Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 265
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Chapter 265: It Seems You’re Upset
Ma Hyeongdo, the Boss of the Five Peaks Mountain Stronghold, glanced at the Lady of the Black Lotus, who was vehemently denying everything. He had heard about the famous innocent beauty of the Lady of the Black Lotus, and now he was convinced.
Even seeing such an obvious connection between a young man and a young woman, she kept denying it.
The Wanderer Swordsman, Huang Yomyung, couldn’t help but ask:
“Why do you think that’s not the case?”
“Look at the Grand Inspector’s face. It shows no interest. From my own experience, I can tell that men don’t act like that when they’re interested in someone.”
Huang Yomyung couldn’t refute her logic, as she had a point. At the Five Peaks Mountain Stronghold, there was also an ongoing debate about whether the relationship between Yeon Jeokha and Namgung Yeon was romantic or not.
Opinions were divided, and no conclusion had been reached.
Ma Hyeongdo subtly suggested:
“Miss, who says only bees seek flowers?”
The implication was clear: she needed to be more direct.
“The Grand Inspector avoids me, saying he doesn’t want to be a burden.”
The Lady of the Black Lotus frowned. Since she told Namgung Yeon that Yeon Jeokha had someone in mind, he had been avoiding her. The meals they used to share daily had ceased.
When she tried to invite him for a meal, he always turned down the offer, saying he had already eaten. This evasion frustrated her deeply.
As lunchtime approached, people began to disperse into small groups. Yeon Jeokha and Namgung Yeon had been together since they left the Justice Alliance, and the experts of the Vermilion Bird Division no longer paid them any attention.
Namgung Cheon approached the two while drinking water from a leather canteen.
“Ugh! I’m hungry! Is there anything good to eat?”
Unlike when they traveled from Nanjing to Zhengzhou, there were no merchants following them now. Even when they encountered merchants, they quickly sold their goods and left.
Unless they were in a village, like now, they had to settle for travel rations. Although some people cooked for themselves, they were very few.
Yeon Jeokha pulled out a piece of dried meat from his backpack and offered it.
“Brother, would you like to try this jerky from Xianglin?”
“Sure? Let me give it a taste.”
Namgung Cheon squatted down and started chewing the jerky. Meanwhile, Namgung Yeon also took out some dumplings from her backpack. She handed one to Yeon Jeokha and began eating one herself.
As she ate, Yeon Jeokha remembered something and asked:
“By the way, sister, what happened to Baek Gyo?”
“He will be released soon.”
“Oh! So he didn’t steal the artifact? What a surprise! He seemed to have something up his sleeve.”
Namgung Cheon chimed in.
“If it wasn’t Baek Gyo, who stole it?”
“There’s a famous pickpocket named Namrin in Zhengzhou. He was in Chilriha Village, but disappeared the day after the artifact was stolen.”
“What? So it was a pickpocket and not a thief?”
“Yes. The patrol made a mistake. I suspect someone gave them false information.”
“Who?”
“The person who bought the artifact.”
“What? So they caught Baek Gyo because someone else wanted to buy time? Who’s quick enough to plan something like that? Who was it?”
Namgung Cheon looked at Namgung Yeon with disbelief.
“Who do you think can manipulate the patrol at will in the Justice Alliance?”
Namgung Cheon thought for a moment and then opened his eyes wide in surprise.
“It can’t be the Grand Strategist, right?”
Namgung Yeon just shrugged, neither confirming nor denying anything. But that was enough for Namgung Cheon to understand.
“Why would someone in the Justice Alliance do that? The artifact is only useful on the battlefield.”
“It’s the first time the Black Turtle Division has gone on a mission. Think about who’s in the Black Turtle Division.”
“Oh! So he did it for the Jegal Family?”
“The sorcerers of the Black Turtle Division don’t have much combat experience. He was probably worried about the safety of his relatives.”
Namgung Yeon seemed to understand the situation. Even though Jegal Seun had been cruel to the Namgung Family, she didn’t blame him for worrying about his family, having lost her own family to the Yoomyung Cult.
“Ugh! Even so, it’s too much. Instead of catching the thief, he protected the buyer of the artifact.”
Yeon Jeokha nodded without much surprise. In Nokrim, there was no concept of stolen goods, so he wasn’t too surprised.
For him, as long as Baek Gyo was released, he didn’t care much about the rest.
Namgung Yeon drank some water from her canteen before continuing.
“The problem is that this won’t end here.”
“What? It doesn’t end with Baek Gyo’s release and the purchase of the artifact? What else is left?”
“How do you think Baek Gyo will get out of prison? No one believes his word. He won’t be able to escape the net the Grand Strategist has woven on his own.”
“But you said he would be released, didn’t you?”
“I think Baek Gyo witnessed the transaction between Namrin and the Grand Strategist. He’ll use that information to get out.”
“Ugh! This is getting more complicated.”
Yeon Jeokha took the piece of dried meat out of his mouth and exclaimed.
“I knew it! That old man was acting strange! After I defeated him and he left the stronghold, he was acting like a madman, wagging his tail like a dog.”
