221: Chapter 73: Pressuring People with Power_1 221: Chapter 73: Pressuring People with Power_1 Jiang Wang and the others left, while the miners slowly gathered around.
Listening to the screams of Ge Heng from behind, Zhang Hai’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably.
Even Xiang Qian, who lived a life of despair, started to feel nervous.
No matter what, it was difficult for them to remain unshaken while watching a Transcendent Cultivator being beaten and stripped of his transcendence right before their eyes.
Only Hu Shaong managed to keep his expression well under control, showing no signs of his ntal state.
…
It was still the sa room ant for discussions as before, but now Jiang Wang was the one sitting in the seat of honor.
The roles had been inverted.
Shuanzi and Xiaoxiao also followed along, serving tea for everyone and then stood in the room waiting for further instructions.
“Take a seat,” said Jiang Wang indifferently, his gaze then shifting to Manager Hu: “Old man, you take a seat as well.”
“Oh, oh!” It took a good while for Manager Hu to co to his senses, then he sat down gingerly, only halfway onto the chair.
Hu Shaong glanced at the other two Transcendent Cultivators before settling down first, his posture relaxed.
Xiang Qian slumped onto the chair like a lump of clay the mont he touched it.
Zhang Hai, on the other hand, sat up straight and rigid, his deanor tense.
But Jiang Wang’s next question almost made them jump out of their seats.
“Tell , how did Xie Hao die?”
There were originally four Transcendent Cultivators stationed at the Hu Clan Mine Site.
The one who had left was nad Xie Hao.
He was also the forr owner of the very courtyard Jiang Wang was now residing in.
As soon as the question was asked, everyone present was shocked.
Xiaoxiao suddenly bit her lower lip hard to stop herself from making a sound.
According to the mine’s narrative, it had been over half a year since Xie Hao had left after being frightened during a confrontation—without saying goodbye.
This seed quite plausible.
But there was one question they couldn’t explain.
If the mine was so dangerous, then how could soone like Ge Heng, with his perverse desires and greed for luxury, and soone like Zhang Hai, obsessed with Alchemy and wishing for a teoric rise, still be there unhard?
A month and a half’s worth of Pri Stones was not enough to entice anyone to take such risks.
Xiang Qian, who seed to loathe his life, might not care much about danger, but he also didn’t care much for Pri Stones.
All of a sudden, Hu Shaong ca back announcing the shutdown of the mine.
Except for Ge Heng, who questioned why it was earlier than planned, no one else had any objections.
That showed they had co to an understanding long before.
It was this understanding that was the problem.
Jiang Wang didn’t care for the exchange of glances among them and bluntly stated, “Do not attempt to deceive .”
“The purpose of my visit is surely clear to all.
The Zhong Xuan Family, despite its vast size and wealth, does not care about the loss of a single Qingyun stone vein, but that does not an the family will tolerate being ridiculed and deceived.”
“Rember this: To the Zhong Xuan Family, the Qingyun stone vein is unimportant, but not being made a fool of, very important.”
Jiang Wang’s gaze swept over the Transcendent Cultivators, “So, who will speak first?”
By this point, he had already displayed his own strength, and the power of the Zhong Xuan Family went without saying.
Though his gaze was calm, when it rested on each person, it felt like a weight of a thousand catties.
“Envoy,” Hu Shaong forced a smile, trying to maintain his composure, “The situation of this matter is actually…”
“There’s no need for you to speak yet,” Jiang Wang raised his palm, cutting him off.
Flipping his palm over, he gestured invitingly to Zhang Hai: “Zhang Hai, you speak first.”
“Ah?
Ah,” Zhang Hai, suddenly called upon, was jolted into nervousness: “This…”
He didn’t need to look to know that Hu Shaong’s eyes were surely fixed on him at that mont.
“No rush, take your ti.
Think about Ge Heng.”
Since he had decided to keep Ge Heng, he might as well take advantage of the situation to set Ge Heng as a target, to kill the chicken to warn the monkeys, and put pressure on the rest.
This was based on absolute superiority in strength.
Even if these few Transcendent Cultivators rushed at him together, Jiang Wang was confident he could crush them.
Although Hu Shaong was also of the Tongtian Realm, there existed great chasms within the sa realm, and Jiang Wang was confident he could suppress him.
First, he would give them the impression that they were free to speak their minds, only to stop Hu Shaong from speaking when he started to talk, and turn to let Zhang Hai talk instead.
These were nothing but small maneuvers to reinforce authority and control the situation.
In the past, he was not very familiar with these tricks, but after spending a long ti with Zhongxuan Sheng, he gradually understood them.
The reason he chose Zhang Hai as the point of entry was because Jiang Wang thought that among the Transcendent Cultivators present, this man was the weakest at heart.
Pinning his delusional ambitions on the mastery of pills yet not committing to striving for it, making only negligible efforts.
Spending his days at the mine, investing the modest monthly supply of a Pri Stone and a half into Alchemy.
Batch after batch, day after day.
This obsession was more like a form of avoidance, a kind of self-hypnosis.
It might seem like he had a firm goal and pursuit, but in reality, he was not as enlightened as Xiang Qian, who lived in self-abandonnt.
Regardless of their usual behavior, such people are fundantally weak.
Jiang Wang spoke slowly and deliberately, “I am a rciful person myself.
But when working for the Zhong Xuan Family, sotis I may not be able to afford being lenient.
After all, serving the ruler’s graces ans being loyal to his affairs.
What do you think?”
“Yes…
yes.”
Zhang Hai bowed his head, his expression struggling.
But it was obvious to everyone that his silence would not last long.
“I’ll just tell the truth then, I killed Xie Hao!” Hu Shaong suddenly blurted out.
