Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 239

Nangseon’s Romantic Fantasia – 238

Clang-

A dull thud echoed, mingling with the chime of a bell.

The sound originated from the Phoenix Feather.

Bong, ever the diligent one, planted the staff that Charyuk possessed firmly into the ground and began reciting Seonmun [Mystical Script], his lips moving ceaselessly.

He dedicated several hours, sweating and chanting Seonmun, to create a formation specifically for the Mountain Lord, who was about to undergo Jinsu Myeonghwa [True Water Illumination, a crucial step in spiritual advancement].

After Bong, exhausted from his hours-long recitation, finally exhaled and caught his breath, Choa, who stood beside him, inquired,

“Are you finished?”

“All done. With the power of this staff, I’ve cleared away all the nearby Yumuun [evil influences/energies]. This is only possible because the Cheonji Wonki [Primordial Qi of Heaven and Earth] here is exceptionally strong.”

However, that very strength made it an even more ideal location for Jinsu Myeonghwa.

Even though it’s said there’s no spirit energy, spirit energy itself is like a fine dust of Cheonji Wonki, so what more needs to be said?

“Furthermore, I’ll be here to control the Cheonji Wonki, so there’s no chance anything will harm your husband. Don’t worry.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Come to think of it, you mentioned you were preparing to ascend as well. Are you confident?”

At her question, Choa smiled meaningfully and replied,

“Since someone as divinely skilled as you is so sure of my ascension, I believe I will succeed as well.”

Seeing her display such unwavering confidence, Bong smiled faintly and slowly turned his head.

“You’ve arrived.”

In the direction of their gaze, a boy revealed himself in his Talhyeong [Transformed Appearance] form.

The boy possessed a sharp, striking appearance, adorned with two horns and a pair of wings.

It was the Mountain Lord in his Talhyeong form.

He approached with a detached expression, five swords orbiting around him as if acting as protectors.

The Mountain Lord didn’t even glance at Bong and Choa, walking directly towards the center of the formation.

He took his place and sat in a lotus position, his body floating into the air through sheer energy.

A blue lotus bloomed beneath his seated form, and simultaneously, a lotus-shaped mandala [spiritual symbol] bloomed and spun around him.

As Gyuncheon Ogwang [Five Lights of Balanced Heaven] shone in all directions, his body emitted a faint, ethereal light.

And at that moment, several elixirs floated up from the Mountain Lord’s grasp.

The Seondan [Mystical Pill] made from the Ten-Life Golden Fish Herb.

It was the Sipsaengdan [Ten-Life Elixir].

The Sipsaengdan hovered around him in the air before transforming into milky white smoke, seeping into the Mountain Lord and the swords.

Like the calm before a storm, not even a breath could be heard.

And then, after a moment.

Woo-oong!

The swords vibrated as if resonating with an unseen force, and the ground began to tremble as if an earthquake was imminent.

Kwaaaang!! At that instant, the light of Gyuncheon from the Mountain Lord’s body erupted into the sky as a pillar of pure energy, piercing through the heavens.

Tteojeok!! [Sound of tearing]

The sky tore apart, and the pillar of light flickered and faded, only to be replaced by a more intense light that illuminated the heavens.

A being swam through the dark clouds with a roar of thunder, its form briefly illuminated.

It was the manifestation of Cheonroe [Heavenly Tribulation].

Kururung Kwaaang!!

A massive thunderclap echoed, the trembling of heaven and earth resonating as if piercing through bone.

Choa’s shoulders flinched at the resounding roar of Cheonroe, which made her whole body tremble.

Even a Taeseon [Great Immortal], one step away from becoming a Jiseon [Earth Immortal], would have to be wary of that powerful Cheonroe.

“You must watch closely, without taking your eyes off him for even a moment. If he ascends, it will soon be your turn as well.”

“Yes….”

Choa looked at the Mountain Lord with a worried expression, then shifted her gaze to Cheonroe.

The Taoists of the Lower World do not necessarily undergo Cheongeop [Heavenly Tribulation].

This is because they are human, and it is said to be heaven’s consideration and favoritism.

No one knows the exact reason, but what is certain is that humans in the Lower World do not undergo Cheongeop.

Only the Youngsoo [Spirit Beasts] undergo Cheongeop in the Lower World.

So, Choa naturally felt sorry and anxious for her husband, who was undergoing Cheongeop.

Having a body stronger and a lifespan longer than humans is what Youngsoo are, but because of that, they go through Cheongeop and risk their lives, so it was difficult to say which was better.

Well, who is born with their fate determined?

No matter how unfair it may be, living as we are born is ultimately our life.

“We must step back.”

Suddenly, Bong spoke and stepped back, creating a blue protective barrier.

And immediately after that.

Kwaaaang!!

A blinding, earth-shattering roar erupted.

It was a lightning strike so powerful that the eyes couldn’t react.

Choa, stunned, regained her senses and frantically searched for the Mountain Lord.

