Chapter 19: Mine #73 (2/2)

“Aren’t only the extended members of the Nie clan supposed to be sent here?” Nie Tian asked.

“That used to be the case, but it might change.” Nie Qian shook her head, her eyes somewhat dim. “In the mine, the mortality rate is rather high. People die here. The main mission of the Nie clan is to mine flamecloud gems for the Cloudsoaring sect. No other matter in the clan is more important.

“In recent years, flamecloud gems closer to the surface began to run out, so we had no other choice but to dig deeper, which made it more and more dangerous.

“All the elders of the extended families of the clan have used every possible method to avoid having their descendants sent to the mine.

“However, this place is the foundation of the Nie clan. People fear death. Without the supervision of our clan members, those laborers we have hired won’t be willing to mine at such a depth. Meanwhile, we have to pay sufficient amounts of flamecloud gems as annual tributes to the Cloudsoaring sect. Once we fall short, the Cloudsoaring sect will probably stop caring about our clan.

“The truth is, without the Cloudsoaring sect’s protection, it will be extremely difficult for our clan to maintain our foothold in Black Cloud City.

“Therefore, this mine is of the utmost importance to our clan. Around the clock, clan members have been appointed here for supervision purposes. Now that your second grandfather has come to power, he has promised to make changes, so it is very possible that members of direct families also be assigned here.”

With these words, Nie Qian paused for a second, and then said profoundly, “Because your grandfather has been losing power and influence in the clan for a long time, I was appointed to manage the mine before he retired. Now we are even weaker. If you can’t make yourself a disciple of the Cloudsoaring sect, we definitely won’t be able to escape the destiny of being assigned here.”

Nie Tian bowed his head and reflected on what she said. Soon after, he nodded and said, “I understand.”

“Let’s go.” Nie Qian kept marching deeper.

After a while, Nie Tian discovered that the stone path leading into the belly of the mountain became increasingly narrow; the distance between his head and the ceiling of the tunnel was getting shorter and shorter.

He also noticed the number of laborers grew fewer as he went further down, and those laborers appeared to be skinnier and more spiritless.

A dark-skinned, skinny, middle-aged man suddenly showed up at an intersection of stone tunnels and warned, “Eldest sister, it’s dangerous up ahead. You’d better not go any further. Merely eight days ago, Mine #73 witnessed a collapse, and two people were killed. We’ve only just cleared the rubble.”

Nie Qian immediately stopped. She hesitated for a moment and said with an serious face, “Thank you for the warning. We’ll take a brief look and come back soon.”

“If so, you must be absolutely careful. I… I’ll leave you be.” The man’s voice was full of fear.

Nie Qian nodded. “Sure, please go ahead with your work.” The dark-skinned, skinny man vanished.

Nie Qian fell into silence for a while, and continued, “The further inside, the higher the mortality rate. Hence, every laborer who works here seems lifeless, because they never know which day will be their last. They are all unfortunate people from Black Cloud City. In order to earn a living for their wives and children inside the city, they are willing to take the risk to come here.”

“Qi warriors of the Cloudsoaring sect all have extraordinary abilities,” Nie Tian said. “Let’s say they were in here. Even if it collapsed, they wouldn’t be hurt, right?”

Nie Qian gently nodded, and patiently said, “Cultivating to the Heaven stage would allow a person to do as he wishes inside the mine, absolutely fearless of sudden cave-ins. However, why would Qi warriors of the Heaven realm waste time to come here for flamecloud gems that are only an elementary grade four material?

“Those powerful Qi warriors are the most heartless!

“The Nie clan is nothing in their eyes. They would never care about a few random lives, let alone the lives of the unfortunate laborers the Nie clan has hired!

“Real Qi warriors are high above the masses. Clans like ours can only serve them.

“In the same way, mortals of the Black Cloud City also serve our clan. This world is cruel by nature. Neither you nor I can change it. There is only one way to be above others, one way to be free from being enslaved.

“And that is to become one of them!” Nie Qian said.

Nie Tian nodded forcefully with a tight face. “I promise I’ll become a powerful Qi warrior!”

Nie Qian also grew determined. “Good! Let’s go to the bottom of Mine #73!”

Before long, Nie Tian, under her lead, arrived in a vast area at the bottom of the mine.

The moment he went in, he noticed there were red spots on the walls glittering faintly with red light.

“Flamecloud gems!” Nie Tian suddenly felt enlivened.

Nie Qian urged in a loud voice. “This place is dangerous. Don’t waste time. Hurry and absorb the flame power from these unmined flamecloud gems using that animal bone of yours! We’d better not stay for long. We’ll leave as soon as the blood drop in the animal bone is fully condensed. Any delay means trouble.”

“Okay!” Nie Tian immediately got to work.