Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 198
.jpeg){kind=tracking}
Chapter 198: The Battle of the Shrimp
Just before their departure, the Supreme Commander Jegal Seun called for a private meeting with the unit leaders.
“I want to thank all the Great Masters here once again for taking on the role of unit leaders in the name of Murim justice. I’ve gathered you before we depart because there’s something important I need to discuss with you.”
In response to Jegal Seun’s words, the leader of the Celestial Unit, the Immortal Sin Mu, spoke first.
“Gathering us before departure suggests that what you have to say is quite important.”
“Indeed. This war against the Yoomyung Cult would not have been possible without the Emperor’s permission.”
“Are you saying that the Imperial family has severed ties with the Yoomyung Cult?”
“You could say that. Initially, several members of the Imperial family were bribed by followers of the Yoomyung Cult. However, as the cult’s influence grew too powerful, they began to feel threatened.”
“In the end, they plan to use someone else’s knife to kill their enemies. Tsk, you can never trust the Imperial family.”
The Immortal Sin Mu shook his head with disdain.
Jegal Seun smiled faintly before continuing.
“I don’t trust the Imperial family either. We don’t know when they might betray us. But the fact that we’re allowed to hold such a large gathering in Nanjing is due to the Emperor’s permission. However, there are certain restrictions on this operation.”
“Restrictions? What do you mean by that?”
The Great Swordmaster of the Uicheon Sect, Lee Euijeong, looked at Jegal Seun with curiosity. This was the first time they were hearing about these restrictions.
Jegal Seun replied with a bitter smile.
“Last night, Commander Mo Yang of the Imperial Guard came to see me.”
“Mo Yang? Do you mean that commander close to the Emperor?”
The Immortal Sin Mu recognized the name, familiar with the influence of the Imperial Guard in Nanjing.
The Imperial Guard is a military organization under the direct control of the Emperor, responsible for surveillance, arrests, and interrogations. Their power is so great that there is no sect in Nanjing that doesn’t know them.
“Yes. He came discreetly last night and made two requests. The first is that the Emperor is worried, so we must leave Nanjing as soon as possible.”
The four leaders nodded in agreement. With fifteen hundred armed warriors in Nanjing, it was understandable that the Emperor would be concerned.
“The second request is that we do not move together, so as not to alarm the population. I’ve gathered you to discuss this second issue.”
The leader of the Justice Unit, Namgung Byeok, frowned as he spoke.
“Are you saying that the four units should move separately?”
For the Justice Unit, which already had fewer men, this was a significant problem.
“Yes. Mo Yang is right. If fifteen hundred warriors move together, people might think it’s a rebellion. Therefore, the four units must take different routes.”
“…”
Namgung Byeok had no arguments against this logic, so he could only sigh.
With the Emperor behind this decision, they had no choice but to comply.
Lee Euijeong tried to console Namgung Byeok.
“Don’t worry too much. I don’t think there will be any serious problems until we reach Henan Province.”
“Yes, I’ve also heard that the Yoomyung Cult is in Zhengzhou.”
Namgung Byeok, the youngest of the Ten Supreme Masters of the World, responded courteously. Although his rank was equivalent to that of the leaders of the Seven Great Schools, most of them had retired from public life.
With everyone in agreement, Jegal Seun took the floor.
“Last night, along with Commander Mo Yang, we established four routes. The first is for the Demon Extermination Unit. They will go north, passing by Hongze Lake, then Xuzhou, Shangqiu, Kaifeng, and finally Zhengzhou.”
“Understood.”
Lee Euijeong nodded.
Jegal Seun looked at the leader of the Destruction Unit, the Sage of Heaven and Earth.
“The second is for the Destruction Unit. They will go northwest, passing by Chuzhou, Bengbu, and Bozhou before reaching Zhengzhou.”
“I will do so.”
The Sage of Heaven and Earth nodded.
Finally, Jegal Seun turned to the Immortal Sin Mu.
“The third is for the Celestial Unit. They will go northwest but with a detour after Chuzhou, passing by Huainan, Fuyang, and Zhoukou before reaching Zhengzhou.”
“Understood.”
All eyes turned to Namgung Byeok.
The only direction left was west, passing by Hefei and taking a wide route to the left.
Hefei housed one of the bases of the Yoomyung Cult, known as Musansocho.
Namgung Byeok looked at Jegal Seun with a peculiar expression. Although they held the same rank, Namgung Byeok was older and had always been treated with deference.
