The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

Lan Cai'er let out a smug laugh, her defiance shining through even in defeat. Yun Yantian's face turned cold as his grip on the black short spear tightened. He took a deliberate step forward, intending to strike her down and eliminate the future threat she posed to the Yun Cang Yun clan.

Such a risk could not be left to chance.

"Master Immortal, what are you doing?"

Chang Yuan and Xiao Shan, recognizing Yun Yantian's murderous intent, hurriedly stepped in to block his path.

"Move," Yun Yantian ordered, his voice cold and commanding.

"Master Immortal, you needn't worry. This Gu Cult witch has no chance of escaping," Chang Yuan pleaded earnestly.

"You've already sealed her dantian, rendering her a mere mortal. Under our watch, there will be no incidents. Once we've flown a message to the county office, Magistrate Lu will immediately request an imperial court enforcer to meet us at the foot of Mount Chuyun.

"From there, this Lan Cai'er will be transported under heavy guard to the court's special prison, where escape is impossible. She won't even have a chance to seek revenge against you!"

Chang Yuan was desperate to calm Yun Yantian. The imperial court's directive was clear: all Gu Cultists were to be captured alive. Killing her now would strip the court of the intelligence and leverage they sought, potentially leading to severe repercussions.

While Yun Yantian's status as a cultivator of noble lineage shielded him from any direct punishment, the same could not be said for the local officials. Any mishap would derail their careers.

"Yantian, listen to Magistrate Chang," Yun Yanshuang interjected gently.

Her soft words tempered Yun Yantian's fury, the sharpness in his gaze dimming slightly. While he could disregard the pleas of others, his sister's voice carried weight.

"I don't trust them," Yun Yantian muttered. "If she escapes, our clan will be in grave danger."

"Don't forget, we still have our master," Yun Yanshuang reminded him with a reassuring smile.

Yun Yantian paused, his mind flashing to the blind elder who sat under the willow tree outside their estate year-round.

Despite the old man's ragged appearance and penchant for drinking, Yun Yantian had always sensed a boundless depth to his master's abilities, far beyond his own comprehension.

"Besides," Yun Yanshuang continued, her tone light but persuasive, "our family is in the middle of a critical phase of growth. Capturing this Gu Cult witch alive will earn us a significant reward from the court. That reward could fund our development and provide us with much-needed cultivation resources.

"If we kill her, the court's reward will vanish, and all our efforts over these past few days will have been for nothing."

Yun Yantian sighed, a faint smile breaking through his cold demeanor. "You're only interested in the money, aren't you?"

"Of course!" Yun Yanshuang giggled. "Without resources, how will we cultivate? And without stronger cultivation, how will we protect our clan and become its pillars of support?"

"Fine," Yun Yantian relented, shaking his head with a wry smile. He reached out to ruffle his sister's hair affectionately.

The menacing aura surrounding Yun Yantian dissipated, much to the relief of Chang Yuan and Xiao Shan.

"Prepare the formation! We're escorting the Gu Cult witch down the mountain immediately!" Chang Yuan commanded, his voice firm.

"Li Feizhang, send a message via carrier pigeon to Magistrate Lu. Inform him to alert the court and request an enforcer to meet us at the base of the mountain. We'll hand her over upon our descent."

The soldiers busied themselves following Chang Yuan's orders, the tension in the air finally easing.

"Brother Yantian," Sun Fenglin approached, attempting to engage Yun Yantian in conversation.

"Our relationship ends here," Yun Yantian replied coldly, not sparing a glance as he turned and began descending the mountain with Yun Yanshuang by his side.

Watching Yun Yantian's cold and dismissive demeanor, Sun Fenglin could only manage a bitter smile, unable to muster any resentment.

He knew full well that this entire situation was his fault.

When Lan Cai'er had subdued him earlier, his first instinct wasn't to resist but to drag Yun Yantian and his sister into the mess.

By deliberately shouting, "Brother Yantian, if not now, then when?" he ensured Lan Cai'er knew that others were lurking nearby. The move forced Yun Yantian into action, diverting the witch's attention away from the Sun brothers.

Later, while Yun Yantian and Yun Yanshuang fought against Lan Cai'er, Sun Fenglin and his brother Sun Fengxuan intentionally stayed back, choosing to remain passive observers.

Their strategy was clear: wait until both sides were severely weakened, then swoop in to claim victory. This way, they could not only eliminate the Yun Cang Yun siblings but also capture Lan Cai'er for the glory and rewards.

But no matter how meticulously Sun Fenglin schemed, he had grossly underestimated the sheer strength and capability of the Yun siblings.

