Longevity: Comprehending the Heart Method

Chapter 632: Chapter 96: Taking Counsel and Revealing One’s Heart

The smile on Song Changsheng’s face instantly widened. “I never force things on people. If they can’t accept it, they simply don’t have to participate.

Besides, while our people are going over there, they can send their people here as well. This way, they can get firsthand information on the Treasure Vault’s resources and learn of any clan decisions immediately. It saves us the trouble of notifying them one by one.”

Hearing Song Changsheng’s words, Song Qingqian’s eyes widened. He had never imagined such a tactic. ‘Isn’t this just openly inviting spies into our midst?’

But on second thought, what kind of trouble could spies who operate in the open really cause?

Once they arrived in the Song Clan’s territory, they’d have no choice but to be obedient. If Song Changsheng wanted to, he could restrict their freedom of movement completely.

Gathering intelligence? They shouldn’t even dream of it.

But it was a different story for members of the Song Clan sent to their territories. By virtue of their surname “Song” alone, those vassal powers would have to treat them with utmost respect. Aside from certain restricted areas, they could go wherever they pleased, and the vassals wouldn’t dare utter a word of protest.

It sounded similar, but the nature of it was completely different.

The crucial part was that they couldn’t refuse. If you didn’t join, you would have no way to earn Contribution Points, and you would fall behind the others.

And that wasn’t all. Their standing with the Song Clan would also be severely damaged, and they could forget about any favorable treatment in the future.

“Clan Leader, you’ve set a difficult task for me. You must assign more people to us,” Song Luyun said, seizing the opportunity to request more manpower.

“Aunt, rest assured. I might leave anyone else short-staffed, but never you. I’ll make sure your team is fully staffed, even if I have to recall people from Zhangye.”

Song Changxuan immediately shot him a mournful look. Their Zhangye County branch had only about twenty people in total. If a few more were taken, he’d be left a general without an army.

Song Changsheng pretended not to see his look. After going over a few more important points, he declared the meeting over.

After the meeting adjourned, Song Chang’an and Song Qingxing went to the Law Enforcement Hall to handle the transfer of duties. As they were leaving, they ran right into Song Changsheng.

“Come with me. I have something to say to you.”

Song Qingxing followed behind Song Changsheng, and the two of them went to Luoyue Cliff.

With a flick of his wrist, Song Changsheng produced a Scroll and handed it to him. “This is the Celestial Sword Sect’s Dancing Sword at Sunset,” he said softly. “Take it and comprehend its secrets.”

Upon hearing this, Song Qingxing’s eyes flickered with a faint ripple of emotion. He was, of course, aware of the Celestial Sword Sect’s legendary ancestor—a paragon for all Sword Dao Cultivators in the Daqi Cultivation World.

This Dancing Sword at Sunset was an object of desire for countless Sword Cultivators. While the one Song Changsheng held was merely a replica, it contained a trace of that legendary figure’s Sword Intent, making it a Supreme Treasure for people who walked the Sword Dao.

Song Qingxing reached out and took it from Song Changsheng, his palm stroking the Scroll gently. He fell silent.

“What is it? Are you worried about how to properly serve as the Punishment Elder?” Song Changsheng asked with a smile.

Song Qingxing nodded silently.

“I never thought I’d see the day you were troubled by something.

In reality, for someone like you, being a good Punishment Elder is actually very simple. You only need to firmly remember two words.”

Song Qingxing looked up at Song Changsheng.

Song Changsheng didn’t keep him in suspense, smiling slightly. “The rules.

Abide by the rules yourself, and then enforce them. You don’t need to worry about anything else.”

Hearing this, Song Qingxing nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face.

“This is Xi’Er’s Foundation Establishment Pill. Take it to her. Once Xi’Er successfully achieves Foundation Establishment, you can confess your feelings to her. What happens after that is up to you.” Song Changsheng took out a Jade Bottle, placed it in Song Qingxing’s hand, and spoke encouragingly.

Looking at the Jade Bottle in his hand, a flicker of joy flashed in the depths of Song Qingxing’s eyes.

After bidding farewell to Song Changsheng, Song Qingxing took the Foundation Establishment Pill and hurried to the clan’s Spirit Plant Garden without a moment’s delay.

