[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-from-age-seventeen-i-became-the-head-of-the-long":3,"chapter-from-age-seventeen-i-became-the-head-of-the-long-from-age-seventeen-i-became-the-head-of-the-long-chapter-71":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","From Age Seventeen, I Became the Head of the Longevity Clan",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1566360,2031,"Chapter 71 : Chapter 71","from-age-seventeen-i-became-the-head-of-the-long-chapter-71",71,"\u003Cp>Chapter 71: The Ember Plan\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Family Head, terrible news! We just received a flying hawk message from our scouts. Red Maple City has fallen. Baihe County will now face the demonic chaos head-on!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black-robed Li Clan messenger rushed in, his face full of panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Red Maple City fell that quickly? What were they doing? That was a full thirty thousand elite soldiers and three Qi-Blood Realm cultivators! They could not even hold for half a day?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Elder Li Xuanyong was visibly shocked by the news, and the other elders were also frowning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This demonic beast calamity was simply too abnormal. Not only had it come early, the ferocity of the demon race’s offensive far exceeded the previous calamities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had they gone mad?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Elder drew a deep breath, his face grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Family Head, the demon race has come with overwhelming force. One wrong step, and our entire clan may perish. We must make preparations at once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Grand Elder is right. Family Head, the demonic beast calamity is no trivial matter. It is not something our Li Clan alone can withstand. I propose that the family activate the Ember Plan!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third Elder Li Xuanyong said worriedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone present understood what the Ember Plan was. They were all its participants and its planners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the Third Elder brought it up, the hearts of everyone in the room grew unbearably heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had the Li Clan, which had still been flourishing only yesterday, already been driven to this point today?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for relocating the entire clan, small and insignificant households might perhaps be overlooked by those above. After all, when facing turmoil of this level, such bottom-tier families could scarcely even be called cannon fodder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a family of the Li Clan’s size, if it attempted to flee, would most likely be struck down first by those above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let us activate the Ember Plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xingge sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, it all came down to one thing: the Li Clan was still too weak. It could not yet control its own fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elders exchanged glances. Then the Grand Elder drew a deep breath, rose to his feet, and said to Li Xingge, “Family Head, this old man has something to say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xingge was somewhat puzzled, but still answered, “Please speak, Grand Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Elder’s expression was solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This old man asks the Family Head to step down and yield the position to another worthy one!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest of the elders also rose at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We ask the Family Head to step down and yield the position!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xingge froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What did they mean by this? Why, all of a sudden, were they asking him to abdicate as Family Head?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But very quickly, he understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Li Clan’s ancestral precept was this: the Family Head must stand or fall with the clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately snapped, “What, do all of you take me, Li Xingge, for the sort of man who fears death and clings to life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elders shook their heads. The Grand Elder gave a bitter smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the final analysis, Family Head, you yourself are the true ember of the Li Clan. The Li Clan can do without us old men, but it cannot do without you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Grand Elder is right. We ask the Family Head to step down and lead the clan’s ember away from Shenglong Prefecture!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We ask the Family Head to think of the family’s future!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please step down, Family Head!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Li Xingge slammed his palm against the table and roared, “Say no more! As the Li Clan’s Family Head, I shall naturally live and die together with the clan. If anyone mentions stepping down again, do not blame me for enforcing the family law without mercy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elders all stiffened. The Grand Elder sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Family Head, why must you insist on this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he truly could not leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rest easy, all of you. I am not some stubborn fool. If things truly cannot be done, I have my own means of preserving myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xingge said, trying to reassure them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for the Ember Plan, let the Sixth Elder and Seventh Elder carry it out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sixth Elder and Seventh Elder both shook their heads at once. The Sixth Elder said, “Family Head, the Ember Plan should be carried out by the young. I am willing to live and die with the clan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So am I!