The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 48: Xiuxian Market

"The livestock for the ancestral worship ceremony—are the preparations complete?"

Yun Yunyang, seated at the head of the hall, looked toward Yun Yunrui, who sat below him, and asked in a calm yet commanding tone.

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With the year-end approaching, it was nearly time for the Yun clan’s grand ancestral ceremony. In the past, when the family’s circumstances were less favorable, such ceremonies had been modest and understated. But things were different now. The Yun clan had ascended to become the fifty-second cultivation family recognized within Yue Kingdom. Such a milestone demanded a grand and proper ceremony befitting their newfound status.

"All preparations are complete. Tomorrow, Yunyang Zuxiong, you may lead the clan to partake in the ancestral worship," Yun Yunrui replied with confidence.

"Good. The preparations for this grand event must have been exhausting for everyone. Your hard work is greatly appreciated," Yunyang said with a nod of approval.

"Now, regarding the neighboring cultivation families—has the clan sent people to investigate and gather information on their current status?"

When the court officially recognized the Yun clan as a cultivation family, they had been gifted a valuable tome, The Register of Eminence, by Li Qing, an imperial emissary. Through this register, Yun Yunyang had gained a preliminary understanding of other cultivation families within Yue Kingdom.

He learned that the most powerful cultivation families in the kingdom were the Ye Clan of Canglan, the Lin Clan of Wangyue, and the Lu Clan of Chuanyin.

But while the tome offered detailed accounts, nothing compared to firsthand observations. Three months prior, Yunyang had instructed the clan’s leadership to send envoys to the territories of these families to gather accurate, real-world intelligence.

The purpose was twofold: to broaden the Yun clan’s understanding of the cultivation world and to prepare for potential interactions or alliances with these influential families.

After all, isolating oneself was never a viable strategy for long-term growth. To thrive, the Yun clan needed to foster trade, build relationships, and gain insights into how more established cultivation families operated.

"The investigations are complete," Yunrui reported with a respectful bow.

He continued, "The Ye Clan of Canglan, the Lin Clan of Wangyue, and the Lu Clan of Chuanyin are indeed the three dominant cultivation families in Yue Kingdom. Most other cultivation families defer to them.

"Over the years, these three families have collaborated to establish a marketplace on Yulin Lake—a market exclusively for cultivators."

"A market?" Yunyang’s brow arched with interest.

"Indeed. It’s a marketplace that only cultivators can access. The clan members we sent are mortals without spiritual cultivation, so they were not allowed entry.

"However, locals near Yulin Lake informed us that the market exists on an island within the lake and serves as a hub for cultivators.

"Many cultivators from across Yue Kingdom come to trade there, selling their goods or purchasing cultivation resources. The market facilitates communication and commerce between Yue Kingdom’s various cultivation families.

"In addition to locals, many rogue cultivators and even foreign cultivators are drawn to this market’s reputation, adding to its vibrancy and importance."

"Interesting. It seems we must send Yan Tian and Shuang’er to visit Yulin Lake soon," Yunyang murmured, deep in thought.

A market exclusively for cultivators, fostering trade and dialogue among Yue Kingdom’s elite—it was an enticing prospect. Unfortunately, as a mortal, Yunyang himself was not qualified to enter.

"Yunyang Zuxiong, Shuang’er and Yan Tian have returned!"

A Yun clansman entered the ancestral hall and bowed respectfully.

"Ah! Let them in!" Yunyang’s smile widened, his tone warm and welcoming.

All eyes turned toward the doorway as Yun Yan Shuang and Yun Yan Tian walked in with measured steps.

"Uncle," they greeted in unison, bowing respectfully.

"Your mission to exorcise the demon in Yunzhang County—it went smoothly, I trust?" Yunyang inquired.

"Overall, yes," Yan Tian replied with a nod.

"But..."

"But what?" Yunyang’s gaze sharpened slightly, sensing there was more to the story.

"Shuang’er and Yan Tian ran into a cultivator," Yun Yan Shuang explained calmly. "Yan Tian-ge was injured during the fight."

At this revelation, Yun Yunyang’s face darkened, and the entire room was filled with a tense silence. He quickly turned his attention to Yan Tian, whose face was still pale.

"Yan Tian, how is your condition?"

"A minor injury, Uncle. With some rest, I’ll be fully recovered. Thank you for your concern, and the concern of all my elders." Yan Tian gave a slight bow, forcing a faint smile to reassure them.

Hearing this, Yun Yunyang and the other elders finally breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"By the way, Uncle," Yan Shuang interjected, her tone lightening, "Yan Tian-ge and I managed to take a few things from the cultivator."

