Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 119

His stiff expression softened, a faint smile playing on his lips as if nothing had happened.

“I’m not sure why you think that way. Even if it were true, it’s undeniable that this is the only way to treat Elder Eun. Or do you have a more certain method?”

His lips smiled, but his gaze fixed on San-gun was chilling.

San-gun subtly stepped back and clasped his hands in a respectful bow.

“Not at all. I was merely voicing a concerned old man’s worries. As the master of the Yacheon Demon Sect, one of the Five Great Sects representing Dogyeok [a powerful alliance of martial arts sects], how could you not handle it well? It was just a trivial concern from a humble Nangseon [a wandering cultivator], so please don’t mind it.”

His tone was flattering, but San-gun was well aware of the thorns hidden within.

Soon, San-gun and Geum-mae retreated, and the Sect Master saw them off.

Squeak.

Thud.

As the main gate closed, the Sect Master’s ever-smiling face turned cold.

“Yongmongja.”

“You called?”

A shadow rose from the ground, transforming into a man who bowed before the Sect Master.

“He’s an unusual one. This is a crucial time with the grand scheme ahead, so monitor his every move thoroughly and report to me.”

“Understood!”

Swish!

Yongmongja disappeared, and the Sect Master stood in place for a long while, scrutinizing San-gun.

The Demonic Ghost Sect Master took out a small pill from his pocket before vanishing.

* * *

Meanwhile.

San-gun, having descended from the main gate with Geum-mae, headed straight for the guest quarters.

After escorting Geum-mae to her room, he hurriedly summoned the others.

Jangcheon, the Great Man of Chok, and Chok Mungyeong gathered in his room.

Chok Mungyeong held a long-necked liquor bottle, his face beaming with excitement.

“This is called Chwi Ohwaju! If you drink this, you’ll see fairies in your dreams….”

Before Chok Mungyeong could finish his sentence, San-gun threw six talismans from his pocket.

Sizzle!

The talismans, affixed to various spots in the room, created a strange, blue-glowing barrier.

He had set up a soundproof barrier to prevent eavesdropping.

“Huh?”

“What’s going on?”

Not satisfied with just that, San-gun moved his lips, conveying his thoughts to everyone through telepathy.

-The Sect Master of the Yacheon Demon Sect seems to be plotting something, though the purpose is unclear.

Chok Mungyeong’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s, while Jangcheon and the Great Man of Chok furrowed their brows.

“What’s the evidence?”

-The secret art I’ve mastered, the Dallyeong Geumjeong [a technique to read energy flows], allows me to read the flow of all kinds of energy. I sensed something was amiss from the moment I examined Lady Eun with it. They called it a sealing technique to slow down the Sagwihwa [a demonic transformation], but that wasn’t the reality. It was merely severing Lady Eun’s consciousness and accelerating the process.

It had been like that from the start.

That’s why San-gun had sought an audience with the Sect Master.

It could have been due to some secret art he didn’t know.

However, after meeting the Sect Master, it didn’t seem to be the case, and he appeared to have ulterior motives.

But without clear evidence, and unable to antagonize him in the heart of the Yacheon Demon Sect, he had retreated.

Chok Mungyeong was bewildered, while Jangcheon and the Great Man of Chok seemed to be deep in thought.

Then, the Great Man of Chok swept his long hair behind his ear and asked.

“What will you do from now on?”

-I need to observe the situation further. I owe Lady Geum, so I must help if I can.

“Why not just inform Lady Geum, take Lady Eun, and run away?”

“Oh! Daoist Jang is right! We should tell Lady Geum!”

However, San-gun shook his head.

-Lady Geum is too distraught over Lady Eun’s condition to make a proper judgment. It’s better not to inform her and incite confusion until the situation becomes clear.

Having seen Geum-mae’s weeping earlier, he felt even more so.

It was best not to tell her until things were definitively decided.

“The fact that you’ve told us means you have a different plan. What is it? Just say the word. I’ll gladly help.”

“I’ll help too.”

“Well… if that’s the case, then I too… ahem!”

San-gun, his eyes flickering red, looked around at them and said with a sneer.

“First, let’s catch the rat.”

Thud!

Suddenly, hidden Guigyul appeared and struck the shadow on the ground with the Guhwan-do [a powerful glaive].

Bang!

The floor shattered, scattering wood fragments. From within, a black shadow shot out. San-gun’s pupils instantly dilated.

