Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 233
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Episode 233. What Have I Done?
The fight between strangers ended just as the food began to arrive.
Shortly afterward, five blood-covered men returned with triumphant expressions. They were the victors of the recent battle, led by the Boss of the Yellow Dragon Stronghold (Hwangryongsuchae), the Blood Sea Demon, Jeok Muin, who looked incredulously at the occupants of their table: an old man and a young boy with a childish face.
Seeing the dishes, it seemed they had barely touched the food. Unaware that Old Shim had ordered the same meal, Jeok Muin and his men assumed these strangers were eating their food.
Gui Ma-in, Jeok Muin’s second-in-command, approached the table, radiating murderous intent.
“Are you crazy? Are you looking to die? Why are you eating our food?”
Old Shim, with his mouth full, calmly replied, “Chomp, chomp. You must have fought hard. Where are you from?”
Shim Tong’s serene attitude surprised Gui Ma-in, who looked at Jeok Muin for instructions.
Jeok Muin was also confused. Shim Tong’s question about their affiliation made him think these men might be from Nokrim, and attacking them without knowing could be dangerous.
Although annoyed, Jeok Muin formally introduced himself. “I am Jeok Muin, Boss of the Yellow Dragon Stronghold. And who are you?”
Jeok Muin’s eyes flashed with murderous intent, prepared to act depending on the answer.
“I am Old Shim, of the Old Dao of the Nine Heavens.”
Upon hearing the name, Jeok Muin quickly dissipated his murderous intent and lowered his head. If this old man was Shim Tong, then the young man with him must be Yeon Jeokha.
“Could you be the Grand Inspector?”
Yeon Jeokha, without lifting his eyes from the food, nodded.
Jeok Muin and Gui Ma-in automatically bowed.
“I have heard much about you. I am Jeok Muin, Boss of the Yellow Dragon Stronghold.”
“I am Gui Ma-in, from the same stronghold.”
The other three did not dare introduce themselves and bowed from a safe distance.
After the introductions, Shim Tong asked, “Boss Jeok, who were you fighting?”
In the past, Shim Tong would never have dreamed of talking to Jeok Muin. But times had changed. The reputation of the Old Dao of the Nine Heavens now surpassed that of the Blood Sea Demon.
Jeok Muin, aware of this, did not take offense. Despite not having an official title in Nokrim, Shim Tong was respected.
“With the Golden Sword Clan in Zhengzhou. We’ve had conflicts before, and today we decided to settle the score. Though we killed some, their leader escaped, which is unfortunate.”
Yeon Jeokha, who had been nibbling on a chicken drumstick, intervened, “Are you killing people when we’re supposed to be uniting with the Justice Alliance? Are you planning to sabotage the alliance from the start?”
“Oh, I didn’t mean it like that…!”
“You didn’t mean it like that? Do you think my ears are just for show? You said you were from the Yellow Dragon Stronghold, right? The Grand Chaeju will be delighted to hear how you’re sabotaging the alliance.”
“I’m sorry. I will be more careful in the future.”
Jeok Muin, who was around fifty years old, shrank under the rebuke of Yeon Jeokha, who could be his son.
At that moment, the waiter brought the food.
He seemed perplexed by the situation, looking at the warriors who had been so aggressive and now appeared docile.
Sensing the tension, the waiter quickly set down the food and left.
Yeon Jeokha pointed to the food. “From the beginning, you were upset. This is what we ordered. We’re not eating your food, so relax.”
“Oh, no, we never thought that! We should be grateful for your company. It must have been a mix-up because of the fight.”
“You can go.”
“Thank you. Have a good day.”
Jeok Muin respectfully bowed and moved to another table.
The commotion in the restaurant ended like that.
When Yeon Jeokha and Shim Tong were finishing their meal, another fight broke out outside. This time, there were deaths.
After the brutal fight, someone took away the bodies.
Yeon Jeokha, looking out the window, murmured, “This is a mess.”
“You still don’t quite understand, but there are many accumulated grudges. Old hatreds are everywhere.”
“Do you have many enemies, Old Shim?”
“A few.”
“How many?”
“Ten? Maybe twenty? Something like that.”
“Wow, that’s almost an achievement.”
“More than an achievement, it’s a sign that I’ve lived intensely.”
“If you can’t say anything good, don’t say anything.”
Yeon Jeokha shook his head and asked, “Do you think the Heaven and Earth Alliance will work?”
“Will it work? I doubt it. I think some will take the opportunity to settle scores. I don’t know whose idea it was to form the Heaven and Earth Alliance.”
