Northern Evolution Chapter Nineteen: New Waves Rise Before the Old Have Subsided

Tanya and Mo Hao traveled back to Yue City on their swords. Mo Hao felt fortunate that Tanya had blocked the two small snakes from Xiao Huan; otherwise, having exhausted his strength after using the Deriving Heart Sword Technique to severely wound Xiao Huan, he would have been left completely defenseless. Upon arriving at the city gates, Mo Hao glanced once more at the characters for "Yue City," finding them increasingly profound.

However, dwelling on such matters was useless now. Mo Hao’s main priority was to bid Qian Yiwen farewell before heading to Tanya’s hometown. He had considered that if Tanya’s identity as a Mystic Thunder Spirit Vessel were exposed, even if she joined the Void Sword Sect, his bloodline restriction might not hold her. For now, keeping her by his side was best; as long as the bloodline restriction remained, she would not speak of it if he forbade her.

Mo Hao first returned the seal from Xiao Huan’s storage bag to the City Lord of Yue City. The Lord was so moved that he insisted on throwing a grand banquet to show his gratitude, but Mo Hao politely declined, maintaining the air of a reclusive master.

Back at the inn, Mo Hao brought Tanya to the Qian residence. The entrance was bustling with activity. When he asked a bystander what was happening, the man replied, "A servant girl from the Qian household injured a subordinate of Han Tianxiu. Things have blown up now! It looks like Han Tianxiu is about to take action against the Qian family! Heh heh, just wait for the show!"

Mo Hao nodded without further inquiry. He suspected this Han Tianxiu was backed by a cultivator, or he wouldn’t be making such a fuss over a mere servant. Regardless, Mo Hao had no desire to interfere in the affairs of the Qian family; past events had truly chilled his heart. Navigating around the residence, he found a back door and used a Flame Technique to break the heavy lock. Leading Tanya inside, he carefully avoided everyone until they reached the most luxurious part of the courtyard, where he found Qian Yiwen. Hearing someone push the door open, Qian Yiwen frowned, wondering if the servants had grown bold.

She slammed her hand on the bed, startling Mo Hao. Having been childhood companions, Mo Hao hadn't thought twice about entering her room. Seeing her reaction, he laughed grumpily, "My lady, your temper has grown quite a bit lately!"

Hearing Mo Hao’s voice, Qian Yiwen turned around in surprise. Her expression froze, however, as she caught sight of Tanya beside him, and her face gradually turned cold. "Who is she?"

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Mo Hao hurriedly explained, "This is Tanya. That... the servant you beat up the other day was hers!" He immediately regretted saying it.

"Did you bring her here to seek revenge?"

"No, no, it’s just that she has to follow me for now. Between her and me, it’s just...!" Mo Hao didn't know why, but he feared this icy look from Qian Yiwen. Even though they had grown up together, every time he angered her, he faced this cold, distant expression.

"Then why are you here? I’m busy! If you have something to say, speak quickly!"

Mo Hao felt helpless. How was he supposed to start? "I came specifically to see you today. I am returning to the sect; my mission is complete, and I must report back."

Qian Yiwen paused. "Ah! You’re leaving already? You’ve only been here for a few days! I haven't even taken you to eat the best delicacies in the city! Why not wait another two days?"

Mo Hao shook his head. Although he still had a few days before he had to report, Tanya wanted to return home, and he was anxious to return to discuss the matters concerning Resentful Beast Mountain with Feng Xing. Just as he was about to refuse, Qian Yiwen’s eyes rolled as she said, "For the sake of our childhood friendship, can you stay two more days? I have an important matter and need your help."

Mo Hao thought for a moment and asked, "This isn't about the commotion at your front gate, is it? And it has something to do with you?"

Qian Yiwen looked down at the floor and nodded slightly. Mo Hao gestured for Tanya to sit, closed the door cautiously, and glared at Qian Yiwen in mock anger. "Tell me, what trouble have you caused this time? And who is this Han Tianxiu?"

