Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 133

Nangseon’s Romantic Tale – 132

As he stepped inside, the sweltering heat made San-gun’s cheeks flush.

Even San-gun, whose Hwajeongjiche [Clear Flame] was made from Bongak Cheonghwa [Bongak’s Azure Flame], felt the heat.

“I apologize for not offering you tea right away. Please forgive my impatience; I’ve eagerly awaited this day for a century.”

San-gun didn’t press the matter, accepting the Daegam’s smooth apology.

“What needs to be done?”

“Inject your Clear Flame until the reforging is complete. It won’t take long. My flames have heated it for a century already, so three months of your flame will suffice.”

San-gun nodded, his eyes gleaming as he thoroughly examined the secret chamber.

He dispersed the formation with Danryeong Geumjeong [Golden Talisman] and looked around.

‘Nothing seems particularly strange.’

The sleek sword floating in the air was exactly as he remembered.

Various sorcery characters surrounded it in multiple layers of rings.

The reforging process didn’t seem particularly special.

“You must have many questions. Why I asked you to help with this reforging.”

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t curious.

Whether the Daegam recognized Bongak Cheonghwa or had another reason.

“I’ve heard that Bongak Cheonghwa’s Clear Flame is a fire that burns away wickedness. Its purity is said to never be tainted. Is that correct?”

“Well, I’ve never heard of Bongak Cheonghwa, but… my Clear Flame seems to have similar qualities.”

The Geum Flame [Golden Flame] of Dullyeonma Hwa [Tempered Demonic Fire] and Bongak Cheonghwa did not mix.

The same went for the lightning of Noeji Dragon [Thunderous Dragon].

He wondered why, but it seemed to be an inherent trait of Bongak Cheonghwa.

“Although it’s not certain, I suspect your fire might be the Bongak Cheonghwa of the Bongak Cheonsujo [Bongak Celestial Bird], which everyone feared in the ancient Manbo era [Era of Ten Thousand Treasures].”

The Daegam glanced at San-gun and gave a meaningful smile.

“Well, it doesn’t matter now. In any case, your Clear Flame won’t mix with other fires.”

It would devour them, if anything.

“You can tell that easily?”

“My Tongsul [Mystic Art] is a little sensitive to fire, so it wasn’t difficult to discern.”

As a Yeonggeop Yuksa [Transcendent Sixth Rank Warrior] who wielded Hwasintong [Fire God’s Mystic Art], it was certainly possible.

“The reason I asked for your help is entirely due to the nature of your Clear Flame. Because it possesses such noble qualities, it won’t mix with my fire, allowing for a proper reforging. Your Clear Flame is incredibly efficient in reforging. The absence of impurities directly relates to the success rate.”

A fire that doesn’t mix.

San-gun didn’t quite grasp the full implications.

“The materials we’ll add later also have many impurities, so your Clear Flame is absolutely necessary.”

“I see.”

“Well, enough small talk. I need your Clear Flame. I’ve already prepared the Sulshik [Magical Formula], so don’t stop, no matter what happens. Even if I die, you must never stop.”

“Understood.”

“Now! Let’s begin!”

The Daegam formed a Sugyeol [Hand Seal] and spewed fire.

Suddenly, five Hwaryeong [Fire Spirits] emerged from his head and unleashed flames.

At the sight, San-gun also formed a Sugyeol and gathered his hands to unleash Bongak Cheonghwa.

Three months passed in that state.

Nothing particularly eventful happened, to the point of boredom.

The Daegam also only emitted flames with deeply sunken eyes, making it even more monotonous.

He seemed lost in deep thought, so conversation felt impossible.

However, San-gun couldn’t relax his guard.

He knew Yujeong [San-gun’s past self] always got backstabbed at times like these.

It was then. The Daegam, who had been silent, opened his mouth with a bitter look.

“Beom Saje [Tiger Envoy], I actually had a woman I loved. That sword was her Bonseon Beopbae [Original Immortal Dharma Treasure], called Hwahwan Sword [Blazing Ring Sword].”

“Ah… yes. I see.”

He wasn’t particularly curious, but the Daegam’s determined expression made it feel significant.

“We promised each other a future, but she died, and all that remained was that sword. The reason I entered the Geomryeongdo [Sword Spirit Path] was to create a Geomryeong [Sword Spirit] from the sword she used.”

San-gun never suspected such a story behind the Daegam’s magnanimous personality.

