Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 255
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Chapter 255: The Leaders Stepped in a Big Mess
Chilliha Village.
Headquarters of the Sage of Heaven and Earth Alliance in Zhengzhou.
Hyeoncheon Hall.
Around 7 p.m.
Two people arrived at Hyeoncheon Hall, the office of Jegal Seun, known as the “Mysterious Sage, Great Strategist, and General Commander.”
One was Taeulsangin, the Supreme Elder of the Jeomchang Sect, known as the “Supreme Sword of the Great Void.” The other was Mu Mu Jin, the Elder of Quanzhen, known as the “Solar and Lunar Sword.”
Jegal Seun, who was about to leave for dinner, had to return to his seat.
The expressions of the two elders suggested that something serious had occurred.
“What brings you here at this hour? Have you had dinner?” Jegal Seun greeted them politely, hoping it wasn’t anything grave.
Taeulsangin and Mu Mu Jin sat down in front of Jegal Seun and remained silent for a moment.
It wasn’t just embarrassment; they didn’t know how to begin.
Though he was curious, Jegal Seun patiently waited for them to speak. Both were great masters of Murim.
Finally, Mu Mu Jin, who had been watching Taeulsangin, took the initiative.
“It’s not that I don’t want to speak, but I think it’s fair to start since I was the one who witnessed the incident first.”
The incident that occurred at noon was of great magnitude, and although rumors were spreading, Jegal Seun was still unaware.
“It all happened around noon today.”
Mu Mu Jin began to recount what had happened in a calm voice.
“…Then, Yeon Jeokha intervened. He…”
The smooth narration momentarily halted. He had to explain how Taeulsangin had been subdued, but that was something difficult to admit.
“He claimed that the patrol had deliberately ignored the bandits and demanded an apology from the General Commander. He said that if there was no apology, Nokrim would leave Chilliha.”
“…”
Jegal Seun looked at Mu Mu Jin in astonishment. He didn’t understand why his name had suddenly come up.
“So, basically, they were upset about the lack of recognition and demanded an apology?”
Mu Mu Jin nodded, embarrassed.
“I’m sorry to say, but that’s how it was.”
Jegal Seun suppressed his anger and maintained a calm expression.
“It’s ridiculous. How could they behave like that in front of the Grand Inspector of the Bandits…?”
That was the true feeling of the Elders regarding the bandits. Although they needed the bandits for convenience, they never considered them equals. The barrier between the two groups was too high.
However, Jegal Seun didn’t blame them. Although they were allies now, once they crossed the river, they would be enemies again.
Instead, he saw this as an opportunity to gain favor with the Jeomchang and Quanzhen Sects.
“Don’t worry. I understand why they acted that way. It was a mistake to break the arms of young disciples for a minor offense. Especially in times of war, weakening our forces is a greater sin.”
Jegal Seun’s words relieved the two elders. Although they had been caught up in an unexpected situation, they now felt more at ease.
Taeulsangin, who had been silent, asked carefully:
“What do you plan to do about this? It seems the inspector is determined to leave if there’s no apology.”
“I will investigate further. Yeon Jeokha had no role in forming the Sage of Heaven and Earth Alliance. The successors of the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord are the Twelve Demons. Their opinion is more important than that of Yeon Jeokha.”
“But what if the Grand Inspector decides to leave? Won’t that be problematic even for the Twelve Demons?”
‘Damn it! If you knew that, why did you act like that in front of Yeon Jeokha?’
Jegal Seun thought but kept a calm smile.
“That depends on who’s in control. If the Twelve Demons are truly the dominant force, the Inspector won’t act on his own.”
“The Twelve Demons are the dominant force?”
Taeulsangin, who had experienced Yeon Jeokha’s strength, seemed skeptical. The bandits were known for their brute strength.
Jegal Seun, seeing Taeulsangin deep in thought, said:
“Did you forget who represented the bandits when the Sage of Heaven and Earth Alliance was formed? It was Guiyeong Jagun, the leader of the Twelve Demons. If he isn’t in control, who else could be?”
Convinced by this logic, Taeulsangin nodded slightly.
“I will meet with Guiyeong Jagun. If it can’t be resolved, we’ll think of another solution.”
Jegal Seun didn’t mention the possibility of apologizing. He was confident that he could resolve it with Guiyeong Jagun.
Taeulsangin and Mu Mu Jin left Hyeoncheon Hall and walked silently through the courtyard. As they approached the main gate, their steps slowed.
“Um…”
“About…”
Both began to speak almost simultaneously.
Taeulsangin gestured for Mu Mu Jin to speak first.
“About Jegal Seun… it seems to me that he doesn’t fully understand the situation. I’m not sure if this is acceptable.”
“I also found it a bit surprising. Even in the incident with the demons, his nickname of Mysterious Sage doesn’t seem very reliable.”
“I’m worried that he’s not fulfilling his role, especially when we’re surrounded by enemies.”