Namgung Yeon looked at Yeon Jeokha with a loving smile before quickly looking away.
“The Grand Strategist wouldn’t leave a trace of the artifact transaction. Neither Namrin nor Baek Gyo are safe. When we return, they might not be alive.”
“…”
Namgung Cheon and Yeon Jeokha fell silent. After a while, Namgung Cheon murmured:
“He really is a terrifying man.”
He could understand the purchase of the artifact, but killing people to cover his tracks was another matter.
Though the righteous faction had killed many bandits, it was always to protect the innocent. No one killed to cover up their own crimes.
Namgung Cheon glanced at Yeon Jeokha out of the corner of his eye.
“Jeokha, what will you do if Baek Gyo dies?”
He was worried that Yeon Jeokha would seek revenge against the Grand Strategist without evidence.
“Why do you ask?”
“I’m worried you’ll try to get revenge against the Grand Strategist without evidence.”
“Why would I do that? I’m not family with Baek Gyo. Maybe the Boss of the Jangpung Stronghold would do it, but even he doesn’t know who’s to blame. He’ll probably make a superficial search and then drop it. In Nokrim, no one cares about someone who isn’t family.”
“Really? That’s a relief.”
“But I’ll feel bad. Acting like a hero while doing bad things in secret.”
“You’re right.”
Namgung Cheon nodded. At least if it was just about feeling bad, it was fine. If Yeon Jeokha decided to confront the Grand Strategist, it would cause a lot of trouble.
Two days later.
Chilriha Village.
Justice Alliance.
Noon.
The Grand Strategist Jegal Seun went to see the Great Swordmaster Gongji.
“Grand Strategist, what brings you here?”
“I have something important to report.”
“Oh, it must be serious if the Grand Strategist has come in person. I hope the patrol didn’t make any mistakes…”
The Great Swordmaster Gongji complained before hearing the news, as Jegal Seun’s serious expression didn’t bode well.
“I received a report this morning. I think it’s better if you read it yourself.”
Jegal Seun handed over a letter.
The Great Swordmaster Gongji took the letter and began to read. Suddenly, he let out a groan.
He knew his intuition wouldn’t fail him.
The letter read:
“[Information that a thief named Namrin in Zhengzhou bragged to some courtesans about stealing the artifact in Chilriha Village. That night, Namrin was killed by a thief who was after his money.]”
The Great Swordmaster Gongji, with a look of disbelief, handed the letter back to Jegal Seun and asked:
“So Baek Gyo isn’t related to this?”
“Baek Gyo intended to steal the artifact, but it seems Namrin got ahead of him. In the end, Baek Gyo only gave Namrin time to escape.”
The Great Swordmaster Gongji blushed with embarrassment. If they hadn’t caught Baek Gyo, Namrin wouldn’t have escaped.
“What relationship did Baek Gyo and Namrin have? Could they have collaborated?”
The Great Swordmaster Gongji didn’t want to admit that the patrol had failed.
Jegal Seun shook his head.
“Baek Gyo and Namrin were never together. We found no connection between them. Although Baek Gyo is a famous thief, he doesn’t seem to be related to this case.”
“……”
With Jegal Seun’s clear explanation, the Great Swordmaster Gongji could say no more. He knew that the information the Grand Strategist received was much more accurate than that of the patrol.
“So we should release him?”
“Also, offer apologies to Baek Gyo and the Boss of the Jangpung Stronghold when they return. Maybe then Nokrim will let it slide.”
“Namhu Amitabha…”
The Great Swordmaster Gongji began to recite a Buddhist mantra, lost in thought.
———————
The sound of a metal door woke Baek Gyo, who was lying down. He got up and saw the Great Swordmaster Gongji.
“Hey, monk! I’ve told you a hundred times, I didn’t steal anything. Let me go before blisters form on my ankles.”
“……”
The Great Swordmaster Gongji would normally have continued with his questions, but today he was silent. Baek Gyo noticed something different.
Today was the day Jegal Seun had promised to release him.
To Baek Gyo’s surprise, the Great Swordmaster Gongji approached with a smile.
“Baek Gyo, you’ve been through a lot. Today I have good news.”
Baek Gyo lifted his chin, signaling for him to continue.
Although the Great Swordmaster Gongji felt offended, he didn’t show it.
“The truth about the artifact thief has been revealed. A famous thief from Zhengzhou bragged about stealing it while he was drunk.”
“Well, Namrin made a mistake.”
Drunks always gave themselves away, Baek Gyo thought.
“I apologize for accusing you unjustly. It was a mistake to base our actions on circumstances.”
“Forget the apologies and let me go first.”
“Alright. I’ll release you right away.”
The Great Swordmaster Gongji opened the door and entered. Then, he released Baek Gyo’s shackles.
“Who stole the artifact?”
With the distance reduced, Baek Gyo changed his tone.
The Great Swordmaster Gongji answered as he released the other shackle.
“A man named Namrin.”
“Did they catch him?”
“He was killed two days ago in a brothel. It seems someone overheard him bragging about his money.”
Baek Gyo’s expression hardened. He had sold stolen goods many times before, but this time, Namrin had been killed.
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