Super Gene Hunting Ground

”Hmm?”

Jino looked at Yang Xiao with some surprise.

Usually, only an official from the Great Dragon Empire would have such a policy for attracting business. Yang Xiao’s approach here was practically an official policy on behalf of Wildman Valley.

In fact, the current status of Wildman Valley’s Primitive Forest is very ambiguous, belonging neither to the Great Dragon Empire, nor to the Snow Leopard Empire or the Youming Empire; it’s an area that’s relatively independent.

Just like Antarctica and the North Pole on Earth, which belong to no single nation.

Now, a representative of this ungoverned territory has suddenly emerged.

Yang Xiao continued:

”Lord Jino, the Wildman King is willing to pledge allegiance to the Great Dragon Empire, and by doing so, we would hand over two-tenths of the Crystal Stones we mine in the future to you. For you, this is essentially like gaining an achievement out of thin air, isn’t it?”

Jino nodded his head.

If Wildman Valley had chosen to depend on the Youming Empire or the Snow Leopard Empire, this income would have gone to others.

Moreover, by choosing to pledge allegiance to the Great Dragon Empire, all of the Crystal Stones would be sold to the Great Dragon Empire in exchange for Crystal Coins, and the Great Dragon Empire could derive even more benefit from the Crystal Stones, as they are Purple Source.

”By the way, I heard that your nephew also wants to mine. I can let him have priority in contracting two mining sites. Hmm, the first batch of mining sites open for bidding will only be ten, and we can’t open them all at once; we’ll gradually open more.

However, even if your nephew takes on the mining contract, he will need to follow our rules. I need to make this ugly point clear now, to avoid any misunderstandings later on.”

”Ah?”

Jino hadn’t expected this curveball, which Gustone had actually told Yang Xiao over lunch today.

So you see, it’s good to keep in touch with friends when you can; have meals together, strengthen friendships, and you might receive some useful information.

”Ah, Master Yang has quite a clever plan. Since you represent Wildman Valley and choose to pledge allegiance to our Great Dragon Empire, then as the Jino City Lord, of course, I must provide protection on behalf of the Great Dragon Empire.

Hmm, rest assured, whether it’s the Youming Empire or the Snow Leopard Empire, if they dare to trouble you, just tell me, and I will deal with them.”

The last sentence was exactly what Yang Xiao wanted to hear.

Yang Xiao had discussed at length with David, Elder Qin, and the Wildman King, analyzing the entire situation in detail.

The news of Wildman Valley possessing a large number of ore veins would gradually spread and attract more and more adventurers. Without the backing of a powerful ally, once the Great Dragon Empire, Youming Empire, or Snow Leopard Empire became interested, the entire Wildman Valley could be close to destruction.

Even the Pegasus Empire, with its formidable strength, was captured by the War God leading his army.

By relying on the Great Dragon Empire, Wildman Valley would achieve ultimate protection. Not only would other empires dare not invade, but even the private forces within the Great Dragon Empire would not dare to meddle. The ideas of private miners employing Mercenary Armies could also be put to rest.

”Ah, by the way, if Jino City Lord is interested, you could also have your nephew contract for two more mining sites, under your nephew’s name. Anyway, three-tenths of the profits go to your nephew, how you divide it is none of my concern.”

Jino City Lord looked at Yang Xiao: ”...”

This young man is refreshingly straightforward, transparent, sensible, I like him!

Jino chuckled,

”Ah, Master Yang, we really hit it off. Don’t worry, I will handle Wildman Valley’s affairs just as you suggested. Hmm, it’s still early today, so how about we play a couple of games?

I’ve heard you’ve beaten Gustone quite handily. It seems you held back your skills when you played chess with me last time, didn’t you? Do you think I’m beneath you?”

Yang Xiao smiled,

”As commanded with respect, I’ll accompany Lord Jino for two games.”

”Good.”

The two set up a chess game right there, with Qin Lu watching from the side.

