The following day, when Ikasa and Feng Yan reached the slums, they saw two groups of people facing off against each other.

Of the two groups, one was led by Chu Kuang. Ikasa noticed many familiar faces in the group.

Scarface, who was part of Feng Yan’s Gang. Hook-Nosed Guy, who was competing for Xin Ruo’s courtship.

The other two whose names he didn’t know but whose faces he remembered from his second visit to slums when he received special treatment and a warning.

Back then, he was so weak. And now, these people had all agreed to follow him.

The other group was led by a woman. It mainly consisted of the family members who had spoken against leaving for Birch City.

As they neared the location of the confrontation, the words being exchanged became clearer.

“How long do you want us to decay in this hellhole? Just because you don’t want to leave doesn’t mean you can stop us from leaving!”

One of the youths from the Pro-migration group yelled.

“You unfilial son, are you really going to leave the place of our ancestors? The city where our family has lived for generations?”

A man approaching his sunset years scolded. His voice was echoed by many from the Anti-migration group.

“Our ancestors lived there, in the Outer City. Not this dump. Since I am not welcome there, I say we move to a new place where we will be treated as humans.”

It did not go down well with the son of the accuser. His rebuttal was based on cold, hard facts. Youths who were pro-migration echoed his sentiments.

When Chu Kuang saw Feng Yan and Ikasa, he hurried to their side. He saw Feng Yan furrowed his brows. Ikasa, on the other hand, was viewing the situation critically.

“Didn’t you say their living conditions are horrible?”

He turned to look at Feng Yan and asked. Feng Yan himself was pondering the same question.

“Just take a look around!”

He waved his hand with agitation.

“Most of these people live in huts, over there. See the thatched roofs? They can’t protect them from the rains or the sun. The thin walls are non-existent when it gets cold.”

Ikasa followed Feng Yan’s hands and took in the surroundings. He agreed with his assessment.

‘Those are not the only problems,’ Ikasa thought.

His senses had been assaulted by a foul stench of decay and feces. He found the source to be a crudely built latrine pit behind the huts.

Flies and other insects were buzzing around in the entire area of slums.

“Many of them die from hunger or disease. Even though I did my best to provide these people with at least two simple meals and clothing once a year, it is nowhere near enough.”

Feng Yan sighed with frustration. If he could see the problems, could the one suffering them not see them? And yet, why were they still resisting?

He couldn’t solve their problem until he could understand them.

Ikasa noticed the issue was not only about migration when he visited yesterday. Instead, it was about the reluctance to move out of their bubble of delusion.

He realized this was the classic case of ‘Philanthropy leading to Stagnancy’.

For years, Feng Yan had provided for these people. While they did nothing for him. He had basically spoon-fed them.

Initially, they might’ve wanted to stand on their own feet and improve their lifestyle. After a few setbacks, many of them lost their drive.

During this time, they got used to relying on Feng Yan for necessities. And this led them to accept their poverty. They now had the security of food and clothing, and they were unwilling to give up this stability.

Charity is a two-way road. If Feng Yan had expected them to work with him to earn their living, maybe they wouldn’t have turned out like this.

As he identified the crux of their unwillingness to leave, he decided to make Feng Yan acknowledge this bitter truth. Speaking bluntly against a hard-headed man like Feng Yan would be counter-productive. So, he let Feng Yan do the work and see the results himself.

“Did you tell them you would be leaving for Birch City as well?”

Feng Yan looked at Ikasa sharply.

“How can I leave when they would be left behind?”

Ikasa rubbed his nose bridge in frustration.

‘As expected. The problem is on both sides.’

“Listen to me. Try telling those people that you will be leaving with me as well. If they still want to stay, I will make suitable arrangements for them.”

Feng Yan could only sigh and do as Ikasa said.

Chu Kuang heard their conversation. He had a few insider news to report, but he held on to it. He also wanted to see his employer’s skills in resolving problems.

The two men watched as Feng Yan went to the quarreling groups and acted as a mediator. Once they had calmed down enough, he made his shocking declaration.

“After thinking about this issue overnight, I have decided. I will accompany these young people and start anew in Birch City.”

The pro-migration group cheered with joy while anxiety set in amongst the anti-migration group.

“Didn’t he say he would respect our decision yesterday?”

“But did he say he will stay with us if we don’t go?”

“How will we survive without him and the other young ones?”

“I told you, we shouldn’t have let him work alone just because he is a Sense Realm martial artist! What will we do without him?”

The freeloading men and women, who had relied on Feng Yan and others in recent years, panicked. The women who had lived comparatively more comfortable lives than the working youths were oblivious to their hardships.

Still, they knew one thing.

Once Feng Yan left, their comfortable lives would be over. He provided not only food and clothing but also security. None of the low lives in the slums had ever bothered the people in this group.

The name of Red Eye was enough to deter them.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep