When she heard Song Changsheng's decision, Xia Yunxue clenched her fists instinctively but soon relaxed again. This answer... hadn't she already expected it?
From a mother's perspective, she didn't want her son to take on the burdens of being the so-called Young Clan Lord. That position came with far too much weight.
Song Xianming had served as clan lord for nearly a century. His contributions to the family were countless. To every member of the Song clan, he was a towering pillar, a bridge of gold stretching across the sea.
But how many people knew that in all those years, Song Xianming had left the peak of Cangmang Mountain only a handful of times? He had been trapped atop this mountain for a lifetime.
As a mother, she didn't want her son to follow in his grandfather's footsteps.
But as a clan elder, she understood this was the best outcome.
Song Changsheng was the ideal candidate. He could shoulder the hopes of all the Song clan's descendants. He could lead the family forward, perhaps even restore its former glory it wasn't an empty dream.
"You've decided?" Xia Yunxue took a deep breath and asked.
"I have."
"Good. The ceremony will be held together with the Foundation Establishment celebration. Let's eat now."
The meal that followed was tasteless for both of them. The table was filled with dishes but barely touched. Yet the jar of Red Beauty's Drunk was emptied to the last drop.
Only two jars of this wine had ever existed. Xia Yunxue left the last one for Song Changsheng, and he stored it away as a treasured keepsake…
The Next Morning
After solidifying his cultivation, Song Changsheng made his way toward Wind Whisper Hall. Having successfully reached the Foundation Establishment, it was only right for him to visit his Ninth Aunt.
Wind Whisper Hall was the clan's intelligence agency, established a century ago. It served as the clan's eyes and ears in the outside world and had made notable contributions.
However, due to its relatively short history, it rarely managed to obtain core intelligence from the major powers of Lingzhou. As a result, it had always remained a low-key presence within the clan.
This was Song Changsheng's first visit. The place was indeed remote practically embedded into a cliffside, covered in creeping ivy. If one wasn't paying attention, it would be easy to miss entirely.
Lifting the ivy and stepping inside, the temperature dropped several degrees. Every so often, a few people passed by him, all cloaked in black robes that concealed their faces and masked their presence.
Though curious about his arrival, none of them stopped to question him.
Following the corridor, Song Changsheng eventually reached the main hall only to be stopped by a burly middle-aged man who gruffly said, "Third Elder requests your presence."
"I appreciate the guidance."
Song Changsheng wasn't surprised that Song Luoyao already knew he was coming. After all, once inside someone else's domain, nothing goes unnoticed.
The burly man said nothing more, simply turning and leading the way. As they walked, Song Changsheng took in his surroundings and found the place to be surprisingly quiet. They'd walked for quite a while, yet encountered almost no one.
Moreover, most of the few people he did see didn't appear to be of the Song clan likely outsiders raised and trained by the family since youth.
After about fifteen minutes, the man suddenly stopped and respectfully cupped his hands toward Song Changsheng. "The Elder awaits inside. Please proceed on your own."
"Thank you."
Song Changsheng pushed the door open and entered. The room resembled a scripture repository with rows upon rows of bookshelves, each stacked with jade slips of various types.
At a glance, there were thousands of them a breathtaking sight.
"You're here," came a cool, emotionless voice.
Song Changsheng turned and saw Song Luoyao seated in a wooden wheelchair, her gaze calm and steady as she looked at him.
"Greetings, Ninth Aunt. Your nephew has successfully reached Foundation Establishment," Song Changsheng stepped forward respectfully and bowed.
Song Luoyao's expression remained unreadable as if the news didn't surprise her in the slightest. She spoke lightly:
"I heard you've comprehended the True Meaning of Yin and Yang?"
"I have."
"Not bad. Your future in the Purple Mansion Realm is promising perhaps even the Golden Core path isn't out of reach," a faint hint of comfort and pride flickered across her face.
"Ninth Aunt flatters me. I was just lucky, that's all."
"Mm. Not arrogant, not impatient that's more like a proper Young Clan Lord."
As she spoke, Song Luoyao glanced at the purple jade token hanging from his waist.
It was she who had first proposed appointing Song Changsheng as the Young Clan Lord and from the current results, she had not chosen the wrong person. He truly was the most suitable candidate.
Song Changsheng gave a wry smile. He had just been lucky.
He took out a purple jade bottle and respectfully said, "The clan has its rules. To obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill, one must first make a significant contribution and earn it through fair competition. I dare not break the clan's rules, so I've come to return the pill."
Seeing the untouched Foundation Establishment Pill, a trace of surprise flickered in Song Luoyao's eyes. "You used the ancient cultivator method to reach Foundation Establishment?"
"I did."
"Foolish!"
Song Luoyao slammed the armrest of her wheelchair and reprimanded him sternly, "The ancient cultivator method for Foundation Establishment is incredibly dangerous. If anything had happened to you, would you be able to face all those clansmen who placed their hopes in you?"
Song Changsheng stood respectfully at her side, head slightly lowered, not daring to offer a single word of rebuttal.
Seeing his obedient posture, Song Luoyao's expression eased slightly. Her voice turned colder but calmer. "Don't act so recklessly again in the future."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Since you didn't use this Foundation Establishment Pill, you can now decide who to give it to. As the Young Clan Lord, you have the authority." She pushed the jade bottle back to him with a light tone.
Song Changsheng was a little surprised at her words but quickly understood this was a test. Distributing the Foundation Establishment Pill was a delicate task, far more complex than it seemed.
"I will carry out your instructions."
"By the way, I have one more matter that requires your attention." Song Luoyao suddenly said as she picked up a jade slip.
"I await your orders, Ninth Aunt."
"These past two years while you were in seclusion, I wasn't idle. I finally uncovered some traces of the traitor within our clan. By now, I'm almost certain of their identity."
A flash of hatred crossed Song Changsheng's eyes as he growled, "Who is it?"
"All the details are inside this jade slip. I'm giving you full authority to handle the matter." After handing it to him, Song Luoyao wheeled herself away.
Song Changsheng pressed the jade slip to his forehead, and in the next instant, his eyes widened in shock.
"How… how could it be him?"
...
After leaving Wind Whisper Hall, Song Changsheng didn't return to his quarters. Instead, he headed for a courtyard halfway up the mountain. As he looked around at the familiar surroundings, a heavy feeling settled over him.
"Well, if it isn't Sheng'er. Or should I say… Young Clan Lord now."
A kind-faced middle-aged man approached with a cheerful smile.
Seeing the man before him only made Song Changsheng's heart sink deeper. Still, he cupped his hands and said,
"Uncle Lusheng."
Song Lusheng didn't notice anything unusual about Song Changsheng's demeanor. With a grin, he said, "Ever since you learned Water Dragon Chant, you haven't visited me much. My father still talks about you often. Come on in, let's catch up."
Song Changsheng didn't move. His expression was complicated as he quietly said,
"Uncle… why did you become a traitor?"
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