Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 463

Nangseon Gi Hwan Dam – Part 2, Chapter 172

Mangak Pavilion.

“You sent him away without even a greeting to me?”

Mangak Byeonwang [a powerful figure or ruler] was giving Hwayang a pointed look, seemingly displeased.

However, she sat in the carriage with an indifferent expression, not even acknowledging her father’s words.

“Still, he’s my son-in-law. Leaving without a word? I like his audacity. A man should have that kind of nerve. Yes, indeed.”

Contrary to expectations, he didn’t get angry. Instead, he chuckled, pleased with the audacity, causing Hwayang to smile wryly.

“But even if you disregard me, shouldn’t you at least see your husband off properly? The nights will be lonely.”

“It’s alright. Isn’t life about cherishing joyful moments and living with those memories? I am satisfied enough with this, and my Simma [a state of mind or being] has disappeared, so there’s nothing more to wish for. Now, it’s simply time to focus solely on cultivation.”

“Indeed, not just your son-in-law, but you too should start dedicating yourself to cultivation. I’m glad the bothersome Simma is gone. Only when you reach the realm of Origin will I also be able to make progress in my cultivation.”

Hwayang nodded silently.

“But, you know.”

“Yes, speak.”

“When men are physically apart, their hearts also drift. Would it be alright if he brings back several wives later? If he has that much strength and cultivation at a young age, there will be many women throwing themselves at him. It’s a problem if the partner is too lacking, but it’s also a problem if he’s too outstanding. This father is a bit worried about that.”

However, Hwayang offered a faint smile as if there was nothing to worry about, and pushed the teacup towards Mangak Byeonwang.

“There’s no need to worry. He’s not very interested in women, more than you think.”

* * *

At the same time.

“A gigolo, you say…?”

“…Yes. That’s right.”

The man stared blankly at Cheonbeom for a long time with a dumbfounded look.

What was a gigolo?

A man who takes care of a courtesan or a woman who sells her body, living off her earnings.

It meant a parasite-like being.

The man had insulted Oh Gyeong-gyeju, the owner of Gae Gyeong Oh Gyeong, by calling Shinwi no different from a courtesan, and now Cheonbeom was acknowledging it, saying that he was indeed a gigolo, leaving him speechless.

He just blinked, his mouth agape as if he had become mute.

The man originally had a feud with Shinwi, the owner of Oh Gyeong-gyeju, and had picked a fight with Cheonbeom, thinking he was either her disciple or someone related to her because of the scent of Yeoncho [a type of incense or herb] emanating from him.

He intended to use it as an excuse to teach him a lesson if he got angry and showed murderous intent at the insult to Shinwi and himself.

But now that he admitted it so readily, he was dumbfounded, wondering if it was really true or just a trick to survive.

‘What is this guy?’

He couldn’t help but tilt his head, wondering if Oh Gyeong-gyeju was really so desperate for a man that she had taken in a gigolo.

“Senior. This junior is ignorant and doesn’t know the ways of the world. If possible, would you tell me your name?”

“Ah, uh… I am Yae Dong, Ilsin Hongseong (一信弘聖) [One Faith, Great Saint], who holds a seat in Sangcheon Haewol [a celestial organization or realm].”

Ilsin Hongseong, Yae Dong.

Cheonbeom had heard that name before.

‘Why is a Wonseon [a celestial being] from the Celestial Realm here…?’

He was a Wonseon belonging to the Hon Realm, even considered a representative figure of the Hon Realm. There was a saying that once Ilsin Hongseong targeted you, you could never escape because his arrows were guaranteed to hit their mark, no matter how far away.

He knew he wasn’t an ordinary person, but he never imagined he would be Ilsin Hongseong, belonging to Sangcheon Haewol.

Sangcheon Haewol was originally composed of those who had endured tribulations for the longest time among the Wonseon, so their reputation was exceptionally high.

As Cheonbeom was now, he was no match for him.

‘So…’

He could finally understand his master’s intentions.

He didn’t know why Oh Gyeong-gyeju Shinwi and Ilsin Hongseong seemed to be enemies, but it was clear what would have happened if Beom had denied his question.

Even though his master was insulted and his own situation was quite humiliating, he had no choice but to survive for now.

