Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 230
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Episode 230: What’s in a Name?
Yeon Jeokha quietly filled the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord’s cup with soju as it emptied. The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord, with a grateful expression, remarked:
“Wow! I never thought the Grand Inspector would be serving me a drink.”
“Why did you call me all of a sudden?”
Yeon Jeokha didn’t want to waste time and got straight to the point.
“Didn’t I tell you before that we don’t talk business while drinking? Relax and let’s enjoy ourselves.”
“Yeah, like that time when you burdened me with a mountain of problems.”
“Don’t say that. It was a beneficial exchange for both of us. Have you forgotten that I eliminated the three families that had offended you?”
“The Great Chaeju only had to say a few words, while I wandered through the Murim for nearly a year. It was an exchange, but clearly, I got the short end of the stick.”
“In return, your name became known throughout the Murim. Thanks to that, you’re now a significant figure in Nokrim. You should be grateful.”
“I’m not interested in controlling Nokrim, so I don’t see why I should be.”
“That’s normal at first. It took me over ten years to get used to Nokrim. By the way, have you finished preparing for your cousin’s ceremony?”
“Yes, more people came than I expected. And we received the gifts well. My cousin is very grateful.”
“Grateful? That money is nothing.”
The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord dismissed the gesture. For him, a thousand taels were insignificant. He simply handed over what he had on hand to the Silent Wind Sovereign.
The two chatted about the ceremony while finishing a bottle of soju. When the conversation finally turned serious, the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord remarked:
“It seems that the situation in Chilriha Village is quite bleak.”
“So they say.”
Yeon Jeokha took a bite with a bitter expression. Although his uncle’s house wasn’t close, it wasn’t too far from Chilriha Village either. He could have gone if he had wanted to.
He hadn’t invited the Namgung Family due to the situation with the Justice Alliance. More than half of their members were dead, and another hundred were injured. Rumors said they were finished even before facing the Yoomyung Cult.
“I’ve heard that the Justice Alliance strategist, Jegal Seun, is looking to meet with me.”
“With you?”
“Probably to ask for our help.”
“Are you going to meet him?”
“Why should I? I’m avoiding him for a good reason.”
“And what about all the people you’ve met with recently?”
“That’s different. Don’t you think you can make kimchi without worrying about worms?”
“I don’t think so.”
Yeon Jeokha looked skeptically at the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord. Why would someone claiming to avoid them show up so openly?
“Why that look?”
“Have you already decided to help them?”
“Me? Why should I help those fools? If it were up to me, I’d crush them so they wouldn’t get back up.”
The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord observed Yeon Jeokha out of the corner of his eye.
“Do whatever you want. I don’t care if you help them or crush them.”
“You shouldn’t think like that. It’s not fitting for an emerging star of Nokrim.”
“A star?”
“Yes, the young people of Nokrim are imitating you. Many are switching from short swords to long swords because of you. They’re even seeking out soju in taverns because of you.”
“Me? Since when do I squint my eyes? That’s not true.”
“Who knows how one looks to others? I don’t even remember what I look like.”
Yeon Jeokha didn’t argue. He hadn’t looked in a mirror since he left the warehouse. The most he had seen was his reflection in water while washing.
“But that’s not the point. In Nokrim, after me, you’re next in rank. I can’t keep fighting these young ones all my life.”
Yeon Jeokha observed the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord, whose gray hair was a sign of age. Maybe it was time to delegate.
“So, do you want me to help them or defeat them?”
“The Yoomyung Cult has put a bounty on your head. That means they don’t take us seriously. If we do nothing, Nokrim will be ridiculed.”
“So, do you want to start a war with them because of me? Come on. I’m not a child. I know there’s more to this. If you don’t tell me, I’m heading to the inn.”
“Ahem. There are other benefits as well. If we help the Alliance, the Seven Great Sects will release the masters of the Evil Faction they have imprisoned.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Seven Great Sects capture the masters of the Evil Faction and lock them up. They say it’s for peace, but in reality, it’s to steal their techniques. They’ll release them if we help.”
“Wow! I didn’t know that was happening.”
“Those who have want more.”
“So, it’s not just about my bounty. It’s about freeing those masters. Right?”
“For me, you and Nokrim’s reputation are the most important. I don’t care about those who were captured.”
The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord spoke fervently, and Yeon Jeokha, moved, nodded.
“What do you expect me to do?”
The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord smiled warmly.
