Heavenly Inquisition Sword

Episode 153: You Did Well, Very Well

The length of the Yangtze River, which flows across the continent, is approximately 16,042 li (about 6,300 kilometers).

It originates in the Tanggula Mountains in Qinghai, winds through countless provinces and major cities, and finally empties into the Eastern Sea.

Because the river is so long, the number of river pirates is countless.

To avoid conflicts and mark their territories, the pirates formed the Yangtze River Alliance.

Although it is called an alliance, it is really just a group of pirates living by the river.

In any group, the strongest is the leader.

It was inevitable that the most powerful pirate gang, that of the Yangtze Viper, would take the role of leader in the Yangtze River Alliance.

The river pirates, members of the Yangtze River Alliance, came and went from the Yangtze Viper’s base as if it were their home. About forty years ago, Old Shim did the same.

Over time, the Yangtze Viper pirate gang became the main base for all river pirates.

Now, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the entire island is occupied by people associated with the Yangtze Viper gang.

The pirate gang allowed only those with mediocre skills to reach the outer port, Gangjujin. Naturally, the more skilled masters could enter the inner port, Guga Village, without any issues.

But today, a rumor was circulating that the inner port would open to welcome the Grand Inspector of Nokrim.

The pirates loitering in the outer port, Gangjujin, rushed en masse toward the inner port, Guga Village.

The two-horse carriage entered Guga Village.

On the island, the two-horse carriage stood out.

The pirates of the Yangtze Viper immediately recognized it as the Grand Inspector’s carriage.

The lieutenant, Shin I-chung, led his men to receive Yeon Jeokha.

Soon, the carriage stopped in the center of Guga Village’s plaza.

Faced with this unusual sight, the pirates of Guga Village gathered around the carriage.

Yi Sa, terrified, could barely move his eyes and made no attempt to dismount.

Based on his experience, a bloody battle would soon follow.

‘If I stay in the coachman’s seat, maybe they won’t bother me.’

He planned to stay out of the warriors’ fight.

No one from Yeon Jeokha’s group tried to involve Yi Sa. Protecting him wouldn’t be easy, so it was better to keep him away.

The pirates of the Yangtze Viper and the Yangtze River Alliance were unaware of the imminent confrontation between Yeon Jeokha and the Yangtze Viper.

Naturally, they watched Yeon Jeokha’s group with curious eyes.

To them, the Grand Inspector of Nokrim was almost a celestial figure, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see him up close.

When Shin I-chung appeared, the pirates stepped aside to let him pass.

Thanks to this, Shin I-chung easily reached Yeon Jeokha’s group.

“Welcome! I am Shin I-chung, lieutenant of the Yangtze Viper gang. Who among you is the Grand Inspector?”

Instead of answering, Yeon Jeokha tossed his Inspector’s badge.

Shin I-chung, after verifying the badge, bowed like a servant.

“Welcome, Grand Inspector! Thank you for honoring us with your visit to the Yangtze Viper gang. We will give you a warm welcome!”

His attitude contrasted with the previous intention of gathering the pirates to attack them.

Yeon Jeokha nodded, and Shin I-chung positioned himself at his side.

“I will take you to see the boss.”

They crossed the plaza and arrived at a large pavilion.

At the entrance of the pavilion, there was a large plaque that read ‘Blue Dragon Hall.’

With a proud expression, Shin I-chung said:

“This is the heart of the Yangtze Viper gang, the Blue Dragon Hall. The meetings of the Yangtze River Alliance are also held here.”

Yeon Jeokha looked at his companions and asked:

“Have you also gathered the members of the Yangtze River Alliance?”

“I didn’t gather them specifically. I just allowed those in the outer and inner ports to come see the Grand Inspector. Do you want me to dismiss them?”

“Why dismiss them? Let them stay.”

“Yes, I will let them stay.”

Shin I-chung seemed to wag an invisible tail in happiness.

Upon entering the Blue Dragon Hall, about a hundred pirates stood up.

Then, the Yangtze Viper, Yang Tae-ho, approached with a smile.

“Grand Inspector, I am Yang Tae-ho, boss of the Yangtze Viper gang. It must have been a long journey. Please, take a seat.”

Yang Tae-ho pointed to the main seat.

Yeon Jeokha paused for a moment.

He had come to confront the Demon Warriors, but they were leading him to a feast, which confused him.

The pirates watched expectantly.

It seemed more like a welcome reception than an impending battle.

Finally, Yeon Jeokha took the main seat.

Yang Tae-ho swore loyalty to Nokrim, and the pirates cheered.

Yang Tae-ho casually said:

“Grand Inspector, please say a few words to the pirates of the Yangtze River Alliance.”

After thinking for a moment, Yeon Jeokha stood up.

The clamor immediately quieted down.

Yeon Jeokha, slowly looking around, said:

“I lost my parents when I was six years old and became an orphan. I was never taught how to live. After wandering and begging, I joined Nokrim four years ago. Upon arriving at Gangjujin today, I was impressed.”

The word “impressed” made the pirates murmur slightly.

It seemed that Yeon Jeokha was criticizing the pirates of the outer port.

However, his next words reassured them.

“I like it a lot. I also hate thinking too much. Here, the strongest is king. Isn’t that right?”

“Exactly!”

“Correct!”

“Are you wondering why I came here so suddenly?”

“Yes!”

“Please, tell us!”

“The Great Chaeju asked me for a favor. The Yoomyung Cult is trying to take over Nokrim, and he asked me to stop them.”

