Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 191

Nangseon Gi Hwan Dam – 190

“Haa….”

Mountain Lord scratched his scalp nervously, his eyes filled with concern as he gazed down at the Suwol Mountain Range.

“This has become troublesome.”

He had discreetly extended his Shin-sik [spiritual sense] to search the Suwol area, but locating the two individuals running amok was proving unexpectedly difficult.

The Suwol Mountain Range is densely populated with flourishing sects and Taoist practitioners.

Many areas are protected by Geumje (禁制, Restriction) [protective enchantments or wards], making a thorough search impossible.

Mountain Lord was forced to retract his Shin-sik to avoid violating these Geumje, further complicating his search.

He had just returned from Suwol Gate, and he wanted to avoid creating unnecessary conflict.

“But what to do….”

He hadn’t anticipated their disappearance, so he hadn’t prepared any tracking measures.

Fortunately…

“I wonder if you did this for me, or for yourself, Blackie.”

Mountain Lord removed the black ring from his finger.

It was crafted using Hori’s Shintong [mystical power], allowing him to approximate their location by placing it in a Chuchimban (推針盤, Compass) [a specialized compass used for tracking spiritual energy].

“I need to give them a good scolding.”

As soon as he placed the ring in the Chuchimban, the needle spun wildly before abruptly stopping.

With a flash of blue light, he shot off in the direction the needle indicated.

A moment later.

Mountain Lord found himself on a bustling street, lined with Taoists trading goods from their stalls.

Several towering pavilions added to the vibrant atmosphere, a sight that was new to him. However, his destination lay beyond this lively scene.

He moved through the crowd, entering a dilapidated building guarded by a dozen men clad in black.

“Strange… the Seondo (仙道, Taoism) [orthodox Taoist] sects are leaving them alone, despite the strong Magicheon (魔氣, Demonic energy) [evil or demonic aura] they’re exuding.”

A palpable wave of Magicheon filled the air.

‘Was Chun-sam’s request for help a setup involving these Mado (魔道, Demonic Path) [practitioners of demonic arts] bastards?’

He hesitated, a sense of unease washing over him.

“This area is restricted. No entry without authorization!”

His expression hardened as the guards blocked his path.

Gwigang Chongma (鬼降總魔, Demon Descent Association) [a coalition of demonic sects].

The words emblazoned on their clothing confirmed their affiliation.

He had heard of this organization.

‘I heard it’s an organization created by Gwiggamun (鬼降門, Demon Descent Sect) [a prominent demonic sect] and several other Mado sects.’

Instantly, the guards surrounded him, their combined presence creating an oppressive atmosphere.

The Magicheon they emanated was ominous, enough to deter most people. But Mountain Lord was not easily intimidated.

The esteemed head of the Baek San Sect.

The Gwiwang (鬼王, Ghost King) [a title implying mastery over ghosts and spirits] of Siphaemancheok (十害萬賊, Ten Harms, Ten Thousand Thieves) [a notorious group of bandits and outlaws].

Yukgwi (六鬼, Six Ghosts) [one of his aliases, possibly referring to his mastery of six ghostly arts].

He wouldn’t be cowed by mere Hwanseon (幻仙, Illusionary Immortal) [a low-level immortal] who had dabbled in Mado.

“I need to pass.”

Guuuu!!

As he unleashed his aura of eternity, the Masa (魔士, Demonic Warrior) [demonic martial artists], who had initially been hostile, widened their eyes in shock.

Their faces paled, and they trembled before dropping to their knees.

“We didn’t recognize the Great One!!”

Mountain Lord smirked as they knelt, clasping their fists in subservience.

“These men kneel so easily.”

“It is only natural that they should kneel before your greatness!!”

Tsk. Mountain Lord waved his hand dismissively.

“Move aside. I need to go in.”

“Ah… that, that is….”

The Masa exchanged troubled glances.

“What? Move.”

Mountain Lord released a wave of murderous intent, and they quickly scrambled out of his way.

“G-Great One, take this!”

One of the Masa thrust a small mask into his hands.

He accepted it and activated the Jeonsongjin (傳送陣, Teleportation Portal) [a magical portal for instant transportation], disappearing in an instant.

The Masa, who had been chilled to the bone, sighed in relief as soon as he vanished.

“Will this be okay?”

“What can we do if it’s not okay? Anyway, our Sajuk (師叔, Martial Uncle) [a term of respect for a senior martial brother or uncle] are at the auction, so we have nothing to worry about.”

They seemed to have confidence in their superiors.

“But didn’t you feel that person’s Sal-Gi (煞氣, Killing intent) [aura of death and destruction]? It felt like Mount Tai was pressing down on us!”

