Chapter 222: The Immortal Music Physique and the True One-Heart Flute Melody (2)
The discussion that had begun in the morning did not end until lunchtime.
As So-mu walked out of Jang-yang’s office, his expression was bright. The conversation had been so productive that it had been well worth every moment.
In particular, the military strategist Jin Yu-so possessed exceptional administrative talent, proving to be more than capable of assisting Jang-yang. One might have expected So-mu to feel a twinge of jealousy at a rival’s competence, but instead, it brought him peace of mind.
‘What a relief. I can rest easy now.’
Once their goal was achieved, he intended to resign from his post and leave. He had resolved to do so from the very moment he applied at the recruitment office in Hanzhong Fortress, and that resolve remained unchanged to this day.
Walking aimlessly, he gazed up at the sky, lost in thought. He had never really considered what life would be like after retirement, nor had he thought about what he would do.
‘Maybe I should farm somewhere with clean air?’
As long as he was with his family, anything was fine. Imagining this, So-mu chuckled and shook his head.
‘Still, our So-so has a bright future ahead, so she should see more of the world.’
He couldn’t force retirement on a daughter who had yet to spread her wings. Just as he was thinking he should ask her later what she wanted to become…
“You look like you’re in a good mood.”
The person he crossed paths with on the street was Commander Bai Yue. Beside him were his children, Bai Xiang and Bai A. It seemed they were taking a family stroll through the fortress palace.
Nodding, So-mu bent down and patted the children’s heads.
“Ah, you’re So-so’s friends.”
“Hello, Mister~”
The polite greeting from the children was so endearing that he wanted to give them something. So-mu pulled a small pouch of copper coins from his robe and handed it to Bai Xiang.
“Don’t give this to your father. Buy something delicious to eat with your sister.”
“Hehe. Thank you~”
Commander Bai Yue smiled awkwardly and clasped his hands in a fist salute with his single remaining arm.
“Oh, you shouldn’t have…”
“Think nothing of it. Spend plenty of time with your children before we march. I’m sure nothing will happen, but one can never have too many good memories.”
“Haha. I understand, General. Are you on your way to the Bureau of Military Affairs?”
“No. Now that the urgent matters are settled, I plan to spend time with my family, just like you.”
A look of confusion crossed Bai Yue’s face.
“I thought you knew. A guest has been waiting for you at the entrance of the Bureau of Military Affairs.”
He had no scheduled appointments. For someone to show up exactly on the day he arrived in Chang’an meant they possessed excellent information networks. Although he had a hunch, he asked just in case.
“A guest?”
“Someone from the Beggars’ Sect. He had six knots tied around his waist.”
Even without asking, he knew. It was almost certainly Hu Gui, the Chief Branch Leader. Since becoming Grand General, they had both been too busy with their respective duties to meet. He was eager to go and catch up with his old friend.
“I’ll go meet him. There won’t be any special duties before we set out, so make sure to get plenty of rest.”
“Yes, General. Safe travels.”
The Bureau of Military Affairs, where military officers handled administrative duties, was located on the outskirts of the fortress palace. Arriving there fifteen minutes later, So-mu spotted a beggar loitering near the entrance. He approached, calling out to his close friend.
“The Chief Branch Leader of the Beggars’ Sect must have plenty of free time, staring off into space in front of someone else’s office.”
Hu Gui turned around and rushed over with a broad grin.
“Haha, my friend! I’ve been waiting so long my neck is practically craned out.”
“Have you eaten?”
“You’re buying. Now that you’re the Grand General, your salary must have skyrocketed, right?”
He was the only person in the world who would openly demand a free meal from him.
“Let’s walk. I know a decent place nearby.”
They headed to a quiet food stall not far from the Bureau of Military Affairs. In Shaanxi, people traditionally ate hearty breakfasts and dinners, while lunch was usually just a light snack. Perhaps because of this, the two of them were the only customers at the stall.
They ordered grilled fish and two bowls of noodles. When the noodles, which took less time to cook, were served first, So-mu picked up his chopsticks.
“Go ahead and eat. The noodles here are quite good.”
Before he could even finish his sentence, Hu Gui was already slurping the broth. After drinking his fill, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
“Ah~ truly magnificent! This is the second-best broth I’ve ever tasted.”
“Then what is the first, and which shop does it come from?”
After glancing around, Hu Gui leaned in and whispered solemnly, “The greatest broth under heaven is the broth of the meat noodles made by the innkeeper of Soho Tavern.”
So-mu couldn’t help but chuckle. He recalled how Hu Gui had savored every drop of the meat noodle broth he had prepared for him in the past.
“You’ve only gotten more mischievous as you’ve aged. So, what brings you here today?”
“Do I need a reason to visit? I came today simply because I missed my friend.”
“That’s unusual. Isn’t the Martial Alliance busy preparing to march as well?”
Hu Gui swallowed the noodles in his mouth and continued, “Those above me are probably busier. They’re discussing something far more important than the march.”
Those above Hu Gui would be the elders and leaders of the various sects. So-mu couldn’t help but wonder what was going on.
“I thought all internal issues of the Martial Alliance were resolved after the rescue of the Shaolin Temple?”
Hu Gui checked their surroundings to ensure no one was eavesdropping. Even though he knew So-mu had already erected a qi barrier, the information was sensitive enough to warrant such caution.
