Chapter 32: Win-Win

This kind of collaboration agreement left Su Chiming with a faint sense of regret, yet he understood that despite sharing the same blood, more than ten years had passed since they last met. It was impossible for them to become close the moment they reconnected. Only time, kinship, and sincerity could slowly bridge that distance.

Su Chiming needed to move Yaoguang with emotion, align their interests, and convince him with reason.

One day, Yaoguang would become the true dragon of the Su family and lead the family to soar.

Thus, Su Chiming revealed a smile and shook Yaoguang’s hand. "I wish us a pleasant cooperation."

In the end, he even added, "Starting today, I will announce that you are the sole heir of the Su family."

"No need," Yaoguang said. "My ambition lies in the Martial Dao. I have no interest in running the Su family or managing its affairs."

Su Chiming felt disappointed yet found it reasonable. Only someone fully devoted to martial cultivation could reach the grandmaster tier at such a young age.

"I understand. Starting today, the Su family will handle all your logistics. Matters big and small in daily life, and all resources required for your cultivation, will be taken care of. We will not burden your essence in any way." The patriarch said, his expression solemn.

"That'd be for the best." Yaoguang nodded slightly. Speaking with a clever man was always refreshing. Su Chiming might not have been the smartest member of the Su family, but he was certainly the one with the best ability to see the bigger picture.

As for whether a future patriarch might disrupt their cooperation, he did not need to worry about it. Strength determined authority.

As long as Yaoguang remained strong, the Su family would naturally cling to him like vines to a towering tree, both benefiting from the other.

And if a future heir lacked common sense, Yaoguang could replace him with a single word, as long as he was strong enough.

"Although you do not wish to waste your energy by standing publicly as the Su family's heir, you still need an appropriate status. We can start from Huaifeng’s position." Speaking of this, Su Chiming paused slightly, as if remembering something. "Regarding Huaifeng... I know he wronged you, but now... he does not have much time left. The doctor expects him to last at most until the end of this month. So when the time comes, I hope you can visit him one last time."

Yaoguang did not respond immediately. The host’s feelings toward Su Huaifeng were complicated. There was resentment, but also longing and expectation.

And since cooperation with Su Chiming had gone smoothly so far, seeing him once would fulfill the host’s wish. On the other hand, it was simple courtesy.

"Sure." Yaoguang nodded.

"Good, very good." Su Chiming let out a breath. Whether Yaoguang truly cared or not, his agreement at least revealed his attitude.

It proved he was not a heartless youth who cared only about martial arts and abandoned all human ties.

"Given your status as a grandmaster, from now on, you will be the martial strength of the Su family. Over the years, our family has trained a capable and brave elite unit. Leng Jun usually leads them. They operate under the Family Laws Hall and the External Affairs Hall..." Su Chiming paused.

Beside him, Leng Jun understood instantly and spoke up. "Setting aside Yaoguang’s age and seniority, it is my honor to serve under a grandmaster."

Hearing this, Su Chiming nodded to him. Then he continued, "From today onward, you will take charge of the External Affairs Hall. The two martial masters and twenty-one martial artists under that hall will all follow your command."

"A nominal title is fine." Yaoguang did not completely refuse.

He knew Su Chiming would not feel at ease unless he held some status. But Yaoguang also had his own terms.

"I will still prioritize cultivation," he said.

"Of course. Cultivation comes first. That was my oversight," Su Chiming said. "Then you may serve as an officer of the External Affairs Hall."

He glanced at Leng Jun. "You will lead the External Affairs Hall, but you must cooperate with Yaoguang’s requests as much as possible."

"Understood." Leng Jun nodded, though he hesitated. "But then, regarding your personal safety..."

"A newly purchased batch of medicinal herbs has arrived. With these, Su Hua should be able to strengthen his tendons and bones," Su Chiming said.

Hearing this, Leng Jun had no objections. He turned to Yaoguang with a smile. "Since we both serve in the External Affairs Hall now, feel free to simply tell me if you have any minor matters that need to be taken care of."

