Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 208
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Chapter 208: Why Are You Bringing This Up Now?
Nok Dampyeong slowly opened his eyes. He seemed disappointed, as if he had been awakened from a good dream. However, he quickly realized the situation and got up, looking around.
“Ah! I’m sorry, I don’t usually fall asleep like this… But, didn’t someone come by a moment ago?”
“Yes, they came and left.”
“Oh! It wasn’t a dream. But, why was I sleeping?”
Nok Dampyeong muttered to himself, scratching his head, unable to comprehend what had happened. Dong Yusu’s technique had been so subtle and quick that the victim hadn’t even noticed.
“Young Master, when did that person leave?”
“Just a moment ago.”
“Ah, I see.”
Nok Dampyeong scratched his head again and headed toward the nearby hut. Yeon Jeokha sat down in the makeshift chair, with Dong Yusu’s words echoing in his ears:
The maternal family of Young Master Yeon lives in Seokjang Village, west of Zhengzhou. Your uncle, Lee Useok, is still alive. If you have time, you should visit them. We’ll meet again sometime.
Family! Although he tried to remain indifferent, his heart stirred. Despite holding a grudge against the Yeon family, he also felt some compassion for them. They were his only blood relatives.
But now, he no longer had to worry about them. He had true family. Though he wasn’t sure how they would receive each other, he was still curious.
‘When Old Shim returns, I should go see them. But why hasn’t that old man come back yet?’
For the first time, Yeon Jeokha missed Shim Tong.
————–
Hubei Province, Wuhan City
Shim Tong, the Old Dao of Nine Heavens, looked at the city with nostalgia.
“Damn it. This is the last place. Why do I have to go through this at my age?”
He had passed through Zhengzhou, meeting Pung Yeoncho and Tak Gomyung, then through Five Peaks Mountain, and now he was in Wuhan. All to find out about Lee Cheolsan, Han Chaeyeon, and Ha Sobaek, and to convey Yeon Jeokha’s news.
“Damn! Why can’t everyone live in the same province? What do they gain by being here in Hubei?”
Despite his complaints, Shim Tong continued moving swiftly. It wasn’t long before he arrived at the Heavenly Sword Sect (Cheongeom Sect).
“Cha-ha!”
“Yap!”
Shouts could be heard from the other side of the wall. The main gate was wide open, indicating a large number of disciples. Shim Tong enjoyed the sounds as he calmly made his way inside.
In the wide courtyard, dozens of young people were practicing with wooden swords. One of the instructors, who was supervising, was surprised to recognize him.
“Senior Shim?”
It was Yoo Yi-min, who had met Shim Tong before. Shim Tong’s distinctive appearance, with his goat beard and red cloak, was unmistakable.
“Welcome! Have you come to see the Great Swordmaster?”
“Great Swordmaster?”
Shim Tong didn’t understand, so Yoo Yi-min chuckled lightly.
“Yes, Master Lee was recently promoted to Great Swordmaster or Great Instructor. We have many more instructors now.”
“Ah, I see! Where is he now?”
“Let me take you to him.”
Yoo Yi-min bowed respectfully and guided Shim Tong through the inner gate to a new building with the sign “Hall of the Sword of Honor.”
“The Great Swordmaster is here. Let me announce your arrival.”
Shim Tong nodded, and Yoo Yi-min quickly went inside. Shortly after, Lee Cheolsan came out.
“Old Shim, what brings you here? Has something happened at Five Peaks Mountain?”
“Do you think I came here for something so trivial? I don’t have time, so I’ll tell you what you need to know. The young master has established an inn in Hwasang Village, Kaifeng.”
“Ah, I see. Understood. But you’ve traveled a long way; you should rest before returning.”
Despite the invitation, Shim Tong shook his head.
“The young master can’t do anything without me. If I don’t return soon, he might starve to death. Besides, with the war between the Yoomyung Cult and the Justice Alliance, I don’t want you to get involved.”
“Ha, ha! Understood. I’m aware of my limits. The Heavenly Sword Sect will not involve itself in their affairs.”
“Make sure to inform those two girls from the Chamber of Commerce as well.”
“Yes.”
As Shim Tong was about to leave, a man in his thirties arrived, accompanied by a disciple from the Heavenly Sword Sect.
It was Yak Daemong, the manager of the Taipyeong Chamber of Commerce.
“Great Swordmaster Lee.”
“Yak Daemong? What’s the matter?”
“A problem has arisen at the Chamber of Commerce, and we need your help.”
“What kind of problem?”
“The leader, Mak Haengsoo, has been kidnapped in Fuyang.”
Lee Cheolsan frowned. Although the Taipyeong Chamber of Commerce had many bodyguards, they had come to seek help from the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Shim Tong, intrigued by the mention of the kidnapping, decided to stay.
From the porch, Yoo Yi-min intervened.
“Doesn’t the Taipyeong Chamber of Commerce have many bodyguards? Why come to us?”
Yak Daemong responded with a bitter smile.
“Normally, yes, but this time the kidnapper is from the Yoomyung Cult. We had no choice but to come here. Soon, the division leader will come to request help from the sect leader.”
