Chapter Thirty-Three: The Martial Soul of Melody

Shi Yan and Di Yalan entered the tree hollow once more.

“What happened?” Mu Yudie, anxious inside the hollow, asked in surprise, “There was a rumbling sound just now—was it a demon beast passing by?”

Shi Yan sat down inside, silently sensing the energy filling his meridians, and didn’t answer.

Most of the essence from those five warriors had dissipated; he had only absorbed a small portion. Yet, since one among them was a master at the Human Rank, even that small influx was quite considerable.

Still, Shi Yan was uneasy, uncertain when the negative forces he’d taken in would erupt, so he remained cautious.

Seeing he didn’t intend to speak, Di Yalan explained the events that had just occurred.

After hearing her explanation, Mu Yudie’s face turned somber. Worry filled her features. These were already dangerous times, and now demon beasts were causing havoc; she felt their prospects growing ever more bleak.

Dawn was breaking, and the sun slowly rose. None of the three went back to sleep; instead, they conversed quietly in the hollow.

Because Luo Hao and the others had been present before, Shi Yan hadn’t had much opportunity to speak with the two women, nor did he know much about their circumstances. Now that Luo Hao and his companions were dead, Shi Yan felt it was important to understand them better, lest he be caught off guard in the future.

“Why does the Dark Nether organization want to capture you?” Shi Yan asked, brows furrowed, his tone low. “Are you both from the Empire of Blazing Fire?”

Mu Yudie nodded, sighing softly. “It’s all because of me…”

“What’s the story?” Shi Yan had long sensed Mu Yudie was unusual. Since she was willing to explain, he naturally wanted to understand in detail.

“Sister Lan, you tell him,” Mu Yudie glanced at Di Yalan, sighing again.

“You really don’t know Yudie’s background?” Di Yalan looked at him in surprise, a strange expression on her face. “Even if you’re from the Merchant Alliance, you must have heard of General Mu Ku of the Empire of Blazing Fire, haven’t you?”

“Mu Ku? The commander of the Empire’s Soaring Eagle Legion? The Iron-Blooded Eagle King?”

Shi Yan was startled, stunned for a moment before nodding gravely. “So she’s the granddaughter of the Iron-Blooded Eagle King. I see.”

Memories of Mu Ku, the Iron-Blooded Eagle King, gradually surfaced in Shi Yan’s mind. In an alternate self’s recollections, Mu Ku was the commander of the Soaring Eagle Legion, a master of the Nirvana Realm, a figure of real power in the Empire of Blazing Fire.

His reputation was not limited to his own country; even in the Merchant Alliance and the Empire of Divine Grace, the Iron-Blooded Eagle King was a name that inspired awe.

Mu Ku was a genius on the battlefield. In the many skirmishes between the Empire of Blazing Fire and the Empire of Divine Grace, his presence was always felt. Cold and ruthless, he was famed for merciless slaughter, his hands stained with blood.

Mu Ku was cold and unyielding, making many enemies even within his own empire.

Three years ago, during a clash between the Empire of Blazing Fire and the Empire of Divine Grace, Mu Ku was beset by five Nirvana Realm warriors and killed.

Because Mu Ku had offended so many, his death spelled disaster for his clan. In just a few days, many of his direct relatives were executed, and the once-mighty Mu family fell overnight.

“I’ve heard the tales of the Iron-Blooded Eagle King.” Shi Yan nodded after a while.

“Yudie is the Eagle King’s granddaughter, and now the sole survivor of the Mu family. The Dark Nether is an assassin organization of the empire, and they were directly involved in the massacre. The only reason Yudie is still alive is because, on the day of the tragedy, her Martial Spirit unleashed its full power. Her Martial Spirit is linked to music—her zither playing can kill without a trace…”

“You mean, Miss Mu’s Martial Spirit can kill through music?”

“Yes. Not only can her music calm someone’s inner demons, but it can also shatter a person’s organs. The reason Dark Nether wants to capture her is that their Lord of the Nether is training in an evil martial art that causes frequent fits of madness. Fearing death by Qi deviation, he wants to use Yudie’s music to stabilize his mind.”

“I see,” Shi Yan nodded.

Dark Nether had directly participated in the Mu family’s extermination. Mu Yudie wished nothing more than their total destruction. Now that their leader wanted to use her to cultivate a dark martial art, she’d sooner die than comply.

But Dark Nether’s influence in the Empire of Blazing Fire was immense. With no other choice, she had fled to another country for refuge.

Having learned Mu Yudie’s background, Shi Yan asked, “Why can’t Miss Mu use her Martial Spirit now?”

“Yudie’s Martial Spirit is unique. Each time she unleashes its full power, several of her meridians snap, like zither strings breaking. Before they heal, her energy cannot flow smoothly. If she forces it, she’ll be gravely injured, and her recovery will only slow further,” Di Yalan explained, her tone dim.

