Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 195

Nangseon’s Bizarre Tales – 194

A garden created within Hwagwa Mountain.

Colorful mystical plants bloomed, and mystical insects coexisted with them, freely roaming and creating a gentle atmosphere with a refreshing scent of grass.

It was a natural cave within the mountain, but its careful cultivation transformed it into a scenic wonder.

Looking at this scene, even the Great Sage, Equal to Heaven [Sun Wukong], who ascended to the Immortal Realm, would smile with pleasure.

“The garden of Hwagwa Mountain is beautiful indeed, but you didn’t summon me just to show me this, did you?”

As I said this, putting down my teacup, Samgui’s lips curved into a smirk.

“Of course not! Though I cherish this place, would I summon Yukgui [you, the Mountain Monarch] and end it with just a tour?

As written in the letter, this concerns the Cheon Yang Ji Bo [a mythical treasure], and, by extension, Yukgui.

I need your strength.”

“My strength?”

The Mountain Monarch replied with a nonchalant expression.

It was obvious if you thought about it for a moment.

If there were only clues about the Cheon Yang Ji Bo, he could find it himself.

Why wouldn’t he?

He is not alone, but Samgui, who is building a force – Samgui of Siphaemancheok [a powerful faction]!

He is a figure who doesn’t need to ask for help from anyone.

‘But the fact that he called me means…’

It meant that he needed a Gwibyeol-level figure [a being of immense power] besides himself to obtain the Cheon Yang Ji Bo.

As expected.

“Do you perhaps know about the Geumhwan Ilshik (Golden Ring Eclipse)?”

“I know about the Golden Ring Eclipse.”

Similar to an annular solar eclipse, it is a phenomenon that occurs when the moon’s area covering the sun doesn’t completely cover the sun, leaving a ring of sunlight visible.

But why is Samgui asking about that?

The Mountain Monarch frowned, pondering for a moment.

‘Come to think of it.’

In the world of Taoism, a total solar eclipse is a time when yin energy completely overwhelms yang energy, destabilizing the harmony of yin and yang.

Because of this, prohibitions and illusions are amplified, so they are especially careful when conducting Seondo battles [battles between Taoist immortals], I remember hearing.

“I’m glad you know. Ordinary total solar eclipses are known as days when yin energy obscures yang energy. The Golden Ring Eclipse isn’t much different, but perhaps because of the difference in the ratio, it only occurs once every thousand years.”

Samgui raised his index finger.

“The Golden Ring Eclipse creates Gokgongjigan [spatial distortions] and spatial rifts in various places throughout the world.”

Then, a strange light flashed in the Mountain Monarch’s eyes.

“Gokgongjigan?”

“Yes. The Gokgongjigan that has been occurring since the Manbo Era [an ancient era in this world’s history]. And….”

The Cheon Yang Ji Bo is there.

“Are you sure?”

“40%.”

A 40% chance.

Well, if you can obtain the Cheon Yang Ji Bo, 40% is very high.

“What is the name of that Gokgongjigan?”

“There are many names, but the name frequently mentioned in the Manbo Era scriptures is….”

Geumhwan Seonhyang (Golden Ring Immortal Land).

“What’s the date?”

“Today, a month from now.”

A month is adequate.

Because various preparations will be needed.

“According to records, the previous Sagwi [another powerful being] died there. Of course, the whereabouts of the Cheon Yang Ji Bo disappeared with him.”

“Sagwi’s Cheon Yang Ji Bo is there…”

“There is a possibility. Besides the Cheon Yang Ji Bo, there may also be mystical plants or insects that are now extinct, and you may be able to find relics left by Seonsa [Taoist hermits] or gods of the Manbo Era.”

Thinking about it, it is obviously beneficial to go.

However, the fact that he is asking me to accompany him means that there must be some concerning points.

“It will be dangerous.”

“I can’t say it won’t be.

Since it is a spatial rift created by the Golden Ring Eclipse, the entrance to the Golden Ring Immortal Land is also created indiscriminately.”

The Golden Ring Immortal Land itself is not that dangerous, but the danger level increases because of those who arrive there.

‘It’s not like Samgui is the only one who knows about the existence of the Golden Ring Immortal Land.’

There are as many Taoists who cannot cross the barrier and ascend to immortality as there are grains of sand on the beach.

For those people, the Golden Ring Immortal Land is an opportunity.

It is that very thing.

Cultivators who have reached the limit of their lifespan will want to enter the Golden Ring Immortal Land even if it costs them their lives.

