"They deceive people, then kill them, and then profit from the dead..."
Mo Hua's voice was chillingly cold.
Bai Zisheng frowned, "That's evil!"
He clenched his fists, "Should we just take them out now? Scum like them don't deserve to live."
But Mo Hua appeared to be lost in thought.
"What is it?" Bai Zixi asked.
"Something doesn't feel right."
"What's not right?"
After pondering for a moment, Mo Hua slowly said:
"Logically speaking, if they kill mining cultivators and fake their disappearance, then claim compensation from the Lu Family, they earn compensation in Spirit Stones..."
"But the Lu Family also has a rule, without a corpse, there's no compensation in Spirit Stones."
"So to say, just killing the mining cultivators wouldn't be enough to claim any compensation."
"Even if they could get some, it would be quite troublesome."
"It's unlikely that Wang Lai would kill for such uncertain gains in Spirit Stones..."
"There must be something more to this affair..."
Bai Zisheng, propping his chin, stared at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua blinked, "What is it?"
"How come there are so many twists and turns in your little head?" Bai Zisheng said.
Bai Zixi also nodded slightly.
Mo Hua raised his little finger, declaring righteously:
"Master said, to plan ahead is the key to success, not to plan is to fail. Think deeply about matters, and prepare in advance..."
"Alright, alright..." Bai Zisheng said somewhat helplessly, "I can't argue with you."
"What do we do next?" Bai Zixi asked.
Mo Hua shook his head, "I don't know yet, let's play it by ear tomorrow."
...
The next day, at dusk.
The sunset sank behind the mountains, and twilight thickened.
Dressed in their cloaks and hiding their figures, Mo Hua and his two companions arrived early near the mine. They found a little mound to lie on, peeking out, waiting for Wang Lai and the others to arrive.
As night deepened, Wang Lai and his people were the first to arrive.
There were four of them, all local ruffians from South Yue City. After meeting, they nodded at each other, their mouths curving into ambiguous smiles, but they hardly spoke.
Approaching 1 p.m., Old Yu, Wang Er, and Tang Wu finally arrived together.
In the desolate mine, beneath the sinister and twisted half-cut willow tree.
The two groups of cultivators met.
In the darkness, a cold light flickered in Wang Lai's eyes:
"Tonight, I'll lead you to fortune!"