The Gwaebi Yeogeok [a technique to perceive danger] of San-gun was activated!

The surrounding scenery, which had been inside the room, instantly transformed into a sea of fire.

The black-clad figure couldn’t hide his bewilderment at the blue pillars of fire soaring around him.

Regardless, San-gun pulled out a scabbard from his pocket and smirked.

The black-clad figure frowned at the murderous intent of San-gun and his group surrounding him.

He flipped his hand, revealing a bamboo tube, from which thousands of needles emerged, swimming through the air like a school of fish.

San-gun twisted his lips, and suddenly, Gwimu surged from the ground.

It was the divine power of the Guhwan-do.

As the ghosts appeared and rushed in, he made the thousands of needles into a hedgehog.

As they rapidly spun, even the ghosts couldn’t easily approach.

“We shouldn’t give him a chance to commit suicide. I’ll lend you this just for this once.”

With those words, San-gun took out the Gaga Gyeong [a powerful artifact] and handed it to the Great Man of Chok.

The Great Man smiled brightly and accepted it.

“Step aside! I’ll take that guy down right now!”

It was then.

Gwimu soared like a tornado.

On top of it, Guigyul was chanting a spell, her head wreathed in red energy, horns sprouting from her head.

Semi-transparent horns made of energy!

The image of the Three Ghosts naturally came to mind.

Then, Gwimu gathered into her Guhwan-do, becoming a massive greatsword.

She lifted it and struck down in one swift motion.

Kwaaaaaaaang!!

A deafening, earth-shattering roar echoed as a violent storm raged.

But even with the tremendous attack, the figure’s defenses remained intact, and the centipede wrapped around San-gun’s wrist shot out.

At the same time, Chok Mungyeong’s Manikpyeon [a magical whip] flashed and attacked, and the Great Man of Chok’s Gaga Gyeong flew in.

Kwaaang! Bang!

The barrier made of needles spun fiercely like a top, blocking all attacks.

However, as divine powers poured in intensively, the speed gradually slowed down, and in that gap, the centipede, which had been flying, transformed into a human girl and extended her fist.

Kwaaaaaaaang!!

Instantly, the needles that couldn’t withstand the force scattered in all directions, revealing the black-clad figure. San-gun spread his fist and unleashed Bongak Cheonghwa [a powerful fire technique].

A handful of flames shone brilliantly, and a small phoenix appeared and flapped its wings.

The small phoenix was a Cheonghwa Phoenix (Azure Fire Phoenix) that had fallen from Bongak Cheonghwa and gained spirituality with Yongnoe [a mystical energy source].

“Go.”

With a single flap of its wings, the small azure phoenix instantly moved next to the black-clad figure.

It wasn’t Chukji [instantaneous movement], but it was an azure phoenix with tremendous Dunsul [evasive technique] comparable to it.

The azure phoenix instantly inflated in size, growing huge and stomping on the figure with its feet.

“Cough!”

The worst!

Soon, Guigyul severed the figure’s neck.

But the figure didn’t give up.

Only the head remained, using Dunsul!

The sight of him fleeing with his disheveled hair trailing behind him was quite a spectacle.

San-gun sneered and took a step forward.

Swish.

Instantly, he used Chukji to approach the figure and slammed the scabbard into his forehead.

Thwack!

“I have many questions for you.”

“Uwaaaaaaagh!!”

With a mysterious light, the figure’s Dallyeong [spiritual essence] vanished into the scabbard.

* * *

The guest quarters where San-gun was staying were quiet. Manho volunteered to guard the front of his room. It was boring since they seemed to be having a secret conversation that he couldn’t know.

Manho peeked inside through the crack in the door. All the main figures were standing there blankly. On the opposite side, a black-clad figure was also standing there dumbly.

Manho was startled and opened the door.

Clunk!

But San-gun and his group, as well as the black-clad figure, remained as they were, as if possessed by something.

‘Hwangye! [a state of suspended animation]’

It was as if time had stopped.

Come to think of it, the scenery was strange.

The scenery inside the room was rippling as if it were underwater.

Manho, who instantly recognized the situation, pondered what to do. They were fiercely fighting in the Hwangye, so he wanted to help.

But he was a Biseon [a lower-ranked celestial being].

He was afraid that he might mess things up by interfering. It was then.

Swoosh, Thud!

Suddenly, the black-clad figure’s head fell off.

“Gasp!”

