Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 13

Nangseon’s Adventures – Episode 12

Three days later.

“Wow—the smell of flowers!”

Choa and the Cheongdosan group arrived at Hwajang Village.

Hwajang Village was filled with cherry trees and various colorful flowers everywhere you looked.

Scholars sat in pavilions, sipping wine and watching petals fall into the pond, while noble children enjoyed flower viewing.

This sight brought a smile to Choa’s face, which had been looking deathly pale.

Cheongdosan smiled too, watching her dart around with her lightness skill. He knew she was gifted, a true genius, but he hadn’t expected her to absorb so much of Bopa’s martial arts in such a short time.

It didn’t seem possible she’d only been learning it for a few days.

A seven-year-old child had reached the level of a martial artist who had trained for over a decade.

‘She is definitely a Seoncheonja [a person born with innate Taoist talent].’

No one can improve their skills at this rate except for a Seoncheonja.

A Seoncheonja is someone born with heavenly talent, destined to become a Taoist from birth because they possess innate Seoncheon [inherent spiritual potential].

‘Otherwise, there’s no way she could absorb Huchun [acquired] martial arts at such a crazy speed.’

Cheongdosan watched his disciple running around like a bird, enjoying the floral scenery, then looked around. A large village like Hwajang Village would likely have someone he knew.

After wandering the streets, Cheongdosan spotted someone guarding a merchant caravan and approached him with a joyful expression.

“Oh! Who is this? Cheongdosan of Kunlun, isn’t it?”

Unlike Cheongdosan, who was aging with white hair, the man appeared middle-aged. Cheongdosan bowed deeply to the man, who seemed to be of a lower rank.

“This disciple of Kunlun greets Senior Brother.”

“Haha, Senior Brother! It’s been almost 10 years since I left Kunlun!”

“Once a Senior Brother, always a Senior Brother.”

“Haha, is that so? Then I should treat you the same way!”

The man Cheongdosan called Senior Brother was Yeonpun, a martial artist at the level of Sword Immortal [a highly skilled swordsman, but not yet a Taoist].

He had left Kunlun long ago and never returned, but they met in Hwajang Village. It was a well-known village, so he’d hoped to meet someone, but encountering a Senior Brother he’d parted ways with long ago doubled his joy. Although they had different paths, they had once shared a bond of righteousness, and he greatly respected the martial artist who was at a higher level than him.

Cheongdosan called Choa, who was running around, and Bicheong, who was following her, to greet him.

“Oh, the disciples’ talents are quite excellent. You must feel very secure.”

“Yes, these days I feel full even if I don’t eat!”

After some light conversation, Cheongdosan and Yeonpun went into a nearby inn to catch up. Bicheong and Choa devoured the sumptuous meal in front of them, and Cheongdosan and Yeonpun, watching with satisfaction, kept pouring each other drinks.

“By the way, Senior Brother, what brings you here?”

“Hmm? Ah, I’m currently working for the Wudang Sect. I’m here to find Seoncheonjas and Huchunjas who show promise……”

Yeonpun stopped talking and moved his lips silently, conveying something privately. Cheongdosan’s eyes widened, his face hardened, and he became serious. He stroked his beard, pondered, then poured his Senior Brother’s empty glass and asked,

“So, you’re escorting them to Wudang Mountain?”

“That’s right. It’s for the Wudang disciples.”

“Haha, that’s just like Wudang. To make such a big decision for the Sword Immortals……”

A Sword Immortal is called a Sword Immortal, but they are not Taoists. To become a Taoist, one must ascend to Doseon [a higher level of Taoist attainment] to use Taoist skills, and only then can they be called a Taoist.

Therefore, other sects are generally not very generous to Sword Immortals.

Those with Seoncheon talent are scouted and supported, but they have no choice but to be harsh to Huchunjas.

It is very rare for someone with Huchun talent to reach Doseon, and even after reaching Doseon, the path to the next level is daunting.

For that reason, Huchunjas are eager to find Seoncheonjas and accept them as disciples.

If a disciple surpasses them and becomes a Taoist, they receive precious elixirs from the sect as a reward or are guaranteed wealth and honor that others envy.

Cheongdosan pondered his Senior Brother’s words, drinking his glass, unaware that his beard was covered in alcohol.

‘Dobonghwan (導鋒丸) [Elixir of Guiding Edge].’

