I Can See Your Combat Power-Chapter 1684 - 123: Long-Awaited Reunion

"This is not a totem."

Yun Xiu lifted her head, facing the fluttering black banner, her face filled with unconcealable pride: "This is the surname of the guardian deities of the various tribes on the grasslands. Wherever this banner soars, the clans of Chengzhou dare not press you further."

The simple-hearted members of the Canglang Clan cheered upon hearing the celestial being’s explanation.

After that day, a new flag with black background and golden characters appeared on the grasslands, spreading as far as the farmlands extended at the foot of Tianshan.

And just as it was said, the noble families of Chengzhou really did stay away at the sight of the banner; the anticipated retribution never came.

When the various tribes of the grassland saw the Canglang Clan growing crops and obtaining new protection, they flocked towards Tianshan.

The Wind Media scouts sent by Chengzhou stayed persistently outside the perimeter of the black banner, not daring to make a move.

Maguan City

The grasslands, stagnant for hundreds of years, have recently been bustling, causing the hearts of many noble families to thump with trepidation.

Of course, what they feared was not the ignorant nomads across the grasslands, but the powerful figure that had suddenly appeared among the Canglang Clan.

Longzhou wipes out Tang Clan, with the Lingjiang Tang Clan annihilated by the Justice Alliance, yet a family banner with black background and golden characters was raised on the grasslands.

Looking around the whole of Xiehe, the only one who could so openly use the name of Tang Clan was the true deity currently confined in Yuanzhou.

For the Chengzhou noble families, Tang Luo was not merely a young grandmaster, as simple as four words could summarize.

The battle of Diancang Mountain, where even before he became a grandmaster, the talented youth of Longxi almost single-handedly forced the tribes of Chengzhou along with the Dutian Heavenly King to bow their heads. The fearsome Chengzhou tiger lay dead, the powerful Ning Family fell into decline, and not even the arrival of a monarch could do anything to him. The battlefield of Diancang Mountain was even leveled to the ground.

Such a monster, one sighting in a lifetime was already enough; any more contact, and one’s heart might not be able to take it.

But things in the world often don’t go as people wish, the more you fear something, the more it comes at you.

Believing that the strong figure was just passing by, only to find that he seemed to be settling in Tianshan, bustling and leading a large group of tribes.

The noble families, who couldn’t understand what Yun Xiu was doing, grew even more scared, nervously gathering together to discuss countermeasures.

Because they knew all too well how cruelly the noble families had treated the grassland tribes over the years, and if Tang Luo took up the cause for tribal justice, none of them could escape.

"Scaring ourselves is not a solution; in my view, we should still send an envoy to inquire about the intentions of the Void Grandmaster," suggested the Head of Mo Family.

"Head of Mo Family speaks wisely. Fortunately, the Void Grandmaster is currently confined to Yuanzhou, and the dean has academy affairs to attend to. Even if there are ill intentions, we can make arrangements in advance," another agreed.

"Then who do the gentlemen think would be most suitable to send as an envoy?"

Mo Yuju asked aloud, but the previously eager family heads suddenly bowed their heads, refusing to meet his gaze.

In the end, the envoy had to be sent by the Mo Family, but what other choice was there?

The battle of Diancang Mountain had indeed broken Chengzhou’s backbone. Until a grandmaster or monarch emerges, the title of being the weakest state in Longzhou would be hard to shed.

Although no one responded, someone still needed to take action. Mo Yuju dispatched an envoy to Tianshan, who managed to meet with Yun Xiu as hoped.

Two days later, the envoy returned, reporting Yun Xiu’s intentions to the clan leader.

"Enlighten the world, is that what she said?"

"Reporting to the clan leader, that is indeed what she said. She also stated that the Golden Tribe should settle the injuries they have brought upon the Chengzhou tribes in this generation, and the Unparalleled Academy is willing to take on the mission of educating the local tribes, hoping for support from all tribes."

"Did she make any demands?"

"She asks the tribes to open up trade with the locals, to allow them to exchange animal meat and furs for goods, and also..."

"What else?"

"... let the various tribes allocate some jade mines and salt flats to the grassland tribes."

"Give it to her!"

Mo Yuju, who had been tense for days, finally smiled.

If the negotiation didn’t mention any terms, he would have had to prepare a way out for the Mo Family; but since the other party demanded jade mines and salt flats, the situation was unlikely to result in the worst outcome.

Yun Xiu had secured a trade portal for the indigenous tribes of the grasslands, yet few tribes were grateful.

Those tribes, long oppressed by Chengzhou, harbored only thoughts of vengeance.

In this matter, it was ironically easier to persuade the older herders.

In the face of survival, vengeance was clearly too much of a luxury.

Being free from clan exploitation and having a city for fair trade where tribes could acquire lifesaving resources in the harsh winter was what mattered most.

Because those who are alive are always more important than the dead.

But the youth couldn’t approach their animosity with such liberality; there was no shortage of young people in the tribes whose eyes would redden at the sight of a Chengzhou family.

Ultimately, Yun Xiu took these uncompromising young people back to Red Cloud Mountain.

Firstly, to prevent them from clashing with the families of Chengzhou.

Secondly, she also wanted to teach them the ways of the prosperous grasslands.

Once people see a larger world, have new goals and responsibilities, and are given enough time to adjust, they won’t dwell solely on hate.

Yun Xiu had no intention of teaching these youths the martial paths, but rather wanted them to understand that instead of killing the Chengzhou tribes, they carried a far more important mission.

And before completing that mission, the most important thing is to learn the officials’ language and script—the Longzhou Historical Annals.

...

Longzhou Year 1793, February 19th

At dusk, when the head of Unparalleled Institute returned to the familiar Red Cloud Mountain, he noticed new students in the new classroom.

Yun Xiu stood at the lectern, speaking an incomprehensible native language, writing the characters from the book on the blackboard and explaining their meanings and pronunciations, while the indigenous students sat with pained expressions, the seats fitted with private steel nails, and they occasionally twisted their bodies.

After a class that left them sweating profusely, like they had been tortured, they scampered off as if running away.

When all the indigenous students had left the classroom, Tang Luo appeared, quietly approaching his wife who was organizing the lesson plan and whispered, "When did you get back?"

Startled by the sudden voice next to her, Yun Xiu’s body tensed up, then relaxed significantly, and as she turned around, her eyes brimming with joy that she could not hide, she was about to speak but seemed to remember something and, with a slight frown to her delicate nose, she said, "Compliment me quickly!"

"My lady is truly amazing!"

Going with the flow, Tang Luo didn’t hesitate, clapping his hands as he drew close, catching Yun Xiu’s small hand and stroking it, making faces to flatter her, "You’ve worked hard these days~ Let me have a good look, have you lost weight anywhere?"

"This is a classroom."

Yun Xiu delicately chided while pulling her hand away from Tang Luo.

"Ahem, Ms. Yun the instructor is right."

With a serious look on his face, Tang Luo coughed lightly, "Then come to the head’s office, and let’s ’have a good talk’ about the achievements of your trip!"