The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"Something happened to the Sun family?"

Yun Yunyang's expression shifted as he listened to Lu Zizai, who had come to visit and was recounting the recent events involving the Lanlin Sun family.

"Yes, it seems they encountered some evil followers of the Gu Master Cult. Over a dozen of their clan members were killed in one fell swoop, and even Sun Tianming's third brother was so terrified he lost his sanity and is now unable to take care of himself," Lu Zizai sighed.

This news had only reached him yesterday.

"The Gu Master Cult?" Yun Yunyang asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"They are a heretical cult operating within Yue Country, causing chaos for many years," Lu Zizai said, his tone grave. He then explained the Gu Master Cult in detail to Yun Yunyang and the other Yun clan members present.

"So that's how it is," Yun Yunyang said, nodding thoughtfully after hearing Lu Zizai's explanation.

"In that case, the court will surely send immortal masters to deal with the Gu Master Cult followers causing trouble in the Chuyun Mountains, won't they?"

"The Sun family did report it, but the court doesn't have any spare manpower," Lu Zizai replied.

"Why not?" Yun Yunyang asked, his expression darkening.

"The Gu Master Cult has been growing increasingly active throughout Yue Country recently. The court has already dispatched nearly all of its immortal masters to various regions.

The Three Great Clans, Seven Noble Families, and other cultivating families across the country are all assisting in containing the cult's activities. Even with the Sun family's report, the court can't provide much help." Continue your adventure at My Virtual Library Empire

"Then, Lord Lu, why have you come here today?" Yun Yunyang asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Brother Yun, your Yunzhang Yun family and the Lanlin Sun family are neighbors. With the Sun family in trouble and the Gu Master Cult followers operating near the border of your territories, the court has ordered me to relay a message. They hope your family will join forces with the Sun family to capture the cultists hiding in the Chuyun Mountains," Lu Zizai explained, making his purpose clear.

Yun Yunyang fell silent, deliberating over the matter without giving an immediate response.

According to Lu Zizai's account, the Gu Master Cult was a fearsome organization capable of rivaling Yue Country's royal family.

The Yun family had only begun developing less than a year ago. While they had three cultivators with spiritual roots, only Yun Yanshuang and Yun Yantian were capable of representing the family in such a joint effort.

Compared to the deep foundations of the Gu Master Cult, the Yun family was sorely lacking. Yun Yunyang was deeply reluctant to put his niece and nephew at risk.

Even with the help of the Sun family's three spiritual-root cultivators, there was no guarantee they could contend with the Gu Master Cultists lurking in the Chuyun Mountains.

The cult's methods were bizarre and unpredictable, specializing in the use of gu worms to kill silently and invisibly. They were notoriously difficult to defend against.

However, Yun Yunyang also understood that if they failed to cooperate with the Sun family in dealing with the cultists, his family's future ventures into the Chuyun Mountains to search for the obsidian vein would likely face significant obstacles.

Caught between the safety of his family and the future prosperity of the Yun clan, Yun Yunyang found himself in a difficult dilemma.

"Lord Lu, please return to the county office for now. Allow me some time to discuss this matter with my clan members before making a decision," Yun Yunyang finally said, exhaling heavily as he turned to Lu Zizai.

"I'll await your reply, Brother Yun," Lu Zizai said, standing up. "The court has also ordered that Yunzhang County will dispatch one thousand elite soldiers to assist in capturing the Gu Master Cult followers."

Before departing, Lu Zizai deliberately mentioned the deployment of soldiers, hoping to ease Yun Yunyang's concerns about sending his cultivators into such a dangerous situation.

"I understand," Yun Yunyang nodded.

"Then I'll take my leave. There are still many matters to attend to at the county office," Lu Zizai said, bowing politely before leading his entourage away.

Yun Yunyang personally escorted him to the village gates.

"Brother Yunyang, the Gu Master Cult is incredibly dangerous, and our Yun family has only been developing for a year.

If we join this operation to capture the cultists and end up incurring the cult's wrath, our family will be in grave danger," Yun Yunrui said as soon as Lu Zizai was out of sight.

"He's right! Yunrui makes a good point. We must find a way to decline this request," another clan elder chimed in.

"I agree with Yunrui's suggestion as well," echoed a third voice.

Yun Yunyang remained silent, his gaze sweeping across the gathered clan members. Finally, he turned to his two younger brothers, Yun Yunshan and Yun Yunyu.

