Even the Inner Sect Disciples of the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer who came previously didn’t behave with such disregard, which left the second and third members of the Qi Family very dissatisfied.
They were about to rebut immediately but were stopped by Qi Yuan Sect. At this moment, the Earth Tyrant of Badong Town, the Patriarch of the Qi Family, also put away his smile, his face somewhat stiff as he spoke.
"What the Sect Envoy said is correct, it was I who was careless."
"Since that is the case, let’s prioritize the matters of the Upper Sect. Please..."
As he spoke, Qi Yuan Sect gave a knowing look to the second and third members behind him, who immediately understood and quickly blended back into the group.
Zheng Yi pretended not to notice the Qi Family’s little actions. His intention from the start was to cut through the mess swiftly and decisively, with no time to play political games with these people.
This was a valley surrounded by three great mountains, where the Black Iron Ore Vein was located.
When Zheng Yi arrived at the valley, he saw a group of frail and ragged miners timidly lined up on the open ground, led by the second and third members of the Qi Family.
"Upper Envoy, this is the mine. They’re just some worthless scoundrels, nothing worth seeing."
Seeing Zheng Yi wanting to walk in, Qi Yuan Sect stopped him and smiled as he explained.
"Given that this is where I will personally oversee in the future, if I don’t even know how much Black Essence Iron Ore is produced, it would be a serious crime of deceit when the sect questions it."
Zheng Yi waved his hand, brushing away the obstructing arm, and walked straight towards the valley.
Behind him, Qi Yuan Sect’s face showed anger, and his eyes flickered with a dangerous aura as he watched Zheng Yi’s back.
Standing still, Zheng Yi addressed the management and numerous miners of the mine loudly.
"Starting today, this mine will be overseen by me. I hope you all behave yourselves and do not break my rules."
He continued to ask.
"Who is the Chief Steward of this mine, step forward and let me see you."
A calm voice carried an inexplicable authority, encompassing the many managers present.
"This..."
Only to see a fat man wiping the sweat from his forehead, instinctively looking towards Qi Yuan Sect behind Zheng Yi, as if asking for guidance. Seeing the other standing behind Zheng Yi expressionlessly, he hurriedly stepped forward.
"I am Qi Lin, the manager of this mine."
Zheng Yi watched this fat man with interest, not speaking for a long time, the severity in his gaze making him even more uneasy.
Not daring to wipe the sweat off his forehead, he could only let it fall.
"Don’t be afraid, I won’t eat you."
As he spoke, Zheng Yi walked over, patted Qi Lin on the shoulder, and said with a smile.
"Qi Lin, not bad, it’s a good name."
With a pat on the shoulder, it was like the weight of a thousand pounds, making Qi Lin’s body tremble involuntarily, his figure becoming significantly shorter.
"Yes, yes!"
Qi Lin, not knowing how to respond, could only nod repeatedly and forced a smile.
"How much does this mine produce a month?!"
Zheng Yi unexpectedly asked, his eyes emitting an eerie green glow at this moment, using the Soul-Catching Demon Sound from his Lifebound Spiritual Artifact, the Soul-Catching Banner, enveloping the fat man in front of him.
This made Qi Lin, who was in a panic, almost react without thinking, blurting out: "Produces sixteen thousand jun of Black Essence Iron Ore."
"Hmm?!"
Zheng Yi patted Qi Lin’s shoulder again, suddenly turning around, looking at Qi Yuan Sect, and couldn’t help but ask.
"That’s strange; I checked within the sect and found that only about six thousand six hundred jun were reported last month. So where are the remaining nine thousand jun?"
Although he said this with a smile, the tone held a sinister chill that was enough to suffocate people.
Qi Lin, this big fat man, suddenly felt as if the sky was falling. How could such critical data be disclosed?
His face turned pale directly, and he quietly raised his head, glancing at the murderous eyes of Qi Yuan Sect across from him, involuntarily feeling fear, his legs softening, ready to collapse back.
But Zheng Yi grabbed him, pulling him upright, making him steady.
"Upper Envoy, are you not joking?"
Qi Yuan Sect’s face darkened, asking almost word by word.
"I also hope it’s a misunderstanding, but the amount above is clearly written."
"I didn’t expect that within the sect’s territory, someone would greedily embezzle; do you think the sword of the Soul Catching Sect is not sharp enough?"
Zheng Yi spoke without retreating, his eyes meeting Qi Yuan Sect’s gaze directly, their sights clashing invisibly.
"Upper Envoy, I hope you are responsible for your words. This is still Qi Family’s territory, some things are best thought through carefully."
Things had developed to this point. It seemed the newly promoted Inner Sect Disciple of the Soul Catching Sect was targeting their Qi Family.
The conflict was already exposed, with little left to hide. On Qi Yuan Sect’s side, Qi Yuanming and Qi Yuanshang gathered behind the Patriarch, exerting pressure on Zheng Yi.
"You’re mistaken; this isn’t Qi Family’s territory, but the Soul Catching Sect’s."
"Occupying the sect’s interests and not only failing to serve but also seeking personal gains, truly selfish and rat-like."
Zheng Yi scanned the group, his smile broadening, speaking unhurriedly.
"Moreover, after arriving at this mine, I seemed to have discovered something even more interesting..."
"What did the Upper Sect envoy say? I didn’t quite catch it!"
The Patriarch of the Qi Family, Qi Yuan Sect, hearing this, had an unnatural flash across his face, a murderous intent finally revealing itself in his eyes.
"What Zheng said? Surely the Qi Family Patriarch is well aware."
"If not for my little treasure within me warning me, I wouldn’t even know that a prestigious Qi Cultivation Clan like the Qi Family has such skills?"
"To set up the Nine Yin Gathering Evil Extinct Meridian Array under the Soul Catching Sect’s nose in this Black Iron Ore Vein..."
"No wonder this vein is depleting so quickly; probably the lack of spirit veins across the entire Badong Town mine is related to this."
"To arrange the Nine Yin Gathering Evil Extinct Meridian Array isn’t a day’s work. This place must have been managed by the Qi Family for at least an entire cycle of sixty years!"
"I am curious, what secret is hidden within this?"
"On behalf of the Soul Catching Sect, I declare, the three brothers of the Qi Family are guilty!"
"Today, surrender quietly and wait for the sect’s judgment..."
Before he finished speaking, Zheng Yi moved his hand, and the Soul-Catching Banner appeared in his hand, enveloping the area in black mist. The surging black and cyan Evil Qi, like roaring flames, illuminated the entire valley.
"Don’t think just because you’re the Sect Envoy that you can have your way. Today, we’ll take you down and report you to the Steward Lord for your reckless crimes."
Seeing the situation escalate, Qi Yuan Sect no longer hid anything.