But that was then, and this was now.

San-gun’s nerves were on edge.

He had a bad feeling.

“However, the path of Geomnotaksaeng [Sword Spirit Rebirth] was long and arduous. No matter what I tried, my wish remained unfulfilled.”

San-gun’s eyes narrowed.

It was time for the main point.

“But this is enough. Thanks to you, I can become one with the sword… I wanted to thank you in advance.”

Become one with the sword?

“I said I’d prepare a gift in return. Take everything here. I don’t know if you can take it all, but it’s useless to me now!”

Suddenly, red flames erupted from the Daegam’s entire body.

Then, the Daegam’s Hwaryeong spat out blood and plunged into the sword!

“Wh, what…!”

“Don’t stop the Clear Flame!”

San-gun was startled, but he couldn’t withdraw the flames at the Daegam’s stern command.

Kiiiiiiing!!

The sword emitted a dazzling light and began to pulsate violently, a result of the bizarre phenomenon of the Daegam’s Hwaryeong melting into it.

The Daegam also had blood on his lips and a relieved expression.

“Thank you.”

With that, the Daegam himself jumped into the sword.

And immediately after that.

Kuuuung!!

The secret chamber exploded.

Cough, cough!

San-gun, coughing, opened one eye and looked down at his body.

He was wearing black armor. Tamhwa [San-gun’s spirit] had sensed the explosion and transformed into Wiju Hoyeon Armor [Majestic Flame Armor].

After Tamhwa consumed Gubu Ryeong [Nine Section Spirit], the Wiju Hoyeon Armor became even more powerful.

Thanks to that, San-gun was uninjured.

It was just… unexpected.

“What is going on…?”

He waved his arm to clear the smoke.

Then, a strange sword floating in the air revealed itself.

The sword, with its radiant light, was slowly rotating.

San-gun pulled it towards him.

“To think he would want to become a sword.”

He had put his Hwaryeong into the sword, so he wouldn’t be able to achieve reincarnation.

He had truly become a sword.

“A double-edged sword… it seems even as a sword, you can’t meet [reunite in the afterlife].”

The sword’s appearance had changed.

The long sword had become a double-edged sword with the handle in the middle.

San-gun smiled wryly.

“Hwahwan Hohwan Sword [Tiger’s Calamity Sword], it seems Hohwan was referring to me.”

It seemed to mean not mutual Ho [exchange] and changing Hwan [ring], but tiger Ho [tiger] and trouble Hwan [calamity].

What a mischievous person.

It was his own play on words.

“‘The combined flames bring disaster to the tiger,’ what nonsense is that.”

Vague emotions lingered within him before melting away like snow.

He had suspected the Daegam, but his only goal was to become one with the sword of the woman he loved.

How deeply must he have loved her to want to become one with her sword?

He couldn’t understand.

However, a woman came to mind.

“It’s been a long time.”

It had been well over 100 years since he had been separated from Cho-a, so it was natural.

San-gun had been running tirelessly with the single-minded determination to save Hwaran.

But he had accomplished that goal.

It would be good to take a break and match Cho-a’s pace.

“I should go back soon to avoid getting nagged. It’s been well over 130 years since I left, so should I prepare a gift?”

Holding the Hwahwan Hohwan Sword in his arms, he looked around.

Although there had been an explosion, he was able to find his Gongjeonggang [Storage Bracelet].

There were only a few letters, Ansi Stone [Resting Stone], a smoking pipe, and one Yeongpae [Spirit Tablet].

It was the smoking pipe he had used when he competed with the Great Elder before.

However, the smoking pipe itself was a Bopae [Dharma Treasure] comparable to a Bogeo [Precious Artifact].

San-gun looked at the smoking pipe with a bitter expression, put it in his arms, and examined the Yeongpae.

He examined the Yeongpae with a blank expression for a moment, then widened his eyes.

“This is the mark of Yukgwi (六鬼) [Sixth Ghost].”

The Gwibong [Ghost Peak] of Siphaemancheokgwi [Ten Thousand Myriad Feet Ghost].

Yukgwi, the sixth king among them!

That meant…

“Daegam is Yukgwi?!”

It was surprising.

A man who chose to become one with a woman’s sword to the point of Mangunjijeong (望雲之情) [Yearning for the Clouds, meaning deep longing].

For such a man to be Yukgwi.

With a reluctant look, he examined the letters.