“Take Nokrim to Chilriha Village. The Seven Great Sects will release the masters of the Evil Faction.”
It was clear that the Demon Lord’s interest was in freeing those masters.
“Go to Chilriha Village? Enter the Alliance with Nokrim?”
“Yes. You’ll fight under Jegal Seun’s command. Don’t try too hard, just make it look like you’re fighting. Understand?”
“No, I don’t understand. Help or not help?”
“Jegal Seun won’t allow Nokrim to thrive. He’ll want us to suffer as much as they do. Just act wisely.”
“This is complicated.”
“Did you think it would be easy to unite the Evil Faction and the Justice Alliance?”
With nothing more to say, Yeon Jeokha pursed his lips.
“Tsk! Taking Nokrim to the Alliance… Just thinking about it makes my face itch. What does Nokrim have to do with justice?”
The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord let out a sigh.
“Of course! I didn’t think of that. Nokrim can’t join the Alliance. Thanks for pointing that out.”
If Nokrim joined the Alliance, it would look like he had surrendered to them. It was ridiculous.
The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord called one of the Twelve Demon Lords.
“Ghost Shadow, come here.”
“Yes?”
Ghost Shadow quickly approached and stood at the end of the table.
“Go to Jegal Seun and tell him that if they want our help, they must change the name. Nokrim cannot join the Justice Alliance. Understand?”
“Yes.”
When the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord gestured, Ghost Shadow disappeared.
“Thanks to you, we avoided an embarrassment. I knew you were worthy of being the Grand Inspector. Ha ha ha!”
The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord looked at Yeon Jeokha with satisfaction. He had almost made a grave mistake by being too focused on freeing the masters of the Evil Faction. An alliance between the Evil Faction and the Justice Alliance needed an appropriate name.
Chilriha Village.
Justice Alliance Office in Zhengzhou.
Around 7 p.m.
The representatives of the Seven Great Sects and the Five Great Families gathered in the meeting room at the invitation of strategist Jegal Seun.
The new leader, Mu Geuksang, was not in a good mood. First, the Zhengzhou sects had withdrawn, and now the Henan sects were leaving as well. Only three hundred and eighty members remained. At this rate, the Justice Alliance would soon collapse.
When he left Nanjing, he dreamed of victory. Now, he couldn’t understand how it had come to this. Every day it got worse. He could barely lift his head.
Mu Geuksang sighed silently.
At that moment, Jegal Seun stepped forward.
“I have good news.”
The leaders, who seemed disheartened, looked up hopefully.
“Nokrim has agreed to send its masters. The alliance between the Evil Faction and the Justice Alliance will become a reality.”
The leaders smiled with joy.
“Oh, finally!”
“Great Strategist, well done.”
“The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord has made a great decision.”
Jegal Seun patiently waited for the cheers to die down.
“However, there is one condition. We must change the name of the Justice Alliance. They don’t want it to seem like Nokrim is joining us.”
“A reasonable request for an alliance between the Evil Faction and the Justice Alliance.”
“Let’s change the name.”
“The thieves need to maintain their pride. Let’s accept.”
“We should have proposed it ourselves. The Justice Alliance makes no sense for them.”
The leaders didn’t cling to the name. It was a matter of survival.
Jegal Seun sighed in relief. He had feared they would insist on keeping the name out of pride.
“I have thought of a suitable name for our alliance. It will be called the Heaven and Earth Alliance. It symbolizes our union to embrace everything, like heaven and earth.”
The leader, Mu Geuksang, nodded in approval.
“Heaven and Earth. It’s fitting for an alliance between the Evil Faction and the Justice Alliance.”
The leaders exchanged glances.
Heaven represented the Justice Alliance, and Earth, the Evil Faction. Although the name suggested unity, in reality, it indicated a significant difference.
“It’s a fitting name.”
“It seems appropriate.”
“The name doesn’t matter much, let’s do it.”
“What’s in a name? The important thing is to bring everyone together.”
With an imminent crisis, no one opposed it.
Jegal Seun concluded.
“If there are no objections, the alliance will be called the Heaven and Earth Alliance.”
The leader of the Shaolin Sect, Mu Beop, asked.
“Can we decide the name without consulting Nokrim?”
“They requested a name change, so they’ll accept it. If they have any complaints, we’ll adjust it.”
Mu Beop nodded.
They had asked for the change, so it made sense that they would accept it. Although the disappearance of the name “Justice Alliance” was sad, it was better than clinging to it and perishing.
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