How Dare He Betray His Master?

The foreman chasing him was completely unaware of what was happening behind him. He simply suppressed his fear and hurriedly fled into the mine.

The guards, who were well-prepared, had been waiting for this day. As soon as the supervisor entered, the ten Golden Core Realm cultivators swarmed forward and subdued him.

Although the steward was not weak in cultivation, he was caught off guard by the guards' sudden betrayal and was immediately put at a disadvantage, losing all ability to resist.

"So, you dare to betray your master? Aren't you afraid of being punished?!" The foreman was unaware of what had happened in the mine and could only guess that the foreman had harbored disloyal thoughts, which had led the guards to attack him.

The manager's angry rebuke sounded ridiculous to everyone else.

"Punishment? You didn't even bother to find out what happened. Your entire plan has been ruined, and even your men have been captured. This mine will be discovered by the Jimo Household sooner or later. What chance do we have then?!" Rather than being used up by the manager and others and ending up as pawns, they might as well strike first and make a profit.

Seeing the unwavering stance of everyone, the manager's heart sank.

However, he still struggled to ask, "Where is Zhao Ke? Summon Zhao Ke to see me! I want to know how he dared to betray his master?!"

Zhao Ke was the head of the guards. The supervisor thought he had the guard's weakness in mind, and that he could save his life as long as the guard showed up.

But soon, a sneer rang out, "You'd be better off begging us than looking for him! That bastard ran away a long time ago, taking all the Spirit Stone with him!"

Upon hearing this, the manager's eyes widened immediately. "Impossible, this is impossible!"

"Why is that impossible? If you don't believe me, go and see for yourself. His house is empty, and all the good stuff has been looted. He ran away much faster than you." Someone mocked rudely.

The foreman shook his head, his tone filled with regret and resentment. "You're all foolish! Zhao Ke was already bound by a restriction placed on him by the master. If he didn't obediently stay in this mine, he would die! Even Nascent Soul Cultivator couldn't remove this restriction. Zhao Ke wouldn't have left even if it was to save his life!"

Everyone was shocked to hear this. They were completely unaware of the inside story and thought that the foreman was only staying in the mine for profit.

But if what the supervisor said is true, then wouldn't the junior leader be...?

No one dared to think any further; a sense of dread rose within them.

"Who told you that Zhao Ke escaped?" The manager knew from their expressions that they had been deceived.

As soon as he asked the question, someone quickly answered, "It was Liu San who said it. He told us that the boss had run away and that we should kidnap you for benefits."

"Oh dear!" the manager sighed in exasperation. "I've met Liu San before; he's just a brainless and cowardly little guy. If he could come up with such a scheme to harm me, wouldn't he have already secured a better future for himself?"

"That's clearly not Liu San anymore; you've been fooled by him!"

The steward's shout was like a thunderclap, instantly bringing everyone to their senses. Yes, how could someone like Liu San have the guts to incite them to tie up the steward? How could someone with his brain possibly come up with such an idea?

Having figured this out, everyone immediately began searching for Liu San, but they were too late. Liu San had already slipped away the moment the steward mentioned the restriction.

Seeing this, the foreman spoke up, "Things have come to this, why don't you release me now! Let's deal with all the mortals and cultivators in the mine, and leave Rizhao City before things get out. I promise you, if you can escort me back to Eternal Night City, I will give you a generous reward!"

His words were full of seductive rhetoric. The guards weren't exactly resolute people to begin with, and the supervisor was extremely eloquent. With just a few words, he coaxed them into obediently untying the other party.

The steward, now free, suppressed the darkness in his eyes and said to them, "Since our master can't get this spirit mine, then let's make sure nobody gets it! After dealing with those miners, destroy this place as well!"

The one who found the miners faster than Steward Bi and the others was naturally Cang Lian, who had slipped out early to report the news.

"Those people will be here soon. Are you sure you don't want me to take these miners away?" Cang Lian knew that Sang Ying wanted to stay and hold off those people, but the miners were either ordinary people or cultivators who had lost their Spiritual Power. Staying with them would only cause trouble for Sang Ying.

He originally intended to take the person away directly, but Sang Ying refused.

"Don't worry, I still need to use this place to help them break the Spirit-Sealing Lock." Sang Ying glanced at the emaciated people around her. They were cautiously guarding this moment of peace, completely unaware that danger was about to strike.

Sang Ying tapped the Cang Lian on her wrist and instructed, "The cultivators are fine, but why don't you help me protect those mortals?"

She was determined to bring these few remaining mortals back with her, no matter what!

Cang Lian readily agreed and quietly channeled a layer of Spiritual Power around those people.

No sooner had he finished doing this than the steward and the guards caught up with him.

As soon as they appeared, the miners tensed up. The few mortals even instinctively picked up their pickaxes, preparing to continue mining with trepidation.

Only one tall young man immediately hid behind Sang Ying.

The manager observed everyone's appearance, his sinister gaze sweeping over each face, but he still couldn't find "Liu San" anywhere.

He sneered inwardly, guessing that the man had probably already run away. Since that was the case, he decided not to waste any more time.

"Get rid of it!" the steward whispered the order.

At a command, the guards' gleaming knives swung straight down at the miners' heads.

The cultivators could at least dodge, but the mortals were already skin and bones from hunger; they had no strength left to evade the guards' attacks.

Seeing the blade about to fall on their heads, Wen Heyu, who was standing to the side, had no time to stop it.

The cultivators instinctively closed their eyes, unable to bear witnessing the impending tragedy. Even the mortals had resigned themselves to their fate, some no longer even willing to hide.

Just a moment, a couple of moments... but the sound of a knife piercing flesh never came. Everyone couldn't help but open their eyes to look, only to see the knife hovering above their heads. No matter how hard the guards tried, they couldn't lower the blade even a fraction of an inch.

"Heh, since you've already made your move, why hide? Show yourself!" the steward coldly rebuked.

Upon hearing this, everyone looked around in unison, trying their best to find the benefactor who had helped them.

But in a corner unnoticed by them, a dusty-looking woman slowly stepped forward. Her gaze was intense as she met the butler's eyes.

"I am unworthy of being addressed as 'fellow Daoist' by a senior. I have been in the mine for so long without ever paying my respects. It has been a great breach of my etiquette."