"Stop! That witch's storage pouch undoubtedly holds many treasures. Why should you take it all for yourself?"

Sun Fengli, now standing shakily after his earlier defeat, glared at Yun Yantian's retreating figure and roared.

"And what do you intend to do about it?"

Yun Yantian halted and turned his gaze back, cold and piercing.

"This operation was a joint effort between our families. The contents of her storage pouch must be evenly divided!"

"Joint effort?" Yun Yantian's tone dripped with disdain. "Then why, when my sister and I were risking our lives fighting her, were you and your brothers nowhere to be seen?"

"I..."

Sun Fengli stammered, lowering his head in shame, unable to come up with a retort.

"You don't contribute yet expect an equal share? What fantasy world are you living in?"

With a cold sneer, Yun Yantian dismissed Sun Fengli entirely and continued on his way out of the canyon.
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"That Yun Yantian is infuriating!"

Sun Fengli's eyes burned with resentment as he watched Yun Yantian leave. His clenched fists trembled with suppressed rage.

"If not for your reckless behavior and constant need to show off," Sun Fengxuan interjected coldly, "we wouldn't be in this situation."

**"You've brought disgrace to our family and driven our relationship with the Yun clan to ruin.

"Not only that, but your stubbornness and arrogance have wasted our chance at glory and rewards. Do you think our efforts were all for nothing just because of your selfishness?"**

"What do you mean by that, Brother Fengxuan?"

Despite usually fearing Sun Fengxuan, Sun Fengli bristled at the accusation. His stubborn pride flared, refusing to accept the scolding, even though he knew he was at fault.

"What I said is clear," Sun Fengxuan retorted, his voice laced with cold fury. **"Do you think I would have been overpowered by Lan Cai'er if I hadn't been protecting you?

"And you dare insult Brother Fenglin as well? Have you no shame?"**

Sun Fengli's face reddened, his anger bubbling over. "And you think you're blameless? If you and Brother Fenglin had been stronger, Lan Cai'er would've never gained the upper hand. If you'd acted faster, the credit for capturing her would've gone solely to our family!"

Enraged by Sun Fengli's blatant deflection of blame, Sun Fengxuan stepped forward, ready to discipline his unruly cousin.

"Enough! Stop this bickering! Do you want others to see us as a joke?"

Sun Fenglin stepped between them, his voice filled with irritation as he stopped Sun Fengxuan. His cold gaze landed on Sun Fengli, tinged with profound disappointment.

Deep down, Sun Fenglin realized that his cousin was beyond saving.

Reckless, short-sighted, and incapable of introspection, Sun Fengli, despite being a cultivator, was little more than a worthless fool.

His sacrifices to protect and save Sun Fengli suddenly seemed laughably foolish. What had they gained? A shattered alliance with the Yun clan and an irreparable family rift.

For the first time, Sun Fenglin questioned whether saving Sun Fengli was worth it at all.

Perhaps letting him fend for himself would've been the wiser choice. With fewer resources wasted on him, the family could've invested in those who truly had potential, like himself and Sun Fengxuan.

"The Blue Scale Sun clan isn't likely to endure much longer," Yun Yantian murmured to himself as he exited the canyon. His heightened senses picked up every word of the Sun brothers' squabble.

"With such internal discord and short-sightedness, their downfall is only a matter of time."

His thoughts shifted, and he turned his attention to the challenges ahead. The Yun Cang Yun clan couldn't afford to get entangled in others' mistakes. Their future lay solely in their own hands.

The skies were overcast, and torrential rain poured relentlessly.

"Father," Yun Yanshui called softly as he entered the house, his clothing damp from his journey back from Mount Yunzhang.

"Where are your sister and Yantian?" Yun Yunshan asked, his expression calm yet tinged with concern.

"They successfully completed their task. They're on their way back to the family now," Yun Yanshui replied.

"Come, we're going to your second great-uncle's house," Yun Yunshan said, standing up with a somber tone.

"Father, what's wrong?" Yun Yanshui asked, noticing the gravity in his father's demeanor.

"Your second great-uncle is not going to make it," Yun Yunshan replied with a heavy sigh, his brow furrowed with sorrow.

"…I see," Yanshui murmured, his spirits dampening at the news.

"Everyone has gathered at his house. Your second great-uncle is holding on, waiting for all the juniors to assemble and bid him farewell.

He has no children of his own, and he has always treated us nephews and nieces as his own blood," Yun Yunshan continued, his voice tinged with sadness.

As they spoke, Yun Qinshi arrived with three oiled paper umbrellas. Together, the family stepped out into the rain, disappearing into the downpour.