The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"Brother Yunyang, Sun Fenglin and his younger brother Sun Fengxuan have requested an audience."

Yun Yunrui announced as he stepped into Yun Yunyang's study, where the latter was overseeing Yun Wenxuan's lessons.

"Oh? Why would those two suddenly pay us a visit?"

Yun Yunyang raised an eyebrow, his expression laced with mild surprise.

Ever since the Blue Scaled Sun clan fell into chaos and ultimately collapsed due to internal strife, the Sun brothers had embarked on a path of vengeance, wreaking havoc within their own clan before leaving for good.

He hadn't heard anything about them since and had assumed their paths would never cross again.

"I'm not sure," Yun Yunrui replied. "I've arranged for them to wait in the reception hall. They're waiting for you there."

"Let's go meet them. After all, they are family to Fengyu," Yun Yunyang said with a sigh.

He turned to Yun Wenxuan, instructing him to complete the assignments given by his tutor before heading out with Yun Yunrui toward the family's reception hall.

Inside the hall, Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan sat quietly, their expressions calm.

After the Sun clan's collapse, the two brothers had sought refuge in the imperial capital under the care of their uncle. Recently, in their pursuit of resources for cultivation, they had braved the dangers of the Dan Ding Sect ruins, managing to gather some small fortunes from the outer regions.

Their visit to the Yun family now carried a specific purpose.

"The Yun family is truly flourishing," Sun Fenglin remarked, his voice tinged with bittersweet emotion as he observed the vibrant prosperity of the Yun estate.

Memories of the Sun clan's downfall flashed through his mind, a stark contrast to the thriving Yun family. His lips curled into a faint, bitter smile.

"Brother, are we really going to follow Father's instructions from the letter?"

Sun Fengxuan's tone was somber, his expression tense.

Not long ago, they had stumbled upon a hidden letter left by their father, Sun Tianming, before his death.

The letter revealed that their father had foreseen the clan's decline and had prepared an alternative path for them: seek refuge with the Yun family if the Sun clan were to fall.

Reading their father's final words had filled Sun Fengxuan with both sorrow and hesitation.

"We should follow Father's wishes," Sun Fenglin replied after a moment.

"For us to continue cultivating, we'll need substantial resources. Our uncle in the capital may hold an official position, but he's still a mortal. He can only support us for so long.

Fengyu married into the Yun family, and our families have maintained friendly relations. The Yun family has also treated Fengyu and our aunt and uncle well.

Joining the Yun family may not be a bad choice."

Having endured the loss of their father and the collapse of their clan, Sun Fenglin had grown more composed and cautious. His decisions were now guided by careful deliberation and a keen sense of the bigger picture, traits that rivaled those of his late father.

"You're probably right," Sun Fengxuan conceded with a nod. "Perhaps Father anticipated all this when he left those instructions."

He hesitated, then voiced his lingering concern.

"But will the Yun family even take us in? We're outsiders, after all."

Sun Fenglin sighed, his lips curling into a wry smile.

"I've thought about that too. But since Father entrusted us with this path, we owe it to him—and ourselves—to try."

"Fenglin, Fengxuan! How have you been?"

A hearty voice rang out from the doorway, interrupting their thoughts.

The brothers turned to see Yun Yunyang and Yun Yunrui entering the hall.

Quickly rising to their feet, they bowed deeply.

"Your nephews, Fenglin and Fengxuan, greet Uncle Yunyang!"

"There's no need for such formalities here in the Yun family," Yun Yunyang said warmly, a kind smile on his face as he gestured for them to sit.

Yun Yunyang sighed deeply and welcomed the brothers warmly.

Soon after, members of the Yun clan arrived with tea and refreshments, placing them before Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan.

Seated at the head of the hall, Yun Yunyang sipped his tea thoughtfully, his gaze settling on the two brothers.

"I've heard about your father and the fall of the Sun clan. It's a tragedy I still lament. When chaos broke out in your family, I regret that I couldn't make it to see your father, Tianming, one last time or pay my respects," he said, his tone heavy with emotion.

