Chapter 606 - 83: Intimidation (2)

Fortunately, they were sensible enough not to follow the Lieyang Sect down a path of no return. Otherwise, the outcome of today’s battle would have been far from certain.

Song Changsheng was now contemplating a problem: how to manage Yang Province in the future.

Although they had conquered Yang Province, the Song Clan, having just been through a great war, didn’t actually have the spare manpower to manage this new territory. To maintain Yang Province’s stability and prosperity, power would inevitably have to be temporarily delegated to the people standing before him.

And this period wouldn’t be short. After all, given the Song Clan’s current situation, it would take them decades to recover, leaving them with no energy to develop this region.

Therefore, he had to put these people in their place first.

This would prevent them from getting any inappropriate ideas as time went on.

Song Changsheng’s gaze first fell upon Chu Nanfeng, the Clan Leader of the Chu Clan.

The Chu Clan was the strongest among the major clans, possessing seven Foundation Establishment Cultivators, two of whom were at the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection realm. They were the most likely candidates in Yang Province to replace the Lieyang Sect, and also the ones Song Changsheng needed to be most wary of.

A smile spread across his face as he asked, "Now that the Lieyang Sect has been dealt with, I wonder what plans all you Clan Leaders have for the future?"

Hearing this, Chu Nanfeng and the others exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of what Song Changsheng meant.

After a moment’s hesitation, Bai Ruohong said tentatively, "We will naturally follow the Ascendant’s lead. If the Ascendant has any orders, we will not hesitate, even if it means going through fire and water."

"Indeed, what Clan Leader Bai said is exactly what we are all thinking. The Gan Clan is at the Ascendant’s disposal at any time," Gan Xingyuan hurriedly chimed in.

"The Shen Clan is the same."

"The Shangguan Clan will not shy away, even from ten thousand deaths."

...

The Clan Leaders all began to pledge their loyalty, posturing as if they wouldn’t even frown if Song Changsheng ordered them to attack the Golden Crow Sect right now.

A smile appeared on Song Changsheng’s face at just the right moment. He nodded slightly and said, "I understand the intentions of you Clan Leaders, but..."

He first affirmed their loyalty, then his tone shifted, and a troubled expression appeared on his face.

Bai Ruohong, ever perceptive, picked up the cue. "Is there something troubling the Ascendant that we can help with?"

"Alas, Yang Province is prosperous, a rare and precious land. But my Song Clan is currently short-staffed and spread far too thin. The problem of managing Yang Province going forward is giving me a terrible headache," Song Changsheng sighed, feigning distress.

As soon as he said this, the minds of the Clan Leaders began to race. One of the reasons they had switched sides so decisively was that they’d anticipated the Song Clan had not yet recovered its Primordial Qi and would be short on manpower.

In this case, if the Song Clan wanted to ensure Yang Province’s stability, they would have to win over and rely on them.

When the time came, they would just have to wait for the Song Clan to withdraw. ’Wouldn’t Yang Province become their world again then?’

At this thought, Bai Ruohong immediately stepped forward, cupped her hands, and said, "So this is what has been troubling the Ascendant. If you would not disdain our help, Ascendant, we can shoulder this burden for you."

The others heard this and quickly echoed their agreement.

Song Changsheng’s eyes lit up. He said with relief, "It is wonderful that you Clan Leaders feel this way. My Song Clan are outsiders, after all. It’s not as convenient for us to act as it is for all of you."

Hearing Song Changsheng’s words, the leaders could hardly believe their ears. They had only been testing the waters, never expecting Song Changsheng to actually agree to let them manage Yang Province. This was like a pie falling from the sky.

’He’s still young, after all. His cultivation may be profound, but he lacks experience,’ Chu Nanfeng thought to himself as he looked at that excessively youthful face.

In his view, for Song Changsheng to have achieved such a high cultivation at such a young age, he must have spent all his time cultivating. It was only normal that his foresight would be lacking.

Just as they were secretly congratulating themselves, Song Changsheng’s gentle voice sounded in their ears again. "As the saying goes, a snake cannot move without a head, and a bird cannot fly without wings. I intend to select one among you Clan Leaders to be my Song Clan’s representative in Yang Province, to oversee all of its affairs. Do any of you have a good candidate in mind?"

As soon as he said this, the hearts of the leaders began to pound.

