Chapter 82 – The Child Who Plays the Flute (3)

Chapter 82 – The Child Who Plays the Flute (3)

It took less than an hour for all the black-robed men to collapse.

"Fifty-one."

That was the number of enemies So-mu had defeated. Yeon Seo-hwa smiled and replied in a clear, melodic voice,

"Fifty-two~"

So-mu narrowed his eyes and quickly recounted the fallen bodies.

"That's cheating with hidden weapons…"

No matter how superior his martial arts were, he could not keep up with someone who rained down volleys of flying needles from a distance.

They continued their way toward their destination, the Tianwu Pavilion. The smile remained fixed on Yeon Seo-hwa's face. Lately, she had taken great pleasure in teasing So-mu.

"I get to eat something expensive for dinner tonight~ You have money, right?"

It was frustrating, but since he had lost the bet, he could not back out.

"Sigh. What do you want to eat?"

"Honey Shaved Ice!"

Honey Shaved Ice. It was a high-class dessert made by topping finely crushed ice with honey and red beans.

In the past, it was as expensive as gold, but now that technology had been developed to freeze water by placing saltpeter in it, anyone with money could enjoy it. In addition, shaved milk ice, shaved yogurt ice, and Cherries with Sweet Cream—which mixed cherries and honey into ice—were also famous.

So-mu feigned a look of surprise. At this, Yeon Seo-hwa asked accusatorily,

"Why do you look so surprised? Are you out of money?"

"Your expression just now overlapped with So-so's."

Yeon Seo-hwa tilted her chin and asked with a noble expression,

"What is wrong with a master and disciple resembling each other?"

"Well. I suppose So-so will gradually grow to resemble you more and more."

"You should be happy she resembles a master like me. Would you rather she resembled her father, who mindlessly swings a sword all day?"

"Frustratingly, you have a point. How long does it take to learn the True One-Heart Flute Melody?"

"Before that, there are twenty-eight stages of musical tones to master. She also has to master the Lion's Roar. Depending on her talent, about five to ten years?"

It required much more time than So-mu had anticipated. It also meant he would have to keep seeing Yeon Seo-hwa for that long.

By then, So-so will be a young lady.

Imagining his daughter's future self, So-mu stopped in his tracks because Yeon Seo-hwa had raised her hand.

Before them stood a pavilion built of fine timber, decorated with silk and ornate patterns.

"This is it. There are trap mechanisms installed, so don't just open it."

Yeon Seo-hwa adjusted five knobs decorated on the doorframe. When the task dragged on, So-mu asked impatiently,

"Why don't we just break it down?"

"No. We wouldn't die from it, but poison mist will spray out and ruin our clothes."

To think she was going through all this trouble just to avoid getting her clothes slightly dirty. He couldn't help but find her behavior amusing.

"So the great Jade Flower Goddess is indeed a woman after all."

"Just what on earth did you view me as before?"

Click!

The trap mechanism of the Tianwu Pavilion disengaged, and the door slid open. The scene inside was exactly as expected. The bookshelves that should have held hundreds of martial arts manuals were completely empty. Only abandoned furniture rolled around here and there.

"So there is a secret space inside, then?"

"Yes, right below us."

Yeon Seo-hwa channeled her internal energy into a specific part of the wall. The floor shuddered, and a gap began to reveal itself.

Rumble!

"A mechanism that requires internal energy to open. Impressive craftsmanship."

"It seems to be intact."

Following Yeon Seo-hwa down, they saw about a hundred martial arts manuals. Every single one was a high-level manual of the Demonic Cult. Although nothing here could catch the interest of masters of the Sword Saint's or Jade Flower Goddess's level, many would be highly useful for the government soldiers to learn.

So-mu took out a bundle of cloth from his robe, selecting and packing them one by one. His hand stopped as it gripped a manual bound in a crimson cover.

"Blood Wind Sword Art. I've seen a Demonic Cult member use this before."