“You’re an interesting fellow. I’ve held a grudge against Shinwi for a long time, but you’re the first one like you I’ve met. Ha! You really got me there. I never dreamed you’d admit to being a gigolo so readily. Never in my wildest dreams.”

Ilsin Hongseong didn’t seem to believe Cheonbeom’s words either.

“There are countless fools who lose their lives over trivial pride. Those who have reached your level usually start to have weight in their voices and become stiff-necked, so someone like you is rare…”

Ilsin Hongseong smiled contentedly, like a child who had found an interesting toy.

“You flatter me.”

“Originally, I thought that if I killed you, that bitch Shinwi might get angry and appear before me, but my interest has waned. Just when the Geumje [a restriction or prohibition] was lifted, and I thought I could finally resolve my long-held grudge… What a shame.”

“Even if you kill me, she wouldn’t appear.”

“No need to scheme. I’m a man of my word. If a man sitting in a seat of Sangcheon Haewol goes back on his word, that would be a disgrace.”

Ilsin Hongseong took out a gourd from his pocket and sat on a nearby rock, gulping down the liquor.

“By the way, what are you doing meeting Oh Gyeong-gyeju?”

He asked, subtly probing.

Beom answered, still wary.

“I belong to the Sugung [Water Palace] of the Water Realm. I think she met me because I had a fragment of the Phoenix’s feather.”

“You possess something precious. A Phoenix’s feather is definitely something to covet. It’s a divine creature of the Great Firmament, so you could use it to enhance the power of a magic treasure or create your own principles… Would you like a drink?”

“I’ll gratefully accept.”

“I like that you don’t refuse.”

He caught the gourd thrown to him, took a sip, and returned it.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m called Yujeong.”

“A good name. As a senior who has walked a few more steps than you, may I offer some advice?”

“I’ll gladly listen.”

“Try not to get too close to Oh Gyeong-gyeju.”

“May I know the reason?”

“Oh Gyeong-gyeju has many enemies. Thanks to that, there are many who want to kill that bitch.”

However, Oh Gyeong-gyeju, holed up in Gae Gyeong Oh Gyeong, was an existence that couldn’t be killed even if they wanted to.

The Geumje she had created was so profound that even the same Wonseon couldn’t easily break it, and even if they did, it wouldn’t be easy to find her hidden between the spaces of Gae Gyeong Oh Gyeong.

“So there are many old monsters who want to kill her disciples. If you want to live long, it’s best not to get involved. Not just me, but most of the old monsters of Sangcheon Haewol have been grinding their teeth for tens of thousands of years because of the Geumje of Gae Gyeong Oh Gyeong.”

“I see, thank you.”

It was a fact he didn’t know.

It was also a story that made him think a lot.

He had only decided to become her disciple less than a day ago, and now he was hearing such a story, making him feel uneasy.

If he mastered her Gongbeop [cultivation method] and achieved great success, wouldn’t he inevitably make many enemies?

His future already looked bleak.

“Are you really not her disciple?”

At Ilsin Hongseong’s probing question, Cheonbeom forced a smile and said no.

“Hmm…”

Ilsin Hongseong tilted his head as if he found it strange, then slapped his knee and stood up.

“Well, you seem to be learning Geomdo’s [sword art] swordsmanship, so you probably aren’t. I must have been saying unnecessary things.”

“…Do you know him?”

“Of course, I do. I keep giving you advice, but it’s best not to get involved with that guy either. Those who are associated with him don’t have a good ending. Even my old friend was backstabbed by him…”

Ilsin Hongseong chuckled as if he was saying something absurd.

“I hope to see you again next time.”

“Likewise.”

Ilsin Hongseon turned around, then looked back at Cheonbeom once more.

“I’m not usually like this, it’s strange. Am I getting old? Whenever I see a vibrant young man, I feel like giving him all sorts of advice.”

“It’s alright.”

“And that Bokchung [a type of creature or familiar]. He seems to have inherited the blood of Tam [a powerful lineage or entity], but if you leave him alone like that, you’ll suffer a great calamity.”

“What do you mean by that?”

The mask of composure that Cheonbeom had been maintaining shattered.

He couldn’t help but be shaken by the story about Tamhwa, no matter what else.

