Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 296
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Episode 296. Do You Trust Me, Sister?
Despite the near-prophetic curses of the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors, the Great Demon Generals did not flinch. For men like them, such insults were almost a sign of respect.
However, Gong Chwisan, who had used the “Yang Poison,” responded with sarcasm.
“Humph! If things go wrong, there won’t even be time for that. Just recite the incantation.”
The Holy Mother did not resist and recited the incantation of the Heavenly Demon King. The incantation did not differ much from that of the Great Demon General, so the four memorized it easily.
After confirming that everyone had memorized it, Gong Chwisan said coldly:
“If the incantation of the Heavenly Demon King is false, you won’t escape death.”
“Huh! Fools. It took me over ten years to become the Heavenly Demon King. How long do you think it will take you? I hope the Yang Poison doesn’t die of old age before you succeed. If the Yang Poison dies, you’ll follow it.”
Gong Chwisan was frustrated, but he couldn’t refute it. They would need at least a thousand practitioners as sacrifices, and with four people, that meant four thousand practitioners. If a thousand people disappeared in a region, the imperial court would investigate.
It might take them more than ten years, and the Yang Poison in the Holy Mother’s head could die before they succeeded. But they couldn’t kill the Holy Mother immediately. If they did within the range of thirty zhang (approximately 90 meters), the Heavenly Demon King would kill them.
While Gong Chwisan was lost in thought, Bang Cheongak spoke.
“Let’s go. There’s nothing more to do here.”
Bang Cheongak looked at the Holy Mother with fear. Even though she was subdued by the Yang Poison, he still feared her. The same was true for the other Great Demon Generals.
“We got what we wanted. Let’s leave.”
“Agreed. This place doesn’t bring me good luck. Let’s discuss the future elsewhere.”
Reluctantly, Gong Chwisan decided to leave the sanctuary. The four Great Demon Generals vanished from the sanctuary like ghosts.
As soon as they left, eight men and women appeared in front of the sanctuary: the Eight Emperors, the leader’s right hand.
“Leader! Are you alright?”
“Leader!”
They were furious but couldn’t chase the Great Demon Generals because they were no match for them.
The leader had to act or mobilize another Great Demon General, but there was no way.
Suddenly, the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors laughed.
“Pfft! Hahaha!”
She couldn’t contain her laughter.
The Sun Emperor of Taebaek, the First of the Eight Emperors, looked at the leader with concern.
“Leader?”
After laughing for a while, the Holy Mother wiped her tears and said:
“I’m fine. Don’t worry.”
“We heard the traitors used the ‘Yin-Yang Poison.’”
“Hahaha, in the end, it’s just a spell. Do you think a simple spell can resist the power of the King Yama?”
The Holy Mother brought a hand to her ear as if trying to remove something and then carefully looked at her palm.
“Yin-Yang Poison? What an interesting creature.”
Despite her words, a flame burst from her hand. After a moment, she shook her hand to extinguish it and turned to the Eight Emperors.
“What you saw today, don’t mention it to anyone. Understood?”
“Are you going to let the traitors get away with it?”
The Sun Emperor of Taebaek looked at the Holy Mother incredulously.
The Second Emperor also chimed in.
“If we don’t report that you’re well, there could be a revolt in the Yoomyung Cult.”
The Holy Mother responded coldly.
“If those with false faith rebel, it will be a favor.”
The Second Emperor understood that the leader planned to purge the cult.
Over the past thirty years, the Yoomyung Cult had grown rapidly without time to measure loyalty.
‘She plans a purge.’
It wasn’t a bad idea. In times of danger, true intentions are revealed, turning a crisis into an opportunity.
The Holy Mother spoke again.
“Second Emperor, listen.”
“Yes, leader.”
“Place the ‘Eight Trigrams’ at the foot of the mountain so no one can ascend.”
The Second Emperor was an expert in the magic of mechanisms and geomancy.
“Understood.”
“Eight Emperors, listen.”
“Yes, leader.”
“Support the Second Emperor and protect the ‘Eight Trigrams’ for forty-nine days.”
“Understood.”
“We will carry out your orders.”
The Eight Emperors bowed deeply. The First Emperor raised his head.
“What do we do if other Great Demon Generals come looking for you?”
There was a high probability that other Great Demon Generals loyal to the leader would come.
“Turn them away. If they worry about the future, tell them the evil will be eliminated after the wound festers.”
“Yes.”
