Heavenly Inquisition Sword

Episode 125: Would You Take Off Your Clothes?

Yeon Jeokha curiously examined the horn protruding from Gok Ilgi's head.

Aside from the horn, his body was noticeably smaller compared to other Demon Warriors of the Yoomyung Cult he had faced. It was as if only his skin and face had changed, with the horn as an addition.

Gok Ilgi didn’t move, but he didn’t seem clumsy either. On the contrary, he radiated a strange confidence.

"Krkrk."

Gok Ilgi slowly stepped forward.

His arms, slightly longer than normal, swung naturally back and forth.

Yeon Jeokha then noticed the sharp nails, like spear tips, jutting out from his fingers. They were pure white and about a palm's length.

‘A horn and claws…’

Yeon Jeokha patiently observed the movements of the Demon Warrior, trying to understand his opponent. His experiences in camp life and previous battles had taught him not to rush.

“Krkrk!”

With a short cry, Gok Ilgi's body vanished.

Yeon Jeokha’s eyes turned to the sky.

Gok Ilgi was descending from about fifteen meters high, moving his hands like lightning.

Suddenly, two crescent-shaped waves of energy shot toward Yeon Jeokha’s head.

Slash. Slash.

It looked as though two massive scythes were crossing in the air, descending rapidly.

Yeon Jeokha responded instantly, unleashing the Dragon and Tiger Windstorm with his sword toward the sky.

Kwaaang.

The energy of the scythes and the sword storm collided.

Crack-crack.

With a strange sound, both energies vanished.

Then, with a fierce cry, Gok Ilgi repeatedly swung his hands.

“Krkrk! Krkrk!”

Slash. Slash. Slash. Slash. Slash…

Dozens of energy slashes rushed toward Yeon Jeokha like a wave.

But Yeon Jeokha didn’t move, standing firm as he swung his sword through the air.

As he unleashed the Wheel of Devastating Wind, a spinning wheel of energy appeared above his head.

Krrrrk.

The incoming energy was mercilessly shredded by the spinning wheel.

Both were using overwhelming force, with their energies and techniques clashing.

What goes up must inevitably come down.

As time passed, Gok Ilgi gradually descended.

Yeon Jeokha, without resting, maintained the spinning wheel technique below him.

Finally, Gok Ilgi's body was caught in the Wheel of Devastating Wind.

Crack-crack-crack.

Though the wheel's energy pierced his body, his limbs didn’t separate.

Even so, the pain was evident, and Gok Ilgi let out a sharp scream.

“Kraaah!”

Gok Ilgi's shattered body fell about three meters away.

Without wasting time, Yeon Jeokha charged forward, deploying the Nine Heavens Supreme Swordsmanship to pierce his heart.

“Ack!”

Gok Ilgi's body shook violently.

As his opponent died, Yeon Jeokha prepared for the strange phenomenon that always followed.

He felt warmth between his eyebrows, and once again, something appeared before him.

This time, it was darker and deeper.

A creature with a single horn struggled in a completely dark place.

With no visible light, this place felt like an infinite abyss.

‘Is this hell?’

Before he could investigate further, Yeon Jeokha returned to reality.

Sssss.

The horned creature disintegrated into dust.

And again, about ten spheres of light softly ascended into the sky.

Regaining his composure, Yeon Jeokha slowly turned around.

By then, all the bandits had been subdued by Old Shim, Namgung Cheon, and Seol Chaesu’s group.

The village elder ran up to him, bowing deeply.

“Oh, great God of the Nine Heavens, you have descended to save us! Thank you! Thank you so much!”

The elder referred to Yeon Jeokha as the God of the Nine Heavens.

To the old villager who had been on the brink of death, that’s how it must have seemed.

At that moment, Namgung Yeon approached and asked the village elder:

“Where is the item the bandits were searching for?”

“Ah, yes. In the shrine of the earth deity outside the village, I saw something that might be it. Shall I guide you there?”

“Yes, please. Jeokha, come with me.”

“Eh, sure.”

Without much thought, Yeon Jeokha followed Namgung Yeon and the village elder.

Old Shim left the captured bandits in the care of So Mujin.

They couldn’t kill them or take them along, so it was better to leave them there.

So Mujin tied up the bandits with ropes and left them kneeling on one side.

Lee Shinwoong, who had regained consciousness, silently observed the situation after hearing So Mujin’s report.

Jin Seolha wanted to follow Yeon Jeokha, but Yoo Geunshik stopped her.

“Seolha, there’s no point in following them now. If you go, you’ll only be a nuisance.”

“A nuisance? We’re comrades.”

“Heh. They’ll be back soon. It’s better to take advantage of the moment when he’s alone.”

“Take advantage of the moment? I just want to help as a comrade.”

“Yes, sure. Then stay close to him when he’s alone. If you go now, you’ll only be in the way.”

“…”

Jin Seolha gave up on following them, feeling that Yoo Geunshik was right.

In fact, the idea of getting in the way didn’t sit well with her at all.

The village elder energetically entered the earth deity’s shrine and pointed behind the altar.

