Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 276

Romance of Nangseon – Episode 275

Baeksan’s morning begins much like that of any other sect.

As the sun rises, so too do the disciples of Baeksan, starting their day with meditation and self-reflection.

Divided into Lower, Middle, and Upper divisions, the disciples gather after their meditation to share insights, guide each other’s training, and receive instruction.

This practice is observed by everyone, from those aspiring to become Sword Immortals to the most senior elders.

Those learning listen intently, eager to absorb every detail, while those teaching reinforce their own understanding by imparting knowledge to the eager disciples, rediscovering the hidden meanings within the ancient texts.

As noon approaches, they disperse to carry out their assigned duties.

Some stand guard, others patrol the grounds, and still others tend to the mystical herbs. With over ten thousand disciples in Baeksan, many are tasked with more mundane labor.

Many also abstain from grains and consume Bigokdan [a type of energy pill or supplement].

“What are you looking at with such fascination?”

A figure stood leisurely watching the disciples bustling about.

It was none other than Cheonbeom, the Sect Leader of Baeksan.

“Lately, many things seem new and interesting to me.”

“What is it?”

“When did Baeksan get so many disciples… It’s quite astonishing.”

“Haha, you must be getting old. You’re the one who made it this way, Beom.”

“That’s what’s so amazing.”

It was strangely captivating to observe each of the disciples, whom he had previously thought of as mere numbers.

It felt new and somewhat unbelievable that all these disciples followed him and Baeksan.

“I don’t know… but if you say so, it must be true. How could I possibly understand the truth you’ve realized?”

“Truth? It’s nothing like that.”

It was nothing so grand.

He had simply come to see what he had built in a new light.

“But how long do you plan to stay put?”

At that, Jangcheon looked taken aback.

“Am I… am I being a nuisance?”

“No, it’s not that, but you’re the leader of a sect too. How long will the Great Dharma Lord of Taleui just hang around in another sect, lazing about?”

At the teasing words, Jangcheon smiled awkwardly and sweated profusely.

It wasn’t just because he liked to relax; there seemed to be a specific reason.

“What’s the point of having friends? If you have any problems, feel free to confide in me.”

“Ahem….”

But Jangcheon swallowed his words, as if he had difficulty speaking, and he seemed strangely embarrassed, so Cheonbeom immediately understood.

‘It’s because of the women.’

Come to think of it, he had heard that the Sect Leaders of the Ilwolmun [Moon Sect] and the Amipa [Benevolent Wave Sect] were still staying at Baeksan.

It wasn’t surprising, as many people wanted to meet the Baeksan Sect Leader, Great Seon Master [Zen Master] Yeongwon, or to greet Chukman, who had reached Jiseon [a high level of enlightenment].

However, he had heard that Ilwol’s Sosojeong and Amipa’s Yechunhwa remained because of the Great Dharma Lord of Taleui, not Cheonbeom and Chukman.

“Are the fairies from Banggok asking you to show them Goseon [a mythical land]?”

“Kuh, kuh-hem! It’s not like that!”

“Then what is it? You know my personality, why are you being so slow? If you keep me in suspense, I might just go and find the Sect Leaders myself, so hurry up and tell me.”

After hesitating whether to speak or not, Jangcheon began to confide in Cheonbeom.

Jangcheon’s words, spewed out in a rambling fashion, were disjointed, but the point he was trying to make was clear.

Cheonbeom understood his words at once, organized them, and gave an answer.

“So, the Sect Leaders of Ilwol and Amipa are having a life-or-death battle over you… is that what you’re saying?”

“That’s right.”

Cheonbeom was momentarily stunned.

And frowned.

‘What a mess.’

It was obvious that the two proud women were simply fighting, using Jangcheon as an excuse.

He was caught in the middle, unable to do anything.

“Leave them alone. What does it matter to you if they want to fight each other?”

“Still, isn’t that… a bit much?”

Well, how could he not be bothered when the women who liked him said they would fight because of him?

