The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 21: Collusion

"Alright, I’ve concluded my investigation—this case has nothing to do with the Yun family. Everyone should disperse and return home," Chief Constable Ban announced loudly as he stepped forward.

The Zhou clan members’ faces darkened immediately. They exchanged confused glances, unable to understand how the constable had come to such a swift conclusion after only a brief look at the scene and a private conversation with Yun Yunyang.

Zhou Zhesheng, however, was seething with rage. He was now more convinced than ever that the constable and Yun Yunyang were in cahoots.

"My lord, you can’t leave it at this!" Zhou Zhesheng cried, suppressing his anger as he knelt before Ban once more. "My clan has lost more than a dozen lives, all at the hands of the Yun family. To conclude the case so hastily—don’t you think that’s too rash?"

Ban frowned, clearly irritated by Zhou Zhesheng’s persistence. "I’ve already made it clear: this case has nothing to do with the Yun family. Do you doubt my judgment? Are you accusing me of corruption?" he snapped.

"My lord, I dare not! But the deaths of my son and our clansmen cannot be unrelated to the Yun family. Please, investigate thoroughly and deliver justice for my son and my people!" Zhou Zhesheng pleaded, his voice trembling with emotion.

Unable to tolerate the incessant pleading, Ban suddenly unsheathed his long blade, its cold edge gleaming under the sun as he placed it against Zhou Zhesheng’s neck.

"Enough! If you keep wailing in front of me, do you believe I won’t execute you right here?" Ban bellowed, his gaze sharp and commanding.

Terrified, Zhou Zhesheng immediately fell silent, his entire body trembling. Behind him, Zhou Ao and the rest of the Zhou clan members froze in fear, their defiance extinguished.

"Hmph!" Ban sheathed his blade with a sharp motion, his expression still stern.

"Take your people and leave now. Do not cause any more trouble at the Yun family’s gates," he ordered coldly. "And make sure to bury your dead promptly so they can rest in peace. Letting them linger like this will only turn them into wandering souls, unable to reincarnate."

"Yes, my lord," Zhou Zhesheng stammered, nodding repeatedly. He dared not defy the constable any further.

Turning back toward the Yun family, Ban cupped his hands and said, "Brother Yunyang, I’ll be taking my leave now. We’ll meet again another day."

"Safe travels, Chief Constable," Yun Yunyang replied with a polite smile.

With a wave of his hand, Ban led his 20-plus constables away, their departure leaving a tense silence in their wake.

"Patriarch Zhou, it seems this really was a misunderstanding. My condolences for your loss, but I’m afraid my family has no part in it," Yun Yunyang said as he turned to Zhou Zhesheng. His tone was warm and polite, but his expression carried a faint hint of mockery.

To Zhou Zhesheng, that polite smile felt like the greatest insult of all. Clenching his fists, he slowly stood, brushing the dust from his clothes as he glared at Yun Yunyang.

"I know you have connections in town, Yun Yunyang," Zhou Zhesheng growled. "That constable must’ve struck some deal with you. Don’t think this is over. My Zhou family won’t let this slide. A mere constable can’t shield you forever!"

With those words, Zhou Zhesheng stormed off, his son Zhou Ao and the rest of the Zhou clan following closely behind.

"Alright, everyone, it’s over. Let’s get back to work," Yun Yunyang said, ignoring Zhou Zhesheng’s threats as he turned to his clansmen.

The Yun family members, who had been standing ready with hoes, sickles, and wooden clubs, began to disperse. Some headed home, while others returned to the fields to gather pig fodder for their livestock. A few took fishing rods and baskets, heading to the river to catch a few fish before nightfall.

Soon, the crowd thinned, leaving only Yun Yunyang, his two brothers, Yun Yunxun, and Yun Yunrui.

"Elder Brother, what exactly did you say to Chief Constable Ban just now?" Yun Yunyue asked as they walked back into the village.

"I simply told him that our family now has two children with spiritual roots. Ban said he would pass the news to his superior, who will report it to the royal court. This way, the Yun family can receive the proper recognition and rewards," Yun Yunyang explained.

