Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 152

Nangseon’s Spirited Journey – Episode 151

The next day.

Those who passed the first test, totaling 102, were guided to their assigned rooms to rest.

The rectangular stone chamber contained only a simple blanket laid on the floor.

Sangun tossed the passed-out Ryu-aeng and Unmo onto the blanket and sat down himself. It seemed to be a place prepared for the entrance exam, but there was no great discomfort in resting.

Just then, a woman’s voice, laced with laughter, whispered in Sangun’s ear.

-I wonder if Sangun’s absence might be the way for Baekseon.

Baekseon, which he had left, now had a Lower Gate, Middle Gate, and even an Upper Gate. In fact, most large sects don’t bother creating a Middle Gate.

It’s natural that the higher the realm, the fewer the people. Among the sects in Banggok, most Hwanseons [those who have achieved enlightenment] can be counted on five fingers, and there are only one or two Taeseons [grand masters] per sect.

It’s different in other regions, but unless it’s an incredibly large sect, that’s generally how it is.

So, it’s common to create only the Lower and Upper Gates without the Middle Gate. However, for some reason, Baekseon had created not only the Lower Gate but also the Middle and Upper Gates.

Naturally, the examinees who arrived at the Lower Gate looked up at Baekseon with hopeful eyes, unable to hide their joy.

The magnificent appearance of Baekseon and the rich spiritual energy that permeated the air just by ascending to the Lower Gate were intoxicating.

‘Even the Ilwol Sect only has Lower and Upper Gates.’

The corners of Sangun’s lips twitched upward as he watched.

-Are you pleased?

-Why wouldn’t I be?

Why wouldn’t he be?

Baekseon was as good as his, and there was no reason not to be happy that it was superior to others.

Of course, at this point, he was eager to quickly explore all of Baekseon.

He wanted to put the entrance exam aside and explore every nook and cranny, satisfying the curiosity that filled his heart.

He wondered where the thousand sacred trees were hidden and if the Hangbosim trees were growing well.

He was curious about the Taiyang Hwari family, Mansam, the other Hona Hyuls [those with special bloodlines], and all of Baekseon’s connections.

Finally, he was worried about his one and only disciple.

‘But that won’t do.’

Firstly, he wanted to check their growth through the entrance exam, and secondly, he wanted to use this exam to identify any suspicious individuals.

Sangun looked at those lying on the long blanket.

A man and a woman wearing green robes.

And those with black blindfolds covering their eyes, and finally, the monkey spirit beasts who had fallen during the exam.

‘Interesting.’

The monkey spirit beasts and those with black blindfolds were snarling at each other like enemies.

It was because the man with the black blindfold had pushed one of the monkey spirit beasts during the exam.

[No matter what happens in the exam, I will kill you.]

“Try if you can.”

They seemed to be at an age full of vigor.

They were eager to tear each other apart.

He had been feeling bored anyway, so this was good.

Sangun took out a few wild ginseng roots from his pocket, chewed them, and lay down.

‘After all, the best fights are between the weaklings.’

Originally, the most interesting fights are the ones in the mud.

[You piece of trash, where do you think you’re going!]

“Shut your mouth, you stink. Aren’t you ashamed to be a naked monkey talking about shit? Besides, even shit is better than your face!”

Even in their exhaustion, the disciple candidates chuckled and burst into laughter.

The guy with the black blindfold was quite eloquent.

[Endure it, Won-geon.]

[But…!]

[Why bother dealing with those kinds of things one by one? Anyway, Baekseon’s Taoists are guarding this place.]

He meant that causing trouble would lead to some kind of humiliation.

Then, the enraged spirit beast calmed down and lay down in his place.

‘How boring.’

Just then.

The door burst open, and three Taoists appeared, looking down at the examinees.

“Congratulations on passing the Lower Gate. However, you still have the Middle Gate and Upper Gate ahead, so don’t let your guard down.”

They were those at the Biseon realm [a high level of martial arts mastery], the Taoists who had stopped Sangun as he circled Baekseon on Hwaunbanhong [a mystical artifact].

“What do you mean? That we will reach the Middle and Upper Gates?”

