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The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 161 Confused
Moonlight cascaded over the Yun Clan estate, soft and serene, blanketing the land in its silvery glow.
"The Hundred Clans Assembly?"
"Indeed. It is a grand event hosted by the imperial court, where spiritual root descendants from all the major cultivation families in Yue Kingdom will gather to compete in trials.
The victors will be rewarded with a wealth of cultivation resources provided by the court," Bai Li Mo Xue explained with a faint smile as she recounted the details of the assembly to Yun Yan Tian.
Her time spent among the younger generation of the Yun Clan had been unexpectedly refreshing. She felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation in their company and genuinely cherished the opportunity to meet people like Yun Yan Tian.
Here, there was no scheming or deceit, only warmth, camaraderie, and joy—a harmonious atmosphere she had always longed for.
During the gathering, Bai Li Mo Xue had noticed Yun Yan Tian’s cultivation. His strength was remarkable, surpassing that of many spiritual root descendants from prominent families.
Even more impressive was his younger sister, Yun Yan Shuang. Her cultivation was so profound that Bai Li Mo Xue couldn’t gauge its depth.
If these siblings were to participate in the upcoming Hundred Clans Assembly, they were sure to earn a place among the top ranks, bringing glory and valuable resources to the Yun Clan.
"It all depends on what my uncle and the others decide. If they grant permission, Shuang’er and I will attend the assembly," Yun Yan Tian said, his tone steady. Then, after a moment’s thought, he glanced at Bai Li Mo Xue. "Bai Li Miss, will you be participating?"
"Of course. The trials offer a rare chance to face cultivators from other families.
Not only will it broaden my horizons, but it will also help me gain combat experience and possibly insight into my cultivation," she replied, her voice filled with determination. The path of cultivation was her life’s ambition, her unwavering goal.
"Then I wish you the best, Bai Li Miss, and hope you seize the championship."
"Don’t tease me. My current cultivation is far beneath those of the prodigies from the Three Great Families and the Seven Clans," she said, shaking her head with a modest smile.
"Bai Li Miss, you mustn’t underestimate yourself," Yun Yan Tian replied warmly.
The two walked side by side, engaged in easy conversation, until they arrived at the family square. There, a bustling celebration was in full swing, with Yun clansmen laughing, drinking, and exchanging toasts.
Bai Li Mo Xue’s gaze fell upon her father, Bai Li Xi, seated at the banquet. She was taken aback by his rare display of happiness as he drank and sparred verbally with the Yun family elders. It was as though years of pent-up frustration were finally being released.
Seeing him so at ease, she couldn’t help but smile.
"Bai Li Miss, I’ll leave you here," Yun Yan Tian said as he prepared to take his leave.
"Why not join me to meet my father?" Bai Li Mo Xue suggested with a smile. "He has always enjoyed meeting young talents. Someone as exceptional as you would surely make him happy."
"This..." Yun Yan Tian hesitated.
"What’s the matter? Are you reluctant to meet him?" she teased gently.
"Not at all. It’s just that there are matters in the spiritual fields that need my attention. I was planning to visit the back mountains."
"Surely it can wait a little longer?"
After a moment of consideration, Yun Yan Tian nodded. "Very well, I’ll meet your father."
"Father, Immortal Master Li," Bai Li Mo Xue called out as she approached with Yun Yan Tian. She bowed respectfully to her father, Bai Li Xi.
"Hahaha! Xue’er! Did you have fun?"
Bai Li Xi was in high spirits—happier than he had been in years. He had even drunk more than usual, neglecting to use his dantian’s spiritual energy to dissipate the alcohol, as if deliberately seeking the temporary numbness to forget his burdens.
Seeing his daughter, his smile widened, and he seemed more like an ordinary father than an emperor.
"Yes, very much so," Bai Li Mo Xue replied. She felt at ease, knowing her father had found joy and camaraderie in the Yun Clan.
It had been many years since she had seen him so relaxed, enjoying the company of friends without the pressures of court.
"And who is this?" Bai Li Xi’s slightly tipsy gaze fell upon Yun Yan Tian, his curiosity piqued.
"This junior is Yun Yan Tian. Greetings, Uncle Bai Li," Yun Yan Tian said, bowing respectfully.
"Hahaha! Yan Tian, is it? Your uncle and father have spoken of you. Remarkable! So young, and already at the eighth level of the Embryo Breath stage—your future is boundless, truly boundless!
Uncle sees great promise in you. Keep up your hard work in cultivation," Bai Li Xi said with an approving nod.
"I will remember Uncle Bai Li’s guidance," Yun Yan Tian replied humbly.
"Yan Tian, have you taken a wife yet?" Bai Li Xi asked suddenly, emboldened by the alcohol.
"Well… no, I haven’t," Yun Yan Tian answered, caught off guard.
"Do you fancy my Xue’er? If you like her, Uncle can make the arrangements!" Bai Li Xi declared boldly, his words leaving everyone stunned.
One sentence from Bai Li Xi had left Yun Yan Tian visibly flustered, while Bai Li Mo Xue’s face turned crimson, her blush spreading down to her neck.
