Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 264
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Chapter 264: Era of Survival
The Invisible Hand Baek Gyo turned his head to avoid the gaze of the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower Namgung Yeon. Her soft voice reached his ears.
“There aren’t many people who can get you out of prison. The number of people you trust to that extent is even fewer. The person you made the exchange with must be either the patrol leader or the Grand Strategist.”
“……”
Baek Gyo’s shoulders slumped. In front of this woman, he couldn’t hide even the smallest secret.
“Miss, could you leave me alone?”
He could deceive others, but not Namgung Yeon. The relationship between her and the person who bought the stolen items was strained, and he knew he would only be used.
Namgung Yeon didn’t press Baek Gyo for an answer. The patrol leader was a Shaolin Monk, and it was unlikely that he would purchase the Buddha’s relic in such a manner. That left only one person: the Grand Strategist Jegal Seun.
If it was indeed the Grand Strategist, it made sense for him to stay silent. The people from the evil faction didn’t trust those from the righteous faction, fearing they’d be used and discarded.
But Baek Gyo didn’t realize how dangerous the Grand Strategist truly was. Jegal Seun was a man who would sacrifice his comrades for the Jegal Family. Would he really leave the only witness to the transaction of stolen goods alive?
“The Grand Strategist…”
Namgung Yeon was about to warn him when the patrol leader, the Great Master Gongji, entered the prison.
“Hoho. Miss Namgung, what brings you here? Are you looking for the relic? That man’s tongue is rather heavy, it won’t be easy to make him talk.”
Namgung Yeon bowed and replied.
“No, I came because the Grand Inspector of Nokrim wants to confirm whether Baek Gyo actually stole the item.”
“And? What do you think? He says he didn’t steal it, but he doesn’t seem like someone you can trust.”
Great Master Gongji looked at her hopefully. He had heard much about Namgung Yeon’s mind-reading ability. If she was as skilled as they said, she would be of great help in this situation.
“It seems he’s in a difficult situation. I’ll take my leave for now.”
Before Great Master Gongji could say anything more, Namgung Yeon left the prison.
Zhengzhou City.
Around midnight.
A drunken young man staggered through the red-light district. Under the bright moonlight, his face was revealed. It was Namrin, who had hurried back to the city after having a drink in Chilriha Village.
“Damn it! Money is great! Huh? What’s this?”
Namrin tried to clear his head by shaking it when someone appeared in front of him.
Shuck.
With a sharp sound, Namrin’s head flew off. A masked assassin pulled a pouch of money from the corpse and disappeared into the darkness.
Chilriha Village
Heaven and Earth Alliance.
Dawn.
Mu Geuk, the Leader of the Heaven and Earth Alliance, addressed the 280 experts of the Righteous Faction gathered in the front courtyard.
“We have gathered under the banner of the Heaven and Earth Alliance to destroy the Yoomyung Cult. Today, we finally set out to fulfill that mission. I wish you all success.”
Mu Geuk bowed to the experts of the Righteous Faction. Unlike previous ceremonies, there were no shouts of “Exterminate the Demons” or “Justice for Eternity.” This was out of consideration for the experts of the Evil Faction who accompanied them.
The experts of the Black Turtle Division, Vermilion Bird Division, and Human Division passed through the platform toward the main gate. The experts of the Righteous Faction departed for the battlefield.
With a serious expression, Mu Geuk looked to the side.
“Grand Strategist, what do you think of the outcome of this battle?”
“There are many variables in Gyogu County (the destination of the Black Turtle Division), it’s hard to predict.”
“And in Hodu Mountain (the destination of the Vermilion Bird Division and Human Squad)?”
“Nothing is easy in this world. Even a baby is fierce when it’s nursing.”
Comparing war to a nursing baby might have seemed like wordplay. But Mu Geuk grasped the deeper meaning.
“Hm. Fierce, you say…”
He was already aware of Jegal Seun’s hostility toward the Namgung Family. But why involve the Human Division?
“Do you have any special reason for sending the Human Division to Hodu Mountain?”
“The Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord is still unwilling to join this battle. But if something happens to the Lady of the Black Lotus, he might take it more seriously, don’t you think?”
‘He is a terrifying man.’
Mu Geuk was at a loss for words. Jegal Seun’s intention was to use the Lady of the Black Lotus, the most beautiful woman in the north, as a sacrifice. Although it weakened the power of the evil faction, it was a double-edged sword.
“I hope to hear only good news.”
With his mind filled with thoughts, Mu Geuk left, leaving Jegal Seun alone. As Jegal Seun pondered, the chief of the prison guards approached.
“Grand Strategist.”
“What is it?”
“Baek Gyo, who is imprisoned, wants to see you. What should we do?”
“Wants to see me?”
“Yes.”
“How strange. I’ll see him then.”
“Sorry for the trouble.”
The chief of the guards bowed and left. Jegal Seun watched him with a kind expression, but his eyes narrowed.
Why did Baek Gyo want to see him? It didn’t make sense.
“Could he know about Namrin?”
Baek Gyo was an expert from Nokrim, while Namrin was a back-alley pickpocket. They shouldn’t have any connection, but something bothered him.
“Well, I’ll find out when I see him.”
