The Heavenly Demon Cult’s Strongest Maid - Chapter 173
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 173
Namgung Cheon performed the ritual of taking out his treasured sword every morning and polishing it with silk cloth.
Each time, he would imagine in his mind the day when he would hold the Ganjiang sword and conquer the martial arts world.
Hoping that day would come soon, Namgung Cheon was polishing the Ganjiang sword today as well when he paused at his subordinate’s report.
“Who did you say came?”
Namgung Cheon raised his head with furrowed brows.
“Dang Yeong-ryeong has come.”
“Are you talking about that Cheon Su-dok-hwa Dang Yeong-ryeong I know?”
He asked again despite knowing because it was that absurd.
“She said with her own mouth that she’s a special inspector.”
“Special inspector?”
The special inspector the Alliance appointed this time is Dang Yeong-ryeong?
“Ha!”
A hollow laugh burst out involuntarily.
“That Thunder God has pulled quite an audacious stunt.”
Namgung Cheon stood up while putting the sword in its case.
“Even if she’s not much of a guest, we should still welcome her warmly. Bring her here.”
He was somewhat curious about what amusing stories might come out of her mouth.
“Wait just a little longer. I’ll take you out soon.”
Namgung Cheon stroked the case once and carefully placed it on the display shelf.
Then he sat in his chair and waited for Dang Yeong-ryeong.
A moment later.
The door to the main hall opened and Dang Yeong-ryeong strode inside.
“….”
Even after seeing her, Namgung Cheon said nothing and merely looked up at her. There was no customary greeting or invitation to sit.
In response, Dang Yeong-ryeong also kept her mouth shut and stared down at Namgung Cheon intently.
Namgung Cheon’s eyes narrowed, displeased with how she stood there boldly looking down at him.
The two simply stared at each other for a while as if engaging in a battle of nerves.
It was a brief but suffocating confrontation.
“Hoot.”
The first to speak was Dang Yeong-ryeong.
She smiled coldly and introduced herself.
“Special Inspector Dang Yeong-ryeong.”
It wasn’t completely informal speech, but it wasn’t completely respectful either.
‘Huh.’
Namgung Cheon’s eyebrows twitched at that subtle tone.
But he was a seasoned veteran.
He welcomed Dang Yeong-ryeong with a relaxed voice.
“Congratulations. To think you became a special inspector through martial arts achievements.”
Adding unnecessary words would only reveal his petty nature.
“You seem unaware, but I’ve always been quick to advance.”
She wasn’t called the youngest leader of the Dark Four for nothing.
Screech!
Dang Yeong-ryeong pulled over a chair herself and sat in front of Namgung Cheon.
“Since dragging this out benefits neither of us, I’ll ask only the main point. Do you have Ganjiang, Moye, and Honcheongi?”
“Hahahaha!”
Namgung Cheon burst into loud laughter at Dang Yeong-ryeong’s bold question.
“I didn’t expect you to ask so directly.”
“So do you have them or not?”
“….”
Namgung Cheon chose silence.
He could have simply said no, but why wasn’t he denying it?
Was it preparation for later?
If so, it meant he had at least one of the three.
Since he could make up any number of reasons to reveal them to the world.
‘So the destruction of Sword Cry Manor was truly because of this.’
Dang Yeong-ryeong was once again astounded that the rumor Seolha had spread out of resentment wasn’t entirely baseless.
“But did the special inspector come here just to find out about that?”
“Too much blood has been shed to call it ‘just that.’ Don’t you know many martial artists are demanding an explanation?”
“The Namgung Family merely dealt with a group of thieves who climbed over our walls. What’s wrong with that?”
It was a valid point.
Who would stand by and watch thieves invade their home?
However, this situation arose because the response was excessive.
“That’s right. But regardless of the reason, shouldn’t this commotion be calmed?”
“So what are you suggesting?”
“An official announcement from the Alliance wouldn’t be bad for the Namgung Family either.”
“That sounds like you want to conduct a search.”
“Beyond searching, we also need statements from the family’s martial artists to understand what happened before and after the bloodbath.”
“The special inspector wants too much.”
“The renowned Namgung Family couldn’t be a group of merciless killers, could they?”
“What?”
Bang!
Namgung Cheon struck the armrest and shouted.
“Are you saying our family intentionally caused the bloodbath!”
Dang Yeong-ryeong deliberately made an ambiguous expression.
Anger flashed across Namgung Cheon’s face.
If he sent her away like this, she wouldn’t make false announcements, but she would certainly damage the Namgung Family’s reputation with biased statements and clever manipulation.
‘Tsk!’
Though irritated, he had no choice.
“I’ll allow access everywhere except the main hall and forbidden areas. Squad Leader, escort the special inspector to the young master.”
Namgung Cheon dismissed Dang Yeong-ryeong as if he couldn’t stand to look at her anymore.
Though she wanted to exchange a few more words to rile him up further, Dang Yeong-ryeong postponed that opportunity and left the main hall.
“This way.”
Word must have already been sent, as Namgung Myeong was already waiting for her when she entered the pavilion.
“It’s been a while. Have you been well…”
He stopped mid-sentence as if realizing his mistake while habitually offering greetings.