Despite Jegal Seun’s efforts, the two elders didn’t trust him.
“But what can we do? There are no alternatives.”
“I’ve heard that Namgung Yeon is very capable…”
Mu Mu Jin left the sentence unfinished. If Namgung Yeon were thirty years old, he would recommend her without hesitation. But she was only twenty-three. Compared to the average age of the masters of the clans and sects, she was too young.
Tae Eulsangin didn’t even respond to the mention of Namgung Yeon. What good was being capable if she was a young woman?
Chilliha Village.
Bangsim Inn.
Around 9 p.m.
In a private room of the inn, a man and a woman were drinking together.
They were Guiyeong Jagun, the Leader of the Twelve Demons, and Jegal Seun.
After several rounds of drinks, Jegal Seun dismissed the courtesans.
Guiyeong Jagun watched Jegal Seun in silence.
“I asked them to leave because I have something to discuss.”
“What’s the matter?”
“It seems there was a small altercation in Chilliha this afternoon.”
“An altercation?”
Guiyeong Jagun asked as if it were the first time he’d heard of it. Although, of course, he was well aware of everything.
“There was some friction between the patrol and the Grand Inspector of the bandits. Yeon Jeokha got furious and said that if I didn’t apologize, they would leave.”
Jegal Seun observed Guiyeong Jagun’s reaction.
But Guiyeong Jagun, seasoned in Murim, didn’t show anything.
“Wow! Really?”
Just a sigh, without adding anything more. Frustrated, Jegal Seun asked cautiously:
“Does he really have the authority to break the Sage of Heaven and Earth Alliance?”
“Haha! The Grand Inspector doesn’t have that authority. Only the Grand Chaeju could do that.”
“Then, I have nothing to worry about?”
“Are you sure the Grand Inspector said they would leave?”
“To be precise, he said that if I didn’t apologize, he would leave.”
“What happened to mention an apology?”
“The patrol’s disciples were rude to Yeon Jeokha and Elder Shim Tong of Nokrim. In the process, Shim Tong broke the disciples’ arms. The elders of the patrol tried to intervene, and that’s when Yeon Jeokha got angry, believing that they were only blaming Nokrim. It was a minor matter, but everyone is very tense…”
Jegal Seun explained the situation in a way that favored the patrol.
Guiyeong Jagun nodded. What he had heard from his subordinates was similar.
“So, can I assume that Nokrim will stay in Chilliha?”
“That’s another matter.”
“What?”
“That the Grand Inspector leaves and the alliance has no relation.”
“No relation?”
“The Sage of Heaven and Earth Alliance is for the clans and Nokrim to fight together against the Yoomyung Cult. Nokrim will continue to fight them, whether they are in Chilliha or not. So it’s not breaking the alliance.”
“Then, will Nokrim follow Yeon Jeokha?”
“Of course. If the Grand Inspector says to leave, they will leave. That’s our rule.”
“Even the Twelve Demons follow his orders?”
“Hahaha! The Twelve Demons are part of Nokrim. After the Grand Chaeju, the Grand Inspector is next in command. We, the Twelve Demons, are just his disciples.”
Jegal Seun was shocked.
“Then why didn’t he appear when the Sage of Heaven and Earth Alliance was formed?”
“Bah! He’s annoyed by boring matters. That’s why I handled it.”
“…”
Guiyeong Jagun spoke to the stunned Jegal Seun.
“If he told you to apologize, you better do it quickly. For him, leaving Chilliha is no problem. In the worst case, the Alliance could crumble.”
“Are you saying he could break the alliance between us?”
Jegal Seun’s eyes widened.
Guiyeong Jagun burst out laughing.
“Hahaha. Alliance? The Grand Chaeju already gave him control of Nokrim a long time ago. Surely you understand what that means. Nokrim joined the alliance because he decided so. Now, do you see the situation? The leaders of the patrol stepped in a big mess. And you’re the one who has to clean it up. Come on, let’s leave the worries and enjoy the night.”
Guiyeong Jagun filled Jegal Seun’s cup with liquor.
Seeing his bewildered companion, he almost felt sorry for him.
Still, he couldn’t help but laugh, thinking about what awaited Jegal Seun.
Chilliha Village.
Small house on the eastern hillside.
Late at night.
Yeon Jeokha, who had been tossing and turning in bed, asked:
“Old Shim, why did you do that earlier?”
“Earlier? What do you mean?”
“You could have resolved things by talking, but you confronted the Elders of the patrol. That’s not like you, old demon swordsman.”
“I had no intention of doing so, but seeing Taeulsangin’s face enraged me.”
“Why?”
“It seemed like he was looking down on us.”
“Ah! You shouldn’t do that. Those guys always think they’re superior.”
“Exactly!”
The two conversed until late. Although their voices were like those of a grandfather and his grandson, the grandfather was the more energetic one.
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