As they passed the willow tree, they paused to bow respectfully to the blind Daoist.

"Elder Uncle, why not let me take care of this? Tonight, I can visit the Zhou family and ensure none of their 300 members live to see the dawn," Yun Yunxun suggested, his tone icy.

Sitting cross-legged under the shade of the willow tree, Yun Yantian had been watching the confrontation between the Zhou and Yun families unfold, observing everything with clear focus. Although he was eager to act, he refrained, knowing it was inappropriate to step in without the permission of his elders.

Now that his eldest uncle, Yun Yunyang, had successfully driven off the Zhou clan, Yun Yantian finally voiced the thoughts that had been on his mind.

"Uncle, let me handle this. I’ll visit the Zhou family tonight and ensure that not a single one of their three hundred members survives," he said coldly.

"You’re still young," Yun Yunyang replied with a warm smile. "Focus on cultivating under your master’s guidance and advancing your realm. Dealing with a mere Zhou family doesn’t require a cultivator’s intervention. It would be like using a sledgehammer to kill a chicken. Only if your uncle and I truly find ourselves without recourse should you consider stepping in."

"Yes, Uncle. I understand," Yun Yantian said, bowing his head in acknowledgment.

Yunzhang Town, also known as Yunzhang County, was located over ten miles from Yunzhang Mountain. The county was home to a population of over 80,000 people and had been under the governance of Lu Zizai for more than a decade.

"Master, Captain Ban has returned," announced a finely dressed woman as she gracefully entered Lu Zizai’s study, offering him a respectful bow.

"He’s back already?" Lu Zizai asked in surprise, setting down the book he was reading.

"It seems unlikely he resolved the case so quickly. He must have other matters to report," the woman speculated.

"Let him in," Lu Zizai instructed.

"Subordinate Ban greets the magistrate!" Captain Ban said as he entered the study, bowing deeply.

"Captain Ban, has the case reported by the Zhou family been resolved?" Lu Zizai inquired.

Although the Zhou family was a poor clan situated near Yunzhang Mountain, Lu Zizai knew their ties to a certain high-ranking official in the capital. It was out of respect for this connection that Lu Zizai had promptly dispatched Ban to investigate the matter.

"There’s no need to pursue the case further," Ban replied.

"What do you mean by that?" Lu Zizai asked, his brows furrowing.

"Zhou Zhesheng’s son and several other clan members were indeed killed by the Yun family. Yun Yunyang himself admitted it to me," Ban explained.

"In that case, why didn’t you arrest the perpetrators? Don’t tell me you’re showing favoritism to Yun Yunyang because of your relationship with him!" Lu Zizai’s expression turned icy.

"Magistrate, while I must report on the Zhou family case, there’s another matter of great importance that I need to bring to your attention," Ban said carefully.

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"Speak plainly!" Lu Zizai snapped, growing impatient.

"Yun Yunyang informed me that the Yun family has two children with spiritual roots," Ban said, his tone steady.

Crash!

The teacup in Lu Zizai’s hand slipped, shattering on the ground and spilling tea across his robes. He seemed entirely unaware of the mess as he stared at Ban in shock.

"Is this true?!" he demanded.

"Yun Yunyang is not the type to lie about such matters," Ban assured him. "Moreover, fabricating such a claim about spiritual roots is a capital offense that could implicate nine generations of one’s family. I doubt Yun Yunyang would be so foolish."

Lu Zizai took a deep breath, his mind racing. "Very well. You may leave now."

"And the Zhou family case?" Ban asked cautiously.

"There’s no need to investigate further. The Yun family having spiritual roots changes everything. Killing a few Zhou clan members—mere mortals—is inconsequential," Lu Zizai said dismissively.

"But what about reporting this to the official from the Zhou family’s lineage? You said it would be difficult to explain this to him," Ban reminded him.

"If the Yun family truly has children with spiritual roots, then there’s nothing to explain to that official. Once he learns of this, his primary concern will likely be ensuring the Zhou clan keeps their heads down and avoids provoking the Yun family further," Lu Zizai concluded with a faint smirk.