Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 151

Nangseon’s Romantic Tale – 150

“Nice to meet you. I’m Baek Ji-un.”

A man announced from the front.

The Mountain Lord observed the crowd gathered before him, all eager to become disciples of Baek San.

Hwa-ran, unable to shake her ingrained habits, remained hidden, complaining about the large number of people.

It didn’t really matter.

The Mountain Lord was planning to take the test alongside Hon-ah.

“I know very well that everyone here desires to enter the Baek San Sect.

It’s only natural, as Baek San’s spiritual energy is several times greater than that of any other famous sacred mountain!”

The man standing on the large rock, stirring up the crowd, possessed the power of a Taoist Immortal. [A being who has achieved a high level of spiritual cultivation in Taoism.]

He had a thick beard and a robust physique, and the Mountain Lord didn’t recognize him.

“Cultivating in Baek San is several times faster than anywhere else. I, too, was a Sword Immortal until five years ago, but after entering Baek San, my cultivation sped up, and I became a Taoist Immortal!”

It seemed he hadn’t been in Baek San for very long.

“Then, if we cultivate in Baek San, can we become Taoist Immortals like you, Master?!”

“Of course! But as the saying goes, ‘Do not impart to those who are unworthy, do not impart secrets to those who are unskilled,’ so not just anyone can enter!”

It was a meaningful saying that one should not give teachings to those who have talent but are flawed in character.

“What is he saying?”

Un-mo asked Ryu-aeng.

Ryu-aeng also tilted her head, seemingly not understanding his meaning.

“He’s saying not just anyone can enter.”

“I see. Beom is so smart!”

“I’m not just anyone, so it’s okay!”

Ryu-aeng praised the Mountain Lord, and Un-mo spouted nonsense.

“There are three tests in total!

If you pass all of them, you can become a disciple of Baek San, and those who complete them with excellent results will be granted a Seungseondan (Ascension Pill)!”

“A, an Ascension Pill?!”

The expressions of the murmuring people changed from shock to joy.

The Ascension Pill was one grade higher than a Dobonghwan [A high-grade elixir], and it was said to allow a Taoist Immortal to ascend to a Celestial Immortal if they consumed it.

‘Oh ho.’

He probably didn’t just prepare Dobonghwans but seemed to have put in quite a bit of effort. Come to think of it, more than 300 years had passed, and the spiritual veins near Baek San weren’t bad, so he seemed to have accumulated quite a bit of wealth.

‘He could have made enough money just by selling a few leaves of the Hangboshingmok [A mythical tree known for strengthening the spirit] or the Shinsu tree [A sacred tree with medicinal properties].’

The leaves of the Hangboshingmok were famous for strengthening the spirit, making them nearly impossible to obtain, and the Shinsu tree was so mysterious that chewing on a single leaf could expel toxins from the body and build immunity, making it priceless.

‘Yeon-a must have done well.’

Tree leaves naturally fall, so she would have taken good care to ensure the sacred trees weren’t harmed.

“Did you hear? An Ascension Pill, an Ascension Pill! There’s nowhere else that offers an Ascension Pill on the entrance exam!”

Un-mo shouted loudly, as if he was excited, and the others were the same.

Many were trying to maintain their composure, but most seemed to have difficulty hiding their joy.

They would be grateful to receive a Dobonghwan, so why wouldn’t they be happy to receive an Ascension Pill?

Then, even the Mountain Lord felt a surge of happiness.

“Coming to Baek San was definitely a stroke of genius, right? There aren’t many sects this generous, even if you look far and wide.”

The Mountain Lord unknowingly smiled and nodded.

It was then.

A strange pressure of spiritual energy spread throughout the area.

“Ugh.”

“Kugh!”

Un-mo and Ryu-aeng frowned.

The other applicants were the same.

‘It’s a mess, really.’

The Taoist Immortal was spreading his spiritual pressure because they were being a little noisy.

It was at the level of ants scattering, so the Mountain Lord was unaffected, but when the Taoist stared at him intently, his eyes blazing, he sighed softly and lowered his head.

‘Baek Ji-un, was it? You’re dead later.’

“Ahem! It’s a little quieter now. The first test is simple: Reach the Lower Gate (下門) of Baek San! If you do, you will be able to take the next test.”

The test was surprisingly simple.

“Can we pass the test just by going to the Lower Gate?”

A Sword Immortal among the applicants asked.

The Taoist named Baek Ji-un smiled.

“Of course!”

“If you can reach the Lower Gate, that is!”

With those words, the Taoist took out a talisman, muttered something, and stuck it to a tree. Suddenly, the tree stirred, and a path opened.

‘How cute.’

He seemed to want to show off a little.

“The test ends when the sun sets! I hope you all pass!”

With those words, the Taoist emitted a pure white smoke and disappeared.

