The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 34: Relics of the Rogue Cultivator

Hearing the panicked voices of their clansmen, Yun Yunshan and Yun Yunyue’s expressions turned grave. Quickly, they raised their torches and cautiously advanced into the darkness.

Under the dim light of the flames, they finally caught sight of a withered corpse, long decayed, seated cross-legged upon a stone bed.

Proceeding carefully, the two brothers confirmed there was no danger before examining the corpse closely.

The garments draping its lifeless body were tattered and riddled with cobwebs and dust. Poisonous creatures—spiders, centipedes, and other venomous insects—crawled back and forth amidst the shreds of fabric. Who knew how many years had passed since this individual had perished here?

"Could this be one of those fugitives who fled into the mountains after committing crimes?" Yun Yunyue speculated, his face filled with doubt.

The term "fugitives" referred to criminals wanted by the government, often for heinous deeds like murder and robbery. Many such individuals would escape into dense mountain forests to evade capture by the authorities.

"I don’t think so," Yun Yunshan replied, his tone solemn. "The posture of this corpse is identical to how Shuang’er and the others sit when they cultivate."

"You’re saying… this corpse belonged to a cultivator in life?" Yun Yunyue asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Yun Yunshan nodded. "It seems likely. However, we can only wonder why such a venerable figure met their end here."

His gaze fell upon the object clasped in the corpse’s hands—a black wooden box, its surface layered with dust.

After brushing away the spiders and centipedes crawling over the remains, Yun Yunshan carefully retrieved the box. Clearing off the dust, he slowly opened it to reveal its contents.

Inside was a jade vial containing three small, round black pills, each about the size of a pinky finger. Alongside them lay two aged tomes, their covers yellowed with time: Hundred Essentials of Artifact Crafting and Compendium of All Spiritual Mines.

"It really is the legacy of a cultivator!" Yun Yunshan exclaimed, his eyes alight with joy. He could barely contain his excitement.

Their expedition to the mountains, initially a search for spirit stones, had unexpectedly uncovered such a treasure—a legacy that could greatly benefit the Yun clan.

"Shuang’er once said that the world of cultivation encompasses a hundred crafts," Yun Yunshan continued. "Our clan is still in its infancy and has no such inheritance of its own.

"But now, the heavens have smiled upon the Yun family. We’ve stumbled upon these tomes—priceless knowledge. If someone in our clan can master the art of artifact crafting, we’ll have a steady supply of resources for future cultivation endeavors!"

Standing beside him, Yun Yunyue could not help but share in his brother’s joy. His gaze turned to the corpse that had long since turned to dust. Bowing deeply, he clasped his hands in respect.

"Junior Yun Yunyue, of the Yun clan from the valley below, humbly greets the senior before us. We have come to the mountains by chance and, through fate, encountered your legacy. I swear, this inheritance shall not be squandered but brought to flourish by our clan!"

As if hearing these words, the corpse seated on the stone bed disintegrated into ashes with the passing mountain wind.

Amid the pile of dust lay a small gray cloth pouch, no larger than a coin purse. Though plain in appearance, it seemed oddly out of place.

"What could this be?" Yun Yunyue muttered, picking up the pouch with a puzzled expression.

"If it belonged to a cultivator, it’s unlikely to be an ordinary object," Yun Yunshan replied thoughtfully. "We’ll take it back to the clan and ask the old Daoist for his opinion."

"Agreed." Yun Yunyue nodded, tucking the pouch into his robes.

The two brothers resumed their search within the cavern but found nothing further of note. Gathering their clansmen, they prepared to leave.

"Brother Yun, your humble servant has come to disturb you once again!"

Lu Zizai greeted with a sycophantic smile, bowing slightly in salute.

"Lord Lu, what are you saying? There is no such thing as a disturbance when it comes to a visit from you. The gates of the Yun family are always open to you," Yun Yunyang replied with a courteous smile. Despite the recent elevation of the Yun family to the status of a cultivation clan, he showed no airs of superiority in his dealings with Lu Zizai.