The mention of the Yoomyung Cult made Lee Cheolsan involuntarily glance at Shim Tong. Just after receiving the warning not to get involved with the Yoomyung Cult, this problem arose.
Yoo Yi-min, surprised, asked again.
“The Yoomyung Cult kidnapped Leader Mak Haengsoo? Why?”
“It seems that while he was in Fuyang, Leader Mak signed a contract to supply goods to the Justice Alliance. Upon learning this, experts from the Yoomyung Cult kidnapped him, demanding that the contract be canceled.”
“Ah! So he signed the contract while traveling to Zhengzhou.”
As the principal disciple and nephew of Lee Cheolsan, Yoo Yi-min was aware of the Chamber of Commerce’s business. It wasn’t unusual for Mak Haengsoo to be in Fuyang, and it seemed he had tried to gain more benefits by aligning with the Justice Alliance.
“That’s right.”
With the situation clearer, Yoo Yi-min looked at Lee Cheolsan. He had intervened to help Lee Cheolsan better understand the situation.
With everyone waiting for his response, Lee Cheolsan looked directly at Shim Tong, seeking advice.
Shim Tong shook his head. Getting involved with the Yoomyung Cult meant certain death for someone of Lee Cheolsan’s level.
Seeing Shim Tong’s refusal, Lee Cheolsan didn’t insist.
When he met Yeon Jeokha, he learned how dangerous the Yoomyung Cult was. Wisely, he decided not to confront them.
“Yak Daemong, I’m sorry, but my skills aren’t enough to help. Why didn’t you ask the Justice Alliance for help?”
“They say they don’t have time and have already left Fuyang.”
“But they signed a contract with you, didn’t they?”
“When Leader Mak disappeared, they obtained what they needed through another merchant.”
“Hah!”
Lee Cheolsan looked at Yak Daemong with pity. Without the help of the Justice Alliance, rescuing Mak Haengsoo fell entirely on the Taipyeong Chamber of Commerce.
Yak Daemong, after a moment of hesitation, added:
“Ah, among those who were going to rescue Leader Mak were also your sworn sisters.”
Lee Cheolsan immediately raised his voice.
“Why didn’t you mention this earlier?! When do they plan to leave? They haven’t left yet, right?”
“I’m sorry, I just remembered. We’ll leave by tomorrow at the latest.”
Lee Cheolsan turned to Yoo Yi-min.
“Instructor Yoo.”
“Yes.”
“I’m going to join the Taipyeong Chamber of Commerce. Inform the sect leader.”
“Right now?”
“With this urgent matter, I can’t stay here. The sooner I join the Chamber of Commerce, the better.”
Knowing that Han Chaeyeon and Ha Sobaek were involved, Lee Cheolsan didn’t think twice.
Shim Tong, knowing this, didn’t try to stop him. Although it was in the opposite direction, he would go with them to ensure nothing happened to them.
Lee Cheolsan looked at Shim Tong.
“Old Shim, it seems things have changed. I can’t let Chaeyeon and Sobaek go alone.”
“I’ll go with you. My destination is Kaifeng, but I can accompany you.”
Lee Cheolsan was delighted.
“Thank you.”
Lee Cheolsan bowed gratefully. Yak Daemong, curious, looked at Shim Tong, wondering who this man was that Lee Cheolsan respected so much.
Yoo Yi-min intervened to clarify.
“With the Old Dao of Nine Heavens accompanying us, the sect leader won’t worry. The masters of the Yoomyung Cult will flee at the sight of him.”
Yak Daemong’s eyes widened upon hearing this.
With the war between the Justice Alliance and the Yoomyung Cult, many secrets had come to light, including the identity of Yeon Jeokha and his shadow, Shim Tong.
It was said that they had been eliminating the Demon Warriors of the Yoomyung Cult long before the Justice Alliance declared war.
Yak Daemong bowed deeply to Shim Tong.
“Oh! I didn’t recognize the famous Old Dao of Nine Heavens. I am Yak Daemong from the Chamber of Commerce.”
Knowing that Shim Tong was a master of Nokrim, Yak Daemong addressed him as “Old Dao” instead of “Great Swordmaster.”
Shim Tong smiled and waved his hand, pleased. Though he had once been called the “Immortal Sword Demon,” he preferred his new title, which sounded more respectful and dignified.
Anhui Province, Fuyang City
Although most of the experts from the Yoomyung Cult were in Jeongju, also known as Zhengzhou, some remained in other areas.
Since the Murim Conflict, those who openly identified as members of the Yoomyung Cult were fewer, but their loyalty had increased. In Fuyang, two prominent groups were the Wall Tiger Clan and the Great Axe Clan.
The leader of the Wall Tiger Clan, Ilmuwon, was the son of the previous leader, Ilwicheon, who had become a Demon Warrior.
The leader of the Great Axe Clan, Kang Seongo, aspired to become a Demon Warrior and was consumed by ambition.
Together, they decided to kidnap the leader of the Teepyong Chamber of Commerce, Mak Haengsoo, thereby breaking his contract with the Justice Alliance.
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