Page 7: Parasite

"Sister Yue, use this lock around your neck. We will enter this mine in pretense that we are part of the work force. Let us hurry as they have already arrived. You don't need to worry, I already removed the essence sealing inscription in it and changed it with something else."

"Shouldn't we just storm the place and take everyone out? I think each of us can just carry one each."

"That's a dangerous idea. After I checked the inscription in the locks, I saw that the self destruct inscription can be activated by someone just by activating a detonating inscription that can resonate with the self- destruct inscription in the lock."

"I'm just kidding brother Bai. That's dangerous indeed. At any time, they can take someone's life in just a whim. So detestable means."

"I know...look! The batch of new workers are already here. Let's join the march. There are more than 20 slaved workers so even if we join, it won't be too conspicuous. This old clothes also jives with the clothing of those workers so we won't be noticed. See this, since they know that these people have locks with them, they don't even need to watch over them since they know they can kill them any time. This is advantageous for us as we won't have difficulty in infiltrating. Let's go!"

The marching workers are not even tied to one another. Instead, the workers were also casually talking with each other like they already accepted their fates. While they are still 200 meters away from the mine camp, Long Bai and Yue joined the last lines like nothing happened. The people in front were a bit noisy from their conversations while the ones at the back were too quiet like they belong to another group. Long Bai was curious so he tried speaking to one of them.

"Big brother, what's up with those in front. Why do they look so happy? Is there something here that we should be happy about?"

"Huh? Who are you? I haven't seen you before. Did you just join in?"

"Ah, yes. The two of us were just additions."

"Well, doesn't matter. See those smiling goofs? Those who are at the front with that stupid smiles are recruits from the slums. They are just regular workers. They came after signing a work contract unlike us who were sentenced to be a slave worker."

"Big brother what do you mean? What's a contract worker?"

"You sure have lots of questions. Fine, I'll fill you up. If you don't know what a contract worker is, this means that you are just like me. Those who signed a contract work are most likely from a poor family or ones who really don't have any job to enter at all. During the signing of contract, the city office will already give the payment to the family members while the man will be taken to the mines and will stay there according to the service length that was agreed upon. The minimum time of forced service is half a year. Once that person finishes his time, the lock on his neck will automatically disarm itself. Neat right?"

"That method is reassuring for the mining company but that will also mean that you just sold your life within that time. Not to mention those locks."

"Hm? You know something, don't you?"

"What do you mean big brother?"

"You know about the locks right? Although you are wearing such appearance, you talk so calmly. Or did you already accepted your fate as a slave?... Well, there's nothing that would change anyway. Just follow what they say and you'll be fine. They don't want to lose their own workers in the first place since it is a hassle to look for one."

"Thanks brother. I'll keep that in mind."

The march continued for another few minutes until they reached the mine. Greetings between the officers were quick as they put the management to the guards. With that, the workers were immediately directed towards their resting place.

Just in the wide mouth of the mine, there are two resting areas. The first one is a withholding cell for the convicts and law brrakers while the other is an open space for the contract workers. This is how they keep the contract workers safe from possible threats with the other group. As they were being separated, Long Bai immediately noticed Ah Mu and Ling Tian in the cell. The other party also saw them.

"Brot..."

Before Ah Mu can speak anymore, Ling Tian covered Ah Mu's mouth. That moment, they received Long Bai's signal to just be quiet until the guards exits the place.

"Don't make me repeat. Only contract workers are allowed to stay on this side. The rest, enter that cell. The rest of the non- contracted workers voluntarily entered the cell since they know how much easy for them to take their lives. Long Bai and Yue on the other hand walked naturally inside and headed straight to the other two." a guard shouted while instructing the newcomers.

Long Bai on the other hand was reprimanding Ah Mu.

"Shhh, keep your voice down. The two of us came here with a plan. We'll talk later." Long Bai reprimanded with a low voice.

"Are you getting us out here? The food is really horrible. I want to eat something descent."

"Don't get excited brother Ah Mu. They'll get suspicious of us. We will take when the guard gets out from this place."

After the guards made sure that everything is in order, they went out and continues their patrol outside. The place returned to its silent state except the other group on the opposite side who were still busy talking about their own stories.

This time, Ling Tian and the three sat down close to each other. Now that the guards are outside, it is safe to assume that they can do whatever they want.

"What happened? Did you get caught too? How are we supposed to escape this place of we can't even use our essence?"