His actions were so comical that he almost clutched his stomach, but the applicants seemed to see him as a divine being, and their faces were filled with amazement.

“Beom, Ryu-aeng! Let’s go!”

With that, the Mountain Lord began to climb the mountain towards the Lower Gate with Ryu-aeng and Un-mo.

* * *

Near the entrance of Baek San.

Several Taoists were hiding their presence in the trees using silver magic.

Below them, the area was crowded with applicants who had come to Baek San with hopeful dreams.

“Do you see anyone worthwhile?”

A bald-headed child monk.

It was Mansam, who had reached enlightenment.

Beside him was a middle-aged man with a long beard, Taeyanghwari Myeonghwa, who was always bickering with Mansam.

“How can we know when it’s just started?”

As he was grumbling as usual, they saw someone flying in on a red sword.

It was Yeon-a, an elder of Baek San.

“You should be looking for those with potential, Elders, not just those who are already ‘worthwhile’.”

As she spoke with a benevolent face, Mansam and Myeonghwa laughed and welcomed Yeon-a.

“We can see some who stand out roughly, but we’re still not sure.”

“Well, as that old man said, it’s just started, so we’ll have to look around slowly.”

However, Mansam looked at one boy in particular and tilted his head.

“Why are you doing that?”

“That little kid over there.”

When they turned their gaze slightly, they saw a group of three children together.

One girl and two boys.

He was pointing at one of the boys.

“Hmm, Elder Man was watching him too.”

Myeonghwa stroked his beard and chimed in.

“You too?”

“Well, I don’t know the details, but he’s probably not ordinary.”

“Is it because he’s a Hon-ah [A being born with innate spiritual power]?”

“Maybe, but….”

Elder Myeong pondered for a long time and shook his head. It was difficult to make a definite judgment.

“We’ll have to watch a little longer. Not yet….”

“I see. I’m sorry to ask you Elders to work hard while you’re busy.”

As Yeon-a bowed her head and spoke, Mansam and Myeonghwa waved their hands.

“If you say that, we’ll be embarrassed. Aren’t you the one working hard in the absence of the Mountain Lord? Besides, there’s no need to be so formal between us!”

“Elder Man is right. It’s not like we’ve only known each other for a year or two.”

“Haha, but how can I do that? Protecting Baek San is all I can do, so there’s no need to gild the lily.”

Yeon-a waved her hands and blushed. Myeonghwa and Mansam smiled pleasantly as they looked at Yeon-a.

“By the way, our Baek San has truly prospered. There are nearly 500 entrance applicants…. I wonder how many will drop out in the first test.”

“Elder Myeong, you’re curious about everything. At best, not even 100 will pass, right? I made the Yungshambijin (Prosperous Ginseng Secret Formation) [A powerful formation that enhances spiritual energy] myself. Even though I weakened it, most of those guys there aren’t even Taoist Immortals!”

It wouldn’t be easy to pass.

“Shall we bet?”

“Good! If more than 100 people pass, Elder Man, you have to take our youngest daughter, Myeongchil, as your disciple!”

“What? Are you talking about that girl who came into my herb garden and played with fire?”

“These days, after ascending to Yeonggyeol [A stage in cultivation] and learning transformation, she’s so reckless…. If you’re not confident, I won’t say anything. If you’re not confident, well….”

As he spoke subtly, Mansam twisted his lips and sneered.

“Let’s do that! But if I win the bet, I’ll take the Chohwayeoltae (First Transformation Heat Moss) [A rare and valuable herb] that you cherish so much to give to the Mountain Lord!”

Myeonghwa’s face, which had been wearing a consistently benevolent smile, hardened.

“No, that’s a gift for the Mountain Lord, how can you…. Elder Man, who uses Mokshintong [A type of wood-based magic], doesn’t even need it.”

“I’m going to give it to the Mountain Lord, why? If you’re scared, you can stop, but?”

“Alright, let’s do it!”

Mansam and Myeonghwa glared at each other before turning their backs.

“You’re doing it again. How can you fight every time you meet….”

There was a lot he wanted to say, but he didn’t.

Looking around, the Taoist and Celestial Immortal disciples who were waiting with him wore bitter smiles. Most of them were there to prepare for spies emerging from this entrance exam.

“There are three stages to the test in total. Your mission is important, so be thoroughly prepared.”

“Understood!”

As Yeon-a disappeared like the wind, Mansam formed a hand seal and activated the formation.

And a little later.

Cries of agony began to echo at the entrance of Baek San.

Mansam smiled contentedly, and Myeonghwa watched with a sullen expression.

* * *

Aigoo!

Ugh!

After the formation was activated, cries of agony spread from everywhere.

‘It’s a clever formation.’

Suddenly, his body felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, and he realized it was because of the formation.

It seemed to be a formation that made the body heavier and heavier as time passed.

Those who had been climbing silently at first gradually slowed down to a visible degree.