That’s why he still can’t go back to Goseon, so Cheonbeom could roughly understand.

‘But still….’

To be honest, he wasn’t particularly interested in what happened, so it was difficult to say anything.

“You said you weren’t interested in women.”

“Kuh-hem… that’s true, but….”

Looking at his face, it seemed that wasn’t the case anymore.

It’s been over three months since Jangcheon has been in Baeksan, so Cheonbeom wondered if a heart that didn’t exist had begun to sprout.

‘There must have been something between them that I don’t know about.’

But he couldn’t bring himself to be interested.

‘Ilwolmun and Amipa….’

Ilwol is a place with shady dealings, and Ami is a place where only fierce women gather, so it was an ominous combination.

‘I don’t know if he’s lucky or unlucky with women.’

Cheonbeom shook his head and got up from his seat.

“Oh, where are you going?”

“I’m not interested in your love affair.”

“I told you to tell me, but….”

“I told you to tell me, but I didn’t say I’d give you an answer.”

“You’re so cold!”

“It doesn’t matter since I’m not human.”

“You, you…!!”

Cheonbeom whistled and left the place leisurely.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t give you any advice when I’m in trouble myself.”

Cheonbeom, who had returned to his residence, laughed and enjoyed himself.

“What’s so funny?”

At that time, a voice like a jade bead was heard from behind Cheonbeom, his first wife, as pure as white snow.

It was Choa.

“…Nothing.”

Choa smiled and approached him, avoiding eye contact.

“Do you have something to hide from me?”

“There’s nothing like that. Kuhm… come to think of it, I had a lot to do today.”

“A lot to do?”

There wasn’t much to do, but it seemed like he had to say he was busy.

‘It’s not like there’s nothing to do.’

There was a mountain of things to do.

He had to take care of the treasures, and he needed to experiment with the combination of Seoncho [mystical herbs].

There were quite a few unknown Seoncho, so he needed a way to maximize efficiency through various experiments.

In addition, he had to repair the Hwansinche [a type of artifact] that he had left alone, and he had to take out the Subongoeoejeong [another artifact] inside.

‘I need to find out if it matches well with the gugija [goji berry] that the children gave me.’

It is theoretically possible, but no one knows what it will actually be like.

It was to melt the gugyeol [nine apertures] of Yungjeonga-dan [a type of elixir], which is one gugyeol of the two and the Pacheonmageok [another elixir], so trial and error would be necessary.

‘And….’

Cheonbeom’s gaze glanced at one side of the stone chamber wall.

In one corner of the stone chamber, where multiple layers of Geumje [protective seals] were spread out, a faint but ominous force was flowing out.

‘What should I do with Gwi-yul?’

Gwi-yul still couldn’t wake up.

He melted the Wonok [a type of jade] of Sangseon [an immortal], but it seems that he couldn’t help the rebellion of the soul.

It was an unavoidable measure at the time, but now that he thought about it, he wondered if there was a better way.

‘Do I have no choice but to take it out?’

The woman who is well-versed in Gangsi [undead] art and who originally created Gwi-yul’s framework is still in the hands of Sangun, so it wouldn’t hurt to ask for advice.

‘I didn’t like it because it was ominous….’

It is a relationship that must be ended someday, a vicious cycle, so it may be good in a way.

“Ah, husband. Come to think of it, I got a message that Young Master Somang is coming to Baeksan.”

“Somang? Young Master So?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Yes? If you ask me that… aren’t you and your husband in a close relationship?”

Seeing that her tone was subtly sharp, it seemed like he had to choose his words carefully.

“What’s so close? Young Master So and I are like uncle and niece, what’s there to be close about?”

At the blunt words, Choa’s satisfied smile returned.

“Is that so?”

“Of course.”

“That’s what she says, Young Master Somang.”

“…What?”

It was then.

Suddenly, the trinket hanging on Choa’s waist flicked up, spun around, and transformed into a human figure.

