The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

50  Chapter 50: Encounter in Yulin

As the departure neared, Yun Yunyang stood outside Yun Family Village, watching his younger brother, Yun Yunyue. With a patient tone, he offered his final words of advice.

"Be careful on your journey to Yulin County."

Yun Yunyue nodded firmly. "Elder Brother, don't worry. I will take good care of Shuang'er and the others."

Yun Yunyang continued with another instruction. "Additionally, a cousin from the Yunxun branch has expressed interest in acquiring a pill refinement formula. Inform Shuang'er and Tiān'er that, when they arrive at the cultivation market in Yulin Lake, they should see if they can purchase a secret alchemy recipe.

If they find one, they should do their best to obtain it. If not, there's no need to force it."

With that, he took out a pouch filled with spirit stones and handed it to Yun Yunyue. "This bag contains twenty low-grade spirit stones. You may need to spend money at the cultivation market, and though I'm unsure if this amount will be enough, it's the most the family can spare."

Yun Yunyue accepted the pouch, tucking it securely into his robe. He then turned toward the gathered family members who had come to see them off. With a deep bow, he bid them farewell.

"Elder Brother, Third Brother, Fourth Brother, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle, and all my brothers and cousins, take care of yourselves. I will bring Shuang'er and the others back safely."

Nearby, Yun Yandong's mother gave her son a gentle warning. "Dong'er, don't cause trouble while you're away."

The young boy nodded obediently. "Mother, don't worry. I'll stay close to Brother Yanshui. While I'm gone, you must take care of your health."

A smile spread across her face as she reassured him. "The family is growing stronger, and life is improving. Additionally, the medicinal herbs sent by your Yunxun uncle have helped my health greatly. You need not worry."

Yun Yandong grinned, relieved.

Yun Yanshui, standing nearby, was given a responsibility by Yun Yandong's mother. "Shui'er, take good care of Dong'er. Make sure he doesn't cause any trouble."

Yun Yanshui grinned confidently. "Aunt, don't worry. With Yan Dong following me, I'll keep an eye on him. When we return from Yulin County, I'll be sure to bring back some local specialties for you."

With a lighthearted farewell, he and Yun Yandong climbed into the carriage, marking the beginning of their journey.

Their traveling party consisted of fifteen people: Yun Yanshui, Yun Yandong, Yun Yanshuang, and Yun Yantian, accompanied by Yun Yunyue and ten elite guards from the Yun family.

As their journey progressed, the road to Yulin County proved long and arduous. The county was quite a distance from Yuncang County, requiring at least three days and nights of travel.

Inside the carriage, Yun Yantian turned to his younger siblings with a gentle smile. "Yulin County is quite far. We'll need to endure three days and nights on the road."

Yun Yandong's eyes widened in dismay. "What? Three days and nights?!"

Yun Yantian chuckled. "Yes, and the journey will be bumpy and tiring."

Yun Yandong's expression darkened as he glanced at Yun Yanshui. "Brother Yanshui, can I get out of the carriage?"

Yun Yanshui, crossing his arms like an elder, responded with mock authority. "Endure it! It's just three days and nights. What's there to be afraid of?"

The younger boy let out a long sigh of resignation as the journey continued.

Three days later, their carriage, escorted by Yun Yunyue and his men, finally approached the official road outside Yulin County. In the distance, the towering city gates came into view, guarded by soldiers of the Yue Kingdom.

Inside the carriage, Yun Yantian lifted the curtain, his gaze fixed on the approaching city. With a satisfied smile, he announced, "We've arrived at Yulin County."

Before anyone could celebrate, Yun Yanshui and Yun Yandong, having endured three days of rough travel, hurriedly covered their mouths and rushed out of the carriage. The moment their feet touched the ground, they crouched by the roadside, vomiting uncontrollably.

Yun Yanshuang, concerned, quickly approached her older brother. "Brother, are you alright?"

Yun Yanshui, waving a hand to dismiss her worry, replied weakly, "I'm fine. I feel much better now that I've thrown up."

Nearby, Yun Yandong's face had turned pale. "Brother Yanshui, I never knew riding in a carriage could be this unbearable."

"It's your first time," Yun Yanshui remarked, still catching his breath.

The younger boy, frowning, pointed toward his sister and Yun Yantian. "Then why aren't Sister Shuāng and Brother Yantian sick?"

"They're cultivators. You can't compare yourself to them," Yun Yanshui answered with a hint of envy.

Realization dawned on Yun Yandong, and he sighed in defeat.

Seated atop a fine horse, Yun Yunyue, clad in a black robe and light armor, looked down at his two nephews with an amused smile. "Are you both ready to continue?"

Yun Yanshui and Yun Yandong straightened up, determined to push through their exhaustion. "We can still manage."

Yun Yunyue nodded approvingly. "Then let's enter the city, find an inn to rest, and later, I'll treat you all to a proper meal.

There's a tavern in Yulin County that serves a famous signature dish—its taste is said to be exquisite. It's made from White Spirit Fish from Yulin Lake, prepared with a special blend of spices."

Upon hearing this, Yun Yanshui and Yun Yandong immediately perked up, their earlier fatigue forgotten. With newfound enthusiasm, they quickly climbed back into the carriage.

Just as Yun Yunyue prepared to lead the group into the city, another convoy of carriages slowly approached from the side. A deep, steady voice came from within one of the carriages.

