Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 25

Nangseon’s Adventure – Episode 24

“Hopefully, this one will work out.”

Mountain Lord muttered an arcane phrase, channeling spirit energy into the ring.

Suddenly, the ring vibrated intensely, and the phoenix engraved on it began to glow.

As he focused its energy towards the center, a beam of light shot out, piercing through the cave wall.

Immediately after.

Rumble!

A sound like machinery whirring to life echoed as the wall slowly split open, revealing a spacious stone chamber.

Walking to the center, the floor cracked open with a resounding snap, revealing stairs leading down into the underground.

“Hoo.”

Taking a deep breath, Mountain Lord steeled his resolve and descended the stairs.

Half an hour later.

He stood gazing at the blue-tinged rock walls.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here.”

Nearly 30 years, perhaps?

This place was another reason why Mountain Lord had made Mount Baek his base.

The blue-tinged rock walls and the sharp heat that scorched the skin from the outset.

At the end of the stairs was a massive cauldron, like an altar, with blue flames blazing above it.

“I was quite surprised that he knew about the Bongak Celestial Waterfowl Forging.”

Mountain Lord had been quite surprised when that fellow, Apyeong, had mentioned the name.

He hadn’t expected that even a Taoist Immortal would know about something from the Manbo era [an ancient period in this world’s history].

The Bongak Celestial Waterfowl Forging was one of the lucky encounters the protagonist of the Mountain Sea Ascendancy Chronicles would have.

A phoenix, marked as a divine beast from birth, wreathed in blue flames, inspiring fear in the ascetics of the Manbo era.

Its flames were called the Bongak Azure Fire.

Though only remnants, the Bongak Azure Fire, no different from the flames of a divine beast, remained here.

Mountain Lord had obtained the Azure Flame thanks to the Bongak Azure Fire sealed within Mount Baek.

Previously, he was only at the level of a spirit creature, so he couldn’t even dare approach it…….

“It’s different now than it was then.”

Unlike when he was a mere spirit creature lingering at the entrance, he was now a Cinema Spirit Beast [a powerful spirit beast].

Even if it was just a remnant of the Bongak Azure Fire, the power of this Azure Flame was incredibly fierce, but as a Cinema Spirit Beast, he should be able to endure it somehow.

“Besides, I have the Unified Arts Manual now.”

Mountain Lord immediately began to move.

Sizzle.

His shoes melted on the heated ground.

Mountain Lord frowned and instantly covered his entire body with Azure Flame, taking each step carefully.

His Azure Flame protected him from the heat of the Bongak Azure Fire, but it was still difficult.

His lips were parched, and even his eyes felt dry, making it hard to keep them open.

His skin cracked and burned, and his clothes crumbled into ashes.

“It’s a little tough, but……”

Still, it’s more manageable than before.

Mountain Lord, who had approached the Bongak Azure Fire, began to manipulate spirit energy according to the incantation of the newly acquired Unified Arts Manual.

The Azure Flames surrounding his body flickered as if dancing, breaking off little by little and flashing in the air.

For half an hour, six Azure Flames flickered, repeatedly forming and disappearing.

It was more difficult than he thought, taking up quite a bit of time, but he managed to create a rough shape.

The Azure Flames, shaped like small birds, flapped their wings and flew through the air according to his will.

Feeling that this was enough, he gently sent the six Azure Birds towards the Bongak Azure Fire.

The Azure Birds, flying near the massive Bongak Azure Fire, slowly began to circle around it.

He wanted to throw them inside at once, but he had no choice but to be patient, as they would only be devoured by the Bongak Azure Fire.

Although they were the same energy, the difference in power was like heaven and earth.

Had half a day passed like that?

Mountain Lord summoned the Azure Birds, which had grown slightly larger, and opened his mouth. The Azure Birds entered his mouth and disappeared in an instant.

“Keuhm.”

Mountain Lord’s face contorted in pain as he swallowed a groan.

The intense heat of the Bongak Azure Fire burning within his body felt as if all his internal organs were melting away.

The six Azure Birds would enter each of the six internal cores one by one to temper them, increasing their power and making them more solid.

It seemed like a relatively simple task, but it was still a creature that had absorbed the spiritual energy of Mount Baek, even if it was just a remnant.

‘This is why the spiritual energy of Mount Baek is so weak.’

Mountain Lord banished the thought and began to spread the Azure Birds, which were moving in and out of his cores, throughout his body.

The Unified Arts of Separate Talent, Numb Perseverance was a unified art that allowed one to freely manipulate fire and create various forms. And within it was also the incantation to achieve Fire-Infused Limbs.

A unified art that allowed one to infuse fire into bones and flesh, making it easier to control fire!

If he hadn’t obtained this, Mountain Lord wouldn’t have come here.

‘I was lucky.’

Thanks to it, he was able to absorb all of the Bongak Azure Fire.

He intended to stay here until he had completely absorbed the Bongak Azure Fire.

He wondered if it would be a little difficult.

In theory, he thought it was possible, but the results might be different if he actually tried it.

But the mysteries of the newly acquired Separate Talent, Numb Perseverance and the Fire-Infused Limbs would make it possible. No, it had to be.

‘If I can’t even do this, I can’t move forward.’

To prepare for the events that would unfold, even the Bongak Azure Fire was not enough.

It would be too late once the incidents started in earnest.

The reason Hwaran had turned out this way was because of his complacency. It was because of his inadequacy.

‘I won’t let that happen again.’

After absorbing the Bongak Azure Fire, he planned to rush straight to Banggok.

