Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 201
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Chapter 201. Between a Dog and a Wolf
Subcommander Cheon Yangji headed to Huashang Village with only one soldier, Im Saseong, to avoid provoking Yeon Jeokha.
In front of the rundown inn, Cheon Yangji hesitated for a moment. However, to catch a tiger, one must enter its lair. He took a deep breath and entered.
Sangdo rushed over and bowed.
“Sir, welcome.”
“Where are Young Master Yeon and Master Shim?”
Cheon Yangji didn’t have an appropriate title to address Shim Tong, so he simply called him ‘Master Shim.’
“Master Shim has gone out, and Young Master Yeon is at the cliff.”
Cheon Yangji looked around before calling Sangdo closer.
“Yes?”
Sangdo took a step forward.
“What happened yesterday at the inn?”
“Happened? Ah! Do you mean when a wanderer harassed Miss Nam and was dragged out?”
“Tell me the details.”
Sangdo, seeing the serious expression on Cheon Yangji’s face, recounted the previous day’s events.
“…Master Shim came in, saw what was happening, and took him outside. He said he broke his arm. Is there a problem?”
“Ay! Why did he have to do that…?”
Cheon Yangji rubbed his forehead with a troubled expression. The Magistrate’s son had caused trouble at the inn, and now everything was tangled.
Shaking his head, Cheon Yangji headed toward the cliff.
Seeing Yeon Jeokha sitting at the edge of a rock, he felt a knot in his stomach. He didn’t know how to resolve this situation caused by the Magistrate’s son’s actions.
“Young Master Yeon, it’s a pleasure to see you.”
Yeon Jeokha turned slightly at Cheon Yangji’s greeting.
“Ah! Subcommander Cheon? What brings you here?”
“Ha, ha! I was passing by and decided to visit you. The weather is cooling down. Are you comfortable here?”
“Really? I don’t even notice the seasons anymore.”
“They say that when one reaches a high level of mastery, they no longer feel heat or cold. Is that true?”
“Is that what they say?”
“Ha, ha! It’s something even someone like me has heard. Didn’t you know?”
Cheon Yangji looked at Yeon Jeokha in surprise. How could a master of the Murim not know something so basic?
“There are many things I don’t know.”
“Ha, ha! You’re a joker.”
Cheon Yangji laughed, but soon turned serious.
“Ay! This is no time for jokes.”
“Why?”
After hesitating for a moment, Cheon Yangji got straight to the point.
“The man Master Shim struck yesterday is the Magistrate’s son.”
“Ah! That explains it. I thought this would have consequences. That old man always causes trouble when he moves.”
Cheon Yangji quickly got to the point.
“The Magistrate has ordered me to bring the culprits.”
“‘Culprits’? I didn’t lay a finger on him.”
“But the Magistrate’s son has named you and Master Shim as the culprits.”
Cheon Yangji pulled a portrait from his pocket and showed it to Yeon Jeokha.
“He says this is me? Why do my eyes look like that? I look half-asleep.”
Cheon Yangji gave a bitter smile. As a true master of the Murim, Yeon Jeokha was complaining about his appearance instead of denying the accusations.
“The truth is, the Magistrate believes his son was assaulted by thieves.”
“Then tell him the truth. His son was causing trouble at the inn and got beaten for it.”
“Most parents aren’t rational when it comes to their children. The Magistrate probably won’t accept that his son did anything wrong.”
“What are you saying?”
“No parent wants to believe their child was beaten for doing something wrong.”
“So, what?”
“The Magistrate may continue to believe his son was attacked by thieves until the end.”
“Then let him think that.”
Yeon Jeokha wasn’t concerned. After all, he was already associated with Nokrim, so being labeled a thief or an assailant didn’t make much difference.
“The Magistrate might resort to using troops.”
“So what?”
