The disappearance of the mining cultivators was something Mo Hua wanted to understand, but he had to wait until Situ Fang had gotten a clear answer.
In the following three days, Mo Hua still sought Instructor Yan in South Yue City every day, but still without a clue.
Instead, it was Situ Fang who came up with some news first.
It was in that same small teahouse, Situ Fang invited Mo Hua for tea and then said to him,
"I went to ask the families of the missing mining cultivators what exactly happened; they wouldn't speak and were being obstinate and unreasonable, claiming that the Taoist Court and the Lu Family were in cahoots, oppressing the good people…"
"The Lu Family?"
"The mine belongs to the Lu Family."
"Oh," Mo Hua nodded.
Situ Fang continued, "So I detained them for a few days, and once they got scared, they finally told the truth."
"What did they say?" Mo Hua asked curiously.
Situ Fang sighed and said,
"These missing mining cultivators disappeared while trying to steal from the mines…"
"Steal from the Lu Family's mine?"
"Yes," Situ Fang nodded. "They told their families before they disappeared that they were about to strike it rich and wouldn't have to live in hardship anymore."
"Then, under the cover of night, they left and never returned…"
Mo Hua understood, "They were afraid that if the Lu Family found out, the Lu Family wouldn't compensate them with spirit stones, so they didn't dare speak up, right?"
"Yes."
Situ Fang seemed somewhat helpless.
It was likely that the Lu Family would not only refuse to compensate with spirit stones but would also demand compensation from the families of the missing mining cultivators.
Because stealing from the mine is a major taboo for mining cultivators.
The ores they stole were nominally owned by the Lu Family.
"No wonder…" Mo Hua nodded.
So that's why they were being obstinate and not telling the truth.
Of course, part of the reason was that they saw Situ Fang had a soft heart, and they became pushy because of it.
"Sister Situ, what do you plan to do?" Mo Hua inquired.
Situ Fang pondered and said, "I can keep quiet about the theft, but right now the most important thing is to find these missing mining cultivators, dead or alive, we need an explanation."
Situ Fang sighed, "And if these mining cultivators really are dead, we also need to figure out a way to get some compensation from the Lu Family, otherwise, these mining cultivators' families, without income, won't be able to survive."
Mo Hua also felt some sorrow and couldn't help asking,
"Will the Lu Family compensate?"
"I have asked them, and the Lu Family said that unless the bodies of these mining cultivators are found in the mine, they won't compensate."
Mo Hua frowned, "Has the Lu Family always done things this way before?"
"Yes," Situ Fang nodded. "No body, no compensation in spirit stones."
She explained further,
"The Lu Family's approach is certainly uncompassionate, but before, there indeed were mining cultivators who faked their deaths to claim compensation, so it's difficult to fault them too much."
After thinking for a moment, Mo Hua asked, "Then do these missing mining cultivators have any leads?"
"Hmm." Situ Fang took out a map and handed it to Mo Hua.
"When these missing mining cultivators left and which hilltop they entered the mine from, I have marked on the map."
Situ Fang sighed again,
"These things, their families originally didn't want to speak of, now they're afraid, so they finally revealed it."
"After all, once these things are said and the Lu Family knows about it, they will have leverage."
"These missing mining cultivators, even if they are dead, will have died in vain, their families won't receive a penny of compensation."
"Then we'll investigate secretly, without letting the Lu Family know," Mo Hua whispered.
Situ Fang nodded, but halfway through, she suddenly realized and corrected,
"I will investigate, not we. What are you, a child, doing getting involved in this kind of thing?"
Mo Hua's eyes flickered, and he smiled, saying,
"Sister Situ, you've been so kind to me; I want to help you too."
Situ Fang felt a warmth in her heart but then sensed something amiss and looked at Mo Hua skeptically,
"Really?"
"Really!" Mo Hua nodded earnestly.
Still, Situ Fang refused,