Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 260
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Chapter 260: Do You Think My Head Is Just for Show?
Chilriha Village.
Choyeon’s Summoning House (Giru).
One of the places that flourished after the founding of the Heaven and Earth Alliance was Choyeon. During the days of the Justice Alliance, it didn’t have many customers and relied on local residents for business. However, since joining the Evil Faction, the place has been packed with warriors from Murim day and night.
Today, like any other day, it was hard to find an empty seat even in broad daylight. Most of the customers were warriors from the Evil Faction, though a few from the Justice Faction and their associates could also be seen.
In a corner of Choyeon, two old men were enjoying themselves with courtesans in their twenties and thirties. They were Shim Tong, known as the Old Dao of Nine Heavens, and Baek Gyo, the Invisible Hand. (Note: I’ve forgotten Baek Gyo’s nickname, haha.)
Shim Tong did most of the talking, while Baek Gyo just played along.
As Shim Tong recounted tales of his adventures reorganizing the fortresses of Nokrim, he casually asked, “So, Baek hyung, how have you been? You don’t seem to be in good shape.”
Despite their long-standing bond, Shim Tong still affectionately called him “hyung.” Baek Gyo, with a sheepish expression, replied, “Don’t even ask. Do you remember the guys who went to Jeokpung Stronghold with me?”
Shim Tong couldn’t recall their names but nodded.
“Yeom Sawoong was stabbed to death that very year, and Chun Ilbo lost an eye last year. If he hadn’t gone blind, he would have come with me. I’m not in great shape either. Business has declined considerably, and we can barely put food on the table.”
“What a pity, tsk tsk.”
Shim Tong clicked his tongue in sympathy.
If he had followed Baek Gyo to Jeokpung Stronghold, he would be in the same situation.
Really, you never know what the future holds.
“Did you change your name? When I heard about the Old Dao of Nine Heavens, I thought it was someone else.”
“That’s how it turned out.”
“If I had known you would be so successful, I would have stayed with you.”
“I think of you often too, Baek hyung.”
Though they called each other “hyung” (older brother) and “dongsaeng” (younger brother), their way of speaking had changed. Shim Tong still used informal speech, but Baek Gyo employed a formal tone, showing the difference in their current positions.
“This time, our Human Division is going to Hodoo Mountain with the Vermillion Bird Division, right?”
“So I’ve heard.”
“What exactly are the Demon Warriors?”
Baek Gyo looked at Shim Tong with curiosity.
He had arranged this meeting to find out more about the Demon Warriors. What he had heard so far didn’t give him a clear idea.
“There’s talk of Devilish Warlords, One-Horned Demons, and Demon Dragons, but I’m not sure if they’re rumors or what…”
Baek Gyo shook his head, puzzled.
Shim Tong, after listening in silence, said, “You’ll understand when you see them. As the saying goes, ‘seeing is believing.’”
He had no intention of repeating explanations that would probably not be believed.
Baek Gyo, realizing his mistake, scratched his head with a regretful expression.
“How foolish of me. I’ve made my questions sound like nonsense.”
Given Shim Tong’s impassive face, he didn’t dare continue asking.
The courtesans, noticing the silence, intervened.
“Gentlemen, you should keep drinking while you talk.”
“Those from the Yoomyung Cult won’t be a match for you. Shall we order more food?”
Even amid the conversation, the courtesan next to Baek Gyo was only thinking of increasing the bill.
Feeling embarrassed, Baek Gyo exclaimed, “Of course! We’ll eat until we’re stuffed today! Order more, fill the table!”
“Oh, how generous! I’ll go to the kitchen to order more.”
The courtesan quickly got up and left.
Baek Gyo, awkwardly stroking his beard, commented, “Shim hyung, have you ever thought about going independent?”
“Are you suggesting I lead a stronghold?”
“If you raise your banner, I’m willing to follow you.”
“Haha, life at Jeokpung Stronghold must be very tough. Hearing you say that confirms it.”
“It’s hell. I can’t stand Jang Han-wi’s greed any longer.”
“I feel for you, but I’m satisfied with my current life.”
“Isn’t it better to be the head of a mouse than the tail of a lion?”
Suddenly, Shim Tong extended his hands like claws and said, “You’re wrong. I’m not the lion’s tail; I’m like one of its front paws. Soon, you’ll see how these hands manage the world.”
“Wow, it seems you have big ambitions. Is there anything I can help you with?”
Baek Gyo looked at Shim Tong with hope.
Tired of life at Jeokpung Stronghold, he wanted to do something with his old friend.
“No. Let’s stop talking about boring things and keep drinking.”
Shim Tong abruptly ended the conversation.
There was no way he would trust someone who had fled in difficult times. If it weren’t for old times’ sake and the free drinks, he wouldn’t have come.
Mid-afternoon (3 p.m.)
After parting ways with Baek Gyo, Shim Tong returned home reeking of alcohol.
Despite the imminent expedition to Hodoo Mountain, he felt lighter than ever.
He could face the Demon Warriors alone, which gave him a sense of relief.
Humming a tune, he entered through the front gate but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Yeon Jeokha sitting on the porch, looking dejected.
“Young Master? What happened?”
“Lady of the Black Lotus has ruined everything.”
“What do you mean?”
