247: Chapter 247 Qian Wenzhao

The sun rose as usual.

Miao Manman carried a tray and knocked on the door. After receiving a response, she entered Tang Long's room and found him sitting on the bed, staring blankly at a nautilus in his hand.

"Breakfast is ready, Boss."

Tang Long nodded slightly and reached out, letting her help him clean up.

Miao Manman slowly fed him, but as she did, tears finally became uncontrollable and suddenly burst forth.

She tried hard to compose herself, wiped her eyes vigorously, and then asked with a sobbing voice,

"Boss, do you think we can still revitalize Dongyu?"

Tang Long turned his clouded eyes toward her. "Are you wavering?"

Miao Manman sighed. "It's not wavering, it's... despair."

"My grandfather is dead, and Grandpa Qi, such a good man, is also dead."

"Even you..."

Tang Long nodded. "Yes, many have died, and many are sacrificing themselves. Revolution has always been inseparable from sacrifice."

"But should we give up just because we've encountered a bit of a setback?"

"Do not be intimidated by the enemy's ferocity, do not be disheartened by bearable difficulties, and do not be discouraged by temporary setbacks."

"The road is winding, but the future is bright."

"The darkness is about to pass; the dawn is right before our eyes."

"Favorable conditions and proactive recovery arise from the effort of persevering just a little longer."

Miao Manman was stunned as she listened.

She hadn't expected Tang Long, despite being so severely disabled, to be so resolute.

Those words gave her an indescribable shock, as if what Tang Long expressed wasn't just an attitude, but a... truth.

In reality, she didn't know that Tang Long was also lamenting how difficult things were.

The conspirators of Blue Star were truly not to be underestimated; they had made a powerful move that immediately dealt a heavy blow to his cause.

The reason he took over the White Clothing Society and developed the White Clothes Association was for the army.

His next step was to enter the military and further expand his influence.

His identity as the President of the White Clothes Society, Miao Manman, Yun Zhuoyue, and even Qiguang Sect—it had looked like a very promising path.

But now, the sudden assassination of Qiguang Sect had instantly turned that path into a cliff.

Not only would his development after entering the military be affected, but he could feel that this resistance would come from all sides.

This world with individual supernatural power was sometimes even harder to handle than Earth.

Forget dealing with a Huagai Realm; for a certain period, the Spirit Map Peak would likely be an unsolvable knot.

Without a Huagai Realm presiding over the main city, it was indeed easy for things to fall into chaos.

What should I do?

Should I create a Huagai Realm?

Suddenly, a burst of applause came from outside the door.

"Well said!" Shi Chengyu and an old man appeared at the door, praising him again. "Excellently said."

"Tang Long, these words of yours should be included in the Academy's textbooks."

The old man also spoke, "Now I'm starting to believe you can actually achieve something."

Shi Chengyu quickly introduced him. "Tang Long, this is Lord Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao. He came specifically from Huaidu to see you."

Tang Long acted surprised. "So it is Lord Qian and Dr. Shi. Please, have a seat. Manman, help me get dressed; this is too impolite."

"Eh, no need, no need. You're injured, don't trouble yourself."

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao stopped Miao Manman and added, "We came uninvited, so it is we who are being impolite."

"But if we hadn't, I wouldn't have heard those words just now. Young man, you are quite remarkable."

"Continue your meal; we'll sit ourselves. Let's not stand on ceremony. How about we just chat like this?"

Tang Long stopped insisting. "Lord Qian, you flatter me. Manman, pour some tea for the two gentlemen."

"It's not flattery. When this old man saw that petition in Huaidu, I already concluded you were a remarkable young man."

"Success doesn't depend on age."

"When the Sixth Imperial Uncle burst onto the scene back then, he was only in his twenties, yet he was able to turn the tide and save the empire."

"Someone like me will be a hundred in a few years, yet I've accomplished nothing."

"The country now needs bold young people like you, like Ye Qingzhou, and like the Crown Prince! The future of the nation is in your hands!"

Tang Long was shocked. "Lord Qian, I don't deserve such praise."

"You do. Yesterday, I reviewed the new recruitment principles and series of measures from your White Clothing Society."

"Among them, the clause stating that those with mediocre Aptitude but excellent perseverance can also receive assistance deeply resonated with me."

"Whether in cultivation or combat, I believe the importance of perseverance sometimes even surpasses Aptitude."

"Additionally, there are the special recruitment terms for Hetero-blood Species. This is excellent—teaching all without discrimination and gathering talents from everywhere."

"Even more interesting is that Betting Scholarship contract. The student and the White Clothing Society set a goal together; if achieved, the scholarship is a full grant, but if not, it must be repaid double."

"This way, ambitious students will surely Cultivate with all their might. It's an absolute stroke of Genius!"

"I've looked at all the clauses; every single one is painstakingly thought out and simple and unadorned."

"What's even more rare is that you're actually paying out of your own pocket to inject massive funds into the White Clothing Society to support the welfare of the members and the nation's talent selection."

"I will certainly report all of this truthfully to Your Majesty and the Crown Prince upon my return."

"However, Tang Long, His Majesty heard that you're holding some kind of exchange match with the Sangyu people in a few days and originally intended to come and watch. But now that you're injured, this match..."

At this point, Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao glanced at Shi Chengyu.

"Chengyu, could you and this young lady step out for a moment? I have some questions I'd like to ask Tang Long privately."

Shi Chengyu and Miao Manman quickly left the room.

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao continued, "Tang Long, are you still confident about this match? After all, as subjects, we can't exactly have His Majesty come just to witness a defeat."

Tang Long didn't answer immediately.

The Emperor was coming!

This was a major development.

He had originally planned to contact the Crown Prince first, but he hadn't expected the Emperor to actually be interested.

However, this old man was a bit strange.

His logic was sound, his tone was fine, and his attitude toward Tang Long was friendly and full of praise, making one feel at ease.

For some reason, Tang Long just felt something was off about this man, even a bit... dangerous!

After thinking for a moment, he replied, "I was confident before, but now... I can only say I'll do my best."

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao sighed. "Yes, I heard you originally had extraordinary vision. But now... let's not talk about that for now. What do you think of the Blasphemers?"

A string immediately tightened in Tang Long's heart.

Blasphemers? Why was he asking about the Blasphemers?

Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao continued, "You helped the Fengcheng Sect strike at the Blasphemer forces in Feng City. Why didn't you contact Huaidu at the same time?"

"This... I am a Holy Messenger, so on the Pope's side..."

"Oh, I see." Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao nodded repeatedly. "I was being presumptuous."

"A pity. Their assassination was clearly to retaliate against you. Although it didn't succeed, they injured your eyes, so their plot could be considered a success."

"But the actions of these dangerous elements won't stop; the incident in Song City last night is proof."

"Based on your understanding of them, what will their next move be? Or rather, what specific intentions and ambitions do they have in Dongyu? Is there any possibility they might threaten His Majesty?"

Tang Long's heart skipped a beat.

He suddenly felt that Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao's series of questions were all a disguise, and the true core consisted of just one word.

Ambition!

This was the word he had hinted at to Peng Lin yesterday.

Yet the very next day, Grand Preceptor Qian Wenzhao had rushed over early in the morning and mentioned it as if by accident.

Was there such a coincidence in the world?

The highly-ranked Grand Guardian, the teacher of the Crown Prince—was he a Blasphemer?

With his position and power, he was likely the leader of the Blasphemers in Dongyu, wasn't he?

Interesting.

However, if you come to find me and don't chat properly, but instead come to show off your superiority in front of me, then I'm very sorry.

I'm going to have to let you have it.