Heavenly Inquisition Sword

Chapter 325: Sometimes, Being Unforgiving is Necessary

As expected from their training as courtesans, Wola and Geuma were diligent and quick to pick up on the environment.

The two girls devotedly attended to both the Old Dao of Nine Heavens, Shim Tong, and Yeon Jeokha, behaving like authentic disciples of a prestigious clan.

During breaks, they were the first to prepare a place for them to rest, and when hunger struck, they brought out provisions and offered them.

As evening fell, the three hundred experts of the Heaven and Earth Alliance arrived at the bank of a river.

Time was insufficient for three hundred people to cross using one or two small boats.

Therefore, the group decided to spend the night in a nearby village by the river.

However, being a small village, finding vacant houses was as difficult as catching a star in the sky.

Most of the members ended up sleeping outdoors.

Even the leaders of the Four Great Families had to resign themselves to sleeping under the open sky, so the members of Nokrim had no other option.

Even so, the situation of Yeon Jeokha and his group was better.

They found a cozy place, and as they approached, the bandits lurking in the area retreated on their own.

By the time Shim Tong had hung his cauldron and lit a fire, the sun had already set.

Wola and Geuma ran like squirrels, gathering branches from all over.

Yeon Jeokha, who was sitting leaning near the fire, suddenly asked:

—Why does Old Shim always carry the cauldron?

—Because these girls don’t know martial arts yet, I can’t make them carry it.

—Then what do Wola and Geuma carry?

—Wola carries books and paper, and Geuma, a golden zither.

Suitable luggage for Wola, an expert in poetry and painting, and Geuma, outstanding in zither music.

Yeon Jeokha frowned, displeased.

—How refined they have become.

—Hehe. Young master, you should be interested in these things too. Don’t the eccentrics of Murim have elevated hobbies?

Intrigued by the mention of the eccentrics, Yeon Jeokha asked:

—You say the eccentrics enjoy these things?

—Oh! Didn’t you know? Supreme experts often embody the mysteries of martial arts in their paintings or calligraphy. Just getting one of those works would be a great stroke of luck. And what about music? A good performance can make people laugh or cry. Seeing that can be incredibly captivating, they say.

—That sounds… interesting.

Yeon Jeokha’s eyes shone with curiosity. He had never heard anything like that before.

That the eccentrics did those things seemed enviable to him.

—And that’s not all. Just listening to the music, reading the calligraphy or admiring the paintings of masters enhances the enjoyment of liquor. Who drinks because they are hungry?

It was a comment typical of Shim Tong, who frequented taverns and teahouses as if they were his home.

Meanwhile, the branches that Wola and Geuma collected piled up next to the bonfire, but the girls continued to run back and forth collecting more.

It seemed that, unless someone stopped them, they would continue all night.

Finally, Shim Tong called them:

—That’s enough! Now you rest too.

—Yes.

—Yes.

The two sat by the fire, huddled together.

Not used to cooking, they nervously watched the cauldron as the water began to boil.

Shim Tong, laughing lightly, reassured them:

—The life of a courtesan and that of a warrior are different. Observe carefully what I do and learn.

—Yes!

They answered in unison. In fact, they had run all day collecting branches because they didn’t know what else to do.

With a triumphant air, Shim Tong poured rice and a variety of ingredients into the cauldron before explaining:

—When the water in the cauldron starts to boil, you first put in the rice and then everything that is “edible”. From there, something “edible” will come out. In terms of martial arts, this is like the beginning of the True Classic of the Nine Heavens as One.

—Ah!

—Oh!

The exclamations of Wola and Geuma evidenced their impression of the words, which sounded convincing.

Yeon Jeokha, observing the scene, clicked his tongue.

—Tsk, tsk. Old Shim, have you taught these girls anything?

—Come on, I just accepted them as disciples yesterday. Give me some time. By the way, can I teach them what I learned from you?

—Do it. I’m curious to see how much they can learn.

Yeon Jeokha didn’t mind Wola and Geuma’s attitude, and he was curious to see how much they could memorize.