"Uncle Yunyang, you're too kind," Sun Fenglin replied, bowing his head respectfully.

"The family was in turmoil back then. My brother and I were caught up in the infighting, and after Father's passing, we hastily buried his remains before leaving the clan. We didn't have the chance to invite or inform you."

Sun Fenglin's voice carried a mixture of regret and bitterness.

"Ah! I never would have imagined such a thing could happen within your family. Tianming was a man of vision, tirelessly working to make your clan flourish. Such a loss…"

Yun Yunyang sighed heavily, his expression sorrowful.

Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan lowered their heads, the memories of their father's death and the Sun clan's collapse stabbing at their hearts like daggers.

"Uncle Yunyang, how is my sister Fengyu? And my aunt and uncle—are they well?"

"They're all well. Would you like to visit them?"

"No need. It's enough to know they're safe and happy. Fengyu marrying into the Yun family was a blessing for her," Sun Fenglin said with a faint smile.

"Don't say that! My nephew Yansong is the one who's blessed to have married such a wonderful girl," Yun Yunyang replied with a chuckle.

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Hearing this, the brothers exchanged a small, relieved smile, their heavy hearts lightening a little.

"Uncle Yunyang, to be honest, my brother and I are here to seek refuge," Sun Fenglin said after a moment of hesitation, breaking the silence.

"Refuge?"

Yun Yunyang's brows arched in surprise, and Yun Yunrui, seated nearby, appeared equally taken aback.

"Yes.

With our father gone and the Sun clan dissolved, my brother and I went to the imperial capital to live under our uncle's care. However, his duties as a court official leave him little time to provide for us.

We've come here because we have nowhere else to turn."

"Tianming was a dear friend of mine, and you two call me 'Uncle.' Not to mention, our families are connected by marriage—Fengyu is my daughter-in-law.

If you wish to stay and serve the Yun family, you're more than welcome," Yun Yunyang said after a moment of consideration, a smile spreading across his face.

"Thank you, Uncle Yunyang! My brother and I swear to serve the Yun family with utmost loyalty. We'll go through fire and water if needed!"

Relief and gratitude shone in Sun Fenglin's eyes as he bowed deeply, his brother following suit.

"Haha! Good, good! It just so happens that our family recently established a new cultivators' marketplace in Yunzhang County.

If you two don't mind, I'd like you to oversee the marketplace and ensure its smooth operation," Yun Yunyang said with a nod.

"We would be honored," the brothers replied in unison.

"Yunrui, inform Yunlin to accompany Fenglin and Fengxuan to the marketplace and help them get familiar with the operations."

"Yes, Brother Yunyang," Yun Yunrui said, rising to escort the brothers from the hall.

After arranging everything, Yun Yunrui returned to the hall, his expression contemplative.

"Brother Yunyang, why take in the Sun brothers? It's clear they're here to use our resources for cultivation. Once they grow stronger, they might become a destabilizing force within the family."

"Our family lacks enough heirs with spiritual roots," Yun Yunyang replied.

"By having the Sun brothers serve us, they can contribute while remaining under our control. The resources they receive will be determined by us, and we will prioritize our own heirs.

So long as the Yun family's heirs grow strong, the Sun brothers will pose no threat.

Moreover, neither of them is married. In time, we can arrange for women from our extended family to marry them, ensuring their loyalty and expanding our lineage.

With their talent and spiritual roots, their descendants are bound to benefit the Yun family greatly.

Once their children are part of our family, they'll have no reason to betray us," Yun Yunyang said, his eyes gleaming with calculated wisdom.

Hearing this, Yun Yunrui's eyes lit up with admiration.

"Brother Yunyang, you've thought of everything," he said with a laugh.

"I suspected their purpose the moment I heard they were coming," Yun Yunyang said with a wry smile.

"Now I'm considering helping them rebuild the Blue Scaled Sun clan under our banner. With the right guidance, they could become a valuable vassal to the Yun family."