52: Chapter 52 Gold Mine

Next, Squire Wang proceeded to explain the ins and outs of the situation.

It turned out that the Gold Mine owned by Squire Wang's family was located in Cold Stone Valley outside the city and had been in operation for hundreds of years. It could be said that it was precisely this Gold Mine that established the Wang family's status as the wealthiest in Tianshui City.

Everything had been going well, but half a year ago, a monkey came from who knows where, stormed into the Gold Mine, and killed all the supervisors and miners.

With that, the Wang family's source of wealth was cut off. Over the past few months, Squire Wang had spent a fortune hiring many experts to drive it away, but the monkey was incredibly ferocious, and none of the experts he hired survived.

Consequently, no more experts were willing to come.

Of course, this didn't mean Tianshui City lacked true experts; it was just that those with real talent and learning could not be hired with mere silver.

However, aside from money, the Wang family really had nothing else.

Therefore, after seeing Su Jiuchuan display his Divine Might on the arena stage yesterday, and noting that the bet was only 100,000 taels of silver, Squire Wang could not help but be moved.

That was how today's scene came about.

After hearing this account, Su Jiuchuan fell into deep thought. Had those monsters already begun to encroach upon the places where humans lived?

During his last simulation, Su Jiuchuan had encountered a ferocious beast outside the city that was nearly entering the Xiantian Realm. He feared that deep in the mountains and forests, there were even more ferocious Vicious Beasts comparable to the Innate Realm.

This world was becoming increasingly dangerous!

"How is it?" Squire Wang asked anxiously. "Young Master Su, what have you decided?"

"Uh, I need to use the latrine first," Su Jiuchuan said casually before walking out. A servant outside immediately stepped forward to guide him.

Once he was alone, Su Jiuchuan opened the System.

It was better to run a simulation first. If this job was doable, he could earn 200,000 taels. If not, even 10,000 taels was not a loss; the 10,000 taels simulation fee was worth it.

[At eighteen, you become a First-grade Martial Artist. In Tianshui City, Squire Wang asks you to deal with the monkey at the Gold Mine.]

[Three days later, you go to the Gold Mine and indeed encounter a monkey there. This monkey has already stepped into the Xiantian Realm, but fortunately, it is injured.]

[You fight it, and in the end, both of you are severely injured. Just then, a figure appears, kills the monkey, and casually kills you as well. You die at the age of eighteen.]

Su Jiuchuan was stunned. He had been backstabbed.

How was the timing so precise? The moment he and the monkey were both injured, that person appeared?

That person must have been hiding nearby, waiting for the right moment to strike. But who was that person?

This Squire Wang was very suspicious!

The more Su Jiuchuan thought about it, the more suspicious he became. The Wang family appeared to be an ordinary merchant family, but that was an entire Gold Mine. Even if Martial Artists in this world did not care much about money, major factions needed money to support their many subordinates.

How could they leave such a large Gold Mine untouched? Would the aristocratic families really refrain from taking action? This was highly illogical.

Therefore, the only conclusion was that the Wang family had a powerful Martial Artist backing them, deterring other factions.

However, if that Martial Artist could not even handle an injured Xiantian monkey and had to wait half a year to find him, it meant this Martial Artist likely was not in the Xiantian Realm, or at least did not possess the strength of a Xiantian Martial Artist.

Thinking of this, Su Jiuchuan perked up. If that were the case, could he find a way to gain some benefits?

At this moment, a line of text popped up before his eyes.

[Simulation ended. You may retain one of the following items.]

[1. Martial Dao Realm at eighteen.]

[2. Martial Dao experience at eighteen.]

[3. Life wisdom at eighteen.]

Looking at this, Su Jiuchuan secretly had an idea.

...

A full incense stick of time later, Su Jiuchuan returned to the main hall. Squire Wang was pacing back and forth, clearly anxious.

"Young Master Su, what do you think..."

Su Jiuchuan smiled and said, "I haven't eaten since I got up this morning..."

Squire Wang still smiled brightly and said, "That is my oversight. Please wait a moment; I will arrange it immediately." His heart sank slightly. Don't rush, don't panic, don't alert the enemy.

Before long, a table full of delicacies was brought out.

Su Jiuchuan did not need any prompting; he started eating on his own. It had to be said, the taste was quite good; it was the most satisfying meal he had eaten since his Transmigration.

Seeing that the dishes on the table were almost finished, Squire Wang continued to ask, "Young Master Su, what do you think..."

"Hiccup!" Su Jiuchuan let out a long, full burp and said, "Too salty. Bring me a cup of wine!"

Squire Wang's face stiffened. He could only turn around and gesture to a servant, and a pot of wine was immediately brought up.

Su Jiuchuan took two large gulps directly from the wine pot, then tossed the pot onto the table, signifying he was finished.

"Young Master Su, could you please help with this favor?"

Seeing his nervous expression, Su Jiuchuan chuckled inwardly and said, "Very well, I agree to this matter."

Upon hearing this, Squire Wang clenched his right hand tightly inside his sleeve.

"However..."

Hearing this, his heart jumped back into his throat.

"This matter is too dangerous. I need 500,000 taels of silver," Su Jiuchuan said. "And you need to pay a deposit of 300,000 taels today."

"Ah... this..." Squire Wang thought for a moment, gritted his teeth, and said, "Fine, I agree."

"Mm, that settles it then." After saying this, Su Jiuchuan picked his teeth and walked out.

Watching his retreating figure, the smile on Squire Wang's face gradually faded. He said coldly in his heart, "500,000 taels of silver—you really dare to ask for it. I just fear you won't have the life to spend it!"

Su Jiuchuan returned to the inn. Not long after, Squire Wang had people deliver five large chests.

After the people who delivered the chests left, Su Jiuchuan opened the chests one by one.

They were full of gold ingots, glistening under the candlelight.

He had truly struck it rich this time. Su Jiuchuan took out a few gold ingots and opened the System to top up.

[Top-up successful. Current balance: 380,003 points.]

For the first time, Su Jiuchuan felt a sense of financial abundance.

...

The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, Squire Wang was already waiting at the inn.

After a few simple pleasantries, the two set off.

Cold Stone Valley was located more than fifty li north of Tianshui City, surrounded by mountains on three sides. The Gold Mine was actually situated beneath a cliff.

Squire Wang refused to go any further at the valley entrance. He simply cupped his hands at Su Jiuchuan and said, "Young Master Su, if you continue forward from here, you will see the entrance to the Gold Mine. I leave this matter to you."

Su Jiuchuan did not mind. He waved his hand casually, held his black blade, and walked alone into the deep, secluded valley.