Chapter 279: Let Those Kind of Useless Wastes Go

Explain my ass.

Yang Ling couldn't help but sneer.

"Director Kong, I used the scales and horns to forge armor. I even dismantled the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile's tendons and bones. I killed this Fire Vein Poison Crocodile, so I get to decide how to dispose of it. Why should I have to explain myself to you?"

Kong Xinghu frowned. "Forged armor? You have that kind of skill?"

"No, I don't. But Master Zhou does."

Yang Ling chuckled.

Kong Xinghu didn't know who Zhou Zheng was and asked Zhao Qing about it.

Zhao Qing pulled himself together and introduced Zhou Zheng's background.

Then he turned to Yang Ling and said coldly, "Director Yang, the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile is a mine beast from the Blazing Gold Mine. The Blazing Gold Mine belongs to His Majesty. You merely killed it on His Majesty's behalf. You have no right to dispose of the materials from the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile on your own."

"Director Zhao, that's quite a stretch. Zhao State's rule has always been: whoever slays a mystical beast owns the mystical beast."

Xu Wuji spoke with a grin. "What, you don't recognize that rule? I'm afraid that if your words get out, you might meet with a sudden death one day."

Zhao Qing jolted slightly, a sullen expression creeping onto his face. He said nothing more.

Kong Xinghu nodded thoughtfully and changed the subject. "Since the Fire Vein Poison Crocodile has been dealt with, the mining process must be accelerated."

"Director Kong, I am at odds with Director Yang. I will not be participating in this mining operation."

Qian Dalong suddenly cupped his hands. "Please find someone more suitable, Director Kong."

With that, he turned and left.

The moment he walked away, the sect masters of the Angry River Sect and the Divine Fist Sect immediately followed.

Even with someone as powerful as Kong Xinghu standing right there, they weren't particularly afraid. As members of the Mining Guild, all they had to do was follow the guild elder.

Zhao Qing snapped back to reality and smirked at Yang Ling. "Director Yang, since you can even take down a Fire Vein Poison Crocodile, it seems you'll be able to successfully open this Blazing Gold Mine within six months. I won't disturb you any further. Farewell."

He cupped his hands toward Kong Xinghu, then turned and left.

Before he went, he shot Yang Ling a look—a glare sharp enough to carve him into pieces. That little bastard had eaten his Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill. He would settle this debt!

Juewang pondered for a moment, said nothing, and turned to follow.

Xu Wuji's smile vanished as he glared coldly at the retreating figures of the three. "Director Kong, isn't it a bit inappropriate for them to just drop their responsibilities like that?"

"Then we'll have to ask Director Yang. Why is Qian Dalong at odds with you?"

Kong Xinghu's gaze landed on Yang Ling. "To ensure the mining progress meets His Majesty's six-month deadline, I request Director Yang to go and invite Elder Qian back."

"Let that kind of useless waste go. What's the point of inviting him back?"

Yang Ling frowned.

Xu Wuji froze, a strange expression flickering across his face as he looked at Yang Ling. Even he wouldn't dare call Qian Dalong useless when it came to mining. That man was a Mining Guild elder and a Lower Sixth-Rank expert, with far more mining experience than ordinary people.

Mian Zhengdong hadn't left. When he heard Yang Ling's words, a spark of determination ignited in his heart. He had personally witnessed how Yang Ling mined the Kylin Iron in the Water Qilin Cave. He had never spoken a word of it to anyone.

Kong Xinghu couldn't help but laugh. "Director Yang, do you even know what you're saying?"

"I'm saying that useless waste like Qian Dalong can leave. There's no need to invite him back."

"Since His Majesty has set a six-month deadline, I will not disappoint His Majesty no matter what."

Yang Ling smiled. "Starting today, I will be in charge of all mining operations for this Blazing Gold Mine. Even you, Director Kong, should not meddle in any of it. If the mining fails, I will have grounds to impeach you before His Majesty."