Shim Tong’s blood brothers in Nokrim could memorize three hundred characters, while the descendants of the Yeons reached one hundred.

Wola and Geuma suddenly bowed before him.

—Young master, we promise to repay our debt of gratitude.

—Young master, thank you. We will not forget your kindness.

Faced with their effusiveness, Yeon Jeokha waved his hand with an awkward expression.

With a subtle movement, he used internal energy to straighten the girls’ bowed bodies.

Both looked at him in amazement.

Feeling martial arts so directly was overwhelming, as if they were flying among the clouds.

Shim Tong, observing them, laughed before speaking:

—I abandoned everything I learned in Nokrim. From Yeon Jeokha, I learned an internal technique and the use of the sword. Since the young master has given his permission, I will teach them after dinner.

Wola and Geuma, excited, bowed again.

—Thank you, master.

—Thank you.

Meanwhile, the broth had reduced, becoming a light porridge.

Wola and Geuma served the food in bowls and offered it to Yeon Jeokha and Shim Tong before eating themselves.

After the meal, Shim Tong taught the girls the True Classic of the Nine Heavens as One.

In about two hours, progress was visible.

From the side, Yeon Jeokha watched with curiosity, but noticing something strange, he frowned.

Both had memorized exactly one hundred and fifty characters.

They were at a point halfway between the Ten Heroes of Five Peaks Mountain and Shim Tong.

When Wola and Geuma began to meditate, Shim Tong approached Yeon Jeokha with a complicated expression.

—This is… strange.

Even Shim Tong was perplexed. He didn’t expect the girls to memorize so few characters.

—Why?

—I thought they would learn more than me. I thought they would far surpass my brothers and the descendants of the Yeons…

—At first, it seemed strange to me too, but now I understand.

—Why do you think it’s like that?

—Despite their difficulties, they have had relatively comfortable lives. They are talented, but they haven’t gone through as much hardship as we have.

—It’s true.

—Having lived as courtesans, they probably learned to adapt to the world in a convenient way. They know how to win people over, sometimes even excessively. Reaching the true path (Daedo) does not depend on age.

—But someone like me managed to memorize three hundred characters, didn’t I?

Yeon Jeokha remained silent for a moment, unable to answer immediately.

It was true: Shim Tong, in his time as the Immortal Sword Demon, had memorized three hundred characters.

Although later, due to his San Gong experience (loss of internal power), he had fallen to the bottom.

—That… is all a matter of destiny. It’s hard to explain, but it inevitably happens as it should happen.

—Hmph…

With a bitter expression, Shim Tong looked at Wola and Geuma.

Although Yeon Jeokha spoke of “destiny”, the previous words were still swirling in his mind.

It seemed that these young women had known the world too soon, unable to fully embrace the Daedo.

—It’s a shame. If I had met them a little earlier, I could have taught them more things.

—Destiny didn’t allow it. If those girls hadn’t been courtesans, they would never have met you.

—Destiny, huh? It’s really terrifying.

—Yes. And sometimes, it can be unforgiving.

Yeon Jeokha looked at the flames of the fire with empty eyes.

If he hadn’t been mistreated at the Waryong Manor, he would never have met the Mysterious Woman of the Nine Heavens.

———-

After about twenty minutes of meditation, Wola and Geuma woke up.

Shim Tong, in front of his disciples, showed the first movement of the Nine Heavens Swordsmanship, Flying Dragon Ascension.

Both girls, with branches in their hands, tried to replicate the movements of Flying Dragon Ascension.

With a satisfied expression, Shim Tong gave them a few words:

—I learned the Dao through practical experience. However, you don’t need to follow my path. Now you use branches, but one day, you will have to use swords, like the young master.

—Yes.

—Understood.

The girls, as beginners, didn’t stop to think too much before answering.

—When you have fully mastered this first movement, I will teach you the next one. Until then, practice daily, so that you dishonor neither the young master nor me.

—Yes!

