Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 227
.jpeg){kind=tracking}
Episode 227: Do You Really Want to Be Crushed to the Bone?
Hyangyang County.
Magistrate’s Office.
Around 7 PM.
A local magistrate of the seventh rank would normally never have the opportunity to meet a Southern Golden Guard Officer of the second rank in their entire life.
However, life is full of exceptions.
The magistrate of Hyangyang County, Seok Gang-wol, sat in front of his visitor with his hands neatly placed on his knees, like a young bride.
The Southern Golden Guard Officer, Dong Yuso, seemed younger than him, but his gaze was so intimidating that Seok Gang-wol feared meeting his eyes.
Even though the office had already closed, Dong Yuso silently sipped tea.
He must have come with some purpose, thought Seok Gang-wol, but he didn’t dare ask and only smiled awkwardly.
At that moment, a voice was heard outside the door.
“Sir, Inspector Seo from Zhengzhou Prefecture has arrived.”
Hearing that the inspector had arrived, Seok Gang-wol’s expression turned pathetic.
A Southern Golden Guard Officer and now an inspector… definitely something bad is happening in Hyangyang County, he thought.
Seok Gang-wol bowed to Dong Yuso before quickly getting up to open the door.
Sure enough, the person ascending to the main hall was Seo Kyung-jin, whom Seok Gang-wol had seen at annual events.
“Oh! Inspector, welcome. If you had informed us, we would have made preparations…”
But Seo Kyung-jin barely acknowledged Seok Gang-wol’s greeting and entered.
Dong Yuso, of higher rank, greeted Seo Kyung-jin with a slight nod.
Seo Kyung-jin, with a cheerful expression, bowed to Dong Yuso.
“Officer Dong, it’s been a while. I heard you were in Kaifeng. How have you been?”
“Ha, ha. Thanks to you, I’ve been well. And you? You look good.”
The higher the rank, the more frequent the dealings with the Southern Golden Guard. Especially for an inspector like Seo Kyung-jin, it’s common to interact with them in the course of their duties. Sometimes the Southern Golden Guard acts directly, but often they gather information through inspectors.
As Seo Kyung-jin and Dong Yuso exchanged greetings, Seok Gang-wol quietly returned to his seat. With a Southern Golden Guard Officer and an inspector present, he barely dared to breathe, sweating coldly.
“There must be a rebel hiding in Hyangyang County,” he thought.
Otherwise, there would be no reason for the Southern Golden Guard and an inspector to gather in one place.
One mistake could cost him his head.
Seok Gang-wol couldn’t take his eyes off Dong Yuso’s lips.
Then, Seo Kyung-jin asked:
“What brings you here? I hope it’s nothing serious.”
Seok Gang-wol swallowed hard at the inspector’s question. It seemed that Dong Yuso had summoned Seo Kyung-jin here.
Dong Yuso drank the cold tea in one gulp and briefly glanced at Seok Gang-wol.
Without having committed any crime, Seok Gang-wol felt a chill down his spine and stretched his neck, blinking.
“Depending on how you look at it, it can be good or bad. Listen carefully. Last year, under the emperor’s order, an operation was carried out in the North. But they failed, and three high-ranking officials lost their heads because of it.”
With those words, Dong Yuso passed the edge of his hand across his neck.
It could mean dismissal or execution, but no one dared to ask further.
“Afterward, the matter was handed over to our Southern Golden Guard. If we also fail, it will go back to the North. That’s how things work in this realm. In the process, someone will have to take responsibility for the failure.”
The faces of Seok Gang-wol and Seo Kyung-jin hardened.
Talking about responsibilities suggested that he was warning them.
They could be dismissed or even quietly executed.
Dong Yuso continued speaking with an impassive face.
“Since this is a matter in which the emperor is personally interested, the rewards and punishments will be clearer than ever. I hope this is good news for both of you.”
