Main Text, Volume Two, Chapter Eighty-Nine: The Mysterious Woman

A Soul-Returning Fruit? Neither of them had ever heard the name before.

Ye Yu explained, "It is one of the chief herbs used to treat amnesia. Extremely rare."

Amnesia? The two of them were startled.

Ye Yu seemed unwilling to dwell on the subject and changed the topic. "That peak is indeed the Silver Eagle's nest. Also..." Her expression darkened.

"Also what?" they asked quickly.

"Also, I found a corpse in the nest wearing the vestments of the Holy Sun Church."

"What? Could Sister Naye already have been killed?"

Ye Yu nodded lightly. "I'm afraid it was her."

"This..." Yu Mu thought for a moment. "Shouldn't we go tell Naga? We wouldn't want her searching everywhere in vain."

"I don't think that's necessary," Ye Yu said. "By now, Naga is probably long gone from the Ghost Cave. We could hardly find her in time. Besides, she should already have joined up with the others sent to rescue her. That eagle's nest is so conspicuous, and it's only a few days' journey from the Ghost Cave. They are sure to find this place."

After considering it carefully, Yu Mu also felt her reasoning was sound, and so he did not press the matter.

"Big Sister Yu, how did you end up in such a sorry state?" Yan Xiaosan asked curiously.

Only then did Ye Yu remember how blackened and disheveled she looked. She hurriedly pulled out a silk handkerchief and wiped at her soot-stained face, grumbling through clenched teeth, "There is still a fledgling in that nest."

The two of them then understood why she had become such a mess. If a mere fledgling could force her back, then this eagle species was clearly formidable.

Perhaps the Silver Eagle shared some mystical bond with the chick; otherwise, why would it have returned so early? Now that it had been startled, they would likely never get another chance to sneak up to that peak.

Fine treasures are worthless if one has no life to carry them away. Once they understood this, both Yu Mu and Yan Xiaosan looked disappointed.

Yan Xiaosan said, "Big Sister Yu, now that the Silver Eagle has been alarmed, it is impossible to obtain the Soul-Returning Fruit. Before it notices us, we should leave this perilous place at once."

Ye Yu wore a worried expression, yet her voice was firm. "I have searched for this medicine for many years, and I will never leave like this. Even if there is only the slightest chance, I must seize it. How about this: you two leave first, and after I obtain the medicine, I will come and meet you."

The two of them would not agree to that for a moment. Yu Mu advised, "Ye Yu, when something cannot be done, forcing it is unwise. Why not leave first, then go to Bird-Eagle City to find some help, and return for the medicine? What do you think?"

Ye Yu shook her head slightly. "The medicine will ripen in these next two days. By then the Silver Eagle will surely eat it first, and I absolutely cannot allow that."

"This..." Yu Mu pondered for a moment but could think of no good plan, so he could only say, "All right then. I am willing to stay with you and look for an opportunity to take the medicine."

"I'll stay too," Yan Xiaosan said without hesitation.

"Thank you." Tears welled in Ye Yu's eyes.

This attempt to seize the medicine was like taking chestnuts from the fire, fraught with danger.

The three of them had not known one another for even a month, especially Yu Mu, who had nearly died by her hand before. Yet now he was willing to risk his life and remain for her sake. How precious such a bond must be.

For a time, the earth cave fell silent. Then, suddenly, voices came from outside: "Who is hiding below ground? Get out here at once."

A woman's voice.

The three exchanged looks, each showing surprise and uncertainty.

Yu Mu signaled for the others to wait, then was the first to climb out of the cave.

As soon as Yu Mu emerged, he froze. He knew the person outside. She was dressed all in black, her attire much like Ye Yu's, and she was none other than the mysterious woman in black he had encountered twice before.

Ever since he had seen her in the Sacred King's Tomb, he had not seen a trace of her. He had never expected to meet her here.

The woman in black clearly had no memory of him. In a low voice she said, "You are hiding here in secret. What is your purpose? And the other two in the cave, why are you not coming out? Do you think you can hide before me?"

Before Yu Mu could answer, Ye Yu and the others had already stepped out of the cave.

The moment the woman in black saw Ye Yu, she went slightly rigid. After a long while, she stammered, "It's you. How are you here?"

Ye Yu looked puzzled. "Who are you? You know me?"

Hearing this, the woman in black seemed to realize she had said too much and immediately said, "I do not know you. You do not need to know who I am either. What are you doing here?"

Ye Yu hesitated, then stopped herself. The Soul-Returning Fruit was of too great importance to her; she did not dare reveal the truth lightly.

