Chapter 2131: Private Mine

Under the astonished gazes of the demon guards, Han Li followed Violet Spirit into the same beast-drawn carriage.

“Return to the city!”

As the curtains on both sides of the carriage closed, a cold, clear command sounded from within.

The coachman immediately acknowledged and urged the pitch-black, ox-like demon beasts forward. The carriage, flanked by the guards, swiftly set off.

At that moment, a faint red glow flickered around the carriage, activating some mysterious restrictions.

Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Han Li spoke cautiously to Violet Spirit:

“Violet Spirit, there are some matters I cannot directly ask Lan Ying about. But I know you have some influence in Blue Waterfall Lake as well. I need you to investigate a local demon named ‘Wuyou’ for me—the sooner, the better. This person might be…”

As Han Li spoke, Violet Spirit’s face revealed a look of surprise.

Several hours later, Han Li appeared alone in front of the inn and strode confidently inside.

Though he had drawn considerable attention in Blue Waterfall City due to his large-scale purchases of Demon Gold, few dared to secretly track or monitor him, knowing he was a late-stage Void Refinement cultivator.

After all, at such a level of cultivation, anyone sent to spy on him would need comparable strength. Yet, demon cultivators at the Void Refinement stage would hardly stoop to such tasks.

Thus, upon returning to the inn, Han Li immediately secluded himself, not emerging until the next day, refreshed and ready.

This time, he left specifically to fulfill his appointment with Wuyou.

Originally, he had placed great importance on the crystalline beads within the Demon Gold. Now, with the involvement of the Yin-Yang Great Five Elements True Light, his determination had only strengthened.

Though there was no guarantee that Wuyou’s Demon Gold would contain the beads, the sheer quantity made Han Li hopeful.

Arriving once more at the hall where they had met the previous day, he was greeted by a familiar pair of demon men and women standing guard outside. Seeing Han Li arrive as promised, they welcomed him with delight.

“Senior Han, please come in. Brother Wuyou is waiting inside for you!”

“Understood,” Han Li replied indifferently, nodding slightly before gliding through the door.

The two demon guards swiftly closed the door behind him and resumed their vigilant posts.

Inside the hall, Han Li saw Wuyou and several other demon men and women.

“Brother Han, you’ve finally arrived. I’ve been waiting for some time,” Wuyou said, his joy unconcealed as he gestured for Han Li to take a seat.

“I am not late—rather, you arrived early. But let’s not waste time. We should begin the transaction immediately. I hope your goods will satisfy me,” Han Li said bluntly, skipping any pleasantries.

Had anyone else heard such words, their expression would have soured.

“Brother Han is indeed straightforward. Very well, let us proceed!”

Wuyou, however, seemed pleased. Without hesitation, he flicked his sleeve, causing several token-like shadows to flash and vanish into the air. A barrier of light instantly expanded, enveloping the two of them.

Then, the demon man flipped his hand, producing a pale blue storage bracelet. With a smile, he said, “The Demon Gold you requested is all inside. Please verify the quantity and quality.”

Without hesitation, Wuyou tossed the bracelet toward Han Li.

Han Li caught it, slightly surprised but inwardly impressed by the man’s boldness.

Still, he suspected Wuyou had prepared countermeasures in case Han Li refused to pay.

“Then I shall inspect it first,” Han Li said calmly, raising the bracelet to his forehead. His vast spiritual sense instantly split into countless threads, probing its contents.

Wuyou remained silent, watching Han Li intently.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Han Li finally opened his eyes, his expression unreadable. Wuyou stiffened slightly, but relaxed when Han Li spoke.

“The goods are satisfactory—precisely as you described, all high-grade Demon Gold. As agreed, I will pay the promised price.”

Han Li retrieved a black storage bracelet from his sleeve and tossed it over.

Wuyou caught it eagerly, probing it with his spiritual sense. Unlike Han Li, he finished in moments, withdrawing with a satisfied expression.

“Brother Han is indeed trustworthy. The payment is exact. Our transaction is now complete,” Wuyou said, clasping his hands in gratitude.

“Since the deal is settled, I shall take my leave,” Han Li said, rising calmly.

“Of course. I will lift the barrier immediately,” Wuyou agreed, standing as well.

With a hand seal, the light barrier shattered with a muffled sound.

Han Li strode toward the exit but paused at the door, turning back to ask:

“Brother Wuyou, would you be willing to disclose the exact source of this Demon Gold? If so, I am prepared to offer an additional third of the payment as compensation.”

Wuyou’s expression shifted several times, visibly shaken. The other demons stirred, their faces alight with greed.

“Though your offer is generous, I regret that I cannot disclose this information. I must decline,” Wuyou said after a tense internal struggle.

“Very well. I shall not press further,” Han Li said, giving the man a deep look before leaving without hesitation.

Wuyou stood motionless, his face darkening as he stared at the door.

Though Han Li had said little, the strange glint in his eyes left Wuyou unsettled, a foreboding creeping into his heart.

“Brother, why not just tell him the location of the mine? We’re leaving anyway—even if he investigates, he won’t catch up. That extra payment is too good to pass up!” a female demon urged.

“Fool! It’s not that simple. We know nothing of his true background. Revealing the mine’s location could expose us prematurely. Do not underestimate the city’s factions. Now that we have the payment, we leave Blue Waterfall City immediately. Once outside, scatter and regroup at Lion Cliff City only when it’s safe,” Wuyou snapped, issuing swift orders.

The others obeyed without protest.

Meanwhile, Han Li was already speeding through the streets in another carriage.

Seated in a corner, he excitedly examined a black-and-white piece of Demon Gold, murmuring to himself:

“Finally found it. It was indeed in their hands.”

Among the newly acquired Demon Gold in his storage bracelet, over twenty pieces bore the same peculiar aura.

This erased all doubt—Wuyou’s group held what he sought.

Had they not been in a crowded part of the city, Han Li would have already subdued them and extracted the information via soul-searching.

But he was not overly concerned.

Having marked them all with undetectable spiritual traces during the transaction, he would quietly follow once they left the city, capturing them at the right moment.

Suppressing his excitement, Han Li stored the Demon Gold and closed his eyes to rest.

Time passed swiftly. Hours later, the carriage halted before the inn.

As Han Li stepped out, he spotted a familiar black-armored demon guard near the entrance. His expression flickered briefly before he strode past the demon into the inn.

The demon, however, brightened upon seeing Han Li and followed respectfully inside.

Soon, in a concealed room within Han Li’s quarters, the demon guard presented a green stone slab with both hands.

Han Li pressed it to his forehead, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed its contents.

After a long moment, he removed the slab, crushing it to dust with a single motion.

“Inform your master that I am satisfied,” he said coolly.

“Yes, my lord!” The demon bowed and retreated.

Alone, Han Li gazed at the ceiling, murmuring:

“So, they were secretly mining. That explains everything.”

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.