I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1751 - 186: Deliberation

Chapter 1751: Chapter 186: Deliberation

Managing a faction is actually similar to managing a family. If you wish to earn the respect of its members, you must take meaningful actions to win their respect, not just rely on a title.

And for anything that requires effort, it’s never easy. Thus, even if one leads a city of millions, their core entourage consists of only a handful of people.

Take Red Cloud Mountain as an example: combining both inner and outer city populations, there are over two million people. Yet those whom Tang Luo can address by name are limited to the first batch of apprentices personally mentored by him at the Marshal Star Pavilion and the earliest Xiling scholars who pledged allegiance to him.

Among these individuals, Madam Yun Xiu, Du Sha of the Marshal Star Pavilion, Nongman Valley, the commander of the Inner City Guard Station, Chairman Du Ting of the City Council, and Elder Nian, who oversees the Red Cloud Ferry Crossing, are the innermost circle.

No matter what commands Tang Luo issues—be it regarding military operations, management affairs, or internal governance—the coordination can be carried out through this core team.

However, this convenience also comes with risks. These few individuals hold the authority over various mobilizations within Unparalleled City, and if communication falters or someone harbors ulterior motives, the consequences could be severe.

This is precisely why a shared goal is vital, and this is the fundamental reason Tang Luo invited these people to the academy’s principal’s office for a joint discussion.

Before long, Du Ting brought several individuals to the principal’s office at the top of the tower. Yun Xiu wore a faint smile, Du Sha maintained her usual composed and stern demeanor, Elder Nian and Nongman Valley exchanged naive grins but carried subtle wariness in their eyes, and Feng Shixing seemed nervously unsettled.

When Lu Zhongyan and Fu Yuanshan had been brought to Red Cloud Mountain, Ningxiang Road’s tiger-leopard forces assumed their enemies were merely various factions of Yancang. But when Ten Thousand Beasts Manor arrived at Red Cloud Mountain for a visit, nervous trepidation set in.

Though he couldn’t yet comprehend the complexity of turning people into Dragon Beasts, the appearance of Ten Thousand Beasts Manor made him vaguely aware that his inadvertent actions had brought a serious problem to the academy. Being summoned suddenly to the principal’s office added to his unease.

As if reading Feng Shixing’s unease, Tang Luo waved a hand to greet them, saying, "I invited you all here today to discuss a matter of great importance to both the academy and Unparalleled City. Please, have a seat."

Du Ting, already privy to the details, remained unperturbed, but the others showed varying reactions to being summoned unexpectedly.

Yun Xiu’s face revealed slight hesitation, as though she were grappling with concerns, but she pursed her lips and took the seat at the head position without speaking.

Du Sha maintained her Buddha-like indifference toward everything, calmly taking her seat.

Elder Nian and Nongman Valley, seeming to guess what the principal intended to discuss, exchanged a knowing glance before sitting side by side.

Only Feng Shixing stood awkwardly, unable to decide whether to sit or stand. After hesitating for a long time, he finally stood still and explained when Tang Luo’s gaze swept over him, "It’s best if the student remains standing."

Tang Luo chuckled, pointing to the seat beside Du Sha and said to the nervous Feng Shixing, "Sit there."

The initially resolute Feng Shixing, who had no intention of sitting, quickly moved to the chair beside Du Sha upon Tang Luo’s command, resembling a timid kitten despite being the infamous tiger-leopard feared throughout Yancang.

Once everyone was seated, Tang Luo adopted a serious demeanor and began, "Fu Yuanshan and Lu Zhongyan had their souls extracted by Cao Lie in Luyang City, reduced to beasts and brought here by Feng Shixing to Red Cloud Mountain. The brothers from Ten Thousand Beasts Manor came under the guise of a visit to negotiate for their return, clearly under Cao Lie’s directive. The reason I’ve gathered you here today is to decide whether we should hand these two over to the Shi Family brothers."