At that moment, Song Qingxi was holding a small booklet in the Medicinal Garden, meticulously recording the growth of the Spirit Medicines in the two plots to her left and right.

The quality of these two plots, as well as the types and number of Spirit Medicines planted within them, were exactly the same.

The only difference was that the plot on the left used a Growth Spiritual Liquid she had formulated several years ago, while the plot on the right used one she and her team had formulated just a year ago.

After a year of growth, a clear difference had emerged between the Spirit Plants in the two plots.

The stalks on the right were visibly thicker and stronger, and their root systems were more developed.

The ones on the left were clearly inferior by comparison. This proved that, in the early stages, the new Growth Spiritual Liquid formula was superior to the old one.

Having reached this conclusion, a radiant smile bloomed on Song Qingxi’s face. She quickly noted down the exact date of this comparison in her booklet.

She would have to run another comparison in five years. If the results were the same as today’s, the new formula could be officially put into use. Then, the growth rate of the Spirit Medicines in the Medicinal Garden would surely increase significantly.

In the moment she was writing in her notes, Song Qingxing arrived at the edge of the Medicinal Garden. Seeing Song Qingxi’s focused expression, he subconsciously slowed his pace.

After waiting a moment, Song Qingxi finished her notes. As she turned, her gaze met Song Qingxing’s deep, penetrating eyes.

Song Qingxi instinctively averted her gaze, asking nervously, “What are you doing here?”

“Uncle asked me to bring you the Foundation Establishment Pill.” Song Qingxing opened his palm, where the Jade Bottle rested steadily.

Hearing this, Song Qingxi’s eyes lit up. She hurried forward and took the Jade Bottle, unable to hide the joy on her face. Seeing her expression, the corners of Song Qingxing’s own lips couldn’t help but curve slightly upward.

He was just about to speak when Song Qingxi suddenly turned away. “Thank you,” she said, her tone a bit strained. “I’m still busy here, so I can’t talk right now.”

With that, she turned to leave, but a strong hand caught her by the arm.

“Why are you avoiding me?”

Song Qingxi’s body stiffened instantly. “I’m not,” she whispered.

“You’re lying.”

“Ever since I returned from my journey, you’ve been deliberately avoiding me!” For a rare moment, Song Qingxing’s tone was thick with emotion.

“I… I’ve just been busy,” Song Qingxi said, her expression flustered.

Song Qingxing stepped in front of her, forcing her to meet his gaze. “What happened?” he demanded, his tone serious. “Tell me.”

Song Qingxi bit her lip, her head bowed, and did not answer.

The two stood in silence for a moment before Song Qingxing suddenly said, “I have already asked Uncle for your hand in marriage.”

As his words faded, Song Qingxi looked up in disbelief, then said with iron finality, “No. I refuse!”

“Uncle has already given his consent.”

“Then I’ll go speak to Uncle and make things clear. I will not become your cultivation partner,” Song Qingxi said stubbornly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Song Qingxing’s heart felt as if a giant hand had squeezed it tight. “Why?” he asked, his voice raw.

“I just don’t want to. Now leave.” Song Qingxi turned her face away and pointed down the mountain path, her voice trembling slightly.

“Just swear to me that you have never had any feelings for me, and I will never mention this again,” Song Qingxing said seriously, his hands clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood without him even realizing.

“Fine! I swear!”

Song Qingxi’s eyes were red as she raised her right hand to swear. “In my heart… in my heart, I have never…”

As she spoke, tears like pearls from a broken string streamed from the corners of her eyes. She simply could not force out the final words.

She covered her face and slowly sank to the ground, crying, “I can’t do it. Don’t make me.”

Song Qingxing knelt on one knee and pulled her into his arms. “No matter what it is, we will face it together,” he whispered. “Marry me, please?”

By now, Song Qingxi was sobbing uncontrollably. She was so happy to hear him say those words—truly, deeply happy.

But she couldn’t say yes. The gap between them was simply too vast; she couldn’t hold him back.

Song Qingxi wept. “Forget me. You deserve someone better…”

But Song Qingxing paid her words no heed. He cupped her small face in his hands and possessively crashed his lips against hers…

…

PS: Still a little late. I’m making up for one chapter today and will get the next one out as soon as I can~