Chapter 310: Chapter 312 Nothing is Better
A reprimand once more caused the embarrassed faces of those from Shen Fan Academy to flush red, unable to hide anywhere to save their dignity.

“Nephew Zhu, you’ve beaten them, and you’ve vented your anger, how about letting them go back to heal their wounds?” Liang Zhong asked.

“All the students may leave, but the Punishment Institute and Dean Lian Feiling must stay. Until I get the City Lord’s Seal, I won’t let anyone go,” Zhu Minglang said.

“What City Lord’s Seal?” Liang Zhong asked in confusion.

“The one from Runyu City,” Zhu Minglang said.

Liang Zhong walked towards Dean Lian Feiling, looking at him with surprise and some dissatisfaction, saying, “Although I have retired and shouldn’t meddle in the affairs of Shen Fan Academy, as the Dean of Shen Fan Academy, why are you hoarding the City Lord’s Seal of Runyu City?”

“Honored guest, there are things you are unaware of, this City Lord’s Seal…” Lian Feiling’s voice trailed off, dropping to a whisper audible only to Liang Zhong.

After listening, Liang Zhong also furrowed his brow, glanced at Lian Feiling, and then turned his gaze back to Zhu Minglang. It took him a long while before he said, “Nephew Zhu, why don’t you propose another condition? The situation with that City Lord’s Seal seems to be quite special, as it is currently in the hands of Orderer Yan Guang.”

Had Yan Guang also discovered the Ancient Lantern Jade within the City Lord’s Seal, otherwise, why would he be so reluctant to hand it over?

Zhu Minglang started to feel a headache coming on.

He had thought this piece of Ancient Lantern Jade would be the easiest to obtain, but he hadn’t expected it to be so entangled in complications.

“I only need the City Lord’s Seal. Without it, it would be very difficult to revive Runyu City. Many decrees that could be enacted won’t be recognized, and it could also give opportunists the chance to create chaos,” Zhu Minglang said.

“I will deal with this matter personally and negotiate with Yan Guang. This man is cold-hearted, and I suggest it’s best not to have any direct conflict with him,” Liang Zhong said.

“Hmph, this Orderer… It’s hard not to have issues with him. His way of doing things is nauseating,” Zhu Minglang said.

“The tea-colored ground has been in constant turmoil. Managing it properly is not an easy task. Although Yan Guang often can’t achieve absolute justice, he isn’t a complete failure either. How about this, I give you my assurance; release everyone now, and as for the City Lord’s Seal you want, I will try my utmost to persuade Yan Guang to hand it over, though it will take some time,” Liang Zhong said.

“Everyone else can leave, but Lian Feiling must come with me to Runyu City,” Zhu Minglang said.

“Why?” Liang Zhong asked, puzzled.

“Perhaps if Elder Liang comes along, you will understand,” Zhu Minglang replied.

“All right.”

Sending the other members of Shen Fan Academy on their way, Zhu Minglang took Lian Feiling, accompanied by Liang Zhong, towards Runyu City.

Lian Feiling was extremely annoyed. He was the Dean, and it was humiliating to be dragged around like an old dog. What was more infuriating was Liang Zhong’s excessive indulgence towards Zhu Minglang!

As they were about to reach Runyu City, Liang Zhong saw the bloodied Lian Feiling still looking at him with eyes full of suppressed rage and shook his head in resignation, whispering to the Dean, “Lian Feiling, do you think I’m outwardly biased?”

“Isn’t it so!” Lian Feiling collapsed there, his body aching all over.

“If the opponent were a nobody, of course, you could proudly speak of the inviolability of Shen Fan Academy’s dignity,” said Liang Zhong. “But since you know the other party is Zhu Minglang from Zhu Gate, do you think such words make any sense? Do you realize what kind of person the Zhu Heavenly Officer in the Imperial City is?” Liang Zhong said.

“We’re only a casting clan, so why should our Shen Fan Academy fear them?” Lian Feiling was even more dissatisfied.

“You’ve been sitting on the tea-colored ground for too long; you should venture out more often to prevent your pride and ignorance from blinding you. Why should our West Route Divinity Academy be able to stand up against the leader of the Six Great Clans? Even members of the Divine and Mortal Academy’s Supreme Court need to reason with them, yet here you are, attempting to rely on your usual arrogance! Zhu Heavenly Officer is unpredictable; he’s annihilated plenty of clans and sects in recent years, often over trivial matters in the eyes of others. You, Lian Feiling, laid hands on the Young Master of Zhu Clan and if you lost, all would still be well, but if you won and injured someone, within half a month, you would end up dead in the wilderness. Even if we knew it was the work of Zhu Gate, do you think we could secure for you what you call justice? You are well aware that there is no need to talk about morality with those of unequal status to your own, but you must also clarify for me – now, your status is below that of others, your power is not as great, and as a former dean who acted against a junior, do you think Zhu Heavenly Officer will discuss any sort of morals with me?”

Liang Zhong really did not want to have this conversation with Lian Feiling.

It’s just that the West Route Divinity Academy had acted like the Earth Emperor of the tea-colored ground for far too long, doing whatever they wanted.

Liang Zhong was different; he often traveled between realms and frequented the Imperial City. He knew better than anyone from the West Route Divinity Academy that they were being too arrogant.

Even the majority of nations, powers, sect forests, and sects to the west were too full of themselves. The strength of the Imperial Dynasty was still beyond their imagination. Often, only when disaster struck did they deeply regret their actions.

When in conflict with someone of equal status, either you were in the right, or you were stronger than your opponent.

Lian Feiling had neither and his status and position were inferior to the other party.

Wasn’t this just asking for trouble?

Upon arriving in Runyu City, they tossed Lian Feiling into the marketplace.

Liang Zhong watched those who had been persecuted without saying a word.

Lian Feiling was still angry and disdainful; in his view, those people were not harmed by the Divine and Mortal Academy, but by lawless powers. Why should they be held accountable?

“Apologize. If you want to spend the rest of your life as the dean in peace.” Liang Zhong sighed and said to Lian Feiling.

More and more onlookers gathered in the marketplace.

They could hardly believe that Master Zhu would actually bring the dean of the Divine and Mortal Academy before them.

Many remembered how, just a few days ago, Lian Feiling stood before the city gate, exuding a sense of superiority as he held out the judgment document like a Judge sentencing the city to death!

With teeth nearly clenched to breaking, Lian Feiling had no choice but to bow and lower his head.

“Our Divine and Mortal Academy did not handle this matter properly; it was our dereliction of duty,” Lian Feiling finally managed to say.

“Our Divine and Mortal Academy has issued a notice: anyone who persecutes the residents of Runyu City will be severely punished. Please rest assured for the next few days. However, I still suggest that you all relocate out of this city as soon as possible,” Liang Zhong added.

The perpetrators were steadily being dealt with, and the news spread quickly across the tea-colored ground.

The people of Runyu City who had been persecuted received some form of closure.

Of course, Zhu Minglang also demanded a sum of money from the Divine and Mortal Academy, using the Spirit Vein as a pretext, before allowing them to leave.

This sum was given by Zhu Minglang to Yao Junshi, who distributed it to the residents of Runyu City who had suffered during this ordeal.

If they were to relocate from this city, this money should be enough for them to settle in a new land.