The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"How is your Brother Yantian's cultivation progressing?"

In the quiet of the night, walking along a deserted path, Yun Yunshan asked in a hushed voice.

"Brother Yantian's cultivation is at the same level as Shuang'er's—they've both just stepped into the second stage of the Embryonic Breath Realm," Yun Yanshui replied. Through the soul imprint in his mind, he could easily perceive the cultivation levels of both his sister and Yantian.

"Will it help you break through?"

"My dantian is already brimming with spiritual energy; I'm close to breaking through. I just need a little more time. Once Shuang'er and Brother Yantian advance further, I should be able to reach the third stage of the Embryonic Breath Realm without any issues," Yanshui explained.

Hearing this, Yun Yunshan nodded in satisfaction. "Everyone in the village thinks Shuang'er and Yantian are the ones blessed with the greatest fortune. Little do they know, the real lucky one is you, you rascal!"

"Hehe," Yanshui chuckled, scratching the back of his head, unsure how to respond.

Yunzhang County, the County Yamen.

Lu Zizai, clad in his official robes, stood respectfully behind a young man dressed in luxurious attire. Around him were the county constables and other officials, all bowing with the utmost deference.

"To think the court would send none other than an immortal master to oversee this matter!" Lu Zizai exclaimed with a sycophantic smile.

The young man, though appearing youthful, was a cultivator and a venerated member of the Yue Kingdom's royal court.

Despite his youthful looks, Lu Zizai knew that this immortal master's true age far surpassed his own. The Yue Kingdom's emperor treated this man with the highest respect, and his status was nothing short of exalted.

After all, in a world where cultivation existed, those who could wield its power were akin to gods in the eyes of mortal kingdoms. Disrespecting such beings was unthinkable.

"Having some free time, I decided to accept His Majesty's assignment and investigate whether the Yun family has truly produced two children with spiritual roots," the young man replied with a calm smile.

"Perfect timing. I've already prepared a team. We can accompany you to the Yun family immediately to verify the matter," Lu Zizai said, bowing deeply.

"Very well, let us proceed," the young man said with a nod.

Together, they exited the yamen, heading toward the carriages Lu Zizai had arranged to take them to the Yun estate.

Before they could step outside, a constable captain, Ban Butou, came rushing in, his urgency palpable.

"What's the meaning of this reckless behavior? If you offend the immortal master, not even nine lives will save you!" Lu Zizai barked, his face darkening at the sight of the hurried officer.

"Subordinate knows his mistake! Immortal Master, please forgive this lowly one's offense," Ban Butou stammered, immediately dropping to his knees to beg for mercy.

"No harm done," the young man said indifferently. To him, mortals were like ants—not worth holding grudges against, lest it tarnish his own dignity.

"Thank the Immortal Master for his boundless mercy!" Lu Zizai ordered sternly, prompting Ban Butou to repeatedly kowtow in gratitude.

"Thank you, Immortal Master! Thank you!" Ban Butou said, his forehead nearly pressing into the ground as cold sweat drenched his back.

He knew he was fortunate. Had this been another, less patient cultivator, he might have been reduced to ash for such an offense.

"My apologies, Immortal Master…" Lu Zizai turned back toward the young man, bowing again with a look of contrition.

"If Lord Lu has urgent matters to attend to, feel free to handle them first. I am in no hurry," the young man replied with a gracious smile.

"Many thanks for your understanding, Immortal Master," Lu Zizai said, deeply grateful for the man's patience. He then stepped aside with Ban Butou, lowering his voice. "What's going on?"

"Zhou Zhe-sheng of the Zhou family has brought over three hundred of his relatives to the yamen gates, holding a petition of ten thousand bloody handprints. They demand justice against the Yun family and myself.

The commotion has drawn a large crowd of onlookers, and my men are struggling to disperse them. We're short on manpower," Ban Butou reported grimly.

"Useless! You can't even handle a rabble of troublemakers?"

"This subordinate is indeed incompetent. Please think of a solution, my lord. If Zhou Zhe-sheng and his clan block the path when the Immortal Master is ready to depart, it may anger him!" Ban Butou said in a hushed tone, his face pale.

Lu Zizai's frown deepened. He knew Ban Butou was right. No matter what, the Zhou family troublemakers needed to be dealt with immediately to ensure they didn't obstruct or offend the Immortal Master.

"Chang County Constable!" Lu Zizai called out to a towering, middle-aged man in official garb standing nearby.

"My lord, what are your orders?"

