Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 269
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Chapter 269: What a Coincidence, Truly What a Coincidence
In response to the request from Ghost Rain Sword Seonu Dam, the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower Namgung Yeon answered in a calm tone.
“If we set fire to Five Peaks Mountain, the members of the Yoomyung Cult will scatter and descend the mountain. Attacking them when they are disorganized, even if we are at a disadvantage, will give us the upper hand.”
‘Oh!’
Seonu Dam finally understood the meaning of “surviving while enduring insults.”
If one set fire to Five Peaks Mountain, it was natural that those nearby would criticize them.
Even the imperial court might hold them accountable.
‘She is truly a terrifying young woman.’
That tactic seemed straight out of a war between nations.
That Namgung Yeon could propose something like this without batting an eye both terrified and impressed him.
Sword Emperor Namgung Byeok was also surprised.
Setting a mountain on fire was not as simple as saying it.
That directly affected the lives of many people living on its slopes.
Moreover, if the fire spread, the consequences would be uncontrollable.
How could they stop the fire if it got out of hand?
If things went wrong, this could escalate beyond a simple struggle between martial factions.
“Yeon, setting a house on fire is already a serious crime. Setting Five Peaks Mountain, which belongs to the empire, on fire would cause disturbances among the populace, and the imperial court would not stand idly by.”
“Such concerns can only come after surviving.”
“……”
Namgung Byeok was left speechless for a moment.
She was right.
Worrying was for the living.
And at this moment, they were deciding between life and death.
Indecision didn’t last long.
If they had already decided to survive despite being insulted, the outcome was clear.
“What should we do?”
Namgung Yeon responded promptly.
“When the wind blows to the north, we must set a large area on fire. If a fast-moving expert does it, it will be even more effective. The Vermilion Bird Division and the Human Division must hide at the points where the enemies will descend the mountain, that is, to the north.”
“The fire might spread from Five Peaks Mountain to nearby villages. If that happens…”
“Don’t worry about that. The night rain will extinguish the fire. Then, it will be cold for a day or two, so camping outdoors will be a bit uncomfortable.”
“Is it going to rain?”
Namgung Byeok’s face lit up.
From a young age, his daughter had always been incredibly accurate in predicting the weather.
If she said it would rain, the rain would come.
Seonu Dam, with a doubtful expression, looked alternately at Namgung Yeon and Namgung Byeok.
‘Damn! How could she know that unless she was Zhuge Liang…?’
But considering Namgung Yeon’s talent, it didn’t seem like an unfounded statement.
“Namgung Soja (Lady Namgung), did you propose the fire strategy because you knew it was going to rain?”
“Even if it didn’t rain, I would have said the same. We have no other choice to survive.”
“Ah!”
Seonu Dam exclaimed.
This young woman had unusual wisdom and bravery.
‘We must do whatever it takes to make Namgung Yeon the daughter-in-law of our family.’
If he were fifty years younger, he would have pursued her relentlessly.
Seonu Dam, regretting his age, looked at Namgung Yeon with fiery eyes.
At that moment, Namgung Byeok spoke while looking around.
“We will use the strategy of driving the tiger away from the mountain. For that, we need a fast-moving expert to set the mountain on fire. Who volunteers for this task?”
“……”
The experts of the Vermilion Bird Division and the Human Division avoided Namgung Byeok’s gaze.
They feared the consequences.
They could endure criticism from common people, but they didn’t want to be marked by the imperial court.
A bitter smile appeared on Namgung Byeok’s lips.
Such is human nature.
They expect others to take responsibility in their place.
“I’ll do it!”
Yeon Jeokha quickly raised his hand.
The faces of the experts of the righteous faction relaxed in relief.
“Thank you.”
Namgung Byeok nodded with a smile.
Yeon Jeokha’s skill in fast movement was equivalent to that of ten ordinary experts.
“Father, no, Gaju-nim, I will do it too!”
Namgung Cheon also raised his hand enthusiastically.
But Namgung Byeok didn’t allow it.
“You’re not fast enough for this task.”
Namgung Cheon scratched his head, embarrassed.
His swordsmanship was remarkable, but his fast movement left much to be desired.
However, his action motivated others.
The Boss Wind Rider Bang Bijin of the Hyangsan Stronghold bit his lips.
‘If a young man volunteers, I should too…’
Known in Nokrim for his fast movement skills, he couldn’t fall behind.
“I’ll do it.”
All eyes turned to Bang Bijin.
A smile appeared on Namgung Byeok’s lips.
Wind Rider’s fast movement skills were famous in Henan.
It might not be enough, but at least he volunteered.
“Thank you. I entrust it to you.”
After Bang Bijin, no one else volunteered.
Shortly after, Namgung Yeon walked away with Yeon Jeokha and Bang Bijin.
She indicated the timing and direction of the wind, and then sent them ahead.
Five Peaks Mountain.
Wangho Lodge.
Around 3 p.m.
Heavenly Blood Demon Confused Kang Sangpi called for the Demon Warrior, the best master of Xian, Cold Blooded Demon Taekyeonglim.