Seo Kyung-jin, who had been listening in a trance, finally regained his composure and asked:
“Officer Dong, we need to know what this is about… Or is it possible not to get involved?”
Seok Gang-wol vigorously nodded, showing his agreement with the question.
Dong Yuso shook his head at their reaction.
“It’s already something happening in Hyangyang County, so you won’t be able to avoid responsibility.”
Seo Kyung-jin sighed deeply.
Although he didn’t know what it was about, if the stage was Hyangyang County, Dong Yuso was right.
“Ah! Since that’s the case, we’ll do our best to ensure everything goes well. Please inform us of the details.”
Suddenly, Dong Yuso fixed his gaze on Seok Gang-wol.
“Magistrate Seok, do you agree as well?”
“Yes? Yes, I’ll do my best to resolve this.”
Suddenly, Dong Yuso slammed the table hard.
“If you say you’ll do it, then why did you do that? Do you really want to be crushed to the bone?”
For a moment, Seok Gang-wol was stunned, not understanding why he was being scolded.
But since he wasn’t the type to scold without reason, he quickly lowered his head.
“Sir, please tell me what mistake I made. I’ll correct it immediately.”
Dong Yuso averted his gaze from Seok Gang-wol to the window.
As a high-ranking Southern Golden Guard Officer, he was skilled at handling people’s emotions.
After showing a fierce temper, he spoke calmly.
“Do you know the current situation in the Murim?”
Faced with the unexpected question, Seo Kyung-jin cautiously responded:
“Are you referring to the conflict between the Justice Alliance and the Yoomyung Cult?”
“Exactly. The Alliance is on the verge of destruction. The Yoomyung Cult is a demonic sect. If the Murim falls into the hands of a demonic sect, what do you think will happen to the world?”
“It will plunge into chaos.”
Seo Kyung-jin nodded.
That was common sense, so he didn’t need to think much about it.
“Therefore, our Southern Golden Guard hopes that the Evil Faction will join forces with the Justice Alliance.”
“Ah!”
Seo Kyung-jin immediately understood what Dong Yuso meant. It seems that the emperor desires the righteous and demonic factions to unite to eliminate the Yoomyung Cult.
“I’ll be direct. My mission is to forge an alliance between Nokrim, the main force of the Evil Faction, and the Alliance.”
At Dong Yuso’s words, Seok Gang-wol was bewildered. He couldn’t understand what this had to do with him.
Seo Kyung-jin, also with a puzzled expression, asked:
“I understand your intention, but what does this have to do with Hyangyang County?”
“The Great Chaeju and Boss of Nokrim, the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord, has left Nokrim’s administration in the hands of his Grand Inspector, Yeon Jeokha. In other words, Yeon Jeokha is the one mainly responsible for deciding on the alliance between the factions.”
“…”
Seo Kyung-jin and Seok Gang-wol looked at Dong Yuso with expressions that said, “And so?”
“The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord doesn’t deal with officials. But Yeon Jeokha is someone who can be reasoned with. So the success of this mission depends on persuading Yeon Jeokha.”
Seo Kyung-jin didn’t understand why Yeon Jeokha’s name suddenly appeared.
When he was about to say something, Dong Yuso continued:
“Yeon Jeokha is in Hyangyang County to visit his uncle. And his uncle has a serious problem.”
“What problem?”
Seo Kyung-jin asked, alarmed.
“The magistrate Seok’s nephew, who is the head of Seokjang Village, is forcing a marriage with that uncle’s daughter. That daughter is Yeon Jeokha’s cousin. Magistrate Seok, do you understand what I’m saying? The marriage your nephew is forcing is with Yeon Jeokha’s cousin.”
“What?! The marriage tomorrow is forced? I didn’t know anything about that.”
“A few days ago, I met Yeon Jeokha at an inn in Hyangyang County. He told me about the forced marriage. Upon secretly investigating, I discovered that the village head is indeed coercing the marriage. With just one word from Yeon Jeokha, not only Seokjang Village but also you could face death. No, actually, it will be the Southern Golden Guard who takes care of you.”
