Chapter 342: Nurturing Bandits

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Beneath the price list were many detailed rules written in small print.

For example, the deeper one delved into the underground ore veins, the more spirit stones were required, and the shorter the time limit became.

Another rule stated that any ore unearthed by cultivators could not be privately hoarded. It had to be presented in full upon exiting the mine for inspection. Jade Steel Town would take five-tenths of the ore, leaving the other five-tenths for the cultivator.

"A'Zhuo, look here, just as you expected," Sun Lingtong transmitted to Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo gave up studying the price list and turned his head. He saw the wanted poster for the demonic black tiger.

On the wanted poster, the black tiger bared its fangs, with viscous blood dripping from between them. The artist's skill was formidable, having captured the unique aura of this demon.

"Black Wind Tiger Demon," Ning Zhuo murmured to himself, softly reading the name on the wanted list.

Besides it, there were several other demon cultivators who also looked familiar to Ning Zhuo.

Upon closer inspection, he realized they were members of the group of demon cultivators he had seen in the valley. They had been particularly powerful and domineering when fighting over blood offerings, serving as minor chieftains under the Black Wind Tiger Demon.

"That human cultivator is here too," Sun Lingtong added. His observational skills far surpassed Ning Zhuo's.

In the western valley, there was only one human cultivator, a Foundation Establishment realm cultivator who was used as a slave by the Tiger Demon.

Ning Zhuo looked in the direction indicated and was surprised to find that this human cultivator was not on the wanted list, but rather the subject of a missing person notice.

The human cultivator's name was Shi Sui. He was skilled in earth-attribute magic and was the son of the previous town master. Ever since the Black Wind Tiger Demon led its horde to attack the mountain town, killing many cultivators including the previous town master, Shi Sui had gone missing after the battle and had not been found since.

Sun Lingtong said, "This Tiger Demon was able to attack the mountain town, so its combat strength is considerable. Shi Sui was likely captured by him in that battle and has been kept in the western valley, not slaughtered, but used as a slave to serve him."

"When we poison the Tiger Demon, Shi Sui might be able to act as our inside man. After all, his father died at the hands of the Tiger Demon! I thought he was a human traitor."

Sun Lingtong looked at Ning Zhuo and smiled, "In that case, if we kill the Black Wind Tiger Demon, there's a bounty we can collect. Not bad, not bad. Should we reveal our intentions now?"

Ning Zhuo stopped him, saying, "Boss, no rush. Let's go into the city and investigate further."

"Hmm, I'll listen to you then," Sun Lingtong replied.

Since the matter of the Lava Immortal Palace, Sun Lingtong had completely seen Ning Zhuo's strategic capabilities. He had a good sense of self-awareness, knowing that when it came to strategy and planning, this little brother he had raised was cunning, crafty, insidious, and treacherous, definitely far surpassing himself.

The two of them disguised themselves as rogue cultivators mining for ore, each paying fifty spirit stones to enter the small town.

The streets within the small town were quite wide, with massive mechanical vehicles traversing them.

On both sides of the streets stood simple stone houses. The stone houses shimmered with jade light under the sunlight, evidently constructed from local materials by the cultivators.

People came and went in the town, the hawking of vendors and the laughter and chatter of miners intermingling.

Many cultivators had bared chests, bulging muscles, rough voices, and a bold demeanor. One could tell at a glance that they were body cultivators.

Besides them, there were predominantly metal and earth cultivators.

These three types of cultivators were most suitable for working as miners.

Ning Zhuo and Sun Lingtong first found a teahouse. They ordered a portion of jade rhino beef, three liang of jade dew wine, and ate and drank while listening to the discussions of the cultivators.

When the waiter came to serve the food, Ning Zhuo took out a portion of spirit stones and gave it to him as payment for information.

After a series of inquiries, the two obtained a great deal of information about the mountain town.

For instance, the previous Town Master Shi was harsh and petty. If any cultivator was caught trying to smuggle anything, they would be severely punished immediately without any leniency.

Another example was the current town master, whose surname was Meng, and his given name was Zizhong. He came from the prestigious Meng clan of the Southern Bean Kingdom and had a noble background.

After taking office, Meng Zizhong's style was generous, his supervision was not strict, he frequently drilled soldiers, and he enjoyed martial arts. He often led cultivators out of the town to actively sweep the area around Jade Steel Mountain, clearing out any threatening demon beasts or demon cultivators, and he was very responsible.

His own powerful martial prowess also provided a sense of security to the townspeople. In terms of public opinion, he was much better than the previous town master.

Sun Lingtong said, "Meng Zizhong comes from the Meng family, with a strong martial tradition. Judging from his actions of posting the wanted list and constantly searching for the Night Wind Tiger Demon, he will surely be happy to see us after we reveal our intentions and provide us with detailed information about the demon."

Ning Zhuo pondered for a moment, then shook his head slightly, "No rush, Boss. Since we're here, let's go to the mine and take a look."

Sun Lingtong exclaimed, "It's just a mere hundred low-grade spirit stones... Are you still concerned about such trivial amounts?"

Ning Zhuo smiled, "I've never mined like this since I was a child."

Sun Lingtong clasped his hands behind his head, "You are still too young. What's so fun about mining!"

Not long after.

The two were mining in the first tier of the ore bed.

"Quick, look, look, what did I dig up! Such a large piece of Jade-Nourished Mysterious Steel," Sun Lingtong boasted.

"Impressive, Boss," Ning Zhuo smiled faintly.

"Look here, I just felt that something wasn't right here. After chiseling open the jade steel, guess what, I found this!" Sun Lingtong took out a piece of accompanying ore and showed it off.

