A few minutes later, Lu Jo completely burned Kelly's dead body to ashes, which floated in the air like dust. The acrid smell of smoke lingered in the air, a grim reminder of the violent confrontation that had just unfolded. He then erased the signs of their fight and began walking with the sleeping boy on his shoulder, whose small frame seemed even more fragile against the backdrop of the darkened streets.
After crossing several alleys, he arrived in front of a two-story building, its façade unremarkable yet ominous, a place where desperate souls came to barter their freedom. Changing his clothes, he donned a colorful mask that obscured his features, a stark contrast to the grim reality he was about to face before entering the two story building.
At that moment, a stout man was sitting on a chair on the lower floor of the building, reading a book with his feet on the table, blissfully unaware of the turmoil that was about to disrupt his mundane existence. He stood up upon seeing Lu Jo, his curiosity piqued but his instincts alert.
When Pei Sou was at the academy, he had mingled with many peak iron stage senior metalists, learning to navigate the complex social dynamics of their world. But now, the masked man suddenly appearing before him was sending him a dangerous signal, an unsettling dread creeping into his gut.
Pei Sou said with a serious expression, "Sir, how can I assist you?" His voice wavered slightly, betraying the unease that coursed through him.
Lu Jo replied in a cold voice, "I want to sell this child to you as a mining slave." Saying this, he lifted the child off his shoulder and placed it on the table in front of the man.
Pei Sou composed himself and said slowly, "Alright, sir... So be it. How else can I assist you?" He felt the weight of the decision pressing down on him, knowing the implications of such an act.
Noticing Lu Jo's lack of reaction, the man continued, "We typically consider the quality of the slaves first. For example, weak young women or children are sent to various hotels, restaurants, shops, and inns in the city as slaves. Others are forcibly sent as workers to farms, construction sites, or various heavy labor tasks.
And since this child is under 15, then...
Hearing these words, Lu Jo frowned, prompting Pei Sou to gulp and take a deep breath. This time, not hiding anything, Pei Sou anxiously said, "If the slaves are of good quality, then sometimes we send them to metal gems mine."
Lu Jo interrupted him, commanding, "You will send this child to the mine as a slave. And ensure that the child at least survives there. If not, your death is assured, and Pei family will face the consequences ." His tone was unyielding, filled with an authority that brooked no argument.
Saying this, Lu Jo threw a pouch onto the man's table and coldly stated, "Here are 100 LGS (low grade gems). In exchange, you will ensure that the child at least survives." The clink of gems echoed ominously in the stillness of the room.
With that, before Pei Sou could comprehend anything, Lu Jo vanished from the room, leaving a palpable tension in the air.
Pei Sou immediately sat down in his chair, "Oh Lord, what trouble have I gotten into again? I feel like I'm in big trouble. But what should I do now? No, no, I must inform the higher official about this." Panic surged through him, the reality of his precarious position settling like a weight on his shoulders.
Without further thought, Pei Sou carefully approached the child to check on him. Due to the nerve points being sealed, the child was still asleep, and blissfully unaware of the dark fate that awaited him.
Without disturbing the slumbering boy, Pei Sou observed him for a few moments and noted that the child's breathing was becoming heavier, suggesting that he might awaken soon.
Therefore, without hesitation, Pei Sou grasped a unique wooden jade talisman shaped like a palm. This object served as a safeguard against potential troubles, resembling a lifeline amidst the turmoil of the moment.
This jade talisman was essentially a communication tool created by the formation master, allowing metal artists to communicate with one another over specific distances. It was a privilege reserved for those of power, and he felt a glimmer of hope as he prepared to use it.
As the man applied a slight amount of energy to the talisman, he created a connection with one of the many signals within it through his sense, his heart racing with anticipation.
As soon as he connected with the signal, a cold voice echoed from the talisman, "Idiot, why are you messaging me at this moment? I'm busy right now, so if this isn't important, you're done."
Pei Sou, trembling with fear, replied in a broken voice, "Lord Pei Mu, forgive me, but this matter is very important. Just now, a disguised man came to my slave trading building with a child. He is likely a powerful Bronze Stage metal artist. Before I could grasp the situation, he threatened me that if I didn't listen to him, he would kill me!!!" The urgency in his voice underscored the gravity of his predicament.
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Pei Mu chuckled mockingly, "Hummm, threatened? Is he insane? Doesn’t he know that the Pei family is behind this slave trading? So what was he threatening you about?" The dismissive tone only heightened Pei Sou's anxiety.
After receiving the approval of his superior Lord, Pei Sou arranged the entire incident in his mind and said, "The disguised man exerted his energy to pressure me and placed the child on my table. Then he threatened me to send the child to the mental mine as a slave and ensuring that the child at least survives there... Afterwards, he threw a pouch filled with 100 LGS (low grade gems) onto my table."
