All Things Are Contracts

Chapter 96: The Wind Stops, the Waves Rise Again

Inside the mining area, it was extremely busy. Little Six felt that people had been exhausted these past few days, but there was no way to rest at all. He mined the spirit stone ore pickaxe swing after pickaxe swing, his expression somewhat numb.

Outside the mining area, many relatives of the miners rushed over, carrying vegetable baskets.

“Why didn’t my husband come back yesterday?” A farmer’s wife asked, her eyes full of worry.

The soldier stopped her and explained, “Madam, these past few days the higher-ups have been urging tightly. Everyone is working overtime. At night they stay in the mining sheds and we provide the meals.”

“Why suddenly need to work overtime? There was no such thing before.” The woman was a bit puzzled.

“You woman, how bold. How can you question the government’s decisions? Don’t worry, after a while they will be released to go back. Since you brought food, I’ll help deliver it inside for you. Don’t stand here anymore.” Another officer came and said. Under his authority, those who came looking for their family members all retreated in disappointment. After all, they didn’t dare offend the officers and soldiers and also felt that working in this purple crystal mine shouldn’t have any major problems.

However, not long after this group withdrew, squad after squad of soldiers surrounded the area from all directions, encircling this mining site watertight.

“Everyone inside, put down your weapons and seal your cultivation. Otherwise, you’ll be treated as rebels!” A high-pitched voice rang out.

The soldiers inside the mining site looked at each other, some with faces full of shock.

“What’s going on? Why are we surrounded by our own people? Looking at their banners, they seem to be troops from the coastal areas.” Some people asked in puzzlement.

Not long after, General He, who was in charge here, strode out. As a seventh-level Moon Profound expert, General He Zudao’s position was naturally extraordinary. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be responsible for supervising this core mine.

“What are you doing! You dare surround my people!” General He Zudao shouted. However, he had an ominous premonition in his heart.

“General He, long time no see.” A middle-aged man in white robes and with the appearance of a scholar stood out. He had a handsome face and a kind smile, but was a complete smiling tiger.

“City Lord Guan Yunpeng? What long time no see? Didn’t we just meet a few days ago?” He Zudao was already planning how to escape in his heart.

Guan Yunpeng didn’t waste words and sighed, “His Majesty treated you well, letting you be responsible for such a core mine within the borders. It can be said to be a task with little work and much profit. However, you actually defected to Night Lord and became his running dog, stealing purple crystal ore for Night Lord to use as funds for their rebellion. What crime should you be charged with!”

He Zudao’s face changed and he reprimanded, “City Lord Guan, you can’t speak nonsense. Although I, He, work under your governance in Hundred Birds City, I was dispatched from the Imperial Capital. What qualifications do you have to punish me!”

“Originally we wanted to catch a big fish with a long line. Unfortunately, the discovery of this spirit stone mine disrupted the plan. If Night Lord gets a bit more purple crystal coins, we can still accept it. But if he gets so many spirit stones, I’m afraid I, Guan, would be a sinner of the Rising Sun Kingdom. Today, He Zudao and the other running dogs of Night Lord, don’t even think about leaving!”

He Zudao knew that the matter had been exposed. These spirit stones probably couldn’t be taken away. A hint of resentment flashed in his eyes. He didn’t know who had leaked the information. Obviously, his control over this mining area was absolute. Not even a fly could fly out.

“Talking is useless. Let’s show our true skills. Although I’m at the seventh level of the Moon Profound Realm, you’re only at the ninth level. In actual combat, I may not necessarily lose to you!” He Zudao took out a pair of gloves, his contracted item. Instantly, his hands had immense strength. He smashed a rock towards a place, and the soldiers besieging there were instantly scattered by the huge impact.

Guan Yunpeng frowned, knowing that He Zudao was going to start a massacre. He snorted coldly, “What are you waiting for, take action!”

A soldier hiding not far behind He Zudao suddenly appeared behind him like a ghost. The sharp blade in his hand almost cut off He Zudao’s neck, but he dodged it at the last moment.

He Zudao looked at that person in surprise, “Who are you!”

That soldier took off a mask that was like human skin. The mask instantly turned into a white false face, which was his contracted item. It could perfectly conceal his realm and appearance.

“It’s me. General He, as the 30th of the Ninety-Nine Demons under Night Lord, the ‘Wealthy General’, you really made me put in a lot of effort. His Majesty is wise and divine. He long noticed that you might have a problem and sent me to lurk by your side. These years, you’ve provided quite a lot of purple crystal coins to Night Lord. You really live up to the name Wealthy General.” The false-faced General Gao Liang, who belonged to the Rising Sun Empire’s secret troops, mocked.

Under the joint efforts of Hundred Birds City Lord Guan Yunpeng and false-faced General Gao Liang, two peak Moon Profound experts, the seventh-level Moon Profound He Zudao was quickly killed. They originally wanted to capture him alive, but He Zudao resisted to the death. Not long after, the mining site was completely suppressed. All the soldiers and miners inside were taken back for strict interrogation. Only those confirmed not to be He Zudao’s minions were released.

“Should we really release all these miners to go home? What about the news of the spirit stone vein?” Guan Yunpeng asked with some concern.

“There’s no need to make things difficult for these ordinary people. I reckon that He Zudao had long passed the information to Night Lord’s people. The secret here can’t be kept. Besides, spirit stone veins are recorded in ancient books as the most valuable ore deposits. It’s not something you and I can be responsible for. His Majesty should have already dispatched Spirit God Realm experts from the palace to take over. We can leave the matters after to them.” Gao Liang said.

“That’s good too. I also don’t want to increase my sins. Besides, the future mining of these spirit stones will still rely on nearby miners. It’s just that the Spirit God Realm seniors of my Rising Sun Kingdom are really busy. Like this, the Eastern Kingdom still wants Wind Lord to take the post at the academy. When the old man leaves, what about the Holy Maiden? The Holy Maiden is the future of the Human Race.” Guan Yunpeng said with concern.

“Don’t worry. I heard the Holy Maiden will also go to the First United Academy soon and will have someone accompany her. Her safety will be taken care of. You and I shouldn’t meddle in these matters. Is this something for you and me to manage?” False-faced General Gao Liang said.

“Is that so? The Holy Maiden is going on a long journey again? I hope everything goes smoothly.” Guan Yunpeng said. These matters naturally weren’t for a city lord of a border city like him to worry about.

The miners who had been scared out of their wits didn’t expect to have a day where they could be released alive to go home. They all rushed home with lingering fear. Iron Bull and Little Six were from the same village, so naturally they went back together.

“Brother Iron Bull, why have you been gloomy the whole way?” Little Six asked.

A hint of a strange expression flashed in Iron Bull’s eyes, then it returned to its original honest look. “No… it’s nothing. Just a bit frightened.”

“That’s understandable. Before, it was a battle between Profound practitioners. I didn’t expect to be able to see a battle between Profound practitioners in this life and even survive.” Little Six said with lingering fear.

“Those three ants just now? If I was at my prime, I could crush them to death with a single finger. According to the partial memories I integrated, the Human Race now seems to have declined too much. Profound practitioners… Profound practitioners are probably only equivalent to the strength of Foundation Establishment. But what the hell are contracted items? Why did these things appear? Before clearly understanding this world, I still have to rely on this identity and gather more intelligence.” This person said to himself in his heart.