Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 157

Yeon-ah’s face was filled with worry.

“You don’t need to worry about me. Just focus on your training. You need to condense your Danryeong [inner core] and become a Hwanseon [ascended immortal]. I’ll adjust the Cheonsu Ilgigeop [heavenly energy cultivation method] you learned from Goseon so you can receive it even with a human body, and I’ll prepare a pill to prevent you from falling into Simma [demonic influence]. With that, even you should be able to become a Hwanseon without much difficulty.”

Yeon-ah was at the final stage of Biseon [approaching immortality].

Her talent wasn’t exceptional, but San-gun had the means to help her.

‘I could just give her my horn.’

He still had the horn that fell off when he achieved Talhyeong [shedding of the mortal form], and he could even replicate it with Sawoljehang [a divine artifact or technique] if necessary, so giving it wasn’t a problem.

Moreover, San-gun had achieved Gyuncheonbohwa [comprehension of all creation], vastly increasing his knowledge.

Thanks to the insights he gained, he now knew many forgotten auxiliary divine powers.

With a little time, he could definitely help her become a Hwanseon.

However, Yeon-ah, seemingly unaware of this, forced a smile and replied,

“Even so, it depends on luck.”

She even seemed distant.

He didn’t like that look.

“What kind of luck are those who defy the heavens talking about? Just do as I say, regardless of luck.

I’m still your teacher, so I should at least do this much.”

“…I understand.”

“Now, leave.”

After giving the order, San-gun looked around.

This was inside the Cheonhogun [heavenly tiger cave].

A cave he had lived in since he was a tiger, now transformed into a stone chamber.

It was divided into several rooms.

One was given to Tamhwa, and the rest could be used for Gyuyul [cultivation resources] and various treasures and experiments.

San-gun entered one of the rooms.

It was a sterile stone chamber, but thanks to the heat of Mount Baek, the temperature was warm.

He took the girl out of Gongjeonggang [a spatial artifact, possibly a gourd or pouch].

It was Jimosha, with an eye embedded in her forehead.

He floated Jimosha’s body in the air and carefully examined it, then flicked his finger and shot a Beopgyeol [magical seal] made of blue energy.

-What are you trying to do?

Hwaran asked, sounding puzzled.

San-gun stared silently, then began to speak calmly.

“I realized that if problems keep arising every time I leave Mount Baek, it might be too late to intervene.”

He was able to resolve this incident because he happened to be there.

But he didn’t know if he could get through the next one safely.

Mount Baek was a mountain that held the Sinmok [divine tree].

Someday, groups aiming for the Sinmok would come.

But that didn’t mean San-gun could always stay on Mount Baek.

“I’m thinking of creating a Sinwoehwansin (身外化身, doppelganger) [a body double or avatar].

As you know, Ran, when I achieved Gyuncheonbohwa, all the knowledge and enlightenment of my Sajyung [four merged entities] became mine. Gang Hyung had extensive knowledge in this area, and I happen to have a suitable body.”

If he failed, it would be a good learning experience, and if he succeeded, he could leave the Hwasin [avatar] on Mount Baek and move around as he pleased, which would be ideal.

-With someone else’s body? Besides, isn’t this a girl’s body?

“What does gender matter? Ryu-aeng, Jimosha’s body, has been training in toxic arts for a long time, which makes her perfect for my purposes.”

Moreover, the Beopmok [magic eye] on her forehead contained extreme poison, making it the best vessel for containing Manseong Dogyeom [ten thousand poison sword].

-But I heard that Sinwoehwansin separates and contains the second Hwaryeong [spiritual essence]. Wouldn’t the main body also weaken?

Originally, when creating a Sinwoehwansin, it was standard practice to implant one’s own Naedan [inner core].

This would inevitably affect and weaken the main body.

That’s why people don’t usually create Hwasin.

The drawbacks outweigh the benefits.

“That’s usually the case. But it’s okay. Because I’m going to make it mine from now on.”

-Pardon?

San-gun immediately took out his sword sheath.

From inside, five small snake-shaped Hwaryeong popped out and floated in the air.

They were Ryu-aeng’s Hwaryeong.

They were asleep due to San-gun’s divine power, their eyes tightly closed.

“Originally, I could use my own Hwaryeong. I have three times more Hwaryeong than a normal Yuksa [sixth stage cultivator].”

Even if I put one in the Hwasin body, it wouldn’t make that much of a difference.

“But if I can use someone else’s, it’s only right to do so.”

-Are you saying you’re going to make someone else’s Hwaryeong your own?

San-gun silently raised the corner of his mouth.

-Is that even possible?!

“I wouldn’t have brought it up if it wasn’t possible. In the first place, Manseong Dogyeom is a poison that’s a bit much even for me, who drank Churyeongju [spiritual wine]. I didn’t know how long it would take to tame it, but it just so happens that Jimosha’s body is trained in toxic arts, so it worked out well. I’ll tame Manseong Dogyeom with the Hwasin, and then merge it with my body later.”

