Heavenly Inquisition Sword

Chapter 324: What is an Ancestral Master?

Yang Soran’s firm tone caused the Heaven and Earth Alliance Commander-in-Chief, Jegal Seun, to catch his breath for a moment.  It wasn’t a mere threat, but genuine resolve.  He finally understood why the Yoomyung Cult had established a “hundred-year” period – to proclaim to the world who was the true victor of this war.  Therefore, a prohibition, whether for a hundred years, ten years, or even three, was necessary.

“Haa! We can’t avoid these three years,” Jegal Seun sighed.  Three years, while not ideal, was better than a hundred or ten.  He had informed the Alliance Leader and the leaders of the Seven Great Sects that he would try to shorten the timeframe as much as possible.  Three years was a successful outcome. The Seven Great Sects and the Four Great Families needed at least that much time to reorganize their forces. Realistically, avoiding conflict with the Yoomyung Cult during this period was necessary.  Even now, they couldn’t fight if they wanted to; imposing a prohibition wouldn’t change anything.  The lost prestige was a problem, but everyone in the world already knew who the winner was.

“What’s the point of covering our eyes and pretending nothing happened? It’s better to acknowledge it and move on,” he mused.

Jegal Seun exchanged glances with the delegation leaders: Gong Son-il, Gong Son-gi, and Peng Man-ho of the Thunder Sword Sect; Han Baek-sang, master of the Jade Sword Sect; and Ma Gon, leader of the Heavenly Ascension Clan. Gong Son-gi, with a pleased expression, even nodded in satisfaction. Jegal Seun sighed internally.  “Showing satisfaction at a negotiating table? Such naiveté, far removed from Machiavellianism, is an inherent limitation of those from the Legalist school (Beopga).”

Pung Man-ho, seasoned in the Murim world, nodded slightly with a resigned face. Han Baek-sang and Ma Gon, who didn’t fully grasp the situation, only shifted their eyes back and forth. Jegal Seun nodded almost imperceptibly. He only needed to confirm the intentions of Gong Son-gi and Pung Man-ho, and since both had agreed, the matter was settled.

“Agreed. After the war’s end, the Seven Great Sects and the Four Great Families will not antagonize the Yoomyung Cult for three years.”

Yang Soran added, “Let’s not forget to include the dissolution of the Heaven and Earth Alliance.”

“Disbanding the alliance and subsequently avoiding hostilities for three years. Will that suffice?”

“That will be acceptable.”

At that moment, Pung Man-ho intervened, “We’ll accept that compromise. But even if we do, what guarantee do we have that the Yoomyung Cult won’t attack the Seven Great Sects and the Four Great Families? If something like that happens, how will you resolve it?”

“Hehe. Must we remind you again? Our sect has never drawn the sword first.”

“You only remember what suits you! Even with Nokrim, you took the initiative, leading to the Heaven and Earth Alliance’s intervention. What if Yoomyung Cult experts get involved in Murim affairs, antagonizing the Seven Great Sects and Four Great Families?”

Pung Man-ho’s sharp remark focused the negotiating group’s attention on Yang Soran. If Yoomyung Cult experts didn’t involve themselves in Murim conflicts, a truce might be possible; otherwise, clashes would inevitably arise.

“Our sect, at an institutional level, will not participate in power struggles between Murim clans. Of course, we can’t control individual actions. Isn’t that the same for the Seven Great Sects and Four Great Families?”

Pung Man-ho let out a soft sigh.  In other words, they couldn’t avoid personal conflicts.

“You’re right. You can’t know every move of disciples scattered across the world. As long as the Yoomyung Cult doesn’t intervene as an organization, the Seven Great Sects and Four Great Families won’t either.”

“That’s precisely what we mean. As long as the Seven Great Sects and Four Great Families don’t mobilize their forces, our sect won’t either.”

With this level of detail, Jegal Seun said, “Then we’ll include a clause in the agreement prohibiting the mobilization of forces to resolve personal disputes.”

“Do as you please. For thirty years, our actions have been consistent. It has mostly been the Seven Great Sects and Four Great Families who have oppressed our sect with the force of many.”

Yang Soran had nothing to lose, so she responded calmly. Many in the Seven Great Sects and Four Great Families feared the Demon Warriors. Without significant support, dealing with them was impossible; they were not only difficult to defeat, but killing them also carried severe consequences.

“Then, I’ll draft an agreement based on our discussion. If you wish to add anything, please let me know now.”

Jegal Seun, calmly looking at Yang Soran, began writing on a piece of paper on the table. In a short time, two identical documents were created. Jegal Seun handed one to Yang Soran.

“Please check if the content is correct.”

Yang Soran carefully read the draft and nodded. “Everything is in order. There’s nothing to add or remove. It’s exactly what we agreed upon.”

“Then, can we proceed to the formal discussions of the agreement? How much time will you need?”

“Five days. We’ll meet at the White Demon Temple.”

The mention of the White Demon Temple caused Gong Son-gi to frown. Inviting the other party to their territory was quite discourteous. Before Gong Son-gi could protest, Jegal Seun intervened.

“Agreed. That’s how it will be. After all, the location doesn’t matter. The important thing is to end the war. Isn’t that so?”

Yang Soran responded with a victorious smile.  “You’re absolutely right. It was a wise decision. What a relief not to waste days arguing over a location. The only thing more important than this is ending the war. We’ll see you at the White Demon Temple in five days.”

With those words, Yang Soran abruptly stood up and left the Pavilion before the Heaven and Earth Alliance delegation could react.

After her departure, Gong Son-gi expressed his displeasure, “Commander-in-Chief, agreeing to go to the White Demon Temple wasn’t a prudent decision.”

“I know. The Murim people will mock us.”

“Then why did you do it?”

