215: Chapter 215 The White-Clad Society

Even the two generals, Song Yu and Lei Jianming, had long since cast aside any dissatisfaction they originally held toward Tang Long without even realizing it.

In this young man, they faintly saw their own younger selves.

They recalled that they, too, had once been such hot-blooded youths.

Full of sharpness, vigor, and ambition.

It was in that very era that they had followed the banner of the Six Marshals together, bathing in blood on the battlefield.

But now...

The two exchanged a look and secretly shook their heads.

Behind Tang Long, Miao Manman watched his back, her heart filled with shock.

He had revealed it.

He had truly revealed it.

From the moment she first saw Tang Long, she felt that there was a sharp edge dormant within him, only Tang Long had always hidden it extremely deeply and disguised it extremely well.

Sometimes, it even... made her feel like she had misjudged him.

But in this very moment, she felt as if she had seen that sharp edge unsheathe with a clang, shining with unparalleled brilliance.

This man... was not only stronger than her, but even stronger than she had ever imagined.

Perhaps he was the one who could truly change Dongyu!

The applause continued for a while longer before Tang Long raised his hand to calm the crowd.

"The slogans are finished, now let's talk about serious business."

"First, the scale of the White Clothing Society is too small!"

"In the First Specialized Academy with its thousands of students, fewer than ten people are selected each term, and the vast majority of these spots are occupied by those with power and money in their families."

"I am not denying that current members are not excellent, but this is unfair to the vast majority of students."

"Now, as the nineteenth President of the White Clothes Society, I announce that the White Clothing Society will immediately expand recruitment, with a provisional quota of one hundred people per academic year! Half of these will be selected exclusively from students from impoverished families, and they will be given full support!"

"Second, the school's support for our society is too weak."

"I will submit an application to the school board as soon as possible to increase the annual grant for our society by at least fifty million!"

"And personally, starting this year, I will contribute an additional one hundred million in grants to the society! This is to assist the most talented and outstanding students in achieving even greater results!"

"Furthermore, the Jinyue Martial Arts Hall, which I help operate, will offer significant discounts on all tutoring classes to our members, ranging from twenty to fifty percent off!"

"Third, the environment in which our members grow is too gentle."

"Not only is what we learn inferior, but living every day in this almost absolutely safe environment at school and in the city, without undergoing the tempering of life and death, makes it destined that we will struggle to achieve greatness."

"Therefore, starting today, society members will regularly go outside the city to fight and gain experience."

"To put it plainly, from now on, every member of the White Clothing Society must face life and death ahead of time!"

"If you lack the courage or are not prepared to sacrifice your life for the country, the White Clothing Society does not welcome you!"

"But if you are sufficiently loyal, brave, and hardworking, and capable of what others cannot do, then even if you are penniless or from a humble background, the White Clothing Society will do its utmost to cultivate you!"

"Fourth, and this is the biggest benefit!"

"The Jinyue Martial Arts Hall that I operate will soon publicly teach more Wuque Methods!"

"In addition to the Thunder Emperors Eight Scenes Art, today we will add the Tide Art and the Hundred Refinements Manual!"

"You don't need to worry about offending people; I, Tang, will take responsibility for it. And this won't be the end; it's just the beginning!"

"From this moment on, I as President will seek to publicly teach more Wuque Methods, and I guarantee that there will be at least ten within a year!"

"All members of the White Clothing Society will enjoy discounted rates at the Jinyue Martial Arts Hall! The more outstanding the member, the higher the discount, starting at twenty percent off, up to completely free!"

"More scholarships, student loans, and other programs will be announced after discussion in subsequent internal meetings of the White Clothing Society!"

"The first phase of the expansion plan begins immediately! The specific selection criteria will be communicated to all classes later, and everyone can sign up!"

As his voice fell, the entire auditorium exploded.

Countless students jumped up in an uproar, the cheers almost tearing the roof off the auditorium.

The adults left one after another, as if they could not stand such clamor.

In a corner, Wei Lin watched Tang Long, who was surrounded by countless people, his heart stirred by the bold words he had just spoken, while at the same time feeling despondent about his own situation.

Yesterday, he had already learned the news that his father had lost his position.