In the faintly rising smoke, the Mountain Lord remained sitting in a lotus position with his eyes closed, maintaining his composure.

Gyuncheon Ogwang was constantly blooming from his body, and five mandalas were positioned above his head.

Choa was relieved that he hadn’t moved at all, but her mouth went dry as the intensity of Cheonroe grew stronger.

“H, how many more times are left?”

“Only the third time.”

That meant there were still ten more trials to endure.

“He’s enduring better than expected.

I heard he received Beolmo Sesu [Punishment of the Devil and Cleansing of the World] in the Lower World, so it seems he’s enduring Cheonroe well because of that.”

It seemed he was referring to the Hundred Ghost Night Thunder Tribulation.

“Is that so? Then he’ll be able to endure Cheongeop safely, right?”

But Bong’s expression was subtle.

“Well… seeing him struggling little by little, I can’t easily make a judgment.”

As he spoke, it became apparent that the Mountain Lord’s Gyuncheon Ogwang had long lost its initial brilliance.

The five colors flickered as if they would shatter at any moment, and cracks appeared on the Mountain Lord’s face as well. Soon, blue flames rose in his right hand and purple lightning in his left hand, enveloping him as if to protect him, but it was unknown how long that defense would withstand Cheonroe.

“Oh dear….”

“What’s wrong?”

“The Cheongeop has changed.”

“Ch, Cheongeop has changed?”

“Tsk… you’ll see. It’s going to be harder for the tiger. Oh dear….”

It was then.

The thunderous roar that had been echoing wildly subsided, and the dark clouds gathered into one point and swirled.

And a light sparkled within it, slowly descending.

A small light, no bigger than a fingernail.

Choa tilted her head as it fell. She had never heard of such a thing, but she couldn’t help but be astonished by the sight that followed.

The moment the small light landed on the Mountain Lord’s head, he, who hadn’t opened his eyes even when Cheonroe struck, opened his eyes wide and crossed his arms defensively.

Kwaaaaaaaang!!

Tteojeojeojeojeok!!

With a roar that echoed through the heavens and earth, the ground where the Mountain Lord was sitting cracked like a spider web and exploded.

The explosion billowed out in all directions, and the Mountain Lord’s coughing could be heard from within.

“Keok, keuek!”

Tuk, tuduk. [Sounds of dripping]

It wasn’t just a simple cough.

What accompanied it was the scent of blood that stung the nose and the sound of spitting blood.

“Suh…!”

She tried to rush over in an instant, but Bong stopped her.

“There’s nothing you can do.”

“But!”

“Are you going to interfere with his Jinsu Myeonghwa?”

Kkudeudeuk. [Sound of clenching]

She clenched her fist tightly, but Bong was right. Approaching him now would only be an interference.

Unfortunately, all she could do now was believe in him and watch.

“It’s coming again.”

“Wh, what on earth is that?”

“It looks like raindrops.”

“Yes?”

She made a strange sound at the absurd words and carefully looked at the light.

Unbelievable, but as Bong said, the small light was indeed a raindrop.

A small raindrop the size of a fingernail, but it was also a type of Cheongeop.

“It’s just a Suggeop (水怯) [Water Calamity], one of the Five Elements Tribulations. It’s a tribulation that rarely appears… it’s an exceptional event.”

Thanks to that, the Mountain Lord’s Jinsu Myeonghwa became even more difficult.

Why Suggeop of all things?

For the Mountain Lord, who mainly practiced Hwasintong [Fire Divine Technique], it was a tribulation that was more difficult to endure than anything else.

“It must be painful.”

But enduring was the only way to live.

“At this rate, he has no choice but to use Sipsaengdan to see his past lives quickly.”

That was the only way.

He could only hope that his past lives and the past lives of the swords would aid his Jinsu Myeonghwa.

The raindrops of Suggeop, containing tiny lights, fell on the Mountain Lord’s head.

Kuaaaaaaaa!!

Along with the roar of the transformed main body.

Tteojeojeojeok! Kwaaang!!

Once again, the ground cracked and a thick sandstorm billowed up.

* * *

One side is pure white.

One side is pitch black.

Centered on where I am standing, the right side is black and the left side is white.

I placed one foot on each side and took a step forward.

Sometimes to the white side.

Sometimes to the black side.

But still, in the end, back to the starting point.

I returned to the center and silently walked and walked again.

As I walked and walked, crimson lights floated here and there.

The lights, the size of a child’s fist, revealed something inside when looked at closely.

‘It’s me.’

It was a tiger.

More precisely, the Mountain Lord’s past.

Geumhwan Seonhyang.

Suwolmun.

Yongcheon.

Baeksan.

Geomnyeongdo.

Goseon.

Cheonyodong.

Ilwol.

And again.

“Baeksan.”

Whether I was walking or these things were coming, the memories of my past actions rushed in.

More and more backward.

More and more deeply.

More and more.

“To the past.”

It was then.

Kuoong!

Suddenly, the floor collapsed and I fell into a deep, deep abyss.

Naturally, when I raised my head.

