Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 175

The nerve of him.

“How can a human be here?”

This is the heart of the Hundred Ghost Night Parade, where tens of thousands of ghouls gather.

How could a human disguised as a ghoul sneak in here? It’s quite intriguing.

“Damn it!”

BOOM!

The human Taoist threw something, creating a cloud of dark smoke.

The smoke also concealed a subtle poison, but Mountain Lord scoffed.

“You think such petty tricks will work?”

As he unleashed his eternal energy, the smoke was blown away by the pressure.

The pale face of the human Taoist appeared before Mountain Lord.

A creepy smile sent shivers down his spine.

The Taoist, utterly dismayed, instantly transformed into a streak of light, tearing through the sky.

A rather swift escape technique.

It had instantly split the sky and become a mere dot, showing just how fast it was.

If left alone, he would surely escape, but Mountain Lord stood still, opening his hand to grasp the air.

Suddenly, the streak of light tearing through the sky abruptly stopped in mid-air.

It was as if it had been caught by something, bound and unable to move!

“Ugh! Ugh!!”

He struggled to break free, but it was impossible.

His surroundings were filled with iridescent light, the Celestial Aura of Mountain Lord, who had achieved the Celestial Treasure [a powerful artifact or state of being].

“Did you think you could escape me with just the realm of a Transcendent Immortal?”

No matter how strong, a Transcendent Immortal could not escape such divine power.

The Taoist’s face was now turning dark, a look of death upon him.

“I-I’ll tell you anything! Please, spare my life!”

As the Taoist cried out, Mountain Lord looked around and clicked his tongue.

His release of eternal energy had drawn the attention of the ghouls.

“Let’s go somewhere else for now.”

Mountain Lord grabbed the Taoist by the scruff of his neck and summoned wings from his back.

With a flap of his massive wings, the Taoist and Mountain Lord vanished in an instant. The ghouls, who had been swallowing nervously at the eternal energy, either sighed in relief or expressed their disappointment.

[Do you know who that is?]

[I’m not sure… Seems like one of the Ghoul Kings, but I’ve never seen him before.]

Afterward, the fighting ghouls merely glared at each other before turning away with a click of their tongues. It was a wise decision, as disturbing the eternal energy’s mood with unnecessary commotion would make survival difficult.

Soon, the festival regained its liveliness, divided between those continuing to mingle and those awaiting the Ghoul Tribulation [a trial or test for ghouls] of the Hundred Ghost Night Parade.

* * *

A short while later.

Mountain Lord, with his massive wings and horns, arrived at a towering pavilion.

In his hand was the Taoist, dripping with cold sweat.

“You’ve arrived. Ah, that one is….”

As he approached the Nine Ghoul Pavilion, the Spirit Envoy of Six, whom he had seen in the Red Sea, greeted Mountain Lord.

“Did you pick him up at the Hundred Ghost Night Parade? It’s rare to find a Taoist of the Transcendent Immortal level for sale. You’re quite fortunate.”

“Hmm? No. I just brought him here because I have something to ask him.”

“Is that so…?”

His face was full of curiosity, but he discreetly refrained from asking further.

Mountain Lord led the Taoist into the Nine Ghoul Pavilion and entered his room.

A spacious room appeared, and Mountain Lord sat down on a prepared chair.

“I’ll bring some tea.”

The air rippled, and a woman as beautiful as a flower appeared, causing the Taoist to gasp.

“Alright.”

As Ran left, Mountain Lord looked down at the Taoist kneeling on the floor.

He didn’t seem particularly special, but the style of his clothing suggested which region’s Taoist he was.

“What’s this? Can I eat him?”

It was Tamhwa, who had been in the Nine Ghoul Pavilion beforehand.

Her innocent face uttering such chilling words turned the Taoist’s face pale.

“I’m not sure. I haven’t decided whether to kill him yet.”

Speaking in a subtle tone, he fidgeted and grew restless.

“I-I will tell you anything you ask without a single lie!”

“It’s fine. Whether you lie or tell the truth, I’ll just open your head and find out myself.”

Speaking nonchalantly, the Taoist was on the verge of going mad with anxiety.

Mountain Lord’s words meant that he could access his memories at any time, so there was no need to ask.