The middle-aged man named Chang Yuan, the County Constable of Yunzhang County, was responsible for maintaining law and order with his command of 3,000 soldiers.

"Those Zhou family troublemakers are causing a scene, blocking the gates of the county yamen and crying for justice. I fear their antics might offend the Immortal Master.

Take your men and drive them away immediately!" Lu Zizai ordered, his tone sharp and impatient.

To him, the Zhou clan's commotion was no different from the incessant buzzing of flies.

"Yes, my lord," Chang Yuan replied respectfully before quickly taking his leave.

Outside the county yamen, a large crowd of Yunzhang County citizens had gathered, curious about the ongoing commotion.

At the center of the spectacle, Zhou Zhe-sheng knelt at the head of over 300 Zhou clansmen, all arranged in neat rows. Together, they repeatedly cried out for justice:

"Lord Lu, please clear the name of the Zhou family!"

"Lord Lu, please clear the name of the Zhou family!"

Some of the Zhou clansmen held aloft a petition of ten thousand bloody handprints, a dramatic gesture meant to demand Lu Zizai's intervention. They were adamant that the county magistrate take up their case, punish the Yun family, and hold Ban Butou accountable for his actions.

"Father, are you sure this won't backfire?" Zhou Ao asked nervously, glancing at the Zhou clan members blocking the gates.

"What could possibly go wrong?" Zhou Zhe-sheng scoffed, unconcerned. "Your second uncle serves as an official in the court, and Lu Zizai was once his protégé.

If he learns of the Zhou family's plight, he'll undoubtedly step in on our behalf out of respect for your uncle."

Hearing this, Zhou Ao nodded, his father's reasoning making sense. Yet, unease still lingered in his heart.

By now, Lu Zizai should have been aware of the commotion outside the yamen. With the Zhou clan making such a ruckus for half the day, it seemed strange that he hadn't come out to address them. The gates remained tightly shut, with no sign of movement from within.

Suddenly, the sound of marching soldiers broke through the din of the crowd.

"Make way! Move aside! Clear the area!"

The thunderous voice of an officer echoed as a unit of over a thousand soldiers, led by Chang Yuan, approached in an imposing formation.

The soldiers dispersed the onlookers swiftly, sending the curious townsfolk scurrying away. The commotion immediately drew the attention of Zhou Zhe-sheng and his followers.

Looking up, Zhou Zhe-sheng saw Chang Yuan, a towering figure flanked by several officers, approaching with an air of authority.

"Your humble servant greets the lord!" Zhou Zhe-sheng quickly bowed, his head nearly touching the ground.

"Zhou clan leader, Zhou Zhe-sheng?" Chang Yuan asked, his expression unreadable as he glanced down at the kneeling man.

"Yes, my lord, that is me," Zhou Zhe-sheng replied deferentially.

"My lord has given his orders," Chang Yuan stated.

"Has Lord Lu decided to clear the Zhou family's name?" Zhou Zhe-sheng asked, his face lighting up with hope.

"Clear your name? What name is there to clear? My lord has instructed that you and your clan leave immediately. If you persist in blocking the gates and causing trouble, you will be punished without mercy!" Chang Yuan's voice rose in a stern reprimand.

Zhou Zhe-sheng froze, his expression as if struck by lightning.

"That… that can't be right! Lord Lu is my second brother's former protégé! How could he treat us this way when we've been wronged?" Zhou Zhe-sheng stammered, his desperation mounting.

He had believed that by invoking his brother's connection, Lu Zizai would grant him a favorable hearing. Instead, after two days of painstaking preparations, including the dramatic petition, his efforts were being dismissed as a joke.

"Enough nonsense! Take your people and leave now. If you refuse, I'll give the order to have every last member of the Zhou family executed on the spot!" Chang Yuan bellowed, his patience wearing thin.

To emphasize his point, he unsheathed the long blade at his waist and held it against Zhou Zhe-sheng's neck.

The sharp edge of the weapon sent a chill down Zhou Zhe-sheng's spine, draining the color from his face.

Behind him, Zhou Ao and the rest of the Zhou clan, who had been kneeling and shouting for justice moments earlier, fell silent. Faced with Chang Yuan and his formidable soldiers, none of them dared to act out further.

They were mere commoners, no match for the might of the thousand-strong county militia.

"Please, my lord, have mercy! We'll leave right away!" Zhou Zhe-sheng pleaded hastily, suppressing his anger and frustration.

There was no choice—none among them could afford to gamble with their lives.