Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 383

Nangseon Gi Hwan Dam – Part 2, Chapter 92

“Is that really true?”

“Yes, of course! I clearly saw Head Instructor Munmu entering Byeoncheon Palace!”

A descendant of the Peng Clan, who wields the scarlet lightning of the Red Lightning Lord.

It was Peng Ga-yeon of the Peng Clan.

She had left Munmu Palace and was now fulfilling her duties as a Cheonmunseon [celestial guard] under Jucheonmunjang.

“I thought he was dead….”

He was alive.

Alive.

Upon hearing that, her feet moved on their own, and before she knew it, she was using her dunjutsu [art of遁, escaping technique].

Transforming into red lightning, she used the Lightning Dunjutsu to arrive in front of Byeoncheon Palace in an instant.

Forgetting that Dunjutsu was forbidden within the palace.

“Head Instructor Munmu….”

Kwaang!!

As soon as she opened the gates of Byeoncheon Palace, a rough wind and dust filled the air.

Soon, as the wind cleared the sand, she saw Cheonbeom emitting golden light from his entire body and the training ground in chaos.

And men being grabbed and beaten in Cheonbeom’s hands.

‘He’s still the same.’

Peng Ga-yeon smiled without realizing it.

The first thing a person thought to be dead does upon returning is beating up the other Sacheonjang [Four Heavenly Generals].

Naturally, the memories of the past came to mind, and she burst into laughter.

Not changed one bit.

Still the same.

‘He’s still the same man.’

It was obvious.

He must have betted some drool-worthy item under the guise of sparring.

And they were the lively fish that took the bait.

“Well.”

That’s why he is Head Instructor Munmu.

Peng Ga-yeon watched Cheonbeom grabbing Yangcheonmujang [Yang Heaven Military General] by the collar and punching him, as if longing for the past.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

In the meantime, Byeoncheonmujang [Byeon Heaven Military General] launched a surprise attack, but Cheonbeom twisted his body to dodge it and slammed him down.

Kwaang!!

“The Sacheonjang seem to be in bad shape today. Not even able to graze my collar. It seems my luck is very good today, haha!”

He laughed like that while beating them.

‘How is he going to handle the aftermath….’

It seemed like it was time to stop him, but not only Umyeong but also the Munmuseon [Munmu Palace disciples] of the Munmu Unit had no intention of stopping him.

Rather, they were egging him on.

“Right in the kisser!”

“Please hit Yangcheonjang one more time!”

Everyone was out of their minds.

The reason they weren’t taking this serious situation seriously was probably because of that man.

Munmu Gwanjang [Head of Munmu Palace], Cheonbeom.

It was because they had faith that he would somehow manage.

Most of the Munmuseon gathered in Munmu Palace were gathered because of that man.

If they didn’t have that one belief, none of them would have remained until now, seventy years later.

‘Foolish people.’

He didn’t have a strong backing, nor did he have powerful connections.

Yet, cultivators always gathered around that man.

Whether they were enemies or allies, they would be soaked in him before they knew it.

Like getting wet in a drizzle without realizing it.

That man was always like that.

And he still is.

Peng Ga-yeon took a deep breath.

And strode forward.

“Oh, Vice-Captain Peng!”

“What brings Vice-Captain Peng here….”

“Hey, she’s not the vice-captain anymore.”

Passing through the murmuring noise, she headed straight to where Cheonbeom was.

Then, leaving behind the Sacheonjang who were rolling around in their transformed states, she turned around.

“Long time no see.”

“There are many eyes watching. Please stop now. It seems the match is over.”

Cheonbeom nodded and shook off his hands. Then, he pulled out the 쌍멸 [Ssangmyeol, twin blades] stuck in the training ground and shouted.

“Yangcheonjang and Byeoncheonjang lost in the bet with me, so send the equivalent of your worth to Munmu Palace. Of course, I will receive that value as sangseonbo [reward] for Won Geun and my subordinates!”

Then, the shouts of the Munmu Unit members who had been waiting erupted.

“Waaaaah!!”

“Munmu Gwanjang, hooray!”

“I believed in you, Gwanjang-sama!!”

“I’ve been waiting for this day, damn it!”

Some were even shedding tears as if their pent-up grievances were bursting out.

