Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 229
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Episode 229: If You Need Something, Take It
Silent Wind Sovereign followed Yeon Jeokha with a look of discomfort.
He had intended to hand over the money and leave, but it didn’t seem like that was going to happen.
“One of the Twelve Demon Lords has to attend the coming-of-age ceremony of a girl he doesn’t even know…”
At that moment, he wanted to drive his fist into Yeon Jeokha’s back with a White Bone Strike.
Suddenly, his right palm began to throb, bringing back memories of the day everything went wrong.
As he recalled Yeon Jeokha’s blood-soaked fingers, his voice echoed in his head.
-“Hello, I’m Yeon Jeokha. Nice to meet you. Hehe!”
“Damn it, I’d rather endure this out of fear.”
As he repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fist, Silent Wind Sovereign’s shoulders slumped.
————
Seokjang Village
Seo Choolryang, the Administrator of the Golden Sword Sect, stretched in the courtyard of Lee Wooseok’s house, visibly irritated by the over-an-hour-long wait.
—“Aaaaah! This is exhausting. I’m not sure if we’re doing the right thing here.”
To his words, Yoo Kyungjin, the Leader of the Golden Sword Sect, laughed.
—“Why are you laughing?”
—“Do you think we’re wasting our time? Look at the Changin Sect.”
—“Honestly, I don’t understand why you and the leader of the Changin Sect are here instead of in Chilriha Village.”
—“The remnants of the Justice Alliance in Chilriha Village are just a bunch of defeated ones. The sects of Zhengzhou are returning to their territories. It’s said that fewer than four hundred members remain. Do you understand what that means?”
—“Shouldn’t we be supporting them instead of abandoning them?”
—“Tsk! You’re so naive. The Alliance no longer has the strength to stand against the Yoomyung Cult. Soon, even the sects of Henan will return to their territories. How many do you think will be left?”
—“Do you mean this will collapse?”
—“Do you think the Yoomyung Cult will allow the Alliance to retreat in peace? The Alliance is finished. There’s even a rumor that the strategist Jegal Seun is seeking help from the Evil Faction masters.”
—“Could that be true? It sounds like an unfounded rumor to me. I don’t see why Jegal Seun would seek help from the Evil Faction.”
—“Tsk, tsk! You’re only seeing part of the picture. You can’t pick much by scraping the bottom of an empty pot. It’s better to look at someone else’s granary.”
—“Are you implying that Jegal Seun is seeking cooperation from the Evil Faction?”
Seo Choolryang’s eyes widened in surprise.
Could the leadership of the Alliance, which always sought to destroy the Evil Faction, really be doing that?
—“Though I don’t have close connections in the Evil Faction, we’ll see whom the Alliance asks for help. The leader of the Changin Sect is also very perceptive.”
—“Wow! It seems the Alliance is truly collapsing.”
—“There’s nothing wrong with getting along with Yeon Jeokha in these uncertain times. If the Justice Alliance falls, do you think the Sakpunghoe will leave the righteous sects alone?”
—“You’re right.”
Seo Choolryang nodded.
Talking with the leader had dispelled his concerns about Chilriha Village.
At that moment, the main door opened, and two people entered.
With their arrival, the Sakpunghoe fell silent.
The men, who resembled wild beasts, turned into docile lambs.
Yoo Geunsik whispered to Yoo Kyungjin.
—“Father, the young man who just entered is Yeon Jeokha. Once the Sakpunghoe finishes greeting him, I’ll introduce you.”
—“Understood.”
Yoo Kyungjin carefully observed the youthful-looking man.
He had heard that Yeon Jeokha appeared young, but seeing him in person was another thing.
Led by Han Sang, the masters of the Sakpunghoe bowed deeply to Yeon Jeokha.
More than fifty masters bowed, leaving the courtyard in dead silence.
Han Sang, who already knew Yeon Jeokha, acted as if he were his servant.
The members of the righteous sects approached Yeon Jeokha.
Shortly after, even the high-ranking officials came out to greet him.
Jang Somin, watching from a distance, murmured to herself.
—“So they really were cousin’s guests.”
Lee Shihwa, with bright eyes, exclaimed.
—“Mom, I also want to be a wanderer like cousin Yeon! Is that okay?”
—“Sure, go ahead.”
Jang Somin patted her young daughter’s head with a dazed expression.
If a wanderer could be so successful, why stop her?
The coming-of-age ceremony was successfully held.
After a simple meal, the officials and sect members withdrew like a receding tide.
Lee Wooseok, having seen off the guests, entered the house.
Looking at the courtyard, now three times larger, he couldn’t help but smile.
This wasn’t a dream.
He thought the village chief should have seen this.
How strange!
He had never worshipped his ancestors but had such luck.
The magistrate had promised to arrest the village chief, and Ho Wolbi, the Deputy Inspector, had assured him he’d return soon.
“It seems it wasn’t just a courtesy to introduce someone.”
The four of them sat in a circle in the small room.
Lee Wooseok, unsure of how to look at his cousin, swept the floor uselessly with his palm.
Lee Yooha spoke respectfully.
—“Thank you, cousin. I’ll never forget this kindness.”
—“Don’t say that. We’re family.”
Jang Somin interjected.
—“It’s true. If it weren’t for you, it would have been a very difficult day. Thanks to you, we’ve been treated with dignity. My daughter Shihwa dreams of being a wanderer like you. Right, Shihwa?”
