Heavenly Inquisition Sword

Chapter 313: “So, do you have the power?”

The Demon of Illusion, Ungjaegwi, recovered from the shock and asked:

“Only the Holy Mother of the Eight Emperors knows the mantra of the Heavenly Demon King. How do you all know it?”

“If we say we know it, it’s because we do. Why? Are you interested?”

Bang Cheongak, the Hammer of Evil, intervened on behalf of Gong Chwisan to shield him from the criticism.

Ungjaegwi looked at Bang Cheongak with disbelief.

“Did you assassinate the Holy Mother during the war against the Justice Alliance?”

“Hmph! Don’t be mistaken. The Holy Mother had no interest in the war against the Justice Alliance. So, know that the war and the Holy Mother are unrelated.”

Bang Cheongak avoided speaking about the assassination of the Holy Mother.

“Did you really assassinate the Holy Mother?”

At Ungjaegwi’s insistence, Gong Chwisan responded in his place.

“If the Holy Mother were dead, would the world be this peaceful? Could we endure the reincarnation of the Heavenly Demon King? The Holy Mother is still alive, so don’t worry too much.”

Ungjaegwi looked at the traitors in astonishment.

There was no longer any reverence towards the Holy Mother in his words.

“What have you done to the Holy Mother?”

“Have you heard of the ‘Yin Yang Poison’?”

Ungjaegwi, being a sorcerer, nodded. Sorcerers often had diverse knowledge.

“We released the Yin Yang Poison on the Holy Mother. Now, she and we are one. As long as she doesn’t antagonize us, there won’t be any problems between us.”

“Oh!”

Ungjaegwi’s mouth gaped wide.

‘They used the Yin Yang Poison to subdue the Holy Mother and learn the mantra of the Heavenly Demon King!’

This time, Bang Cheongak added a comment.

“We have the mantra of the Heavenly Demon King. If you join us, we’ll teach it to you as well. No one can become the Heavenly Demon King while the Holy Mother lives. Do you want to spend your life serving the Holy Mother as a Great Demon General?”

However, neither Martial Mountain Maiden Lee Maehwa, Lunar Fairy, nor Ungjaegwi were easily convinced.

In addition to their loyalty to the Holy Mother, they were still unsure of the truth of these claims.

Lee Maehwa spoke cautiously.

“We’ve heard what you’ve said. We need time to think. Meanwhile, we must plan our strategy against the Justice Alliance, don’t you think?”

Lee Maehwa looked at the traitors.

With a ratio of four to three, the Holy Mother had fewer allies, so they couldn’t blame the traitors.

Instead, it was more realistic to address the immediate problems.

If the traitors separated from the Yoomyung Cult, the war against the Justice Alliance would become more complicated.

The war was also a problem for the traitors.

Cheok Jingyeong, the Swordsman of Chaos, was the first to understand Lee Maehwa.

“Lady Maehwa is right. If we split up without resolving the problem of the Justice Alliance, it would be like cooking only to give the food to someone else.”

At this, Kang Sangpi, the Celestial Blood Demon, muttered.

“This is all the fault of the Holy Mother. Without her, we can’t defeat the Justice Alliance. But how can we depend on her if she hides in the Five Peaks Mountain and has no intention of coming out?”

Lee Maehwa glanced at him.

“Have you met with the Holy Mother in the Five Peaks Mountain?”

“Yes. She showed no interest in the war against the Justice Alliance. Do you think Gong Chwisan used the Yin Yang Poison for no reason? Even if we all die, the Holy Mother won’t bat an eye.”

“Then, you’re saying we should make decisions about the Justice Alliance on our own?”

“Exactly.”

“In that case, why don’t we end the war here? The Justice Alliance would likely welcome us.”

Lee Maehwa’s proposal left everyone in silence.

In the quiet, the traitors and the Holy Mother’s followers nodded.

The end of the war would allow them to move freely.

The traitors wanted to establish their own sanctuary elsewhere.

The Holy Mother’s followers also wanted to verify her status.

To do this, it was essential to establish a new relationship with the Justice Alliance.

Gong Chwisan looked at the traitors.

Since they used the Yin Yang Poison on the Holy Mother, he implicitly represented them.

Bang Cheongak, Cheok Jingyeong, and Kang Sangpi nodded.

“It’s a reasonable proposal. If we separate without a plan, we’ll only destroy ourselves. First, let’s end the war. Lady Maehwa, can you ensure that the Justice Alliance won’t regroup?”

“We can adjust the terms of peace. The leaders of the righteous sects value their honor, so once they commit, it will be difficult for them to regroup.”

“Then please, lead the peace negotiations. Until peace is secured, no one is to leave the White Horse Temple. From now on, anyone who leaves will be considered a traitor and will be eliminated. Do we agree?”

Gong Chwisan stared at Lee Maehwa.

He had to prevent the Holy Mother’s followers from heading to Five Peaks Mountain.

Now, their true enemies were not the Justice Alliance, but themselves.

Lee Maehwa understood his intentions but agreed willingly.

First, they needed to end the war.

The issues with the traitors could be discussed after meeting with the Holy Mother.

“Agreed. That’s exactly what I wanted to propose. If any of you leave the White Horse Temple, the Justice Alliance will reject the peace proposal. Until peace is secured, keep our actions secret.”

Lee Maehwa was especially courteous to the traitors.

That was a signal to Lunar Fairy and Ungjaegwi, followers of the Holy Mother.

They shouldn’t provoke the traitors.

“We also wish for the war to end. From now on, we leave the peace negotiations to you. Please, do it well.”