If so, what would happen?

‘I’ll die.’

In the first place, it was a relationship between humans and demonic beasts.

If there was no business, killing was the natural course, making it even more so.

Like a lamp before the wind, how could he not be anxious? Beside him, a young girl exuding a strange aura was drooling and smacking her lips, making it even worse.

This was Yongjeon [a dangerous and chaotic place].

The base of the Ten Seas Myriad of Tribulations [a powerful demonic organization].

Even if they looked similar to humans on the outside, their insides were all hideous demonic beasts.

How could he not be terrified?

“I’ve brought the tea.”

“Thank you.”

Mountain Lord took a sip of the tea and stared at the Taoist.

“If it were another Spirit Envoy of Six, they would have used a Soul-Soothing Spell to look into your mind. They are not friendly to humans….”

The Taoist’s face became ambiguous.

He had a look that said he couldn’t understand what it meant.

“It means there’s no need for me to get my hands dirty. If you answer a few questions honestly and do what I tell you, there won’t be any hard feelings.”

The Taoist’s eyes darted back and forth.

He immediately bowed deeply.

“I will do whatever you command!”

“What is your name?”

“Y-Yang Pae-yoon, at your service!”

Mountain Lord’s eyes narrowed as he recalled memories from hundreds of years ago.

‘Yang Pae-yoon of the Sun Moon Sect….’

He was a man he knew well.

* * *

An unnamed mountain range near Yongjeon.

Several figures were meditating on top of it, waiting for something.

Soon, several streaks of light fell onto the mountain, kneeling on one knee.

Their realms were mostly Transcendent Immortals, and they wore black masks.

As they moved their lips and conveyed words to those meditating, they opened their eyes and rose from their seats.

“Venerable Yu. Is it possible?”

The subject was omitted, but they all seemed to understand and were determined.

The one called Venerable Yu nodded without hesitation.

“If not now, when will the time come? If not during the Hundred Ghost Night Parade, the time to drive out the Ten Seas Myriad of Tribulations will not come. Opportunity can only be seized by those who are prepared, and turning that opportunity into destiny is what makes a divine immortal.”

Soon, those including Venerable Yu used their escape techniques and disappeared into several streaks of light.

* * *

“The Seondo Sect [a righteous sect of Taoists] of Bangok is trying to stop the Hundred Ghost Night Parade? Is that true?”

“How could I lie? I swear on the name of this Yang Pae-yoon that there is not a single falsehood!”

Mountain Lord sat on the chair, stroking his horns.

He had the appearance of a young child, but the atmosphere he exuded was by no means light.

Yang Pae-yoon swallowed hard as he looked at him.

“Is that so.”

Mountain Lord muttered indifferently.

Come to think of it, it was quite possible.

It was also the time when Yoo-jung was rampaging and killing spirit beasts.

For him, the Hundred Ghost Night Parade, where all the ghouls of the world gathered, would be a dangerous yet attractive prey.

‘If he does well, he could obtain not only the treasures of the ghouls but also the Heavenly Treasures.’

It couldn’t be better.

Yoo-jung was the one who had experience killing or repelling Ghoul Kings before.

His confidence must be soaring, so it was quite possible.

But it was reckless nonetheless.

‘The situation is ambiguous.’

It was a bit ambiguous to call it dangerous.

This was Yongjeon.

The core area of the Ten Seas Myriad of Tribulations.

Moreover, the Hundred Ghost Night Parade was being held, and all sorts of ghouls had gathered.

Why wouldn’t it be, with as many as tens of thousands gathered.

“He wouldn’t start a fight recklessly. He must have sneaked in here like you.”

But even that was very dangerous.

The moment he was discovered, he would be surrounded by tens of thousands of ghouls. What on earth was he thinking, targeting the Ghoul Kings?

“That means he has a way to escape perfectly. Otherwise, there’s no way such a cautious guy would enter enemy territory….”

Yang Pae-yoon, being only a Transcendent Immortal, did not know the details.

He had learned the general situation, but the important thing was not his inner thoughts.

‘Is it possible?’

The important thing was that he was lurking here, aiming for the Ghoul Kings.

