Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

The Cyan Ape Mountain Range was located on the western side of Xiang Province, only three thousand li from Yang Province, and was controlled by the Cyan Ape Wang Clan.

The Cyan Ape Wang Clan was one of the top three most powerful families in Xiang Province. Their overall strength was not to be underestimated; to conquer the Cyan Ape Mountain Range would require a bloody price, even if the seven great families joined forces.

What’s more, Chi Huo Old Ghost had only given them less than half a year.

But this was nothing compared to his first demand.

Chi Huo Old Ghost was making them carry out the executions themselves!

Those people were all their clansmen, some even close relatives. Dragging them here to await Song Changxue’s judgment had already chilled the hearts of their people.

If they were to then execute these men in front of everyone... the scene was simply too horrible to imagine.

Besides, a small faction within their clans was already dissatisfied with their submission to the Song Clan. Wouldn’t this just cause everything to explode?

Chu Nanfeng quickly stepped forward. ”Chi Huo Elder, these people dared to commit insubordination and stir up trouble. They certainly deserve death, and we will absolutely not shelter them. However, I believe it would be more appropriate to hand them over to the Song Clan’s elders for judgment. Only this way can we truly demonstrate our resolve.”

”Is that really so?” Chi Huo Old Ghost said sinisterly. ”Clan Leader Chu, don’t tell me you can’t bring yourself to do it? You seem quite concerned with feelings of kinship, but did those people hesitate for even a moment when they framed you?

”Clan Leader Chu, I advise you to think carefully. If their frame-up had succeeded, all seven great families would be getting new Clan Leaders. Would you even be standing here talking to me now?”

As his voice fell, Chi Huo Old Ghost clearly saw veins bulging on Chu Nanfeng’s forehead and couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

’Those people outside were doomed from the very beginning; the only question was how they would die.’

’If they die at the hands of the Song Clan, these seven leaders before me will be reviled by their own people, but the main target of the hatred will be the Song Clan. That would be detrimental to the Song Clan’s future rule.’

’But if they die at the hands of their own Clan Leaders, it will be a different story. All the ire will rain down upon them.’

’Even if they claim the Song Clan ordered it, their clansmen won’t buy it.’

’After all, people will just ask, ”So why didn’t you stand up to them?”’

’Doing whatever you’re told—doesn’t that just make you their dog?’

’Although the seven great families are now the Song Clan’s ”running dogs,” few people truly understand that. The majority will simply see their own Clan Leader as a traitor to their clan.’

’When that happens, the prestige these seven men hold within their clans will plummet.’

’Over time, this will sow internal discord among the great families—an outcome the Song Clan would be delighted to see. After all, a united front of the seven great families would still be quite a headache.’

Chi Huo had no intention of hiding his goal. This was an overt plot; they could either execute it or choose to resist and be ground to dust under the wheels of the Song Clan’s war machine.

Obviously, they didn’t have the courage to resist. They were cowards hiding in their shells when the Lieyang Sect was around, and they were even more so now.

”I... understand.” Chu Nanfeng practically forced the words through his teeth. He didn’t dare look up, afraid that Chi Huo would see the hatred and fury in his eyes.

Chi Huo Old Ghost didn’t even glance at him, instead looking at the others. ”And you?”

He was met with a few scattered replies. As he had expected, no one dared to resist.

”Hmph. Go deal with it quickly. Don’t leave them out there as an eyesore.” Without even lifting his eyelids, Chi Huo Old Ghost dismissed them.

A peculiar glint flashed through Song Changxue’s eyes. ’Chi Huo’s methods are even more drastic than I’d imagined, but they align perfectly with the Song Clan’s interests.’

”Since things are settled here, I must take my leave as well. I’ve been away for over a month; it’s time I returned to the clan to report,” Song Changxue said, rising to depart.

”In that case, I won’t keep you any longer. Please be careful on your journey, Fellow Daoist.”

”Of course. I’ll have to trouble Chi Huo Elder to keep a close watch on things here in Yang Province. The Vast Alliance has been making small moves lately. I’m afraid they’ve set their sights on us. We must not let our guard down.”

”Rest assured. Since the Young Master has entrusted Yang Province to me, I will naturally guard it well for him.”

With that, the two of them cupped their fists and bid farewell.

Song Changxue returned to the Black Star Ship and told Song Qingming everything that had just happened.

Upon hearing her account, Song Qingming clicked his tongue in astonishment. ”Chi Huo Elder is truly merciless. At this rate, won’t Chu Nanfeng and the others hate him to death?

”He’s guarding Yang Province all by himself. I’m honestly worried he’ll have some kind of ’accident’ one of these days.”

”Have you forgotten what kind of man he used to be? The Clan Leader sent him to guard Yang Province for that very reason. After all, it takes a villain to keep other villains in line.

”We were too lenient with them before, and they lost all sense of fear and respect for us. This is the perfect opportunity to teach them a lesson they won’t forget.

”As for Chi Huo Elder’s safety, you can rest assured. Chu Nanfeng and the others are more worried about something happening to him than we are. Let’s move out. We’re returning to the clan.”

Song Qingming mulled over Song Changxue’s words, and a smile of sudden realization spread across his face. Chi Huo was the face of the Song Clan in Yang Province. If something happened to him there, every single one of the seven families would be a prime suspect.

And if that happened, it wouldn’t just be a matter of a few pawns dying.

「Three days later.」

The warship returned to Ling Province. Aside from a select few individuals, its arrival went unnoticed...

Inside the Seclusion Chamber, Song Changsheng sat cross-legged, his mind focused and spirit guarded. He was completely absorbed in refining the Geng Metal Qi, having lost all track of time.