Chapter 218 - Human Life is of Paramount Importance

On the second day, as dawn broke, Jiang Wang had just finished his morning exercises when Shuanzi came to call on him.“The young master of the mine has returned and wishes to meet with the cultivators who have worked hard to guard the mine site,” he said.

From the look in Shuanzi’s eyes, Jiang Wang could see the anxiety and fear he was desperately trying to hide.

He had known last night that Hu Shaomeng would be returning, but he hadn’t expected him to arrive so quickly.

Moreover, from the way things looked, it seemed he hadn’t even gone home first but had come directly to the mining area.

“Alright, I understand,” Jiang Wang replied.

Without saying much more, he left the morning task of sweeping the courtyard to the maids who’d risen early, and made his way to where the discussions about the mine took place.

The unenthusiastic middle-aged cultivator Xiang Qian, Zhang Hai who was obsessed with alchemy, and Ge Heng with his narrow temperament, along with Jiang Wang, were the four transcendent cultivators of the Hu Clan Mine Site.

Together with the manager, they formed the so-called upper echelons of the mining district.

Hu You was portly, more resembling a wealthy merchant than an official.

His son, Hu Shaomeng, on the other hand, was quite handsome, tall, and straight.

The man sat grandly in the chief seat, while the manager, who always boasted of being a close relative of Hu Shaomeng’s family, stood respectfully to one side.

Judging by Hu Shaomeng’s posture and demeanor, he seemed to be a rather arrogant man.

As Jiang Wang and the rest arrived successively, Hu Shaomeng said nothing.

Only when all four transcendent cultivators had gathered did he slowly speak, “You have all worked hard at my Hu Clan Mine Site for so long, and I, being busy with my cultivation at Diao Hai Building, haven’t been able to visit often, which was indeed impolite.”

He spoke of impoliteness, yet his eyes showed no respect.

Even Ge Heng, with his narrow mind, dared not challenge him.

After all, Diao Hai Building was one of the most powerful sects in the Near Sea Archipelago.

If one were to measure the influence of sects near Qi Country, it might be nearly equal to that of East King Valley.

“Not at all…”

Ge Heng was halfway through his polite remarks when Hu Shaomeng cut him off with a wave of his hand.

“The reason I’ve called you all here today,” Hu Shaomeng said indifferently, “is to inform everyone of a matter.

You all are aware that the veins are nearly depleted.

The decision has been made to close the mine by the end of this month.

Consider this an early notice to seek other employment.”

Jiang Wang was taken aback.

What did he mean?

He had just gotten here and was already being laid off?

The manager also looked surprised, clearly unaware of this development.

The scruffy Xiang Qian yawned and said, “Fine by me.

It doesn’t matter where I go; life is just like this anyway.”

Ge Heng glared at him before turning to Hu Shaomeng, perplexed, “Wasn’t there supposed to be another half a year?

Why are we shutting down so suddenly?”

“Indeed,” added Zhang Hai.

“I’m in the critical stage of my alchemy practice.”

“The decision has been made,” Hu Shaomeng said, too lazy to elaborate, and waved his hand as if to dismiss them: “Go pack your things.

You can leave now or at the end of the month.

I’m off to challenge the Heaven and Earth Gate soon and don’t have time to chat!”

Challenging the Heaven and Earth Gate…

Ge Heng tightly closed his mouth.

“Young Master Hu,” Jiang Wang spoke up.

“I’ve only just arrived at the mine, and it’s only been a few days.

This isn’t what the manager promised when hiring.”

“Compensation will be settled for one month’s work,” Hu Shaomeng looked at him, his Tongtian Environment aura subtly manifesting: “Any objections?”

After a moment, Jiang Wang said, “No, that’s fine.”

It wasn’t that he was giving up, but Hu Shaomeng’s rash actions actually reassured him.

Some unexpected circumstances must have arisen.

He could leave for now and return when changes occurred, to see what was happening and take action accordingly.

Though Diao Hai Building was strong, at the Tongtian level, Jiang Wang was now truly fearless.

Hu Shaomeng waved his hand dismissively.

“Alright, go and settle your compensation with the manager.

I won’t accompany you further.”

It was for these few transcendent cultivators that he had to personally appease and resolve any issues.

As for the ordinary martial artists and miners, a simple shutdown would suffice; there was no need for any prior notice.

The manager seemed to deflate, as though he still couldn’t believe that the mine would close by the end of the month.