“You called for me, Lord?”
“They say the stragglers of the Heaven and Earth Alliance are coming to Luoyang. Do you know anything about that?”
“This is the first I’ve heard of it, but, would they really do that if they weren’t crazy?”
“Musanrang is not someone who speaks nonsense.”
“Should I send my men to investigate?”
“No need. As you know, Five Peaks Mountain is on the way to Baekmasa (White Horse Temple). They can’t pass through here without confronting us, so why bother?”
“Then, what do you suggest?”
“Simply keep the mountain under surveillance. Make sure no one is lurking suspiciously.”
“Yes.”
“And about the women…”
Kang Sangpi left the sentence hanging, and Taekyeonglim quickly responded.
“If you need more, I will bring them.”
Kang Sangpi was known for his lust.
His recent main task had been capturing women for him.
“Avoid the older ones, bring me the younger ones.”
“What do you mean by older?”
Taekyeonglim frowned.
He had never brought anyone older than thirty, so he didn’t understand.
“Fool! To rejuvenate myself, even those in their twenties are limits. What would I gain from women in their thirties?”
“Ah, I understand.”
That meant he had to bring the youngest.
He thought about the girls he had passed over before.
‘Ujang Village, I think.’
As Taekyeonglim mentally reviewed the villages around Five Peaks Mountain, he heard hurried footsteps outside.
A moment later, someone shouted.
“Lord! Fire! Five Peaks Mountain is on fire!”
Kang Sangpi and Taekyeonglim jumped up.
For someone living in the mountain, a fire was the worst thing they could hear.
Bam, bam.
Kang Sangpi rushed to the porch.
Sure enough, gray smoke was rising from three sides of Wangho Lodge.
Furious, Kang Sangpi shouted at Taekyeonglim.
“Fool! Didn’t I tell you to forbid access to the mountain? What happened?”
“I warned the nearby villages. There were no herb gatherers…”
“Then what is that fire? Do you think ghosts are playing with fire?”
The smoke thickened, and Kang Sangpi’s veins bulged in anger.
Taekyeonglim lowered his head, waiting for him to calm down.
After a few minutes of cursing, Kang Sangpi spoke.
“Send your men to put out the fire. If it’s uncontrollable, report to me immediately.”
“Yes.”
Taekyeonglim hurriedly retreated.
Shortly after, about one hundred fifty warriors rushed out of Wangho Lodge.
It took them less than fifteen minutes to return.
One of them reported to Taekyeonglim, who was still at the door.
“Lord! The wind is too strong to control the fire. The villagers have already fled. We must evacuate the mansion as well.”
“The north is a bit better, but three sides are engulfed in flames.”
“Damn it!”
Taekyeonglim struck a column, collapsing part of the structure.
A subordinate dared to speak.
“If the smoke thickens, we could get trapped.”
“Shut up!”
The man shrank back, scared.
Taekyeonglim approached and struck him.
“Do you think I’m blind?! Why are you scared of a little fire?”
Smack, smack, smack.
Taekyeonglim only stopped when the man fell.
One hundred fifty warriors of the Yoomyung Cult waited in silence.
Finally, Taekyeonglim returned to the mansion and came out with Kang Sangpi.
Behind them, the workers and the captured women followed fearfully.
Kang Sangpi ordered his men.
“The north is less affected. Descend there. We’ll meet at Ujang Village. Go.”
“Yes, sir!”
The warriors responded loudly.
Shortly after, the one hundred fifty warriors scattered.
Kang Sangpi, waving his hands to disperse the smoke, muttered.
“This is hell.”
Then, he stopped abruptly.
He thought of the Heaven and Earth Alliance.
“What a coincidence, truly what a coincidence.”
“What do you mean?”
“We talked about the Heaven and Earth Alliance, and shortly after, a fire. It seems suspicious.”
“Those people always talk about protecting the people. I don’t think they would have caused this. They’re too afraid of the empire.”
“That’s true.”
Kang Sangpi nodded, but he felt uneasy.
Even a cornered mouse can bite the cat.
Although this went beyond a simple bite.
He dismissed those thoughts. His men always moved in groups led by a Demon Warrior.
And there were seven of them.
He had brought ten originally, but had secretly sent three to follow the Eight Imperial Generals.
‘With only two hundred men, they couldn’t face them.’
If the Heaven and Earth Alliance came in full force, maybe, but not like this.
“Lord, the smoke is thickening. We should go.”
At Taekyeonglim’s urging, Kang Sangpi set off.
When all the warriors of the Yoomyung Cult dispersed, the workers and women also fled.
———————-
Just as Kang Sangpi thought, the warriors of the Yoomyung Cult moved in groups led by a Demon Warrior.
Even in the rush to escape the fire, this didn’t change.
Demon Warrior Ok Gyeseong swung his sword, cutting branches as he descended.
Although there was no visible fire, the smoke suffocated him.
After a while, when he felt the smoke dissipating, he exhaled with relief.
It was then that he heard a clear voice.
“Welcome. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this excited. You must be a Demon Warrior, right?”
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