Heavy snow fell, and the cave was ablaze with light. This was accompanied by the Spring Festival, also known as the New Year's Day, which is a time of renewal for all things in this foreign land. However, compared to the barriers between people in the steel, cement, and digital world of my previous life, the festive atmosphere here was particularly strong.
Dao Chengyi was still at the mine, but since it was the New Year, the mine had been given a holiday in a very humane way.
Instead of sending them home, they were given a day off and a New Year's banquet was held in the place where the mine used to store waste stone.
The person in charge of materials management set up a stall to provide various New Year's goods, meat, and even some special services for people to vent their frustrations to those who were unable to leave the mine.
Wages are clearly documented in black and white, representing the hard work and accumulation of wages. If there are any unclear points, someone will meticulously calculate them one by one according to the corresponding worker's ledger.
Miners can purchase what they need as they need. If needed, they can transport goods for their families for an extra transport fee, which can be shared among groups. Those without families can buy their own food, drink, candy, pastries, etc., or exchange them for cash to keep for peace of mind, but they are not responsible for whether the goods will be stolen.
If you miss home and want to go back, then settle your wages and leave. As for whether you can go back and how much you can go back, that depends on your needs.
Besides the exchange of supplies, in the largest venue, Mu Changchun arranged for chefs to start steaming and cooking in the open air, making dumplings, meat dishes, and soup bowls, which were served free of charge.
As the two with the highest status, Mu Changchun and Dao Chengyi had their own special kitchens. In this venue, a small stage was set up, and next to it was Mu Changchun's own stage where he would start performing.
"It is indeed unfair to my dear nephew that you have to stay with us at the mine during the New Year."
Mu Changchun humbly poured Dao Chengyi a glass of wine. At their table were other martial arts masters guarding the mine, not many, only five in total. Four were at the second level of training, and one was at the third level. However, they were all quite old, and their bodies did not look completely human. They had the non-human characteristics of other demonic beasts that were visible to the naked eye, but it was not a big deal.
After all, most of the people in this mine were like that, and so was Mu Changchun, who was next to Dao Chengyi, with two bull horns sticking out from his forehead.
“Under extraordinary circumstances, I naturally understand. Moreover, the mine is also bustling with activity and a strong festive atmosphere. Furthermore, I am delighted to have the opportunity to exchange martial arts knowledge with you seniors.”
The current tense situation of the Mu family was also informed by Mu Changchun. Although it was only a minor issue, it might cause some damage but it would be absolutely harmless.
However, Dao Chengyi has many sources of information, including Bloodwing, the talents of various families he has cultivated, Luo Dutou in the government, his subordinates gathered at Qingmao Residence, and the surveillance network woven by Blood Path, Wood Path, and Slave Path.
Dao Chengyi clearly knew what kind of disaster the Mu family was facing. The Mu family would be attacked by more than a hundred martial arts masters, including the Niu family, the Liao family, the government, the remaining twenty martial arts schools, and the three gangs in the north of the city.
Among them, there are about seven people who have clearly reached the fifth level of cultivation. How many are from the Mu family? Apart from the third ancestor who is at the fifth level, the only other one is the Grand Elder, plus Mu Qingyuan's aunt from the Mighty Bull Demon Sect, that makes three! They have already lost on the surface.
"It's a serious injury; I'm afraid you're all considering selling me to get foreign aid," Dao Chengyi said with a faint smile as he drank Mu Changchun's wine.
Even now, he could see through the blood crow that a group of people had gathered in the mine outside, and the leader was an old acquaintance, the third elder of the Niu family, the guy who looked like a third-level martial artist but was actually a fourth-level martial artist, Niu Anxin's grandfather.
It seems that in the exchange of benefits, the Mou family's mine was given to the Niu family. He originally thought that Wei Jie from the government would be the one to make the move.
"You can't call him a senior. Although he is young, his understanding and comprehension of martial arts are quite profound. We have all found him very helpful. These days, we old guys are all convinced."
"Putting everything else aside, since Steward Mu has offered the first toast, then I'll offer the second one. Please!"
If that's the case, when Dao Chengyi first entered the mine, it simply meant that these martial artists had one more person to watch out for. But now, they feel they have one more person to rely on.
At such a young age, he can fight against martial arts masters as a martial artist. In the past few days of exchanges, even ordinary second-level practitioners could be defeated by him if they are careless. When he sees a martial art, he can understand it at a glance, learn it at a second glance, and point out its flaws at a third glance. He is a prodigy, a prodigy.
But little did they know that the so-called martial arts comprehension was merely something Dao Chengyi had gleaned from their understanding through mutual learning and teaching, and then deduced using the wisdom of many Gu Dao practitioners.
After all, the concept of martial arts is also beneficial to the Gu Dao. In essence, martial arts involving martial artists are all about understanding and replicating the myriad things in the world. In the absence of technological advantages, directly taking over the nest to produce Gu worms is very useful.
For example, he has developed several killing moves in his sword-based Gu worm techniques and strength-based Gu worm techniques, greatly enhancing his combat power.
"Then I shall drink the third cup! Come, come! On this festive night, with such a kindred spirit in martial arts here, let us raise a toast! We shall not leave until we are drunk!"
During this time, Mu Changchun stood up and gave a holiday greeting to the miners. Amidst the excitement of the crowd, the sound of gongs and drums rang out, and the professional opera troupe on the stage performed a grand festival opera to the sounds of drums, zithers, flutes, and erhu.
The landscape makes the snow here seem exceptionally light, appearing only as willow catkins drifting in the sky. On the ground, cooks are busily setting up their stoves, and errands are being run to deliver food. Amidst the hustle and bustle, people are playing drinking games, shouting, competing in drinking contests, and watching plays—all sorts of lively activities are happening together.
Outside the mine, the guards couldn't help but feel a sense of relaxation and longing as they looked at the atmosphere inside. They were both annoyed by how slowly time was passing and hoped that they could catch up with the ladies after the banquet started.
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