“Haven’t you heard yet? Your second test will take place at the Middle Gate. And the final test will naturally take place at the Upper Gate, so that’s what I mean.”

The first test was to reach the Lower Gate, but the second and third tests would be held at the Middle and Upper Gates, so everyone was startled.

“Your expressions are quite good. But don’t be too surprised yet.

I won’t announce the final test yet, but I’ll tell you about the second test in advance!”

Then, all the examinees focused their attention on the Biseon.

Sangun was no different.

He was intently staring at the Biseon.

‘That guy looks familiar.’

He had a memory of seeing him somewhere since the first time he saw him during the day.

He seemed to have encountered him a few times in Baekseon, but he couldn’t remember the details.

‘Come to think of it, he said his name was Baek earlier….’

Baek.

If he was a Baek….

‘Is he Baek Jija’s son?’

Looking at his unlucky face, it seemed likely.

‘That’s right, that guy. Baek Jicheon, was it?’

Memories of giving him a few words of advice because he possessed Moksin Tong [a wood-based divine power] and was practicing Hwasin Tong Sul [a fire-based divine technique] resurfaced.

“The second test is….”

Baek Jicheon took out a scroll from his pocket and showed it.

[隊惑] (Monghok)

“Monghok, is it….”

Not the dream Mong, but the dark Mong [referring to a specific type of illusion].

“How can disciples who will serve in Baekseon advance to the Great Dao [the path to enlightenment] if they are ignorant and easily deceived by illusions? This test is for that purpose, so prepare yourselves. Tomorrow morning, head to the Middle Gate to take the test!”

Baek Jicheon and the Biseons told them that and then went around to other buildings, informing them about the test that would take place tomorrow and disappeared.

“Monghok….”

A word that means not being able to distinguish between right and wrong and being deceived. Sangun was beginning to grasp the outline of the test that would take place tomorrow.

Even the guys who had been fighting were quiet, seemingly contemplating the second test. As the moon rose and the sound of crickets chirped, shallow breaths were soon heard one by one, and they fell into a deep sleep.

* * *

Late at night.

The rising crescent moon illuminated the darkness, but it was only faintly.

Sasaasak.

A figure hiding in the shadows, with the moonlight behind it, moved stealthily.

Looking around as if searching for something, it entered one of the buildings in the Lower Gate.

The figure took out a green beetle from its pocket.

As it placed it on the wall, it burrowed into the wall in the blink of an eye and disappeared.

“That’s it. If I leave one each in the Middle and Upper Gates tomorrow….”

“Then we’ll be able to find out why Baekseon’s spiritual energy has soared.”

“Heup!”

The black-clad figure was startled by the voice from behind and stepped back.

“Don’t worry too much. Anyway, there’s no way for you to get out alive.”

With a chilling voice, the Taoists waiting behind her rushed out.

Papapat!

The black-clad figure was quickly subdued, slammed his head into the ground, and groaned.

“Eumgachung (Sound Addition Bug), is it. I’ve heard of it. Inside their shells, there’s an organ that stores sound, making them perfect for spying.”

“How did you… Keueu.”

The black-clad figure said as if feeling wronged.

But the woman smirked.

“How could Baekseon’s elder not know about that? Even if my realm is low, I can’t have shallow knowledge, so I studied various scriptures….”

Her face was etched with the traces of time.

Unlike her younger days, she wasn’t full of vitality, but the experience and composure that replaced it were embedded in her.

“Take him away and imprison him immediately.”

“Yes, ma’am!!”

The men took the black-clad figure away, and Yeon-a, who had been touching the Eumgachung, sighed as if relieved.

“Right now, it’s just guys like that, but when we reach the Middle and Upper Gates, there will be guys who reveal their true colors. We need to strengthen our defenses even more, so there’s no time to be idle.”

With those words, she glanced at the moonlight and disappeared.

After that.

The figure of a boy appeared from the darkness, gazing at the back of Yeon-a, who had disappeared, with deep eyes.

‘She’s aged.’

Perhaps because her lifespan was approaching its limit, Yeon-a’s appearance was different from before.

