Chapter 56: The Contest for Authority

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Chen Fei had absolute confidence in his plan.

Similarly, the Lin family was equally confident in theirs, as they had made significant concessions to secure this round.

Soon, both plans were publicly announced.

The biggest advantage of Chen Fei’s proposal was leveraging his powerful commercial transportation network to distribute black copper ore across thirty-six cities, including the prominent Tianyuan City. With multiple sales points, the revenue potential was significantly higher, which in turn meant greater profits for Huangwu City and its governing council.

On the other hand, the Lin family acknowledged their weakness in transportation and, instead of focusing on large-scale distribution, opted for a high-profit-sharing model. This ensured not only benefits for the governing council but also for the various influential families involved in the trade.

In simple terms, the Lin family was willing to sacrifice immediate profit from black copper ore sales in exchange for the influence it could bring, allowing them to expand their other industries.

The superiority of Chen Fei’s plan was clear to anyone with a discerning eye.

Yet, when it came to voting under Ye Bufan’s leadership, Chen Fei received only two votes.

In contrast, the Lin family, whose plan was evidently weaker, secured seven votes, led by Ye Bufan.

“Ye Bufan, have you all lost your minds?!” Chen Fei stood up abruptly, questioning Ye Bufan and the jury.

Ye Bufan, who had been waiting for this moment, stood up coldly, finally seizing an opportunity to assert his authority. “Chen Yang, your plan is indeed good. But the problem is—you are not one of us.”

A simple sentence, yet it instantly resonated with those present.

Though the Lin family’s proposal was weaker, they were an established power rooted in Huangwu City. Using this reasoning to reject Chen Fei’s plan was the most convenient and politically sound decision.

“Fine!”

“I have always acted with sincerity, yet my goodwill is met with betrayal!”

“You will all regret this impulsive decision!”

According to the rules, since the jury had chosen the Lin family’s proposal, regardless of who ultimately won the contest, the black copper ore profits would be distributed as per the Lin family’s agreement.

As a result, if Chen Fei managed to seize control of the black copper ore trade, the governing council and the eight major families would suffer losses exceeding eighty percent of their potential earnings.

This was precisely what Chen Fei had anticipated.

His anger was not just an emotional outburst—it was a calculated move. Once he gained authority over the trade, he wanted all the major families to direct their resentment toward the governing council and the Lin family.

“Chen Yang, isn’t it too early for such bold words?” Ye Bufan scoffed. “This is a three-part contest. The Lin family has already won one round. If they win another, you’ll be completely eliminated from the competition for black copper ore.”

At this moment, Lin Yaohai, the Lin family’s patriarch, stood up with a triumphant smile and addressed the eight major families. “Thank you all for your trust in my Lin family. We will not disappoint you.”

The Lin family members were full of confidence and celebration, while those behind Chen Fei—Chen Laoda, Yang Lao’er, and Pang San—wore worried expressions.

Two rounds of combat remained. Even if Chen Fei could win one, who would secure the second victory?

Chen Laoda?

Yang Lao’er?

Pang San?

None of them were even at the Grand Spirit Master level. How could they possibly compete with the Lin family’s top fighters?

This reality was why everyone believed that the black copper ore trade was destined to fall into the Lin family’s hands. There was simply no way for Chen Fei’s side to win.

“Young Master, what should we do?” Chen Laoda asked in a hushed voice, troubled.

“Young Master, we’ve already committed all our financial and manpower resources to the three tasks you assigned. If we lose the black copper ore trade, our losses will be enormous.”

Yang Lao’er and Pang San voiced their concerns as well, their faces heavy with worry.

None of them knew that their young master was, in fact, Chen Fei himself.

Unlike their anxious expressions, Chen Fei remained completely calm.

If this had happened three days ago, losing the first round might have genuinely cost him the black copper ore trade.

But now, things were different.

The reason he had openly challenged the governing council was that he wasn’t afraid of their collusion with the Lin family.

In fact, he welcomed the loss of this first round—it was all part of his greater strategy to secure even higher returns.

“Don’t worry. Everything is under my control,” Chen Fei reassured them.

Chen Laoda and the others looked at him in confusion.

From their perspective, the commercial competition was their biggest advantage. Only by winning it could they hope to take the black copper ore trade from the Lin family.

Now, with only two rounds of combat left, how could they possibly win against the Lin family?

Even if Chen Fei personally fought, he could only secure one victory. What about the second battle?

“I hereby announce that the first combat round for the black copper ore authority begins!”

“Representing the Lin family—Patriarch Lin Yaohai!”

At Ye Bufan’s signal, the official judge announced the start of the second round.

The crowd erupted in excitement, and applause rang out in support of Lin Yaohai.

Lin Yaohai was not an ordinary figure—he was the rightful future leader of the Lin family. The only one who could truly challenge him was Su Nianwu, the second elder of the Su family.

However, the Su family had already reached an agreement with the Lin family, ensuring that Su Nianwu would not oppose them.

With all eyes on him, Lin Yaohai stepped onto the combat stage, his gaze cold as he stared at Chen Fei.

For Lin Yaohai, winning or losing wasn’t important. What mattered was fulfilling the orders given by the Lin family elders and the governing council—he was to probe the strength of this mysterious outsider.

“Young Master Chen, who will the Commerce Transport Team send to fight?” the judge asked Chen Fei.

“Who else but Chen Yang could possibly face the Lin family’s patriarch?”

“Even if Chen Yang wins, so what? He can’t fight the second round. The Commerce Transport Team has no one else to challenge the Lin family.”

“Lin Yaohai is one of Huangwu City’s strongest Grand Spirit Masters. He isn’t someone the Qin family can compare to. Whether Chen Yang can even defeat him is still uncertain.”

The audience was filled with influential figures of Huangwu City, all well aware of Lin Yaohai’s power.

Just as everyone believed that Chen Fei was doomed to lose this contest, a lone figure slowly rose from the crowd and walked toward the stage.

“Zhang Linsheng!”

“Why is he here?”

The moment Zhang Linsheng appeared, shock spread across the audience.

Even Ye Bufan’s expression changed drastically. His face paled, and an overwhelming sense of unease washed over him.