The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 133: Take this as a lesson
"Grandfather, I’ve brought the tea you asked for!"
Outside the study, a young boy’s voice broke the silence.
"Come in," Sun Tianming replied.
The source of this c𝓸ntent is freewebnøvel.coɱ.
The door creaked open, and a boy of about thirteen, dressed in fine silk, entered the room carrying a tea set.
The boy’s sword-like brows and starry eyes bore a striking resemblance to Sun Fengli.
His name was Sun Fengyi, the younger half-brother of Sun Fengli, sharing the same father but born to a different mother. Without spiritual roots, he had been relegated to handling odd jobs for the family.
It was his responsibility to attend to Sun Tianming’s daily needs, learning the intricacies of family affairs under his grandfather’s guidance. The intention was to prepare him to eventually take on a role of influence and responsibility within the family hierarchy.
"You’ve worked hard, Fengyi," Sun Tianming said warmly, looking at the boy who had come to deliver tea late at night.
"Compared to Grandfather, tirelessly managing the family’s affairs day and night, my efforts are hardly worth mentioning," Sun Fengyi replied with a gentle smile.
He carefully set the tea set on the desk, ensuring every piece was neatly arranged, and poured a cup of tea for his grandfather.
Unlike his elder brother Sun Fengli, who was arrogant and self-absorbed, Sun Fengyi’s temperament was humble and gentle. His cautious and meticulous approach to everything had earned Sun Tianming’s favor.
"This time, your elder brother lost his life in the ruins of the Pill Cauldron Sect. Do you resent me for it?" Sun Tianming asked, taking a sip of tea as his gaze fell on the boy standing obediently by his side.
"Fate governs all things. My brother’s misfortune was simply his destiny and cannot be blamed on anyone else," Sun Fengyi replied, bowing respectfully.
"But it was I who sent the three of them to the ruins in pursuit of that rare immortal opportunity.
"If I hadn’t made that decision, perhaps your elder brother would still be alive."
Sun Tianming’s expression darkened, his voice tinged with sorrow.
"Many within the family have voiced their discontent in private, believing that I am too reckless," he continued, his tone heavy with regret.
Caught in his own thoughts, Sun Tianming couldn’t help but question the choices he had made for the family over the years. Were his decisions right or wrong?
Did he truly possess the ability to lead the family effectively? Or was he merely clinging to his position as patriarch thanks to the spiritual root talent of his two sons?
Should he step down and allow someone more capable to take the reins, leading the family toward greater glory?
"The family may not understand your struggles, Grandfather, but I do," Sun Fengyi said softly.
"Over the years, you’ve poured your heart and soul into the family, giving everything for its prosperity.
"Brother Fenglin and Brother Fengxuan have also trained relentlessly, sacrificing countless hours for the sake of the family’s strength.
"I’ve witnessed all of this.
"Though some within the family may not appreciate your efforts, I do."
Hearing Sun Fengyi’s heartfelt words, Sun Tianming sighed deeply.
"If only your elder brother had been as cautious as you, he might not have met such a tragic end."
Sun Tianming couldn’t help but lament. The stark difference between Sun Fengli and Sun Fengyi’s personalities and approaches to life was clear as day.
But then again, it wasn’t surprising.
Though they were brothers, they weren’t born of the same mother. Sun Fengyi’s mother was a concubine, and his upbringing had been markedly different.
"Grandfather, what’s done is done. There’s no need to blame yourself," Sun Fengyi said gently, his voice soothing.
"It’s getting late, Grandfather. Please rest early. I shall take my leave now," Sun Fengyi said respectfully.
"Mm. Go on," Sun Tianming nodded, waving him off as he dismissed the boy.
Sun Fengyi carefully gathered the tea set, turned, and left the study.
Behind him, Sun Tianming, who had been preparing to return to his work, suddenly furrowed his brow. A sharp pain stabbed through his abdomen like a blade, leaving him feeling as if his insides were churning violently.
His strength drained from his body, and he collapsed onto the desk. Through blurred vision, he caught a fleeting glimpse of Sun Fengyi, who was just closing the door.
For a brief moment, the boy’s gaze met his—a look colder and more resentful than Sun Tianming had ever seen.
"You… you truly harbored resentment… against your grandfather…"
Before his vision faded entirely into darkness, Sun Tianming whispered his final words. Blood, black as ink, spilled from his mouth, splattering across the desk.
He was dead.
"The Sun family… is finished," murmured Yun Yanshui.
