Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 592

Special Extra 18

Immovable Wisdom King was a man of gravity, befitting his title. [The Wisdom Kings are enlightened beings in Buddhist cosmology, each embodying a specific aspect of wisdom and power.]

One of his quirks was a fondness for gambling with strangers, which led Cheonbeom to accept a wager with him.

‘A bit eccentric, to say the least.’

Thus, the bet was made.

One loss and two victories.

Cheonbeom narrowly won the bet and received the bottle containing Gu Yeong’s head.

“Oh! You actually got it!”

Gu Yeong greeted him with a bright smile, and Cheonbeom, with a curious look, responded,

“Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”

“Tell you… what?”

Gu Yeong avoided Cheonbeom’s gaze.

He looked quite amusing, avoiding eye contact like a child caught doing something wrong.

“It wasn’t that you entrusted your head to the Immovable Wisdom King, but that you *lost* it in a bet. Why make up a story about something that’s not a big deal?”

“……Ahem. Isn’t it essentially the same thing?”

Gu Yeong had said he entrusted it, but the truth was that he lost it in a bet and had it forcibly taken away.

Cheonbeom stared at him, dumbfounded, and tossed the bottle.

“Oh! Oh! You idiot, how can you throw something so precious like that?”

“It may be precious to you, but it’s utterly useless to me. So, how long will it take?”

“Fifteen days should be enough.”

“That’s fast.”

It had already been over three thousand years since he went to Myeongdocheon. [Myeongdocheon is likely a realm or location within the story’s universe.]

During that time, Gu Yeong’s body had recovered significantly, but it was still incomplete.

However, now that he had found the last head, he would be a quite useful asset.

“How was Myeongdocheon?”

“It was quite a fascinating place. I encountered other Wisdom Kings besides the Immovable Wisdom King. They were quite curious about you. It seems they were bored staying only in Myeongdo.”

Many Wisdom Kings came without hesitation and shared various stories.

They concealed their identities, but Cheonbeom had purified the turbidity and absorbed it, so he could easily sense their energy. Thanks to that, he could mostly tell when the Wisdom Kings were playing tricks.

“In Myeongdo, the Wisdom Kings are like Heavenly Sovereigns. But if you had won them over… Geumcheon, it wouldn’t have been easy for you to escape. You really suffered.”

Gu Yeong patted his shoulder as if he knew everything.

As he said, the path out of Myeongdo was quite tiring, unlike the first time.

‘I never knew they would plead so earnestly for me to become a Wisdom King.’

He rejected them all and practically fled from Myeongdo.

It was quite a charming place, but he never wanted to go back.

“Then rest.”

“Um… thanks.”

Leaving Gu Yeong behind, he headed to Tamhwa, who was in the Four Divine Peaks. [The Four Divine Peaks are likely a significant location, possibly a mountain range.]

She was still asleep, coiled in the same spot.

As Cheonbeom affectionately stroked Tamhwa, a welcome figure appeared.

“Seon. You’ve arrived?”

“It’s been a while, Hui.”

Sanghui was by Tamhwa’s side. It seemed she had been going in and out of Tamhwa’s womb, guarding the place while he was away.

Cheonbeom showed her respect and expressed his delight.

“I’m glad to see you unharmed. Oh, right, he told me to give you this.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t opened it….”

It was a letter.

Judging by the letter wrapped in luxurious silk, it seemed to be sent by someone in a very high position.

Wondering what it was, he examined the contents.

“Hmm…?”

It was, unbelievably, a petition.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“It’s from the West Sea Dragon King. He’s asking me to melt the sea immediately and save his brother, but I have no idea what he’s talking about.”

“Ah, now that you mention it, I’ve been hearing stories lately that all the seas of the Four Seas are frozen. Could it be related to that?”

“Is that so? It’s strange that the seas of Daera are frozen.”

“I know, right? It’s the first time I’ve heard that the sea can freeze. I heard that those who work in the seas of Daera are having a hard time because there are quite a lot of resources there.”

Just as there are divine herbs from the mountains, there are also seaweed from the sea.

Many of the ingredients for elixirs and divine pills come from the sea, but since the sea is completely frozen, the supply has been cut off.

‘But I don’t know what he means by saving the East Sea Dragon King.’

He had no idea.

“The East Sea.”

However, there must be a reason why the Rulers sent him such a letter.

It wouldn’t be difficult to check, so he should go and see.

A little later.

Cheonbeom, having witnessed the vast West Sea completely frozen, soon met with the West Sea Dragon King and shared a conversation.

“Um, so that’s what you mean.”

The West Sea Dragon King said that they had organized an army, but one of Cheonbeom’s followers, with malicious intent, had frozen all the Four Seas.

And while chasing after the one who did it,

They confirmed that the East Sea Dragon King was frozen and in eternal slumber. Judging by the state, they couldn’t figure out who was responsible, so they sent a letter to Cheonbeom.

“Geumcheon Jin-gun. [Jin-gun is likely a title of respect or authority.] I know it’s not your doing. It’s a completely opposing energy, and we are not unaware of that either. But the one who caused this must be someone close to you.”

