Legacy of the Spirit Stone

Chapter 27 – Minerals

On the eighth day after Elder Yu left, Gao Hui saw off He Shenglai and once again visited the Yang Clan.

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

"Patriarch Yang, I sincerely apologize for the previous incident. The authority of an official can be overwhelming. I hope you can forgive me."

He Shenglai had used his power to force his way into the Yang Clan's Forbidden Zone and even uncovered the clan's secrets, which was truly inconsiderate. Gao Hui, who accompanied him, felt both embarrassed and uncomfortable.

"Mayor Gao, there's no need for that. His actions have nothing to do with you."

Yang Guanfeng waved his hand with a smile. "To be able to bend and stretch is the way to survive in this world. When I was young and traveled, I endured greater humiliation and hardships. From the outcome, losing some face to preserve our core interests is worth it."

Yang Guanfeng's words left Gao Hui slightly stunned, and his evaluation of this clan leader rose significantly.

"Patriarch Yang speaks wisely. I have learned much from you."

The two sat down and began discussing serious matters.

It was about the mineral resources around White Stone Town.

Due to the Beast Tide breaking through the town, many families in White Stone Town had been wiped out. Currently, three mines were left idle, guarded only by the town's soldiers.

"Three? Wasn't it said there were only two before?" Yang Guanfeng asked.

"I'm here today to inform Patriarch Yang about this matter."

Gao Hui said, taking out a letter and handing it over.

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

"Patriarch Yang is sharp-minded, guessing it right away."

Gao Hui nodded. "You must be aware of the Wang Clan's situation. Now, only Wang Xiong is left, alone and injured. He no longer has the ambition to manage the Wang Clan. He has now pledged allegiance to my household."

Yang Guanfeng nodded and slowly opened the letter.

"Dear Brother Guanfeng, I, Wang, am in fear. My cousin Wang Lie acted on my orders and suffered the consequences. I have nothing to say, only blame my greed for clouding my judgment..."

"After the Beast Tide disaster, the Wang Clan is now in name only, leaving me alone and unable to accomplish anything..."

"I have now joined the Mayor's household and wish to offer the town's shops and the mines outside the city. I hope Brother Guanfeng, for the sake of our past travels together, can resolve the enmity between our two families..."

This was a letter personally written by Wang Xiong, and its content was not complicated.

The mentioned past travels referred to the time when the two had traveled together within the Dynasty during their youth, which gave them some friendship.

It was during these travels that Wang Xiong witnessed Yang Guanfeng's decisive nature and swift actions.

After reading, Yang Guanfeng asked Gao Hui, "Does the Wang Clan really have a child in a sect?"

"Yes."

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

Lone Moon Mountain?

Hearing this name, Yang Guanfeng couldn't help but frown.

Previously, Elder Yu had brought back news about this sect.

Lone Moon Mountain encouraged competition among its disciples, had a heavy murderous aura, and its ethos was somewhat sinister.

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

Wang Xiong's youngest son being quietly taken up the mountain by this sect might not necessarily be a good thing.

However, this was not something for him to worry about.

"What does Patriarch Yang think?"

Yang Guanfeng held the letter in his hand and did not immediately answer.

The shops in the town were merely worldly gold and silver, but mining could yield refined ore, a tangible way to earn Spirit Crystals, and there was no reason to refuse.

"The Wang Clan's mine, if I remember correctly, should be at the border between White Stone Town and Clear River Town, right?"

Yang Guanfeng put the letter back into his sleeve. "After the Beast Tide, White Stone Town was severely damaged, and its influence is not what it used to be. Wang Xiong's move seems like giving away the mine, but in reality, he's just worried he can't protect this last bit of family property. It's better to offer it to my family as a favor, which is quite a clever move."

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

Gao Hui straightened up and laughed. "Indeed, if the mine were near White Stone Town, Wang Xiong wouldn't possibly give it away. I'm delivering this letter on his behalf because he has become a guest under my household. Whether it succeeds or not, it's up to Patriarch Yang to decide, without any pressure."

Yang Guanfeng nodded in understanding.

Honestly, he was very tempted by this mine, but he needed to confirm one thing to take it.

"Mayor Gao, which family is eyeing the Wang Clan's mine?"

"South of Clear River, the Zhang family of Mulberry Dew Valley."

Gao Hui replied, "I've inquired, the family head is named Zhang Tianqi, at the Qi Condensation Sixth Layer, with cultivation similar to Patriarch Yang. However, besides the family head, the Zhang family has three more Qi Condensation cultivators."

Before coming to the Yang Clan, Gao Hui had already used the Dynasty's information channels to find out these details.

From his perspective, from the interests of White Stone Town, he naturally hoped Yang Guanfeng could take over the Wang Clan's mine.

The town's walls were mostly rebuilt, but there were still damaged streets. To restore quickly, various minerals were essential resources.

Among the mines outside White Stone Town, the Wang Clan's had the highest yield.

If it fell into the Zhang family's hands, the price of purchasing minerals would surely increase significantly.

But he also understood that the final decision on this matter depended on the Yang Clan's attitude.

In the town's reconstruction, the Yang Clan had already contributed money and effort, so Gao Hui dared not make any demands.

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This visit was both to deliver the letter and to convey information, waiting to see how Yang Guanfeng would decide.

"What are the cultivation levels of those three?"

Yang Guanfeng's question made Gao Hui's heart brighten—there was hope!

"One at the Qi Condensation Fifth Layer, one at the Qi Condensation Second Layer, and one at the Qi Condensation First Layer."

He immediately clarified the Zhang family's specifics.

Yang Guanfeng nodded after hearing this. "Can this matter be delayed for a while?"

"When I came, I informed the Mayor of Clear River. Before the town's reconstruction is complete, they won't go too far. But if the mine remains unguarded for too long, the Zhang family might forcibly mine it."

"Understood, I appreciate Mayor Gao's special visit to my home."

Yang Guanfeng stood up. "The Yang Clan will take over the Wang Clan's mine. At the earliest in three months, at the latest in five, I will personally resolve this matter."

Gao Hui breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this and quickly stood up to salute, feeling deeply grateful.

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

The Yang family had just survived the Beast Tide and was now in a period of recuperation, so choosing not to act was reasonable.

Now that Yang Guanfeng had truly agreed to this matter, it genuinely delighted him.

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

He took out a small bottle from his Storage Bag and handed it to Yang Guanfeng.

Yang Guanfeng took it and, upon inspection, his eyes lit up.

"This is Sun-Seeking Water?"

"Indeed, Patriarch Yang, please accept this as a token of gratitude for this matter, and as an apology for the day I entered your Forbidden Zone."

"Hahahaha, Mayor Gao, you're too kind."

Yang Guanfeng laughed happily.

Sun-Seeking Water could nourish Spirit Herbs. With this small bottle, the speed at which the Yang Clan's Four-Leaf Spirit Grass condensed Spirit Liquid could increase by about twenty percent.