Heavenly Inquisition Sword

Episode 322. The Main Enemy Will Change

Guiyeong Ja thought he had heard wrong.

In Nokrim, only the ancient Grand Chaeju who survived the hierarchy tournament could become Grand Protector.

Although the title did not confer real power, it was the highest position one could aspire to in Nokrim. Even the Grand Chaeju could not give direct orders to the Grand Protector, as this position was reserved as a special honor for those who eventually retired from leadership.

It was such a prestigious position that refusing it seemed unthinkable.

“He said he appoints you Grand Protector,” Guiyeong Ja repeated, presenting the Black Iron Emblem with respect.

This time, his face remained calm. Although he had not managed to use Yeon Jeokha to completely eliminate the Yoomyung Cult, the outcome was satisfactory for him: he would no longer have to compete with Yeon Jeokha for leadership in Nokrim.

“I won’t accept it.”

“What?”

Guiyeong Ja looked at him in surprise. How could someone refuse the highest position one could aspire to in life within Nokrim?

“Are your ears blocked? I said I won’t accept it. What else do you plan to do to me? I won’t do anything more.”

“Young Master Yeon, the position of Grand Protector does not require you to do anything.”

“Is there such a position?”

“The Grand Protector is one.”

“Lies.”

Yeon Jeokha did not believe Guiyeong Ja’s words. From his experience, any important position always came with hidden responsibilities.

“Confirm it with Shim Tong, the Old Dao of Nine Heavens. He will tell you what kind of position it really is.”

Yeon Jeokha directed his gaze to Shim Tong.

“Old Shim.”

“Yes, young master.”

“Tell me the truth, don’t worry about what Guiyeong Ja says. What do you know about the Grand Protector?”

“It’s a very comfortable position.”

“Comfortable?”

“In imperial terms, it’s like being a retired emperor. You have rights but no obligations. The position was created specifically for the ancient Grand Chaeju, and no one can impose anything on them.”

“So, the Grand Chaeju can’t just give orders to someone in that position?”

“It’s an honorary title to respect the elders of Nokrim. Even the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord, when he retires, will be a Grand Protector. It’s the only position exempt from orders.”

“Really? Then it’s a good position.”

“Yes, it’s the best deal you can get in Nokrim. I suspect the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord appointed you because of your ambiguous position: he could not ignore your achievements, but he also didn’t want you on the front line.”

“Ambiguous, you say? Me?”

“You made a great mistake recently. Dismissing you as Grand Inspector would be unjust due to your merits, but leaving you in the position would provoke too many complaints. That’s why you were assigned an honorary position.”

“Then, Old Shim, what do you think I should do?”

“Accept it. You don’t like being on the front line, do you?”

“That’s true.”

“The title of Grand Protector is meant for those who retire from the front in any organization. If you accept it, you will no longer be bothered with Nokrim’s affairs.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. Think about it: when the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord retires, do you think the next Grand Chaeju will dare to call him for anything?”

Before Yeon Jeokha could respond, Guiyeong Ja quickly intervened:

“The next leader won’t dare to do so either. The title of Grand Protector is exactly that.”

With both insisting, Yeon Jeokha stopped resisting.

“Alright, if that’s the case, there’s no reason to refuse it.”

When he accepted the Black Iron Emblem, Guiyeong Ja bowed deeply.

“Congratulations, Grand Protector!”

“What congratulations? Don’t seek me for anything in the future. If you bother me again with anything, I will hit you with this emblem.”

“Yes, yes. I wish you long life and success in all your wishes. I will take my leave now.”

Guiyeong Ja quickly departed, as if he did not plan to cross paths with Yeon Jeokha again.

As he looked at the emblem in his hands, Yeon Jeokha murmured:

“Not long ago, everyone wanted to devour me, and now they treat me like a retired elder.”

“You are no longer a competitor for the Twelve Demon Generals.”

“When did I compete with them?”

“Maybe you didn’t try, but to them, you were a threat. You could have been the successor of the Heaven Destroyer Demon Lord.”

“Me? You’re crazy. I don’t care about Nokrim.”

“Well, now you finally got what you wanted. Being a Grand Protector is like being a retired elder.”

“Just thinking about it makes me feel better.”

“Will you return to your inn when the war is over?”

“Maybe. Though my uncle might contact me before that. It seems they are discussing my marriage.”

“Ah, it seems it’s time for you to marry. When do you plan to formally visit the Namgung Family?”

“When I am notified.”

“That’s not the right attitude. You should go see them yourself.”

“….”

Yeon Jeokha finally understood what Shim Tong meant.

“I should do it.”

“When? Once the war is over, the Namgung Family will return to Namjik Province, and you will have to stay in Jeongju to manage the inn.”

“Before that.”

