In the city's bazaar, it was no longer just buying and selling.
A war was underway—
without swords, without blood… for now.
---
Rivals' First Move — Price War
The Black River Trade Union made the first move.
Salt: 30% cheaper than the market
Sugar: sold at almost zero profit
Chilies: fake copies, low quality
"Let's see how much the Guild can endure,"
their leader said with a cold laugh.
Within two days, chaos erupted in the bazaar.
Customers were confused.
Shopkeepers panicked.
---
Guild Hall — Tension at Its Peak
Inside the Merchant Guild, arguments broke out.
"We must lower our prices too!"
"Otherwise, we'll lose the market!"
Mu Zhengyuan slammed his hand on the table.
"Enough!"
Everyone's eyes turned to Li Tian.
Li Tian was calm.
Too calm.
---
Li Tian's Decision
"There's only one way to win a price war,"
he said quietly.
"Don't enter it."
Everyone was shocked.
"We won't lower prices,"
Li Tian continued.
"We'll increase value."
---
Counter Strategy — Changing the Rules
The very next day, the Guild announced a new system:
Quality Certification Seal
Exact weight guarantee
Money-back promise
Stable pricing contracts
Customers began comparing—
Cheap goods:
– less quantity
– inconsistent taste
Guild goods:
– exact
– reliable
– trusted
Within two weeks, buyers started returning.
The price war was failing.
---
Rivals' Second Move — A Dark Turn
When price didn't work…
they played dirty.
Attempts to set fire near the Guild's warehouses at night.
Ambushes along supply routes.
Bribes to officials.
Shadow Veil detected everything.
Li Tian said only one line—
"Collect the evidence.
Don't raise a hand… yet."
---
Signal of a Blood War
In a secret meeting of the Eastern Caravan Alliance, a man said—
"A price war is useless.
Remove Li Tian himself."
Silence filled the room.
Then a voice spoke—
"The assassins are ready."
---
End Panel
Li Tian stands in his study before a chessboard.
The white pieces are his.
The black pieces face him.
He moves a pawn forward.
Caption:
> "When the enemy draws a sword,
that's when you know—
you're winning."
Next Chapter: Assassination Attempt or a Trap?