30: Chapter 30 The Spirit Talisman Takes Life (Part 1)

"Ah!"

The Miner collapsed onto the ground, his already paper-pale face instantly draining of even more color, and he couldn't help but let out a wail of despair.

His eyes were hollow as he calculated rapidly in his mind.

It meant that this month, not only did he have to complete the quota required by the Sect, but he also had to pay two months' worth of protection fees; this was undoubtedly driving a person to their death.

Thinking of this, he was filled with sorrow and lamented inwardly: "This is undoubtedly going to cost me my life. I'll have to dig for Spirit Stones day and night, otherwise, how will I ever be able to scrape it all together..."

Seeing the Miner slumped on the ground, Black Bear roared: "What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and get those Spirit Stones for me!"

The Miner dared not hesitate any longer. He hurriedly propped up his weak, limp body and scrambled into the Mine Cave, his back looking as panicked as if he were being chased by evil ghosts.

After the Miner stumbled away, the burly man known as Black Bear grinned.

That smile carried a touch of arrogance and smugness, his thick beard bristling like steel needles.

He crossed his arms over his chest, rubbing his thick palms against his arms, deeply enjoying the satisfaction of being able to order others around at will.

Time was like a white horse passing a crack, like an arrow leaving the bowstring, slipping away in the blink of an eye. In a flash, half a year had quietly passed.

Inside that simple Grass Hut, Yuwen Jinyuan sat quietly.

The Night-Shining Pearl emitted a soft, lustrous glow, illuminating the room as if it were broad daylight, yet it could not dispel the gloom between his brows.

For the past half year, Yun Song had entered the Mine Cave and gone to the Riverside on time every month, as regular as a pendulum. Yet, he couldn't find a single flaw to exploit, and even that "monthly payment" of four hundred Spirit Stones had to be handed over on time; thinking of this, his anger flared.

Pockmark stood respectfully to one side, not daring to let out a breath.

Yuwen Jinyuan's sword-like brows furrowed slightly as he fell into deep thought. If this dragged on any longer, not only would the loss of Spirit Stones increase, but the brothers' patience would also be worn thin.

The Grass Hut was silent, with only the sound of light breathing.

After a long while, Yuwen Jinyuan's expression grew serious. He reached into his robe with long fingers and pulled out a sound transmission talisman.

Applying force with his fingertips, he crushed it with a "poof," and the sound transmission talisman dissolved into a swirling white mist.

He spoke to the white mist in a low, steady voice: "Brother, after half a year of investigation, I've figured out that brat's movements."

"He spends half a month in the Mine Cave and half a month practicing Martial Skills at the Riverside. He is solitary by nature, doesn't associate with others, and hasn't stepped a single inch outside The Mine."

"For the past half year, we've collected four hundred Spirit Stones from him on time every month, but just dragging it out like this isn't a solution..."

After a while, a voice suddenly sounded in Yuwen Jinyuan's ear: "Come to the entrance of The Mine!"

The voice carried an unquestionable decisiveness. His expression tightened, and he immediately rose and hurried away.

Yuwen Jinyuan arrived at the entrance of The Mine. As his gaze swept across the area, he caught sight of Yuwen Jinran standing not far away with his hands behind his back.

His heart leaped with joy, and he quickened his pace, rushing to his brother's side. His eyes filled with inquiry as he leaned in slightly, lowered his voice, and asked urgently: "Brother, do you have a brilliant plan? We can't just let that brat have those Spirit Stones for nothing!"

The corners of Yuwen Jinran's mouth lifted slightly, a flash of cunning in his eyes as he stated confidently: "Naturally. According to what you've said, for the past half year, this person has either been holed up in his Grass Hut, stuck in the Mine Cave digging for Spirit Stones, or practicing Martial Skills at the Riverside."

"Tell me, in your opinion, where would it be most appropriate to strike?"

Yuwen Jinyuan frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said: "Brother, the space in the Mine Cave is narrow and winding. If we were to take action, our men wouldn't be able to Move freely."

"And the Grass Hut is where he rests at night, which is when he is most alert. It's also close to Steward Wu's place. If a strike fails, it would be extremely difficult for us to pursue him."

He paused, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes, "In my opinion, the Riverside would be a good place."

"The surrounding vegetation is lush, so we can hide ourselves. When he is practicing Martial Skills, he focuses on his Moves and will inevitably be negligent. We can take the opportunity to act and catch him off guard."

"It would be best to seize his identity token; the contribution points inside are not a small amount."

"It's only a matter of time," Yuwen Jinran said, a faint, ambiguous smile playing on his lips. He cast a meaningful look at Yuwen Jinyuan and drew out his words intentionally, asking slowly: "Little Brother Jinyuan, in your opinion... how certain are you eight that you can succeed?"