Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 271

Nangseon’s Return – Episode 270

Baeksan, the guest hall of the Hamoen [a branch or subsidiary hall].

In that place, the Taoists of the Swords Mountain were seated, looking at Baeksan with wonder.

“Did it really have to come to this?”

Sitting at the table in the guest hall, the Great Master of Swords Mountain, Chukman, who was brushing her long green hair, grumbled, clearly displeased.

“We are Taoists of the Swords Mountain. Moreover, if the Great Master, who will soon become a Great Seon Master [a high-ranking Taoist master], were to move about without restraint, we would be the ones criticized.”

“That’s right. Besides, isn’t this a place where a battlefield could erupt at any moment?”

Originally, Chukman had come alone to meet the head of the Baeksan Sect, but to her surprise, the elders and disciples of the Swords Mountain had followed her.

She understood their worries, but felt this was a bit much.

‘I hope no unnecessary commotion arises….’

With four elders, including the Great Elder, and about a dozen Hwanseon [Taoist immortals] with outstanding divine powers accompanying her, it felt even more excessive.

Given the Baeksan Sect’s current situation, she worried about unnecessary misunderstandings.

‘These guys are all well-meaning, but they treat me like a child left out in the cold too much….’

If they brought up the incident where she was attacked by the Three Evils before and said they were worried, Chukman would have nothing to say.

“And the incident with the Heavenly Net Island might also be the work of this place.”

“Ahem! Didn’t I say it wasn’t!”

The cause of death of the disciples who guarded the Heavenly Net Island was traces of dark magic and poison.

It was the work of the Demonic Path.

“However, I believe it’s right to keep all possibilities open. The Great Master said that the head of the Baeksan Sect was also present at that place, so perhaps….”

It was possible the Baeksan Sect had a strong connection with the Demonic Path.

Chukman insisted that wasn’t the case, but they stubbornly insisted it might be, which annoyed her.

“Geez, you guys are stubborn… It’s not like you’re acting so arbitrarily just because my appearance has become that of a woman, is it?”

“Of course not! We are well aware that the founder of our sect established the Swords Mountain Sect as a woman.”

“Elder Pung is right. In pursuing the path of Tao, how can we discriminate between men and women?”

Chukman scoffed in disbelief, then tilted her head, resting her chin on her hand.

“If that’s the case, then that’s that. Anyway, it doesn’t seem like the situation of the Baeksan Sect is as bad as you guys are worried about. What do you think?”

“I think so too.

Considering they’ve experienced a great war, the complexions of the Baeksan Sect’s disciples aren’t bad, and the surrounding countries and villages also seem peaceful.”

Clearly, there had been frequent conflicts with various sects and they had fought a great war, but the atmosphere of the Baeksan Sect was bright.

“The spiritual energy of the Baeksan Sect is so dense that it seems to help the disciples’ training and the healing of injuries.”

“I wondered why the other sects were making things so difficult for the Baeksan Sect, but there was a reason for it.”

Even though it was Hamoen, the concentration of spiritual energy was as high as the peak of any sacred mountain.

“I heard that it used to be just an ordinary sacred mountain, but I don’t know how it suddenly became such an extraordinary mountain.”

Then Chukman chuckled.

“That’s because there is a Divine Tree here. There are probably about a thousand of them.”

“Divine Tree!?”

“Is that really true?”

As the elders’ eyes changed, Chukman clicked her tongue.

“Don’t get any idle dreams. There’s no need to be greedy.”

She warned, but the elders’ eyes seemed to be already stained with greed.

“The Baeksan Sect is experiencing war. Although their condition is better than expected, the aura of war hasn’t disappeared.

So, how about the Swords Mountain helping them and receiving a reasonable price in return?”

“Are you saying we should form an alliance and ask them to give us the Divine Tree in return?”

“Yes, the Baeksan Sect would be happy to have the Swords Mountain as a strong ally, and we would be able to improve the training of our disciples by obtaining the Divine Tree, so wouldn’t it be a win-win for both of us?”

It was a plausible argument.

The Baeksan Sect had fought a great war and was now in a temporary lull, but they didn’t know when the war would break out again.

“Wouldn’t it be a great benefit to Baeksan just to have the fact that the Swords Mountain and Baeksan have formed an alliance spread? The disciples would be happy to be free from the fear of war and be able to sharpen their swords for revenge.”

The elders all nodded, saying it was a good idea. On the surface, it wasn’t a bad proposal.

However, Chukman waved her hand as if that wasn’t the case at all.

“Don’t do anything that would provoke that guy’s displeasure.

Did you guys come here with your eyes and ears covered?”

“What do you mean….”

“Tsk, it is said that all of the Flying Ships of the Sea Dragon Clan in Bangok were half-destroyed and defeated.

The same goes for the Three Great Sea Clans of the East Sea. I don’t know the details, but rumors are spreading that they were all wiped out for messing with the Baeksan Sect.”

In short, the Baeksan Sect’s power isn’t weak enough to need the help of the Swords Mountain.

So, would they give up the Divine Tree just because they formed an alliance with the Swords Mountain?

