Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 121

A month later.

A small island far from Dongguk.

There, three men and two women sat facing each other in a lotus position.

Dense shamanic characters were drawn on the floor, and in the center was a woman with talismans and thousands of needles embedded in her.

Naturally, it was San-gun and his party who had escaped from Dongguk.

At first, they intended to flee far from the Yacheon Demon Gate, but upon realizing the Hae tribe’s invasion, they hurriedly fled north.

Immediately after, they devoured the scriptures and sorcery books brought from the Yacheon Demon Gate and were able to find a clue to the sealing technique.

From the beginning, this was not a sealing technique.

It was a type of alteration technique that forcibly awakened the Huna’s blood to promote demonization.

San-gun found the solution not long after and was now in the final stages.

Thump!

The magic circle on the floor shone strangely, and Eun-mae’s body in the center vibrated.

Koo-oong!

As if spirit energy was pulsating, a shockwave occurred, and the needles embedded in her body shook like reeds.

Seeing the effect, San-gun quickly formed a hand seal and struck the floor.

Thump!!

Then, the needles that had been embedded in Eun-mae’s body violently shook and scattered in all directions!

As thousands of needles fell out and crumbled, the thick demonic energy that had been blocked slowly poured out of Eun-mae’s body.

But it wasn’t over yet.

San-gun opened his mouth and summoned Cheongbong.

Cheongbong, flapping its wings and scattering blue flames, soon flew towards Eun-mae.

As Cheongbong quickly circled around, blue flames soared and began to burn the talismans attached to her body.

It was then.

Twitch.

Eun-mae’s body began to move.

But it wasn’t a good sign.

San-gun immediately formed a hand seal.

Soon, his body swelled and transformed into the form of a tiger.

Hoecheon Gakgo Second Form, Gakche Yongson [a powerful transformation technique].

San-gun, in a more robust form than before, pressed down on Eun-mae with his front paws.

“Kiaaaaaaaa!!”

Then, a ghostly wail erupted from Eun-mae’s mouth. It was the voice created by the blood that had taken over her body.

San-gun then released a silver exorcism artifact, suppressing the entity. The demon began to tremble and fear.

[Now!]

The group in the lotus position simultaneously shouted, and black tentacles soared high into the sky from the magic circle.

The tentacles then fell upon Eun-mae, and as San-gun stepped aside, they wrapped around her, binding her tightly.

San-gun transformed back into a human and took out a scabbard from his chest.

It was Hyeonhoe Geom [a mystical sword scabbard].

He tapped the scabbard against Eun-mae’s forehead, who was screaming.

Then, a mysterious light flowed out, and the *danryeong* [spiritual energy] from the scabbard flowed away.

Mysteriously, the body that had been screaming became as quiet as a mouse.

Only then did San-gun let out a deep breath as if relieved.

“We’ve done all we can. The rest is up to Eun Sojeo [a respectful title for a young lady] to handle.”

Geum-mae looked at San-gun with affectionate eyes and offered her gratitude.

He waved his hand as if it was nothing and looked at Chukman Daein, who nodded.

“Are you leaving?”

“We’re already too delayed.”

Most of the work was done.

Now was really the time to leave.

“Are you leaving already? Without seeing my sister wake up….”

Her eyes were full of sorrow, but San-gun silently shook his head.

He wanted to see Eun-mae wake up, but it was uncertain when that would be.

It was a shame, but it was right to leave.

“If fate allows, we’ll meet again.”

Geum-mae hesitated for a long time before taking out a red jade box from her chest.

“I thought it might be helpful to Gongja [a respectful title, similar to ‘master’], who is training in Hwasintong [a fire-based spiritual technique].”

“…It wouldn’t be polite to refuse.”

San-gun readily accepted it and examined the inside, and was slightly surprised.

“I wandered around trying to stop my sister’s demonization and happened to obtain it.”

“Duryeon Mahwa (頭蓮摩火) [Lotus-Headed Fiery Demon]!”

San-gun opened the jade box and exclaimed in surprise.

Among the Hwagyoryong [a type of fire spirit], the spirit beast that places a lotus on its head is Duryeon Mahwa.

It was rare, and its *遁術* [Dunjutsu – escape technique] was extremely fast, making it difficult to catch.

Moreover, it inhabited extreme lava zones, making it extremely difficult to catch unless one chased it through the lava.