Jegal Seun set aside his thoughts. No matter how complex a situation was, it was always solved one step at a time.
Soon after, Jegal Seun visited the prison. He ordered the guards to withdraw and entered alone. Baek Gyo, chained up, stood and smiled.
Clang. Clang.
The sound of chains echoed in the prison as Baek Gyo approached.
“I heard you wanted to see me.”
“He he. Grand Strategist, it’s an honor to meet you.”
Baek Gyo grinned as he looked Jegal Seun up and down, like a predator eyeing its prey.
“Honor is a bit much. We are fighting together under the banner of the Heaven and Earth Alliance.”
“Then let me out.”
“You should say that to the ones who arrested you.”
“The patrol leader doesn’t believe in me, that’s why I’m here.”
Baek Gyo’s rude manner of speaking made Jegal Seun frown.
Baek Gyo referred to the Great Master Gongji as the “patrol leader.” It was evident that he had no respect for the Shaolin Monk.
“The decision about your fate lies in the hands of Great Master Gongji…”
“Four days ago, I saw a young man. It turns out we were after the same thing. I have a skill for climbing walls, but that young man had an incredible skill with his hands. He was so good that he moved in and out of Muheosan’s chest as if it were his own home.”
Baek Gyo shortened his speech. Jegal Seun’s face tensed.
‘Could it be that this man saw Namrin?’
As Jegal Seun pondered, Baek Gyo grinned triumphantly.
“That night, I saw that young man meet with someone in the forest behind the Heaven and Earth Alliance. Grand Strategist, you know I’m not the thief, but rather the only witness to the crime.”
“I didn’t know who he was. I just met someone who wanted to sell the artifact.”
“Yes, that’s how this world works. Sometimes you know when you’re being deceived, other times you don’t. I understand, but I need you to let me out. I’m calling you to settle this in private.”
“As I said, that decision is up to Great Master Gongji…”
“Hoho. If you keep disappointing me, things will get difficult. You know as well as I do that this won’t be resolved easily. Are you testing me? Me, the Invisible Hand?”
With Jegal Seun’s weakness in his hands, Baek Gyo behaved like a vulgar thug. Jegal Seun sighed deeply.
“Haa! Fine. Is that all you want?”
“Of course not. You know this won’t end here. Many desire the downfall of the Jegal Family. Even yesterday, Namgung Yeon came to see me. Ah, her eyes… Foolish women are the best. No matter how beautiful she is, one couldn’t live with a woman like that. Isn’t that right?”
“What did you talk about?”
Jegal Seun’s eyes shone intensely. Baek Gyo realized the mistake of underestimating him.
“She asked if I stole the artifact. After that, she talked to herself. When the patrol leader arrived, she left. That’s all.”
Baek Gyo’s arrogance vanished, returning to his original tone.
“Did she say anything else? About who the thief might be, or who bought the artifact?”
Baek Gyo was once again surprised. How could Jegal Seun deduce so much without being present?
“She was about to say something when the patrol leader arrived, and the conversation ended.”
Baek Gyo didn’t reveal everything Namgung Yeon had told him, instinctively sensing it would be dangerous.
“I see. So, what do you want?”
“A receipt for fifty thousand taels of silver. I want to retire and live in peace.”
“Fine. I can’t get you out today, there are too many eyes. I’ll release you in a few days. We’ll meet later to give you the money.”
Jegal Seun planned to resolve this while Namgung Yeon was at Hodu Mountain.
“I can’t wait a few days. Get me out tomorrow. I can’t stand being in this filthy place any longer.”
“Haa! Tomorrow is difficult. I need to create evidence that you’re not the thief. The day after tomorrow, then.”
Jegal Seun had a point, so Baek Gyo didn’t press further.
“Fine. The day after tomorrow. If you don’t get me out then, I’ll tell the patrol leader what I saw.”
“Don’t worry and relax for the next few days.”
“Hehe. That was my plan.”
“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll take my leave.”
Jegal Seun slowly turned around. His face twisted into a hateful expression.
Indeed, this was a swamp. He was already knee-deep, but he wouldn’t allow himself to be caught.
This was not the era of justice and heroism, but of survival. For the Jegal Family, he was willing to sacrifice justice and honor.
Official Road of Zhengzhou.
As she walked with the Human Division, the Lady of the Black Lotus looked ahead and asked.
“Boss Ma, why isn’t the Grand Inspector coming with us but instead with the Vermilion Bird Division?”
Ma Hyeongdo, the Boss of the bandits of the Five Peaks, responded with a laugh.
“That guy always acts like that.”
“But the flowers are here.”
The Lady of the Black Lotus pointed to her face, causing the bandits to laugh.
“What? Did I say something wrong? Why are you laughing?”
The Wanderer Swordsman Huang Yomyung intervened.
“Our Grand Inspector is loyal. He isn’t interested in other flowers.”
“Loyal? To whom?”
“It’s clear to us. Don’t you see?”
“……”
Finally, the Lady of the Black Lotus understood that they were talking about Namgung Yeon.
“No, it’s not like that.”
Sure, Namgung Yeon was beautiful, even to her. But the relationship between Yeon Jeokha and Namgung Yeon seemed more like that of a younger brother following an older sister.
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