Chapter 7: Monopoly 2

Chapter 7: The Expansion War (Part 3) – Phantom Steel Supremacy

Liangzhou Province – The Weapon Forge of the Empire

The wind carried the scent of molten metal and burning coal through Liangzhou, the province famed for its weapon forges and military might. Unlike the merchant-dominated cities of Jingnan and Yunzhou, Liangzhou was ruled by steel and blood—a land where only the strong survived.

At its center stood the Han Family, an ancient clan of warriors who had supplied the empire's armies for generations. Their monopoly on Black Iron, the strongest metal used for weapons and armor, made them untouchable. Even the imperial court relied on them.

For Bai Zhi to claim Liangzhou, she had to do the impossible—break the Han Family's hold on the weapons industry.

But she wouldn't use brute force.

She would use innovation.

---

Creating Phantom Steel – The Revolutionary Alloy

Inside her private forge, Bai Zhi examined a glowing ingot of metal, its surface shimmering with hints of blue and silver.

Ding!

[Money-Spending System Alert: New Technology Unlocked]

Phantom Steel Alloy – A lost technique from an ancient civilization.

Properties: Lighter than Black Iron, more durable, resistant to magic and extreme heat.

Bonus: -30% production cost compared to Black Iron weapons.

Her eyes glowed with excitement. This was the key.

"Master Wu," she called out, addressing a renowned blacksmith she had recruited. "How long will it take to forge weapons using this alloy?"

The old blacksmith ran his fingers across the cooled metal, awe flickering in his eyes.

"Amazing… I've never seen anything like this. With the right craftsmen, we can forge a full set of swords in a week."

Bai Zhi smirked. "Perfect. Then let's introduce Liangzhou to the future of weaponry."

---

The Market Takeover – Winning the Imperial Guard

Bai Zhi didn't sell her new weapons to common soldiers. That would have caused an immediate backlash from the Han Family.

Instead, she used a more subtle strategy—she gifted a set of Phantom Steel swords to the Crown Prince's elite personal guards.

These warriors weren't just strong. They were trendsetters.

If they used Phantom Steel, the rest of the empire would follow.

And just as Bai Zhi predicted, it took only one battle for word to spread.

---

The Han Family's Challenge

Inside the grand Han Clan Hall, Han Yuan, the patriarch of the Han Family, smashed his fist against the armrest of his throne.

"What do you mean our orders have dropped by 20%?!" His voice echoed through the hall.

The merchant before him trembled. "L-Lord Han, the elite warriors are switching to Phantom Steel. The nobles are saying it's… superior to Black Iron."

The words were like poison.

Han Yuan's eyes darkened. "We cannot allow this."

The Han Family had ruled Liangzhou for centuries because of one simple truth—they held the strongest metal in the empire.

If Phantom Steel proved stronger, then their reign was over.

Han Yuan stood, his battle aura surging. "Send a challenge to Bai Zhi. If her so-called 'Phantom Steel' is truly superior, let's test it in a duel."

If Bai Zhi's weapons broke, her reputation would be ruined.

If she refused, she would lose face.

Either way, Han Yuan intended to crush her.

---

The Duel – Breaking Black Iron

A grand arena was set up in the heart of Liangzhou, where nobles, merchants, and soldiers gathered to witness the battle between the old and the new.

On one side stood Han Yong, Han Yuan's strongest warrior, wielding a legendary Black Iron sword forged by the Han Family's best craftsmen.

On the other side, Bai Zhi's personal guard—a masked swordsman—held a Phantom Steel blade.

Han Yuan sneered. "One strike will shatter your flimsy new toy."

Bai Zhi smirked. "We'll see."

The duel began.

The moment Han Yong's Black Iron sword clashed against the Phantom Steel blade, sparks flew—but instead of breaking, the Phantom Steel sword remained unscathed.

Han Yong's expression twisted.

He struck again—faster, stronger, more precise.

But each time, the Black Iron sword weakened… until, on the third strike, it shattered into pieces.

The crowd fell silent.

Then—cheers erupted.

"The Phantom Steel is stronger!"

"The Han Family has lost their edge!"

Han Yuan's face darkened like a thundercloud. But Bai Zhi simply turned to the audience and announced her victory.

"The world is changing. And I am the one leading it."

---

The Fall of the Han Family's Monopoly

With the Han Family's reputation shattered, their Black Iron swords were now seen as inferior.

Merchants pulled their contracts. Soldiers demanded Phantom Steel weapons. Even imperial officials began requesting Bai Zhi's weapons for their armies.

Ding!

[Mission Progress: The Expansion War – 3rd Province Secured]

Liangzhou Province: Phantom Steel Supremacy Achieved

Revenue Increase: +35%

Military Influence: +30

Bai Zhi had conquered Liangzhou without spilling a drop of blood.

With weapons, silk, and tea under her empire, she now turned her eyes toward the fourth province.

The Han Family wasn't finished. But Bai Zhi didn't care.

Because she was no longer just a merchant.

She was a ruler in the making.

The Expansion War (Part 4) – The Shadow Trade Empire

Xinjiang Province – The Land of Smugglers and Shadows

Xinjiang Province was nothing like the refined aristocracy of Jingnan or the disciplined warfront of Liangzhou.

