Chapter 27
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Chapter 27: Minerals
On the eighth day after Old Yu left, Gao Hui bid farewell to He Shenglai and visited the Yang Family once more.
As soon as he saw Yang Guanfeng, he quickly stood up with a face full of apologies and clasped his hands.
"Yang Master, I sincerely apologize for the previous incident; the higher officials can sometimes oppress those below them, please forgive me."
He Shenglai had used his influence to pressure his way into the Yang Family’s Forbidden Area and dug into their family affairs; this was indeed quite dishonorable, leaving Gao Hui feeling awkward and uncomfortable.
"There is no need for Mayor Gao to be so formal; that man’s actions have nothing to do with you," Yang Guanfeng replied with a smile and a wave of his hand. "Being able to bend and stretch is the path to survival. In my younger days, I traveled and endured far greater insults and hardships. In the end, losing a bit of face to protect the essence of our family is worth it."
Yang Guanfeng’s words caused Gao Hui to pause slightly, and his evaluation of this master rose significantly.
"What you say is very true, Master Yang; I have learned from you."
The two took their seats and began discussing important matters regarding the mineral resources around Baishi Town.
After the monster tide devastated the town, many families in Baishi Town perished, and now three mineral sites remained unused, guarded only by the town’s soldiers.
"Three sites? Didn’t you say there were only two before?" Yang Guanfeng asked.
"I came today to inform you about this," Gao Hui replied, pulling out a letter and handing it over.
Yang Guanfeng did not even open it before saying, "A letter from Wang Xiong?"
"You have a sharp mind, Master Yang; you guessed correctly."
Gao Hui nodded and continued, "You must be aware of the Wang Family’s situation. Now, only Wang Xiong remains as a lonely man, and he is injured; he no longer has the spirit to manage the Wang Family. He has now taken shelter under me."
Yang Guanfeng nodded, slowly opening the letter.
"Dear Guanfeng, I am terrified; my clan brother Wang Lie acted under my orders, and in the end, he suffered for his own choices. I can say nothing but blame my greed and desires for clouding my judgment…
"After the monster tide, the Wang Family practically no longer exists, leaving me as a lonely person unable to achieve anything…
"Now that I have taken refuge under the mayor, I am willing to offer all the shops in the town and the mineral resources outside in hopes you, Guanfeng, will help resolve the conflict between our families, considering our past friendship…"
This was a letter handwritten by Wang Xiong, and the content was not overly complex.
The mention of their past friendship referred to the time when the two traveled together in their youth, establishing some bonds between them.
It was during this period of travel that Wang Xiong witnessed Yang Guanfeng’s decisiveness and thunderous methods.
After reading, Yang Guanfeng turned to Gao Hui and asked, "Does the Wang Family truly have a child in the sect?"
"Yes, indeed."
Gao Hui nodded. "I don’t know the specifics, but according to internal news, Wang Xiong’s youngest son should have been taken by Solitary Moon Mountain, which is also why I took him in."
Solitary Moon Mountain?
Hearing this name, Yang Guanfeng couldn’t help but frown.
Old Yu had brought back information about this sect before.
Solitary Moon Mountain encouraged fierce competition among its disciples, and it had a heavy killing intent, giving it a rather sinister reputation.
Yang Guanfeng had a feeling at that moment for some unknown reason.
Wang Xiong’s youngest son being quietly taken to the mountain by this sect might not be a good thing.
However, that was no longer something for him to worry about.
"What do you think, Yang Master?"
Yang Guanfeng held the letter in his hand but did not answer immediately.
The shops in town were merely collections of mundane gold and silver, but mining resources could yield precious ores and was undeniably a way to earn spiritual crystals; there was no reason to refuse.
"If I remember correctly, the Wang Family’s mine is located at the border between Baishi Town and Qinghe Town, right?"
Yang Guanfeng tucked the letter into his sleeve. "After the monster tide disaster, Baishi Town was severely damaged and its influence greatly diminished. Wang Xiong’s actions appear to be offering the mine, but in reality, he is worried about his ability to hold onto what little family fortune he has left. It would be better to offer it to our family and ask for a favor; that seems like a good strategy."
"Hahaha, as expected from Yang Master; you have grasped the key point," Gao Hui smiled as he straightened up. "Indeed, this is true. Wang Xiong is still at the sixth level of Gathering Qi, and if the mine is near Baishi Town, he would never hand it over without a fight. I came to deliver this letter because of his new status as my underling. Whether it succeeds or not is up to you, Yang Master, so there is no need to worry."
Yang Guanfeng nodded in understanding.
To be honest, he was quite tempted by the mine, but he had to confirm one thing first.
"Mayor Gao, which family is currently targeting the Wang Family’s mine?"
"South of Qinghe is the Zhang Family from Sanglu Valley," Gao Hui replied. "I have learned that their master is named Zhang Tianqi and is at the sixth level of Gathering Qi, his cultivation level comparable to yours, Master Yang. However, apart from Zhang Tianqi, the Zhang Family has three other Gathering Qi cultivators."
Before coming to the Yang Family, Gao Hui had already gathered this information through the dynasty’s channels.
From his perspective and for the benefit of Baishi Town, he naturally hoped that Yang Guanfeng would take over the Wang Family’s mine.
The town’s city walls were mostly rebuilt, but there were still damaged streets. To recover quickly, various ores were essential resources.
Among the mines outside Baishi Town, the yield from the Wang Family’s mine was the highest.
If it fell into the hands of the Zhang Family, the prices for acquiring ores would surely rise significantly.
But he also understood that the final decision would depend on the Yang Family’s attitude.
The Yang Family had already invested money and effort in the town’s rebuilding, so Gao Hui did not dare to push too hard.
This was both a message delivery and a way to convey intelligence; he would see how Yang Guanfeng would decide.
"What are the levels of those three cultivators?"
Upon this question from Yang Guanfeng, Gao Hui felt a lightbulb go off in his head—there was hope!
"One is at the fifth level of Gathering Qi, one is at the second level, and the last one is at the first level."
He quickly clarified the situation of the Zhang Family.
After hearing this, Yang Guanfeng nodded. "Can this matter be delayed a bit?"
"When I came here, I informed the mayor of Qinghe. They won’t be too aggressive until the town’s rebuilding is complete, but if the mine remains unguarded for too long, the Zhang Family may forcefully start mining."
"I understand. Thank you, Mayor Gao, for making a special trip to my home."
Yang Guanfeng stood and said, "The Wang Family’s mine will be taken over by my Yang Family. I will deal with this matter personally within the next three months, at the latest by May."
Gao Hui let out a long sigh of relief upon hearing this, quickly standing to bow. He felt deeply grateful.
He had not expected much from this trip, as the two families had comparable top cultivators, and the Zhang Family had more cultivators overall, giving them a slightly stronger overall strength.
The Yang Family had just weathered the monster tide and was in a period of recuperation; it would have been reasonable for them not to act.
Yet now that Yang Guanfeng had agreed to the matter, Gao Hui was genuinely delighted.
As a token of gratitude, Gao Hui took out a gift.
He pulled a small vial from his storage bag and handed it to Yang Guanfeng.
Upon receiving it, Yang Guanfeng’s eyes lit up.
"This is… Seeking Sun Water?"
"Indeed, Master Yang should accept this as a thank you for this matter and also as compensation for that day when I entered your Forbidden Area."
"Hahaha, Mayor Gao is too polite," Yang Guanfeng replied cheerfully.
Seeking Sun Water could nourish spiritual plants; this small vial would increase the speed at which the Yang Family’s four-leafed spirit-receiving grass condenses spirit liquid by about twenty percent.
