Chapter 262: Leave Professional Matters to Professionals

Xiangfeng Prefectural Capital, deep in the old forest, an area’s trees had all been felled. Camps were set up, people came and went, and several Ironclad Department constables were stationed nearby, making the place lively.

Disciples from the Limitless Sect, Angry River Sect, and Divine Fist Sect all looked exhausted as they rested in the makeshift Miner's Village.

“This time our Limitless Sect lost over forty disciples. I wonder if the higher-ups will even give any compensation.”

A few players glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then spoke in worried tones.

One of them sighed:

“Compensation my foot. I thought joining the Limitless Sect meant hitting the jackpot. Who would’ve thought disciples of this sect would be sent to mine?”

“We didn’t have to at first. We were supposed to become supervisors, but ordinary miners can’t go down into this Blazing Gold Mine. It’s useless, so it fell to us instead.”

“I think we have to find a way out. The Blazing Gold Mine has been shut down for three days because that mine beast hasn’t been dealt with.”

“But I have a feeling they won’t leave it closed for long. Sooner or later we’ll be forced back down. If we don’t run, our lives will be forfeit here!”

Run? The players looked around, seeing the area sealed off by the Ironclad Department, and were momentarily speechless.

“How run? These Ironclad constables aren’t weak. If we try to run and get caught, we’ll face punishment from both the sect and the Ironclad Department. We can’t take that!”

A heavy silence fell over the group.

At that moment, several other players from the Angry River Sect and Divine Fist Sect joined them.

Though from different sects, they formed a small circle here because they were all players.

They didn’t trust the natives of the Divine Realm.

“I heard the shutdown happened because the Mining Guild’s Sixth-Rank elder and Bitter Awareness Temple’s expert, Hall Master Juewang, both got beaten by that mine beast and were injured, now recuperating.”

“When their injuries are mostly healed, they’ll go back down.”

“If they don’t deal with the beast, won’t continuing the mining just get us killed?”

“That’s not clear. That’s a matter for their higher-ups. We should accept our fate…”

Suddenly the Miner's Village grew a bit more lively.

The players saw a group of big shots heading toward the village gate.

“Hey, that’s our Limitless Sect Sect Master, Mian Zhengdong.”

“The Angry River Sect and Divine Fist Sect masters are here too.”

“Zhao Qing, Director of the Second Division, Public Security Department of the Xiangfeng Prefectural Capital Ironclad Department, has shown up as well. He usually never makes appearances…”

“Isn’t that the Mining Guild’s Sixth-Rank expert and Bitter Awareness Temple’s Hall Master Juewang? Their injuries are healed?”

The players were surprised. Such a cluster of experts moving together, and not toward the mine shaft—what were they up to?

By the village entrance, many disciples from the three sects and Ironclad Department constables had already gathered.

Yang Ling, with Qin Mo and the others, stood quietly behind Eunuch Xu, watching the approaching experts.

He had already met Juewang once and even received a three-hundred-year-old Crimson Blood Vermilion Fruit from him.

Beside Juewang stood an elder of about sixty.

He was about the same age as Zhou Zheng, but significantly stronger.

“Qian Dalong, Mining Guild elder, Lower Sixth-Rank expert… his stats are similar to Juewang’s.”

Yang Ling glanced at Qian Dalong’s Status Panel and made internal calculations.

Qian Dalong and Juewang were the strongest force the Third Prince had here.

But as Lower Sixth-Rank experts, their strength was comparable to Lu Yunchen.

“If I go all out, I should be able to take on two of them at once without much trouble.”

After confirming their baseline strength, Yang Ling felt the day of successful mining inch closer.

“Ah, Mian Zhengdong… an old acquaintance.”

A faint smile appeared in Yang Ling’s eyes.

Mian Zhengdong had clearly noticed Yang Ling too; the elder’s eyes showed a slight smile before quickly hiding it.

“Two Lower Sixth-Ranks, three Seventh-Ranks, plus some Eighth-Ranks and Ninth-Ranks.”

Yang Ling continued his observations.

He also spotted Zhao Qing, Director of the Second Division from the Xiangfeng Prefectural Capital Ironclad Department.

A mere Seventh-Rank, not to be feared.

“But this guy looks just over thirty. Royal family, Seventh-Rank—no wonder Shi Xin, the First Division director, is reduced to drinking tea and reading newspapers…”

At that moment Zhao Qing pushed past Qian Dalong and Juewang to the front, laughing as he cupped his hands:

“So it’s Eunuch Xu. Why did you come by yourself, Eunuch Xu? You didn’t even inform me so I could come welcome you!”

Eunuch Xu? The players near the Blazing Gold Mine stirred, curiously eyeing Xu Wuji.

They had recently seen someone announce in the public channel that they had become a eunuch, which was a kind of class change.

Xu Wuji stared at Zhao Qing with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes:

“Director Zhao, you’re busy with important matters. I received orders from the Fourth Prince so I didn’t dare delay. I couldn’t just wait at the prefectural capital, so I brought people over to open the mine as soon as possible.”

Zhao Qing’s gaze swept and landed on Shi Xin with visible displeasure:

“Director Shi, you should have sent someone to inform me first.”

Shi Xin tugged at the corner of his mouth and ignored him.

Then Zhao Qing suddenly noticed Zhou Zheng and his face darkened. He shouted coldly:

“Men, seize Zhou Zheng!”

In an instant, a dozen or so Ironclad constables sprang forward.

Zhou Zheng was startled and darted behind Yang Ling.

Shi Xin roared: “Zhao Qing, what are you doing!?”

Zhao Qing fixed his stare on Zhou Zheng:

“This man secretly extracted ore from the Blazing Gold Mine. He should be locked in prison awaiting judgment. Why is he out here?”

Qian Dalong and Juewang exchanged glances. Earlier Zhao Qing had said he planned to roust Zhou Zheng and then use him for their purposes.

But now it seemed someone had intercepted that plan.

“I have already handled it. Zhou Zheng paid the fine and surrendered all stolen goods. No prison time is needed, the case is closed.”

Shi Xin said calmly.

Zhao Qing’s expression shifted: “How dare you—”

“Zhao Qing, I am the Director of the First Division, Public Security Department of the Xiangfeng Prefectural Capital Ironclad Department. Do not overstep.

If you have grievances, take them to the Capital, don’t make a scene in front of me.”

Shi Xin said coldly.

Xu Wuji beamed:

“Director Zhao, Zhou Zheng truly is innocent now. He’s going to mine with Director Yang.”

Zhao Qing’s face flickered as his gaze landed on Yang Ling:

“Oh, Yang Ling, right? Director Yang of the First Division, Public Security Department, Changhe Prefectural Capital Ironclad Department.

So young yet promoted to Seventh-Rank Ironclad in such a short time, quite the talent.

But I didn’t know you also know how to mine. The Fourth Prince had you come here? Isn’t that chaos!”

Mian Zhengdong’s expression grew strange. He had seen Yang Ling’s mining methods with his own eyes.

He felt that none present, including the two Lower Sixth-Ranks, were as proficient at mining as Yang Ling.

But because of factional concerns, he naturally didn’t dare say anything.

“Director Yang, you should work with me to secure the Blazing Gold Mine. Leave professional matters to professionals.”

Zhao Qing beckoned toward Zhou Zheng:

“You arrive at the right time. From now on, follow Elder Qian and Hall Master Juewang to mine.”

Those words made the atmosphere a bit awkward.

The players near the Blazing Gold Mine were already stunned by Zhao Qing revealing Yang Ling’s name, their minds nearly blank.

The top-ranked big shot… is here!?

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