"Second Brother, Fourth Brother, what are your thoughts?"

Yun Yunyang valued their opinions greatly. Both had served in the military in their youth, and their insights into major matters were often sharper than his own.

"Yunrui's concerns are not without merit," Yun Yunyu said after a moment of contemplation. "But I'm not entirely in agreement with his stance."

Yun Yunyu pondered for a moment before slowly voicing his thoughts.

As his words fell, all eyes turned toward him—Yun Yunyang, Yun Yunrui, and the other senior members of the Yun clan waited in silence to hear what he had to say next.

"Lord Lu mentioned earlier that the Gu Master Cult is utterly ruthless, their deeds too heinous to recount.

"Now that the cult's followers are active in the Chuyun Mountains and the Sun family has already suffered greatly, failing to deal with these hidden threats will leave us all in danger.@@novelbin@@

"This is not just an instability for the Lanlin Sun family, but also for us. The danger posed by these cultists could spread to our Yun family at any moment.

"As the saying goes, 'when the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold.' If the Sun family falls to the Gu Master Cult, we will surely be their next target."

Yun Yunyu spoke with measured calm, his gaze steady as he addressed the gathered elders.

"I share the same thoughts as Second Brother," Yun Yunshan chimed in. "Though there are risks involved in capturing the Gu Master Cult followers, it could also be an excellent trial for Shuang'er and Tian'er.

"As for Yunrui's concerns about possible retaliation from the cult afterward…

"We shouldn't worry too much. The court, the Three Great Clans, the Seven Noble Families, and many other cultivating families are already moving against the Gu Master Cult.

"For the time being, the cult will be too preoccupied to retaliate against us."

Hearing the perspectives of his second and fourth brothers, Yun Yunyang nodded silently, their reasoning resonating with him.

"Yunrui, do you have any additional thoughts?"

"Perhaps Yunyu and Yunshan's views are more comprehensive," Yun Yunrui admitted, bowing his head slightly. "I had only considered the immediate safety of our family and failed to account for the broader factors."

His tone was sincere, and his expression showed respect. He realized his understanding of the bigger picture was lacking compared to his brothers and resolved to learn from them in the future.

"Does anyone else have an opinion?" Yun Yunyang asked, his gaze sweeping the room.

"If Yunyu and Yunshan's analysis is so thorough, we should proceed as they suggest," one elder said.

"Yes, let's cooperate with the Lanlin Sun family and deal with the Gu Master Cult followers in the Chuyun Mountains first. As for any future challenges, we'll handle them when they come."

"Since no one has significant objections, I'll make the final decision," Yun Yunyang said with a faint smile. "Second Brother, Fourth Brother, prepare Shuang'er and Tian'er for the task."

"Understood," they replied in unison.

"Yunrui," Yun Yunyang continued, "send word to Lord Lu. Tell him that the Yun Cang Yun family agrees to dispatch two spiritual-root cultivators to join the Lanlin Sun family in capturing the Gu Master Cult followers."

"I'll see to it immediately."

"Sixth Brother," Yun Yunyang said, turning to another elder, "prepare a carriage and some gifts. I'll visit the Sun family personally to offer our condolences and show our support."

"Right away," the elder replied, hurrying off to make arrangements.

"As for the rest of you," Yun Yunyang addressed the gathering, "there is much work to be done within the family. Return to your duties."

With that, the meeting dispersed. Yun Yunyang boarded the carriage, accompanied by a dozen family guards, and departed for the Lanlin Sun family.

"Capturing Gu Master Cult followers?"

Under the fading light of the setting sun, Yun Yanshui sat with her sister at a stone table in the shade of a tree. Hearing her father's explanation, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes, the family has made its decision."

"Tomorrow, Shuang'er and Tian'er will set out for Yunzhang County to meet with Lord Lu. From there, they will follow his instructions."

"I understand," Yun Yanshuang said, nodding firmly.

"Although your cultivation has progressed recently, remember that the Gu Master Cult is a significant threat within Yue Country. Even the court, the Three Great Clans, and the Seven Noble Families struggle to deal with them.

"You and Tian'er must be extremely cautious on this journey," their father warned.

"Yes, Father," Yun Yanshuang replied, her expression serious.

"And as for you, Shui'er, I trust I don't need to say more. You know what to do."