Heavenly Inquisition Sword

C184. Will We Be Friends from Today?

On the Way to Kaifeng.

The district subcommander, Namgung Cheon, motioned for Im Jiryeong to approach.

“Yes, sir.”

“As a man of the Military Academy, you must have some insight. How powerful is he?”

“Do you recall how he drew the cup toward him?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“It’s a technique called ‘Hukongseobmul,’ which even a Great Swordmaster from one of the Seven Great Sects would struggle to perform. Turning it into powder is even more difficult, indicating that he has reached a level where he can freely manipulate his energy.”

“Incredible. Is that possible at twenty-one years old?”

“Judging from his external appearance, it seems he has reached the state of ‘Banbagwijin.’”

“Banbagwijin?” (Note: In the context of the ‘Murim,’ 등봉조극 (Banbagwijin) refers to a state where one has attained extremely high martial arts skills and appears as an ordinary person despite having mastered martial arts.)

“The highest level a person can achieve is called ‘Deungbongjoguk.’ After that, the only thing left is to leave this world and ascend as an Immortal.” (Note: In the context of the ‘Murim,’ 등봉조극 (Deungbongjoguk) refers to when one reaches the pinnacle of perfection or power, symbolizing the idea of reaching the highest possible peak in terms of martial or spiritual ability.)

“I am familiar with Ascension. They become Immortals, right?”

“Yes, but sometimes, without ascending, masters who surpass ‘Deungbongjoguk’ return to a state of apparent normalcy. That state is called ‘Banbagwijin.’”

“Amazing, simply amazing.”

“It’s also my first time seeing someone in that state.”

“Then, we shouldn’t approach Hwasang Village.”

“Wise decision. I’ve heard that even the imperial court avoids interfering with the top masters of Murim. If they hold a grudge, not even the Imperial Guard could stop them.”

Namgung Cheon, with a horrified expression, shook his head.

“Make sure no one speaks of what happened today. And find out more about him. We must know who we’re dealing with.”

“Understood.”

Namgung Cheon thought for a moment and then asked:

“What do you think of his character?”

“I’m not sure.”

“You’re not sure?”

“He seemed to be from the Evil Faction, but by sparing Nam Cho-gyeol, he might have a good heart…”

Im Jiryeong hesitated, unsure.

“Why? Is something troubling you?”

“The fact that he intimidated a subcommander so easily makes me think he’s dangerous.”

“I understand.”

Namgung Cheon nodded, recognizing that there was a significant difference between how Yeon Jeokha treated Nam Cho-gyeol and how he had treated him.

“Who really is this man?”

————–

Kaifeng.

Sambobang.

What Sambobang valued in life were money, alcohol, and women. Naturally, their activities included usury, selling alcohol, and managing courtesans.

The leader of the outer division, Wan Jakyung, spoke cautiously to the leader, Nok Ilchwi.

“Sir, I’ve heard that Cheonhwabang plans to take Hwasang Village.”

Nok Ilchwi’s thick eyebrows furrowed. Cheonhwabang, located in the north of Kaifeng, was their biggest competitor.

“Hwasang, could it be profitable?”

“It has an inn and several shops. With good management, it could be lucrative.”

“Is there any faction that controls it?”

“Not yet. It seems Cheonhwabang is planning for the long term.”

“What could they gain from such a small place?”

“Small, but important. The inn alone attracts about a hundred merchants a month.”

Nok Ilchwi finally showed interest.

“Really? Perhaps establishing a brothel there could increase the revenue?”

“It would be much more profitable than just operating the inn.”

The two discussed it as if the inn already belonged to them.

Hwasang Village.

When the subcommander Namgung Cheon visited, Nam Cho-gyeol had discreetly retreated, worried that Yeon Jeokha might blame him.

After learning that Namgung Cheon had left, Nam Su-gyeong scolded her grandfather, who decided to ignore Yeon Jeokha’s free meals. He might have really been scammed and didn’t want to be unjust.

With his health still delicate, Nam Cho-gyeol left the management of the cash box to Sang Il-woon, checking the books once a day.

Unlike her grandfather, Nam Su-gyeong, full of youthful energy, dedicated herself to working at the inn all day.

Around noon, Nam Cho-gyeol asked Sangdo:

“What has Young Master Yeon been up to lately?”

“He’s at the suicide rock.”

“Does he not go anywhere else?”

“No.”

“I haven’t seen Su-gyeong.”

“Miss Su-gyeong left recently to bring tea to Young Master Yeon.”

“Tsk, why does she take care of him so much?”

Nam Cho-gyeol wasn’t pleased with the attention his granddaughter paid to Yeon Jeokha, but he understood that she had no friends her age.

If Yeon Jeokha were diligent and hardworking, he would make a good son-in-law, but he didn’t see him that way.

Nam Su-gyeong curiously looked at the sword next to Yeon Jeokha.

“Did you learn swordsmanship?”

“A little.”

“Wow! Then, you’re a man of Murim. I knew it.”

