Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 196
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Chapter 196. Do Not Distance Yourself from Officials
The next morning, Yeon Jeokha, who had come down to the inn’s dining hall after waking up late, stopped in his tracks at the sight of some unexpected visitors. Cheon Yangji, the Vice Steward of the Kaifeng Security Office, was accompanied by a familiar military officer.
Cheon Yangji stood up upon hearing Yeon Jeokha’s footsteps.
“Young Master Yeon, how have you been?”
“Oh, I’ve been fine. But, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit this time?”
Yeon Jeokha frowned. He hadn’t expected a visit from the Vice Steward so early in the morning.
“I heard that you caught some swindlers. I came to congratulate you.”
Cheon Yangji observed Yeon Jeokha carefully, concerned that his visit might not be well received.
Even though officials and warriors of the Murim were like river water and well water—essentially separate—it didn’t mean they had no interaction. Since discovering Yeon Jeokha’s true identity, Cheon Yangji had shown a keen interest in the inn, seeking to establish a relationship with the Grand Inspector of Nokrim. Having connections with Murim experts, whether from righteous or deviant factions, was always beneficial. It was a relationship akin to that of crocodiles and cleaner birds. Furthermore, even though Yeon Jeokha was associated with Nokrim, he wasn’t a ruthless bandit. Rather, he appeared to be a Murim expert trying to live an ordinary life, who had been victimized by swindlers. From Cheon Yangji’s perspective, Yeon Jeokha was someone worth associating with.
Yeon Jeokha muttered indifferently.
“How did you find out?”
“I was inquiring here and there about you when I heard the news. By the way, did you know that over ten people have committed suicide in Luoyang because of those swindlers? There was even a whole family that took their own lives out of shock.”
“They truly are wicked people.”
“If you hand them over to me, I can have them executed before the first snow falls…”
Cheon Yangji left his sentence hanging.
He wasn’t opposed to Yeon Jeokha exacting personal vengeance if he so wished.
“Execute them? No, no. You can’t kill such wicked people so easily.”
“You’re absolutely right. Considering the suffering they caused their victims, execution would be too easy.”
Cheon Yangji quickly changed his tune.
Yeon Jeokha stared at Cheon Yangji without expression, creating an awkward moment. Finally, Cheon Yangji gestured to an empty chair.
“Please, have a seat. I’d like to hear your opinion.”
Using the swindlers as an excuse, Cheon Yangji began guiding the conversation with Yeon Jeokha.
As the conversation progressed comfortably, Cheon Yangji adopted a more serious tone.
“Young Master Yeon, there are two pillars that support this world. Do you know what they are?”
“What are they?”
“They are the administration and the Murim. Though we try to separate them, there’s no true division between them. It’s like trying to separate the Jianghu from the common world. Where does one end and the other begin? If one takes just one more step in life, they are already in the Jianghu.”
Yeon Jeokha nodded vigorously.
It was similar to what he had once told Nam Su-gyeong.
“Exactly. If one takes just one stronger step in life, they are already in the Jianghu. How well you’ve put it, officer!”
“Ha, ha. I knew you’d understand, Young Master Yeon. The same applies to the administration and the Murim. There have always been interactions, even if subtle.”
“Really?”
“Most military officers come from martial families or Murim factions. Unless they’ve cut all ties with their sects, it’s natural that there would be interactions.”
“I understand.”
Yeon Jeokha showed interest in Cheon Yangji’s words.
It was the first time he had a casual conversation with an official, and he found it quite interesting.
“Don’t distance yourself from officials like me, Young Master Yeon. I might not be able to help much, but any help is better than none.”
“…”
Yeon Jeokha looked at him with a puzzled expression, and Cheon Yangji quickly continued.
“In the Jianghu, information is key, and while factions and beggars have good information, the administration has an even wider network. There’s no place in the world without officials.”
Yeon Jeokha nodded slowly.
The fact that Cheon Yangji knew about the crimes committed by the swindlers in Luoyang was proof of that.
“I consider meeting you here a blessing. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call on me. I’ll do my best to assist you.”
Cheon Yangji looked at Yeon Jeokha with a hopeful expression.
A moment of silence followed his words.
“Help me?”
“Yes.”
“For free?”
“Of course. How could I accept a reward between us?”
Cheon Yangji emphasized “between us” to reinforce the idea that they had a special relationship.
“Wow, thank you very much.”
Although Yeon Jeokha didn’t fully understand why Cheon Yangji was offering such kindness, he didn’t refuse the offer.
“There’s something I’m curious about. There are rumors of war between the Yoomyung Cult and the Justice Alliance, right?”
“I’ve heard that too.”
“Do you know when and where they plan to fight?”
“Hmm. I’m not sure about when, but I do know more or less where.”
“You know where they’ll fight?”
Yeon Jeokha’s eyes widened in surprise.
He had asked out of curiosity, not expecting a concrete answer.
“I’ve been investigating and sent people to both sides, the Yoomyung Cult and the Alliance.”
“Where will they fight?”
“The Yoomyung Cult plans to confront the Alliance in Henan Province.”
“Are you sure?”
“Seeing that the warriors of the Yoomyung Cult haven’t moved from Zhengzhou, it’s almost certain. If they planned to fight in South Zhili, they would have started moving already.”
