Immortals and Demons Forever

Chapter 23: Getting the Hang of It

In half a day, Su Mu had already gotten the hang of the work process. Source Stones were usually found behind hard rock layers, and excavating them was extremely physically demanding—you couldn’t do it without some serious strength. The mine was vast, and workers were assigned to different sections. This particular source vein was highly productive, though the quality of the Source Stones it yielded was generally poor; it was rare to unearth any of the highest grade. Source Stones contain Source Energy and have a wide range of uses; the most common application is in the crafting of weapons, armor, magical artifacts, and tools. They can also serve as tools for cultivation, though extracting the energy from Source Stones is a highly complex process—one that outer-sect disciples working here are generally unable to perform. However, clever individuals might hoard some for themselves. In certain cities, there are specialized shops that can break down Source Stones to extract the Source Energy within. This energy is then processed by alchemists using Source Arts to create potions or elixirs; consuming and absorbing them can enhance one’s strength. Consequently, oversight in this area has become increasingly strict, and the penalties have grown ever harsher. In the eyes of veteran miners like Old Hei, Source Stones are far more valuable than gold. Naturally, the daily quotas for outer-door disciples and ordinary miners differ, and there are tricks to the trade here. The mining area is divided into several zones: some are easier to dig and yield higher efficiency, while in others, you can work yourself to the bone and still barely get anything. Once Su Mu had gotten the hang of the work, he began working directly alongside Lao Hei. Su Mu’s efficiency was so high that it startled Lao Hei that very afternoon. At first, he used his mining tools, but then he suddenly recalled the martial arts techniques he’d learned—such as the palm strike that generated vibrational force, which was specifically designed to break through rock layers, and the staff technique, which could be used to chip away at soil. He gave it a try and found the method worked; he could practice his martial arts while working, killing two birds with one stone. Su Mu single-handedly handled all the quota Lao Hei was supposed to turn in; he was practically a human excavator, and Lao Hei looked completely dumbfounded the entire time. On the very first day, Su Mu finished the task several hours ahead of schedule. The people around them looked at Lao Hei with envy—the old guy had really hit the jackpot. Lao Hei had been working here for decades, but this was the first time he’d ever finished work so early. Su Mu invited him back to his quarters to rest. Even though it had only been a day, he’d already become close with this old miner. The next day, as soon as the two of them emerged from the mine shaft and arrived at their work site, they found four people already hard at work. Lao Hei recognized one of them and hurriedly asked, “Dapeng, aren’t you guys supposed to be in the West District? What are you doing here?” “Oh, the foreman reassigned us here first thing this morning.” “Th-then where are we supposed to go?” “You’re going to the Heavy Machinery Section,” a slightly hoarse voice called out from behind them. Su Mu turned to look. The speaker was a man with a sharp face and a broad forehead, dressed in a foreman’s uniform and holding a whip in his hand. As soon as Lao Hei saw this man, he couldn’t help but shudder. “S-sir… the Heavy Machinery Zone…” “What’s wrong with that area?” the man snorted. “You’re the longest-serving miner here. Su Mu finished his work early on his very first day—that’s thanks to your excellent guidance. Since you’re all so capable, why not go over there and set a good example? You can turn in 20 percent less of your quota; I’ll send someone to collect it on time. Head over there now.” “Sir, if we’re only allowed a 20 percent reduction, but given the situation over there…” “Are you the only one who talks too much? Just give him some proper guidance. I’m confident you can handle it.” Lao Heitou didn’t dare say another word, and Su Mu didn’t ask any further questions. Since it was a work assignment, they’d go take a look first and see what happened. The two set off immediately. “Old Black, you seem really afraid of that guy. Who is he?” “Gou Wei—a tough guy in the Supervision Team. Quite a few people have felt the sting of his whip. Even the people from your sect are afraid of him; they call him ‘Dog Brother.’ ” “Oh, so he’s one of Song Dachui’s men. He transferred us to the heavy industry zone—it looks like he’s deliberately trying to make things difficult for me. I’m sorry I’ve dragged you into this.” “It’s fine, it’s fine. You’re the only one—Little Mu—who actually takes this old geezer seriously. I’ve guided no fewer than forty or fifty people from your sect, and every single one of them was all talk and no action. Some had really short tempers; if they got pushed around, they’d even hit back. You’re the only one who treats me like a human being.” “I have the utmost contempt for people who bully the weak and cower from the strong.” “Did you get on the wrong side of the Supervision Team?” “Oh, right after I got here, I beat up one of Song Dachui’s henchmen. I guess that counts as getting on their bad side, right?” Su Mu chuckled. Lao Heitou stared at Su Mu in shock. “We’re done for! We’re in big trouble now!” “What’s the matter?” “Most of the people in the Heavy Industry Zone are just thugs, with disciples of the Lingxiao Sect making up the majority. They’re always getting into fights, but that’s not the worst of it. The main problem is that the conditions here are very unique—Source Stones are extremely difficult to mine, and there’s a lot of black heavy sand. The people here only have to turn in about thirty to forty percent of what other zones do, but we have to turn in double that amount. How are we ever supposed to meet that quota…?” Su Mu immediately understood. Song Dachui hadn’t sent anyone to cause him trouble; instead, he’d used this tactic to target him. It really didn’t seem like the kind of scheme a rough-and-tumble guy would come up with. If he went to confront Gou Wei about it now, it probably wouldn’t do much good. Since so many outer-sect disciples from the Heavy Industry District were working here anyway, why couldn’t he be reassigned here too? As for the quota issue, there were plenty of ways others could use this to make things difficult for him. Su Mu decided to hold his ground for now. He knew full well that acting impulsively would play right into their hands. Since Song Dachui had resorted to this kind of “intellectual battle,” he would have to defuse the situation using the same approach; if he resorted to a physical confrontation, the moral high ground would no longer be on his side. Su Mu actually hoped Song Dachui was the impulsive, brute-force type; there must be someone behind the scenes advising him. He needed to find a way to eliminate this scheming manipulator first. “There’s another hidden danger here: the unexploited areas, also known as ‘shadow zones.’ There might very well be demon beasts lurking there. The chance of encountering a demon beast attack in the Heavy Industry Zone is ten times higher than elsewhere.” “Let me figure something out. Since they’re doing this specifically to target me, you shouldn’t have come along. Give me a few days, and I’ll definitely get you out of the Heavy Industry Zone.” Old Blackhead was just about to speak. Su Mu insisted, “That’s final. Even though you didn’t say it, I can tell this is your first time in the Heavy Industry Zone. Since Source Stones are so difficult to mine, and you’re just an ordinary miner, there’s no way you could handle it.” “Xiao Mu, thanks. Staying here will only cause you trouble. I can’t help you at all here; leaving will actually be more helpful to you.”