Chapter 50: Treason and Colluding with the Enemy

Green Mountain City, Chief Constable Lin was somewhat surprised when he saw Yang Ling.

Especially after learning about what had happened at the Vermilion Gold Mine, Chief Constable Lin was even more astonished in his heart.

He glanced at Fang Qingyang, whose face was ashen, looked at Wang Er, and after hearing the testimonies of the several miners Yang Ling had deliberately brought along, he then looked at Yang Ling:

"You solved all those Vermilion Gold Mantises?"

"Boss, my official saber is broken."

Yang Ling gave a bitter smile, then pulled out the official saber that had shattered into several pieces.

Chief Constable Lin glanced at the notches on it, nodded with a smile:

"Vermilion Gold Mantises usually eat vermilion gold, supplemented with flesh and blood.

They spend all day with Vermilion Gold Ore, so their bodies are also very hard.

Your official saber is very ordinary, it's normal for it to break.

Go get another one later."

"Boss, what will happen to these two afterwards?"

Yang Ling inquired.

Chief Constable Lin looked at Wang Er and Fang Qingyang, letting out a cold laugh:

"Killing ten miners, that's no light crime."

"Oh, by the way, were those dead miners vagrants?"

He glanced at Yang Ling.

Yang Ling pondered for a moment: "Three were vagrants."

"Oh, I see."

Chief Constable Lin immediately ordered:

"Someone, take them to the main prison."

Constables immediately stepped forward, dragging Fang Qingyang and Wang Er away.

"This kind of crime usually ends with execution after the autumn assizes."

"Once they're in the main prison, don't expect them to come out alive."

Chief Constable Lin chuckled, then began toying with the Vermilion Gold Ore Essence in his hand.

"Boss, if there's nothing else, I'll go get my official saber and head back."

Yang Ling said, cupping his hands respectfully.

"Don't rush back, I was just about to send someone to notify you. A high-ranking official has arrived from above."

Chief Constable Lin said: "They say they want to investigate Wu Que's matter."

"What!?"

Yang Ling was slightly startled.

Wasn't Wu Que's matter already over?

Why would the authorities still get involved?

"This Wu Que, he was truly foolish."

Chief Constable Lin sighed softly, giving Yang Ling a sidelong glance:

"Do you know where he sold the Fire Crystal Rock ore he embezzled?"

"No, I don't."

Yang Ling shook his head slightly.

"He sold it to the Rong tribe in the north!"

Chief Constable Lin sneered: "They're our Zhao State's sworn enemy, we've been fighting them for nearly a hundred years.

An official from the Ironclad Department just happened to discover a cart of problematic Fire Crystal Rock ore in the northern region.

The evidence points directly at your Mountain and River Sect's Wu Que."

"If he had just sold it privately to other merchants to earn a bit of extra money, that would be one thing."

"But betraying the state and colluding with the enemy, that's a major problem."

Yang Ling inwardly gasped in shock.

He never expected Wu Que to be so audacious!

Was it his own private act of treason, or was there something wrong with that Yang Zhiwen behind him?

"Boss, could this matter affect the Mountain and River Sect?"

Yang Ling asked, mustering his courage.

His heart was pounding nonstop.

He had just barely settled down, he really didn't want the Mountain and River Sect to get into trouble!

"How exactly it will play out depends on finding the guy who dealt with Wu Que."

Chief Constable Lin smiled: "Don't worry, the Mountain and River Sect has contributed a lot over the years, if not through merit then through hard work.

As long as they weren't aware of this matter, they won't be dragged in too much."

Yang Ling immediately felt relieved inside.

Judging by the other's tone, it shouldn't be a big problem.

"You happen to be somewhat involved in this matter as well, so stay here at the government office. When the Ironclad Department official arrives tomorrow, come with me to meet him."

Chief Constable Lin said.

"Yes."

After leaving Chief Constable Lin, Yang Ling had the several miners return to the Vermilion Gold Mine first.

He also asked them to inform Chen Xu and the others that he probably wouldn't be back for the next few days.

The mining operations should be suspended for now.

That night, Yang Ling stayed in the government office's rest room.

Since he was alone, he could cultivate the Vajra Bright King Technique.

