Chapter 55: Ignorance of the Heavens and Earth

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Black copper ore was the Lin family’s primary industry and a crucial bargaining chip that secured their position among the three great families.

For this reason, the Lin family had been working tirelessly over the past few days.

On one hand, they pleaded their case at the City Lord’s Mansion. On the other, they investigated ‘Chen Yang’s’ background, keeping a close eye on the Su family, fearing they might collaborate with Chen Yang to seize their industry.

They even went as far as inviting their old patriarch to sit in as a deterrent, all to ensure that their black copper ore authority remained intact and free from Chen Yang’s interference.

Aside from the Lin family, the City Lord’s Mansion was also paying close attention to this matter.

Officially, the matter was being handled by the young city lord, Ye Bufan.

However, in secret, the city lord himself, Ye Chen, was personally overseeing it, intending to assess the true strength of this mysterious genius, ‘Chen Yang.’

Chen Fei, accompanied by Chen Laoda and others, arrived at the public office, completely unaware of the high-profile figures lurking behind the scenes of Huangwu City.

The official in charge of black copper ore, Chief Hong, had been waiting outside the public office for quite some time, anticipating the grand arrival of ‘Chen Yang,’ the newly appointed city patrol envoy.

“Young Master Chen, you’ve finally arrived.” Chief Hong greeted him with a wide smile, welcoming Chen Fei with utmost enthusiasm.

Seeing this, Chen Laoda felt a sense of pride. The humiliation he had suffered in the past, when Chief Hong had outright rejected him, had now been repaid with interest, thanks to his young master’s status.

Chief Hong led Chen Fei and his group through the building, arriving at the Authority Decision Hall located at the rear of the public office.

The moment Chen Fei stepped inside, the young city lord, Ye Bufan, personally rose from his seat, accompanied by a group of city officials, to welcome him.

“Young Master Chen, my apologies for not welcoming you sooner.” Ye Bufan bowed in greeting, putting on a proper show of courtesy on behalf of the City Lord’s Mansion.

Chen Fei looked at the man who harbored deep hatred for him and found the situation amusing.

Since he was here today as the newly appointed city patrol envoy, he would not miss the chance to humiliate this despicable man.

“So, you’re the young city lord who committed incest with his own cousin during the Capital Founding Celebration?” Chen Fei sneered. “You don’t look like much. I wonder why your cousin would be willing to disgrace herself in such a scandalous affair?”

The moment these words fell, the onlookers, including several high-ranking family heads, broke into cold sweats.

They couldn’t help but admire Chen Yang’s audacity—he actually dared to bring up the greatest scandal in the history of the City Lord’s Mansion, right in Ye Bufan’s face!

Ye Bufan’s face instantly darkened, his eyes flashing with murderous intent as his entire face turned red with fury.

That incident had originally been a trap he set to frame Su Ling. However, due to unforeseen interference, he had ended up falling victim to his own scheme, ruining both his and his cousin’s reputation.

It became the greatest scandal the City Lord’s Mansion had ever witnessed.

After an investigation, they discovered that someone had infiltrated the City Lord’s Mansion’s treasury and stolen a precious artifact.

And who was the prime suspect?

After much deliberation, the City Lord’s Mansion could only conclude that ‘Chen Yang’ was the most likely culprit!

Now, Chen Yang had shamelessly brought up the old scandal in public, humiliating him. With Ye Bufan’s temperament, there was no way he could endure such an insult.

“Chen Yang! You dare to insult the City Lord’s Mansion?! Do you think we are beneath your notice?!” Ye Bufan erupted with fury, his aura bursting forth like an enraged lion, roaring with all his might.

In an instant, the officials of the City Lord’s Mansion tensed up, and several guards unsheathed their blades, preparing for battle.

Seeing this scene, the gathered family heads felt their hearts tighten. If a fight broke out here, they would undoubtedly be caught in the crossfire.

Only the Lin family members seemed to be enjoying the spectacle.

“He’s still too young and ignorant of the world.”

“I wonder if the City Lord’s Mansion will tolerate this so-called patrol envoy.”

Seated in his place, Lin Yao Hai watched with an amused expression. He even secretly sent a message—if a fight broke out, the Lin family would assist the City Lord’s Mansion as needed.

Chen Fei had anticipated Ye Bufan’s inability to endure provocation. He knew the young city lord would lash out in fury, perhaps even attacking him outright.

And if Ye Bufan dared to make a move, Chen Fei would have no qualms about crippling him.

Not only would it avenge himself and Su Ling, but it would also allow him to gauge the City Lord’s Mansion’s true strength.

Now that he had reached the level of a Half-Step True Spirit Master, Chen Fei no longer feared the City Lord’s Mansion. In fact, he was eager to test its depths.

After all, the authority over black copper ore was under the City Lord’s Mansion’s jurisdiction. If he failed to establish dominance, his claim over it would face unpredictable risks.

“I was merely stating facts. Why are you so agitated?” Chen Fei said indifferently. “It seems the rumors I heard were true. So, it really did happen.”

Seeing that Ye Bufan had not immediately attacked, Chen Fei felt slightly disappointed. To provoke him further, he added another jab.

“You court death!”

Ye Bufan’s anger could no longer be restrained. Even though he knew he might not be a match for the man before him, he couldn’t let his family’s reputation be trampled like this.

As he spoke, Ye Bufan prepared to strike, but an elder standing behind him suddenly stepped forward, blocking his path.

“Don’t stop me!” Ye Bufan roared, his heart brimming with hatred for both Chen Fei and Chen Yang.

Chen Fei’s eyes flickered as he studied the old man.

This elder’s strength was likely superior to his own—either an eighth-grade or ninth-grade Great Spirit Master.

The fact that Ye Bufan’s personal guard consisted of such high-level experts proved just how powerful the City Lord’s Mansion was compared to the three great families.

“Young Master Chen, are you here to cause trouble for the City Lord’s Mansion today?” the elder asked coldly, holding back the enraged Ye Bufan.

The City Lord’s Mansion had been eager to test Chen Yang’s strength.

However, the city lord himself had issued orders—unless absolutely necessary, no one from the City Lord’s Mansion was to make a move.

After all, Chen Yang carried the title of ‘Patrol Envoy from the Capital.’

Realizing this, Chen Fei decided not to press further, avoiding an outright conflict with the City Lord’s Mansion. That wasn’t the outcome he wanted at this moment.

“Of course not. I’m here to claim authority over black copper ore.” Chen Fei stated.

“In that case, please take a seat, Young Master Chen.” The elder responded with a cold tone before leading Ye Bufan back to their seats.

The Lin family members were slightly disappointed. If the two sides had fought here, they wouldn’t have to compete for black copper ore authority at all.

With that brief confrontation over, Chief Hong stepped onto the dueling platform and announced the rules for the black copper ore authority dispute, bringing the matter back to its proper course.

“The first round: A written test!”

“Both Chen Yang and the Lin family will present their respective business strategies. The decision will be made through a vote by the audit panel.”

As soon as Chief Hong finished speaking, Chen Laoda and the Lin family representatives stepped forward, presenting their proposals to the jury, led by Ye Bufan.