Chapter 569: Chapter 251: Secret Mine Cache, Black Fire Association, Bone Face_3

Xu Guang did not act rashly.

However, from the conversation between the two, Xu Guang gradually pieced together the anomalies at the mine site. A secret treasure had appeared, and a group of people centered around Lei Dong were involved in a series of sordid events surrounding it.

Interesting.

He cast a final glance at Du Dayong and Li Keyong, then turned and left.

...

In the North Emperor Courtyard.

After listening to Xu Guang’s words, Jin Buhuan’s expression was uncertain.

He was thinking more deeply.

Lei Dong had been with him for a long time, placed by his uncle as a trusted aide. The mine in Tianqing Town was the most profitable venture he had at the moment, but now such a problem had arisen, making it hard to say if someone was meddling behind the scenes.

"Brother Xu, you’ve worked hard to uncover so much in such a short time," he said apologetically. "I initially thought you would only need to oversee the site for a few days each month, not realizing there were such hidden matters."

He had asked Xu Guang to oversee the mine, intending to provide him with a stable income source, naturally aiming to bind Xu Guang to himself.

Xu Guang smiled and shook his head, "It’s good to have matters at hand; otherwise, I’d feel guilty receiving so much virtual crystal each month."

Since Xu Guang became an apprentice of the True King of Heaven’s Martial Arts, no one in the North Emperor Courtyard called him junior except Zhuge Wuliang.

Jin Buhuan smiled slightly, "Brother Xu, would you like to join me in exploring this secret treasure? I’m quite curious about the treasures within that could lead Lei Dong to risk betraying my Golden Bull Chamber of Commerce."

He felt comforted, thinking he’d judged Xu Guang correctly.

Xu Guang had found clues about the secret treasure but didn’t act rashly; instead, he returned to tell Jin Buhuan about it, as if he had no interest in the secret treasure.

He knew more.

Some secret treasures required a blood-stained key to open; human lives were the best means. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Judging by the deaths and disappearances of the mine slaves uncovered by Xu Guang, the scale of this secret treasure was significant, and its value was substantial. Even disciples who had reached the Nirvana Realm might not be as free from evil intentions as Xu Guang.

"Brother Xu, if you have time, why not join me in exploring this secret treasure?"

Xu Guang was not surprised. Given Jin Buhuan’s generosity toward him and since the secret treasure was discovered by him, Jin Buhuan would surely invite him.

"I am naturally interested, but Brother Jin, we must be cautious. Lei Dong seems to have colluded with forces from the outer seas. Their origins are unknown, and it’s unclear if there are masters hidden within the mine. These matters need investigation."

Jin Buhuan nodded.

This was indeed a problem.

Lei Dong and Lei Hai were probably pawns of that mysterious force, making it difficult to act directly against them.

After some thought, he suddenly spoke.

"Brother Xu, what do you think of Cao Ku? He can seize a person’s mind silently, and he could help us understand those people’s backgrounds."

His tone carried a hint of hesitation.

A few days ago, Xu Guang had a great battle with Cao Ku, so his impression of Cao Ku might not be good.

However, Cao Ku’s skills would be very useful right now.

Xu Guang recalled Cao Ku, a ’nurturing the tiger to one’s own detriment’ figure, and felt a stir. Indeed, with Cao Ku’s presence, they could seize Lei Dong’s mind in an instant and extract the information they needed from his subconscious.

"Brother Jin, how is your relationship with Cao Ku?"

Jin Buhuan felt reassured upon hearing this, "Cao Ku is low-key and amiable. Last time, he was with Hong Zhen and the others because they went to the east to catch a demon. I’ve interacted with him several times, and he’s worth making friends with."

"Alright, I’ll follow your lead, Brother Jin."

Jin Buhuan smiled with satisfaction.

"The grudges within the North Emperor Courtyard are just among us disciples, but outside, most of the North Emperor Courtyard’s disciples are reliable."

...

This was Xu Guang’s first private meeting with Cao Ku.

Cao Ku was older than Jin Buhuan, nearly fifty this year. Of course, with his cultivation, his appearance seemed like a young man under thirty, though the sparse stubble on his chin gave him an air of weathered experience.

"Brother Cao, it’s nice to meet you."

Cao Ku cast a complex look at Xu Guang, and after a moment of silence, he softly said, "Thank you, Brother Xu, for not looking down on me."

Xu Guang smiled slightly, "Brother Cao, your divine techniques are astonishing and effective. I’m not one to underestimate talent."

Bai Xiaozhu watched the group strangely.

She hadn’t expected Xu Guang and Jin Buhuan would invite Cao Ku.

But she didn’t say much about it.

The group headed toward Tianqing Town.

In the afternoon.

The group stood on a hundred-meter hill on the left side of the mine, looking at the entrances of several mine tunnels in the distance.

"Let’s find Lei Dong first."