The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 226 Human Nature

"Has the blind Daoist left?"

Sitting in the courtyard, Yun Yanshui noticed his sister's sorrowful expression as she confirmed the news.

"Yes, Master has gone to the Sword Ruins Realm," Yun Yanshuang replied softly.

"The Sword Ruins Realm? What kind of place is that?" Yun Yanshui asked, his curiosity piqued.

"I don't know. It must be a place of immense danger and mystery. I hope that one day, I can reach Master's level and follow him to the Sword Ruins Realm," Yun Yanshuang said, her voice tinged with both determination and doubt.

"But… I don't know if I have the ability to walk the same path as him."

As she spoke, her expression grew heavier with worry. Deep in her heart, she feared that this farewell might be their last.

Though her master had promised to return within twenty years, she knew well that he bore great secrets and karmic ties. Whether he could truly fulfill his promise and return to Yun Manor was an uncertainty she could not ignore.

"Didn't the blind Daoist already tell you? Talent and natural aptitude don't determine everything!" Yun Yanshui said, his tone encouraging.

"As long as you work hard, little sister, I believe you can reach the same heights as the blind Daoist. Maybe, just maybe, you'll have the chance to reunite with him someday."

"I hope so," Yun Yanshuang murmured.

"For now, though, the Daoist is gone. It's up to us to protect the family. Don't let your sadness cloud your heart and slow your cultivation," Yun Yanshui added, his voice firm yet caring.

"You're right, big brother. I'll do my best," Yun Yanshuang replied, a faint smile breaking through her somber expression. Her brother's words had eased some of the weight on her heart.

Yun Clan Ancestral Hall.

"Now that the Daoist has left, the responsibility of protecting the family falls entirely on us," Yun Yunyang said, his voice heavy with resolve.

"Fortunately, Yanshuang and Yantian are capable of carrying the mantle. Additionally, with His Majesty's royal court as our backing and the younger generation steadily rising, we have enough strength to defend what we've built so far.

"Otherwise, the Yulin Wang Clan would undoubtedly use the Daoist's departure as an opportunity to act against us in secret."

The blind Daoist's absence weighed heavily on the hearts of Yun Yunyang and the other elders.

"For now, let's set aside such concerns. From this day forward, we must prioritize nurturing the younger generation of spirit-root cultivators.

"We need them to grow quickly so they can take on the heavy responsibilities of the family.

"We, the older generation, grow weaker with each passing year. It's time for us to start delegating our duties to the younger ones," Yun Yunyang said with a sigh, his gaze sweeping across the gathered elders.

"Brother Yunyang!"

As Yun Yunyang spoke, a Yun family member hurriedly entered the hall, his expression urgent. freēwēbnovel.com

"What is it?" Yun Yunyang asked.

"Third Master has passed away."

"When did this happen?"

"He was found at home today. He passed peacefully in his sleep, but his only regret was leaving Fourth Master and our family behind."

"I see," Yun Yunyang said, his tone somber.

Yun Liguan, now over a hundred years old, had passed away without illness or pain. It was a peaceful death, almost a blessing.

The elders of the Yun family were slowly passing on, even as the younger generation grew strong.

With every rising generation, another would fade.

For this reason, Yun Yunyang was not overcome with grief. Perhaps it was his age, but he had come to terms with the inevitability of life and death.

Unlike cultivators, mortals experienced the full spectrum of birth, aging, illness, and death. Returning to the cycle of reincarnation was a natural part of existence.

One day, Yun Yunyang himself would face the end of his life.

So, too, would the other elders gathered in the ancestral hall.

But as long as the family endured, as long as their descendants thrived, what did it matter if the older generation passed on?

For Yun Yunyang, the continued prosperity of the Yun family was his greatest comfort.

"Does Brother Yunxun know of this?" Yun Yunyang asked after a moment of silence, turning to the family member who had brought the news.

"He knows. Brother Yunxun is currently busy arranging the funeral for Third Master," the Yun family member replied.

"I've already informed the rest of the family. They're on their way to pay their respects and send him off for the last time."

"Very well. Let's go to Third Uncle's house," Yun Yunyang said with a nod, rising to his feet. He then led Yun Yunrui, Yun Yunlin, and several other family elders to Yun Liguan's home.

