Chapter 382: Escalating Conflicts, Hidden Killing Intent

Wooo—

It was the signal for the Mine Slaves to assemble.

Zhou Chen put down his iron pickaxe and walked out of the mine to investigate.

A large number of Mine Slaves were gathered in the square at the center of the mine.

In the center of the square, Steward Huang Tao was giving a lecture.

"Mine Slaves!"

Steward Huang Tao said coldly, "The Ore production of the mine has been continuously declining recently. I suspect someone is hoarding Ore privately, or has discovered a hidden vein but failed to report it."

"Starting today, the daily quota for all Mine Slaves is increased from three Low Grade Immortal Crystals to five!"

"Those who fail to complete the task will have their rations deducted!"

"Those who fail for three consecutive days…"

A trace of killing intent flashed in his eyes: "Will be executed without mercy!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the Mine Slaves broke into an uproar.

"What?!"

"The quota is increased to five?"

"How is it possible to complete that?!"

"Right now, we mine desperately every day just to barely complete the task of three!"

"Five? That's impossible!"

The Mine Slaves discussed animatedly, their eyes filled with despair.

Steward Huang Tao sneered: "Can't complete it? That means you aren't working hard enough!"

"The mine supports you useless trash, not so you can come here to enjoy yourselves!"

"From today onwards, everyone's daily mining time is extended to twelve double-hours!"

"Anyone who dares to slack off will be killed on the spot!"

After speaking, he swaggered away with his guards.

The Mine Slaves stood there blankly, their eyes filled with despair.

Increasing the task from three to five was an almost impossible task to complete.

And with mining time extended to twelve double-hours, this was taking their lives!

"Is Steward Huang Tao crazy?"

"He's trying to drive us all to death!"

"Damn it… damn it…"

The Mine Slaves gnashed their teeth in anger, but dared not resist.

Zhou Chen stood in the crowd, his brow furrowed.

"Steward Huang Tao suddenly increased the quota, and even while the Ore production has been declining lately…"

"It seems he has indeed discovered that the associated Immortal Crystal Vein has disappeared."

"He suspects a Mine Slave has hoarded the Ore, so he's using this method to pressure the Mine Slaves."

"Truly insidious…"

A cold glint flashed in Zhou Chen's eyes.

However, he wasn't worried about himself.

With his current strength and mining skills, mining five Low Grade Immortal Crystals a day wasn't too difficult.

But the other Mine Slaves were in trouble.

Their cultivation bases were not high to begin with, and their mining efficiency was low; completing a task of three was already very difficult.

Now that the task was increased to five, it was simply impossible to complete.

"It seems…"

Zhou Chen thought to himself, "Steward Huang Tao wants to take this opportunity to clear out a batch of Mine Slaves and reduce the burden on the mine."

"At the same time, he can kill the chicken to warn the monkeys and intimidate the other Mine Slaves."

"Truly ruthless."

Sure enough, after the new quota was implemented, the mine fell into chaos.

The Mine Slaves mined desperately, working twelve double-hours a day without stopping.

But even so, most people still couldn't complete the task.

Three days later, Steward Huang Tao began to enforce the rule of "those who fail to complete the task for three consecutive days will be executed without mercy."

That morning, hundreds of Mine Slaves gathered in the square at the center of the mine.

Steward Huang Tao stood on the high platform, looking down coldly at everyone.

"In these three days, thirty-seven people have failed to complete their tasks consecutively."

"According to the rules…"

He waved his hand, and the Huang Family guards behind him immediately stepped forward, escorting the thirty-seven Mine Slaves to the center of the square.

Those Mine Slaves turned pale, their eyes filled with fear.

"Manager, spare our lives!"

"It's not that we don't want to complete the task, it's just that we really can't!"

"We beg you, give us another chance!"

They knelt and begged for mercy, tears and snot flowing.

But Steward Huang Tao remained expressionless.

"Rules are rules."

"Failure to complete the task means death."

He waved his hand: "Kill."

The Huang Family guards did not hesitate and acted instantly.

Pah pah pah—

The heads of the thirty-seven Mine Slaves flew up simultaneously, blood gushing out and staining the square red.

The corpses crashed to the ground, their eyes wide in death.

The entire field was dead silent.

All the Mine Slaves stared blankly at this scene, their eyes filled with fear.

Steward Huang Tao sneered: "This is the consequence of failing to complete the task."

"I'll say it again, starting today, everyone must hand over five Low Grade Immortal Crystals worth of Ore every day."

"Those who fail will be killed on the spot!"

"Do you understand?!"

"Un… understood…"

The Mine Slaves answered tremblingly.

Steward Huang Tao nodded with satisfaction and turned to leave.

But at the moment he turned around, Zhou Chen saw a smug smile hook at the corner of his mouth.

Clearly, this slaughter was exactly the result he wanted.

"Beast…"

Killing intent surged in Zhou Chen's heart.

But he suppressed his anger, still maintaining a calm expression.

Now was not the time.

He had to continue hiding his strength and wait for the best opportunity.

That night, the mine was filled with a heavy atmosphere.

Many Mine Slaves were crying softly, mourning their dead companions and feeling despair for their own fates.

Zhou Chen sat in a corner, eyes closed to rest his mind.

A few more days passed.

The atmosphere in the mine became more and more oppressive.

Every day, Mine Slaves were killed for failing to complete their tasks.

The corpses were casually thrown into the abyss outside the mine, and no one even bothered to collect them.

As for Steward Huang Tao, he became increasingly arrogant.

He not only increased the task quota but also frequently found various reasons to deduct the Mine Slaves' rations.

Even several beautiful female Mine Slaves were forcibly taken away by him and sent to his private residence.

The Mine Slaves were angry but didn't dare to speak out, only able to swallow their resentment.

But Zhou Chen knew that this oppressive atmosphere would explode sooner or later.

Sure enough, on the tenth day, something happened.

At noon that day, Steward Huang Tao came to the mine again with his guards for inspection.

He came to the Seventh Mine and saw Li Yunfei mining.

"You're the one who contradicted me that day?"

Steward Huang Tao sneered: "I remember you."

"I heard you've been completing your tasks well these past few days, mining five Low Grade Immortal Crystals every day?"

Li Yunfei looked up and said in a deep voice: "Reporting to the Steward, that is correct."

"Very good."

Steward Huang Tao nodded: "Since you're so capable, starting today, your task quota is increased to ten."

"What do you think, no problem, right?"

Li Yunfei's expression changed: "Steward, ten? That's impossible to complete!"

"Impossible?"

Steward Huang Tao sneered: "That's your problem."

"I'm only telling you that from today onwards, you must hand over ten Low Grade Immortal Crystals worth of Ore every day."

"If you fail…"

A trace of killing intent flashed in his eyes: "You know the consequences."

Li Yunfei gritted his teeth, his fists clenched tightly.

He knew Steward Huang Tao was deliberately targeting him.

Because he had contradicted Steward Huang Tao that day, Steward Huang Tao held a grudge and wanted to take the opportunity to get rid of him.

"What, not satisfied?"

Steward Huang Tao provoked: "If you're not satisfied, you can resist."

"Come, try punching me?"

He spread his arms, looking completely fearless.

Li Yunfei trembled all over, his eyes filled with anger.

He wanted to strike, but his reason told him he couldn't do it.

Steward Huang Tao was at the Quasi-Immortal Realm First Layer, while he was only at the Sixth Layer of the Venerable Realm.

He was no match at all.

If he attacked, he would only die faster.