Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

So, some things were best just heard and forgotten.

But Song Changsheng’s final words made him break out in a cold sweat. He didn’t doubt their truth in the slightest. An empty promise might never come to pass, but this threat most certainly would.

He immediately swore his allegiance. "I will do my utmost and not fail your trust, Young Master!"

"Good. Go and prepare. We set out tomorrow. And take the Human Skin Mask with you. The original Chi Huo Old Ghost is already dead, so don’t blow your cover."

Song Changsheng waved a dismissive hand, sending the Chi Huo Old Ghost away.

In truth, asking the Chi Huo Old Ghost to handle these two tasks wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision; it was something he had long considered.

’Once I return to the clan, Song Xianming is bound to enter seclusion to ascend to the Purple Mansion Realm. The full weight of the clan’s responsibilities will fall on my shoulders then, leaving me no time to handle these two matters myself.’

’It wouldn’t be appropriate to assign such tasks to the clan Elders, either.’

’That makes the Chi Huo Old Ghost the perfect candidate. Searching for someone while frequenting brothels... what a pleasant assignment.’

’Besides, his relationship with his former master is a feud to the death. I don’t have to worry about him slacking off.’

’I should be home in about half a month. I wonder how the clan is doing. Have Clan Brother Chang’an and Senior Clan Sister Changxue managed to break through?’

Song Changsheng gazed at the starry sky, his thoughts already drifting to Vast Mist Peak...

Nearly two months had passed since Song Chang’an’s breakthrough to Foundation Establishment. Just as he and the others had stabilized their new cultivation, spies from the Wind Language Hall returned with bad news.

"Everyone, take a look." Song Xianming’s voice was grave as he addressed the assembled Song Clan leadership. "Aside from the Luoxia Mountain Range and a few isolated factions, the vast majority of Bian Province has fallen. Now, the Silver Moon Demon Wolf clan is splitting its forces into two prongs, both heading for Ling Province. Their arrival is imminent. Let’s discuss it. What should we do?"

Hearing this, Grand Elder Song Xianyun turned to Song Luyao, the head of intelligence. "What is the strength of these two Silver Moon Demon Wolf armies? And what are their targets?"

"According to our intelligence, the first army of Silver Moon Demon Wolves consists of nearly three thousand Tier One Demon Wolves and more than a dozen Tier Two Demon Wolves. Their strength is not to be underestimated. Based on their direction of advance, it appears they intend to attack the Liuyun Mountain Range," Song Luyao stated coldly.

At these words, the faces of everyone present fell. While this Demon Wolf force was formidable, the strength of the Martial Spirit Sect and the Liuyun Sect on paper was nothing to scoff at. Even if they couldn’t defeat the army, self-preservation should be well within their means.

The real threat was the other army. Led by a Great Demon, it was the true main force. Since the smaller division was headed for the Liuyun Mountain Range, it didn’t take a genius to figure out that the main Demon Wolf army was coming straight for the Song Clan.

After all, across all of Ling Province, the Song Clan was the toughest nut to crack. They had deep reserves and a proven record of defeating a Purple Mansion Cultivator.

If the Silver Moon Demon Wolves wanted to conquer Ling Province, they had to eliminate the Song Clan first.

Song Luyao took in everyone’s expressions before continuing in a measured tone, "The other army is led by a Great Demon, with nearly twenty Tier Two Demon Wolves and over a thousand Tier One Demon Wolves."

This army seemed significantly smaller than the first, but a single Great Demon was worth an army of thousands.

Only now did the members of the Song Clan truly grasp the power of the Silver Moon Demon Wolf clan. If Bian Province hadn’t been in their way, the enemy’s numbers would likely be twice as high.

Once they understood what they were facing, Song Xianyun immediately turned to Song Xianming. "Brother, our top priority is to recall all disciples from their external posts. We must concentrate our strength at Vast Mist Peak and use the Clan Protection Array to repel the Demon Wolf invasion. That is our best course of action."

"Furthermore, all the Spirit Medicines and Spirit Plants on Spirit Embroidery Mountain, Spirit Plant Mountain, and Jade Bamboo Mountain surrounding Vast Mist Peak must be harvested immediately, lest they fall into the hands of the Demon Beasts."

"Yes, there’s no time to lose." Song Xianming agreed without hesitation, recognizing the wisdom in Song Xianyun’s proposal. He turned to another elder. "You, see to this at once. Speed is of the essence."

With Song Xianyun having broken the ice, the other clan members began to voice their own opinions.

Just then, a gentle voice raised an issue that everyone else had overlooked:

"Father, I believe we must immediately dispatch personnel and Array Masters to reinforce the clan’s holdings in the Mortal Realm. Demon Beasts are not like Cultivators. If the Mortal Realm is breached, our hundreds of thousands of clanspeople will become nothing more than Blood Food."