It felt like something with an unrecognizable shape was looking down at me.

But it was only for a moment, and when I came to my senses, the shadows of those I missed were cast in front of the Mountain Lord.

“Sajae… [Senior Apprentice Brother/Master]”

Hwabung, who was smiling bitterly and pulling me up. And Gangryong was watching happily beside her.

Before I knew it, Yang Sopaeng and Charyuk were there as Hwaran.

They were truly missed faces.

But because of that, I was able to know more clearly where this place was and what I had seen so far.

“It’s thanks to Sajae.”

“If it weren’t for Sajae, I would have been trapped and asleep in this sword all along.”

“Becoming Sajae’s sword was comfortable in its own way, but… we are a hindrance.”

They were talking as if they were about to leave somewhere.

The Mountain Lord immediately noticed the truth and looked at them with eyes full of regret.

“Are you leaving? We just met.”

There were still so many things I wanted to say.

There were still so many things I had to say.

I didn’t even know where to start, but where were they saying they were going?

“We were Sajae’s swords. How could we not know that heart?”

Yang Sopaeng.

“But if there is a meeting, there is also a parting.”

Honggyeong.

“Parting will lead to another meeting, so is there any need to be sad?”

Gangryong.

“I learned through Sipsaengdan that there is reincarnation, so there is nothing to be afraid of.”

What they saw.

I don’t know what they got yet.

The only thing I could know was that the faces of the Sahyung [Fellow Disciples] looked comfortable.

“Our relationship will not end with this….”

They looked at Hwaran and nodded slightly. It was as if they had finished talking among themselves in advance.

“May Sajae’s choices always be right.”

“May Sajae’s future be bright.”

“May you make choices without regrets.”

Charyuk, who is next to Yang Sopaeng.

“May you not be sad.”

Hwabung, the last one left, glanced at the Mountain Lord and Hwaran and said mischievously.

“May Sajae’s luck with women decrease a little.”

Immediately after that.

The bodies of the Sahyung crumbled into dust and turned into swords in Hwaran’s hands.

The souls contained within floated leisurely beside the Mountain Lord and began to rise into the sky.

The Mountain Lord blankly stared at it before turning his head to look at Hwaran.

The swords of the Sahyung that were in her hand had disappeared without a trace. Hwaran, who was only smiling meaningfully, held out one hand and said.

“Would you like to see it?”

I felt like I knew what she was talking about without having to ask.

Their past lives.

That’s what she left behind.

“Mine is included too.”

“…Then I can’t help but see it.”

Soon, the Mountain Lord grabbed Hwaran’s hand.

And immediately after that.

Hwaran turned into dust and seeped into the Mountain Lord.

At that moment, the Mountain Lord’s head seemed to have five heads, causing a strange afterimage, but the moment it became one again.

“Ah….”

The Mountain Lord’s eyes, which seemed blank, were quite different. Soon, he spread his grip and summoned five swords.

Mangeuk Ilgeom [Myriad Tribulations One Sword].

Danheo Manggeom [Void Severing Myriad Sword].

Salseong Gapgeom [Killing Star Armor Sword].

Golhwa Cheokgeom [Bone Flower척 Sword].

Hyeolyeong Nangeom [Blood Spirit 난 Sword].

Centered on Mangeuk Ilgeom, the remaining swords instantly shattered into pieces and scattered in all directions.

Then in an instant.

Kwaaaang!!

With a fierce gale, they merged into one and were reborn as a treasured sword that shone with Gyuncheon Ogwang.

“Gyuncheon Bohwa… [Balanced Heaven Precious Flower]”

This is the true Gyuncheon.

This is the true Bohwa.

It goes without saying that it was beautiful, and the aura that emanated from it made even the cold premonition pause.

But what was there to fear?

This sword is none other than Hwaran, and it is the sword left by the Sahyung.

There was nothing to be afraid of.

Soon, when I touched the united Gyuncheon Bohwa, it turned into a blue energy and seeped into his body.

Kugugugugugung!!

Soon, the Mountain Lord’s body floated into the air and the five colors began to shine brilliantly in all directions.

* * *

Kwaaaaaang!!

“Keuek, is it still not over?”

“Not yet.”

Due to the continued onslaught of Suggeop, the ground was completely shattered and the explosion billowed out as if to cover all directions, making it difficult to even open one’s eyes. Within it, only the tiger’s cry could be heard sharply.

Choa was speechless at the intensity of the tribulation that would have killed her a hundred times over.

‘Has he been….’

Going through this all along?

It was truly amazing.

Whether he was enduring because he was a Youngsoo or because of something special, it was not a trial that could be endured at all.

It was as if they were just telling him to die.

Choa looked at the sky resentfully before clenching her fist tightly.

She could only think that she might lose her husband in front of her eyes if she left it like this.

“What are you doing!”

“My husband is going to die like this!!”

Choa, who shook off Bong’s restraint and ran, cut through the explosion for a long time. And when she finally stopped, what she saw was.

“Ah….”