Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

Song Qingxi quickly realized what was on Song Qingxing’s mind. She couldn’t help but cover her mouth and chuckle. "You’re the clan’s Purple Mansion Seed. Did you really think they would neglect your family all these years?

It’s been more than a decade; isn’t it normal for things to have changed?"

With that, she stepped forward and knocked on the main door.

A moment later, a deep voice called out from within, "Who is it? I’m coming."

Soon, the heavy, vermilion gate CREAKED open, revealing a middle-aged man in fine clothing.

Song Yuan looked at the young woman before him, noting her extraordinary air. After confirming she wasn’t from any of the neighboring families, he asked in confusion, "And you are?"

"Big Brother."

Before Song Qingxi could answer, Song Qingxing silently stepped forward and uttered those two familiar yet strange words.

Song Yuan’s body jolted. Staring at the face that bore a strong resemblance to the one in his memory, he couldn’t help but rub his eyes. When he realized he wasn’t hallucinating, he was instantly overcome with emotion.

"You’re... my little brother?" Song Yuan felt his throat tighten.

Looking at his brother, now nearly forty, Song Qingxing felt his usually hardened heart begin to soften.

Song Qingxing had been born late in his parents’ lives; they were nearly forty at his birth. Due to poor health, they passed away one after another within three years, leaving the four siblings behind.

Of the four, only Song Yuan was an adult. The others were still young, so he had to act as both father and mother, struggling to raise his younger siblings.

Song Qingxing, though the youngest, was the most sensible. Yet he was never close with his siblings, and his tendency to march to the beat of his own drum had caused Song Yuan no small amount of worry.

The previous Song Qingxing hadn’t appreciated it, but he was no longer that person. Recalling his brother’s past sacrifices, Song Qingxing felt an unexpected warmth well up in his eyes.

"I’m back."

Those two simple words made Song Yuan’s heart race. He had waited twelve years to hear them.

He turned away, hastily wiping tears from his eyes with his sleeve. When he turned back, his face was wreathed in a joyous smile. He gripped Song Qingxing’s arm tightly. "Come on, don’t just stand in the doorway. Let’s go inside to talk."

With that, he pulled Song Qingxing inside.

Song Yuan, however, had subconsciously ignored Song Qingxi, the one who had knocked in the first place. With her hands on her hips, she let out a soft huff at their retreating backs. But there was no discontent in her heart, only joy, and she quickly hurried after them.

"The house has changed so much. The clan built this courtyard ten years ago. A Clan Elder said it was because you made us proud, after you were found to have great talent."

"But I didn’t let them touch that tree. Father planted it himself the year you were born. Twenty years have passed in a flash; you probably don’t even recognize it anymore."

"That’s your second sister’s room. She married not long after you left, to a family in Phecda City. Her husband treats her well, and their eldest is already old enough to have his Spirit Root measured."

"That’s your third sister’s room. She got married five years ago, just to a family in the north of the city. You wouldn’t know them, but their family is well-off. The only thing is, they still don’t have any children. If it weren’t for you, your third sister would probably be having a hard time."

"This is the room we’ve kept for you. All your things from back then are still inside, untouched. Other than for cleaning, no one’s gone in all these years. It’s all been perfectly preserved."

Song Yuan held onto Song Qingxing’s arm, rambling on like an old man. Though he was only speaking of trivialities, Song Qingxing felt no annoyance at all. Instead, a sense of warmth and guilt washed over him.

Though Immortals and mortals are separate, living in different worlds, the clan never restricted contact between them. Clan Cultivators are allowed to return home for a visit once a year before they come of age.

After coming of age, they could visit frequently as long as they weren’t on a mission, though they couldn’t stay for extended periods.

But since he had set foot on Vast Mist Peak, this was Song Qingxing’s first time returning to the Mortal Realm. Seeing the flecks of gray in his older brother’s temples, Song Qingxing felt a pang of guilt for the first time.

Just then, two boys suddenly burst out from around a corner, roughhousing. They were about the same age and looked similar—they must have been twins.

