Heavenly Inquisition Sword

Chapter 115. Are You Saying We Should Take Them Down?

The Grandmaster Hyunbaek of the Shaolin Sect remained silent for a long while, his mind filled with conflicting and confusing thoughts.

It had been three years since the Yoomyung Cult reemerged in the world, and during that time, many events had transpired. The Virtue Swordsman Lee Yeonik, leader of the Uicheon Sect, lost an arm to the Swordsman of Chaos Cheok Jinkyung from Eunha Manor. The Namgung Family was destroyed by the Lunar Fairy of the Fairy Temple and the Martial Mountain Maiden of Musansocho. The Lunar Fairy also annihilated Waryong Manor in Luoyang and established her headquarters there.

Not only did the Justice Alliance's branch in Luoyang suffer heavy damage, but so did the martial arts families in Luoyang. Nowadays, one might say the Yoomyung Cult dominates the world, but in reality, very little is known about them. It is only known that the leaders of Eunha Manor and the Fairy Temple are Great Demon Generals, with Demon Warriors beneath them.

Although there was a confrontation at Eunha Manor, it ended in a devastating defeat without gathering any information about the enemy.

Seok Muhae, the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord, interrupted the Grandmaster Hyunbaek's thoughts.

—Just so you know, our Grand Inspector could eliminate the three great families on his own. Even if the Samjangbulip order is lifted, the three families will not survive.

—Could you tell me what crime the three families committed against the Grand Inspector?

—It’s just a personal grudge. I don’t know the details, but they do.

—Namo Amitabha...

The Grandmaster Hyunbaek recited a mantra in frustration. Personal grudges are the most difficult to resolve. Conflicts between sects can usually be settled with compensation, but personal matters cannot be resolved with material goods.

"Why hasn’t the Grand Inspector eliminated them himself?" Hyunbaek wondered. Knowing the brutal nature of Nokrim, the three families should have already been annihilated. Yet, they were being tormented indirectly through the Samjangbulip order.

"Torment... So that's what they want. They don’t desire the families’ lives, but their suffering."

Upon reaching this conclusion, the Grandmaster Hyunbaek felt a sense of relief. Anyway, the three families were already doomed, having been marked by the Grand Inspector.

—I have a request to make, though I don’t know if you’ll accept it. Please consider it.

The Grandmaster Hyunbaek looked at Seok Muhae with pleading eyes. It was something essential for the Seven Great Sects in their preparation for war against the Yoomyung Cult.

As he left the tea house, the Grandmaster Hyunbaek, along with his guards, disappeared quickly. The curious onlookers nearby began entering the tea house, which resumed its usual business, welcoming customers as if nothing had happened.

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At the Justice Alliance's branch in Zhengzhou, leader Ma Cheondeok hurriedly left the guest room after being summoned by one of his subordinates. When he returned, he looked at the leaders of the three great families (Baek clan, Yang clan, and Waryong Manor) with a worried expression. Baek Seungho, of the Baek clan, asked urgently:

—Ma Daehyeop, any news? Did the Grandmaster Hyunbaek meet with the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord?

Ma Cheondeok hesitated, then sighed.

—Ah... I don’t know the details, but I'll tell you what I know. The Grandmaster Hyunbaek met with the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord and then returned to Mount Song. (Note: The location of the main Shaolin Temple)

—What did he say about Samjangbulip?

—He didn’t mention anything.

—Then shouldn’t they activate the Murimcheop? Do they expect us to close our doors and retreat?

—The Murimcheop is a decision for the supreme leader. I sent a message to the headquarters yesterday, so we should receive a response in a few days. I ask that you wait a little longer.

Before he could finish, Yang Joohwan burst out.

—This is absurd! You’re telling us to wait while our disciples are expelled and our businesses taken! Tell us clearly! Is the Justice Alliance abandoning us?

—Abandoning you? Absolutely not! The Justice Alliance stands with its allies in life and death. Wait a few more days for the headquarters' response. We will ensure that you don’t suffer any losses.

Baek Seungho, enraged, stood up and pointed at Ma Cheondeok.

—Hey! You said the Grandmaster Hyunbaek would resolve this! Why did he return to Mount Song without doing anything? This is over! Do you take us for children? I don’t know what agreements you have with the Nokrim, but if you treat your allies like this, the Justice Alliance won’t last long! I want to see how long you survive!

—Baek Daehyeop, that’s unfair! I don’t know why the Grandmaster Hyunbaek left, but the headquarters' response will bring good news. Truly.

Trembling with anger, Baek Seungho looked at Yang Joohwan and Yeon Mubaek.

—Yang Gaju, Yeon Gaju, let’s go. There’s no point in staying here. We need to devise a plan ourselves. We can’t sit idly by.

Yang Joohwan nodded. Trusting the Justice Alliance would lead them to ruin.

—Son-in-law, let’s go. We must act on our own.

—Yes...