However, he didn’t dare to go against Hu Shaomeng’s wishes and had to muster up energy, leading the group away.

Since Jiang Wang was the newest arrival, his account was the clearest, and the manager allowed him to enter the accounting room first.

The manager handed him a box: “Take a look, Ah An.

If there’s no issue, just press your seal.”

Jiang Wang glanced at it casually and chuckled, “You’ve given me an extra half.”

In the box lay two fully intact Prime Stones, untouched and unused.

The agreed upon compensation had been one and a half stones per month.

“Is that so?

But since we couldn’t find people to hire, didn’t we agree on two stones per month?” the manager queried, giving Jiang Wang a wink.

A hint of life came back into his weary face.

Unable to restrain himself, Jiang Wang asked, “Why such special treatment for me?”

“You young man!” the manager protested playfully.

“Just take it if you’re given it.”

Jiang Wang could only put away the box.

No matter what, this was a kind gesture from the little old man.

As he turned to walk out, a very low, disheartened voice came from Manager Hu behind him, “Among these Transcendent lords, only you truly treat us as people.”

Half a Prime Stone was the greatest support he could provide within his capabilities.

Jiang Wang fell silent for a moment.

As he walked out of the accounting office, Zhang Hai, who had been waiting outside, was just about to go in.

Suddenly, the shouts of Straps could be heard from afar.

He ran towards them, stumbling and gasping for breath as he shouted, “Someone’s dead, someone’s dead!”

Deaths in the mine usually related to Fierce Beasts.

Everyone immediately became alarmed.

“Slow down and speak,” Hu Shaomeng said calmly, trying to suppress the situation.

Upon hearing Hu Shaomeng’s voice, Straps shivered, caught his breath, and tried to speak steadily, “Xiao Cui, Xiao Cui has jumped into the well!”

Who was Xiao Cui?

Jiang Wang looked around and noticed that everyone else’s gaze was directed at Ge Heng.

And Ge Heng’s face suddenly turned pale.

Xiao Cui was the maid in his courtyard.

Hu Shaomeng stood up, “Let’s go and see.”

The private courtyards of the four Transcendent cultivators were all separate, scattered throughout the mine area.

They were starkly different from the large sleeping quarters where the miners lived.

Among them, Ge Heng’s and Zhang Hai’s courtyards were near each other, while Jiang Wang’s and Xiang Qian’s were close together, which explained why Jiang Wang would always encounter the dispirited uncle wandering around.

By the time the crowd arrived, a group of miners had already gathered around Ge Heng’s courtyard.

“Young Master Hu!

Young Master Hu, you must seek justice for this girl!”

“Xiao Cui’s life has been so hard, Young Master Hu!”

The matter was quite simple.

Unable to bear Ge Heng’s prolonged torment, the maid named Xiao Cui had finally taken her own life, jumping into the well after Ge Heng had left.

From the miners’ fragmented conversations, Xiao Cui’s rough outline was pieced together.

This included the injuries on her body, her sudden cries, her several attempts to escape, all ending in her capture and return…

The miners were speaking over each other, but not one dared to mention Ge Heng’s name outright.

They didn’t even dare to meet his eyes.

The dignity of a Transcendent cultivator had been deeply ingrained in their hearts.

Facing the misdeeds of one Transcendent cultivator, their only hope lay in the intervention of another.

Ge Heng’s complexion was very dark, and he scanned the miners one by one, silencing their irritating chatter with his glare.

But there were four Transcendent cultivators present, including Hu Shaomeng.

He did not know how they would react.

Normally, beating and humiliating a maid was nothing, and such matters could easily be smoothed over.

Even the authorities wouldn’t make too much trouble for a Transcendent cultivator.

But once someone died – even if it was just an ordinary person – that was no small matter.

Because every Transcendent cultivator originated from a common human being.

Through the efforts of countless generations of enlightened individuals, the reverence for human life had become a consensus among any normal country or sect.

However.

There was a “but.”

This consensus could not be completely solidified into rules.

Just as those with power and influence who were not Transcendents could casually kill their servants.

While such acts were crimes, they were often only punished when someone of even greater power and influence intervened.

This was the true state of the world today.

(It’s 2:17 am now, and I didn’t plan to have this chapter updated on schedule.

With the entire Hubei province under lockdown, my mindset has crumbled.

But tossing and turning until now, I suddenly thought, if, if something unexpected happens to me, what could I leave behind?

I hope my work will remain.

I will take good care of my family and at the same time, continue to write my novel earnestly.)