After succinctly laying out the situation, Tang Luo interlocked his fingers beneath his abdomen, relaxed into his chair, and smiled, "You can freely express your opinions and reach a collective decision."

Except for Du Sha, who remained composed, the rest seemed taken aback. They had originally assumed they were here to receive a decision, not to make one.

Trying to test the waters, Nongman Valley promptly declared, "Since the Lord of the City has granted the principal full authority over city affairs, the principal can decide on this matter himself. No matter what the decision is, the Inner City Guard Station will fully cooperate!"

"This is not a matter of cooperation with the Inner City Guard Station right now. I simply need Commander Nong to deliberate whether Unparalleled City should hand them over."

Tang Luo interrupted Nongman Valley indifferently, then continued, "Since no one is willing to speak first, I’ll ask one by one. Madam Yun, what do you think? Should we hand over the Dragon Beasts to the Shi Family brothers?"

"I believe we should not hand Lu Zhongyan and Fu Yuanshan over to the Shi Family brothers."

After much hesitation, Yun Xiu was the first to speak, her words immediately causing Du Ting’s brows to furrow tightly. "The fault lies entirely with Cao Lie, not with Fu Yuanshan or Lu Zhongyan. If we turn a blind eye just because Cao Lie is an apprentice of the Beast Taming Sect, what kind of justice is there in that?!"

"Madam’s compassion is certainly admirable, but let’s not forget that, had Lu Zhongyan and Fu Yuanshan not been scheming with their so-called alumni meeting to satisfy their ambitions, or recklessly headed to Luyang City after captivity, none of this would have happened!"

Upon hearing Yun Xiu’s firm stance, Du Ting immediately responded, "During those deliberations, the principal explicitly stated that graduates from the Operations Department would have no further ties with the academy. If they died at Luyang City, the academy wouldn’t avenge them. So why should the academy now confront the Beast Taming Sect when they’re alive?!"

Perhaps due to his urgency, Du Ting’s tone was severe and fast-paced. It was only after speaking that he realized Yun Xiu’s position, hurriedly adding with an apologetic tone, "That’s merely my humble opinion, and I hope Madam will consider it."

Yun Xiu and Du Ting’s sharp debate seemed to embolden the others to speak up.

"I believe Elder Du Ting’s words are spot on. The academy is currently at a critical phase of development. Externally, the sect factions wait with predatory intent; internally, the adherence of new recruits is uncertain. If a major event unfolds now, it will disrupt the painstakingly laid foundation."

Elder Nian unreservedly sided with Du Ting, saying, "Let’s hand them over to the Shi Family brothers. Treat it as forging good relations with the Dragon Valley Mao Sect!"

"What Elder Nian says makes sense, and I agree."

Seeing a friend had spoken, Nongman Valley quickly echoed his agreement.

In an instant, three individuals had positioned themselves against Yun Xiu’s view. Emboldened by this, Du Ting sternly turned toward his younger relative, "Du Sha, this concerns Unparalleled City’s future—it’s not the time for your indifferent stance. Quickly state your opinion!"

Despite being chastised by a family elder, Du Sha remained seated like a deity, his expression unmoved as he replied calmly, "A warrior’s glory lies in dying in battle, bearing no complaints or regrets. But being manipulated, one’s soul inserted into a beast’s body, degraded—Cao Lie’s actions do not deserve to exist in sacred lands."

Already accustomed to Du Sha’s contrarian remarks, Du Ting didn’t even finish listening before asserting, "So you side with Madam then. Fine, it’s clear now—you and Madam believe we shouldn’t hand them over, while the ferry crossing, city council, and city guard seem to agree we should. Three votes to two votes—the decision’s made!"

Hurrying to provide Shi Ganhai with an answer, Du Ting pressed for a conclusion.

"Great Elder, there’s no need for such haste; someone has yet to speak."

Du Sha responded coolly and turned toward Feng Shixing, asking, "What do you think? Should we hand them over to the Shi Family brothers?"