24: Chapter 24 Yuwen Jinran

Not long after, the wind at the entrance of The Mine swirled with dust, and Yuwen Jinyuan stood there with a look of resentment.

The shallow cuts on his face from gravel were oozing beads of blood, looking particularly glaring on his pale skin.

The resentment from being suppressed by Yun Song just now was still stuck in his chest, and the injury on his shoulder was throbbing with pain.

Suddenly hearing rapid footsteps, he looked up abruptly and saw Yuwen Jinran walking over quickly. His originally dim eyes lit up instantly. He walked up to meet him, his voice filled with unconcealed grievance: "Brother!"

Yuwen Jinran's gaze was like a torch; he spotted the wound on his brother's face at a glance. His brows furrowed instantly, a flash of heartache in his eyes, but more of it was the anger of being offended.

He lowered his voice, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty: "What happened? Tell me, exactly which blind thing hurt you like this?"

Yuwen Jinyuan stiffened his neck and shouted indignantly: "Brother, everything was going according to your arrangements before. The brothers were guarding the Mine Cave, and those Miners were obediently handing over the protection fees, not a cent less every month, everything was smooth."

"But today, a greenhorn suddenly popped up and refused to pay no matter what. I went up to try and scare him, but who would have thought this kid had actually learned a few Moves? We were careless for a moment and suffered a secret loss!"

Yuwen Jinran raised an eyebrow slightly, a flash of surprise in his eyes, then he darkened his face and questioned: "Brother Yuan, you were eight people in total, and you couldn't even deal with one Miner?"

Yuwen Jinyuan's face turned from green to white. He lowered his head further and muttered: "Brother, that kid's footwork is devilish. He swings the mining hoe with great power, and his Moves are fierce, carrying a strange strength."

"The brothers surrounded him, but were instead picked off one by one when he found our openings... He... he even wants us to pay him four hundred Spirit Stones every month."

"Four hundred Spirit Stones a month?" When Yuwen Jinran repeated these words, the color drained from his face instantly.

"Heh." A very light sneer spilled from between his teeth, carrying an indescribable sinister air, "Since when did my, Yuwen Jinran's, people become fat sheep for others to manipulate?"

"To collect these four hundred Spirit Stones, he must first have the life to receive them."

Seeing Yuwen Jinran standing up for him, Yuwen Jinyuan was overjoyed. He hurriedly reached into his bosom, took out an identity token engraved with Tianhua Sect miscellaneous laborer Miner, and offered it with both hands.

"Brother! The Spirit Stones the brothers collected from the miners this month have all been exchanged for contribution points as you instructed. They are all stored in this token, about ten thousand points."

Yuwen Jinran's eyes flashed with brightness. He took the token and rubbed it with his fingertips, a smug curve forming on the corner of his mouth: "Oh? Well done."

"With these contribution points, I can exchange them for Spirit Stones, and closing off for seclusion to break through to the eleventh level of Qi Refining is just around the corner."

He raised his hand and patted Yuwen Jinyuan's shoulder. There was approval in his gaze, but also a hint of imperceptible regret: "Brother Yuan, I have seen everything you have done. Sigh, it is just a pity that you have no Spiritual Root..."

Yuwen Jinyuan's face showed sincere firmness as he looked at his elder brother: "Brother, as long as you can cultivate immortality freely, that is enough."

"I am willing to be the cornerstone on your path, helping you do what I can, assisting you in ascending to the supreme path of immortality early."

Yuwen Jinran was delighted to hear this, his satisfaction undisguised in his eyes. He nodded heavily, then immediately took out a quaint porcelain bottle from his Storage Pouch and handed it over: "Brother Yuan, this Jade Spirit Paste can make wounds heal quickly without leaving scars. Apply it to your face later."

He paused, his eyes as cold as quenched ice, "After you treat your wound, we will go meet him. Anyone who dares to break my rules and cut off my financial path must be prepared to die."

Yuwen Jinyuan took the porcelain bottle with both hands, his voice trembling slightly: "Brother, thanks!"

"We are family, no need for such formalities."

Yuwen Jinran waved his hand, his expression becoming solemn, and a baleful Aura surged around him, "This matter has always concerned me. This kid cut off my financial path, how am I supposed to walk my path? Lead the way, I want to see what kind of character dares to ruin my good deeds."

After speaking, he flicked his sleeve and took the lead. His whole body faintly exuded the Aura of an Inner Sect Disciple as a superior, and even more so, an unquestionable killing intent.

Yuwen Jinyuan's eyes flashed with excitement and anticipation. He followed quickly and turned his head to say: "Brother, that kid is probably still in the Mine Cave, let's go kill him directly!"

Yuwen Jinran's expression was calm. After scanning the surroundings, he patted his shoulder lightly, but his tone carried an unquestionable ruthlessness: "Don't rush, go see Steward Wu first and greet him, so as not to cause too much of a stir and get in others' way."

"Yes!" Yuwen Jinyuan responded, turned, and led the way, his steps carrying a fierce energy, "Brother, I'll take you to see Steward Wu right now! After we see him, we'll go drag that kid out and let him know who's boss!"