The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

Yunzhang County, Yun Clan Village

The atmosphere within the Yun Clan Village was heavy with sorrow.

Above, thick, oppressive clouds blanketed the sky, slowly torn apart by rays of sunlight.

The torrential rain that had poured relentlessly finally began to ease.

Warm sunlight broke through the parting clouds, casting its golden light upon the earth. Yet, its warmth could not reach the frozen, grief-stricken hearts of the Yun clan members.

"I've already informed my father. He'll ensure that the one responsible for harming you is found and executed personally, to honor your spirit in the heavens."

Clad in mourning white, with a veil of grief covering her head, Baili Moxue knelt silently before a black coffin.

Her delicate hand tenderly caressed Yun Yantian's lifeless face, straightening his features with care. Though her voice was calm, her gaze was icy with resolve.

But even as she spoke, grief overcame her. Tears streamed silently down her cheeks, falling upon the lifeless visage of the man she loved.

Around her, the sorrowful expressions of the Yun clan members deepened.

"Brother Yunyang, Master Tu Xianshi has arrived with his group," someone said softly.

Yun Yunyang stood nearby, gazing at his nephew's body in silence. His heart was weighed down with sadness and turmoil.

As he mourned in silence, a Yun clan member hurried to his side and whispered the news.

"The Emperor must have discovered something. Let's go," Yun Yunyang said, his voice heavy.

Suppressing his grief, he turned to lead the senior members of the Yun clan toward the village entrance to greet their visitors.

At that moment, the faces of all present were etched with cold determination and anger. Many clenched their fists tightly, their expressions dark and forbidding.

Outside Yun Clan Village

Master Tu, wearing a dark red Daoist robe, stood at the entrance with a group of core members of the Dark Alliance. They waited in silence.

It wasn't long before Yun Yunyang, accompanied by numerous senior members of the Yun clan, approached from the village.

"Brother Yunyang, I greet you," Tu Xianshi said.

"Master Tu, no need for formalities," Yun Yunyang replied, cupping his hands respectfully.

"The Emperor has learned of the Prince Consort's death and tasked me with investigating the matter," Tu Xianshi began without preamble.

"Who is responsible for my nephew Yantian's death?" Yun Yunyang asked, his tone steady but brimming with suppressed emotion.

Instead of answering immediately, Tu Xianshi turned to one of his core subordinates. "Bring them forward."

"Yes, Master Tu," the subordinate replied and left promptly.

Moments later, a group of individuals was dragged into view and thrown to the muddy ground.

Yun Yunyang's gaze swept over the group. Among them was a man with graying temples and a sallow complexion, whose face bore an uncanny resemblance to Su Yinglong.

"This man is Su Yingwen, Su Yinglong's twin brother and once a high-ranking official in our court.

"After the fall of the Su family ten years ago, he resigned and disappeared from public life."

Tu Xianshi gestured to the rest of the group.

"These others are the surviving descendants of the Su family. Several of them possess spiritual roots, and their leader is Su Shengyu."

Tu Xianshi paused before continuing.

"Our investigation revealed that after the Su family's downfall, Su Yingwen fled with the remaining Su descendants, seeking refuge in a secluded place.

"For years, they have plotted revenge against the Yun and Sun families. Su Shengyu and his followers were responsible for killing three Sun family cultivators."

"As for the murder of the Prince Consort, it was orchestrated by Su Shengyu's group, but they acted under the guidance of a mysterious rogue cultivator."

Tu Xianshi shared his findings with Yun Yunyang and the others.

"Have you uncovered the identity of this rogue cultivator?" Yun Yunyang asked, his face grave.

"No," Tu Xianshi admitted, shaking his head. "According to Su Shengyu and his accomplices, the rogue cultivator taught them cultivation techniques but never revealed their true identity or background. Even they don't know who this person is."

Hearing this, Yun Yunxun stepped forward, his face contorted with rage. "If that's the case, who will we seek vengeance from for my nephew Yantian's death?!"

"Yunxun, mind your manners!" Yun Yunyang barked, silencing him.

Turning to Tu Xianshi, Yun Yunyang offered an apology. "Master Tu, please forgive my cousin. The entire clan is overcome with grief at Yantian's death. His words were spoken out of sorrow, not disrespect."

"No harm done. I understand your pain," Tu Xianshi said with a sigh, his expression softening slightly.

"Your grief and anger are not yours alone. Even His Majesty was furious when he learned of the Prince Consort's death. He has sworn to uncover the identity of those responsible and bring them to justice," Tu Xianshi said solemnly.

