Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Unexpected Discovery in the Amethyst Vein (Part Four)

At the very moment the attack was launched, the protective shield of the Bloodstone Ring was activated, enclosing the two ladies within its safeguard. Yuan Mu cried out anxiously, desperately pushing towards Li Chengzhu’s embrace. When it became clear that there was no space left, he had no choice but to hand over Yuchun, whom he was holding, to Li, crouching beneath the enlarged empty mirror held by Gu Linglong.

The massive rock crashed against the empty mirror above their heads, producing a series of sharp knocks.

Sensing the right moment had arrived, Li Chengzhu unleashed over six hundred flying swords once more. Coordinating with Yuan Mu’s assault, they struck the mineral layer above, forging a direct passage upward.

“Move!” Yuan Mu, ever loyal and brave, took the lead, releasing a hula hoop that cleared the path ahead. Whenever a falling rock blocked their way, a single strike shattered it, ensuring none behind were crushed.

After several breaths, the group finally emerged from the mine, stepping into the sky above the ore vein. Though the journey seemed perilous, it was quite simple for them. Yet, mindful of Xiaoying and the life growing inside her, they remained cautious. Li Chengzhu exhaled deeply, holding the unharmed Xiaoying close, then glanced downward.

The once continuous hill-like mineral vein began collapsing, eventually crashing down with a thunderous roar.

“Haha,” Yuan Mu laughed heartily, “Looks like we’ve stirred up a big mess.”

Not only had they erased decades of painstakingly dug tunnels, but they had also caused the entire ore vein to collapse. That was truly hard to explain.

Li Chengzhu shrugged, tossing Yuchun to Yuan Mu.

Gu Linglong sighed. When her man vented his frustration, she could only go along with it. She never expected the mine would end up like this.

“Sir, what happened?” Chen Lin, the scholar, hurriedly flew up. “What about the mine?”

Gu Linglong looked to her husband for help.

Clearing his throat, Li Chengzhu replied, “Ah, scholar, it’s like this—our city lord sympathized with your disciples’ hard work mining. So, he decided to blast the entire vein, letting everyone just pick from the rubble on the ground. Isn’t that much easier?”

Li Chengzhu’s excuse was elaborate, and Yuan Mu sneered beside him. How could they come up with such a reason?

“Ah?” Chen Lin’s mouth fell open like a deep cavern.

He had insisted on manual mining to ensure maximum profit. Had blasting been an option, he would have done it long ago, not waiting for them to act.

Li Chengzhu stepped forward, patting Chen Lin’s shoulder. “You don’t know how hard the miners work—digging all day for a single stone is exhausting. Since it’s ore, breaking it up isn’t a big deal. Not much was destroyed, and the efficiency is much improved.” He glanced at Gu Linglong knowingly.

Blushing, Gu Linglong, who had never told a lie before, now had to cover for her husband. “Scholar, how about this? To compensate your losses, we’ll raise the labor fee to three percent. Consider it a personal contribution from me.” Saying this made her feel a little better, and she turned away, ignoring the look Li Chengzhu gave her.

“That’s very generous of you,” Chen Lin said with a smile, the wrinkles on his face deepening, much to Li Chengzhu’s disgust.

“No trouble at all,” Gu Linglong said as her blush faded. Her spirit hardened, and she no longer supported Chen Lin’s grievances.

“Then thank you, city lord,” Chen Lin said, beaming.

As he smiled, his gaze landed on Yuan Mu’s arms where Yuchun lay asleep. Panic flashed in Chen Lin’s eyes. “My daughter, what’s wrong?”

Gu Linglong sighed inwardly. Yuchun had such a father; it was truly lamentable. The girl had been out for a long time, and this was the first time he had seen her. Clearly, this man’s mind was entirely on the ore vein.

“She suffered a slight concussion,” Gu Linglong replied calmly. “But it should be nothing serious.”

***

“How could this happen?” Chen Lin took Yuchun from Yuan Mu’s arms and checked her pulse. Finding no injury, he relaxed.

Li Chengzhu stepped forward, massaging the palm of his hand. “When the rock fell, she didn’t dodge and was hit on the back of her head by a large stone.”

“Just that?” Chen Lin asked in surprise.

“That’s it,” Li Chengzhu said curtly, unwilling to waste more words.

“Oh.” Chen Lin was experienced and quick to grasp the situation. How could an immortal be knocked unconscious by a rock? It was a fabricated story to cover up something else. Yet, he kept his smile. “Thank you all for rescuing my daughter.”

“You’re welcome. We’re family, after all,” Yuan Mu replied warmly.

“Sister, let’s go back,” Xiaoying finally recovered from the tense atmosphere, touching her belly as she looked at Gu Linglong.

“Alright,” Gu Linglong nodded, glancing at Chen Lin. “We’ll leave everything here to you.”