Yeon Jeokha looked directly at him, leaving Cheon Yangji speechless. On reflection, he didn’t believe the troops could handle Yeon Jeokha. At least the provincial commander would have to get involved to advance the matter. But the commander wouldn’t mobilize troops for a simple case of robbery. Maybe if it were a member of the royal family, but not for a Magistrate’s son.
‘I don’t think the troops can handle him.’
Reflecting on the situation, Cheon Yangji suggested something different.
“Could you apologize to the Magistrate?”
“Apologize?”
“I’m just asking you to show a little respect to resolve this peacefully.”
“You want me to apologize for something I didn’t do?”
“I know the Magistrate is also struggling to resolve this. But since it involves his family, he can’t just ignore it. He needs an excuse to let it go. If you make a small gesture, the Magistrate might be willing to support you in the future.”
Cheon Yangji looked at Yeon Jeokha with hopeful eyes. It was an opportunity to make connections with high officials in Kaifeng and enjoy certain privileges.
Yeon Jeokha’s eyes flashed with anger.
“This is unacceptable.”
“…”
Yeon Jeokha’s reaction left Cheon Yangji surprised and nervous.
“I am Yeon Jeokha. Why should I apologize for something I didn’t do? Is it because I’m from Nokrim? Do you think that because I’m from Nokrim, I must appease high officials? Is that it?”
“No, that’s not it. I just want you to take this opportunity to solidify your position.”
“Solidify my position? If the culprit were a master from the great sects, would you ask them to apologize? Of course not. You’re asking me to apologize because you think I’m inferior. Is that it?”
“No, that’s not it. I just want you to be on good terms with the Magistrate…”
“Of course not! If the Magistrate wants everything to be fine, he should apologize to me. Is it my fault he raised his son that way? Am I to blame?”
“You’re right, but…”
“Is that brat my son? Was I the one who hit him? It was Old Shim who tried to correct him. Why should I apologize for something I didn’t do? Are you crazy or what?”
“I was wrong. I said something inappropriate.”
“No, it’s not a mistake. Both you and the Magistrate see me as weak. That’s why you said that.”
“…”
Cheon Yangji looked at Yeon Jeokha with a pale expression. Maybe he was right. If Shim Tong had been a master from the great sects, they would have asked the Magistrate to apologize.
“Tell him clearly. Understood?”
“What should I tell him?”
“Didn’t you hear? Tell the Magistrate to come and apologize. If not, I’ll go myself and punch him in the face. Make sure to convey that clearly. Understood?”
“…”
Yeon Jeokha’s threat left Cheon Yangji stunned.
Punch the Magistrate in the face. What kind of storm had he unleashed? Only now did he realize that Yeon Jeokha was not an ordinary person.
Cheon Yangji regretted underestimating him.
“Understood. I’ll convey your message.”
“Understood? Who gave you permission to speak to me like that? Do you need me to break your arms like I did that other brat?”
“No, no! I’ll convey it.”
Defeated, Cheon Yangji left the cliff.
Hidden near the cabin, Nok Dampyeong began to cry and lament.
“Ay, ay, ay…!”
He was so frightened by Yeon Jeokha’s unusually violent behavior that he began to lament without being asked.
“Stop crying. You’re making me nervous. Lament in your mind.”
“Ay… yes!”
The Dutiful Son Cliff returned to silence.
On the Road to Kaifeng
Soldier Im Saseong noticed that Cheon Yangji was constantly sighing and cautiously asked.
“It seems things didn’t go well.”
Im Saseong didn’t know what had happened at the cliff since he had stayed at the inn.
“I misjudged the person.”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought that, like everyone else, he would become docile over time, but he’s a wolf.”
“What happened between you and Young Master Yeon?”
“It’s not something you can understand.”
Cheon Yangji described himself as a dog. The warriors of the Murim often called officials ‘the emperor’s dogs.’ He had spent so much time trying to please his superiors that he had lost the ability to discern right from wrong.
‘Now, how will I tell this to the Magistrate?’
Even though he had three days, he wasn’t sure he could convince the Magistrate in that time.
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