Chapter 687: Chapter 683: Red Cloud Astonishing Change

Moreover, now they were feeding their own warriors with others’ money, the elders couldn’t be more pleased.

The dissatisfaction that arose from Tang Zhi’s stubbornness had long since disappeared, and everyone began actively thinking about how to, once and for all, suppress the three-clan alliance in Lanshan City.

…

At the Red Cloud Mountain main peak, within the Du Clan’s territory

After a long absence, Tang Luo once again appeared in his own domain, bringing together all the famous people from Xiling.

He had expected them to show more enthusiasm after such a long separation, but to his surprise, everyone who saw him was especially restrained, their wary and alienating eyes treating him as if he were a monster.

Construction on Red Cloud Mountain was proceeding nicely. Although North Mountain was embroiled in a major conflict, no one was willing to stir trouble with a neutral territory. A large gap had been chiseled on the top of Red Cloud Mountain, and it seemed that Master Ou Yu had not been idle, earning the food he’d traveled so far for.

Thus, he didn’t understand the expressions on the faces of these celebrities. The battle of Xiling had already been concluded, but they seemed to be even more cautious than during the standoff. It was really baffling.

Tang Luo scrutinized himself with a furrowed brow: “What’s happened? Have I changed in any way? Why are all of you looking at me like this?”

His eyes swept over every one of the gathered celebrities, but whoever met his gaze lowered or shifted away their own in a rather baffling manner, until his eyes met those of Ou Yu.

This member of the Ou clan had a thin and worn physique, but his eyes were full of vigor, shining like stars in the sky.

Finally seeing someone normal, Tang Luo grinned: “Master Ou, please tell me, why are they acting as if they’ve seen a ghost upon seeing me?”

“Isn’t the young prodigy aware?” Ou Yu asked indifferently: “The battle between the Tang and Mi clans is over. For these families on Red Cloud Mountain that didn’t take sides, this is even more worrying than during the clan hostilities.”

“What does the victory or defeat of the Tang and Mi clans have to do with you? What’s there to worry about?” Tang Luo asked with a frown. These people on Red Cloud Mountain weren’t opportunists who switched sides during the war. Essentially, they wanted nothing more than peace. Given Tang Zhi’s magnanimity, it was certain that he wouldn’t make things difficult for these ordinary martial artists who barely qualified as prominent families. Moreover, he had given assurances to these celebrities about their food and safety if they built the city for him, which they had done so. Even in the event that the Tang Clan ran into trouble, and his own influence couldn’t protect them, they would still enjoy the protection of the First Head of the Martial Hall. Therefore, he felt that these people were overly sensitive.

“It’s all because of the new alliance proposed by the Tang Clan chief.” Shen Dafa, who had been stationed at Red Cloud Mountain all along, gave a bitter smile: “The South Ridge battle had barely ended when a few martial artists from the Fierce Realm arrived at Red Cloud Mountain, claiming to be warriors from the new alliance and demanded ten million pounds of grain, or they would expel us.”

Tang Luo looked puzzled: “So you gave it to them?”

“What else could we do?” Ou Yu said with a cold face: “Who doesn’t know that the new alliance is a trump card in the Tang Clan’s hand, and the clan’s chief, Tang Zhi, is the leader of the new alliance. If the martial artists of the new alliance demand grain, who on Red Cloud Mountain would dare to resist?”

“Ha, this is really interesting.” Tang Luo crossed his fingers and placed them on the table, wearing a disdainful smile: “I’ll take care of this. Is there anyone here who is good at drawing? Draw the faces of those martial artists who came to demand grain.”

People in the conference hall were looking at each other. With Tang Luo’s legendary status, it seemed as though he was not aware of this matter. Could it be that they’d been deceived?

“Is the young prodigy… suggesting that these people are not members of the alliance?”

Rage surged within the people in the assembly, if it weren’t for the intimidating reputation of the new alliance, how could three martial artists from the Fierce Realm threaten Red Cloud Mountain to surrender ten million pounds of grain, and so humbly dispatch people to load and send away the grain? If they were really deceived, then they’d completely lost face.

Tang Luo observed this strangely agitated crowd and remarked calmly: “I didn’t say that they weren’t members of the alliance. At this time, most of the Fierce Realm martial artists that could appear in Xiling were likely recruited by Tang Zuo.”

“Then you…”

“Even if they are members of the alliance, they can’t take my grain.” Tang Luo cut Shen Dafa off, and said seriously: “The alliance has just been established, and many people are not taking the rules seriously, especially the superficial martial artists. They simply want to profit from the alliance. The existence of such people will only tarnish the reputation of the new alliance.”

An organization that is perfect from the start only exists in fantasies. Every organization has flaws in its initial stages, with a diverse quality of personnel. However, one can guess the character of martial artists who would resort to extortion for food. Shouldn’t such individuals be made examples to serve as a warning to others, rather than being kept around to celebrate the new year!?

Tang Luo turned to Du Wei, Du Ling and Du Ting: “The three of you will not return back with me, but instead stay on Red Cloud Mountain. If anyone demands food or supplies in the name of the alliance, you are to capture them and bring them to North Mountain.”

Having given his instructions to the three Du clan elders, Tang Luo addressed the other aristocrats in the hall: “This Red Cloud Mountain is my territory, and if you are willing to live here, you are my people. If anyone tries to threaten you in the future, I grant you the right to retaliate by any means you see fit. I will take responsibility for any consequences!”

A feeling of being moved flowed through the conference hall. No one had expected Tang Luo’s promise to be so straightforward and sincere. It suddenly felt like having a city lord wasn’t such a bad thing, after all.

Tang Luo, riding a bird beast, returned to North Mountain under the escort of Du Sha and unceremoniously barged into the makeshift office set up for Clan Leader Tang Zhi.

Shoving aside a dozen stewards and advisors, Tang Luo placed the portraits in his hand on Tang Zhi’s desk.

Tang Zhi looked up at the expressionless Tang Luo, looked at the three portraits, and chuckled: “So, Minister Luo visited because of this matter.”

“This matter has been assigned to Left Hall Leader for handling, actually, not only has the Du clan of Red Cloud Mountain been affected, but the neutral families on the other two main peaks have also been extorted and harassed by a few bad apples from the alliance.” Tang Zhi put the three portraits aside and handed a secret letter to Tang Luo.

Tang Luo opened the letter to find a record of petty and shameless garners; like extorting grain from the family, forcing locals to be slaves, and kidnapping beautiful girls.

“This isn’t a group of martial artists, but a bunch of bandits.” Tang Luo coldly shut the letter.

“Yet these bandits are still useful to me for now.” Tang Zhi chuckled as he took back the letter, put it aside, and pointed to a chair next to him: “The martial court meeting after the battle, Minister Luo insisted on not attending, If not for these bandits, I wouldn’t know when I would have been able to meet you.”

As the chief of the North Mountain defense, Tang Luo was obligated to attend the court meeting, but he had sent Tang Zhen instead and presented a letter of resignation, relinquishing his position back to Tang Zhen.