Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 228
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Episode 228: Invite Him for a Drink
A middle-aged man approached Lee Wooseok with long strides.
“Mr. Lee, I am Ho Wolbi, Deputy Inspector of the Zhengzhou Prefecture. I have prepared a small gift for your daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony. Though it may not be to your liking, please accept it as a token of my sincerity.”
Ho Wolbi took out a jade brooch embedded with red rubies from his chest and handed it over.
Lee Wooseok, surprised, accepted the brooch with a look of gratitude.
“Oh, Mr. Ho, such humble words! This is more than we deserve.”
His hand trembled slightly as he held the brooch. Observing the jade carved with a phoenix and the embedded rubies, it seemed like a treasure.
“Your daughter is very beautiful. If she is not already betrothed, I would like to introduce her to someone…”
Ho Wolbi looked at Lee Wooseok with meaningful eyes.
It was then that Lee Wooseok realized that his interlocutor had no connection with the village chief or the magistrate.
If he did, he wouldn’t be talking about matchmaking.
“Yes, yes. Thank you for your words. If there is a good match, I would appreciate it.”
Lee Wooseok politely accepted. He couldn’t fathom why a deputy inspector would offer to play matchmaker.
Ho Wolbi didn’t part from Lee Wooseok for quite some time.
From a corner of the courtyard, Jang Somin observed the conversation between her husband and Ho Wolbi. Then, she turned to her daughter, Lee Yooha.
“Your father is very excited. But I don’t know what’s been happening since morning. He doesn’t seem to have any connection with the village chief.”
“Yes, Mother. Could they be acquaintances of Cousin Yeon?”
“Cousin Yeon?”
Jang Somin frowned.
It was hard to believe that a young wanderer could have such connections.
In the small room, not only the inspector and magistrate were present, but also high-ranking officials and military commanders.
There were about thirty officials in the courtyard, chatting around a bonfire.
Thanks to them, the courtyard felt like a bustling market.
At that moment, one of the cooks accompanying the magistrate cautiously approached.
“Madam, the food is ready. You can serve it at any time.”
“Ah, yes.”
Jang Somin nodded with an uncomfortable expression.
A few days ago, she had been helping in another family’s kitchen. Now, they were calling her “madam,” which felt strange to her.
Just as the cook was about to leave, Jang Somin stopped her.
“Wait a moment.”
“Yes, madam?”
“You came here with the magistrate, right?”
“Yes, madam.”
“Do you know how the magistrate heard about this place?”
“I don’t know. I just take care of the kitchen. It’s the same for the others.”
“Ah, I see.”
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
The woman bowed and hurried away.
Jang Somin sighed lightly.
“This seems like the work of ghosts. No one knows anything.”
Jang Somin observed her two daughters closely.
Lee Yooha, smiling, said to her:
“I’ve pinched myself several times, and it’s not a dream. I’ve never had a dream like this.”
“It’s true. I’ve never had such a dream, so it can’t be a dream.”
As she said this, Jang Somin discreetly pinched her cheek.
While Jang Somin chatted with her daughters, Lee Wooseok approached.
“I’ve received another jade brooch. I don’t know which one to use. They all seem very valuable.”
Saying this, Lee Wooseok handed the brooch to his wife.
Jang Somin exclaimed as she received it.
“Oh! Look at this green color. And the phoenix is so finely carved. The rubies in the eyes and tail are also precious. Who gave you this?”
“I received it from a man who said he was Deputy Inspector Ho.”
“It’s beautiful, but I’m not sure if we should accept such things. Have you saved any elderly person in distress recently?”
“No, don’t expect anything like that.”
“Then are they really friends of Cousin Yeon?”
Jang Somin glanced at the closed door.
If the cousin were there, she could ask him, but he hadn’t arrived yet.
“Someone asked about him.”
Jang Somin was startled by her husband’s words.
“Who? And why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“I just heard it from that Deputy Inspector Ho. Don’t scold me.”
“Did they say ‘cousin’? Are they calling wanderers that now?”
“Maybe he’s been studying while wandering.”
Lee Wooseok puffed out his chest with pride.
Perhaps his cousin was a scholar, attracting the attention of high-ranking officials.
Yes, that must be it.
As he daydreamed, the representatives of the Righteous Faction of the Murim gathered in droves.
The small courtyard was packed.
The makeshift wooden fences on the sides collapsed due to the crowd.
Only the wall and the main gate remained intact, while the sides opened up.
On the left were people from the Golden Sword Sect and the Changin Sect, and on the right, the Evil Faction, represented by the Sakpunghoe group.
Not all members of the Righteous Faction in Zhengzhou had gone to Nanking.
In the case of the Golden Sword Sect, the sect leader, Yoo Geunsik, had stayed behind for treatment.
The Changin Sect, led by Jin Seolha, didn’t attend due to the illness of their leader.
Yeon Jeokha had invited Yoo Geunsik and Jin Seolha, as well as the Sakpunghoe.
Although he would have liked to invite the Namgung Family, he didn’t due to the circumstances.