She had wrinkles, and her neatly styled hair had strands of white hair, turning her into a middle-aged woman.

If he had met her somewhere other than Baekseon, he might have tilted his head in confusion.

It was a natural result in some ways, but Sangun felt uneasy for no reason.

He swallowed his pity and disappeared into the darkness.

* * *

The next day.

The 101 examinees sat cross-legged in a corner of the training ground located in the Middle Gate.

Most of them were quite excited, because although the Lower Gate was great, the spiritual energy in the Middle Gate was so rich that it was almost suffocating.

Even just a few days of training here would be enough to advance their realms in an instant.

“How much more amazing would it be if we went to the Upper Gate….”

They couldn’t even imagine it.

Then, a Taoist fluttering his robes appeared in front of them and shouted.

“The Monghok space, which tests your resolve, will unfold. Those who overcome it will go straight to the Upper Gate! Those who fail will descend the mountain!”

At the word “descend the mountain,” most of the examinees flinched and began to tense up.

It’s hard to find a spiritual mountain that emits rich spiritual energy, and even if you find one, it’s often taken away quickly.

It wouldn’t have mattered if they didn’t know, but once they knew Baekseon’s spiritual energy, they didn’t want to go down again.

“I’m going to bury my bones here.”

“Me too….”

Unmo and Ryu-aeng whispered.

They seemed to be determined.

“But don’t worry, even passing this test will get you accepted as an Inner Disciple.”

Inner Disciple!

“Who knows? If you’re lucky, you might catch the eye of the elders and become their direct disciple!

If you become a direct disciple who inherits their legacy, you’ll be treated better than me, so do your best!”

“Direct Disciple!”

Literally meaning a disciple who inherits the direct lineage, it refers to a disciple who can receive more special support than an Inner Disciple.

Even becoming an Inner Disciple allows you to train within the sect and receive various missions, but becoming a direct disciple allows you to focus solely on training, free from personal matters.

So, most people dream of becoming a direct disciple, but how easy would that be?

The number of elders within the sect can be counted on one hand, and it’s hard to catch their eye unless you’re an extraordinary talent.

It was like reaching for the stars.

‘If they’re elders, it must be Mansam and Myeong Hwa-ryeo.’

Time really flies that those guys are already at the point of taking disciples.

As he was having random thoughts, the Biseons nodded and began to take out stone staffs and plant them one by one around the training ground.

Among the various Biseons, there was also a familiar face.

‘He must be eating well and living well.’

Manho, who had spent time with the Hona children, was also lending a hand in the Monghok test.

Manho, who was silently installing the stone staffs, raised his head and met Sangun’s eyes. He blinked his eyes, startled, and opened his mouth.

-If you make a fuss, you’re dead.

As he sent the telepathic message, Manho covered his mouth with his hand and nodded with wide eyes like a rabbit.

“Everyone, close your eyes.”

The thirty-six stone staffs planted in the ground emitted a strange spiritual power.

Soon, the Biseons joined their hands and moved their lips, and a sound like chanting Buddhist scriptures gently descended.

A thick mist spewed from the stone staffs, filling the training ground.

At that moment, the Biseons simultaneously changed their hand seals, and a sweet smell wafted through the air, and a deep sleepiness began to wash over them.

Everyone fell asleep one by one and began to enter their subconscious.

As they fell asleep, they began to frown deeply.

They had faces that seemed to be in pain.

They furrowed their brows and even trembled as if in agony.

But there were also those who didn’t.

They were breathing heavily and their faces were flushed red, as if they had met a celestial maiden they had only dreamed of.

Thud.

However, the end was not so good for most of them.

Soon, they lost consciousness and collapsed, and the waiting Doseons [lower-level Taoists] dragged them out.

Of course.

It didn’t work on Sangun.

In the first place, his divine sense itself was eternal, and with various treasures and divine powers, Sangun wouldn’t be caught by such a Monghok technique.

He squinted and looked around, and his eyes met those of a man.

A middle-aged man with a long beard.

Myeong Hwa, a Taiyang Hwari.

“Hmm….”

Myeong Hwa looked at Sangun with interest and sent a telepathic message.

-You. Will you become my direct disciple?