The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"Shuang'Er, do you think what I've done is right?"

Having wiped out the remaining Wang clan disciples with a single sweep of his spear, Yun Yanshui asked quietly, his voice calm but heavy.

"To me, Brother, whatever decision you make is always right."

Yun Yanshuang's response was resolute, her expression sincere.

"That's all I need to hear."

Hearing his sister's unwavering support, Yun Yanshui felt a weight lift from his heart.

He didn't care for the judgment of the world, only for the opinions of those closest to him.

Was Yun Yanshui's decision the right one?

To Yun Yanshuang and the members of the Yun clan, he was a hero avenging Yun Yantian's death. From their perspective, his actions were justified.

But to Wang Qinglin, Wang Lilong, and the Wang clan, he was nothing but a cruel and bloodthirsty murderer, cold and merciless. From their point of view, he was utterly wrong.

In truth, within the cruel and contentious world of cultivation, what truly defines right and wrong, good and evil?

Right and wrong, good and evil—these are merely judgments born from differing perspectives, interests, and positions.

If enough people call something wrong, it becomes wrong.

If enough people call something right, it becomes right.

But does anyone truly understand the essence of right and wrong, good and evil?

Not only do ordinary people remain lost in this dilemma, but even cultivators, perched on their lofty mountains, are ensnared in the same confusion.

What is truly right? What is truly wrong? What is good? What is evil?

These questions have been the source of endless debate for generations, with no resolution in sight.

Yet many love to judge from their own vantage point, standing on their supposed moral high ground to declare others right or wrong, virtuous or villainous.

At Jingxin Lake, within a secluded chamber

Wang Liyuan sat cross-legged on a meditation mat, quietly channeling his family's cultivation technique to regulate his breath and heal his wounds.

After a long moment, he slowly opened his eyes, two sharp flashes of light glinting within them.

"That Yun Yantian was truly formidable. To kill him, I had to pay a price," he muttered.

Feeling his gradually stabilizing qi and the slight recovery of his injuries, Wang Liyuan recalled his fierce battle with Yun Yantian in Lanlin County and the terrifying spear techniques the man had displayed.

"Still, it's done. With Yun Yantian gone, I'll find a way to deal with Yun Yanshuang next. Once she's gone, the Yun clan will have no chance of rising again!"

A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he stood, intending to leave the cultivation chamber.

Boom!

Suddenly, an explosion shattered the silence.

The heavy door to the chamber blew apart, unleashing a terrifying shockwave that slammed into Wang Liyuan, sending him flying.

His unprepared body crashed hard against the stone wall.

Thud!

He hit the ground with a heavy thump, coughing up a mouthful of blood as the qi he had just stabilized churned violently once more.

Shocked and alarmed, Wang Liyuan looked toward the ruined entrance of the chamber.

Standing there, with a cold, unfeeling gaze and a spiritual sword in hand, was Yun Yanshuang.

"Yun Yanshuang? How are you here?"

Wang Liyuan's pupils shrank in disbelief.

But his shock deepened when another figure appeared—Yun Yanshui, holding his spear and radiating an aura of deadly intent.

"We meet again," Yun Yanshui said, stepping into the chamber with deliberate slowness. His eyes locked onto Wang Liyuan, filled with murderous resolve.

"It's you?!"

Struggling to his feet, Wang Liyuan stared at Yun Yanshui in utter astonishment.

This man, who had always appeared as an ordinary mortal, had hidden himself so deeply.

"You killed my brother, Yun Yantian. Now, I will take your head to honor his memory!"

Yun Yanshuang's voice was filled with fury as she raised her sword, ready to strike down Wang Liyuan where he stood.

"Shuang'er, hold for a moment. I have questions for him," Yun Yanshui said, stepping in to block his sister's strike.

"Brother, what do you want to ask?"

"Why is Wang Liyuan alive after his supposed death? Aren't you curious? If we can force the truth out of him, we might find a way to bring Brother Yantian back to life!"

Yun Yanshui's words made Yun Yanshuang pause, her anger giving way to contemplation.

Her eyes lit up with realization.

He was right.

Ten years ago in Tongshan County, Wang Liyuan had been decapitated by her brother. His death had been certain.

And yet, here he was, inexplicably alive.

