Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 448

Clang.

Returning to the bridal chamber, Beom sighed deeply, finding Hwayang sitting demurely.

“To sigh upon seeing your bride? That’s rather rude, isn’t it?”

“Ah, my apologies.”

He apologized, but the situation made a sigh almost unavoidable.

Stepping outside meant being constantly wary of the Gwisun [celestial beings or spirits], and enduring those who tried to strike up conversations to forge connections, while others pried, seemingly trying to gauge his true feelings for the princess.

Disliking that, he considered staying in Saha’s room, but it wouldn’t be proper for a newlywed groom to spend too much time with another woman, so he couldn’t do that.

Whether they sensed his discomfort or not, the Gwisun relentlessly approached him, seeking to uncover Beom’s background and establish friendships, which was utterly exhausting. Some inquired about the lineage of Beom, a Suseon [water deity or immortal] from the Water Realm, and about the current strength and defenses of the Water Realm.

There were even those who insisted that, as the husband of the Four Realms’ princess and son-in-law of Mangakbyeonwang [King Mangak], he should at least inform them for the sake of the Four Realms.

Of course, he feigned ignorance, claiming to be a mere Nangseon [a wandering immortal or celestial knight], but they didn’t seem to believe him.

They seemed to think a princess wouldn’t marry a mere Nangseon unless she were mad, and that he was simply being modest.

“It’s exhausting.”

It was far more troublesome than he had anticipated.

“I never said it would be easy.”

“Yet, you’re the one who made it impossible to refuse.”

“Oh my, was it really me? I thought the Seonsa [immortal master] had developed feelings for me, which is why he agreed. Was that not the case? Oh, how terribly sad.”

At her practiced, theatrical acting, he sat on a chair, rested his chin on his hand, and chuckled dryly.

“Instead of this, let’s reach a compromise.”

“What compromise? Isn’t that matter already settled…?”

“I want to leave Mangakjeong [Mangak Palace] in a month… Is there absolutely no way?”

“Please consider the heart of a new bride who doesn’t want her husband to leave. They say that for immortals, the honeymoon lasts at least a hundred or a thousand years, but if you leave after only a month, what will become of me? I want to be with you for at least ten years!”

“You said a year yesterday?”

“Oh, did I? With each passing day, my feelings for my groom only grow, uncontrollably….”

He couldn’t tell if she was genuinely immersed in her role or simply finding the situation amusing.

Looking closely, several books were partially hidden by the blanket behind her bedchamber. When Beom subtly checked, they were stories and poems about love affairs between men and women.

‘Sangsamong [Love-themed novel], Aemosim [Love-themed poem], Yubuseolseo [Love-themed story]….’

There were many others like them.

Beom pretended not to notice.

“I will leave in a month.”

“That simply won’t do. As you know, there are still many who doubt the legitimacy of our relationship.”

“Even if they do, it’s not as if they can actually do anything about it.”

“Since you’ve already committed to this, you can help me properly, right? As a Nangseon, you don’t have many responsibilities anyway, do you?”

“Even a Nangseon has duties. Leaving the mortal world and wandering for cultivation is the very essence of a Nangseon’s life. I will not forgive anyone who insults that, even if it is a princess.”

Hwayang glared at Beom, who only spouted such old-fashioned words, then averted her gaze.

“I understand your perspective, but please grant me a little more time. It may be a brief inconvenience for you, but it’s a matter of a lifetime for me. Besides, you can cultivate sufficiently well within Mangakjeong, can’t you? Of course, many Gwisun are visiting now, but once they all depart, you can cultivate here for several years in peace. And naturally, we will gather the finest elixirs and medicinal herbs in the Upper Realm to support your cultivation, so you needn’t worry.”

He knew it was true, but Beom also suspected she might have ulterior motives.

“Don’t actually develop feelings for me.”

“Oh my, I was thinking the very same thing. I was worried about what would happen if the Gongja [young master or nobleman] were to fall deeply in love with me.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. It is true that you are outwardly beautiful, but a beautiful appearance does not necessarily guarantee that one will inspire love.”

“….”

Then Hwayang’s brow twitched.

“Are you implying that I have nothing other than my appearance to attract a man…?”

“Does it come across that way? Well, it both seems that way and doesn’t seem that way.”

Speaking with calculated ambiguity, Hwayang forced a smile and retorted.

“But wouldn’t the same be true for the groom?”