This time, Yang Xiao didn’t hold back, and after more than half an hour, Jino was sweating profusely.

”I’ve lost this game, come, let’s play another,” said Jino as he turned to a servant nearby,

”By the way, send out the word that there’s an honored guest tonight, I am inviting Master Yang for dinner. Hmm, also call my nephew to join us for dinner with Master Yang.”

The servant beside him heard this and hurried off to prepare.

In the second game, Jino was again defeated by Yang Xiao.

Being an avid lover of chess, Jino insisted on another game with Yang Xiao, only to be defeated once more.

Jino was covered in sweat, a feeling he had not experienced in a long time. Although he was beaten by Yang Xiao, on the other hand, he also gained a refinement of his spiritual power.

For the current Jino City Lord, it was very difficult to find a master like Yang Xiao in Karachi City to refine his spiritual power.

The servant served them juices and teas to replenish their Qi.

”Master Yang, you indeed hide your talents well. I did not expect your chess skills to be so advanced, surpassing even Master Xue Rong of Karachi City by not just a little.”

Yang Xiao immediately responded:

”Lord Jino flatters me too much, my chess skills are nowhere near Grandmaster Xue Rong.”

”Heh, I say you’re better than him, so you are! When there’s a chance, I’ll take you to play a game against him and give Xue Rong a proper beating. That’ll teach him to stop acting all high and mighty, as if he’s the best in the world. His arrogance is infuriating.”

Yang Xiao could only laugh awkwardly.

He wasn’t interested in such matters of undercutting others.

”Master Yang, you rest for a bit. I’m going to change my clothes and then I’ll join you for a chat.”

Jino City Lord was soaked from three rounds of intense chess with Yang Xiao.

Yang Xiao nodded and chatted over tea with Qin Lu.

After a while, Jino City Lord returned in a change of clothes, bringing a young man with him.

”Come, Master Yang, let me introduce you. This is my brother-in-law, Xingyun Piaoxue.”

The young man greeted Yang Xiao with a bow:

”Brother Yang, a pleasure to meet you. I hope you’ll look after me from now on!”

It appeared that Jino City Lord had already shared Yang Xiao’s exploits with him, hence Xingyun Piaoxue’s evident excitement.

Yang Xiao glanced at him; the young man was handsome and debonair, similar to Qin Lu, both epitomizing the carefree sons of wealthy families.

”Oh look, Brother Qin is here too.”

Xingyun Piaoxue noticed Qin Lu next to Yang Xiao and exclaimed in surprise.

Qin Lu was startled too and quickly went up to shake hands and hug Xingyun Piaoxue.

”Brother Xingyun, what brings you to Purple Origin Star?”

The two turned out to be college friends from Witch Star; after graduating, they had gone their separate ways, never expecting to reunite here.

”Ah, don’t mention it. I grew bored of Witch Star, so I came to visit my sister here on Purple Origin Star. Life really is full of unexpected encounters—I ran into you here.”

Xingyun Piaoxue’s family also owned mining operations, but their mines were on Witch Star, not on Purple Origin Star.

As typical wealthy heirs, Xingyun Piaoxue’s and Qin Lu’s attitudes were similar—indulging in pleasures without any desire to work at the family mines or be bound by their fathers.

After spending some time on Purple Origin Star and finding it boring, he heard that Karachi City was abuzz with a trend to open mines in Wildman Valley. Considering his brother-in-law was the City Lord, he also wanted to start his own business and make a mark.

That way, when he returned to Witch Star, he could face his father and say he wasn’t a wasteful, lazy scion; he had started a business and made money—he was capable!

This seemed to be a common affliction among the wealthy heirs.

Both Jino City Lord and Yang Xiao were startled.

”You two know each other?”

”Brother-in-law, we were college mates. He slept on the bunk above mine; he’s my good buddy. Back in the day, we used to drink and… um, no, study together, cultivate, and uh, meet girls, really good friends!”

Jino: ”@#￥%”

Yang Xiao: ”@#￥%”