CHAPTER 635: CHAPTER 32: HEAD OF MINING AREA NO. 5

Having read "Gods and Ghosts Miscellaneous Talk" throughout the night and encountered numerous fascinating tales, Lin Feng couldn’t help but admire Scholar Ning.

To come up with so many stories was no easy feat.

If they were printed and had storytellers narrate them in taverns and teahouses, they would undoubtedly become popular instantly.

...

The next day, Lin Feng bade farewell to Scholar Ning, for he needed to hurry to the Ancient Barbarian Mine.

Located deep within the mountains, Lin Feng swiftly flew towards the Ancient Barbarian Mine and on the way, saw a large troop of soldiers escorting a group of over a thousand people, moving mightily towards the direction of the Ancient Barbarian Mine.

These escorted individuals wore manacles and shackles on their hands and feet.

There were men, women, and even children among them.

Lin Feng slightly furrowed his brows, stopped, and asked, "Who are these people?"

A leading general hurriedly dismounted and greeted Lin Feng, saying, "My lord, these are all death row prisoners from our Ancient Barbarian Country whose clans have been exterminated. However, the Immortal Sect shows compassion, hence an Immortal Decree was issued to give these death row prisoners a chance to live by letting them mine in the sect’s mining area."

The Ancient Barbarian Country was also a kingdom under the influence of the Azure Cloud Sect. It was said that the founding emperor of the Ancient Barbarian Country was an elder of the Azure Cloud Sect. Even today’s royal family of the Ancient Barbarian Country was extremely powerful; Lin Feng had heard in the sect that there were several members of the Yin Yang Realm among the royalty.

Furthermore, the Ancient Barbarian Country, located at the intersection of the Desert Domain and the Barbarian Domain, frequently faced invasions from the Barbarian Clan. Wars would break out occasionally at its borders, and the people of the Ancient Barbarian Country were known to be fiercely brave.

"Hmm..." Lin Feng nodded, then continued flying towards the Ancient Barbarian Mine.

By afternoon, he arrived at the Ancient Barbarian Mine.

Upon hearing the news, Wang Hu, Shee Weizhu, and others quickly came out to meet him.

Among those who came out was a group of about a dozen disciples from the mining area, led by Zhou Zhao, a medium-built man who appeared to be in his mid-twenties, with a profound aura, clearly indicating his considerable cultivation.

"This must be Junior Brother Lin, right? I am Zhou Zhao, the manager of Mine Area One."

Zhou Zhao smiled and clasped his hands together.

...

Lin Feng also clasped his hands, saying, "I appreciate Senior Zhou personally coming out to greet me; it truly humbles this junior."

Zhou Zhao took Lin Feng’s hand and said, "I had long heard of Junior Brother’s achievements; back in the Thunder Blade Secret Realm, with a single strike of the blade, you slew Wansheng, Heavenly Pride of the Ten Thousand Immortals Sect, truly making our Azure Cloud Sect beam with pride. I had always longed to meet you, Junior Brother, and never thought that you would come to the Ancient Barbarian Mine for training. Perhaps this is what they call destiny."

Lin Feng looked taken aback and asked, "Could it be that Senior Brother also went to train in the Thunder Blade Secret Realm?"

Zhou Zhao sighed and replied, "It’s embarrassing to say, but I initially intended to go. However, there were too many responsibilities in the mining area, and I couldn’t leave, hence missing out on that opportunity in the Thunder Blade Secret Realm. It’s a great pity indeed."

Lin Feng believed Zhou Zhao genuinely felt it was a great pity.

Missing such an opportunity was indeed regrettable and understandable.

Zhou Zhao chuckled and added, "I heard about this from my younger brother. He recently sent a family letter talking about some incidents that happened in the Thunder Blade Secret Realm."

"I see," Lin Feng nodded.

"Let’s not stand around here, shall we go into the Mining Area’s guest hall to talk?" Zhou Zhao suggested with a smile.

Lin Feng nodded and along with Zhou Zhao and others, he entered the guest hall.

"The Chief Officer of the Ancient Barbarian Mine is Elder Wu Chang of our Azure Cloud Sect, who is usually engrossed in studying arrays. Therefore, he split the mining area into five regions, each managed by a different disciple. Before Junior Brother arrived, Junior Brother Liu from Mine Area Five was just reassigned, so the Elder assigned Mine Area Five for Junior Brother to oversee."

Zhou Zhao smiled at Lin Feng and said, "Does Junior Brother plan to rest for a while before going to check out Mine Number Five, or shall we go to Mine Number Five together now?"

Lin Feng gave a slight smile and replied, "Let’s head to Mine Number Five now, please lead the way, Senior Brother."

"Junior Brother is too polite." Zhou Zhao stood up and led Lin Feng and the others towards Mine Number Five.

Mine Number Five covered a continuous stretch of over a dozen miles. The miners here were either death-row inmates from the Ancient Barbarian Country, prisoners of war captured by the Ancient Barbarian Country, or individuals who had committed serious crimes and had been sentenced to the eradication of their families. The Azure Cloud Sect, in accordance with the virtue of preserving life, had requested these people from the Ancient Barbarian Country.

These were the cultivators Lin Feng had encountered on the road earlier.

After arriving at Mine Number Five, a short and slim disciple quickly approached them.

"This is Junior Brother Li Liang," Zhou Zhao pointed to the disciple and continued, "He used to assist Junior Brother Zhang, who was transferred away, with some affairs of the mine. If Junior Brother has any questions, he can ask them."

Li Liang, already aware of Lin Feng’s impending arrival, respectfully greeted him with a bow.

Lin Feng asked him to rise, and only then did Li Liang stand up.

This person was indeed very polite, which was Lin Feng’s first impression of Zhang Liang.

Zhou Zhao said, "Junior Brother has just arrived, tired from the journey; I won’t disturb you any further. Tonight, the heads of the four mining areas have prepared a welcome banquet to celebrate your arrival."

Lin Feng smiled slightly and said, "I wonder if Senior Brother could introduce me to the elder?"

With a bitter smile, Zhou Zhao replied, "Elder Wu originally said he would wait for your arrival before leaving, but he left the mine a few days ago and I don’t know where he has gone."

Lin Feng nodded and saw Zhou Zhao out of the mine area before returning.

Li Liang said, "Senior Brother, your living quarters have been prepared."

"Mm." Lin Feng nodded and went with Li Liang to the accommodation.

A separate courtyard had been cultivated in Mine Number Five; the setting was quite nice.

Inside the courtyard were five three-story wooden buildings, which served as the living quarters.

Lin Feng and the others were staying in the building at the very back.

"The mining area is a bit simple, I hope Senior Brother can get used to living here," Li Liang asked respectfully.

"It’s quite alright." Lin Feng nodded.

Li Liang hesitated, wanting to say more.

At that moment, Wang Hu and the others realized that Li Liang had something to say to Lin Feng, so they went to their respective rooms.

Li Liang then took out a storage bag and handed it to Lin Feng, saying, "Knowing that Senior Brother was coming, many brothers prepared some modest gifts. They are just some inexpensive items, I hope Senior Brother does not mind."

"Mm, just put them down," Lin Feng nodded and then asked, "Do you have the information on Elder Wu and the four heads of the mining areas?"

"It has already been prepared," Li Liang retrieved it immediately.

Lin Feng was surprised; this Li Liang was indeed meticulous.

"Alright, you may leave now. Call you if I need anything," Lin Feng said.

"Then, Junior Brother takes his leave." Li Liang bowed to Lin Feng and then exited.