The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 196 Confused

"Father, uncles, what brings you here?"

Yun Yanling was busy arranging a new batch of talismans sent by the family, preparing them for sale, when she saw her father and several of the family elders enter the shop.

"We came to check on the shop and the market's operations," Yun Yunyang replied with a smile.

"Father-in-law, uncles, please, come to the inner courtyard and rest for a bit," Qin Zhan said warmly, immediately instructing the shop attendants to prepare tea and refreshments.

Accompanied by Yun Yanling and Qin Zhan, the group made their way to the inner courtyard and settled in comfortably.

"The Su family secretly sent people to cause trouble. I went to investigate," Yun Yunyang began after taking a sip of tea.

"Did they admit to it?" Yun Yanling asked.

"Of course not. The Su family wouldn't confess to such a thing so easily. Most likely, they've already dealt with the rogue cultivators privately to silence them," Yun Yunyang replied with a faint smile.

"Did you find any evidence of the Wang family's support behind the Su family?" she pressed further.

"I tested Su Yinglong. Though he was evasive, it's clear enough—there's no doubt the Wang family is backing them," Yun Yunyang said, his expression hardening.

"What are your plans for dealing with the Su family?" Yun Yanling asked after a moment of thought.

"The Su family won't willingly coexist peacefully with us, especially with the Wang family's support. It's simply not possible," Yun Yunyang replied calmly, a glint of cold determination in his eyes.

"So, you plan to deal with them in secret?"

"Exactly. The Wang family wants to use the Su family to balance against us. But I, Yun Yunyang, will not let them have their way."

His tone was firm, the steel in his voice leaving no room for doubt.

For the Yun family, there was no turning back. Having chosen the path of cultivation and ambition, they could only forge ahead. Any hesitation, any retreat, would mean falling into the abyss.

The memory of the Sun family's downfall—its assets devoured by the clans of Lanlin—remained vivid in Yun Yunyang's mind. He would never allow the Yun family to follow that same tragic path.

"We should send Shuang'er and Yantian to deal with this matter," Yun Yunrui suggested from the side.

"There's no need to trouble them with this," Yun Yunyang replied, shaking his head with a smile.

"Then what's your plan, Brother Yunyang?" Yun Yunrui asked, curious about his cousin's alternative approach.

"Call for Fenglin and Fengxuan. I have some things I'd like to discuss with them."

Yun Yanling immediately turned to a shop attendant. "Go find Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan. Tell them to come here at once."

"Yes, ma'am," the attendant replied respectfully, hurrying off.

About fifteen minutes later, two figures leaped into the shop's courtyard. They spotted Yun Yunyang and immediately bowed deeply.

"Fenglin and Fengxuan greet Uncle Yunyang and all the uncles present!"

"Take a seat. No need to stand in the ceremony," Yun Yunyang said with a smile.

"Thank you, Uncle Yunyang," the brothers replied, sitting down cautiously. Though they were told to relax, they couldn't shake the sense of formality; after all, they were living under the Yun family's protection.

The two brothers were curious about why Yun Yunyang had summoned them so suddenly.

"Earlier, your uncles and I visited the Su family," Yun Yunyang began, sipping his tea before continuing. "We also met Su Shengyun."

At the mention of Su Shengyun, the Sun brothers stiffened.

After the collapse of their family, the Sun clan's members had either perished or scattered. The proud Sun family of Lanlin was no more, and the brothers had sought refuge under the Yun family's wing, managing a cultivation market under their protection.

Though they had little information about the fate of their surviving kin, they had heard rumors. They knew the Su family had devoured much of the Sun family's wealth and enslaved many of its people, reducing them to a life of suffering and servitude.

The mere thought of Su Shengyun—who had abandoned his roots to become a direct descendant of the Su family—was enough to stir complicated emotions.

As Yun Yunyang continued, his gaze sharpened. "That Su Shengyun, now hailed as the Su family's strongest spiritual root descendant, was once your nephew—the fourth spiritual root child of the Sun family."

The mention of Su Shengyun made Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan tense, their expressions darkening.

They had long known of Su Shengyun's decision to abandon his heritage, pledging loyalty to the Su family and serving them without hesitation. To the brothers, it was an unbearable betrayal—a bitter reminder of their family's fall. freewebnøvel.coɱ

"He chose to forget his roots, willingly becoming a tool for the Su family," Yun Yunyang said, his tone calm but carrying a weight that pressed upon the brothers' hearts.