Reaching into her satchel, she pulled out a dusty storage pouch and carefully began unpacking its contents:

"Here we have six lower-grade spirit stones, two Breath Embryo Pills, a spirit herb I couldn’t identify, and two manuals. One’s a fragmented cultivation method, and the other is a ghost-rearing technique.

"As for weapons, we found five iron rings and a whisk staff."

Yunyang surveyed the items carefully.

"You two are cultivators and will need these resources for your training," he said, gesturing toward the spirit stones and pills. "Distribute them between yourselves as you see fit.

"As for the spirit herb, your Uncle Yunxun has been seeking advanced alchemical techniques from mountain cultivators. Let’s temporarily leave this herb with him for study."

He then paused, picking up the two manuals.

"The fragmented cultivation method and the ghost-rearing technique will go to the clan’s library. Should you or others have a need for them in the future, they’ll be available for study."

Finally, Yunyang’s gaze fell on the two weapons. The five iron rings appeared ordinary, and the whisk staff was visibly aged.

"These two spirit tools," he began, "may have some value. But their exact grade and utility are unclear. Have you assessed them?"

"Uncle, we consulted our master before returning," Yan Shuang explained. "The iron rings are Yellow Rank, Grade Two, and quite effective—they can restrain cultivators as high as the fifth or sixth Breath Embryo stage.

"As for the whisk, it’s a Yellow Rank, Grade One tool. However, it’s so old that much of its spiritual essence has eroded, rendering it nearly unusable."

"I see," Yunyang said, nodding thoughtfully.

"Yan Tian-ge and I discussed it on the way back," Yan Shuang continued. "We decided to keep the iron rings for now. As for the whisk, we thought it best to sell it and exchange it for spirit stones. But neither of us knows the proper way to handle such a sale, so we’ve come to you for advice."

"Haha!" Yunyang chuckled heartily. "How fortunate! Just three months ago, your Uncle Yunrui dispatched members of the clan to explore various cultivation families in Yue Kingdom.

"They discovered that at Yulin Lake in Yulin County, the three great cultivation families of Yue jointly established a marketplace. It’s a hub where cultivators from across the land trade and sell treasures.

"If you wish to sell the whisk, that would be the ideal place. Additionally, it’s an excellent opportunity to scout the marketplace and gather valuable insights for the clan’s future development."

"Uncle, you always think ten steps ahead!" Yan Shuang’s eyes lit up with excitement at the mention of the cultivators’ marketplace.

"Haha! Planning for the future is essential for the clan’s growth," Yunyang said with a satisfied smile.

"Very well," Yan Tian added, his tone steady. "Once I’ve recovered, I’ll take Shuang’er to Yulin County."

"Good. Conveniently, the ancestral worship ceremony will conclude in a few days. Afterward, I’ll have your father arrange for some clan soldiers to accompany you on the journey. While you two may not need their protection, it’ll ensure your needs are attended to."

"Understood, Uncle."

"Good! Rest well for now." Yunyang dismissed them with a wave of his hand, watching with pride as the siblings departed.

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Later that day, Yan Shuang returned home, her mood visibly lifted.

"Phew, I’m home!" she called as she pushed open the courtyard gate.

Under the eaves, Yan Shui sat cross-legged, slurping a bowl of pork knuckle noodles.

"Hey, you’re back! Took you long enough. Exorcising demons must’ve been exhausting, huh?" he teased, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips.

Shuang’er grinned in return. "We had to report everything to Magistrate Lu, and then Yan Tian-ge and I visited Uncle Yunyang. That held us up a bit."

As she spoke, she wandered into the kitchen, her voice rising over the clinking of pots and pans. "Mom, can I have a bowl of pork knuckle noodles too?"

"Of course, dear," Yun Qinshi replied warmly. "You must be famished after such a long day. Rest for now—I’ll bring it out shortly."

"Thanks, Mom!" Shuang’er chirped, fetching a small stool and settling beside Yan Shui under the eaves.

"This time," she began, her voice soft with gratitude, "we really owe it to you, Ge. If not for your help, Yan Tian-ge and I would’ve been in serious danger."

Yan Shui smirked but waved her off. "Don’t thank me—it was Father’s idea."

"Ah, that explains it!" Shuang’er said with mock realization. "I was wondering how you managed to come up with such a brilliant plan on your own. Turns out it was Dad pulling the strings!"

"Watch it, you little imp!" Yan Shui snapped playfully. "Keep it up, and I might just eat your pork knuckle noodles too!"