Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 176
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C176. If I Cook Porridge, I Must Eat It
However, Taiyi never asked Yeon Jeokha if he would consider selling his sword.
For a swordsman, the sword is almost an extension of their being. To ask such a question would be an insult, unless the person was leaving the Murim.
“Big brother, what are you looking at?”
Taimu, who noticed Taiyi staring off to the side, asked curiously.
“Nothing, I was just wondering which sect the Young Master Yeon’s sword could belong to.”
“He said it belonged to the Yeon Family.”
“Yes, I know. I was just thinking about which sect that Yeon Family might be affiliated with.”
“Big brother, the connection to a treasure is something determined by heaven. Don’t worry too much about it.”
“Ugh! I’m not worried. I’m just curious about its history.”
Tairyong, who had been listening, changed the subject.
“But why does it feel like there’s a celestial energy around the Young Master Yeon if he’s from Nokrim?”
“It could be that his master comes from Taoism. Nokrim is a place where people from all walks of life gather.”
At Taimu’s explanation, Tairyong frowned. It was hard for him to believe that someone with such deep Taoist skills could be in Nokrim. But, without any other clues, he stopped speaking.
Later, the Three Immortals of Kunlun discussed the Yoomyung Cult and the Justice Alliance before retiring to their rooms.
The next morning, the three of them woke up early, went down to the dining hall, and finished their breakfast. However, even by then, Yeon Jeokha had not appeared. Unable to say their farewells, the three left the Muha Inn.
Yeon Jeokha and Old Shim came down to the dining hall past midnight. With puffy eyes from sleeping too much, they sat down and stared out the window without doing anything for a while.
After a moment, Yeon Jeokha yawned loudly.
“Aaahhh! It’s definitely a good idea to own an inn. You can sleep in late, and no one says anything if you go out to eat whenever you want.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying. In the end, life boils down to having a good place to sleep and eat. People chase after useless dreams all their lives without realizing this.”
“Exactly. Everything we do is to survive. I’m lucky to have someone like you by my side, Old Shim. Others always talk about saving the world… they’re just spouting nonsense.”
“All that is useless. We must survive first. What’s the point of saving others if you’re dead? Cooking porridge to give it to someone else is foolish.”
“Exactly! If I cook porridge, I must eat it myself. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s why I suggested buying an inn. We should live comfortably and contentedly.”
“Yes! With a full and warm belly. That’s exactly what I want.”
They both agreed and continued talking passionately about inns and taverns.
Henan Province.
Jeongju, also known as Zhengzhou.
Daeyeon Chamber of Commerce.
August.
Under the scorching heat, a man and a woman walked through the main gate of the Daeyeon Chamber of Commerce. They were Namgung Cheon, the Blue Cloud Swordsman, and Namgung Yeon, the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower. They headed straight for the building used by the Namgung Family.
“What? Did you receive news about my father? Where is he now?”
Namgung Cheon looked surprised at Namgung Jin, the Evil-Punishing Swordsman, Chief of the Blue Sky Squadron.
“Your uncle is on Mount Wudang. After suffering severe injuries, it seems he’s been recovering there.”
“How severe are his injuries?”
“At first, he could barely move, but now it seems he has almost fully recovered. Anyway, it’s good that you’ve come. We were about to notify you.”
“I’ll go to Mount Wudang immediately.”
“Yes, we’ve all been waiting for you to return.”
Namgung Jin’s face lit up. Knowing that the Sword Emperor, Namgung Byeok, was well meant that revenge and the restoration of the Namgung Family were near.
Jeongju, also known as Zhengzhou.
Headquarters of the Justice Alliance in Zhengzhou.
With the return of Seol Chasu, Yoo Geunsik, and Jin Seolha, the Zhengzhou headquarters was buzzing with excitement. They had returned after eight long months of an important mission.
Branch Leader Ma Cheondeok, the Rain Swordsman, looked at the report with a puzzled expression.
“I’m not seeing things, am I?”
Seol Chasu, Yoo Geunsik, and Jin Seolha smiled resignedly. It was the reaction they had expected.
Seol Chasu, the eldest of the three, spoke on their behalf.
“It’s hard to believe, but it’s the truth. We’ve only recorded what we saw in these eight months.”
“I trust you, but others at the main headquarters might not. This… is too, let’s say, incredible.”
“We know.”
“You know and still wrote this? That the Demon Warriors transform into demons when they die? That their skills are too much for even an extreme-level master? And that Yeon Jeokha killed them and they turned to dust? This is madness. You should have written it more realistically.”
Jin Seolha chimed in.
“Sir, this is the minimum of what we wrote. Have you ever seen a three-meter-tall monster? Or one that breathes fire? There was even one with the body of a snake and large wings.”
“This is madness.”
