting! Su Ming spread out the documents in his hand, flipped to the topographic map of the mine, and sure enough, he saw something that could be used.

If that's the case, then it's truly possible to go to the Sacred Mountain to rescue people. He pondered, and a plan began to take shape in his mind. Although countless details needed to be added, it was already quite feasible.

"Sir, I worked there for over a decade and know far more than what's recorded in these documents," Hansite continued. "I'm sure I can be of help!"

"You know we're heading for the Holy Mountain Divine Might Prison, and you want to join us—do you have a grudge against the Temple of Light?" Su Ming imagined a story of a cult priest preying on the people, bullying men and women.

"Ah, the priests of the Church may look down on us, but they wouldn't stoop to making things difficult for us," Hansite said, puzzled. "How could I possibly have anything to do with them?"

"--- Then why?" Now it was Su Ming's turn to be puzzled.

"My lord," Hansite replied, "I've spent my whole life struggling to make a living, and now I'm old and all alone. A few days ago, I was trapped in the mine, and I suddenly felt it was too wasteful to die like this. All I could think about was that if I could survive, I would leave this place and continue to see the sights of this world. I'd rather die on my journey, anywhere is fine."

"But I don't have much property. I'm a soft-hearted person, and I always help others with the little money I earn," Hansite continued. "So, if you two gentlemen have any use for me, this is a rare opportunity. My requests are not high; just enough to eat, and if it's convenient, a proper burial if I ever die."

"You are good people, you treat me kindly." The old man bluntly revealed his true thoughts. "As for who I'm enemies with, this old body doesn't care. Anyway, in a few years I'll get some illness, be unable to work, and just lie down and die."

"Even if the enemy is the Temple of Light?" Su Ming asked.

A mocking smile played on Hansite's lips. "The lofty holy light has never graced us mere dust."

Su Ming glanced at Qiluo.

"It's been tested; the assessment is 'chaotic and kind'," Qiluo replied. "Low sense of order. As for kindness, it's a given; otherwise, she wouldn't have rushed out to 'save' the child."

"Besides, he didn't lie; he's an honest old man," she added.

"Miss, are you a mythical beast?" Hansite asked, looking at Qiluo.

"Hmm, he's a very knowledgeable and honest old man."