Chapter 84: Siblings

Watching the lively scene in the meeting hall, Oupeng felt an extreme sense of satisfaction. Wasn't a man's life all about creating a stable and peaceful world? It seemed he had already achieved it.

Just as Oupeng was indulging in his own thoughts, he saw a beautiful figure enter the meeting hall. His eyes lit up, and his smile grew even wider. The one who entered was none other than his only full-blooded sister, Ouyan.

Oupeng had a tragic childhood, losing his parents at an early age. He and his sister relied on each other for survival. After being taken in by the Piaomiao Sect's master, his sister naturally followed him into the sect. However, she did not become a disciple of the master. Instead, she grew up under the care of Oupeng's master's wife at the Huaxi Manor. Oupeng's master had no children, and the position of Piaomiao Sect's leader was determined after careful consideration when the master stepped down. The Huaxi Manor, on the other hand, was directly handed over to Ouyan by Oupeng's master's wife. This meant that even if Oupeng were not the leader of the Piaomiao Sect, the Huaxi Manor would still belong to Ouyan. Ouyan's control over the Huaxi Manor was not because she was Oupeng's sister.

In fact, according to the relationship between the Huaxi Manor and the Piaomiao Sect, many people believed that Oupeng's wife should be in charge. Unfortunately, many things are not as simple as they seem.

However, the Piaomiao Six Tigers saw things differently. Most of them remembered the little girl who came with Oupeng long ago. They regarded Ouyan as their own child or younger sister. They did not care about others' opinions. The Huaxi Manor was their backyard, and they naturally wanted to entrust it to someone they trusted. Although Oupeng's wife was his confidante, she was different from the previous leader's wife, who was the founder of the Huaxi Manor. No matter how virtuous and wise the current leader's wife was, she was still an outsider. Ouyan, on the other hand, was someone they could trust, especially since she was personally chosen by the previous leader's wife.

Therefore, Ouyan held a somewhat transcendent position within the Piaomiao Sect.

Oupeng watched his sister walk into the meeting hall, his eyes filled with warmth. He looked at her as she slowly approached him, just like a father watching his child. At that moment, Oupeng was no longer just a man; he was the embodiment of all fathers, seeing his proud and beautiful child standing before him.

Ouyan felt the same way. The brother in front of her was no different from her father. She had grown up with her brother since she could remember, feeling his love and care, which gave her a sense of paternal warmth. All the descriptions of a father in books reminded her of her brother. However, the world of martial arts was cruel, and one could not control their fate. Before Oupeng became the leader, every time he went out to fight, Ouyan was always terrified, silently praying that nothing would happen to her only remaining family. After Oupeng became the leader, he was busier with the sect's affairs and went out less often. Ouyan knew how hard her brother worked and wanted to help him with her own strength. Therefore, she managed the Huaxi Manor diligently, providing support in logistics and medicine, helping the Piaomiao Sect develop. Even when the treasure required Oupeng's relatives to be hostages, Ouyan went without hesitation, willing to pay any price to help her brother.

However, this time, what Oupeng was about to do was truly shocking. He planned to completely annex a powerful sect, and that too in unfamiliar waters. Although she knew her brother had encountered a great fortune and had taken elixirs to enhance his powers, the world of martial arts was not just about martial arts; luck and opportunity were also crucial. Moreover, there were many hidden talents in the world. Ouyan was worried that the Luoshui Sect might have hidden its true strength. During the time Oupeng was away, Ouyan could not sleep, fearing the worst.

Yesterday, when she received the news of her brother's victory, Ouyan wanted to go and welcome him immediately. However, she knew that as the leader of the sect, Oupeng was no longer just her brother. He was the idol of thousands of disciples and had many responsibilities. Therefore, she waited until the celebration to see him.

Ouyan walked up to Oupeng and bowed, saying, "Brother, congratulations on your great achievement for the Piaomiao Sect."

Oupeng looked at his sister's slightly thinner face and felt a pang of pain. He said, "Yan'er, I've told you many times, you don't need to worry about me. With my current skills, if I encounter any danger, I can still escape. I won't lose my life. Look at you, you've become so thin in just a few days. This makes me feel bad too."

Ouyan smiled and said, "Unfortunately, I'm not a man. Otherwise, I could have gone out to fight for you. What's a little worry compared to that?"

