22: Chapter 22 A Glimpse of Talent

Layers of cold sweat unknowingly seeped from Yun Song's palms as he gripped the mining hoe.

This was the first time in his life he had actively launched such a fierce offensive against someone, without the slightest retreat, possessing only an unstoppable ruthlessness.

The sharp sound of the mining hoe slicing through the air had not yet dissipated before the seven or eight lackeys lay sprawled on the ground, like broken puppets.

Before those on the ground could recover their wits, Yun Song stomped forward, pointing his mining hoe directly at the Black-clad Youth in the center of the crowd.

Seeing Yun Song charging at him, the Black-clad Youth's expression changed drastically in terror; his previous arrogant, overbearing, and violent demeanor vanished, replaced by undisguisable panic.

He subconsciously scrambled his feet against the ground, retreating backward until his back hit the stone wall and he could retreat no further.

"You…"

His throat tightened, the color drained instantly from his pale Face, leaving behind only overwhelming panic.

Only at this moment did he realize that he hadn't provoked a soft persimmon, but had instead kicked a solid iron plate that he couldn't bite through.

Faced with life and death, he could no longer care about his Face. His voice trembled uncontrollably, filled with undisguised fear and pleas: "Don't… don't kill me! I was wrong, I was really wrong!"

"It was I, Yuwen Jinyuan, who was blind and shouldn't have provoked you. I won't dare again, I really won't!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the scarred man behind him quietly raised his right hand, seemingly wanting to launch a sneak attack.

Yun Song merely cast a cold glance, his sharp gaze like a blade. The scarred man's raised hand froze in mid-air, his whole body stiffening, and he dared not make any further movements.

"Go to hell!" Yun Song's brows chilled slightly, and he prepared to bring down the hand holding the mining hoe.

"No… you can't." Yuwen Jinyuan's pupils constricted sharply. His back slammed heavily against the stone wall as he suddenly thought of a lifeline and hurriedly said: "If you kill me, you won't be able to answer to The Mine manager!"

Yun Song's hand holding the mining hoe paused slightly.

The words "The Mine manager" were like ice-tempered needles, stabbing unexpectedly into his ears.

A memory echoed in his mind: a year ago, that band of villains wantonly slaughtered Miners with cruel methods.

A beam of sword light descended from the sky, piercing through the villains, leaving them not even a chance to plead for mercy.

Yun Song looked up at the heavy sky. If he really killed all eight of these people, would that light sword, which once tore through the sky with the power to destroy the world, also descend upon his head at some point?

He was afraid, and his hand holding the mining hoe loosened slightly.

Seeing this, a glimmer of hope flashed in Yuwen Jinyuan's eyes. He hurriedly bent his knees, softening his posture, his voice trembling with a tearful tone: "Big Brother, spare me! I won't dare again! It was I who was blind; please show mercy and let me live."

A sigh rolled low in Yun Song's throat, and the strength in his grip on the mining hoe unconsciously loosened a bit more. The frozen chill in his eyes quietly melted, revealing a trace of imperceptible warmth.

"The Immortal enforces the law without regard for personal grievances. Fine, these people no longer pose a threat to me."

"Once I have blood on my hands, a peaceful life will certainly not be waiting for me."

Thinking this, the previous murderous intent was forcibly suppressed, and his surging Qi gradually calmed down.

"Scram!"

A cold shout shook Yuwen Jinyuan, causing layers of cold sweat to seep from his forehead.

His tone was extremely humble: "Okay… we'll leave at once! We're leaving right now!"

As if granted amnesty, he dared not delay in the slightest. He scrambled to help up his severely injured subordinates, and the group, in a pathetic and disheveled state, stumbled toward the exit of the Mine Cave.

"Wait!" Just as they had stumbled to their feet and taken only a few steps, Yun Song's voice suddenly came from behind, as cold and clear as a block of ice.

The eight men were instantly as if struck by a freezing spell, their bodies stiffening violently. Thinking the person before them had changed his mind, they were all so scared that sweat beaded on their foreheads.

Yun Song's voice was not loud, but every word was clear and carried a chill: "From now on, you had best engrave what you just said into your heart. If you dare to provoke me again…"

He did not continue, merely pausing as his gaze swept over their cowering figures, "Also, each of you will deliver fifty Spirit Stones to me on time every month."

Upon hearing fifty Spirit Stones per person per month, Yuwen Jinyuan's Face turned pale, and the corners of his mouth twitched subconsciously.

"This… this…" He was just about to stammer something.

Yun Song had already glanced over coldly: "What?"

The chill in that gaze made him swallow the words that had reached his lips, and he hurriedly nodded and bowed: "No, nothing! It's only right, it's only right!"

Saying this, he wanted to signal his subordinates to hurry away to avoid any further complications.

"Stop." Yun Song's voice was unhurried, yet it made him pause in his tracks. "For this month, hand them over today."

The muscles on Yuwen Jinyuan's Face twitched again, but he dared not disobey in the slightest and could only grit his teeth as he fished out four hundred Spirit Stones from his robes.

He held them out with both hands, looking as if he were cutting off his own flesh.

Yun Song tucked the Spirit Stones into his robes, the heavy sensation warming his heart.

As he lowered his eyes, the corners of his mouth curled up imperceptibly.

Previously, being cornered and extorted by this group had made his teeth itch with rage.

He hadn't expected the tables to turn; now it was his turn to manipulate them in return. This feeling was even more satisfying than obtaining the Spirit Stones.

When he raised his eyes, his Face had returned to its usual cold rigidity, though a trace of hidden amusement still lingered in his eyes.

Yuwen Jinyuan stole a glance at Yun Song, and seeing that he had stowed the Spirit Stones and made no other moves, he stammered: "Then… can we go now?"

Yun Song didn't even lift his eyelids, only snorting a "Mn! Go." from his nose.

As if granted amnesty, Yuwen Jinyuan dared not say another word and hurriedly turned around.

The moment he turned, a faint glimmer of resentment and unwillingness flashed deep in his eyes.

Yun Song naturally did not notice, and he stood alone for a moment.

This battle made him truly understand the real meaning of power in this world where the strong prey on the weak.

Only by being strong enough oneself could one avoid being bullied by others.

But with the Immortals above and strict heavenly laws, slaughtering the innocent would surely bring divine retribution. This bottom line was one he could not cross, no matter what.

Until the eight men had completely disappeared from his sight, he turned and walked toward the place to submit his task.

With these eight people, from now on, he would no longer need to enter the Mine Cave to dig for Spirit Stones.