Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 258
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Chapter 258: Yielding Flesh to Take Bone
The Grand Strategist Jegal Seun gazed at the Murim masters with a meaningful expression.
The mention of the Leader of the Yoomyung Cult had put everyone on edge.
But they didn’t know the truth.
Talking about organized movements and unaffiliated experts appearing was pure fabrication.
The Yoomyung Cult had always been an organization with a clear hierarchy, and their spies didn’t know all the cult’s experts.
It was all a well-orchestrated strategy.
The Blood Heaven Military General, also known as Hyeolcheonjingun, the Leader of the Earth Division, was the first to take the bait.
“Defeat them in detail? How do you intend to do that with the enemies in Baekmasa (White Horse Temple)?”
Jegal Seun approached the wall where a map was hanging.
“We have information that some of the Demon Warriors have moved to Hodoo Mountain, two hours from Baekmasa. It seems they relocated due to the lack of space at Baekmasa. With the level of our Demon Exterminators Division, we can easily handle them.”
“I agree. There have been too many internal frictions in the Heaven and Earth Alliance lately. We need to do something to prevent the experts who should be fighting against the Yoomyung Cult from clashing with each other.”
It was Mu Jong, the Leader of the Quanzhen Sect, who spoke. He was particularly sensitive since his disciple, Taeul Sword Gong San, had his arm broken.
The Leader of the Qingcheng Sect, Won Yang Jin, nodded in agreement, also due to a similar incident with his disciple, Righteous Sword Un Hak.
“I agree with Mu Jong. Taking this opportunity to clarify who our enemies are could strengthen our unity.”
Then, Virtue Sword Lee Yeon-ik, Leader of the Uicheon Sect, and Thunderclap Saber Peng Manho, Leader of the Paeng Clan, also gave their approval.
With enthusiastic support from the sects that had suffered at the hands of Old Shim of the Nine Heavens, Jegal Seun’s proposal was approved.
Now, it was left to decide who would go.
The Seven Sects and the Five Families, along with the Six Demon Generals, fell silent, not wanting to be the first to volunteer. A battle against the Demon Warriors could result in significant losses.
When no one volunteered, Jegal Seun spoke.
“A month ago, in Shanxi province, unknown individuals annihilated the Mansubang. They killed twenty people over a dispute at an inn. A disciple of the Beggar’s Sect followed them to Jiaocheng, where they disappeared.”
Jegal Seun’s unexpected mention of this incident puzzled everyone. Why talk about this instead of deciding who would go to Hodoo Mountain?
Peng Manho, unable to hold back, asked.
“Grand Strategist, what does the Shanxi incident have to do with Hodoo Mountain?”
“It turns out that Mansubang was an organization that collected and sold Sacred Artifacts to the Yoomyung Cult. According to the Beggar’s Sect, the dispute that day was over a Sacred Artifact.”
Upon hearing about the Sacred Artifacts, Peng Manho fell silent. He understood it was a matter related to the Yoomyung Cult.
Without further questions, Jegal Seun continued.
“We believe that a branch of the Yoomyung Cult is hidden somewhere in Jiaocheng. Although we don’t know its exact size, we know they have enough strength to annihilate an organization.”
The monk and Leader of the Shaolin Temple, Mu Beop, spoke.
“So, you’re saying we have two targets to defeat in detail?”
“Exactly. First, the Demon Warriors in Hodoo Mountain, and second, the unknown branch in Jiaocheng. These are our first objectives.”
The leaders began to murmur. With two objectives, at least three teams were needed, and anyone could be selected.
Jegal Seun took the initiative.
“I believe the Black Tortoise Division should investigate Jiaocheng, while the Vermilion Bird Division and the Human Division should handle Hodoo Mountain.”
Including the Black Tortoise Division was a strategy to avoid criticism for sending only the Vermilion Bird Division into danger.
The Jegal Family belonged to the Black Tortoise Division, so this was a strategy to sacrifice something minor to gain something greater.
Jegal Seun didn’t consider Jiaocheng as dangerous. Although Sacred Artifacts were traded there, the enemy’s main force was in Baekmasa, that is, the White Horse Temple.
Hodoo Mountain, on the other hand, was extremely dangerous.
Although he didn’t mention it, he knew there were ten Demon Warriors in Hodoo Mountain.
Despite his true intention, he emphasized the danger of Jiaocheng.
“The enemies in Jiaocheng are unknown. They could be related to the experts seen in Baekmasa.”
Of course, this was also an exaggeration.
The leaders in the hall tensed up. If those experts were in Jiaocheng, it would be a very dangerous place.
The Leader of the Black Tortoise Division, Jang Mudeok, asked.
“Grand Strategist, do you believe the Black Tortoise Division can handle this alone?”
“With the capability of the Jegal Family, they will not only find the enemies but uncover their true nature. If they act according to the situation, they won’t face significant difficulties.”
Even in this situation, Jegal Seun took the opportunity to praise the Jegal Family.
Jang Mudeok, trusting Jegal Seun’s reputation as the Grand Strategist, nodded.
“If the Grand Strategist says so, it shall be. I will follow your orders.”
With his approval, the eyes turned to Sword Emperor Namgung Byeok and Young Gyeolsang.
Young Gyeolsang spoke first.
“Let’s do it. Nokrim is ready to go wherever there are enemies.”
Young Gyeolsang didn’t need further explanations. He knew it was time to act.
Jegal Seun looked at Namgung Byeok with a strange expression.
Though uncomfortable, Namgung Byeok nodded. He had no reason to refuse.
“So be it.”
