The Sacred Leaves Family's Wishes for Peace

"Your Majesty, please accept our condolences."

Once the three major families and seven clans had left with their patriarchs' bodies, only Bai Li Xi, Li Qing, and the four members of the Yun Cang Yun clan remained in the rear mountains.

Yun Yunyang stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"It's fine. I already knew of my ancestor's plan," Bai Li Xi said, waving a hand dismissively as he walked into the pavilion and sat down.

Inside the pavilion, the tea remained warm, but the person who had brewed it was gone.

For a moment, Bai Li Xi sighed inwardly. His ancestor had sacrificed far too much for the sake of the royal family.

"Have a seat, all of you. No need to stand," Bai Li Xi said, smiling faintly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Yun Yunyang, his three juniors, and Li Qing expressed their gratitude before sitting down.

"You didn't seem surprised when I mentioned what had just transpired. Why is that?"

Lifting the still-warm cup of tea from the stone table, Bai Li Xi poured each of them a fresh serving.

"Back in the hall, when the royal guards reported the patriarch's death, Your Majesty's expression revealed that you were already aware of the matter," Yun Yunyang replied, recalling the emperor's composed demeanor when the news of Bai Li Qingsun's death had been delivered.

"Haha! Observant as ever, Yunyang. You never fail to impress me," Bai Li Xi said, chuckling.

"Your Majesty flatters me," Yun Yunyang replied quickly, bowing his head.

He was acutely aware that the deeper intricacies of the situation were beyond his understanding.

After all, serving a ruler was like treading a tiger's den—one misstep could be fatal.

Though Bai Li Xi treated the Yun Cang Yun clan well, stepping on the emperor's toes, even accidentally, could lead to disaster.

"No harm done! No harm done!" Bai Li Xi waved his hand dismissively, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"It doesn't hurt to share the details with you. It's no great secret."

With that, Bai Li Xi retrieved a fragment of a shattered bronze mirror.

At the sight of the shard, Yun Yanshui and Yun Yanshuang both froze, their pupils constricting instinctively.

It's… the fragment of the ancient bronze mirror!

"What is this, Your Majesty?" Yun Yunyang asked, his tone tinged with curiosity as he looked at the shard.

"I'm not entirely sure what it is either," Bai Li Xi admitted. "All I know is that my ancestor found it during a trial in Wanlong Mountain when he was young.

According to him, the mirror contains a sealed creature—not of this world—immensely powerful.

My ancestor and the patriarchs of the three major families and seven clans were all killed by this creature," Bai Li Xi said, his tone heavy as he gazed at the fragment, lost in thought.

Hiss!

Yun Yunyang and Li Qing gasped audibly. Even Yun Yanshui and Yun Yanshuang, who already knew the artifact's nature, couldn't help but shudder.

A creature from the ancient bronze mirror, not of this world?

"If this creature was so powerful, how did Senior Bai Li manage to control it?" Yun Yunyang asked after a moment's hesitation.

"My ancestor forged a blood pact with the mirror fragment, binding the creature to his will.

The creature was compelled to obey him, but only so long as he lived. Upon his death, the creature would be set free."

"So that's how it was," Yun Yunyang murmured, nodding in understanding.

"All these years, my ancestor's efforts to suppress the creature severely hindered his cultivation progress. His lifespan dwindled year after year.

Meanwhile, the three major families and seven clans grew ever stronger, harboring ambitions of their own.

Fearing that his death would leave no one to suppress them, and that the royal family's reign would fall into chaos, my ancestor devised this plan.

Under the guise of the Hundred Clans Assembly, he invited the patriarchs to a meeting, using the mirror creature to eliminate all eleven of them in one fell swoop.

This served two purposes:

First, his own death would quell any suspicions the families might have about the royal family.

Second, by removing the patriarchs, the three major families and seven clans would suffer devastating losses, forcing them to temper their ambitions."

Bai Li Xi's voice was calm as he explained, but the weight of his ancestor's cunning plan was not lost on his audience.

Yun Yunyang couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. Bai Li Qingsun's strategy was as brilliant as it was ruthless.

Had Bai Li Xi not shared the truth, Yun Yunyang would never have guessed how the events had unfolded or who was responsible for the patriarchs' deaths.

"Now that Senior Bai Li is gone, hasn't the mirror creature gained its freedom?

If it goes on a rampage, who could possibly stop it?"

Even as he marveled at Bai Li Qingsun's plan, Yun Yunyang couldn't suppress the chilling thought of the creature's potential havoc.

A being capable of effortlessly killing Bai Li Qingsun and the patriarchs of the three major families and seven clans…

If unleashed, such a creature could plunge the world into chaos.

"Don't worry," Bai Li Xi said with a faint smile. "The mirror creature has already been dealt with."

Bai Li Xi gazed at the fragment of the mirror in his hand and spoke slowly.