It was a province without laws, without masters, and without mercy.

Smugglers. Assassins. Underground traders.

They ruled these lands, answering to no empire—only profit and blood.

For decades, no single force had managed to control Xinjiang. Even the Emperor's soldiers dared not enter the Black Sand Territories, where a single misstep could mean instant death.

Yet Bai Zhi was not here to negotiate.

She was here to own it all.

And the first step?

Destroying the Shadow League.

The Ghost Auction – Buying a Kingdom in the Dark

The Ghost Auction was the beating heart of Xinjiang's underground world.

Slaves, black-market weapons, classified imperial intelligence, assassination requests—anything could be bought for a price.

The auction took place deep within Phantom Hollow, an abandoned ruin that only those invited could enter.

Bai Zhi didn't wait for an invitation.

Instead, she arrived unannounced, stepping into the auction hall like a noble specter in a flowing silver cloak, face hidden beneath an intricate mask of frost and gold.

Gasps filled the air.

No one had ever dared to intrude on the Ghost Auction before.

"Who is that?" someone whispered.

"Is she with the Shadow League?"

"Impossible! Only Ye Xuan controls the auction…"

At the highest seat in the hall, Ye Xuan, the ruthless leader of the Shadow League, watched in silence.

His golden eyes flickered with amusement—and warning.

Then, the auctioneer's voice rang out:

"Next bid—The Black Sand Trade Route. The highest bidder will receive exclusive control over all smuggling operations between Xinjiang and the Imperial Capital."

A coveted item.

The Shadow League had held this trade route for over thirty years.

If Bai Zhi wanted to claim Xinjiang, she had to sever its lifeline.

"Starting bid—50,000 gold."

The room was silent. Even the wealthiest underworld lords hesitated.

Then—

"500,000."

A single voice rang through the hall.

Stunned silence followed.

Everyone turned to stare at Bai Zhi.

Even the auctioneer's hands trembled. "M-My lady, are you sure—"

Bai Zhi tilted her head, bored.

"I dislike repeating myself."

Ding!

[Money-Spending System Alert: Shadow Trade Network Purchased]

Investment: 500,000 gold

Gain: Control over 70% of black-market operations in Xinjiang

Bonus Reward: Access to the Empire's Forbidden Intelligence Archives

The auction hall erupted in chaos.

"She's insane!"

"The Shadow League won't allow this!"

At the highest seat, Ye Xuan chuckled.

Then, he raised a single hand.

Instantly, the room fell silent.

"Very well," he said, voice smooth as silk. "The Black Sand Trade Route is yours."

But there was something else in his gaze—a challenge.

Bai Zhi had thrown the first stone.

Now, the Shadow League would retaliate.

And that was exactly what she wanted.

The Phantom Pavilion – An Invitation to Death

The next morning, a sealed black letter was delivered to Bai Zhi's temporary residence.

She opened it with a smirk.

"Phantom Pavilion. Midnight. If you survive, you keep your claim."

A clear message.

This wasn't a negotiation.

It was an assassination attempt.

Most would have hesitated.

But Bai Zhi?

She arrived early.

The Phantom Pavilion was an ancient temple, now used by the Shadow League as a den for negotiations and executions.

As she stepped inside, the heavy wooden doors slammed shut behind her.

And then—

Twenty assassins lunged from the shadows.

Bai Zhi smirked.

Ding!

[System Upgrade: Shadow Assassin Technique Unlocked]

Allows the user to predict enemy movements

Instant kill strikes activated

Permanent night vision granted

The world slowed.

Bai Zhi's silver eyes gleamed in the darkness.

With a single step, she vanished.

A breath later—

Blood sprayed across the temple walls.

One by one, the assassins collapsed, clutching their throats, their chests—struck down before they could even scream.

The last remaining assassin trembled, blade slipping from his fingers.

Bai Zhi stepped forward, boots clicking softly against the blood-soaked floor.

With a single, delicate movement, she pressed a knife against his throat.

"Run back to your master," she whispered.

"Tell Ye Xuan that the Shadow League belongs to me now."

The assassin fled for his life.

Moments later, the doors creaked open.

A slow clap echoed through the temple.

Ye Xuan stood at the entrance, his golden eyes burning with interest.

"Intriguing," he murmured. "I had expected you to flee… or die."

Bai Zhi tilted her head, smiling.

"What a coincidence," she replied. "I expected better assassins."

Ye Xuan laughed. "Fine. Let's talk business."

And just like that, the real war began.

The Queen of the Shadows

Negotiations lasted the entire night.

By sunrise, the Shadow League had collapsed.

Ye Xuan, seeing the inevitable, swore allegiance to Bai Zhi.

The underground world of Xinjiang was no longer a lawless wasteland.

It now belonged to one ruler.

Ding!

[Mission Progress: The Expansion War – 4th Province Secured]

Xinjiang Province: Shadow Trade Empire Established

Control Over Black Market: 80%

Assassin Guilds Now Under Bai Zhi's Command

With this, she didn't just control trade and money.

She controlled information, secrets, and death itself.

And she wasn't done yet.

Because now, she was coming for the throne.

To be continued....