Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 263
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Chapter 263: I Can Deduce It Just by Looking at Your Face
Shanxi Province.
Gyogu County.
Mount Pungji, also known as Fengzhi Valley.
Fairy Temple, also known as Goddess Temple.
Shinmo, who had been meditating, slowly opened her eyes. Moments later, a figure appeared like a ghost in the flower-filled garden. It was one of the eight experts protecting Shinmo.
“What’s the matter?”
“Master, we’ll have to postpone the search for a new faction to replace Mansubang.”
“Why?”
“The authorities and the Beggar’s Sect are conducting a thorough investigation in Gyogu County. If they turn their eyes toward Mount Pungji, they might interfere with your plans.”
“Hmm.”
Shinmo let out a sigh.
The Yoomyung Cult receives the Sacred Artifacts through various factions and the Beggar’s Sect. Mansubang was one of those factions. They were exterminated because they sold a fake Sacred Artifact to Shinmo.
The Sacred Artifacts are sold for a thousand taels of silver. Due to their high price, imitations have emerged. Mansubang had the misfortune of selling a counterfeit to Shinmo, which led to their annihilation at the hands of the Eight Emperors.
If Shinmo had been elsewhere, perhaps they wouldn’t have been exterminated.
“Is there anyone who knows about the transactions between the Fairy Temple and Mansubang?”
As Shinmo pondered something, Ilhwang Naeop responded.
“Not that I know of.”
Shinmo noticed something in Naeop’s eyes.
“It seems like you’re saying they might know.”
“I’m sorry. Everyone in Mansubang died, so we can’t confirm it.”
“I see.”
“Also, the Great Demon Generals wish to see you.”
“Tell them to come to Mount Pungji before the first day of the sixth month.”
“Yes, Master.”
Ilhwang disappeared as quietly as he had arrived. As she looked at the now-empty garden, Shinmo clicked her tongue softly.
“Chut chut! Human greed.”
In the Yoomyung Cult, only she could identify genuine Sacred Artifacts. Elsewhere, counterfeits were likely being distributed. It was disheartening to think about the followers who might die using counterfeits, but there was no way to stop it.
Currently, only when they try to use a Sacred Artifact several times without success do they realize it’s fake and destroy it.
The Eight Emperors exterminated Mansubang because they understood the seriousness of the counterfeit problem.
Shinmo pulled out the Cheong Ryushin Bell from her bosom. She unwrapped the cloth covering it and gently shook it. It emitted no clear sound.
A satisfied smile appeared on her face.
The fact that it made no sound meant that the Cheong Ryushin Bell was wandering in the underworld. Although she could force its return by reciting a spell, it wasn’t the right time. She had requested a period of 49 days, so she planned to summon it then.
“What could be more amazing than the secret of the underworld governed by King Yama?”
As a spiritual practitioner, Shinmo was deeply interested in the afterlife. Her connection with King Yama also stemmed from this.
If she had desired power, she would have already gone to Baekmasa (White Horse Temple) to lead the Yoomyung Cult.
Henan Province, Zhengzhou City.
Chiliha Village.
Hyeoncheon Pavilion.
One day before the departure ceremony, Jegal Seun, the Grand Strategist of the Heaven and Earth Alliance, called Jegal Joongyeong, the protector of the Jegal Family.
As they drank tea together, Jegal Seun glanced at Jegal Joongyeong.
He was his cousin and the best expert in the Jegal Family. The lives of the family members depended on him.
“Are the preparations for departure going well?”
“Yes.”
“Have you still not found the artifact?”
“I’ve searched everywhere, but no one wants to sell it to us.”
Jegal Seun nodded as if he had expected that. Most people preferred to align with the Seven Great Sects and the Five Great Families. It was rare for anyone to want to sell an artifact to a family like Jegal.
Jegal Seun placed a small package, about the size of a walnut, on the table.
“Take this with you.”
“What is it?”
Jegal Joongyeong picked up the package and examined it. It was wrapped in cloth, and it seemed that only by untying it could he see its contents. As he started to untie it absentmindedly, Jegal Seun intervened.
“Don’t untie it, just carry it with you. It’s a Buddha’s relic.”
“Oh! Where did you get something so valuable?”
“If people find out, we could become the subject of rumors. Let’s keep it between us.”
Jegal Joongyeong looked at Jegal Seun curiously. These days, owning an artifact was a matter of pride. But why keep it a secret?
However, he didn’t ask questions. Sometimes, it was better not to know certain things.
Jegal Joongyeong quietly stored the artifact.
“I’m giving it to you because the situation with the Yoomyung Cult is unpredictable. You must ensure the family members’ safety.”
“I understand.”
Despite his cousin’s words, Jegal Seun insisted.
“The family’s safety is the most important thing. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve secretly sent a request for cooperation to the authorities in Gyogu County. Right now, the authorities and the Beggar’s Sect are investigating. The Black Turtle Division just needs to make an appearance and return.”
“……”
Although unexpected, Jegal Joongyeong listened silently. He knew it was all for the family’s sake.
“The prestigious sects and families trust the Jegal Family. The Leader of the Black Turtle Division will also seek your advice. Resolve it and return.”