"Han Tianxiu is just a spoiled brat. He relies on his grandfather, who is a cultivator in the late stage of Grain Refinement, to run rampant. Today, he came to propose marriage, threatening to raze our Qian residence if I refused. In a fit of anger, I beat his servant, and my father locked me in here."

Mo Hao weighed his options. If the man were only a cultivator in the early stage of Grain Refinement, it might be manageable, but he was a mortal. If he meddled and the sect found out, it would be a disaster. The three great sects and twelve clans strictly forbade disciples from interfering in the affairs of mortals, and even outside disciples were heavily punished for such actions.

However, his brow relaxed. He was overthinking; Qian Yiwen must have a plan. "Tell me, what is your solution? You asked for my help, so you must have a plan in mind!"

Qian Yiwen and Mo Hao shared a smile. Tanya, sitting to the side, understood why they were laughing and forced a faint smile of her own.

"How about this, Little Rat? Play the part of my childhood fiancé. You’re a mid-stage Grain Refinement cultivator and a disciple of the Void Sword Sect; even the Han family will have to give you some face, right? Just for today."

Mo Hao considered this. "That won't work. I have to leave. If Han Tianxiu comes back to harass you, what will you do? You know we sect disciples cannot enter and leave the sect as we please!"

"I know. I just want to scare them off for now. Afterward, I will go to our Qian family’s Foundation Establishment ancestor and ask her to uphold justice for me!"

Mo Hao could only nod helplessly. One wave of trouble had yet to settle, and another was rising. Qian Yiwen pulled him out of the room, leaving Tanya to wait inside. At the front gate, Qian Yiwen shouted loudly, "Han Tianxiu, you stinky bug, get out here!"

Mo Hao rolled his eyes—this girl really knew how to stir up trouble. Soon, a young man in a green robe holding a folding fan approached, glaring at Qian Yiwen. "If you had agreed today, that would have been the end of it. But if not, we shall see! And who is this boy beside you? Why are you being so intimate?"

Seeing Qian Yiwen holding onto Mo Hao, Han Tianxiu was furious. Mo Hao didn't speak but released his mid-stage Grain Refinement aura. Han Tianxiu dropped to his knees instantly; mortals could never resist the power of a cultivator. Seeing his chance, Qian Yiwen tapped Mo Hao, who then retracted his pressure.

"This is my childhood fiancé, and he is a disciple of the Void Sword Sect! Don't let me see you again, or I’ll make sure you walk with a limp just like your servant! Hmph!"

Watching Qian Yiwen act so bold under his protection, Mo Hao wanted to laugh, but he held it back in front of the crowd. He felt a hint of irritation; mortals were becoming so arrogant, relying on the cultivators behind them to look down on others.

Knowing he was outmatched, Han Tianxiu grumbled and fled in his carriage.

On a remote path outside Yue City, surrounded by lush grass and flowers, walked a boy and a girl—Mo Hao and Tanya. After helping Qian Yiwen, they had slipped away. Seeing Tanya’s eagerness to return home, Mo Hao thought of his own family and sighed. It had been quite a while; he needed to find a chance to visit his small village. If he could eventually enter the outer sect and gain the sect's protection, his family could live without worry.

Mo Hao’s thoughts drifted back to how much further they had to travel. As they flew on their swords, Tanya was captivated by the scenery, her eyes sparkling as if she had discovered a priceless treasure. She whispered to Mo Hao, "Mo Hao, look, the scenery here is so beautiful. Shall we stop for a moment to enjoy it?" Mo Hao felt helpless—could beautiful scenery really count as a reason to rest?

Seeing her expectant look, his resolve wavered. He sighed softly and nodded. "Very well, we shall stop for a moment."

In truth, Tanya did not know exactly where her home was. Women in her clan were forbidden from leaving the village before marriage, and the clan placed extreme importance on bloodlines; anyone who married an outsider was considered wed out, and their children were not of the clan name. Watching Tanya skipping ahead, Mo Hao couldn't help but ask, "Tanya, are you sure your hometown is in this direction?"

