The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

Watching his so-called brothers and nephews threaten and pressure him with words, all for the sake of the family's resources, Xia Shangwen felt utterly disheartened—even heartbroken.

"Shangwen, hand over the key to them," an elderly man seated in a wooden wheelchair sighed softly from the side.

"But Sixth Uncle…"

"Do as I say."

"…I understand."

Though Xia Shangwen didn't understand why his Sixth Uncle wanted him to hand over the key to the resource vault, he chose to obey. After all, it was this uncle who had cared for him when he lost his parents at a young age.

"Here's the key!"

With a flick of his wrist, Xia Shangwen produced a jade key and tossed it into the air.

Whoosh!

Xia Changfei was the first to move, snatching the key from midair.

"Hand over the key!"

Xia Changyue narrowed her eyes, her sword leaping from its sheath. She gripped it firmly and pointed it at Xia Chang Fei from a distance.

Around them, several other younger members of the Xia family also fixed their cold gazes on Xia Changfei, gradually encircling him in a semi-circle.

The hall became tense, the oppressive atmosphere thick with the threat of violence.

"And if I refuse to hand it over?" Xia Changfei sneered.

"Then you'll die!" Xia Changyue shouted, stepping forward with her sword poised to strike.

"Changyue, don't act rashly."

"Changfei, stand down."

Just as the two were about to clash, their fathers intervened to stop them.

With the family's most promising talents all eyeing the treasures of the resource vault, a direct confrontation between their children could leave both sides wounded, giving others the upper hand.

"Brother Shangyun, why don't we visit the resource vault together?" Xia Shangyun glanced at the man standing beside Xia Changyue, a cold smile on his lips.

"I was just thinking the same," Xia Shangyu replied with an icy grin.

With that, the group left the hall in haste.

"Sixth Uncle, handing over the key will only escalate the conflict between Xia Changyue, Xia Changfei, and the other family members vying for resources.

"Now, with the other three families and six clans targeting the Tongshan Xia family, we need unity more than ever to face this crisis.

"Why would you…?"

After Xia Changyue and the others had left, Xia Shangwen turned to his Sixth Uncle, his voice tinged with confusion and frustration.

"Our family no longer has anyone capable of leading. At this point, it's beyond saving," the old man murmured, his gaze distant and his tone filled with despair.

"Pack your things, Shangwen. Find a way to leave the family as soon as possible," he added with a heavy sigh.

He had never imagined that the once-prestigious Tongshan Xia family, one of the three great families and seven prominent clans, would fall to such a state.

"But how can I do that? I swore to share in the family's struggles and stand with it until the end!" Xia Shangwen declared resolutely, his eyes burning with determination.

"It's enough that you have the will," the old man replied.

"But the family's current plight is not something you alone can turn around.

"If you insist on staying, I won't stop you. But I suggest you focus on preserving your own safety. Perhaps I'll try to talk sense into Changyue and the others, see if they can work together to defend against external threats."

As Xia Shangwen spoke, he turned to leave for the resource vault.

"If they were open to being persuaded, they wouldn't have treated you the way they did earlier," the old man interjected.

"Right now, everyone in the family is consumed by selfish ambitions, trying to grab as many resources as they can before the family collapses completely.

"Shangwen, it's futile. This family has already fallen apart."

"But as your Sixth Uncle, I still hope you can escape before the three families and six clans come knocking.

"If you have the chance, rebuild the glory of the Tongshan Xia family.

"If not, then find a quiet place to live out the rest of your days in peace. Our family's lineage must not be extinguished."

The old man's voice was earnest and heavy with emotion as he looked at Xia Shangwen.

"But, Sixth Uncle…"

"No more words. Just do as I say."

"Then… will you come with me, Sixth Uncle?"

"I'm an old, frail man. I have no use left in me. I was born and raised in Tongshan, and I'll remain here."

The old man smiled faintly.

"Understood, Uncle," Xia Shangwen replied, his voice trembling as he bowed deeply.

Clenching his teeth, Xia Shangwen felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness and despair, despite his reluctance.

Perhaps, as his Sixth Uncle had said, as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn.