The sky was overcast, and a light rain began to fall.

Outside Yun Liguan's home, white mourning cloths adorned the entrance. Members of the Yun family gathered one after another, offering condolences and preparing to bid the old man a final farewell.

Yun Yunshan and Yun Yunyue, brothers who had both once served in the military, sat silently on the doorstep.

One of them puffed on a dry tobacco pipe, while the other gazed at the somber sky, lost in thought.

Their Third Uncle had been the one to arrange their entry into the military, giving them the chance to fight on the battlefield and hone their skills. Now, his peaceful passing left both men deeply pained.

"Third Uncle is gone, and Fourth Uncle's time is running out too. Many of the uncles and elders in the family are growing old and frail," Yun Yunyue said with a bitter smile, his gaze dropping.

"I used to think I'd become desensitized to death after seeing so much of it on the battlefield. But losing loved ones at home… it's a different kind of pain altogether."

"Let it go, Brother," Yun Yunshan said, exhaling a cloud of smoke and placing a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder.

"Life and death are part of the natural order. One day, our generation will grow old and pass on too. What matters is that we cherish the time we have now, strengthen the family, and ensure our descendants carry on the Yun legacy."

"You're right," Yun Yunyue said with a faint laugh. "To think, I needed my younger brother to set me straight."

"Third Uncle's burial is coming up. We should get ready to help out," Yun Yunshan said, knocking the ash from his pipe as he stood.

The clouds thickened, and the rain grew heavier.

Outside Yun Manor, a figure cloaked in a straw raincoat rode swiftly on horseback, stopping at the gate in a hurry.

The rider dismounted and addressed the guards stationed there. "Where is Brother Yunyang?"

"Third Master has passed away. Brother Yunyang is arranging the funeral," one of the guards replied.

"Take me to him immediately. There's trouble in Lanlin County!" the rider said urgently.

"What happened?"

"The marketplace in Lanlin County is plagued by malevolent spirits. Three of the Sun family's spirit-root cultivators have died!"

The rider's tone was grim as he continued, "The Sun family has been unable to uncover any clues and sent word to us for help. I was asked to notify Brother Yunyang."

At Yun Liguan's residence.

"Malevolent spirits?" Yun Yunyang's brows furrowed as he listened to the report.

All eyes in the room turned toward the rain-drenched messenger.

"Yes," the messenger confirmed. "The Sun brothers have already gone to investigate, but the deaths of three spirit-root cultivators were highly suspicious.

"The Sun family is desperate and has asked for our assistance. If this hidden threat isn't eliminated, it could disrupt the operation of our family's marketplace in Lanlin County."

"I'll go to Lanlin County and assess the situation," Yun Yantian volunteered, stepping forward.

"Very well. You'll handle this matter. To ensure your safety, take Wenxuan with you," Yun Yunyang replied with a nod.

With permission granted, Yun Yantian and Yun Wenxuan left the residence and vanished into the pouring rain like phantoms.

Among the crowd, Yun Yanshui, clad in mourning clothes and a white headscarf, glanced in the direction his elder brother and nephew had gone. An unshakable sense of unease gripped his heart.

"Big Brother, what are you looking at?" Yun Yanshuang asked, noticing her brother's distant gaze.

"I'm worried about Brother Yantian and Wenxuan," Yun Yanshui replied, his voice heavy with concern.

"Don't be. Brother Yantian's cultivation is at the peak of the third stage of the Qi Refinement Realm. Paired with his mastery of the Hundred Battle Spear Technique, he's capable of defeating even those at the peak of the fourth stage.

"There are few in Yue Kingdom who can match him.

"As for Wenxuan, he's at the peak of the eighth stage of the Embryo Breath Realm. Over the years, he's trained extensively under Brother Yantian and has inherited his spear techniques.

"With the two of them working together, what malevolent spirit could harm them?

"Besides, the Sun brothers are already in Lanlin County. With the Sun family's support, there shouldn't be any major issues," Yun Yanshuang reassured him.

"I hope so," Yun Yanshui muttered, his tone subdued. He returned to his task of burning paper money for their late Third Uncle, crouching by the fire.

The flames illuminated his face, casting a warm yet somber glow.

Outside, the rain continued to pour, drenching the world in a torrential downpour.