This could only mean one thing—Wang Liyuan knew a way to bring someone back to life!

If they could uncover this method, there might be a sliver of hope to resurrect Yun Yantian.

Even if the chance was infinitesimally small, it was a chance they couldn't afford to ignore.

Shk!

Yun Yanshui drove his spear into Wang Liyuan's shoulder blade with precision, channeling spiritual energy into the wound to immobilize him. This ensured the bastard wouldn't attempt any tricks to retaliate against him or Yun Yanshuang.

"Talk! Ten years ago, I killed you. How did you come back to life?"

Crouching down, Yun Yanshui stared coldly at Wang Liyuan, his gaze as unyielding as steel.

"So, it was you who killed me back then?"

Wang Liyuan's face darkened upon hearing Yun Yanshui's words.

For the past decade, he had believed that it was Master Huang, one of his family's subordinates, who had betrayed and killed him. However, Huang's sudden disappearance left him without answers.

To think it was Yun Yanshui—this man who had hidden so deeply—who had struck him down.

"Enough of your nonsense! I only care about one thing—why are you still alive?!"

Yun Yanshui tightened his grip on the spear, twisting it mercilessly. Wang Liyuan's body convulsed in agony, cold sweat pouring from his forehead and soaking his robes as he gritted his teeth against the searing pain.

"You want to know my secret so you can save Yun Yantian? Hah! Yun Yanshui, keep dreaming!"

Wang Liyuan's eyes burned with defiance. He understood Yun Yanshui's intent all too well and would sooner die than reveal the truth.

If he did, years of effort—his and the Wang clan's—would all be for nothing.

"So, you refuse to cooperate?"

Yun Yanshui's expression turned even colder. With a sharp gesture, he channeled the chilling energy of the Lunar Ascent into Wang Liyuan's body, tormenting him further.

Yet, despite the unbearable pain, Wang Liyuan's will was ironclad. He clenched his jaw, refusing to utter even a single word.

"Hah… Yun Yanshui… It's useless. No matter what you do, I won't tell you anything."

Covered in blood, Wang Liyuan laughed maniacally, his voice filled with mockery as he stared at Yun Yanshui's darkening expression. To him, it was the laugh of a victor taunting a powerless foe.

"Brother, let me handle this."

Seeing Wang Liyuan's stubborn resistance, Yun Yanshuang stepped forward and spoke calmly.

"You have a way to break him?"

Yun Yanshui turned to his sister, curiosity flashing in his eyes.

"Do you remember Master Kuang, the Daoist you killed back then?"

"Yes, I remember. What about him?"

Yun Yanshui nodded, recalling the snowy day when Yun Yantian and Yun Yanshuang, still new to the path of cultivation, had faced the Daoist cultivator during their first trial.

"Among the remnants of his Daoist arts was a partially complete technique—Hundred Ghosts Night Walk. I've been practicing it in secret over the years.

"One of the forbidden techniques within it is called Possession by Ghost.

"With this technique, a vengeful spirit can possess the target, granting the caster access to their spiritual imprint and the memories within.

"Of course, this technique only works if the target's cultivation is on par with or weaker than the caster's. Attempting it on someone far stronger could backfire disastrously.

"Fortunately, Wang Liyuan's cultivation is roughly equal to mine. If I use this technique, I should be able to uncover some of his secrets."

Yun Yanshuang's voice was calm but firm as she explained the forbidden art.

"In that case, he's all yours."

"Perform your technique? Over my dead body!"

The moment Wang Liyuan heard of the forbidden art, his expression twisted in panic. He realized the danger he was in. If Yun Yanshuang succeeded, the secrets buried in his spiritual imprint would be laid bare.

Driven by desperation, he attempted to bite down on his tongue to end his own life.

Smack!

But before he could act, Yun Yanshui's palm struck his face with brutal force, sending his teeth flying and rendering his attempt futile.

"Don't be so hasty to die," Yun Yanshui sneered, his tone icy.

"You think I've forgotten the torment you inflicted on Yun Yantian? I haven't even begun to settle the score."

Wang Liyuan's bloodied face twisted with a mix of fear and defiance, but he could do nothing as Yun Yanshuang prepared to unleash the forbidden technique that would strip him of his secrets, no matter how deeply they were buried.