Mineral Resources

Eight days after Elder Yu left, Gao Hui saw He Shenglai off and visited the Yang Family again.

Upon seeing Yang Guanfeng, he quickly stood up with an apologetic expression and cupped his hands.

"Patriarch Yang, I am truly sorry for what happened before. The higher-ranking official always has the advantage. I hope you can forgive me."

He Shenglai had used his authority to pressure the Yang Family and even rummaged through their assets. This was truly unconscionable, and Gao Hui, as his peer, felt awkward and embarrassed.

"Town Chief Gao, there's no need to be like this. His actions have nothing to do with you."

Yang Guanfeng smiled and waved his hand. "Adaptability is the way to survive. When I was young and traveling, I endured even greater humiliation and hardship. Looking at the outcome, losing some face to preserve substance was a worthwhile trade, no matter how you look at it."

Yang Guanfeng's words made Gao Hui pause slightly, and his evaluation of the family head immediately increased significantly.

"Patriarch Yang, you speak wisely. I have learned much."

After they sat down, the two began to discuss official business.

It was about the mining rights around White Stone Town.

Due to the beast tide that broke through the city, many families within White Stone Town were wiped out. Currently, three mining sites were lying idle, guarded only by the town's soldiers.

"Three? Didn't you say there were only two before?" Yang Guanfeng asked.

"I came today to tell you about this matter, Patriarch Yang."

As Gao Hui spoke, he took out a letter and handed it over.

Yang Guanfeng didn't even open it before saying, "A letter from Wang Xiong?"

"Patriarch Yang's mind is sharp; you guessed it right away."

Gao Hui nodded. "You must be aware of the Wang Family's situation. Now, only Wang Xiong is left alone, and he's injured. He doesn't have the spirit to manage the Wang Family anymore. He has now pledged allegiance to me."

Yang Guanfeng nodded and slowly opened the letter.

"To Brother Guanfeng, I, Wang, am filled with remorse. My clan brother, Wang Lie, was truly acting under my orders and brought suffering upon himself. I have nothing to say, only to blame myself for being blinded by greed for a moment..."

"After the ordeal of the beast tide, the Wang Family is effectively gone, leaving me alone, unable to achieve anything..."

"Now that I have pledged allegiance to the Town Chief, I wish to offer all the shops in town and the mines outside the city. I hope Brother Guanfeng, in consideration of our past travels together, can resolve the conflict between our families..."

This was a personal letter from Wang Xiong, and its content was not complicated.

The mention of "past travels together" referred to a period when the two had traveled together within the Dynasty in their youth, establishing a certain degree of camaraderie.

It was precisely this shared travel experience that allowed Wang Xiong to witness Yang Guanfeng's decisive nature and formidable methods.

After reading it, Yang Guanfeng asked Gao Hui, "Does the Wang Family truly have a child in a sect?"

"Yes."

Gao Hui nodded. "I don't know the specifics, but according to information from within the Dynasty, Wang Xiong's youngest son was likely taken in by Solitary Moon Mountain. This is also why I took him in."

Solitary Moon Mountain?

Upon hearing the name, Yang Guanfeng couldn't help but frown.

Elder Yu had brought back news about this sect before.

Solitary Moon Mountain encouraged disciples to compete, possessed a strong killing intent, and its sect rules were somewhat unorthodox.

For some reason, Yang Guanfeng had a premonition at this moment.

Wang Xiong's youngest son being secretly taken up the mountain by this sect was probably not a good thing.

However, that was not his concern.

"What are Patriarch Yang's thoughts?"

Yang Guanfeng held the letter in his hand, not answering immediately.

The shops in town were merely worldly gold and silver, but mining could yield refined ore, a direct channel for earning spirit crystals. There was no reason to refuse.

"If I recall correctly, this mining site of the Wang Family should be located at the border between White Stone Town and Qinghe Town, right?"

