Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

Song Qingyun looked at the village ahead, now shrouded in darkness, and frowned. ”According to the information in the Jade Scroll, those two Cultivators from the Chen Family entered this village before they disappeared. Are we really going to ask for lodging here?”

”Oh, come on, Qingyun, you’re overthinking it. Those two went to plenty of places before they disappeared. We can’t let a small risk stop us from doing what’s necessary. It’s about to get dark. If we don’t find lodging here, we’ll have to sleep out in the open.

And look at the sky—it looks like it might rain tonight. I don’t know about you, but I have no intention of getting soaked.

Besides, worst-case scenario, even if there *is* a problem with this village, the three of us together can definitely handle it,” Song Qingyuan said with complete confidence.

Hearing this, Song Qinghong chimed in breezily, ”That’s right. Didn’t you say the Song Clan wouldn’t assign us an impossible task? If that fiend is really hiding here, we can just slay him and take his head back to report our success.”

Seeing Qinghong turn his own words against him, Song Qingyun could only shake his head with a wry smile. ’It’s true, that’s what I said, but nothing is ever certain. The enemy isn’t a fool. Are they just going to stand there and wait for us to surround them?

This world is full of examples of the weak overcoming the strong. Besides, we don’t even know for sure that our opponent *is* weaker than us.’

To prevent his two companions from becoming careless, Song Qingyun had to point out some of the strange things about the village before them.

”Just look at this village. It has to have at least a few dozen households. Night has already fallen, yet not a single one has lit a lamp. Don’t you find that a little strange?”

The moment he finished, Song Qingyuan clapped him on the shoulder with a loud laugh. In a patronizing tone, he said, ”Qingyun, surely you don’t think all mortals live as comfortably as our clan’s people in the Mortal Realm, do you?

I’ve read my share of books, you know. A great many mortals lead very difficult lives. It’s often a struggle for them just to have enough food to eat.

Lamp oil is a precious commodity for them, so it’s perfectly normal to see no lights at night. If we’re going to ask for a place to stay, we’d better hurry before everyone goes to sleep.”

With that, Song Qingyuan started walking toward the village entrance, Song Qinghong in tow.

Song Qingyun quickly reached out and grabbed his sleeve. ”Most mortal villages raise livestock and keep watchdogs. It’s barely even nighttime; the hour is still early. Don’t you think it’s a little *too* quiet?”

His words made the other two pause. Song Qinghong looked at Song Qingyuan. ”He has a point. There’s no sound at all. It’s too quiet.”

”Hmph. I say you’re both overthinking it. If you were that fiend, would you stick around in such a dangerous place?

We’re disciples of the Song Clan, on our first mission Subduing Demons, and you’re telling me we don’t even dare enter a mortal village? If word of this got out, we’d be a laughingstock.”

Song Qingyuan rolled his eyes, shook off Song Qingyun’s hand, and walked toward the village entrance alone.

Song Qinghong hesitated for a moment, glanced at the overcast night sky, then back at the nearby village. In the end, she hurried to catch up. She really didn’t want to be caught sleeping in a downpour.

”You two...” Song Qingyun started to say, but ultimately didn’t try to persuade them any further.

They had their minds set on finding lodging here; anything else he said would be useless.

’Maybe it’s for the best. This will teach them a lesson.’ Song Qingyun subconsciously touched a black brocade pouch at his waist and muttered to himself.

With that, he raised his guard and slowly followed them.

Seeing Song Qingyun catching up, Song Qingyuan couldn’t help but say smugly to Song Qinghong, ”What did I tell you? He’s just too hesitant. So timid and indecisive. It’s a complete waste of his cultivation and talent.”

”Alright, that’s enough,” Song Qinghong said, discreetly tugging on his sleeve. ”Qingyun is just looking out for our safety. We’ll still need to rely on him if we want to complete this mission.”

”Hmph.” Song Qingyuan grunted reluctantly, then slowed his pace to let Song Qingyun catch up.

The three of them arrived at the village entrance together. There, they found a large willow tree with a trunk so thick one person could just barely wrap their arms around it. Beneath the tree stood a large stone stele inscribed with the words ”Daliu Village.”

The moment the three of them stepped into the village, a bone-piercing chill shot up from the soles of their feet to the crown of their heads, making them shudder involuntarily.

”What kind of godforsaken place is this? It’s freezing,” Song Qingyuan muttered, pulling his clothes tighter around himself.

Song Qinghong knelt, pinching a bit of soil and rubbing it between her fingers. She said pensively,

”This village was built directly on a small stretch of a Cold Vein. The soil is saturated with Cold Yin Qi. It’s harmless to Cultivators like us, but for the mortals who live here, it’s a disaster. If I’m not mistaken, the people of this village must not live very long.”

”A Cold Vein? They sure know how to pick a location. What are the odds? Maybe after we get a room for the night, we can help them find a new place to live.”

With that, Song Qingyuan walked straight up to one of the houses and knocked. He called out in a clear voice, ”Is anyone home? We’re travelers passing through. A storm is about to break, and we were hoping we could ask for lodging for the night.”

CREAK...

A sound that set their teeth on edge echoed as the door slowly opened. A burly, bearded man emerged. His face was unnaturally pale, and his eyes were full of wariness as he looked at Song Qingyuan and the others.

”It’s late. We don’t welcome outsiders here.”

Hearing the man’s dismissive tone, Song Qingyuan frowned slightly. But his upbringing compelled him to remain patient. ”Please, just help us out. This is for your trouble.”