As a result of his efforts, both the Righteous and Evil Factions unexpectedly gathered in one place.
The number of people from the Evil Faction far exceeded that of the Righteous Faction.
Unlike those who had gathered in Chilriha Village, the Evil Faction remained in Zhengzhou.
The Boss of the Sakpunghoe, Han Sang, looked disdainfully at the Righteous Faction.
An elder from the Sakpunghoe, Im Taekun, spoke in a discreet tone.
“Boss, isn’t this the perfect time to get rid of them? Should we finish them off today?”
“No. Yoo Geunsik and Jin Seolha might be here. If they get hurt, do you think the Grand Inspector will stand by? He’ll eliminate us.”
“That’s true, but it’s a shame.”
“Stop thinking nonsense and fix the collapsed fences. Let’s take the opportunity to expand the courtyard. Anyway, it’s all state land.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Who’s in charge in Hyangyang?”
“The Jaksal gang has some influence.”
“Tsk tsk. That name… Make sure nothing is lacking for the uncle.”
Han Sang spoke as if Lee Wooseok were truly his uncle.
“I’ll do it.”
Though there were soldiers around, the experts from the Sakpunghoe paid them no attention.
In fact, the soldiers were nervous and looked around anxiously.
With only a few dozen soldiers, they couldn’t do anything against the Evil Faction.
As Seok Injung and Seok Yangsu approached Lee Wooseok’s house, their faces reflected confusion.
The small courtyard was crowded, but surprisingly quiet.
People moved like ants, but there was no loud noise.
Just as they looked over the fence, a soldier stopped them.
“Stop! Who are you?”
Seok Injung quickly bowed his head and responded.
“We are residents of Seokjang Village.”
Hearing this, the soldier’s eyes gleamed.
But the Seok brothers didn’t notice because they kept their heads bowed.
“What business do you have here?”
Though the soldier’s tone changed, Seok Injung responded sincerely.
“The village chief sent us to fetch the bride. Today is the wedding of his eldest daughter with the village chief’s son…”
Before he could finish, the soldiers along the fence rushed forward and restrained them.
Seok Injung, pale with fear, asked,
“Why… why are you detaining us?”
“The magistrate ordered the arrest of all Seoks who came here today. You’re planning a forced marriage in broad daylight. What, do you think you’re invincible?”
“It’s a misunderstanding! It’s not a forced marriage.”
As the Seok brothers struggled, five men dressed in black dragged three wanderers and threw them before the soldiers.
“These men confessed that they were hired to kidnap the bride. Madmen… They think they’re kings in their little territory. Arrest them all.”
Following the orders of the man in black, the soldiers detained the wanderers and the Seok brothers.
The Seok brothers begged for forgiveness, but only received blows in response.
Hyangyang
Yangryu Inn
Yeon Jeokha woke up late and had breakfast.
Unaware that his uncle’s house had turned into a marketplace, he was calm.
In reality, there was no rush. With his movement technique, he would arrive in 15 minutes.
After finishing his tea, Yeon Jeokha didn’t get up immediately.
“I asked for help and called on acquaintances. They’ll come, right?”
As Yeon Jeokha calculated the number of guests, someone entered the inn.
After looking around, the man approached Yeon Jeokha’s table.
Yeon Jeokha raised his head and looked at him.
Suddenly, the middle-aged man smiled.
“It’s been a while. Your face shines more, it seems you’ve improved your skills.”
“Silent Wind Sovereign?”
He was one of the Twelve Demon Lords, the Silent Wind Sovereign.
“Ha ha, yes. I came today to bring you a message from the Grand Chaeju.”
“What does he want?”
Yeon Jeokha openly frowned.
He had finished his dealings with the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord, so he didn’t know why his disciple had been sent.
“Since we’re in Zhengzhou, he said to invite you for a drink at Zhengzhou’s First Pavilion.”
“The Grand Chaeju is in Zhengzhou?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t right now.”
“I know. After your cousin’s coming-of-age ceremony, could it be tomorrow night?”
“Are you following me?”
“Of course not!”
“Relax, I was just joking.”
“So, when would be convenient for you?”
“Since it’s time to return to Kaifeng, we’ll meet tomorrow night.”
“Understood. I’ll tell him.”
Silent Wind Sovereign got up to leave, but Yeon Jeokha stopped him.
“Are you going to leave just like that?”
“Is there something else?”
Silent Wind Sovereign looked uncomfortable at Yeon Jeokha.
Ever since Yeon Jeokha had pierced his palm, he had felt uneasy.
“You must attend my cousin’s coming-of-age ceremony. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event.”
“Oh! What was I thinking? I was so focused on our meeting that I forgot. Here’s a congratulatory gift from the Grand Chaeju.”
Silent Wind Sovereign handed over an envelope with both hands.
Yeon Jeokha accepted it naturally and checked the contents.
It was a voucher for a thousand taels.
“Thank the Grand Chaeju for me. Now, let’s go.”
Yeon Jeokha stood up and patted Silent Wind Sovereign on the shoulder before leaving the inn.
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