"To eradicate the Corpse Mine, we'll need the deployment of Taoist Soldiers and Spirit Stones."
"Who will send the Taoist Soldiers? Who will provide the Spirit Stones?"
"If Taoist Soldiers set out, they'll require logistics; should they die or get injured, compensations must be provided. And all the mobilization of manpower and resources before and after can't be done without Spirit Stones."
"Should there be heavy casualties, a huge responsibility must be assumed."
"Once the matter is successful, and credit is earned, suddenly many people will appear to share in the credit, even those unrelated will reach out, wanting a piece of the pie..."
"Taking huge risks, bearing great responsibility, paying a steep price to eradicate the Corpse Mine, and in the end, it's very likely the credit will go to someone else..."
"Who would be willing to do such a thing?"
Situ Wang sighed and said,
"Unless the Lu Family really committed a tabboo, openly walking the path of Heretical Demons, enraging the Taoist Court enough to issue a decree for suppression, otherwise these Court Officials, both high and low, who are overstaffed and underworked, would never pick up this hot potato..."
Situ Fang sighed in disappointment.
Situ Wang looked at Situ Fang with a hint of pity.
Though Situ Fang's talent was not outstanding, she was the most righteous, most eager to learn, and had the strongest sense of responsibility among their disciples of this lineage.
Such a disciple was more worthwhile to nurture than those who had high talent but flawed characters.
Moreover, as they came from the same lineage and she being an elder, Situ Wang was not very keen on letting her take risks.
"The waters of South Yue City are too muddy; even if we could wade through them, there's no need to soil ourselves..."
Situ Wang pondered for a moment, then diplomatically said,
"Fang girl, if I were to have my way, you should take this opportunity to leave as well..."
His brows were deeply furrowed:
"Should the situation really deteriorate and turn urgent, this whole South Yue City could turn into a living hell. By then, no one can guarantee your safety..."
"You should also cherish your path of Tao Cultivation..."
Situ Fang was momentarily stunned, then gratefully said, "Thank you, Uncle Wang!"
But after thinking it over, she shook her head:
"I am a Supervisor of South Yue City. Although my cultivation isn't high, I have duties to perform, and I must do what's expected of me."
Situ Wang frowned, "But some tasks are impossible to carry out..."
"If it's truly impossible," said Situ Fang, "then I'll consider leaving."
Situ Wang fell silent for a while, then sighed,
"It must be so, then."
He took out a Jade Slip, feeling helpless,
"I'll write another letter back to our clan, to urge them to consider the bigger picture and send some more people here if they can, and to make some moves on the part of Taoist Soldiers Court too..."
"But how much help there will be, that can only be left to fate..."
Situ Fang was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed, "Thank you, Uncle!"
Seeing Situ Fang like this, Situ Wang felt both relieved and emotional, but upon thinking of the Corpse Mine, his gaze filled with concern, and his expression was far from optimistic.
Eighty Iron Corpses, tens of thousands of Walking Corpses, ah...
A single misstep could turn into a catastrophe for the entire state boundary...
Situ Wang shook his head and sighed, "Difficult, indeed..."
...
In South Yue City, South Yue Sect, within an incense-filled tea room,
The Sect Leader of South Yue Sect was in confidential conversation with Elder Su.
The Sect Leader of South Yue Sect, named Zhao, was in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, over two hundred eighty years old, having reigned over the South Yue Sect for one hundred and ten years, and he held considerable prestige within the Sect.
"Have you heard about the Lu Family's matter?"
After they finished their tea, Sect Master Zhao came straight to the point.
Elder Su frowned, "Which matter is the Sect Leader referring to?"
"The matter of the mine." Sect Master Zhao said.
Elder Su pondered for a moment, then slowly said,
"I've only heard some rumors..."
Sect Master Zhao drank his tea, staying silent.
Seeing that he could not discern anything from Sect Master Zhao's face, Elder Su weighed his words and asked,
"Does the Lu Family... really have problems?"
Sect Master Zhao glanced at him and spoke indifferently,
"Does the Lu Family have no issues, being able to occupy so many mines, manage to open up Jinhua Street, earn so many Spirit Stones, and live a life of luxury and indulgence?"