Heavenly Inquisition Sword Novel - Chapter 298
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Episode 298. Is There Hope?
Everyone looked at the face of Namgung Yeon, the Incomparable Among Ten. In the sudden absence of the Apprentice of the Supreme Tao, Jang Mudeok, she was the only person they could trust and follow.
“We should split up and search for Master Jang in all directions. For safety, we should go in pairs. Let’s not investigate beyond ten li (approximately 4 kilometers) and return quickly,” said Namgung Yeon.
The Three Immortals of Kunlun, Shim Tong, Guiyeong Ja, and Hyuk Muchun paired up, while Yeon Jeokha stayed with Namgung Yeon.
Being all experts, the search ended before an hour and a half had passed. They found nothing within the ten-li radius.
“Miss Namgung, is it possible that Master Jang went to Five Peaks Mountain?” asked the Immortal Taiyi, with a slight nod of his head.
“It’s likely. I don’t know why he would go alone, but that seems to be the case,” replied Namgung Yeon.
After reflecting for a moment, Namgung Yeon looked at the Immortal Tairyong.
“Sir Immortal Tairyong, you mentioned something about the power of words yesterday. Why did you bring that up?”
“I noticed that Master Jang seemed distracted in recent days, especially yesterday. His expression was particularly bad, so I asked him about it. He said he was thinking about something the leader of the Yoomyung Cult had told him.”
“Ah! Is that how the topic of the power of words came up?”
“Yes. Although Master Jang took it as a brief conversation, the most dangerous techniques are often the ones that go unnoticed.”
The Immortal Taiyi, who had been listening in silence, asked:
“Do you think Master Jang fell victim to a word technique at Five Peaks Mountain?”
“I didn’t mention it to Master Jang, but word techniques are more effective on people with great emotional fluctuations. Moreover, they are more effective on intelligent people…”
The Immortal Taiyi subtly glanced at Namgung Yeon, suggesting that she should also be cautious.
Guiyeong Ja, unable to contain himself, intervened:
“So, do you really believe that Jang Mudeok fell victim to a word technique?”
“It’s possible, based on what I’ve observed. He’s not the type of person who would come all the way to Gyogu County and then leave without saying anything,” noted the Immortal Taiyi.
Guiyeong Ja nodded, recognizing that it didn’t make sense for Master Jang to flee after coming this far. If he were that type of person, he wouldn’t have volunteered for the exploration mission.
The discussion continued until dawn, but they didn’t find a satisfactory solution. Finally, Namgung Yeon interrupted the meeting.
“It seems we could keep talking until dawn without reaching any conclusions. If we’re going to Five Peaks Mountain, we need to rest well. It’s better to end here.”
“I agree,” said the Three Immortals of Kunlun, exhausted by the repetition.
The Three Immortals of Kunlun, Guiyeong Ja, and Hyuk Muchun returned to their places to rest. When everyone dispersed, Yeon Jeokha approached Namgung Yeon.
“Sister.”
“Yes?”
“Do you really believe that Master Jang fell victim to a word technique?”
“If it’s a possibility, even if it’s hard to believe, we must consider it.”
Shim Tong joined the conversation.
“So, do you think it’s true?”
Before Namgung Yeon could respond, Yeon Jeokha intervened:
“Go to sleep, old man. You need to take care of your body.”
“When you get old, the midnight sleep disappears.”
“It’s not midnight yet.”
“I can’t sleep knowing that Jang Mudeok disappeared just before reaching Five Peaks Mountain.”
“Stop worrying about useless things. I’ll handle everything.”
“Understood. But could you move apart a little? It’s hot.”
“Damn it!”
Yeon Jeokha glared furiously at Shim Tong, who finally retreated to his original place.
Today, he missed Wol-ah and Geum-ah in the village of Chilriha more than ever. Humming a tune, he tried to sleep.
“Sister, why would the Leader of the Yoomyung Cult use a word technique on Master Jang?” asked Yeon Jeokha, gently taking Namgung Yeon’s hand.
This time, she didn’t pull her hand away.
“That’s something we’ll only know when we find Master Jang.”
Namgung Yeon didn’t want to jump to conclusions, as a wrong idea could harm both the exploration group and Master Jang.
Yeon Jeokha didn’t say anything more about Master Jang. Although he was curious, he knew that continuing to talk would be repetitive.
Master Jang didn’t return at dawn.
After breakfast, everyone sighed with concern.
Guiyeong Ja, with his backpack ready, approached Yeon Jeokha.
“Grand Inspector, it seems that Jang Mudeok has fled. Should we continue exploring?”
“What are you saying? Who said he fled?”
“If he didn’t flee, it’s even more worrying. A master like him wouldn’t be kidnapped. If he went alone to Five Peaks Mountain, wouldn’t that be a betrayal?”
“Betrayal? Don’t talk nonsense. And don’t draw your sword again. Every time I think about what you did that night…”
Yeon Jeokha glared at him, and Guiyeong Ja quickly lowered his head.
“Forgive me.”
“Forget it. I’ll decide whether we continue exploring or not.”
“Yes, sir.”
Guiyeong Ja stepped back without another word.
Shim Tong intervened.
