The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace-Chapter 44: Escape

"Demon hunting?"

Hearing the conversation between his father and sister, Yun Yanshui entered the courtyard and took a seat.

"Mm-hmm! Master has instructed Yantian and me to head to Yunzhang County tomorrow to investigate. It’ll serve as a trial for us," Yun Yanshuang replied with a nod.

"What kind of demon is it?" Yanshui asked, his tone edged with concern. He feared the creature might be too powerful, putting his sister at risk.

"Master said it’s a ghost fox, a demon that feeds on the yang energy of adult men."

"Is it strong?"

"Only at the first level of the Breath Embryo Realm," Yanshuang answered calmly.

"That’s a relief," Yanshui sighed, visibly relaxing.

Though he had spent most of his recent time forging weapons and had little interaction with Yanshuang or Yantian, he was well aware of their current strength. Yanshuang was at the peak of the third level of the Breath Embryo Realm, and Yantian wasn’t far behind, his foundation solidly in the same realm.

As for himself, thanks to the spiritual feedback from his siblings’ progress, Yanshui had quietly reached the peak of the fourth level of the Breath Embryo Realm and was on the verge of breaking through.

"However," Yanshuang added suddenly, "Master suspects there’s a cultivator behind the ghost fox, controlling it."

Her words sent a ripple of unease through both Yanshui and their father.

"Shuang’er, when you and Yantian go to Yunzhang County tomorrow, be extremely cautious and do not act recklessly," Yun Yunshan warned, his tone grave.

Though his daughter’s cultivation level had advanced significantly, and she had been training in martial arts and swordsmanship with her second uncle, a direct confrontation with a cultivator was another matter entirely. The blind Daoist had often spoken of the cruelty of the cultivation world, where arrogance could lead to death, even at the hands of weaker opponents.

"Don’t worry, Father. We’ll be careful," Yanshuang reassured him, her expression firm.

"Alright, then. Let’s eat. After dinner, pack your things and get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day," Yunshan said with a gentle smile.

The family of four sat together in the courtyard, enjoying a hearty meal filled with laughter and conversation. Once Yanshuang retired for the night, Yunshan led Yanshui to the underground cellar. His eyes landed on a long, leather-wrapped object resting in the corner.

"Is the spirit bow complete?" Yunshan asked with a knowing smile.

"Yep!" Yanshui replied, beaming with pride. He unwrapped the leather to reveal the newly reforged dark green war bow.

Previously, the bow was plain, its dark green hue its only distinguishing feature. But now, infused with eight lower-grade spirit stones, it glimmered faintly with ethereal light. Intricate runes flowed along its surface, emanating an aura of mystique and power.

"Impressive work, boy!" Yunshan exclaimed, genuinely impressed by the craftsmanship.

"But... it’s just a bow without arrows," he remarked after a moment.

"Father, the bow is enough," Yanshui replied with a grin.

Yunshan paused, then nodded in understanding. As a cultivator, his son could likely condense arrows from spiritual energy, rendering physical arrows unnecessary.

"Tomorrow, I plan to head into the mountains to test this bow’s power," Yanshui said, his fingers brushing over the bowstring with a mix of pride and excitement.

"Yanshui, I have something to discuss with you," Yunshan said, his tone shifting to one of seriousness.

"What is it, Father?"

"No one in the family knows you’re a cultivator, but I do. And I know your current level is far ahead of Yanshuang and Yantian. Since you plan to test the bow tomorrow, I want you to discreetly make your way to Yunzhang County. Watch over your sister and Yantian from the shadows."

"So you’re worried about Shuang’er and Yantian," Yanshui observed, his smile fading.

"Your sister mentioned that the ghost fox is controlled by a cultivator. Someone capable of creating and commanding such a creature is no novice. While Shuang’er and Yantian are strong, this will be their first encounter with such a threat."

"I understand, Father. I’ll set out for Yunzhang County first thing tomorrow."

"Be sure no one discovers you. Your identity as a cultivator is far too sensitive, and you understand the dangers better than I do," Yunshan said, gripping Yanshui’s shoulders firmly.

