I Can See Your Combat Power-Chapter 1649 - Ninety-One: Emotional Business

The impermanence of worldly affairs is constant, yet there are always some who remain steadfast, their essence rooted in the phrase "assess the situation."

Everyone with discernment can see that with the Five-turn Dragon Gate, the Unparalleled Academy is destined to become a pivotal force in Xiehe.

As the saying goes, "the heart of the people leans where the trend goes." Even if the three families are extremely reluctant and unwilling, they can only transform those feelings into their brightest smiles and warm gestures towards Unparalleled City.

The banquet was held in the Red Crystal Hall, and the three clan leaders arrived on time, even without bringing guards.

"Thank you three for your trust in The Academy."

Tang Luo looked at the three with their frank and open demeanor and spoke indifferently.

"With a strong figure like the headmaster presiding, why would we need guards? What do you gentlemen think?"

Liu Tang laughed heartily, joking with Patriarchs Nong and He.

"Exactly, exactly."

"It is indeed so."

The two who were preempted in flattering cursed Liu Tang internally for his shamelessness, but their faces showed nothing but agreement.

As the banquet progressed with music and toasts, the three clan leaders kept offering Tang Luo drinks and ingratiating words, all deftly deflected by him without a change in expression.

Once the wine had passed three rounds and the dishes five flavors, unable to tease out any more substance, the clan leaders got straight to the point.

"With Unparalleled Academy having set up the Dragon Gate for spiritual testing, it has fulfilled the great dream of countless transcendental cultivators in Xiehe. Although I, He, am the head of the He Family, what I have done doesn’t even compare to one ten-thousandth of what the headmaster has done. While I am ashamed, my admiration for The Academy is immeasurable."

"Now, all the transcendental cultivators of Xiehe are rushing to The Academy. Such a spectacle has never before been seen in Longzhou. I, He, am not good with words, but if the headmaster needs help, the He Clan will unconditionally provide powerful support!"

Patriarch He, with a beard reaching his chest, raised his glass to Tang Luo, his face red—whether from drunkenness or embarrassment, it was unclear—but his words were sincere.

This made Du Wei, who was accompanying the banquet, take a few more looks at the extraordinary Patriarch He, altering his impressions significantly.

What Unparalleled City needs most now is the assistance of these powerful figures. While it was assumed the three clan leaders would exploit the tense situation to exorbitantly raise their demands, surprisingly, they were very understanding.

"What Patriarch He said is also exactly what is on my mind."

After Patriarch He’s statement, Nong Family Chief, with a face full of righteous vigor, also concurred: "The Five-turn Dragon Gate for spiritual testing is a benefit for our times and for posterity. This is not only a matter for the Unparalleled Academy itself but also a glory for all the martial artists of Longzhou. I have something to say, please don’t take it amiss, headmaster."

"Before coming here, I had already arranged dozens of riverboats and a hundred inns, all ready to be dispatched to this place at just a nod from you, headmaster, to alleviate concerns for The Academy."

The head of a grand clan could never be a mediocrity, and the Nong Family Chief clearly thought ahead, compared to Patriarch He’s pretty words, his prepared considerate gesture was indeed superior.

"Being close to the water tower gets the moon first; with the powerful help from Patriarch He and Nong Family Chief, I believe we can surely solve the current problems of The Academy."

Despite being outpaced by He and Nong, Liu Tang was not in a hurry, instead facilitating their cooperation.

After all, the He and Nong families control counties upriver and downriver of Lingjiang, while Qutang City and Lanshan City were the best points for distribution.

Even if Liu Tang wanted to compete, with Chaochang being so far away from Red Cloud Mountain, he couldn’t outmatch them.

So, making use of the situation to grant a favor to both clan leaders seemed the best option.

"Patriarch Liu is too courteous."

"But occupying a geographical advantage doesn’t deserve such high praise."

Patriarchs He and Nong could certainly feel this favor, smiling and nodding in return as a sign of mutual understanding.

But since Liu Tang had come to Unparalleled City for the banquet, he possibly didn’t just come to accompany the two families. After his flattering remarks, he turned to Tang Luo and said, "While coming here, Patriarch Liu contemplated helping The Academy in some way. Although Unparalleled City is a marvel of Longzhou, and the City of Crystals dazzles the world, it would be a terrible sin if the rough individuals coming for spiritual testing spoiled this divine creation of a city."

"So this time, Patriarch Liu has brought along with him over three hundred of Chaochang’s top carpenters, stonemasons, and plasterers. I believe with these workers, we might be able to assist the headmaster in further developing Red Cloud Mountain. This can also be considered a small contribution from the Liu family to The Academy."

Bringing a pillow to those who are sleepy, and bringing mother to those who wish to suckle.

