Chapter 158: Add Money

PS: The fourth update will be at noon. The first detailed description of outdoor work is a bit long. It won’t be like this after.

“I’ll maintain a safe distance and respect nature’s course.” Yang Bo felt this was bizarre. Here, it’s required to stay away as soon as you see an injured wild animal, not interfering with the natural laws.

After an hour of questioning, all Yang Bo did was lower his stance, avoiding replies that involved unnecessary violence like slapping something to death.

“Mr. Yang, we will give you a response within a week. Thank you.” Several people didn’t give an immediate reply. They just said this and left.

Yang Bo was frustrated while Fat Boss laughed. “Yang Bo, this world is full of contradictions and complexities. Today is just a small taste. Did you know? There was once a city planning to build a bridge, and all the various institutions spent five years debating it. They eventually agreed to build it but a hundred kilometers upstream.”

“Because, according to their studies, a location over a hundred kilometers upstream met all their requirements. Haha!” Fat Boss laughed even harder as he continued.

Yang Bo smirked, “It’s quite contradictory.”

“Three countries believe in three different extremes. In the Azure Blue Empire, only nobles have human rights. Ordinary people and slaves don’t. Nobles there can use money to redeem themselves after committing murder.”

“In the Crimson Federation, each state has its laws. What’s illegal on this Capital Star might be legal on another. The courtrooms of their Capital Stars are filled with cases trying to resolve conflicts due to how contradictory their laws are. One-third of the Parliament’s job involves sorting out these disputes.”

“Compared to those two, we are much better off. But we still have our issues. Human civilization is advancing rapidly. Yet, our moral bottom line is quite low.”

“But it makes sense. If everyone was moral, then there wouldn’t be any need for laws. The more laws we have, the weaker our morals seem.” Fatty finished with a grin as he glanced at Yang Bo.

Yang Bo nodded, “It feels different from what I previously thought. I can’t quite pinpoint why though.”

“Sometimes, the more you know, the more helpless you feel.” Fat Boss sighed. Not knowing the dark side of society is fine, but understanding it reveals the true depths of human nature.

Thankfully, by the afternoon, Yang Bo’s outdoor work permit arrived. Starting tomorrow, he had five days with detailed regulations to follow.

“Do your best. Try to finish in five days. I’ll get you the trapping tools.” Fat Boss felt relieved seeing the permit approved and spoke up.

Yang Bo felt conflicted. The outdoor permit arrived, but its regulations were extensive. Even the bait for trapping ants had restrictions. Exceeding the allowed amount would trick the ants into thinking there was abundant food, leading the queen to lay more eggs, and with no steady food source, the ants would end up eating their eggs.

“Damn it.” After reading it, Yang Bo finally understood why the other two companies didn’t take on the job. Handling residential pest problems was much easier.

The next day at work, Yang Bo took the backpack Fat Boss packed for him. Inside were provisions for five days. For now, housing would be in temporary quarters at the mine.

The government sent out a special aircraft, supposedly designed to avoid disturbing the wildlife. Of course, the Mining Company covered the cost.

“They’re already mining, yet they still put on this show.” Yang Bo had his backpack inspected once again.

They documented all the items he was carrying, requiring him to bring back every single food wrapper. Otherwise, he’d face fines or imprisonment.

After flying for half an hour, Yang Bo spotted the mine. It was entirely enclosed under something that resembled an Earth aircraft hangar. Many plants grew on top, and the outside world couldn’t hear a sound.

The aircraft arrived. A metal platform extended from one side, and the aircraft landed on it.

“Remember, your recorder must stay on at all times, even while you sleep.” The official made sure to remind him.

Yang Bo nodded, watching the aircraft leave before entering the mine.

The interior of the mine was wide and descended gradually. It wasn’t dusty. The place he would stay was right inside— a simple one-bedroom unit, entirely crafted from metal. He set down his food and other supplies.

Outside, there was a pit. Nearby was the repair workshop and the robot recharging shop. The ants were found behind the recharging station.

There were many surveillance cameras here. Yang Bo walked around, carefully observing the mining robots.

“I wonder what kind of ore they’re extracting? Energy Stone? Energy Metal?”

“Maybe I’ll look into it and toss one in the ocean later.” Yang Bo thought to himself.

The mining robots resembled beetles. The whole vehicle was shelled, and at the front where the heads should be, something like mechanical arms or other tools were now retracted.

Yang Bo reached the place where the ants were found. These ants were black, about the same size as large black ants on Earth. The metal fences outside the recharging station had already corroded in several places.

He saw ants on the metal fencing, absorbing a black liquid. This liquid, spat by the ants, was a poison capable of corroding metal, supposedly containing trace amounts of metallic elements.

Yang Bo also had to be careful where he stepped. Killing an ant would result in a fine… Damn it.

After surveying the area, Yang Bo realized the situation was serious. He took pictures and sent them to the Mining Company, along with a formal email.

He requested two things. One, more money. Two, permission to expand his search radius.

Fat Boss, back at the company, saw Yang Bo’s actions and was quite pleased. There were clearly more ants than the original contract stated. The task needed revision, and depending on future developments, they might need more money.

For now, Yang Bo wouldn’t proceed without an agreement for additional compensation. This was protocol; you can’t afford to mess it up.

Listening closely to his footsteps, Yang Bo scanned the mining robots, getting a rough sense of their layout. The front seemed to have a rotating drill-like tool.

However, there were multiple robot models. Some had oddly shaped front-end tools.

“It’d be great to get a closer look.” Yang Bo returned to his temporary housing, feeling a bit bored.

“This is what work’s all about.” Lunchtime was approaching, and Yang Bo knew there wouldn’t be any emails coming now. The staff at the Mining Company would also take their breaks, even if he wasn’t.

Yang Bo took out some simple food from his backpack, designed to quickly replenish energy without much waste, as even the waste had to be taken back.

“Yang Bo, you’re doing great.” At that moment, Fat Boss called.

“Boss, I suspect that there’s a breach in the outer walls of the mine. Otherwise, these ants wouldn’t have gotten in.”

“Alright, I’ll follow up with the company about it. You keep an eye on the restricted areas; some of the minerals here have unknown radiation.”