Outside the study window, Yun Yanshui had been poised with his dark-green battle bow, prepared to strike Sun Tianming down with a single arrow. But upon witnessing the patriarch’s collapse after drinking the poisoned tea, he slowly lowered his weapon.
His mind lingered on the image of the thirteen-year-old boy, Sun Fengyi.
"A ruthless one," he thought, disappearing into the night like a shadow.
Yun Family Manor.
Beneath the shade of a willow tree outside the estate, Yun Yunyang sat drinking with his brothers and cousins, accompanied by the blind elder Taoist.
"Sun Tianming is dead?" Yun Yunyang asked, stunned at the news.
"Yes, the news came this morning," replied Yun Yunrui.
"How did he die?" Yun Yunyang frowned deeply.
He had been contemplating using the Sun family’s internal strife as an opportunity to eliminate Sun Tianming, intensifying the factional conflicts and hastening the family’s decline.
However, due to the marriage ties between the two families, he had decided against sending Shuang’er or Yantian to carry out the task.
But now, upon waking to the news of Sun Tianming’s death, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disbelief.
"He was poisoned by his nephew, Sun Fengyi.
"Sun Fengyi’s body and a handwritten suicide note were later discovered at his home by members of the Sun family. In the letter, he confessed to poisoning Sun Tianming to avenge his father and elder brother."
"Sun Fengyi? Who is he?" Yun Yunyang asked, intrigued.
"Brother Yunyang, you may not know this, but Sun Fengyi is the younger half-brother of Sun Fengli. Though born of a different mother, the two were very close.
"When Sun Fengli tragically perished in the ruins of the Pill Cauldron Sect, Sun Fengyi placed all the blame on Sun Tianming. That’s why he decided to poison him.
"Furthermore, Sun Fengyi’s father, Sun Tianli, was the one who was driven mad five years ago by the walking corpses in Mount Yunshan.
"He also believed that it was Sun Tianming’s insistence on sending people to search for obsidian veins that led to his father’s downfall, which ruined their branch of the family."
Yun Yunrui carefully explained Sun Fengyi’s background.
"Who would have thought there’d be such a story within the Sun family?" Yun Yunyang sighed.
"It doesn’t stop there.
"The relatives of those who died at Mount Yunshan, searching for obsidian veins, have long held a grudge against Sun Tianming.
"For five years, these people have been biding their time, waiting for an opportunity.
"Sun Fengli’s death was the spark that ignited the powder keg.
"They formed a faction in secret, aiming to force Sun Tianming to step down and further exacerbate the internal conflict within the family."
"Last night, Sun Tianming, unable to tolerate the chaos any longer, ordered his two sons to eliminate all dissenters within the family.
"The investigation in Lanlin County has confirmed this.
"It was Sun Fenglin and Sun Fengxuan who carried out the killings.
"However, as cultivators, the two are untouchable under the laws of Yue State. The authorities cannot arrest them, and since the casualties were part of the Sun family’s internal strife, the local government has only issued a brief announcement and refrained from further involvement."
"The Sun family’s downfall should serve as a lesson for our Yun family," Yun Yunyang said with a heavy heart.
His words were as much a reminder to himself as they were to his brothers and cousins.
He vowed to ensure that such a tragedy would never befall the Yun family—that no internal strife would ever sap their strength and lead to their destruction.
Continue your adventure at novelbuddy
"Brother Yunyang, should we go to offer condolences?"
"The Sun family is in complete disarray. Until their affairs settle, not even Sun Tianming’s body, or those of the others who died unjustly, can be properly buried.
"There will be no funeral to attend," Yun Yunyang said with a bitter laugh, shaking his head.
"Yansong, why do you look so unsettled?" Yun Yunyang asked, noticing Yun Yansong returning from outside, his expression troubled.
"Uncle, the Sun family is in utter chaos, and Fengyu… she…"
"Did something happen to Fengyu?"
"No, but seeing her family fall apart like this has left her heartbroken. She tried to stop it but was powerless.
"According to her, Brother Fenglin and Brother Fengxuan have completely lost control.
"They’ve gone mad, slaughtering wildly within the family in response to Uncle Tianming’s assassination.
"The Sun family’s situation is beyond salvaging."
"The Sun family’s matters are beyond our ability to intervene.
"Take good care of Fengyu. From now on, our Yun family is her only family.
"You can also bring her parents here, to live out their days in peace.
"The Sun family is no longer a safe place to stay."
"I understand, Uncle," Yun Yansong replied solemnly.