The one who landed somersaulting was a woman with a youthful appearance.

A woman that Cheonbeom knew well.

A being that is neither human nor spirit.

“It’s been a while, Yukgwi [a former title or nickname]!”

It was Somang.

“It’s been a while since I’ve heard the sound of Yukgwi.

In the meantime… have you been well?”

His expression was clearly flustered.

Somang and Choa chuckled, finding Cheonbeom’s face amusing.

“I wouldn’t be here in front of Yukgwi if I wasn’t well, would I? But Yukgwi… no, no, doesn’t the Great Seon Master of Baeksan seem happy to see me at all?”

“Great Seon Master, don’t be so out of place, call me Yukgwi as you used to.”

“Hehe, should I?”

It was a sudden reunion, but he couldn’t leave the guest like this.

“Let’s sit down first. Wife, please bring some refreshments.”

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

Cheonbeom and Somang, who were seated at the table, wondered what to say to each other.

He couldn’t express his joy, but Cheonbeom had something on his mind.

“Young Master So’s disguise is so great that it can avoid my eyes. It’s only been two hundred years since I saw you.”

“It’s not something that someone who has ascended to Yeongwon [a high cultivation stage] in just two hundred years should say.

It’s not like I’m always playing around, either?”

As a matter of fact, Somang’s realm was one step away from Jiseon.

It seems that she has been working hard on her training without being lazy.

Perhaps because she possessed Cheongeun [a special artifact or ability], she created a disguise that even Cheonbeom, who had ascended to Yeongwon, could not notice.

Of course, it was because he didn’t look closely, but even that meant that he had deceived the eyes of Yeongwon Yuksa [a title or rank].

It meant that her divine power had improved that much.

“But what’s going on?”

“What’s going on? I missed you so much after we parted like that two hundred years ago, so I came back?”

“Someone will misunderstand if they hear that.”

“Isn’t that right? My body and heart have long been Yukgwi’s….”

That’s what she was about to say. Choa, who brought refreshments with a smile, put a teacup on the table.

“Please eat before it gets cold.”

But as soon as she put it down, the teacup froze solid.

“Oh my….”

Cheonbeom sighed and put his hand on the teacup, and steam rose again.

“No, it’s a joke, a joke!”

“You mean you’ve become a slave to the spiritual herbs and precious things I have, right?”

“Yes! Yes! That’s right!”

Somang kept looking at Choa.

It seemed that Choa was subtly teasing Somang.

“Wife.”

“Why?”

“You must be busy, so go out.”

Then she pouts her lips.

“Are you two going to leave me out and have a secret talk?”

“Stop joking.”

“Tsk.”

Soon, Choa smiled and left the seat, and Somang stretched out her shrunken neck.

“It’s a little scary, but she’s a good person.”

“Well, she’s like that.”

“Come to think of it, that’s the person Yukgwi was looking for two hundred years ago, right? It’s nice to see you together now.”

Come to think of it, that was the case.

When Choa was trapped in Binggung [Ice Palace], Somang was with Cheonbeom.

“So, what’s the reason you came here? Are you really here to freeload?”

“Um… that’s also there! Maybe I can tell you the news of the person Yukgwi is curious about?”

“Am I curious?”

Several people came to mind.

There were men and women.

“Is it a woman or a man?”

Then Somang tapped her lower lip with her finger.

“Um….”

At first glance, it looked like she was worried, but it seemed like she was deliberately stalling.

He could clearly see her trying to stop the corners of her mouth from going up.

Cheonbeom grabbed a snack, flicked his finger, and hit her between the eyebrows.

“Ouch!”

“Speak quickly.”

“Eesh… where is there someone who hits a young girl with snacks!”

“What young girl. Stop it and speak.”

Somang rubbed her forehead, frowning as if it hurt a little, and answered.

“It’s a man! A man!”

“If it’s a man….”

There is only one man he is looking for.

“I brought news of Yujeong.”