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C135. You Are the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens
When the eyes of the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens turned back, the villagers began to bow and fervently rub their hands together.
—"Oh, the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens has arrived!"
—"We beg of you, we beg of you!"
The Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens, with a deeply furrowed brow, slowly rose. Her head shook spasmodically from side to side. Each time this happened, the voices of the villagers grew louder. Finally, the tremors stopped, and everyone held their breath, waiting for her words.
With her eyes fully rolled back, the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens looked at Yeon Jeokha.
—"You’ve grown a lot, my son. The Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens is my representative, so listen to her words."
—"Then, who am I?"
—"You are a descendant of a martial family. I can see a large persimmon tree in the backyard."
—"A persimmon tree? There wasn’t one."
—"It must have been cut down after your birth. It was good that they did so because it allowed you to live. Your mother must have had a difficult childbirth."
—"Oh, she died giving birth to me."
—"But you lived, didn’t you? If the persimmon tree hadn’t been cut down, you would have died too. You have siblings, right?"
—"Yes."
—"You don’t get along with them. I can see they wish for your death."
—"Really?"
Yeon Jeokha scratched his head, feeling uncomfortable. It was understandable, given that his sect was probably in ruins by now.
—"Are you practicing well what I taught you?"
—"Yes, I practice whenever I get the chance. But I have a question. When the Demon Warriors of the Yoomyung Cult die, they turn into monsters. However, the Nine Heavens Supreme Swordsmanship you taught me seems effective against them. Is there a special technique in the sword for subduing monsters?"
—"The Nine Heavens Supreme Swordsmanship is a technique that touches the heavens of the Nine Heavens. Even monsters cannot escape it."
—"Ah! That explains why. Now I understand the meaning of 'Supreme.'"
Yeon Jeokha began to accept the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens. She knew too much about him to be doubted. Naturally, his tone became more respectful.
—"Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens, why did you order Sojin to be killed?"
—"There is an evil spirit within the boy’s body. Last year, it caused his younger brother to drown. If he remains alive, he will cause the deaths of many more. So, although it is sad, he must die to save more people."
—"Must he really die? Is there no other way? You are the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens, after all."
Yeon Jeokha believed in the powers of the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens. She had mystically taught him martial arts, so he had reasons to believe.
—"The underworld has its ways, and this world has its own. To remove an evil spirit in this world, the host must die. Though your compassion is commendable, think of the boy’s family and the village. If the death of one person can save many, then it must be done."
—"......"
Yeon Jeokha looked at Jang Sojin with worried eyes. Although the boy seemed normal, how could he be possessed by an evil spirit? When Jang Sojin's eyes met his, the boy shrugged. After hearing the conversation, he began to think that maybe he did have an evil spirit.
'Maybe it’s better that I die.'
Jang Sojin decided to sacrifice everything for his family and the village. With that decision, he no longer wanted to run. Jang Sojin timidly stepped forward towards the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens.
—"I’ll do as you say. If everyone says so, then I must be wrong. If my death fixes everything, then that’s fine."
The white eyes of the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens turned towards Jang Sojin.
—"How brave. If you sacrifice yourself for others, you will go to a good place after you die."
Tears began to roll down Jang Sojin's cheeks. Thinking of going to the underworld alone, his heart filled with sadness.
The atmosphere became somber. Even the villagers, who had earlier clamored for the boy’s death, were now silent and with gloomy expressions.
—"Ha!"
Suddenly, someone let out a laugh. Yeon Jeokha turned and saw Namgung Yeon covering her mouth with one hand, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
—"Sister?"
Yeon Jeokha looked at her in surprise, and she waved her hand.
—"No, no. It’s nothing. I just found it very amusing."
—"Amusing?"
Yeon Jeokha didn’t understand. How could the sacrifice of a child be amusing?
The Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens spoke coldly.
—"Who are you to act so insolently? If you trust your sword, then…"
Namgung Yeon interrupted her.
—"No, it’s not that, ma’am."
—"I am the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens."
—"Really? But didn’t you just say that the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens had descended into your body? Your eyes are still white."
—"What insolence! Aren’t you going to do anything, my disciple? This woman is insulting me."
The Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens tried to manipulate Yeon Jeokha. But, to him, Namgung Yeon was similar to the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens. Moreover, the Mysterious Woman he saw in the True Classic of the Nine Heavens had Namgung Yeon's face.
