I Can See Your Combat Power

Chapter 509: Chapter Five Hundred and Five: Pilgrimage

The Wind Media Department of the Mi Clan differed in structure from that of the Tang Clan. If the core of the Tang Clan’s Wind Media Department consisted of a combination of the Wind Media elites and ordinary Wind Media, then the Mi Clan’s Wind Media Department was a different existence altogether in their manner of operations.

As clearly recorded in the Tang Clan’s scrolls, the Mi Clan’s Wind Media Department was divided into two sectors: the inner and the outer circles. The so-called inner circle was the nine-story tower in the Beast Valley of South Ridge, where the Mi Family trained blood crows and spirit birds for reconnaissance and intelligence. That was the real reason why the Mi Family was claimed to be the number one Wind Media Department in the western part of Longzhou.

Apart from this nine-story tower, in stark contrast to any ordinary Wind Media Department, the Mi Clan also had a traditional Wind Media Department, only somewhat inferior to the Tang Clan’s, which cultivated special Wind Media experts in stealth, assassination, disguise, agitation, tracking and counter-tracking, as well as building intelligence networks.

If the Wind Media of the Tang Clan were more like intelligence operatives, those of the Mi Clan’s outer circle were more like spies and assassins. These cultivators, skilled in stirring up public outrage within the crowd, were evidently trained professionals. Whoever thought about it knew the ones who were least willing to keep up this stalemate were none other than the members of the Mi Family.

Initially, they thought that the distraction set by Xiao Ziyu’s challenge could at least secure a month of peace for Red Cloud Mountain. However, they hadn’t expected the Mi Family’s Wind Media Department to have stationed people at Red Cloud Mountain long ago, ready to make a move given the right opportunity. That was indeed too much.

Tang Luo’s words sparked some spirit in the dignitaries of Xiling in the council hall. Sun Jinfang even asked again, “Does the young prodigy mean to say that this uprising was instigated by malicious people, rather than the populace having real grievances against us?”

The dignitaries looked intently at Tang Luo, hoping for a definite answer. Under such questioning, they nearly started doubting themselves, even wondering, “Could it be that our own people have been embezzling grain?” This was the terrifying power of rumor mongering, but now there was someone telling them it was all a conspiracy.

To them, if it turned out to be a conspiracy, they could cast aside their self-doubts, since the people were just being incited. Therefore, Tang Luo’s answer would be pivotal to whether or not they should continue doubting themselves.

More than ten pairs of eyes were fixed on Tang Luo, anxiously awaiting his answer.

“Of course,” Tang Luo said calmly to the group. “Once the rage and indignation dissipate from their minds, they will recall the times you’ve all tirelessly worked for their sake. They will remember the gratitude they felt when they received food from your hands on the first day, and they will realize, if a person were capable of abandoning his own family and wealth to aid the poor for decades, he wouldn’t be likely to embezzle a few coarse grain buns. Your acts of kindness and contributions must have left a deep impression on someone’s heart. It’s just that the common folk are shortsighted. They are easily swayed and dominated by their emotions. So all their criticisms of you gentlemen were unjust, and you should not take them to heart.”

Just like in any quarrel between lovers, where not a single word spoken is kind, even the closest of kin can be impertinent at times. So it wasn’t surprising to Tang Luo that the public would have harsh words for some “selfish” dignitaries, because people driven by emotions are simply irrational.

There’s a well-known saying in the Saint Wang royal family of Tian Nan: In the midst of chaos and confusion, a calm mind prevails.

It means that even when faced with the complicated disputes of noble households and diplomatic fights, calm and rational thinking always forms the best strategy.

That’s why you’ll see the more outstanding individuals appearing even more composed during decision-making. Even if their decisions may seem crazy to others, they’re always full of confidence because only the calmest of minds can execute the craziest of strategies.

On hearing Tang Luo’s words, the dignitaries looked dumbfounded, then their faces filled with rage!

