Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 241
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Episode 241. Is It My Turn Now?
After the conversation between the Three Immortals of Kunlun and Yeon Jeokha, the Sword Emperor, Namgung Byeok, called his daughter, Namgung Yeon, to define the battle plan.
Although Namgung Yeon did not hold an official title, the Vermilion Bird Division trusted her more than anyone else due to her accurate predictions and advice that had led to crushing victories in battles from Nanjing to Chiliha Village.
As Namgung Yeon approached, Namgung Byeok looked around her. Those present were already accustomed to the meetings between father and daughter.
“Did you see the sorcerers from the Demon Extermination Team? The Three Immortals of Kunlun don’t think they will be much help. I’m worried about how to proceed with the operation if we have to rely on their abilities.”
Namgung Yeon, listening attentively, responded:
“The Demon Extermination Team generally has a good reputation, but it seems that for our division, they selected the most questionable members.”
“So, it’s as I thought?”
“There are many who don’t want the Namgung Family to regain its former position.”
“Then, our relics and treasures…”
“Don’t expect too much from them. They might be useful for minor exorcisms, but on the battlefield, I doubt they will be of much help.”
“This is frustrating!”
Namgung Byeok felt helpless upon hearing his daughter’s words.
“So, without the relic that Jeokha returned, we can only rely on the Three Immortals of Kunlun.”
“Not necessarily.”
“Have you obtained any relics from the Seonu Family or the Wudang Sect?”
In addition to the Namgung Family, the Vermilion Bird Division also included members of the Wudang Sect and Seonu.
“No, it’s about Jeokha.”
“What about Jeokha?”
“I’ve closely examined the Waryong Sword. It’s a sword made by a famous blacksmith in Luoyang, and it has the inscription ‘Waryong.’ But the swords specially commissioned by the Waryong Manor have that inscription.”
“I knew that, but Jeokha’s sword seemed more special.”
In the Heaven and Earth Alliance, it was said that the previous owner of the Waryong Sword had a fortuitous encounter that turned it into a relic.
“I’ve heard the rumors about the Waryong Sword, but they are just that, rumors. The previous owner of the sword, Yeon Mudok, was an ordinary expert who never mentioned anything special about the sword.”
“So, is Jeokha that skilled with the sword?”
Namgung Byeok was puzzled. Even renowned masters like Mu Geuk had failed against the monsters. Could Jeokha defeat them without the help of a relic?
“Have you ever seen Jeokha’s sword skills?”
“I’ve heard stories, but is there something special about his technique?”
“He uses the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship, along with another technique called the Nine Heavens Supreme Swordsmanship.”
“Nine Heavens Supreme Swordsmanship?”
Namgung Byeok showed interest in the name. He was well-acquainted with the techniques of the Waryong Manor after spending ten years with Yeon Mubaek, but he had never heard of this technique.
“Yes, according to him, the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens taught it to him.”
Namgung Yeon smiled, recalling how Jeokha had said it with a childlike seriousness.
“Hmm… And what about it?”
“At first, I thought it was just a joke, but when he returned the Waryong Sword without hesitation, I began to reconsider.”
“What do you mean?”
“Jeokha doesn’t live by others’ opinions. He acts according to his desires, in a pure but selfish way, like a child.”
Namgung Byeok nodded. Jeokha was pure and selfish, capable of closing down three families for personal revenge.
“He returned the Waryong Sword without hesitation. Perhaps he knew the sword wasn’t special to him.”
“Are you saying that if the Waryong Sword were a relic, he wouldn’t have returned it?”
“Yes, he’s not foolish. He wouldn’t have returned it even if everyone criticized him.”
“Hmm… So his sword skills might be as effective against monsters as a relic?”
“Let the Demon Extermination Team and Jeokha face the monster first. If they fail, then the Three Immortals of Kunlun will intervene.”
“You know the sorcerers are not fighters. Without protection, they are vulnerable. Do you have a plan for that?”
“First, draw the monster’s attention. Meanwhile, the sorcerers will attack from the rear. If they fail, Jeokha will intervene, and the sorcerers will retreat to a safe place.”
Namgung Byeok nodded. It was the best plan to test the abilities of the sorcerers and Jeokha.
“You’re the best for this task. You’ll take care of it.”
With her vision and martial skills, Namgung Yeon was the most suitable person.
The village chief arrived with a box of apples for the community hall. He seemed embarrassed to have charged only for the use of the hall.
The members of the Namgung Family distributed the apples among everyone, who received them gratefully.
Yeon Jeokha and Old Shim also received apples. When Yeon Jeokha was about to eat one, Namgung Yeon approached.