“Ugh… too…!”

It must be hard.

Most of them were either ordinary people who hadn’t yet opened their inner core or were at the level of Sword Immortals.

‘Not bad. It’s a fair test.’

Spirits, humans, and Hon-ahs each have different physical abilities.

It was fortunate that the test took that into account and wasn’t biased.

“Beom, aren’t you tired?”

Ryu-aeng, who was sweating profusely, asked.

Everyone else was panting or barely holding on, grabbing their knees, but only he seemed calm.

“I’m okay. Besides me, that guy over there is fine too, right?”

In the place he was pointing at, they saw a woman and a man in green robes, and they seemed to be unaffected as well, just like the Mountain Lord.

“Really? What? It’s unfair!”

The shy girl was gone, and she had turned into a complaining child.

Physical pain seemed to make shyness disappear.

“Ryu-aeng, cheer up! If we go up just a little more, we’ll be able to see the Lower Gate!”

“Okay!”

The Lower Gate was still far away, but the Mountain Lord quietly closed his mouth and looked around.

The leaders were those wearing green robes.

They had the cultivation of Taoist Immortals, but they were very suspicious for that reason.

‘It could be because they’re Taoist Immortals, but even so, they’re a little suspicious.’

But it wasn’t just them.

Most of those who were going ahead had tremendous patience and perseverance, but there were also those who didn’t.

“They’re using treasures.”

They were blocking the effects of the formation with treasures they had each prepared.

“Treasures? Isn’t that cheating?”

“Heehee, it’s not cheating… a Taoist’s treasure is also their power.”

Ryu-aeng grumbled, but Un-mo said calmly, panting.

A Taoist’s treasure is also their power.

In a way, it might be unfair, but the Taoist world is always an unreasonable place.

Only those who prepare for that unreasonableness survive.

“Are you saying we’re stupid for not preparing in advance?”

“If you think about it, heehee, isn’t that right?”

Then Ryu-aeng also closed her mouth.

-It’s admirable. Even adults are giving up, but these children….

It was naturally something to admire, but the Mountain Lord wore a nonchalant expression.

As one hour passed and two hours passed, dropouts appeared one after another.

Everyone was sweating profusely and either sat down or lay down on the floor.

As the sun slowly set, joy and sorrow began to intersect.

The Mountain Lord looked at the majestic gate-style Lower Gate in the distance.

With huge tigers and flames embroidered on it, it allowed viewers to feel the brave aura of a tiger.

However, Ryu-aeng and Un-mo were trembling and unable to move.

The Lower Gate was right in front of them, but they were lying on the floor, convulsing.

However, their eyes were fixed on the Lower Gate.

-Do they have some kind of story?

-Who knows.

Who doesn’t have a story?

He was curious at heart, but the Mountain Lord closed his mouth and watched quietly.

They seemed to be thinking of going even if they had to crawl, and they crawled little by little, slower than maggots.

It was then.

[Oh oh! This bastard!!]

The body of a spirit beast on the upper path tilted backwards and began to roll down.

As the giant monkey spirit beast rolled down the uphill path, other applicants walking along the path were also swept away and fell.

-What a terrible guy!

Hwa-ran was angry.

The reason the spirit beast fell was because of a certain applicant at the front.

It seemed like he had intentionally pushed him off.

“Kyaa!!”

The monkey spirit beast and the other applicants who were swept away bounced off like stones.

They were already close to Ryu-aeng and Un-mo.

It was obvious what would happen if the spirit beast crashed into them as they were crawling.

But there was no way to avoid it.

They were barely crawling, so where would the strength to avoid it come from?

Just as they closed their eyes tightly.

[Uwaaaak!!]

The spirit beast suddenly screamed and flew backwards in front of Un-mo.

‘What, what…!’

The spirit beast that had been rolling down soared back into the sky and flew towards the Lower Gate.

“Keuak!!”

[Good job, you bastard! How dare you push me?!]

Judging from his refreshing tone, the guy who pushed him was crushed underneath.

It was karma.

The spirit beast was happy and began to beat the applicant who had pushed him off, raising dust on a rainy day.

The two of them stopped only after the Taoists of Baek San came and pulled them apart, and then they entered the Lower Gate.

Un-mo was startled, but he didn’t have the energy to figure out what had happened.

Good is good, so now was the time to only look ahead and move forward.

Even though it was crawling!

And a little later.

As the sun set behind the mountain.

Un-mo and Ryu-aeng put their hands on the threshold of the Lower Gate and collapsed.

“Aish… if it weren’t for those guys, I would have won the bet!”

“Please take good care of Myeongchil, Elder Man!”

Soon, a cool and refreshing laughter was heard, and Myeonghwa disappeared.

Mansam was frustrated and clicked his tongue before disappearing with a rustle.

The Mountain Lord listened to the longing voices and picked up Un-mo and Ryu-aeng.