“Hehe, it seems the wife is unaware, but I’m quite the catch wherever I go.”

“So, that’s why I haven’t fallen for any part of you. You certainly live up to your reputation of being so confident that you won’t be missed anywhere. You’re truly amazing!”

She sneered.

Her eloquence was considerable.

“Hehe, a man must possess such steadfastness. Rather than a woman who grabs just anyone and threatens them into marriage because she doesn’t want to lose her freedom by remaining unmarried, wouldn’t a man like me be a better choice?”

Pajik [sound of something breaking].

The veins on Hwayang’s hand, which was clutching the wine glass, bulged.

“Well, anyone is right. You have no backing, and you’re not particularly outstanding in appearance, so anyone would do. Hoho.”

“Have you said everything you wanted to say?”

“There’s more, but if I were to say it all, I wouldn’t be able to finish even after three days and nights, so I’ll stop here.”

“If you spent three days and nights, you’d be so captivated by my charm that you wouldn’t be able to escape, so it’s wise to stop there. You made the right decision.”

It was a fierce battle of words.

Seeming thirsty, she poured wine into her glass and gulped it down.

Then, she smiled happily, as if it tasted sweet.

“Why are you drinking so happily?”

“It’s Aenobeolju [a special type of wine]. It’s quite a strong liquor, but the taste is as sweet as honey, so connoisseurs cherish it from a young age and drink it until they grow old, hence the name Aeno [meaning ‘love’ or ‘affection’]. Would you like a glass?”

“It’s impolite to refuse.”

It worked out well.

Since he would likely have to argue with her all night anyway, it wouldn’t be bad to have some alcohol.

“Be careful, Aenobeolju is really strong, so you can get drunk in an instant.”

Hwayang warned as she poured the wine, but Beom scoffed.

“I’m sorry, but I have never been drunk in my life.”

“You’re also good at lying.”

“Lying? I wouldn’t know, as I don’t recall ever doing that.”

Pour.

Beom, having filled his glass, raised it and toasted with Hwayang, then emptied it in one gulp.

“Oh….”

Along with the sweet honey taste, a refreshing, tingling sensation washed over him, preventing the inside of his mouth from becoming sticky.

It wasn’t just a sweet liquor.

As it traveled down his throat, it made his esophagus burn hotly and spread throughout his body, making him feel warm. It was quite a potent liquor.

“How is it?”

“I like it.”

Thanks to Tangomal, Beom, who had mastered the art of appreciating various liquors, also quite liked Aenobeolju.

“Then stop drinking now.”

“I’ve only had one glass? Why are you being so stingy with the liquor?”

“I’m sorry, but I made this with great difficulty. We’re not just anyone, so I gave you one glass, but there’s no way I’m giving you another.”

Dirty and petty, really.

“Don’t be like that, give me another glass? Aren’t you being too stingy with the liquor?”

“If you knew the process of making this liquor, you wouldn’t think that way.”

“How is it made?”

Aenobeolju is often mistaken for honey wine because it is so sweet and delicious, leading people to mistakenly believe that it is made by collecting honey from Seonchung [celestial bees].

Beom had thought so too, but in fact, Aenobeolju is made by collecting the bathwater of unmarried virgins and distilling it for a thousand days.

The sunlight and moonlight are received for five hundred days each, and special formations and Seonryeok [divine power] are infused into it to create the liquor.

“Moreover, this is a liquor that I made myself, so the taste is even more precious.”

“Hmm….”

So.

“Are you saying that this liquor is made with the princess’s bathwater?”

“That’s right.”

“Ugh.”

“W, what are you doing!”

“No… it’s dirty.”

“Not at all! It’s not dirty at all! Why is my bathwater dirty!”

“No, the very purpose of bathing is to wash away sweat and waste, so isn’t that bathwater naturally dirty rather than clean?”

Even as he spoke, Cheonbeom grimaced, as if the dirtiness was not being washed away.

“I’m not dirty!”

“You’re not some Daeraseon [great immortal], so why wouldn’t it be dirty?”

“It’s not dirty! I said it’s not dirty! Apologize! This is the first time I’ve been insulted like this!”

“Is it something to get this angry about just because I said something dirty is dirty?”

“It’s something to be angry about because you said something that isn’t dirty is dirty! If you don’t apologize right now, I’ll tell my father about this!”

“Wow… are you saying you’re going to tattle to Mangakbyeonwang now? Aren’t you ashamed of tattling at your age?”

