I Can See Your Combat Power
Chapter 1764 - 197: Touching the Human Heart_2

Chapter 1764: Chapter 197: Touching the Human Heart_2

"Oh dear, I remember that this mountain path wasn’t so steep before. Or maybe it’s just that I’m getting old and can’t handle these ups and downs anymore."

Struggling to sit beside Tang Luo, Mi Bai turned his head to look at him and asked with a smile, "How do you feel after returning to the Land of Vows following your success in the dream?"

"How do I feel? It’s alright, I guess."

Tang Luo tilted his head and gazed at the sea of clouds, sighing faintly, "It’s just that human desire knows no end. The old dream fulfilled only marks the beginning of a new one. Choosing an endless endeavor—who knows if that’s a blessing or a curse."

"Having a steadfast goal for life is surely a blessing."

Looking at the rolling sea of clouds ahead, Mi Bai lamented, "This scene, this moment—if Brother Xu were here, there’d be no regrets."

"Brother Xu has no room for men in his heart. Let’s drink on his behalf then."

Tang Luo spoke with a smile, causing the wine jug by the cliff’s edge to float up and pour wine on its own.

It was still the sweet Bamboo Leaf Green Wine, tasting just like it did over a decade ago when they sampled it atop the mountain as young men.

After three rounds of drinks, Mi Bai had just set his cup down when he heard Tang Luo speak faintly beside him, "Old Bai, you must have realized by now that learning martial arts, studying literature, and practicing medicine—none of them can save this era."

Mi Bai’s hand froze mid-motion, his head lowered despondently. After a few moments, he raised his head again, now calm: "Things may never be ideal, but at least one must remain true to their conscience."

"Well said. But what is this ’conscience’ then?"

Tang Luo continued to inquire, "The world is tangled with countless interests: one’s honey could be another’s poison. If everyone were to act solely from their ’True Heart,’ it might neither be good nor evil, only supremely selfish, supremely wicked. There are already too many such people in Xiehe."

"Such a ’True Heart’ is not the conscience."

Mi Bai shook his head.

"If it’s not the True Heart, then what is it?"

"It is the ’Heart for Others.’"

"What does ’Heart for Others’ mean?"

Upon Tang Luo’s question, Mi Bai replied solemnly, "In modern-day Xiehe, the land is divided among powerful noble families. Yet, each family head loves only their own family, not others. Thus, they unhesitatingly deploy their family’s resources to plunder, assault, and oppress other families. Humans are the same, loving only themselves and not others, leading them to harm without restraint."

"Because of this, Xiehe is plagued with battles everywhere. The strong oppress the weak, the rich scorn the poor, the noble look down on the common, and the cunning deceive the foolish. Such phenomena all stem from the absence of a ’Heart for Others.’"

Hearing Mi Bai’s explanation, Tang Luo understood what the scholar meant by the ’Heart for Others.’ He shook his head and said, "Such an ideal is akin to asking a wolverine not to hunt deer—it’s absurd."

"It’s not absurd. Humans once achieved it."

Mi Bai said in a deep voice, "In the dark ages, humans were mere prey for the demon beasts, with Demon Kings presiding over every continent. Humanity suffered untold misery. However, even in those times, countless sages and families from Xiehe rallied together to confront the most formidable dragon beasts of Longzhou. During that era, there were not only illustrious celebrated families but also countless unnamed warriors who left no trace in history. If the forebears of humanity only cared for their own families or clans, how could there be the prosperity of mankind today? Thus, the ’Heart for Others’ authentically existed within the Xiehe Human Race—but alas, it has vanished."

Towards the end of his speech, the scholar’s previously impassioned demeanor turned melancholic.

"The demon beasts are gone, so the ’Heart for Others’ naturally disappeared."

Tang Luo said coolly, "Gain something, lose something—that’s how humans, as balanced creatures, have always functioned."

"Perhaps it’s just that the ’Heart for Others’ has been gone for so long that people have forgotten its virtues."

Mi Bai spoke with deep regret, "Maybe for the noble families, plundering and exploiting are the quickest strategies, but they are definitely not the best. There’s still so much untouched wilderness in Xiehe—yet each family fears being taken advantage of by others, so they’d rather stay confined than venture outward. If only they could cooperate with the ’Heart for Others’!"

Thinking of the ruinous state of Jiejiang City evoked emotions in Mi Bai’s heart, his face filled with pain and regret.

He had never considered himself particularly clever, nor were those capable of managing noble families incompetent. But why did everyone turn a blind eye to this better choice? He couldn’t understand, and thus he suffered.

"Perhaps I can help you, try to see if we can rekindle the ’Heart for Others’ in this era?"

"Come to Unparalleled City. Let it be your starting point. If possible, I hope you can instill a bit of the ’Heart for Others’ in the stubborn old folks there."