“Then, the Vermilion Bird Division and the Human Division will take care of the enemies in Hodoo Mountain. The Black Tortoise Division will investigate Jiaocheng. If possible, destroy any Sacred Artifacts you find.”
Jegal Seun repeated his orders, and the three leaders nodded.
At that moment, a slight smile appeared on Jegal Seun’s face.
He was convinced that Namgung Byeok and Yeon Jeokha would fall.
Yeon Jeokha was still listed in the Vermilion Bird Division from the last battle, and that order was still in effect.
———————–
Namgung Byeok, back at his lodging, immediately summoned the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower Namgung Yeon and the Blue Cloud Sword Namgung Cheon.
He wanted to inform his intelligent daughter about the meeting in the Deungnyong Hall and seek her advice. He also considered this as part of his son Namgung Cheon’s education as a future successor.
“So, the Vermilion Bird Division will go to Hodoo Mountain. Although I accepted in Deungnyong Hall, I’m not sure if it was the best decision. What do you think?”
Namgung Yeon didn’t respond immediately, deep in thought.
Namgung Byeok felt he had made a significant mistake, which worried him.
After a long while, Namgung Yeon spoke.
“It wasn’t a wise decision, but I understand that it was difficult for you to reject it. The Grand Strategist used a strategy of ‘yielding flesh to take bone.’”
“So, he set us up?”
“If he included the Black Tortoise Division, it’s because the operation is quite dangerous.”
Namgung Byeok showed a bitter smile.
It was true, Jegal Seun had never done anything good for him.
Since the Lunar Fairy had destroyed the Namgung Family, Jegal Seun had always acted this way.
It’s impressive how he had hidden his hostility for so long.
Namgung Cheon, feeling frustrated, intervened.
“Yeon, can’t we just refuse? Rebel and say no?”
“Dear brother, Yeon Jeokha might do that, but we can’t. As part of the Five Great Families of Murim, we must take on responsibilities. The Grand Strategist knows this, which is why he imposed it on us.”
“But it’s dangerous. Why walk into such an obvious trap?”
Namgung Yeon looked at her father.
“Last night, I observed the signs in the sky. Two malignant stars were shining brightly.”
Namgung Byeok and Namgung Cheon swallowed hard.
Namgung Yeon had never spoken of celestial signs before.
“The energy from the West is ominous, but the northern star is murderous. The Grand Strategist intends to sacrifice flesh to obtain bone, but the result will be the opposite.”
Namgung Byeok sighed in relief.
Jiaocheng was in the north, and Hodoo Mountain in the west.
Both were bad, but it was better to deal with an ‘ominous malignant star’ than a ‘murderous’ one.
It was a small blessing amidst the misfortune.
“Yeon, those things about stars and signs are old folks’ tales, aren’t they?”
Namgung Cheon’s remark made Namgung Byeok click his tongue in disapproval.
Shanxi Province.
Jiaocheng County.
Temple of the Goddess in Fengzhi Valley.
At dusk.
In the temple at dusk, Shinmo watched the red sky with a doubtful expression.
Cheong Ryushin’s response had been completely unexpected.
The bell in her hand made a slight noise from time to time.
“So, do you need time to uncover the secret of the other world?”
-Mother. I still do not fully understand this place.
Shinmo frowned at the response.
In the past, Socheon, also known as Xiaochun, had immediately answered her questions.
But Cheong Ryushin was asking for time, delaying answers.
Never before had an Elme questioned the orders of its master.
Cheong Ryushin’s energy was strong, allowing access to greater secrets, but it was also difficult to control.
“Then, how much time do you need?”
There was no immediate response.
This also irritated Shinmo.
Although unlikely, she felt as if Cheong Ryushin was plotting something.
Just as she was about to speak, she heard a response.
-Forty-nine days.
Shinmo let out a laugh unintentionally.
Forty-nine days was a significant period.
When someone dies, they spend forty-nine days in an intermediate state between life and death.
In those days, the fate of the deceased is decided, something completely irrelevant to an Elme.
The fact that Cheong Ryushin mentioned forty-nine days irritated her.
“Why forty-nine days? That has no relation to you.”
-Mother, you must wait at least that time to uncover the secrets of the Six Paths and the Three Realms.
Shinmo let out a groan.
She had waited twenty years to uncover great secrets.
Compared to that, forty-nine days was an insignificant moment.
If Cheong Ryushin wasn’t lying, she could wait.
An Elme couldn’t lie to its master.
But that only applied to young, innocent spirits, not someone like Cheong Ryushin.
As if understanding her doubts, Cheong Ryushin spoke.
-Don’t you trust me? What could I do in this state? Sniff, sniff.
Cheong Ryushin even began to sob.
Shinmo’s irritation increased.
The frustration of not being able to fully control this powerful Elme angered her.
“Alright, stop crying. I will wait forty-nine days.”
-Thank you, mother. I won’t forget your kindness.
“…”
Shinmo sighed softly and placed the bell on the altar.
Cheong Ryushin’s last words left her with a strange feeling.
“Won’t forget my kindness?”
Did she mean not forgetting being turned into an Elme?
‘Did I recite it too long?’
Cheong Ryushin’s energy had become strong, but now it was difficult to comprehend.
‘Though she’s still an Elme.’
Shinmo wrapped the bell in cloth and stood up.
As she exited the temple, eight warriors appeared like ghosts.
After silently looking at them, Shinmo spoke.
“I will stay at the Temple of the Goddess for forty-nine days. Don’t let anyone approach Fengzhi Valley.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The warriors disappeared again.
The cold wind blew through the Temple of the Goddess in Fengzhi Valley.
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