“Even if they find a branch of the Yoomyung Cult?”
“None of the Black Turtle Division’s divisions have artifacts. The sorcerers of the Demon Extermination Division are there, but their skills have yet to be tested.”
“Ah!”
Jegal Joongyeong let out a sigh. Now that he thought about it, he hadn’t worked much with the Black Turtle Division’s sorcerers.
“I wanted to bring the sorcerers from the Vermilion Bird Division and the Azure Dragon Division, but they didn’t want to.”
“The Black Turtle Division can’t handle a branch of the Yoomyung Cult?”
“It’s not that. It’s just that the Jegal Family could suffer losses in the process, so I’m asking them to avoid it.”
“I’ll do my best to avoid any conflict.”
“I only hope you won’t need to use that artifact.”
“Ah! I heard there’s a special way to use the artifact. Do I just need to carry it?”
“Just protect your body and mind with energy. Don’t rely on it for combat.”
“Ah! Yes. I’ll be careful.”
Seeing the determination in his cousin, Jegal Seun smiled contentedly. He had done everything possible.
A thought crossed his mind: “Planning is a human endeavor, but success depends on heaven; it cannot be forced.”
But he had meticulously prepared everything, both inside and out. He was confident there would be no problems.
Jegal Seun trusted in that.
Patrol Division Prison.
Noon.
Without prior notice, the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower Namgung Yeon visited the prison. A guard guided her and ran to inform the patrol leader.
Upon seeing Namgung Yeon, the Invisible Hand Baek Gyo straightened up nervously. It was no secret that the Grand Inspector Yeon Jeokha was in love with Namgung Yeon.
From behind the bars, Namgung Yeon observed him silently. Her penetrating gaze made Baek Gyo feel increasingly uncomfortable.
“Why are you looking at me like that, Miss Namgung?”
But Namgung Yeon said nothing. As her gaze persisted, Baek Gyo grew more and more nervous.
“Really, I didn’t steal it.”
“I didn’t steal it.”
“Really, I…”
Tired of his own voice, Baek Gyo stopped talking. Then, Namgung Yeon spoke.
“It’s true you didn’t steal it. But you’re hiding something else.”
“…”
Baek Gyo looked at her in surprise. Could she really read people’s minds?
He nervously swallowed.
But Baek Gyo was also a shrewd veteran.
“What do you mean, Miss? I don’t understand. I’m accused of stealing an artifact; what could be worse than that?”
Namgung Yeon calmly responded.
“Four days ago, no one knew that Muheosan had the Buddha’s True Relic, also known as the Young Buddha Pearl. But he got drunk and started bragging. With only four days before the departure ceremony, anyone who needed the artifact would have to steal it quickly.”
“……”
“Invisible Hand Baek Gyo. It’s natural for a thief like you to be interested in the Buddha’s True Relic.”
“Miss, you yourself said I didn’t steal it. Why are you talking about this?”
“Desperate, you lingered around Muheosan. Because, even though you’re an expert thief, you couldn’t break into the Demon Extermination Division’s quarters to steal it.”
“Yes, it’s true I observed him.”
Baek Gyo was nearly resigned.
Namgung Yeon terrified him. He now understood why she was called a “woman with a ghost.”
“I wondered why you met with Shim Sunbae. But seeing your face, I understand.”
“You understand?”
Baek Gyo responded instinctively.
No one in the world knew. Why?
Because it was a secret he hadn’t shared with anyone.
Unless she had a ghost by her side, she couldn’t know.
“You knew you’d be arrested soon. After all, if someone steals an artifact and an expert thief is nearby, it’s obvious you’ll be arrested.”
“Then what?”
“You wanted Yeon Jeokha’s help, but you couldn’t ask for it because you betrayed the Five Peaks thieves’ group. You chose Shim Sunbae as a second option. You thought that just by mentioning their relationship, the Heaven and Earth Alliance would treat you better.”
“Wow! You really are the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower. Yes, I met with Shim Tong for that reason. So, please, tell them I’m not the thief.”
“But, you know? You’ve been eating well in prison. If you were really being falsely accused, wouldn’t you have lost your appetite?”
“Miss, I’m an optimistic person. Thieves are usually optimistic.”
“You even avoided asking Shim Sunbae for help. That means you have another way out of this. That’s probably the secret you’re hiding.”
“……”
For a moment, Baek Gyo stopped breathing and looked at Namgung Yeon.
“Invisible Hand. If being a good thief is part of your nickname, then being invisible means having exceptional skills. If Muheosan wasn’t robbed at night, the thief could be quickly identified. In Zhengzhou, there’s a famous pickpocket named Namrin. It’s said that where there’s a crowd, there’s Namrin.”
Hearing the name Namrin, Baek Gyo shook his head.
‘This woman is not human.’
“Perhaps, while observing Muheosan, you saw the real thief. Or maybe you saw the thief selling the artifact. That would be a secret, wouldn’t it?”
“Haa! Miss, you’re right. Please, don’t worry about me. I appreciate your concern, but I can handle this.”
Baek Gyo feared Namgung Yeon. He felt that she could see through him as if reading an open book.
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