When Malicious Energy Intrudes the Body, I Can Heal It.

Su Ji returned to that dilapidated shack, lay straight down in the corner, closed his eyes, and began to feign sleep.

His mind was entirely filled with Zhang Kui's last words.

Old Man Zhao might have something to instruct him about...

Just how many secrets were still hidden in this mining area?

What exactly did being able to neutralize baleful aura mean to them?

And this Zhang Kui—he seemed rough and straightforward, but actually possessed a shrewd mind. What on earth did he want to get from him?

Question after question wrapped around Su Ji's heart like creeping vines.

Tonight's drinking banquet was of the utmost importance.

It would be his first step toward truly coming into contact with the core secrets of this mining area.

Time slowly slipped away amidst this long wait.

When the distant, muffled toll of the bell echoed through the entire mining area once again.

Su Ji opened his eyes.

He walked out of the shack.

Zhang Kui's tower-like figure was already waiting outside the door.

His face carried a hint of impatient excitement.

Let's go, Little Brother Su!

Without caring whether Su Ji could keep up, Zhang Kui threw a large hand over Su Ji's shoulder, half-dragging him toward the place where they had eaten meat last night.

That place was the exclusive area for the overseers.

A specially leveled clearing with a bonfire burning in the middle.

At this moment, seven or eight equally burly and fierce-looking men were already sitting around the bonfire, each with a bowl of black, mushy food in front of them.

Even the overseers couldn't have meat for every meal.

Seeing Zhang Kui, a hint of surprise showed on their faces.

Kuizi, what kind of act are you putting on?

One of them, a one-eyed man, put down his bowl and teased.

Bringing a newcomer over twice?

Zhang Kui ignored their teasing. He pulled Su Ji to an empty spot by the bonfire and pushed him down into a seat.

Then, Zhang Kui stood in the center of the gathering, looked around, and spoke with a rough, booming voice full of vigor.

Stop your damn eating!

He slapped his large hand heavily against his own chest.

Today, all the food and drink for everyone is on me, Zhang Kui!

As soon as these words came out, all the overseers were stunned.

One by one, they looked at Zhang Kui with expressions that said, Did you take the wrong medicine?

It must be known that the meat and spirit wine here had to be exchanged for extra ore, and the price was steep.

Zhang Kui usually skimped on his own meals; why was he suddenly so generous today?

The one-eyed man was the first to react. He put down his bowl, stood up, and walked over to Zhang Kui.

You haven't been invaded by baleful aura, either.

He looked completely baffled.

Get lost!

Zhang Kui swatted his hand away and cursed with a laugh.

No longer keeping them in suspense, he turned and walked back to Su Ji. His large hand slapped heavily onto Su Ji's shoulder, making Su Ji stumble and almost slide off the stone stool.

Let me introduce him to everyone.

Zhang Kui's face was filled with smugness, and his eyes gleamed with a light called showing off.

You all met this guy yesterday.

But yesterday was too rushed, and I forgot to introduce him. This kid is named Su Hao, a newcomer who just arrived at our third mining area.

He paused, and his voice suddenly rose an octave.

And he is also the brother I, Zhang Kui, just acknowledged today!

Brother?!

These two words caused a strange expression to surface on the faces of all the overseers present.

They looked Su Ji up and down.

A newcomer?

He looked to have mediocre cultivation, was scrawny, and didn't seem to have anything special about him.

Just this kind of guy could make you, Zhang Kui, publicly acknowledge him as a brother?

And treat the whole group to meat and wine?

Kuizi, you're not joking, are you?

The one-eyed man was the first to express his disbelief.

When did your taste get so bad?

Bah!

Zhang Kui spat at him.

What the hell do you know!

He grabbed Su Ji, hoisted him up from the stone stool, and pushed him in front of the crowd.

My Little Brother Su here is no ordinary person!

Zhang Kui cleared his throat, the smug look on his face practically overflowing.

Do you know what this kid did this afternoon?

He kept them in suspense.

A round-faced man with a full beard curled his lips and spoke disdainfully.

Could he have mined another two hundred catties of iron for you?

Zhang Kui sneered.

What is two hundred catties of iron?

