Heavenly Inquisition Sword

Chapter 312: “The World is a Vast Place”

The Apprentice of the Supreme Tao, Yeon Mubaek, subtly inquired.

“Miss Namgung, why do you think the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors made such a proposal?”

All those present turned their gaze toward Namgung Yeon, the Incomparable Among Ten. The proposal from the leader of the Yoomyung Cult to halt the war was something no one had anticipated.

“By asking us to capture Red Moon Gong Chwisan alive, it seems that there has been internal strife.”

“That makes sense…”

Yeon Mubaek nodded, considering the reasoning sound.

At that moment, the Immortal Tairyong added a comment.

“Ah! When the leader offered us tea at the temple, she mentioned ‘ungrateful leaders.’ Wasn’t she referring to Red Moon? At the time, I thought she was just saying that, but…”

Upon hearing this, Shim Tong, the Old Dao of the Nine Heavens, opened his mouth in surprise.

“So, not only has Red Moon betrayed her? Why would they betray the leader during a war against the Heaven and Earth Alliance?”

Namgung Yeon continued.

“Although there has been internal conflict, I don’t think that’s the main reason.”

Yeon Mubaek looked at Namgung Yeon curiously.

“You’re saying there could be another reason?”

“The leader doesn’t seem to consider Red Moon’s betrayal as significant. If it were a threat to the existence of the Yoomyung Cult, she would have tried to conceal it. But she asked Yeon Jeokha to bring Red Moon. If she feared it would be known, she wouldn’t have done that.”

“That’s true.”

“Now that I think about it, you’re right.”

“With the leader’s skill and sorcery, that makes sense.”

The Three Immortals of Kunlun commented one after another.

Reflecting on it, Yeon Mubaek also nodded.

‘With the leader’s mystical skill and her spells…’

The Heaven and Earth Alliance in Chilriha Village has about three hundred men. With the leader, the Yoomyung Cult could face the Heaven and Earth Alliance even if it were divided in two.

“It’s impossible to understand that witch!”

With Yeon Mubaek’s sigh, the slightly lively atmosphere dimmed once more.

Then Namgung Yeon spoke.

“It would be better to keep the deal between the leader and Yeon Jeokha a secret. If the Grand Strategist finds out, he might accuse Yeon Jeokha of collaborating with the Yoomyung Cult.”

Yeon Mubaek added.

“We should also keep the leader’s mention of ungrateful leaders a secret.”

“You mean the mention of ingratitude?”

The Immortal Taiyi asked, and Yeon Mubaek nodded.

“Yes. If the Grand Strategist finds out, he might want to prolong the war. He doesn’t understand how dangerous the leader is and might insist that it’s time to destroy the Yoomyung Cult.”

“Ah!”

Finally, the Immortal Taiyi understood Yeon Mubaek’s concern.

If the Grand Strategist became too aggressive, it was better to convey only the leader’s message.

The Three Immortals of Kunlun didn’t hesitate to nod in agreement.

No one trusted Jegal Seun’s judgment.

When the conversation ended, the innkeeper brought the food.

After dinner, everyone followed the innkeeper to the upper floor.

Namgung Yeon was given a room to herself.

The other two rooms were occupied by the Three Immortals of Kunlun, Yeon Jeokha and Shim Tong, and Yeon Mubaek.

Upon entering the room first, Shim Tong frowned.

The room was quite spacious, but there were only two beds. Someone would have to sleep on the floor.

Although better than sleeping outdoors, no one wanted to sleep on the floor next to the beds.

When Yeon Jeokha and Yeon Mubaek entered, Shim Tong quickly sat on one of the beds.

“Ah! This is comfortable. Young Master Yeon, I apologize for the inconvenience, but you’ll have to go to the other room.”

“You want me to leave?”

“Isn’t there a bed free in Miss Namgung’s room?”

Yeon Jeokha, surprised, stammered.

“N-No, don’t say that.”

“Why are you so surprised? In the world of martial arts, we shouldn’t differentiate between men and women. ‘The world is a vast place,’ as they say.”

“But still, how can I…”

“Then, I’ll ask for permission to use the bed in Miss Namgung’s room. ‘The world is vast,’ after all.”

Shim Tong made a motion to stand up, but Yeon Jeokha quickly approached and pressed him down with both hands.

“Sit down. I’ll go.”

“Really? Then I’ll use this bed.”

“Yes, use it.”

Fearing that Shim Tong might change his mind, Yeon Jeokha hurried out of the room.

After Yeon Jeokha’s footsteps faded, Yeon Mubaek spoke.

“It seems that in Nokrim, they use that expression that way.”

“Of course not. What’s the point of having an empty bed? It’s better to use it.”

“It’s dangerous. Miss Namgung’s name could be dragged through the mud.”

“Anyway, soon the relationship between Young Master Yeon and Miss Namgung will be known.”

“Hmm.”

Yeon Mubaek snorted disapprovingly but said no more.

It was true that Yeon Jeokha and Namgung Yeon were inextricably linked.

Instead of going directly to Namgung Yeon’s room, Yeon Jeokha went downstairs to the dining area.

His face blushed with embarrassment, and he couldn’t bring himself to face Namgung Yeon.

He sat down and drank cold tea while listening to some light footsteps behind him.