"It was a sword technique favored by the Ghost Sword Martial Artist, Yong Yun-cheol. It's quite decent."

"I should have our squad members learn this."

As he packed them one by one, So-mu picked up a blue manual and tilted his head.

"Annihilation Explosive Fist…?"

"I don't know about that one, since no one in my time learned it. No one in the Demonic Cult's leadership preferred fist techniques."

So-mu quickly scanned through the manual. It consisted of six stances in total, and if applied alongside the Mountain-Cleaving Fist, it would undoubtedly yield formidable power.

Il-gwang will love this.

He chose manuals focusing on sword, spear, and archery techniques, and threw in a few internal energy cultivation methods as well. He also added movement techniques like Shift and Change, and survival manuals like Body-Protecting Qi. Each of these was worth a thousand gold pieces, but that was only for ordinary martial artists. To So-mu and Yeon Seo-hwa, they were useless.

Just then, So-mu's gaze fell on Yeon Seo-hwa's hand. She was holding a single manual.

"What is that?"

"Pack this for me. I'm going to have my disciple learn this."

So-mu absentmindedly took the manual and checked it.

"Heavenly Demon Phantom Step?"

"I believe you've experienced it yourself."

It was the ultimate escape technique of the Demonic Cult. So-mu recalled having a hard time, even losing track of opponents who used it several times. For So-so, who had already trained in the Sword Saint's Lightning Shadow Step, mastering this movement technique would not be difficult.

"One can never have too many survival skills."

With the Heavenly Demon Phantom Step, he tied up the bundle. Although they had packed dozens of manuals, many books still remained.

"What will you do with the rest?"

"We don't need them, and if they fall into the wrong hands, they will cause trouble… Do you mind if I destroy them?"

As Yeon Seo-hwa concentrated her internal energy in her right hand, a dark flame flared up. Dark Fire. A technique possible only when one's demonic cultivation reached its absolute peak, and although it consumed a massive amount of internal energy, it was known to be capable of burning anything.

"I believe I told you I have no lingering attachment to this place."

As her hand brushed past the bookshelves, the flames spread in an instant.

Fwoosh!

It was the moment the thousand-year history of the Demonic Cult vanished. Only a portion of their martial arts would be preserved and passed down through the Hanzhong legions.

"Let's get out of here."

Leaving the Tianwu Pavilion, the two began their descent without looking back. As they ran side by side, So-mu asked,

"Now it's my turn to repay you. Where is Silver Flower Granny?"

Yeon Seo-hwa shook her head.

"No, not right now. When I am mentally prepared, then…"

There was an underlying trace of fear in her voice.

He was curious about what kind of story lay behind it, but there was no need to rush. He would find out when they met in person.

"It seems you still worry even with me by your side."

"You had better prepare yourself too. Even if I handed over the entire library of the Demonic Cult, this wouldn't be a losing trade for me."

Yeon Seo-hwa's words actually ignited So-mu's fighting spirit.

A meeting between the supreme master of the current generation and a legend of the past. The prospect made So-mu's heart flutter.

After a moment, So-mu asked,

"Where are we going to eat dinner? Honey Shaved Ice isn't sold just anywhere."

"I know a place in Hanzhong. I should let my disciple taste it too."

***

Creeeeak!

It was the sound of a cart loaded with piles of stones moving. The weight was so immense that even with ten men pushing, they struggled.

"Hurry up and put some strength into it!"

"Heave-ho!"

They were all wearing shabby gray cloth clothes.

The Donggu Prison Camp in Hubei Province. These were prisoners performing forced labor here.

Through the struggling prisoners, a middle-aged man approached.

"Step aside."

Through the tears in his prison uniform, countless scars and bruises were visible.

"G-General?"

"Leave this to us and rest."

Grabbing the cart, the man let out a roar and began to push it fiercely.

"Hyah!"

Creeeak!

