I Can See Your Combat Power

Persuasion was futile, arguments ineffective.

Even when entering the Minor Spiritual Realm, the clan leader only concerned himself with his own interests, and did not hesitate to destroy the Spirit Realm Gate. However, when it came to the welfare of his entire clan and the lives of tens of millions, he did not feel the weight of such responsibility.

Were the still joyful people of Xiling aware that in three days, a fierce flood would wash away everything they hold dear, submerging the brightest “Pearl of the Lingjiang” under a layer of silt?

Since it was impossible to prevent the natural disaster, he would do his best to save as many common people as possible.

Knowing the Xiling clansmen as he did, he realized that they didn’t care about the lives of common people at all. They probably wouldn’t spread the news about the incoming flood until it was too late. He had to do something about it.

There was no time to waste in anger. Tang Luo turned to Tang Gaomin, who was bitterly looking off to the side, and said, “Elder Six, I want to convert all our clan offerings into food and hillside caves.

As a clan member with a mass amount of offerings, Tang Luo wanted to provide caves in mountain ranges for Xiling’s 1.6 million common citizens. This would at least serve as a shelter in times of the flood. As for the food, it could keep them alive during the harshest times.

After two years of continuous food collection, the Tang Clan’s granaries were almost full. It went without saying that most of the food had already been stored in the mountains. If he could get hold of some, he could at least help the people get through the first winter.

However, he had underestimated the ruthlessness of the noble clans’ elders. Tang Gaomin, who was in charge of finances and food, immediately refused, saying, “We can’t do that now. Because wartime measures have been activated, all strategic resources are not allowed to be exchanged and can only be allocated by the clan leader.”

Despite the resentment towards Tang Luo, Tang Gaomin felt a reluctance to sour their relationship further. Tang Luo was the most promising of the younger generation. He explained, “We owe our ability to accommodate two million people in the northern mountains of Xiling and to keep our clan s granaries overflowing partly to the immense efforts of the three representatives. These resources will be key to bestow our favors on the smaller clans of Xiling and should be our priority.”

In other words, the common people held no value at all?

“How can this be justified!” Tang Luo asked Elder Six, “Should we abandon those who serve little purpose and allow them to be swept away by the flood?

We’re talking about 1.6 million lives!”

Such questions seemed so pale to those in power. With a cold look on his face, Tang Gaomin said, “If they’re weak, then they don’t have a place in the Tang Clan mountains, nor will they have a share of our food.

After hearing these cold-blooded words, Tang Luo was almost ready to explode with anger. But he understood that whatever he said, the outcome wouldn’t change.

The northern part of Xiling was higher than the south, with many large mountains. The most majestic among them was the North Mountain chain, owned entirely by the Tang Clan. Tang Gaomin’s words means that commoners were forbidden from heading to the north. But as the south was mostly plain, the mountain ranges like the Deerskin Mountain and the Changze Mountain . that were only half the size of North Mountain, being occupied by the Mi Clan’s Beast Valley, leaving hardly any space for the people.

So was it concluded that these 1.6 million people were destined to drown?

Fed up with further arguing, Tang Luo turned around and left the back hall. He was determined to save these people.

The youth arrived with a gloomy face, left in a huff, Tang Gaomin, the Sixth elder, shook his head helplessly and said to Clan Leader Tang Zhi, “The young man’s innocent heart is admirable, but kindness and weakness make a poor leader.”

Mercy is no attribute of a soldier, emotions don’t belong in business, righteousness doesn’t make money, good men don’t make good officials.

In politics and warfare, a cold heart prevails!

As the elder in charge of the Tang Clan’s finances and food, he understood that those in power often have to make decisions not based on emotion but on benefits and losses.

Human relationships are complicated, and any decision could harm someone else’s interests. The world’s resources are limited, and everything limited means that if you have more, someone else will have less. Many times, those in power often have to cut off their own emotions and make some decisions that go against their hearts but are beneficial.

Tang Luo’s performance today disappointed him somewhat.

“I think it’s great.” Tang Zhi had a different opinion. Watching the direction the boy went, his eyes were full of joy.

Compared to a heartless monster, he preferred the future of the Tang Clan to be someone who had love and righteousness, even if that person was angry at him now.

As the leader of a clan, he wanted to see how far the Pride of Xiling, deprived of clan resources, could go on his own. He was simply waiting for Tang Luo to surprise him again.

The noise in the shrine of the church became louder. The clan leaders who had received the news of the flood were coming. Tang Zhi got up and headed to the front hall.

Martial Hall, Pharmacy Quiet Room

“Where… where is this?” The weakened Gong Zheng opened his eyes, moistened his chapped lips, and murmured.

His once robust body had completely lost control. Even though his consciousness was reawakening, his body was still in a deep sleep. An overwhelming spiritual power circulated throughout his body, but he couldn t summon any strength. Gong Zheng knew he was finished.

Ever since he faced the Yanling Realm in close combat, he knew at the very least he was severely injured. He didn’t remember how many waves of attacks he had endured but was consumed with a determined belief that he had to get the news about the scholar’s abduction to the Star Pavilion.

He wasn’t motivated by loyalty to Tang Luo. He was merely hoping that his actions could help to ensure his wife and daughter’s care by Tang Luo after his death.

The Righteous Business Group had become too big, dominating the farm tools industry in Xiling. With an annual income of several hundred million in the last three years, he didn’t dare to give all the control to a gangster chief.

The monopoly was established with Tang Luo’s strategy and even the direction was determined by him. After showing the token at Tianxiang Building, he had been waiting for a steward from Tang Mansion to take over the Righteous Business Group. He was ready to give up the business without any resistance, but no one came.

All he wished to do was handle the Righteous Gang properly and practice the “Righteous Spirits Art”. From the moment he got the art, he knew it was powerful. It was so powerful that even he, as a beginner, could escape from the Yanling Realm. He supposed that if he could master this art, he would be no less formidable than the famous strong man in Xiling.

But now, all of this was wishful thinking.

Gong Zheng laughed at himself, feeling a surge of emotion. His almost thirty years of diligent cultivation had been lost overnight. From now on, he was a disabled man.

He knew his condition all too well. The Yanling Realm’s continual attacks had shattered almost all his bones except the spine. Although the clan had spiritual herbs that could mend bones, who would be willing to spend that many resources on such a severe injury?

He was just a foreign martial artist…

“Awake?” The door of the quiet room opened, and Tang Qingyi walked in. She lifted Gong Zheng’s clothes to probe his injury and said indifferently, “You are almost recovered. You can leave after I take out the needles in a while.”