He had so much to do besides Manseong Dogyeom that he needed ten bodies.

If he created a Hwasin to tame Manseong Dogyeom separately and then merged it, he could save time, killing two birds with one stone.

-I heard that Sinwoehwansin can rebel if the main body becomes unstable. Are you okay with that?

“There’s a Geumje [restriction spell] to prevent that. Gang Hyung had extensive knowledge in this area.”

It was a Geumje called Ihwageum (理化禁) [restriction of reason].

Unless he left it alone for about a thousand years, the Hwasin wouldn’t be able to rebel against San-gun.

“First, I’ll remove the Nyeom [intent] and Sik [consciousness] of the Hwaryeong and inject my own Nyeom and Sik. If I weave in the Sulshik [spell consciousness], three years should be enough.”

There were four years left until the start of Baekgwiyaheng [hundred ghost night parade], so it was an appropriate amount of time.

During that time, he could tame Manseong Dogyeom and thoroughly examine the Beopmok embedded in Jimosha’s forehead.

‘Since it’s a Beopmok containing extreme poison, maybe I can even house the Manseong Dogyeom itself, which has gained Yeongseong [spiritual sentience].’

After finishing his thoughts, San-gun closed his eyes, placing Jimosha’s Hwaryeong in front of him.

As he quietly moved his lips, a silver thread floated from his head.

The silver thread soon scattered into five pieces and permeated the Hwaryeong.

Originally, taking over someone else’s Hwaryeong was no simple task.

Hwaryeong is a Shin (神, spirit) [divine entity] in which the Sulja’s Hon (魂, soul) [spiritual essence], Nyeom (念, thought) [intent], and Sik (識, consciousness) [awareness] are combined.

How difficult would it be to devour the ego of a Yuksa that has been cultivated for hundreds of years?

A normal Dosa [Taoist master] wouldn’t be able to do it.

If he were to be devoured instead, he might suffer severe internal injuries or damage to his Shinshik [divine consciousness].

[Kyaaaaak!!]

But who was San-gun?

When he achieved Gyuncheonbohwa, his Shinshik far surpassed that of a Yuksa of the same level.

Moreover, San-gun now possessed the memories and enlightenment of the other four who had become one with him.

San-gun was not one to be devoured by the ego of a Yuksa of Yeonggeop Chogyeong [first stage of immortal tribulation].

The five Hwaryeong screamed in agony, then stopped abruptly the moment San-gun narrowed his brow.

The five small snake-shaped Hwaryeong soon twitched and closed their eyes.

As he changed his Sugyeol [hand seals] and moved his lips, five-colored lights flashed and magical characters floated up, densely enveloping the Hwaryeong.

Silently watching it, he took a small breath and waved his hand, lodging the Hwaryeong in the Hwasin body.

The Hwasin body twitched, the magical characters floated up, and the figure became blurred.

San-gun took out dozens of amulets from his pocket, attached them to the Hwasin body, and withdrew his hand.

“Now that’s done. The rest is up to time to solve.”

A Jujin [magic circle] made of light was engraved under the Hwasin body, and blue energy floated up like a haze.

Only then did he nod as if it was done, and he took out the medicinal herbs he had and began to sort and plant them on one side.

There was a whole pile of Yongnyeomsam [dragon spirit ginseng], as well as Yeongcho [spiritual herbs] and medicinal herbs that were said to be precious in the world.

With a single gesture from San-gun, the Yeongcho flew and were planted in the ground.

After that, he sat in Jwaseon [meditation posture] and looked at the torn piece of Humidongcheonro [scripture of chaos].

He wondered if it would look different if he became Yeonggeop, but it was no different.

It was a text that didn’t fit together, and it was extremely difficult to interpret.

The only thing he had found out was that a piece of scripture obtained from Yacheongwimun [demon sect] was similar to a piece of Humidongcheonro.

But that was it.

“San-gun.”

“Ah, what is it?”

“What are you going to do with those children?”

Turning his head, wondering what she was talking about, he saw Hwaran looking at several Sangseomun [memorials].

They were Sangseo submitted by the disciples.

“You mean the Hon-ah [spiritual children] of Eungmyeongcheonchung [heavenly response].”

“Ah, right.”

Children who might be of great help to him when he was injured later.

They were Hon-ah with Seoncheon Shintong [innate divine power] who could heal others at the cost of their own lives, but if appropriate measures were taken, their lives would not be threatened.

“I don’t want to save those children at the cost of their lives. If it’s a Shintong that can heal others, it’s also possible to take it away. That way, they can help me without sacrificing themselves. That’s why I brought those children in the first place.”

San-gun thought about the Hon-ah and asked.

