Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 275
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Chapter 275: Do Not Go to Pungji Mountain
Namgung Yeon, known as “Undefeated in Ten Battles,” murmured with a regretful expression.
“But if I had done a little better…”
“Sister, brother is right. Baek Gyo died because she was blinded by her greed. Just forget it. Besides, the Grand Strategist is impressively shameless. Even with the matter of the treasure, he seems to ignore the criticism from the Wudang Sect and the Seonu Family.”
“Jeokha, you’re still naive. People in high positions only hear what they want to hear.”
Namgung Cheon responded indifferently, having witnessed many similar situations since the era of the Justice Alliance.
Yeon Jeokha nodded, understanding that he and the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord also used to ignore their subordinates.
“But, brother, it’s said that the Yoomyung Cult is much stronger than the Heaven and Earth Alliance. Is that true?”
Namgung Cheon, glancing at Namgung Yeon, replied.
“I believe so. Not knowing the true strength of the Great Demon Generals, we thought we had the advantage. But the Heavenly Blood Demon and the Swordsman of Chaos are not inferior to the Ten Great Masters of the World. If they have one or two more like them, they surpass the Heaven and Earth Alliance.”
“Sister, do you agree?”
Namgung Yeon nodded without hesitation.
“Yes, if they have more like the Heavenly Blood Demon and the Swordsman of Chaos, they are above the Heaven and Earth Alliance.”
“Then why are they staying quiet? With such strength, why don’t they come out of the White Horse Temple (Baekmasa)? They don’t seem like peace lovers.”
“They are waiting for their leader. A full confrontation with the Heaven and Earth Alliance requires the leader’s direction.”
“But they’ve done well without a leader.”
“Think of an all-out war. Someone will have to take the greatest risks. The Great Demon Generals would avoid that role. They can’t wage an all-out war without a leader.”
“So, until now, have they been fighting on equal terms?”
“Yes, even the attacks on the Heaven and Earth Alliance in Zhengzhou were like that.”
“Wow, incredible.”
“If they had attacked aggressively, the Heaven and Earth Alliance wouldn’t have been able to resist.”
“Oh no! With the recent movements of the Yoomyung Cult, if their leader appears, it would be a disaster.”
“If the leader really appears…”
Namgung Yeon nodded with a hopeless expression. The difference between the Demon Warriors and the Great Demon Generals was vast. And the leader, the Heavenly Demon King, would be even more formidable.
Namgung Cheon murmured with a bitter face.
“It seems like it’s always the villains who dominate the world. I don’t understand why heaven allows it. No wonder they say that evil is always one step ahead.”
Yeon Jeokha, being from Nokrim himself, scratched his head with an awkward smile.
“Is that why I’m so strong?”
Namgung Cheon laughed and replied.
“Jeokha, you’re an exception.”
“Hehehe, yes.”
Yeon Jeokha smiled, feeling relieved like a prisoner pardoned.
Shanxi Province.
Hyoeui City.
Fifty warriors marched orderly along the river.
They were the experts of the Black Turtle Division of the Heaven and Earth Alliance.
Though they seemed tired after a twenty-day journey, their spirits were high.
Especially, the Jegal and Moyong Families were getting along very well.
Over time, both clans took care of each other.
The rumor about the marriage between Jegal Seong and Moyong Mi spread quickly. (Note: Previously referred to as Jegal Sheng)
After the rumor spread, Jegal Seong and Moyong Mi began to show themselves together openly.
As they were not on a dangerous mission, no one complained about their relationship.
In fact, Jang Kangho, the Leader of the Mugeook Sect, scolded his younger son, Jang San-nam, to learn from them.
“Hehehe. Isn’t it a lovely sight?”
Gyeongcheonilgeom Moyong Hwang pointed at Jegal Seong and Moyong Mi walking together.
Jegal Joongyeong nodded in agreement.
“It’s good that their hearts are aligned. No one will be able to accuse us of using our children.”
“Hehehe. Did you even think of that? That’s typical of the Jegal Family.”
“Unlike the Moyong Family, many families envy ours. We always have to be careful.”
“Are there still such people?”
“Recently, even the Namgung Family looks at us with suspicion.”
“Why?”
“They’re worried we’ll take their place. Although we have no interest in it at all, I don’t understand why there’s so much fuss.”
“Well, I didn’t know that. But consider this: if the Namgung Family envies you, it means the Jegal Family is on the rise.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
Jegal Joongyeong nodded with a resigned expression, as if there was no other choice.
Moyong Hwang subtly hinted at something.
“Families in the Murim didn’t start as influential. Influence brings the title of ‘family or clan’. That means if the influence diminishes, they are no longer a ‘family’. Right now, the Jegal Family is surpassing the Namgung Family.”
“It’s true, but the public perception doesn’t reflect that yet.”
Jegal Joongyeong spoke as if people didn’t recognize it.
Objectively, the Jegal Family was more powerful than the Namgung Family.
But that was only in terms of influence; the Jegal Family didn’t have a master like the Sword Emperor.
So Jegal Joongyeong’s words were just wordplay.