That’s a load of nonsense.

“The Baeksan Sect is more prosperous than I thought, but there seems to be some exaggeration.

It’s probably not all due to the power of the Baeksan Sect. Even the Swords Mountain wouldn’t be able to do such a thing….”

Impossible.

“Great Elder, what do you think?”

“Hmm….”

“Are you guys not listening to a word I say?”

“N, no, that’s not it. This is a matter that needs to be carefully considered, so that’s why.”

“Forget it. Do as you please.”

“W, where are you going?”

“I’m going to the restroom, you guys! Are you going to follow me all the way to the restroom?”

“A, no. Please, go ahead.”

Chukman disappeared into the restroom, and at the same time, one of the disciples of the Swords Mountain rushed in.

“So, did you hear anything?”

He was a disciple who had been sent to investigate the situation of Baeksan.

“I heard something strange.”

“Tell me.”

“The head of the Baeksan Sect….”

A moment later.

“…Is that true?”

“It’s not accurate, but I heard some of the Baeksan Sect’s disciples talking about it.”

The faces of the elders became somewhat serious.

“If it’s true that the head of the Baeksan Sect has suffered a serious injury, then we can see that it’s deeply related to the Heavenly Net Island incident.”

“In my opinion, it’s definitely that guy’s doing!”

It was the one called Elder Pung.

He was a man in his forties with a generous personality.

“Can you tell me why.”

“Reason or no reason, the disciples of the Swords Mountain died!! The head of the Baeksan Sect was also present at that place, so there’s no way they’re not involved!!

He must have also participated in killing our disciples!!”

“That also….”

It wasn’t an unreasonable statement.

“However, rumors are just rumors. We aren’t sure that the head of the sect has really suffered a serious injury… In this case, it would be better to meet the head of the Baeksan Sect and talk to them.”

It was then.

Knock knock.

“There was an order to escort the Taoists of the Swords Mountain to the Upper Gate.”

It seemed to be one of the disciples of the Baeksan Sect.

The elders nodded to each other and stood up from their seats.

“Lead the way.”

* * *

A moment later.

In front of the Upper Gate, the disciples and elders of the Baeksan Sect welcomed the Swords Mountain Sect, and in the center was a woman with snow-white hair and overflowing elegance.

“We have been waiting for you. I am greeting you on behalf of the head of the Baeksan Sect.”

She was a woman as beautiful as snowflakes, with a graceful figure and a charm like snow on a pine tree.

“Hmm….”

The elders of the Swords Mountain Sect couldn’t hide their embarrassment. They thought the head of the sect would come out, but an unexpected person came out instead.

“Hmm? Aren’t you the Hyeoncheon Fairy [Ice Fairy]. But how are you in the Baeksan Sect….”

“Do you have a connection with her?”

When the Great Elder asked, the one called Elder Ong nodded.

“She is the Hyeoncheon Fairy of the Ice Palace, and she is famous for her great divine power.

I saw her from afar about a hundred years ago. I never thought I would see her again here….”

He said as if it was unexpected.

“I am now married and just playing the role of the mistress of the Baeksan Sect.”

“Ah, I see….”

The elders’ faces became strange at the word marriage.

It was even more so because they heard that the head of the Baeksan Sect was not a human but a divine beast.

“Ahem, I see. But we came to see the head of the sect, not the mistress.”

“Currently, the head of the sect is in seclusion, so it seems difficult to welcome the honored guests of the Swords Mountain Sect.”

“Seclusion….”

The Great Elder of the Swords Mountain Sect raised the corners of his mouth slightly as if he was in trouble.

The fact that he was in seclusion seemed to mean that the Baeksan Sect was trying to hide something.

He had a hunch, and it seemed that there was really something wrong with the head of the sect.

“We came in a bit of a hurry due to circumstances, but I don’t feel good about being treated with contempt because the head of the sect doesn’t show up.”

The elders subtly released the pressure of Taeseon [Great Taoist pressure] as if they were uncomfortable.

“That’s not true. Don’t you know that you can’t end seclusion at will when practicing Tao?”

“We came as representatives of the Swords Mountain Sect to help the Baeksan Sect, but how can you treat us so poorly!! The Baeksan Sect is probably the first sect in the Taoist world to treat the Swords Mountain Sect so poorly!!”

The disciples of the Baeksan Sect were embarrassed when he got angry as if it was absurd.

Choa narrowed her eyes and remained silent.

“Even the Demonic Path guys don’t treat us like this! What kind of sect is the Swords Mountain Sect!”

The Swords Mountain Sect was the starting point for the full-scale opening of Taoist practice, which had been done in a haphazard way.

It had a long tradition and history, and the number and quality of Taoists it possessed were also exceptional, so the unique techniques and alchemy possessed only by the Swords Mountain Sect were amazing.

“We are the only sect that can help Baeksan, which has been wounded by war.

We tried to be a strength to Baeksan in order to protect the order of the Taoist world rather than immediate gains, but it was a complete waste of time!!”

However, the Baeksan Sect was a bit taken aback by the fact that they were being criticized and treated poorly as soon as they saw them.

