Inside the dark mine, it wasn't completely pitch black.
Coming in from the brightness outside, one couldn't adapt right away.
However, there were simple oil lamps on the walls at intervals, casting a dim light just enough to see the path.
Two figures, one tall and one short, deliberately slowed their pace, occasionally glancing around.
These two sneaky individuals were the same ones mentioned with gritted teeth by Shen Youkun, who couldn't clear their presence, distinguishable by their heights.
They kept their distance from the miners ahead, ensuring no one was following behind.
The taller one, Wu Jinliang, still looked uneasy, whispering complaints to his companion, "That was close, we nearly got recognized by Shen Youkun. I said sneaking around like this was risky, but you insisted on coming."
Shi Chun, whispering back, said, "But it's fine now, isn't it? We've confirmed from reliable sources that they're all outsiders unfamiliar with us, except for Shen Youkun. Running into him was pure coincidence; we won't keep bumping into him."
Wu Jinliang rolled his eyes and reminded, "I say, Brother Chun, don't get complacent. This is too blatant. If we bump into him again, he won't be blind forever. He probably hates us, and my height is too noticeable. If he recognizes us, one shout from him and we'll be surrounded..."
Shi Chun interrupted dismissively, "So what if he shouts? If he can't recognize us, no harm done. If he does, let him try shouting. He's just a washed-up man now; taking him hostage wouldn't be hard. If anything seems off, we'll handle it. No need to scare ourselves."
"Uh..."
Wu Jinliang scratched his head, realizing Shi Chun made sense.
If Shen Youkun ran into them again, he would be easy to grab.
But then he hesitated.
"Still, is there really a need to take such risks? We've seen it, just a heap of bones buried who knows how long. Even if they're valuable, it's too big for the two of us to manage. Staying longer just risks exposure; let's leave."
Normally, Wu Jinliang wouldn't persistently argue against Big Boss's decisions.
But now was different.
They had accumulated enough "merit," and their responsibilities in Eastern Nine Plains were done.
Even hoping to see the tavern owner's daughter once more didn't require such risks.
They could simply exchange their "merit" for freedom without unnecessary trouble.
Their presence here was related to the recently amassed "merit."
They had lucked out on a large haul, even surprising themselves, which made the whole gang euphoric.
Yet, Big Boss frowned, suspecting something was off.
There seemed to be a mismatch between the security encountered and the value of the loot, suggesting it was possibly too easy.
Wu Jinliang thought it was all fine as long as they got the goods.
But Big Boss left some clues at the robbery site, just in case.
Afterwards, when things were smoothly sold off in the city, his suspicion grew at how effortless it all felt.
He speculated that individuals supplying so many resources in the Exile Lands should have been robust, likely inclined to retaliate.
Even if they lacked the power to take back what was stolen, they'd send out rumors, stirring trouble for their opponents.
Yet, there had been no such whispers.
The guarded location didn’t see any investigation post-robbery, bringing back no one to inspect or inquire.
Meanwhile, the "merit" following the city exchange was just enough to grant freedom to all in Eastern Nine Plains.
Facing such figures, Big Boss had pondered in silence for a long time.
After the excitement settled, he distributed the "merit" fairly, sending his people off with nothing more than a long, heartfelt bow to their departing figures.
Wu Jinliang noticed Big Boss’s eyes had turned red, appearing tearful.
Big Boss then turned away, avoiding further acknowledgment.
Wu Jinliang, understanding the unsaid, feigned ignorance.
In the end, it was only the two of them who stayed behind.
Wu Jinliang believed he understood why: Big Boss's fondness for the tavern owner's daughter was no secret.
It was rational, staying a while longer just to say goodbye.
After all, once they're gone, they'd never see each other again.
Yet, Big Boss had plans, believing that their remaining presence might lure truths to surface if any schemers had tricks in mind.
Wu Jinliang thought Big Boss was imagining things, figuring no one would offer a bountiful exit from this cursed land.
Yet, someone indeed came, leading to their unraveling of Shen Youkun’s machinations.
Questioning Shen's motives was puzzling—curiosity naturally took over.
Left with time until the daughter’s next visit, they pursued explanations.
Shi Chun seemed unfazed despite Wu Jinliang's protests.
"With so many people here, needing supplies daily along with the heap secretly sent as gifts, I refuse to believe they’re doing nothing significant behind closed doors. We just haven't understood yet, but I believe it'll all become clear."
Wu Jinliang anxiously kept up, still urging.
"Even if those bones have secrets, they're beyond our means, unrelated to us truly, making any risk unnecessary."
Shi Chun countered with a question, "Where do you think Shen Youkun suddenly procured all these resources? Did he save them?"
Wu Jinliang doubted Shen’s ability to save such an amount within two or three years since his exile.
Just the goods they'd 'borrowed' nearly freed over a hundred of their fellows.
So Wu Jinliang questioned, "Does the source matter? Spring, let's go; it's unrelated to us."
Shi Chun pressed on, "Unrelated? With Shen Youkun’s background, do you think he’d just let us leave peacefully? Especially when he intended us out. Would you feel assured? Sneaking out word to harm us wouldn’t be a challenge with such means."
Wu Jinliang absorbed the weight of this, quietly asking, "Then what do you intend?"
Shi Chun leaned closer, whispering, "The source of goods is clearly suspicious. Discover what’s happening here, and if we unearth anything useful, we’ll have bargaining leverage."
Wu Jinliang, instantly silenced, suppressed his opinions, though he mumbled bitterly, "I say Spring, out of everyone to provoke, why'd you choose to cross Shen? Others leave joyfully when they get their 'merit'; here we are, living on edge."
Shi Chun lamented, "You think I wanted this? Hell, who knew his background was real."
Reflecting on that old tale—when Shen Youkun had first been demoted here, unlike the common folk, he was arrogant and boastful of his background.
While most avoided conflict for future safety, avoiding what they couldn't handle, Shi Chun wasn’t one to be easily intimidated.
Considering Shen’s claims bravado, Shi Chun had him detained, still treated decently, while working to contact family through city channels.
Yet Shen never managed such proof, resulting in humiliation and eventual disposal to relevant parties.
Contrary to expectations, Shen was worshipped elsewhere.
Eventually, his connections proved true.
Shi Chun begrudgingly gleaned that Shen indeed had backing; the city gate's officials weren’t easy to sway, naturally leading to misunderstandings.
Though they had chances to end Shen, Shi Chun wisely refrained, aware of repercussions from the influential.
Better alive than risking reprisals; the gate could easily close their livelihood, leaving Shi Chun cautiously handling his foe.