Naturally, her words didn’t work on Yeon Jeokha. However, concerned, he gently asked Namgung Yeon.
—"Sister, why are you doing this?"
Namgung Yeon looked at Shim Tong. But even he seemed confused.
Namgung Yeon shook her head slightly.
—"Jeokha."
—"Yes."
Yeon Jeokha looked at her with absolute confidence.
—"The Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens is a fraud."
The Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens screamed indignantly.
—"Lies! That woman has an evil spirit that makes her lie. Disciple, you must understand that I’m trying to protect you!"
Yeon Jeokha ignored her words.
—"A fraud?"
—"I can prove that she is."
—"Really?"
The Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens screamed again.
—"Lies! That woman has an evil spirit! Don’t listen to her!"
Yeon Jeokha became serious.
—"Shut up, ma’am! Stop talking!"
The Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens trembled with anger but didn’t dare speak. Yeon Jeokha looked at her with disgust and turned to Namgung Yeon.
—"How will you prove it?"
—"I’ll need your help."
—"My help?"
—"Yes, she says she’s the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens, right?"
—"Yes."
—"And she taught you the Nine Heavens Supreme Swordsmanship, right?"
The Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens screamed again.
—"Disciple, don’t listen to her! That woman is possessed by an evil spirit that lies!"
—"Shut up! If you speak again, I won’t be merciful!"
Yeon Jeokha raised his voice, and the inn trembled. Frightened, the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens shrank back.
When she calmed down, Namgung Yeon continued.
—"Ask her to show you the Nine Heavens Supreme Swordsmanship. If she can perform even one technique, then she’s real. But I doubt she can."
—"That’s it! Ma’am! Show me the technique you taught me. Just one move will be enough."
The Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens rose with a groan.
Her eyes, which had been white before, returned to normal.
—"Oh! Young master, the Mysterious Woman has returned to the heavens. I can’t maintain possession for long."
Namgung Yeon burst into laughter.
The Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens looked at her with displeasure.
—"What are you laughing at? Didn’t you witness the possession?"
—"Yes, I saw it. I saw how you conned my brother."
—"Lies. You can’t believe in the Mysterious Woman, can you?"
Namgung Yeon turned to Yeon Jeokha.
—"Look, I’m going to do the same thing she did. Except for the part about rolling the eyes because that’s ridiculous."
Yeon Jeokha nodded, excited.
Namgung Yeon looked at the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens.
—"Ma’am, I know all about you. Shall I prove it?"
—"That’s ridiculous…"
Namgung Yeon closed her eyes slightly.
—"You’re from a common family. There was a persimmon tree in the yard."
—"Lies! There never was one."
—"Yes, there was. Your father cut it down after you were born. It was a good decision because it allowed you to survive. Your mother had a difficult childbirth."
The Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens's face twisted.
Namgung Yeon was imitating her words.
—"If your father hadn’t cut down the tree, you would have died."
—"That’s ridiculous!"
Namgung Yeon stared at the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens.
She felt a chill and trembled, feeling that Namgung Yeon could see through her.
—"Ridiculous? You were born and raised in Jiangnan. There was a large river near your house. Do you still think it’s a lie?"
—"Ah!"
The Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens looked at her with surprised eyes. No one knew she was from Jiangnan.
Namgung Yeon looked at the villagers and said.
—"I know who the father of your children is. I even know who you’ve slept with. Do you want me to say?"
The villagers began to murmur.
The Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens wanted to retort, but Namgung Yeon was quicker, pointing to four men behind her.
—"You, you, you, and you. You four have been with her. Want more details?"
The men she pointed at trembled with fear.
The Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens was stunned, staring at Namgung Yeon.
She had lied to deceive people, but Namgung Yeon seemed to know everything.
—"That’s a lie. I truly follow the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens."
But the villagers and Yeon Jeokha were already doubting.
Even Yeon Jeokha gritted his teeth.
—"Sister, how did you know she was lying?"
Namgung Yeon smiled.
—"Brother, she said she was the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens, and you easily believed her. Now, what do you think?"
Yeon Jeokha felt embarrassed, but he was grateful. He knew he still had a lot to learn about the world.
Namgung Yeon realized she needed to look after him more closely.
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