If he could lead some of the Xia family's loyal members to leave early, perhaps one day, they might restore the former glory of the Tongshan Xia family.

With this thought in mind, Xia Shangwen gave his Sixth Uncle a deep bow and hurriedly left the main hall.

His immediate task was to gather those in the Xia family who remained loyal to him. Before the three families, six clans, and the rogue cultivators descended upon them, he needed to lead these people away from Tongshan County. They had to find a safe place to retreat, where they could secretly plan for the future.

At the Tongshan County government office:

"An imperial envoy has delivered a decree. The county must immediately evacuate its people."

"Evacuate? Where are we supposed to go?" County Magistrate Xu Changzai asked in shock.

"Lead everyone to Yunzhang County!"

"Why would His Majesty suddenly issue such an order?" Xu Changzai furrowed his brows, unable to fathom the reasoning behind this command.

"My lord, you may not know, but the situation of the Tongshan Xia family is precarious.

"In recent days, the three families and six clans have already seized much of the Xia family's resources and properties in secret.

"Now, they are no longer satisfied with just the scraps—they plan to openly move against the Xia family.

"When the forces of the three families and six clans arrive in Tongshan County, the fighting among the immortals will bring devastating aftershocks that will reduce the entire county to rubble and kill countless innocent lives."

"I see," Xu Changzai said, nodding in realization. He had been preoccupied with managing the myriad affairs of the county office and was unaware of the escalating conflict between the Tongshan Xia family and the three families and six clans.

"If we abruptly evacuate the people to Yunzhang County, has anyone there been arranged to receive them?"

"Lord Lu, the Magistrate of Yunzhang County, and Captain Chang have both received His Majesty's orders. When the people from Tongshan County arrive, they will personally oversee their reception.

"Once the battle between the Tongshan Xia family and the three families and six clans concludes, we will escort the townspeople back to Tongshan County."

"Understood. Publish a proclamation immediately and notify the townspeople to evacuate Tongshan County and head to Yunzhang County for safety."

"Yes, my lord. I will handle it right away."

That day, proclamations were posted throughout the streets and alleys of Tongshan County by the government office.

The townspeople soon learned that a great battle was brewing between immortals in the area, and if they didn't evacuate, they would inevitably be caught in the deadly aftermath.

Fear spread like wildfire. Families quickly packed their belongings and made their way to the city gates.

Before long, long lines formed at each of the four gates. The scene was chaotic, with people shouting and bustling as they prepared to leave.

Government soldiers worked to maintain order, inspecting each group and ensuring that the townspeople left the city safely.

"It seems the rumors are true. The three families and six clans are really going to make a move against the Tongshan Xia family."

In a tavern near a window overlooking the street, a rogue cultivator dressed in green robes sipped his wine as he watched the townspeople carrying bundles and leading their families toward the city gates. He chuckled softly.

"When the three families and six clans act, it'll be the perfect chance for us to take advantage of the chaos."

"Exactly. The Tongshan Xia family was once one of the three great families and seven prominent clans. Even a fraction of the fortune they've accumulated over the years would be enough to benefit us for decades," another agreed.

"But we're not the only ones with this idea. Look around—disciples from various cultivation families and rogue cultivators from all over Yue Kingdom have gathered here," the green-robed cultivator said, his gaze sweeping over the tavern.

Unlike the panicked townspeople fleeing the city, several figures in the tavern remained calm and unhurried. These individuals, like him, were rogue cultivators or disciples from other cultivation families, all of whom had arrived in Tongshan County over the past few days.

"I wonder how many people have infiltrated Tongshan County recently, all waiting for the battle between the three families, six clans, and the Tongshan Xia family to begin?"

"The competition for the Xia family's accumulated treasures won't be easy," the rogue cultivator said with a smirk.

"What's there to fear? Once you step onto this path of no return, it's either kill or be killed. If I die, it'll just leave a scar the size of a bowl on my body.

"Without courage, who would dare tread the path to immortality?

"This time, no matter what, I'm going to seize a share of the Xia family's fortune. Then, I'll retreat to a secluded cave for ten or twenty years and emerge only after I've broken through in cultivation!"