Heavenly Inquisition Sword

Chapter 311: “Are You Saying You Will End the War?”

The Three Immortals of Kunlun gazed at the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors with calm expressions.

No one doubted anymore that the leader’s mastery in magic and sorcery was as impressive as her martial arts skills.

It was astonishing that a person could achieve such mastery in both disciplines.

However, the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors was equally surprised.

She hadn’t expected the Three Immortals of Kunlun to dissolve the Celestial and Earthly Eight Trigrams formation so quickly, and she genuinely admired them for it.

The Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors poured tea into three cups.

“This is Liubao tea. The ungrateful leaders of the factions brought it. I have nothing better to offer you. Please, feel comfortable and enjoy.”

Although the leader said this lightly, the Three Immortals of Kunlun couldn’t laugh.

They were trying to grasp the meaning behind the Liubao tea and the ingratitude she mentioned.

“Not killing the guardian of the Earth Gate, the Bodhisattva of Vajra, also known as the Bodhisattva of Diamond, was a wise decision. The Eight Emperors are my precious disciples. If he had died…”

The Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors shook her head.

The Three Immortals of Kunlun shuddered under her cold gaze.

She had said “enjoy,” but immediately exuded a murderous intent, making them uneasy.

“But don’t worry. You are my guests now.”

“…”

The faces of the Three Immortals of Kunlun relaxed slightly.

The leader of the Yoomyung Cult referred to them as guests, so at least for today, they would be safe.

“As you know, the Yoomyung Cult embraces both Taoism and Buddhism. Although we cannot do so now, we plan to have exchanges with Taoist temples in the future. I hope to establish a good relationship with the Kunlun Sect as well.”

The Three Immortals of Kunlun nodded formally.

It was an innovative idea, but they doubted any Taoist temple would want to interact with the notorious Yoomyung Cult.

“How long have you been practicing? How did you manage to see through the power of the Six Spirits and Six Gods?”

Immortal Taiyi took a sip of tea before answering, buying time to think about how much to reveal.

“In the Kunlun Sect, we have a technique called Spiritual Vision, also known as the Divine Eye Technique. With it, we could see the spiritual power.”

“Ah, a mystical technique. What level of skill is required to use it?”

The Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors was interested in the skill level of the Three Immortals of Kunlun.

Immortal Taiyi responded slowly.

“One must surpass the stage of Spiritual Enlightenment. By polishing the Sun Spirit with an empty heart, the Spiritual Eye opens.”

Although the explanation was vague, the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors understood immediately.

“Ah! You speak of the practice of Reflecting the Spirit and Returning to the Void. Have all three of you gone through this?”

The Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors countered with a Taoist term, prompting Immortal Taiyi to change the subject.

“After experiencing the Celestial and Earthly Eight Trigrams formation, we realized we were frogs in a well. The leader and the Eight Emperors must be at the Spirit Mobilization stage.”

The Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors nodded frankly.

“Ten years ago, I achieved the Union of Void and Way. Now I am in the process of Vitality Nourishment. The Eight Emperors are in the final stage of Reflecting the Spirit and Returning to the Void.”

“…”

Immortal Taiyi held his breath for a moment.

Although the leader said it casually, her words were truly shocking.

For practitioners of sorcery, achieving the Union of Void and Way was a monumental accomplishment.

“Incredible! Reflecting the Spirit and Returning to the Void requires thirty years of practice, and achieving the Union of Void and Way takes another thirty years. Vitality Nourishment is the path to immortality…”

Looking at the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors, she seemed to be no more than fifty years old.

Immortal Taiyi was curious, but he dared not ask her age.

“Do you have any other questions? If not, I will ask one.”

The Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors looked at the Three Immortals of Kunlun with burning eyes.

She wanted to discover if the Kunlun Sect had any secrets to immortality.

After half an hour, the sanctuary doors opened again.

The Three Immortals of Kunlun emerged, looking exhausted.

The Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors spoke.

“Today, out of respect for these new friends, I will forgive your offenses. Do not come near Pungji Mountain again. And Jang Mudeok.”

Surprised to be addressed, Jang Mudeok looked at the leader.

“Tell the Justice Alliance Leader that the Yoomyung Cult does not desire war. If they withdraw from Zhengzhou, we will also retreat to our base in Luoyang.”

“Are you saying you will end the war?”

“Yes. If they wish to continue, I will go to Luoyang and uproot the Justice Alliance. You don’t want that, do you?”

“Should I believe your words?”

Jang Mudeok asked distrustfully, but the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors did not respond.

