Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

"I’ve heard the whole story from Yuechan and Dazhuang. It’s thanks to you that disaster was averted this time. As an elder, I must show my gratitude. So tell me, what do you want? I won’t refuse anything within my power."

Bai Zhengchun picked up the teacup beside him and watched Song Changsheng with a leisurely air, his narrow eyes glinting shrewdly.

Zhuang Yuechan knelt obediently beside Shen Qingxiu, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Song Changsheng. She, too, was eager to know what he would ask for.

After all, the power Bai Zhengchun wielded in Luoxia City was no less than that of Zhan Tianxia. Since he had made the offer, he could accomplish anything for Song Changsheng that was possible within Luoxia City.

And even for some things that Luoxia City couldn’t handle, Bai Zhengchun had other means to make them happen.

Song Changsheng froze. For some reason, he sensed a hidden meaning in Bai Zhengchun’s words, but when he tried to grasp it, it remained elusive.

He instinctively rose to his feet. "Elder Bai, this is simply what a junior should—"

Before he could finish, Bai Zhengchun raised a hand, interrupting him. Slowly, but in a tone that brooked no argument, he said, "I said... what do you want?"

At that moment, his gaze felt like a mountain pressing down heavily upon Song Changsheng.

For an instant, he thought he saw mountains of corpses and a sea of blood emerge from the depths of Bai Zhengchun’s eyes, radiating a heart-stopping power.

Song Changsheng suddenly understood. Bai Zhengchun was asking what he wanted, not negotiating whether he wanted something in the first place.

It felt as if someone owed a debt of gratitude and was desperately trying to repay it, just so both parties could go their separate ways and never have anything to do with each other again.

It was as if... he was afraid of being saddled with an obligation. After all, in this world, a debt of gratitude is the most difficult to repay.

At this thought, a wave of anger surged through Song Changsheng. ’What’s the meaning of this? Does he really think I’m trying to use this situation to latch onto Luoxia City?’

Bai Zhengchun noticed the shift in Song Changsheng’s mood, but he didn’t care. His hands were stained with too much blood, and he had met too many people. Even so, he had to admit that the human heart was too complex for even him to fully comprehend.

Simply as a "fellow cultivator," both Song Changsheng’s current performance and the potential displayed by the Song Clan made them a very suitable partner.

But to take things a step further, this was far from enough.

In the future, Luoxia City would lose its traditionally detached status and be swept into the great vortex of the Daqi Cultivation World.

However, Luoxia City’s current position was somewhat awkward. While it now had a Golden Core Master, it was still far lacking in foundation, territory, and number of powerful experts when compared to the Golden Crow Sect and the Celestial Vein Sect.

To put it bluntly, its reputation exceeded its actual strength.

Therefore, Luoxia City needed reliable allies to act as its wings.

The Song Clan seemed to be a very good choice. Their main base was in Ling Province, which served as the rearguard for Bian Province and acted as an outer defensive barrier.

Although their strength was currently somewhat lacking, Song Xianming was already in seclusion to break through to the Purple Mansion realm. With the addition of the exceptionally talented Song Changsheng, the Song Clan was bound to rise within fifty years.

What was even more fortuitous was that Song Changsheng, the future leader of the Song Clan, also had significant connections with the rising stars of Luoxia City’s younger generation. Zhuang Yuechan, in particular, held him in high regard. From any angle, it was an almost perfect match.

But it was precisely because it seemed too perfect that suspicion had begun to grow in Bai Zhengchun’s heart, leading to the scene playing out today.

Seeing that Song Changsheng hadn’t responded, he continued, "I hear the Song Clan and the Lieyang Sect have a deep-seated feud. How about this? I’ll kill He Tai for you."

These words stunned everyone in the four-cornered pavilion. Even the woman by the pond couldn’t help but turn and glance in their direction.

Song Changsheng was also deeply shaken. ’Damn, this guy is ruthless,’ he thought. He Tai was the Lieyang Sect’s one and only Purple Mansion Great Cultivator, yet Bai Zhengchun spoke of killing him as if it were as simple as crushing an ant.

Then again, this formidable man had killed more than one or two Purple Mansion Cultivators. When the news spread that he had supposedly fallen to a Demon Beast siege, countless people had secretly celebrated. For him to want to kill He Tai... it truly seemed like it wouldn’t be difficult at all.

To be honest, Song Changsheng was tempted. He dreamed of destroying the Lieyang Sect. If that happened, the Song Clan would truly soar.

But his reason told him there was a catch.

Inside the pavilion, three pairs of eyes were fixed on him—filled with curiosity, concern, and pressure.

How should he choose? Song Changsheng had no answer. He couldn’t be sure of Bai Zhengchun’s true intentions, but he understood that his choice could have unforeseen consequences.

Thinking of this, he quickly turned to Xiao Qingwan by the pond, cupped his hands, and said, "This junior is young and ignorant. I implore Elder Xiao for your guidance."

That was his move. He didn’t agree, he didn’t make his own request, and he didn’t refuse the offer. Instead, he opted to call for outside help.

’Given the relationship between my grandfather and Elder Xiao, she won’t just stand by and watch me fail, right?’ Song Changsheng thought, feeling a little anxious.

Hearing his words, a look of surprise appeared on Bai Zhengchun’s face. Shen Qingxiu, on the other hand, had a fleeting smile in her eyes.

"You’re a slippery one," Xiao Qingwan said as she entered the pavilion and sat down, her expression calm. "Senior Brother, since he has appealed to me, how about you do your Junior Sister a favor?"

Just then, Zhuang Yuechan gave Shen Qingxiu’s arm an almost imperceptible shake. Looking at the martial-niece she had always doted on, Shen Qingxiu was suddenly struck by the feeling that a daughter, once grown, can’t be kept at home.