I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1688 - 127: Appropriate Interruption

Chapter 1688: Chapter 127: Appropriate Interruption

Tranquil times flow like water, and before you know it, spring has passed and autumn has arrived.

Unparalleled City now has three new ferry crossings, as well as several villages and towns built halfway up the mountains.

Every evening, countless plumes of cooking smoke gracefully rise, and every night colorful neon flickers, with brothels and theaters bustling day and night.

For the original residents of Unparalleled City, this lively excitement has not been seen since before the flood in Xiling City.

Now that so many new things have been built halfway up the mountain, how could they resist?

A few bold residents went down to take a look, and then spread the word back in the inner city; by the next day, the whole city knew about the excitement in the village towns halfway up the mountain.

Many restless hearts could no longer be contained.

It was because Unparalleled City had strict rules.

Gambling houses and brothels were not allowed to operate, which wasn’t a big deal in the past.

When people were struggling to even have enough to eat, few had the energy to think about these things, but now it was different.

The original residents, who made a fortune thanks to Unparalleled Academy, each had surplus grain at home and their purses were stuffed full.

Seeing all this excitement, how could they resist? At first a few ventured out, then in groups they rushed out.

Some of the more generous ones even invested in land in these mountain villages and added concubines.

Even those with less means would make trips down there from time to time, elegantly referring to it as "going down the mountain".

Now in Unparalleled City, two men meeting in a tavern would often exchange stories about their frequented new spots, and then visit them together.

While things were lively, problems also multiplied; wherever gambling was involved, there would be people who lost everything they had.

From April, in just three short months, several taverns on the main road of the inner city had changed owners; upon investigation, the reason was that the owners "went down the mountain" to play and couldn’t restrain the flow of their spending.

As such incidents became more frequent, people started to notice something fishy.

But gambling was a matter of mutual consent, and to investigate any potential tricks after such a long time was clearly impossible.

In the end, Shen Dafa went to the Dean, hoping to get some reliable and useful advice.

Yun Xiu took the case files handed over by Shen Dafa, read through them, and pondered: "Leave these files here for now, and The Academy will give you an answer after reviewing them."

"Then I will trouble the Dean."

After Shen Dafa left, Yun Xiu, holding the files, walked to the back mountain and knocked on the stone door where Tang Luo was in seclusion, her little face tense as she seriously said, "Husband, the noble families have made their move."

"Made a move, let them," Tang Luo sat on a stone stool, propping his chin with one hand, his eyes lifelessly fixed on the paper on the wall, and said listlessly, "They just want to get into the inner city, but since only bodyguards or relatives can be selected as the governing officials of the city hall, they can’t get in."

"They’re already inside."

"Hmm?"

"Look."

Yun Xiu, reverting to her true appearance, placed the bundle of files on the stone table. Tang Luo glanced down at the thick pile of documents and closed his eyes in agony. "Too much, I have a headache now, wife, just tell me directly."

"The noble families promised to help the expansion of Unparalleled City and sent craftsmen to establish temporary residences halfway up the mountain, but halfway up the mountain there’s not only residential housing, but also gambling houses, brothels, theaters..."

Yun Xiu shook her head and sighed, "With beauties to cajole and cheaters to accompany, the fortunes that rose up have been gambled away in just a few days. In just a few months, several taverns and inns on the main road of the inner city have changed owners, and these are just the ones with known names, as for the smaller guesthouses and tea houses, who knows how many there are."

"Huh, that’s somewhat interesting."

"What’s interesting about it?"

"My lady may not be aware, but after you took the lead in the trading expedition, a municipal official named Gong Liang proposed to make flower boats and gambling trades the pillar industries of Unparalleled City to attract business and boost the economy, which I rejected. It’s quite amusing that this tactic is now being turned against us, isn’t it?"

Tang Luo pointed at the files and cracked a smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Is that really something that happened?"

Yun Xiu’s brows flashed as she pondered thoughtfully.

"Let’s not talk about that. Let’s discuss these noble families stretching their hands into the city."

Feeling powerless, Tang Luo casually said, "Actually, there’s no need for any reasoned evidence. Just have the municipal officials lead the Marshal Star Pavilion disciples to raid the implicated gambling dens, then take back the restaurant, and that’s it. If anyone resists, execute them on the spot, no need for explanations."

After listening to Tang Luo’s words, Yun Xiu held her forehead and cautiously suggested, "This approach isn’t quite right... My lord, didn’t you say before that Unparalleled City does not exclude foreigners from owning property, and anyone who can abide by the Unparalleled Code is a subject under your governance?"

"Moreover, the establishment of the flower district on the mountainside was also approved by the municipal hall. If we do this, the external credibility of Unparalleled City’s municipal hall will be completely destroyed. How can the municipal officials govern in the future, and who will believe the documents issued by the municipal hall?"

"Hmm...."

Tang Luo just felt his head growing bigger, spending these days fully devoted to the contemplation of breaking through his current realm.

He was becoming increasingly closed off, a trait that was reflected not only in his actions but also in his way of thinking.

If it were before, hearing about noble families using this method to wedge their influence into the city, he would have thought of an equivalent way to reciprocate.

But now, engrossed in martial cultivation, his thoughts no longer took any detours, but proceeded in the simplest and most violent straight line.

That he came to this mode of thinking showed that Tang Luo was actually incapable of resolving the current problem.

If he continued to sit in isolated meditation, not only would it be of no help to his ambition of becoming a king, but it would also completely spoil his temperament.

Yun Xiu’s arrival was timely indeed. Realizing his own problems, Tang Luo vigorously shook his head and stood up from his desk with a succession of cracks from his joints.

"Had it not been for the lady’s reminder, I would have almost made a grave mistake."

Tang Luo turned to Yun Xiu and apologized, "With my current state of mind, I’m no longer suited to handle the affairs of Unparalleled City. Please decide on this matter yourself, my lady. If you need military support, you can seek Du Sha and Meng Jiao."

Yun Xiu was stunned for a moment, then bit her lower lip and asked, "Did I disturb you, my lord?"

"It has nothing to do with you, it’s because there’s no clear path to the King Realm lying ahead, and sitting idly in the mountains is pointless. So I thought I’d go out for a walk and see if that would clear my mind."

Tang Luo waved his hand in denial and explained seriously, dispelling Yun Xiu’s doubts.

"So, my lord... where might you go?"

"Zhongzhou," Tang Luo said calmly. "Perhaps it’s because some matters haven’t been dealt with that things haven’t been going smoothly for me. I need to go solve them first and see how things turn out."

"Then... I hope for your swift return, my lord."

"Hug."

He opened his arms wide to embrace his wife, burying his head deeply into her luscious black hair, greedily inhaling as if drawing some special strength from it.

The unceasing contemplation and innumerable failures had almost made Tang Luo forget the warmth of being human, nearly turning him into a cold, calculating tool.

As if sensing the inexplicable fragility in her husband’s emotions, the woman tightly hugged the broad back of the man as if to say, it’s okay, you still have me.