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>said the Seventh Elder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xingge slammed his hand against the table again and thundered, “If the family truly falls in this upheaval, then who will protect the clan’s embers? If something happens to the embers, and the clan’s inheritance and continuation are severed, what face will you have left to meet the ancestors below the Nine Springs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men shuddered, and the words of refusal died in their throats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Ember Plan arranged, the next matter to discuss was naturally how to face the demonic beast calamity that was soon to descend upon them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Family Head, the matter of the demonic chaos is not something one family alone can deal with. Only by gathering the strength of all the great families of Baihe County do we stand a chance of survival.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Grand Elder suggested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xingge nodded, his face full of agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the demonic beast calamity was vast in scale, it would not focus all its strength solely upon Baihe County. The demon race’s power would inevitably be spread out. That meant the Li Clan was not without a chance to preserve itself amidst the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that thought, Li Xingge made his decision on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Send invitations at once to every great family and sect master in Baihe County. Let them come to Qingfeng Valley to discuss the demonic chaos. If any fail to appear, let none say they were not warned!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Grand Elder’s estate,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Grand Elder sat in the seat of honor, slowly sipping a steaming cup of tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Elder, the three retainers have arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Elder nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Show them in at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, Jiang Dao and a tall, strange figure shrouded entirely in black robes stepped in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two cupped their fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Dao and the Heavenly Crippled Twin Elders greet the Grand Elder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, sit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Grand Elder said with a smile, extending one hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three retainers took their seats, and maidservants immediately came forward with the hot tea that had long since been prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask why the Grand Elder summoned us? Is there some task you wish to assign us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rough female voice came from beneath the black robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Elder gave a light laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The family has just received intelligence. The demon race in the Qinghe Mountain Range has risen in chaos and already broken through Red Maple City.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two of them were visibly shaken, their eyes filling with shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, they both understood what it meant for Red Maple City to have fallen. Baihe County would now face the demon race’s spearhead directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Li Clan has already made preparations for the worst. The family has resolved to offer itself for the nation. Yet the demon race’s forces are mighty, and this stand will most likely be a battle with only one chance in ten thousand of survival. The three of you are not surnamed Li. There is no need for you to throw away your lives for our clan. If you choose to leave now, the Li Clan will not hinder you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Elder said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hoarse male voice spoke from beneath the robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Elder, do you truly mean that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Elder smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This old man never speaks falsehoods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence fell beneath the black robe, as if some internal struggle was taking place. After a moment, the strange figure made its choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Elder, it is not that we are faithless and ungrateful. It is only that this demonic chaos is too dangerous. Since the Grand Elder is willing to let us go, then we will repay the Li Clan’s kindness another day. Mountains high and roads long. Until we meet again. Farewell!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Elder nodded with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Travel safely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strange figure turned and left without a backward glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching that retreating back, the Grand Elder shook his head, then turned to Jiang Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And you, Retainer Jiang? Will you not leave?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Dao gave a light laugh and said calmly, “Grand Elder, the Li Clan has treated me generously. I, Jiang Dao, am not an ungrateful man. I am willing to live and die together with the clan!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, the Grand Elder burst into hearty laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The ancients truly spoke no falsehood when they said that true feelings are seen in adversity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is only what Jiang Dao ought to do. Jiang Dao once said that if the Li Clan settled the Yang family for him, then this life of mine would belong to the Li Clan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand Elder lifted his teacup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Retainer Jiang, let me offer you a cup of tea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Jiang Dao left, Li Xingge slowly stepped out from behind a folding screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He and the Grand Elder exchanged a look and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>",1545,"2026-06-06T08:04:24.247Z",1,"novelbin.me","d425813e93bc8f19944a4ca43c59ecc27f986aa375cdbe3337aecdb6899b7c3f","from-age-seventeen-i-became-the-head-of-the-long-chapter-72","from-age-seventeen-i-became-the-head-of-the-long-chapter-70",73,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffrom-age-seventeen-i-became-the-head-of-the-long-cover.jpg"]