"You’ve been a great help today."

The baby in his arms was sound asleep, and Song Changsheng subconsciously lowered his voice. If Wum Yan hadn’t been standing so close, he wouldn’t have been able to make out the words.

"I was only doing my humble part."

Looking at the large mound of earth before them, Song Changsheng picked up a slab of Qingshi. Holding two fingers together like a blade, he swiftly carved lines of small characters onto its surface, then stood it up directly in front of the mound.

This was mainly to inform others of what had transpired. The Ling Clan was a major clan in the area; their sudden annihilation was certain to cause panic and trigger an investigation.

After all, slaughtering mortals was a grave taboo, no matter where one was.

After finishing, Song Changsheng let out a soft, melancholic sigh and said, "Let’s head back."

Wum Yan nodded, then took out the Jade Pendant he had found. "Senior, this was on his mother."

Song Changsheng took the Jade Pendant and examined it closely. He was surprised to find that the character "Ling" was carved in an ancient script.

This script originated from the Ancient Era, dating back over a hundred thousand years. It was vastly different from modern writing, and impossible to recognize without systematic study.

This was a clear example of the difference between clan disciples and Loose Cultivators. Members of the Song Clan, for instance, were required to master all such knowledge before adulthood.

In contrast, a Loose Cultivator like Wum Yan had no access to this kind of learning.

It was a tragic irony of this world that one could obtain an ancient inheritance and be completely unable to read it.

"’Ling’ must be your surname, then. From now on, you will be called Lingyun," Song Changsheng said in a low voice, tucking the Jade Pendant into the little one’s wrappings.

"Senior, what do you plan to do with the child?"

Having spent more time with Song Changsheng, Wum Yan had grown bolder. He asked curiously as they made their way back.

Though he constantly addressed Song Changsheng as "Senior," he knew full well the man was no older than thirty.

In the Mortal Realm, a man that age might already be a father to several children, but among Cultivators, he was still just a young man.

Especially for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, whose lifespan could exceed two hundred years, thirty was barely a start. He certainly had no experience raising a child.

He could see that Song Changsheng was quite fond of the baby, but he had come all the way from Ling Province to Xiang Province for a reason. Bringing a child along would be incredibly inconvenient.

His implication was clear: they needed to find a safe and proper place for the baby.

Song Changsheng naturally understood his unstated point. He looked down at Lingyun, sleeping soundly in his arms, and a flicker of conflict stirred within him.

Truthfully, he was very fond of the child. It wasn’t just sympathy for his plight; he felt a strong sense of destiny connecting them.

But a practical problem stared him in the face. His purpose on this trip was to escort Qingxing to the Celestial Sword Sect, which was situated in a warzone between two major sects. The area was fraught with peril. Bringing the little one along would be difficult, as he was simply too fragile. The slightest aftershock from a battle could snuff out his life.

Besides, he really didn’t know how to raise a child. ’I couldn’t even take proper care of Qingxi, so how could I manage a month-old baby?’

For a moment, Song Changsheng was caught in a dilemma. ’Should I keep him, or find a mortal family for him?’

From a safety standpoint, he leaned toward the latter option.

Finally, he looked at Wum Yan. "Are there any smaller clans with a good reputation in the area?"

"Reporting to Senior, a thousand li to the southwest, there is a cultivation family, the Wang Clan," Wum Yan replied quickly and respectfully. "I am acquainted with Clan Leader Wang. We could entrust Lingyun to him."

"In that case, I’ll have to trouble you to lead the way."

——————

Inside the inn, Song Qingxi paced back and forth, her pretty face etched with worry.

Chi Huo Old Ghost, who had returned some time ago, watched the anxious Song Qingxi. He grinned, revealing a set of large, yellow teeth, and said confidently, "Don’t you worry, Young Miss. With the Young Master’s level of cultivation, very few people in Xiang Province can pose a threat to him. He was probably just delayed by something. Please, set your mind at ease."

’I, of all people, know how strong Song Changsheng is. My chest still aches from his blow.’

’Besides,’ he thought, ’if Song Changsheng had really met some unexpected end, I wouldn’t be sitting here just fine. I’d have already followed him into the afterlife.’