“Please, forgive me! I’ll stop the marriage.”
“Don’t worry too much. There’s still an opportunity. Tomorrow, at the forced marriage ceremony of your nephew, Yeon Jeokha’s family will hold a coming-of-age ceremony. You know which one to attend and whom to congratulate, right?”
“Yes, yes.”
Dong Yuso then looked at Seo Kyung-jin.
“Yeon Jeokha has asked for someone to attend his cousin’s ceremony. It seems he feels deeply humiliated by the village head’s abuse of power. It’s understandable, given that his family is poor. Now you understand why I requested to see the inspector, right?”
“I understand. I can’t miss that ceremony. I’ll make sure to attend and leave a good impression. And Magistrate Seok.”
“Yes.”
“I’m going to punish your nephew severely. I can’t overlook the fact that you, as the magistrate in charge of overseeing the people’s well-being, knew about this and did nothing. Don’t warn your nephew. If he escapes, you’ll be held responsible.”
“That nephew is nothing but a disgrace to the Seok Family. Do what you must.”
Seok Gang-wol prostrated himself on the ground to save his life.
Once the matter was clarified, Dong Yuso and Seo Kyung-jin quietly withdrew.
Seok Gang-wol, still in shock, hurried home.
Seokjang Village.
The day of destiny had finally arrived.
The women of Seokjang Village headed to the village head’s house from the morning. It was a big event for the village, and they volunteered to help.
The village head, Seok Il-ham, watched the house with satisfaction.
There were so many people that it seemed the entire village had gathered.
“Father.”
Hearing a voice, he turned around and saw his son, elegantly dressed, standing.
“Why have you come out? The ceremony won’t be until later.”
“I was curious and wanted to see. But it seems the bride’s family hasn’t arrived yet.”
“I’ll soon send someone to fetch them. It seems they’re busy with the coming-of-age ceremony.”
“Don’t be too hard on them. After all, they’ll be our in-laws.”
“Ha, ha. This boy, are you already siding with your future in-laws? You’re the type who would revere even the post of his father-in-law’s house.”
Embarrassed, Seok Woo-dae changed the subject.
“But I’m worried that the vagabond cousin will cause trouble.”
“That’s why I brought some Wanderers from Zhengzhou. ‘Use barbarians to control barbarians,’ don’t they say? Don’t worry, they’ll take care of him.”
“But I see many villagers, but no other guests.”
“The ceremony is at eleven in the morning; there’s still time. The dignitaries always arrive just in time, don’t they?”
After chatting a bit more with his son, Seok Il-ham called the brothers Seok In-jung and Seok Yang-su.
“Did you call us?”
“It’s almost time. Go and bring the bride.”
“Understood.”
The Seok brothers nodded in complicity.
Shortly after, Seok In-jung and Seok Yang-su, accompanied by three Wanderers, discreetly left through the back door.
One of the Wanderers following the Seok brothers laughed and said:
“Hey, they say the bride is very pretty. Is it true?”
Seok Yang-su replied with displeasure:
“And what if she’s pretty or not? Don’t meddle in other people’s affairs.”
“I’m just curious. Is she so pretty that they’re forcing her to marry?”
The Wanderer’s tone turned slightly insolent, but Seok Yang-su didn’t dare retort.
Seok In-jung, who was hurriedly walking ahead, suddenly stopped in his tracks.
It should have been a quiet moment near Lee Wooseok’s house, but there were people everywhere.
There were even soldiers stationed in the alley.
The Wanderers slowed down upon seeing the soldiers.
“Is the magistrate going to pick up the bride?”
“I don’t think so. If that were the case, why would we have been sent?”
Although it made sense, Seok Yang-su frowned.
The Wanderers refused to move forward, using the soldiers as an excuse.
In the end, only Seok In-jung and Seok Yang-su headed to Lee Wooseok’s house.
English