Startled by Tang Luo’s sudden proposal, Mi Bai deliberated for a moment before nodding resolutely, "Where should I begin then?"

"Perhaps from the City Hall."

Tang Luo shrugged, "That’s where all Unparalleled City’s policies are formulated and the nexus of information. If you can influence the people at the City Hall, you can influence all of Red Cloud Mountain. Starting there to implement your ideas would be more than suitable."

"Alright!"

Mi Bai nodded heavily, as though making some kind of promise to himself.

Watching his old friend leave the cloud summit holding a new resolve in his hand, Tang Luo redirected his focus back to the surging sea of clouds, his gaze distant, lost in thought.

"Will it be a case of emerging unstained from the mud, or becoming red by the vermillion and blackened by the ink? I do wish to see soon."

After softly murmuring, Tang Luo faced the clouds and said calmly, "Not properly resting, what brings you to the summit?"

"Reporting to the Dean!"

The newcomer was Yun Xiaoxiao, who appeared on the summit in a fluster. The pale young man had a panicked expression as he said, "Something major has happened! Shi Muzhi of Yancang’s Ten Thousand Beasts Manor has issued a proclamation, saying that even if compensation is denied, he will pursue the treacherous culprits Red Cloud Mountain is harboring!"

"Oh."

Tang Luo responded dispassionately, "This matter—you should inform the Council members at the City Hall and have them discuss countermeasures."

"No, I don’t trust them!"

Yun Xiaoxiao fumed, "Clearly only a few desolate beasts died at the dock, yet the Council admitted to the exaggerated claims made by the Ten Thousand Beasts Manor! Those foolish old men have left such obvious weaknesses—Dean, I request you take charge of the City Hall and set things right."

...

At this time in Unparalleled City’s Council Hall.

The members of the City Hall were the target of widespread condemnation. Although it was anticipated that dealing with the Dragon Beasts would lead to unfavorable public opinion, the warriors had already prepared themselves to fight for what was right.

But who would have expected the City Hall’s stance to reverse 180 degrees upon receiving Long Valley’s letter? From fighting to the death, they shifted to proposing reparations and negotiations.

Meng Jiao had initially been unwilling to accept this idea, but Du Ting’s statement that the Dean had been consulted settled the matter entirely.

No one in Unparalleled City dared to go against the Dean’s wishes—those who knew his identity wouldn’t, and those who didn’t would refrain even more so. As a result, the strategy was "passed" and began to be implemented in a formal manner.

However, Du Ting never expected the Ten Thousand Beasts Manor, a faction tied to Mao Sect, to stoop to such despicable acts. After issuing their proclamation, they had even published copies of Unparalleled City’s letter, entirely validating the claim of thirty desolate beasts lost and underscoring the city’s guilt.

When Du Ting saw the submissive tone in the copied letter, he felt like slapping himself!

But bickering amongst themselves now wouldn’t solve anything—the urgent need was to devise a resolution.

"Now it’s not just Ten Thousand Beasts Manor; the Iron Wing Clan, Dragon Taming Stronghold, Thousand Birds Peak, and Golden Lion Valley—all factions associated with Longzhou’s Beast Taming Clan—issued statements supporting Shi Muzhi’s proclamation simultaneously!"

"In addition, even families unrelated to the sect have begun speaking out about the matter. We’re in a very passive position. If we do not hand over the ’culprit’ within the timeframe stipulated in the proclamation, it won’t be just Ten Thousand Beasts Manor that we’ll face. Judging by the tone of these factions’ statements, they’re planning far more than mere support!"

Du Ting, having lost influence, wasn’t suitable to eloquently argue in City Hall, so Du Ling spoke on his behalf.

After analyzing the current situation, he addressed the assembly, "Now isn’t the time for hotheaded decisions! We absolutely cannot allow Red Cloud Mountain to be dragged into a battle we are entirely disadvantaged in. If anyone has a way to break this impasse, please share it quickly!"

Looking left and right, the crowd remained silent. Du Ling cleared his throat and said, "If no one has any suggestions, then I’ll offer one for everyone’s consideration."

"Shi Muzhi’s proclamation states that he’s willing to forgo compensation for the desolate beasts as long as we hand over the culprits. So, my idea is: we feign agreement and hand over both Meng Jiao and the dragon beast. Considering Commander Meng’s capabilities, escaping should not be an issue."

"This way, we complete our explanation to Ten Thousand Beasts Manor and safeguard Commander Meng. As long as he remains elusive afterwards, once the Lord ’removes restrictions’..."

At this point, Du Ling even winked at Meng Jiao, "Even if Ten Thousand Beasts Manor was given a hundredfold courage, they wouldn’t dare come to reclaim him. What do you all think of this plan?"