“Two months ago, as we were about to cross the empire’s border into the Dark Forest, Dark Nether caught up with us. We lost several companions, and Uncle Luo could hold on no longer. Yudie had no choice but to use her Martial Spirit. Though she killed many of the enemy, her own meridians shattered; they still haven’t healed.”

“Your Martial Spirit requires the support of your meridians to function?” Shi Yan was surprised. “Are you plucking zither strings or your own meridians?”

“I can’t explain it either,” Mu Yudie replied dispiritedly, her face pale.

“Damage to the Martial Spirit…” Shi Yan mused for a moment, then suddenly said, “Perhaps I can help.”

Mu Yudie and Di Yalan’s eyes shone as they stared at him.

“Cough…” Shi Yan had spoken without thinking, and their sudden attention made him a little awkward. “Well, didn’t Sister Lan just awaken her Martial Spirit? The medicinal energy within me might help restore yours. I was thinking…”

“Don’t even think about it!” Mu Yudie snapped fiercely, glaring at him. “Don’t you dare try any of your filthy tricks on me!”

She’d seen clearly how Di Yalan had awakened her Martial Spirit. The thought of surrendering her own body was something she would never accept.

“I was only making conversation. Don’t take it seriously.” Shi Yan replied coolly. Glancing at the entrance of the hollow, he said, “It’s nearly noon. I haven’t heard the demon beasts since. Let’s get moving.”

“Alright,” Di Yalan replied with a gentle smile.

…

The three emerged from the hollow and continued deeper into the Dark Forest, Di Yalan carrying Mu Yudie on her back.

After a night of hunting, the demon beasts seemed to be resting. They encountered no high-level creatures along the way, but the occasional fresh human corpse reminded them of the previous night’s savagery.

As evening fell, the essence within Shi Yan’s meridians began to purify more quickly, and the negative forces started to resurge, bringing with them a violent urge he could hardly contain.

He knew that Mu Yudie’s music could soothe his inner turmoil, but in the silent forest, such sound would risk attracting demon beasts or Dark Nether’s assassins.

Recalling his previous experience with Di Yalan, Shi Yan hesitated only briefly. His gaze lingered over her alluring form, and he made up his mind.

…

Night descended.

In a concealed valley, Mu Yudie curled up within the dense branches of an ancient tree, her cheeks flushed, gritting her teeth as she glared at a patch of shrubs ten meters away.

From those shrubs came the sound of shaking leaves and muffled, intermittent moans.

“Shameless pair!” Mu Yudie cursed under her breath, biting her lip.

After a long, drawn-out moan, the shrubs finally quieted.

A few minutes later, Shi Yan and Di Yalan emerged, their clothes disheveled.

Shi Yan’s stride was steady, his expression calm, as if nothing had happened. Di Yalan’s hair was tangled with bits of grass, her skin tinged with a rosy glow, eyes shimmering with a hint of spring, and a smile at her lips.

“Miss Mu, not resting yet?” Shi Yan asked casually when they drew near and found her gazing at him with contempt.

“Hmph!” Mu Yudie scowled, spitting, “Shameless!”

“Oh?” Shi Yan chuckled indifferently. “For all we know, we might not live to see tomorrow’s sun. Why bother with such concerns? Why not enjoy what happiness we can?”

“Indeed. Tomorrow, we may be three corpses. I’m not worried about propriety anymore,” Di Yalan answered with composure, only slightly embarrassed.

Their words left Mu Yudie momentarily speechless. Remembering their dire situation, she found herself unable to retort.

“Sister Lan, focus on cultivating. Perhaps you’ll make another breakthrough,” Shi Yan said meaningfully.

“Yes, I understand.” Di Yalan’s eyes brightened, and she smiled sweetly. “You really are full of surprises…”

With that, she climbed into the ancient tree beside Mu Yudie, found a leafy branch, and began to meditate, ignoring Mu Yudie’s puzzled look.

Shi Yan stayed below, sitting cross-legged at the tree’s base.

Thanks to his passionate union with Di Yalan, all the negative emotions seeping from his meridians had been thoroughly vented. The strange power that remained surged into his body, nourishing his Martial Spirit.

Only a small portion, carried by his essence, entered Di Yalan, allowing her to share the benefit with him.

Eyes closed, Shi Yan felt the extraordinary power transforming his flesh and blood. He began circulating his energy through the Great Celestial Cycle.

An hour later, Shi Yan sensed that the strange energy had completely merged into his flesh. He quietly activated his Petrification Martial Spirit.

At his will, the exposed skin of his arm began to harden, gradually taking on a dark brown hue.

Dark brown?

Shi Yan’s eyes flew open, shining like stars. He stared at his arm in disbelief.

Dark brown—it truly was dark brown!

Excitement surged within him, nearly making him want to laugh to the heavens. At that moment, he truly understood the miraculous effect this strange energy had upon his Martial Spirit.

…