After President Kim finished the story, Xiao Mo thought momentarily and spoke.
"Based on what I've read, fifty years is a long time for the Devil Heart Sutra to be used on someone. The first-generation Cult Leader must have realized he was creating the Divine Orchid Melody, so she suppressed the effects of the Devil Heart Sutra. Only after he finished did she kill him and steal his creation."
President Kim nodded in agreement with Xiao Mo, her expression growing complex. Meanwhile, some of the girls were wiping tears from their eyes.
The fact that the original Divine Orchid Melody could be combined with the Devil Heart Sutra made it obvious this lovesick fool was creating it for his unrequited love.
Xiao Mo glanced at the mural of the blooming orchid tree and wondered how different this Divine Art was from the one used by the first-generation Cult Leader. At the very least he shouldn't have to worry about accidentally affecting someone with a heart demon, right?
"Is this the valley he died in? What was his name?"
Xiao Mo asked, and President Kim nodded but then shook her head.
"This is the valley, but I don't know his name; no one does. The first-generation Cult Leader erased his record from the Cult."
Xiao Mo was stunned when he heard that, but he soon shook his head and said.
"This woman was incredibly heartless. But how did you learn of this story if she went out of her way to erase his existence?"
President Kim thought for a moment then said with a smile.
"The story isn't all sad. It turns out that while the first-generation Cult Leader had planted a Heart Demon inside his heart, he had done so to her as well through the original Divine Orchid Melody. Anyone who master and plays the Divine Orchid Melody will have their deepest emotions imprinted onto the Technique itself. The Intent felt from this mural is the remnants left behind by the senior while creating the Technique. Neither the first-generation Cult Leader nor the passage of time could make it dissipate. The origin of the Divine Orchid Melody and this story was discovered when the second-generation Cult Leader found this place and tried playing the Divine Orchid Melody after comprehending it. At that time, the second-generation Cult Leader not only felt the senior's emotions, but she also saw the memories attached to those emotions."
Xiao Mo paused when he heard that. Only after a moment did he ask.
"When you say that one's emotions will be imprinted on the Technique, does that mean the Technique is liken to a string of emotions where each person who cultivates it will contribute to it?"
President Kim nodded and replied, "That's correct. It's quite a mystical concept, which is why it has been speculated that this senior's comprehension exceeds the Heaven Grade, reaching a Transcendental level. However, in the history of our Cult, aside from the senior who created it and our first-generation Cult leader, only two people have truly understood its essence and were able to leave their emotions within the Technique."
President Kim then looked at Xiao Mo with a curious expression before adding.
"Young Master Xiao Mo, to be honest, you've already convinced me of your sincere intentions. Therefore, you can join the Red Orchid Garden with a different test. However, if you're still interested in learning the Divine Orchid Melody, you are free to pursue that as you wish."
Xiao Mo glanced at the mural and then hesitated. He had a certain level of confidence in his comprehension—but to leave his deepest emotions inside this Technique? What were those buried emotions for him to leave them for others to potentially see?
Xiao Mo turned to President Kim and asked.
"Who are the others that have left their emotions behind?"
President Kim smiled as she responded.
"The two individuals who have mastered this Technique and imprinted their emotions onto it are the Young Miss and Young Master Bai Luo. Even though our second-generation Cult Leader received the senior's inheritance from this Mural she was unable to fully master it."
"Bai Luo?"
Xiao Mo's heart immediately stirred, and he hurriedly looked back at the mural having made up his mind.
….
…
..
"Big Sis, why don't we visit Big Sis Kim at the Red Orchid Garden?"
Seated around the table were Bai Luo, Bae-min, and Ho-yun.
After taking a sip of the tea in his hand, Bai Luo set the cup back on the table and said, "I think I will head back to my courtyard to rest."
"No! Please, Big Sis, the others have already left. Can't you stay with me a little longer? Why are you in such a hurry to go back? Don't tell me you plan on meeting that worthless boy again. Are you really considering marrying him?"
Bae-min began to whine and tug at Bai Luo's sleeve.
Bai Luo's eyebrows twitched behind his veil, and he instantly felt a headache coming on. He now remembered why he always avoided visiting his sister's courtyard whenever this girl was around.
"I'll accompany you for a little while longer, but after we visit the Red Orchid Garden, I really need to head back to rest."
Bai Luo finally gave in after enduring Bae-min's relentless nagging.
Ho-yun, sitting off to the side, had his heart skip a beat when he heard that. With a forced smile, he got up and spoke.
"I-I don't think I'll be able to go with you, my token was confiscated by Elder Sister Kim."
Bae-min turned to him and said with a huff.
"You're coming with us! I'm sure that if we ask Big Sis Kim for a token, she'll give you one."
Ho-yun grimaced and replied, "Why do I have to go? I should be focusing on my cultivation, not messing around with you."
He turned to walk away, but Bae-min suddenly called out, "It's fine; you can leave if you want. I'll just tell father-in-law that you want to cancel our marriage."
Ho-yun's steps froze, and his face turned ashen as he glared at Bae-min. He then spoke through gritted teeth.
"Fine, I'll follow you. Just stop threatening to lie to Father to get me in trouble. If one day you make him angry you might have to marry Big Brother instead because I'll be six feet under."
Bae-min instantly crinkled her nose in disapproval at Ho-yun's mention of marrying Sung-il.
"That guy is just as bad as that Third Young Master. I bet he left to sneak into someone's room again; he's so shameless... *Huff*"
Soon, Bai Luo, Bae-min, and Ho-yun left the Tea Garden and took a carriage to the Red Orchid Garden.