His words, however, did not comfort Song Qingxi. She walked right up to Chi Huo Old Ghost and said, "Aren’t you Uncle’s follower? Go find him."

Chi Huo Old Ghost immediately shook his head like a rattle. He spread his hands and said, "Young Miss, the City of Independent Cultivators isn’t safe. With the Young Master away, this old slave is responsible for protecting you. If I were to abandon my post, the Young Master would be furious upon his return."

’What a joke,’ he thought. ’If Song Changsheng can’t handle something, what good would I be?’

’The safety of these two precious charges is far more important. I know where my priorities lie.’

But Song Qingxi wasn’t buying it. She stomped her foot in anger. "What danger could we possibly be in just by staying here? I see you’re just a coward, afraid to die!"

"If I weren’t afraid of dying, I’d already be in the Yellow Springs," Chi Huo Old Ghost retorted, taking the insult in stride. He was completely unfazed by the girl’s tantrum. He served Song Changsheng, and only Song Changsheng’s orders mattered.

Seeing that Chi Huo Old Ghost was unmoved, Song Qingxi’s mind raced. She put her hands on her hips and declared, "Fine! If you won’t go, I’ll go myself."

With that, she reached for the door.

Chi Huo Old Ghost didn’t indulge her. He simply cast a Restriction, sealing the room shut. He was a Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, after all. Even if Song Changsheng could pin him to the ground with a single palm, dealing with a little girl at the Qi Cultivation Stage was child’s play.

"You!"

Song Qingxi was fuming, her cheeks puffed out as she glared at Chi Huo Old Ghost with wide eyes.

Just as they were locked in a stalemate, the door was pushed open. A tall figure in a green robe stepped inside. He looked at the fuming Song Qingxi and broke into a smile. "What’s wrong? Who’s made you angry this time?"

Seeing Song Changsheng return safely, everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief.

Before Song Qingxi could tattle, Chi Huo Old Ghost immediately fell to his knees before Song Changsheng. "Reporting to the Young Master, it was this old slave who angered the Young Miss."

Song Changsheng knew exactly what had happened but deliberately put on a stern face. "Is that so? Then I must punish you severely for this!"

"This old slave accepts his punishment."

Seeing this, Song Qingxi’s heart softened. "It was my fault," she mumbled. "I was being willful. It has nothing to do with him."

"Since Xi’Er has spoken up for you, I’ll forgive you this time."

Playing along, Chi Huo Old Ghost bowed to Song Qingxi. "This old slave thanks the Young Miss for her mercy."

The two of them, performing their little act in perfect harmony, made Song Qingxi’s face flush with embarrassment.

Suddenly, she caught sight of something in Song Changsheng’s arms. She looked closer and realized, to her astonishment, that it was a baby.

She was utterly thunderstruck. ’Didn’t he say he was going out to settle a personal score? Why did he come back with a baby?’

"Uncle, what are you holding...?"

Seeing her confusion, Wum Yan, who had followed Song Changsheng in, quickly recounted the entire course of events.

When Song Qingxi heard that the entire Ling Clan had been massacred, she gasped and covered her mouth. She looked at Lingyun with eyes full of pity. "Then... does that mean he’s an orphan?"

Song Changsheng nodded grimly, then turned to Wum Yan. "You have been a great help today. I hope this will be of some use to you and your men."

As he spoke, he handed a Storage Bag to Wum Yan.

Wum Yan was shocked and quickly waved his hands in refusal. "Senior, you saved the lives of me and a dozen of my brothers. I haven’t even had a chance to repay you. How could I possibly accept your things?"

But Song Changsheng simply stuffed the Storage Bag into his hand without taking no for an answer. He clapped him on the shoulder. "You made the right choice today. You’ve earned this. Take it and go get some rest. If you ever need anything in the future, you can find me with the Song Clan in Ling Province."

The weight of those words was immense. Wum Yan accepted the Storage Bag and bowed solemnly to Song Changsheng. "Thank you for your gift, Senior. This humble one will take his leave."

After Wum Yan had left, Song Changsheng turned to Chi Huo Old Ghost. "What have you found out about the matter I asked you to investigate?"

...