Yeon Jeokha awkwardly got up and left with Namgung Yeon without saying a word.
Old Dao of Nine Heavens Shim Tong, left alone, murmured enviously:
“These kids nowadays… tch.”
Province of Nanjing.
Lishin County.
Midday.
One hundred and twenty-five martial artists arrived at the village. It was the Vermilion Bird Division, which had left Zhengzhou seven days ago.
There was no inn large enough to accommodate them all, so Namgung Byeok ordered them to disperse for food and then regroup.
Namgung Byeok entered an inn with a small group. While food was being served, the county magistrate, Lee Sookjae, arrived with his officers.
“Namgung Daehyeop, it’s an honor to meet you. I am Lee Sookjae, the county magistrate of Lishin.”
“I am Namgung Byeok.”
Lee Sookjae, with a haggard face, began to complain.
“The Xiebiha River is vital to our county. But now, no one can approach it because of a monster with a horn on its head that kills everything it encounters. We are desperate. The government says that the Heaven and Earth Alliance will take care of it, is that true?”
The Leader of the Wudang Sect, Young Gyeolsang, responded on behalf of Namgung Byeok.
“Yes, although technically, it’s not the fault of the Heaven and Earth Alliance. The Yoomyung Cult is behind this. We’ve come to eliminate the monster they created.”
“Ah, I see! Either way, we are grateful that you’ve come. The situation is unbearable with the monster wreaking havoc.”
“Are there any other problems related to the monster?”
“Yes, many people want to build a shrine to worship it. They’re crazy! The monster kills people and livestock, and they want to build it a shrine! Please, eliminate the monster as soon as possible.”
“Trust us. Everything will be resolved by tomorrow.”
Young Gyeolsang, confident in the Demon Extermination Team and the Three Immortals of Kunlun, spoke with assurance.
Lee Sookjae continued to plead for the monster’s elimination before leaving.
Namgung Byeok hired a local guide to lead them to the Xiebiha River.
Xiebiha River.
Despite it being midday, there wasn’t a soul around the pier.
The sound of the one hundred and twenty-five members of the division’s footsteps echoed in the air.
From a distance, a growl was heard.
“Oh no! The monster!”
The guide paled and began to tremble.
The ground shook with the steps of the one-horned monster that appeared.
“Graaaa!”
The monster roared upon seeing the humans.
The members of the Vermilion Bird Division, accustomed to facing monsters, stood firm, but the sorcerers were visibly frightened.
Though they knew the monster from stories, seeing it in person was terrifying.
Namgung Byeok quickly advanced to attract the monster’s attention.
He didn’t need to put in much effort. After a single sword strike, the monster stubbornly followed him.
Namgung Byeok maintained a safe distance while retreating toward the division.
“Now! Move forward!”
With the monster focused on Namgung Byeok, Namgung Yeon led the sorcerers forward.
The sorcerers, feeling like sheep being led to the slaughter, reluctantly followed her.
Soon, spells and talismans flew everywhere.
“Hmm! From the primordial chaos, the great foundation emerged. This divided into yin and yang…”
“Great King of the Nine Heavens, I command you…”
One recited the Western Sutra, another the Great Polarity Spell, and others cast talismans into the air.
The spells, though impressive, had no effect on the monster.
The sorcerers with relics, Yang Gwanchul, Cheongryushin, and Bok Jaeja, hesitated.
Unlike the other sorcerers, they needed to get close to the monster for their relics to be effective.
Yang Gwanchul, with the Sacred Thunder Sword, froze. Seeing the monster’s black claws gave him chills.
Those claws could break anything, even his wooden sword.
Finally, he decided to advance slowly, driven by necessity.
Namgung Yeon positioned herself beside him.
As they approached, Namgung Byeok moved slightly, exposing the monster’s back to Yang Gwanchul.
“Attack now!”
Under Namgung Yeon’s direction, Yang Gwanchul tried to stab the monster.
But the strike had no effect.
The monster didn’t even notice.
Namgung Byeok had to deflect an attack from the monster, and Namgung Yeon quickly pulled Yang Gwanchul back.
Now it was Bok Jaeja’s turn. Namgung Yeon led him to the monster, but his relic, the Feather Duster or Fan of Zhongli Quan, was also useless.
Cheongryushin shook his rattle from a distance, trying to demonstrate that he didn’t need to get close.
Disappointed, Namgung Yeon stepped away.
Yeon Jeokha approached and said to her:
“Sister, is it my turn now?”
“Yes. Please, take care of it.”
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