Chapter 112: Chapter 111: Reopening the Trade Route

Song Xianyun’s words instantly stirred everyone present. The clan had suffered disastrous losses in a previous battle, forcing them to sell many of their shops at low prices and even cede half the income from their Marketplace operations.

Now that the clan’s strength had surged, it was time to take back what they had lost!

"I agree! It’s time we made the Earth Fire Sect spit out what they swallowed!" a hot-tempered Clan Elder bellowed, slamming his hand on the table.

"It is time to take it back," Song Luyao said coldly.

The Elder Council unanimously passed Song Xianyun’s proposal. Soon after, the Song Clan convened a summit, gathering the Six Great Influences of Ling Province to renegotiate the shares of Liuyun Marketplace.

With their recent surge in power, the Song Clan held the absolute upper hand in the negotiations and unceremoniously carved out thirty percent of the profits for themselves.

The Earth Fire Sect was resentful, but the Lieyang Sect couldn’t be bothered to intervene in such matters. Without their powerful backer, they were no match for the Song Clan and could only manage to hold on to their base share of twenty percent.

The remaining fifty percent was split evenly among the other four powers. They hadn’t actually lost anything; the Earth Fire Sect was the biggest loser.

But they could only endure it. After all, in this world, strength reigns supreme!

The entire affair was orchestrated by Song Xianyun. Freed from his responsibilities, Song Changsheng once again entered seclusion to comprehend a Little Divine Technique.

But the difficulty of comprehending the Mountain-Flipping Seal was even greater than he had anticipated. Another three months passed, and he still hadn’t even reached the entry level.

However, he decided not to continue his seclusion. ’Working in isolation isn’t the right way,’ he thought. ’If I still can’t grasp its mysteries after all this time, it just means my fated opportunity hasn’t arrived yet.’

Having cleared his mind, Song Changsheng refined the Ink Jade Lotus Platform to Tier Two Low-Grade before ending his seclusion.

"Young Clan Leader, the Grand Elder instructed you to go see him the moment you emerged." A young clan member in a green robe approached Song Changsheng respectfully just as he stepped out of his Seclusion Chamber.

"I understand. You may go."

Song Changsheng gave a faint nod, then leisurely strolled toward the Minor Affairs Hall.

’Since the Grand Elder didn’t forcibly rouse me, the matter must not be that urgent,’ he reasoned. ’There’s no need to be in a hurry.’

At that moment, Song Xianyun was at his desk, writing furiously. Sensing Song Changsheng’s arrival, he spoke without looking up. "Changsheng, you’re here. Take a seat for a moment. I’m almost finished."

Song Changsheng shrugged and sat down nearby. With every inhale and exhale, he imperceptibly began to circulate the Body Forging Technique of the Earth Dragon Race.

He had now completely altered his breathing rhythm. Even while sleeping, he remained in a constant state of body forging. Turning his senses inward, he could see the outline of the Earth Dragon Flipping Over Painting faintly appearing on his spleen. Once the image materialized in its entirety, his practice of the Earth Dragon Flipping Over Painting would be considered to have reached the Great Success Realm.

"Changsheng, come over here." Song Xianyun suddenly beckoned to him.

Song Changsheng walked closer and saw an incredibly detailed beast-hide map spread across the desk. Song Xianyun pointed to a route traced on it with a Cinnabar Brush and said:

"Changsheng, although the clan recently reclaimed a portion of the Marketplace’s profits, our finances are still tight. After careful deliberation, the clan intends to reopen the trade route to Luoxia City. The Elder Council would like to hear your opinion."

A look of delight crossed Song Changsheng’s face, and he quickly replied, "This is wonderful news! The clan’s strength has grown so much in recent years; it’s definitely time to reopen the trade route."

The Song Clan’s trade with Luoxia City dated back more than a hundred years, to when Clan Leader Song Yunhan was in power. It was precisely because she established this trade route that she was able to take the clan from its nadir and lead it to prosperity.

You could say that over a hundred years ago, this trade route was the very lifeline of the Song Clan.

Even as the Song Clan grew progressively stronger, this trade route remained one of the mainstays of its economy.

However, after that battle a dozen-odd years ago, the Song Clan’s strength was crippled. Facing covetous gazes from all sides, Song Xianming made the decision to retract the clan’s sphere of influence, abandoning many of its enterprises—this trade route among them.

It was a decision the Song Clan had been forced to make, as they simply lacked the power to sustain the trade route any longer.

But things were different now. The Clan Leader’s injuries were gradually healing, and they had gained two new Foundation Establishment Cultivators. A short while ago, four more Elders had achieved breakthroughs. Their strength was on a completely different level, and they were more than capable of resuming the trade!

"But... what about security?" Song Changsheng started, then trailed off. Reopening the trade route was a great thing, of course—a single run could bring the clan massive profits—but he couldn’t help but think of what had happened to Song Luyao.

’We have too many enemies who covet what’s ours,’ he thought. ’I refuse to believe they’ll just stand by and watch us trade with Luoxia City without making a move.’

"There’s no need to worry about security," Song Xianyun said with a smile. "We’ve considered this carefully. The clan cannot sustain the trade route on its own, so this time, we’ve also joined forces with the Li Clan and the Wang Clan.

Our clan will dispatch two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, while the Wang Clan and Li Clan will each send one. A total of four Foundation Establishment Cultivators should be more than enough to deter any petty villains."

It dawned on Song Changsheng. Four Foundation Establishment Cultivators was a truly formidable force. Forget the Earth Fire Sect; even the Lieyang Sect would lose a few teeth if they tried to take on a group like that.

"What goods has the clan prepared for this trip?"

"Mostly the Spirit Medicines we obtained from the Wood Spirit Vein, along with some Magical Artifacts and Ore Ingots. The total value is close to twenty thousand Spirit Stones."

That was already a significant sum. If they could successfully complete this one transaction, the clan’s financial situation would be greatly eased.

"So, who has been selected for the trip?"

Song Xianyun gave a mysterious smile. "One is Luhuai. As for the other... well, that would be you."

"Me?" For a moment, Song Changsheng didn’t quite process it.

"That’s right. This was your grandfather’s idea as well. He said that a young man like you should get out and see the world, gain some experience, and broaden your horizons."

Surprise and delight flashed in Song Changsheng’s eyes. In all his years of cultivation, the clan had placed many restrictions on him; the farthest he had ever been was Liuyun Marketplace.

It wasn’t that he didn’t long to see the world beyond, but he was keenly aware of his position and the responsibility on his shoulders. So, he had remained holed up on the mountain.

And now, he could finally see the legendary Luoxia City for himself!

"When do we leave?" Song Changsheng asked, already itching to go.

"Gathering the supplies will take some time. We’re tentatively scheduled to depart next month. But before then," Song Xianyun said, retrieving an oblong box from his Qiankun Bag and handing it to Song Changsheng, "you need to refine this."

Song Changsheng accepted it, puzzled. The moment he opened it, an intense wave of Evil Qi washed over him, making the hairs on his body stand on end.

Steading his nerves, he looked into the box. Inside, three jet-black Willow Leaf Flying Knives were arranged neatly. Faint wisps of blood-red light swirled across their surfaces, emanating a suffocating Evil Qi.

"Spiritual Artifacts?" Song Changsheng exclaimed in surprise.

...

PS: The bonus Chapter I promised for the National Day holiday. My sincere apologies for posting it so late.