Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 280
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Chapter 280: The Rear Waves of the Yangtze Push the Front Waves
The meeting of the orthodox factions’ representatives ended without reaching any conclusion.
There was nothing the Sage of Heaven and Earth Alliance could do with its current forces.
One by one, the representatives of the orthodox factions began to leave the Tongcheon Pavilion.
The Great Strategist and General Commander, Jegal Seun, quickly approached Jang Mubaek, the Apprentice of the Supreme Tao and Leader of the Black Turtle Division.
“Jang Daehyeop.”
“What is it?”
“I have something to ask you personally. Do you have a moment?”
“Of course, go ahead.”
Jegal Seun, after making sure that all the other representatives had left, spoke with difficulty.
“As the leader of my family, I want to know how my disciples spent their final moments.”
“As I said, they were annihilated while I was fighting the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors… I didn’t see them.”
“Then please, at least tell me what happened along the way. I only know what occurred during the departure ceremony.”
Jang Mubaek observed Jegal Seun for a moment before nodding.
He understood what he desired. He felt a momentary empathy. He wanted to have at least one more memory of his lost son.
“One day, I heard your son, Jegal Seong, talking about marrying a woman from the Moyong Family. The two families were negotiating a wedding, weren’t they? The two were so inseparable that everyone in the Black Turtle Division blessed them.”
“…”
Jegal Seun listened with a somber expression.
He had planned to unite Jegal Seong and Moyong Mi upon their return from Pungji Mountain.
He then intended to send the two to the Jegal Family, but it was too late.
“The day we arrived in Gyoguhyeon Prefecture, I saw them whispering their love under a flowering tree. It was the last time I saw your son. He looked very happy.”
Jang Mubaek murmured to himself, ‘He won’t feel alone on his journey to the afterlife.’
“Thank you. It has been a great comfort. I know it must also be an immense pain for you, so I apologize for being selfish. Take care.”
Jang Mubaek nodded at Jegal Seun’s words of gratitude.
It was true that he didn’t want to recall those painful moments.
But as Leader of the Black Turtle Division, it was his duty to provide solace to the families of his comrades.
After parting ways with Jegal Seun, Jang Mubaek went directly to the Mugeuk Sect’s quarters.
He ordered the few remaining members of the sect to return and disband the sect.
In about twenty minutes, the members of the Mugeuk Sect packed their things and left.
With an empty expression, Jang Mubaek watched the empty pavilion before heading to the Uicheon Pavilion.
Uicheon Pavilion.
The usually quiet lodging of the Namgung Family was filled with visitors.
Representatives from various factions, sensing the crisis, had gathered to seek counsel from Namgung Yeon, the one who had never failed.
They no longer trusted the Great Strategist, Jegal Seun.
After all, he had sent his sons and followers to a certain death.
People openly spoke of ‘Janggang Hurang Chujeonrang’, saying that the rear waves of the Yangtze pushed the front waves.
The rear waves were Namgung Yeon, and the front waves were Jegal Seun.
With Jegal Seun being left behind, Namgung Yeon was rising.
However, Namgung Yeon was not receiving anyone, regardless of their status.
Only her family and Yeon Jeokha could see her freely.
Even so, people continued to wait at the Uicheon Pavilion in hopes of an audience.
As a result, the Uicheon Pavilion was always filled with people, day and night.
“It’s noisy.”
Yeon Jeokha, drinking tea, looked out the window.
The courtyard was filled with people coming, going, or lingering around.
Namgung Cheon, the Blue Cloud Swordsman, said as he rested his chin on one hand.
“It’s because they’ve recognized the power of our Namgung Family. We don’t close our doors after just one defeat. If we’re hit once, we strike back tenfold. That’s what it means to be a great family in the Murim. Right, Yeon-ah?”
Namgung Yeon only smiled at her brother’s boastfulness.
In reality, it was the opposite.
The Yoomyung Cult had struck Namgung ten times harder for every blow received.
Even so, Yeon Jeokha seemed impressed by Namgung Cheon’s words.
“Brother, that sounds like something the Nokrim would say. They also teach us to return the favor until the enemy’s bones are ground to dust.”
“Really? It seems the Nokrim has something useful. By the way, Jeokha.”
“Yes?”
“How’s the atmosphere in the evil faction? The orthodox factions are in great turmoil.”
“It’s similar here. Some people are even talking about negotiating with the Yoomyung Cult.”
In reality, the evil faction had no grudges against the Yoomyung Cult.
With the current disadvantageous situation, many wanted to avoid conflict.
“Negotiate? Will the Yoomyung Cult accept?”
“They have nothing to lose, so I don’t think so. Besides, there’s a personal issue of mine.”
“A personal issue?”
“The Yoomyung Cult has put a bounty on my head. I’m a thorn in their side, and they won’t easily accept a negotiation.”
“That could be.”
Namgung Cheon looked at Yeon Jeokha with concern. There’s a saying: “Once the hunt is over, the hunting dogs are sacrificed.”
If the Yoomyung Cult asked the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord to choose between the evil faction and Yeon Jeokha, he would probably choose the evil faction.
People might criticize him for a while, but they would eventually forget.
That’s the nature of the world.
However, Yeon Jeokha didn’t seem worried.
Namgung Cheon couldn’t help but ask.
“Do you have any plan?”
“What plan?”
“If the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord tries to hand you over to the Yoomyung Cult, what will you do?”
