Although the word "cooperation" left Su Chiming with a trace of regret, he understood all too well that after more than ten years of absence, even blood ties could not instantly forge an intimate bond.
It could only be nurtured gradually over time through family warmth.
Move him with affection, bind him with shared interests, and persuade him with reason.
One day, Yaoguang would become the true soaring dragon of their Su family, leading the clan into the heavens.
With that thought, a smile broke across Su Chiming's face as he took Yaoguang's hand. "A pleasure doing business with you."
He then added, "Starting today, I will announce that you are the sole heir to our Su family."
"No need,"
Yaoguang replied. "My ambitions lie in the martial path. I have no interest in the operations of the Su family or in managing its day-to-day affairs."
Su Chiming felt a twinge of regret upon hearing this, yet he found it entirely reasonable. Only someone single-mindedly devoted to martial arts could reach the peak of Grandmaster at such an age.
"I understand. From this day forward, the Su family will handle all your logistics. Daily trivialities, training resources, and everything in between will be taken care of by the family. None of it will divert your focus,"
the Su family patriarch declared solemnly.
"That would be best."
Yaoguang nodded slightly.
Speaking with a clever man was always effortless.
Su Chiming...
While one might not call him the smartest man in the Su family, he was certainly the one who understood the big picture and the greater good best.
As for whether a change of leadership in the Su family down the road might jeopardize their cooperation...
Fist was power.
So long as he remained strong, the Su family would naturally cling to his side like vines entwined around a great tree, both elevating each other.
If some future heir of the Su family proved foolish enough to cross him...
With strength in his hands, he could replace them with a single word.
"Even if you prefer not to stand before the public as the family heir to conserve your energy, you still need a proper status. We can start from Huaifeng's side."
At this point, Su Chiming seemed to recall something, and his tone faltered slightly. "As for Huaifeng... while I know he has wronged you, he now... doesn't have much time left. The doctors say it will be within this month, so... I hope you can go see him one last time when the moment comes."
Yaoguang did not answer immediately.
The original host's feelings toward Su Huaifeng...
Were exceedingly complicated.
There was hatred.
Yet there was also anticipation and longing.
Furthermore, seeing as his cooperation with Su Chiming was going smoothly so far...
Going to see him would, on one hand, fulfill the original host's lingering wish, and on the other...
It was a matter of courtesy.
"Very well,"
Yaoguang nodded.
"Good, excellent."
Su Chiming breathed a sigh of relief.
Regardless of whether Yaoguang's willingness to see his biological father came from the bottom of his heart, the fact that he agreed...
At least proved his attitude.
It also proved that he was not the sort of person who pursued martial arts to the point of casting aside all human emotion.
"Since you practice martial arts, from this day forth, you will be the pillar of martial force for our Su family lineage. Over the years, our family has cultivated an elite force ready to fight and bleed, usually led by Leng Jun and concentrated mainly within the Family Disciplinary Hall and the External Affairs Hall..."
Su Chiming paused.
Beside him, Leng Jun knew what he intended to say and immediately spoke up. "Setting aside Yaoguang's age and generational seniority, it is my honor to serve under a Grandmaster."
Su Chiming nodded at Leng Jun before continuing, "From now on, you will take charge of the External Affairs Hall. Its two Martial Masters and twenty-one Martial Artists are entirely at your disposal."
"A nominal title will suffice."
Yaoguang did not refuse outright.
He knew that without giving him an official identity, Su Chiming would not feel at ease.
However, he had his own requirements.
"Going forward, my priority will remain my cultivation."
"Indeed, cultivation takes precedence. It was my oversight,"
Su Chiming said. "Then you shall serve as Deacon of the External Affairs Hall."
He then glanced at Leng Jun. "You will continue to manage the External Affairs Hall's day-to-day operations, but do your best to accommodate Yaoguang's requests."
"Understood."
Leng Jun nodded, though a hint of hesitation crept into his expression. "Then what about your personal safety...?"
"The latest batch of medicinal ingredients has arrived. With them, Su Hua should be able to cleanse his sinews and forge his bones,"
Su Chiming said.
Hearing this, Leng Jun had no further objections. He turned to Yaoguang with a smile. "Since we are both in the External Affairs Hall, if there are any trivial matters that need handling in the future, just let me know."
"Thank you for your trouble."