Looking over his shoulder, his face lit up.

“Sister? Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“I couldn’t sleep. And you?”

Namgung Yeon sat down in front of him.

Waiting for her to settle in, Yeon Jeokha quickly responded.

“I couldn’t sleep either.”

“You worked hard today. Without you, we would all have died in the formation.”

“Oh, I didn’t do anything. You and the Three Immortals of Kunlun did all the work.”

Yeon Jeokha scratched his head.

What good was cutting through the clouds for a moment?

In the end, it was thanks to Namgung Yeon that he could easily handle the stone giant.

“I only set the chopsticks on an already prepared table.”

Namgung Yeon just smiled.

Someone else might understand, but he didn’t know how significant his effort was.

‘He doesn’t realize how impressive he was.’

She decided not to explain.

It was better for him not to be content with his skill.

“By the way, sister.”

“Yes?”

“Why did you oppose my promise to withdraw Nokrim from the Heaven and Earth Alliance? I just wanted to receive the antidote and be done with it, but you opposed it.”

“Have you heard of the power of words?”

“Yes.”

“The leader wields that power. Believe it or not, she doesn’t lie. To use that power, one must be sincere. People who constantly change their words don’t have that power.”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“We don’t know much about the type of sorcery she uses. By making a promise, you could fall under her influence. What if the antidote becomes ineffective?”

“Oh…”

Finally, Yeon Jeokha understood why Namgung Yeon insisted on an honest response.

“Then, we’ll have to bring Red Moon to the leader.”

“Yes. She said you knew the importance of your words. That has to do with her magic.”

“Wow! That’s scary. I better not talk to her anymore.”

Yeon Jeokha shook his head.

For someone accustomed to lying and exaggeration like him, the leader of the Yoomyung Cult was too dangerous.

After about thirty minutes, Namgung Yeon yawned lightly, feeling tired.

“If you’re tired, you should go rest first.”

“Let’s go together.”

Namgung Yeon looked at him intently.

She didn’t want to leave him alone.

Yeon Jeokha blushed and murmured.

“Do you know what ‘the world is vast’ means?”

“Yes.”

“It means that in the world of martial arts, we don’t distinguish between men and women.”

“Who told you that?”

“Shim Tong.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“He said there were only two beds and suggested I use your bed.”

“Ah!”

Namgung Yeon nodded.

“Did you give him your bed?”

“Yes, because he said he would use your bed if I didn’t. He told me that in the world of martial arts, we don’t distinguish between men and women.”

“Then, let’s go.”

“Can I really use it?”

“Yes, but only you and I. Don’t do this with other women. Especially with those who use such words; they tend to be womanizers.”

“Did that old man deceive me?”

“He must have hated sleeping on the floor. Isn’t he still unwell?”

“That old man lies every time he opens his mouth. I won’t let it slide.”

Yeon Jeokha grumbled but didn’t rush to the room.

Instead, Namgung Yeon consoled him, and he followed her, pretending to relent.

The next morning.

Yeon Jeokha and Namgung Yeon got up a bit late and went down to the dining area.

The five who were already having breakfast looked at them in unison.

Shim Tong, observing their faces, was the first to greet them.

“Young Master Yeon, did you sleep well last night?”

“Shut up.”

“Oh, yes.”

Shim Tong said nothing more and focused on eating.

The Three Immortals of Kunlun, accustomed to their bickering, continued eating without batting an eye.

After breakfast, they left the inn.

Shim Tong approached Yeon Jeokha and whispered.

“Young Master Yeon, the truth is…”

Yeon Jeokha raised a finger to indicate he should remain silent.

“Oh, yes, yes.”

Shim Tong observed Yeon Jeokha’s face.

He didn’t seem as angry as before. In fact, his expression was warm.

At first, he thought he had tricked him into keeping the bed, but now he wasn’t so sure.

Yeon Jeokha patted him on the shoulder and moved forward.

‘Young Master Yeon, could it be…?’

Shim Tong couldn’t believe how much he had grown.

Until yesterday, he seemed like a child, but today he looked like a true leader of Nokrim.

Henan Province.

Luoyang.

White Horse Temple.

Early in the morning, the Seven Great Demon Generals were gathered in the Reception Hall.

Normally, the meetings were led by Martial Mountain Maiden Lee Maewha.

But today was different.

Red Moon Gong Chwisan was leading the meeting.

“…That’s why the temples of Ilwon, Sinwol, and Eunha, as well as Chowa Village, have decided to leave the Yoomyung Cult.”

When Gong Chwisan finished speaking, Lee Maewha shouted.

“Are they betraying the leader?”

“It’s not betrayal. As I said, we’ve realized that our paths are different.”

“Different paths? We must follow the leader without question! How can you say that?”

Gong Chwisan slammed the table.

“Follow the leader without question! Do you think only certain bloodlines can rule? Anyone who trains can become the Heavenly Demon King. We will make that a reality.”

“Oh! Do you have the mantra of the Heavenly Demon King?”

“Yes. We know the mantra of the Demon Warriors, the Great Demon Generals, and the Heavenly Demon King. Do you still think we should follow the leader without question?”

Faced with Gong Chwisan’s words, Lee Maewha couldn’t refute and just blinked.