Yang Guanfeng put the letter back into his sleeve. "After the beast tide, White Stone Town was severely damaged. Its influence is greatly diminished. Wang Xiong's action appears to be gifting the mining site, but in reality, he's likely worried he can't protect this last piece of family property. It's better to offer it to my family as a gesture of goodwill. It's a well-calculated move."

"Hahaha, as expected of Patriarch Yang, you've already discovered the key point."

Gao Hui straightened his posture and laughed. "Indeed. Wang Xiong's current cultivation realm is still intact. If the mining site were near White Stone Town, he would never hand it over so easily. My coming here to deliver this letter is also because he has pledged allegiance to me as a guest minister. Whether it succeeds or not, the decision rests with Patriarch Yang. You don't need to have any reservations."

Yang Guanfeng nodded in understanding.

Frankly, this mining site was very appealing to him, but he needed to confirm one thing before acquiring it.

"Town Chief Gao, which family is currently eyeing the Wang Family's mining site?"

"The Zhang Family of Sanglu Valley, south of Qinghe."

Gao Hui replied, "I've inquired. Their family head is named Zhang Tianqi, at the Sixth Level of Qi Gathering, comparable to your cultivation. However, besides the family head, the Zhang Family has three other Qi Gathering cultivators."

Before coming to the Yang Family, Gao Hui had already used the Dynasty's information channels to gather this information.

From his perspective, and for the benefit of White Stone Town, he naturally hoped that Yang Guanfeng would take over the Wang Family's mining site.

The reconstruction of the town's walls was mostly complete, and there were still damaged streets to address. To recover quickly, various ores were essential resources.

Among the few mining sites outside White Stone Town, the Wang Family's site had the highest yield.

If it fell into the hands of the Zhang Family, the price they'd offer for the ore would definitely have to be raised considerably.

But he also knew that the final decision on this matter still depended on the Yang Family's attitude.

Regarding the reconstruction of the town, the Yang Family had already contributed money and effort, so the current Gao Hui didn't dare to make any strong demands.

This time, it was not only to deliver a letter but also to relay intelligence, seeing how Yang Guanfeng would decide.

"What are the realms of those three?"

When Yang Guanfeng asked this, Gao Hui's heart brightened; there was hope!

"One is Fifth Level of Qi Gathering, one is Second Level of Qi Gathering, and one is First Level of Qi Gathering."

He immediately explained the specific situation of the Zhang Family.

Yang Guanfeng listened and nodded, "Can this matter be delayed for a while longer?"

"When I came, I was informed by the higher-ups and Town Chief Qinghe that they wouldn't go too far before the town's reconstruction was completed. However, if that mining area is left unattended for too long, the Zhang Family might forcefully begin mining."

"Yes, I am aware of this. Thank you for making the special trip to my home, Town Chief Gao."

Yang Guanfeng stood up and said, "The Wang Family's mine, my Yang Family will take it. At the earliest in three months, and at the latest in five months, I will personally go to resolve this matter."

Upon hearing this, Gao Hui let out a long sigh of relief and quickly stood up to bow, feeling deeply grateful.

He hadn't held much hope for this trip. After all, the top cultivators of both families were at similar cultivation levels, and the Zhang Family had more cultivators than the Yang Family, making their overall strength slightly superior to the Yang Family's.

The Yang Family had just survived the beast tide and was currently in a period of recovery. It was reasonable for them not to choose to take action.

Now that Yang Guanfeng had actually agreed to the matter, he was truly delighted.

As a token of gratitude, Gao Hui produced a gift.

He took out a small bottle from his storage bag and handed it to Yang Guanfeng.

Yang Guanfeng took it and examined it, his eyes lighting up.

"This item, is it Sun-Seeking Water?"

"That's right. Patriarch Yang, please accept this item as a thank-you gift for this matter, and also as compensation for my trespassing into your family's forbidden area that day."

"Hahahaha, you are too kind, Town Chief Gao," Yang Guanfeng said with a happy laugh.

Sun-Seeking Water could nourish spirit plants. This small bottle, when used, could increase the speed at which the Yang Family's Four-leaf Spirit-Nesting Grass condensed spirit liquid by about twenty percent.