My Martial Dao Has No Bottlenecks

He picked up the strange ore and weighed it in his hand. "However, if we want to get to the bottom of this, this thing is probably the key."

"Zhao Yuan, send someone trustworthy. Have them travel in disguise and take the back roads to deliver the sample to the Martial Arts Academy. Remember, no one is to know about this besides Elder Huang."

"Yes, sir."

...

In the afternoon, Liang Cheng was cultivating in the Quiet Chamber.

However, just as he began circulating his Qi, a wave of warmth came from his sleeve. He frowned and stopped, looking at the small sample of black, red-veined ore he had casually placed there after their discussion.

He placed it in his palm, puzzled. He tried to slowly channel a sliver of True Qi into it. The moment it touched the ore, a strange transformation occurred.

The blood-red veins on the ore’s surface seemed to come alive, suddenly glowing with a faint, dark-red light. Then, a surge of Qi and Blood Power gushed out.

Liang Cheng’s eyes narrowed, and he immediately cut off the flow of True Qi.

But in that brief instant, he had already felt an effect similar to a Qi Blood Pill, only far stranger—it was actually able to merge with his True Qi.

’Qi and Blood Power... feeding back into my own body?’

However, this would cause his Qi and Blood to become chaotic. It might boost his strength in the short term, but later on, he feared the two energies would clash, causing even more trouble.

’The Fire Worship Sect is collecting this ore, even going so far as to use human lives in blood sacrifices. It’s probably not just for a ritual. More likely, they’re ’feeding’ these stones, causing them to undergo some kind of transformation to gain Qi and Blood Power and aid in some extreme form of cultivation.’

He put the ore away. For now, he would wait for news from Elder Huang and take no action. He calmed his mind and resumed his cultivation.

’As long as I’m strong enough, I can handle any unforeseen changes.’

...

Later that afternoon, Liang Cheng had not yet received any visitors from the Lin Family. Instead, Steward Lu Ming of the Lu Family came to call. Liang Cheng personally had Li Mu show the man in.

Lu Ming cupped his hands and said, "I heard that the Town Guardian has been troubled by the mine’s affairs recently. I have worked at the mine for many years and may have some humble insights to offer."

"You’re too kind, Steward Lu."

Liang Cheng invited Lu Ming to sit and had tea served. An idea struck him. He took out the dark-red ore from his sleeve and said, "Steward Lu, you’ve been at the Dongshan Mine for many years. It was my oversight not to ask you sooner. With your extensive knowledge, have you ever seen this type of ore?"

Lu Ming took the ore and examined it carefully. He then tapped it with his fingertip, listening to the sound, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper.

"I have never laid eyes on this stone before," he said, handing the ore back with a solemn expression. "But its texture and veins remind me of an old story."

"This Town Guardian is all ears."

"About ten years ago, my father traveled with a merchant caravan to Heiyan City in the north. That place was famous for a strange stone called Blood Marrow Jade. It was said that wearing it could calm the mind and nourish one’s Qi. However, it was extremely difficult to mine, and strange things often happened deep in the veins. Miners would frequently go mad or disappear.

Later, Heiyan City suddenly sealed off the mine, officially claiming the veins were depleted. But there were private rumors that they had dug up something they shouldn’t have, attracting an evil presence."

Lu Ming lowered his voice. "The thing they shouldn’t have dug up, as described in the rumors back then, was said to be a black stone with blood-red veins that was ice-cold to the touch and seemed to drain a person’s vital essence."

Liang Cheng’s interest was piqued. "Heiyan City? What happened after that?"

"Not long after the mine was sealed, few people went there anymore. No one paid any attention to Heiyan City, and gradually, it was forgotten."

At this, Lu Ming shook his head. "Town Guardian, if this stone is truly related to the Blood Marrow Jade, I fear it is a truly ominous thing."

"Thank you for the information, Steward Lu." Liang Cheng put the ore away. "I must ask you to keep this matter confidential for the time being."

"You have my word, Town Guardian."

After Lu Ming left, Liang Cheng’s brow grew even tighter. ’Heiyan City, Blood Marrow Jade, and the Fire Worship Sect... what’s the secret connecting them?’

’Heiyan City is in the north, which matches the clue about the outsiders and their warhorses. Could there be another connection?’

While he was lost in thought, Zhao Yuan suddenly rushed in, his face grim. "Senior Brother, something’s happened again."

Liang Cheng followed Li Mu outside. At the entrance to the Guardian Station, several men dressed as miners stood with terrified expressions, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers.

Zhao Yuan immediately stepped forward and shouted, "The Town Guardian is here! What is all this commotion?"

The men flinched and quickly stepped back, clearing a path.

One of them, a burly man with a scar on his face, dropped to his knees with a THUD and cried out, "Town Guardian! You have to help us! Wang the Third... he was on duty last night. This morning, he was found dead at the mine entrance! There’s a huge hole in his chest, exactly like those officers who died before!"

Liang Cheng’s expression darkened.

"Where is the body?"

The men moved aside, revealing a stretcher covered with a white cloth.

"Forensic doctor, examine the body."

The Personal Guards carried the body to the morgue while Liang Cheng continued to question the miners.

"Tell me exactly what happened."

"We were on duty with him last night. It was almost dawn, and it was his turn to go outside. He was napping in the shed right next to us. We didn’t hear a thing. It wasn’t until the shift change that we realized Wang the Third was gone."

"There was no unusual activity at all?"

"None!"

"Alright, you can go back for now. We’ll notify you when we have any results."

"Town Guardian, it can’t really be an evil spirit, can it?"

"Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, the Dongshan Mine won’t fall into chaos."

...

That evening, Lin Chong arrived alone at the Guardian Station, carrying an old wooden box.

Liang Cheng had just finished his sword practice and came to the reception hall. "Young Master Lin, you delivered the map yourself?"

"This matter concerns the mining veins. I dared not entrust it to anyone else."

Lin Chong placed the wooden box on the stone table. "This is a detailed map of the Dongshan Mine veins, along with the mining records from over the years. My father said that since the Town Guardian wishes to investigate, the Lin Family will naturally cooperate."

Liang Cheng opened the box. The map was yellowed and old. When he turned to the area of mine shaft number three, the map only showed the main tunnel up to its midway point. The deeper section was blank, marked only by five small words:

Old tunnel collapsed. No entry.

"What’s with this blank area?"

"Eight years ago, a collapse there killed dozens of people. The tunnel was sealed, and no one has dared to survey it since."

Lin Chong’s expression was calm.

"And yet, I happened to go in there the day before yesterday. I saw no signs of a collapse. Instead, I found some... interesting things."

Lin Chong was silent for a moment before saying in a low voice, "My father asked me to tell the Town Guardian that for some old matters, the fewer people who know, the better. If the Town Guardian truly insists on investigating, perhaps it would be better to investigate the present and not dwell on the past."

"Are you advising me to stop while I’m ahead?"

"I wouldn’t dare."

Lin Chong lowered his head. "It is merely a reminder. Ultimately, the decision is yours, Town Guardian. Since the map has been delivered, and I have matters to attend to at home, I will take my leave."

...

That night, Liang Cheng slipped out alone. His destination—

Mine Shaft Number Three.

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