213: Chapter 213 Celebration

"Cut the crap! You shout slogans so loudly, but you're grabbing money more ruthlessly than anyone! You're spreading that Wuque Method everywhere. The military and The Sect might not say anything, but the Imperial Academy won't ignore it. You can't even handle this mess, and you still want to set your sights on my Tide Art?"

Tang Long's tone suddenly hardened, "Are you saying the Imperial Academy is filled with nothing but heartless beasts?"

"What's wrong with me spreading good martial arts to the general public? Is it right to be like you all, hiding them away like treasures in every household?"

"If everyone is this selfish, then this country will never get any better!"

"It's not like I'm using yours for free. In the future, the Zheng family will always get thirty percent of the proceeds from spreading the Tide Art!"

Elder Zheng was even angrier, "Only thirty percent? Can't I spread it myself? Why should I let you scrape away seventy percent of the profit?"

Tang Long laughed and asked, "Then go ahead and spread it? If you do, the other old fogies in Song City hiding their treasures will attack you in a group. You're just afraid of offending people, so you're cowering, right?"

"Now that you have a hothead like me to offend people for you and earn an extra fortune on top of that, what are you still pretending for?"

"To tell you the truth, I'll be selling the Thunder Emperors Eight Scenes Art, Jin Yue's Hundred Refinements Manual, and several Wuque Methods from The Sect. I don't need your specific technique!"

"Sir Tang is very busy, I'll have you know. Give me a quick answer, or I'm leaving."

Elder Zheng stared straight at him, and only after a long while did he ask again, "Kid, you don't seem like you've gone crazy hoarding wealth. Tell me, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Tang Long also gave a heavy harrumph and replied with extreme calm and seriousness.

"I just want to do something that you old stubborn ones are capable of doing, but have always refused to do!"

"Do something that can make this country better!"

"Do something that Ye Baiqiao should have done back then, but never did!"

Elder Zheng was stunned by these words for a long while, but in the blink of an eye, he sneered.

"Although I don't know your specific plan, I roughly understand your ambitions."

"But I still have to say… Just you? Relying on that one remaining hand of yours? You've got some nerve!"

"Dongyu has never lacked loyal and upright people, nor has it ever lacked those determined to innovate, but without exception, they have all fallen along the way."

"Your identity is indeed very special; I've never heard of any Holy Messenger having such thoughts before."

"But, are you prepared to be shattered to pieces?"

Tang Long grinned, "Whether this country is reborn from the ashes or I am shattered to pieces, let's wait and see. Now, name your price."

Elder Zheng directly splayed his five fingers, "Fifty percent, not a single cent less."

"Why are you so stingy? Is the Zheng family short on money?"

Tang Long's face twitched, "The promotion and operating costs are huge. Can you lower it a bit? How about thirty-five percent?"

"Fifty percent, not a single cent less. I will send someone to supervise your portion of the income."

Tang Long gritted his teeth, "Fifty percent it is! But I have an additional clause: you must come over to my place every month to hold an advanced training class!"

The old man Zheng shook his head like a rattle-drum, "Not going. You know I'm afraid of offending people. Whatever trouble you stir up is your business, but if I participate directly, the nature of it changes."

"But it can't just be whatever you say, right? If you don't concede a little today, I won't be able to swallow this, and this deal won't happen."

"The profit is non-negotiable. Think of other conditions yourself; for small matters, I, an old man, can give you an inch."

Just as the two were arguing, Miao Manman suddenly pushed the door open and walked in.

"Boss, the ceremony is about to start, and the distinguished guests from all sides have arrived. We need to be in position immediately."

Tang Long nodded and strode out, but stopped at the door and shouted at Elder Zheng.

"I'll announce later that Elder Zheng will serve as the Martial Arts Consultant for the White Clothing Society! Or hold some other honorary position!"

Elder Zheng sighed helplessly, "You little rascal, fine, this one is acceptable."

Tang Long immediately beckoned for Miao Manman to leave, but as soon as they walked out of the library gate, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.

… Activity building auditorium. At this moment, the audience below was packed with people.

On the stage were naturally the distinguished guests from all walks of life, such as bishops from The Sect, military generals, representatives from the Governors Mansion, representatives from various relevant organizations, and representatives from some major families and large enterprises.

In the front row below the stage were social figures, officials from the educational administration system, school leadership, and members of the White Clothing Society.

Further back were the school faculty and staff, as well as the students, who were the most numerous.

The auditorium was filled with banners and streamers, the flowers and ribbons were gorgeous yet orderly, solemn yet lively; it was clear that a lot of thought had been put into it.

At this moment, all sides were buzzing with discussion. The loudest voices were those of the two generals on stage.

"Little Song, you said earlier that the few sprouts in the White Clothing Society this year aren't as good as previous years. Don't come crawling back to snatch them later; our City Guard wants them all."

"I said they aren't as good as the year before last overall, but I didn't say we didn't want them. Stop being so wishful."

"Look at you, you're so hypocritical. Complaining that the food isn't tasty, yet shoving it into your mouth. Have some shame, will you? You're a general now, but you have no general-like demeanor."

"I have no shame? Last year, when eight members graduated, you, Lei Laohu, actually shamelessly went to their homes one by one with gifts, and in the end, you forced six of them into your City Guard! How dare you talk to me about shame? Bah!"

"Haha! I was also a President of the White Clothing Society back in the day. What's wrong with me visiting these junior students?"

"Well, I was also a President of the White Clothing Society for a term. I'll go poach them too, and don't you dare complain like a bitter old woman."

"Go ahead, go ahead, you think I'm afraid of you? The military is a pauper now, the benefits are getting worse every year. Do you think you can poach anyone? Poaching people? I think you're more likely to have the runs."

"We have Hu Xiao, do you?"

"This…"

"The best one this year is the granddaughter of the former Chief Miao. She and President Qi are like real grandparents and grandchild; she's definitely ours. With her help in doing the work, the others won't be too difficult."

"That's cheating."

"It's said that the new President Tang has a broad mind and is willing to give them Empowerment to pass on the Wuque Method. All eight of them are ours!"

"You!"

"Oh right, we don't want that Young Master Ye. If he doesn't return to Huaidu, you can try to see if you can recruit him."

"Song Yu! Don't push it too far!"

"You're anxious, you're anxious again, haha~!"

The scene on stage was boisterous, and the discussion below was equally heated.

"Everyone, have you all heard? Jinyue Martial Arts Hall is Sir Tang's business."

"It's actually him? No wonder I was wondering why it was making such a big splash."

"When that Tai Chi craze started earlier, I felt something was off. I felt that such a brilliant combat technique shouldn't appear in the martial arts hall industry; the background is indeed not simple."

"Pfft! Not simple my ass. Just a savage from outside the city who got lucky!"

"With him spreading the Wuque Method, how are we martial arts halls supposed to survive?"

"Yesterday, I even agreed with Old Zhao from Changhui next door, and we were planning to go challenge his hall tomorrow?"

"Heh heh, he's now transformed into the President of the White Clothing Society. Can you still challenge him?"

"Can't do it! The White Clothing Society was founded by the Six Marshals, and we all retired from the army; how can we do such a thing."

"Then just wait to go hungry!"

"Don't make it sound so pathetic. Your nephew also ran to Jin Yue to sign up; do you think I didn't see it?"

"They are teaching the Wuque Method, what does that have to do with you? Do you know it? You really dare to flatter yourselves!"

"He is indeed spreading the Wuque Method, but the asking price is ridiculously high. I heard that yesterday alone, the revenue exceeded one hundred million!"

"There's nothing wrong with getting rich after getting promoted, it's just that his eating habits are a bit ugly."