Chapter 80 – The Child Who Plays the Flute (1)

Chapter 80 – The Child Who Plays the Flute (1)

Leaving the military camp, So-mu headed toward the west gate. He bought a bamboo hat from a street stall and put it on. Even in civilian clothes, he was occasionally recognized by citizens, which he found inconvenient.

‘I should have bought this sooner.’

Not drawing any attention made him feel much more relaxed. Clad in a white scholar’s robe, wearing a bamboo hat, and gripping a sword, he looked like a typical martial artist. Since ordinary people preferred to avoid getting involved with aggressive martial artists, no one easily approached him.

After walking for a while, he arrived about fifty zhang from the west gate. To his right, the former site of Xianhua Hall, where Yeon Seo-hwa had resided, came into view. The estate was now empty.

He was about to pass it by, but his footsteps suddenly came to a halt.

‘Who is it?’

He sensed five presences inside the compound. They were undoubtedly martial artists. He had to investigate.

Concealing his presence, he peered over the wall. Five martial artists in white uniforms were searching the garden and the pavilions.

So-mu’s gaze fixed on their left shoulders, where a fierce tiger was embroidered.

‘They belong to the Fierce Tiger Squad of the Murim Alliance. Have they already caught the scent?’

Soon, their conversation reached his ears.

“Squad Leader, there are traces of demonic arts here as well.”

“It is clear that the Jade Flower Maiden resided here.”

“What should we do?”

“We must return to the main unit and report this to the Captain. Then, we will organize a tracking team to search the area thoroughly. For now, we withdraw.”

“Yes!”

Moving away from the wall, So-mu slowly made his way toward the west gate.

His expression was not bright. He knew the tracking capabilities of the Murim Alliance better than anyone. After all, he had personally trained them in the past.

‘I can only hope Yeon Seo-hwa erased her tracks well.’

A moment later, a question popped into his head.

‘What on earth was I just thinking?’

To think he was worrying about a former core figure of the Demonic Cult. It was something he would never have imagined in the past.

He shook his head and continued on. A short while later, a hostile voice called out to him from behind:

“Hey, why are you lingering around here?”

It was one of the members of the Fierce Tiger Squad. There was no need to get involved here.

“I am simply a passerby.”

He tried to resume walking, but they would not let him go.

“You are a martial artist. Stop and remove your bamboo hat.”

“Why should I?”

Another member approached and replied:

“Your behavior is suspicious, so we must inspect you. If you do not stop, we will subdue you.”

At their abrupt hostility, So-mu’s brow furrowed. While their instincts were commendable, such rude behavior was not how the Murim Alliance operated in the past. By regulation, they were supposed to identify themselves first and make a polite request.

His tone shifted:

“Since when did the Murim Alliance become such an arrogant organization?”

Angry voices erupted from behind him:

“You insolent fool! What did you just say!?”

“How dare you speak so loosely when you know who we are!?”

So-mu let out a sigh. In terms of martial seniority, these men were distant juniors.

“Who is the Captain of the Fierce Tiger Squad these days? The training of the members is a complete mess.”

“It’s me, you bastard!”

One of the members rushed forward to subdue him, his hand reaching for the back of So-mu’s neck. In that instant, So-mu’s scabbard moved behind his shoulder, lightly striking the man’s wrist.

Thack!

“Argh! Who are you, you bastard!?”

Without even looking, So-mu had blocked the attack behind his back. The guards instinctively realized his martial arts were extraordinary and hesitated to approach.

So-mu ignored them and kept walking. There was no need to fight them.

But the squad leader shouted:

“He is formidable! Subdue him together!”

So-mu’s senses mapped their movements clearly.

“Sigh. This is unavoidable.”

So-mu’s figure glided backward like flowing water. Two blades grazed the air above his head. He saw the stumbling figures of the two members who had missed.

In that instant, So-mu twisted his scabbard. His scabbard whipped forward, striking their legs.

Thack! Thack!

“Ugh!”

“Gah!”

The two fell to the ground in an undignified heap. At that moment, the remaining three launched attacks from three directions. Although the three blades targeted his body, they passed through empty air, as if stabbing smoke.

Then, a mirage-like shadow swept around them, followed by crisp, heavy impact sounds.

Smack! Thwack!