Although it couldn’t ascend to Yuksa [a high level of spiritual cultivation] because its intelligence hadn’t blossomed, it possessed high-level divine powers that made up for it.

It was said that if one boiled and ate the lotus of Duryeon Mahwa, the purity of spirit energy would be unquestionable, and one would become more familiar with fire, allowing them to wield powerful fire energy, so there was no better gift for San-gun.

It was also said that the nature of the flames would change differently when Duryeon Mahwa aged for ten thousand years.

How it would change was up to the heavens, but the lotus of Duryeon Mahwa was good to eat and good to raise.

‘The scriptures said it was as hard to obtain as picking stars from the sky, but to think I’d obtain it like this.’

San-gun happily took out Duryeon Mahwa from the jade box and floated it in the air.

The lotus had not bloomed and remained tightly closed like a bud.

As he chanted the *Tonggyeol* [a spiritual incantation] and flicked his fingers, the lotus slowly opened.

The blooming lotus spewed golden flames as if an active volcano was erupting lava.

It was then.

Cheongbong of San-gun flapped its wings and rushed towards Duryeon Mahwa!

Soon, it opened its beak and sucked in the golden flames, then settled on Duryeon Mahwa.

Then, its form gradually became unclear and seeped into it.

“…….”

Geum-mae and San-gun were momentarily stunned.

They didn’t know what to do as things happened before they could even stop it.

After a while of silence, San-gun regained his senses and muttered.

“It seems to have made it its home….”

As if in agreement, blue and gold flames soared from Duryeon Mahwa.

When the two met, they became a translucent jade-colored flame, which was quite beautiful.

“Thank you. It will be of great help.”

“I-I’m glad if that’s the case.”

Geum-mae hid her flustered face and showed a bright smile.

San-gun said goodbye to Geum-mae and looked at the scattered needles around him, then took out a bamboo tube from his chest.

It was the bamboo tube he had obtained after capturing the man in black.

When he opened the lid of the bamboo tube, the needles that had been scattered in all directions were collected into it.

After that, San-gun led his party and disappeared, and Geum-mae bowed as she looked in the direction he had disappeared.

* * *

At that moment, Shisan Blood Sea [a region in Dongguk] was unfolding in Dongguk, because they were helplessly suffering from the attack of the Hae tribe, which was leading the Biseungseon [a powerful warship made from a sacred tree].

The Shinsu tree itself was a sacred tree that accepted all kinds of divine powers of various attributes.

Since they made the Biseungseon with it, no ordinary attack would work.

Thousands of Taoists from Dongguk came forward, but they couldn’t stop it.

As a result, all the high-ranking Taoists of Dongguk disappeared, and eventually Dongguk fell into the hands of the Hae tribe.

But they couldn’t be satisfied, because they had occupied Dongguk, but they couldn’t find the Taoist they were looking for.

Most of the three major Hae tribes of the East Sea had turned into the blood of the sea by that one Taoist.

It was only natural that they couldn’t be satisfied without avenging their enemy.

“I searched Dongguk like I was catching lice, but he still doesn’t come out… I think he’s already left this place!”

The king of the Dogukgyeong tribe, one of the three kings of the East Sea.

He was the Gyeokchongnyeong Wang (戟總靈王) [King of the Spear Spirits].

“I would have run away long ago if I were him.”

Next to him was a grotesque man covered in scales, who was the Gyochongnyeong Wang (鮫總靈王) [King of the Shark Spirits], the king of the Gyo tribe.

“The blood of the Hae tribe has dyed the East Sea red with his cruel hands.”

Finally, the king of the Haeryong tribe.

The Haechongnyeong Wang [King of the Sea Dragon Spirits] trembled, suppressing his anger to the fullest.

All three major Hae tribes suffered considerable damage, but the Haeryong tribe suffered the most.

He lost two sons and nearly a thousand Yuksa [high-level cultivators], so why wouldn’t he be?

But they were the three kings of the East Sea.

There was no time to chase after one Yeongmyeong [a cultivator of the Yeong stage].

They put their heads together and decided to send the Great Elder of the Haeryong tribe.

He was a Yeonggeop Junggyeong Yuksa [a very high-level cultivator], whose cultivation was second only to them, so there would be no shortage.