They didn’t know his identity, but they had never encountered such intense killing intent.

The other man agreed, but saw no reason to be afraid.

“Don’t make a fuss. Where do you think this is! This is Gwiggam Chongma, an organization that even Seondo sects hesitate to provoke! Besides, this auction features more precious items than usual, so most of our Sajuk have gathered. We have nothing to fear!”

The attendees inside are mostly Taeseon (太仙, Grand Immortal) [a high-level immortal]!

It’s an auction for Taeseon.

The person guarding the place is also a Taeseon!

They have no reason to worry.

“T-That’s right. If we caused a ruckus inside…”

He smirked and added coldly.

“Even Taeseon would die instantly…!”

* * *

The Taoists seated in the vast cavern rose to their feet.

Many gasped in surprise, while others watched with keen interest.

“Gungbiho (窮奇虎, Qiongqi Tiger) [a mythical tiger with wings]! I thought they went extinct… there are still some left…!”

“Its condition isn’t great, but it’s a species that disappeared long ago, so the price will be astronomical.”

So Sojeo’s ears perked up at the murmuring.

Hori grumbled, seemingly uncomfortable, but So Sojeo was intrigued.

‘A race that vanished about 300 years ago after incurring the wrath of Jiseon (地仙, Earth Immortal) [an immortal residing on Earth]… interesting.’

Come to think of it, their appearances were similar.

Except for the lack of horns, wasn’t Hori quite similar?

‘Is he a cousin of Yukgwi?’

Perhaps. She wasn’t interested in the family tree of Yeongsu (靈獸, Spirit Beast) [spiritual beasts], so she dismissed the thought.

But she couldn’t deny her curiosity. It was said to be the last of its kind.

After a moment of contemplation, the host took to the stage and began his introduction.

[Most of you here are Taeseon, so you likely know the story of this Gungbiho. The only winged tiger in existence!!

Where else would you find such a creature but at the Gwiggam Chongma auction!

This is a rare opportunity, so let’s begin! We’ll start the bidding at 10 Boyeongseok (寶靈石, Treasure Spirit Stone) [high-grade spirit stones]!!]

Ten Boyeongseok!!

Boyeongseok are created by compressing and refining ten thousand Yeongseok (靈石, Spirit Stone) [spirit stones].

They possess a jewel-like appearance and are worth far more than ten thousand Yeongseok due to their concentrated spiritual energy.

Ten Boyeongseok equates to over one hundred thousand Yeongseok from the start!!

So Sojeo was shocked, while Hori tilted her head and snorted.

“Are they selling it for only ten stones? That’s too cheap! Sojeo, why don’t we buy it and set it free? I feel sorry for it!”

So Sojeo frowned.

“Don’t be ridiculous. Ten Boyeongseok is a sum that even most sects would struggle to afford.

Besides, the starting price is ten…”

Which meant the final price would be much higher!

[Eleven!]

[Twelve!]

[Thirteen!]

As expected, the price climbed rapidly as bidders competed.

So Sojeo possessed Boyeongseok, but only two.

‘If Yukgwi were here…’

If Yukgwi, with his inexhaustible wealth, were here, she wouldn’t stand a chance at acquiring the Gungbiho.

“We have no reason to participate in this auction. It’s a pity, but who among those here doesn’t have a sad story? The Yeoseon (女仙, Female Immortal) [female immortal] and Namseon (男仙, Male Immortal) [male immortal] from earlier were also pitiful. The greatest obstacle in cultivation is forming attachments, right? Everything in this world is determined by fate and fortune.”

“You’re starting to sound like an old woman.”

Annoyed by Hori’s comment, So Sojeo smirked.

“In a way, it’s true, isn’t it? My age is comparable to Yukgwi or Hori Sojeo.”

Implying that Hori was also an old woman.

“Humph! I don’t care, I can’t even remember my age.”

Hori scoffed, but her expression was troubled. So Sojeo knew the reason but remained silent.

[Twenty!]

The price had already reached twenty Boyeongseok.

Driven by the old Taeseon’s desire for rare collectibles and the Gungbiho’s rarity.

She wondered how high it would go. It was already the highest price for any item auctioned so far.

[Twenty! Any other bids?! As the last of its kind, this Gungbiho is female and was originally Yeonggeop (永劫, Eternity) [a state of eternal existence], but her Won-Gi (元氣, Original energy) [primordial energy] has been severely damaged, causing her to fall to Yeongmyeong (靈命, Spirit Life) [a state of spiritual life]!

If you nurture her well, you can wield Yeonggeop-level power like an extension of your own body, equivalent to commanding an army of thousands! Or you could use her for Nojeong (露精, Sexual cultivation) [a controversial practice involving extracting essence through sexual activity]!]

