Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 296

Nangseon’s Romantic Tale – Part 2, Episode 5

“Are you sure you’re alright with this?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? There’s no downside.”

The Sa Clan.

Well, even if Saha Soseon suspects something, he doesn’t have solid proof yet.

Whether I end up in the Hwang or Sa Clan, it honestly doesn’t matter much.

‘Wherever I go, I’ll make it work.’

Hwaran and Tamhwa are here.

Bong, who hasn’t stepped forward yet, is also with me.

I’m confident I can navigate through anything, anywhere.

“Shall we begin, then?”

Clack!

As Hwang Gon struck the scroll again, the doppelgangers that had risen above the table began to move.

“Since these doppelgangers are made from parts of our bodies, you can consider them to have all our usual habits and tendencies. They’re just imitations, so they’re not perfectly accurate, but it shouldn’t be too difficult to determine who has the upper hand.”

Thump!!

The doppelgangers of Hwang Gon and Cheonbeom collided fists.

It was just an illusion of a bare-handed fight, but it was strangely thrilling.

The sounds were so vivid; as expected, the treasures of the Upper World are something else.

‘Even if it’s just a replica, it’s amazing.’

I couldn’t even imagine how incredible the real thing must be.

“By the way, Clan Leader Hwang.”

“Yes, Heavenly Immortal Cheon.”

“The bet should be fair. What will Clan Leader Hwang wager?”

It was implicitly understood that if Cheonbeom lost, he would become a divine immortal of the Hwang Clan.

But they hadn’t yet decided what would happen if Hwang Gon lost.

“I see. Hmm…”

Hwang Gon pondered for a moment, then, as if struck by an idea, took something out of his pocket.

“Since the High Immortal is wagering his future, I should offer something of equal value.”

What he pulled out was a pure white stone.

It was a mysterious stone, pure white but emitting a subtle light.

It looked familiar.

‘That’s…’

Just as he narrowed his eyes, an exclamation burst out from beside him.

“Isn’t that the Hwang Clan’s Dragon Brain!!”

Dragon Brain!

Cheonbeom also possessed a Dragon Brain.

But his was far from being a true dragon’s brain.

It would be more accurate to call it the brain of an Imoogi [a lesser dragon or serpent] with dragon blood.

‘A real Dragon Brain…’

Even the Dragon Brain he possessed was invaluable and incredibly useful in the Lower World, though he didn’t need it now.

He had greatly benefited from something that wasn’t even a real Dragon Brain, so there was no need to say more.

So, what would a real dragon’s brain be like?

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t curious.

“To think you’d bring out something so precious.”

“I’m not sure, but is Dragon Brain really that valuable?”

“O-Of course! It’s used in the refinement of various divine pills and treasures, and if refined well, the essence within…”

Tango Mal was excitedly explaining, but then he glanced at Hwang Gon.
The essence within referred to the enlightenment and experiences of the dragon when it was alive.

“You might even be able to extract the ‘True Blood’ within.”

‘The Hwang Clan was a clan of Water Dragons.’

I had vaguely sensed it.

It was a bit different from Sea Dragons but felt similar; that must have been why.

‘Water Dragon, huh…’

A nasty guy came to mind.

‘Jiranwi.’

The ancestor of the Sea Dragon tribe.

That guy wouldn’t leave me alone for stealing the Source River.

I couldn’t rule out the possibility of running into him while staying in the Water Realm.

‘That’s a problem for later.’

It’s better to focus on the bet now.

“Ahem, about… eight hundred years ago, I believe. It’s from a member of the Hwang Clan who died in the war with the Immortal Realm.”

“War with the Immortal Realm? Does that happen in the Upper Realm too?”

“It happens sometimes. If you can gain something by encroaching on each other’s territory, you have no choice but to shed blood…”

I understood on one hand, but a sense of bitterness washed over me at the same time.

It seemed there wasn’t much difference between the Lower and Upper Realms.

Whether he knew Cheonbeom’s feelings or not, Hwang Gon trembled with regret as he presented the Dragon Brain.

It was a Dragon Brain obtained when one of his clan’s High Immortals died in battle.

Dragon Brain was something all immortals desired, but it wasn’t easy to obtain.

Dragon Brain was, as the name suggested, the brain of a dragon.

It was a solidified and transformed object.

How could there be a plentiful supply?

Since Cheonbeom had wagered himself, Hwang Gon had to offer something of equal value to save face; he had no choice.

‘My cultivation isn’t so shallow that I’d lose to a High Immortal who just ascended.’

He was confident.

For immortals, competing in martial prowess to a minor extent was a matter of pride.

“The High Immortal may or may not know, but the Water Realm values martial arts more than immortal techniques. It was a bit reckless to decide to bet against me, who has walked the path of martial arts since birth! As a senior who became a High Immortal first, I hope this match will be a profound lesson for Heavenly Immortal Cheon!”

Paang!!

Hwang Gon’s doppelganger extended a palm. Cheonbeom blocked the palm with his arms, but he couldn’t stop himself from being pushed back.

Cheonbeom’s doppelganger was pushed back to the end of the long, rectangular table.

Hwang Gon’s doppelganger stood proudly with one hand behind his back, beckoning with the other as if to say, ‘Come on.’

Watching the doppelgangers, now the size of palms, fight was amusing and fascinating.

But seeing his own doppelganger being pushed back made him strangely irritated.