Something big must have happened to the family, but his eldest uncle and second uncle were fine, his aunt and his fifth and sixth uncles were also fine; only his father had been removed from office.

Therefore, he was no longer qualified to use his father's reputation to talk about cooperation with Tang Long.

Even the thought of joining the White Clothing Society had almost been extinguished in his mind.

But after listening to Tang Long's speech, he couldn't help but ask himself: without relying on his family, was he really just a piece of trash?

As he thought, his eyes suddenly became firm, and he resolutely propped himself up on his crutches, limping toward the podium.

In another corner, the Phantom Fox, disguised as a student, also sat there in a daze.

He also hadn't expected that the person he was supposed to kill would be someone like this.

There had also been a person back then who had stood before him and shouted like this, and he still remembered the feeling of his blood burning like fire at that time.

But now... he had become a thief, a criminal, a piece of... scum who would do anything to survive.

The price the Wei Family had offered for this young man was ten million, yet this young man's personal investment in the White Clothing Society was in the hundreds of millions.

He thought he should be like these young people, burning once again, but all he had left at this moment was numbness.

While lamenting for himself, he got up and walked out of the auditorium, his gait as unsteady as an old man's.

The students gradually dispersed.

But the things Tang Long had to do today were not yet finished.

More than half an hour later, he stood in front of the large window of the conference room on the seventh floor of the activities building, looking out the window while still deep in thought.

Miao Manman came up behind him and reported in a low voice, "President Tang, except for Ye Qingzhou, the other twenty-eight members have arrived. Also, Wei Lin is outside and says he wants to see you."

"Oh? Please invite him in!"

Although Miao Manman was a bit reluctant, she immediately went to the door and replied to Wei Lin, "The President invites you in."

Wei Lin quickly said again, "Are you having a meeting? I only have a few words to say, and I will leave after I finish. If it's convenient, could you..."

Before he could finish, Tang Long's greeting already came.

"Wei Lin, come in!"

Wei Lin looked at Miao Manman again and had no choice but to prop himself on his crutches and enter the conference room.

Tang Long pointed to a chair that had just been added next to him, "Come and sit."

Wei Lin quickly waved his hand, "President Tang, I just have a few words..."

"I know what you want to say, that's not urgent. Sit down if I tell you to."

At this point, Tang Long tapped on the table.

"Fellow members, today is the first time I am presiding over an all-society meeting. By rights, non-members are not allowed to attend."

"However, I intend to personally recommend classmate Wei Lin to join the society. Does anyone have any objections?"

The members were all a bit bewildered.

Yesterday's incident was so big that everyone knew some of the inside story; it was said that Wei Lin was the one who caused Tang Long to be expelled, and that was why Miao Manman had attacked him.

By rights, these two should be like fire and water, right? Yet today, the newly appointed President Tang was actually personally recommending him for membership? What was going on?

Since he didn't object, and everyone present had something to ask of President Tang, naturally, no one said anything.

Wei Lin was also exceptionally excited.

He had thought that Tang Long might give him a chance, but he hadn't expected it to be a direct recommendation to join the society without any conditions!

"Good! Then that counts as a unanimous vote! Although there is one procedure missing, Wei Lin is now qualified to attend the meeting. Now, let's start the meeting!"

"At the previous all-school assembly, I expressed some views, which I believe received broad agreement from the students."

"But I feel that this is not enough."

"The White Clothing Society is just a group aimed at students of this school. Even if it expands to three hundred people, for this country, there are still too few people, and its power is still too small."

"Therefore, after careful consideration, I have decided to propose that we immediately reorganize the White Clothing Society and develop a parallel organization, the White Clothes Association."

"The White Clothes Association will inherit the philosophy and will of the White Clothing Society and recruit members from the whole of society!"

"As long as they are willing to stand side-by-side with us and contribute their strength and loyalty to revitalize this country, they have the foundation to become members!"

"Of course, seniors who have graduated from the White Clothing Society will be given priority. After all, we are of the same lineage, and I believe they are also the people most willing to understand and support us."

"Oh, right, Library Director Elder Zheng has already agreed to serve as a senior advisor to our society. I think when the White Clothes Association is established later, we can invite him to also hold the title of honorary president."

"Now, let everyone vote! Those in favor, raise your hand!"