"I was a friend of your father, Tianming. The Sun family was once an ally of the Yun family," Yun Yunyang continued.

"The collapse of your family—its internal strife and downfall—was a tragedy that shocked many.

"But you both know full well what the Su family has done to your kin. You've heard the whispers of how they enslaved your relatives, treating them like beasts, squeezing every ounce of value from them."

Sun Fenglin's expression remained composed, but there was a subtle shift in his eyes.

"Uncle Yunyang," Sun Fenglin began carefully, "my brother and I have severed our ties with the Sun family. We swore an oath to never return.

"What happens to the remnants of the Sun family is no longer our concern."

Though spoken calmly, his words carried a heavy resignation.

Yun Yunyang's face turned cold.

"I had thought you, Sun Fenglin, were a man of ambition.

"It seems I misjudged you."

Sun Fenglin froze at Yun Yunyang's rebuke, his calm demeanor breaking. Hastily, he stood and bowed deeply.

"Uncle Yunyang, I have erred. I beg your forgiveness!"

"If your father were alive to see the two of you now—apathetic, aimless, unwilling to act even as your kin suffer under the Su family's tyranny—do you think he would be at peace?

"Do you think Tianming would have dreamed of his sons abandoning the Sun family's legacy and allowing their people to wallow in misery?"

Yun Yunyang's words were sharp, cutting through the air like a blade.

"If I were in your shoes, I would have torn down the Su family by now. I would have rescued every enslaved member of my clan and rebuilt the Sun family to its former glory.

"Your father's greatest wish was to see the Sun family rise to prominence. Do you not share that same desire? Do you not wish to honor his memory?"

Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan fell silent, Yun Yunyang's words echoing in their minds. Shame crept into their expressions, their heads lowered in guilt.

After a long pause, they exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them.

Then, as one, they knelt before Yun Yunyang, bowing their heads to the ground.

"Uncle Yunyang, we beg for your aid," Sun Fenglin said, his voice steady but resolute.

"Help us restore the Sun family to its former glory. If you grant us this chance, we pledge our eternal loyalty to the Yun family."

"Rise," Yun Yunyang said, his tone softening. He stood and helped the brothers to their feet.

"Talk of servitude is unnecessary. I was your father's friend, and as his friend, I will help you stand tall once more."

He paused, his expression thoughtful.

"For now, maintain your positions in the Yun family and continue managing the market. When the time is right, you may approach Su Shengyun in private. Do nothing more than establish contact. Let events unfold naturally."

"Do you mean to avoid direct confrontation with the Su family?" Sun Fenglin asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

"The Su family has the Wang family's support. Facing them head-on is unwise.

"To destroy the Su family, we must let them collapse from within.

"Your nephew, Su Shengyun, may very well become the spark that ignites their downfall."

Sun Fenglin bowed deeply. "Thank you for your guidance, Uncle Yunyang. I understand now."

"Good. You're dismissed. Rest and prepare yourselves," Yun Yunyang said, waving them off.

"Uncle Yunyang, we'll take our leave," the brothers said in unison, bowing before departing.

As they left, Yun Yanling turned to her father, her brow furrowed.

"Father, are you sure about helping those two? What if they harbor ill intentions?"

Before Yun Yunyang could respond, Yun Yunrui chuckled.

"Ling'er, your father wouldn't make such a decision without considering every possibility. If he's willing to help them, it means he's already accounted for any risks."

Yun Yanling nodded slowly, acknowledging the truth in her uncle's words.

"Are there any unmarried daughters within the clan?" Yun Yunyang suddenly asked, a glint of calculation in his eyes.

"Brother Yunyu and Brother Yunlan each have an unmarried daughter," Yun Yunrui replied.

"Inform them of the situation. Have them prepare to accept Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan as sons-in-law," Yun Yunyang said decisively.

Yun Yunrui grinned. "Understood. I'll handle it as soon as we return to the clan."

"Ling'er, Zhan'er," Yun Yunyang said, turning to his daughter and son-in-law. "The family shop is in your hands. Continue your hard work."

"Father, you can count on us," Yun Yanling replied confidently.

"Good. Your uncles and I will return to the clan. There's still much to do."

With that, Yun Yunyang and the other elders departed, leaving the courtyard quiet once more.