Yu Mu quickly stepped in. "Senior, we were being chased to the point of having nowhere to run by that Silver Eagle, so we took refuge here temporarily."

The woman in black let out a cold laugh. "Nonsense. If the Silver Eagle had truly been hunting you, you would not still be alive. Besides, why would the Silver Eagle chase you for no reason? I am afraid you have set your sights on its treasure, haven't you?"

With a single sentence, the woman in black exposed the thoughts in all three of their hearts, leaving them stunned.

"We really are..." Yan Xiaosan tried to quibble, but the woman in black barked angrily, "Shut your mouth. So young, and already learning to lie. Hmph. Speak honestly at once."

Seeing there was no way to conceal it, Ye Yu had no choice but to explain the matter truthfully.

After listening, the woman in black asked, "What use do you have for that medicine?"

"To refine pills."

"I know you're refining pills. I asked what you need the pills for."

Ye Yu hesitated for a moment, then grit her teeth. "To cure my mother's illness."

Ah!

Yu Mu and Yan Xiaosan were both shocked to hear this. Could it be that Ye Yu's mother suffered from amnesia?

"Is that true?"

"Absolutely true."

"Good. As long as it is not for the Fire-Toxin Dao, I will help you obtain the medicine."

"What!?" The three of them were all astonished. None could understand why she would say such a thing. They were strangers to one another, and yet she was willing to help them seize the medicine.

Ye Yu was even more baffled. From the sound of it, this woman bore some grievance against the Fire-Toxin Dao, yet was willing to help her. What on earth was going on?

Having made up her mind, the woman in black wasted no more words. "I will hold off the Silver Eagle. You go and take the medicine. But do not even think about the fledgling. Otherwise, do not blame me for being merciless."

The three of them immediately agreed.

Beast-spirits could be tamed, and so their offspring were exceptionally valuable. Some gifted beast-spirits were even worth more than spiritual treasures.

That fledgling clearly belonged to such a category, which was why the woman in black issued the warning.

After warning them, the woman in black sprang into the air and went straight for the Silver Eagle. Seeing someone dare challenge it, the Silver Eagle naturally refused to be outdone and rose to meet her in battle.

Though the Silver Eagle was strong, it was still far inferior to the woman in black. She handled it with effortless ease, keeping it firmly pinned beneath her broad sleeves.

The three of them watched this and secretly marveled at her power. Yu Mu could tell at once that her strength was on par with that giant feathered sword.

Ye Yu and Yan Xiaosan each activated their artifacts and flew toward the mountain peak. Yu Mu could only wait where he was. He knew his own limitations; by the time he climbed to the top, the two of them would likely have made several round trips already.

For the first time, Yu Mu truly felt the importance of flight.

Before long, the two returned. This time, it was Yan Xiaosan whose face was blackened all over; clearly he had been the one to keep the fledgling occupied so that Ye Yu could successfully gather the medicine.

In Ye Yu's hand was a transparent crystal vial, and inside it lay a single red fruit. The fruit was only about the size of a longan, and there was only one of it.

Was this the Soul-Returning Fruit?

Yu Mu truly could not see anything remarkable about it.

Once the three were gathered together, the woman in black descended as well. The Silver Eagle still cried out in fury overhead, but it did not dare come down, clearly already afraid of the woman in black.

As soon as she landed, she said, "For some reason, the Silver Eagle's lightning power far exceeds what it ought to possess. Since you have taken its treasure, it will surely seek revenge after I leave. Quickly summon your flying artifacts; I will escort you part of the way."

The three of them hurriedly did as she said.

Seeing that Yu Mu had only barely managed to take off, swaying unsteadily as though he might tumble at any moment, the woman in black snorted coldly, "Clumsier than a pig."

Ye Yu immediately agreed, as though she had found a kindred spirit, and her favor toward the woman in black rose sharply.

For some reason, aside from Ye Yu, the woman in black treated the other two with nothing but coldness and sharp words.

With a flick of her hand, the woman in black summoned a long strip of black gauze. It unfurled to a length of twenty to thirty meters. She gave it a shake, wrapping Yu Mu in the black veil like a rice dumpling, then said to Ye Yu and Yan Xiaosan, "You two hold on to this long veil, and under no circumstances let go."

When she finished speaking, she seized the black veil and sped away.

At that moment, Yu Mu suddenly thought of the scene of a certain Master Tang being carried off by a demoness.

The Silver Eagle was unwilling to let these villains escape so easily, and so it chased after them with all its might. But after flying for a stretch, it stopped pursuing, clearly still concerned about the fledgling in its nest.