As he was startled, the group slowly began to move.

Manho once again subtly pulled the doorknob and closed the door.

It was an unnecessary worry.

Of course. Who was he, after all?

He was the one who had single-handedly crushed the seven sects of the Harisan Mountain Range.

‘I almost did something unnecessary.’

Indeed, when in doubt, it’s best not to do anything.

* * *

The only jade throne in the Yacheon Demon Sect.

The eyes of the man sitting there widened. He was the Sect Master of the Yacheon Demon Sect.

It was Guisil Guiju.

“Ha!”

He let out a hollow laugh as if he was dumbfounded, then his expression hardened coldly.

It was because the surveillance he had placed had disappeared in less than an hour.

Ddddddeuk!

Intense emotions swirled as if he was burning with anger. He had cherished that child, but he never expected to lose him so futilely.

He wanted to rush to that guy and cut off his head right away, but he couldn’t.

If he did, it would be revealed that the Sect Master of the Yacheon Demon Sect had placed surveillance on a mere Nangseon, which would make things quite troublesome.

“He was skilled in Eunseul [concealment techniques], but to lose him so futilely… Quite impressive.”

The Sect Master, who had been contemplating for a while, shook off his thoughts and let out a long breath.

“Losing Yongmongja is painful, but he would have committed suicide, so there’s nothing to worry about. Either way, Geum-mae will fall into my hands tomorrow. No matter what that guy does, it’s all futile.”

And after that….

The Sect Master let out a chilling laugh and suppressed his murderous intent.

The sacrifice to summon the Hwansin [illusory gods] of the Four Realms will be complete. Everything else can be dealt with after that.

Once Geum-mae’s Sagwihwa progresses, there will be nothing that guy can do either!

* * *

Inside San-gun’s room.

“What will you do now?”

Jangcheon asked with a worried expression.

The black-clad figure had tried to scatter his Dallyeong and commit suicide, but the Great Man of Chok had stopped him in an instant, allowing them to torture him.

They knew all the facts, but their faces were dark.

They said they were trying to summon the Hwansin of the Four Realms, but they were Hwanseons [illusory immortals].

If they were to engage in an all-out war with the Yacheon Demon Sect, one of the Five Great Sects of Dogyeok, who would win! It was impossible.

With the Sect Master of Taeseon Hukyeong [a powerful celestial being] standing firm, how could they do that?

It was also difficult to run away with Eun-mae. She was bound by a sealing technique, and if they were to release it, the Sect Master would notice immediately.

It was a difficult situation.

Smirk.

But San-gun’s lips curled up as if he was amused.

“It’s become much easier.”

The group all had bewildered expressions, but as San-gun opened his mouth, they couldn’t help but be amazed.

* * *

The next day.

Guigil Guiju immediately summoned Geum-mae.

“Hmm?”

But instead of Geum-mae, Elder Mak, the law enforcement elder, rushed in.

“M, Sect Master!!”

“Why are you making such a fuss?”

“T, that is…!”

Crash!!

The sound of something breaking could be heard here and there in the distance.

At the same time, several talismans flew towards the Sect Master.

The Sect Master grabbed them, read them, and widened his eyes.

“What!”

The contents were nothing short of a bolt from the blue!

Of the five great sects of Dogyeok, three were Sado [evil sects] and two were Seondo [righteous sects], and the Daoists of the Seondo sects were all flocking to the Yacheon Demon Sect!

Bang!!

At that moment, several elders who had smashed through the main gate appeared, fluttering their robes.

“Guigil Guiju, who seeks to stain the Eastern Nation with evil once again, listen! From this day forth, the Yacheon Demon Sect is declared an enemy of the Dao and will not escape annihilation! Confess your sins and be eternally extinguished!”

The five elders who appeared were all in the realm of Taeseon [a high level of cultivation].

Behind them, the Daoists of their sects and the Seondo sects were fiercely fighting.

“…What on earth is the reason!”

Guigil, who was clenching the jade throne as if it would crumble, said, suppressing his anger.

But the elders scoffed.

“A Daoist from Choksan came to me.”

“The Deputy Chief of Tal-ui came to me.”

They each added a word and then sternly shouted.

“We know all of your wicked schemes!”

Then, they threw an Ansi Stone [a recording device].

The Ansi Stone rolled across the ground, flashing light and projecting something onto the stone wall.

It was the content that San-gun had extracted while torturing the Dallyeong of the black-clad figure!