“Ugh!”

“Gah!”

“Argh!”

Within a single breath, the three members were sitting on the ground, groaning. They could have stood up and resisted, but they had absolutely no desire to do so.

They stared at the departing man in bewilderment.

“Who on earth was that?”

“Given that he spared us, he is definitely not associated with the Demonic Cult.”

“Sigh. The world is wide, and there are many hidden masters. We were simply unlucky to run into him.”

Leaving them behind, So-mu passed through the west gate of Hanzhong.

Since he had felt no killing intent, he had not dealt with them harshly. He only felt a sense of disappointment that the martial world’s pursuit of righteousness and chivalry was gradually fading.

Within the city, he rarely used lightfoot techniques to avoid drawing attention, but out here, there was no reason to waste time. Activating his movement technique, he turned into a tiny speck and sped away into the distance.

***

A small hermitage in a basin near Mount Dingjun.

This place, which had been inhabited until recently, was well-maintained. Nearby was a small vegetable garden and a clear stream. Since it was secluded, it was the perfect place to live away from the eyes of others. It was a property Yeon Seo-hwa had recently purchased.

In a pavilion near the hermitage, a woman and a child were playing music. As the duet ended, the woman asked:

“Why did you want to learn music?”

So-so did not know how to answer, so she simply said what came to mind:

“My heart… went pit-a-pat… and I liked it.”

She had no words to describe how the tung flute melody played by the great hero Yu Jeong had moved her heart back in the volunteer militia.

“That is because you possess a natural sensitivity. Not pursuing music when you have such talent would be a sin against heaven.”

So-so looked up at the blue sky.

“I want to be nice to heaven. Master, why do you play music?”

“It is our destiny.”

“How do you know that?”

“For example… sometimes, crude and unrefined people say they can speak through their swords. But musicians who are naturally sensitive like us can converse through melodies.”

“How do you speak through melodies?”

Children were naturally curious. Faced with her endless questions, Yeon Seo-hwa felt a bit at a loss. But she soon realized there was no need to answer and changed the subject.

“We have a guest.”

So-so looked around. A moment later, recognizing the familiar presence, her face brightened. She waved her hand and shouted:

“Father, we are over here!”

Arriving at the pavilion, So-mu patted his daughter’s head.

“Are you doing well?”

“It’s fun! Hehe.”

As So-mu sat opposite them, Yeon Seo-hwa said:

“Shall we brew a cup of tea for your father?”

“Yes, Master!”

So-so jumped up and ran off.

Once the child was out of sight, So-mu’s expression turned serious.

“I saw martial artists of the Murim Alliance in Hanzhong.”

Yeon Seo-hwa wore a playful expression, as if it had nothing to do with her.

“Is the Sword Saint worrying about me?”

Lately, she seemed to have found great amusement in teasing him. It was impossible to associate her with the terrifying demoness of the past.

“If a tracking unit roams the area, it could be dangerous. You erased all your tracks, right?”

“Of course. Do I look like a novice in the martial world?”

“Hehe. Indeed. I was worrying needlessly.”

Yeon Seo-hwa’s ruby-red lips curled into a smile.

“So you were worrying about me.”

“Sigh. Think what you want.”

“What brings you here? You didn’t come all this way just to tell me that.”

She was incredibly sharp. So-mu nodded and said:

“I need a martial art of the Demonic Cult that can be learned quickly. Something the regular soldiers can practice.”

Yeon Seo-hwa burst into laughter.

“Haha. Do you think the Demonic Cult is some kind of pawnshop?”

“Well, I figured the sixth-ranking master of the Demonic Cult would have something.”

Suddenly, Yeon Seo-hwa assumed a haughty expression and spoke with pride:

“Immediately after the Orthodox-Demonic War, my rank was first. That means I was the Cult Leader at one point.”

So-mu let out a bitter smile.

Her words were true. In the final battle, the Murim Alliance had succeeded in wiping out the entire leadership of the Demonic Cult, including the Cult Leader.

The only core figure who had survived the chaos and escaped was the Jade Flower Maiden, Yeon Seo-hwa, who stood before him.

“Sigh. In any case, can you help?”

“Of course I know a way. But not for free.”

It was the expected response. Even if they had grown closer recently, they had once been enemies.