“As I mentioned, the priority is to end this war. Prolonging the discussion would only harm us.”

“But still…”

“The content of the agreement will be made public. Our reputation is already damaged. What does a little more mockery matter? The Heaven and Earth Alliance is financially depleted. The longer this goes on, the greater the burden on the Seven Great Sects and Four Great Families. We can’t let the alliance begin its reconstruction with debts.”

“Is the financial situation that serious?”

“There’s no income, but expenses continue to accumulate. There’s no other option. It’s urgent to dissolve the Heaven and Earth Alliance as soon as possible. We already owe thirty thousand nyangs to the chambers of commerce alone.”

“…”

Gong Son-gi closed his eyes tightly. With a debt of thirty thousand nyangs, there was no choice but to proceed as stated.

——————–

The Seven Great Sects and the Four Great Families accepted the draft agreement presented by the negotiators. The next day, the Heaven and Earth Alliance experts left Chiliha Village. The journey from Chiliha Village to the White Demon Temple would take three or four days, so they left early. The Murim world, as well as government offices and the imperial family, closely followed the Heaven and Earth Alliance’s movements.  Various rumors circulated:

* “The war in the Murim world is over.”

* “The Heaven and Earth Alliance plans to attack the Yoomyung Cult at the last moment.”

* “The Yoomyung Cult has lured them to the White Demon Temple to eliminate them once and for all.”

* “The alliance between the orthodox faction and Nokrim has broken.”

* “Yeon Jeokha struck the commander-in-chief, causing the separation between the orthodox faction and Nokrim.”

* “The division of the orthodox faction is the cause of the war’s end.”

While slowly walking along the official road, Yeon Jeokha glanced sideways at Shim Tong, who seemed to be enjoying himself amongst the young women Wola and Geuma, with a face full of complete joy.

“Je, je. Young Master, why are you looking at me like that? If you’re jealous, get yourself some disciples.”

“Shim, you old fool, tell me the truth. Are they disciples or maids?”

“I already told you they’re disciples!”

“Ja. Sure, if I could believe you…”

Yeon Jeokha looked at Shim Tong with eyes full of disbelief. Wola and Geuma were teenagers who had worked as courtesans at the Choyeon Giru Pavilion. He had suddenly taken them in as “disciples.” Who wouldn’t be astonished?

According to Shim Tong, they couldn’t continue working there, so he had taken them under his protection. It had all started when Hyeok Muchun died, and Guiyeong Ja lost an arm. The Nokrim followers who supported them pressured Cha Jungrae, the pavilion owner, until the girls were expelled.  With nowhere to go, Wola and Geuma sought out Shim Tong, who finally took them as disciples.

“What could I do if they weren’t accepted at the pavilion anymore? At least I had to give them something to eat.”

“Nonsense!”

“Now I have a sudden burden on my shoulders. It’s very annoying, to be honest.”

“If it’s a burden, why don’t you leave them? An old man who doesn’t know when he’s going to die, why carry an unnecessary weight?”

“I couldn’t help it. When I saw them, I remembered my deceased master.”

“Didn’t you say your master was a thief? Why are you pretending to be a gentleman of the orthodox sects now?”

“Oh, don’t misunderstand me. I just remembered how much I made him suffer.”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to open a tavern? What do these girls have to do with that?”

“I plan to make money with them. Surely together we’ll get it faster than I could alone.”

“Ja! So that was the plan. What a cunning old man! You accepted them to exploit them.”

“No way! May lightning strike me if that’s the case. Think of it as a win-win solution. How much longer could I live? In the end, the tavern will be theirs.”

“When will that be? I’m sure they’ll get married before then. By then it will be too late. Besides, you’re not one to give away money. You’re a creepy old man!”

Wola and Geuma, upon hearing this, couldn’t remain silent and protested.

“Our master isn’t like that!”

“That’s right! And we’re not going to get married!”

Yeon Jeokha let out a sarcastic laugh.  “Ja. They say that now. But if they become famous learning martial arts, handsome and rich men will line up. We’ll see if they don’t end up getting married.”

“We still won’t!”

“Don’t say such horrible things!”

Although the two girls defended themselves, Shim Tong didn’t stop them. On the contrary, he looked at them with a proud smile.

“How about that! Like master, like disciple. Look at them, arguing back like wild beasts.”

Wola responded with a grumpy face, “It’s natural for disciples to resemble their master.”

“This is incredible. It’s like being bitten by the dog you raised!”

Yeon Jeokha, feeling defeated in the argument, looked away towards the mountains. Finally, Shim Tong intervened.

“Wola, Geuma, even if the whole world criticizes the Young Master, you shouldn’t.”

“Old man, stop talking nonsense! Who says they criticize me?”

Shim Tong, ignoring the interruption, continued laughing as he spoke, “Hehe. It’s just a matter of principle. Since I learned martial arts from the Young Master, he is an ancestral master to you. Therefore, you must always respect him.”

Upon hearing the term “ancestral master” (sajo), Wola and Geuma looked at Yeon Jeokha with astonishment. Until that moment, they had seen him as a grumpy young man, but now he turned out to be their master’s master.  Being girls who had worked as courtesans, they instantly changed their attitude, showing more docile expressions.

“Ancestral Master! We didn’t know and spoke without thinking. Please forgive us with your great generosity.”

“Please forgive us. From now on, we will serve you with all our hearts.”

With those sweet words and charming gestures, the corners of Yeon Jeokha’s lips curved upward.

“Ancestral Master? What nonsense is that? Better call me ‘older brother.'”

But Shim Tong immediately shook his head.  “Young Master, it doesn’t seem appropriate. It’s better that they call you Young Master directly.”

Grasping the hint, Wola and Geuma bowed quickly.

“Young Master! We will serve you well.”

“Please look upon us favorably!”