If you encounter such desperate people, you will not be able to avoid a fight.

The Mountain Monarch pondered for a moment and asked.

“Anyone else besides me?”

Then, Samgui was startled, but soon smiled faintly and replied.

“Sagwi and Sipgui will also be joining.”

“I see….”

Four Gwibyeols are heading there.

‘No, five including Blackie [So Sojeo’s nickname].’

It’s not bad.

Samgui asked for help, and I just responded to that request.

Although the Golden Ring Immortal Land is said to be dangerous, considering the opportunities that may be sleeping there, it is more than worth enduring.

“If I find the Cheon Yang Ji Bo….”

“Whoever finds it gets to keep it. Isn’t that why four Gwibyeols are going together, to avoid unnecessary disputes? And….”

Samgui glanced at the spot where Gugui had passed by and said.

“You might encounter an opportunity to restore Gugui’s memories.”

The Mountain Monarch nodded and stood up.

“I just arrived, but I was holding you back for too long!”

Samgui called a monkey from Hwagwa Mountain to guide the Mountain Monarch to his room.

The garden soon became quiet, and Samgui, who had been sitting calmly, twitched.

Of Samgui’s two heads, the one that had been constantly closing its eyes moved.

“How was it?”

Samgui’s other head said.

Then, Samgui took out an object that looked like a gem from his chest, which was faintly glowing with a green light.

“The divine beast that founded Siphaemancheokgui split Uncheol, which had absorbed the power of Seongun for ten thousand years, with heat to create the Cheon Yang Ji Bo.”

“And this Nokgoejuryo is what senses the power of Seongun….”

Samgui’s two heads smirked.

“We’ve already found one.”

* * *

After entering the room, the Mountain Monarch looked around and set up a light prohibition before taking out various items.

He intended to take out and organize the items in advance before entering the Golden Ring Immortal Land.

There were many items that he had not been able to deal with due to lack of time.

The seven scriptures obtained from the Harisan Mountains.

The one scripture obtained from the Yacheongwimun.

And the egg found after killing Jichung.

The other things are treasures and mystical plants that he knows how to use to some extent.

However, these are things that even the Mountain Monarch still does not know what they are.

“The scriptures are what they are.”

The Mountain Monarch lifted the egg.

The Mountain Monarch, who glanced at it, tilted his head.

“This….”

It got bigger.

It was definitely a different size.

“Was this a real egg?”

I was half-doubtful, but it seems it was an egg after all. Since Jichung had it, I thought it might be a Gyoryong egg [dragon-like creature], but it was determined that it was not.

“A Gyoryong egg is not like this stone-like egg… then what is this?”

It is a mystery.

It is an egg, but it was difficult to even guess what it was.

I don’t know even if I look at it with Danryeonggeumjeong [a mystical vision technique], and the energy it subtly exudes is ambiguous.

“It’s frustrating. If I could use the laws of time, I would have quickly turned back time and hatched the egg.”

But for the current Mountain Monarch, it is like a pipe dream. He has Sawoljehang [a time-related artifact], but he cannot handle it, so it is no different from a summer fan in winter.

It was then.

Suddenly, the Mountain Monarch’s head turned.

Someone touched the prohibition.

“Yukgui, it’s me.”

“So Sojeo?”

When the Mountain Monarch released the prohibition, So Sojeo appeared with a rustle.

“What’s going on?”

“Do we have to have something going on to see each other? How heartless.”

As So Sojeo acted affectionately for no reason, the Mountain Monarch’s face frowned.

“What do you need again?”

“Hehet, as Yukgui knows, I am a Yeoseon [female immortal] with Cheongeun [a special constitution]!”

So she was asking for mystical plants or elixirs needed for cultivation.

The Mountain Monarch sighed softly and picked out the items she wanted from his chest and handed them over.

“So Sojeo, there is no such thing as a free lunch in the world. And that goes for me too.”

“Of course, I know. If I become a Jiseon [earth immortal] and ascend to the Immortal Realm, I will definitely repay this debt! Have you only lived being deceived?”

“How will you repay it when you ascend to the Immortal Realm… repay it as quickly as possible when you become a Jiseon.”

“Of course, of course.”

So Sojeo, who received the mystical plants and elixirs, sat down in that spot as if she was in a good mood.

The Mountain Monarch’s eyebrows went up.

“Aren’t you leaving?”

“I’ll be here for a while. Ho Sojeo [Blackie] is a little uncomfortable to be with right now.”