“It has been a while.”
Dang Yeong-ryeong sat in the seat he offered as if it was fine.
“Let’s have some tea.”
Namgung Myeong personally took out tea utensils and brewed tea.
“The Dark Four and Cheolhyeoldae just arrived at the main residence. Just in case, I called the Dark Four leader here in advance.”
Namgung Cheon and Namgung Myeong were father and son but had not a single similarity. In appearance, speech, personality – every aspect made one doubt if they were truly blood-related.
This room was the same.
If Namgung Cheon’s main hall was simplicity hiding its true nature, this place felt genuinely modest and plain as it appeared.
Reflecting Namgung Myeong’s humble character completely.
“I’m not sure if the tea will suit your taste.”
Namgung Myeong timidly poured tea into Dang Yeong-ryeong’s cup.
Dang Yeong-ryeong suddenly recalled the Cheong-yeon Assembly from over twenty years ago when she first saw him.
Polite, always considerate of others, and genuinely pure-hearted.
‘He would sometimes wear a dark expression.’
At that time, I had already heard through the grapevine that Namgung Cheon was troubled by his unsatisfactory son.
“Is it to your taste?”
“Yes, it has a nice fragrance.”
“I’m glad. I really wanted to offer you at least a cup of tea.”
Why did those words sound like an apology to Dang Yeong-ryeong?
Namgung Myeong was, in a different sense, an even more difficult person than Namgung Cheon for her.
“I’ve received word. I’ll assign someone to you, so feel free to look around. And I’ve already given orders to arrange a statement session.”
“Yes.”
As Dang Yeong-ryeong nodded and took a sip of tea, Baek I-gyeom entered, looking around.
“Were you here?”
“Yes.”
“I pay my respects to Clan Leader Soo of the Namgung Family. I am Baek I-gyeom, Leader of the Dark Four.”
“Welcome, Leader Baek.”
Namgung Myeong rose from his seat and returned the greeting with a cupped fist salute.
“Special Inspector. I heard on my way here that search permission was granted. Is that true?”
Though they had come to investigate the bloodbath, Baek I-gyeom was somewhat bewildered since he hadn’t expected they would be allowed to search inside the Namgung Family.
“Leader of the Dark Four can start from this place.”
The answer came not from Dang Yeong-ryeong, but from Namgung Myeong instead.
“Since you’re doing it anyway, please do it properly. There are documents I’m working on, so just be careful when examining the desk.”
“Yes, understood.”
Though his voice was calm, Baek I-gyeom’s eyes toward Dang Yeong-ryeong were filled with questions as if asking what this was all about.
In response, Dang Yeong-ryeong smiled slightly and asked Namgung Myeong a question.
“Regarding the rumors that the Namgung Family possesses the Ganjiang, Mokya, and Honcheongi, Clan Leader Soo would know better than anyone. Have you ever seen them directly?”
“No.”
It was a different answer from Namgung Cheon, who had chosen silence.
‘Is it a lie or the truth?’
She carefully observed his bodily changes, but couldn’t find any particular anomalies.
‘Could he be hiding it even from his son?’
Given that Namgung Cheon didn’t trust Namgung Myeong, the possibility couldn’t be entirely ruled out.
“These are martial arts manuals I’ve collected as a hobby. Feel free to take them out and look.”
As Baek I-gyeom approached the bookshelf, Namgung Myeong kindly explained. Following his words, Baek I-gyeom pulled out books, checked only the titles, then put them back.
Though it was a meaningless act, they had to keep up appearances.
The Martial Arts Alliance had to announce something to prevent greater chaos, and Dang Yeong-ryeong had to secretly uncover the truth under that pretext.
Ganjiang, Mokya, Honcheongi.
It was certain that at least one of them was in the Namgung Family.
‘Where could they have hidden it?’
They didn’t have permission to search the Gajujeon and Geumji.
‘If they exist, they’re probably there…’
“Huh?”
Just as Dang Yeong-ryeong’s contemplation was deepening, Baek I-gyeom suddenly spoke up.
“What’s wrong?”
Dang Yeong-ryeong and Namgung Myeong looked at him simultaneously.
“Well, this is… I thought it was a book, but there was no title written, so when I opened it, inside there was this…”
As if he couldn’t believe his own discovery, Baek I-gyeom brought over the book with a bewildered expression and showed it open.
Surprisingly, the characters for Honcheongi were actually written there.
Honcheongi .
Dang Yeong-ryeong quickly flipped through the pages, reading the contents.
Her eyes shook greatly.
Because no matter how she looked at it, it seemed real.
…Heaven and earth shall overturn, and a new order will devour the world.
Finally, order will crumble and new chaos will…
‘This passage…!’
“Gi-give it here!”
Namgung Myeong was equally shocked. He had an expression that showed he couldn’t understand why this had appeared here.
“Quickly bring the Family Head!”
Namgung Myeong shouted urgently to his subordinate while clutching the Honcheongi.
“Baek I-gyeom, go out and gather everyone.”
Dang Yeong-ryeong sent Baek I-gyeom out first to prepare for any contingency and made full preparations.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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