Using the characters for ‘guide’ (導) and ‘sword tip’ (鋒), it means an elixir that guides with the sword tip.

Taking one pill can take you from the early stage (初經) to the late stage (後經) of Sword Immortal in one breath, and if you’re lucky, you can jump to Doseon in an instant—a treasure.

But.

If there were enough elixirs to raise one’s level, why would everyone be so eager to become a Doseon?

The ingredients that go into Dobonghwan are also rare, and only a Yeon Dansa (煉丹師) [Alchemy Master] above Biseon (飛仙) [Ascended Immortal] who is skilled in alchemy can make it.

It is something that only Sword Immortals can benefit from compared to the effort, wealth, and materials that go into it. Why would Biseons waste their time and effort on such things?

Naturally, the quantity is small; at most, each sect makes only two or three pills every certain period through agreements to help their disciples.

‘What tricks did Wudang use to obtain so many pills……’

Cheongdosan smiled bitterly and emptied his glass, unsure if the alcohol was going into his nose or his mouth.

After sending his disciples, who had filled their bellies, up to rest, he spent the night drinking with Yeonpun.

* * *

A few days later.

Only faint moonlight illuminated the darkness. The Mountain Lord, hiding in the bushes, wagged his tail from side to side, expressing his discomfort.

-What do you think?

-Are you asking me now after already accepting it?

Hmm.

The Mountain Lord had accepted Woodan’s proposal and was lying in ambush with those who would carry out the request.

Most were boar spirits, but there were also rabbits and squirrels to act as messengers, and an eagle spirit as well.

[Mountain Lord, Mountain Lord! I heard the Mountain Lord eats anything he can get his hands on? Do you eat poop too?]

‘What is this now……’

He wondered what it was, but a rabbit about the size of the Mountain Lord’s paw was looking up at him and asking. It was a rabbit that didn’t seem special, but the Mountain Lord wondered how this guy became a spirit.

[You idiot! What do you think the Mountain Lord is!]

A squirrel spirit with a tail bigger than its body, listening from the side, scolded the rabbit.

‘Yes. That’s right.’

He didn’t need to respond to such absurd words, no matter where they heard such nonsense.

However, the Mountain Lord jumped at the squirrel’s next words.

[The Mountain Lord is a glutton who even licks up pee!]

[You bastards!]

Krrr!

[Kyaa! I’m going to be eaten!]

[Let’s run away! The Mountain Lord is angry!]

Giggle giggle.

The rabbit and squirrel laughed and ran to the top of the tree as the Mountain Lord gnashed his teeth and glared at them as if he would kill them, and the rabbit jumped into its burrow.

-They’re not even kids, what are you doing.

-They’re saying ridiculous things.

It wasn’t a good time to make a fuss, but it was even stranger if he stayed still after hearing such things.

[They’re coming soon. Please be careful. This is a matter of life and death for us.]

The Mountain Lord looked at him with a displeased look and nodded.

It was Wooja, the son of Woodan, who had guided him to Wudun Mountain.

Besides him, there were twenty more boar spirits. He didn’t know what they were trying to take from the humans, but as much as they were risking their lives, the Mountain Lord had to suppress his nature and stay quiet.

-I honestly think it’s strange.

-What do you mean.

-They entrusted this important task to an outsider, the Mountain Lord.

-Isn’t it because I’m so famous?

-…….

-I’m kidding. It’s an attack on humans, and they’re Sword Immortals, right? They must have wanted to increase their chances of winning even a little bit.

-That’s the problem. They’re not just humans, they’re attacking Sword Immortals! Isn’t that like they’re crazy and want to die?”

That’s right.

Sword Immortals are equal in power to spirits, but they are humans.

As humans with power, they wouldn’t just stand still if they were attacked.

Besides, if it’s a merchant group escorted by Sword Immortals, there must be something particularly valuable.

If there’s even a Doseon, all the spirits here are as good as dead.

-If there’s a Doseon, we can just run away.

-Are you sure you’ll be okay? If you accept it like this and run away, all the Mountain Lords of Mount Baek will laugh at you.

-What’s the problem with that? You have to live first to be criticized.

The Mountain Lord was filled with the thought of running away as soon as he sensed that the situation was going strangely.

He wasn’t on good terms with them, and he had no intention of fighting for them to the point of risking his life.

-And I’ve already received what I was going to receive.

The Choyeonbang [a valuable item or reward] was already received.