"My father has had too much to drink; please don’t take his words seriously," she said softly, her tone carrying a trace of embarrassment.
"Haha! Don’t worry, I understand," Yun Yan Tian replied, laughing awkwardly.
"Excellent! Excellent! If my nephew were to marry Bai Li Miss, then you and I would become in-laws. What a wonderful connection that would be!"
Yun Yun Yang, also slightly tipsy, chimed in with hearty laughter, clearly enjoying the moment.
"Second Brother, pour a drink for your future in-law, quickly! Yan Tian is no longer a young boy—it’s about time he found a wife to carry on the Yun family lineage!"
"Right away! Bai Li Senior, let me refill your cup," Yun Yun Yue said, catching on to the mood. He quickly picked up the jade wine jug filled with Purple Jade Spirit Wine and poured a generous drink for Bai Li Xi.
"No need to be so formal! I can manage on my own. Don’t mind me—everyone, eat and drink to your heart’s content! Tonight, no one leaves until they’re drunk!"
"Looks like my father and uncles have truly had too much to drink," Yun Yan Tian muttered with a shake of his head, a wry smile playing on his lips as he observed the antics of the elders.
"Let’s leave them to it. Why don’t we visit your clan’s spiritual fields in the back mountains instead? You mentioned earlier that you had work to do there," Bai Li Mo Xue suggested.
"Alright," Yun Yan Tian agreed.
The two quietly excused themselves and left the lively banquet behind.
The following day.
"Immortal Master Li, Bai Li Senior, Bai Li Miss, I look forward to our next meeting," Yun Yun Yang said with a respectful bow.
"Haha! Certainly! Once my affairs are settled, I’ll be sure to visit the Yun Clan again," Bai Li Xi replied, his mood visibly buoyant as he bid farewell to the Yun family elders and boarded his carriage.
As the carriage rolled away, Yun Yun Rui watched its retreating silhouette and spoke thoughtfully.
"Brother Yun Yang, that Bai Li Senior is no ordinary man."
"I’m well aware," Yun Yun Yang replied.
"Oh? You noticed already?"
"How could I not? Immortal Master Li practically spelled it out. If I hadn’t caught on, I’d be a fool," Yun Yun Yang said with a faint smile.
"Ah, I see. But why do you think Bai Li Senior came to our Yun Clan?"
"He clearly doesn’t want to reveal his identity, likely to avoid entangling our clan in unnecessary complications. We need not overthink it. Our duty is to seize this opportunity to quietly strengthen the clan.
Should Bai Li Senior ever require our assistance, we must remember the favor he’s shown us and repay it in full—that is the way of the Yun Clan," Yun Yun Yang said resolutely.
"Well said, Brother Yun Yang. After all, Bai Li Senior is now our in-law, having arranged a marriage between his daughter and Yan Tian. We should certainly treat our in-law with the utmost respect!"
Yun Yun Rui chuckled knowingly, his gaze drifting toward Yun Yang as the latter handed a piece of parchment to Yun Yun Yue.
The parchment was none other than the marriage contract hastily drafted the previous night during the drunken festivities.
Inside the carriage, Bai Li Xi looked at the marriage contract in his hands with an expression of regret.
"Sigh! How could I let this happen? One moment of drunken foolishness, and now I’ve arranged a marriage for my daughter without even realizing it!
Those Yun family rogues—they plied me with so much wine last night just to trick me into this!"
He turned his gaze toward Li Qing, who was driving the carriage.
"And you! You didn’t even try to stop me? How could you let me recklessly betroth my daughter like that?"
Li Qing could only laugh helplessly at the emperor’s antics.
Sitting across from him, Bai Li Mo Xue watched her father’s exaggerated performance with an amused yet exasperated expression.
"If you regret it so much, just tear up the contract," she said, her tone laced with irony. "You’re the emperor—who would dare defy you?"
"Tear it up? How could I do that? As the ruler of the nation, my word is my bond. If I break this promise, how could I expect anyone to trust me again? How could I continue to rule?"
"You have too many tricks up your sleeve to play the righteous card now," Bai Li Mo Xue quipped, rolling her eyes at her father.
"Alright, tell me honestly—what do you think of Yun Yan Tian?" Bai Li Xi asked, suddenly serious.
"Nothing much. Compared to the young talents of the Three Great Families and the Seven Clans, he doesn’t stand out," she replied nonchalantly.
"Then I’ll tear up the contract immediately!"
"Don’t!"
Her sharp response came quicker than she intended, and she quickly tried to cover it up.
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"Snow’er, you’re contradicting yourself. Clearly, you have feelings for him!"
"Who has feelings? This is all your fault! Why did you drink so much last night? Why make such a careless arrangement?
If you tear up the contract now and go back on your word, how could you still call yourself emperor?"
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"Ah, you’re right, you’re right! It’s all my fault! I shouldn’t have drunk so much… If only I hadn’t, none of this would have happened!" Bai Li Xi exclaimed, slapping his forehead in mock regret.