259: Chapter 259 Humanity

In front of the activity building, the Hetero-blood students had been gathered for over three hours, their numbers exceeding four hundred, while the crowd of other student onlookers continued to grow.

Some grew increasingly indignant, some were shouting questions at the top of their lungs, and others were whispering among themselves.

"When are you going to give us an explanation!"

"Didn't President Tang say everyone would be treated equally? Not recruiting a single hetero-blood student—is this what you call equal treatment?"

"Aren't you afraid of tarnishing President Tang's reputation by acting like this?"

"Hmph! Either you're all feigning compliance while secretly defying him, or that guy Tang is lying!"

"Everyone, look closely. Whether it's Governor Xu or President Tang, we Hetero-blood Species are still just Hetero-blood Species; they still look down on us."

"At worst, we won't join this White Clothing Society, and we won't attend this school anymore! It'll save us from putting up with their bullshit!"

"Everyone, I don't think the problem lies with President Tang, but rather with some petty people making trouble behind the scenes. It's that guy named Wei Lin!"

"A few days ago, I heard someone tried to hire assassins to deal with President Tang. Now, in the blink of an eye, he's become a member of the White Clothing Society. Don't you think that's interesting?"

"Damn it, who called Young Master Wei a petty person? Show yourself if you've got the guts!"

"Young Master Wei was personally introduced to the society by President Tang and is the deputy leader of the first-year group! He's following President Tang's regulations! The reasons have already been explained to you!"

"Even if President Tang introduced him personally, it's only because of the Wei Family's power! What's with the righteous act?"

Public opinion was overwhelming.

Wei Lin stood before the building with Jiang Xiaolan, Jiang Yan, Nie Yu, and several other core members of the White Clothing Society. Facing such a turbulent scene, his face was somewhat pale.

Although a few of his followers were still shouting on his behalf, he had indeed done dishonorable things before and had no way to defend himself.

He leaned on his cane, wanting to step forward, but Jiang Xiaolan immediately stopped him.

"Wei Lin, what are you doing? Don't escalate the conflict at a time like this."

Wei Lin shook his head. "I just want to say that if they stop making a scene, I can resign."

As soon as he said this, not only was Jiang Xiaolan quite surprised, but even Jiang Yan and several other upperclassmen cast astonished glances at him.

They all knew this Young Master Wei; he had always been arrogant and domineering. Today, he actually showed some concern for the big picture.

However, letting him resign under the pressure of public opinion didn't seem right either.

After all, he really had been promoted by President Tang.

Just then, a car drove onto the campus and stopped straight near the activity building.

Someone recognized it immediately and shouted, "That's Wei Lin's father's car!"

"Great! The old man is here to back up his son!"

"Fellow students! That Academic Affairs Director 2nd Division Commander Wei Jun has already stepped down! No need to be afraid of him!"

"Right! Today we'll see what he can possibly do to us!"

Before 2nd Division Commander Wei Jun could even get out, the car was quickly surrounded by a group of students, and the situation became increasingly chaotic.

Seeing this, Wei Lin was also anxious and restless.

His old man hadn't thought much of him joining the White Clothing Society to begin with. Being besieged like this today would make things even harder later.

Fortunately, it wasn't long before several more cars drove up.

Peng Lin and a group of Sun Worshipers bodyguards were the first to get out, along with Shi Chengyu, who was there for the spectacle, as well as Qin Bing, Lu Xiaohu, and others.

When Miao Manman stepped out while supporting Tang Long, the students' volume was completely ignited.

"President Tang! Vice President Miao! You're finally here!"

"What kind of explanation do you plan to give us about the White Clothing Society not recruiting Hetero-blood students!"

"President Tang, do you also discriminate against us Hetero-blood Species?"

"President Tang, what's the deal with that Wei Lin? Were you coerced by the Wei Family?"

"President Tang, 2nd Division Commander Wei Jun is here too. Let's just drag him out and confront him!"

"President Tang, give us an answer!"

Seeing such chaos, Miao Manman was the first to show her power.

She raised her right hand high, lightning flashing in her palm, and she suddenly clenched it, producing a thunderous boom.

"Silence!"

The crowd finally quieted down a bit.

But many people were still muttering under their breaths.

Miao Manman scanned the surroundings. "President Tang has survived two assassination attempts in the past three days. He's here now, despite his heavy injuries, to solve your problems! And this is your attitude?"

"Besieging the White Clothing Society headquarters, besieging a fellow student's parent—is this how you solve problems?"

"Are you students or bandits!"

Miao Manman's aura flared as she flew into a rage, and it indeed stunned everyone into silence.

Only then did Tang Long speak softly.

"Fellow students, we can accept your reasonable concerns and demands."

