Chapter 1620: Chapter 72: Unparalleled City Council

“The demands of the Academy Director, no one can meet!”

A middle-aged man with thick eyebrows and big eyes stood out among the instructors, holding the “Spirit Rune Method” and said with a dissatisfied face: “This Foundation Building technique is unprecedented, unheard of, let alone understanding it, I’ve never even heard of it. I even doubt this method is just a fantasy!”

After drawing enough attention, the instructor unrolled the scroll and loudly said: “Inscribe the spirit runes on the body, guide the Heavenly and Earthly Qi to forge the body without the need for bodily cultivation meditation, and build the Dao foundation. Have any of you heard of such a Foundation Building method!?”

“Zhu has cultivated for thirty years, and I dare not claim high accomplishments in the Innate Dao Map, but I have made a reputable name for myself in Fuling City. It is Zhu’s ill-luck to obtain such a scroll today, but Zhu can assert that there is no such Foundation Building method in the world, nor anyone who could succeed with it!”

Having said this, Instructor Zhu threw the scroll into a box and glared angrily at Tang Luo.

“Cough… I, too, have not been able to master the Foundation Building method.”

Hearing Zhu Ting’s words, another named instructor, Shi Yan also coughed lightly and stepped forward: “Shamefully speaking, among the forty-five sacred beast postures combined with five types of coordinated breathing, I only mastered a few White Tiger diagrams and then found it too difficult to continue… For children without any foundation, it might be… even harder to succeed.”

Just as Tang Luo expected, the instructors who drew the “Spirit Rune Method” and “Five Elements Spirit Foundation Building Method” were unable to comprehend fully, but unexpectedly, most of those who drew the modified meditation and breathing methods were also unable to fully comprehend.

After the two spoke, the great hall became noisy, with many who received the modified meditation and breathing methods also sharing their difficulties bitterly.

This made Tang Luo feel more intense that martial arts is not about cultivation over time equating to deeper achievements.

To the people here, most of them are just repeatedly using past experiences, perhaps some of them have taught thousands of disciples the Foundation Building, but their understanding of Foundation Building still remains stagnant on strictly adhering to the standard postures of the 36 Innate Dao Maps without advancing.

“Alright, the Academy understands.”

Tang Luo raised his hand to quiet the noisy hall and said indifferently: “If you find the ‘Drawing Spirit Method’ and ‘Five Elements Spirit Foundation Building Method’ too abstruse, you may choose another Foundation Building method from Elder Du Ting, those who feel they have mastered it can go to the side hall where Elders Du Wei and Du Ling will test, and if you pass, you can remain in the academy to teach.”

“What about us?”

Instructors who received the meditation and breathing methods and could not get started, asked audibly after waiting without hearing favorable news for themselves.

“Those who cannot pass the test will be given a modest gift from Unparalleled City before being sent back to the city.”

Tang Luo briefly concluded the matters, then turned to Du Ting and said: “The exchange of methods, please handle it, Elder.”

“Yes, please rest assured, Academy Director.”

Nodding, Tang Luo turned and left.

Before he decided to open the school, he hadn’t realized what difficulties would arise, but as soon as he put forward the direction, difficulties jumped out one after another.

There are issues with the instructors and students for now, yet the biggest problem lies in the most basic materials.

Stone and iron are readily available in Red Cloud Mountain, but hiring workers requires providing food, and with the allocation of Spiritual Food for students to maintain their health, the greatest predicament in Red Cloud Mountain is now food scarcity.

“This is the redesigned architectural plan for Unparalleled Great Hall, Lord, please review it first.”

Ou Yu, the master craftsman who had labored over the drawings for more than a month, presented his work to Tang Luo earnestly: “There are quite a few ready craftsmen in the city if we could also recall some old constructors who built the city, then the academy’s internal structures could be completed before winter.”

“Leave the hiring of workers to the master craftsman, report directly to Du Ting for any needed resources.”

After briefly reviewing the design plans, Tang Luo pulled out a sheet and said: “Redraw a classroom plan, don’t make it so square, design it as a fan-shaped tiered arrangement, centering around the podium from low to high, this facilitates concentrating students’ attention and also makes it easier for instructors to observe.”

Initially displeased by Tang Luo’s demand to redesign the classrooms, Ou Yu’s eyes lit up after hearing the design direction, like a child receiving a new toy.

“I will handle it right away!”

Carrying the plans, the exuberant Ou Yu left, while Tang Luo continued non-stop to the council hall.

The transformation of Unparalleled City to an academy, brought by the mid-aged Academy Director from the skies, caused no small ripples in this little mountain town.

For those distinguished personages of Xiling, “Academy Director” is revered as the true heart of the Void Grandmaster, otherwise the three Du Family elders wouldn’t be so respectful, nor would the lady be so forbearing.

Even though they had always envisaged that one day they would be left behind for not keeping pace, they had not anticipated it would come so soon.

So, when Tang Luo stepped into the council hall, what he saw were the complex expressions of the Xiling dignitaries, and a set of ledgers placed on the long table in the center.

Like an old farmer, Shen Dafa was seated among them, giving a rather cordial feel.

Tang Luo nodded to the assembly and with a self-assured demeanor walked to the chief seat, crossed his hands on the table, his gaze evenly meeting those of everyone present.

“Cough… Academy Director!”