“Does the Alliance know?”
“Probably not. They’re focused on Nanjing, and most of their informants are there. Even the beggars are mostly in Nanjing now… Do you know what Nokrim plans to do?”
Cheon Yangji observed Yeon Jeokha’s expression.
One of the reasons for his visit was to find out Nokrim’s plans.
“The Great Chaeju keeps telling me to do whatever I want, which suggests that he plans to stay on the sidelines and benefit from the situation. He’s quite lazy, delegating too much of his work.”
Cheon Yangji’s eyes sparkled.
As a high-ranking official, he could deduce many things from Yeon Jeokha’s words.
“Ha, ha. So, what do you plan to do, Young Master Yeon?”
He swallowed nervously.
At first, he just wanted to establish a relationship with the Grand Inspector of Nokrim, but now, knowing that the Great Chaeju had given him full powers, the situation was becoming more serious.
“Me? Why should I worry? I already did it once; I won’t do it again.”
“Once? What do you mean?”
“Recently, the Great Chaeju asked me to clean up some strongholds.”
“Ah!”
Cheon Yangji thought he should investigate recent events in Nokrim. Although he didn’t know the details, the word “clean up” suggested a significant purge.
“I spent almost a year cleaning up. I’m not going to fall into that again.”
“So, you plan to stay here quietly?”
“Yes. I got the money back, so I’ll stay here. If it’s not necessary, I won’t move.”
Cheon Yangji felt relieved. He wanted Yeon Jeokha to remain calm.
“If you decide to move to Kaifeng, I can help you find a place.”
“Kaifeng is too expensive. The swindlers showed me the most expensive inns.”
“That was part of the scam. Making you believe that prices were higher than they really are.”
Normally, swindlers sold properties below market value, but sometimes, when they found someone particularly naive, they inflated prices even more.
“So, how much would an inn really cost?”
“A decent inn in Kaifeng would cost around seven or eight thousand taels of silver.”
“Damn swindlers!”
Yeon Jeokha slammed the table in anger.
Cheon Yangji waited for Yeon Jeokha to calm down before continuing.
“Would you like me to find you an inn in Kaifeng?”
“No, I’m fine here.”
Yeon Jeokha didn’t want to move.
He liked the inn and the location, which was perfect for training.
“Then, how about buying old Nam’s inn? It might cost around four or five thousand taels of silver.”
Nam Su-gyeong, who had been listening from the counter, quickly approached.
“May I interrupt for a moment?”
Cheon Yangji slightly frowned. How dare she interrupt?
Seeing Cheon Yangji’s reaction, the military officer Im Sa-seong approached Nam Su-gyeong.
“Friend! Go ahead, say what’s on your mind. We’re all friends here, aren’t we?”
Im Sa-seong placed himself between them, pretending to head to the counter.
Cheon Yangji also smiled and pointed to an empty chair.
“Ha, ha! I didn’t know Miss Nam was a friend of Young Master Yeon. If I had known, I would have invited you sooner. Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you, sorry for interrupting.”
Nam Su-gyeong sat down, showing a confidence she hadn’t had before. She knew Yeon Jeokha genuinely valued her.
“I don’t know what my grandfather thinks, but I don’t want to sell the inn.”
“…”
Cheon Yangji looked away, feeling uncomfortable.
“But, how about Young Master Yeon and my grandfather become co-owners of the inn?”
Yeon Jeokha looked at Nam Su-gyeong with curiosity.
“Co-owners? How would that work?”
“Young Master Yeon could pay half the inn’s value to my grandfather, and we would manage it together. My grandfather can’t manage it alone due to his health.”
Nam Su-gyeong wanted to keep Yeon Jeokha close.
If Cheon Yangji offered him another inn, he would leave without hesitation. She didn’t want to lose him over a property issue.
“Oh! That’s also a good idea. What do you think, Young Master Yeon? I can handle drafting the contract properly.”
Cheon Yangji wanted to help Yeon Jeokha in any way possible.
Yeon Jeokha appeared doubtful.
“Your grandfather probably won’t accept. He can’t stand me.”
“That’s not true. Since the swindlers were caught, he feels guilty. He said he was too harsh on you because he had doubts.”
Nam Su-gyeong was confident she could convince her grandfather. Even if he opposed it, she would insist until she succeeded.
“Friend! If your grandfather doesn’t oppose it, I’m in. Besides, you would manage the inn. I just need a place to rest.”
Nam Su-gyeong smiled at Yeon Jeokha’s carefree attitude.
He said he wanted to rest, but he always went to the cliff to train in swordsmanship. With the money he had, he could live comfortably in Kaifeng forever.
At noon, with the help of an official sent by Cheon Yangji, they signed the co-ownership contract.
After sealing the contract, Nam Cho-kyeol muttered with an awkward smile.
“Hmph! What kind of small inn needs two owners? This is ridiculous.”
Although he muttered, deep down, Nam Cho-kyeol was pleased.
He knew Yeon Jeokha was wealthy and skilled in martial arts. There was no reason to refuse him.
“This is great. Very good.”
For the sake of his granddaughter, it was better that he stayed at the inn. Before, just watching him eat annoyed him, but now he seemed reliable.
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