Heavenly Inquisition Sword

Chapter 259: The Best Revenge

Henan Province.

Zhengzhou.

Chilriha Village.

Uicheon Hall of the Heaven and Earth Alliance.

Around 11 a.m.

In the central hall, two people were sitting across from each other, sipping tea. They were Namgung Cheon, the Blue Cloud Swordsman, and Namgung Yeon, the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower. Since Uicheon Hall had been used by the Namgung Family since the days of the Heaven and Earth Alliance, there were no outsiders present. With the battle set to commence in three days, everyone was out training, leaving the Namgung Family members alone.

“I’ve heard that there’s a woman called the Lady of the Black Lotus who has been following Jeokha everywhere lately.”

“……”

Namgung Yeon nodded expressionlessly. Seok Ryeoshi, known as the Lady of the Black Lotus, had been trailing Yeon Jeokha since she arrived in Chilriha.

“The young men from the Seven Sects and the Five Great Families can’t stop talking about it. They say that the Lady of the Black Lotus is following Jeokha, and many can’t stand it.”

“Do you also like the Lady of the Black Lotus?”

“Of course. What man wouldn’t like a beautiful woman?”

“How shallow.”

“Shallow? It’s the law of nature. Women like handsome men too.”

“Not all women are like that.”

At Namgung Yeon’s remark, Namgung Cheon quickly changed the subject.

“Yeon, do you think that being smart is the only talent? Being beautiful is a talent too. It’s not a crime to admire a talented and handsome young man.”

“Nobody said it was a crime. I just said it was shallow.”

“Are you saying that all the young men of the Heaven and Earth Alliance are shallow? Is it shallow to feel happy when seeing a beautiful flower?”

“Women aren’t flowers.”

“Don’t you like the Lady of the Black Lotus?”

Namgung Cheon’s direct question caught Namgung Yeon off guard, leaving her silent for a moment. Though the Lady of the Black Lotus was in Nokrim, she hadn’t committed any evil deeds. She was only considered part of Nokrim because her father was the Grand Chaeju, similar to how Yeon Jeokha joined Nokrim after being rescued by Pung Yeoncho.

Known as the “Flower of the Evil Faction” and “the most beautiful woman north of the river,” the Lady of the Black Lotus had never been involved in any romantic scandals. In many ways, she was similar to Yeon Jeokha. How could she not like someone like that?

Namgung Yeon realized she was finding reasons not to dislike the Lady of the Black Lotus, as if she was trying hard not to hate her.

Namgung Cheon looked at her amusedly and said:

“From your expression, it seems you don’t like her. Have I guessed right? You don’t like the Lady of the Black Lotus.”

“Don’t jump to conclusions.”

“Yeon, don’t try to deny it with that transparent face. I know why you don’t like her.”

Namgung Yeon’s heart raced.

‘Have my feelings been that obvious?’

She hoped she wasn’t that transparent.

“Why don’t I like her?”

“Women have a strange tendency not to like beautiful women. All men know this. That’s why they say a woman’s enemy is another woman. You, being a woman, are no exception.”

Namgung Cheon looked at his sister with a triumphant smile.

Namgung Yeon sighed in relief inwardly.

“Brother.”

“What? Are you going to deny it?”

“Do you like the Lady of the Black Lotus more than Jin Seolha?”

“……”

The sudden mention of Jin Seolha left Namgung Cheon speechless. He had met Jin Seolha of the Changin Sect while traveling with Yeon Jeokha to pacify Nokrim. After a year of traveling together, he had grown fond of her. When he saw her again at the Heaven and Earth Alliance, he was very happy. Lately, he had been seeking her out in the Blue Dragon Division.

“How did you know?”

“What?”

Namgung Yeon, knowing the answer, made him confess.

“That I like Jin Seolha.”

“A butterfly fluttering around a flower is quite obvious.”

“That obvious?”

“After so many times, do you expect no one to notice? Besides, someone like you stands out even if you do nothing.”

“Do you think Jin Seolha knows?”

“I don’t know. If she isn’t foolish, she probably does.”

“……”

Namgung Cheon looked at his sister, hoping for some favorable prediction.

“There isn’t a woman in the world who wouldn’t like you, brother.”

“I don’t care about the rest. What about Jin Seolha?”

“If Jin Seolha were a man, she’d hate you.”

“Why?”

“Because the girl she likes would also like you. Have more confidence, brother.”

Namgung Cheon grinned from ear to ear.

“Of course, of course. How could I forget that I’m the Blue Cloud Swordsman? My nickname isn’t for nothing.”

Embarrassed, Namgung Cheon got up and headed towards the training field.

After a few steps, he stopped and muttered.

“Our family has had its share of misfortune, but don’t let that stop you from seeking happiness. Don’t dedicate your life to the Namgung Family. Neither I nor our father want that. Yeon, the best revenge is to live happily.”

With that, he quickly left without looking back.

Namgung Yeon, deep in thought, stood up from her seat after a while.

—————-

Upon leaving the Heaven and Earth Alliance, Namgung Yeon stopped in front of a restaurant called Baekrihyang. It was too early for lunch, so the place was quiet.

This was Yeon Jeokha and the Lady of the Black Lotus’s favorite place. It seemed that they had just finished renovating the doors and windows.

