The temporary village, after the canal was cleared, rested for half a day and received some rewards. It was like celebrating the New Year, and they were able to have a rare meal of meat. Those with connections could even drink a couple of sips of turbid wine behind closed doors.
Some people never came up again after going down into the mine. They were trying to secure a future for their descendants, but their spirits were broken, and some of them passed away that very afternoon.
Some are happy, some are sad.
An elderly person in Zhaoqingshan Village also passed away, and Qi Zhenyuan presided over the funeral arrangements for half a day.
Everything at the mine was kept simple; there wasn't even a thin coffin. They simply cleaned the body up and wrapped it in a bamboo mat.
Back home, the two of them took a rare bath to wash away the bad luck and exhaustion, and then sat facing each other eating and drinking until midnight.
Zhao Qingshan knew that Uncle Qi had connections, but the two jars of turbid wine were still somewhat beyond his expectations.
He was careful, worried that getting drunk would lead to trouble, so he didn't drink too much, and Uncle Qi didn't urge him to drink either.
Despite the usual lavish meal, the dining experience was rather lukewarm, and everyone returned to their rooms around 9 PM.
Zhao Qingshan tossed and turned, unable to sleep, constantly thinking about the dark figure he had seen in the distance at the mine that morning.
I don't know if my father is still alive, or if the rescue operation has yielded any results...
Feeling anxious and wanting to immediately dive into the well to find someone, yet fearing that what he would ask for was bad news.
Unbeknownst to him, the owner of that dark-clad figure was just a wall away.
The oil lamp was lit, and Liu Yan held up the portrait for the person on the bamboo bed to see. "Who is this?"
Qi Zhenyuan was startled by the sudden light of the oil lamp, the two people who appeared out of nowhere, and the portrait that was almost pressed against his face.
"You are...Sixth Prince? This humble...this humble one does not know who you are!"
Having obtained most of the information, Qin Zhaoyue was too lazy to waste any more words and directly took out the rope bracelet from her sleeve.
Upon seeing this object, Qi Zhenyuan's breath caught in his throat. He instantly sprang from the bed and reached out to snatch it, but he was frozen in place and unable to move.
"Where did you find it? Where did you find it?!"
Qin Zhaoyue caught a glimpse of Qi Zhenyuan's bedside, next to the pillow, where a similar three-colored rope ring was placed.
This one is very well preserved; it hasn't faded much or worn down at the edges.
Just as Zhao Hengjiang had said, Qi Zhenyuan treasured the bracelet like a precious gem.
"This is the commander of the Xuanji Guard. Since you were once a military household, you should know what this means."
Qi Zhenyuan struggled for a long time but couldn't break free. He was panting heavily and staring intently at the tattered rope ring. "Where is my daughter?!"
Liu Yan changed her mind at the last minute, "Fengjing, become a maid in someone's mansion."
According to Zhao Hengjiang, he found the rope ring in a dead-end tunnel while escaping from the mine.
Inside were piles of white bones, indicating that the deceased had been dead for many years, likely the pit guards who had been murdered.
He himself had just experienced a murder to cover up the crime, so he wasn't particularly surprised.
The red rock veins cover most of the county town; they are incredibly vast.
There are countless crisscrossing tunnels inside; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to illegally mine right under their noses.
He only made his guess after he accidentally discovered that the bracelet was exactly the same as the one that Lao Qi treasured.
All those involved in illegal mining were screened; being strong was the most basic requirement, and they also needed to have family ties.
Putting himself in their shoes, Zhao Hengjiang guessed that those people were using Lao Qi's daughter as a threat.
However, Liu Yan had already obtained most of the information and did not want to cause any trouble, lest the other party reveal their true colors in their grief, so he made up a lie.
Qin Zhaoyue knew the truth, but she quickly understood the handsome old man's intentions.
“Fengjing…in Fengjing…” Qi Zhenyuan kept muttering.
He only receives one or two letters a year, which contain nothing but a report that he is safe and sound, suggesting that he is under strict control.
After calming down a bit, she looked at the two of them suspiciously again, "Is it true? You're not lying to me?"
Liu Yan scoffed, "I am a commander of the Xuanji Guard, with Her Highness the Princess before me. Do I need to deceive you? Tell me, who exactly is that person!"
Qi Zhenyuan understood that the illegal iron ore mining had already been exposed, and the court was simply trying to hide it and catch a bigger fish in the trap.
"I'm willing to say anything, my daughter has nothing to do with this..."
“Don’t get involved,” Liu Yan frowned, rudely interrupting him, “If you don’t expose yourself, your daughter can live.”
Qi Zhenyuan sensed the obvious impatience in the other party's voice and knew they were unlikely to offer any further assurances. He let out a sigh and said, "I don't know that person; they shouldn't be from the county government..."
According to him, he would see that person once or twice a year, and the person would bring letters from his daughter.
His task was to keep an eye on the illegal miners and report any unusual activity immediately.
This information was worthless, not even as useful as what the county magistrate provided. Liu Yan then asked about the day the mining was suspended.
"Because something came out of the mine, I heard it's called Black Steel Ridge."
Upon hearing this, even Liu Yan was momentarily stunned: It was actually... Black Steel Spine!
He quickly followed up, "How's the output?"
"On the first day, about ten fist-sized pieces of ore were mined out, and then the mine was exhausted."
They continued chiseling for three more days, but still didn't find another piece.
Liu Yan asked a few more detailed questions. Qi Zhenyuan knew that the thing was important, otherwise he would not have stopped mining it for a day, but he did not know its specific use or any other valuable information.
"You continue to be a good 'supervisor,' don't give anything away, and your daughter will naturally survive."
After giving them one last word of advice, the two left the simple bamboo house.
Zhao Qingshan was right next door, facing assassination the next day, yet no one mentioned warning him.
There's nothing wrong with that; I'm just worried he won't act well...
Liu Yan still held the princess's forearm, keeping the rain out and preventing it from getting wet at all.
Qin Zhaoyue sensed the heavy atmosphere, which was even more serious than when she learned about the dragon brain incense from the county magistrate.
What is "Ugangji"?
Liu Yan didn't hide anything, "It's a special kind of ore, also known as iron essence, which is extremely rare."
Weapons forged from it possess a peculiar effect: they can break through qi (vital energy)...
Weapons forged from black steel spines have the effect of breaking through true qi.
Qi Martial Realm cultivators absolutely crush Mortal Martial Realm cultivators, but if a Mortal Martial Realm cultivator wields a Black Steel Spine weapon, it's enough to bridge that gap.
Even a fourth-rank master who has mastered the Qi transformation of the entire body can have their true Qi broken and be killed.
"For example, the reason why the golden silk armor His Highness is wearing can defend against true qi is because a certain amount of black steel spine was added during the forging process..."
As soon as she finished speaking, Qin Zhaoyue instantly withdrew her arm and tightly covered her clothes.
"How did you know I had gold-threaded soft armor? Did you peek at me while I was changing clothes?"
"You old pervert! You dare to peep at the princess? You're asking for trouble!"
Flowing Flame: ...
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