As Jiang Wang and his companions departed, the miners gradually converged.

The piteous cries emanating from Ge Heng stirred Zhang Hai’s eyelids to a nervous flutter. Even Xiang Wang, who seemed to drift through life without a care, appeared slightly unsettled. No matter the man, witnessing a cultivator, one beyond the ordinary, beaten down from their transcendent state before their very eyes, would inevitably stir ripples in their heart.

Only Hu Shao Meng maintained impeccable control over his countenance, his thoughts veiled from observation.

The meeting room was the same as before, yet the one now occupying the seat of honor was Jiang Wang. The roles had been reversed.

Shuan Zi and Xiao Xiao had followed them here, and after brewing tea for everyone, they stood by, awaiting instruction.

“Be seated,” Jiang Wang said calmly, then turned to Steward Hu. “Elder, you also, be seated.”

“Oh, oh!” Steward Hu, after a considerable delay, finally came to his senses and sat down gingerly, perched on the edge of his seat.

Hu Shao Meng glanced at the other two cultivators beyond the ordinary, then settled himself properly, his posture relaxed.

The moment Xiang Wang’s backside touched the chair, he slumped like a boneless sack of mud. Zhang Hai, in contrast, sat ramrod straight, his expression taut with anxiety.

But Jiang Wang’s next question nearly caused them to leap from their seats.

“Speak. How did Xie Hao die?”

Prior to this, the Hu Clan’s mine field had been guarded by four cultivators beyond the ordinary. The one who had departed was named Xie Hao. He was, in fact, the original occupant of the small courtyard where Jiang Wang now resided.

At this question, the entire assembly was stunned. Xiao Xiao suddenly bit her lower lip, forcing herself to remain silent.

In the mine field, the common tale was that Xie Hao had been so frightened by an encounter over half a year ago that he had left without a word of farewell. This tale seemed plausible enough.

Yet, it failed to explain a crucial point.

If the mine field was truly so perilous, then how could individuals like Ge Heng, consumed by perverse desires and avarice, or Zhang Hai, obsessed with concocting pills and chasing instant ascension, remain here in safety? A mere one and a half Dao Yuan Stones per month – what motivation could that provide for risking one’s life? A cultivator like Xiang Wang, who drifted through life without a passion, might not care much for danger, but then again, he cared little for Dao Yuan Stones either.

Upon Hu Shao Meng’s return, he had immediately ordered the closure of the mine field and the dispersal of the cultivators. Apart from Ge Heng’s query about why such haste, the others had offered no objection. This suggested a prior understanding between them.

This very understanding was the crux of the issue.

Disregarding their furtive glances at one another, Jiang Wang declared directly, “Do not attempt to deceive me.”

“My purpose in coming here, I believe, is quite clear to all of you. While the Chong Xuan family is vast and its affairs manifold, and it may not concern itself with the loss of a single Tian Qing Stone mine vein, this does not mean the Chong Xuan family will tolerate being made a fool of.”

“Remember this: for the Chong Xuan family, the Tian Qing Stone mine vein is not important. Not being deceived – that is very important.”

Jiang Wang’s gaze swept over the gathered cultivators beyond the ordinary. “Now, who will speak first?”

By now, he had displayed his own strength; the might of the Chong Xuan family was self-evident. His gaze, though calm, pressed upon each individual with the weight of a thousand *jun*.

“Envoy,” Hu Shao Meng managed a strained smile, attempting to maintain his composure. “The truth of this matter is…”

“You, do not speak first,” Jiang Wang raised his palm, interrupting him. He then flipped his palm over and gestured towards Zhang Hai. “Zhang Hai, you speak first.”

“Ah? Ah,” Zhang Hai, suddenly addressed, flinched. “This…” He knew, without needing to look, that Hu Shao Meng’s gaze was now fixed tightly upon him.

“No need to rush. Think slowly. Think of Ge Heng.” Since he had decided to make an example of Ge Heng, he might as well follow through, using him as a target to slaughter the chicken and warn the monkeys, putting pressure on the remaining individuals. This was based on absolute superiority of strength. Even if the cultivators before him were to attack together, Jiang Wang was more than capable of crushing them. Though Hu Shao Meng also possessed cultivation at the Tong Tian Realm, there were disparities even within the same realm. He was confident in his ability to suppress this man.

Creating the appearance of allowing them to speak freely, and then interrupting Hu Shao Meng to have Zhang Hai speak first, were merely minor stratagems to assert authority and control the situation. Before, he was not well-versed in such matters, but prolonged contact with Chong Xuan Sheng had gradually enlightened him.

The reason for choosing Zhang Hai as the point of entry was Jiang Wang’s assessment that among the assembled cultivators beyond the ordinary, this man possessed the weakest fundamental nature. His delusion of ascending to heaven in a single step rested upon pills, yet he exerted no real effort, offering only insignificant sacrifices. Drifting through the mine field, relying on a meager one and a half Dao Yuan Stones each month to invest in pills, furnace after furnace, day after day – this obsession was more akin to a form of escape, a self-hypnosis. He seemed to possess a firm goal and pursuit, but in truth, he was not as clear-minded as the self-abandoned Xiang Wang. Such a person, regardless of their usual demeanor, was at their core, a weakling.

Jiang Wang spoke unhurriedly, “I myself am a benevolent man. But in serving the Chong Xuan family, there are times when I cannot afford to be lenient. After all, we eat the monarch’s salary, we must be loyal to the monarch’s affairs. Do you not agree?”

“Yes… yes.” Zhang Hai lowered his head, his expression one of struggle. But it was evident to all that he could not remain silent for much longer.

