Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 204
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Chapter 204. A Person Like a Mirror
On the road to Kaifeng.
Sub-commander Cheon Yangji kept casting furtive glances at Magistrate Sa Yeonhui, who was walking silently.
“If you have something to say, just say it.”
“I’m just wondering if everything has ended well.”
Cheon Yangji had avoided the situation, so he didn’t know exactly what had happened. Sa Yeonhui looked at the slowly darkening night sky with a complicated expression. Although the outcome was as desired, he didn’t know if he could say that everything had ended well. He had saved his life, but his self-esteem was in shambles. However, he didn’t harbor deep hatred toward Yeon Jeokha either. Until that afternoon, he had wanted to kill him. But now, it was as if all the resentment had vanished, like burnt wood with no flames left.
“What kind of person is Yeon Jeokha?”
Sa Yeonhui’s sudden question made Cheon Yangji hesitate. He recalled a conversation he had with Officer Im Saseong a month ago after a confrontation with Yeon Jeokha.
“What impression did he give you?”
“To be honest, I’m not sure.”
“You’re not sure?”
“Yes, he seems like a person from the Murim, but he spared Nam Cho-gyeol’s life, which makes me think he’s a good person…”
At that time, Im Saseong had also had an uncomfortable expression and had left the sentence unfinished.
“Why? Is there something that concerns you?”
“Well, the fact that he threatened the Magistrate without batting an eye makes me think he’s no ordinary person.”
Everything was similar to that day, except the opponent had changed from Im Saseong to Sa Yeonhui. Now, he understood how Im Saseong had felt witnessing the scene. Finally, he gave the same answer as Im Saseong.
“To be honest, I’m not sure.”
Sa Yeonhui, sensing a resonance in those words, glanced sideways at Cheon Yangji.
“You speak with resentment in your voice.”
“He’s caught me twice.”
“Yes, it’s true he’s caught you twice.”
Sa Yeonhui laughed, surprising Cheon Yangji, who had heard Sa Yeonhui saying he wanted to hang himself earlier that afternoon. His laughter was unexpected.
“You’re surprised.”
“Yes, I’m as surprised as when Young Master Yeon changed his attitude.”
“You weren’t sure about him, were you?”
“Yes. Does the Magistrate think differently?”
“He spoke bluntly, but he maintained respect.”
“You’re saying he maintained respect?”
Sa Yeonhui nodded slightly.
“Yes. Even while threatening me, I felt he was respecting me.”
“Is that possible?”
“He treated me with courtesy and asked for my opinion with respect. I think it was the same when you first encountered him. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, it was.”
“That’s exactly the kind of person he is.”
Cheon Yangji scratched his head, perplexed. Sa Yeonhui’s words were laden with meaning, making them difficult to understand.
“I don’t fully understand, sir.”
“When you saw his prowess, you became cautious, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“And when you got somewhat familiar with him, you assumed he would yield to secular power and tried to exert it, but you failed.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“When I came here, I set aside my dignity. I showed him respect and acknowledged my son’s mistakes. If I had come here trying to impose my authority as a Magistrate, my son would be dead.”
Cheon Yangji listened in silence, knowing that this referred to something between Sa Yeonhui and Yeon Jeokha that he wasn’t privy to.
“He’s someone who can have both low and high self-esteem at the same time. He has no problem humbling himself, but if someone underestimates him, he uses his power to reaffirm his position.”
“He’s a peculiar person.”
“More than peculiar, he’s like a mirror.”
“A mirror?”
“Yes. He reflects what he sees. If he’s treated with respect, he responds with respect. If he’s treated with force, he responds with force. Isn’t that a mirror?”
“Now that I think about it, he’s more like a mirror than someone peculiar.”
Cheon Yangji nodded, understanding. When he had shown respect, Yeon Jeokha had treated him with respect. He was the one who had broken that relationship.
“I showed him respect, and he respected me. Even though his words were a threat.”
“He threatened you?”
After a moment of thought, Sa Yeonhui murmured to himself.
“Now, I’m not sure if it was a threat.”
“What do you mean?”
“Maybe he was just trying to confirm something. Something he might not have had, but that could exist in the world.”
“Is that possible?”
Cheon Yangji shook his head. He didn’t believe that Yeon Jeokha, such a powerful warrior, could lack anything. With power, wealth, or women, everything would be within his reach.
“Don’t jump to conclusions. No one is perfect.”
Cheon Yangji glanced sideways at Sa Yeonhui. He detected no resentment or hostility in his voice.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Maybe I’m wrong, but it seems like you’re not angry with him.”
“I don’t deny reality. That would be foolish. It risks my life and that of my family. It’s not in my best interest to hold a grudge against someone even the Yoomyung Cult is watching.”
“So, have you let it go for now?”
“Maybe. I’m not sure. Though he showed me respect, it’s still a fact that he threatened me. When the Yoomyung Cult turns against him, maybe then I’ll know my true feelings. I’m also curious if my feelings towards him will be revenge or acceptance.”
