Chapter 586: Why Didn't You Say So Sooner?

High-end mining areas often only require the most primitive methods of excavation.

After a busy day, Master Ye had his soul-body devour every bit of Immortal Source ore it had dug up, then had the soul-body restore the excavated areas to their original state.

Afterward, he put away the Human Emperor Flag, assumed the appearance of someone who had returned empty-handed, shouldered his pickaxe, and walked out of the mine with a weary expression.

Seeing people watching him as he walked out of the cave entrance, Ye Lin immediately sighed.

"Sigh... why can't anything be dug up in this mine..."

The other ascenders saw this and all sneered.

"Hmph, serves him right, letting him go and kiss Qiu Weizhi's ass."

"Forget it, show some basic respect for the dead; he's going to die tonight."

"That's true, Ding Haoyan has already put the word out that he's going to make an example of him tonight!"

"For a person like that, dying early is just one less scourge in the world!"

The ascenders mocked Ye Lin without the slightest mercy; in their eyes, the kid was entirely responsible for his own misfortune.

Ye Lin followed the flow of people to the place where they ate.

The dining area also required the consumption of Immortal Source stones, billed monthly; the standard meal plan of 90 meals per month cost two low-grade Immortal Source stones, and as for extra portions, those were calculated separately.

Ye Lin didn't have a single Immortal Source stone on him at the moment, and besides, he wouldn't starve to death, so he just took one look and planned to leave.

Just then, a food tray was handed to Ye Lin.

The food on the tray was very simple: two fists of brown rice, one chicken leg, a little cabbage, and a few pieces of winter melon; after digging for a day, eating this wouldn't even give you the strength to hang yourself.

"Eat something. You'll need the strength to take a beating tonight; Ding Haoyan won't let you off."

Kuai Yan sighed helplessly.

"I've been here for so long, I'm considered an old-timer, so they'll give me some face and spare your life, but a brutal beating is definitely unavoidable."

"You're helping me, aren't you afraid of being implicated?" Ye Lin asked with some curiosity.

"I am afraid, but things are already like this, what else can be done?"

Kuai Yan shrugged.

"You should worry about yourself; think about how you're going to survive that brutal beating tonight."

"Is that Ding Haoyan very strong?" Ye Lin inquired.

"Yes."

Kuai Yan nodded.

"Ding Haoyan is the undisputed boss of the ascenders in the 81st mining area."

"He possesses the Mountain-Suppressing Divine Peak Physique, a special constitution with terrifying physical strength; every gesture he makes carries the force of ten thousand jun. Not only is his monthly mining wage an astonishing 30 low-grade Immortal Source stones, but his combat prowess is also incredibly fierce."

"Over time, a significant force gathered around Ding Haoyan, and no one in the 81st mining area dares to provoke him."

Kuai Yan stuffed a chicken leg into Ye Lin's mouth.

"Anyway, listen to me. You still owe me one low-grade Immortal Source stone, so I won't harm you."

"When Ding Haoyan comes for you tonight, just be honest and don't talk back. Let them beat you to vent their anger, and the matter will pass."

"And don't ever say those things from the daytime again, or next time, no one will be able to save you!"

Ye Lin was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected Kuai Yan to actually help him.

"Don't worry, Brother Kuai Yan, I will definitely listen to you!"

Soon, a full and satisfied Ye Lin returned to the miners' dormitory.

Calling it a dormitory was a stretch; it was actually a dilapidated mud hut with two hard beds inside.

Not long after Ye Lin returned to the dormitory, Ding Haoyan arrived with his men!

With a bang, their door panel flew straight off its hinges.

"The one inside named Ye Lin, get out here yourself!" A rough voice rang out, like rolling thunder.

Just as Ye Lin stood up, Kuai Yan hurriedly pressed him down.

"You wait here for me; don't come out until I tell you to!"

Kuai Yan walked out, hunched over, with a fawning smile on his face.

"Brother Haoyan, it's me, Kuai Yan! Do you remember me? I gave you a gift a hundred Kun years ago."

"A vague impression? Why are you out here? I'm looking for that Ye Lin, get lost!"

The sound of Ding Haoyan and Kuai Yan talking came from outside the door.

"Brother Haoyan, that Ye Lin is someone I just picked up a few days ago, a pure newcomer who doesn't know any of the rules. I've already taught him a lesson, and he knows he was wrong. Could you please be the bigger man and spare his life?" Kuai Yan said.

"Oh~ I see, you're here to plead for him, right?" Ding Haoyan sneered.

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. I just wanted to ask a favor of you, Brother Haoyan. Don't worry, I know the rules; I'll make him give up half of his wages for the next three months to honor you." Kuai Yan continued to speak kindly.

"Is that so? Then I should thank you?" Ding Haoyan's tone was playful.

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare..."

Before Kuai Yan could finish his sentence, Ding Haoyan suddenly erupted and kicked him fiercely in the chest.

"Damn it, who do you think you are? Are you qualified to tell me what to do?"

Kuai Yan hadn't expected the other party to strike suddenly; he was kicked flying, crashing through the wall and landing in front of Ye Lin.

"Wah!"

Kuai Yan opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood, his complexion looking terrible.

A tall, imposing man with a fierce face stepped over the collapsed wall and appeared before Ye Lin.

Behind him followed five or six other ascenders, all looking at Ye Lin and Kuai Yan with mocking expressions.

"You are Ye Lin?"

Ding Haoyan looked down at Ye Lin from above, dangerous light flashing in his eyes.

"So you're the one who suggested that high wages are bad for the ascenders' motivation, and even said we should pay to mine?"

"Not me, I didn't, don't talk nonsense." Ye Lin immediately issued a triple denial.

Ding Haoyan was stunned for a moment, then sneered.

"Only now realizing you said the wrong thing? Too late! Originally, if you had begged for mercy, I wouldn't necessarily have had to kill you, but unfortunately... I'm in a bad mood today! So, I have to take your life to vent my anger!"

Ye Lin's expression changed, and he hurriedly warned him.

"I'm warning you, if you dare to mess around, the Team Leader will find out, and he won't let you off!"

"Team Leader? Hahahaha!"

Ding Haoyan and the people behind him burst into wild laughter.

"Kid, is your brain broken? Do you really think the Team Leader would make a big fuss over a bottom-tier ascender like you?"

"People like you are a dime a dozen every year; who cares if you live or die?"

Hearing Ding Haoyan's words, Ye Lin suddenly realized, and a kind smile appeared on his face.

"Oh~ so it turns out no one cares if an ascender kills another ascender. Why didn't you say so sooner?"