The First Emperor shuddered at the leader’s ruthless decision.
Bunseo County.
Around noon.
Eight warriors entered the village among blooming trees. They were the exploration team on their way to Pungji Mountain.
The Apprentice of the Supreme Tao asked Jang Mudeok while looking around.
“I saw the Bunseo sign. How far is it to Gyogu County?”
“One more day.”
“Will we arrive tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Ah! Every road has an end, and tomorrow is ours…”
The Apprentice of the Supreme Tao seemed burdened, as if the proximity of Pungji Mountain weighed on him.
Someone pointed to an elegant restaurant and said:
“Let’s leave tomorrow’s matters for tomorrow and enjoy a meal today.”
Everyone looked at Jang Mudeok. Although he wasn’t the official leader, they respected him as such due to his skill and experience.
“No problem.”
He said only what was necessary and remained silent, lost in thought about the upcoming encounter with the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors.
Despite his hatred for her, he couldn’t stop recalling her words.
‘What a fool you are! Grandmaster! Right and wrong are human concepts. Heaven does not distinguish between people, like the sun, rain, and wind. If you ever want to achieve true enlightenment, come to me. I will give you enlightenment.’
He remembered every word clearly.
Curiously, the more he remembered, the more his desire to learn grew.
‘What madness!’
He shook his head to clear the temptation. The Holy Mother was the enemy of Murim and his personal enemy.
He couldn’t desire to learn from her, no matter how much he wanted enlightenment.
‘Never.’
When he finally snapped out of his reverie, they were already seated in the restaurant.
The Immortal Tairyong, an expert in spiritual techniques, looked at him curiously.
“Grandmaster, what are you thinking so deeply about?”
“Nothing important. The Holy Mother’s words came to mind.”
“I’m glad to hear that. If something bothers you, tell me. There are many strange spells in the world.”
“Strange spells?”
“Have you heard of the ‘Power of the Word’?”
“No.”
“Words have divine power. Buddhist texts often begin with ‘Thus have I heard.’ It means that the words of Buddha embed themselves in the listener’s soul. Words have power. The ‘Power of the Word’ trains that divine power.”
“How powerful is it?”
“If the sorcerer says ‘die,’ the person dies. If they say ‘kill,’ the person kills.”
“Incredible!”
“It can even break the most sacred bonds, like those of parents and children. There are cases of people who have killed their families under its influence.”
“Is that possible?”
“Yes.”
“Can’t it be resisted with inner strength?”
“No. If it were possible, there would be no need for the Demon Extermination Division.”
“I understand.”
Jang Mudeok understood the words of the Immortal Tairyong, but he thought his desire for enlightenment was a personal desire.
There was nothing suspicious about his brief conversation with the Holy Mother.
So he looked away, not sharing his most intimate desire.
The Immortal Tairyong respected his silence and turned to discuss the next steps with the other three.
Meanwhile, Yeon Jeokha was talking with Old Shim.
“Old Shim.”
“Yes?”
“How long have we been together?”
“About four years.”
“That long?”
“Ah! How can it be that long?”
“Haha.”
The Incomparable Among Ten, Namgung Yeon, laughed, but her expression changed with the next question.
“If something happens on Pungji Mountain, take Sister Yeon and escape. Don’t look back.”
Namgung Yeon and Shim Tong responded in unison.
“What about you?”
“I’m not so weak as to need help.”
‘Oh no!’
Seeing Namgun Gyeon’s unusual expression, Yeon Jeokha quickly changed the subject.
“No, I didn’t mean that my sister is weak, but that you should flee with her.”
“And what about you?”
“I’ll stay behind and flee after I see my sister escape. You know how good my flight technique is, right?”
“I know. Didn’t you say that once you start running, not even the sword flight technique of the Grandmaster Swordsman of Uicheon can catch you? But…”
Yeon Jeokha interrupted Shim Tong.
“I can only run freely if my sister isn’t here. If my sister is here, I won’t go anywhere. Sister, do you trust me?”
‘Sigh!’
Namgung Yeon sighed inwardly.
Rationally thinking, his words were correct.
He couldn’t leave to protect her.
But she felt the same way.
How could she leave him in danger and escape alone?
“Alright, I’ll do as you say.”
A response different from what she felt came from her mouth.
She yielded because she knew his stubbornness.
‘Ah! The Holy Mother is skilled in spells. Will it be enough?’
Only time would tell who would protect whom.
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