Chapter 505: Chapter 501: Losing Face

At the peak of Red Cloud Mountain, the land of the Du Clan.

This is the second time in half a month that the crowd has gathered here. The first time was due to the arrival of Tang Luo, to whom they sought help. This time, they were here to seek justice.

The massive crowd, all wearing headbands, tightly encircled the Du Clan land, completely blocking off the relief food distribution point. Every face in the crowd expressed anger and resentment towards those distributing the food, and their accusations never ceased.

Sun Jinfang and Shen Dafa stood on an elevated position, trying in vam to appease the crowd. However, they were unable to alleviate the people’s anger, carrying their own unspeakable bitterness within them.

The original standard of food relief was equal for civilians and warriors alike, half a jin of food per day, either in the form of buns, rice, or porridge.

However, in the past three days, the standard had suddenly dropped to two liang. Not only were the practitioners unable to fill their stomachs, even the common people were full of complaints. Despite Sun Jinfang’s repeated explanation that the number of disaster-stricken people has increased, the people showed no sign of understanding.

They attacked Sun Jinfang, a man once highly praised in Xiling, using the most simplistic and obstinate logic.

“You said those who wear the headband are your followers, and you’ve been given the responsibility of distributing the food. But now the food is getting less and less. I want to ask, where did you take the food that Heaven’s Favorite has granted?”

“Sun Jinfang, I misjudged you! I originally thought you were an esteemed doctor among the people of Xiling, capable of fairness and justice. I never would have believed that a shortage of food would reveal your true colors. With 1.6 million free people in Xiling, if you withhold three liang of food per person per day, you’re making a profit of 400,000 jin in a day! Should we still call you Doctor Sun in the future? Perhaps Master Sun, the rich, would be more

appropriate!”

“And for all you so-called Xiling Scholars, you’re all hypocrites who want fame but lack honesty. You speak beautifully, but your actions speak louder than words. Even when it comes to food relief, you’re cutting corners. What kind of scholars are you? What kind of good people are you?”

Both Sun Jinfang and Shen Dafa, who had contributed to society for decades, were left infurated for the first time. No matter how they explained themselves, the people seemed convinced that they were embezzling the grain reserves.

When it comes to arguing with Elder Nian alone, they can express their rage and argue with reason in the face of his accusations. However, when they face the accusations of hundreds of thousands of people, it doesn’t matter even if the grain they’ve distributed is almost depleted, and the people now consume the food taken out from the Xiling scholars’ homes. No one is willing to believe them.

Furthermore, someone pointed towards Sun Jinfang and shouted angrily, “You still deny your theft? If you weren’t guilty, why would you need to take out food from your own household for disaster relief? It’s evident that you’ve first embezzled the relief food, and then pretended to be righteous and charitable. Don’t think that you can succeed with such a despicable trick.

Are the common people good? Yes, the majority of them are good, but the reason why humans can both love and despise the masses is because other than being good, they are not good at anything else.

Therefore, when their interests are harmed, they won’t consider much else. Instead, they will employ the most simplistic way to think about the situation.

In the past, I received half a jin of food, but now I only get two liang, so there must be a problem. Most people would not think directly that the Xiling scholars are embezzling the food. However, after the incitement by those with ulterior motives, the result would be completely different. As long as someone in the crowd could say what seems like a rational explanation, they could garner agreement.

And to expect some gullible common people to discern the truth from the false words is practically asking too much. They’re like headless flies, rushing blindly towards any seemingly reasonable explanation.

The logic that they currently display, akin to that of a bandit, is deeply ingrained in their hearts.

Yes, if it weren’t for the guilt from embezzling the disaster relief food, why would the clan need to distribute their own food under the guise of charity?

The few people who were ruthlessly accusing others with malicious intent only needed to utter a few words hidden within the crowd, and the people would be persuaded by their cunning logic.

Just then, the crowd was again ignited with rage, especially as they now considered themselves to be Tang Luo’s followers, they became even more assertive. Even the presence of Sun Jinfang, a powerful figure of the Fierce Realm, couldn’t make them fear the kindly old man in the slightest.

“Hand over the food! Hand over the food!”

Sun Jinfang and Shen Dafa looked at the raging crowd with a sense of despair, with a thousand words lodged in their throats, unable to utter a single one.

Just when they felt utterly helpless, a magnificent spiritual beast descended from the sky. Astride its back sat a handsome young man with sword-hke eyebrows and starry eyes. It was none other than Xiling’s first transcendent, the pride of the Tang Clan, Tang Luo.

As the black-clad young man, who seemed like an immortal descending to the mortal realm, appeared, an enormous cheer erupted from the crowd. It was as if they saw their savior.

“Heaven’s Favorite, you’ve returned at just the right time, please be our advocate. Those Xiling scholars led by Sun Jinfang have treated us like pigs and dogs. Two liang of porridge a day, they’re trying to starve us to death.” “Please, Heaven’s Favorite, defend us! Patriarch, defend us!

The common people who felt utterly wronged fell to their knees, calling out to Tang Luo, who was up on the mountain peak. Sun Jinfang and Shen Dafa were left looking pale and closed their eyes in pain, having lost all the strength to retort.

Tang Luo, sitting high atop the Ferocious Beast, watched the crowd kneeling below him indifferently. Almost everyone had a headband tied around their forehead. This signified that they were his followers. In other words, these people were theoretically his subordinates. It was an overwhelming feeling. ■■Where is Gong Zheng!? Come out this instant!” Tang Luo, sitting atop the Ferocious Beast, withdrew his gaze from the crowd and ordered coldly. His voice resonated like a massive bell.

The sound wave silenced all the people’s shouts and spread out in all directions. It echoed from the central peak of the Red Cloud Mountain to the remaining peaks.

Gong Zheng, who was distributing food at another relief point, was startled by Tang Luo’s voice. He quickly initiated his air manipulation technique and hurriedly made his way towards the central peak, stumbling and scrambling.

Tang Luo had managed to stop the riot on the central peak in just a second. Sun Jinfang let out a bitter smile. Despite shouting till his throat was hoarse. Sun Jinfang was unable to get the people’s forgiveness. Yet Tang Luo was able to calm the crowd with just his appearance. Perhaps this was the difference between a clan heir and a commoner.

They exchanged a look filled with helplessness, shook their heads, and walked away with defeat written all over their faces.

Tang Luo turned his head and spoke amicably to Sun Jinfang and Shen Dafa, “Both of you have worked hard for the relief efforts. Please return to the council hall and wait. I will handle the situation here.

The crowd in the front row were taken aback when they heard this. They originally thought that Tang Luo had silenced everyone to question them. However, his words sounded more like he was showing concern.

Upon seeing the amiable Tang Luo, the two old men felt as though they finally had somewhere to vent their grievances. Fighting back the sourness in their noses, they bowed and drifted away towards the courtyard.

“Heaven’s Favorite, they withheld our food. How can you let them go!

A young man kneeling at the front suddenly stood up, fuming with inidignation. His headband fluttered in the wind, and he questioned loudly, a picture of defiance.

Sun Jinfang and Shen Dafa halted, but proceeded forward with renewed resolve.

Tang Luo turned his head back and coldly ordered, “Fifty slaps on the mouth.” Just like before, his voice resonated like a massive bell in all directions. However, this time, his directive made everyone’s hearts skip a beat. The young man who had previously stood firmly had now turned pale..