“Why are you so pessimistic? There’s a saying: ‘In troubled waters, even enemies can cooperate.’ In a difficult situation, enemies can work together.”
“You can’t trust them. From Nokrim’s point of view, Yoomyung Cult and the Justice Alliance are the same.”
“Then live a just life. It’s not possible for the whole world to be your enemy. Look, I worked with the Justice Alliance before. Unlike others, I have no enemies…”
Yeon Jeokha stopped, remembering his aunt Baek Miju and his half-brothers. Perhaps they saw him as a mortal enemy.
“You have no enemies? That can’t be. Yoomyung Cult put a price on your head. And you say you have no enemies?”
“Oh, right. I forgot about Yoomyung Cult.”
Yeon Jeokha smiled as he reached for another bite of food. Compared to Baek Miju and his half-brothers, Yoomyung Cult didn’t seem as important.
Western side of Chilriha Village.
In a humble house.
Three people were sitting for lunch: Yeon Mubaek, Yeon Seungbaek, and Yeon Seolju.
Yeon Mubaek and Yeon Seungbaek were in the Justice Alliance of Zhengzhou, while Yeon Seolju had recently joined with other objectives.
“… Jeokha’s sword is our family’s treasure. His technique is also ours. Especially the sword, which belonged to our uncle. It was stolen at the Five Peaks Mountain, so we must retrieve it,” said Yeon Seolju.
Yeon Mubaek sighed deeply. His uncle, Yeon Mudok, had lost the sword to Jeokha.
“But Jeokha is now the Grand Inspector of Nokrim. And our uncle is no longer…”
“Don’t you know that the Justice Alliance is collecting treasures? Even ordinary martial artists are valued if they have one. Imagine if they had a technique and a treasure from our family. Jeokha is famous thanks to our uncle.”
Yeon Mubaek and Yeon Seungbaek couldn’t refute this. In the Justice Alliance, Jeokha’s sword, known as the Hidden Dragon Sword or Waryong Sword, was legendary.
“We must recover the Hidden Dragon Sword. Our uncle didn’t give it to him; he stole it.”
“But do you think he’ll return it easily, especially now that treasures are so valued?”
“Brother, you always give in. The technique he obtained is also from our family. He has everything that belongs to us. Now is the time. If we formally request it, he won’t be able to refuse. If we don’t do it now, we’ll never get it back.”
“…”
Yeon Mubaek couldn’t refute it. This was the opportunity. If not, when would they ever have the just and evil factions gathered together again?
“What if Jeokha refuses and we worsen our relationship?”
“Brother, our family is already shattered. Our maternal home, the Baek Family, was annihilated. We have nothing to lose. Jeokha is a disgrace to our family. Let’s take back what’s ours and end this.”
“Brother, Seolju is right. Jeokha will never be one of us. We will never forgive what he did to our maternal family. Let’s reclaim what’s ours.”
Finally, Yeon Mubaek nodded.
“I’ll talk to Cheon Hyung (Namgung Cheon) first. Maybe we can avoid asking the Justice Alliance for help. Jeokha seems to get along well with him.”
“Brother, also request the technique. We have nothing to lose.”
“I will. Jeokha might come to Chilriha Village. If you see him, don’t provoke him. Especially you, Seolju.”
“What have I done?”
“Don’t be impulsive. Asking for something is one thing, but it won’t be easy. Use reason, not force.”
“I haven’t seen Jeokha since the Five Peaks Mountain.”
Yeon Seolju pouted, feeling unjustly accused.
After lunch, Yeon Mubaek went to find the Namgung Family at the Justice Alliance building in Zhengzhou.
“What brings you here?”
Namgung Cheon, who was practicing, greeted Yeon Mubaek with a smile.
“I need to consult you about something.”
“Consult me? Not my father?”
“Yes.”
Namgung Cheon looked at Yeon Mubaek curiously.
His father, the Sword Emperor, was the most suitable for these matters. He, Namgung Cheon, was nothing more than an inexperienced young man.
“What is it about? Let’s talk over some tea.”
Namgung Cheon led Yeon Mubaek to a nearby tea house.
Although Yeon Mubaek had said he needed to consult him, he seemed hesitant to speak, only sipping his tea.
Namgung Cheon, curious, finally asked, “What is it that worries you so much?”
“It may disappoint you, but I have no one else to turn to.”
“What’s the matter?”
“It’s about Jeokha.”
Hearing Jeokha’s name, Namgung Cheon fell silent.
He knew about the complicated relationship between the Yeon Family and Jeokha. He felt a mix of respect and affection for Jeokha, but he also understood Yeon Mubaek and his family’s situation.
“Tell me, what is it about?”
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