Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 237
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Episode 237. This Could Be Serious, Sister.
Luoyang.
White Cavalry Temple, also known as BaekMa Temple. (Note: Ma can also mean Demon, so it could also be called: White Demon Temple.)
Reception Hall.
Lately, the seven Great Demon Generals of the White Mountain (백두마군) had been gathering almost every day in the Reception Hall of the White Cavalry Temple. They were extremely vigilant about the movements of the righteous sects, keeping them on constant alert.
The six Great Demon Generals watched Lee Maehwa, the Martial Mountain Maiden (무산낭랑). As expected from someone from a sect specializing in magical arts and strategies, her wit was superior. Recently, she had taken the initiative in the meetings.
Although Unjaegwi was also from the same sect of magical arts, his knowledge paled in comparison to Lee Maehwa’s.
Lee Maehwa looked at the Great Demon Generals with a complicated expression.
—”Haa! The Heaven and Earth Alliance has finally formed. While we were searching for the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord, Shin Kisoo acted quickly. But now we’ve received another unpleasant piece of news from our spies within the righteous sects.”
—”What has happened now?”
Cheok Jingyeong, the Swordsman of Chaos, frowned deeply. The Heaven and Earth Alliance was already a significant problem, and now an “unpleasant news” only added to his frustration.
—”The Heaven and Earth Alliance has created a new squadron of sorcerers called the Demon Exterminator Division to confront the Demon Warriors. It seems they’ve learned their lesson after the incidents at Tianmen Mountain and Seobi River and have taken preventive measures.”
—”Hmph! Do they think mere sorcerers can stop the hellish demons? It’s ridiculous!”
In the Yoomyung Cult, they referred to the Demon Warriors as “hellish demons.” They wanted to avoid the perception of being an evil sect, so they changed the terminology. The demons that had appeared at Tianmen Mountain and Seobi River were objects of veneration. They taught that those who became demons had reached a transcendental state, similar to the veneration of Buddhist statues.
The worship of the hellish demons was beginning to spread from Henan Province.
Unlike Cheok Jingyeong, who despised sorcerers, Unjaegwi, as a master of magical arts, did not underestimate them.
—”We must not underestimate the sorcerers. It’s true that most are charlatans, but those with a high level of power can be unpredictable.”
—”Do you really think some sorcerers with talismans can face the hellish demons?”
Lee Maehwa intervened in the discussion.
—”It’s not just about talismans. The Heaven and Earth Alliance has been collecting magical treasures. Some of those sorcerers must possess such treasures.”
Even so, Cheok Jingyeong remained unconvinced.
—”Magical treasures? So what? Not even a reincarnated Buddha could stand against the hellish demons. What can mere talismans and treasures do?”
—”It’s not that simple. For example, the Nine-Section Staff (Gujeoljang) that I possess is a treasure from the Mosan Sect (Martial Mountain Sect). According to legend, it was created under the guidance of the gods. It contains a hidden power that even I can’t fully control. Magical treasures have similar properties.”
Cheok Jingyeong finally fell silent. He knew that Lee Maehwa’s abilities surpassed those of an ordinary human. If even she found it difficult to manage the hidden power of the Nine-Section Staff, there must be some truth to what she said.
Bang Cheongak, a Great Demon General, spoke with a frustrated expression.
—”So, what do you suggest? Should we worry about the Demon Exterminator Division?”
—”Who knows? We still don’t understand the true nature of the hellish demons. For now, we must observe the sorcerers of the Demon Exterminator Division. If they truly prove to be a threat…”
Lee Maehwa paused. The Great Demon Generals awaited her words with anticipation.
—”Then we should eliminate the Demon Exterminator Division first. They will stand out at Tianmen Mountain and Seobi River. If any of them proves to be a threat, we must eliminate them before they return to their base.”
—”So you suggest sending our Cultists to Tianmen Mountain and Seobi River?”
Lee Maehwa nodded in response to Gong Chwisan, the Young Gyeolsang’s question.
—”Yes. We need to select the most cunning to determine whether we should eliminate the Demon Exterminator Division.”
—”Don’t worry about that. The Demon Warriors are all cunning. It’s not easy to win the favor of the Great Demon Generals. They are the ones who achieved that feat.”
Once there was consensus, Unjaegwi spoke.
—”If we’re going to eliminate the Demon Exterminator Division, shouldn’t we also choose the locations to do so?”
Lee Maehwa looked at Unjaegwi with curiosity. She knew he never spoke without reason, so he must have had a reason for suggesting that.
—”Do you have a specific place in mind?”
—”Sure. Sanggu and Jugu.”
—”Why those places?”
—”To reach Tianmen Mountain, they must pass through Sanggu, and to reach Seobi River, they must pass through Jugu.”
Lee Maehwa nodded. Sanggu and Jugu were intermediate points between Zhengzhou and the locations where the hellish demons were.
—”Do you have a specific reason for choosing those places?”
—”Yes. If the Demon Warriors decide to attack, they can easily eliminate the sorcerers. I don’t know if they’ll be able to return alive, but even if they turn into hellish demons, it won’t be a problem.”
—”Why not?”
—”For some reason, the hellish demons do not leave the region where they appeared. If we can keep the demons in those places, we can trap the Heaven and Earth Alliance in Zhengzhou. The demons can do it.”
—…
Lee Maehwa’s eyes widened slightly. Unjaegwi’s idea was brilliant. They could trap the Heaven and Earth Alliance as if in a bottle.
