Chapter 90 – The Immortal’s Music Sheet (2)

Chapter 90 – The Immortal's Music Sheet (2)

Lanhua Peak on Mount Zhunan in Gansu Province.

A man and a woman were calmly entering this forbidden territory. Although a freezing chill swept through the snow-covered mountain, they did not seem to feel the cold at all.

Their expressions were in stark contrast. While So-mu was burning with fighting spirit, Yeon Seo-hwa's face carried an underlying trace of fear.

"Why are you so tense?"

"We cannot afford to let our guard down. She retired from the Jianghu long ago, but she is a monster who broke through the Transcendence of the Demonic before we were even born."

So-mu thought differently. He shook his head and said,

"No, if what you said is true, she will be past her prime. Even a sword will rust if it isn't sharpened for a long time. It would be different if she had spent those long years strictly cultivating her martial arts."

"Well, she spent her days tormenting the weak to satisfy her wicked whims. She is an old woman completely infatuated with herself. I've never seen her actually practice her martial arts."

"Still, her internal energy must be immense. She must be over a hundred and twenty, right?"

"No one knows her exact age. If what I heard in passing is correct, she must be around a hundred and forty by now."

"To think she lived so long despite committing so many evils."

Conversing quietly, they approached the summit of Mount Zhunan. Although there were illusionary formations on the way, they were meaningless to the two masters.

The view of the basin rising above the clouds was spectacular, but to Yeon Seo-hwa, it was merely a scar of past pain.

"If you don't feel up to it, let me know. I can go alone."

Yeon Seo-hwa shook her head resolutely.

"No way. Do you know how much I suffered here? I have a debt of my own to pay back."

About thirty zhang ahead lay a wide basin. A decently sized hermitage and a few small wooden storehouses came into view.

"The storehouse on the far left. That's where Cho-hee and I stayed."

Even at a glance, it was barely large enough for two adults to lie down. It was clear how harsh their lives had been for those five years.

"She kept young children in a place like that?"

"Yes. You see how much she tormented me when I was young? So you must avenge me."

It was endearing to see her show a vulnerable face, so unlike her usual self. Despite the serious situation, So-mu felt a rare urge to tease her.

"What if I just retrieve the music sheet?"

Yeon Seo-hwa gave So-mu a disgruntled look and said,

"You called me your wife earlier. Are you just going to leave my enemy be?"

To think the words he had blurted out to protect her from the orthodox sects had become a shackle.

Yet, it was not an unpleasant feeling. It was a sensation he had never felt in his life of only holding a sword. For some reason, it felt strange but good.

"I had no intention of letting her live anyway, if only for So-so's safety. What are those other storehouses?"

"Just storage. Occasionally, her followers would come and stock them with food and other supplies."

Before long, the distance to the hermitage closed to within ten zhang. As they took a few more steps, the door began to slide open on its own.

Creeeak!

A bone-chilling aura seemed to waft from within.

Sitting cross-legged inside was a white-haired old woman. With a hook nose and a face full of spite, she presented a highly unpleasant impression.

So-mu immediately recognized that the old woman had reached the Transcendence of the Demonic. All the qi in her body was completely concealed, radiating not a single trace of pressure.

On the other hand, So-mu intentionally let a small amount of qi leak to hide his Profound Realm cultivation. Thus, the opponent would perceive him as merely a top-tier expert.

Soon, a grating voice that sounded like scraping metal echoed out.

"Where have you been, only to return now?"

Just hearing the voice sent a shiver of fear through Yeon Seo-hwa. It was an instinctive response conditioned by years in this brutal environment.

But the situation was different now. She herself had reached the peak of the Ultimate Demonic Realm, and standing beside her was the Sword Saint, the strongest master of the current generation.

"I see you are still alive."

Sensing the hostility in Yeon Seo-hwa's tone, the old woman's voice turned even harsher.

"The thousand-year history of the Demonic Cult ended by your hands! The Cult Leader abandoned the cult and fled?!"

As the eleventh Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult, it was only natural for Silver Flower Granny to be enraged. After Yeon Seo-hwa vanished, the leaderless cult had been easily swallowed by the Spirit Cult without being able to offer proper resistance.

"The Demonic Cult was not a place I entered by choice. You were the one who dragged me there."

Silver Flower Granny's brow furrowed in anger.

The old woman's left hand swept through the air. A seven-string zither rose from inside the hermitage and flew out like an arrow.

Swoosh!

Although the zither was infused with enough internal energy to startle an ordinary first-rate expert, catching it was child's play for Yeon Seo-hwa.

Catch!

Yeon Seo-hwa caught the zither and immediately sat cross-legged on the ground. They were masters of music who communicated through melodies. There was no need for words. Her slender, delicate hands plucked the strings, playing the song of her heart.

Twang! Twang!

The grand melody was relentless, singing of sorrow, rage, and grudge. Standing silently beside her, So-mu could feel her emotions clearly through her incredible skill.

Her performance ended only after ten minutes. Having read her true feelings through the music, Silver Flower Granny wore a solemn expression.

"I understand your heart. Yet, what is your reason for returning here?"

"I have come to retrieve the music sheet for the True One-Heart Flute Melody."

The zither portion of the duet was already in Yeon Seo-hwa's head. She was referring to the sheet for the tung flute.

"Since you are seeking the music sheet, it seems you have found someone capable of playing the duet with you. Who is it?"

"You have no need to know."

"Seeing how arrogant you are, you must have some backing. But I have plenty of ways to make you speak. I will give you one more chance. Tell me who it is."

Yeon Seo-hwa's face turned cold as she replied,

"I will give you a chance as well. If you hand over the music sheet quietly."

The wrinkles on the old woman's face contorted like a yaksha, displaying a terrifying expression.