"May I ask if you are from the Yuncang Yun Clan?"

Yun Yunyue turned his gaze toward the voice, spotting a middle-aged man dressed in a long blue robe.

He responded calmly, "That's correct."

The man inside the carriage continued, "May I ask for your name?"

"Yun Yunyue."

A hearty laugh rang out from within the carriage. "Haha! Then you must be the younger brother of Yun Yunyang !"

Yun Yunyue narrowed his eyes slightly, sensing familiarity in the man's tone. "Sir, do you know my elder brother?"

Sun Tianming, the patriarch of the Lanlin Sun Clan, introduced himself with a polite smile. He explained that he had visited the Yuncang Yun Clan some time ago and had spoken with Yun Yunyang during a banquet. The two had enjoyed their conversation immensely and had become close acquaintances.

Upon hearing this, Yun Yunyue responded with a respectful gesture, cupping his hands in greeting.

Sun Tianming chuckled, remarking that fate seemed to have tied the Lanlin Sun Clan and the Yuncang Yun Clan together. He then inquired about Yun Yunyue's reason for visiting Yulin County, suspecting that he had also come for the renowned cultivation market in Yulin Lake.

Yun Yunyue confirmed his assumption, and in turn, asked whether Sun Tianming had the same purpose. Sun Tianming laughed and affirmed that he had indeed come for the same reason.

Hearing this, Yun Yunyue expressed his appreciation, mentioning that it was the Yun Clan's first time learning about the cultivation market at Yulin Lake. He requested that Sun Tianming help guide them when the time came. Sun Tianming assured him that it was no trouble at all, considering their clans were practically neighbors.

With their conversation flowing easily, Sun Tianming suggested they enter the city together and find a place to enjoy a drink. Yun Yunyue readily agreed.

Spring Breeze Restaurant stood as the most opulent and renowned establishment in Yulin County. Only the wealthiest nobles and high-ranking officials frequented the grand halls of this prestigious venue.

For Yun Yanshui and Yun Yandong, it was their first time stepping out of their family's domain and into the broader world. Everything in Yulin County fascinated them, and upon entering such a luxurious establishment, they could barely contain their amazement. Even Yun Yanshuang, who typically remained composed, couldn't hide the flush of excitement on her face.

Sun Tianming led the way, inviting Yun Yunyue and his group upstairs. Before arriving, he had already reserved a private room, ensuring they would dine in comfort.

Yun Yunyue once again expressed his gratitude before ascending the stairs with the younger generation following closely behind. Along the way, he continued conversing with Sun Tianming, asking for details about the cultivation market.

Sun Tianming patiently explained that, contrary to what some believed, ordinary people were actually allowed to enter the market. However, there was a restriction—each cultivator was only permitted to bring one ordinary person inside.

He then mentioned that he had brought his sons, Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan, to Yulin County precisely so they could enter the cultivation market together.

Yun Yunyue listened attentively, nodding in understanding as Sun Tianming elaborated on the details.

Meanwhile, behind them, Sun Fenglin and his younger brother, Sun Fengxuan, engaged in conversation with Yun Yantian and Yun Yanshuang.

Since his visit to the Yuncang Yun Clan alongside his father, Sun Fenglin had come to recognize the hidden potential of their family. He understood that, despite their recent rise to a cultivation clan, they possessed a foundation that should not be underestimated.

Greeting Yun Yantian with a polite smile, Sun Fenglin exchanged pleasantries, while Yun Yantian's gaze shifted to Sun Fengxuan, noting the strong resemblance between the two brothers. With a knowing smile, he surmised the younger boy's identity.

Sun Fenglin confirmed the assumption, introducing Sun Fengxuan as his younger brother, who was also a cultivator. He proudly mentioned that Sun Fengxuan was currently at the peak of the first level of the Embryo Breath Stage and was close to breaking through to the second level.

Yun Yantian, impressed by the younger boy's progress, offered words of admiration.

Sun Fenglin, however, modestly downplayed his brother's achievements, acknowledging that, compared to Yun Yantian and Yun Yanshuang, Sun Fengxuan's talent and cultivation level were still lacking.

Yun Yantian, in turn, assured him that he was being overly humble.

As the group ascended the stairs, their conversation remained lighthearted, filled with laughter and camaraderie. However, at the back of the group, Yun Yanshui and Yun Yandong trailed behind, their curiosity piqued by the grandeur of Spring Breeze Restaurant.

As they wandered through the lavish interior, Yun Yandong's gaze was drawn to a peculiar sight. A man, fastening his belt, emerged from a side hallway.

"Brother Yanshui, look! That man is fixing his belt—what is he doing?"

Yun Yanshui, glancing over, responded with casual indifference.

"What else? He probably just finished peeing."

"But wait! There's a woman coming out with him too. Men and women don't pee together, do they?"

Yun Yanshui paused, momentarily at a loss for words.

"Uh… maybe that's just how city folks live?"

Yun Yandong's expression turned to admiration.

"Wow, I envy that guy! He gets to pee with such a pretty lady."

Yun Yanshui, unable to suppress a chuckle, reassured him with a smirk.

"Don't worry. When you grow up, you'll have plenty of chances."

"I want ten!"

"Ten? That's not enough. I'll give you twenty!"