13: Chapter 13 Changing Mines

In another mine cave, Heizi sat there lost in thought.

He felt he had made a mistake in his handling of things.

When Tang Long and Vulture spoke this morning, he suddenly realized that if Tang Long told Vulture about him encouraging the use of spirit residue for cultivation, he would be in big trouble immediately. Tang Long was a blockhead, but Vulture was very shrewd.

Although he probably didn't say anything today, even if this person was stupid, he would eventually sense something was wrong if he kept getting injured.

This guy is a real nuisance; he must be eliminated as soon as possible.

But how can it be done without leaving any loose ends?

After a long while, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he muttered to himself.

"Knock him out, then stage a cave-in to bury him. Once he's dead through and through, dig him out. No one will suspect a thing."

"Can't be impatient, wait a few more days."

"Wait until Vulture switches to the night shift."

Just as he thought of this, he vaguely heard someone shouting at the top of their lungs.

"Spirit Stone! Spirit Stone~~!"

"Haha! I dug up a Spirit Stone!"

Heizi was startled. When he rushed out of the cave, he saw Tang Long had already bolted to the outer cave entrance and was running straight toward Vulture outside.

He hurriedly asked, "Is it true? That kid really dug up a Spirit Stone? Did any of you see it with your own eyes?"

Someone replied dejectedly, "It's true, I saw it."

Someone else immediately cursed, "I saw it too. That was definitely a Spirit Stone. I wanted to smack him down with a shovel and just snatch it, but I didn't expect this fool to run faster than a rabbit."

"Sigh, I've worked hard digging for nearly three years and haven't even seen what a Spirit Stone looks like. How can this fool dig one up after only being here for a few days?"

"That should have been our Spirit Stone!"

"It's so infuriating! Brother Hei, let's just kill him sooner!"

Heizi was also annoyed and helpless; he could only wave his hand slightly. "I've already thought of a way. But for the sake of our grand plan, you must endure for a few more days. No one is to move against him on their own!"

A day passed quickly. During the next morning's inspection, Tang Long handed over twenty-three pieces of spirit residue at once and slipped Vulture three pieces of spirit residue. Vulture immediately gave him another round of high praise.

"Look at this, all of you. This is what you call hard work! This is what you call progress!"

"It's only been a few days since 5726 became a upper-tier mine slave. Not only does he exceed his quota every day, but he even dug up a Spirit Stone himself."

"He has already taken a huge step toward freedom. What about you?"

"He can do it, so why can't you bunch of useless trash?"

The more he praised Tang Long, the more furious Heizi and the others became.

As soon as they returned to the mine cave, someone started grumbling to Heizi again.

"Brother Hei, that kid really stole the spotlight today."

"Digging up a Spirit Stone is all about luck; it has nothing to do with hard work. It's just that the boss gave him a good mine cave."

"Brother Hei, that cave of his is indeed productive. Why don't you take it back and swap him to somewhere else?"

"Brother Hei, after checking the treasures last night, I feel terribly uncomfortable today. Could you..."

Heizi glared at Changmao, also feeling very stifled. "I'll go talk to him. But now that he's riding on Vulture's coattails, this might not work. I can only say I'll try."

Heizi arrived at Tang Long's mine cave. Tang Long appeared very enthusiastic.

"Brother Hei is here!"

"Brother, congratulations."

"Thanks. Brother Hei, you came here for something?"

"It's nothing, just checking if your injuries are better."

"It doesn't hurt much anymore; it should be almost healed. I should also thank Brother Hei for your previous guidance. Having me use spirit residue for the Breathing Technique was indeed effective. I made a push last night and actually formed a Spirit Ring!"

Heizi stared with wide eyes and asked, "Really?"

Tang Long looked sincere. "Of course it's true. Brother Hei, you really are a good person."

Heizi's dark face turned even darker. He felt an indescribable awkwardness in his heart, as if he had eaten excrement.