Namgung Yeon intervened.

“Great Swordmaster Jang, I believe the leader is telling the truth.”

Surprised, Jang Mudeok did not argue.

The Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors smiled contemptuously.

“Hmph! The trust in the Incomparable Among Ten is admirable. As she said, I never lie. What I promise, I fulfill.”

The Three Immortals of Kunlun nodded.

In the practice of Vitality Nourishment, sincerity was crucial.

Although the leader followed the path of demons, she would not lie, as it would affect her practice.

Jang Mudeok stopped doubting.

“I will deliver the message. I appreciate your decision to end the war.”

Jang Mudeok bowed to the leader.

If the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors and the Eight Emperors joined the war, the Justice Alliance would not last a day.

Ending the war was a great relief.

“Now, leave Pungji Mountain. As you depart, the Eight Emperors will restore the formation.”

“Yes.”

With that response, the temple doors closed with a bang.

The Eight Emperors looked at Jang Mudeok.

The message was clear: they had to leave.

Jang Mudeok glanced around the temple.

After the recent experience, it was a miracle they were alive.

“Let’s go.”

Jang Mudeok, fearful of a change of heart from the leader, quickly left the temple.

No one spoke a word as they descended Pungji Mountain.

What they had experienced there had left them in a state of shock.

The Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors, the Eight Emperors, and the Celestial and Earthly Eight Trigrams formation were forces capable of changing the fate of the Murim.

Although they hadn’t witnessed the leader’s martial arts, just her sorcery was enough to intimidate them.

Finally, they descended the mountain by dusk.

They continued walking, wanting to get as far away from Pungji Mountain as possible.

The moonlight made the path easier.

When they began to tire, Jang Mudeok pointed to a dark building by the roadside.

It was a small inn with no sign.

“It’s late, and we haven’t eaten yet. Let’s wake up the owner. Here, I don’t think we’ll be turned away. What do you think?”

“Agreed.”

“So do I.”

“So do I.”

The Three Immortals of Kunlun accepted Jang Mudeok’s suggestion.

In a city, the owner might turn them away, but in this place, they would likely be welcomed.

Jang Mudeok looked at Yeon Jeokha and Namgung Yeon.

He had gotten used to asking their opinion since the experience in the formation.

They didn’t object.

Jang Mudeok then headed to the inn’s entrance.

Shim Tong muttered under his breath.

“Why don’t they ask me? Am I the only one from Nokrim here? Yeon Jeokha is also from Nokrim.”

Jang Mudeok turned to him.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing, nothing.”

Shim Tong lowered his gaze, avoiding confrontation.

Jang Mudeok knocked on the door.

“Who is it at this hour?”

“Travelers seeking food and lodging. May we come in?”

“Yes, yes, wait a moment.”

The sleepy voice of the owner changed to a more energetic tone.

Soon, an elderly man opened the door.

“Oh! Seven people?”

“Don’t you have enough space?”

“No, we have three large rooms. It will be a bit tight, but you can stay.”

The owner led them inside, happy to have customers.

“I will bring food shortly. In the meantime, I’ll prepare the rooms.”

“Thank you.”

The owner hurried to the kitchen.

The small inn offered only a fixed menu.

The seven sat down, occupying half of the dining area.

The atmosphere relaxed for the first time since their encounter with the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors.

Yeon Jeokha drank his tea in one gulp.

“Ah! Refreshing. Now I feel alive. If I go back to Pungji Mountain, I’m Old Shim’s son.”

Shim Tong laughed.

“I’ll remember that. They say a man’s word is as good as gold. Soon you’ll have a son you didn’t expect. How wonderful!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Did you forget that you promised to take Red Moon to the leader? You’ll have to go back to Pungji Mountain.”

“Hmph! You know one thing but not the other. Do you think the leader will stay on Pungji Mountain forever? She will come down. For sure.”

Immortal Taiyi commented.

“Now that I think about it, we never found out why the leader is on Wind Mountain.”

Namgung Yeon turned to him.

“You spoke with the leader for a long time. Didn’t you find out?”

“The leader focused on the immortality technique. We didn’t have time for anything else.”

The mention of the immortality technique didn’t surprise anyone.

For Taoists without special abilities, immortality was a modest desire.

Yeon Jeokha said.

“Sister, if the war ends, what does it matter what the leader does on Pungji Mountain? We’ve succeeded.”

“I agree. The Grand Strategist won’t be able to complain this time.”

The Three Immortals of Kunlun nodded.

The exploration team had achieved a great feat for the Justice Alliance.