Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 273

Nangseon Gi Hwan Dam – 272

The time it takes for an ordinary mortal to be born, age, and die.

One hundred years.

That’s a period long enough for a country to rise and fall, a time when many things change, transform, and disappear. Yet, some things remain constant.

On the high mountain peaks that seemed to pierce the sky, thick fog swirled like resting clouds, and the surroundings were perpetually covered in white snow.

Mount Baek!

After a hundred years, Mount Baek’s fame had only grown.

There are many famous stories about the Baek San Sect, but the most prominent is, of course, about the Sect Leader.

The most famous tale was when he single-handedly crushed the Seondo [Taoist hermit] sects in the Six Eastern Regions. Not satisfied with that, he suppressed the Mount Song Sect, which had insulted the Baek San Sect, and took their Grand Master as a hostage.

Therefore, many spiritual leaders and Taoists, in awe of the Baek San Sect Leader’s divine power, flocked to become disciples of the Baek San Sect, a trend that showed no signs of stopping even after all this time.

However, the entrance exam for the Baek San Sect was notoriously difficult, demanding a near-death level of commitment, so many were left disappointed.

As a result, several countries naturally sprang up near Mount Baek and prospered, flourishing day by day thanks to the fame of the Baek San Sect.

This was because quite a few people gave up on becoming disciples of the Baek San Sect and decided to establish a country or return to secular life as ordinary people.

Nevertheless, with numerous talented individuals gathering, the Baek San Sect came to have many disciples, and when their number reached ten thousand.

The Baek San Sect sent messages to several large sects, inviting them to a grand assembly.

And today was the day.

It was the day when prominent, large sects gathered at the Baek San Sect.

“Many are coming.”

The Baek San Sect Leader, Cheonbeom, stood with his hands behind his back, watching the seemingly endless procession.

It was a procession of carriages carrying precious items, each sect wanting to make a good impression by any means possible.

“They could have just sent the gifts discreetly.”

It was quite amusing that they were bringing them in such a showy manner.

“Isn’t it because they fear the Sect Leader’s power that they are acting like this?”

“You’ve arrived.”

It was the Grand Master of the Mount Song Sect, Chokman.

She had become a hostage of Cheonbeom, but frankly, it was just a formality, and he had never once oppressed Chokman.

After that incident, other than the addition of honorifics between the two, things remained the same.

Even so, they had gone through life-and-death situations together, so both Beom and Chokman were considerate of each other.

They knew each other’s positions well, so they had no choice but to maintain this delicate balance.

“You left Mount Baek briefly some time ago; what did you do?”

“It was nothing much. I was just… looking for a friend who had lost contact.”

“Did you find them?”

“I couldn’t find them.”

After her body recovered, she used various sources of information to find her traces, but unfortunately, she could not locate her.

The same was true for Hongyeon.

She was sure they would be together, so she looked for Hongyeon, but her whereabouts were also unknown, and there was no way to find her.

“Come to think of it, congratulations are late. Congratulations on your ascension to Jiseon [Earth Immortal].”

She had recently succeeded in ascension with Cheonbeom’s help and became a Jiseon.

“It’s all thanks to the Sect Leader.”

“Why do you say that? There are as many people who can’t ascend no matter what they do and fail as there are stars in the sky.”

Cheonbeom recalled the one who had failed to ascend and died some time ago.

“I also regret Elder Myeong’s passing.”

Myeonghwa of the Sun Flame Clan failed in Jinsu Myeonghwa [a type of cultivation technique] and died.

“Cough….”

Thanks to that, his wife also crossed the Samdo River [River of Three Crossings, a metaphor for death] after him shortly after.

Feeling sorry, he buried them together in a sunny place on one side of Mount Baek.

A long time ago, Cheonbeom had been with them since they were simply spiritual beings.

He didn’t show it outwardly, but the sadness pierced him deeply.

That was why he had set out on a journey to find those who had a connection with him. He searched everywhere for the Geumeun sisters, as well as Hori and Hongyeon, but could not find them.

“Myeongchil must be very worried.”

As she said.

Who would know Myeongchil’s sadness, having lost all his parents and siblings?

He himself was so hurt and bitter, so how much more would that child be?

“The only good thing is that Mansam is by that child’s side….”

As the world is full of all sorts of unexpected connections, Mansam married Myeongchil a few years ago.

‘They were enemies, but he must have been heartbroken by Myeonghwa’s death as well.’

The sadness of losing an old friend and the grief of losing their parents may have brought them together.

“Were you here?”

“Ssangnyeo [lit. Twin Girl], you’ve come.”

It was Cheonyu, Beom’s daughter.

“How long are you going to call me Ssangnyeo? You even named me Cheonyu yourself….”

“Am I not allowed to give my daughter a nickname as a father?”

