Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 104

To Mount Shu.

But why did that sound like he was saying, ‘Let’s go to the Dragon Palace?’

The Mountain Monarch glared at Grand Master Chuk and Chuk Mun-gyeong with a very displeased look.

[Are you going to treat me the same as that shameless bastard? This, this son of a…!]

“I also agree with Grand Master! Even so, treating us the same as those guys is too much!”

He expressed his displeasure.

But the Mountain Monarch said nothing.

He just stared intently.

[Does this guy not know the prestige of Mount Shu? The Taoists of Mount Shu value chivalry and righteousness and aim to become immortals!

They don’t do things that thieves do!]

“That’s right, that’s right! How dare you treat us like common thugs!”

Mun-gyeong felt a pang of conscience but spoke as if he had an iron plate on his face.

With the Grand Master of Mount Shu speaking beside him, how could he hesitate?

But the Mountain Monarch snorted.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Whether it’s creating a body for the Grand Master in Mount Shu or finding Guisu Mountain here, it takes just as long.

Then this place is better.

‘At least I won’t get stabbed in the back.’

[Hmph! Do as you please! Do you think Guisu Mountain is like the hill behind your house? Even if you spend decades searching and beg with tears and snot, I won’t tell you!]

“That’s what I was thinking.”

He said calmly and looked at Chuk Mun-gyeong.

If that happens, there would be no reason for Chuk Mun-gyeong to accompany him, so he was asking.

“I originally came to retrieve the Grand Master’s body. The Six Corpse Bugs have devoured the body, so shouldn’t I at least enshrine the Hwaryeong (Harmonious Spirit)?”

The realm after Dallyeong, Hwaryeong.

While Dallyeong is merely a spirit dwelling in the inner core, Hwaryeong refers to a state where it is completely fused with the inner core.

In that state, the inner core transforms into a new form, resembling a human figure.

Unlike the formless Dallyeong, the Hwaryeong takes the inner core as its body, and its form is complete.

Chuk Man-dae’s Hwaryeong is trapped in a scabbard, hence its spirit-like appearance.

But if taken out of the scabbard, it would reveal the form of the Hwaryeong.

“If it’s the Grand Master’s Hwaryeong, I can hand it over right now.”

[Are you trying to kill me? Even in the form of Hwaryeong, I can’t survive without a body!

I haven’t become a Jiseon [Earth Immortal] and achieved Hwansin [Transformation of the Body], so how can I go out in the form of Hwaryeong!

Even though Hwaryeong is the complete union of the inner core and the soul, it’s still like an unripe child, so it’s out of the question!]

What a troublesome old man.

“Don’t you have any treasures or artifacts to contain the Hwaryeong?”

“Unfortunately… I didn’t anticipate this, so I don’t have such treasures on hand.”

[Then take me to Mount Shu!]

“No.”

The Mountain Monarch and Chuk Man-dae continued to argue for a long time. But their conversation ran parallel and made no progress.

[Have you ever seen such a stubborn fool!]

“I have nothing more to say on that matter, so go inside and cool your head.”

[Just try to put me in there, you…]

Swish.

The Mountain Monarch, having put Hye-yeon into the Gongjeong River [a mystical river with unique properties], looked much more at ease.

Chuk Mun-gyeong could only smile wryly at the sight. He could have rebuked him for being rude, but he couldn’t treat him carelessly because his divine power was extraordinary.

“Are you really going to search the entire sea for Guisu Mountain?”

It was Jangcheon who had been silent all along.

The Mountain Monarch had no way to deal with that part either.

Guisu Mountain wasn’t staying still, and it wandered around like Nangseon [a mythical, wandering island].

“How about this as a compromise?”

“Tell me.”

“Grand Master Chuk wants a body. That’s why he wants to go to Mount Shu.

But since Yuksa doesn’t want to go to Mount Shu, isn’t it a matter of finding a suitable body here?”

“That’s right! That would work!”

Chuk Mun-gyeong also clapped his knee, praising the brilliant idea.

It wasn’t bad.

“But Grand Master Chuk was originally at the peak of Taeseon [Great Celestial]. I don’t know if he’ll be satisfied with the body we find.

Besides, where are we going to find a new body? In this desolate place.”

The Mountain Monarch gestured slightly towards the carriage window.

As he said, the Giryeong Carriage was already crossing the middle of the sea.

