Partnering with a Backer

Meng Lao Er's voice was dry. "Xiao Yu, Uncle Meng has been poor for too long! Is there no other way?"

Wang Yu understood what Meng Lao Er was thinking. Putting himself in his shoes, he too would have found it hard to hand over this mineral vein.

"Uncle Meng, although I'm a Martial Artist, I haven't trained for long. I'm afraid I alone can't help you claim this mineral vein.

"If you truly want it, there may be a way to take a gamble, though it might not work."

"What way?" The moment Meng Lao Er heard there was hope, he immediately pressed for an answer, his eyes full of anticipation.

"My Master is the master of Shadowless Fist Gym, and his cultivation has reached the Body Tempering Fifth Level. If he is willing to lend a hand in this matter, perhaps he can help you take over this mineral vein!

"Of course, to move him, you'll have to give him a share of the profits from the mineral vein."

What Wang Yu had in mind was simply bringing in a powerful and well-connected figure from the town as a partner. Even if the profits from the vein had to be divided up—

As long as this powerful figure was reliable, the remaining profits that went to Meng Lao Er would still be enough to make him a fortune, perhaps even turn his life around and send him soaring to the peak of life.

Of course, the final decision was still Meng Lao Er's to make.

Wang Yu was merely offering a suggestion.

Meng Lao Er was clearly hesitant. "Xiao Yu, will your Master..."

He did not know Sun Chengshan well and still feared that once the mineral vein was exposed, Sun Chengshan might turn against him as well.

No one could blame him. After being hurt once, anyone would become overly sensitive.

Wang Yu sighed. "Uncle, however much profit you want to seek, that much risk you must bear. Comparatively speaking, someone like my Master, who has standing in town and cares about his reputation, would act more steadily and wouldn't do anything reckless.

"Of course, if you're unwilling, then just pretend I never mentioned it."

In truth, from what Wang Yu had learned about Sun Chengshan over this period, the man was somewhat greedy for money, but he had principles and bottom lines.

Furthermore, with Wang Yu acting as the intermediary, as long as both sides agreed to sign a contract, the matter would basically be settled.

In the end, Meng Lao Er gritted his teeth. "Alright, Xiao Yu, I trust you. Even if I can only get twenty percent—no, even ten percent of the mineral vein's profits will do!"

Based on Meng Lao Er's understanding of this Purple Coal Vein, even a seemingly small ten percent share would be enough to make him rich.

"Good!" Wang Yu nodded. Since Meng Lao Er had made his decision, he believed Sun Chengshan would certainly not refuse.

He first drove off the group of hooligans, then hurried back to the gym with Meng Lao Er.

By the time they returned, it was already noon. Zhang Erdan was still sitting listlessly in the office.

"Huh, Junior Brother Wang, you're back so soon? Did you finish the commission?" Zhang Erdan asked.

"Not yet. Has Master returned?" Wang Yu asked. Whether the commission was completed or not was no longer important.

"Oh, you're looking for Master? He just got back. He's in the inner room." Wang Erdan pointed and said.

"Uncle, wait here for now."

With that, Wang Yu headed straight into the inner courtyard.

The sight made Zhang Erdan sigh.

"How nice. I want Master to give me special attention too."

Wang Yu was the third disciple in the gym who could freely enter and leave the inner courtyard.

The first two were Senior Disciple Brother Song Hezheng and the exceptionally gifted Ji Fei.

Wang Yu enjoyed the same privilege because Sun Chengshan valued him highly enough to give him special instruction.

No matter how low-key Wang Yu usually was, he could not hide that.

Entering the inner courtyard alone, Wang Yu knocked on Sun Chengshan's door.

Sun Chengshan was sitting in a reclining chair by the window with his eyes closed, resting. When he saw Wang Yu enter, he asked, "What is it?"

"Master, why have you often been away from the gym lately?" Wang Yu did not immediately state his purpose.

Over the past three months, the two had become much more familiar with each other and were no longer as distant as before.

"Hmph, brat, do you think it's so easy to run a gym? There are countless places that need smoothing over and connections that need to be maintained."

Sun Chengshan snorted softly, gently rocking in his chair.

"Have you encountered any confusion in your cultivation lately?"

Wang Yu shook his head. "No."

"Mhm." Sun Chengshan nodded, then continued, "Among all the disciples I've taught, you've caused me the least worry, and your talent is the highest as well. In less than three months, you reached the Body Tempering Second Layer.

"That is indeed impressive, but you must always remember not to grow arrogant or impatient. You should know that the strength of the Body Tempering Second Layer is really nothing in Island Town. At most, you can bully ordinary people."

Sun Chengshan gave his usual tireless reminder once more.

"This disciple will remember." Wang Yu replied calmly.

"Since it isn't about cultivation, why have you come to see me? Let me make this clear first: I'm out of fish meat. If you still want some, you can only wait until the next high tide."

Sun Chengshan spoke blandly, never opening his eyes from beginning to end.

"It has nothing to do with fish meat either. This time, your disciple has come to discuss a business deal with Master." After a few idle exchanges, Wang Yu did not intend to waste any more time and went straight to the point.

"What business deal?" Sun Chengshan chuckled, apparently not expecting this young disciple to suddenly come to him with a business proposition.

How could Wang Yu fail to hear the amusement in Sun Chengshan's voice? Clearly, he did not take the supposed business deal seriously.

Wang Yu's expression remained calm as he slowly said, unhurriedly, "A Purple Coal Vein."

"Hm?" Sun Chengshan opened his eyes slightly and looked at Wang Yu.

Wang Yu then roughly told him about Meng Lao Er's situation, along with the partnership idea he had proposed.

"Master, you know very well the value of a Purple Coal Vein, no matter how small it may be. Whether you are willing to take this deal is up to you."

After hearing Wang Yu out, Sun Chengshan no longer had the slightest trace of sleepiness. The gleam bursting from his eyes was brighter than ever.

He glanced sideways at Wang Yu. "Hmph, are you underestimating your Master? Even if Shadowless Fist Gym lacks a solid foundation, our strength is there for all to see. What is there that we cannot do?"

"Since Master is willing to cooperate, I'll go invite him in." Wang Yu said with a faint smile.

"Mhm." Sun Chengshan agreed.

Soon, Meng Lao Er followed Wang Yu inside.

"Greetings, Master Sun."

Sun Chengshan nodded and looked Meng Lao Er up and down. "I've already heard Xiao Yu talk about the mineral vein. First, let me congratulate Brother Meng on soon rising high and flourishing."

Meng Lao Er's face lit up with joy. "Does that mean you agree?"

"This is a win-win deal. I have no reason to refuse." Sun Chengshan smiled, making Meng Lao Er even more excited.

"However, I will need to inspect it in person before I can discuss the various terms of the contract with you."

"Of course, of course!" Meng Lao Er nodded repeatedly.

"Then lead the way. Time waits for no one—we'll go now!" Sun Chengshan said as he looked at Wang Yu.

Though Sun Chengshan appeared calm and composed on the surface, Wang Yu could sense the urgency in his heart.

Otherwise, he would not have wanted to set out immediately and inspect the mineral vein himself.