“It’s not that, but… it’s a bit much.”

Cheonyu still looked like a young child.

Originally a Yeonggyeol [Spirit Connection], Cheonyu was now just stepping into Yeongmyeong [Spirit Life].

It was a very fast achievement for a spiritual being with a slow training speed.

Just in case, he told her to take it slow and easy, but Cheonyu only repeated that she wanted to be helpful to Mount Baek as soon as possible.

Later, Cheonu said.

[My sister said she wants to become the Sect Leader of the Baek San Sect after Father.]

So it is said.

‘I have no intention of giving it to her.’

Cheonyu was not suitable for the position of Baek San Sect Leader.

She was so docile in front of her father, but she had a violent and cruel side, resembling someone.

Besides, she didn’t like humans very much, so it was even more concerning.

‘She resembles her mother.’

The Baek San Sect is a sect mixed with spiritual beings and humans, so the person who becomes the Sect Leader should not be biased towards either side.

The person he had secretly marked as the next Sect Leader was different.

‘Unmo is perfect as a Sect Leader.’

Because he is a Hona Blood [mixed blood], he understands the hearts of spiritual beings and humans well. He is calm by nature and knows how to wait for the right time.

His training is also fast, and he has already reached the middle stage of Hwanseon [Returning Immortal], so he may ascend to Taeseon [Great Immortal] soon.

“By the way, Sect Leader.”

“What is it?”

“Why did you call all these sects here? With the Sect Leader’s reputation, you don’t have to do this. Perhaps… are you thinking of avenging past grudges?”

“I’m not thinking that far.”

“Then what is it for?”

At Chokman’s question, Cheonbeom hesitated for a moment and smiled wryly.

“How can power be eternal? No matter how strong a sect is, there is no escaping the cycle of rise and fall over time.”

“The Sect Leader is already….”

Sensing his underlying meaning, Cheonbeom smiled and asked Yu.

“By the way, what’s wrong?”

“Ah! Great Mother is looking for you.”

“The time has come. I understand.”

* * *

In one corner of the Baek San Sect, in the assembly hall, tables were lined up with all sorts of delicacies, stretching so far that the end could not be seen.

In the banquet hall, various faces could be seen. They were those who held important positions in countless sects.

Hwaseon Sect, Ami Sect, Wudang Sect, Jeomchang Sect, Suwol Sect, Ilwol Sect, and so on. The leaders and elders of countless sects were present.

Some Sect Leaders personally led their disciples, while others, fearing the Baek San Sect, only sent elders.

“Has everyone arrived?”

“Not yet.”

The long procession of carriages from numerous sects was still continuing endlessly.

The procession of carriages flying in the sky had not ended for three days and nights, so the Baek San Sect disciples, who were tasked with counting their numbers, were only counting the people without sleeping.

“Haha, the procession is still continuing… the Baek San Sect’s reputation is indeed great.”

At the rare sight, there was a debate over whether the Baek San Sect was indeed the greatest sect under heaven.

“You’ve worked hard. I won’t forget your efforts, so please continue to work hard until the end.”

“Of course, Elder Manho. I will do my best, so you can rest assured.”

Manho patted the disciple’s shoulder and frowned at the emblem of one sect.

“Tsk, tsk!”

Among the numerous sects, the Mount Song Sect was also present, consisting of those who had no prior connection with the Baek San Sect.

The Baek San Sect disciples looked at them unpleasantly but did not say anything.

Today was a day for the Baek San Sect to strengthen its internal affairs and invite various sects to solidify its superiority.

However, if there was a sect that the Baek San Sect looked at unpleasantly, there was also a welcome presence, which was none other than the group called Tal.

“To have prospered so much in just a few hundred years and be mentioned as the greatest sect under heaven… Haha, I really have a good friend!”

It was Jangcheon, the Great Priest of Tal, who had a close relationship with the Baek San Sect Leader.

“It is truly an honor to meet the esteemed Great Priest of Tal here.”

“You are….”

It was a woman, and the clothes she was wearing were particularly elegant, and the aura emanating from her was also unusual.

“I am Yechunhwa, the Sect Leader of the Ami Sect.”

“I see. You are Sect Leader Ye, who became the new Sect Leader of the Ami Sect. I am Jangcheon, the Great Priest of Tal.”

As they greeted each other with clasped hands, the Taoists of other sects glanced at them.

“Great Priest, if you don’t mind, how about having a meal together?”

“Haha, I can’t refuse a woman’s invitation as a man.”

Just as Yechunhwa was delighted with a sweet laugh.

“Can’t I join you too?”

It was a woman whose white, jade-like skin, like a white moon, was particularly noticeable.

“You are….”

“I am late to introduce myself. The Sect Leader of Ilwol, I am Sosojeong.”