Tang Long asked again, "Brother Hei, are you feeling unwell somewhere?"

Heizi hurriedly forced a smile. "Actually, I came this time to discuss something with you."

"Go ahead."

"Our brother Que San—you know he has a limp, his health is getting worse, and it's becoming harder for him to meet his quota. He relies entirely on our subsidies. This cave of yours has been very productive lately, so I want to reassign it to him."

Tang Long immediately put on a stern face, afraid he wouldn't be able to hold back his laughter.

"Brother Hei, you're not joking, are you?"

"Brother, I know this isn't very fair to you. But didn't I tell you? Brothers should help each other. Look at how tall you are, young and strong. Besides, you have a good relationship with the Overseer; others can't compare to you. Won't you do it for my sake?"

Tang Long sighed, still not speaking.

"How about this? I'll give you ten pieces of spirit residue as a bit of compensation. You can also take half a day off tomorrow and get a good sleep. Will that do?"

As Heizi spoke, he took ten pieces of spirit residue from his leather pouch and forced them into Tang Long's hand.

Tang Long could only nod with feigned helplessness. Heizi laughed heartily and then ushered him out.

"Que San, Que San! The little brother has agreed. Hurry up and come thank him."

Que San ran over with a face full of smiles. "Brother, you're truly righteous. I'll remember this kindness and will definitely repay you in the future."

Tang Long nodded blankly, but he was thinking to himself: I don't need you to repay me, as long as you don't cry tomorrow.

Just as he walked into Que San's mine cave, Tang Long took a look with his vision and was immediately delighted.

There wasn't much spirit residue on the side walls or the floor of this cave, but in one corner of the ceiling, there was clearly a lot of content. After piling up some dirt to reach it, two Spirit Stones and six or seven pieces of spirit residue tumbled down in a cluster after just a few strikes.

Thus, by noon, he once again rushed out of the cave shouting.

"Spirit Stone! I dug up another Spirit Stone! And I dug up two at once!"

"Hahaha~~~"

Heizi and the others gathered once more, all looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Is this for real?"

"Would that fool lie? This is freaking bizarre."

"Que San, you dug there for so many days—what did you dig up? How come he dug up Spirit Stones as soon as he went in, and two at that?"

Changmao made sarcastic remarks from the side, but he felt quite satisfied.

He had been feeling terribly unwell since last night, yet Heizi not only failed to look after him but even gave the reclaimed mine cave to Que San. It was just that he feared Heizi and didn't dare to voice any more grievances.

Now it was great; that big fool had helped him slap Heizi's face.

Que San was also completely dazed, sitting there without a word.

Hearing that someone had dug up two Spirit Stones at once, even Mine Manager Man Hai was stirred.

Everyone was astonished, feeling that this kid's luck was simply heaven-defying.

Vulture was greedy for the Spirit Stones, but Tang Long slipped him another three pieces of spirit residue, and Man Hai praised him for having a keen eye for talent, so he was actually quite happy.

Only Heizi and his group were gnashing their teeth in hatred behind his back.

Especially by evening, when he saw Que San wailing loudly, Heizi was completely dumbfounded.

"An entire day, and you didn't dig up a single one?"

Que San looked as if his parents had died: "Boss, I really didn't slack off. Look at how much dirt I've dug out—there really isn't a single one. It's over, completely over. Won't the Overseer skin me alive tomorrow?!"

Heizi felt a tightness in his chest.

Aside from everything else, with the big event approaching, he couldn't just watch Que San get into trouble. He had to mobilize everyone to help him cover the quota.

Twenty pieces. Even if split among seven people, each person would have to contribute three pieces for him.

But not everyone could afford it; perhaps he would have to cover five pieces himself.

It was the same cave—how could that silly kid dig up so many every day? And how did he dig it so clean that not a single piece was left?

This is freaking ghostly!

This kid isn't right; he's too uncanny.

No!

Vulture switches to the night shift tonight; I'll kill him tomorrow!