Cheng Mo pulled over two folding chairs, gestured for Liu Yu to sit down, and said,
"The whole thing started with an island nation in the South Pacific called Solor. A geological consulting firm, quite reputable internationally, issued a report stating they had discovered a high-grade rare mineral deposit with immense potential there."
Liu Yu spoke slowly, trying to make his narrative clear.
"The other party's team seemed flawless. They had the tribal chief who genuinely owned the land, a former high-ranking official who could navigate government channels, and a seemingly very professional team of mining engineers. All the documents, qualifications, and even initial samples of the ore vein were authentic."
"You know my old man; he's been cautious his whole life. This time, he personally flew over to investigate three times! Each time, the other party hosted him impeccably. The ore outcrops, the preliminary exploration data—everything pointed to this being a big money-making project, and the result…"
Liu Yu gave a bitter smile.
"The old man was tempted. He almost staked the entire group's liquid capital and borrowed a huge sum from the bank, investing heavily to buy the mining rights to that mountain."
"The initial investment was like a bottomless pit: building roads, constructing a port, purchasing large-scale mining equipment, setting up camps… Just as the mine completed its initial construction and was about to start producing ore and generating profits,"
Liu Yu's voice filled with indignation: "At this critical juncture, the local situation suddenly changed!"
"The newly appointed local governor directly colluded with the most influential tribal armed forces there, and also found an organization masquerading as an international security company but actually consisting of mercenaries. Using ridiculous pretexts like needing to re-evaluate environmental impact and renegotiate original contract terms, they directly sent troops to militarily blockade our mine!"
"All our people were violently expelled, and equipment worth hundreds of millions was impounded. The other party is now demanding that we transfer 51% of our shares for free, and also pay an astronomical sum in environmental compensation!"
Liu Yu's voice trembled with anger.
"This is outright robbery, and a blatant scheme! They're relying on being far from any authority, and having guns in hand. They're not afraid of legal procedures. My father tried every method—diplomatic channels, international arbitration… nothing worked. The other party just dragged their feet and ignored us. But we can't afford to wait; the group's capital chain is about to break!"
The basement was silent, save for Liu Yu's heavy breathing.
The immense pressure made this usually optimistic young man appear particularly fragile.
Cheng Mo listened, his face devoid of any surprise.
He pondered for a moment, then began to analyze: "As for legal channels, since the other party dared to do this, they have clearly assessed the risks and determined that you cannot do anything to them. Their greatest reliance is their absolute military control in the area, and their rogue tactics of not playing by the rules."
Liu Yu nodded, his eyes red: "Yes, it's because they have guns. Over there, they are the local emperors!"
Cheng Mo looked at Liu Yu, his gaze sharp: "To break this deadlock, conventional business methods or legal avenues are already ineffective. You must defeat them in the area where they are most confident and most reliant on maintaining this situation."
Liu Yu was startled, then seemed to realize something.
His eyes suddenly lit up. With a mix of anticipation and uncertainty, he lowered his voice and asked, "Most confident area? Military force? Mo Zai, you… would that transcendent organization behind you be willing to get involved in something like this?"
His mind was already imagining various mysterious forces intervening.
Cheng Mo gave him a somewhat exasperated look and sighed: "I'll say it again, there is no transcendent organization behind me."
He paused, his tone calm but carrying a strange authority.
"I alone am enough."
"One person?!"
Liu Yu jumped up from his chair in shock, his voice changing pitch.
"Mo Zai, what kind of international joke are you playing? That place is a tiger's den right now, with an army and mercenaries, real guns and live ammunition!
"You… I believe you're strong now, but that's war; it's too dangerous! No, absolutely not!"
He shook his head like a rattle drum: "Let's first find a way to raise money, stabilize the current capital chain, and then slowly negotiate with them, even if it means giving up some of the profits…"
He was genuinely anxious, afraid that Cheng Mo would risk his life to help his family.
Cheng Mo interrupted his dissuade: "Borrowing money is just drinking poison to quench thirst. If the root of the problem isn't solved, that mine will be like a bottomless pit. No matter how much money is invested, it will be swallowed up, and it will only make the other party more reckless. It must be solved at the source."
He stood up and looked into Liu Yu's eyes: "I'll go to Solor with you."
Liu Yu still strongly objected, his face full of worry: "No, Mo Zai, I know you mean well, but this is really not the time to show off; people will die!"
He couldn't imagine his good brother risking his life for his family's business.
Seeing that Liu Yu couldn't be reassured, Cheng Mo stopped explaining.
He knew it would be difficult to convince Liu Yu without demonstrating something.
Cheng Mo stepped back a few paces, standing in the relatively open area of the basement.
"Watch closely."
His voice fell.
The next second, a subtle yet clear "sizzle" sound rang out.
Visible, leaping azure electric arcs, like living vines, instantly surged from his body.
Lightning Release quickly covered his entire body, forming a layer of flowing, radiant armor, as if composed of pure Lightning Release energy!
The Lightning Release Armor enveloped his entire being.
The air in the basement seemed to become hot and turbulent due to this sudden energy.
Cheng Mo's figure appeared somewhat blurred in the Lightning Release, yet he exuded a non-human, heart-pounding powerful aura.
Liu Yu's mouth dropped open into an O-shape, his eyes bulging as if they would pop out of their sockets.
He froze in place, as if under a paralysis spell.
After several seconds, he suddenly gasped, letting out a broken cry of surprise:
"Holy—shit—!!!"
He pointed at Cheng Mo, his finger trembling, speaking incoherently.
"Elec… electricity?! Mo Zai, are you… are you really a superhuman?! This isn't a movie, is it?!"
The scene before him completely overturned his understanding.
This was no magic trick or special effect!
That surging sense of energy, that heart-stopping oppressive force, was real!
Cheng Mo's mind moved, and the Lightning Release Armor around him instantly receded, disappearing without a trace, as if it had never appeared.
Only the lingering scent of scorching in the air proved that it had not been an illusion.
He nodded: "Hmm, so, their local armed forces can't threaten me."
Cheng Mo didn't speak too confidently.
"While I'm not sure if my current body can withstand bullets head-on, dodging them is not a problem."