“I am honored to assist you, city lord,” Chen Lin bowed slightly.

“Let’s go,” Gu Linglong ordered, then lowered her head to call to Cai Shu standing below. “Cai Shu, take care of everything.”

“Daughter, take care,” Cai Shu waved his hand vigorously and cupped it to his mouth, “Don’t worry, I won’t let them take even a single stone.”

“Not even half a stone!” Li Chengzhu chuckled mischievously.

Cai Shu cracked a smile, watching their retreating figures. “This guy…”

Traveling two hundred miles, neither too far nor too near, the four of them, along with the little one, flew and chatted, unaware of time passing until they reached Rainbow City.

Li Chengzhu, eager to see what treasure had been discovered, left Yuan Mu behind as soon as they entered the city lord’s mansion, dragging the two ladies into the new chambers.

In the mine, Li Chengzhu had only a vague idea that the stone was just ore, not a finished magical treasure. But given its ability to withstand such strong attacks, it was certainly extraordinary.

When they finally extracted the ore swept into the Bloodstone Ring, Xiaoying exclaimed, “Amethyst?”

“Amethyst?” Li Chengzhu was stunned. Though aware it was valuable, he hadn’t expected it to be so precious.

In the Immortal Realm, amethyst was among the highest-grade materials. Not only because a small addition during forging could greatly enhance a treasure’s performance, but also due to its rarity.

Across the entire Immortal Realm, yearly amethyst production barely exceeded ten jin.

“No wonder this feels so familiar,” Li Chengzhu murmured. He kept a two-jin amethyst bracelet within his Nascent Soul to mask the unusual spiritual pressure fluctuations. He had sensed a familiarity since picking up the ore but failed to recognize it immediately since it was raw ore and he hadn’t examined the bracelet in a long time.

“Is amethyst really that valuable?” Gu Linglong, observing Li Chengzhu and Xiaoying’s expressions, asked timidly.

She could hardly be blamed; since ascending to the Immortal Realm, no one had explained the common knowledge about such materials to her, so she was unaware of amethyst’s worth.

***

Li Chengzhu and Xiaoying exchanged a glance and said firmly, “It’s more than valuable—it’s incredibly precious.”

“Sister, you don’t even know this?” Xiaoying’s mouth dropped open.

Gu Linglong blushed again, whispering, “No one told me.” She recalled her solitary past and the rejection she endured due to her low power, feeling a pang of grievance.

Li Chengzhu reached out, pulling Gu Linglong into his arms gently. “From now on, you don’t have to worry about anything. I’m here for you.”

Xiaoying pouted, sulking with jealousy, and nestled into Li Chengzhu’s embrace, tilting her head upward. “What about me? What about me?”

“Hehe,” Li Chengzhu grinned mischievously, his large hand brushing over Xiaoying’s rounded hip before delivering a firm smack. “If you’re naughty, I’ll sell you to a brothel.”

“Mean!” Xiaoying frowned, stamping her foot on Li Chengzhu’s. “You’re so biased!”

“Alright, little sister,” Gu Linglong assumed her dignified role, “don’t you know him? He says that, but would he really sell a beauty like you to a brothel?” She scolded Li Chengzhu with a glare, signaling him with her eyes.

Li Chengzhu rubbed his hands together, scooped up Xiaoying, leaned down, and kissed her deeply.

Gu Linglong’s cheeks flushed even deeper as she stood beside Li Chengzhu’s embrace. This man dared to do such things in broad daylight.

After a while, Li Chengzhu released Xiaoying, glanced at Gu Linglong, and raised an eyebrow. “Linglong, how about…”

“No,” Gu Linglong turned lightly, slipping out of Li Chengzhu’s arms. “Not in broad daylight.”

“Then Xiaoying, shall we…” Li Chengzhu looked at Xiaoying, whose eyes were still glazed from his kiss.

Xiaoying closed her eyes and nodded slightly.

“Hehe,” Li Chengzhu chuckled, scooping up Xiaoying and heading toward the big bed.

“Adulterers!” Gu Linglong bit her lip, cheeks burning, preparing to leave.

“Not one will be left out,” Li Chengzhu grinned.

Gu Linglong felt a drop of liquid splash onto the back of her neck. Turning around, she saw her man leering at her, holding a vial of Lust Immortal Powder.

Xiaoying clapped happily on the bed. “Haha, let’s watch sister’s show this time.”

“Chuzhi,” Gu Linglong only had time to stamp her foot before her body involuntarily moved toward him, undressing quickly as she walked.

“Hmph,” Li Chengzhu snorted, looking back at Xiaoying, “This is punishment for her refusing to try new positions last night.” He rubbed his hands together and lifted Gu Linglong onto the bed with a lecherous grin. “Tonight, we’re doing the Lotus Pose!”