“The item the bandits were searching for is there. A shaman brought it here long ago and left it there.”

Yeon Jeokha glanced at the village elder.

“And that shaman?”

“She died when I was a child. That was over sixty years ago.”

Nodding, Yeon Jeokha approached the altar.

Among the thick cobwebs, he saw a circular stone piece about thirty centimeters wide.

As he cleared the cobwebs and picked up the object, the village elder spoke:

“Please, take it with you if you don’t mind. I’m afraid other bandits might come for it.”

“Really?”

Yeon Jeokha didn’t refuse the offer.

As the elder said, other bandits might come for the item.

The stone piece, about four centimeters thick, was surprisingly light despite being made entirely of stone.

Yeon Jeokha, after examining the object, handed it to Namgung Yeon, sensing that she had a particular interest in it.

Namgung Yeon carefully inspected it and then handed it back to Yeon Jeokha.

“You keep it.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Sister, is this really a Paljuryeong?”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t it a cursed object? I’ve heard that the Yoomyung Cult uses it for human sacrifices… You also saw that monster.”

Namgung Yeon smiled.

“The Paljuryeong, also known as the Sacred Artifact, is used by the priestesses of the East. It connects this world with the other. The Yoomyung Cult only uses it in a perverse way.”

“So there’s no problem with the Paljuryeong itself?”

“Correct.”

“But what do I want it for?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it’ll come in handy someday.”

“Could I use it to roast meat?”

“Hehe, the smell of meat would linger. Are you sure?”

“That’s true. Where should I keep it?”

Scratching his head, Yeon Jeokha let the Paljuryeong drop.

Thud.

The object fell to the ground with a cracking sound.

“Oh no, did it break? Well, if it’s broken, it’s useless anyway.”

Yeon Jeokha acted nonchalant, but his expression showed he was trying to get rid of it.

Namgung Yeon smiled.

“It’s a light stone, but as hard as a diamond. You’d have to put in a lot of effort to break it.”

“Really?”

Yeon Jeokha bent down to inspect the ground.

Wow! The Paljuryeong was intact, but the ground was slightly indented.

Yeon Jeokha picked up the Paljuryeong and examined it again, impressed.

“Wow! What kind of thing is this? It’s too resilient.”

“It’s light, so you could wear it on your chest as a protective amulet.”

“Wear this?”

“If you leave it in the cart, you might lose it. And it’s uncomfortable to carry it everywhere. If you put a string on it, you could hang it on your chest.”

Namgung Yeon seemed to be enjoying the idea, like a child with a new toy.

“Do I have to carry it around? Wouldn’t it be better to break it so the Yoomyung Cult can’t use it?”

“The Paljuryeong holds many unknown secrets. Though it’s hard to explain, I think it’ll be useful to you. Especially now that the Yoomyung Cult is using it.”

If someone as smart as Namgung Yeon said so, Yeon Jeokha decided to accept it.

“Alright, I’ll do as you say.”

“Perfect, one moment.”

Namgung Yeon began searching for a string to hang the object in the shrine.

Luckily, there were several sacred cords to ward off evil energies.

Namgung Yeon chose the strongest one and tied the Paljuryeong.

“It looks good. A sacred cord and the Paljuryeong. They make a good combination.”

“What’s a sacred cord?”

“It’s a sacred cord that prevents the entry of evil energies. All done. Now, would you take off your clothes?”

“What? My clothes?”

Yeon Jeokha looked at the village elder with an uncomfortable expression.

The village elder cleared his throat and stepped out of the shrine.

Namgung Yeon nodded as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Yes, if you wear it over your clothes, it’ll draw too much attention. Just take off your coat. I’ll tie it for you.”

Finally, Yeon Jeokha took off his coat.

Namgung Yeon placed the Paljuryeong in the center of Yeon Jeokha’s chest, passing the string over his shoulders and under his arms, tying it securely behind him.

“All set. Now put your coat back on.”

Yeon Jeokha put it on, and Namgung Yeon’s face lit up.

“Perfect! It’s barely noticeable, and it doesn’t seem uncomfortable. Does it bother you?”

Yeon Jeokha moved his torso from side to side.

The stone was so light he barely felt it.

“It’s fine.”

“Great. If it had bothered you, we would have left it.”

Namgung Yeon, without thinking, gently patted Yeon Jeokha’s chest, checking the Paljuryeong.

Yeon Jeokha held his breath and stood stiff as a statue.

Even though he couldn’t feel Namgung Yeon’s touch because of the Paljuryeong, his heart was pounding.

Namgung Yeon, realizing what she was doing, suddenly stepped back.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Namgung Yeon left the shrine, followed by a stunned Yeon Jeokha.

The village elder watched them curiously, trying to figure out what they were carrying on their chests.

“Do you have something to say, elder?”

“No, nothing. But, great God of the Nine Heavens, what was that monster? How…?”

The village elder, thinking it was an ogre because of the horn, asked curiously.

“It was nothing. It’s better to forget what happened today and move on.”

Yeon Jeokha replied coldly.

There are things better left unknown, and sometimes, it’s better to live in ignorance.