There were a few islands visible, but how easy would it be to find a body that a Taeseon would be satisfied with in such a place?

“That’s true….”

They couldn’t just take the body of an ordinary mortal and use it.

They would have to find a body at least at the level of Biseon [Flying Immortal] or Hwanseon [Transformed Immortal].

“How about temporarily borrowing the body of a Jiangshi [Chinese hopping vampire]? Yuksa has some knowledge of Jiangshi techniques, so wouldn’t that be okay?”

The Mountain Monarch wasn’t very knowledgeable about Jiangshi techniques.

If he were, Guiyul wouldn’t be constantly aiming for his neck.

“That’s ridiculous. Even if I don’t know much, Grand Master Chuk has pure wood-attribute spiritual power. Wood attributes are particularly susceptible to evil energy, so it’s out of the question.”

Chuk Mun-gyeong said, shaking his head.

“Then how about a suitable spirit beast or spirit insect….”

“He has such strong pride, he wouldn’t want the body of a spirit beast or spirit insect even if we gave it to him.”

“Ugh….”

Nothing worked, so they were just getting anxious.

“Let’s rest for a bit.”

Seeing Jangcheon and Chuk Mun-gyeong worrying as if it were their own problem, he felt grateful.

Each had their own circumstances, but it had been a long time since he had spent time with men like this, and he felt strangely uplifted.

“There’s a suitable island, so let’s take a break there and think about it.”

“Yes, everyone is tired from the recent battles, so it would be good to do that. Maybe a brilliant idea will pop up while we rest! Haha!

If you’re craving a drink, come find me, Chuk Mun-gyeong! I may not have much else, but I have a fine wine to soothe your worries, so don’t hesitate!”

After that, the group landed on a suitable island and scattered to rest.

It was a small island, but there was a mountain with spiritual energy, so they created a dwelling without hesitation.

Of course, the Mountain Monarch placed layers of prohibitions and even set up a phantom array to prevent even an ant from entering.

Satisfied, the Mountain Monarch tapped the Weiju Hoyeon Armor [Centipede Armor] that covered his body.

Then the armor suddenly twitched.

“How long are you going to stay like that? You know your mental strength is being consumed while you’re like that.

Rest properly in the phantom array.”

As he coaxed in a gentle voice, the Mountain Monarch’s armor suddenly transformed into a giant centipede head and slipped out.

The Weiju Hoyeon Armor wasn’t just a simple disguise.

Because of that, a considerable amount of mental strength was consumed while transforming into armor.

Since the Mountain Monarch and Tamhwa Ogong [the centipede] were connected by consciousness, he knew that they were somewhat fatigued.

“You’ve done well. Thanks to you, it’s as if the dawn is illuminating my path ahead, I don’t know how to express my gratitude.”

Tamhwa Ogong squeaked and rubbed against the Mountain Monarch.

It was a giant centipede with a body of three hundred spans acting cute.

Normally, the Mountain Monarch would have been annoyed, but he couldn’t refuse this time.

He would be reaping the benefits of the Weiju Hoyeon Armor in the future, so how could he not find it endearing?

With a pleased face, he stroked Tamhwa and entered the stone chamber.

Tamhwa couldn’t enter the stone chamber and whined, then disappeared into the phantom array.

“I’ve gained a lot, but I’ve also lost a lot.”

He lost all the blue jade made from Ryugokja.

Because he had detonated all the blue jade due to the situation.

Moreover, the defensive treasure, the purple gourd, was also damaged by the explosion.

‘If I had known that Tamhwa would become the Weiju Hoyeon Armor, I wouldn’t have done that.’

But what could he do by regretting it?

The Mountain Monarch sighed softly and laid out the things he had obtained from the Gongjeong River.

Only then did the Mountain Monarch’s face brighten.

“Gagyeong [a scythe] and the Five Classics Lute, one of the Seven Immortal Treasures. And the shell of Jugwitongchun [a rare turtle]!”

He already felt rich.

Gagyeong, Grand Master Chuk’s original immortal weapon, was a treasure with impeccable sharpness and divine power! Without a doubt, most treasures would be sliced by Gagyeong.

However, since the original immortal weapon was something that had been cultivated in the owner’s body for a long time, it would take a considerable amount of time to use it.

“Besides, it’s something that Grand Master Chuk might ask for back.”