The cart, which had not budged at all, rolled away at a rapid speed as if it were empty.

Having finished his work in an instant, he looked around to find another task. Just as he was about to move, a horn blew.

Bwooo!

It was a horn signal announcing mealtime. A guard walked by, urging the prisoners.

"Eat quickly and return to work within fifteen minutes!"

The scarred man trudged over and sat down in front of a cart.

His identity was Yue Fei, who had served as the Great General. Although he was up in years, his Flower Realm physique allowed him to maintain the appearance of a middle-aged man.

"Sigh…"

He had no appetite because of his worries.

The food provided was only a single steamed bun a day, yet he couldn't bring himself to touch it.

Yue Fei's gaze turned about ten zhang to the right. A familiar figure was approaching with a limp.

His condition was even worse. One of his eyes was covered with an eyepatch, and only three fingers remained on his left hand. If he hadn't trained in martial arts, he would have died long ago from the marks of torture left all over his body.

It was his loyal subordinate, Jang Heon.

"General, even if you have no appetite, you must eat."

"I am fine, so you should eat more."

Jang Heon tore the steamed bun in half and offered it.

"If the General does not eat, I will not eat either."

He tried to eat for their sake, but his hand simply wouldn't move.

"Do not worry about me and eat…"

Jang Heon sighed and tried to persuade him.

"Although those cruel bastards went as far as to frame and arrest your elderly mother, surely they won't dare harm her. She will be released soon, so do not worry too much."

Yue Fei was famous for his deep filial piety, which matched his loyalty. News had reached this place that the local office had arrested his aged mother, and everyone knew the imperial court was behind it.

"My mother, who can barely move, is locked in a cold prison cell. How can I bring myself to eat…?"

Just then, another voice was heard.

"Then I will also refuse food and water from now on."

It was the voice of his son, Ak-un, who was imprisoned with him. Seeing his father in such pain, he could not bear to eat alone.

"If the General does not eat, I will not eat either!"

"I cannot eat either!"

Yue Fei raised his head and looked around. Dozens of prisoners were surrounding him, holding out half a steamed bun.

"Thank you, everyone. Go ahead and eat."

Taking half of the steamed bun from Jang Heon, Yue Fei took a bite. Seeing this, the other prisoners also took a bite of their own. They had no intention of eating until he did.

There was no way he could taste anything. For the sake of the others, Yue Fei forced himself to swallow.

At that sight, Jang Heon choked up and asked,

"Are you not resentful? How long must we endure this?"

"What would you have me do?"

"If you make up your mind, we can leave this place at any time. We will stand with you."

"Haha… Are you telling me to become a rebel?"

Just then, a guard came running from a distance, clutching a letter in his hand.

"They say this letter is from Hanzhong. Take it."

Yue Fei absentmindedly accepted it. Seeing the guard grinning from ear to ear, he must have received a hefty bribe in exchange for delivering it.

Having handed over the letter, the guard returned to where he came from, repeatedly bowing to an officer of the government forces. If so, it was likely a letter from the military.

Yue Fei quietly opened the letter. As he read the contents, his expression changed by the moment.

After a short while, his gloomy face suddenly brightened. He even began to laugh.

"Haha… Hahaha…"

Jang Heon asked cautiously,

"It seems you have received good news."

"It's a letter from my junior brother. Haha! He finally did it. I knew he would succeed…"

This was a letter written by Jang Yang himself. It contained the news of the victory in Hanzhong, along with inquiries about his well-being, and detailed the circumstances he was in.

Yue Fei handed the letter to Jang Heon to read. Good news was meant to be shared. As his most trusted subordinate, he was more than qualified.

Reading the letter, a mixture of joy and worry appeared on Jang Heon's face.

"The Commander's spirit and actions are bold, but I fear he might end up in danger just like you, General."

Yue Fei's expression gradually hardened.

"I can endure anything else. But if the imperial court dares to harm my junior brother, I will not stand by."