“Oh, please! Do you really think that old man with his pride would do something like that? Right, sister?”
Yeon Jeokha asked Namgung Yeon, who took a moment to respond.
It wasn’t a simple matter.
“Everyone has their motives. You can’t rule out the possibility that the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord might negotiate with the Yoomyung Cult. Don’t trust him blindly and have a backup plan.”
“A backup plan?”
“Yes, like knowing his weaknesses or making yourself indispensable. Or, think the other way around…”
Namgung Yeon left her sentence unfinished.
The other option was too radical for Yeon Jeokha to accept.
“What do you mean by thinking the other way around?”
“In the Murim, yesterday’s enemy can be tomorrow’s friend. Like the Sage of Heaven and Earth Alliance allying with the Nokrim.”
“Ah!”
Yeon Jeokha understood what Namgung Yeon was implying.
Namgung Yeon explained further to avoid misunderstandings.
“If the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord betrays you, you can join the Yoomyung Cult. The Yoomyung Cult Leader is not an ordinary person. He might not see you as an enemy. Who knows? The human heart is unpredictable.”
Namgung Cheon shook his head in disagreement.
“Yeon-ah, that’s too much. Joining the Yoomyung Cult while we’re in the middle of a fight? Are you serious? They’re the enemies of the Namgung Family.”
“Brother, if the Sage of Heaven and Earth Alliance signs a peace treaty with the Yoomyung Cult, we can no longer consider them enemies. In that case, who will protect Yeon Jeokha? Are we going to ask him to fight the world alone?”
“Ugh! That doesn’t make sense either.”
Namgung Cheon scratched his head in frustration.
He had never considered the possibility that the Sage of Heaven and Earth Alliance might sign a peace treaty with the Yoomyung Cult.
But his sister wasn’t someone who spoke without thinking.
“It’s true that Namgung cannot stop any decision made by the Sage of Heaven and Earth Alliance.”
Although it was a remote possibility, it wasn’t impossible.
Suddenly, Namgung Cheon felt an emptiness in his chest.
A world where the Sage of Heaven and Earth Alliance and the Yoomyung Cult coexisted, sacrificing people as offerings.
That would be a world without justice.
What would a world without justice be like?
Namgung Cheon involuntarily shuddered. A disciple of Namgung announced firmly from outside.
“Young Master, are you inside?”
“What is it?”
“The Great Master Jang, the Apprentice of the Supreme Tao, is here to see you.”
At the mention of Jang Mubaek’s name, Namgung Cheon quickly stood up and went out to the courtyard.
There, Jang Mubaek, with his long white beard, was standing.
Namgung Cheon bowed deeply and spoke.
“Master, my father is not here. He didn’t leave a specific destination…”
“Don’t worry. I didn’t come to see your father. I heard that the one who never fails and Yeon Jeokha are here.”
“Yes. The three of us were chatting.”
“Perfect. I’d like to join you, if possible.”
“Of course! It would be an honor. Please, come in.”
Namgung Cheon led Jang Mubaek inside.
Refusing a Great Master like him would be disrespectful.
Jang Mubaek, with a glance at Namgung Cheon, ascended the pavilion.
Inside, he was guided to the main seat.
Once he sat down, Namgung Cheon, Namgung Yeon, and Yeon Jeokha also took their seats.
They were all well-known figures in the Sage of Heaven and Earth Alliance, so there was no need for introductions.
With his white hair and aura, Jang Mubaek commanded respect.
Naturally, Namgung Cheon, Namgung Yeon, and Yeon Jeokha waited for him to speak.
“I don’t know if I’m interrupting a good moment.”
Namgung Cheon hastily denied it with a wave of his hand.
“Oh no! Listening to you is an honor.”
“No, today I came to listen.”
“To listen?”
Namgung Cheon looked at his sister.
It seemed that Jang Mubaek was also seeking counsel from his sister.
Jang Mubaek got straight to the point.
“Today we had a meeting with representatives of the orthodox factions and the great families.”
He summarized the topics discussed in the meeting.
There were no major decisions, so he finished quickly.
“The Great Strategist suggested that the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors was staying at Pungji Mountain to become the Heavenly Demon King. I disagree.”
Jang Mubaek looked at Namgung Yeon and the two men.
Namgung Yeon maintained her unperturbed expression, while Namgung Cheon and Yeon Jeokha nodded constantly.
‘Do they really understand?’
He wanted to ask them, but he feared getting unsatisfactory answers, so he continued.
“I believe that the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors has already become the Heavenly Demon King and has reached the legendary state. All the Great Masters dream of it, but it’s unattainable for humans. Only someone like the Heavenly Demon King or a unique encounter could achieve it. Although, I agree that the reason for her staying at Pungji Mountain must be important.”
Namgung Cheon asked to confirm.
“So, you want to know why the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors remains at Pungji Mountain?”
“That’s right. There must be another important reason.”
“If she’s already the Heavenly Demon King, it makes sense.”
Namgung Cheon looked at Yeon Jeokha and Namgung Yeon.
Their gazes sought their opinions.
Yeon Jeokha spoke first.
“I think it’s because she likes Pungji Mountain. I have an inn in Zhengzhou, and I feel so comfortable there that I don’t want to go anywhere else.”
Although he spoke sincerely, no one paid attention to his words.
Even Jang Mubaek frowned slightly.
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