As soon as the three clan leaders appeared, they divvied up Red Cloud Mountain’s biggest difficulty at the time.

Du Wei appeared indifferent on the surface, but his tightly clenched fists under the table and the slight tremor of his pupils still betrayed his thoughts.

On the contrary, Tang Luo maintained his lukewarm demeanor from the beginning of the banquet.

As soon as the three clan leaders arrived, they pointed out the difficulties faced by Unparalleled Academy, mentioning their modest efforts in the conversation.

Had it been genuine love or brotherly affection, Tang Luo would have been moved; however, the reality was that emotions in such relationships were easy to pick up but difficult to reciprocate.

In business, it is best to keep affairs free of unnecessary sentiments and treat them purely as transactions.

"What does the head of the Liu Family want from the academy?"

Tang Luo looked directly at Liu Tang, and said indifferently, "Red Cloud Mountain urgently needs craftsmen and timber for construction. The craftsmen brought by Patriarch Liu have indeed alleviated an urgent need for the academy. If there are any requests from the academy, feel free to make them. If they are reasonable, the academy will surely agree."

His expression remained calm and his tone was indifferent, shattering the warm atmosphere of familial relations and neighborly kinship that Longzhou once had.

Although Patriarch He and Nong Family Chief still had smiles on their faces, they couldn’t help but feel disheartened.

As for Liu Tang, who was directly confronted, he found it particularly difficult.

It wasn’t clear whether the enigmatic dean was truly inexperienced in worldly affairs or was merely testing them, but Liu Clan’s Patriarch bravely said, "Dragon Gate concerns the welfare of all Xiehe’s transcendental monks; Liu Clan wouldn’t use it as a bargaining chip in a transaction. The craftsmen and timber are meant to be a contribution to the academy, not something to be reciprocated. The principal is really embarrassing Liu!"

"If Patriarch Liu won’t make an offer, then let the academy make one."

Ignoring the pretense in Liu Tang’s words, Tang Luo spoke directly, "The academy is currently facing difficulties, and it’s wonderful that the three clan leaders are willing to help. However, some things need to be said upfront to avoid future discord."

"The academy needs help today, but after overcoming these difficulties, it will still be the same academy. It won’t give any privileges to the three great clans because of their assistance. So, if there are any demands now, please state them directly to avoid future accusations of ingratitude from the academy."

This conversation brought the atmosphere in the banquet hall down to a freezing point. The three clan leaders, unable to maintain their superficial smiles, bowed their heads, contemplating the real meaning behind Tang Luo’s words.

Indeed, all three families understood that this so-called help was beneficial to them, which is why they eagerly came forward to assist.

They initially hoped to curry favor and make connections with Unparalleled Academy but didn’t expect such a straightforward and intense attitude from the enigmatic dean.

At this moment, two paths lay before the three individuals: one was to follow past experiences, believing that persisting in personal favors would ultimately help them connect with the academy.

The other was to set aside these insincere schemes and engage in genuine business negotiations.

Both options had their advantages and disadvantages, making it difficult to decide. While Patriarch He and Nong Family Chief were still struggling, Liu Tang stood up, smiling, and bowed to Tang Luo, apologizing, "Such petty tricks have indeed amused the dean. Actually, I do have some requests, and I hope the dean will grant them."

That’s more like it.

Tang Luo gently put down his wine glass, "Patriarch Liu, please feel free to speak."

"Liu Clan suffered greatly during the battle with the Linchuan Sky Demon, with many disciples affected by Evil Qi, hovering on the edge of demonic possession. I’ve heard that the academy’s operations department offers services to remove Evil Qi; please lend us your assistance."

"The operations department is open to the public; Patriarch Liu, if you have such needs, you can simply coordinate with Elder Du Wei without hesitation."

"Some of Liu Clan’s transcendental disciples have been at their peak for over a decade, their spirits declining. I would like the dean to arrange for them to pass through Dragon Gate, to see if they can recover their zeal for the path."

"This is not a difficult matter. Dragon Gate will be relocating soon, and we will notify the clan leader of the address in advance."

Liu Tang’s eyes brightened as he excitedly bowed again, "Thank you, Dean."

"It’s merely my duty; Patriarch Liu, there is no need for thanks. Do you have any other requests? Please, feel free to mention them."

Seeing there was still some hesitation in Liu Tang’s eyes, Tang Luo encouragingly added,

"Dean sees clearly; indeed, I do have an unorthodox request."

Encouraged by Tang Luo, Liu Tang revealed his most important request of the visit, "I’ve heard that not only does the academy have three service projects from the operations department, but its primary mission is to educate young cultivators. Hence, I would like to send two hundred descendants from Liu Clan to the academy for cultivation; I hope the dean will accept them."