Post-Apocalyptic Survival Modpack

Chapter 30: Simmering Anger
Perhaps because they had enough to eat every day, the group traveled quickly, and in just two and a half days, Wang Ji saw the large mine that the workers had mentioned.

At this moment, Wang Ji was standing on a high place, gazing into the distance.

At the edge of the field of vision, there was a small cluster of houses built against the mountain, and some people were active on it.

Behind the houses, where the mountains are, there is a huge opening, and you can vaguely see some thick support frames firmly planted on the ground.

It seems more logical than the hole Wang Ji dug himself, but it's not necessarily more reliable.

As they approached their destination, Cole took a deep breath, constantly reminding himself that he and his group were not going back to surrender, but to do something for a big shot in the capital.

As for what he was doing, he didn't know and dared not ask.

He can only do his best to do his job well.

"There are guards."

A group of people stopped not far from the surface checkpoint of the large mine.

During this period, Wang Ji really became a bit allergic to the idea of ​​guards.

These guys aren't much of a threat, but they're annoying.

This time, however, Wang Ji had no intention of getting entangled with these guys.

He neither intended to break in nor dig in, but decided to go through the front door.

It's important to understand that at this moment, the two of them weren't wanted criminals, but legitimate residents of the capital.

When you go out, your identity is given by yourself.

Wang Ji said, "From now on, I am a wealthy man from the capital city, here to seek cooperation."

"A tycoon?"

Ryder looked at Wang Ji and said, "How about we go with the young master from the capital? The term 'tycoon' isn't quite right; it usually refers to nouveau riche with no background."

"Ok."

Wang Ji's main trait is listening to advice.

"Alright, from now on I will be the young master's attendant and assistant."

After assigning roles, the two stepped forward with their chests out.

"Halt! Who are you people? And who are those people behind you?"

As expected, the guards stopped the two men and a group of workers behind them.

Wang Ji said indifferently, "I need to find the person in charge of your mining area. Lead the way."

The guard sized up the person in front of him.

A child, wearing a cloak, with what appears to be some kind of armor underneath, jet black in color, and certainly made of an unusual material.

The other adult was also dressed unusually; his leather armor probably wasn't cheap, and he had a sword on his back... made of magic steel.

These two are clearly not ordinary people; they're not to be trifled with.

Thinking of this, the guard dropped his condescending attitude and said, "I'm sorry, the steward isn't someone anyone can just see casually."

Snapped.

Wang Ji casually tossed something, which hit the guard.

The guard instinctively caught it, frowned, and was about to lash out when he suddenly felt that the object in his hand was quite heavy.

It was a golden-yellow object.

Gold nuggets.

Although Wang Ji called it a gold nugget, it was actually big enough to be held in one's hand.

heavy.

The guard swallowed hard, and his anger was immediately dispelled by some mysterious force. He then smiled and said, "Please give me your orders."

"I need to find the person in charge of your mining area."

Wang Ji repeated it once again.

"Well, esteemed young master, I'm afraid I can't do that. I don't have the authority to contact the steward; at least it has to be our captain."

"Then call your captain over."

"Yes, Master."

"in addition…"

Wang Ji then pointed to the workers behind him, indicating, "These are the helpers I found on the way. Take good care of them, or I'll hold you responsible if anything goes wrong."

"Guaranteed to complete the mission!"

The guard saluted, highlighting the core principle that whoever pays the money is the superior.

Then he ran towards a certain place.

A moment later, a man who was slightly taller than the gatekeeper walked over.

"Captain, the two guests I was talking about are right here."

"Is that so? Let me see who's so arrogant, demanding to see our steward right away."

The captain of the guard squinted at the two people in front of him and said, "Whose child is this..."

*Thud.* Another gold nugget was thrown over, silencing the captain of the guard.

He suddenly stopped speaking.

Ryder grabbed the captain of the guard by the collar, lifted him up, and, recalling the mannerisms of the servants at Baggett Manor, mimicked their tone as he glared at him, saying:
"Watch your attitude. This is not someone you can mess with."

“Yes, yes…”

The captain of the guard nodded quickly, showing no displeasure whatsoever.

Just kidding, someone who throws around huge chunks of gold, how could I not provide excellent service?
Ryder nodded, released his grip, and the captain of the guard took a deep breath and said:
"Please follow me, gentlemen, I will take you to see the steward."

Seeing this, the two knew they were safe.

Wang Ji also breathed a sigh of relief.

Without knowing the opponent's exact strength, neither a direct assault nor infiltration is a good option; the risks are too high.

It's safer to get the information first before making any specific plans.

This is the only way to better deal with the enemy.

—Yes, the enemy.

On his way to see the steward, Wang Ji also took in the surrounding environment.

The air was filled with the pungent smell of sulfur, mixed with the sour, putrid stench of the ditches on both sides of the road, making people dizzy.

In a relatively spacious area, there stood a gallows, with some dried, blackened bloodstains on it.

At the mine entrance, the miners lined up in a long queue, each one hunched over, moving their feet silently. Their faces were swollen and their eyes were lifeless, as if they were going to a funeral.

One by one, the withered figures were swallowed up by the darkness.

An unusual, fishy odor emanated from the cave entrance, making people uneasy.

Seeing the two looking around, the captain of the guard assumed they were interested in the items and began to explain them to himself:
"That's our execution square. There are often some disobedient slaves, or rather, workers, who are punished for making mistakes. Of course, our steward is merciful and won't kill them directly. He'll just give them some physical punishment and then give them a break afterward."

"However, taking breaks will definitely disrupt the mine's operational efficiency, so their wages will also be deducted, even though most of them won't last long..."

"enough."

Ryder couldn't help but interrupt, then immediately realized his mistake and added, "You're talking too much."

"Yes, yes, I'll shut up now."

The captain of the guard immediately responded ingratiatingly, completely unaware that Ryder's fists were already clenched tightly.

On the contrary, Wang Ji remained quite calm, which made Ryder feel guilty.

'I almost ruined everything because of a moment of anger.'

However, what he didn't know was that from the moment he stepped into this mining area, Wang Ji had already sentenced the managers and accomplices to death.

There were no conflicts of interest, nor any benefits.

I just wanted to do it.

It's like seeing a piece of trash on the street and casually picking it up and throwing it in the trash can.

He couldn't tolerate these things.

On the way, Ryder seemed to suddenly remember something and turned to the captain of the guard, asking, "Isn't there any supervision here?"

"Supervision?"

The captain of the guard thought for a moment and said, "You mean the foreman?"

“No, I meant ‘oversight,’ the oversight of the empire.”

"Oh--"

The captain of the guard suddenly realized and said, "That arrogant man from the capital has been dead for quite some time."

Ryder's mouth was slightly open.

"Does the Empire not care about this?"

"You can rest assured about that."

The captain of the guard said smugly, "Our master has paid a hefty protection fee, so someone like him won't even attract attention."

"If our master is interested, he can send some more from the capital to kill for fun. I heard that there are no records there, so no matter how many come, there will be no way to prove it."

"Let's not talk about that now, esteemed guest. Our manager is in the lobby ahead. Please follow me closely..."

hiss - huh -

Ryder's chest heaved as he struggled to suppress his emotions.

Wang Ji raised his hand and patted his back twice, then shook his head.

He was no calmer than Ryder at this moment.

A storm is coming.

"Bear with me."

"It will be over soon."

(End of this chapter)