The next day, Yao Bao led Jiang Chen and the others deeper into the dense forest. After more than two hours, they finally arrived at Python Ridge Mine.
The Python Ridge Mine remained largely untouched, with minimal mining activity. Near the ridge, several temporary shelters had been erected, and at that moment, hundreds of armed guards were stationed around.
“President Ye, General Kunsan has been waiting for us inside. Let’s go in,” Yao Bao said.
Ye Xinru nodded, and the group entered one of the shelters.
Inside, a middle-aged man with a square face and a stocky build sat in a rattan chair. His eyes were half-closed as if he were resting. Upon hearing their footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes, a fierce glint shooting from them.
This man was General Kunsan, one of the warlords in the Golden Triangle region. Known for his ruthless nature and blood-soaked lifestyle, he had long been steeped in violence; for ordinary people encountering such a thug, it would be enough to make them tremble in fear.
As Jiang Chen and the others entered, Kunsan's cold, dark face broke into a lewd smile upon seeing Ye Xinru. Although she was over forty, her well-maintained appearance and dignified elegance made her incredibly alluring. A man like Kunsan would not easily let such beauty slip away.
“General Kunsan, this is President Ye Xinru of Huaxia Gusu Jade Group. She is interested in purchasing Python Ridge Mine,” Yao Bao said respectfully.
Ye Xinru forced herself to remain calm. Seeing Kunsan’s unblinking gaze made her nervous; it would be a lie to say otherwise. Thankfully, Master Chen was present.
However, even Master Chen felt some tension. Although he was a practitioner of the mystical arts, he was facing a warlord armed with guns and cannons, and outnumbered as well. If things turned violent, he would have little advantage.
“I didn’t expect President Ye to be such a stunning beauty. This is quite a surprise! Come on, President Ye, let me show you around Python Ridge Mine,” Kunsan said as he stood up and approached Ye Xinru, attempting to wrap his arm around her waist. She deftly evaded his advance.
“Please lead the way, General Kunsan,” Ye Xinru replied politely with a smile.
Kunsan merely chuckled; he was in no hurry. To him, Ye Xinru was like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered—he could take his time with her.
Jiang Chen remained silent on the side.
Under Kunsan's guidance, Jiang Chen and the others arrived at Python Ridge Mine. The mine resembled a small mountain range and was quite expansive; thoroughly investigating it would likely take several days.
“President Ye, feel free to look around. This mine is worth fifty billion dollars—definitely a bargain,” Kunsan said with a grin.
Ye Xinru nodded and whispered something to Chen Zhi. He then took out a palm-sized compass and began examining the area around Python Ridge as if he were a Feng Shui Master determining auspicious spots.
Meanwhile, Jiang Chen focused his mind and condensed a faint trace of spiritual consciousness that penetrated deep into Python Ridge.
At that moment, no one noticed Jiang Chen. Ye Xinru anxiously watched Chen Zhi as if waiting for him to make any discoveries.
Kunsan's gaze roamed over Ye Xinru like that of a wolf eyeing its prey.
A few minutes later, Jiang Chen withdrew his consciousness; beads of sweat had formed on his forehead. Given his current level of cultivation, exerting his consciousness for such extensive probing was somewhat taxing. However, the results of this effort brought him unexpected joy.
Indeed, Python Ridge was rich in spiritual energy—it was a vein of Spirit Stone Mine brimming with abundant Spiritual Energy.
Jiang Chen remained calm, wanting to see what Ye Xinru's true intentions were.
After a while, Chen Zhi returned from a distance and gave Lin Pinru a glance, which made her very happy.
"General Kunsan, I have purchased this mine for five billion dollars. However, five billion dollars is indeed a large sum, and we cannot provide it all at once. I hope we can arrange for installment payments," Lin Pinru said as she turned around, suppressing her excitement while addressing Kunshan.
"Installment payments? President Ye, do you think I would agree to that?" Kunshan found it laughable that someone would even suggest installment payments to him.
"General Kunsan, apart from me, there is probably no one else willing to pay five billion dollars for this mine. In fact, even ten billion dollars might not attract any buyers. I know the real reason behind your sudden decision to sell this mine," Ye Xinru said with an air of confidence.
Upon hearing this, Kunshan's expression darkened.
"What do you know?" Kunshan asked suspiciously.
"This place is called Python Ridge; it is a sacred site for the tribes in this area. Legend has it that a python resides here. General Kunsan, you must have encountered this python during the mining process," Ye Xinru stated.
"It's just a python! It's normal to have pythons in these mountains and forests; that's not the main reason I'm selling this mine! The main reason is that I urgently need money, so I cannot accept your proposal for installment payments," Kunshan replied, clearly surprised that Ye Xinru had figured out his thoughts, though he would never admit it.
"Regardless of General Kunsan's original intention in selling this mine, I sincerely want to buy it for five billion dollars, paid over five years at one billion dollars per year. Please consider it," Ye Xinru urged.
Kunshan frowned and pondered for a long time before finally looking at Ye Xinru and saying, "There’s one more condition: if President Ye agrees to it, I will accept the installment payment deal."
"What condition?" Ye Xinru asked.
"President Ye, spend one night with me. As long as I am satisfied, we can negotiate everything else," Kunshan said with a lewd smile.
"You wish!" Ye Xinru was instantly enraged; as a woman from a prestigious family, she would never willingly endure such humiliation.
"Haha, President Ye, those who recognize the situation are wise. Right now, you are in my hands; do you really think you can escape? You might as well obey; if you satisfy me, I will agree to your request," Kunshan laughed triumphantly and stepped forward to embrace Ye Xinru.
Someone like Kunshan would never play by the rules. Ye Xinru had underestimated him; she thought this was business but failed to realize she was dealing with a group of bandits where reason held no sway.
"Stop!" Chen Zhi stepped in front of Kunshan and coldly ordered him to halt.
"Old man, get out of the way and don’t ruin my fun," Kunshan dismissed Chen Zhi as if he were nothing more than an old man and attempted to push him aside.
However, Chen Zhi was a Zhenren Dao Fa practitioner and not someone to be trifled with. Instead of being pushed aside, Kunshan found himself thrown to the ground in an embarrassing manner.
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