"But these remnants of the Su family claim they don't know the true identity of the rogue cultivator. I fear this investigation may…"

Tu Xianshi trailed off, his face clouded with concern. Despite his understanding of the Yun clan's pain, he worried that the trail leading to the mysterious cultivator might run cold.

"Who killed my son? WHO KILLED MY SON?!"

A thunderous roar rang out as Yun Yunyu stormed toward the gathering outside the village, his long spear in hand and his aura radiating murderous intent.

The enraged father's eyes fell upon Su Yingwen and the others. Without a word, he thrust his spear forward, piercing Su Yingwen's shoulder and pinning him to the muddy ground.

Su Yingwen screamed in agony, his body convulsing as blood poured from the wound, his face twisted in torment.

"Second Grandfather!"

Su Shengyu's eyes burned with fury and panic as he watched Su Yingwen pinned to the ground, bleeding profusely.

The remaining members of the Su family stared at Yun Yunyu with expressions of deep hatred, their anger palpable.

"If you've got the guts, come for me! Leave my Second Grandfather out of this!"

Su Shengyu's voice was hoarse as he glared at Yun Yunyu, his eyes red with fury.

Yun Yunyu's gaze shifted, taking in Su Shengyu's face and the faces of the other Su family members.

They were so familiar.

Unbearably familiar.

His thoughts drifted back to that day ten years ago, when the Su family was brought low by Sun Fenglin and his brothers.

He remembered leading the Yun clan into the Su family estate, seizing all their cultivation resources.

He also remembered the moment when a clan member asked if they should kill the surviving Su children and elders to eliminate future threats.

Back then, he had hesitated, unwilling to slaughter the defenseless—children, women, and the elderly. He had spared them.

And now, standing before these same survivors, Yun Yunyu felt like the heavens were mocking him.

"It's you… It's all of you…"

His voice trembled as realization struck.

Ten years ago, his moment of compassion had come full circle. That mercy had cost him his son's life.

"Why? WHY? Ten years ago, I spared you! Why would you do this?"

Yun Yunyu's voice cracked, his grief consuming him as he roared at Su Shengyu.

He cursed himself for his folly, cursed himself for not dying in his son's place.

"Why?"

Su Shengyu's laughter was wild and unhinged, his eyes gleaming with madness as he stared down the devastated father.

"You think sparing us was an act of kindness? You think we should be grateful to you?"

"After everything your Yun clan and the Sun clan did to my family, did you really believe your mercy erased that blood debt?"

"We will never forget what you did to the Su family! Never! Until every last one of your Yun clan members is dead, our hatred will remain unquenched!"

"Bastard! DAMN YOU!"

Yun Yunyu's rage boiled over, and he struck out with his spear, plunging it into Su Shengyu's chest.

Su Shengyu, his cultivation sealed, was no more than a mortal. He could do nothing to stop Yun Yunyu's fury.

The enraged father stabbed again and again, reducing Su Shengyu to a bloody, mangled corpse.

When Su Shengyu finally fell silent, lifeless, Yun Yunyu collapsed to his knees in the mud, his spear clattering to the ground beside him.

The scene was heavy with silence.

Around him, Yun Yunyang, the other Yun clan members, and Tu Xianshi watched quietly, their expressions somber.

After a long moment, Yun Yunyang stepped forward and crouched beside his younger brother, extending a hand to help him up.

"Big Brother… Did I do the wrong thing?" Yun Yunyu's voice was hoarse, his face streaked with blood and tears.

"No. You did nothing wrong," Yun Yunyang replied softly.

"If I hadn't shown them mercy ten years ago… Would Tian'er still be alive today?"

Yun Yunyu's aged, grief-stricken face was a portrait of sorrow as tears streamed down his cheeks.

A white-haired father burying his black-haired son—who could bear such pain?

Yun Yunyang fell silent, his heart heavy.

"This isn't your fault, nor mine. It isn't the fault of the Yun clan, the Sun clan, or even the Su family.

"The blame lies with this world—a world where right and wrong, good and evil, have no meaning.

"In this world of endless strife, everyone is stained with blood. Everyone fights for survival, driven forward by hatred and greed.

"No one can tell what is truly right or wrong, good or evil anymore."

"Don't blame yourself too much. If you grieve too deeply, it will harm your health.

"Trust me—Tian'er wouldn't want to see you like this."

Yun Yunyang's voice softened as he placed a firm hand on his brother's shoulder.

"I promise you this: I will find the true culprit behind Tian'er's death. And when I do, they will face a punishment worse than death."