Chapter 11: Assistant Manager

“It’s all right to tell you.”

The white fox’s voice was clear and crisp, like that of a young girl, very pleasant to hear. “The silver earned from the quarry is nothing to our Yi Sect. What we care about is earth flesh.”

“Earth flesh? What is that?”

Although Xu Lian had the memories of the original host, the former body owner was just a quarry worker with limited knowledge.

The white fox explained, “Earth Flesh is a spiritual substance that grows underground and is considered a specialty of Green Bamboo Town. It typically grows in the crevices of rocks. Through periodic blood sacrifices, there’s a chance that it will emerge. That’s why our Yi Sect values these quarries.”

Hearing this, Xu Lian felt as though a bolt of lightning struck through his mind, and many things suddenly made sense.

No wonder the original owner had been crushed to death by falling rocks.

No wonder he had nearly been killed the same way himself.

And no wonder people were dying in the quarry so often – it was all because of those damned blood sacrifices.

“Damn it! This Yi Sect is too sinister. The miners work tirelessly, and they still end up being used for blood sacrifices.”

“The ones who killed the original owner – and almost killed me – weren’t Zhang Yuan or Liang Yan. The true culprits are the Yi Sect, the ones pulling the strings behind the scenes”.

Xu Lian cursed them inwardly, but dared not show any of his thoughts on his face.

Keeping a respectful expression on his face, he bowed once more. “Thank you for enlightening me, Quarry Patrol Inspector.”

The white fox said, “Now that you know my identity and the secrets of the quarry, I’ll ask you again: are you willing to work under me?”

I’ve already learned so much, how could I dare to say no? Xu Lian quickly bowed again. “I am willing to follow the Quarry Patrol Inspector and follow your lead in all matters!”

He didn’t know what position this Quarry Patrol Inspector held in the Yi Sect, but for now, attaching himself to this foxy little “short leg” didn’t seem like a bad idea.

“Good.”

The white fox nodded in satisfaction, then turned and disappeared into the forest.

“Just a ‘good’ and you’re gone?” Xu Lian was a bit stunned. Didn’t we just talk about working under you? Aren’t you going to give me some kind of agreement?

He looked into the depths of the forest, but saw no trace of the white fox. Shaking his head slightly, he had no choice but to continue his work, driving his donkey cart to transport the stone.

The bumpy journey ended when he delivered the stone to the dock in town.

After the dock workers unloaded the cart and loaded the stone onto a ship, Xu Lian drove the empty cart back.

Even for transport workers like him, the quarry had its “quotas”. A donkey cart like his, which earned double rations, was required to make at least eight round trips between the quarry and the dock each day. Failure to do so would result in deductions from their rations.

“Xu Lian, come here.”

As soon as Xu Lian returned to the quarry, he saw Manager Han Du quickly approaching and waving him over.

Why would the Manager want something from a simple stone transporter? Xu Lian was puzzled. Could it have something to do with the White Fox?

Han Du led him into an office-like room and scrutinized him with a strange look. “You know the Quarry Patrol Inspector?”

As expected, the white fox must have said something… Xu Lian thought carefully before replying, “Not exactly. I’ve just met them once.”

Han Du gave him a long, deep look. “No need to hide it. The Quarry Patrol Inspector said that you’re one of them. They asked me to assign you as an Assistant Manager for now. When a new quarry opens in the future, you may be sent there as a Manager.”

“Thank you, Quarry Patrol Inspector, for your kindness, and thank you, Manager Han, for your guidance.”

Xu Lian was a bit overwhelmed by the sudden promotion. From being a simple stone hauler to becoming the Assistant Manager of the quarry, it was a meteoric rise.

Of course, such a promotion was just a trivial matter for the Quarry Patrol Inspector, as simple as saying a word.

Xu Lian didn’t let it go to his head. Ultimately, this was all because of his own strength. If he weren’t a martial artist at the Skin Refining Stage, the Quarry Patrol Inspector wouldn’t have even looked at him, let alone promoted him.

Strength.

Strength.

He firmly remembered this. This was the advantage that strength brought.

Han Du waved his hand slightly. “No need to thank me. We’re all working under the Quarry Patrol Inspector. We’ll have to take care of each other from now on.”

