Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

Currently, the three individuals with the highest status in the Song Clan were Song Xianming, Song Changsheng, and Song Xianyun.

Among them, Song Xianming was the former Clan Leader, Song Changsheng was the current Clan Leader, and Song Xianyun had managed clan affairs for decades, earning him the title of ”de facto Vice Clan Leader.”

Each of them wielded immense influence within the clan. Whichever faction they sided with could instantly overwhelm the opposition.

And yet, at this critical juncture, both Song Xianming and Song Xianyun chose to remain behind closed doors, projecting an air of impartiality.

This was why, even with the returning members nearly at their doorstep, the debate had yet to yield a result. Both factions grew anxious and irritable, reduced to staring at each other in the Council Hall.

Just then, Song Xianyun, who hadn’t been seen for days, slowly walked in from outside. His stride was steady, his face devoid of expression.

Everyone present hastily rose to their feet and bowed.

Song Xianyun paid them no mind, walking to his seat and sitting down. ”Are you finished arguing?” he asked calmly. ”Have you reached a conclusion?”

Everyone exchanged glances. Uncertain of Song Xianyun’s stance, no one dared to be the first to speak. They all lowered their heads in silence.

Glancing at the assembled crowd, Song Xianyun nodded. ”It seems you haven’t reached a conclusion. In that case, I will say a few words.”

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall felt a jolt. ’Is he finally going to take a side?’

”Since you don’t feel like sitting, you can all remain standing and listen.”

”Song Luke, and the many other clan members sent to the Ancestral Vein—they are our clan’s finest children. For the sake of the clan, they left their parents, their brothers and sisters, and their homes at a young age to struggle for survival in a strange land.

Some of you may think that by going to the Ancestral Vein, they became members of a great clan, enjoying superior conditions for cultivation.

But what was the reality?

They never have!

Those people, high and mighty, have never once looked upon us as equals! In their hearts, we are not kin, but merely toys for them to bully at will!

Their hands are stained with the blood and tears of our people!

Wake up! Their ’Song’ is not the same as our ’Song’! More than four hundred years ago, when the brush fell, it was already writing two different ’Songs’!

Search your conscience and tell me—which Song do you acknowledge as your own?

And which Song is it that you carry in your hearts!”

Song Xianyun’s eyes blazed with anger. His words were a deafening roar, striking the members of the conservative faction like a thunderclap and causing them to bow their heads instinctively.

A few Clan Elders were so overcome with emotion they covered their faces and began to weep.

In truth, everyone knew that rejoining the Ancestral Vein was nothing but a pipe dream. It was just that some had been lost in this fantasy woven from past glories, unwilling to wake.

Now, Song Xianyun had shattered that dream—shattered it so completely that it could never be pieced back together.

”It is time for us to face reality! The independence of our clan begins today! From this day forward, there is only one ’Song’ in our hearts!”

With that one sentence, Song Xianyun had, on behalf of the Song Clan, drawn a clear line in the sand, severing all ties with the Ancestral Vein.

Song Qingqing, Song Changxue, and the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the new generation erupted in thunderous cheers that did not subside for a long time.

”But... they’ve stirred up so much trouble this time. The Ancestral Vein will not let this matter rest,” a Clan Elder with graying temples said, his jaw clenched.

The hall instantly fell silent. All eyes fell upon the speaker, making him feel as if he were sitting on pins and needles. Before Song Xianyun had even spoken a word, beads of sweat were already trickling down the man’s forehead.

”Foolish!” Song Xianyun roared, then continued with righteous indignation:

”More than four hundred years ago, our great-ancestor came to Ling Province and forged the foundation of our Moon Viewing Song Clan from nothing. In that time, we have known glory, we have faced decline, and we have risen again.

But no matter the circumstances, our ancestors never gave up easily, and they certainly never abandoned a single one of their own!

Those people on the road are the good sons and daughters of our Song Clan! They have never wronged the clan; rather, it is the clan that has wronged them! They are the heroes of our Song Clan, and we cannot let them shed their blood for us only to then be forced to shed tears of sorrow.

If the Ancestral Vein casts them out, we will take them in!”

He then looked up at the elder who had just spoken, shaking his head in disappointment. ”Xianzhe, I am deeply disappointed in you. You have forgotten our great-ancestor’s teachings, and more importantly, you have forgotten what is most important to a clan.

Starting today, you will go to the rear mountain and reflect in seclusion. You may return when you have come to understand your mistake.”

Song Xianzhe’s body trembled. With a shaking hand, he removed the Token from his robes and placed it on the table. He gave Song Xianyun a trembling, clasped-fist bow, then parted the crowd and walked out.

For him, this was the most merciful outcome imaginable.

Some present looked on with pity, but after one glance at Song Xianyun’s face, no one dared to speak up and plead on Xianzhe’s behalf.

Song Xianyun’s gaze swept across the hall. ”Does anyone else have a differing opinion?” he asked in a low voice.

Everyone shook their heads.

”In that case, follow me. Let us go and welcome the sons and daughters of our Song Clan home.”

Song Xianyun rose to his feet, clasped his hands behind his back, and strode out of the hall.

The others followed, filing out one after another.

Witnessing this scene from his seat atop the mountain peak, Song Xianming slowly withdrew his gaze. The proceedings had gone much more smoothly than he had imagined.

They had long been dissatisfied with the Ancest-ral Vein’s actions. Song Luke’s death had merely been the spark that finally ignited the flames of their fury.

That was why, from the moment Song Luzhou’s message arrived, he and Song Xianyun had already made their decision.

The only reason they had stood by and watched was to gauge the true attitudes and opinions of the rest of the clan. Much to their relief, the majority of their kin had already awoken from the dream.