Then Hwayang hesitated, perhaps feeling a little guilty, before sitting back down.

“Earlier, you wanted to taste it even once more and begged for just one more glass, but as soon as you found out the truth, you immediately changed your attitude. Is that the true nature of the Yu Seonsa?”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Don’t change the subject.”

“But you did, didn’t you? You drank the liquor made with my bathwater and said it was so sweet and delicious, and even begged me to let you taste it just one more time… I never knew you desired me that much. But what to do? I’m not a woman that just anyone can have.”

She subtly exuded coquetry.

He didn’t know what she was trying to achieve.

“When did I? I said it was dirty?”

“Are all men that lecherous?”

“You’re not even listening to what I’m saying. Are you already drunk?”

“Maybe.”

Pour.

She poured wine into her glass again and gulped it down.

As she tucked the flowing hair behind her ear and drank the wine as if she was in ecstasy, the taste of the liquor that her tongue remembered involuntarily came to mind, even though she knew what it was made of.

“Do you want to taste it that much?”

“Not really.”

“If you want to drink it, drink it. It’s not fun to drink alone anyway.”

She had said she wouldn’t give it to him, but then suddenly said she would. She was a woman whose intentions were impossible to predict.

“Since it’s a strong liquor anyway, you probably won’t be able to drink it all and will get drunk, so it doesn’t matter if I give you a few glasses.”

“Hehe….”

It was quite something to try and tease an immortal.

“As I said before, I’m a man who has never been drunk in his life.”

“Then would you like to make a bet?”

“I’m also a man who has never lost a bet, would that be acceptable?”

“Oh my, it just so happens that I’ve never lost a bet either, so that’s perfect.”

Thump. Thump thump thump thump thump!

Hwayang, who had lined up the liquor bottles on the table, flashed a friendly smile.

“If I win, you will leave Mangakjeong in a month.”

“Then if I win, Yu Seonsa will have to serve me for a year.”

“Good.”

No more words were needed.

Beom and Hwayang raised their glasses.

Clink.

The sound of the glasses clinking echoed in the bridal chamber.

Far into the night, their drinking match continued without end.

* * *

The next morning.

“Ugh….”

Beom, grimacing at the splitting headache from the hangover, got up and clutched his head.

What kind of liquor was so potent that even Beom’s body, which was almost immune to poison, couldn’t handle the hangover?

He immediately sat cross-legged and circulated his energy, which made him feel a little better.

“I’m alive now, ha….”

As he lay back down and closed his eyes, a fragrant scent wafted from beside him.

He smiled slightly and instinctively hugged the woman lying next to him, enjoying the warm body temperature against his skin.

“Ran, give me some water.”

Beom hugged Ran and whined for water.

But no answer came.

At that moment, Beom was seized by a strange premonition and forced his heavy eyelids open.

Then, he saw a woman with golden and silver hair, not wearing a single thread.

Bathed in the warm sunlight, her delicate features were beautifully illuminated.

That’s right.

The woman sleeping in his arms was not Ran.

“Umm…”

As her long eyelashes fluttered, she slowly opened her eyes.

Eyes that shimmered with both gold and silver.

When she realized she was being held in Beom’s arms, they widened even further.

At the same time, her mouth also opened.

“Kyaa…! Hiss!”

Beom instinctively covered her mouth with his palm.

“C, calm down.”

“Hiss, heuuheup! Eueup!!”

“I don’t know what happened either, but calm down first!”

The woman who was naked in Beom’s arms was none other than Princess Hwayang.

He didn’t know what had happened, but something was definitely amiss.

Beom pondered for a long time about what to do and continued to cover Hwayang’s mouth.

She struggled, unaware that the blanket had slipped down, and suddenly noticed something large. She lowered her gaze, and promptly fainted.

Beom stuttered, seeing this as his chance to escape the bedroom.

And just then.

Bang! Someone shouted and burst into the room.

“Hwayang-ah!”

He made eye contact with the naked Beom.

“Who….”

He was a middle-aged man with a sturdy build and horns on his forehead, and he trembled all over as if disgusted when he saw a certain part of Beom.

“Who am I…?”

And seeing Hwayang collapsed in the bedroom, he erupted in anger.

“The father of the woman you defiled is none other than me, Mangakbyeonwang!!”

Mangakbyeonwang immediately raised his fist and struck Cheonbeom.