“Of course,” Xu Lian replied.

Han Du smiled. “I’m about twenty years older than you. If you don’t mind, you can call me Uncle Han from now on.”

Xu Lian quickly said, “Manager Han, you are still so young! Calling you uncle doesn’t seem appropriate, I should call you Brother Han instead.”

Han Du burst out laughing. “You sure know how to talk, Brother Xu.”

Xu Lian had no choice but to laugh along, just like in his previous life – when the boss laughs, the subordinates laugh too, regardless of whether the joke is funny or not.

“Come with me, Brother Xu.”

Han Du led Xu Lian out of the registration office and ordered the overseers and miners to gather for a briefing.

The overseers cast strange glances at Xu Lian who was standing next to Han Du. They sensed something unusual, but couldn’t figure out what it was.

On the other hand, the miners gathered happily. They loved Han Du’s speeches – it was a rare chance to take a break from work. Who wouldn’t like that?

“Listen up, everyone!”

Han Du raised his voice. “From now on, Xu Lian is the assistant manager of this quarry. His words have the same weight as mine. Understand?”

The moment these words were spoken, silence fell over the area.

The ten or so overseers and hundreds of miners were all stunned. They couldn’t understand how Xu Lian, a mere stone hauler, had suddenly become the assistant manager.

As soon as they recovered, the crowd began to whisper.

“Xu Lian was just a stone hauler. Thanks to Liang Yan’s support, he only recently got the job as a transporter. How did he suddenly become the Assistant Manager?”

“Could he be Manager Han’s relative?”

Han Du’s stern call of “Silence!” silenced the crowd.

The overseers and miners reluctantly calmed down. Han Du turned to Xu Lian. “Brother Xu, do you have anything to say?”

The group stared at Xu Lian in shock, finding it unbelievable. Did they hear wrong? Manager Han actually referred to Xu Lian as “Brother Xu,” implying that they were equals?

Xu Lian cleared his throat and slowly began, “I’ve just been appointed as the quarry’s Assistant Manager, so I’ll keep it simple. From now on, I hope the overseers and miners will cooperate with my work. Thank you in advance.”

The overseers and miners remained silent, their eyes fixed on him as if they saw him in a new light.

Han Du added, “Brother Xu, rest assured, anyone who dares to oppose you is opposing me!”

Xu Lian nodded slightly, expressing his gratitude.

Seeing that Xu Lian had nothing more to say, Han Du dismissed the crowd.

The overseers quickly surrounded Xu Lian, bowing and making flattering remarks. They didn’t know how Xu Lian rose to this position, but it couldn’t hurt to show respect early on.

“Assistant Manager Xu, consider the 15 taels of silver you owe me a gift to celebrate your promotion.”

Liang Yan reluctantly stepped forward and forced a stiff smile.

Just yesterday, the three men Liang Yan had sent to rob Xu Lian had turned up dead in a roadside ditch. Now, Xu Lian had been promoted to Assistant Manager overnight, leaving Liang Yan deeply unsettled.

He had realized that Xu Lian must have a powerful background – one he shouldn’t have crossed. All he could hope for now was that it wasn’t too late for him to make amends.

“That won’t do,” Xu Lian said with a faint smile, his gaze sweeping over Liang Yan. “I am not one to shirk my debts. If I refuse to pay back what I owe, how can I maintain my credibility and authority as the assistant manager here at the quarry?”

Liang Yan’s face darkened. Xu Lian’s words made it clear that he wasn’t accepting the peace offering.

Xu Lian lightly patted Liang Yan’s shoulder. “I will repay it. But I’ve just become the Assistant Manager and I don’t have much. I’ll have to settle it bit by bit. What do you think?”

Liang Yan’s body stiffened, his face frozen in a grimace as he quickly nodded and said, “Yes, of course.”

“Fifteen taels is nothing, a single month’s salary for Brother Xu should cover it.”

Han Du, ignoring the grudge between Xu Lian and Liang Yan, invited Xu Lian in for tea.

Xu Lian didn’t say anything to Liang Yan and followed Han Du into the office. It was time to discuss the terms of his new position – after all, he deserved proper treatment.