Peng Ga-yeon’s eyes caught the sight of Munmu Gwanjang mingling with the Munmu Palace unit members and smiling.

She clenched her fists without realizing it.

Afraid that she too would be mixed in there if she didn’t come to her senses.

* * *

A while later.

Cheonbeom, who had returned to Munmu Palace, was having a cup of tea while talking alone with Peng Ga-yeon.

“Peng Munseon [Peng, Disciple of Munmu Palace].”

“Yes, Gwanjang-sama.”

“You still call me Gwanjang.”

“This is Sugung [Underwater Palace]. One must not violate the palace’s laws.”

It was a knife-like answer, just like her.

“I heard you’re under Jucheonmunjang now.”

“That’s right.”

“Do you have any thoughts of coming under me?”

“No.”

A firm attitude.

Cheonbeom understood.

He was the one who killed her uncle, so it was only natural.

“Then why did you come here?”

“That’s….”

Seeing her hesitation to answer, Cheonbeom lifted his teacup, wet his lips, and said.

“If you think of me as an enemy, wouldn’t it be better to watch me from nearby?”

“…Are you serious?”

“I’m not a lighthearted man who would joke about such things.”

“What do you want?”

There was nothing he wanted.

He was just curious.

“Just like you appeared here without any benefit, I don’t particularly want anything either. Not from you, nor from the Peng Clan.”

Peng Ga-yeon’s eyes turned fierce.

It seemed that mentioning the Peng Clan reminded her of the relationship between her family and Cheonbeom.

“Wasn’t the reason you volunteered as Munmu Bugwan [Vice Head of Munmu Palace] because of the Sa Clan’s head?”

“……”

“But after I disappeared, Peng Ga-yeon, what did you do?”

According to the story, after Cheonbeom disappeared, Peng Ga-yeon resigned from her position as Munmu Bugwan and took a long vacation.

She had simply secluded herself within the family and devoted herself to cultivation.

Then, she recently emerged and joined Jucheonmunjang.

“That’s not like you. With the Peng Clan’s influence, you could have been by Saha’s side, who is serving as Seonsalsinjang [Celestial Execution General].”

She didn’t do that.

He didn’t know why.

“I just didn’t feel like it.”

“You didn’t feel like it?”

“It’s my heart, no matter what. Why are you asking such things!”

At her shouting as if telling him to stop, Cheonbeom grinned.

“You’ve changed a lot.”

“But Munmu Gwanjang is still the same!”

Peng Ga-yeon stood up from her seat, glared at Cheonbeom, and said.

“I am the Gwanjang’s enemy. Please don’t forget that point!”

With those words, she left the room.

Left alone, Cheonbeom sipped the tea in his teacup and put it down.

“It’s not good.”

It felt unnecessarily bitter.

“I, I’m sorry.”

It was a court lady who had made the tea.

“…It’s not that the tea is bad.”

Cheonbeom, who was making excuses, soon recognized the court lady’s face and was surprised.

“You, when did you become this?”

“Yes? What are you talking about….”

“Weren’t you originally a Soseon [Lower Celestial]?”

Then, the court lady covered her mouth with the tray and was surprised.

“Do you remember me?”

“Am I not asking because I remember? Didn’t they say you were the first to solve my test?”

“I, it was just a coincidence!”

The court lady, who was only a Soseon, had already been promoted to Sangseon [Upper Celestial].

It was said that she had succeeded in seungseon [ascension to celestial status] by receiving the Won Gyeoldan [Supreme Resolution Pill] that Cheonbeom had won in the bet.

“Commendable.”

“Ah, no! If it weren’t for Gwanjang-sama’s grace, someone like me would never have become a Sangseon!! I’ve always been worried about how to repay this grace, but I’m happy that you’ve returned!”

She was an orphan who had entered the palace as a court lady since she was young, and she had never thought that she would become a Sangseon.

She said that she was really happy that he had returned because she finally had a chance to repay his kindness, which made his heart feel warm.

“What’s your name?”

“I don’t have a surname, so please call me Yang Mi-ra!”

Yang Mi, who had unknowingly raised her voice, covered her mouth with the tray.

Her personality seemed timid.

“If you’re a Sangseon, you could become a Munmuseon of Munmu Palace instead of a court lady.”