—“Yes! I want to be a wanderer like cousin.”
Lee Shihwa raised her small fist with determination.
But Lee Wooseok tried to dissuade her.
—“Don’t say nonsense. Being a wanderer is dangerous, especially for a girl. Yeon Jeokha, tell her she can’t.”
But Yeon Jeokha’s response was unexpected.
—“There’s no reason a woman can’t. I know many martial arts masters.”
Lee Shihwa looked at her father with a defiant expression.
But Yeon Jeokha’s next words dampened her enthusiasm.
—“Shihwa, if you want to be a wanderer, you need to train in a military academy and practice martial arts for at least an hour a day.”
—“What if there’s no military academy?”
—“Then you need to find something else. You can’t be a wanderer without learning martial arts. You’d be killed in an instant.”
—“Could you teach me, cousin?”
—“I’m going back to Kaifeng. If you come, I’ll consider it.”
—“What do you do in Kaifeng?”
—“I work at an inn.”
—“Really? I don’t believe it. Aren’t you a wanderer?”
—“Do you know what wanderers dream of? Settling down and living peacefully with their family, like your father. We work as wanderers to earn money and fulfill that dream.”
—“Really?”
—“Why would I lie? A friend of mine, Old Shim, dreams of opening a restaurant. No wanderer dreams of being one forever. Most want to settle down somewhere and live in peace. I’m in Huashang Village in Kaifeng. Whenever you want, come visit me with your father. There are many vacant rooms.”
After thinking for a moment, Lee Shihwa shook her head.
—“Then I don’t want to be a wanderer.”
She was too young to decide.
Lee Wooseok, fearing his daughter might change her mind, quickly concluded the conversation.
—“Well, Shihwa. There are many other things you can do. Cousin Yeon says no one dreams of being a wanderer forever.”
The four of them enjoyed a relaxed moment drinking tea.
After a while, Yeon Jeokha handed an envelope to Lee Yooha.
—“What’s this?”
—“A gift from someone I know.”
Upon opening the envelope and seeing its contents, Lee Yooha’s eyes widened.
—“Oh! It’s a thousand taels. Can I really accept this?”
—“Yes, they give it because they can. Accept it.”
—“Thank you. Who gave it to me?”
—“You don’t need to know. They give expecting something in return. Only family gives without expecting anything. Don’t forget that.”
Naturally, these were words he had heard somewhere.
He had never received anything from his own family, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t give something to his family.
Zhengzhou
Zhengzhou’s First Pavilion
At dusk, the experts of the Sakpunghoe began gathering at Zhengzhou’s First Pavilion.
Instead of entering, they surrounded the place, forming an impenetrable barrier.
The Twelve Demon Lords, led by the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord, mobilized the Sakpunghoe, aware of the Justice Alliance’s presence in Zhengzhou.
Though it was unlikely the Alliance would attack the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord, it was always better to be prepared.
They also wanted to inform the world about the movements of the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord, as the attention of the Murim community was more focused on him than ever.
The Boss of the Sakpunghoe, Han Sang, stood like a statue at the main entrance of Zhengzhou’s First Pavilion.
After about half an hour, he saw a young man approaching from the distance.
Han Sang bowed deeply and shouted.
—“Welcome, Grand Inspector!”
The experts of the Sakpunghoe followed suit, bowing in unison.
—“Welcome!”
Passersby watched in surprise as Han Sang and the young man.
Yeon Jeokha felt embarrassed and waved his hands.
—“Oh, please. Don’t do this. They don’t even do this in the strongholds.”
—“Haha. In the city, it’s necessary to show something for the righteous ones to take it seriously.”
Han Sang explained as Yeon Jeokha nodded.
—“Is there something to announce?”
—“A working meeting between the Grand Chaeju and the Grand Inspector is not a common thing. The world must know and tremble.”
—“Work? We’re just meeting to drink.”
Yeon Jeokha entered, but Han Sang didn’t dare follow him.
On the seventh floor, Yeon Jeokha easily found the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord.
He was sitting alone in the center, so there was no need to look for him.
The Twelve Demon Lords, gathered in a corner, stood up, bowed, and sat back down.
Jang Bo-ok, the owner, nodded her head.
—“Grand Inspector, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you. Why don’t you come more often?”
—“I don’t have money to come here.”
—“Oh, do you really think I would charge you? Consider it your home.”
Yeon Jeokha ignored her flattery and walked towards the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord.
The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord smiled and poured a cup of soju for Yeon Jeokha.
—“Sit down. I know you like soju. Today, let’s drink until we’re drunk.”
Yeon Jeokha dropped into the chair in front of him and took the cup.
—“I don’t drink until I’m drunk.”
—“Have you never been drunk?”
—“No. Someone told me that if you get drunk in the Murim, they’ll cut off your head.”
—“That’s for cowards. Real men drink without fear. If you need something, take it. That’s what a real man does. You must look forward, not sideways.”
—“Didn’t you assign me the Demon Warriors last year because you cared about appearances? You gave me a heavy burden.”
—“Did I say that? You must be confused. Come on, let’s drink!”
The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord quickly raised his cup.
—“Ah, yes. What do you need this time? You said we shouldn’t talk about work while drinking, but you loaded me with tasks. I’ve spent the last year working non-stop.”
Yeon Jeokha took the cup and muttered, throwing a slight compliment while complaining.
He wanted the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord to know it wasn’t easy to fool him.
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