There was a massive sect called the Sun Moon Gate there, and a treasure that could not be compared to anything else in the Mountain Sea Ascendancy Chronicles would be found on Sun Moon Mountain.

‘Moon Reflection Altar.’

Originally, the protagonist would obtain it while passing near the Sun Moon Gate.

But not anymore.

He would have given up before, but now that he could transform into a human, it was possible.

Now that he had decided to become stronger, he would snatch away lucky encounters more ruthlessly than anyone else.

‘The time for leisurely enjoyment is over.’

Mountain Lord immediately abandoned his human form and returned to his tiger form.

His appearance was not much different from before.

Except for the two protrusions on his head, he was the same as before.

In his massive tiger form, Mountain Lord knelt before the Bongak Azure Fire and continued his training.

To become stronger.

To become so strong that no one could touch him.

‘So that my people won’t get hurt.’

* * *

Time flowed like water, and four years quickly passed.

In a building mostly covered in snow.

A celebration was in full swing for the newly ascended Taoist Immortals, both innate and acquired.

“Hey, isn’t that her?”

A girl who looked about fifteen grabbed her friend and whispered.

“Yeah. That’s her.”

Turning her gaze slightly.

A girl with a blank expression, receiving congratulations next to an old man, caught her eye.

A child with a bizarre appearance, her long white hair tied up and finished with a pure white hairpin.

She was called a genius among geniuses, having entered four years ago and ascended to Taoist Immortal in the blink of an eye.

Her only flaw was that she avoided socializing with others and only insisted on training.

“Is it Bicheong? I heard she’s the only one she even greets.”

“Don’t even mention it. She only nods to her. Bicheong said she’s hardly ever seen her speak.”

“Is she really mute, then?”

“There’s no way. She used to be talkative and cheerful…. I heard something happened. I don’t know the details.”

‘I see,’ the girl thought, withdrawing her gaze filled with jealousy and envy, and reached for the sumptuous feast.

* * *

At the same time.

Two women were talking in front of a bright yellow ginkgo tree.

“He’s too slow.”

She naturally compared him to her master, shaking her head at his shortcomings.

“Cough, cough! By the way, where’s Mountain Lord?! Where did he go?! Don’t tell me! He abandoned me!?”

The two were Hongyeon and Kkamanghori.

The beautiful woman in front of Hongyeon was surprisingly Kkamanghori.

“Honestly, there’s no reason to wait. Who knows when he’ll come out.”

“Bad kid! He could have waited a little.”

She had spent a long time on the True Scenic Painting, but he could have waited a little.

‘A heartless bastard.’

Kkamanghori cursed only Mountain Lord, constantly brushing away her swaying hair with her hands and grumbling.

“But why do I have to be in human form? I’m a tiger! How can a tiger take human form!”

“I’m not deaf. Did you eat stewed dark clouds or something? Why is your voice so loud? That’s why Mountain Lord finds you annoying.”

“Eek!”

“Besides, you’re not a tiger yet.”

“Hmph! I’ll become a tiger!”

Kkamanghori crossed her arms and snorted.

Hongyeon watched her for a moment, sighed softly, and continued.

“Mountain Lord was in human form when he came out of the Mangsu Platform. It seems Mountain Lord’s preference is human.”

“Hmm……. Does that mean Mountain Lord likes humans?”

She turned her head slightly, looking a little tempted.

“It seems so. Otherwise, why would he take the form of a human man?”

“Re, really? Well…. If Mountain Lord likes it.”

Kkamanghori kept looking back at herself, lifting her skirt and twisting her hair with her fingers, smiling bashfully.

“And this too.”

Hongyeon took out a small snake from her bosom and fastened it around her wrist.

It was half of the Love Knot Silk that she had given to Mountain Lord before.

“I gave him the same one. You’ll be able to find him wherever he is with this.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, humans share rings to share the affection of their relationship. Master and Mountain Lord are also wearing bracelets, so maybe they’ll become a couple in the future.”

“Co, couple!?”

Kkamanghori looked around, worried that someone might hear.

“Why are you so embarrassed? Aren’t you fond of Mountain Lord?”

“N, no!”

She shook her hands and head repeatedly.

“Oh. Aren’t you? Then give me the Love Knot Silk back right now. If I wear it, maybe Mountain Lord and I will have a connection.”

“N, no way! Ho, Hongyeon, are you fond of Mountain Lord?”

Startled, she hugged the Love Knot Silk to her chest.

Hongyeon’s lips curved into a smile at her actions, as if she absolutely didn’t want to give it back.

“There’s no way I would be.”

“Hmph, it’s troublesome if you’re not fond of him. Yeah! So it’s right for me, the master, to have it!”

It was an absurd statement with no logic, but Hongyeon just smiled silently and looked at her master.

Was she that happy? Seeing her so happy made her feel good about what she had planned.

“Alright! Let’s go to Mountain Lord! I’ll show him the power of Kkamanghori, who has become a Cinema Spirit Beast!”

“Are you going to compete again?”

“Yeah. Why? Is that not allowed?”

Hongyeon pressed her temples with a troubled expression.

She seemed to have quickly forgotten that she had scratched her eyes with her claws the last time she showed off her achievements in training.

Maybe it’s because she’s Kkamanghori, but she forgets a lot.

“Oh! Hongyeon! Look at this. The Love Knot Silk’s head turned!”

“If you go in the direction of that head, Mountain Lord will be there.”

“Oh, I see! But something feels weird about walking?”

“It’s okay. Get used to it.”

Hongyeon patted Kkamanghori, who was constantly walking awkwardly, and set off on the road.