Shen Dafa was the first to speak: “As for the change of Unparalleled Great Hall into an academy, we as liegemen of the Lord fully support it, but currently with the changing times in Longzhou, grain and grass are forbidden to be sold everywhere. With the financial strength of the city, I’m afraid it might be difficult to support the expenses of the academy.”

Ran out of food this quickly?

Tang Luo furrowed his brows and asked, “How big is the shortfall?”

“Based on four thousand students and eighty instructors, just the spiritual food and meat alone would require ten million pounds, and that’s just for the first year.”

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Shen Dafa guiltily continued, “If the students grow and we recruit new ones next year, this expenditure would double…”

Managing a school is like hosting a banquet; anyone can afford a meal or two, but daily feasts, even the wealthiest families would be drained.

Not to mention the current state of Unparalleled City, Shen Dafa’s worry wasn’t just today’s academy expenses but the sustainability of running the school this way. Very soon, Unparalleled City would be drained, and when that time comes, the city’s citizens would have to fend for themselves, and the academy would become a mirage.

“Unparalleled City is well aware of the current difficulties, which is why I’ve come to discuss potential solutions to the immediate problems,” he said.

Tang Luo had anticipated the issues raised, so he asked without changing his expression.

“The ways to wealth are nothing but increasing income and decreasing expenditure.”

Gritting his teeth, Shen Dafa said, “However, fisheries and commerce are not something that can be fully achieved in the short term. I mean…not all young students have martial arts talent. Perhaps we could dismiss the less gifted ones and slowly increase enrollment when Unparalleled City’s situation improves. What do you think, Principal?”

“That could be a solution.”

Neither agreeing nor praising, Tang Luo simply nodded and then asked the others, “Any other ideas?”

Everyone exchanged glances, surprised by the approachable demeanor of the unfamiliar ‘Principal.’ They were uncertain about his attitude.

But some were bold; seeing that no one else spoke, Gong Liang stood up and said, “Actually, there are ways to make money!”

“Oh, what do you suggest?”

“The ‘Principal’ has seen it; our Red Cloud Mountain lacks mines and fields, although it is situated in the middle of Lingjiang and can serve as a hub for upstream and downstream ports. But it’s only a half-day’s journey from North Mountain and South Ridge. In the past, the prosperity was due to the alliance’s support, but now with Lingjiang under new management…”

Seeing the displeased faces around him, Gong Liang quickly added, “Yes, the future Lord will surely reclaim the foundation of Lingjiang, but as followers, we can’t just sit and wait for our Lord to act! Not to mention, if the Lord knows that such petty financial issues are troubling the Principal, we’ll seem incompetent!”

“Alright, alright, if you have a solution, just say it, stop buttering up!”

Shen Dafa spoke irritably as Gong Liang’s words dampened the spirits of everyone present.

“I’m just showing loyalty to the Lord!”

With a cheeky grin, Gong Liang saluted the ceiling, then turned to Tang Luo, “Actually, Unparalleled City is but an ordinary mountain city with neither specialty products nor unique features. The only eye-catching thing is the city itself, now made of crystal, yet as scenic as it is, it doesn’t generate wealth…”

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

“What I mean is that life boils down to just two things: liquor and beauty!”

Gong Liang earnestly addressed everyone, “Unparalleled City, with its strict rules and heavy laws, scares away even traders and businessmen, not to mention bandits. That’s why there’s no vitality in the city. It wasn’t an issue with the alliance’s support, but now that it’s gone, we can’t die clinging to these rules!”

“How dare you!”

Hearing this, Shen Dafa slammed his hand on the table and stood up, his dark, farmer-like face flushed red: “The legal code of Unparalleled City is a masterpiece painstakingly created by the Lord and Mr. Du Sha. It is the essence that distinguishes our city from other places of sin. Are you suggesting we overturn the legal code?!”

The foundation of Unparalleled City consisted of the people Tang Luo had saved from floods and the renowned scholars from Xiling he had invited to settle in the mountains.

These people stayed in Unparalleled City because the city had established a set of rules beyond the law of the strong.

These rules, fair and just, protected the weak, and even the leaders of Unparalleled City were not allowed to violate them.

They were engraved on the Red Crystal monument at the city gate – 3,500 lines of large characters, 282 statutes, and this was the greatest pride of the people of Unparalleled City.

“Everyone, please don’t misunderstand, Gong Liang has no intention of abolishing the legal code!”

Seeing the distinguished scholars banging the table and glaring, with several psychic locks targeting him, the young Gong Liang turned pale with fear and hurriedly explained.

“Everyone, please calm down and let the young man finish speaking.”

The Power of Truth swept through the council hall, erasing the psychic locks targeting the young man.

Disguised as a middle-aged Principal, Tang Luo softly told Gong Liang, “Go on, continue.”

“Thank you, Principal, for helping me out!”

Gong Liang gratefully saluted, then bravely continued, “What Gong Liang was suggesting about making money does not involve overturning Unparalleled City’s laws, but rather, opening a small loophole. You all know the original business of the Righteous Gang. I can’t speak for other businesses, but running flower boats and brothels is something Gong Liang is skilled at.”

“Now that Lingjiang has just undergone turmoil and the people in seven cities are struggling to survive, just provide some food, and Gong Liang can call back thousands of drifting warblers. At night, the lights from the flower boats sprinkled over the water beneath the city create another spectacular scene!”