"How dare you oppose me, ungrateful girl! Have you forgotten the grace of the parent who raised you?!"

Hearing the words "grace of the parent," something snapped in Yeon Seo-hwa's mind. The sorrow and rage she had harbored for decades erupted like a volcano.

"Parent?! You locked my sister and me in a storehouse for five years and call yourself a parent?! You were the very enemy who slaughtered our family at the Yeon Family Manor!"

Silver Flower Granny's mouth fell open. This was not the child she had known. Shocked by the revelation, she was speechless for a moment. After regaining her composure, she asked,

"So you never lost your memories?"

"To survive, and for this very moment, I had to act like it. I have never forgotten for a single second the sight of you slaughtering my family."

Instead of anger, a smirk appeared on Silver Flower Granny's face. The mystery had finally been solved.

"So that was why we could never complete the duet. Here is the music sheet you wanted. Take it."

At that moment, a book rose from the depths of the hermitage and flew into the courtyard.

Thud!

Something was off. The book before them was indeed the music sheet she wanted. But there was no way she would hand it over so easily. Still, she couldn't just stand there.

Standing up, Yeon Seo-hwa walked over to pick up the music sheet. Just as she bent down, the old woman screamed,

"You wretched girl!!!"

With that cry, Silver Flower Granny's figure vanished like mist. She reappeared behind Yeon Seo-hwa, her hand reaching out to grab her hair. Yeon Seo-hwa was startled by her terrifying speed.

In that instant, So-mu, who had been watching silently, moved. His sheathed sword swept forward at lightning speed, deflecting the old woman's wrist.

Clang!

A metallic ring echoed through the basin.

Pushed back a step by the sudden intervention, the old woman's irritation turned into rage.

"A mere insect dares?!"

Her palm, wrapped in sword energy, surged toward So-mu's chest. It was a strike carrying immense internal energy.

So-mu's left hand was also wrapped in red energy. He intended to exchange a blow to test the opponent's strength.

In an instant, red and black light collided, erupting in a thunderous roar.

Boom!

The entire basin seemed to shake. The impact sent So-mu sliding backward three zhang, his boots carving deep grooves into the ground.

Screeech!

His feet sank into the earth. A sharp pain shot up his wrist. Silver Flower Granny's internal energy was incredibly massive, exceeding his expectations. Yet, this only made So-mu's heart beat faster.

The old woman was also pushed back five steps, a look of surprise on her face.

"It has been about eighty years since someone took my Annihilation Palm unscathed."

Yeon Seo-hwa took the opportunity to retrieve the music sheet, tucking it away before standing beside So-mu.

Concern showed on her face, as the Sword Saint had been pushed back in the clash of internal energy. She could not just watch. A sword energy began to burn around her hands.

But So-mu shook his head and raised a hand behind him.

"Stand back."

The blood of a natural-born warrior was boiling within him. The stronger the opponent, the hotter his fighting spirit burned. He did not want any help.

Silver Flower Granny sneered and said,

"I heard there was a youngster called the Sword Saint in the orthodox sects. So it was you. What is the relationship between the two of you?"

She was naturally curious to see the hero of the orthodox path traveling with the last Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.

Yeon Seo-hwa cut in and replied,

"He is my husband."

A blush crept onto So-mu's face, his heart fluttering. At the same time, the old woman let out an incredulous laugh.

"Haha. Mad. That is the funniest thing I've heard in my hundred and forty years."

As her laughter faded, the old woman's hands moved. Her hands multiplied into dozens, as if the Thousand-Hand Guanyin had descended.

The Thirty-Eight White Bone Palms. This demonic technique, which absorbed human essence, was so cruel that even the Demonic Cult had banned its practice. A chilly, pale light swept toward them.

Stepping forward with his left foot, So-mu drew his sword.

Talhon Sword Technique, third form: Soaring Tempest Strike.

His blade, wrapped in brilliant light, slashed through the air. Dozens of sword qi erupted, colliding with the pale palms in a chain of explosions.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Before the explosions even cleared, So-mu moved.

Gliding forward at the speed of light, So-mu closed in on the old woman. His sword kicked off the ground, projecting beams of light.

Clang!

Colliding with a heavy metallic ring, they repeatedly clashed and separated like magnets.

Clash! Clash! Clash!

In the blink of an eye, they exchanged over ten blows.

Both knew that simple tricks wouldn't work. Against Silver Flower Granny's massive internal energy, So-mu countered with his genius combat instincts. Neither could easily gain the upper hand.

Just then, a dark current of energy wrapped around the old woman's body. It gathered into her palms before erupting forward.

Seeing this, Yeon Seo-hwa tried to shout a warning, but there was no time. Sensing the danger, So-mu unleashed a torrent of sword qi to deflect the current.

Boom!

"Ugh."

Pushed back by the immense power, he slid backward. Capitalizing on the moment, Silver Flower Granny rushed forward to press her advantage.

Yet, a grin appeared on So-mu's face. His figure shot forward like an explosion to meet her.

The distance closed to within three zhang in an instant. So-mu threw his sword forward and leaped into the air.

The flying sword technique. Although it was infused with sword qi, Silver Flower Granny was not one to fall for such a trick. A dark current erupted from her hand, deflecting his sword.

Clang!

As the sword flew into the air, So-mu, who was already dropping behind the old woman's back, spread his right hand. Telekinesis. The deflected sword changed its angle and flew straight back to its master.

Grab!

He gripped the returned sword.

Talhon Sword Technique, second form: Lightning-Tracing Strike.

His figure descended like a bolt of lightning, passing through Silver Flower Granny's flank.

Boom!

He had never expected to defeat her with a single blow. As the ambushed old woman staggered, a dark shadow began to wrap around her entire body like a storm.