His attitude was very solemn.
In South Yue City, he found an opportunity for himself, as well as for the Situ Family.
The Corpse Mine incident was of significant importance.
If he failed to handle it properly, it would be the Situ Family's reputation at stake.
Likewise, if he managed to settle the aftermath properly, it would be a great accomplishment, earning him a good reputation within the clan and accumulating substantial Merit Points for a promotion within the Taoist Court.
Moreover, Mo Hua was a Formation Master and also the "Master" of the Corpse King.
Dealing with the Corpse King and its horde required Mo Hua's consent.
Constructing new mine shafts and improving the lives of South Yue City's Cultivators also depended on Mo Hua's support.
Therefore, to Mo Hua, he was almost beseeching and demanding.
Whatever Mo Hua said, he would agree without hesitation and spare no effort in executing.
Mo Hua felt reflective in his heart.
It seemed that the competition within the family was indeed fierce, and the pressure was substantial.
Eating from the same pot, if one did not make an effort or think things through, one might not even get to sip the broth.
...
The Wooden Ox and Flowing Horses were built, and so were the mine shafts.
Then, it was time to start work.
Situ Shen organized the Mining Cultivators to resume work.
The Mining Cultivators were hesitant and uneasy.
They were still scared from the previous Corpse Tide that had besieged the city.
Although the Corpse Tide had receded, there could still be remnants left behind, especially within the mine shafts—dark and polluted, the perfect hiding places for Zombies.
They dared not start work.
They were scared of poverty, suffering, and encountering Zombies, risking their lives.
But they dared not refuse to work either.
Because they were truly poor, without Spirit Stones even food was unaffordable.
If they started working and encountered Zombies in the mine, at most one of them would die.
But if they did not work, their whole family would starve to death.
Their hearts were filled with trepidation and insecurity.
Yet, it wasn't until they entered the mine that they realized everything had changed.
The mine shafts were larger, more spacious, brighter, and there was even a breeze—neither cold nor hot, just pleasantly cool.
Gone was the eerie atmosphere, gone was the sense of oppression.
The Filthy Qi was also much less intense.
Staying inside felt much more comfortable.
It was not as grueling as before.
And there were Formations everywhere, some even specifically designed to prevent Monster Beasts, which were very reassuring to see...
"Is this really the mine of South Yue City..."
The Mining Cultivators found it hard to believe.
Afterward, they gathered together, thanking the Court Leader profusely.
Since the founding of South Yue City, these Mining Cultivators, along with their ancestors, had never worked in such safe mine shafts.
In the mine, the Formations that had been set up for the protection of these Mining Cultivators over hundreds and thousands of years, if all combined together, would not amount to the number of Formations now present in this single mine shaft.
They were immensely grateful.
The Court Leader told everyone to stand up and said,
"There's no need to thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank Little Mo Gentleman. It was he who quelled the Zombie plague and built these mine shafts for everyone."
The Mining Cultivators then thanked him in unison,
"Thank you, Little Mo Gentleman!"
But they did not know who this Little Mo Gentleman really was...
Afterward, Situ Shen set some new regulations.
For instance, Mining Cultivators could not work in the mines for more than four hours a day.
Their daily wages could not be less than one Spirit Stone.
No Clan or power in the locality could withhold Spirit Stones from the Mining Cultivators for any reason...
Moreover, Jinhua Street was also shut down.