Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 262: Chapter 262 Redemption

”Alright! Be careful on your way out. You must take care of your health and not overwork yourself!”

Ye Qingchen’s heart ached with reluctance, and his nose stung with emotion.

They had only had a brief, hurried meeting, and now it was already time to part.

After treating his father’s injuries, Ye Qingchen seized a moment when no one was watching to secretly press some Spirit Pills into his father, Ye Changqing’s, hands.

Although Ye Changqing was puzzled as to why this Alchemist was being so kind to him, he understood how precious the Spirit Pills were. If he wanted to live long enough to see his son again, he had to accept these Spirit Pills.

It has been ten years. My Chen’er must be about the same age as this young man now. I wonder how he has fared these past ten years...

Ye Changqing gave Ye Qingchen a discreet nod and a grateful smile. After accepting the Spirit Pills and thanking him, he got up to leave.

The work of purging the mining slaves of their poison continued until sunset. According to the rules, once the day’s detoxification was complete, the Spirit Stones could be exchanged. As for the mining slaves who hadn’t made it into the line, they could only be left to their fate.

Fei Hu was very pleased with the Alchemists Cai Yunji had brought. In just a single day, they had managed to treat more than half of Dragon Tiger Mountain’s mining slaves.

However, when it was time to hand over the Spirit Stones, Fei Hu claimed the amount was too large. He explained that fifty million Low-grade Spirit Stones was a sum that even Dragon Tiger Mountain needed time to prepare.

Fei Hu assured Cai Yunji not to worry, however, promising that the fifty million Low-grade Spirit Stones would be ready by tomorrow afternoon at the latest.

Cai Yunji couldn’t press the issue, so she had to agree. They arranged for her to return to Dragon Tiger Mountain the next afternoon.

Afterward, Cai Yunji led Ye Qingchen and the other Alchemists away from Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Ye Qingchen was silent for the entire journey back. Although he now knew where his father was, he knew that even if he told Cai Yunji, the royal family would not intervene on his behalf. His only hope now rested on Qin Yue. He hoped she would step in and use the Rising Sun Pavilion’s name to buy his father’s freedom.

Upon returning to the inn, before Ye Qingchen even had a chance to find Qin Yue, she knocked on his door.

”How did it go, Ye Qingchen? Did you see your father?” Qin Yue asked anxiously.

Ye Qingchen nodded and invited her into the room. After making sure no one was around, he shut the door firmly.

His heart also pounded with anxiety as he said, ”Miss Qin, I did indeed see my father at Dragon Tiger Mountain today. I even personally cleansed some of the mine poison from his body.”

Joy flashed in Qin Yue’s heart, but seeing Ye Qingchen’s troubled expression, she asked with confusion, ”Since you saw your father, you should be happy, right? Why do you look so upset?”

Ye Qingchen sighed. ”My father has spent many years in the mines, and the poison has become deeply rooted in his body. A single detoxification session is nowhere near enough to cleanse it completely. What’s more, I examined his body. After so many years of torture, his life force is almost completely exhausted! He has less than two years of his lifespan remaining. I have to get him out of there immediately. We can’t delay any longer!”

Qin Yue’s brow furrowed as she grasped the urgency of the situation. ”Ye Qingchen, rest assured,” she said. ”I will go to Dragon Tiger Mountain tomorrow and buy your father’s freedom in the name of the Rising Sun Pavilion. I doubt Dragon Tiger Mountain would dare refuse to give our Rising Sun Pavilion face!”

Ye Qingchen nodded heavily. He started to thank her, but Qin Yue stopped him.

After comforting Ye Qingchen a little longer, she left the room.

「The night passed uneventfully.」

Early the next morning, Qin Yue set out alone for Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Upon arriving at the mountain gate, Qin Yue immediately revealed her identity with the Rising Sun Pavilion. Knowing not to trifle with the Pavilion, the disciples of Dragon Tiger Mountain respectfully led her to see Fei Hu, their third-in-charge.

Fei Hu sized up Qin Yue and said with a smile, ”Miss Qin is a core member of the Rising Sun Pavilion. To what do we owe the honor of your visit to Dragon Tiger Mountain?”

Qin Yue smiled back. ”To be frank, Third-in-charge, I wish to purchase some mining slaves from Dragon Tiger Mountain. I hope you can accommodate my request.”

Fei Hu was startled for a moment but quickly composed himself. ”Miss Qin, you must understand that for a Sect, mining slaves cannot be sold casually. After all, they have lived on Dragon Tiger Mountain for a long time and know some of its inner workings. However, since you are representing the Rising Sun Pavilion, I must naturally give you face. How about this? I can sell some of our peripheral mining slaves to you, Miss Qin. I hope that is acceptable.”

Qin Yue’s heart leaped with joy, surprised that the process of buying his freedom was proving to be so straightforward.

With that in mind, she said, ”Then I must thank you, Third-in-charge. I wonder if you happen to know of a mining slave named Ye Changqing?”

Fei Hu turned to one of his disciples and ordered, ”Go and check if a man named Ye Changqing is one of our mining slaves.”

Qin Yue understood. As the third-in-charge of Dragon Tiger Mountain, Fei Hu couldn’t possibly know the name of every single mining slave. It was only natural for him to have a subordinate check. So, she did not rush him and waited patiently for news.

A short while later, the disciple returned to the hall, whispered a few words in Fei Hu’s ear, and then exited.

Fei Hu frowned. The disciple reported that there is indeed a mining slave named Ye Changqing here. However, he has been at Dragon Tiger Mountain for many years and now works deep within the mining veins. A miner like that would have had the opportunity to learn many of our secrets. If we sell him to the Rising Sun Pavilion, those secrets might be exposed. Therefore, Ye Changqing absolutely cannot be sold!

At this thought, Fei Hu’s expression smoothed into a smile. He said to Qin Yue, ”I apologize for the wait, Miss Qin. My subordinate has just reported that we do, in fact, have a mining slave named Ye Changqing. Unfortunately, there was a mine collapse two days ago, and Ye Changqing died in the disaster!”

Qin Yue frowned. Ye Qingchen just saw his father on Dragon Tiger Mountain yesterday, so how could he possibly have died in a mine collapse two days ago? This Fei Hu must not want to hand him over. He’s obviously making an excuse.

Seeing her expression, Fei Hu knew she was skeptical and said with a sneer, ”It seems Miss Qin doesn’t quite believe me. Very well. If you don’t believe me, I can have Ye Changqing’s body brought here for you to inspect. You will know the truth at a glance!”

Hearing this, Qin Yue quickly waved her hands. ”What are you saying, Third-in-charge? As the third-in-charge of Dragon Tiger Mountain, your word is as good as gold. How could I possibly doubt you? Since Ye Changqing is dead, I will not insist. Third-in-charge, I will take my leave.”

With that, Qin Yue cupped her fists in a salute to Fei Hu and turned to leave.

Fei Hu watched her retreating back and sneered.