“It’s better that you hurry. They will be busy reorganizing their clan, and if you don’t act quickly, things could get complicated.”

“Understood.”

————-

One day before the peace negotiations.

Gong Son-il, accompanied by Gong Son-gi, visited the office of Jegal Seun, the Commander General.

“Take a seat. What brings you here?”

Jegal Seun, although already aware of the purpose of the visit, maintained a serene expression, showing no surprise.

“Yesterday, the Leader of the Heaven and Earth Alliance told us he has considered retiring. He also mentioned that you had spoken of your own retirement.”

As Gong Son-gi poured hot tea into Jegal Seun’s cup, he nodded his head.

“With this condition, I cannot present myself before the heroes of Murim. I hope you understand.”

Gong Son-il glanced at Jegal Seun’s face, covered in chessboard-patterned scars. For a moment, he understood his decision.

“Is that all? Is it just because of your face?”

In the world of Murim, where many walked between life and death, a scar on the face was rarely a reason for a warrior to lay down his sword. In fact, many viewed scars as medals of honor.

Gong Son-il, being a veteran, suspected there must be something more behind Jegal Seun’s decision.

“Is it really just that?”

Jegal Seun smiled bitterly.

“Gong Son-il, you have spent years in the Murim. Do you know why some warriors, after many years, finally lay down their swords?”

Gong Son-il nodded.

“From the fear of death. Those who have faced the edge of death and cannot overcome it lay down their swords. Is that your case?”

With a sad smile, Jegal Seun replied:

“When I look at my body, I feel a burning hatred towards Yeon Jeokha. I want to destroy him, to shatter him to the end. But at the same time, when I think of him, something inside me freezes. I feel an unbearable pain, as if my body is being torn apart again. Even the wounds that have already closed reopen.”

Gong Son-il frowned as he listened in silence.

“At night, I dream of him. And when I wake up, my bed is soaked in blood. In my nightmares, I find myself begging him for my life. It’s a misery I can no longer endure.”

“Are you saying your spirit was… cut?”

Jegal Seun nodded slowly.

“Yes. It’s as if my soul has been shattered. Every time his name crosses my lips, I feel myself crumbling.”

Gong Son-il was left speechless. He found it hard to believe that a single sword attack had destroyed so much of a man like Jegal Seun, who had wandered through countless battlefields.

“Are you saying that sword was… a Sword of the Heart (심검)?”

An uncomfortable silence filled the room. Jegal Seun raised a trembling hand, showing that his fingers were stained with fresh blood.

“I have reflected on it, and I see no other explanation. That sword not only cut my flesh but also cut my spirit.”

Gong Son-il frowned deeply. The concept of the Sword of the Heart was legendary, something that had not been seen in centuries. Even among the Ten Masters of the World, none had reached that level.

“Do you really think it was a Sword of the Heart?”

“If it wasn’t, how could I explain what happened to me? How could a single wound do this to me? Since that moment, every time I try to remember or think of Yeon Jeokha, my body bleeds, and my mind fragments.”

The evidence was there, before their eyes: Jegal Seun’s face began to bleed again, as if the open wounds were a reflection of his mental state.

“Do you see? This happens every time I think of him.”

Gong Son-il let out a long sigh. Seeing Jegal Seun’s condition stirred a whirlwind of emotions within him.

“It seems my curiosity was insensitive. I understand. I won’t mention it again.”

“Thank you. After these negotiations, I will leave the world of Murim. Please take care and continue leading the righteous in my place.”

Gong Son-il shook his head.

“First, let’s focus on concluding these negotiations. Talking about the future of the Justice Alliance now is premature.”

Jegal Seun nodded wearily but added:

“With the war concluding, the Heaven and Earth Alliance won’t be able to sustain itself much longer. The main enemy of the righteous sects will shift from the Yoomyung Cult to the Evil Faction (사파). That’s why I have decided to step aside.”

Gong Son-il let out a brief sigh of astonishment.

Deep down, he understood that Jegal Seun was not only abandoning Murim because his body and spirit were broken. He feared facing Yeon Jeokha again in the coming era of conflicts.

“So, do you plan to accept the dissolution of the Heaven and Earth Alliance?”

“It’s not that. I’m just saying that the righteous sects will need time to recover. The war against the Yoomyung Cult has reduced the forces of the Seven Great Sects and the Four Great Families to less than half of what they were. At their peak, they could not face them. Now it will be even harder.”

“So they will face a weaker enemy for now?”

“Exactly. The Evil Faction is a threat, but their goal is not total conquest. They are like a slowly growing tumor. If we wait too long, it will be more difficult to excise.”

As he spoke of the Evil Faction, Jegal Seun’s voice regained some vigor. Seeing him like that brought a bitter smile to Gong Son-il’s face.