Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 224
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C224. Let’s Hear What This Is About
At that moment, the Southern Guard, Ji Ilgang, frowned.
The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord of Nokrim had no fewer than twelve disciples. Known in Murim as the Twelve Demon Generals, they were the representatives of the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord. But the fact that he didn’t choose one of them but rather Yeon Jeokha was intriguing.
“I thought it would be one of the Twelve Demon Generals. What kind of relationship does Yeon Jeokha have with the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord to be entrusted with such an important responsibility?”
“There is no special relationship. He simply entrusted the task to him because he trusts his abilities.”
“If it’s a matter of skill, the Twelve Demon Generals are not inferior to Yeon Jeokha.”
“I thought the same, but it seems I was wrong. Recently, one of the Twelve Demon Generals said, ‘We entrusted the task to Yeon Jeokha because the Twelve Demon Generals cannot face the Demon Warriors.’”
Since he met Yeon Jeokha, Dong Yusu had been in contact with the Twelve Demon Generals to confirm whether the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord had indeed delegated the leadership of Nokrim to Yeon Jeokha. In the process, he discovered even more surprising things about him, such as that he had eliminated several of the Demon Warriors along the way.
“Did you know that Yeon Jeokha has killed several of the Demon Warriors in Nokriom’s camps?”
“I heard it as a rumor. But is it true? The Demon Warriors are the ones who destroyed the Justice Alliance.”
“It’s true. That’s why Yeon Jeokha has been recognized as second-in-command in Nokrim. With just a word, he can mobilize everyone in Nokrim.”
Ji Ilgang, surprised, asked, “Then is it better to try to win over Yeon Jeokha instead of the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord? What do you know about him?”
“He doesn’t seem like a typical member of Nokrim.”
“What do you mean?”
“As you know, he has only been in Nokrim for a few years. Maybe that’s why he hasn’t been tainted by its influence yet. If the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord is an old fox, he is a young lion.”
“Is he just brave?”
“I would rather say he’s pure. That’s the impression he gives.”
“Ah!”
Ji Ilgang seemed to vaguely understand what Dong Yusu was trying to convey. Men are often drawn to those who are strong and pure. It was evident that Dong Yusu had taken a liking to Yeon Jeokha. For a Southern Guard of the Golden Guard, responsible for maintaining order, to speak this way about a member of Nokrim was surprising.
“But in the end, he is still a member of Nokrim.”
Ji Ilgang gently reminded him to avoid being swayed by personal emotions and making a mistake.
“If you knew him better, you’d see that he’s different from other members of Nokrim. Sometimes, I even doubt whether he truly belongs to Nokrim.”
“In what sense?”
“Look at what he’s done since he appeared in the world. He seems more like a disciple of the Quanzhen Sect traveling through the Jianghu. Even now, he’s managing an inn in a village.”
“That may be, but think about this: where did he get the money to buy the inn? The Ten Heroes of Five Peaks Mountain are famous thieves in Henan Province. Yeon Jeokha is one of them.”
“That’s why I said he doesn’t seem like a member of Nokrim.”
Finally, Ji Ilgang nodded, understanding. Indeed, Yeon Jeokha was not a typical member of Nokrim. The fact that two Southern Guards of the Golden Guard were discussing him so much proved it.
“The most important thing is whether he will accept our offer. What do you think?”
“He has been eliminating Demon Warriors on his own. The Yoomyung Cult has put a bounty on his head. At some point, he will have to face the Yoomyung Cult.”
“The problem is that he must do so before the Alliance is completely destroyed. We don’t have much time. We must act more proactively.”
“Leave it to me. Fortunately, I’ve already established a relationship with him. I’ll try to get closer to him personally, just as the Ten Heroes of Five Peaks Mountain did with him. Trying to win him over immediately could backfire.”
“Are you thinking of becoming his sworn brother?”
“I don’t think he would accept that. But I’ll try to earn his trust sincerely.”
“Do whatever you deem necessary, but act quickly. I don’t want to sit idly by while the North Division takes advantage.”
“I understand. I’ll look for him immediately.”
For Dong Yusu, who was monitoring Yeon Jeokha’s movements, this wouldn’t be difficult.
Zhengzhou, Hyangyang County
Lee Wooseok was an ordinary man. When the village chief proposed the marriage, he didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. Instead, he saw it as an opportunity to change his life. He believed that a rich family would be better for his daughter than a poor one, especially since survival was the most important thing.
His acquaintances also envied him, saying that he had improved his life thanks to his beautiful daughter. Even his daughter accepted this as natural, at least until her cousin appeared.
“Ah!”
Lee Wooseok sighed as he sold firewood at the market. His friend, Jang Manjeon, who was selling firewood beside him, commented, “Why are you sighing? Are you feeling sad because Yuhwa is getting married?”