He had noticed that Jegal Seun had not been very cooperative with him and the Namgung Family from the beginning.
Originally, the Shaolin Sect and the Uicheon Sect were responsible for the Justice Unit. However, Jegal Seun had not reorganized the unit, allowing the Shaolin Sect and the Uicheon Sect to join other units. This left the Justice Unit in a precarious position.
‘Is he helping me, or is he trying to sink me further?’
Namgung Byeok understood human nature and did not feel particularly offended. The Namgung Family had also used similar tactics to rise in Murim.
Jegal Seun announced the last route.
“The fourth route is for the Justice Unit. They will go west, passing by Hefei, Xinyang, Zhoukou, and finally Zhengzhou.”
“Understood. So be it.”
Namgung Byeok smiled resignedly.
Hefei housed Musansocho, and between Xinyang and Zhengzhou lay the infamous Eunha Manor.
It was clear that Jegal Seun was sending them into enemy territory.
Lee Euijeong, observing the interaction between Jegal Seun and Namgung Byeok, couldn’t help but feel concerned.
‘This conflict between two shrimp could end up harming a whale. What if the Wudang Sect raises objections later?’
He didn’t understand Jegal Seun’s strategy. Although the Namgung Family had lost their influence, the Wudang Sect remained powerful.
Jegal Seun directed a warning to the leaders.
“This morning, Commander Mo Yang approved these routes. If we deviate, it could be considered treason. Please ensure you follow them to the letter.”
The leaders nodded in silence. Although Jegal Seun had used a euphemism, everyone understood the gravity of deviating from the routes.
The meeting ended, and the leaders returned to their positions.
Shortly afterward, the fifteen hundred warriors of the Justice Alliance left Nanjing.
Kaifeng.
Huashang Village.
Some people adapt well even in the most extreme conditions.
For example, Hwang So and Seok In.
The first time they were thrown into the river, they swallowed so much water that they nearly fainted.
But after that, they became more skilled, and it no longer seemed so difficult.
They were tied by the waist, not by their hands and feet.
When they fell into the water, they used their hands to keep their heads above water.
With Nok Dam Pyeong holding the ropes from above, they only needed to endure.
Surprisingly, it was Nok Dam Pyeong who suffered the most.
After breakfast, Yeon Jeokha and Old Shim headed to the cliff.
Nok Dam Pyeong was ready, tying the ropes around the waists of Hwang So and Seok In.
Before he could push them, Hwang So and Seok In jumped into the river.
Their movements were quick and natural, as if they were used to it.
Old Shim frowned.
There was no fear or terror on the faces of Hwang So and Seok In.
On the first day, they had cried and begged with pale faces, but now something was off.
Old Shim approached the edge of the rock and looked down.
“Damned bastards!”
A curse escaped his lips.
The two swindlers were floating in the whirlpool, holding onto the ropes with their hands.
Nok Dam Pyeong, thinking he should pull them up, began to reel in the ropes.
Then, Old Shim kicked him.
“Idiot! Who told you to pull them up?”
Nok Dam Pyeong released the ropes and looked at Old Shim in fear.
“Young master, the swindlers are playing on the ropes.”
Yeon Jeokha, who was watching from the chair, frowned.
“Wow! So they’ve been pretending to be exhausted every time they were pulled up. That’s terrifying. Old Shim, take care of this.”
Yeon Jeokha left the task to Old Shim and turned back to his chair.
“Nok Dam Pyeong, don’t pull up the ropes until I say so.”
“Yes.”
Old Shim sat on the edge of the rock, watching intently.
After about half an hour, the heads of the swindlers began to dip below the water.
Nok Dam Pyeong, holding the ropes, was sweating profusely.
Soon after, the heads of the swindlers disappeared beneath the water.
Finally, Old Shim stood up.
“Now you can pull them up.”
“Pull them up?”
“Do you have the strength for that?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then let them go to the afterlife. Release them.”
“Ah!”
Finally, Nok Dam Pyeong realized that the swindlers were already dead.
It was time to let them go.
He released the ropes, which quickly disappeared into the water.
“…….”
Nok Dam Pyeong stared blankly at the river.
He felt the weight of the lives he had let go, and a mix of relief and emptiness washed over him.
Old Shim kicked him in the rear, snapping him out of his thoughts.
“Idiot! What are you standing there for? You should be grateful that the young master is compassionate. I would have killed you twelve times by now.”
Nok Dam Pyeong nodded, knowing he was lucky to still be alive.
English