"I didn't consider things thoroughly before. I've come this time specifically to solve your problems."

"But you must also maintain order and give us time to deliberate."

"It's not right to surround Student Wei Lin's father's car. Gathering outside the activity building also disrupts campus order."

"How about this? Jiang Yan, open the auditorium and let everyone go inside and sit down first."

"Give me half an hour to discuss this, and then I will give you an explanation in person. Dr. Shi from the Imperial Academy is right here; he will serve as our witness!"

"Is that alright!"

With Tang Long taking such a stance, a Spirit Map expert present, and several Sun Worshipers bodyguards looking unfriendly, the crowd was swayed.

Under such a display, even the most troublesome agitators didn't dare say much more and were 'invited' into the auditorium like a flock of sheep.

Tang Long then called out, "Qin Bing, maintain order in the hall. If anything happens, go directly to Peng Lin and the others."

"Wei Lin, find a private reception room and take your father there. I'll talk to him in a bit."

"The rest of the members, meeting in the conference room immediately."

In truth, this meeting wouldn't yield much. After Tang Long looked into the situation carefully, he realized the problem didn't lie in the terms.

Hetero-blood Species were simply not suited for human Cultivation Techniques; there was no way around it.

If they couldn't practice them, they couldn't practice them. The value of cultivating this group was quite limited; no matter how much they relaxed the rules, they couldn't just throw money away.

Tang Long made the final decision, and naturally, no one else could object.

He sent the members to the hall first, then took a moment to go to the reception room.

Wei Lin was standing outside the reception room, his heart extremely anxious. He knew that since his father had come in person, he would surely take decisive measures.

He might pressure Tang Long, or even demand that Wei Lin withdraw from school.

He had just clearly seen the path he should take, and it was already about to be cut off.

So, seeing Tang Long walk over, he immediately rushed to meet him and quickly pleaded.

"President, my dad didn't come with good intentions this time."

"He might force you to kick me out of the White Clothing Society. You must not agree."

"No matter what conditions he sets or how he threatens you, I'll find a way. You must help me hold firm!"

Tang Long chuckled. "It won't come to that, will it?"

"How could it not? He might even make me drop out of school directly!"

Tang Long nodded. "If that's the case, what will you do?"

Wei Lin's face was full of determination. "I will never yield! I am an adult and a member of the White Clothing Society. My affairs don't need anyone else to decide for me!"

"Well said. You can rest assured on my end; it won't matter who comes!"

"Thank you, President!"

Tang Long patted his shoulder. "Keep watch out here. Don't let anyone in. I'm going to have a good talk with him."

"Yes!"

Entering the reception room, Tang Long closed the door and looked at 2nd Division Commander Wei Jun with his cloudy eyes.

"Mr. Wei, you certainly have a lot of nerve."

2nd Division Commander Wei Jun also stood up. "Not as much as Your Excellency Tang Long. I didn't think you'd actually dare to meet me alone. Aren't you afraid I'll take the opportunity to assassinate you?"

Tang Long shrugged. "I'm not. Before, Peng Lin and her entire team couldn't kill me. To assassinate me now, at least a Spirit Map expert would have to take action. And you, Mr. Wei, probably can't manage that."

2nd Division Commander Wei Jun laughed, which was rare for him. "I thought you would use Xiao Lin to threaten me."

Tang Long shook his head. "No need. Wei Lin is now a member of the White Clothing Society; he is one of my people."

"To put it more bluntly, even if you seek death, even if the Wei Family has committed monstrous wrongs, or even if all other members of the Wei Family die out, it cannot affect him."

"In a few years, Wei Lin can start the family line anew."

2nd Division Commander Wei Jun let out a long breath. "With Your Excellency's attitude, I can rest easy."

"It's laughable. My eldest brother just told me he wanted to send Xiao Lin to Yuanwu to be a hostage for the Yuanwu people."

"Compared to him, Your Excellency, an outsider, actually has more humanity."

Tang Long was somewhat surprised. "To Yuanwu as a hostage?"

"Yes, the Wei Family has always had a connection in Yuanwu. Before, the sixth brother was in charge of it."

"The sixth brother is crippled, and the intelligence organization Yuanwu planted in Dongyu has also suffered massive damage."

"Previously, the fifth brother arranged for them to go to Yuanwu. But my eldest brother just received news—before they arrived, they disappeared halfway."

"If the Wei Family doesn't provide an explanation or make a gesture, they will certainly suspect something has gone wrong with the Wei Family."

"So, Wei Yuan wants to send another hostage over, which would be Xiao Lin."

"If it weren't for that, it would have been hard for me to make up my mind to contact you."

Hearing this, Tang Long really couldn't help but laugh.