The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 136: Feigning Compromise

"Look! It looks like a shooting star in the sky!"

"A shooting star in broad daylight? How’s that possible?"

"Look closely! If that’s not a shooting star, then what is it? Wait… it looks like… people? Flying immortals!"

In the crowd, a young girl spotted streaks of light gliding rapidly across the horizon toward the market district. As they drew closer, she realized the lights were actually people flying through the sky.

Remembering the tales of mountain immortals who could soar through the heavens, she couldn’t contain her excitement and began to jump with joy.

"They’re real immortals!"

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"Quick! Bow to the immortals!" someone urged.

In an instant, the gathered masses of Yunzhang County citizens outside the market dropped to their knees, bowing toward the approaching streaks of light. They fervently prayed for the immortals to bless them with safety and prosperity.

"Brother Yunyang, Master Li has arrived!" Yun Yunrui stepped forward and said with a smile.

"Quick, let’s go welcome them," Yun Yunyang said hastily. He led the Yun family’s elders to the market gate to greet their distinguished guests.

"Yunyang greets Master Li!"

When Yun Yunyang saw Li Qing leading the group, he quickly cupped his hands and bowed deeply.

Behind him, the Yun family elders—Yun Yunshan, Yun Yunyue, Yun Yunfeng, and Yun Yunlin—followed suit, offering respectful greetings.

The younger generation, including Yun Yanshui, Yun Yanshuang, Yun Yantian, and Yun Yansong, also stepped forward to pay their respects.

"There’s no need for such formalities," Li Qing said with a wave of his hand, his face alight with a warm smile.

He glanced at the newly renovated market district, its grandeur a testament to the Yun family’s effort and vision.

Reflecting on the Yun family’s journey, Li Qing felt a deep sense of admiration. He had witnessed their rise from a humble cultivation family to their current prominence.

Looking at Yun Yunyang, Yun Yanshui, and the others, his eyes softened.

The Yun family’s achievements were hard-earned. Their unity, persistence, and determination had brought them to where they stood today, and the challenges they had overcome were no doubt immense.

Pulling his thoughts back to the present, Li Qing smiled and gestured toward the three individuals accompanying him.

"Brother Yunyang, let me introduce you to my colleagues. They are all court-appointed cultivators." Discover more stories at novelbuddy

"This is Daoist Lu, a cultivator of nearly a century and a practitioner in the Qi Refining realm. He has a vast network of acquaintances among rogue cultivators within Yue Kingdom and beyond."

"Yunyang greets Daoist Lu!"

Yun Yunyang bowed respectfully to the elder in the dark Daoist robe, who held a horsetail whisk and radiated a serene and dignified aura.

Daoist Lu nodded with a kind smile, acknowledging the gesture.

"This is Fairy Yu, who has cultivated for decades and is also in the Qi Refining realm. She is well-connected with many young talents from cultivation families both within Yue Kingdom and abroad."

"Yunyang greets Fairy Yu!" Yun Yunyang said, bowing to the elegant and graceful woman.

"And this is Fellow Cultivator Tu. He has also cultivated for decades and is in the Qi Refining realm. Fellow Cultivator Tu is one of the leaders of the Shadow Alliance, overseeing its operations and management."

Yun Yunyang’s gaze shifted to the tall, burly man clad in a black robe. Bowing once more, he greeted, "Yunyang greets Fellow Cultivator Tu!"

Tu’s position made Yun Yunyang uneasy. The Shadow Alliance was a loose network of rogue cultivators, and not long ago, Yanshuang had killed two of its members.

Would Tu hold a grudge against the Yun family?

Sensing Yun Yunyang’s concern, Li Qing immediately sent a voice transmission to reassure him.

"I’ve already discussed the matter with Fellow Cultivator Tu. Rest assured, he will not retaliate against your family.

"The Shadow Alliance is merely a platform for issuing tasks and providing rogue cultivators with opportunities to earn resources.

"When it comes to tasks, whether its members succeed or fail, live or die, the core members of the alliance rarely intervene."

"I see," Yun Yunyang replied inwardly, breathing a quiet sigh of relief.

If the Shadow Alliance had sought revenge, the Yun family would have been in grave danger, barring Daoist Lu’s intervention.

"Master Li, Daoist Lu, Fairy Yu, Fellow Cultivator Tu, I’ve prepared a banquet in the market district. Please, allow me to escort you inside," Yun Yunyang said with a smile, regaining his composure.

Li Qing nodded, and with his three colleagues, followed Yun Yunyang and the Yun family members into the bustling market.

As they entered, Yun Yunrui ordered fireworks to be set off and musicians to play drums and flutes in celebration.

