The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 66 Spiritual Ore Obsidian

"Milord, Brother Yunyang, has come to visit," Captain Ban reported as he hurried into the county office. Before him sat Lu Zizai, leisurely sipping tea and nibbling on pastries. Upon hearing the news, Lu’s expression grew respectful.

"Quickly! Bring him in at once!" Lu exclaimed, hastily setting down his teapot. Rising from his seat, he led Captain Ban and every officer and constable within the office to greet their guest outside.

"Lord Lu," a voice rang out as Yun Yunyang stood outside the county office, accompanied by several members of his clan. Upon seeing Lu Zizai and his entourage personally come to welcome them, Yun clasped his hands in greeting.

"Hahaha! Brother Yun, it has been far too long!" Lu’s hearty laughter echoed as he stepped forward to exchange pleasantries.

"Today, I have come to pay my respects to Lord Lu and brought along a small token of my appreciation," Yun Yunyang explained. Behind him, a Yun clan member stepped forward, presenting a long box. As the lid was lifted, the contents revealed a dazzling display—twenty gleaming gold ingots.

In the mundane world, gold and silver were valuable beyond measure. For the Yun family, now flourishing, such material wealth had become trivial. Yet to Lu Zizai, a mortal bound by the constraints of his official salary as the county magistrate, these were treasures that brought immense delight.

The constables and officials behind Lu Zizai could scarcely hide their envy as their eyes widened, fixated on the glittering pile of gold. At the same time, they marveled at the Yun clan’s immense wealth, far beyond the comprehension of ordinary mortals like themselves.

"Brother Yun, to grace my humble county office with your presence and offer such a generous gift—how could I possibly accept?" Lu Zizai said, feigning humility. Yet even before he had finished speaking, Captain Ban had already understood his superior’s intentions and stepped forward to carefully collect the box brimming with gold.

"Come, Brother Yun, please! Let us go inside and have a proper talk," Lu Zizai said warmly, his face alight with joy as he personally invited Yun Yunyang into the office. He promptly ordered his attendants to serve the finest jade dew tea, along with an assortment of fruits and pastries, to entertain Yun and his companions.

After a sip of the fragrant tea, Yun Yunyang set his cup down gently, a smile spreading across his face. "Lord Lu, there is another matter I have come to discuss."

"Brother Yun, speak freely. Whatever is within my power to accomplish, I shall see to it with all my might," Lu Zizai declared, eager to repay the generous gift of twenty gold ingots.

"It is a matter of some importance, though not a particularly difficult one. My Yun clan is currently in a critical stage of development. However, we are short of manpower. I hope Lord Lu might assist us by recruiting some laborers to aid in our endeavors," Yun Yunyang explained.

Deep within the Yunzhang Mountains lay a spiritual spring that Yun Yunyang planned to divert into the barren fields behind his family’s estate. The endeavor was an immense undertaking, requiring a substantial workforce beyond the current capacity of the Yun clan. This necessity was why Yun had sought out Lu Zizai.

As the county magistrate, Lu possessed the authority to mobilize the local populace, an ability Yun Yunyang’s clan could also exercise, though they preferred to avoid the hassle while focusing on other critical matters.

"How many laborers do you require?" Lu asked.

"Five thousand able-bodied men should suffice," Yun replied.

"A trifling matter!" Lu Zizai laughed heartily. "I shall see to it personally. Within three days, five thousand men will be at your disposal, ready to serve your family."

"One small detail, Lord Lu. These five thousand laborers must all be deaf-mutes," Yun added with a smile.

The spiritual spring within the Yunzhang Mountains was of utmost importance to the Yun clan. Yun Yunyang could not risk having external laborers overhear or witness anything that might spread beyond their control. Hence, he sought workers who could neither hear nor speak.

"Deaf-mutes? That may pose a challenge," Lu Zizai admitted, his brow furrowing slightly. The task of locating and gathering so many individuals with such specific conditions would not be easy.

But after a brief moment of contemplation, his expression brightened. "No matter, I shall ensure it is done. Within half a month, I will provide the required laborers."

"You have my thanks, Lord Lu!" Yun Yunyang stood, bowing deeply in gratitude.

"Brother Yun, you’re far too kind!"