This was a piece of Azure Nether Stone, its body resembling wax and looking dull and gray. It was a raw material for classic colored ink used in painting, one of the hundred arts of cultivation.

Ning Zhuo gave him a thumbs up.

Sun Lingtong grinned, rubbed his hands together, and excitedly rushed to the ore bed.

His face was almost pressed against the stone surface, his eyes flashing with spiritual light. He was using his innate Spiritual Pupil, which allowed him to discern more accurately, penetrate deeper, and discover more and better quality ores.

Sun Lingtong dug and dug, lost in the activity.

When Ning Zhuo almost dragged him out, Sun Lingtong still lingered, "We haven't used up our time limit yet. Fifty spirit stones each, we have to at least break even."

"Boss, you've already broken even long ago," Ning Zhuo communicated via spiritual transmission while walking towards the foreman and presenting the mined ores.

The foreman selected some ores, then used a magic tool to shine on Ning Zhuo's entire body. Then he waved his hand, letting him leave.

Sun Lingtong had secretly hidden many valuable accompanying ores, only submitting a few pieces of Jade-Nourished Mysterious Steel ore.

The foreman's magic tool couldn't detect the hidden ores, so he also waved his hand and let Sun Lingtong go.

Sun Ning walked together on the street.

Ning Zhuo communicated via spiritual transmission, sighing, "Jade Steel Mountain is truly blessed, containing such abundant Jade-Nourished Mysterious Steel. If one person were to occupy it, they could rely solely on this mountain to develop and grow, branch out, and establish a large cultivation family."

Sun Lingtong shrugged, "While Jade Steel Mountain is good, it's far inferior to Fire Persimmon Immortal. It can only support a mountain town, whereas the resources in Fire Persimmon Mountain can support an immortal city."

"The resources within Fire Persimmon Mountain can be said to be inexhaustible and cyclical. Every bit mined from Jade Steel Mountain reduces its foundation and cannot last long."

Ning Zhuo shook his head slightly, "Boss, you still don't understand what I mean. Let me put it plainly, I am the branch family head of the Ning clan. My poor branch family has just been established, and everything is in ruins. What does having a few positions in the Lava Immortal Palace count for?"

"There's no reliable family property."

"What do you say about this Jade Steel Mountain?"

Sun Lingtong was stunned, a little confused as to why Ning Zhuo suddenly brought this up.

"Aren't we supposed to collect your mother's遗物 (relics/belongings)?"

"We discovered the Black Wind Tiger Demon as a result. Only by eliminating him can we possibly obtain what we want."

"How did you set your sights on Jade Steel Mountain again? What is this all about?"

Ning Zhuo's smile deepened, "It's all one plot."

Seeing that Ning Zhuo was serious, Sun Lingtong began to think for him. After thinking for a while with no clue, he was quite troubled, "This town is guarded by Meng Zizhong. He has a very strong background. How do you plan to take him down? And how can you involve your branch family?"

Ning Zhuo's eyes were deep, "How about this, we fabricate some evidence to prove that Meng Zizhong has secret connections with the Black Wind Tiger Demon."

Sun Lingtong, "You want to frame him? That's very difficult and not easy to do."

"Don't forget the Root Tracing Art of the Divine Constabulary."

Ning Zhuo chuckled, "Boss, I want to give it a try."

Sun Lingtong became excited, "I already feel that this matter will be very interesting and stimulating."

So, the two left the mountain town and returned to Misty Hidden Mountain using the Thousand Mile Roaming Dragon.

The mechanical roaming dragon burrowed into the depths of the valley and found the human cultivator Shi Sui in a corner.

Sun Lingtong made a move, directly knocking him unconscious and stuffing him into the Thousand Mile Roaming Dragon.

Sun and Ning returned to Jade Steel Mountain and released Shi Sui.

Ning Zhuo used the Life-Hanging Thread divine ability, planting it on Shi Sui.

When Shi Sui woke up, he was extremely shocked to find that he had actually escaped.

Ning Zhuo took the opportunity to transmit a message, posing as an otherworldly expert. He told Shi Sui that it was he who had rescued him, but fearing trouble and unwilling to break his reclusive life, he had brought Shi Sui to Jade Steel Mountain and instructed him to report to Meng Zizhong.

Shi Sui was immediately overjoyed, kowtowing several times on the spot. Then he rushed into Meng Zizhong's mansion.

Ignoring the doorman's obstruction, he came to the small courtyard and shouted loudly.

This alarmed Meng Zizhong.

Meng Zizhong led Shi Sui into the study and questioned him carefully.

Shi Sui told him everything he knew, speaking with great emotion.

Meng Zizhong asked, "Did you really escape on your own?"

Following the instructions of the "otherworldly expert," Shi Sui did not reveal the latter's identity. He nodded confidently, saying that he had prepared for many years and finally seized an opportunity a few days ago, desperately fleeing all the way to Jade Steel Mountain to seek justice from the Southern Bean Kingdom and avenge himself!

"Lord Meng, when will you send troops?" Shi Sui asked expectantly.

A saber pierced through Shi Sui's chest.

Shi Sui was utterly horrified, looking at the hand on the saber hilt. Then he followed the arm upward and saw Meng Zizhong's face.

"You... you..."

The next moment, Shi Sui died.

In the Thousand Mile Roaming Dragon, this scene was accurately recorded.

Sun Lingtong was extremely surprised, "What's going on? Is this Meng Zizhong really problematic?!"

He suddenly turned his head to look at Ning Zhuo, "Little brother, how did you know?"

"We were clearly acting together."

(End of this chapter)