After examining a few letters and the Ansi Stone, San-gun swallowed a sigh.

The letters detailed the movements of Siphaemancheokgwi, indicating where they had occupied. It also mentioned that Palgwi [Eighth Ghost] had died and they would hold a Baekgwi Yahang [Hundred Ghost Night Parade].

But it was meaningless.

It was a letter from over a thousand years ago.

“Baekgwi Yahang…”

It made him think.

If he could receive Baekgwi Yaroegop [Hundred Ghost Night Parade Blessing] by holding Baekgwi Yahang, it would be much easier to ascend to Yeonggeop [Transcendent Realm]. Moreover, he had the Yeongpae of Yukgwi in his hand.

Baekgwi Yahang gathers Yuksa and selects the strongest as the next Gwibong.

The Gwibong candidate who becomes like that receives Baekgwi Yaroegop and becomes Gwibong when he ascends to Yeonggeop, commanding the Gwisu [Ghost Army].

“Geumgin [Golden Seal] is also dead, so no one will know that I killed Samgwi [Third Ghost].”

In the first place, he had used a pseudonym.

Moreover, the Yeongpae of Yukgwi was as good as a qualification.

If he wanted to, it wouldn’t be difficult to become the next Yukgwi.

There would be no one among the same level of Yuksa who could compete equally with San-gun….

It was also time to prepare for the Jinsoomyeonghwa [True Life Destiny Transformation] of Yeonggeop.

After considering it, he finished his thoughts and carefully put the Yeongpae in his arms.

He looked around elsewhere, but there was nothing else to find.

“It is said that Cheonyangjibo [Heavenly Yang Treasure] is passed down to Sipgwi [Tenth Ghost], but Daegam doesn’t seem to have it.”

Well, it’s a story from thousands of years ago.

It may have already been lost before he became Yukgwi.

The Gwibong of Sipgwi is often replaced every few hundred years due to frequent wars, so it was possible.

San-gun, who was about to take a step, suddenly stopped and looked back.

‘Come to think of it, where is the active volcano that Daegam used?’

It must be a treasure comparable to a Jibo-class [Supreme Treasure] treasure that Bopae-ized [Transformed into a Treasure] the mountain itself.

It must be somewhere here.

His Sintong was quite unique, so if it was hidden, he should take it.

San-gun’s pupils dilated.

His reddish eyes moved from side to side, looking around.

But he couldn’t find anything.

San-gun pondered for a moment, then spread his hand, and a golden lotus appeared like a mirage.

Soon, the lotus bud opened, and Cheongbong [Azure Phoenix] fluttered its wings.

“Go.”

Cheongbong circled San-gun’s head and seeped into the ground.

San-gun closed his eyes and searched every corner of Geongonju [Heaven and Earth], sensing Cheongbong.

After a Hansikgyeong [Moment of Silence].

San-gun, who opened his eyes, pondered for a moment and moved his lips, chanting Tonggyeol [Mystic Incantation].

Soon, Cheongbong’s energy intensified, and blue flames erupted from underground.

Kugugung…!

Instantly, San-gun’s eyebrows narrowed, and he suddenly stepped back ten Jang [approximately 30 meters].

Kwang!!

A roar erupted, and the ground cracked open.

Soon, red lava erupted like a fountain, and the secret chamber collapsed.

Realizing that staying wouldn’t work, San-gun used Chukji [Ground Shrinking Technique] to escape outside.

“Yuksa [Envoy], what’s going on!”

Jangcheon, who had been waiting outside, shouted in surprise at the roar.

“It’s nothing. A hot-tempered volcano is giving me a hard time.”

“What is that?”

Before he could finish speaking, the secret chamber exploded, and red lava soared.

Kwaang!

The ground shook violently, and the active volcano revealed its magnificent appearance.

San-gun, who created a blue Hosinmak [Protective Barrier] by spreading one hand, floated into the air.

“Did the mountain, which lost its owner, get angry, or why is it going crazy like this?”

“Shall I help you?”

“No, it’s okay.”

San-gun gathered his hands and clasped them together.

Then, Manikpyeon [Ten Thousand Transformations] appeared from his back, spreading its wings wide.

San-gun immediately flapped his wings, shooting out Bigeom [Flying Swords] and forming a Geomjin [Sword Formation].

It was Chimryusonryeo’s Geomjin [Penetrating Willow Sword Formation].