After finishing his cultivation, he continued practicing the Thief-Capturing Saber Technique.

In the morning, Yang Ling went out to buy breakfast.

Steamed buns, fried dough sticks, soy milk.

He ate as he walked towards the yamen.

Suddenly, he felt his vision go dark.

A massive figure blocked his path.

"Yang Ling?"

The other person looked down at him from above, staring intently.

Yang Ling continued eating his bun, took a sip of soy milk, and unhurriedly opened the other's Status Panel:

Character: Wu Man

Profession: Martial Artist

Strength: 31

Agility: 12

Spirit: 7

Martial Arts: Boulder Crushing Fist (Skilled)

Black Tiger Fist (Skilled)

Mixed Iron Technique (Comprehensive Mastery)

Faction: Giant Spirit Sect

"I'm not Yang Ling, you've mistaken me for someone else, haven't you?"

A look of confusion appeared on Yang Ling's face:

"My name is Chen Guoqing."

A vicious smile flashed in Wu Man's eyes:

"You are Yang Ling. Will you come with me now, or shall I kill you right here?"

"Yang Ling, there you are. Did you go buy breakfast? The boss told me to buy some for you a while ago."

Old Zhao walked over, greeting him as he approached:

"The high-ranking official from above will be here soon, we should hurry back to assemble."

"Old Zhao, go back and tell the boss I ran into an acquaintance, I'll be back a bit later."

Yang Ling smiled and cupped his hands respectfully.

Old Zhao frowned slightly, sized up Wu Man with a strange look, and nodded:

"Alright, then come back early."

He muttered as he walked away:

"What a huge guy."

Wu Man narrowed his eyes, waiting until Old Zhao was far away before turning his head back to look at Yang Ling.

What greeted him was a Vermilion Gold Pickaxe!

Vajra Bright King Technique!

Boost of 15 points Strength, 15 points Agility!

Vermilion Gold Pickaxe, boost of 10 points Strength!

At this moment, Yang Ling's Strength reached 36 points!

Higher than this Wu Man!

[Frenzied Ten-Strike Combo]

The Vermilion Gold Pickaxe swung out, leaving afterimages!

Wu Man instinctively roared in anger, his muscles bulging, a faint layer of gray mist seeming to flow over his skin.

Mixed Iron Technique!

Clang—

The Vermilion Gold Pickaxe struck Wu Man's body, producing a metallic clanging sensation!

But even so, it still left an extremely deep hole in his body.

After all, all ten pickaxe strikes had landed on the same spot!

Yang Ling glanced at Wu Man's attributes again.

After the other activated his technique, his Strength had increased by 7 points!

Reaching 38!

That wasn't the main issue. What truly shocked Yang Ling was that after activating his technique, the other's skin and flesh had become so incredibly tough.

"My brother died by your hand!"

Wu Man was both shocked and furious.

Your brother?

Are you fucking Wu Que's brother!?

Without another word, Yang Ling continued swinging the Vermilion Gold Pickaxe, fiercely striking at Wu Man.

Meanwhile, the commotion here had already attracted onlookers.

Old Zhao, who hadn't gone far, also stopped, looking on with surprise and doubt.

"Old Zhao, hurry and tell the boss, Wu Que's accomplice has appeared!"

Yang Ling roared!

Old Zhao's heart trembled, and he quickly ran towards the yamen!

Seeing this, Yang Ling continued his fight with Wu Man.

His Strength was now a bit lower than Wu Man's.

But his Agility was higher than the other's.

However, Wu Man's defense was truly astonishing.

For the time being, he couldn't subdue the other, and the other couldn't kill him either.

"Tell me, where is my brother's body!"

Wu Man gnashed his teeth, unleashing Boulder Crushing Fist while growling the question.

Yang Ling felt as if he saw a mountain collapsing down towards him.

The other had truly trained his Boulder Crushing Fist to the Skilled level, it was extraordinary!

31+7+9, 47 points!

The other's Strength attribute at this moment had reached a terrifying 47 points!

"I can't leave him alive, otherwise I won't be able to explain many things!"

Yang Ling had already made up his mind.

"Little White, blind his eyes in a moment."