Yeon Jeokha, with a vacant look, muttered, “She told my sister that I have someone I like.”
“And what’s the problem?”
“My sister left with an uncomfortable expression after hearing that. That’s not good.”
“Did you tell her who you like?”
“Do you think I’m stupid enough to say that? I have some common sense too.”
“So you just mentioned that you like someone.”
“Saying something so vulgar in front of someone as noble as my sister… It’s only natural that she got upset. I knew Lady of the Black Lotus would cause trouble sooner or later. Why did she have to say that to my sister?”
Yeon Jeokha trembled with anger.
Shim Tong, seeing this, thought that both Yeon Jeokha and Namgung Yeon were equally clumsy when it came to matters of the heart.
“A simple confession would solve everything, why complicate it so much?”
Unable to hold back any longer, Shim Tong said, “Young Master, may I play matchmaker?”
“Matchmaker? Are you going to jump over someone’s fence at night?”
“Haha, that would be a thief. A matchmaker is someone who brings a man and woman together.”
Yeon Jeokha, carefully observing Shim Tong’s flushed face, shook his head.
“No. Don’t cause more trouble. I’m more afraid of you than Lady of the Black Lotus.”
“Young Master, I was once called ‘Honey on the Lips.’ Trust me.”
“But you turned out to be a sword in the stomach. Are you going to ruin someone’s life? Let it go.”
As they argued, a group of people approached, making noise.
Both Yeon Jeokha and Shim Tong looked outside.
Beyond the low fence, they saw the scowling faces of the thieves from Jeokpung Stronghold.
Upon seeing Yeon Jeokha and Shim Tong, they bowed deeply.
“Greetings, Master!”
Shortly after, the boss of Jeokpung Stronghold, Jang Han-wi, spoke, panting, “Master! How can the people of the Justice Faction do this?”
“What happened?”
“The patrol from the Justice Faction came and took one of my men.”
“What did he do this time?”
“It’s not an accident. Someone from the Demon Exterminator Division lost an artifact, and they said my man stole it.”
“Why did they take someone from Jeokpung Stronghold? Who is it?”
“It’s an old man named Baek Gyo.”
Shim Tong, upon hearing this, frowned.
Baek Gyo, with whom he had just been drinking, had been arrested.
He couldn’t help but think it was unfortunate.
“Baek Gyo? That name sounds familiar. Old Shim, do you know who he is?”
“Isn’t he the Invisible Hand Baek Gyo, the traitor of the Five Peaks who went to Jeokpung Stronghold?”
“Oh, that thief?”
Finally, Yeon Jeokha clearly remembered who Baek Gyo was.
Jang Han-wi, still angry, said, “Master, last time you warned the Chief of the Heaven and Earth Alliance. But it’s happened again. Whatever happens, they always blame Nokrim.”
Yeon Jeokha, with an uncertain expression, looked at Jang Han-wi.
Baek Gyo, known as the Invisible Hand, was infamous for being a thief.
Even the thieves of the Five Peaks had lost many things while he was there.
Honestly, even he would suspect Baek Gyo.
“Jang Chief, are you sure Baek Gyo didn’t steal it?”
“Well, he says he didn’t, so we should believe him… um.”
Jang Han-wi ended his sentence with uncertainty.
Even he didn’t fully trust Baek Gyo’s innocence.
What infuriated him was that they took his man without his permission.
“So, Baek Gyo says he didn’t do it, but the patrol took him.”
“Yes, that’s right. How can they do this?”
“Don’t talk about laws. When have we ever lived by the laws?”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Jang Han-wi lowered his head.
He was famous for his bad temper, but compared to Yeon Jeokha, he was nothing.
He had a preconceived image of Yeon Jeokha as a ruthless man, thanks to Baek Gyo’s stories.
Yeon Jeokha, still troubled by Namgung Yeon, slowly stood up.
“The Chief is wrong. It’s true that Baek Gyo has light fingers, but they can’t do that without proof. The more I think about it, the angrier I get.”
“Of course, it’s disrespectful to you and Nokrim.”
Jang Han-wi, nodding, followed Yeon Jeokha.
Shim Tong, watching, thought to himself, “Tsk tsk, taking it out on the dog after getting beaten… That’s exactly what this is.”
After being troubled by Namgung Yeon, Yeon Jeokha now seemed ready to take it out on the Chief.
Although, on second thought, it might be a good idea.
To retrieve the artifact and catch the thief, he would need Namgung Yeon’s help.
Shim Tong cautiously suggested, “Young Master, do you trust Baek Gyo’s word? You could end up looking foolish if you’re wrong. Why not talk to Lady Namgung first?”
Yeon Jeokha, on the verge of exploding, stopped and slowly sat down.
Shim Tong was right.
Trusting only the words of a professional thief like Baek Gyo was risky.
“There are only three days left for the expedition. Can we resolve this in time? Maybe Lady Namgung can help…”
“No, no.”
Yeon Jeokha shook his head.
Involving Namgung Yeon might complicate things and cause delays.
Just like the current gossip about the Chief.
“Master?”
“Young Master?”
Jang Han-wi and Shim Tong alternately called out to Yeon Jeokha.
Grabbing his head with his hands, Yeon Jeokha shouted, “Damn it! Let me think! Do you think my head is just for show?”
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