Kong Xinghu hadn't expected this outcome. Instead of getting angry, he laughed joyfully. "Are you certain you want to solely oversee the mining of this Blazing Gold Mine, Director Yang?"

"Naturally."

"Excellent. I will immediately send a letter to the Capital. When His Majesty learns of this, I'm sure he will praise your youthful ambition and sense of responsibility."

"Then I thank Director Kong."

Seeing how stubborn Yang Ling was, Kong Xinghu grew even more pleased. He cheerfully left the mine shaft to write the letter.

Inside the mine shaft, only Yang Ling, Xu Wuji, Shi Xin, and Mian Zhengdong remained.

"Director Yang, we shared a bond in the Water Qilin Cave. For this mining operation, the Limitless Sect will cooperate fully."

Mian Zhengdong saw that Qian Dalong and the others had left and cupped his hands with a sincere smile.

Yang Ling said solemnly, "Thank you, Senior Mian."

"I dare not claim the title of 'senior.'"

Mian Zhengdong smiled bitterly. He had already heard that this man was a Newly Promoted Sixth-Rank expert.

Xu Wuji glanced at Mian Zhengdong, lost in thought. "Little Director Yang, now that the Angry River Sect and the Divine Fist Sect have both dropped their loads with Qian Dalong, only the Limitless Sect is willing to cooperate. We're going to be short-handed. Can we really open this mine within six months?"

"Eunuch Xu, rest assured. I don't take on tasks without confidence."

"As for manpower, I have ways to gather them."

Yang Ling said firmly.

Xu Wuji's eyes lit up.

"But there's one matter that hasn't been settled yet. Since Qian Dalong and the others have dropped out, if we succeed in this operation, who gets the rewards?"

Yang Ling said, "I'm just a Seventh-Rank official. I doubt I'd be eligible for the Divine Soul Great Restoration Pill or the Grand Derivation Vital Qi Pill."

"I will ask Kong Xinghu about that."

"First, focus on the mining, Little Director Yang."

Xu Wuji said, "We represent the Fourth Prince. If we can't open the mine within six months, the Fourth Prince will likely face His Majesty's wrath."

Shi Xin tensed up, his eyes brimming with deep worry. If he had known that this transfer to Xiangfeng Prefectural Capital would come with such a mess, he would have followed Sun Biao to Yunwen Provincial Capital to retire in peace.

A few hours later, Qian Dalong withdrew on his own.

The Mining Guild disciples he had brought stayed behind. If he took them all away, it would be hard to explain afterward.

The sect masters of the Angry River Sect and the Divine Fist Sect originally wanted to leave too.

But when they saw Mian Zhengdong staying, they hesitated for a moment. In the end, they found excuses to slip away themselves, though they didn't take their disciples.

The constables under Zhao Qing also didn't leave. They continued their duty of guarding the mine.

This put Shi Xin and the others somewhat at ease. At least the manpower was still passable.

"Master Juewang, why aren't you leaving?"

Yang Ling found it strange that Juewang was still here.

Juewang pressed his palms together. "Amitabha. I promised the Third Prince I would help with the mining here. Without the Third Prince's orders, I will not leave."

Yang Ling understood now. So in the end, Juewang was the only one truly under the Third Prince's command. People like Qian Dalong and Zhao Qing probably didn't count as the Third Prince's men. That was why they had dropped their responsibilities now, to avoid being blamed later.

"Director Yang, that Three-Hundred-Year Crimson Blood Vermilion Fruit I gave you earlier was actually a gift from the Third Prince through me."

Juewang spoke slowly.

Yang Ling suddenly waved over to Qin Mo and the others in the distance. "Everyone, come over. We're having a meeting."

Seeing Yang Ling walk away like that, Juewang was momentarily stunned.

...

"I've decided to post a recruitment notice on the Public Channel, inviting players with the Martial Artist class to come help with the mining."

"I'm asking for your opinions first. Does this approach seem safe enough?"

Yang Ling mused.