“How could the Mi Clan be so despicable! They are truly unfilial!”

“Even as a top-ranking house, they resort to such low and dirty tactics, it’s indeed deplorable!!”

“The Mi Clan? Bah!”

In the excited assembly hall, a dozen amazing unities of spirit and intent erupted in excitement, even the good-tempered Sun Jinfang couldn’t control his own momentum. Thinking about the humiliation and questioning they’ve endured these past three days, these Xiling gentlemen completely detested the Mi Clan, completely devoid of any good feelings.

Tang Luo looked at the performance of the many gentlemen and couldn’t help but laugh. Even if he ultimately failed to get these people on his side, the Mi Clan definitely couldn’t use them either; he truly had a surprise reap.

But, this kind of inexplicable sentiment should not be allowed to spread indiscriminately, because Tang Luo returned this time to do something, not to lead everyone into conflict with the Mi Clan. With matters of war handled by the clan leader and Elder Council, he didn’t even know the war plans, it is better not to cause trouble.

What he wants to do now is to build his Unparalleled City well, lay a good foundation for the Marshal Star Pavilion, and then quietly wait for it to grow. “Everyone, calm down.” Tang Luo waved his hand to soothe their sentiment: “You’ve distributed large amounts of food to provide relief. Most of the people on Red Cloud Mountain are my followers now, and as their lord, I certainly won’t let you suffer losses. In addition to the quantity of food promised to be purchased on behalf, for each of you, I will contribute one million catties of food as an apology for their rudeness.”

The assembly hall was suddenly silent. Everyone looked at Tang Luo with a feeling of disbelief; is this the greedy and domineering profile of a noble from their perspective?

Not to mention the nearly ten million catties of the food he would buy on their behalf, the compensation alone exceeded ten million catties. In just a few words, he promised twenty million catties of food. In just over ten days, just how much food had Master Luo gathered?

“His… His Excellency.” Ruan Tao hesitantly asked: “How much food did you bring back this time?”

Before Tang Luo could answer, Du Ting proudly replied with disdain: “Enough for Red Cloud Mountain to use for three years!” Du Ling was startled and quickly pulled his brother’s sleeve, signaling him to stop talking.

But his words were already out. Du Ting knew he had answered too quickly and embarrassingly closed his mouth.

Tang Luo glanced at Du Ting blankly, then turned to the crowd and said, “As Elder Ting said, this time I brought back quite a lot of grain. Everyone, you no longer need to worry about food on Red Cloud Mountain.”

“That’s wonderful, that’s wonderful!” The scholars had excitement in their eyes, and Sun Jinfang was repeatedly murmuring.

In times of great disaster, a lack of food is the worst fear. Widespread starvation and resorting to cannibalism are but a few written words. But Sun Jinfang, who had personally experienced the famine in Chengzhou, knew that when the major clans withheld food, more than ninety percent of Chengzhou’s population was in severe food shortage and starvation.

To find a way to alleviate hunger, they had to resort to slaughtering work animals and eating crop seeds and even abandon their own children. Some elderly people would voluntarily give food to the younger generation to survive, and some even began to eat dirt and tree bark.

However, because of Tang Luo’s presence, Red Cloud Mountain will not experience miles of barren land, and the people would not need to resort to boiling human bones for food or even cannibalism. This merit made him feel extremely grateful to this Xiling’s number one son.

“On behalf of the one million lives in Xiling, thank you, Your Excellency, please accept this old man’s bow!” The nonagenarian healer seemed to forget how these people had just ruthlessly criticized Tang Luo just moments ago. After learning that Tang Luo brought back enough food to solve the famine, this compassionate old man devoutly kneeled to Tang Luo.

Not just him, these Xiling scholars also followed suit and knelt. Du Sha also knelt with everyone, Du Ling quickly pulled Du Ting and Du Wei to kneel at the right time, for a moment, everyone in the assembly hall, knelt to Tang Luo, it seemed like a pilgrimage..