[Twenty-two!]

[Twenty-five!!]

Several Taoists shouted at once, spurred by the mention of Yeonggeop and Nojeong.

The Gungbiho was currently a Satongyeongsu (四通靈獸, Spirit Beast who has mastered the four paths) [a spirit beast proficient in the four elements]!

In other words, she was at the Yeongmyeong level.

The combination of being the last Gungbiho and other factors had driven the price up, but if she were still at the Yeonggeop level, the situation would be entirely different.

[Thirty!!]

The price instantly surpassed 300,000 Yeongseok.

Silence fell over the cavern as thirty was called.

Everyone wore masks, concealing their expressions, but they seemed regretful as they bit their nails or sighed softly.

Only one figure appeared cheerful.

A refined Taoist with a butterfly-shaped mask and a long white beard.

He smiled confidently, his hands clasped behind his back, certain that no one would outbid him.

[Well, any other bids?! Thirty Boyeongseok! Anyone else? Very well, I’ll count to three. No turning back after this!]

One, two.

Just as he was about to say three.

Buzzing.

The cavern suddenly erupted in noise.

Turning to see what was happening, she saw the guards at the Jeonsongjin arguing with someone.

Four fingers were raised through the crowd of Masa.

[Forty!!]

Huk!

A collective gasp filled the air. The old man who had bid thirty looked visibly uncomfortable.

At the host’s gesture, a figure emerged.

A haughty figure, bordering on arrogant. The red eyes visible through the black Mubok (武服, Martial uniform) [martial arts attire] and mask were sharp enough to make one’s hair stand on end.

[F-Forty! Are you certain?]

[Indeed.]

The man in the tiger mask replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

It was a breach of etiquette, but from their perspective, he was a valued guest.

[Then let’s continue! Forty! Any other bids, Seonsa (仙師, Taoist Master) [a respectful term for a Taoist master]?]

A sharp voice immediately cut through the cavern.

[Forty-five!]

It was the old man with the butterfly mask.

He glared at the tiger-masked man, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

A clear provocation!

But the tiger-masked man simply smiled back and leisurely spread his fingers.

[Fifty.]

[F-Fifty!! Fifty has been bid!!]

Five hundred thousand Yeongseok!!

A sum beyond the dreams of most individual Taoists, and one that even a large sect might struggle to amass.

The Taoists at the auction were shocked, and So Sojeo and Hori were no exception!

‘How much wealth does he possess!’

No matter how valuable the Gungbiho was, there was a limit.

She couldn’t imagine the resources required to heal its wounds and restore its power, but he was spending money like water!

Even So Sojeo, who lived like a leech, couldn’t match such extravagance.

The Taoist with the butterfly mask seemed to be contemplating, stroking his beard.

But he was unwilling to concede, and was about to raise his hand to bid again.

[Sixty!]

The tiger-masked man suddenly raised the bid even higher!

[S-Sixty has been bid!! A-Are you certain, Seonsa?]

[Of course.]

Sulk-Sulk.

The cavern erupted in noise once more.

Wealth aside, the tiger-masked man’s spirit was remarkable.

The butterfly-masked Taoist bit his lip and glared at the tiger-masked man.

[If there are no further bids, I will count to three!]

One.

Two.

Three.

[The Gungbiho is sold for sixty Boyeongseok!!]

Tang Tang Tang!!

[Seonsa, please come forward to complete the bidding process for the Gungbiho!!]

The eyes of about thirty Taoists were fixed on one spot.

Most were Taeseon, but some had brought servants or disciples, swelling the number.

The tiger-masked man walked onto the stage and looked at the Gungbiho trapped in the cage with a complicated expression before surveying the audience.

The man extended his right hand to the host of Gwiggam Chongma.

“Seonsa’s hand is empty…”

“I am aware.”

He turned his empty palm over.

Suddenly, a vertical line appeared on the back of his hand, then split open to reveal a purple eye.

“Beopmok (法目, Dharma Eye) [a mystical eye that can perceive the truth]!”

As the man spoke, So Sojeo flinched and hugged Hori tightly.

Hori was confused, but suddenly the world turned purple and she squeezed her eyes shut as a thunderous roar filled the air.

“Kkeuaaaaaak!!”

Screams echoed through the cavern, and a thick bolt of purple lightning transformed into a dragon, soaring into the sky.

Kwaaaang!!

Within the pillar of purple lightning.

Only one man floated out of the hole in the ceiling.

Kukung Koong!

The Masa, regaining consciousness amidst the falling debris, shouted.

“C-Chase him!”

“The Gungbiho is gone!”

“T-Thief! He’s a thief!!”