And this situation was not in Mountain Lord’s memories.

“This is troublesome.”

If Yoo-jung eliminated the Ghoul Kings, he might be next.

The Ghoul Kings weren’t fools, so that wouldn’t happen, but you never know.

‘He’s the protagonist of the Mountain Sea Tumultuous Origin.’

It was only right to stop him.

Hori was also among the Ghoul Kings.

Moreover, he would soon become a Ghoul King himself, and if the balance of power between the Ten Seas Myriad of Tribulations and the Seondo Sect was disrupted, the one who would suffer would be none other than Mountain Lord.

‘He’s always causing trouble.’

How he had grown so much even after plundering so many fortuitous encounters was a mystery.

Indeed, a prodigy is a prodigy.

“Then, I….”

Yang Pae-yoon was sweating profusely with a very servile expression.

‘He’s not an unfamiliar face….’

If this was also fate, then so be it.

Was there even a need to kill him?

It would be better to monitor Bangok’s movements by planting a few restrictions.

“Since we had a connection in the past, I can’t just coldly ignore you.”

Whiz!

A blue magic seal passed through Yang Pae-yoon’s forehead, causing him to tremble.

“I have conveyed everything I need to tell you with that just now, so go now.”

Thud!

As Mountain Lord waved his hand, the window flew open, and Yang Pae-yoon was swept away by an intangible force, flying into the distant sky.

“I never thought I would meet an old acquaintance.”

To think he would meet Yang Pae-yoon of the Sun Moon Sect in this place.

Mountain Lord smiled bitterly as he recalled the events in Bangok long ago.

A series of events surfaced, creating a faint sentiment.

“Ran.”

“Shall I lend you my embrace?”

Ran stood with her arms open.

“Suddenly?”

“I have a feeling you’re going to fight again.”

Mountain Lord stared with a face that said, “What nonsense are you talking about?” before suddenly smiling.

“It’s originally mine, so why would I borrow it?”

“You’re so cheesy.”

She playfully frowned.

“Ran, how about being honest?”

“I’m always honest.”

She said, hugging Mountain Lord.

“Oh, come on….”

“Are you going to fight?”

It was as if she was telling him not to.

Mountain Lord patted Ran’s hand.

The feeling of reluctance seemed to be conveyed in that pat.

“What you’re thinking won’t happen. The Ghoul Kings are here, and I just need to assist them.”

If it were Mount Baek, maybe, but this was Yongjeon.

There was no need for Mountain Lord to step in.

He wasn’t a Ghoul King yet, and there were others who were quite powerful besides him.

Why else would they be called the Kings of Ghosts?

If they were fully prepared, they wouldn’t be easily defeated.

“Are you going to tell them?”

“There’s no reason not to tell them. Honestly, I don’t know if they’ll listen, but I’ll at least give them a hint.”

That much was possible.

After all, it wasn’t easy to find the Taoists hiding in a place where tens of thousands of ghouls had gathered.

He could find them if they were Transcendent Immortals, but even Mountain Lord would have difficulty if they were Celestial Immortals.

So, even if he told the Ghoul Kings, he wouldn’t get a positive response.

“Depending on how they react, I’ll have to act differently as well.”

* * *

At the same time.

“One Ghoul, is that true?”

It was a voice that sounded incredulous.

“Yes.”

One Ghoul replied in a serious tone.

“They must have already sneaked into the midst of the ghouls. They will be waiting for the Ghoul Tribulation. That’s the only way they can get closer to the Ghoul Kings.”

Their goal was the death of the Ghoul Kings.

“But that doesn’t make sense. No matter how great their divine powers are, why would they jump into enemy territory?”

Five Ghoul narrowed his brows as if he found it strange.

No matter how he thought about it, it didn’t make sense.

Why would they be crazy enough to come here?

“That would be a dog’s death.”

“How do you know, One Ghoul?”

One Ghoul only gave a faint smile.

He did not answer.

“First of all, the Ghoul Tribulation is the priority. I’ll take care of the rest, so keep an eye on those undergoing the Ghoul Tribulation.”

With that, the Ghoul Kings disappeared one by one.

And three days later.

The Ghoul Tribulation of the Hundred Ghost Night Parade began.