“……”

The pirates of the Yangtze River Alliance fell silent, perplexed.

“It seems they were trying to replace the Bosses of Nokrim with the Demon Warriors. The Great Chaeju found out and went crazy. If you were in his place, wouldn’t you be angry?”

The pirates of the Yangtze River Alliance shouted.

“Yes, we’re angry!”

“That’s not right!”

“How dare they against Nokrim!”

When Yeon Jeokha raised his hand, the clamor died down.

“So, I’m traveling through Murim as the Grand Inspector. By now, the Yoomyung Cult must have realized that Nokrim isn’t easy. If they haven’t, they’re idiots. Boss Yang, what do you think?”

Yang Tae-ho said nothing.

‘He’s cunning.’

The one who claimed to hate thinking had changed the atmosphere with just a few words.

Now, the pirates of the Yangtze River Alliance wouldn’t raise arms against the Grand Inspector.

With a bitter smile, Yang Tae-ho looked at Yeon Jeokha, who asked him directly:

“Boss Yang, you’re also a Demon Warrior, aren’t you?”

For a moment, the hall was utterly silent.

The pirates of the Yangtze River Alliance swallowed hard, looking at Yang Tae-ho.

“Jeje. Do you have any proof that I’m a Demon Warrior?”

Yeon Jeokha patted his chest and replied:

“Yes. My heart says so. Yang Tae-ho is a Demon Warrior. Do you want to die here or return to the Yoomyung Cult?”

“……”

Yang Tae-ho stared at Yeon Jeokha in silence.

The Grand Inspector had already declared him a Demon Warrior, so there was no point in denying it. The pirates of the Yangtze River Alliance were already out of his control.

‘What should I do? Should I fight?’

He recalled the rumor about the young master of Waryong Manor who had killed the Demon Warriors of the Yoomyung Cult.

Fate could play cruel tricks, and he shouldn’t act based on the opponent’s age alone.

‘Ah, damn it. I could kill him in five moves if I’m quick.’

He imagined the fight several times in his mind. He could finish it in five moves if he attacked by surprise, but he couldn’t move his hands.

Yang Tae-ho opened and closed his fists repeatedly.

His palm was drenched in sweat.

Finally, he sighed deeply.

“Will you let me go if I promise to leave?”

“Of course. I didn’t come to kill but to restore order.”

“Then I resign from my position in the Yangtze Viper gang.”

“You did well.”

Yeon Jeokha sincerely praised him.

He didn’t know what the Great Chaeju was thinking, but he didn’t want to blindly follow orders.

Yang Tae-ho addressed the pirates of the Yangtze River Alliance.

“Brothers, I am a man of the Yoomyung Cult, as the Grand Inspector said. I had no intention of deceiving you. We may meet again when relations between the Yoomyung Cult and Nokrim improve. Until then, farewell.”

“……”

The pirates of the Yangtze River Alliance listened in silence.

No one called him a traitor or became enraged.

For them, the fact that the Boss was from the Yoomyung Cult wasn’t a big deal.

Most accepted that this was a consequence of Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord’s hatred toward monks and Taoists.

The atmosphere didn’t suddenly plummet.

When Yang Tae-ho resigned from his position as Boss, he was no longer an enemy of Yeon Jeokha. The welcome reception turned into a farewell for the Yangtze Viper.

The meeting ended around 3 to 5 in the afternoon.

Yeon Jeokha and Yang Tae-ho headed to the Guga port.

The pirates of the Yangtze River Alliance offered a boat to take Yang Tae-ho and Yeon Jeokha to the nearest port.

After seeing Yang Tae-ho board, Yeon Jeokha and his group also boarded their boat.

When the carriage and Yeon Jeokha’s group were on board, the boat slowly moved toward the center of the river.

From the railing, Yeon Jeokha watched Yang Tae-ho’s boat recede into the distance.

He felt proud for resolving the situation without killing a Demon Warrior.

Although the members of the Justice Alliance seemed dissatisfied, he didn’t care.

They were upset for not being able to gather information about the Demon Warriors’ skills.

But he couldn’t kill just to provide information to the Justice Alliance.

‘I did well. Very well done.’

Yeon Jeokha congratulated himself for handling the situation well. It seemed that he could finally end the day with satisfaction.

Until now, he had seen too much blood. He was never taught the right and wrong actions as a human. Even so, killing always made him uncomfortable.

The sunset began to turn red.

As he enjoyed the scenery, Namgung Yeon approached.

“What are you thinking about?”

“I was reflecting on whether I did the right thing. What do you think, sister?”

“About today?”

“Yes. Today, I resolved everything with words, without spilling blood.”

“You speak well. Why did you decide to do it that way?”

“The nightmares of killing people bother me.”

“And?”

“It bothered me to think that Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord was using me. I wondered why I had to fight people who hadn’t done anything to me.”

“So, you decided to try to resolve it with words?”

Namgung Yeon understood Yeon Jeokha’s sentiment.

It wasn’t a desired task, so if he could, he preferred to resolve it in the best way possible.

Namgung Yeon looked at Yeon Jeokha with complicated eyes.

Thinking about the battle between the Justice Alliance and the Yoomyung Cult, they should try to reduce the number of Demon Warriors.

But she couldn’t demand that from Yeon Jeokha.

It would be too cruel to ask him to face enemies without a personal motive.

At that moment, the rowers jumped into the water.

Then, an explosion shook the boat carrying the two-horse carriage.

Boom!

The dark red flames mixed with the glow of the sunset.