Chapter 187: Besieged (1/2)

[Volume 3 – The Place Where My Heart Feels At Peace]

Xiao Lingshi stood up to retrieve a map which he then unfurled onto the table. The distribution of all human-controlled ore mines was recorded upon it in impressive detail.

He pointed toward the rather large-scale mines and said, “These locations all belong to the Huaiyang Wu Clan. They used to be content with their lot. Even though they had some minor deals going on under the table, they were always harmless on the surface.”

Song Zining listened attentively, knowing there would be a continuation to this introduction. Wu Zhengnan’s seedlings came from god knows how many channels, with some arriving from his allies whose benefits were closely related to him, while others changing several hands on the way. Most aristocratic families preferred clean business and weren’t too keen on earning money from a pot of hot oil.

“Perhaps they were motivated after seeing the people around them earn substantially by trading with the dark races, however, their choice of goods is rather problematic.”

“How so?”

“They’re trading humans and black crystal iron.

Song Zining’s eyes turned narrow. “Black crystal iron?”

Black crystal iron ranked above red crystal iron and was the raw material used to produce grade four origin firearms. The patterns within the origin array were made from this material. In comparison to red crystal iron, the value of black crystal iron as a strategic resource was miles ahead.

Song Zining immediately grasped the pivotal point. “The Wu clan mines produce black crystal iron?”

Xiao Lingshi nodded and replied, “They’ve been trying to keep this a secret all this time. However, while investigating recent transactions, my men discovered a batch of black crystal iron of unknown origins. My two appraisers believe that the black crystal iron was produced from the Wu clan mining area.”

Song Zining muttered to himself, “The Huaiyang Wu Clan, although only a third-rate force, is still an aristocratic family.”

“That’s where things get tricky.”

Xiao Lingshi’s tone sounded as if he was just chatting casually but Song Zining knew that this was the key point of today’s conversation. Their continued cooperation would depend on whether or not he could accept this matter. The benefits he had offered before, including the business regarding Wu Zhengnan, was only enough to have Xiao Lingshi “not get involved”. Money alone wasn’t enough if he wanted to have the latter slightly lean toward him in the case of a slip-up.

Xiao Lingshi had already established himself in the Evernight Continent, but when all was said and done, he was still a commoner of humble origins. The difference in identities would be magnified as soon as he left the continent—the reason why he placed this opportunity before Song Zining. In the end, family background was Xiao Lingshi’s only weakness. He had almost nothing to fear apart from this.

“Do you have any more information?”

“Please wait a moment.”

Xiao Lingshi left for a while and returned with a thick stack of files, all of which contained information related to the Wu clan mining area.

It was Song Zining’s turn to go over documents in detail while Xiao Lingshi waited at one side. This lieutenant general of humble origins didn’t show the slightest trace of impatience—it seemed as if he could sit idly for the whole day. Meanwhile, Song Zining read page after page, as if he had no idea a lieutenant general was waiting beside him.

Song Zining finished reading only after a whole hour had passed. He rearranged all the files and then proceeded to mumble to himself while tapping on the table with his fingers. “There’s some room for manipulation because these mines all belong to the third branch of the Wu clan.”

Xiao Lingshi nodded without saying anything.

Song Zining continued, “I have some people on the Qin Continent. Although it’ll be difficult for them to suppress the third branch of the Wu clan, they can definitely hold them up for a period of time. We can intercept the Wu clan’s caravan and occupy their mines while they’re too busy to attend to matters. We won’t need to worry about them denying their crimes as long as we can find the evidence to use against them. If at that time, we’re willing to return one-third of the mining rights, the third branch of the Wu clan will have no other choice but to obey. I’m quite certain they’ll have a clear view of things regarding their unspeakable relationship with Wu Zhengnan.”

Xiao Lingshi laughed, “Why would the stately Song clan have any difficulty dealing with a mere third branch of the Wu clan?”

Song Zining replied calmly, “The Song clan can deal with the Wu clan as easily as smashing ants. Why would they have any difficulty? The reason for this difficulty is precisely because it’s not the Song clan but I, Song Zining, who’s dealing with the Wu clan’s third branch.”

There was a huge difference between whether or not one borrowed the Song clan’s power.

Xiao Lingshi was finally moved and stared deeply into Song Zining’s eyes. “It is I who had made the wrong assumptions.” A solemn glow flashed across the depths of his eyes. Could it be that this low-profile seventh young master of the Song clan only relied on his own strength from establishing contact to making plans on how to deal with Wu Zhengnan? Xiao Lingshi wasn’t disappointed after discovering that he couldn’t borrow the Song clan’s power. On the contrary, he looked forward to things even more.

Song Zining smiled indifferently and didn’t continue with this topic. “The most crucial point is, what will we do if we raid the Wu clan’s mines and caravan but find no traces of black crystal iron?”