But they hadn’t completely lost their heads. They knew this was not a matter for them to comment on, so they all humbly deferred to Song Changsheng’s arrangements.

And that was exactly what Song Changsheng had been waiting for them to say.

"Since none of you have a good candidate, allow me to make the appointment.

I think Clan Leader Chu is quite suitable. The Chu Clan’s strength is the greatest in Yang Province. Furthermore, as I understand it, you Clan Leaders formed an alliance before this, and Clan Leader Chu was the Alliance Leader. This shows that Clan Leader Chu has earned everyone’s recognition.

What do you think? How is the candidate I have chosen?"

Although Song Changsheng had a smile on his face, the sight of it made the others’ scalps tingle with fear. Chu Nanfeng, in particular, broke out in a cold sweat, a chill creeping up his neck.

’How does he know?’

This was the question that rose in everyone’s mind.

After news of the Lieyang Sect’s defeat had spread, they had indeed formed a secret alliance, agreeing to carve up the Lieyang Sect’s assets and, if necessary, even overthrow the sect and become the masters of Yang Province themselves.

And there was a crucial clause: to unite as one against external threats.

This "external threat," of course, referred to the Song Clan.

Of course, the end result was that before their alliance could even start making moves, the Song Clan displayed its overwhelming power, and they all promptly backstabbed their own allies.

Although it ended before it even began, the alliance had most certainly existed.

The other parts weren’t a big deal, but the clause about uniting against the Song Clan was absolutely damning at this moment!

Especially with Chu Nanfeng as the Alliance Leader.

At this moment, he couldn’t be bothered to wonder who the informant was. He hastily cupped his hands and said, "What virtue or ability do I possess to take on such a heavy responsibility? I implore the Ascendant to retract his command."

"Oh, you’re too modest. If even Clan Leader Chu, the Alliance Leader, cannot handle it, then who in all of Yang Province possibly could?" Song Changsheng said with a smirk.

In an instant, cold sweat poured down Chu Nanfeng’s face.

’Those words cut right to the heart!’

THUD. He fell to his knees, his voice trembling. "I beg the Ascendant to retract his command."

A cold sneer flickered in Song Changsheng’s eyes. He turned to Shangguan Yinn and said, "Since Alliance Leader Chu is unwilling to lighten my burden, then let Vice Alliance Hierarch Shangguan do it."

THUD. Shangguan Yinn also dropped straight to his knees, proclaiming, "I dare not."

Song Changsheng’s gaze swept over the remaining few. Anyone his eyes fell upon felt a chill run down their spine, and one by one, they fell prostrate before him.

"Since none of you are willing to lighten my burden, we’ll put the matter of the representative on hold for now. You are all dismissed," Song Changsheng said. He had no intention of killing the chicken to warn the monkey, so he simply intimidated them a little before letting them go.

Hearing this, the seven of them felt as if they’d received a general amnesty and hastily retreated.

Only after they were out of Song Changsheng’s line of sight did they let out a long sigh of relief.

Then, with an ugly expression, Chu Nanfeng looked at the others and said, "I have asked myself, and I have done nothing to wrong any of you. Why did you conspire against me?"

Bai Ruohong was not pleased to hear this.

"You can’t possibly think we were the ones who leaked the information, can you?"

"If not, then how could Song... the Ascendant... know about it in such detail?" Chu Nanfeng demanded sharply.

He was truly terrified. When Song Changsheng had said those words, he had genuinely thought he was going to make an example of the Chu Clan. Thankfully, Song Changsheng hadn’t seemed inclined to press the matter.

With the lives of his entire clan at stake, Chu Nanfeng stopped beating around the bush and dropped all pretenses.

Faced with his accusation, no one admitted to anything, of course. But Chu Nanfeng’s words planted a seed of doubt in the others’ hearts, and their gazes toward one another grew wary.

In the end, the group parted on bad terms.

In reality, there was no mole. The news of their secret alliance had been relayed by a spy from Wind Language Hall. Song Changsheng didn’t know nearly as much as they imagined, but with their guilty consciences, they didn’t think that deeply about it.

Thus, their already fragile trust was completely shattered by this incident.

One would expect them to be a bit more docile for some time to come.

After whipping these people into shape, Song Changsheng immediately led his men toward Xiang Province...

...