Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 192

Tales of Nangsungan – Episode 191

In Sumoon, the most magnificent and enormous high-rise pavilion stood.

The pavilion was named Deungseon Pavilion.

Within Deungseon Pavilion, several Taoists were gathered. Most were elderly, their skin a roadmap of wrinkles, yet the energy they exuded was taut, like a drawn bowstring ready to snap.

“How long must we leave those bastards to their own devices?”

The speaker was an old man with upward-slanted eyes, resembling a weasel. As the head of a faction deeply rooted in the Sumoon Mountains, he continuously voiced his dissatisfaction, his gaze laser-focused on one person: Choon-sam, the head of the Sumoon Sect.

He carried himself with an air of arrogance, as if no one else was worthy of his attention.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“It’s obvious I’m talking about the Guigang Chongma [a demonic sect]. Even if we need to be wary of the Guisu [another sect, possibly rival] bastards, there’s no reason to tolerate those demonic bastards running rampant!”

At his words, the other Taoists nodded in agreement.

“Then what do you propose? We failed to eliminate the Guiwangs [leaders of the Guisu sect] during the Hundred Ghost Night Parade 30 years ago, so a war with them could erupt at any moment. Moreover, Sumoon is the closest place to Yongjeon [a strategically important location], so what good would come from provoking the demonic bastards! Especially with the sensitive demonic forces because of that ‘Five-Colored Great Sword’ bastard!”

A situation of being surrounded on all sides.

There was no need to stir up trouble by disturbing a beehive that was quietly sitting still.

“But…”

How long could they continue to turn a blind eye?

The time for a solution was approaching.

“Even collecting taxes…”

“Enough! Are you suggesting we legally allow the demonic path to come and go as they please? That is absurd!”

“Then what do you suggest! If we provoke them simply for holding auctions, we’ll only stir up trouble. We need a justification to drive them out…”

KWA-AAAAANG!!

At that moment, a heaven-shaking roar erupted, and a pillar of purple lightning shot into the sky.

“Heok!!”

“What is this…!”

KOO-OONG! KUNG!!

Scattered rocks rained down, instantly turning the downtown area into chaos. Commoners and Taoists alike scattered in panic.

“This is no time to stand around!”

The gathered sect leaders immediately transformed into streaks of light and ascended into the sky.

Koo-roo-roong! Koo-roong!!

The sound of thunder shook their eardrums, and a powerful killing intent pressed down from all sides.

“Hold your breath! It’s highly poisonous!!”

“Heup!”

They held their breath against the widely spreading purple lightning and poison.

Taesuns [high-level Taoists], transformed into streaks of light, burst out from under the ground in all directions.

A large number of Taesuns, wearing masks, swarmed in. Quite a few, seemingly enraged, ripped off their masks, their faces flushed red.

“Catch that bastard!!”

Those covered in demonic energy pointed to a specific man.

He appeared to be a Taoist wearing a tiger mask, wielding ominous purple lightning around him.

The Sumoon sect leaders immediately grasped the situation.

Most of the Taoists were wearing masks, and those chasing the man as if to kill him were radiating powerful demonic energy.

‘Guigang Chongma!’

They had held an auction, but someone had stolen the auctioned item for some reason!

The sect leaders exchanged glances and disappeared with sly smiles.

There was no need for them to intervene.

Whether the culprit escaped or not was none of their concern. If anyone was involved, it was the demonic forces rather than the fleeing man.

“To cause such a disturbance in Sumoon! Even if the demonic path is reckless, this is a clear disregard for Sumoon’s Seondo Sect [a Taoist sect]! Since it is you who have caused this commotion, you must pay the price!”

“W-What… no, what are you…!!”

“Heo! Are you daring to ignore the orders of Sumoon’s number one sect!? If you have caused such a problem, it is only right that you accept the consequences!”

The demonic force’s face contorted.

The Guigang Chongma’s demonic force rolled their eyes as if they felt wronged, but the deed was already done.

The demonic forces, their eyes bloodshot, suddenly unleashed powerful demonic energy.

They were trying to escape!

“Where do you think you’re going!”

However, the sect leaders of the other factions, who had been preparing, pounced on the demonic forces, and soon a thunderous roar echoed through the sky.

The Guigang Chongma and the Sumoon sect leaders had begun to fight.

Regardless, in the sky tens of thousands of miles away from Sumoon, streaks of blue and pure white light scattered dull glows.

The blue streak of light was the man wearing the tiger mask.

It was Sangoon, and the one fiercely chasing after him was an old man wearing a butterfly mask.

‘Annoying.’