Oupeng looked at his sister affectionately, seeing her face that resembled their mother's. He wanted to pull her ear like he used to, but this was not their home. He waved his hand and said, "The sect's affairs are my responsibility. You don't need to worry. Even if you were a brother, I wouldn't let you take unnecessary risks. I'll always be the one to pave the way for you."

Ouyan nodded and smiled, saying, "I know that. You've always been the one leading the way."

Then, Ouyan asked, "Brother, how did the battle with the Luoshui Sect go?"

Oupeng pointed to a chair and said, "Yan'er, sit down first. I'll tell you everything."

After Ouyan sat down, Oupeng began to recount his journey from the Piaomiao Sect to the core of the Luoshui Sect, where he captured the leader, Shui Yupeng. He tried to keep the story simple and glossed over the dangerous parts. However, when he described the thrilling moments, Ouyan still felt a cold sweat. Even though her brother was unharmed and sitting in front of her, her heart was still racing.

After Oupeng finished his story, Ouyan let out a long breath and said seriously, "Brother, it was really dangerous. If it weren't for the significant improvement in your and the other brothers' skills, the Luoshui Sect might have been a dragon's lair and a tiger's den."

Oupeng nodded thoughtfully and said, "Indeed, if it weren't for our improved skills, we wouldn't have had the idea to annex the Luoshui Sect. Sudden power can make people do things they wouldn't normally consider."

Ouyan agreed, "Yes, Brother. The consequences or expectations of such actions are often beyond control because one hasn't adapted to the new power. This can lead to disastrous results."

Oupeng smiled and said, "Yan'er is right. It's like a farmer who suddenly becomes rich overnight. He might have new ideas and want to do things he never dared before, like gambling. Before, he might not have gone to the gambling den or, if he did, he wouldn't have bet much because he knew his money was limited. Now, feeling rich, he goes to the gambling den and bets boldly. If he wins, he's lucky. But if the game goes beyond his control, he might lose everything, even his life. In the end, it might be better for him to live a simple, stable life."

Ouyan smiled at her brother and said nothing. Oupeng, lovingly, said, "Yan'er, I know what you're thinking. This attack on the Luoshui Sect was indeed risky, driven by the sudden surge of power. After the bloodshed, I've learned a lot. In the future, I and the other brothers will be more cautious. Don't worry; your brother is not just a suddenly rich farmer."

Ouyan smiled and said softly, "I know, Brother."

Oupeng then asked, "Yan'er, how is the medicinal field at the manor?"

Ouyan frowned and said, "It's still the same. There's no progress. The seeds haven't shown any signs of sprouting. I don't know why."

Oupeng was worried and said, "Is it because the disciples sent there don't know how to plant? Or is the method wrong? Maybe we should send a more capable disciple from Hall Leader Bai or Elder He to check."

Ouyan nodded and said, "Maybe. The seeds were planted using the usual method for medicinal herbs. The disciples in charge of the field were sent by the Alchemy Hall and have extensive experience in planting medicinal herbs. I don't know why they haven't sprouted. Recently, you were busy with the Luoshui Sect, and the Alchemy Hall was probably stretched thin. Now, Hall Leader Bai and the others might have more time. It would be good to have them check. I'll also look through the ancient books to see if there are any solutions."

Oupeng nodded and said, "Yan'er, take care of yourself. Don't overwork. It's best if the herbs grow, but it's not a big deal if they don't. I don't want you to exhaust yourself over this insignificant matter."

Ouyan smiled and said, "I know, Brother. Although I can't practice advanced internal skills, I can still manage some basic ones to keep myself healthy. Don't worry about me."

Oupeng also smiled and said, "That's true. If you learned the advanced internal skills of the Piaomiao Sect and combined them with your research skills, I would give you the position of leader. I remember how Master regretted that you couldn't practice, probably because he thought you couldn't take over the Piaomiao Sect."

Ouyan playfully scolded, "Brother, you make it sound like I'm interested in the position of leader. The daily affairs are overwhelming and tedious. It's better to stay at the Huaxi Manor, where there are no troubles, and I can enjoy the moon and flowers, and occasionally practice some martial arts. Isn't that wonderful?"

Oupeng also envied her and said, "Yes, seeing how Master and his wife dote on you, giving you the Huaxi Manor, shows how much they care. I've thought about living like you, but unfortunately..."

Ouyan laughed and said, "Unfortunately, you're in the world of martial arts and can't control your fate? Not really. Everyone has their own life. Seeing you, surrounded by admiration, controlling the sect's affairs, and taking care of thousands of disciples, isn't that a life many envy?"