“N, no way!”

“It’s not good to say that without even trying. You should have that much of a goal to increase your achievements. If you solved my test, you’re qualified enough.”

As he said with a bright smile, Yang Mi also smiled brightly as if she was secretly happy.

“Ah, and in the future, how about mixing a little alcohol in my teacup instead of tea? Or it’s okay to just give me alcohol instead of tea, I don’t like this bland stuff.”

“I’ll prepare it!”

“Good answer.”

Cheonbeom, who got up from his seat, soon left Munmu Palace’s guest room.

He sat in the upper seat of Munmu Palace and unfolded various reports and mission performance logs.

There was a mountain of things to read since he had left them unattended for so long.

After being like that for a long time, night fell and it became dark.

As he was about to leave Munmu Palace, Umyeong appeared from somewhere and asked.

“Where are you going?”

“To Munmu Pavilion. I have to go home, no matter what.”

“I’ll follow you.”

“Is something wrong?”

“I don’t know if you’ll disappear again.”

Beom, who was about to say something, let out a hollow laugh after seeing the Munmuseon gathered behind Umyeong.

“What are you guys doing?”

“We’re the same as Vice-Captain Woo. Gwanjang!”

“That’s right, Gwanjang-sama! I’ll even escort you to the bathroom, so don’t worry!”

Then, a burst of laughter erupted.

Beom, who let out a hollow laugh, was about to say something but just left it alone.

‘They must be anxious.’

He had disappeared for seventy years.

It was right after he had fought with Peng Gong-yeon and caused a commotion because of the 쌍멸 [Ssangmyeol, twin blades].

Since he had disappeared during that time, everyone must have thought he was dead.

And they would have regretted it.

Not being able to protect him.

Umyeong, who had even followed him to Sangseo [a high-ranking position], would have been even more so.

“Well, I guess I’ll receive an escort for once.”

They weren’t like immortals at all.

But Beom liked these guys even more because of that.

“Let’s go!”

“Munmu Gwanjang is going out, clear the way!”

“Shoo, shoo!”

Seeing them walking through the palace like hooligans while cackling, Beom was embarrassed.

Soon, the guys who had arrived at Cheonbeom’s Munmu Pavilion were even begging to be let inside.

“Please let us sleep here for one night!”

“It’s been a long time since we’ve seen you, isn’t it a shame to send you away like this?”

“Vice-Captain Woo, say something.”

“I don’t think it’s bad.”

But Beom’s thoughts were different.

“Hmm, I wish you’d all disappear….”

“You’re so heartless, Munmu Gwanjang!”

“That’s right! You’re too much!”

“We still have a lot of grievances we’ve suffered for seventy years!”

“Please let us have a drink!”

Damn it, it seemed like they had been planning this from the beginning with the escort and everything.

As he was contemplating, the gates of Munmu Pavilion opened wide with a creaking sound.

“What, were you here?”

“It’s been a long time, Munmu Gwanjang.”

The court lady who bowed her head in greeting was Ju Gyeol-gyeong, who managed Munmu Pavilion.

As the doors of Munmu Pavilion opened, the Munmu Unit members recklessly rushed in and showed off their guts.

“Court Lady Ju, please prepare some snacks and drinks! We have to relieve our pent-up feelings. Isn’t that right?”

“That’s right, that’s right. That’s a wise saying!”

Then, Ju Gyeol-gyeong covered her mouth with her sleeve and nodded with a smile.

“I’ll prepare it right away.”

“No, there’s no need to.”

“Don’t be so stingy!”

But these guys.

It was unpleasant to see twenty-something men swarming in Munmu Pavilion.

“Tsk, if you’re going to do it, bring the Hagwan [lower-ranking officials] and court ladies of Munmu Palace too. If you’re going to enjoy and drink, it’s right to be all together.”

“That’s a great idea! I’ll go get them right away!!”

“Okay, I’m going too!”

Soon after, all the cultivators in Munmu Palace gathered and a feast began.

Everyone ate and drank, and after spitting and cursing at someone, they laughed again as if grabbing their bellies.

Beom smiled faintly as he watched the Munmuseon who were noisily chattering.

‘Not bad.’

Sometimes, things like this weren’t bad either.