"Alright. While sister Yue will fill you in, I would need some update about this place. Brother Ling Tian?"

Yue proceeded with filling in Ah Mu with the plans while Ling Tian and Long Bai were exchanging info about the whole plan. Ah Mu was taking more time while Ling Tian has already got the main idea.

"I see. That's really something. If we can locate the fire stone vein in here and take it for ourselves, that would mean that we will be having the goose that lays the golden egg. Compared to the small amount of fire crystals that are mined, locating the vein is akin to 10 years, no maybe even more of mining here. That's really great. All we have to do next is to deactivate the inscription in our locks."

"I plan to do it one at a time to not raise any suspicions. We'll wait when everybody will sleep, I'll bring you in there."

"You mean...the pocket world? Oh man, what a convenient thing you have. You really fail not to amaze me. By the way, can you remove the inscriptions also in them? They were really good to the two of us since we came here."

"Well, I can do that but not in there. Maybe if there's an opportunity while digging the earth, I'll do it."

What Long Bai meant was that he can only do it while another opportunity like when they are alone deep in the tunnels. Since opening the inscriptions attracts a lot of attention due to the glowing notes in it, only when they are out of sight that he can do it for them. For now, he can't reveal about his pocket world aside from these three.

When midnight came, Ling Tian was first brought to the pocket world. During the first time Ling Tian was brought there, his reaction was being surprised due to the pocket world itself but this time around, he can't help but feel awestrucked by the ambience.

"Brother Long Bai, why does it feel different this time in here?"

"Ah, that's because there's a fire stone vein buried in here. It's the vein I got from the first mine."

Ling Tian saw the improvement in the area compared to the previous appearance. What's more, the amount of herbs around the area has also significantly become robust and abundant.

"Hoho! It's nice to see you again, little boy!"

"Ahh! Who are you? Ah, elder...you look more real now. You don't appear to be transparent like before. Did something happen?"

"Haha! Indeed! The vein little Bai brought was something good. Because it can supply unlimited amount of flame essence, it made this small world a bit more better."

Before they can have more of their conversation, Long Bai's consciousness with a real body just showed up.

Since elder Kong knows what their business here, he did not intervene further.

That night, Ling Tian and Ah Mu's locks were finally deactivated. After gaining the ability to use their essences again, the first thing they checked was their pouches. Still hoping that their precious are still there, they opened it while wishing.

"Whoa! Brother Ling Tian, how can this be? They returned our pouches without taking its contents? What is happening?"

"Right, how can this be? They can't be that generous, can they? When the guard returned it, it didn't look that they cared about it." Ling Tian was puzzled as Ah Mu.

"They might not know about space pockets in this world or at least it's not well known yet. I noticed that the commanding officer of this place doesn't have anything in him that would look like a void ring or cosmic pouch. Even in the city, the officials that walks around the streets don't have anything of such sorts."

The night was spent with each other sharing their own stories with some hidden snacks on the side.

.

.

"Elder, why do you think those four did not want to go with us? Yue even gave me master's command token."

"Little Weimin, everyone has their own fate. I was only able to observe Yue and the other two martial companions during their stay in the sect and I can tell that they kept on carving their own paths. Those four came from a zero background and yet they were able to get the highest spots in the competitions. You also saw it right? The martial skills they were using. They did not practice much of the sect's skills because they already have something better. However, don't think too much about them. You must concentrate in your own path even if its slower than them."

"Elder is right. I too have felt similar at some point after witnessing my ex-junior's progress. Can't believe I have to call him senior master alchemist. Ah, I should have asked some pointers when I had the chance."

"Haha! Even sister Zhang Li feels the same."

"Tan Zhong, zip that loud mouth of yours. Junior Weimin, since you are now the current leader, you need to be strong. If you want to catch up to them, getting to the other country is a must. Since there are opportunities in there, you can just have them as long as you're fated to them."

The last minute meeting of the travel group ended with a good vibe. Although Chen Weimin was reluctant at first, the rest gave their own encouraging speeches just to lift his spirits. Everyone knew that this night will be their last good night rest so they slept like it was their last. Later in the wilds, they will return on the cold uncomforting grounds of the hostile lands they need to pass by. In their dreams, they were altogether dreaming that the voyage will go smoothly without hitch.

...and then the morning came, the day when each groups will start their own engagement. One in the unknown wilds while the other was in a mine, both that could out their bodies six feet under.