The one-eyed man asked tentatively.

A thousand catties?

Zhang Kui shook his head, the smile on his face growing wider.

Everyone's gaze was focused on Zhang Kui.

Zhang Kui grinned.

What big deal is a thousand catties?

He saved another newcomer who was invaded by baleful aura.

Boom—!

This news exploded like a heavy bomb in the minds of all the overseers.

What the fuck... are you kidding?!

Impossible!

The one-eyed man was the first to jump up.

Kuizi, you're not just pulling our legs, are you?

Exactly! This boast is way too big!

The bearded man chimed in.

They had stayed here for over a thousand years; what kind of heaven-defying genius hadn't they seen?

Zhang Kui seemed to have expected this reaction from them. He wasn't angry; he merely shifted his gaze to Su Ji.

Su Ji immediately understood.

He appropriately showed a touch of embarrassed shyness on his face, scratched his head, and spoke in a voice that wasn't loud but was just enough for everyone to hear.

Um... it was just a fluke.

This appearance of his, in the eyes of those overseers, was an admission.

All success in the world has a reason; how could there be such a thing as a fluke?

For a moment, everyone's expressions became a wonderful mix of colors.

They looked at Su Ji with expressions as if they were looking at a monster.

Senior Brother, you've really become the bird that sticks its head out now.

Su Ji rolled his eyes inwardly.

The bird sticking its head out is a bit itchy, help me scratch it.

This time, it was Su Jiu's turn to roll her eyes.

On the outside, the one-eyed man was still somewhat in disbelief. He walked up to Su Ji and looked him up and down.

Su Hao?

Su Ji hurriedly nodded, looking like an honest, simple fellow.

Yes, big brother.

Unwilling to give up, the one-eyed man asked again: If someone else gets invaded by baleful aura, can you cure it?

Su Ji nodded again: Baleful aura invasion, I can cure it.

The one-eyed man looked at Su Ji's harmless face and finally chose to believe him.

After all, there was no need to lie about this kind of thing.

Zhang Kui seemed rough, but in reality, he wasn't that stupid.

He wouldn't be fooled by a newcomer.

He turned his head to look at Zhang Kui, the expression on his face incredibly complex.

Kuizi, you... really stepped in dog shit luck.

Hearing this, Zhang Kui let out a burst of smug laughter.

Hahahaha!

Of course!

He threw his arm around Su Ji's shoulder, acting so affectionately that anyone who didn't know better would think they were truly long-lost blood brothers.

How about it? Believe it now?

Zhang Kui waved his large hand at the group of overseers who were still in a daze.

What are you still standing around for?!

Hurry up and bring out the best meat and the strongest wine for my Little Brother Su!

Today, we won't return until we're drunk!

With Zhang Kui's order.

Soon, large chunks of sizzling, oily roasted meat and jugs of spirit wine exuding a rich aroma were brought up.

The dinner party that had just been plain and watery instantly became incredibly lavish.

The overseers no longer held back.

One by one, they tore off their polite facades. Like vicious wolves starved for half a month, they tore into the meat and gulped down the wine.

For a time, the scene was exceptionally lively.

Su Ji was forced to sit next to Zhang Kui, constantly being poured wine and stuffed with meat.

He refused nothing, maintaining a simple, honest, and somewhat flattered smile on his face. He perfectly played the part of a newcomer who had struck dumb luck and caught the eye of a big boss.

After a few rounds of drinks.

Zhang Kui's face was flushed red from the alcohol, and his speech was starting to slur.

He threw an arm over Su Ji's shoulder, leaned close to his ear, and lowered his voice. The strong stench of alcohol on his breath nearly made Su Ji pass out.

"Little... Little Brother Su, hic..."

Zhang Kui let out a drunken hiccup.

"Today... you did your big brother a huge favor."

His previously hazy eyes suddenly became crystal clear in that moment, flashing with a sharp light that Su Ji couldn't quite understand.

"I... can't let you work for nothing."

Zhang Kui's voice was pressed extremely low, like the faint buzzing of a mosquito.

"If you want to know anything, just ask."

"Your Big Brother Zhang will tell you right now."