He threatened to tell the Sword Immortals about the attack if they didn’t give it to him right away, instead of the nonsense that they would give it to him when the request was completed, and barely received it.

-I don’t care as long as I can make the Yeokgeunhwan [a transformation elixir] after this is over.

If he could disguise himself as a human, he didn’t care if the Mountain Lord was a coward or licked pee. He could ignore whatever they said.

Being able to mingle in the human world was as good as being able to salvage the treasure he had given up on.

[They’re here.]

With that sound, the spirits that had been lying down bristled all over.

The Mountain Lord also held his breath and looked at the merchant group far away.

It was quite a large procession. Several carriages were lined up, and there were only about twenty guards protecting them.

But there were eight Sword Immortals.

-It’s worth a try.

At this rate, they were numerically superior, so it was worth a try. The Mountain Lord was a spirit that even killed movie spirits, so would he be afraid of Sword Immortals?

However, Hwaran spoke as if to soothe the Mountain Lord, who was raising his energy, as if he wasn’t.

-Mountain Lord. Don’t you feel it?

-Huh?

Judging by Hwaran’s serious voice, he must have missed something. The Mountain Lord focused his senses again and stared intently at the merchant group’s procession.

And after a while, his red eyes flashed open.

-Damn it, there’s a Doseon too!

-It looks like it’s better to run away.

That was a matter of course.

Even if it was a Sword Immortal, he had to run away if there was a Doseon.

Fortunately, if it was 1v1 because there was only one, it might be worth a try, but if he fought a Doseon in a place where a free-for-all was expected, he could fall to the underworld with a single mistake.

Unlike Sword Immortals, Doseons use Taoist skills.

That alone is threatening enough, but what if they have a treasure-level weapon?

Even the Mountain Lord, who possessed many treasures, could not guarantee victory. It would be different if he became a movie spirit, but as a spirit now, it was better not to fight for his well-being.

‘Unlike the Blood Cat Scholar, I can’t attack.’

He could feel the energy of the Doseon, but he couldn’t see his appearance. He guessed that he was probably in the carriage.

[Mountain Lord. Go first.]

At that time, the boar spirit Wooja looked at the Mountain Lord and flashed his eyes.

He frowned and asked Wooja.

[Are you pretending not to know, or do you really not know?]

[What are you talking about.]

[There’s a Doseon in that procession!]

Wooja’s eyes widened.

Other spirits also gasped and began to murmur.

However, Wooja glared as if he had expected that much.

[Even so, we can’t back down now! Wudun Mountain has risked its life on this! We must succeed!]

[……You’re going to die.]

They will surely be annihilated. Even if one or two survive, it will be close to luck.

[Even if we die, it doesn’t matter if we accomplish our goal!]

Murmur murmur.

The other spirits, who had been surprised, also shone their eyes at Wooja’s steadfastness.

As expected of the fools of Wudun Mountain, they all began to prepare for death.

-I think we’ve been had by the old man.

-I think so too.

Damn old man.

Why did it seem like it was worth it, but this is no different from pushing them into hell to die.

The Mountain Lord silently looked at them with serious eyes and turned his body.

[I’m out.]

There was really not a speck of dust of a reason to risk his life to fight for them.

[Is the owner of Mount Baek running away?]

[Do you think you would risk your life for enemies like you in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?]

Who would risk their life if they glared at him when they should be begging and clinging to him?

The Mountain Lord shook his head and snorted!

-That’s right.

Hwaran also made a satisfied voice.

Did he really think that the Mountain Lord would fight for them? The Mountain Lord was dumbfounded, but for a moment, he felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

‘There’s no way Woodan would have made this so sloppy……’

For a cunning boar like that, it was too sloppy.

No, it wasn’t.

[For the Mountain Lord of Mount Baek!]

Wooja suddenly shouted that and jumped into the merchant group.

Then, following him.

[For the Mountain Lord of Mount Baek!]

[For Mount Baek!]

[For the children of Mount Baek!!]

The remaining spirits also shouted that, and the guards and Sword Immortals who were guarding the merchant group drew their swords.

“It’s an attack!!”

“It’s a monster attack!”

“Protect the merchant group!”

And then.

While he was blankly watching the situation created by the pigs in the bushes.

A Sword Immortal found a tiger as big as a house and shouted.

“That tiger is the leader! That guy must be the Mountain Lord of Mount Baek!!”

[This is a fucking mess……!]