Chapter 534 - 47: Song Xianming’s Worry

"Zhangye?" The others were somewhat bewildered.

Song Changsheng smiled faintly; their reaction was just as he had expected. The name "Zhangye" was indeed difficult to comprehend in the Daqi Cultivation World because it came from a world in Song Changsheng’s past life. There, it meant "to extend the nation’s arm and connect with the Western Regions."

Song Changsheng had named this land beneath their feet with a similar intention: "to extend the clan’s arm and scheme against the Demon Realm." It was a borrowed phrase, perhaps, but it represented his hopes and aspirations for this land.

Zhangye County bordered the territory of the Demon Race, which was a major drawback.

But there are two sides to every coin. Ling Province’s geography was extremely restrictive. To the northwest lay Yuan Province, and to the northeast was Qing Province—both were within the Golden Crow Sect’s sphere of influence.

To the west was the Huansha Sect, to the south was Luoxia City, and to the east was the Lieyang Sect. Not a single one was an easy target. This was an insurmountable barrier to the Song Clan’s development, severely limiting their potential for growth.

If the Song Clan wanted to expand, they would have to resort to force on all sides. But a war of sect annihilation was no small matter. Even when facing the Lieyang Sect, the weakest of their neighbors, the slightest misstep could lead to a disastrous failure.

Zhangye County, however, was different. It was an arm extended by the Song Clan, reaching over the natural barrier of Bian Province and plunging directly into the Hundred Thousand Mountains. It was a position from which they could attack or defend.

Song Changsheng was certain the Allied Army would not stop at Tuo Province. The Golden Crow Sect and the Celestial Vein Sect would never be content with the current situation. After a period of rest and recovery, the next expedition was sure to follow.

When that time came, the Song Clan could use Zhangye County as a bridgehead to make designs on the Demon Race’s territory west of the Canglan River. Zhangye was a "County" now, but who was to say it couldn’t become a "Province" in the future?

This was Song Changsheng’s ambition. He would conquer a vast territory for the clan, ensuring that generations of his descendants would live in prosperity, never again to be troubled by a lack of resources!

"Zhangye... Not bad at all. Then it’s settled. Lutong, from this day forward, you are the Garrison Envoy of Zhangye. You must bear this responsibility well," Song Xianyun said to Song Lutong, his tone grave.

"Twenty-first Uncle, you can rest assured! I will absolutely, uh... guard Zhangye County well for the clan! If I fail in any way, this nephew will answer with his life!" Song Lutong declared, brimming with confidence.

Seeing his zeal, Song Changsheng gave him a preemptive warning. "Uncle Tong, your head is of no use to us. The clan wants Zhangye. Don’t get careless. It’s easy to lose, but much harder to take back."

"As long as I stand, Zhangye stands."

"As long as we stand, Zhangye stands!" Song Chang’an and Song Changxuan also rose, speaking in unison.

"Then I shall entrust it to you all." Song Changsheng said, solemnly bowing with his hands clasped toward the three of them.

After the meeting concluded, Song Xianming walked over to Song Changsheng and said quietly, "Come, take a walk with me."

Song Changsheng paused for a moment, then lowered his head. "Yes."

The two departed from Five Elements Peak, heading west until they finally stopped on the bank of a great river so wide its other shore was lost to sight.

"So this is the Canglan River? It’s truly vast. No wonder it was able to halt the Allied Army’s advance," Song Xianming remarked with feeling, having climbed to a higher vantage point to gaze into the distance at the surging waters and flocks of wild geese.

"A pity it’s a dead river," Song Changsheng said quietly, walking silently behind Song Xianming.

"Yes, a Land of No Spirit. No Spiritual Qi, no value to be developed. Its only purpose is to serve as a border between Zhangye and the Demon Race."

Song Xianming murmured to himself, then turned to Song Changsheng. "So you didn’t choose this place just for the Tier Three Spirit Vein beneath Five Elements Peak, did you?"

"If it were merely for resources, I had many places to choose from. But only here does the clan have room to maneuver," Song Changsheng said, his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze seemed to travel across the boundless river, fixing on the vast lands to the west.

"’Thrive in adversity, perish in comfort.’ You’ve done the right thing. I have always believed that you could lead the clan to entirely new heights."

"But, Sheng’er, you must remember not to be too hasty. The clan is not as powerful as it appears to the outside world. A single careless move could bring about the danger of complete collapse," Song Xianming warned gravely.

If one had to say who in the Song Clan understood Song Changsheng best, it would have to be Song Xianming. Even his own mother, Xia Yunxue, would have to take a back seat.

From the moment he saw the map Song Changsheng had sent back to the clan, he had understood what was on the young man’s mind, and it filled him with a slight sense of unease.

Song Changsheng was young, full of ideas, and brimming with ambition. In his eyes, these were good things; they were the main reason he had chosen to step down from leadership at the height of his power.

But it was for this very reason that he now felt a sense of disquiet. He worried Song Changsheng would take too large a stride and lead the Song Clan into an abyss from which there was no return.

The lands of the Demon Race were not so easily taken. Otherwise, the Daqi Cultivation World would not have waited until now to launch its expedition. He hoped Song Changsheng would not be blinded by the promise of immediate gains.

He could tell from the recent meeting that the mentality of the clan’s upper echelons had already begun to shift.

Song Lutong had never enjoyed mundane duties, much less having tasks assigned to him by the clan. Yet this time, he had actively volunteered to come to Zhangye.

Why?

Because he saw resources. And he saw that there were even more resources west of the great river.

He was already sharpening his blades, eager to carve out more territory and seize more resources.

This wasn’t just his own thought; it was shared by the vast majority of the clan. The wealth of Zhangye County had exceeded their expectations, and it had stoked an even greater greed within their hearts.

It was understandable that they would think this way, but Song Xianming hoped that Song Changsheng did not share their sentiment.

Because he was the one at the Song Clan’s helm, and he had to keep a clear head at all times.