—”Are you suggesting limiting the influence of the Heaven and Earth Alliance?”
—”Yes. Just like at Tianmen Mountain and Seobi River, we can block the paths with demons. Sending the Demon Warriors is a risk, but if they return, good. If they fail, the demons will serve another function. It’s a double-benefit plan.”
Kang Sangpi smiled slyly.
—”Hehe. It would be great if the demons blocked the paths for us.”
The Great Demon Generals weren’t too attached to the Demon Warriors. With the Sacred Artifacts, they could create more at any time.
Zhengzhou.
Chilriha Village.
Heaven and Earth Alliance Headquarters in Zhengzhou.
Noon.
As they exited the main gate of the headquarters, So Kyo and Lee Somin were intercepted by someone. It was Peng Gakmyeong, the youngest son of the Peng Family.
—”Haha! Miss Lee, have you had lunch yet?”
—”Yes.”
—”Are you taking a walk?”
—”So what?”
—”Let me accompany you.”
—”No, thanks. I don’t want it to seem like we’re out for a stroll right before the departure ceremony.”
Lee Somin responded coldly. Although partly due to pre-ceremony nerves, she was also tired of Pang Gakmyeong, who always approached her too closely.
—”A departure ceremony is nothing special. We’ve already prepared everything to face the demons of Seobi River.”
Lee Somin showed interest for the first time at the mention of preparations.
—”Have they made preparations?”
—”It’s a secret, but I can’t help but tell you.”
Pang Gakmyeong glanced at So Kyo, as if to say she shouldn’t listen.
—”Do you want me to leave?”
Lee Somin took So Kyo’s hand.
—”It’s okay. We don’t need secrets between us. Young Hero Pang, is it something we can both hear?”
Pang Gakmyeong, with an awkward smile, nodded.
—”Haha. You’ll soon find out anyway, so there’s no need for her to leave. Our family recently acquired a magical treasure. We have nothing to fear from the demons.”
—”They’ve acquired a magical treasure?”
Lee Somin’s eyes widened. The Heaven and Earth Alliance had been collecting magical treasures, and many had come to light. There were precious jewels, swords made from lightning-struck jujube wood, and spears filled with the resentment of the dead, all kinds of highly valuable items.
The prices of these treasures were astronomical, and many tried to acquire them without success. Even the Uicheon Sect had not managed to obtain one.
However, the Peng Family had succeeded in acquiring one.
Peng Gakmyeong responded with pride.
—”Do you know the poem ‘The green snake in the sleeve has great courage and strength’?”
—”What is that?”
—”It’s a poem written by Lu Dongbin of the Song Dynasty in the Yueyang Pavilion. Long ago, there were two great lakes south of Baihe Mountain in Paling County. A dragon lived in the lakes and caused much harm. Lu Dongbin trapped the dragon and turned it into a dagger, which he kept in his sleeve. That dagger, called ‘Qingsha,’ is a magical treasure. Our family bought it for a fortune.”
—”Ah!”
So Kyo let out an exclamation. If it was a dagger that had belonged to an Immortal like Lu Dongbin, it was definitely a treasure among treasures.
With a proud expression, Peng Gakmyeong continued.
—”With the Qingsha in our possession, we have nothing to fear from the demons. Even if their skins are tough, they won’t be able to withstand the sharpness of the Qingsha.”
Lee Somin frowned.
—”If it’s such a valuable treasure, why would they sell it to the Peng Family and not to one of the great righteous sects like Wudang, Mount Hua, Quanzhen, Qingcheng, or Shaolin?”
—”That’s the seller’s business, don’t you think?”
Peng Gakmyeong shrugged.
—”Did they go through a verification process?”
—”Of course. No weapon could resist its edge. The Qingsha cut through all the weapons we tested.”
—”Anyway, congratulations on acquiring a treasure at this critical moment. Now, we’ll be leaving.”
Lee Somin bowed and walked away, followed by So Kyo.
Pang Gakmyeong stood there, watching them as they left.
So Kyo hurried to catch up with Lee Somin.
—”Sister, it seems you don’t like the Young Hero Peng.”
—”No, I dislike him a lot.”
—”Why? He seems like a brave and strong man.”
—”Brave and strong? Showing off his wealth? You have yet to meet a truly brave and strong man.”
—”Have you met one?”
—”Yes.”
—”Really? When?”
—”About three years ago, on a mountain.”
Suddenly, she remembered that day.
Three years ago, her grandfather had promised to avenge her and took her to the Five Peaks. She had never seen her grandfather so serious.
The young Yeon Jeokha stood firm in front of her grandfather, one of the ten great masters.
Her heart began to race as she recalled that scene.
After a fierce battle with her grandfather, the “vile thief” had turned into an admirable person.
And now, she was on her way to meet that admirable man.
A man who couldn’t be compared to Peng Gakmyeong.
—”Where are we going now? We were told not to go this way.”
So Kyo looked around nervously.
The eastern side of Chilriha Village was territory of the evil sects and bandits. Lee Somin was heading into an area even men avoided.
—”Don’t worry. If they know who we’re going to see, they won’t bother us.”
—”Who are we going to see?”
—”You’ll find out soon.”
—”Do you know where this person is staying?”
—”No.”
—”What?! You’re going without knowing? This could be serious, sister.”
Just then, some sinister-looking men appeared and surrounded them.
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