“Actually, we were planning to hold a martial arts tournament to groom a supreme master to lead the next generation of the Murim. The plan was to pass down the secret techniques of each sect to a single, most talented rising star.”
“So you want to create a monster. Well, I can understand that. The Murim has weakened significantly, so you have to do something. But what of it?”
“Everyone is anxious. Once this war ends, the influence of the Murim will decline even further, and they are already feeling a threat to their survival.”
The moment he finished speaking, the grilled fish was served. So-mu pushed the plate toward Hu Gui and asked, “Our state of So has officially declared that we will not reject the Murim and will coexist with it, have we not?”
“Well, they’re all sly old foxes full of suspicion. Besides, circumstances can change at any time. At any rate, they decided to wrap up the tournament early, which was originally scheduled for next year.”
“Holding a tournament right before the march?”
Hu Gui picked up a fish, stuffed it into his mouth, and held up a hand as if telling So-mu to wait. When he spat out the bones a moment later, So-mu sighed. It was the Beggars’ Sect’s way of eating; there was no point in criticizing it.
“Actually, the tournament won’t be held. Everyone else surrendered because of a single young rising star.”
“The proud sects surrendered without even fighting? That makes no sense.”
“It’s because a genius who broke through the barrier of Transcendence emerged among the rising stars of the Emei Sect. There was no point in fighting a losing battle and letting their prized disciples get hurt.”
At that moment, So-mu recalled what Abbess Jin Ding, the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect, had once told him.
“I heard there is a nun born under the Heavenly Killing Star. It must be her. Have they managed to suppress her killing intent? If not, passing down the ultimate techniques of each sect to her could bring disaster upon the world.”
“I haven’t seen her myself, but the Emei Sect Leader guaranteed it. She even staked her own life on it, so what choice do we have?”
“If Abbess Jin Ding said so, she must have her reasons. Still, I heard she is quite young. Her talent must be extraordinary.”
“It’s not just her talent; her dedication is unmatched. I heard that during her closed-door training, which lasted nearly a year, she never took a single step out of her cave.”
If Hu Gui’s words were true, Emei would undoubtedly become the pillar of the righteous Murim. However, So-mu had no desire to get involved in Murim affairs, nor did he care.
“As promised, our military has no intention of interfering in Murim affairs, as long as they do not harm the common people. At any rate, is that issue causing trouble for the preparations of this march?”
“Meeting the military’s request for forces won’t be a problem. However, some of the top masters of each sect won’t be able to participate, as they have to pass down their martial arts to the Emei girl and oversee her training.”
“If that’s all, it’s fine. But are you allowed to share such internal information with me?”
Hu Gui laughed heartily and picked up another fish.
“Come now, my friend, don’t be like that. Since when did we have secrets between us?”
A gentle smile appeared on So-mu’s face.
“Eat all you want. You can order more if it’s not enough.”
“Hehe. I never turn down food, that’s for sure.”
The two old friends spent a pleasant time chatting. After finishing their meal, they shared tea and talked for about four hours.
“Belch! That was a feast! Next time you visit our headquarters, I’ll treat you to some Beggars’ Sect food.”
It wasn’t a very appealing offer, considering Beggars’ Sect food would likely be begged scraps.
“How could a Grand General steal food from beggars? Run along now.”
Rubbing his full stomach with a satisfied expression, Hu Gui cheered.
“Haha, just joking. See you later.”
After parting ways, So-mu stopped by the market to buy a few raw chickens, since they had agreed to boil chicken for dinner. At this hour, the mother and daughter would be training on Mount Yangju.
Today, his steps up the mountain felt exceptionally light. As he walked slowly, breathing in the fresh air, he suddenly froze. An incredibly beautiful melody, mesmerizing enough to captivate the soul, drifted from somewhere.
‘Have they finally mastered the duet they yearned for?’
It was surely the True One-Heart Flute Melody, a duet rumored to have been left behind by immortals. It was only possible because So-so, having consumed the Grand Return Pill, was now able to match the breathing required by the score.
Entranced by the music, So-mu stopped using his lightness technique and walked up slowly as if taking a stroll.
Fifteen minutes later, he felt his emotions shifting artificially.
‘What is this?’
Was he not someone who always maintained absolute composure? Yet, a tempest of emotions—yearning, sorrow, joy, and anger—wreaked havoc in his chest. He wondered what effect this duet would have on those with weak internal energy. The trouble was, he couldn’t tell if the influence was positive or negative.
The sight of birds and wild beasts listening in a daze was almost mystical. He even began to feel a sense of dread about the secrets hidden in this duet and what impact it would have on the world once completed.
When he reached his destination a moment later, So-mu was thoroughly shocked.
“…How can this be?”
So-mu rarely showed surprise, but this moment was an exception. He stood mouth agape at the sight of his wife and daughter sitting across from each other in the cottage. They seemed to be in a state of absolute trance, entirely unaware of his arrival.
What drew his attention first was his daughter, who was clutching a tung flute. A brilliant, dazzling golden aura enveloped So-so’s entire body. Having experienced it himself and witnessed it before, he knew exactly what it was. It was the phenomenon that occurred when reaching the Realm of Transcendence.
And the other person—his wife, who was playing the seven-string zither on her lap without pause—was even more shocking. Every pore of her body was spewing black currents that surged upward. So-mu immediately recognized what was happening to his wife. She was completely purging herself of demonic energy and entering a new realm.
“Shedding demonic energy…”