However, if they could find a mutually beneficial arrangement, things could change.

“Perhaps I can do something for you in return.”

Yeon Seo-hwa nodded as if she had been waiting for this.

“Yes. There is something I want as well.”

As expected. He had to hear what she wanted first.

“Tell me.”

“Actually, I need to travel somewhere, and I require an escort.”

For a peak master of the demonic path to require an escort—he couldn't fathom where she was planning to go.

“I don’t understand. Explain.”

“The score of the True One-Heart Flute Melody in my possession is only a part of it. The remaining part is with my master. I must retrieve it, but she won’t hand it over easily.”

Judging by her tone, her relationship with her master was not a close one.

“Your master? Who is she?”

“Granny Yin-hua.”

A look of surprise crossed So-mu’s face.

She was a famous figure from the previous generation whom he had only heard of. When she ruled the martial world as a legendary demoness, So-mu had not even been born. If she was still alive, she had to be at least a hundred and twenty years old.

“She is still alive?”

“Perhaps because of her martial arts, she has a very long life.”

“What happened between you and your master?”

Yeon Seo-hwa’s expression turned somewhat dark.

“She must have been bored after retiring from the martial world. She kidnapped me when I was eleven, put me through hell, and threw me into the Demonic Cult when I turned sixteen. I’m grateful, of course. Who knows what she’ll try to do when she sees me again.”

He could guess the situation. The Demonic Cult frequently kidnapped talented children, brainwashing and training them.

For some reason, he felt a wave of pity for her. She had likely spent a harsh life against her will since the age she should have been blooming.

“It was an ill fate.”

“They are memories I never want to recall… Will you come with me?”

There seemed to be more to the story between Yeon Seo-hwa and Granny Yin-hua. But to So-mu, that was not the important part.

The issue was that Granny Yin-hua’s martial arts, after more than half a century in seclusion, were of an unfathomable level. It was understandable why Yeon Seo-hwa required an escort. However, regardless of the opponent, the Sword Saint knew no fear.

“Fine, we have a deal. Now, let’s hear how you can help me.”

Yeon Seo-hwa nodded, her expression brightening. Having the Sword Saint accompany her seemed to give her peace of mind.

“The Demonic Cult stored its martial manuals in the Heavenly Martial Pavilion.”

“I heard the manuals there were all plundered by the Divine Demon Cult.”

“Actually, there is another hidden treasury inside the pavilion. It was a place known only to a very small number of core executives.”

“Is it still intact?”

“Probably. Aside from me, everyone else who knew about it died in the final battle.”

It was an extremely enticing offer.

Although the martial arts of the Demonic Cult, which had been defeated by the orthodox faction, might not be considered perfect, they would certainly boost the combat capability and survival of the Hanzhong soldiers.

“Are there techniques that the soldiers can practice?”

“Most of them require training in the Demonic Cult’s internal cultivation method, but there are also non-attributed martial arts.”

Non-attributed techniques were good, but even if they had to practice the Demonic Cult’s internal methods, what of it? If the military practiced them, the orthodox faction wouldn't be able to do anything about it. However, since there could be side effects, he couldn't make a hasty decision. He would have to discuss it with General Jang-yang.

Just then, So-so approached from the kitchen, carrying tea.

“Hurry and try it! Hehe.”

Taking the teacup, So-mu smiled warmly. To think she had learned the tea ceremony already. He couldn't help but feel proud.

So-so watched him with a knowing smile, urging him to drink quickly. It was the first cup of tea his daughter had ever brewed for him. Although the color was a bit strange, he happily took a sip. Instantly, a groan escaped his lips:

“Urgh!”

This was definitely not tea. It tasted painful, like a lump of salt mixed with spices.

He immediately sent a telepathic message to Yeon Seo-hwa:

—What kind of tea did you prepare in the kitchen?

—I don’t know. The tea leaves are inside the hermitage. Why did she even come out of the kitchen…?

So-so kept watching his reaction out of the corner of her eye, asking with expectant eyes:

“Is it delicious? It is Heaven Tea made by So-so.”

Sighing inwardly, So-mu forced a smile.

“Of course it’s delicious… It tastes like my soul is ascending to heaven. Would you like a sip too, So-so?”

“Hehe, no! I don’t drink tea.”