The red cloth covering the market’s grand plaque was removed, revealing four golden characters:

"Yun Family Market."

The bold and majestic script drew admiration from the gathered crowd.

With the cooperation of Yun Yunshan and his daughter, the purple rice harvested from the Purple Jade Bamboo had been successfully brewed into Purple Jade Spirit Wine. However, due to the limited supply, only a single jar was produced, reserved exclusively for entertaining Li Qing and his three companions.

The rest of the banquet’s offerings consisted of ordinary fare: simple dishes and Daughter’s Red wine from the mundane world.

This arrangement highlighted both the Yun family’s current financial constraints and their deep respect for Li Qing and his distinguished guests.

"Brother Yunyang, you’re too kind," Li Qing said with a smile.

"We find these dishes and wine to our liking."

His gaze then fell on the cup of spirit wine before him. He immediately noticed it wasn’t the Wang family’s famed Red Mulberry Spirit Wine.

"This is Purple Jade Spirit Wine, recently brewed by our Yun family," Yun Yunyang explained.

"Master Li and esteemed immortals, please have a taste."

With a polite smile, Yun Yunyang gestured for them to drink.

Li Qing, along with Daoist Lu, Fairy Yu, and Fellow Cultivator Tu, raised their cups and drank.

A surge of rich, pure spiritual energy coursed through their bodies as the wine slid down their throats, pooling in their dantians. To their surprise, the wine subtly enhanced their spiritual energy.

"This is excellent! It rivals the Wang family’s Red Mulberry Spirit Wine," Li Qing exclaimed, his eyes lighting up in admiration.

"Judging by the flavor, this must be brewed from the spiritual rice of Purple Jade Bamboo," Daoist Lu added with a knowing smile.

"Daoist Lu is indeed insightful. This wine was indeed brewed from Purple Jade Bamboo’s spiritual rice," Yun Yunyang confirmed humbly.

"To craft such fine spirit wine from Purple Jade Bamboo’s rice—your Yun family possesses remarkable skill," Daoist Lu praised.

"You flatter me, Daoist Lu," Yun Yunyang replied modestly.

Raising his cup, Yun Yunyang declared, "Master Li, esteemed immortals, I toast to you!" He drained his cup in one motion.

As they enjoyed the feast, Yun Yunrui hurried over and leaned close to Yun Yunyang, speaking quietly.

"Brother Yunyang, the Wang family patriarch has arrived with a group to offer their congratulations."

Startled, Yun Yunyang immediately stood. "Let’s go greet them."

Though unsure of the Wang family’s true intentions, Yun Yunyang was mindful of the delicate relationship between their families and saw no reason to escalate tensions.

After excusing himself from Li Qing and the other immortals, Yun Yunyang left the banquet hall with Yun Yunrui to welcome Wang Chongtian and his entourage.

"Brother Yunyang, how could you not invite me to celebrate such a joyous occasion as your family establishing this market?" Wang Chongtian said with a feigned look of displeasure as he waited at the market gate with his kin.

"Brother Wang, you’re always so busy. I was worried you wouldn’t have time to attend, so I didn’t want to trouble you," Yun Yunyang replied with a polite, apologetic smile.

"Now, now, don’t treat me like an outsider. We’re brothers, aren’t we? No matter how busy I am, I’d make time to celebrate such an event," Wang Chongtian said, his tone lighthearted.

"I’ve brought a small gift. Please accept it."

"Thank you, Brother Wang!"

"Come, Brother Wang, and everyone, please join us inside. Master Li and the other immortals are here as well."

"Ah, Master Li is here? Excellent! I must toast with him later," Wang Chongtian said with a hearty laugh.

Guided by Yun Yunyang, Wang Chongtian and the Wang family members entered the market and were soon seated.

Upon noticing Li Qing and the other immortals at the head of the table, Wang Chongtian wasted no time introducing himself and paying his respects.

After a round of toasts and lively conversation, Wang Chongtian turned to Yun Yunyang, his expression thoughtful.

"Brother Yunyang, your Yun family has built an impressive market here. But without capable cultivators to oversee it, any rogue cultivator who stirs up trouble will be difficult to handle.

"If you don’t mind, I can send some of the Wang family’s cultivators to help guard the market for you. What do you think?"

Yun Yunyang’s heart sank at the proposal, though his face remained composed.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Wang, but there’s no need. Yanshuang and Yantian are more than capable of maintaining order. I’m confident they can deter any troublemakers," he replied with a polite bow.

Inviting Wang family cultivators to oversee the Yun family market would be akin to opening the door to disaster. Over time, the market would inevitably fall under the Wang family’s control, much like how the Wang family’s previous market was usurped by the Three Great Clans.