Not that the Mountain Monarch would give it back.

After pondering for a moment, he raised the corner of his lips and made a cut on his index finger.

Soon, his essence blood formed into droplets and he dropped them onto Gagyeong.

Then the gray scythe seemed to tremble and resist.

“You will soon serve me as your master. Don’t waste your energy beforehand and obey.”

Along with that, the Mountain Monarch spewed blue flames from his mouth and tormented Gagyeong.

After doing that for a while, he chuckled and floated Gagyeong in the air, muttering.

“You have a strong pride, just like your owner.”

He liked it.

Leaving Gagyeong behind, he took out the Five Classics Lute and stared at it.

The subtlety of its sound was something that only those who had experienced it firsthand would know.

If he learned and used a suitable sound technique, it would definitely be of considerable help.

‘But it’s based on wood divine power, so it might not suit me well.’

If it didn’t suit him, he could give it to Guiyul, or even Choa.

“It would suit her well.”

Its unique mysterious atmosphere and the lute seemed to suit her well.

If he gave it to her as a gift when he returned, she would be very happy.

The image of Choa strumming the lute with her white hair flowing down gently floated in the Mountain Monarch’s mind like a painting.

“I wonder how she’s doing.”

It had only been a few months, but he was already thinking of his new bride. He couldn’t help but chuckle.

‘She’s probably doing well.’

After that, he took out the shell of Jugwitongchun.

It was true that it was inferior to the Weiju Hoyeon Armor, but it was still an extraordinary object with considerable strength.

In the first place, the shell wasn’t made by refining, but was the pure shell itself.

Of course, it was the product of Jugwitongchun’s hard work during its lifetime, but to the Mountain Monarch, it was just a useful object.

“It wouldn’t be bad to melt it into Guhwando [a sword] or Gagyeong. With Jugwitongchun’s strength, it won’t break easily.”

The Mountain Monarch nodded and pondered as he looked at the shell with several scratches. Then he suddenly spread his hand and summoned a silver sword. It was the Hangbo Sasign Sword [a sword made from Hangbo Sinmok] with a subtle silver glow.

“Hmm….”

After contemplating for a moment, he put away the Sasign Sword again and shook his head.

The Hangbo Sasign Sword was meaningful because it was made of Hangbo Sinmok without any other impurities.

There was no other meaning in putting Jugwitongchun into it.

“It would be better to put it in my body.”

He had the Weiju Hoyeon Armor, but one never knew what might happen.

It wouldn’t hurt to prepare for the worst.

“If I put it in Guhwando or Gagyeong, the strength would increase, but the blade would become dull…. Would it really be okay to put it in my body?”

He had the Sikma Hapil Gukyeol [a martial art technique].

If he set his mind to it, he could really do it. However, the problem was the Jangchung Jitae [a type of energy] that resided in his body.

As his realm increased, the Jangchung Jitae also grew.

The fact that the Jangchung Jitae was growing meant that the strength of his body was also growing.

“There’s no end to it.”

The Mountain Monarch shook his head and took out the most precious of the things he had obtained this time.

Of course, it was the Cheonyang Jibo Hye-yeon [a jade bottle].

[You bastard!!]

“Haa….”

However, the troublesome thing was Chuk Man-dae, who was sealed inside.

[Don’t you know how to respect the elderly, you!]

“I’m not deaf. Why are you shouting and making a fuss like this.”

[I can’t even use telepathy in the form of Hwaryeong, and you’ve locked me up in there, so I’m getting sick! Don’t ever put me in the Gongjeong River again!]

“It’s my stuff, I can do whatever I want with it! Why do you keep telling me what to do!”

[Th, that bastard is talking back!]

“Ugh! If I hadn’t respected you, Grand Master wouldn’t even be alive right now!”

[Hmph! Do you think I would yield to such intimidation? I know the reason why you’re not harming me.]

“That’s a reason I don’t even know.”

He retorted with an indifferent look, wondering what nonsense he was going to say again.

However, Chuk Man-dae’s words, which he had been ignoring, made the Mountain Monarch doubt his ears.

[I don’t know how you have Yongnoe [Dragon’s Fury], but you probably don’t know how to use it! Cough! Either take me to Mount Shu! Or create a body for me! If you do one of those two things, I’ll tell you how to use Yongnoe, as well as a way to find Guisu Mountain!!]

Yongnoe?