"Don’t worry, Father. I’ll be careful," Yanshui assured him with a playful grin.

"That’s good to hear. Now, make your offering to the ancient bronze mirror and rest early," Yunshan instructed.

"Got it!" Yanshui replied.

Yunzhang County

Old Li was a man nearing sixty, his face lined with years of hardship. His wife had been bedridden for as long as he could remember, her frail body a constant source of worry and expense. To care for her, Old Li had sold off his small inn, using every bit of their savings to buy her medicine.

Now, their home was barren, and their lives teetered on the edge of poverty. Their only son, approaching thirty, remained unmarried, much to Old Li’s growing frustration.

Considering asking the nearby neighbors to arrange a marriage for his son, Old Li was met only with helpless shakes of the head. None were willing or able to help, given his family’s dire situation.

"Dear, come on now. Sit up and take your medicine," the frail and hunched Old Li said as he carefully carried a steaming bowl of herbal medicine into the room.

He shuffled to the bedside, gently propping up his wife against the headboard. Then, with a soft breath to cool the hot liquid, he began feeding her spoonfuls of the bitter remedy.

"We’re out of savings now. Every coin I earned running the inn, I spent buying medicine for you. This... this is the last of it," he murmured, his voice cracking under the weight of his despair.

His wife, Li Yu-shi, had been bedridden for years. Unable to speak, she could only let silent tears roll down her pale, sunken cheeks. She longed to comfort him, to tell him it wasn’t his fault, but illness had robbed her of even that.

Her existence, she knew, was a heavy burden. She couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, and could only rely on her husband for everything—from feeding her to cleaning up after her. Watching him age visibly each year and seeing their only son, Li Yu, reach his thirties without a wife or child, filled her with unbearable guilt.

She had often considered ending her life to free them both from her burden, but even that was beyond her feeble body’s capability.

"Yu’s nearly thirty now, yet he still has no wife or children," Old Li said, his voice trembling as tears began streaming down his face. "Dear, I’ve failed you both. I just don’t know how much longer I can go on."

"Father! Mother! Look who I’ve brought home!"

The excited voice of their son broke through the somber atmosphere. Standing in the doorway, Li Yu, dressed in a threadbare coat, was grinning from ear to ear. Beside him stood a young woman with a dirt-smudged face and tattered clothes.

"Who is this?" Old Li asked, a flicker of curiosity replacing his sorrow.

"This is Xiaolian," Li Yu explained, motioning to the girl. "She’s from another region and fled here to escape hardship. I found her alone in the snowy streets and brought her home. She’s willing to marry me, Father. She only asks that we treat her kindly."

Old Li turned to study the young woman. Despite her disheveled appearance, her delicate features hinted at remarkable beauty, a beauty that could easily rival that of noble daughters if she were properly dressed and groomed.

"Ha-ha-ha! This is truly a blessing from the heavens!" Old Li exclaimed, his spirits soaring.

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For years, he had been unable to afford a wife for his son, but now, fortune seemed to smile upon them. His son, who worked as a waiter in the town tavern, had brought home a bride—a bride who had essentially fallen into their lap. It felt like a divine intervention, a reward for all the hardships they had endured.

"Xiaolian greets Father and Mother," the young woman said timidly, bowing respectfully.

"Child, no need to be so nervous. You’re part of our family now. Though we have little, we’ll never mistreat you," Old Li reassured her warmly. "Yu is a hardworking, kind hearted, and filial man. He’ll do his best to give you a good life."

"Thank you, Father. Xiaolian will work hard alongside Yu to improve our lives," the girl replied, her voice trembling with sincerity.

"Good, good! That’s wonderful!" Old Li laughed heartily, his joy evident.

Despite their poverty, the family didn’t worry about formalities or extravagant traditions. There were no matchmakers, no betrothal gifts, no bridal dowry, and no invitations sent to the neighbors.

That very night, under the flickering light of a single candle, Li Yu and Xiaolian bowed to the heavens, to the earth, and finally to Old Li and his wife, becoming husband and wife in the simplest yet most heartfelt of ceremonies.