Would he not be able to catch a mere Yeongmyeong [a cultivator of the Yeong stage]?

Soon, the three kings of the East Sea, who had shared various stories, scattered.

* * *

Ten thousand miles east of Dongguk.

There, two men and women were bickering and fighting.

In the hands of Mi Buin was a jar covered with talismans, and they were the masters of the Sado Gate, who had been friends with Gwisil Gyu-ju.

They were Gwokri Gyu-ju and Wanan Gyu-ju.

“Our situation has become quite pathetic. I told you not to go and save them right away! Not only Gwisil Gyu-ju, but also all the disciples of the main gate have died!”

“Hmph! What would have been different even if we had gone then? Even the Taeseon [esteemed elders] of Dongguk died quite a bit from the Hae tribe’s attack. Shouldn’t you be grateful that we at least have our limbs intact? It’s a relief that we found Gwisil’s divided soul.”

Wanan Gyu-ju stroked the jar affectionately and said.

“Although we lost all the remaining divided souls, we found two divided souls, so it will be possible to recover within 300 years as long as our lifespan allows.”

Wanan continued, unfolding a rolled-up portrait from his chest.

“And this guy is said to be the one who made Gwisil like that. One of the elders of the Yacheon Demon Gate gave this to me and passed away.”

“That guy is quite handsome, like a gigolo. I have nothing to do, so I should find this guy.”

The face drawn in the portrait was none other than San-gun’s.

“Now that Gwisil is like this, we should also cultivate like mice for 300 years. Oh, did you hear? The Seondo Gate Taoists who attacked the Yacheon Demon Gate also ran away with their tails between their legs from the Hae tribe’s attack, hahaha!”

“What is that? We are in the same situation, so what’s so funny?”

“Some people are really… terribly stingy.”

Gwokri shook his head.

That’s why he hasn’t found a spouse yet because he’s so narrow-minded.

“What? Are you saying you want to die?”

“You only hear what you want to hear.”

Wanan, who smiled, quietly put down the jar and took out his cane.

“Okay, I’m in a bad mood, so let’s end it today. I have a lot of holes in my body, so let’s see which hole you’re talking about, you old geezer!!”

Kwaang!!

* * *

One year later.

A carriage crossing the Atlantic Ocean was constantly scattering dull light.

“Are we there yet?!”

“We’re almost there! Just a little further!”

The people in the carriage were San-gun and his party, and their faces were filled with a strange sense of tension.

San-gun was also frowning, because an ominous purple streak of light was flying towards them at a terrifying speed.

“Damn it.”

For a while, they followed the direction Chukman Daein pointed to in search of Gwisu Mountain.

But at some point, he felt a huge energy chasing him, and he realized that it was Ji-chung, the Great Elder of the Haeryong tribe.

And fifteen days ago.

The distance between him and Ji-chung rapidly narrowed, and San-gun had no choice but to run away with all his might. But it seemed that the guy’s tracking skills were great, so even Myeong-eunsul [a concealment technique] didn’t work, and San-gun was running away relying only on Chukman Daein.

“We’re almost there! It’s there!”

Chukman Daein was able to know the location of Gwisu Mountain due to some secret technique, but he never told them what it was.

Anyway, San-gun frowned as he looked in the direction Chukman Daein pointed.

It was a place where all kinds of storms and whirlpools sprang up.

But what could he do?

There was a Yeonggeop Yuksa [a very high-level cultivator] chasing after him with fire in his eyes!

It would be one thing if it was Yeonggeop Chogyeong [the initial stage of the Yeonggeop realm], but he was Ji-chung Daejangro [Great Elder Ji-chung], who belonged to the Junggyeong realm [the middle stage of the Yeonggeop realm].

Running away was the best option.

San-gun closed his eyes tightly and drove the Giryeongcha [a spirit-powered carriage] into the storm.

A moment later.

Ji-chung Jangro [Elder Ji-chung], who had withdrawn the purple dull light, hardened his expression as he looked at the place where dozens of whirlpools soared into the sky and jet-black dark clouds were laid out.

It was an ominous and violent natural energy, and even space was sometimes distorted.

“To think he would run away to Gokgong Samgakju (曲空三角洲) [Crooked Void Delta]…!”

Ji-chung’s worries deepened, but he regained his composure and entered the storm, scattering dull light.