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As the onlookers worried about Huang Tie, the outcome at the entrance and the steps below had already been determined. Huang Tie still stood at the door, while Guo Hai and the two bodyguards he brought were already knocked to the ground, facing two unarmed guards. These two guards were soldiers from Liu Guanfeng's Special Forces brought from Diaoyu Island. Although they had just reached the Intermediate Knight level, dealing with the two in front of them was still quite easy. Before the spectators could figure out what was happening, the fight was over, and it could be said that the two Special Forces soldiers won decisively.
Huang Tie looked at the three rolling on the ground outside and said, "When you come here to cause trouble, you should first find out whose establishment this is. Our Chinese Chamber of Commerce is not something you can provoke without consequence. You are overestimating yourselves."
Guo Hai, supported by his two bodyguards, stood up and pointed at Huang Tie, saying, "You wait for us; this matter cannot just end like this. Expect retaliation from our New Home Chamber of Commerce. We're leaving." The three of them limped toward the inn.
Huang Tie turned back to the customers inside who were selecting weapons and armor and said, "Please continue choosing your weapons and armor; the matter has passed." The two guards returned to their posts, standing tall. Seeing such well-trained guards, everyone couldn't help but take a second look at the two gatekeepers at the entrance. Many female customers cast curious glances.
After witnessing the performance of the two guards, those families and buyers from the Merchant Guild resolved in their hearts to establish good relations with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Although they were a new Merchant Guild, their strength should not be underestimated. Ordinary gatekeepers could defeat Intermediate Knights, and their produced weapons and armor were of significantly better quality than those of the New Home Chamber of Commerce. As a rising Merchant Guild, if they received support from any family during their initial stages, they would likely repay that kindness once they truly succeeded.
Moreover, some people were considering how to train their own family's guards to reach such a level.
After greeting those customers, Huang Tie turned back to Liu Guanfeng's residence in the back. At that moment, Liu Guanfeng was contemplating his next strategy, thinking about how to crush the New Home Chamber of Commerce in a short time and quickly help Zhang Yuru fulfill her wishes.
Hearing a knock on the door, Liu Guanfeng pulled his thoughts back: "Come in; the door is unlocked."
Huang Tie pushed open the door, turned around to close it securely, and cupped his fist toward Liu Guanfeng: "Master, just now someone from the New Home Chamber of Commerce delivered a challenge letter."
"A challenge letter? Let me see it."
After receiving the challenge letter, Liu Guanfeng carefully read what was written on it and asked, "Who delivered it?"
"It seems to be one of their managers named Guo Hai," Huang Tie replied.
Liu Guanfeng nodded: "How much do you know about the blacksmiths at New Home Chamber of Commerce? What is their strength like?"
After spending some time learning with Liu Guanfeng and gaining insights from Qifeng Ge, Huang Tie had undergone significant transformation. He smiled and shook his head: "Rest assured, Master; those blacksmiths at New Home Chamber of Commerce are quite ordinary people. Even their best blacksmith is only slightly stronger than I was before. I can confidently say that I alone am enough to sweep through all the blacksmiths at New Home Chamber of Commerce."
Liu Guanfeng nodded, still believing Huang Tie's words, as Huang Tie was not someone who liked to boast.
After sending Huang Tie away, Liu Guanfeng called Cui Zhongyi in: "Brother Cui, go to the inn where the New Home Chamber of Commerce is staying. I want to know who the blacksmiths are this time and if there are any troublesome characters among them."
Cui Zhongyi nodded in agreement and turned to leave Liu Guanfeng's room.
Meanwhile, Guo Hai, supported by two guards, returned to Guo Yunhua's room. Seeing Guo Hai injured, Guo Yunhua gritted his teeth and asked, "What on earth happened?"
Guo Hai recounted the events but did not mention that he had provoked the situation; instead, he claimed that the people from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce were arrogant.
Guo Yunhua slammed his hand on the table: "This Chinese Chamber of Commerce is truly overstepping. Guo Hai, I command you to invite Stone Lei, the Vice President, here immediately."
Guo Hai was taken aback: "Young Master, Stone Lei is not so easy to invite."
Guo Yunhua raised an eyebrow: "I said to invite him, so you go. Agree to whatever conditions he has. As long as we deal with this Chinese Chamber of Commerce, I believe my father will not only not blame me but will also be grateful."
Guo Hai bowed to Guo Yunhua: "Young Master, rest assured, I will go right away." Guo Hai then turned and left the room.
Looking out the window with clenched fists, Guo Hai said to himself: "This time, no matter what, I cannot lose. Liu Xin, just wait for the Merchant Guild to close down." He followed this with a self-satisfied smirk.
Three days quickly passed. On the morning of the third day, an excited and sleepless Guo Yunhua arrived early at the entrance of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce with his subordinates and guild blacksmiths. However, when they reached the front of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, they found that two sets of blacksmith furnaces and related equipment had already been set up in the open space in front.
As President Liu Guanfeng, who was using the alias Liu Xin, had long been waiting with his guards nearby, none of the blacksmiths had come out yet. The sides of the blacksmith furnaces were already crowded with onlookers. When Liu Guanfeng appeared at the competition site, many familiar faces came over to introduce themselves. It was at this moment that Liu Guanfeng realized that Guo Yunhua's challenge had already spread among various prominent families and the Merchant Guild.