“I will speak the truth. Xie Hao was killed by me!” Hu Shao Meng suddenly blurted out.

Jiang Wang watched him silently for a moment, then turned his head and said, “Everyone else, step outside.”

The others filed out, and soon, the entire room held only Jiang Wang and Hu Shao Meng. One sat in the seat of honor, the other on the right side of the lower seats. Each harbored different thoughts, facing each other from a distance.

“I have been waiting for you to take the initiative to tell me.” Jiang Wang spoke first. “You know, I could have questioned each of you separately. Someone would eventually buckle under the pressure. But I did not wish to create an atmosphere of interrogation, to treat you as criminals.”

“The Hu family is, after all, the operator of the Chong Xuan family’s affairs in this region, and the cooperation has continued for a long time. Although such things have occurred with the mine vein, I still hold expectations for all of you.” He gazed at Hu Shao Meng. “So, what is it that you wish to tell me?”

“Thank you, Envoy, for your understanding.” Hu Shao Meng offered a bitter smile, then said, “I killed Xie Hao, but it was a forced action. He had a duty to guard the mine field, yet instead of faithfully fulfilling his duty, he aided outsiders in stealing Tian Qing Yun Stones.”

“The Envoy must know the preciousness of Tian Qing Yun Stones; their production is extremely limited. Such a large Tian Qing Stone mine vein, in its peak year, produced only six pieces. And Xie Hao, alone, stole a full thirteen pieces! How lax the other cultivators beyond the ordinary were, you have also seen; they were utterly useless. Xie Hao, in my absence, used unique Dao techniques to extensively excavate the mine vein, thus leading to its premature depletion. By the time I discovered this, it was already too late.”

“What I have said, all of it, has evidence, and the records of the minerals used by our Hu Clan’s mine field are clearly documented. The Envoy can check them at any time. I concealed this matter before, indeed out of fear of punishment, not daring to face it. But I ask you, should he not have been killed?”

Hu Shao Meng’s words were detailed, and he seemed very sincere. After speaking, he appeared to be relieved of a burden. “Of course, now that the Envoy is fully in charge here, whatever disposition you make on behalf of the Chong Xuan family, Shao Meng will bear it alone and accept it all.”

The accounts he spoke of were with Steward Hu, and Jiang Wang had already secretly examined them; naturally, there was no problem. Or rather, even if there were problems, it would be impossible for others to easily discern them.

At this moment, Jiang Wang offered no comment, only asking, “You mentioned outsiders. To whom do you refer?”

The reason for his direct display of identity, apart from making an example of Ge Heng on the spot, had another very important reason: Hu Shao Meng had returned and immediately closed the mine field and dismissed the cultivators. And in Jia City, Young Master Xi Zi Chu had guessed his identity the moment they met; there was little point in concealing it further. Conversely, he needed to display his identity as the Chong Xuan family’s envoy to calmly control the situation and once again turn passive into active.

Hu Shao Meng hesitated slightly, then said, “At present, it appears to be the Xi family of Jia City. But I cannot be completely certain.”

“Evidence?”

“I only discovered this later through investigation. Before Xie Hao came to the mine field, he had worked for the Xi family. Furthermore, Tian Qing Yun Stones have flowed out through the Xi family’s channels.”

“The clues are quite clear. Why do you say you cannot be completely certain?”

Hu Shao Meng smiled bitterly. “The entire Jia City is surnamed Xi. I must be a little cautious.”

Could it truly be people from the Xi family, perhaps those behind Xi Zi Chu, who were responsible? The Xi family, who controlled Jia City, could not tolerate Qing Niu Town, under their rule, being controlled by other forces. After Xi Zi Chu gained the support of Dong Wang Valley, he had the leverage to confront the Chong Xuan family, and perhaps they finally could not restrain themselves? This seemed plausible, but upon closer examination, it did not hold up. To indirectly force the Chong Xuan family to relinquish control of Qing Yang Town by depleting the mine vein was indeed a method that avoided a direct confrontation and could be carried out discreetly. But would it truly be worth incurring the dissatisfaction of the Chong Xuan family?

Seeing that Jiang Wang remained silent, Hu Shao Meng asked again, “Now that the Tian Qing Stone mine vein is depleted, that is a fact. The responsibility can be pursued later, but supporting so many people in idleness is truly a waste. In the Envoy’s opinion, should we first close the mine field?”

This suggestion was also quite reasonable. But Jiang Wang refused without hesitation. “Is there not still half a year’s production? Closing the mine field now, where will those miners find their livelihood?”

“Although there is still half a year’s production, it is impossible to produce any more Tian Qing Yun Stones. It has absolutely no value to the Chong Xuan family at this point,” Hu Shao Meng showed a difficult expression, but still said, “However, the Envoy is fully in charge here, so whatever you decide is acceptable.”

“Then just listen to me.”

“Naturally, what the Envoy says is what counts. Additionally, conditions in the mine are arduous. After the Envoy finishes investigating the clues, how about returning to Qing Niu Town with this one? It would be good to allow me to fulfill my duties as a host.”

“No need. Where is not a place for us cultivators to cultivate?”

“The Envoy is truly a model for us cultivators. However…” Hu Shao Meng said again, “This place is remote after all. Should there be any news from Jia City, it may not be known in the mine in the first instance.”

“Are you not still here, Young Master Hu?” Jiang Wang casually picked up the teacup. “How about you first return to rest? It would also be convenient to help me keep an eye on Jia City’s movements.”

Hu Shao Meng’s expression remained unreadable. He only said, “Very well, very well. Then this subordinate will take his leave first.”

“No need to see me out.”

Watching Hu Shao Meng depart, Jiang Wang mused. So, he wants me to leave the mine area?