Upon hearing this, Pei Mu fell into thought, ‘Hummm! A disguised bronze stage metal artist. Who came to the Pei family's slave management building, intimidating to sell a common ten-year-old child as a mining slave. And on top of that, tipped 100 LGS to ensure the child remains alive.
Typically, metal artists do not mingle with common folks due to their pride and arrogance. They even look down upon their weaker blood relatives.
In this slave management building, low-level Criminal metalists, orphans, and those without lineage are sold as slaves and later sent to various places for work. Where undercurrents of despair filled the air, a reminder of the fragile lives at stake.
Even though he is a bronze stage metal artist, how dare he intimidate our family?’
It was a peculiar situation that stirred both intrigue and wariness within him.So he thought again,‘Hummm, could this signify something else???
The implications of such a confrontation began to weigh heavily on Pei Mu's mind.
‘No, no, this incident is certainly not ordinary. I feel like there might be an external group or organization trying to create trouble. Or is this a new ploy by the Lu officials to monitor the mine again? If so, why just a child? The Lu family has previously sent spies as slaves to monitor this mine several times.
I am now certain that there must be a major conspiracy behind this, which may later create significant chaos within the mine.’
Pei Mu paused and took a deep breath.This kind of thought sent a chill down his spine. But a moment later he began to chuckle softly, ‘Ha ha ha ha ha, rain without asking for it. Truly, God is helping me. Anyway, this could be a perfect opportunity to execute my plan and teach that bastard a lesson.’
After contemplating these thoughts, Pei Mu spoke to the slave trader excitedly, "You wait, I'll let you know what to do."
Saying this, he severed the connection of the jade talisman, feeling a surge of adrenaline course through him.
In an exquisitely adorned chamber crafted from precious stones, featuring elaborate wall carvings, Deven found himself seated in a chair across from Pei Mu's table. He felt a sense of astonishment as he perceived a notable change in the ambiance.
Because just now, Pei Mu on the other side of the table had suddenly taken out the talisman, silently saying something with anger visible on his face. Then, the transition from worry to excitement and joy was almost evident in his eyes. All of the emotions swirling like a tempest within him.
As soon as the connection of Pei Mu’s talisman was severed, Deven said in a somewhat concerned tone, "Mr. Pei Mu, are you alright? Is there any bad news?"
Pei Mu assured him, "Oh no, sir Deven, there’s nothing to worry about. This is actually not bad news; it was good news. The kind that could shift the balance of power in the mine.
Moreover, this area is under our Pei family's control; whatever we say here happens.
You can trust me without any worries. Furthermore, I have already told you that we have two officials and over thirty guards in the mine. So there is no need to worry here. Although I cannot tell you everything due to the family reason behind this plan. But you have already grasped the essence of it, which will be properly implemented within at least three or four years." His tone was reassuring, but a glint of ambition sparked in his eyes.
Deven spoke with a serious yet uncertain tone, "As per your strategy, instigating chaos in the mine plays a crucial role. Surely, your officials overseeing the mine won't be directly implicated in this endeavor. Furthermore, the guards won't be able to incite chaos in the mining area themselves. If they were to do so, their heads would roll immediately at the hands of the chief official.”
Thus, the primary instigators of chaos within the mine would be the slaves. However, I believe a significant issue arises here. If my information is correct, most of the slaves are criminals and commoners sold by your family, leading them to harbor either anger or covert resentment toward the Pei family. Furthermore, past incidents have demonstrated that chaos typically resulted in death for the slaves, raising the stakes to an unprecedented level.
Given this environment and situation, how do you intend to mobilize the slaves to resist or rebel against the officials and guards?" His concerns were legitimate, resonating with the apprehensions that troubled Pei Mu's own mind.
Pei Mu lapsed into deep contemplation; despite having finalized his plan in recent days, Deven's numerous doubts weighed heavily on him. According to Deven, a failure in this scheme could jeopardize the future of their cult's successor—a consequence that no one could afford to overlook.
In such a situation, Pei Mu, having no other option, he highlighted another key point of his plan to dispel Deven's doubts, a calculated risk he was willing to take.
Filick!!!Tinng!!!!
Reluctantly, Pei Mu snapped his fingers, and a thumb-sized purple glowing gem appeared just above the table between Pei Mu and Deven, pulsing with an enigmatic energy.
Upon seeing this, Deven suddenly stood up from his chair, excitedly exclaiming, "Are you really going to use this? I can hardly believe it." The gem shimmered, its potential palpable in the air.
Then with a serious face, Pei Mu said, "Why not? It has been lying in our treasury for no reason. Moreover, this is our territory, and if anything happens here, no one would dare take it away from us."
Mr. Devin, are you satisfied now, or do you have any other suspicions about the plan?" The tension
in the air shifted, their fates intertwined in a web of ambition and treachery.