Chapter 386: Igniting the Conflict, Successful Escalation

"If this continues, forget about mining; just surviving will be difficult…"

Just then, a Huang Family guard walked over.

"Hey, how much did you mine today?"

The guard asked in a cold voice.

The Mine Slave said in a trembling voice, "Back… back to my Lord, I mined two pieces of Low Grade Immortal Crystal Ore…"

"Two pieces?"

The guard sneered, "The quota is seven pieces, and you only mined two?"

"It seems you're slacking off."

"No… that's not it…"

The Mine Slave hurriedly explained, "The quality of the Ore vein here is too poor; I've already worked very hard…"

"Stop your nonsense!"

The guard kicked the Mine Slave, knocking him to the ground.

"Failing to complete the task is slacking off."

"If you dare slack off again, you'll be thrown directly into the Abyss Mine Shaft!"

The Mine Slave lay on the ground in pain, his eyes filled with despair.

Night fell.

Zhou Chen stood alone in the depths of an abandoned mine tunnel, his gaze icy.

"The conflict between the Liu and Huang families has reached a breaking point."

"All it needs is a spark to make them completely turn against each other."

"And this spark…"

Zhou Chen took out a black cloak from the System's storage space.

He had previously stripped this from an unlucky black-robed Cultivator; it was embroidered with the Huang Family's emblem.

"Divine Concealment Art—Activate!"

Buzz—

An invisible ripple enveloped Zhou Chen's entire body.

His appearance began to change, and his Aura shifted along with it.

A moment later, an unfamiliar Huang Family guard appeared before the mirror.

This person had an ordinary appearance and a cold Aura; it was precisely a Huang Family guard named Huang Shi.

This Huang Shi was usually arrogant and domineering, enjoying nothing more than bullying the Mine Slaves.

Zhou Chen chose to disguise himself as him specifically to better stir up trouble.

"Very good."

Zhou Chen nodded in satisfaction, donned the black cloak, and quietly left the abandoned mine tunnel.

The western district of the mine, the rest area for the Mine Slaves of the Liu Family faction.

Several Liu Family Mine Slaves were resting, discussing the recent changes in the mine in low voices.

"Sigh, these days are getting harder and harder."

An old Mine Slave sighed, "Those bastards from the Huang Family are finding every way possible to torment us."

"You can say that again."

Another Mine Slave gritted his teeth, "That Huang Shi docked my rations again today."

"He said my mining didn't meet the standard and wants to punish me by not giving me food for three days."

"That bastard Huang Shi will get what's coming to him sooner or later!"

As they were speaking, they suddenly heard footsteps.

A figure stepped out from the darkness—it was 'Huang Shi'.

"You lot, what are you talking about here?"

'Huang Shi' approached with a sneer, a flash of killing intent in his eyes.

The faces of the Mine Slaves changed drastically.

"Hu… Lord Huang…"

"We weren't saying anything…"

"Is that so?"

'Huang Shi' sneered, "I heard everything clearly just now."

"You were talking about me behind my back, even saying I'd get what's coming to me sooner or later?"

"Very well…"

"Since you think so, I'll grant your wish!"

As soon as he finished speaking, 'Huang Shi' suddenly struck.

A sharp palm print blasted out, heading straight for the old Mine Slave.

The old Mine Slave had no time to react before he was struck in the chest by the palm print.

Pfft!

Blood sprayed wildly as the old Mine Slave was sent flying, crashing heavily onto the ground.

His chest was caved in, his heart meridians completely severed; he died on the spot.

"You…"

The other Mine Slaves looked at 'Huang Shi' in horror.

'Huang Shi' did not stop, blasting out several more palm strikes.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Three Mine Slaves were killed in succession, blood staining the ground red.

Only one Mine Slave reacted quickly, desperately fleeing toward the Liu Family guards' camp.

"Someone, help!"

"The Huang Family guards are killing people!"

"Huang Shi killed our people!"

The shrill screams echoed through the night sky.

'Huang Shi' gave a cold laugh, his figure flashing as he vanished into the darkness.