"It's over."

"Why is that?" Yun Yunyang asked, puzzled.

"For years, my ancestor fought against the creature sealed in this mirror, fully aware of its power. If it were ever to be released, it would plunge the world into chaos.

That's why he remained secluded in the palace, tirelessly seeking a way to neutralize it.

Shortly before the Hundred Clans Assembly, he found the answer. That discovery led him to devise the plan to use the creature to eliminate himself and the patriarchs of the three major families and seven clans."

"What method did Senior Bai Li use?" Yun Yunyang asked.

"I don't know," Bai Li Xi admitted with a shake of his head.

Hearing this, Yun Yunyang and Li Qing nodded in realization, their hearts filled with newfound respect for Bai Li Qingsun.

Such a figure, blessed with extraordinary talent and unrivaled cunning, had sacrificed everything for the royal family. If not for being entangled with the mirror creature, he might have reached far greater heights, and the royal family might never have faced the constant pressure from the three major families and seven clans.

"I've told you all this because I trust you," Bai Li Xi said, his gaze steady.

"With the patriarchs of the three major families and seven clans gone, the royal family will no longer face overwhelming pressure.

For your Yun Cang Yun clan, this is also an excellent opportunity. You can use this chance to grow steadily and surpass the other families, becoming a strong pillar of support for the royal family."

"I'm concerned that the three major families and seven clans will still suspect the royal family," Yun Yunyang remarked cautiously.

"There's no need to worry," Bai Li Xi replied confidently. "Even if they harbor suspicions, they lack evidence and cannot uncover the truth.

And even if they did know the truth, what could they do? With their patriarchs gone, they no longer have the strength to pressure the royal family. They don't have the courage to act recklessly now."

Bai Li Xi's smile was composed and self-assured.

The meticulous planning of Bai Li Qingsun had anticipated every outcome. He had considered all potential repercussions and acted accordingly.

"Your Majesty speaks the truth. Senior Bai Li's plans are truly worthy of admiration," Yun Yunyang said earnestly. The more he learned about the royal ancestor, the more he felt his own insignificance in the grand scheme of things.

"With the obstacles cleared by my ancestor, I must now turn my attention to other matters," Bai Li Xi said, standing and pocketing the mirror fragment.

"Li Qing."

"Your Majesty."

"Escort Yun Yunyang and his group back to their clan in secret. I suspect the Tongshan Xia clan may attempt an ambush."

"As you command, Your Majesty," Li Qing replied.

"Brother Yunyang, until we meet again," Bai Li Xi said, nodding politely before leaving under the escort of royal guards.

Watching Bai Li Xi depart, Yun Yunyang and his group felt a mix of respect and apprehension.

Later, in a side hall, Yun Yantian approached Bai Li Xue, who still appeared pale from her injuries. His expression softened with concern.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked gently.

"I'm much better now," she replied with a faint smile.

"Father has decreed that you will return to the Yun clan with me. Are you willing?" Yun Yantian asked, wrapping her in a protective embrace.

"Yes," Bai Li Xue whispered, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

Standing nearby, Yun Yunyang and Li Qing exchanged knowing smiles.

Just as the group was preparing to leave with Bai Li Xue, the Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace stormed in with an escort of Imperial Guards. Her expression was fierce, and behind her stood three cultivators from the Tongshan Xia clan, each at the eighth level of the Qi Refinement stage.

Her sharp eyes landed on Yun Yantian, who was still holding Bai Li Xue, and a chilling fury flickered in her gaze.

"No one is taking my daughter from this palace!" she declared icily.

"Your Grace, the marriage between the Seventh Princess and Yun Yantian is by the Emperor's decree," Li Qing said, stepping forward and bowing respectfully.

"You dare invoke the Emperor against me?" the Empress Dowager snapped, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

"I wouldn't dare. I merely wish to remind Your Grace of the Emperor's will," Li Qing replied calmly, his tone neither servile nor overbearing.

The Empress Dowager's face turned a dark shade of red with anger. She clenched her fists, but with the Emperor's authority hanging over her, she dared not act rashly.

The news of her family patriarch's death, along with the demise of the other clan leaders, had already reached her.

With the three major families and seven clans now significantly weakened, the Tongshan Xia clan no longer had the leverage to challenge the royal family directly.

If she defied the Emperor's order, she risked becoming the next victim of his wrath—just like the Empress of the Northern Palace.

"Xue'er," the Empress Dowager said, turning her focus to Bai Li Xue. "If you marry this man, you will no longer be my daughter. Think carefully about your decision!"

"Mother," Bai Li Xue said softly, meeting her mother's gaze with quiet determination. "I will marry him and no other."

"Fine! From this day forth, we are no longer mother and daughter!"

With those parting words, the Empress stormed out of the hall, her fury and frustration evident in every step.