The three inns in the former fishing village were now fully booked; prices had skyrocketed tenfold but were still completely reserved. Some families and members of the Merchant Guild could not find inns and resorted to renting private homes at prices sufficient for a family of four or five to live comfortably in the city for a year.
Thus, before the competition even began, the area around the venue was already packed with people. The number of spectators exceeded five hundred, making what was already a small square feel even more cramped with no place left to stand.
At this moment, a commotion arose among the crowd of onlookers as Guo Yunhua arrived at the competition venue with his entourage. Liu Guanfeng, seeing Guo Yunhua had come, clasped his fists and bowed slightly, saying, "This must be the young President of the New Home Chamber of Commerce."
Guo Yunhua disdainfully curled his lips in response.
At this time, Guo Hai approached Guo Yunhua and said, "Liu, you must be aware of today's competition. Are your people ready? If so, let's get started."
Liu Guanfeng snorted coldly and pointed at Guo Hai. "Who do you think you are? I'm speaking to your master, and you're just a barking dog. Has your master died or something?"
Liu Guanfeng's mocking tone made Guo Yunhua's eyes widen in anger as he pointed at Liu Guanfeng. "Liu President, please watch your words."
"I'm being careful; it's just that your subordinates lack discipline. I can't be bothered to say more. Remember to keep your people in check; don't act like a dog while pretending to be a lord."
Guo Hai was furious, his finger trembling as he pointed at Liu Guanfeng, but he couldn't find the words to respond. Standing beside him, Guo Yunhua glared at Guo Hai. "Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough?"
Guo Hai angrily withdrew his finger but continued to glare at Liu Guanfeng. If looks could kill, Liu Guanfeng would have been riddled with holes by now.
In this brief exchange of words, Liu Guanfeng held absolute advantage, which further solidified his image as President among other families and the Merchant Guild's higher-ups. Initially, they had looked down on Liu Guanfeng as just a young man in his teens, but through just a few sentences, he not only maintained his dignity but also ridiculed his opponent effectively. In terms of eloquence alone, he was undoubtedly a qualified President.
Guo Yunhua suppressed his anger and thought to himself: I'll let you enjoy this for now; soon enough, you'll be crying. Then he gritted his teeth and said to Liu Guanfeng, "Liu President, we're not here to bicker; let your Merchant Guild's blacksmiths come out so we can settle this under our hands."
Liu Guanfeng smiled at Guo Yunhua and replied, "Then please wait a moment longer, Young President. Someone go invite all the blacksmith masters."
"Yes," a soldier from the Special Forces responded before turning and running out. After a while, there was a stir behind Liu Guanfeng as a group of blacksmiths from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce approached under Qifeng Ge's lead.
Behind Qifeng Ge were the Dragon Ring brothers and Huang Tie—five people in total. Following them were the apprentices of Dragon Ring and others in succession. Now the total number of blacksmiths from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, including Qifeng Ge and those brought back from Diaoyu Island, amounted to forty-one. However, most were still considered apprentices; their task was to forge high-quality Iron Ingots.
Originally, these blacksmiths from Luo Heng Island were also apprentices. After witnessing Qifeng Ge and others' remarkable skills, they settled down to learn at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Although they were only tasked with forging Iron Ingots, seeing Qifeng Ge and others work was an invaluable learning opportunity for them. Moreover, Liu Guanfeng linked everyone's wages to their level as blacksmiths; even the lowest-level craftsmen forging Iron Ingots earned significantly more than those in other Merchant Guilds. This made these blacksmiths increasingly fond of working at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Seeing the blacksmith step out, Guo Yunhua sneered, "Liu President, have you selected all your competitors? You don't intend to have everyone participate, do you? Even so, we won't be afraid of you."
"You don't need all your blacksmiths to compete against those behind you; a few apprentices will suffice. You think too highly of your blacksmiths. I'm just pondering one question."
"What question? Just go ahead and say it." Guo Yunhua noticed Liu Guanfeng's tone was somewhat weak, which made him act even more high-profile.
"Less of that, President. I want to mention that in your challenge letter, you stated that whoever loses will be banned from forging for life. This is too unfair for the blacksmiths. If the Merchant Guild's matters affect the blacksmiths, that seems unreasonable, doesn't it?"
The outsiders were unclear about the competition's outcome, but the blacksmiths on both sides were well aware of it. This was also a concern for both sides' blacksmiths; a lifetime ban from forging would be unbearable for those who loved their craft. The blacksmiths from the New Home Chamber of Commerce were watching Liu Guanfeng closely, eager to see how this President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce would respond.
"So what do you propose?" Guo Yunhua asked calmly.
"Less of that, President. How about this: let's modify the final punishment. In a best-of-nine match, whichever side wins five rounds will determine the outcome. The losing side's Nine Blacksmiths will serve the winning Merchant Guild and must not betray them. What do you think, President?"
Guo Yunhua thought for a moment: if I win, I can recruit many excellent blacksmiths from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, which would surely please my father.
Just as Guo Yunhua was about to agree, he realized he couldn't make all the decisions alone; there was also a Vice President from the Blacksmith Guild present. So he turned his gaze to Stone Lei, the Vice President of the Blacksmith Guild, who nodded in response.
Thus, Guo Yunhua straightened his back and nodded, "Since Liu President is willing to do this, I agree. After all, our New Home Chamber of Commerce still needs many low-level blacksmiths. I just wonder if your blacksmiths are up to par?"
"That's not something you need to worry about; just pray that your blacksmiths can win," Liu Guanfeng said with a light laugh.
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