Song Xiantu and the others were overjoyed. They quickly ushered the newcomers inside to rest, hanging a "Closed" sign on the shop’s front door ahead of schedule.

"Elder, you must be here to reopen the trade route with Luoxia City, right?" Song Xiantu said joyfully.

Song Luhuai nodded. "That’s right. The clan’s situation has improved in recent years, but our expenses have also grown, so we decided to open up new sources of revenue.

They were all carefully selected by the clan. In the future, they’ll be replacing some of you to return home. After so many years, everyone must be homesick, right?"

Hearing him say the word "home," the hearts of the shop staff stirred. Song Xiantu, in particular, felt his eyes begin to sting. After a moment, he sighed emotionally, "Yes... It’s been twenty years. I’ve almost forgotten what Vast Mist Peak even looks like."

Looking at his head of pure white hair, everyone present felt a pang of sorrow. How many twenty-year spans does a Qi Cultivator have in a lifetime?

Seeing the mood turning somber, Song Luhuai quickly interjected, "This is the clan’s current Young Clan Leader. He’s here not only to coordinate our operations, but also to represent the clan at the Great City Lord’s birthday banquet."

Song Xiantu and the others were taken aback. They quickly bowed respectfully to Song Changsheng. "The Young Clan Leader is here in person! We have been discourteous. Please forgive us, Young Clan Leader."

At this, Song Changsheng hurriedly took a large step to the side to avoid the bow. Then, with a beaming smile, he helped Song Xiantu up. "Clan Elder, you do this junior a great honor. You have served diligently so far from the clan; your contributions are immense. It should be I who bows to you."

His sincere words brought a smile to Song Xiantu’s wrinkled face. "I wouldn’t dare," he said quickly.

After the pleasantries were exchanged, Song Xiantu suddenly slapped his forehead. "Look at my memory!" he exclaimed to the group. "Once I start chatting, I lose all track of the time. I even forgot to arrange your accommodations. Young Clan Leader, Elder, and everyone, please follow me to the back courtyard."

With that, Song Xiantu led the group toward the back courtyard.

"Once night falls in Luoxia City, no one is permitted to move about freely," Song Luhuai suddenly announced to the group in a serious tone along the way. "You are all to stay quietly in your rooms at night. Understood?"

"We will remember," the group quickly promised, though their eyes were filled with confusion.

Seeing their expressions, Song Xiantu explained, "This is a rule established by one of Luoxia City’s former City Lords. It’s been in place for over a thousand years now, and everyone has always abided by it."

"Clan Elder, why is that?" a young clansman asked curiously.

Song Xiantu frowned and shook his head. "I don’t know."

’I don’t know? What kind of answer is that?’ The young man who had asked felt a little resentful.

"I have heard a few rumors, though. They say it’s because the city’s population is complex, so the nighttime curfew is meant to prevent troublemakers with ill intentions from taking advantage of the dark.

Anyone found wandering outside without prior approval will be expelled immediately upon discovery, barred from ever setting foot in Luoxia City again. The rules are extremely harsh," Song Luhuai explained to the group.

"Oh, so that’s why. I was hoping to go out and have a look around, since it’s such a rare opportunity to be here," the young man muttered under his breath.

"There will be plenty of time tomorrow morning. When you go somewhere, you follow the local rules," Song Luhuai said, glancing at him.

The young clansman who had just spoken immediately fell silent, not daring to complain any further. Though the Fourth Elder was usually amiable, that didn’t mean he was without a temper.

As they spoke, Song Xiantu led them into the general store’s back courtyard. Here stood a three-story wooden building resembling an inn, with many individual rooms.

"The rooms with open doors are unoccupied," Song Xiantu said kindly to the group. "You must all be weary from your long journey. Please get some rest for now. In a little while, I’ll have people arrange for food and hot water to be sent to your rooms."

"Thank you for your trouble, Clan Elder."

Even though they had traveled by Flying Ship, the journey had still been tiring for these Qi Cultivators. They needed a good rest to soothe their frayed nerves. After thanking Song Xiantu, they each went off to find a room.

Once everyone else had left, Song Xiantu turned to Song Changsheng and Song Luhuai. "Young Clan Leader, Elder, please follow me. Your rooms are this way. Our conditions here are a bit simple; I hope you’ll bear with us."

Song Changsheng shook his head. "Clan Elder, you are too kind. We are all cultivators. Just having a place to rest our heads is more than enough. How could we possibly be picky?"

A trace of surprise appeared in Song Xiantu’s eyes. ’Are those really the words of a young man?’

"Well said. The quality of the conditions is of little importance. For us cultivators, roughing it is a common affair," Song Luhuai said, nodding in approval.

"Very well, I’ll take you there now."

"Wait, there’s no hurry." Song Luhuai held up a hand to stop him and asked, "Has Sunx Tributor retired for the night? The Grand Elder asked us to pass on the clan’s greetings to him."

"Sunx Tributor has a habit of reading at night. He usually doesn’t take a short rest until after midnight, so he should still be awake.

However, he dislikes being disturbed while he reads, so I haven’t yet informed him of your and the Young Clan Leader’s arrival. I’ll go and fetch him right now," Song Xiantu replied quickly.

"No, no, don’t disturb Sunx Tributor’s reading. We can just as easily pay our respects tomorrow. For now, just take us to our rooms," Song Luhuai said, hastily stopping him.

"Yes, sir." Song Xiantu didn’t ask any more questions. With a sound of assent, he began to lead the way.

Along the way, Song Changsheng asked, a little puzzled, "Twelfth Uncle, who exactly is this Sunx Tributor? For you to treat him with such great importance..."