“You’ll make the best decision, sir.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because you always have.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
Sa Yeonhui murmured to himself, “I feel bad for blaming you.”
Namjikseong.
South of Hefei, Soho.
Musansocho.
Around the hour of the dog (5-7 p.m.), with the sunset painting the sky red, 108 warriors from the Murim appeared in Soho.
The banner in the hands of the warrior at the front bore two characters in red: “Justice.”
Namgung Byeok, the Sword Emperor, was staring intently at Musansocho as Seonu Dam, Gaju of the Seonu Family, spoke to him.
“Why don’t you attack already?”
“It’s too quiet.”
“That’s natural. Most of their forces are in Zhengzhou. Isn’t that right?”
Seonu Dam asked, and Namgung Yeon, known as the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower, tilted her head.
“Uncle, according to the information from the Beggar’s Sect, they have over fifty people. At least one of the Demon Warriors must be here. If we think about that, yes, it’s too quiet.”
“But they only have fifty people. Wouldn’t it be better to attack before they can prepare?”
Seonu Dam, who was well aware of Namgung Yeon’s talent, kept questioning her.
Namgung Byeok, clicking his tongue, said:
“As Gaju Seonu said, even if fifty remain, we should proceed with caution.”
No one opposed Namgung Byeok’s decision.
Namgung Byeok moved to the front with the standard-bearer. Soon after, they arrived at the large, closed gate.
When Namgung Byeok touched the gate, it opened without a sound.
Namgung Byeok furrowed his brow even more. The gate being open didn’t sit well with him. There had been enough time and distance for both sides to have seen each other. Even so, the gate hadn’t been closed.
“Are they inviting us in? How audacious.”
It seemed that Musansocho, with its reduced forces, planned to face the Justice Unit. However, instead of one, there were three Demon Warriors present.
Bi Yeonja, the veteran of Musansocho, watched the movements of the Justice Unit with a cold gaze. The information was correct; the masters of the Justice Alliance, led by Namgung Byeok, had arrived. Although he had doubts initially, he was now sure the message was true. He felt a surge of adrenaline.
A battle at a disadvantage.
Bi Yeonja didn’t move, and his men barely breathed.
The Justice Unit consisted of 108 warriors: 25 from the Namgung family, 40 from the Seonu Family, 40 from Wudang, and 3 from the Three Immortals of Kunlun.
Although they were 108, they advanced in a coordinated manner, centered around Namgung Byeok.
When the 108 warriors reached the courtyard in front of Musansocho, the masters of the Yoomyung Cult appeared on the rooftops.
Bi Yeonja made a quick signal.
Thirty warriors of the Yoomyung Cult released their arrows.
Shoo-shoo-shoo.
Thirty arrows rained down on the 108 warriors.
“It’s an ambush!”
With Namgung Byeok’s shout, the battle began.
The warriors of the Yoomyung Cult, seeing the warriors of the Justice Division climbing onto the rooftops, switched their bows for swords.
Although they were outnumbered, they didn’t retreat.
Soon, Namgung Byeok, the leader of the Wudang clan, Young Gyeolsang, and Seonu Dam faced off against three demonic masters: Bi Yeonja, Deputy Leader Hyeolgwi Wan Saseok, and the occult master Maehwajo.
After a moment of observation, the six of them charged at their opponents almost simultaneously.
Bi Yeonja wielded a sword, Wan Saseok a saber, and Maehwajo mastered hidden weapons.
Swords and sabers gleamed under the sunset, and needles flew invisibly in all directions.
Clang, clank~
“Ugh!”
Seonu Dam felt a pain in his shoulder and gritted his teeth. Maehwajo was indiscriminately launching his needles. The needles had struck several warriors from both the Yoomyung Cult and the Justice Unit.
Although Seonu Dam was on guard against the needles, there were so many that several were already embedded in his body. He felt his body becoming sluggish.
Seonu Dam grew increasingly desperate.
“Coward! Are you trying to flee like a dog?”
Maehwajo, seeing Seonu Dam lunging at him, dodged like an eel and waved his hand.
Seonu Dam, fearing another barrage of needles, leaped to the side.
“Jejeje! Frightened.”
Maehwajo laughed and showed his empty hand. He had used a trick to drive Seonu Dam away.
Seonu Dam, his face red with anger, shouted and leaped at Maehwajo.
At that moment, Namgung Yeon appeared and unleashed a storm of swords.
The needles couldn’t penetrate Namgung Yeon’s sword shield and fell to the ground.
Surprised, Maehwajo hesitated.
Seizing the moment, Namgung Yeon flew directly at him with her sword.
Maehwajo tried to use a warrior of the Yoomyung Cult as a shield.
However, Namgung Yeon’s technique had reached perfection.
Slash!
Namgung Yeon’s sword cut through the warrior and reached Maehwajo’s forehead.
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