With determination in their eyes, the girls answered in unison.

Then, Geuma, with some shyness, asked a question:

—Master… so, does that mean we are also part of Nokrim now?

—What are you saying?

—Since you and the young master are from Nokrim, I wondered if that also makes us members of Nokrim.

Shim Tong let out a laugh full of meaning before answering:

—Hehe. What’s wrong with Nokrim?

Faced with Shim Tong’s gaze, Geuma, somewhat frightened, hurriedly explained:

—Oh, I didn’t mean it as something bad! It’s just that I didn’t know what to answer if someone asked.

—Hmph, well I don’t know. We’re not in the Mountain Stronghold anymore, so we can’t say we’re still from Nokrim. Young master, should these girls be considered part of Nokrim?

With a cold tone, Yeon Jeokha replied:

—They don’t have their names registered in the Mountain Stronghold or the River Stronghold, so they are not from Nokrim. They are just Shim Tong’s disciples.

—Ah, right. My memory is failing me. This is what happens when you get old. Girls, since you are not registered in the strongholds of Nokrim, you cannot be considered part of them.

The faces of Wola and Geuma, who had until then tried to maintain their composure, lit up immediately.

Although they had become Shim Tong’s disciples, they were uncomfortable being associated with the members of Nokrim.

The warriors of Nokrim were very different from the brave heroes they used to hear about in stories.

Knowing that they were not officially part of Nokrim filled them with relief.

Seeing their expressions, Yeon Jeokha clicked his tongue.

—Look at them. How happy they are to know they are not from Nokrim. Old Shim, you better save up fast for that tavern. These girls almost fainted just by hearing the name Nokrim.

—Hehe, why do you say that if you already know? I left Nokrim when I came down from Five Peaks Mountain. Although the young master as Grand Protector… well, it must be complicated for you.

—Complicated? Why would it be? I don’t have disciples.

—But the Namgung Family must feel uncomfortable, right? After all, they are one of the most prestigious families.

—My great-uncle has no problem with that. Besides, I own an inn, not a member of Nokrim. If someone criticizes me for being in Nokrim, I resign from the position of Grand Protector and that’s it.

—Who would do that? You came down from the mountain. Nobody would dare call you a member of Nokrim.

Shim Tong carefully observed Yeon Jeokha’s face.

He noticed that he was now trying to distance himself from Nokrim, something he didn’t do before.

The truth was that, with Yeon Jeokha’s abilities, even if he openly committed acts of banditry, nobody would dare say anything to him.

That’s why Grand Chaeju had made a clever move: giving him the title of Grand Protector.

If they hadn’t given him that title, Yeon Jeokha probably wouldn’t have had any dealings with Nokrim.

One day before the agreement.

Finally, the experts of the Heaven and Earth Alliance arrived in Luoyang City.

With experts from the Yoomyung Cult and the orthodox factions gathered in one place, the tension in Luoyang was palpable.

Although the White Demon Temple was on the outskirts, the atmosphere of the city was charged with nervousness.

The center of Luoyang was crowded with warriors from the orthodox factions.

Despite the imminent dissolution of the Heaven and Earth Alliance, there were no fights.

During their stay in Chiliha Village, clashes between the orthodox were frequent, but in Luoyang, everyone maintained extreme control.

The reason was clear: if they showed signs of division in front of the Yoomyung Cult, they could be annihilated.

The Six Demon Generals reserved an entire inn for Yeon Jeokha, their Grand Protector, and put Nokrim warriors to guard it day and night.

The same was done by the Seven Great Sects and the Four Great Families, reinforcing the security of their leaders and elders.

Rumors continued to spread.

The most worrying for the Heaven and Earth Alliance was:

“The Yoomyung Cult has invited the alliance to Luoyang to exterminate it in one fell swoop.”

It was a rumor so plausible that the alliance experts were constantly on alert.

With that tension, the day passed.

The next morning, after an early breakfast, the experts of the Heaven and Earth Alliance set out for the White Demon Temple.