Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 190
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C190. Jianghu, the World of Warriors (Martial Artists)
The leader of the Internal Division, Yak Daemong, returned to the Sambobang residence in Kaifeng two hours later, accompanied by a renowned sorcerer, Gowol Sangin.
“Bangju-nim, this is Gowol Sangin, known as the greatest sorcerer in Henan Province. Sangin, this is our leader, Nok Ilchwi.”
With Yak Daemong’s introduction, Gowol Sangin stepped forward.
“I am Gowol. I was informed that the services of a sorcerer were urgently needed, so I came quickly.”
“Haha, welcome. I am Nok Ilchwi. Please, have a seat. Yak Daemong, sit next to the External Leader.”
“Yes.”
Gowol Sangin sat across from Nok Ilchwi, while Yak Daemong retreated to stand next to Wan Ja-kyung in a corner of the room. Nok Ilchwi carefully observed Gowol Sangin, noting his long white beard that reached his navel and his piercing gaze, characteristics that gave him the appearance of a sage.
“I am not well-versed in sorcery. In which sect did you train, Sangin?”
Nok Ilchwi, intimidated by Gowol Sangin’s presence, instinctively adopted a more humble posture.
“In my youth, I trained in the Mosan Sect.”
“Ah! It is an honor to have someone from Mosan here.”
Hearing the mention of the Mosan Sect, Nok Ilchwi brightened up. The Mosan Sect was as famous for its sorcery as the great sects were for their kung fu. If someone like Gowol Sangin was here, he might discover what Yeon Jeokha had done.
“Haha. What particular event led the Bangju to seek a sorcerer so urgently?”
“You see, today my men encountered something very strange. I am sure it was a trick, but I need to confirm it.”
“Could you tell me more about what happened?”
Gowol Sangin looked at Nok Ilchwi with a smile. After receiving fifty taels of silver as a transportation fee, he was willing to help with anything necessary.
“My son and the External Leader went to see some merchants. There, a young man in his twenties managed to subdue my men with mere gestures.”
“With just gestures?”
Nok Ilchwi looked at Wan Ja-kyung.
“External Leader, explain in detail what happened.”
“Yes, Bangju. The Young Master Yeon moved his hand, and my body was propelled towards the wall. I lost consciousness from the impact. Later, I learned that the other men were thrown in the same manner.”
“Hmm!”
Gowol Sangin let out a deep sigh. From the descriptions, he couldn’t determine whether it was sorcery or a high-level technique like air manipulation.
“External Leader, how old was this Young Master Yeon?”
“He didn’t seem to be more than twenty years old.”
“Ah.”
Gowol Sangin nodded, understanding why Nok Ilchwi suspected sorcery.
After pondering for a moment, Gowol Sangin took out a talisman and placed it in his palm. He murmured a short incantation and clenched it tightly. Suddenly, a flame erupted from his fist, only to be extinguished quickly. Then, with a gesture, he made Wan Ja-kyung’s body move towards him.
“Huh?”
Wan Ja-kyung couldn’t resist and fell in front of Gowol Sangin. With another gesture, Gowol Sangin made Wan Ja-kyung fly towards the wall.
Bang!
After hitting the wall, Wan Ja-kyung hurriedly stood up.
“That was exactly how it happened!”
Gowol Sangin nodded, satisfied.
“What I used is an attraction talisman. It allows you to manipulate people or objects at will.”
Nok Ilchwi struck his knee with his fist.
“I knew it was a trick! He pretended to use an air manipulation technique with an attraction talisman.”
“It’s amazing that someone so young could use this talisman so skillfully. Warriors use their internal energy to perform various techniques, while sorcerers use their spiritual power for sorcery. For a twenty-year-old to use this attraction talisman is remarkable. Could he have some artifact that enhances his spiritual power?”
Gowol Sangin muttered to himself and then added:
“I don’t know all the details, but he definitely won’t be an easy opponent.”
“Do you mean that even if we know it’s sorcery, we could still be defeated?”
“That’s the nature of sorcery.”
Nok Ilchwi pondered for a moment before speaking carefully:
“Could you assist us, Sangin? If you do, I will give you an additional three hundred taels of silver.”
“It’s not difficult, but I must manage my temple…”
Gowol Sangin left his response hanging.
“Ah, the place is not far from Kaifeng. It will only take about two hours of travel.”
“In that case, I can find time to help.”
Three hours for three hundred taels was a tempting offer.
“It’s late today. Please come to Sambobang tomorrow morning.”
“Agreed.”
—————
Huashang Village.
After dinner, Yeon Jeokha went to the Suicide Stone to see if Nok Dampyeong was fulfilling his task. Then he returned to the inn’s dining room and started drinking wine.
He felt lonely, especially after having spent so much time with his sworn brothers and Old Shim. Life in the Five Peaks and training at Waryong Mansion hadn’t allowed him to experience loneliness as he did now.
‘I wonder if the old man caught the swindlers. Will Namgung Cheon and Namgung Yeon be okay?’
As he reflected, Nam Su-gyeong came down from the second floor and sat across from him.
“Why are you out here?”