Of course, they could feel bad.

But it wasn’t to the point of doing this.

Choa sneered at their appearance and sent a cold gaze, and the atmosphere suddenly turned cold and the temperature dropped.

“Baeksan is not weak.

Your help is not essential, and we have never asked for it.

We couldn’t greet you due to unavoidable circumstances, but I don’t think there is any reason to be criticized like this.”

Every word was right, but the elders of the Swords Mountain Sect rather exclaimed in disbelief.

“Don’t you still understand? Let me put it bluntly. The head of the Baeksan Sect isn’t in seclusion, but there’s another reason why he can’t be shown to us, isn’t there?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Aren’t you not in seclusion now, but unable to come out because you were injured while killing our disciples in Chomangdo? It wouldn’t be good if it was revealed that the head of the sect was injured in the current war situation!!”

Choa’s brow furrowed.

“I don’t know where you heard such a thing, but that’s not true. The head of the Baeksan Sect isn’t so narrow-minded as to commit senseless slaughter, and he wouldn’t kill the disciples of the Swords Mountain Sect!”

“You never know!!”

It seemed they hadn’t come with good intentions.

“Even if it is the Swords Mountain Sect, such rudeness cannot be tolerated.”

When she said to go back, Elder Pung’s face turned red and he became furious.

“Are you ignoring the Swords Mountain Sect!!

How dare a crude sect mixed with lowly beasts!!”

Choa narrowed her eyes, and the faces of the Baeksan Sect immediately contorted.

“You bastards!!”

At the same time as Mansam’s roar, the disciples of the Baeksan Sect all aimed their spears and swords. No matter what else, they didn’t care about the level of their cultivation when it came to insulting the Baeksan Sect.

“Do you believe that you can survive here even after insulting the Baeksan Sect!!”

However, the Swords Mountain Sect didn’t flinch at all and raised their heads stiffly.

“I didn’t say anything wrong.”

“What!? H, how dare you!!”

Baeksan didn’t want to make more enemies, but they couldn’t just stand still after experiencing such humiliation.

“Judging from the fact that you haven’t shown up until now, it seems that the connection between the head of the Baeksan Sect and the Demonic Path is very strong! The Baeksan Sect killed the disciples of the Swords Mountain Sect and is afraid that it will be revealed, so they are hiding their tails and not even showing their faces!!”

“Our Swords Mountain Sect will not let this go. The Baeksan Sect will meet our Swords Mountain Sect on the battlefield as well!”

“If that happens, the Baeksan Sect will not be able to avoid destruction.”

“If the famous Hyeoncheon Fairy pours us a drink, we might reconsider, hahaha!!”

Everyone in the Baeksan Sect was shocked at Elder Pung’s words.

“Have you ever seen such shameless people! How dare you say such a thing to the mistress of a sect!”

It was an unforgivable statement.

Wasn’t it like treating her like a courtesan!

“No matter how historically deep and great the Swords Mountain Sect is, such rudeness cannot be tolerated!”

The sin of insulting the mistress of Baeksan will surely be paid dearly.

“You spoke well. I will never forget this humiliation even in death, so I will not regret throwing away this one life here!”

Mansam and Myeonghwa also emitted killing intent with the same heart.

“Hmph, you guys are the enemies of the Swords Mountain Sect’s disciples, so be prepared!!”

Just as the war was about to break out.

Koo-oong!!

“Keuhuk!!”

Suddenly, a huge killing intent pressed down on all sides and bound them.

They couldn’t move as if they had been stabbed in a pressure point, and there were clear signs that they would suffer great internal injuries if they even moved.

“W, what is this…!”

A tremendous killing intent.

It was a killing intent that they had never felt in their lives.

Rather than killing intent, it was as if death itself was pressing down on them.

Their hands and feet trembled involuntarily, and cold sweat poured out all over their bodies.

It was then.

Step, step.

The sound of a man’s footsteps was slowly heard from afar.

They couldn’t even turn their eyes from the tremendous killing intent. Because something so terrifying that they couldn’t even bear to look at was walking towards them.

As they trembled in fear, he spoke to them.

“Did you say to pour a drink?”

It was a cold and heavy voice as if it wasn’t even funny.

When the Great Elder of the Swords Mountain Sect mustered up the courage to turn his eyes, he saw a red-eyed young man staring at them with cold eyes.

‘I, it’s not Eternity!! This level of tremendous killing intent is from the Eternal…!!’

He suddenly took out a long, round bottle of alcohol, and then a pungent poison, not the smell of alcohol, began to overflow from the bottle.

It was clear that it was a deadly poison that could cause fatal injuries with just one breath.

“Take it, this is the drink you wanted.”

He held out a glass in front of Elder Pung.

But it wasn’t a glass of alcohol.

It was a glass of poison.

Elder Pung trembled in fear.

He was so scared that he shed tears and even wet himself.

“Why are you just crying when it’s the glass of alcohol you wanted so much?”

When he asked, Elder Pung shed tears and stammered.

“P, please… s, save… me… I… don’t… want… to… drink… poison….”