“Young Master, Guiyeong Ja isn’t entirely wrong. If Jang Mudeok went voluntarily to the leader of the Yoomyung Cult, he could have already reported on our mission.”
“Do you want us to stop?”
“No, I just wanted you to consider it.”
“There’s nothing to consider. If Sister wants to go, we’ll go. If she doesn’t, we won’t.”
“Understood.”
Shim Tong, with an uncomfortable expression, accepted Yeon Jeokha’s decision.
“Do you know what to do when everything gets so complicated that you can’t understand anything?” asked Yeon Jeokha, patting his chest.
“What should I do?”
“Just follow your heart.”
“Does your heart tell you to go to Five Peaks Mountain?”
“No, it tells me to follow my sister.”
“So, you’re just going to follow Namgung Yeon?”
“Are you mocking me?”
“Me? Never. If I had someone like Namgung Yeon, I’d follow her without hesitation too. She’s beautiful, smart, holds your hand…”
“Do you want to die? Come on, let’s face each other right now.”
When Yeon Jeokha jumped to his feet, Shim Tong backed away towards the Three Immortals of Kunlun and said:
“Oh, come on! Why are you so upset? ‘My sister’s hand smells like… Ugh!’”
When the sword flew towards his face, Shim Tong rolled on the ground.
The sword rose above Shim Tong’s head and then fell vertically again.
Shim Tong ran on all fours and hid behind the Three Immortals of Kunlun.
When Yeon Jeokha turned the hilt of his sword, it spun in circles around the Three Immortals.
“Come out, old man! Spying on me like a rat! Today’s the day you die!”
“I’m sorry, but I wasn’t spying on you, I just overheard! I can’t help but hear with open ears!”
“Then die so you never hear again!”
Wheeeeeeee.
When Yeon Jeokha moved, the sword spun faster.
The sword wind created by the flying sword even caught the Three Immortals of Kunlun.
The Three Immortals of Kunlun had never seen such a powerful flying sword and couldn’t close their mouths.
Originally, the flying sword was about controlling the sword with qi.
However, the performance varied greatly depending on the depth of energy and the level of understanding.
Still, making the sword spin so close to four people?
And with such force that it lifts the sword wind?
The Immortal Taimu, bewildered, sent a telepathic message to his brother.
“Have you ever seen anything like this?”
“No.”
“Does he really want to kill the Old Dao of Nine Heavens?”
“I don’t think so.”
But Immortal Taimu knew that his brother also had doubts. The atmosphere created by Yeon Jeokha was unsettling.
Namgung Yeon intervened.
“You’re playing too much. You could scare the Three Immortals.”
With her words, the sword stopped and disappeared. Yeon Jeokha, accompanied by Namgung Yeon, entered the sanctuary.
Shim Tong slowly emerged, not showing the tension from before. Immortal Taimu approached and asked:
“Are you okay?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You seemed calm despite the danger.”
“That’s because you don’t know the Young Master’s abilities.”
“I’ve seen Yeon Jeokha’s impressive Sword Control Technique.”
Shim Tong smiled.
“The Young Master can even catch fish in the Yellow River with that technique. If he really wanted to, he could have easily killed me.”
The Immortal Taimu recalled the murkiness of the Yellow River and shook his head. If what he said was true, then the previous spectacle had been just a game.
The Immortal Taiyi, observing the conversation, murmured incredulously.
“What an incredible game.”
Hyuk Muchun, with his backpack on his shoulder, said:
“Wow! I didn’t know the Grand Inspector was so skilled. What do we do now?”
“What do you suggest?”
Although he responded coldly, Guiyeong Ja’s gaze no longer had the same hostility. The Sword Control Technique had frightened him.
Hyuk Muchun, looking around, responded telepathically.
“What about handing the Grand Inspector over to the Yoomyung Cult?”
“Wait and see.”
“Shouldn’t we inform the Grand Chaeju?”
“We can tell him, but we must be cautious.”
Hyuk Muchun nodded meaningfully.
Namgung Yeon spoke with Yeon Jeokha:
“Do you still want to go?”
“Yes, we must find out what happened to Master Jang. If we don’t, there will be chaos in the Heaven and Earth Alliance.”
Master Jang Mudeok was a pillar of the righteous sects. His disappearance near Five Peaks Mountain would only cause rumors and distrust.
“Chaos?”
“The Grand Strategist won’t miss this opportunity. He’ll suspect everyone, especially those not on his side.”
“I understand.”
“If we don’t go, the Heaven and Earth Alliance will fragment.”
“Do you think there’s hope for the Heaven and Earth Alliance?”
“As long as one person doesn’t lose hope, there’s always hope.”
“Then let’s go to Five Peaks Mountain.”
“What do you think?”
“You know my hope is you.”
“Fool.”
Namgung Yeon gently touched Yeon Jeokha’s head. On impulse, he hugged her, intoxicated by the scent of flowers on her skin.
“What are you doing? I’m sorry, I didn’t see anything!”
Shim Tong burst in, and the pair quickly separated.
He ran out of the sanctuary like a wounded boar, while Yeon Jeokha and Namgung Yeon laughed shyly.
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