"Brother Yun, your sincerity is truly admirable! I must say, I enjoy dealing with people like you," Lu Zizai said, visibly pleased. His words won him no small amount of admiration from the wealthy merchants and dignitaries accompanying him, who now viewed him with increased respect.

"This time, I come bearing a special gift from the imperial court—a plaque granted by royal decree to honor the Yun Cang Yun Clan!" Lu Zizai declared grandly, leading Yun Yunyang to a large plaque covered with red cloth. With a theatrical flourish, he gestured toward the plaque and said, "Brother Yun, please unveil it."

Yun Yunyang cupped his hands in gratitude, then stepped forward and lifted the red cloth. Beneath it was a massive plaque carved from golden phoebe wood, its surface gleaming with an otherworldly luster.

The four characters etched into the wood, Yun Cang Yun Clan, danced like dragons and phoenixes, exuding an air of majesty.

Yun Yunyang read the inscription softly, his face breaking into a smile. "Yun Cang Yun Clan…"

"Brother Yun," Lu Zizai chimed in, "I hope you’re satisfied with this plaque from the imperial court. If there are any shortcomings, do let me know, and I will report back so that another one can be made."

"Lord Lu, there’s no need for such trouble. This plaque is perfect—I couldn’t be more pleased!" Yun Yunyang replied.

"Excellent, excellent! Then I shall order my men to mount this royal plaque above the gates of your estate at once."

"I’ll trouble you for that!" Yun Yunyang said with a smile.

"No trouble at all," Lu Zizai replied, his sycophantic grin widening. Turning to the craftsmen carrying the plaque, he barked sharply, "What are you waiting for? Hang this plaque above the Yun family gates immediately! If there’s any mishap, I’ll have your heads!"

The craftsmen dared not delay. They carefully carried the massive plaque to the gates of the Yun family estate. With painstaking precision, they secured it atop the entrance.

The plaque’s imposing presence added an undeniable air of grandeur to the previously modest Yun family estate.

Once the plaque was hung, Lu Zizai ordered the accompanying musicians to strike up the drums and play their suonas. Firecrackers were lit, their crackling bursts celebrating the official recognition of the Yun Cang Yun Clan.

From his reclined position in the courtyard, Yun Yanshui listened to the commotion outside. The beating of drums, the wail of suonas, and the crackle of firecrackers drew his attention.

"It’s lively out there!" he remarked lazily.

"Word is the imperial plaque has arrived," Yun Yandong replied, running back from outside. He plopped down under the shade of a tree, gnawing on a watermelon slice. "Uncle Yunyang is greeting Lord Lu right now.

"Also, a bunch of wealthy merchants and dignitaries from Yun Cang County have come to congratulate our family. They brought a mountain of gifts—gold, jewels, grains, and even rare medicinal herbs like ginseng and lingzhi!"

"Now that our clan has been elevated to a cultivation family, Uncle Yunyang will probably throw a grand banquet tonight," Yun Yanshui said, his eyes lighting up. The mere thought of a feast laden with chicken, fish, and other delicacies made him salivate.

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"Most likely! Heh, looks like we’ll eat well tonight, Brother Yanshui," Yun Yandong laughed.

"Look at your silly grin!" Yun Yanshui chided, shaking his head in mock disdain.

Suddenly, a warm flow of energy surged through Yun Yanshui’s dantian. It came from the soul imprints of his younger sister and Brother Yantian, who were both cultivating elsewhere. The influx of energy caused the spiritual power within his nearly full dantian to compress and coalesce, forming a hair-thin thread of immense density.

This thread was far stronger and more resilient than those formed during his previous breakthroughs.

"Breath Embryo Third Level," Yun Yanshui murmured, sensing his progress. "It seems my sister and Brother Yantian have both improved. Though neither has broken through yet, judging by their soul imprints, it won’t be long now.

"When they do, I’ll be able to advance further myself. Having two siblings who can cultivate is truly a blessing!"