“Why is Blackie.”

“She’s complaining about why she came all the way here, so it’s a little noisy.”

I was a little worried, but I didn’t need to be.

So Sojeo, who said that, discovered the egg next to the Mountain Monarch and approached it.

She poked it and asked.

“What is this?”

“Well, it’s an egg that Gyoryong had… I don’t know exactly what it is.”

“Is that so?”

It was then.

Suddenly, the egg twitched.

“This… it moved, right?”

It moved.

It definitely moved.

‘…Did it get affected by Cheongeun?’

As if amazed, So Sojeo and the Mountain Monarch’s faces went closer to the egg.

Twitch, twitch.

Crack!

“Kyaa!”

As the egg cracked, So Sojeo was startled and fell backward.

At the same time, something black popped out from the crack in the eggshell.

Thud, thud, thud!!

It instantly bounced to the ceiling and jumped from the ceiling to the wall.

The Mountain Monarch’s red eyes moved and caught something soaring like an arrow.

Thud!

As he grabbed it with his hand, it cried out weakly, “Kkiak, kkiak.”

“…Alligator?”

What was in the Mountain Monarch’s hand was a baby alligator the size of his palm.

An alligator without any flaws.

It was just a small alligator itself.

“Oh… congratulations, Yukgui. It’s an alligator.”

“Yeah. It’s an alligator.”

Both the person congratulating and the person receiving the congratulations had a very nonchalant reaction.

That’s because it was an alligator.

I thought something unique or special, a mystical beast or insect, would come out.

But it’s just an alligator.

Even a baby alligator.

‘Why did only a palm-sized one come out of that big egg….’

I don’t know if an alligator came out.

It was cute because it was a baby, but that was it.

Its temper seems very bad.

It moves its small tail and snout frantically as if groaning to be released.

The Mountain Monarch, who was inwardly disappointed, frowned as he tried to release the alligator that was making “Kkiak, kkiak” noises.

“Hmm…?”

Soon, the Mountain Monarch’s pupils dilated.

He carefully examined something with Danryeonggeumjeong, but kept tilting his head as if something was wrong.

“Yukgui, is something wrong?”

“This guy… just a moment.”

As if something was strange, he made a hand sign with his left hand and chanted a spell.

Then, the alligator dropped its head and fell asleep. The Mountain Monarch, who quickly cast a law and floated the alligator in the air, quickly made a hand sign and widened his eyes.

At once, the Mountain Monarch’s pupils dilated once again, and new pupils came out.

But even so, he frowned as if he was not sure, and his pupils dilated again, and a fourth pupil popped out.

As intense spiritual pressure pressed down on all sides, So Sojeo waved her hand.

She released her energy to block the Mountain Monarch’s spiritual pressure.

She grumbled that the pressure of spiritual energy was so heavy, but soon she was horrified when she saw the Mountain Monarch’s face.

Tears of blood were dripping from his red eyes, flowing down his cheeks.

But he was unaware of that and was engrossed in looking at the alligator.

So Sojeo took out a handkerchief to wipe away the tears of blood, but hesitated.

“I will do it.”

“Ah, yes….”

Hwaran, who suddenly appeared, cherished and wiped away the Mountain Monarch’s tears of blood.

So Sojeo, who became embarrassed, put her hands behind her back and coughed in vain.

After a while.

The Mountain Monarch, who closed his eyelids, gathered his energy and took a deep breath.

“Hoo-”

“Did you find something?”

In response to So Sojeo’s question, he silently waved his index finger and drew a law in the air.

A blue law was drawn and entered the alligator’s body.

Flash! Thud.

What burst into light and fell was a thin, rectangular earring.

“Huh? What is it? You didn’t transform it, did you, Yukgui?”

“No. This mystical beast’s original form… should I say?”

Even the Mountain Monarch who was speaking had an ambiguous attitude.

“From what I see, this guy is probably a hybrid of a mystical beast and a Seongjok (性族) [a race of beings that have gained spirituality].”

“Seongjok?”

“Don’t you know? In the Immortal Realm, the race that has obtained spirituality by absorbing the Cheonjiwonki [primordial energy of the universe] for a long time is called Seongjok.”

“I remember reading about it in old scriptures… but it’s hard to believe.”

The Mountain Monarch stared intently at the earring and then brought it to his ear.

Thud. With a sound, the earring was hung on the Mountain Monarch’s earlobe.

And at the same time.

“Yu, Yukgui?”

The Mountain Monarch’s figure disappeared.