"Thank you." Yaoguang nodded lightly.

He intended to observe Leng Jun over the coming days. If the man proved trustworthy, then—when Yaoguang busied himself with his own pursuits—he could delegate the cleanup and dealing with the aftermath to him.

"Yaoguang, you just arrived at the capital and still lack a residence. I will arrange everything. A few properties will be transferred under your name," Su Chiming said as he pressed a button on his desk.

Soon, Secretary Lin reentered.

"This is Lin Xia," Su Chiming said. "If you need to reach me but I happen to be occupied, you may contact her directly."

He then instructed Lin Xia about transferring funds and arranging accommodation. Finally, as if remembering something, he suddenly added, "There have been many small movements below recently, but with Yaoguang here, I feel reassured. It is time for a counterattack to clear out the parasites inside Buzhou Group."

Lin Xia listened to his earlier instructions, then heard that she was to transfer 300 million directly to Yaoguang, along with this new declaration...

She instantly understood. She stared at Yaoguang in disbelief, her eyes filled with shock and delight. "Young Master Yaoguang..."

"Just call me Yaoguang," he said.

Su Chiming added, "Yaoguang is not someone who enjoys being pretentious. He is focused on martial arts and prefers not to be disturbed. You alone must know this."

"Understood." Lin Xia nodded quickly. She then led Yaoguang toward the finance room to complete the transfer.

Seeing Lin Xia and Yaoguang leave, Leng Jun hesitated for a moment before sighing softly. "That was 300 million."

Buzhou Group earned over 100 billion in annual revenue, yet profits were only around twenty percent. After distributing shares among the major stakeholders, the amount that actually reached the Su family was not much, and only a fraction of that consisted of liquid cash.

Even though Yaoguang carried the Su family's blood, this was ultimately his first time returning to the family. To immediately allocate him three hundred million, and to promise dozens of billions over the next three months...

"I know what you want to say." Su Chiming smiled. "If Yaoguang had demanded 600 million just now, I would have made the following decisions far more cautiously. Most of the tens of billions given later would have been tied to fixed assets. But he only asked for 300 million."

Leng Jun’s heart stirred, and he quickly understood. He also recalled the earlier exchange between Su Chiming and Yaoguang...

It appeared to be ordinary conversation, yet beneath the surface lay layered meanings, subtle tests of his temperament and character, all carried out without a single ripple. And in the end, Yaoguang’s performance was clearly satisfactory.

"After all, he belongs to our Su family, and if one speaks strictly, he is the eldest grandson of the Su family," Su Chiming said, smiling.

Leng Jun pondered carefully. He still could not fully grasp all of Su Chiming’s considerations, but he understood the essence. This was a successful meeting of two willing sides, a mutual convergence.

A smile slowly formed on his face as well. Although he was only a son-in-law of the Su family, his fate had long been intertwined with theirs. Their prosperity was his prosperity.

Now, seeing the Su family gain a teenage grandmaster with the potential for martial paragon, he felt genuinely delighted.

"You should keep a close eye on matters concerning Yaoguang," Su Chiming instructed. "All these years, Huaifeng has wronged him. From here on, the only compensation we can offer lies in daily life."

"I understand." Leng Jun nodded earnestly.

"You are both martial artists, so you understand better than most how important he is to the Su family’s future." Su Chiming continued, then smiled. "With him supporting us, our nationwide expansion strategy not only does not need to halt, but can be pursued with even greater confidence."

Leng Jun fully agreed. The deterrence of a grandmaster was enough to make anyone behave and follow the rules. And, as long as others played by the rules, the Buzhou Group feared no competition.

"A teenage grandmaster..." Su Chiming spoke with growing joy, laughter gradually swelling in his voice. "A nineteen-year-old grandmaster, a Martial Dao prodigy with the potential to become a martial paragon, the rightful eldest grandson of my Su family..."

The more he spoke, the harder it became to hide the exhilaration in his eyes.

Eventually, he could not help but burst into laughter. "My Su family is truly fortunate!"