The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 49: Ancestor Ceremony

"Humph! You can’t stop me; Mom’s already cooking for me!"

Yun Yan Shuang huffed, sticking her tongue out mischievously at her brother.

"You little rascal," Yun Yan Shui muttered with a half-annoyed smile.

Just then, their mother’s voice called out from the kitchen. "Shuang’er, the noodles are ready!"

"Coming!"

With a gleeful skip, Yan Shuang darted into the kitchen, returning moments later with a steaming bowl of pork knuckle noodles. She plopped down beside her brother under the eaves.

"Here, Ge. You can have the pork knuckle," she offered, sliding the bowl toward him.

"I’m stuffed," Yan Shui waved her off. "You need it more after running yourself ragged fighting off demons."

"By the way," Yan Shuang said between slurps of noodles, "Uncle said earlier today that after the ancestral ceremony, Second Uncle will take some people and escort Yan Tian-ge and me to Yulin County."

"Yulin County? What for all of a sudden?"

"We picked up some things from that dead cultivator, including a whisk spirit weapon. We’re planning to sell it for spirit stones and, while we’re there, check out the cultivators’ market at Yulin Lake."

"Wait... a cultivators’ market?"

"Yep! Uncle Yun Rui sent people out three months ago to scout other cultivation families in Yue Kingdom. That’s how we learned about the market. It’s a gathering place for cultivators to trade resources and treasures.

"Apparently, it’s quite a bustling hub, with cultivators from all over the kingdom—and even some from other countries—flocking there to trade and mingle."

"Huh," Yan Shui mused, leaning back. "Sounds like an interesting place."

"Want to come with us?" Yan Shuang asked, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement.

"And do what?"

"Just come for the experience! See the world outside our little clan."

Yan Shui paused, a hint of hesitation in his expression. "That market’s probably only open to cultivators, right?"

"Well… yeah."

"Even though I have the strength of a cultivator, to everyone else, I’m just an ordinary mortal. How am I supposed to get in?"

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"Uh…" Yan Shuang faltered, biting her lip.

"How about this," she said after a moment. "You come with us to Yulin County, and if you can’t get into the market, you can still hang out with Second Uncle and explore the county! You’ve spent your whole life in the clan—either climbing trees for bird nests, fishing, or hunting in the mountains.

"It’s time you saw a bit more of the world, Ge."

"Hah! Let’s see what Father thinks when he gets back from the forge," Yan Shui muttered, resting his chin on his hand.

The idea of leaving the clan didn’t thrill him much. He was content here—spending his days fishing with Yan Dong and the other kids, carefree and relaxed.

Going out meant dealing with people, riding on bumpy carriages, and—ugh—being exhausted by the end of it.

"Fair enough," Yan Shuang relented. She glanced over. "By the way, how’s Father’s forge doing?"

"Great. With the county magistrate backing us and the local merchants eager to curry favor, how could it not be?"

"Someday," Yan Shuang sighed wistfully, "I want to see our clan become truly powerful."

"It’ll happen," Yan Shui said, his voice soft yet certain.

With that, he got up and began gathering snow into piles, sculpting small snowmen. Every so often, when his sister was too focused on her noodles, he’d lob a snowball her way, laughing uproariously when it splattered across her face.

"Ge! You’re dead!"

Fuming, Yan Shuang charged into the courtyard, scooped up a handful of snow, and hurled it at her brother.

Yan Shui dodged nimbly, sticking out his tongue. "You missed! Try harder!"

Snow piled high on the rooftops as the quiet courtyard filled with laughter.

Soon, Yan Dong and a few other clan kids joined the fray, turning the courtyard into a chaotic battleground of snowballs and giggles.

Under the moonlight, the muffled sounds of joy carried into the crisp night air.

"Humph! What can you do about it? Mom’s already making mine!"

Yun Yan Shuang huffed playfully, sticking her tongue out at her brother before turning and skipping off to the kitchen.

"You cheeky brat," Yun Yan Shui muttered, chuckling softly as he watched her go.

A few moments later, Yan Shuang emerged with a steaming bowl of pork knuckle noodles, her face lit with joy. She plopped down beside her brother, still grinning.

"Ge, here’s the pork knuckle for you," she said, pushing the bowl toward him.

"I’m stuffed," Yan Shui replied, leaning back with a satisfied sigh. "Besides, you’ve earned it. Fighting demons and all must’ve taken a lot out of you."