Lee Wooseok smiled bitterly. He had asked to cancel the marriage, but he still hadn’t told his friends. Since the village chief was determined to go ahead, he kept it a secret. In the early days, he wanted to cancel the marriage, but now he was resigned. The debt was still there, and daily life was difficult, so what did it matter?
Then, Jang Manjeon said something strange: “You should be careful with your nephew.”
“What do you mean?”
“They say he’s running away because of some crime.”
“Who says that?”
“If not, why is he in Seokjang Village? He’s a wanderer; what does he have to do here?”
“He came to see his family.”
“An adult visiting his relatives so often? It’s not like they’re close. It seems more plausible that he’s on the run.”
“He’s not that kind of person. He’s very good.”
“A wanderer is a wanderer. How can someone who kills for money be good?”
“Not all wanderers are like that.”
“Do you know what wanderers do? They kill for money.”
“Don’t speak ill of someone you don’t know.”
“Do you know what your nephew has done in other places? No?”
“He’s not that kind of person.”
“I’m just warning you. I don’t want him causing trouble right before the wedding.”
“I told you he’s not like that!”
Lee Wooseok shouted, but deep down, he was worried. He remembered when his nephew said it was easier to deal with people than with trees. Everything seemed confusing.
“Hey, what if I cancel the marriage?”
“Are you crazy? Why would you reject such an opportunity? Do you think the village chief will accept the cancellation? He won’t. He cares a lot about his reputation.”
Lee Wooseok thought of the sharp gaze of the village chief and lowered his head.
“Do you really want to cancel the marriage?”
“Yes.”
“If you want to keep living in Seokjang Village, don’t mention that. Besides, isn’t that marriage too good for your family?”
“But the age difference…”
“Do you think youth is the most important thing? Youth doesn’t put food on the table.”
“The children of my future son-in-law are older than Yuhwa.”
“Look at it from the bright side. You won’t have to raise someone else’s children.”
“Would you say the same if it were your daughter?”
“Do you think my daughter is a queen? Daughters should do what’s best for their families. Who’s been filling your head with nonsense? Your nephew?”
Lee Wooseok thought he was right. He might have been influenced by his nephew. But he thought there was a difference between selling his sister and marrying off Yuhwa.
“Actually, my nephew…”
Lee Wooseok told his friend about the dark past of his family. After hearing it, Jang Manjeon commented, “Your nephew is meddling too much. Unless he can marry off Yuhwa somewhere better, he should stay quiet. If he were my nephew, I wouldn’t let him cross the doorstep of my house. Poor you.”
Jang Manjeon looked at Lee Wooseok with pity, making him feel uncomfortable, so he avoided his gaze.
“I don’t know. Yuhwa says she doesn’t want to get married because my nephew influenced her. I’m fed up. There’s no one to help, only criticize. Damn it.”
It seems that being easily influenced is a characteristic of his family. Before, Lee Wooseok had firmly insisted on canceling the marriage to the village chief, but now, influenced by his friend, he was weakening.
Yangryu Inn, at Dusk
After returning from Seokjang Village, Yeon Jeokha headed to the dining hall. Considering his uncle’s situation, he tried to eat out whenever he could. Besides, his aunt, Jang Somin’s, culinary skills were mediocre, which also influenced his decision.
The vegetables she cooked were not to Yeon Jeokha’s taste, who was accustomed to richer meals. But the real reason was something else. Lately, every time he met Lee Wooseok, the man put on an uncomfortable expression, as if he had something to hide. It didn’t matter if they were family; he didn’t enjoy meals with someone so secretive.
That’s why Yeon Jeokha preferred to eat in Hyangyang. Although it was a two-hour walk for an ordinary person, it was only a twenty-minute stroll for him.
As he was eating ramen, someone approached his table. Looking up, Yeon Jeokha saw the Southern Guard of the Golden Guard, Dong Yusu, dressed in his black uniform.
“May I sit?”
“Go ahead.”
Yeon Jeokha observed him with curiosity. It wasn’t a coincidence to find him in this small inn in Hyangyang.
“How have you been?”
“Good. Did you come to see me?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I said no, so yes, I came to see you.”
“Good. I just needed help with something.”
Dong Yusu’s tense face brightened. He had been thinking about how to get closer to Yeon Jeokha, and now it seemed that heaven was helping him.
“Really? Just tell me what you need. I’ll do my best to help you.”
“It’s something trivial; I’m embarrassed to ask, but I have no one else to turn to.”
“Don’t worry. Don’t hesitate and tell me. I can mobilize even a lieutenant commander (responsible for 5,600 men).”
“A lieutenant commander?”
“Yes, an officer in charge of 5,600 soldiers.”
“I don’t think I need that many men…”
“Well, tell me what it’s about.”
Dong Yusu leaned forward, showing interest. The sound of his sword sliding against the chair echoed in the room.
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