Why weren’t the Guigang Chongma bastards chasing after him, and why was the guy who fought with him at the auction chasing after him?

It was a ridiculous situation, but it didn’t matter.

‘I just need to chase him away appropriately.’

Paht!

Sangoon, scattering a dull glow, stopped in the sky. As if waiting for this, the old man shouted with indignation.

“Hand over the Gungbiho [a mythical artifact]! If you do, I will disappear without a word!”

But Sangoon was not one to hand it over.

He couldn’t give it away even if he wanted to.

“If I were going to hand it over with just a few words, I wouldn’t have caused such a commotion.”

Even Sangoon didn’t have sixty Boyoung Stones [a form of currency/valuable item].

He had about forty, but he wouldn’t waste even one spirit stone on the demonic bastards.

Moreover, if they were Guigang Chongma, they were a force deeply connected to the Guigang Sect, where Guieum Najal, who had tormented him so much, belonged!

He only regretted not being able to kill them!

“…Then I can give you thirty Boyoung Stones. I won’t ask anything, just hand over the Gungbiho.”

Sangoon’s brow furrowed.

Why did that bastard want the Gungbiho?

He was a little puzzled, but that didn’t mean he could hand it over.

“Even if you give me a hundred Boyoung Stones instead of thirty, I can’t hand it over.

It’s someone deeply connected to me, so I can’t trade them for mere wealth!”

“Deeply connected? What’s the relationship?”

“Is there a need to tell you?”

Sangoon immediately flipped his hand.

Then, a huge wheel appeared in his hand.

The ancient wheel spun fiercely, creating an eerie noise.

As he raised his index finger and launched the ancient wheel, the old man also threw six coins from his chest.

Kaaang!!

‘Hmm?’

The coins seemed to be a set of treasures that moved organically, and when they collided with the ancient wheel, they bounced off, scattering sparks.

‘Not bad.’

It was just a treasure at the level of a magical artifact.

Its strength wasn’t very strong, and its divine power was mediocre, but it was barely blocking with the caster’s skillful manipulation. It was a refreshing experience for Sangoon, who mostly overwhelmed with brute force.

However, that was only for a moment.

Sangoon opened his mouth and spat out a small triangle. The triangle soon spun around and grew huge, transforming into an active volcano.

It was his Tanhan Yeosan [a powerful artifact or technique].

Kwaang!

As soon as it appeared, the active volcano erupted, spewing lava fiercely. The old man flinched at the heat of the lava that soared like a fountain and formed a hand seal.

Sangoon, sneering at the sight, formed a hand seal and moved his lips, causing the erupted lava to soar into the sky and begin to rain down like rain.

The only way to avoid the lava falling like a rain of arrows was to use Chukji [a technique for rapid movement/teleportation].

Sangoon took out the Hwabhwan Hohwan Sword [a powerful sword] with his left hand, threw it into the space, and smiled.

If he used Chukji, he was planning to immediately counterattack with the Hwabhwan Hohwan Sword.

It was then.

Suddenly, a hazy cold air began to surge wildly in all directions.

Sangoon’s brow furrowed at the unexpectedly appearing cold air, and at the center of the cold air was the old man he had seen earlier.

Hwee-ee-ee-ee-eeng!!

As the cold air swirled, the lava rain of Tanhan Yeosan quickly cooled and began to turn into black boulders.

Around the old man, goldfish were leisurely swimming in the air.

The goldfish’s body was entirely white, and its tail and fins were a beautiful deep blue color.

Then, Sangoon’s expression hardened.

The lava of Tanhan Yeosan had the properties of Yin energy and was resistant to most cold and water energies, but as soon as it touched the goldfish’s divine power, it instantly cooled down.

‘He’s no ordinary guy.’

Sangoon frowned and formed a hand seal, shooting a blue magic seal at Tanhan Yeosan.

The active volcano shook and spewed out a huge amount of lava once again, instantly transforming into a fire dragon. The old man was quite surprised by its majestic appearance and elaborate divine power.

However, he smiled again and raised the corners of his lips, and Sangoon soon knew why.

“Was it a stall for time? Tsk.”

Sangoon clicked his tongue as he saw two streaks of light arriving near the old man.

They were both at the Taesun realm.

They seemed to be fellow Taoists.

In this situation, Sangoon was at a disadvantage.

‘There’s no need to fight an unnecessary battle.’

There was no need to be afraid just because one had become three, but there was no reason to fight them under unfavorable conditions.

“Is that him?”

“Let’s take care of him right away!”

The fellow Taoists shouted boldly and raised their energy.

Sangoon sneered and formed a hand seal.

Soon, a huge spiritual pressure spread throughout the area, and a powerful killing intent permeated the entire region.