Soon, blue Cheongyeom [Azure Flames] bloomed, and Cheongbong appeared and fluttered its wings.

Cheongbong’s feathers turned into Cheongyeom and were shot into Geomjin, intensifying the formation’s momentum.

Soon, a dozen blue Cheongryong [Azure Dragons] made of Cheongyeom appeared and were shot at the volcano.

Kwaaaang!!

When the active volcano shook slightly, San-gun formed a Sugyeol and flicked his finger.

When the blue energy flew like an arrow and touched the volcano, the vibration became even more intense.

San-gun, who flashed a different color, used Chukji while spewing Cheongyeom from his whole body.

Swish! He immediately approached the active volcano.

The active volcano was floating in the air in a huge form, and San-gun raised his palm and struck it straight down.

Kung!

Kwaaaang!!

The lava erupted and transformed into the appearance of a huge Hwaryong [Fire Dragon].

When San-gun formed a Sugyeol, Cheongbong cried like a nightingale and rushed in.

Hwaryong and Cheongbong swam in the air and began to fight fiercely.

Lava and Cheongyeom mixed, and thick clouds of mist spread in all directions.

At that time, San-gun raised his hand again. His palm was dyed gray, which was Salseong Gapgeom [Killing Star Armor Sword], one of Gyuncheon Bohwa [Equilibrium Heaven Precious Light].

He made his palm as hard as a sword and struck it straight down.

Kwaang!!

Then, the lava, which had turned into Hwaryong, screamed and fell.

Cheongbong, seizing the opportunity, opened its beak and spewed Cheongyeom and Geumyeom [Golden Flames], putting pressure on it.

Hwaryong soon became smaller like a snake, lost its shape, and disappeared.

Thinking it was okay now, he clasped his hands together again and closed his eyes. Soon, 12 baby tigers popped out of his head.

It was Danryeong.

San-gun’s Danryeong began to spew Cheongyeom, opening their mouths.

Cheongbong also flew around the active volcano and put pressure on it, and the size gradually decreased.

The lava of the volcano also decreased, and its momentum greatly diminished.

The appearance of the volcano surrounded by Bongak Cheonghwa and burning was truly a bizarre sight.

While Jangcheon was admiring it with a blank look.

Suddenly, the volcano vibrated greatly as if it were crying.

Gueuuung.

“Yuksa!”

Suddenly, something whitish from the volcano gradually took shape.

A man with shaggy hair and horns on the top of his head.

It was the appearance of Daegam.

“Bunhon [Divided Soul]!”

As soon as Jangcheon finished speaking, the Bunhon that Daegam had planted headed straight for San-gun.

It flew like an arrow, but San-gun didn’t avoid it for some reason.

The Bunhon brought a chilling wind and seeped into San-gun’s body.

Huoong!

At the same time, San-gun’s Danryeong were sucked into his head.

After a while.

San-gun opened his eyes and took a long breath.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m okay.”

San-gun flicked his finger and wrapped the active volcano with blue energy.

Then, the active volcano was wrapped around as if it were obedient, and it became so small that it seemed to fit in his hand.

San-gun, who grabbed the volcano with one hand, opened his mouth and swallowed it as it was.

“It seemed to be Daegam’s Bunhon. Did you have your body taken away or…?”

Such things are not uncommon.

However, San-gun shook his head as if to say no.

“It was just telling me the Gugyeol [Secret Formula] to control the volcano and the related Tongsul. He did a troublesome thing instead of just giving it to me.”

The name of the volcano is Tanhanyeosan (炭恨濾山) [Charred Resentment Filtering Mountain].

It means a mountain that washes away resentment.

It was a creepy mountain.

It was a mountain where those who had deep resentment committed suicide by throwing themselves into the lava.

Then, it was said that it became Bopae-ized with the creation of Yeongseong [Spiritual Energy].

“I’ll have to stay here for a while. Can you stand guard?”

“I can do that much.”

He put it in his body, but it’s not perfect.

It was necessary to stabilize and Yeonhwa [Refine] it for about three days. San-gun immediately sat cross-legged and began to chant the related Tonggyeol.

Jangcheon, Tamhwa, and Gwiyul [San-gun’s companions] guarded his side.

And three days later.

“Let’s go.”

San-gun, who got up from his seat, took out Hwahwan Hohwan Sword from his arms.

He stared at it with bitter eyes, then shone Dungwang [Radiant Light] and crossed the sky.