But Moyong Hwang neither pointed it out nor ignored it.
“After the marriage, public perception will change. Those clinging to old ideas need to be taught a lesson.”
“Lesson?”
“Obviously, with the sword. What else is there for Murim warriors?”
“We have many followers, but…”
Jegal Joongyeong left the sentence unfinished.
The Jegal Family didn’t have recognized masters like the Sword Emperor.
That’s why, although they were respected, they didn’t inspire fear.
“Hehehe. If you need help, the Moyong Family will back you up. Aren’t we allies?”
“Oh! Just your words are a great comfort.”
Jegal Joongyeong smiled widely.
With the Moyong Family’s help, it wasn’t impossible to reach the status of a great Murim family.
“In that sense, it would be good to strengthen ties with Jang Mudeok-nim.”
“Thank you.”
Jegal Joongyeong pretended to know nothing and thanked Moyong Hwang.
The true strength of the Jegal Family lay in this.
They got others to offer what they wanted without asking directly.
Moyong Hwang nodded in satisfaction.
If the Jegal Family became a great Murim family, the Moyong Family’s position would be further strengthened.
“Even though the Namgung Family and the Seonu Family are very close now, it won’t last. When that happens…”
Moyong Hwang imagined the power structure after the fall of the Namgung Family.
Ten days later.
Shanxi Province.
Gyogu City, also known as Gyoguhyeon.
The experts of the Black Turtle Division arrived in Gyogu and headed straight to the Beggar’s Sect branch.
As they approached an old temple, an elderly beggar in his sixties rushed out.
He was the branch leader, Yuk Jishin.
“Oh, welcome. We received your message and have been eagerly awaiting you. I am the branch leader, Yuk Jishin.”
Yuk Jishin bowed deeply, but Jang Mudeok, also known as the Apprentice of the Supreme Tao, frowned.
Although the Beggar’s Sect was a large faction, Yuk Jishin was debasing himself too much.
Jang Mudok, who preferred dignity, felt uncomfortable with Yuk Jishin’s attitude.
He no longer held a good opinion of the Beggar’s Sect, so he stepped back.
Jang Kangho, noticing his father’s reluctance, stepped forward.
“I am the Thunder Wind Saber. I’d like to hear what has happened.”
“Oh, yes. It’s an honor, Thunder Wind Saber. May we speak inside?”
Yuk Jishin pointed to the temple.
But Jang Kangho, with his experience in the Murim, naturally declined.
“No, the weather is good. We’ll listen here. In the meantime, let others keep watch around us.”
At his request, only the leaders of the Shaolin Sect, the Moyong Family, and Jegal Joongyeong remained while the others dispersed.
Jegal Seong and Moyong Mi moved toward a nearby flowering tree.
Moyong Mi smiled as they hid in the shade.
“Brother, should we be here? They asked us to keep watch.”
After traveling together for a month, the way Moyong Mi called Jegal Seong had become natural.
“Don’t worry. They just wanted us out of the way. Look, we’re not the only ones here.”
Jegal Seong pointed around.
Everyone was relaxed under the shade of the trees.
“Then, why didn’t Jang Daehyeop want to go into the temple? If they wanted a private conversation, it would have been better inside.”
“You don’t know, Miss Mi. Inside must be full of fleas and bedbugs. The superiors would never enter there. In fact, that Yuk Jishin is an incredible person.”
“Why? He just seemed servile.”
“He pretended to be servile while leading us to an infested place. In the Murim, we call that ‘hiding a dagger behind a smile’.”
“Wow! I never thought of that. It’s scary.”
“So always be wary of excessively kind or servile people.”
“I’ll just follow you, brother. Lead me well.”
“Trust me.”
Jegal Seong, looking at Moyong Mi with affection, took a deep breath.
Hiding behind a tree, Jegal Seong took Moyong Mi’s hand.
“Oh, they’ll see us.”
“Don’t worry. There’s no one around.”
After a moment of resistance, Moyong Mi allowed herself to be led behind the tree.
The gentle wind scattered flower petals around them.
If it weren’t for the war with the Yoomyung Cult, it would have been a perfect day for a young lovers’ walk.
While the experts of the Black Turtle Division relaxed, Yuk Jishin tensed up.
“For the past two months, we’ve searched all over Gyogu, but there’s no trace of the assassins from the Myriad Blessings Manor, also known as Mansubang. Isn’t that strange?”
The leader of the Shaolin Sect, Mu Beop, responded.
“That’s why we’re here, to find out. Is there anything else?”
“It may sound strange, but do not go to Pungji Mountain.”
Yuk Jishin looked visibly uncomfortable when mentioning Pungji Mountain.
Jang Kangho frowned.
Why would he tell a group investigating murders to avoid a place?
That was the strangest thing he had ever heard.
“Why shouldn’t we go?”
“For days now, Pungji Mountain has been infested with ghosts and monsters. Even the soldiers don’t go near it. Anyone who enters disappears without a trace.”
Yuk Jishin’s somber and sinister voice stirred a strange sense of defiance in Jang Mudeok.
How dare a beggar from the Beggar’s Sect try to scare a master like him?
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