So, he was asking him to undo the freezing.

“If I do that, what will you give me?”

“……”

“Isn’t that right? Why should I show favor to those who were preparing to strike me?”

He understood the situation well, but Cheonbeom had no obligation to resolve it.

Besides.

“I also don’t know who did this, so how can I melt it?”

“Geumcheon Jin-gun, you don’t know either? Do you think such a lie will work……”

“Why would I lie? And whether it’s a lie or the truth, the result won’t change. If freezing the Four Seas was my doing, I would leave it as it is, saying it serves you right, and if it wasn’t my doing, I would feel even more relieved and leave it alone. Wouldn’t you do the same if you were me?”

“Even so. I cannot let you go like this.”

“Everything in the world is done according to one’s ability. If you have power, you will hold the world in your hands, and if you don’t have power, you won’t even be able to protect your own life. Isn’t that the way of the world?”

But one thing.

“If you stop me now, I will incinerate all beings in the Four Seas.”

He wasn’t using heavenly energy or doing anything else.

Yet, the West Sea Dragon King felt as if a pressure weighing a thousand pounds was pressing down on his shoulders.

“……”

He was saying now.

Could you handle it?

“Please don’t let my gaze turn downwards. I’m too busy looking up at the sky.”

After he left.

“……What shall we do?”

“Hasn’t the answer already been given? We have no other choice.”

Either fight back.

Or kneel.

The West Sea Dragon King looked at the spear he was holding. The spearhead, which always shone sharply, seemed to be trembling with fear today for some reason.

“No, is it me who’s afraid?”

It wasn’t the spear that was trembling,

But his own hand holding the spear.

He soon realized.

He had witnessed a truth he shouldn’t have realized. He couldn’t move from his spot for a while, standing on the frozen sea like a stone statue, merely looking up at the sky where he had disappeared.

Just, at the distant sky.

* * *

Fifteen days later.

Cheonbeom headed to Daera Sangjeon with Gu Yeong, who now possessed ten heads. [Daera Sangjeon is likely a significant location, perhaps a palace or temple.]

There was no invitation.

But he was greeted as if they had been waiting.

All the fairies of the Jade Palace bowed their heads and opened the way. [The Jade Palace is a common motif in East Asian mythology, often associated with celestial realms.]

At the end of it, the palace’s master was seated.

“It’s been a while, Gu Yeong. And, is this our first time meeting? I’ve seen and heard so much that I feel quite familiar.”

Daera Sangje.

He was a beautiful man with long, flowing silver hair that seemed to hold the moonlight.

For someone who governs Daera in place of the Heavenly Sovereigns, he had a very delicate and youthful appearance.

‘Hmm, impressive.’

However, the purity of the energy he possessed was extraordinary, so Cheonbeom couldn’t help but admire him, contrary to his seemingly weak appearance.

However, Cheonbeom couldn’t help but feel puzzled by Daera Sangje’s first words.

“The fact that you said you’ve seen and heard so much implies that you’ve known me for quite a long time. Am I correct?”

“Your way of getting straight to the point is quite interesting. You’re the first person besides the Heavenly Sovereigns to ask me such a question.”

Daera Sangje didn’t lose the smile on his face, as if he found something amusing, and replied.

“That’s right. From a long time ago. From longer ago than you’ve imagined, I’ve been seeing and hearing about you.”

“……You heard it from someone.”

“You’re sharp. Yes, that’s right.”

“That would be a Heavenly Sovereign.”

Sangje’s lips curved in a smile as a sign of affirmation.

“The one who’s even slightly interested in the political situation is DoDeok Cheonjon. He’s known in the world as Taesang No-gun. [Taesang No-gun is a prominent figure in Taoist mythology.] He often tells me stories about you.”

“…Is that so? What did he say?”

“He said you were a lost Dao.” [Dao refers to the fundamental principle of the universe in Taoism.]

A lost Dao.

That was quite an unwelcome remark.

“That was quite a long time ago. Yes. It’s the story from when Gu Yeong was exiled from Daera.”

“……”

“Since then, I’ve often waited for and anticipated meeting you. But I’m truly glad to meet you like this. Instead of this, I’d like to have a cup of tea and share various stories, but…”

It was premature.

“The situation surrounding us doesn’t allow it.”

He turned his head and looked at one place. There, unopened letters were piled up like mountains.

“There are so many petitions saying that you’re bringing chaos to Daera. Moreover, you recklessly committed murder and recklessly annihilated my beloved Jecheon Okseon.” [Jecheon Okseon is likely a group or individual of importance within Daera.]

Daera Sangje’s expression didn’t change.

Not hostile, but a voice as if he were talking about the weather.

Nevertheless, Gu Yeong, who was beside him, was involuntarily swallowing hard.

“Regardless of my personal feelings, as someone who takes care of Daera’s political affairs, I must punish you.”

Sangje was agonizing.

Until the very end.

He seemed to be contemplating what to do with Cheonbeom.

He considered Sangje’s position.

He understood.

“Sangje.”

“Yes. Speak.”

“I have no interest in Daera.”