Gong Chwisan bowed to Lee Maehwa.

They were no longer in the same group, so he showed respect.

Early June.

Henan Province.

Zhengzhou.

Chiliha Village.

Finally, the reconnaissance group returned.

However, the atmosphere in the Justice Alliance was different.

There was talk of peace negotiations between the Yoomyung Cult and the Justice Alliance, so Five Peaks Mountain was not a priority.

Fortunately, the reconnaissance group’s report was brief.

They didn’t have much to report, which was a relief.

Even so, the chief strategist, Jegal Seun, looked for a flaw in their report.

“So you don’t know why the Holy Mother remains in Five Peaks Mountain?”

Jang Mudeok gazed out the window.

As the group leader, he should respond, but his pride as one of the Ten Heroes prevented him from doing so.

The young Namgung Yeon, the Incomparable among Ten, and the Grand Inspector of Nokrim, Yeon Jeokha, were not the ones to speak.

Finally, the Immortal Taiyi responded.

“At the entrance to Five Peaks Mountain, there was an ancient formation called the ‘Formation of the Eight Trigrams of Heaven and Earth.’”

The Immortal Taiyi shuddered at the memory.

“We barely escaped and found the Holy Mother. She knew we had broken through the formation. What happened afterward was as Grandmaster Jang said. The Holy Mother showed a great interest in immortality.”

“You mean to say that the Holy Mother remains in Five Peaks Mountain only for immortality?”

Jegal Seun’s sarcastic tone caused Taiyi to fall silent.

The unprecedented war in the Murim and immortality didn’t seem compatible.

This time, Jegal Seun addressed Namgung Yeon.

He wanted to ridicule her, but he was unsuccessful.

“I would like to hear the Incomparable among Ten’s opinion on the Holy Mother. What do you think?”

“What part are you interested in?”

“Do you also believe that the Holy Mother remains in Five Peaks Mountain only for immortality?”

“That matter was already explained by the Immortal Taiyi.”

“Ah, but I’m interested in your opinion.”

“In terms of sorcery, it would be better to ask the Sorcerers of Kunlun rather than a Martial Artist like me.”

“If you avoid answering, why include you in the reconnaissance group? I expected insightful analysis, but I’m a bit disappointed.”

Jegal Seun’s sarcastic comment caused the room to murmur.

Some criticized his harshness, while others agreed with him.

Namgung Yeon said nothing.

She knew that arguing with Jegal Seun would only leave wounds.

Seeing that she didn’t respond, Jegal Seun changed the subject.

“Then, we conclude the reconnaissance group’s report. Next topic…”

“Hey, Strategist Jegal. I have a question.”

Yeon Jeokha interrupted Jegal Seun.

Jegal Seun frowned and turned to him.

Yeon Jeokha’s dismissive tone annoyed him, but he held back his anger because he was the Grand Inspector of Nokrim.

“What would you like to know, Inspector Yeon?”

“You dismissed immortality, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t dismiss it. If it seemed that way, I misspoke. And?”

“Do you know sorcery?”

“I only know it in theory. I haven’t practiced, so I have no magical power.”

“Rubbish! If you have no magical power, what are you boasting about knowing? The Formation of the Eight Trigrams of Heaven and Earth is like being blind to anyone without magical power. Do you understand? The opponent is the Holy Mother, who has reached the highest realm not only in internal energy but also in magical power. How can you say ‘only immortality’ when you know nothing? Can you? Can’t you?”

“I said ‘only immortality’ because someone like the Sect Master…”

“Do you have magical power?”

“No, but my knowledge of sorcery…”

“If you have no magical power, it’s child’s play. The Grand Strategist is child’s play. Ask the Three Immortals of Kunlun. Am I right or not? Three Immortals of Kunlun, am I right?”

The Three Immortals of Kunlun avoided eye contact with Yeon Jeokha, turning their heads from side to side.

They didn’t want to insult the Grand Strategist in public.

Jegal Seun seethed with anger at Yeon Jeokha’s mockery.

“Inspector Yeon, how can you call the Grand Strategist and General Commander of the Alliance child’s play? You’ve crossed the line.”

“So what? Do you have magical power?”

“I already told you I don’t have magical power! Still, I am perfectly capable…”

“General Commander, is a blacksmith who makes good swords a master of swordsmanship?”

“How could he be? A blacksmith is merely…”

“Yes, he only knows about swords. You’re the same. Don’t speak lightly just because you know a little about magic. Do you think immortality is easy? No one knows what evil acts the Holy Mother might commit to achieve it.”

In fact, Yeon Jeokha was only arguing with Jegal Seun because he disliked him.

But as he spoke passionately, it seemed as if there was a great secret between Immortality and the Holy Mother.

His delivery was so compelling that even the Three Immortals of Kunlun nodded their heads.

In the end, the Immortal Tairyeong, who had been holding back, intervened:

“Certainly, the Holy Mother’s obsession with the ‘Secret of Immortality’ was not normal. She repeated the same story countless times for nearly half an hour (1 hour).”

“Oh!”

“Really!”

“Ha!”

Exclamations came from the mouths of those present in the meeting room.

Immortality can be considered the foundation of Taoist cultivation.

That’s why they had dismissed it, but the word “secret” gave it deep meaning.

People no longer thought Yeon Jeokha was being unreasonable with Jegal Seun.

Jegal Seun sensed this atmosphere.

If he continued attacking Yeon Jeokha, it would seem as though he was the one being stubborn.

‘Damn it. How dare you insult me. I won’t let this go.’