A moment later, several Liu Family guards arrived at the scene.

Seeing the four corpses on the ground, everyone was enraged.

"Damn it!"

"To actually kill someone on our Liu Family's territory!"

"The Huang Family has gone too far!"

The leader of the Liu Family guards was a middle-aged man at the fourth layer of the Venerable Realm, named Liu Qingshan.

He inspected the corpses and found the Aura of the Huang Family's Cultivation Technique remaining on the palm prints.

"It is indeed someone from the Huang Family."

Liu Qingshan gritted his teeth, "And judging by the palm technique, it should be that bastard Huang Shi."

"Come, let's go find Steward Huang Tao and demand an explanation!"

A group of Liu Family guards rushed toward the Huang Family management area with a menacing Aura.

The Huang Family management area, main hall.

Steward Huang Tao was reviewing the mine's accounts when he suddenly heard a commotion outside.

"What's going on?"

He asked with a frown.

A Huang Family guard ran in panic, "Steward, this is bad!"

"The Liu Family people have come to cause trouble!"

"They say our people killed their Mine Slaves!"

Steward Huang Tao was stunned, "What?"

"Who killed them?"

"They said… it was Huang Shi."

Steward Huang Tao's face changed.

Although Huang Shi was arrogant, he wasn't so stupid as to openly kill the Liu Family's Mine Slaves.

There must be something fishy going on.

But before he could think further, Liu Qingshan burst in with a group of Liu Family guards.

"Huang Tao!"

Liu Qingshan roared, "Hand over Huang Shi!"

"Your Huang Family people killed four Mine Slaves on my Liu Family's territory!"

"If you don't give us an explanation today, this won't end!"

Steward Huang Tao sneered, "Liu Qingshan, don't you go making false accusations."

"When did Huang Shi kill your people?"

"I think you're just looking for an excuse to cause trouble, aren't you?"

"Looking for an excuse?"

Liu Qingshan sneered and gestured for his men to bring forward the Mine Slave who had narrowly escaped.

"Ask him yourself!"

The Mine Slave said tremblingly, "It was… it was Huang Shi…"

"He suddenly appeared and killed four of us without a word…"

"I saw it with my own eyes…"

Steward Huang Tao's brow furrowed tightly.

He turned to look at the Huang Shi beside him.

Huang Shi's face was full of bewilderment, "Steward, I'm being framed!"

"I've been on patrol all night and haven't been to the Liu Family's territory at all!"

"Besides, why would I kill their Mine Slaves for no reason?"

Looking at Huang Shi's expression, Steward Huang Tao felt he didn't seem to be lying.

"Liu Qingshan, there must be a misunderstanding here."

Steward Huang Tao said in a heavy voice, "Huang Shi has been on patrol; other guards can testify to that."

"Testify?"

Liu Qingshan sneered, "What's the use of your Huang Family people testifying?"

"They're probably all in on it together!"

"I don't care!"

"You must give an explanation today, otherwise…"

The pressure of the Quasi-Immortal Realm First Layer erupted from his body, "Don't blame me for being impolite!"

A flash of anger crossed Steward Huang Tao's eyes.

"Liu Qingshan, are you threatening me?"

"So what if I am?"

Liu Qingshan sneered, "Your Huang Family killed our people; do you still think you're in the right?"

Steward Huang Tao was fly into a rage.

"Fine!"

"Since you want to make a scene, then let's make a real scene!"

The pressure of the Quasi-Immortal Realm First Layer similarly erupted from his body, "Men, throw these Liu Family people out!"

"Throw us out?"

Liu Qingshan sneered, "I'd like to see how you're going to do that!"

Both sides' guards immediately drew their weapons, and the atmosphere became tense.

Just then, Liu Cheng also arrived.

"What's going on?"

Liu Cheng asked in a heavy voice.

Liu Qingshan immediately recounted the situation.

After hearing it, Liu Cheng's face turned ashen.

"Huang Tao, is this the way your Huang Family conducts itself?"