Ma Cheondeok grabbed his head with both hands. He had sent them on a special mission from the Alliance Leader, and this was what they brought back.
After a long while, Ma Cheondeok lifted his head.
“Huff… Fine. I’ll send this to the leader. They’re smart people and will know what to do. By the way, how is the Grand Inspector of Nokrim? Is he as ruthless as the rumors say?”
Seol Chasu, Yoo Geunsik, and Jin Seolha blinked, confused.
“Ruthless? What do you mean by that?”
Seol Chasu didn’t understand. He could accept that the man was lazy or greedy, but ruthless didn’t fit.
“Didn’t you know? According to rumors, under his orders, the Three Families fell. Even the Baek Family of his mother, Baek Miju, and the Yeon Family of Waryong Manor, were annihilated. It’s said that anyone who offends him doesn’t survive.”
“The fall of the three was due to their own obstinance. Baek Miju and the Yeon Family of Waryong Manor locked Yeon Jeokha in a warehouse for ten years to kill him. If they had apologized, he would have forgiven them.”
“Then why did the Baek and Yang Families fall too?”
“Because they supported Waryong Manor to the end, so Yeon Jeokha was enraged.”
“Seol Chasu, are you defending Nokrim after spending time with them? Remember, the Three Families were part of our Justice Alliance. Don’t talk like this outside, you’ll only get yourself into trouble.”
Seol Chasu didn’t back down.
“Whatever they say, he is not a ruthless person.”
“Alright. And what about you two? Do you agree with Seol Chasu?”
Jin Seolha, with a displeased expression, spoke up.
“Sir, he is an innocent person. If you don’t provoke him, he’ll live peacefully.”
“I agree with Seol Chasu and Jin Seolha.”
With Yoo Geunsik supporting the other two, Ma Cheondeok frowned. He didn’t understand why they were defending someone who was an enemy of the Alliance.
‘Fools…’
They were young and idealistic, not understanding the complexities of the world. The Justice Alliance and Nokrim were enemies; there was no reason to defend him.
“Listen. I’m saying this because I care about you. Sometimes, you need to go with the flow. Even murderers can be good parents at home. You saw his good side, but others have seen his bad side. Be careful about what you say. Now, you may go.”
The three, Seol Chasu, Yoo Geunsik, and Jin Seolha, left without further argument, accepting the master’s advice.
Bobong County.
Haga Village.
Yeon Jeokha and Old Shim, after returning to the Five Peaks, went down to Haga Village almost every day, looking to buy an inn and a tavern.
But in such a small village, it wasn’t easy to find such properties. The only existing inn had an owner who refused to sell, and the situation was similar with the tavern.
It also didn’t make sense to build new ones in such a small village.
Today, again, Yeon Jeokha and Old Shim were at the Sahaeru, discussing how to acquire an inn and a tavern. The village chief, who had been forced to join them, intervened cautiously.
“Gentlemen, Haga is so small that building a new inn and tavern will only attract flies. Why not consider going to a bigger city if you really want to own an inn and tavern?”
Yeon Jeokha’s eyes sparkled as he realized they didn’t need to stay in Haga.
“Old Shim.”
“Yes.”
“What do you think about a bigger city? I just need to be in a fixed place, right?”
“Honestly, I’ve thought about that too. But I was worried it might be too noisy. I know you prefer peace and quiet.”
“That’s true.”
The village chief, noticing his chance, suggested again.
“It doesn’t have to be a city. There are many beautiful places where you could have an inn or a tavern.”
The village chief wanted these two to leave Haga, not wanting to give up the well-established properties of the Ha.
The comment about a beautiful place caught Yeon Jeokha’s attention.
“Yes, yes. Having an inn in a beautiful place would be perfect. Better than Haga Village.”
“Yes, it might be better.”
Old Shim didn’t oppose it, knowing it would be difficult in Haga. So, the village chief, feeling relieved, asked them slyly.
“But, do you really want to run an inn and a tavern?”
He was curious about their true intentions, knowing that running a business is not just a matter of desire but also of skill and experience.
“No, we just want to live quietly. Old Shim says that owning an inn will allow us to live without worries. Being the owner of an inn has many benefits, like eating and sleeping wherever and whenever we want.”
‘Wow!’
Surprised by their words, the village chief hid his reaction.
Money is hard to earn but easy to lose.
Knowing they were so carefree about managing the inn made it clear that the result would be disastrous.
“Yes, yes… Then, we’ll look for a place with a beautiful landscape.”
The village chief only wanted to get them out of Haga.
If they spent all their money and returned to the Five Peaks camp, it wouldn’t be a problem.
‘Please, don’t say you want to stay in Haga Village.’
With that hope, the village chief quietly stood up while Yeon Jeokha and Old Shim continued discussing possible locations.
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