“Why? Do I look like a fighter?”

“No, you just didn’t seem interested in working, so I was curious.”

Nam Su-gyeong indirectly expressed that she thought he was lazy.

Yeon Jeokha defended himself:

“I’m not slacking off. Men of Murim only need to carry a sword to be working.”

“I know. I saw many like that in Kaifeng.”

“Are there many like me in Kaifeng?”

“Yes, they often came to the tea house where I worked.”

Nam Su-gyeong frowned as she remembered Nok Dam-pyeong.

“Why are you making that face? Did something bad happen?”

“Someone harassed me a lot.”

“Why?”

“He bothered me because I didn’t want to go out with him.”

“Why didn’t you go out with him?”

“Oh! How could I? If he hit me for not going out with him, what wouldn’t he do if I agreed?”

“Wow, that’s a real human waste. Why didn’t you report him? Your grandfather is good at that.”

Nam Su-gyeong laughed at Yeon Jeokha’s words.

“I was advised not to. They say the administration doesn’t interfere with men of Murim.”

“And what did you do? Did you hire an assassin?”

“No, I ran away with my grandfather here. It sounds a bit silly, right?”

“I don’t know. Everyone has their own way of handling things.”

“What would you have done?”

“In what sense?”

“If someone harassed you.”

“Friends take care of that.”

“What friend?”

“This one.”

Yeon Jeokha tapped the sword next to him.

“Ha! I’d like to have a friend like you.”

Although she referred to the sword, Yeon Jeokha interpreted it differently.

“Do you want to be my friend?”

Nam Su-gyeong smiled. Although she didn’t mean it that way, she didn’t dislike the idea of being friends with Yeon Jeokha.

There was something about him, perhaps his harmless appearance or his situation as a scam victim, that awakened her maternal instinct.

“Why? Don’t you want to?”

Yeon Jeokha scratched his head. Thinking about it, he had sworn brothers and elder sisters, but no friends.

“Miss Nam, a friend is someone you hang out with, talk to without reservations, and all that, right?”

“Ha! Yes.”

Nam Su-gyeong laughed at Yeon Jeokha’s childlike question.

“Not just that, friends help each other in tough times.”

“Oh, that sounds good! But I think your grandfather doesn’t want me here.”

“No, he’s a kind person. When he ran the inn, he always helped the hungry.”

“So, he just hates me?”

“It could be a misunderstanding. When he gets to know you better, he’ll treat you well. So, will we be friends?”

“Let’s do it.”

“From today?”

“Yes.”

“Would you say ‘yes’ to a friend? Talk to me informally.”

Nam Su-gyeong also started speaking more informally, despite the age difference.

“Oh, like this? I’ll talk informally then. It’s more comfortable for me too.”

“Are you from a noble family?”

“No, in Murim, if you’re strong, you’re the elder. If you’re weak, you’re the junior.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Are you strong?”

“At least stronger than Old Shim.”

“Ha! Stronger than him?”

Nam Su-gyeong laughed. To her, Shim Tong wasn’t much of a threat, even though he had carried Jang I-yu on his shoulders.

Thus, Nam Su-gyeong became Yeon Jeokha’s first friend.

—————

Cheonhwabang moved faster than Sambobang expected.

By dusk, five armed men and women had entered Hwasang Village.

They were the warriors of Cheonhwabang, ready to take Hwasang.

Ju Hwa-yeong, the leader of the group, observed the village and muttered:

“It’s small.”

Son Gye-yeong, a young man, commented:

“I don’t understand why the Boss is interested in this place.”

“A sparrow can’t comprehend the thoughts of a phoenix. Find the inn. We must return before dark.”

“I know. I was here a few years ago.”

Son Gye-yeong moved quickly, followed by Ju Hwa-yeong and the others.

After walking for a while, they saw a large building in the distance, next to the river.

“There’s the inn.”

Ju Hwa-yeong carefully observed the building and its surroundings.

Then she opened the inn door and entered.

“Welcome!”

Sangdo, the receptionist, greeted them enthusiastically.

As Ju Hwa-yeong’s group headed to the dining area, Sangdo quickly followed.

“Are you staying? Or just eating?”

Ju Hwa-yeong calmly replied:

“We’re from Cheonhwabang. Call the owner.”

“Yes, in a moment…”

Sangdo, with an uncomfortable expression, withdrew.

Someone looking for the owner again.

Every time someone asked for the owner, his heart sank.

‘I hope they haven’t sold the inn again…’

Sangdo prayed it wasn’t so as he ran to fetch Nam Cho-gyeol.

Shortly after, Nam Cho-gyeol appeared, followed by Sangdo.

Upon learning that Cheonhwabang was there, his face tensed.

It was obvious why they were seeking him.

In the big cities, inns were under the control of Murim factions. In areas without factions, the thugs from the Haomun (Hao Clan) collected the tributes.

‘Hwasang is remote and small, so Haomun never took an interest…’