“Do you think I’m being heartless?”

“Of course not. If it weren’t for San-gun, who knows what would have happened to those children. Why would I think that?”

She seemed to think so sincerely.

‘Well, they would have ended up as toys for the Youngsu [demonic beasts] or being eaten.’

“Ran.”

“Yes, San-gun.”

“It would be okay to give you some work to do, right?”

“I’ll do anything you order.”

Hwaran said, gently stroking San-gun’s shoulders from behind.

“Have Ran teach the children.”

“Me?”

“It’s important to lay the foundation.”

They were children in dire circumstances.

He would be on Mount Baek for a while, so if Hwaran taught them during that time, it would be the best thing for them.

It was like a stroke of luck.

“It’s not a difficult task, so it doesn’t matter.”

San-gun couldn’t make time.

He had returned to Mount Baek, but he had so many family members to take care of that he was swamped with work.

He was also conducting research on the Sain Sword [four evil sword] he was making with Hangbo Sinmok [divine wood], and he was also wondering how to use the Shinsu [divine water].

In addition, he occasionally reviewed his enlightenment, classified his Sajyung’s knowledge, and tested useful Shintong, so he had no time at all.

Besides, he had to meet with the old monsters of the Yukdong Alliance [eastern alliance] in a month.

He needed ten bodies.

He was lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly took out the Geumdon Shin Statue [golden toad statue] from his pocket as if he had a good idea.

It was a sealing tool containing Manseong Dogyeom.

He glanced at the Geumdon Shin Statue and gave a bitter smile.

“Since it’s a meeting with the old monsters who control the East, I’ll need a gift.”

“A gift?”

She looked puzzled.

San-gun smiled silently.

* * *

One month later.

Far away from Mount Baek, in the east, there was a mountain with a curved peak.

The name of the mountain was Taesan (太山) [Mount Tai].

It was the sacred mountain of a large sect that occupied the center of Yukdong.

At the top, six Dosa were gathered together, all of whom were Jangmun [sect leaders] of sects belonging to Yukdong in the realm of Taeseon [great immortal].

Among the green vegetation, there were circular tables and chairs made of stone.

Most were Taeseon Chogyeong [first stage] or Junggyeong [middle stage], but only one, the Great Elder of the Taesan Sect, was called a Seonsa [immortal master] of Taeseon Hugyeong [final stage].

“Huhu, to make a Seonsa wait, the young one from Mount Baek has no manners.”

Only one chair was still empty, and it was the seat of the Baek San Sect.

The Taeseon old monster next to him glanced at the Great Elder of the Taesan Sect and said subtly.

“That’s right. To make Lightning Seonsa wait like this… I guess he doesn’t value his life, huhuhu!”

“I was going to try to persuade him nicely, but he doesn’t even keep the most basic time promise… That’s why those without roots…”

The person called Lightning Seonsa remained silent despite the words of others.

Because of this, the Dosa were busy watching each other’s faces as if they were sitting on thorns.

At that time, an amulet flew in.

They thought it was good and flicked their fingers to burn the amulet, and the contents contained within permeated the Dosa’s minds.

“It seems he’s finally here. For a mere Biseon Naburaengi [insignificant cultivator] to be this late!”

“Why wouldn’t he be? I didn’t like him because he was relying on the Six Spirit Pagoda, so as a senior who walks the path first, I’ll give him a good scolding!”

“That’s right. I heard that he rudely kicked out the envoy sent by our sect. I was going to say it nicely, but I can’t!”

Everyone had a resentful look on their faces.

It was said that the Jangmun of Mount Baek had been vacant for hundreds of years.

The Jangmun’s only disciple was taking care of Mount Baek, and he was only a Biseon, so they were going to correct his bad habits.

“It’s going to be difficult.”

At that time, Lightning Seonsa muttered.

“Yes? Difficult? What is…”

It was then.

The Taeseon’s heads turned at the same time.

“What…!”

They looked towards one place with surprised eyes.

Uuuuuung-

The Hwanseon who was standing guard knelt down with a thud and frowned.

The Biseon who were with him turned pale and foamed at the mouth.

‘An enormous bloodlust!’

Bloodlust so intense that even the same Taeseon couldn’t ignore it, as if they had received a Salgeop [killing intent].

And at the same time, a pure spiritual pressure that pressed down on the entire area.

In terms of the purity of the spiritual energy alone, it was comparable to Lightning Seonsa of Taeseon Hugyeong!

“Who on earth…”

Has appeared in this place!

Without knowing for sure, it seemed that a famous Seonsa had come.

Everyone was shocked when.

The leisurely footsteps captivated their ears.

“I think I’m a little late.”

A man with black hair and red eyes.

A man dressed in clothes closer to a warrior than a Dosa.

“I am Beom, the Jangmun of the Baek San Sect.”

It was the appearance of San-gun.