She was Sosojeong, the Sect Leader of the Ilwol Sect.

Jangcheon was suddenly caught between two women, but the men in the hall all looked at him with pity rather than envy.

The reason was that Ilwol and the Ami Sect were sworn enemies.

From the distant past until now, the Ilwol Sect and the Ami Sect have always been famous for being unable to coexist, even though the leadership has changed several times.

When there was a Taoist named Yujeong in Ilwol, the Ami Sect was greatly damaged and was on the verge of destruction, so it was even more intense.

It was a situation where he might suffer unnecessary anger by being caught between sworn enemies, so how could they not cast a sympathetic gaze?

‘This has become difficult.’

From the beginning, he had followed his master’s teachings to stay away from women.

He couldn’t show it outwardly, but even if it wasn’t their history, he was quite uncomfortable around women themselves.

“Hmm? Isn’t that Jangcheon!”

“Ah, you are….”

“Do you remember me?”

“I remember you. I saw you in Dongguk, right?”

An old man, like a savior to Jangcheon, approached, and it was Manho of Baek San.

He had previously met Jangcheon in Dongguk.

“I thought you were only a Biseon [Flying Immortal] at the time, but I didn’t know you had already become a Taeseon!”

Manho had steadily worked hard on his training for the past hundred years and became a Taeseon.

The Baek San Sect Leader was also surprised by his achievement, because no matter how many Seondan [Immortal Pills] he gave him, he did not expect him to ascend to Taeseon so smoothly.

He was even more surprised after Myeonghwa’s fate.

Whether that was the difference between spiritual beings and humans, or something else, only heaven would know.

“Haha, you flatter me. I was able to come this far only because of the Sect Leader’s great grace.”

“Is that so? Anyway, I’m very happy to meet you like this!”

“The honor is mine.”

Jangcheon shook hands with Manho and naturally sat down.

At his appearance, Jangcheon forcibly suppressed the laughter that was about to burst out. It was a consideration in its own way.

‘I survived thanks to you.’

Thanks to Manho, who suddenly appeared, the Ami Sect and the Ilwol Sect had no choice but to return to their seats.

“Come to think of it, you must know.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know. The Baek San Sect’s power is growing day by day, and no one dares to act recklessly, but what is the reason for holding such a banquet and gathering all the sects in the world?”

Jangcheon’s words are true.

There was no need to hold such a complicated banquet, making everyone wonder, ‘Why bother?’

“I thought so at first, but after thinking about it carefully, I think I know why the Sect Leader is doing this.”

“Yes, what is the reason?”

“That’s probably….”

It was then.

Whoo-oong-

Suddenly, wind blew through the banquet hall.

The huge gate of the hall opened, and a man walked out with a dignified gait.

“Oh… that person is….”

“That person is….”

A jet-black robe embroidered with gold thread, and scarlet eyes that seemed to see through anything.

He was the Sect Leader of the Baek San Sect, Cheonbeom.

He briefly looked around the audience, took a deep breath, and opened his mouth.

“Greetings are not necessary.”

If anyone else had said such a thing, they would have been furious, but no one in the hall dared to say anything.

The Baek San Sect Leader, who would dare to call him arrogant, the Great Seonsa [Great Immortal Master] who had ascended to Yeongwon [Eternity]?

“I don’t like formalities, so I’ll get straight to the point. The reason I called you all here today is because I have a request.”

A request?

What could the Baek San Sect Leader possibly lack that he would make a request to them?

Even if he gave an absurd order, they would not have the power to refuse.

That is the power and position of the Baek San Sect.

But to make a request was a word that could not help but tilt their heads.

The murmuring grew louder and louder, and as they were unable to fathom his intentions.

“What is it that the Great Seonsa who has ascended to Yeongwon would even say ‘request’ to us?”

Jangcheon, unable to watch any longer, asked him with a faint smile.

Then, Beom smiled and replied.

“There is a public enemy in the Taoist world.”

“A public enemy of the Taoist world?”

“A public enemy, what….”

They wondered who he was talking about.

Was there even a public enemy in the Taoist world?

“There may also be sects here that have fought life-and-death battles with our Baek San Sect. Hundred years ago, we fought a war and shed much blood. However, the one who led that war and made us shed meaningless blood is still alive and well.”

That bastard is still alive.

“The one who led the war….”

“Huh, could it be!”

Who was the mastermind behind inciting the Donghae Sea Clan to attack Baek San and swaying the sects of Banggok to wage war, the source of all things?

“Yoo, Yujeong!!”

Now is the time to cut off this tenacious bond.

“I, Cheonbeom, the Sect Leader of the Baek San Sect! Declare that he is the public enemy who has disturbed the Taoist world and issue a massive extermination order!!”