Chapter 192: Strong Enemy

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

Ye Mo searched online for large amounts of information and, after comparing it, narrowed his search to two locations: Yun Du Valley and Shen Nong Jia. He discovered that the chrysanthemum at Shen Nong Jia was more expensive and precious, growing in a location inaccessible to ordinary people, even by helicopter. The drawing Han Yan had made seemed to depict Shen Nong Jia.

Ye Mo decided to go to Shen Nong Jia to find the chrysanthemum, hoping to locate the place Mo Kang and Han Yan had discussed. He avoided tourist groups, knowing the flowers were on a cliff, and headed directly to a sparsely populated area of Shen Nong Jia upon arrival.

The area was vast and dangerous, but easily navigated by Ye Mo. It was only 2600 meters above sea level.

On the third day, Ye Mo found the chrysanthemum on a cliff, but the location differed from Mo Kang's drawing. Both were cliffs, but this one lacked flat ground and a wide summit.

As Ye Mo prepared to investigate another peak, he heard voices from the middle of the cliff. He scanned the area with his spirit sense but detected no one nearby.

Could there be wild people? Ye Mo had studied Shen Nong Jia's geology before his arrival. Aside from some uninhabited and dangerous areas, most of Shen Nong Jia had been developed by the country and was now a tourist destination.

Just as Ye Mo was about to descend, a voice called out, “It’s not here; it looks like it’s at Qie Tuo Peak.”

“Let’s go there then. The faster we get it, the better,” another, sharper voice replied.

Ye Mo heard clearly. Two people were descending the cliff. He finally spotted a rope in a corner, having been too preoccupied with verifying Mo Kang's description to notice it earlier. The two individuals' ability to descend such a steep cliff, even with ropes, indicated considerable skill.

Ye Mo just managed to conceal himself as the two agile men swiftly ascended. Both wore gray clothing. The first man, in his forties, had his hair tied up, resembling an actor from an ancient drama. His companion, similarly aged but with short hair, bore a frightening scar from his ear to his mouth.

Qie Tuo Peak? Ye Mo mused. Were these two searching for the same thing? He watched them gather their things, take a brief rest, and then rush down the cliff, which Ye Mo followed, curious about their objective.

Ye Mo didn't know where Qie Tuo Peak was, relying on the two men to lead the way. After following them for some time, he concluded they were skilled, comparable to Ou Tanhu. Were they from hidden sects?

The long-haired man suddenly stopped, looking back and around before turning to the other man. “Cha San, I feel like someone’s watching us. Do you feel it too?”

The man frowned, replying after a moment, “You’re thinking too much. No one else knows about this but us. Besides, in a place like this, it's normal to feel that way.”

The long-haired man nodded. “Mhm, I probably sensed wrong. We should hurry; I don’t feel safe until we get that thing. Besides, getting out this time was too difficult.”

The two quickly continued their descent.

However, Ye Mo noted that he had nearly been discovered by the long-haired man, even at a slight distance. This man possessed keen awareness.

After about an hour, the two reached another valley and quickly climbed a cliff. Ye Mo followed without hesitation. Reaching the top, he immediately recognized the location he sought—Qie Tuo Peak. Their familiarity with the area suggested it wasn't their first visit.

The summit was a large, flat area. The scent of chrysanthemum was perceptible from afar. However, Ye Mo's spirit sense detected a man in his thirties already present. He was fair-skinned, with short hair and an ethereal presence. A long sword was strapped to his back.

“No wonder I felt I was being followed; it was you, Bian Po,” the long-haired man sneered.

Bian Po, clearly surprised by their arrival, sneered back. “It seems your luck is bad. You found out about this and met me.” He shook his head.

Ye Mo frowned. He felt no apprehension toward the long-haired man and Cha San, but Bian Po exuded an unfathomable aura. He even sensed Bian Po glancing towards his hiding place. If true, Bian Po was terrifying, regardless of whether they sought the same object.

“Bian Po, our power is roughly equal. While you could defeat either of us individually, together we’re a match for you. How about we cooperate and split it three ways?” Cha San proposed.

“Three ways? Hmph, you overestimate yourselves. Try my fist first.” Bian Po stepped forward, launching a fist.

Cha San met his attack, eager to prove his courage.

With a clash, Cha San staggered back several steps, the long-haired man catching him. Blood trickled from his mouth. A single blow had injured him.

“You broke through,” Cha San gasped, staring at the unmoved Bian Po. He hadn't anticipated Bian Po's advancement to the next level. The number of Earth-level cultivators in the hidden sects was small. Bian Po's youth and attainment of Earth level were astonishing.

“Brother Bian, we concede. The item is yours. Let’s go, Cha San,” the long-haired man saluted with a fist, preparing to pull Cha San down the cliff.

Bian Po sneered, drawing his sword and caressing it. “You know the Red Leaf Pumpkin Fruit is here. Do you think you can still leave?”

“What do you want?” The long-haired man released Cha San and drew a small axe. Cha San knew that failure meant death, and he gripped the short dagger at his waist.

“What do I want? Your lives, of course.” Bian Po seemed to leap, his sword slicing toward the two. A gust of blade light enveloped them.

Even Ye Mo, several meters away, felt a chilling effect. The sword technique was masterful.

Cha San roared, focusing all his energy into his dagger, sweeping it toward the blade light. His force appeared slightly stronger than Bian Po's.

However, Ye Mo's spirit sense detected trembling in his legs. Ye Mo sighed. Even without fear, he couldn’t stop Bian Po’s sword, especially given Cha San’s pre-existing fear and injury.

The sword’s momentum indicated Ye Mo was no match for Bian Po.

The long-haired man suddenly threw his axe and fled, abandoning Cha San.

Ye Mo sighed. Working together, they might have lasted a few rounds against Bian Po. The long-haired man’s escape sealed their defeat.

Cha San, already terrified, seeing his companion’s flight, faltered. His attack faltered.

Bian Po sneered; his blade light descended, piercing Cha San’s waist. The blade light then reversed, striking the long-haired man’s axe.

Clank. The axe flew back, piercing the long-haired man’s back with seeming precision.

The long-haired man howled, falling to the ground as the axe handle trembled in his back.

At that moment, Cha San fell apart, dead.

Bian Po sheathed his sword, seemingly spotless. He turned toward Ye Mo's hiding place, blandly stating, “Shall I invite you out?”