Tanya had become more lively and playful than she had been in Yue City, yet she still held a deep fear of Mo Hao. She spoke to him cautiously, especially after witnessing him ambush Xiao Huan; that sword strike, simple yet lethal, had left a deep impression on her.

"My great-grandfather told me that our clan carries the bloodline of the Heaven-Gazing Bird. Although we are only ordinary mortals, whether mortal or cultivator, once we leave home, we can sense the direction of our ancestral hall! It’s just that the aura of the hall feels very weak; I fear no one has offered sacrifices in a long time." A glimmer of tears appeared in her eyes as she spoke.

"Oh? Is that so?" Mo Hao was stunned, but the world was full of wonders. He patted her shoulder, comforting her, and they continued their flight. Before long, they arrived at a large mountain covered in dense vegetation. Tanya rushed ahead on her sword, and Mo Hao followed closely.

Tanya led him to the middle of the mountain, where a cave was visible, with a hanging ladder beside it. Behind the cave lay a dense waterfall, and behind the waterfall was a peaceful little mountain village—a true hidden paradise. However, there was no sound other than the waterfall; it was deathly silent. They rushed into the village, only to find it in ruins, with many houses burned to the ground.

Entering a dilapidated house, they found a courtyard littered with bricks and tiles. In one room, split in half by force, lay two skeletons, reaching out as if trying to grab something. Seeing this, Tanya burst into tears. Mo Hao, though unaccustomed to such things, felt a pang of sorrow for the young girl forced to endure such tragedy.

He didn't offer empty words of comfort, instead helping Tanya bury her kin. Tanya knelt by the graves, motionless. Mo Hao kept watch nearby, closing his eyes to practice the Clear Origin Technique. A day and night passed. When Mo Hao opened his eyes, he saw Tanya standing beside him. Upon seeing him awake, she said, "I still want to visit the ancestral hall. After that, we shall return to the Void Sword Sect."

Mo Hao nodded. The ancestral hall had not been burned like the other houses; though neglected, it still stood. Inside were two more skeletons of elders. Tanya gently covered them with cloth and knelt on a prayer mat before the spirit tablets, bowing three times heavily. Mo Hao heard the "thud, thud, thud" and saw blood blooming on Tanya’s white forehead, dripping onto the mat.

Mo Hao found it strange that the hall had been spared. Just as they were about to leave, the mat emitted a light that enveloped Tanya. Terrified, she reached out for Mo Hao, who immediately struck the barrier with his Gold Sword. The blade was repelled instantly, and Mo Hao felt his inner energy surge, damaging his meridians; he coughed up blood.

He hurriedly swallowed a pill and observed the barrier. Tanya sat motionless on the mat, her face turning crimson, but the barrier did not attack. Above her crown, a light red image began to appear, becoming clearer by the moment.

It looked like a bird—vividly red as fresh blood—but it had four legs, each crackling with sparks of lightning. Mo Hao squinted. Could this be the Heaven-Gazing Bird Tanya had mentioned? Even behind the barrier, he could feel Tanya’s aura growing. As he watched in fascination, he suddenly felt a heart-wrenching pain.

*Puff!*

Mo Hao coughed up more blood. The Heaven-Gazing Bird image lifted its head and seemed to look directly at him. Mo Hao felt the bloodline restriction he had placed on Tanya shatter instantly, his internal energy in turmoil. He deployed his Five Elements defensive artifact, but the bird looked at him once more, then seemed to sense something else and turned its gaze away.

An hour later, Tanya awoke and looked at Mo Hao. He was tense; this injury was not like the exhaustion from the Deriving Heart Sword Technique—his heart meridians had been backlashed. The bird had broken his restriction, yet it had shown mercy. He felt intense chest pain, but fortunately, his Dantian remained unharmed.

In that short hour, Tanya’s cultivation had surged to the mid-stage of Grain Refinement. Mo Hao, suffering from the pain, lost consciousness. After checking on Mo Hao, Tanya left, disappearing into the unknown.