Between eager bites of noodles, Yan Shuang added, "By the way, after the ancestral ceremony, Second Uncle will be taking Yan Tian-ge and me to Yulin County."

"Yulin County? What for?"

"We picked up a few items from the dead cultivator, including a whisk spirit weapon. We’re planning to sell it for spirit stones and check out the cultivators’ market at Yulin Lake while we’re there."

"A cultivators’ market?"

"Exactly! It’s a special marketplace set up by the three great cultivation families of Yue Kingdom. They say cultivators from all over gather there to trade resources and treasures. It’s a hub for cultivators, and even those from other kingdoms come to visit!"

Yun Yan Shui rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Sounds like quite a place."

"Ge, why don’t you come with us?" Yan Shuang asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"And do what?"

"Come see the world! You’ve spent your whole life here—climbing trees, fishing, hunting. Don’t you think it’s time to explore beyond the clan?"

Yan Shui hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "That market’s probably only open to cultivators, right?"

"Well… yes."

"So what’s the point? Even though I’m technically a cultivator, to everyone else, I’m just an ordinary mortal. I doubt they’ll let me in."

"Hmm…" Yan Shuang pouted, biting her lip.

"How about this: come along anyway. If you can’t enter the market, you can explore Yulin County with Second Uncle. It’ll be fun! Besides, you deserve a change of scenery."

Yan Shui considered her suggestion, then said, "Alright, let’s see what Father thinks first."

That evening, Yun Yun Shan returned from the weapons forge. Upon hearing about the trip from his children, he nodded in approval.

"Shuang’er is right, Shui’er. It’s time you saw more of the world. Broaden your horizons and learn from new experiences. That way, when the time comes, I’ll feel confident passing responsibilities onto you."

"Hah! With both of you insisting, what choice do I have?" Yan Shui muttered with a wry smile.

Yun Yun Shan chuckled. "It’s settled, then."

"By the way, Father," Yan Shui added, "can I bring Yan Dong along? He’s been through a lot—losing his father and caring for his sick mother. I think a trip like this could do him some good, open his eyes to the world. Who knows? Maybe he’ll grow into a pillar of our family someday."

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"Ha! You two are as close as brothers. Of course, you can bring him. Let it be a chance for both of you to unwind and explore."

"Great! I’ll talk to him tomorrow."

Five days later, as the new year approached, the long-anticipated ancestral ceremony began.

At the heart of the village, a grand altar stood adorned with ancestral tablets, offerings of livestock, fruits, and delicate pastries carefully arranged.

In solemn ranks, the Yun family gathered below the altar, each member holding a stick of incense with reverence.

At the forefront stood the first generation: Yun Li Di, Yun Li Xuan, and Yun Li Huang. Behind them were the second-generation elders, including Yun Yun Yang, Yun Yun Shan, and others. The third row comprised the younger generation—Yan Tian, Yan Shuang, and Yan Shui among them.

Yun Yun Yang stepped forward, his voice firm and respectful.

"To our honored ancestors, I, Yun Yun Yang, alongside 316 members of the Yun family, offer this incense. We humbly ask for your blessings—protection for our clan, prosperity for our endeavors, and safety for all our kin."

He bowed thrice before placing his incense into the altar’s towering censer.

One by one, each family member followed suit.

When the ceremony concluded, the solemn air gave way to celebration. Families gathered around feasts, sharing food and laughter.

Meanwhile, Yan Shui and a group of boisterous children, including Yan Dong, dashed outside to set off firecrackers and fireworks. Laughter and the crackle of sparks echoed through the snowy village.

Later, Yun Yun Yang, dressed in a fresh set of robes, led his brothers to visit the blind elder beneath the ancient willow.

"Elder Daoist," Yun Yang greeted with a bow.

"Ah, Yun Yun Yang!" The elder smiled, his voice warm. "Your clan grows more prosperous by the day. A fine sight to behold."

"Elder, why not join us inside for a toast?"

"Haha, no need. I’m perfectly comfortable here."

"In that case, allow us to bring the celebration to you," Yun Yang declared, taking a seat at the stone table with his brothers.

"Daoist Elder," Yun Feng began, raising his cup, "please forgive my past offenses. My words were harsh, but my heart was blind."

The elder laughed heartily, raising his own cup in return. "Think nothing of it! Your brother already spoke on your behalf. Besides, it seems your character has changed for the better. Perhaps that public thrashing from your elder brother did you some good!"

The mention of his past folly made Yun Yun Feng flush with embarrassment, drawing hearty laughter from everyone present.