Jiang Wang watched him quietly for a while before turning his head to say, “Everyone else, leave.”
The people filed out, and soon only Jiang Wang and Hu Shaong were left in the room.
One sat at the head, and the other on the right-hand side at the foot.
Each harboring different thoughts, they faced each other from afar.
“I’ve been waiting for you to co forward and tell .”
Jiang Wang was the first to speak, “You know, I could have separated you all and questioned each of you one by one.
Sooner or later, soone would have cracked under the pressure.
But I didn’t want to create an atmosphere of interrogation, to treat you like a criminal.”
“The Hu family, after all, has been the operator of the local affairs for the Zhong Xuan Family for a long ti.
Despite such an incident occurring in the ore vein, I still have expectations for you.”
He gazed at Hu Shaong, “So, what do you want to tell ?”
“Thanks for the envoy’s consideration,” Hu Shaong said with a wry smile and then continued, “I killed Xie Hao because I had no choice.
He was responsible for guarding the mine site, but instead of being loyal to his duties, he helped outsiders steal the Qingyun Pri Stones.”
“The envoy must know the preciousness of the Qingyun Pri Stones, their output is extrely limited.
Even at the highest yield in one year from such a large Qingyun ore vein, only six stones were produced.
And Xie Hao alone stole a total of thirteen!
You have also seen how negligent the other Transcendent Cultivators are; they are utterly unreliable.
Taking advantage of my absence, Xie Hao used his unique Dao Technique to extensively mine the vein, leading to its premature depletion.
By the ti I found out, it was already too late.”
“The things I’ve said are all backed by evidence.
Moreover, the ores used by the Hu Clan Mine Site itself are all clearly recorded in the books.
The envoy can inspect them at any ti.
I previously concealed this matter indeed out of fear of punishnt, afraid to face it.
But you tell , did he not deserve to die?”
Hu Shaong spoke at length and seed earnest.
After finishing, he appeared relieved, “Of course, the decision now rests entirely with you, the envoy.
If the Zhong Xuan Family has any disposal thod, Shaong will bear all responsibilities alone and accept it.”
The accounts he ntioned were with the manager of the Hu family, which Jiang Wang had already secretly reviewed and were, of course, without any problems.
Or to be precise, even if there were any problems, they would not be easily detectable.
At this point, Jiang Wang didn’t express agreent or disagreent, but simply asked, “The outsider you ntioned, who are you referring to?”
One of the reasons he chose to reveal his identity besides wanting to detain Ge Heng at the scene, was an important one:
As soon as Hu Shaong returned, he shut down the mine site and drove away the Transcendent Cultivators.
And in Jia City, the mont Xi Family’s young master Xizi Chu t him, he guessed his identity, making it no longer aningful to hide.
On the contrary, he needed to reveal his identity as the envoy of the Zhong Xuan Family to calmly take control of the situation, once again turning passive into active.
Hu Shaong hesitated for a mont before saying, “As it appears now, it should be the Xi Family of Jia City.
But I cannot be completely certain.”
“Evidence?”
“I found out after investigating later.
Before coming to our mine site, Xie Hao had worked for the Xi Family.
And through the Xi Family’s channels, Qingyun Pri Stones have been leaked.”
“The clues are very clear, are they not?
Why do you say you cannot be completely certain?”
Hu Shaong said with a wry smile, “The entire Jia City bears the surna Xi; I have to be cautious.”
Could it really be soone from the Xi Family acting behind Xizi Chu’s back?
The Xi Family, which controls Jia City, could not tolerate Green Bull Town being controlled by another power.
After Xizi Chu received the support of East King Valley, they had the confidence to confront the Zhong Xuan Family.
Had they finally beco impatient?
It seed reasonable but wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny.
By causing the ore vein to deplete in a roundabout way, they could force the Zhong Xuan Family to relinquish control of Green Sheep Town.
Indeed, it was a thod that didn’t require an open confrontation and could be done under the table.
But was it really worth provoking the dissatisfaction of the Zhong Xuan Family?
Seeing Jiang Wang not speaking for a mont, Hu Shaong asked again, “The Qingyun ore vein depletion is now a fact.
We can slowly investigate the responsibility, but it’s really a waste to keep feeding so many people.
In the envoy’s opinion, should we close down the mine site for now?”
The suggestion also made sense.
But Jiang Wang refused without hesitation, “Isn’t there still half a year’s output?
Closing the mine now, where will all those miners go looking for work all of a sudden?”
“Although there is said to be half a year’s output, Qingyun Pri Stones are already impossible to produce, making this place worthless to the Zhong Xuan Family,” Hu Shaong said with a troubled look, but still said, “However, the envoy is in full charge here, whatever decision you make is fine.”
“Then let’s go with my decision.”
“Naturally, it is up to the envoy.
Additionally, conditions on the mine are harsh; once you’re done investigating the clues, why not return to Green Sheep Town with to let extend my hospitality as a host,” Hu Shaong suggested.
“There’s no need.
As cultivators, where are we not cultivating?”
“Truly, the envoy is a model for our kind.
However…” Hu Shaong added, “This place is remote after all.
If there’s any news from Jia City, I’m afraid it can’t be received at the mine site in a tily manner.”
“Isn’t that why you’re here, Hu Gongzi?” Jiang Wang picked up the teacup casually, “Why don’t you go back to rest first?
And by the way, help keep an eye on the movents in Jia City.”
Hu Shaong’s face did not reveal what he was thinking but simply said, “That is good, that is good.
Then I will take my leave first.”
“No need to see you out.”
Watching Hu Shaong’s retreating figure, Jiang Wang mused.
So eager for to leave the mine area, are they?
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