Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 283
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Chapter 283: Don’t You Know the Saying “Share Suffering, Not Joy”?
At that moment, the door to Tongcheon Pavilion, also known as the Celestial Communication Pavilion, opened, and a figure entered late. It was Yeon Jeokha, the Grand Inspector of Nokrim, who had never before attended a meeting.
His sudden appearance plunged the experts of the orthodox faction into silence. The attention of the leaders was as focused on him as it was on the shift in Jegal Seun’s demeanor, the Great Strategist and General Commander.
Jegal Seun paused his speech momentarily, his eyes fixed on Yeon Jeokha’s movements.
Yeon Jeokha quickly glanced at the Six Demons and then calmly took a seat next to the Namgung family, as if he were one of them.
‘What is he planning?’
The eyes of Guiyeong Jagun, the first disciple of the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord, trembled for a moment. It was surprising that the representative of Nokrim would sit on the side of the Namgung family, clearly indicating his support for their interests. Although Guiyeong Jagun found Yeon Jeokha’s behavior irritating, he did not show it.
Yeon Jeokha sat relaxed in his chair, looking at everyone as if he were merely there to observe. The positions of the orthodox and demonic factions were arranged in such a way that they faced each other, forcing the Six Demons to look directly at Yeon Jeokha.
Suddenly, something unexpected happened. Yeon Jeokha crossed his arms and began to stare at Guiyeong Jagun with a look of displeasure, clearly seeking conflict.
Although Guiyeong Jagun was extremely annoyed, he couldn’t ask for the reason.
The tension caused by Yeon Jeokha’s strange behavior made Jegal Seun clear his throat.
“Eh, eh. Let’s continue with the meeting. As Incomparable Among Ten said, we need to see with our own eyes why the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors is at Pungji Mountain.”
Jegal Seun repeatedly mentioned Incomparable Among Ten to ensure that everyone thought of Namgung Yeon whenever they heard the name Pungji Mountain. Each time he mentioned her name, the leaders glanced at Namgung Yeon.
“…Therefore, it is necessary to send a reconnaissance team to Pungji Mountain. This mission is extremely dangerous, and we need to select the most capable. They must be experts in martial arts and sorcery, and able to coldly analyze the situation. Please propose suitable candidates. Due to the nature of the mission, division leaders are excluded.”
The Justice Alliance Leader, Mu Geuk, who had previously coordinated with the Great Strategist, silently nodded.
The Master of Shaolin, Gong Ji, cautiously asked about the unexpected proposal.
“Then, are you suggesting we select the scouts now?”
“That’s correct. It’s dangerous, but we have no other choice. Discovering the plans of the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors is our top priority.”
“Hmm.”
Although Gong Ji felt somewhat uncomfortable, he could not object. There wasn’t much more that the Justice Alliance could do at that moment.
‘Although doing nothing is not an option either, perhaps sending a reconnaissance team is the best course of action.’
Gong Ji observed the reactions of the other leaders, and all seemed to agree with Jegal Seun.
“Master Gong Ji, is there anything else you wish to say on this matter?”
“No, nothing more.”
After Gong Ji’s response, no one else objected to the need to select a reconnaissance team.
From there, everything moved quickly. The orthodox faction experts in the Justice Alliance united under a single goal: to form the reconnaissance team.
The first name that came up to coldly analyze the situation was Namgung Yeon. For the sorcery part, the Three Immortals of Kunlun were suggested. Other experts were mentioned but were dismissed as not being sufficiently competent.
Namgung Cheon volunteered, but he was rejected for not having reached the supreme level.
When it seemed that suitable candidates were lacking, Yeon Jeokha, who was still facing off against Guiyeong Jagun, spoke up.
“In such an important mission, Nokrim cannot be left out, right? Guiyeong Jagun, Old Shim, and I will go.”
Surprised, Guiyeong Jagun quickly shook his hand.
“No! Grand Inspector, that’s impossible. I have things to do here.”
“What things?”
Yeon Jeokha’s voice abruptly turned informal.
Despite Yeon Jeokha’s evident hostility, Guiyeong Jagun remained unfazed.
“I can’t say it here.”
“Are you rebelling?”
Yeon Jeokha’s eyes flashed dangerously. Guiyeong Jagun was surprised and confused by Yeon Jeokha’s sudden hostility.
‘Why is he acting like this today?’
He had never had issues with him in Chilriha Village, but now he was openly showing animosity.
“It’s not rebellion…”
“Then, you’re coming with me.”
“I have things to do here.”
“That’s strange. I hate people who ignore me more than I hate the leader of the Yoomyung Cult. I’ll ask you one last time. Are you coming with me or would you prefer a funeral?”
“…I’ll go.”
Finally, Guiyeong Jagun relented. Despite his displeasure and anger, he couldn’t risk challenging Yeon Jeokha’s pride. In Nokrim, challenges to authority were resolved with blood, and he had seen many die in similar circumstances.
The experts of the orthodox faction watched Yeon Jeokha with their mouths agape. They were shocked by his willingness to threaten someone like Guiyeong Jagun in public.
Even Jegal Seun remained silent, watching the scene in surprise.
