Chapter 278: Pain! It Hurts So Much!

An official position with a promotion in rank!?

The Divine Sect's Divine Soul Great Restoration Pill?!

A Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill that royal members could only receive once in a lifetime?!

A flicker of shock and greed flashed through Qian Dalong's eyes.

Both of these pills were extremely valuable to him.

Under normal circumstances, he would never have a chance to obtain them!

But the moment he thought of the six-month deadline, the light in Qian Dalong's eyes immediately dimmed a few degrees.

He began to think of an escape route.

If he stayed here any longer... he'd only end up taking the blame.

A hint of temptation flickered in Juewang's eyes.

Both pills were excellent items.

Even spending money couldn't buy them; they could only be obtained in situations like the present one, where such opportunities arose.

Zhao Qing's expression turned peculiar as he asked:

"Lord Kong, is the deadline truly only six months?"

"Only six months."

Kong Xinghu nodded lightly:

"His Majesty has decreed that whoever succeeds in mining within these six months shall sit in the Supervisor's position of this Blazing Gold Mine for the next twenty years."

Everyone present understood that this 'whoever' referred to the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince.

But under these circumstances, how could the mine possibly be successfully developed within half a year?

Just then, Zhao Qing seemed to glean something from Kong Xinghu's eyes.

He quickly spoke: "Lord Kong, this official has something to report."

Afterward, he recounted the bet he had made with Yang Ling.

"Director Yang appears quite confident in his mining abilities. Regardless of win or loss, this official believes that Director Yang should take the lead in the mining operations of the Blazing Gold Mine."

Zhao Qing said thoughtfully.

Qian Dalong nodded slightly: "I also feel that Director Yang has the skill for mining. From now on, how this Blazing Gold Mine is mined, and how it should be mined, shall be decided by Director Yang."

The attitudes of these two were already clear—they intended to withdraw and step back.

"Oh? A Fire Vein Poison Crocodile?"

Kong Xinghu's eyes narrowed slightly:

"Director Yang believes he can deal with this beast within ten days?"

"Do you know what kind of person I hate the most?"

"It's those who love grand achievements and like to boast."

"If such a person becomes an official, it would be a disaster for the common people."

He looked at Yang Ling with a half-smile:

"You, a newly promoted Sixth-Rank, what qualifications do you have to claim you can eliminate a Fire Vein Poison Crocodile in ten days?"

"Since you discovered this strange beast, instead of reporting it for the sake of the Blazing Gold Mine's mining progress, you wasted mining time for your own selfish interests?"

"Director Yang, I will record this matter and submit it to the Capital for His Majesty's review."

With that, he turned to Zhao Qing:

"Director Zhao, lead the way. I will personally handle this Fire Vein Poison Crocodile."

Zhao Qing silently lamented that he wouldn't get to see Yang Ling humiliated.

But before leading the way, he smiled at Xu Wuji:

"Eunuch Xu, it's time to return the Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill to me. Clearly, my bet with Director Yang can no longer proceed."

Of course, it couldn't proceed. He was now genuinely afraid that Yang Ling might just pat his ass and run away.

Then who would take the blame? Now, even if he had to coax him, he had to make the man stay.

Xu Wuji chuckled: "Director Zhao, I've already given the Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill to Director Yang."

"Given it to him? Why? Isn't the bet not over yet?"

Zhao Qing was slightly startled, wariness and unease creeping into his eyes.

Damn it, his Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill hadn't been consumed by Yang Ling, had it?

"The bet was over from that day onward."

Xu Wuji said: "Director Yang stated that the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile has already perished."

Everyone present exchanged bewildered glances, stunned expressions on their faces.

Qin Mo and the other players suddenly understood—so that day's double level-up really was from soloing the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile.

Qian Dalong frowned slightly, looking from Xu Wuji to Yang Ling, unsure whether the claim was true or false.

If it was true, it was a bit too exaggerated.

"What did you say? I don't quite understand."

Zhao Qing's unease grew thicker, his face turning uglier by the moment.

"Eunuch Xu means that I have already dealt with the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile."

"This bet was over long ago, and your Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill has already been consumed by me. It tasted quite good and boosted my Vital Qi considerably."

Yang Ling smiled.

Shi Xin looked at him with a strange expression.

Dealt with? The Fire Vein Poison Crocodile that Qian Dalong and Juewang together couldn't handle had been quietly taken care of by this brat?

Zhao Qing's face instantly turned ashen.

Qian Dalong's brow furrowed deeply.

Kong Xinghu's eyes narrowed:

"Was it Eunuch Xu who made the move? Otherwise, how could a mere newly promoted Sixth-Rank eliminate a Fire Vein Poison Crocodile?"

"That's right! It was you who made the move! That violates the terms of our bet!"

Zhao Qing stared hard at Xu Wuji.

Xu Wuji said with a beaming smile:

"Eunuch has not gone down the mine shaft during this entire time. With so many eyes watching, can you falsely accuse me?"

He paused, "Even if I personally made a move, the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile wouldn't be so easy to kill. How hard its scales are, Elder Qian and Master Juewang should know well."

"Then how did Yang Ling manage to kill the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile?"

Kong Xinghu frowned.

"Lord Kong is unaware, but this official is quite skilled in flying dagger techniques."

"This Heaven's Will Divine Blade was also taught to me by the Ironclad Department."

Yang Ling took out a Quenched-Gold Armor-Piercing Flying Dagger:

"Combined with this Quenched-Gold Armor-Piercing Flying Dagger, that's how I slew the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile."

Kong Xinghu seemed thoughtful: "Hearing is empty, seeing is believing. Where's the corpse?"

"It's in the mine shaft. Would Lord Kong like to go down and have a look?"

"Then let's go down and see."

At the Blazing Gold Mine, the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile's corpse lay naked on the ground.

Those who descended to verify were only Yang Ling, Xu Wuji, Shi Xin, Kong Xinghu, Zhao Qing, Qian Dalong, Juewang, and the three of Mian Zhengdong's group.

Except for Yang Ling, everyone else fell into silence after seeing the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile's corpse.

Kong Xinghu was the first to examine the fatal wound on the crocodile.

He noticed some clues from the wound and found fragments of the Quenched-Gold Armor-Piercing Flying Dagger.

Zhao Qing clenched his fists, his body trembling slightly, as a surge of anger rushed to his head.

He had been played!

When the other party had made the bet with him, they might have already eliminated this Fire Vein Poison Crocodile.

Only he was foolish enough to still go up and make that bet.

"My Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill..."

Pain! It hurts so much!

A sharp ache stabbed at Zhao Qing's heart.

As a royal member, he could only receive one Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill in his lifetime—a unique favor bestowed upon royal descendants.

With such a pill, even without any martial arts talent, one could still nurture some Vital Qi and avoid being a complete waste.

He had planned to use this pill during his next breakthrough...

"Hmm, the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile was indeed killed by flying daggers."

After inspecting, Kong Xinghu nodded, acknowledging the fact.

Yang Ling was somewhat surprised, but seeing Xu Wuji standing nearby with a calm smile on his face, he suddenly understood.

If Xu Wuji hadn't been present, Kong Xinghu probably wouldn't have admitted it so easily.

It was precisely because Xu Wuji himself was a Fifth-Rank expert and came from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs that Kong Xinghu didn't want to give him any leverage and chose not to make an issue of this matter.

"However, where are the scales on its body? And based on Elder Qian's description, this Fire Vein Poison Crocodile had two horns on its head. Where did they go?"

"Director Yang, could you please provide an explanation?"

Kong Xinghu said flatly.

(Fourth update! Brothers, hit that urge button!)