"Young gentleman, have you been to the Lu Family's mines?"
Mo Hua was slightly astonished inwardly but maintained his composure, nodding as if nothing was amiss, "I have been there."
Elder Su seemed about to say something but stopped.
Mo Hua inquired, "Is there something amiss?"
Elder Su hesitated for a good while before finally saying,
"The water in the Lu Family's mines is somewhat deep; it would be better for the young gentleman not to get involved."
Mo Hua spoke in a lowered voice,
"Could it be that the Lu Family has some unspeakable secrets..."
Elder Su waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, young gentleman, don't get the wrong idea."
Elder Su continued, "The mines of the Lu Family are legal and compliant, having passed the Taoist Court's inspection, and the Mining Cultivators are there voluntarily. They don't delay payments of Spirit Stones and compensate in the event of an incident; there's nothing unspeakable."
Mo Hua put on a face of someone who, although not personally affected, was quite curious, and whispered,
"I heard from a friend at the Taoist Court that five Mining Cultivators died horrifically inside the mine... their deaths were particularly gruesome..."
Elder Su exclaimed in surprise, "You have friends in the Taoist Court?"
"You could say that," Mo Hua nodded.
After all, he called Situ Fang "sister" and had worked on assignments and dined together with her, which certainly qualified as friendship.
Elder Su's expression was complex.
This First-Grade Junior Formation master, wasn't it his first time in South Yue City? Yet not only did he know Zheng Yu, but he also had friends in the Taoist Court.
However, all that was of no consequence to him and didn't really concern him.
Elder Su just sighed before saying,
"People die in that mine every year; no death inside it is ever less than tragic."
"Every year there are deaths?"
"Yes."
Mo Hua frowned, "How many die?"
"That's hard to say," Elder Su pondered, "There are always a few hundred, but if a major accident occurs, the deaths could climb into the thousands..."
"A major accident?"
"Mine collapses, Monster Beasts causing trouble, Filthy Qi leaks, and so on."
Mo Hua felt a pang of compassion, "So many people die?"
Elder Su sighed, "It can't be helped, we rely on what the land gives us; here in South Yue City, there are only mines, and Cultivators have to make a living from them..."
"It's a bit better now; if people die, the Lu Family still compensates with Spirit Stones."
"In the past, death meant dying for nothing..."
Mo Hua was surprised, "They didn't compensate with Spirit Stones in the past?"
Elder Su nodded, "For Loose Cultivators, who cares if a few die?"
Mo Hua also sighed.
Elder Su then realized that the topic had strayed a bit and said:
"In short, the situation with the mines involves the livelihoods of mining cultivators, clan interests, as well as the authority of the Taoist Court, it's very complicated..."
"As Formation Masters, we should stay above such mundane matters; there's no need to concern ourselves with these trifles."
"Especially since you're an outsider, Young Master, it's even less appropriate for you to get involved..."
Elder Su's words were indeed heartfelt.
Mo Hua nodded:
"Don't worry, Elder Su, I know my limits."
Elder Su then breathed a sigh of relief.
He did not know whether Mo Hua was truly listening or just pretending to listen, but having heard these words was reassuring enough.
After chatting a bit more, Elder Su took his leave.
Mo Hua, however, rested his chin in his hand, somewhat puzzled.
How did Elder Su know that he had been to the mine?
If he wanted to inquire, he could certainly find out.
But he and Mo Hua were neither relatives nor close acquaintances, so why would he investigate Mo Hua's whereabouts?
Could this matter be related to the Lu Family?
Mo Hua remembered that the South Yue Sect and the Lu Family were in close association…
Sure enough, the next day, Mo Hua received an invitation.