After briefly glancing inside, she continued walking east. As she moved forward, the street filled with rough-looking men. However, she paid them no attention, walking with determination.

Some thugs approached, drawn by her beauty, but veered off upon recognizing her.

Heart-Reading Solitary Flower Namgung Yeon was not only known for her wisdom but also for her martial skills. Some even called her the “Warrior Empress.”

After passing through the village, she saw a humble house on a hill. Her firm steps slowed, and she finally stopped, biting her lips as she hesitated. Finally, she decided to proceed.

As she approached, she heard feminine laughter behind the fence. It was likely the Lady of the Black Lotus. Not many people could laugh like that in front of Yeon Jeokha.

Namgung Yeon pushed the gate open and stepped into the yard. The laughter ceased immediately.

From inside the house, a male voice asked:

“Who’s there?”

“It’s me, Senior Shim.”

As soon as Namgung Yeon spoke, the door flew open, and Yeon Jeokha came running out barefoot.

“Oh! What brings you here, sister? Where’s older brother?”

Yeon Jeokha looked around, searching for Namgung Cheon, who was usually with her.

Namgung Yeon smiled and said:

“He’s out strolling, looking at flowers.”

“Ha! A man looking at flowers? Older brother always amuses me.”

Shim Tong, who had followed Yeon Jeokha, greeted her respectfully from the porch.

“Welcome, Miss Namgung. Young Master, even if you’re in a hurry, you shouldn’t go out barefoot.”

Yeon Jeokha shook his feet and climbed onto the porch.

“I didn’t go out; I just fell off the porch. This place is too small.”

Namgung Yeon smiled and followed Yeon Jeokha inside.

The Lady of the Black Lotus, who had been inside, came out curiously. The Lady of the Black Lotus and Namgung Yeon’s eyes met in the air.

The Lady of the Black Lotus, an innocent beauty, and Namgung Yeon, an intellectual beauty, were polar opposites.

“Oh! Isn’t this the Heart-Reading Solitary Flower? Nice to meet you! I’m the Lady of the Black Lotus.”

The Lady of the Black Lotus, raised under the protection of the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord, immediately addressed Namgung Yeon as sister.

“Nice to meet you too, Miss Seok.”

Namgung Yeon’s response made the Lady of the Black Lotus pout.

“Sister, call me Lady of the Black Lotus. I prefer that name.”

“Alright.”

Namgung Yeon suddenly felt exhausted.

Raised under the strict norms of the Five Great Families, it was difficult for her to easily relate to others like the Lady of the Black Lotus.

Although she had changed her personality since meeting Yeon Jeokha, she couldn’t change her nature.

Noticing her expression, Yeon Jeokha quickly led her inside.

“Come in, sister.”

The Lady of the Black Lotus, pouting, followed them.

Soon, the four of them were seated in the narrow room.

Shim Tong, after observing in silence, awkwardly stood up.

“Oh dear! I forgot I had a lunch appointment with Elder Baek.”

“With whom?”

Yeon Jeokha looked at him suspiciously.

The sudden mention of an appointment seemed suspicious.

“Baek Gyo, who moved to Jeokpung Stronghold after the incident at the Five Peaks. He insisted on treating me to lunch.”

“Are you still meeting with that traitor?”

Baek Gyo had fled when the Five Peaks was attacked by the Mansu Chamber of Commerce.

“Jeokpung Stronghold has a difficult temperament. It seems he’s just surviving there. He came with Jeokpung Stronghold and saw me from afar. He insisted on treating me to lunch.”

“You’re not trying to avoid small tasks, are you?”

“Not at all, Young Master. Serving you is my greatest honor.”

“Alright. Serve the tea before you go.”

“Young Master, preparing tea will take some time.”

“It sounds like you don’t want to meet the traitor.”

“I’ll prepare it right away.”

At Yeon Jeokha’s firm response, Shim Tong had no choice but to comply.

Then, the Lady of the Black Lotus spoke to Yeon Jeokha.

“Brother, you should treat Senior Shim better. I feel sorry for him.”

With her amiable nature, she had started calling Yeon Jeokha brother within a few days.

“It’s not that. Old Shim owes me a lot. I need to make sure he pays it back before he dies.”

The simple Lady of the Black Lotus thought the debt was monetary.

“How much does he owe you?”

“So much that he couldn’t repay it even by serving me his entire life.”

“How could an old man need that much money?”

Namgung Yeon smiled, observing the conversation between the Lady of the Black Lotus and Yeon Jeokha.

Seeing the young and pretty Lady of the Black Lotus, she thought she made a good match with Yeon Jeokha.

Watching her closely, she realized that she had a peculiar similarity to Yeon Jeokha, even talking a lot.

The longer she remained silent, the more uncomfortable she felt.

After about fifteen minutes, when Shim Tong brought the tea, Namgung Yeon had already decided to leave.

Shim Tong served the tea and quickly exited.

While holding the hot cup, the Lady of the Black Lotus spoke to Namgung Yeon.

“Sister, did you know that Yeon likes someone?”

“……”

“He won’t tell me who it is, no matter how much I ask. Sister, did you know?”

Namgung Yeon shook her head, struggling to maintain her composure.

She didn’t know that Yeon Jeokha had someone else in mind. She felt as if the sky was collapsing and stopped hearing anything else.

Despite being a genius, she was naive in matters of the heart.