Yeon Mubaek couldn’t lift his head, feeling guilty. If the Baek clan and the Yang clan knew that Yeon Jeokha, the Grand Inspector of Nokrim, was his half-brother and that all of this was a result of Yeon Jeokha’s grudge against them, how would they react? Could they even obtain Yeon Jeokha’s forgiveness? He regretted not seeking out Yeon Jeokha more actively when Yeon Seolju came looking for him.

'Ah... I should have found Jeokha then... How foolish I was.'

He thought it wasn’t his business and ignored it. He did so fourteen years ago and again this time.

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Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu.

Headquarters of the Justice Alliance.

Two messages arrived from Zhengzhou a day apart. The first was from the leader of the Zhengzhou branch, Ma Cheondeok, and the second from the Grandmaster Hyunbaek of the Shaolin Sect.

The supreme leader of the Justice Alliance, Jang Kangho, read both messages and quickly wrote with a pen:

[Send three people to accompany the Grand Inspector of Nokrim, Yeon Jeokha, and gather information on the Demon Warriors.]

From the perspective of the supreme leader Jang Kangho, it was an obvious decision. The Justice Alliance was secretly preparing for war against the Yoomyung Cult, but they lacked precise information about the Demon Warriors. They knew that the leaders of the Yoomyung Cult were as strong as the top ten experts, but they knew nothing about the Demon Warriors.

With the Grandmaster Hyunbaek’s advice to follow the Grand Inspector of Nokrim, they could obtain that crucial information. Additionally, they could monitor if Nokrim was truly confronting the Yoomyung Cult.

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Zhengzhou, Justice Alliance branch.

—For this reason, you are assigned this important mission. You will accompany the Grand Inspector of Nokrim, Yeon Jeokha, and gather information on the Demon Warriors. Does anyone want to back out?

Branch leader Ma Cheondeok looked at the three young people: Seol Chasu from the Heavenly Sword Sect, Yoo Geunsik from the Golden Sword Sect, and Jin Seolha from the Changin Sect.

Unlike Ma Cheondeok, who was a secular disciple of the Shaolin Sect, the three were graduates of the Zhengzhou Military Academy. Seol Chasu asked:

—Why were we specifically chosen?

—Because you are the youngest. Yeon Jeokha is twenty, so I thought you’d get along well. Any problem with that?

—No, none.

Seol Chasu nodded in understanding. At twenty-three, Yoo Geunsik was twenty-two, and Jin Seolha was twenty-one. They were, indeed, the youngest in the branch.

Jin Seolha, with a mischievous expression, asked:

—Do you mean we should earn his trust?

Ma Cheondeok frowned at Jin Seolha’s carefree attitude, which contrasted with her delicate appearance.

—Of course not. Stop talking nonsense. This is a mission under the supreme leader's supervision. Behave with dignity.

—Yes, yes! First, you tell us to get along well, and then...

—Enough! That’s enough.

Ma Cheondeok, displeased, paused, and Seol Chasu elbowed Jin Seolha.

—Jin Sajae, that’s enough. You seem to be taking this seriously. (Note: Sajae= Younger Martial Brother/Sister)

—Yes, yes.

Jin Seolha responded distractedly, turning her head.

Ma Cheondeok, shaking his head, continued:

—Yeon Jeokha is at the Zhengzhou First Pavilion, on the seventh floor. You’ll depart tomorrow, so join him tonight to get acquainted.

—Yes.

Seol Chasu responded on behalf of the three.

Ma Cheondeok gave them some additional instructions before retiring.

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Zhengzhou First Pavilion.

At dusk, the three young people arrived on the seventh floor of the pavilion. They looked around curiously. Ahead, near the window, they saw an unusual bed. A bed in a pavilion...

Looking at each other, they finally approached the elderly man and the young man sitting by the table. They assumed they were the Grand Inspector of Nokrim and his companion.

Seol Chasu, taking the lead, approached and began:

—Greetings. We are from the Justice Alliance branch in Zhengzhou...

Shim Tong interrupted brusquely:

—Enough with the introductions. If you’re going to eat with us, sit down. If not, leave.

Seol Chasu looked at Yoo Geunsik and Jin Seolha. Yoo Geunsik hesitated, but Jin Seolha nodded enthusiastically. Yoo Geunsik, swept along by the situation, also nodded.

It was better to eat together than to leave without even introducing themselves.

Seol Chasu and Yoo Geunsik sat down, and Jin Seolha sat next to Yeon Jeokha, smiling confidently. As new guests arrived, Jang Bo-ok rushed over to them. Shim Tong, irritated, ordered:

—Bring food for everyone.

—Yes, enjoy your time.

Jang Bo-ok smiled as she left.

Suddenly, Jin Seolha spoke up:

—He’s Seol Chasu from the Heavenly Sword Sect, twenty-three years old. He’s Yoo Geunsik from the Golden Sword Sect, twenty-two years old. And I’m Jin Seolha from the Changin Sect, twenty-one years old. Nice to meet you.

Shim Tong smiled at Jin Seolha’s straightforwardness and asked:

—Why didn’t you say your age at first?

—Hehe, I’m twenty-one years old. I heard Yeon Sohyeop is twenty, right?

Jin Seolha leaned towards Yeon Jeokha, who, feeling uncomfortable, leaned back.