The two boys, busy laughing and shoving each other, clearly hadn’t noticed Song Qingxing and the others. One of them ran right into Song Qingxing’s chest and fell to the ground with an "OOF!"

The boy rubbed his head, his eyes full of confusion. ’I don’t remember there being a wall here...’

The other boy, however, now noticed the adults. He quickly stood properly to the side, staring at the ground as if he hadn’t seen his brother on the floor at all.

Song Yuan’s rambling was cut short by the sudden commotion. He frowned at the two boys and said with natural authority, "Look at you two. What is this behavior?"

Their father’s authority was deeply ingrained in them. The two boys shivered, standing with their heads bowed, not daring to speak. They only peeked at Song Qingxing and Song Qingxi from the corners of their eyes.

Most of their attention, of course, was on Song Qingxi. Her stunning looks and elegant bearing were hard to ignore.

Song Yuan snorted in exasperation, then turned to Song Qingxing with an apologetic look. "These are my two good-for-nothing nephews. The one on the left is the second oldest, and the one on the right is the third.

The eldest, as you know, wasn’t blessed with fortune, but he’s steady and responsible. He’s already moved out to start his own household. His wife is pregnant now, too, so he’s pretty much settled down and established.

But these two... they have none of their big brother’s maturity. All they do is fool around all day and stir up trouble. I swear these two unfilial sons will be the death of me."

After his tirade, he fixed his gaze on the two boys and said in a stern voice, "Tang’Er, Jun’Er, come and greet your uncle."

At his words, the previously crestfallen Song Tang and Song Jun’s eyes instantly lit up. Of course they knew they had an uncle; they had grown up hearing their father talk about him endlessly. He was a high and mighty Immortal!

"Uncle." The two hurried forward and bowed, their eyes fixed on Song Qingxing, filled with curiosity and excitement.

It was only then that Song Yuan noticed Song Qingxi, who had been following them all this time. He felt a bit awkward, unsure of how to have his two rascals address her.

Song Qingxi smiled faintly, curtsied gracefully, and said, "Qingxi greets you, Elder Brother."

Song Yuan immediately understood and quickly instructed the two boys to greet her as well.

The interruption seemed to break Song Yuan’s rambling mood. He led the group into the main hall, and only after they were all seated did he remember to ask Song Qingxing, "My brother, what brings you here this time?"

He knew his younger brother all too well. He wouldn’t have returned unless it was for something important.

"The clan has ordered me to preside over the Immortal Ascension Conference," Song Qingxing said, glancing at his two fidgety nephews.

"The clan is having *you* preside?" Song Yuan sounded excited. This wasn’t an assignment just anyone could receive. ’Could it be my little brother already holds such a position in the clan?’

To prevent a host of problems, such as envy and competition, the clan had a rule: anyone returning home to visit was strictly forbidden from revealing internal clan affairs or displaying their Cultivation. For this reason, Song Yuan was unaware of Song Qingxing’s current illustrious status, assuming only that he had earned the favor of some important figure.

Even so, this was enough to make Song Yuan thrilled. After all, the person he had worried about most over the years was this quiet, reserved younger brother. Seeing now that his future was bright, a great weight was finally lifted from his heart.

"Big Brother, that Copper Mirror I used to have—is it still here?" Song Qingxing had indeed come on business. In fact, his original proposal to Song Xianyun about guarding the Mortal Realm had been because of this very matter.

"A Copper Mirror?" Song Yuan frowned in thought for a moment before realization dawned. "Oh, you mean that Bronze Mirror Mother gave you? Yes, it’s here. After you left, I put it away in a drawer in your wardrobe.

It’s been there all these years; no one has touched it.

Come to think of it, your second and third sisters were upset for a long time over that mirror. They said Mother was playing favorites, giving it to you instead of them. Your third sister even mentioned it when she was getting married.

So many years have passed in a flash... Hey, what made you suddenly think of it?"

Song Yuan asked, looking at Song Qingxing with confusion.

Song Qingxing did not answer, but a chill unconsciously surfaced in his clear, dark eyes.

...