Lu Zizai exclaimed, visibly flattered, and hastily stood to return the courtesy.

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Yun Yunyang’s status was no longer what it had once been. For someone of his stature to show such respect left Lu Zizai feeling as if he were sitting on pins and needles.

"My clan still has much to attend to, so I must take my leave for now. I will trouble you again another day, Lord Lu," Yun Yunyang said, rising to his feet. Stay updated through novelbuddy

"Why not stay for a meal before you go?" Lu Zizai offered enthusiastically.

"No, thank you. My clan is in a period of growth, and the affairs are many. When time permits, I will personally visit again and share a drink with you, Lord Lu."

"In that case, I won’t hold you back any further," Lu said with a smile.

"Farewell, Lord Lu."

"Wait, Brother Yun, hold on!" Lu Zizai called out suddenly as if something had just come to mind. He quickly stepped forward to stop Yun Yunyang.

"Is there something that matters, Lord Lu?" Yun Yunyang asked, curious.

"Captain Ban, go to my study and fetch the box for me," Lu Zizai ordered, turning to his subordinate without answering Yun’s question.

Captain Ban bowed and hurried off.

"To tell the truth, an old farmer outside the county found an unusual stone some time ago. It doesn’t look like an ordinary rock, but I couldn’t make sense of it myself. However, it’s quite beautiful, so I kept it. Since you’re here, Brother Yun, I’d like to gift it to you," Lu Zizai said with a chuckle.

Hearing this, Yun Yunyang nodded inwardly, intrigued. He decided to wait and see what kind of stone Lu Zizai was referring to.

"Milord," Captain Ban said as he returned, carrying a black wooden box. He respectfully handed it over to Lu Zizai.

"Brother Yun, take a look and see if you like this stone," Lu said, opening the box himself.

Inside lay a stone roughly the size of an adult’s fist, its shape irregular but striking. The entire surface was jet-black, dotted with faint specks of starlight that seemed to shimmer as if some celestial force had captured the endless night sky within its form. It was mesmerizing, a sight both dazzling and otherworldly.

"This stone is truly extraordinary," Yun Yunyang murmured, astonished.

"If you like it, it’s yours," Lu Zizai said generously, pushing the box into Yun Yunyang’s hands without hesitation.

"Thank you, Lord Lu!"

"No need for thanks."

"Until next time, Lord Lu."

"Brother Yun, take care!"

Lu Zizai personally escorted Yun Yunyang and his entourage to the gates of the county office, watching as their carriage disappeared down the street. Only then did he turn to Captain Ban.

"Gather the manpower. Within half a month, I want five thousand able-bodied, deaf-mute men recruited for me," he ordered.

"Understood, Milord! I’ll see to it immediately," Captain Ban replied, bowing before hurrying off.

In the carriage, a Yun clansman driving the horses glanced toward the compartment and said with a smile, "Clan brother Yunyang, that stone is indeed remarkable. It’s as if it contains the infinite expanse of a starlit night."

The man had caught a glimpse of the stone earlier in the county office, and the sight had left him awestruck.

"This is no ordinary item. Once we’re back, I’ll have the elder Daoist examine it carefully," Yun Yunyang said solemnly as he opened the box, gazing at the black stone within.

Beneath the shade of a willow tree, the blind Daoist was reclining, enjoying a plate of grilled fish delivered personally by Yun Yunshan, savoring the delicacy with unhurried ease. Nearby, Yun Yanshuang and Yun Yantian sparred with each other in a spacious clearing.

"Old Daoist, Yunyang greets you," Yun Yunyang said as the carriage came to a halt beside the willow tree. He stepped out, carrying the black wooden box, and approached the blind Daoist, bowing in respect.

"Hahaha! Brother Yunyang, come and sit," the blind Daoist replied warmly.

"Today, I visited the county office, where Lord Lu gifted me a stone. I couldn’t discern its nature, but it struck me as extraordinary. I’ve brought it here for you to examine," Yun Yunyang explained, opening the box slowly.

The blind Daoist leaned forward, a faint smile forming as he studied the stone.

"This is second-tier Obsidian Ore, a spiritual mineral of the Yellow Grade. It’s the primary material for crafting second-tier Yellow Grade spiritual artifacts," he said with certainty.