The brief pause was interrupted by Jang Mudeok, the Apprentice of the Supreme Tao.
“I will go as well. Someone with knowledge of Pungji Mountain should be there.”
Jang Mudeok was the last to volunteer. There were no more volunteers or nominees.
“With this, we have formed the reconnaissance team. There will be no departure ceremony. Choose your own leader and depart when ready.”
Jegal Seun quickly concluded the meeting and left Tongcheon Pavilion. Unlike before, he now felt observed by all the leaders, which made him want to leave as soon as possible.
When the meeting ended, people began to leave Tongcheon Pavilion one by one.
Immediately after the Six Demons and the leaders of Nokrim left, Old Shim quickly approached Yeon Jeokha.
“Master, why take Guiyeong Jagun?”
“Can’t I?”
“It’s not that, but you told me to investigate his plans in secret. Showing open hostility isn’t very discreet. Soon all of Nokrim will know.”
Namgung Cheon interjected.
“What happened with Guiyeong Jagun? Why suddenly investigate him?”
“Oh, yesterday. It seemed that Old Shim had trouble with him at the brothel.”
Yeon Jeokha briefly explained the incident between Old Shim and Guiyeong Jagun.
“…So I told him to investigate what he was plotting.”
“Ah! So that’s why you were staring at him earlier. I was wondering what was going on.”
“Was I staring at him?”
Asked Yeon Jeokha, and Old Shim responded with disbelief.
“You were looking at him like you wanted to kill him. I was afraid you’d attack him.”
“Why would I attack him? I’m not like that. Do you think I’m reckless like you?”
“Then why did you act that way during the meeting?”
“Seeing his face up close annoyed me. That’s all.”
“Then why insist on taking him with you?”
Namgung Cheon interjected again.
“Are you putting into practice the phrase ‘keep your friends close, but your enemies closer’? It’s not easy to do.”
“No, brother. I just want him to suffer a bit.”
“…?”
For a moment, Old Shim looked at Yeon Jeokha with bewilderment.
Taking someone along just to make them suffer? He didn’t understand.
“Young Master, why take someone you hate with you?”
“If I leave him, he’ll go wandering off. Should I allow that? No. Don’t you know the saying, ‘share suffering, not joy’? Suffering is shared with those we hate, joys are enjoyed alone.”
Namgung Cheon sighed.
“Wow! That resonates more than ‘keep your enemies close.’ From now on, I’ll also share suffering and joy separately.”
Old Shim watched Yeon Jeokha and Namgung Cheon and shook his head.
He didn’t understand their logic. Why not get rid of someone annoying instead of dragging them along?
Luoyang.
White Horse Temple.
Late at night.
In the residence of Bang Cheongak, three Great Demon Generals were gathered: Bang Cheongak, Gong Chwisan, and Cheok Jingyeong.
Primarily, Bang Cheongak and Gong Chwisan spoke while Cheok Jingyeong listened intently.
“It doesn’t seem like the leader wants to leave Pungji Mountain. If she came, we could destroy the Justice Alliance in one strike. But it seems she really isn’t interested.”
Bang Cheongak said, and Cheok Jingyeong asked.
“What do you mean by that?”
“She always said she wasn’t interested in conquering the world. I thought she was joking, but it seems she was serious.”
“Hmm.”
Cheok Jingyeong nodded.
The Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors didn’t seem interested in world domination. Thirty years ago, it would have been impossible, but now it was different. She could crush the Justice Alliance with just one order. But she hadn’t left Pungji Mountain.
‘What is she thinking?’
This time, Gong Chwisan spoke cautiously.
“It’s said she still wears Taoist robes. She still pursues illusory dreams. But now, the world has declared us enemies. Whether she wants to or not, we’ll have to fight against the world. That’s the reality, but she doesn’t want to accept it.”
He observed Cheok Jingyeong, noting that she didn’t seem to be on the side of the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors.
Bang Cheongak added.
“Now, the Yoomyung Cult isn’t just a sect from the south. The whole world is watching our next move. But she keeps talking about enlightenment.”
Cheok Jingyeong looked at the two with curiosity.
“If you have something to say, say it bluntly. You know I’m not interested in matters of the afterlife, right? What are you planning?”
Gong Chwisan spoke with determination.
“As Sage Jin Sheng said, ‘there’s no royal blood among kings and nobles.’ Why should only the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors be the Heavenly Demon King? Anyone who becomes the Heavenly Demon King can dominate the world.”
By saying this, he made it clear that they no longer considered the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors as their leader.
Cheok Jingyeong did not interrupt, which implicitly showed her agreement.
“But only she knows the Heavenly Demon King’s mantra.”
“What if there was a way to obtain it?”
“Is it possible?”
Cheok Jingyeong’s interest was piqued.
She had no loyalty to the leader. The Yoomyung Cult was just a means to reach higher levels.
“We wouldn’t risk our lives on something impossible.”
Upon hearing this, Cheok Jingyeong couldn’t help but feel curious.
“How?”
“If I tell you, you’ll have to join us. Do you still want to know?”
Cheok Jingyeong swallowed hard. She knew she was at a crossroads.
To be a servant forever or become the master of the world?
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