Regression Again Of The SSG

Ch5: Solid foundations

After completing the procedure and walking outside, I met the people from the auction, including the man who had been supposed to win the bidding.

"Hello, Mister Feng. I'm Lei Wan, and I work in construction. I wonder if you have some time to talk about cooperation?" Lei Wan said as he approached me.

I smiled and told him that would have to wait until I inspected the island and talked with my parents, but I asked him to leave his contact information. I did the same with the others.

I knew they would run a background check on me to see if they could pressure me into business. But I was sure when they discovered I was an Internal Force Expert (IFE), they would back down. For people like them, profit is everything, but an IFE appearing out of nowhere isn't worth the risk unless the person is genuine and won't play tricks.

While Jin Hai City is a third-rate city, someone becoming an IFE at such a young age is a red flag. That was also why Green God Company didn't approach me after I won the city fighting competition—they assumed there must be some power behind me and didn't want trouble with someone who might be a genius nurtured by others.

Anyway, I returned home and told my parents I would be busy for the next week inspecting the island so we could start building on it. They objected, saying we shouldn't take such a huge risk, and they were right. The island is occasionally hit by earthquakes, which is why people were reluctant to buy it. You'd have to ensure that any hotels and villas could withstand seismic activity, and that very issue is how the mine was discovered in the future.

But now I know the exact location and will try to see if I can discover it "accidentally" this time.

I was getting ready the next day when my watch rang. I answered, "Hello?"
"Hello, Mister Shi Feng. It's Lei Wan; we spoke yesterday about cooperation. Can we meet sometime?"
"Ah, Mister Lei Wan, I was just getting ready to go inspect the island before calling you."
"Well, I have some time. If you please allow me to come with you, I have wide experience in construction."

Hmm, I don't really need construction companies since I plan to turn it into a mining island, but just as I was about to reject him, I had another thought.
"Well, I would welcome you to come, but right now I'm looking for a geologist and a seismologist. When I'm ready, I will call you."
"Ah, well, I happen to know a seismologist. But what do you need a geologist for?"
"I want to know everything about the island before I make any decisions."
"Okay, I'll ask him and see if he knows someone, then call you back."
"Okay, I'll be waiting."

I didn't expect him to know a seismologist but not a geologist, though I figured it made sense—earthquakes are unpredictable, but geology might be learned through construction experience, so it wasn't as critical.

About half an hour later, he called back and said he had found someone, suggesting we meet on the island. I agreed. I contacted the security company I work with and took ten men with me. Even though I'm strong enough, and I generally think Lei Wan is a good person, greed is an ugly monster that can consume one's conscience in a moment—especially in a remote place without witnesses.

Two hours passed during the trip to the island. We met Lei Wan and his group, including their bodyguards.
"This is Professor Wen Dongjun, a renowned seismologist, and his personal friend, Professor Zhang Ruiqing, a geologist from the same university," Lei Wan introduced them.
"Hello, I'm Shi Feng, a student at Jin Hai University. It's a pleasure to meet you," I said, introducing myself.
"Mister Shi Feng is also an IFE under 20 and the winner of Jin Hai City's fighting competition," Lei Wan added quickly, afraid they might make a mistake.

The two professors had arrived just before me, so he hadn't had time to tell them anything earlier. As expected, they straightened their backs and shook my hand seriously, wary of offending me. While experts aren't maniacs, they are often viewed with fear by ordinary people.
"Hello, Mister Shi Feng," they replied.

We started scouting the island, moving to every part as the professors gave their honest opinions. They thought we were finished and wanted to return, but I said I wanted to stay a while longer. There's a hill inland where the vein is located, and though I couldn't make them stay, thankfully, they decided not to leave.

We slowly made our way to the hilltop when suddenly Professor Zhang yelled, "Stop!"
My heart thumped—I knew he had seen something. We went down to the spot he indicated. "Bring my equipment," he said, and after striking the ground, a cave suddenly appeared before us.

The two professors looked possessed as they inspected the cave. Finally, one of them yelled, "Oh my god!"
Lei Wan asked worriedly, "What's going on? Is there something wrong with the hill or the island?"
"Lei Wan, my friend, it seems you are truly unfortunate," Professor Wen told him.
"What do you mean?" Lei Wan looked confused—after all, it wasn't his island.
Professor Zhang said, "This might be the largest vein discovered in the last decade," not realizing who he was speaking to.
"Largest vein?" I asked, feigning confusion.
"You lucky young man! To have bought this island is your fortune. It contains a massive amount of high-power resources. If you sold this island today, it would bring you at least 200 billion," Professor Wen said.

Well, as he said—but who would do that when this is the solid foundation I'll depend on? This vein is my key to establishing a power base that can rival even the largest corporations. The game has just begun, and now I hold the ultimate trump card.