“You didn’t know? That Oryong [Five-Dragon] seems to be preparing for Seungseon [ascension to immortality], but if you leave him like that, he’ll lack energy and lose his reason, trying to devour even his master. You need to put him to sleep in a place with plenty to devour, so there won’t be any major problems, so throw him in a suitable place.”

Preparing for Seungseon!!

Beom’s pupils shook violently.

‘I thought it was strange that he was so quiet after blocking Mangak Byeonwang’s attack…’

Did he gain some kind of enlightenment from that? He hadn’t even undergone Talhyeong [a transformation or shedding of skin] and was quietly staying put, so he just assumed he was resting and recovering.

But Seungseon!

Seeing Cheonbeom’s truly clueless face, Ilsin Hongseong stroked his thick beard and said.

“In my opinion, he seems to need to prepare within ten years. If he has the blood of Tam, he won’t have to undergo Cheongeop [a trial or tribulation], but he’ll have to absorb a lot of Wongi [vital energy or essence]…”

“He doesn’t have to undergo Cheongeop?”

“You don’t know much about your own Bokchung. If he inherited the blood of Tam, he’s a descendant of Cheonsu [Heavenly Beast], so since he has a lineage born from being conceived by the heavens, wouldn’t Cheongeop naturally avoid him as well?”

It was the first time he had heard of this.

He doesn’t have to undergo Cheongeop?

“But…”

Tamhwa only inherited the blood of Tam, and strictly speaking, he’s a mixed-blood.

He’s a centipede with other blood mixed in, so he won’t receive Cheongeop?

‘If I think about it…’

He didn’t receive Cheongeop even when he swallowed Woncheongang [a powerful energy source] in Geumhwan Seonhyang [a mystical place or state] and reached the realm of Sangheo [a high level of cultivation].

At that time, he just thought it was because of the peculiarities of Geumhwan Seonhyang, but now that he thought about it, it was an absurd idea.

“If you head northwest from Gae Gyeong Oh Gyeong, there’s a place called Gonggakchun [Empty Shell Spring]. It’s a place with various Hwan beasts [illusionary beasts] and Seonchungs [celestial insects], so it wouldn’t be bad to go there.”

“Gonggakchun…”

“Then, I’ll see you again next time.”

Sreureuk.

Ilsin Hongseong disappeared as if he was melting into the air.

Cheonbeom immediately emitted Sinshik [spiritual sense] and scanned the surroundings, but he couldn’t trace his whereabouts.

“Gonggakchun (空殼春), huh…”

Ten years.

Ilsin Hongseong said ten years.

Tamhwa’s Seungseon will begin within ten years, so throw him into Gonggakchun.

Ten years.

‘It’s a tight schedule.’

This place is adjacent to Bunggye [a border or boundary].

He didn’t know where Gonggakchun was, but the Upper Realm was an enormous sky.

It took fifty years just to come to Gae Gyeong Oh Gyeong, so what more could be said?

“I have to pray that Gonggakchun is a place that can be reached within ten years.”

“Are you going there?”

“I have no choice but to go.”

He had long thought of Tamhwa as his daughter.

How could a father stay still when his daughter might be ascending?

“Do you know about Gonggakchun?”

“I don’t know well… Miseopa Geumbu Najang might know? I’ve heard of his exploits when he served as Hyeoncheon Mujang [a celestial warrior], traveling around many places, so he might know.”

“Hmm… I’ll have to do that. Let’s go.”

“Okay!”

He transformed into a golden ray of light and disappeared in an instant, and as if waiting for that moment, Ilsin Hongseong appeared from the air with a soft rustle.

Ilsin Hongseong narrowed his eyes, looking in the direction where Cheonbeom had disappeared.

Then, he took out an arrow from his pocket and threw it on the ground.

Pook.

The arrow was stuck with its tip facing the ground.

Soon, smoke slowly leaked out, and the arrow transformed into a human doll.

“Follow him. I don’t think it’s possible, but he might be Shinwi’s disciple.”

“If you’re sure he’s a disciple…”

“Kill him.”

“Understood!”

Sreureuk.

The being that had transformed from the arrow turned back into an arrow, its form blurring and disappearing.

“Don’t be too resentful. I said I wouldn’t touch you, but I didn’t say I wouldn’t do it forever.”