“Heok!”

Four pairs of wings spread wide, and blue flames raged.

The atmosphere became dry due to the intense heat, and they hurriedly raised protective barriers.

It was then.

Suddenly, Sangoon’s body split into three and scattered in all directions.

“Damn it! Let’s chase after them!”

Two Taesuns chased after the divided Sangoons, and only the old man with the butterfly mask remained, staring blankly at the blue flames he had left behind with trembling pupils.

“…That’s what he meant by a deep connection.”

The old man muttered to himself, stood there for a long time, and then disappeared.

* * *

Three months later.

Tens of thousands of miles north of Sumoon.

Banrong, located near the North Sea.

It used to be fertile land, but it was a desolate area where tombs had become more numerous due to frequent wars.

As its name suggested, a war between commoners was raging in Banrong.

In the sky above the place where fierce life-and-death battles were taking place, two Taoists were leisurely riding clouds and making bets.

“This time, the Dal Kingdom will win.”

“Heo! This time, it’s definitely the Ban Kingdom!”

It was impressive to see them betting so nonchalantly on which country would win.

“The Dal Kingdom has a general who has awakened as a Sword Immortal this time. How can they win?”

“Oh, come on, do you think the Ban Kingdom doesn’t have a Sword Immortal or something? The Ban Kingdom’s Sword Immortal this time is suspected to be Huna, so he’ll devour the Dal Kingdom’s Sword Immortal in an instant! Brother Ho, please prepare the Ice Crystal (水都) you promised me!”

It was then.

Suddenly, the sky darkened, and black ghost fog rushed in like a tide.

-Kkieaaaaaaaak!!

As an eerie energy and ghostly screams were heard, the Taoists who had been betting were startled and quickly ran away.

After a while.

The sky, which had been daytime, became as dark as night, and the evil spirits that emerged from the ghost fog began to devour the commoners who were at war.

“Kuaaaaak!! S-Save me!!”

“G-Ghosts! It’s a ghost! Euaaak!”

“The heavens are angry!! The heavens are Aaaak!”

The screams of the commoners spread across the ground, and blood and corpses piled up like mountains.

“What suddenly… shouldn’t we run away from this? Maybe a Taesun Madu [a powerful, possibly evil, Taoist] is forging a treasure.”

“Y-Yes, let’s hurry….”

However, as if the anomaly was not over yet, a huge centipede suddenly flew like a dragon from the sky.

Its mouth was gaping open, but what was even more amazing was something else.

Suddenly, the giant centipede and the evil spirits in the ghost fog began to fight.

The evil spirits rushed fiercely towards the centipede, and the centipede spewed out a pitch-black poisonous fog, swallowing the evil spirits.

The Taoists, who had been dumbfounded by the sudden natural disaster, had one more thing to be surprised about.

“These bastards.”

A man who appeared in the sky suddenly got angry and stood between the centipede and the ghost fog.

“Why are you fighting?”

He was far away, so they couldn’t hear him well, but just by looking at his appearance, he seemed to be scolding them.

As expected, the centipede transformed into a young girl, and the ghost fog disappeared, and a woman holding a greatsword appeared.

They were Guieul, Tamhwa, and Sangoon, who had escaped from Sumoon three months ago.

He had disguised Guieul and Tamhwa as himself and ran away, and he was seeing them again after three months.

But Guieul was suddenly eating commoners and fighting with Tamhwa, so he couldn’t help but sigh.

“Guieul hit first?”

Tamhwa said that, and Guieul just glared as if to kill her and remained silent.

Sangoon sighed as he looked at Guieul.

‘She’s moving more and more as she pleases.’

It was a phenomenon that often appeared after Guieul’s body had grown.

He couldn’t know what she was thinking, and even though she could speak, she didn’t open her mouth at all.

She was just staring at him with terribly resentful eyes.

“Sigh.”

As he waved his hand, Guieul permeated into the air, and Tamhwa turned into a small centipede and wrapped around his wrist.

He descended to a small sacred mountain, took out the ancient wheel, quickly dug a cave, and thoroughly sealed the entrance with various prohibitions [magical barriers].

Soon, he took out something huge from Gongjeonggang [a storage space, possibly pocket dimension], which was Gungbiho, who had a haggard appearance and a strong scent of blood.

He looked at her with complicated eyes, broke the cage in an instant, and greeted her.

“It’s been a while, Yoho.”

Then, the only remaining Gungbiho.

Yoho replied.

[You really are a man with not a single likable thing about you from head to toe.

Why are you so… why are you so late….]

Contrary to her scolding words, her voice revealed a strong sense of joy.