In past meetings, Xia Yunxue had always made a point to listen more than she spoke. After all, she was not a Song by birth. Though she had been granted an exceptional place among the clan’s decision-makers, she felt it wasn’t her place to interfere too much in their affairs.

Under her leadership, the Law Enforcement Hall had its lowest profile since its founding.

But now, she knew she could no longer feign ignorance.

She had stood guard in the Mortal Realm for several years and knew just how weak its defenses were: a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator and thirty-odd clan Cultivators who were not held in high regard.

If not for the protection of the Tier Three Array, the Song Clan’s hundreds of thousands of mortal members would have long been coveted by all sorts of malevolent forces.

With the Demon Wolf army bearing down on them, the Cultivators could certainly hole up on Vast Mist Peak, relying on their stockpiled resources to fend off the attack.

But what about the mortals?

In the eyes of the Demon Wolves, they were a tempting prize, easily claimed by a small, detached force.

This was indeed a point that had escaped everyone’s notice. After a moment of contemplation, Song Xianming said, "You are right. The Mortal Realm is the clan’s foundation; we cannot afford to lose it."

"Yunxue, I am ordering you to lead fifty of the clan’s Law Enforcement Disciples, along with Changxuan, Lu Hen, and Chang Yun, to the Mortal Realm to rendezvous with Lutong."

"Once the war begins, the Demon Wolves will surely block communications on the battlefield. It will be difficult to stay in contact. You will have full authority to handle all affairs there. The safety of the clan’s seven hundred thousand members is in your hands."

Xia Yunxue was taken aback for a moment, then quickly replied, "I accept the order."

This single decision drained away two Foundation Establishment Cultivators and two Tier Two Low-Grade Array Masters, along with more than half of the Law Enforcement Hall’s elites. Including Song Lutong, who was already there, this deployment represented nearly a third of the Song Clan’s total fighting strength.

The siblings Song Yulong and Song Yushi had already returned to the main branch, Song Changsheng was still away, and Song Luyao’s crippled legs made her unfit for combat.

’All told, only five Foundation Establishment Cultivators remained: Song Xianming, Song Xianyun, Song Luzhou, Song Luhuai, and Song Chang’an. Against the ferocious Demon Wolf tide, could they possibly hold out?’

’Everyone’s gaze fell upon Song Xianming. He had pulled the Song Clan from the Abyss once before. Could he work another miracle now?’

Song Xianming’s expression was serene, showing no trace of panic. "The Demon Wolf invasion is a matter for all of Ling Province," he said calmly. "Everyone should bear this burden together."

"Send word to Du Huating and Liu Hongye. With Ling Province facing a crisis of survival, now is the time for everyone to set aside past grievances and face the enemy as one."

"They only need to hold back the smaller Silver Moon Demon Wolf army at the Liuyun Mountain Range. As for the main Demon Wolf force... the Song Clan will face it alone."

"But..." Song Luhuai hesitated. ’If we do that, the pressure on our clan will be immense.’

But Song Xianming continued without pause, "Furthermore, send orders to our clan’s various vassal families. They are not required to send forces to aid us. However, if they are attacked by the Demon Wolves, they must do everything in their power to delay them. Those who perform well will be handsomely rewarded."

Song Luhuai’s eyebrow twitched. ’He’s not even conscripting the vassal families? Isn’t that being a little too overconfident?’

"And send word to the Wang Clan and the Yu Clan. They may be tucked away in their own corners, but surely I don’t need to explain the principle of ’if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold’?"

"I don’t need them to face the Demon Wolf clan head-on. I only need them to do their best to pin down a portion of their forces."

With eyes as sharp as torches, Song Xianming calmly issued one seemingly bizarre order after another. He was actively renouncing all of the clan’s external aid.

It seemed foolish, but this was actually Song Xianming’s only hope of turning the tables.

First, there were the Martial Spirit Sect and the Liuyun Sect. Together, they represented three-fifths of Ling Province’s total power, but they were hampered by too many internal conflicts. Facing the enormous Demon Wolf horde, they would be lucky to protect themselves, let alone help anyone else. They couldn’t be relied upon.

The same went for the clan’s vassal families. They were mostly Qi Refining Families, who would be scared witless at the mere sight of the Demon Wolves. Forcing them into service would be pointless.

If the Demon Wolves sent a detachment to sweep through the Moon Viewing Mountain Range, these conscripts would become a ticking time bomb, paralyzed with worry for their own homes.

It was far better to let them defend their own lands. Not only would this tie down a portion of the Demon Wolf army, but it would also earn their gratitude. What was there to lose?

The same logic applied to the Wang Clan and the Yu Clan. Rather than forcing them into a direct confrontation, it was better to have them linger on the periphery, constantly threatening the Demon Wolf army’s flanks and thus relieving pressure on the main front.

As long as those clans remained a threat, the Demon Wolves could never commit their full strength to dealing with the Song Clan!

...