“I feel restless after all this. Why haven’t you gone in yet?”
“I went to check on Nok Dampyeong.”
“Will you really make him mourn for three years?”
“I don’t know. Life doesn’t always follow our wishes.”
Yeon Jeokha had a melancholic expression.
“Don’t dwell too much on the dead. You’ll only exhaust yourself without any benefit.”
“That’s true. But doesn’t it bother you that Nok Dampyeong is nearby?”
“I have a much stronger friend than him, so I’m fine.”
“Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
Yeon Jeokha murmured with a meaningful look:
“Now you’re also a warrior of the Jianghu.”
“A warrior of the Jianghu?”
(Note: Both Murim and Jianghu refer to the world of martial arts and its practitioners, but they have slightly different origins and uses:
Jianghu (江湖): A Chinese term that literally means “rivers and lakes.” It is used to describe the world of wandering martial artists, swordsmen, and heroes who live outside conventional society. It is often associated with a sense of freedom, adventure, and its own codes of honor.
Murim (무림): The Korean equivalent of Jianghu or Kangho. While it shares many similarities with the Chinese term, Murim has a more specific nuance in Korean culture. It often refers not only to the world of martial arts but also to the community and organizations that make it up.)
Nam Su-gyeong looked at Yeon Jeokha in surprise. Normally, Jianghu is known as the world of martial artists or warriors, where the law of the strongest prevails. But she didn’t know martial arts.
“Of course. Anyone who can defend themselves is part of the Jianghu.”
“But I don’t know martial arts.”
“Jianghu is not only made up of warriors. There are merchants, thieves, waiters, and many more.”
“Aren’t they just people around Jianghu?”
“Last year, a merchant hired assassins to kill my sworn brothers. Do you think someone like that is just a person around Jianghu?”
“You’re right.”
Nam Su-gyeong nodded. Jianghu can’t be defined solely by martial arts.
“Before, you only tried to run away from your problems. Now you’re willing to face them, even hiring mercenaries if necessary. You’ve set foot in the world of Jianghu.”
“Ah!”
Nam Su-gyeong finally understood Yeon Jeokha’s words. She was willing to do anything to survive, whether with her strength or that of others.
“You’re young, but it seems you understand the truths of the world. Is it wisdom gained through experience?”
Nam Su-gyeong looked at Yeon Jeokha with admiration.
“Hmm. It’s not that I know everything about the world. I just have more experience than you.”
Yeon Jeokha felt a bit embarrassed by the praise, as until recently he had depended heavily on his sworn brothers and Old Shim.
“Do you think that with time I could be as wise as you?”
“Maybe.”
Feeling a little uncomfortable, Yeon Jeokha played with his wine cup. At that moment, Nam Cho-gyeol, after checking the inn, arrived at the dining room.
“Su-gyeong, it’s late. Why don’t you go up and rest?”
“I’m going, Grandpa.”
Nam Cho-gyeol sat next to his granddaughter, worried that she might become too attached to Yeon Jeokha.
“Are you drinking wine again? It seems like you don’t do anything productive all day.”
Yeon Jeokha was about to respond, but Nam Su-gyeong was quicker.
“Grandpa, how can you say that? The Young Master Yeon has been a great help.”
“Bah, help you say… You should go rest.”
Nam Cho-gyeol tried to distance his granddaughter from Yeon Jeokha, and in the end, Nam Su-gyeong got up.
“I’m going to rest. Goodnight, Young Master Yeon and Grandpa.”
After Nam Su-gyeong left, Nam Cho-gyeol filled his cup and looked at Yeon Jeokha.
“You don’t have any hidden intentions towards my granddaughter, do you?”
“Hidden intentions?”
“If you’re planning to seduce her to take over the inn, forget it. I won’t allow that to happen while I’m alive.”
“Old man, don’t say such things lightly. It’s not hard to bury your eyes in the ground.”
“What did you say?”
“Do you think I could do that? Or not?”
Yeon Jeokha stared at him. Burying someone wasn’t that difficult.
Feeling the chill in Yeon Jeokha’s gaze, Nam Cho-gyeol averted his eyes.
‘Better not provoke him. This guy seems capable of killing me.’
Finally, Nam Cho-gyeol changed his tone.
“Please leave my granddaughter alone. You can stay at the inn as long as you want, but let her live her life.”
“Old man, who says I have any other intentions? My goodness! You really drive me crazy.”
“I understand. I will believe you.”
“Absolutely none of that. It’s not a matter of belief or not. Just don’t talk nonsense.”
Nam Cho-gyeol drank his cup of wine in one gulp and said seriously:
“Just one more thing.”
“What is it now?”
“Don’t get close to Su-gyeong. How will she meet other men if you’re always around?”
“Old man, you’re wrong. It’s not that I approach her. She comes to me because she’s bored. Who else can she be with in this area? If you don’t like it, find her other friends.”
“Do you really have no feelings for my granddaughter?”
“We’re just friends. And, honestly, Su-gyeong is not my type. The person I like is…”
Yeon Jeokha stopped, feeling uncomfortable with his own confession.
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