Yaoguang gave a slight nod. He intended to observe Leng Jun carefully in the days to come.
If the man proved trustworthy...
Whenever Yaoguang was busy with his own affairs, he could let Leng Jun step forward to handle the aftermath.
"Yaoguang, since you have just arrived in the provincial capital, you don't have a place to stay yet. I will arrange it for you right away and transfer several properties under your name,"
Su Chiming said, pressing a button on his desk.
Before long, Secretary Lin, who had stepped out earlier, walked back in.
"This is Lin Xia. From now on, whenever you need me and I am tied up with business, you can go directly to her,"
Su Chiming said before instructing Lin Xia to process the wire transfer and arrange accommodations.
At the end, as if suddenly remembering something, he added, "Recently, there have been quite a few covert moves from below. But... with Yaoguang here, my mind is at ease. It's time to launch a counterattack and purge some of the black sheep within Buzhou Group."
Between Su Chiming's earlier instructions, the direct transfer of three hundred million to Yaoguang, and his current words...
Lin Xia realized the truth in an instant.
She looked at Yaoguang in disbelief, her eyes filled with shock and delight.
"Young Master Yaoguang..."
"Just call me Yaoguang,"
Yaoguang replied.
Su Chiming also added a reminder: "Yaoguang is not one to show off. Furthermore, he is dedicated to martial arts and does not wish to be disturbed unnecessarily. Keep this matter strictly to yourself."
"I understand,"
Lin Xia hurried to promise.
With that, she led Yaoguang toward the adjacent finance office to handle the funds transfer.
Watching Lin Xia and Yaoguang leave, Leng Jun hesitated for a moment before sighing with emotion. "Just like that, three hundred million..."
Although Buzhou Group generated an annual revenue of a hundred billion, the profit margin was only around twenty percent. After dividends were distributed among the major shareholders, the amount that actually reached the Su family was not staggering.
To say nothing of hard, liquid cash.
Even though Yaoguang carried the Su bloodline, this was, after all, his very first time returning to the family.
To grant him three hundred million all at once, while also promising billions over the next three months...
"I know what you want to say,"
Su Chiming said with a smile. "If Yaoguang had demanded six hundred million just now, I would have proceeded with far more caution, and the billions later would have mostly consisted of fixed assets. But he only asked for three hundred million."
Leng Jun's heart stirred, and he quickly understood.
Then he recalled the rest of the conversation between Su Chiming and Yaoguang...
What had appeared to be casual dialogue was actually steeped in profound undertones, quietly testing his temperament and character beneath the surface.
And Yaoguang's final performance...
Had clearly been thoroughly satisfying.
"He is, after all, a member of our Su family. Strictly speaking, he is even the eldest grandson of my lineage..."
Su Chiming chuckled.
Leng Jun pondered deeply. Though he could not fully grasp all of Su Chiming's ultimate calculations, one thing was clear in his mind.
This was an excellent, mutually beneficial partnership.
A smile appeared on his face as well.
Though a son-in-law married into the family, he was already bound to the Su clan, rising and falling with its fortunes.
Seeing the Su family gain such a teenage Grandmaster with the potential to become a Martial Saint, he was genuinely thrilled.
"Keep a close eye on Yaoguang's affairs,"
Su Chiming instructed. "All said and done, that boy Huaifeng wronged him over the years. All we can do now is make it up to him in his daily life."
"Understood,"
Leng Jun nodded solemnly.
"Good. As fellow martial artists, you understand better than anyone what he means for the Su family's future development,"
Su Chiming said.
A faint smile spread across his face. "With him anchoring us, our nationwide strategic expansion not only doesn't need to halt, but we can pursue it with even greater boldness and confidence."
Leng Jun nodded in deep agreement.
The deterrent of a Grandmaster was enough to force anyone to deal with them strictly within the rules.
And as long as everyone played by the rules and reasoned fairly, Buzhou Group feared no legitimate competition.
"A teenage Grandmaster..."
Su Chiming muttered, his laughter growing louder. "A nineteen-year-old Grandmaster, a martial prodigy with the potential to reach Martial Saint, and the eldest grandson of our direct Su lineage..."
The more he spoke, the less he could conceal the joy gleaming in his eyes.
In the end, he threw his head back and burst into hearty laughter.
"How fortunate my Su family is! Hahaha!"
Chapter 32