‘It’s frustrating because I can’t control it.’

It was his own doppelganger, but it was born within the Minor Tranquil Realm, so he couldn’t control it.

The doppelgangers moved by extracting information from the main body through hair.

It was a copy of the main body’s martial power.

‘Interesting. It’s just a friendly match, but because the doppelganger retains my habits, I can observe myself from a third-person perspective.’

It’s a treasure that helps with cultivation.

It’s even better that I can’t directly control it. A doppelganger that doesn’t act consciously allows me to see my shortcomings clearly.

I can see and correct unconscious habits in the Minor Tranquil Realm, so there’s no better cultivation for those who walk the path of martial arts.

‘Are those who walk the path of martial arts called Martial Immortals?’

After watching the battles of the Lesser Immortals, I wondered if that was the case, but it seemed there were many who trained in body strengthening techniques in the Water Realm.

Hwang Gon’s doppelganger fluttered his yellow robe and instantly approached Cheonbeom, throwing a punch.

Paang!

At the same time as the air-splitting sound, Cheonbeom tilted his head back to dodge, and his cheek was slightly torn. His fist was covered in dense yellow dragon scales.

“Ooh, it’s Clan Leader Hwang. I’m sorry to say this to Heavenly Immortal Cheon, but the Hwang Clan’s body strengthening is impeccable!”

“Haha, Immortal Tan. The match isn’t over yet. Let’s watch patiently. There’s a saying that the match isn’t over until it’s over, isn’t there?”

Contrary to his modest tone, Clan Leader Hwang’s face already had the look of a winner.

He was full of confidence, like a well-risen full moon.

“Clan Leader Hwang is right. It’s not over until it’s over.”

Cheonbeom smiled and replied.

That’s when it happened.

Chwaak!!

“…Hmm?”

A sound that shouldn’t have been heard was heard.

It was the sound of something being torn.

“Ah, no!!”

“Hoo…”

Tango Mal was horrified, and Chochan raised the corners of his mouth as if he was interested.

And Clan Leader Hwang….

“No way!!”

He let out a cry of astonishment.

In contrast, Cheonbeom wore a sneer.

“It’s not impossible. Isn’t that right? It’s not over until it’s over.”

Hwang Gon’s doppelganger had an arm torn off and was bleeding black blood.

* * *

At the same time.

Saha Soseon was pacing back and forth in the guest room of the Hwang Clan.

He didn’t want to set foot in the Hwang Clan if possible, but he had no choice.

‘What should I do?’

His top priority was to somehow bring that High Immortal with the Cheon surname back with him.

But no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t come up with a solution.

“Damn bastards. When I mentioned Geonwon Sea, they backed out like loaches [a type of fish known for being slippery and difficult to catch].”

He never dreamed they would resort to such a despicable trick to snatch the High Immortal as soon as they left Geonwon Sea.

Originally, ascended High Immortals were supposed to appear in the Ascension Platform prepared inside the Water Realm, but there were exceptions.

Some, like Cheonbeom, popped up randomly outside the Water Realm.

In such cases, the closest clan would usually take them in.

At first, when he was told that he would appear in Sugung [Underwater Palace], he had conflicts with other clans, but everyone backed out at the mention of Geonwon Sea.

In the Upper Realm, Geonwon Sea was a place of deeply rooted awe.

The number of those who went to Geonwon Sea and disappeared without a trace was countless.

The Sa Clan was the one who took the risk and brought the High Immortal.

But now they were trying to snatch him away in the middle, so Saha couldn’t hide his anger.

Thanks to the Hwang Heir’s blathering, didn’t his own image only worsen?

‘It’s true that I didn’t say it…’

Saha’s pacing quickened.

If it were any other High Immortal, he would have given up completely. If the Hwang Clan was going this far, there was nothing he could do.

But she couldn’t give up.

‘A High Immortal with golden eyes, as the divination foretold. And the aura he subtly exudes is also the Divine Flame Physique.’

The Sa Clan was walking the path of ruin.

But according to the divination, he would restore the clan’s glory.

“I can’t just stand by. If I have nothing to offer, I’ll have to show sincerity with my body… or at least with my sincerity.”

Every year, countless Lesser Immortals die and are reborn in battles with the Immortal Insects.

Watching those who were close friends until yesterday lose their memories and return as children was now too difficult.

I didn’t want to see it anymore.

Creak.

He opened the door of the guest room and stepped outside.

The mountain range of Yongmagol was clearly visible in her eyes.

The Lesser Immortals of Yongmagol reflected in her eyes were full of energy.

It was different from Sangseo.

There were no people trembling in fear of the Immortal Insect attacks, and it wasn’t overflowing with children who had been reborn and reincarnated.

The children’s eyes showed intelligence, and their faces showed vitality.

Saha envied that.

She closed her eyes tightly and slapped her cheeks with both hands.

Slap!

“Let’s go to the High Immortal.”

I can’t offer conditions that are tempting, but if I earnestly plead, who knows how a heart without form might change.

“Let’s do that.”

That’s when it happened.

“What are you going to do?”

Saha frowned at the voice.

“What is it this time?”

It was the Hwang Heir.

Despite Saha’s question, he stood on the railing and scanned the scenery of Yongmagol.

“It’s different from Sangseo.”

“Please show some respect.”

“We used to be quite close when we were young… don’t you remember?”

“I don’t know anything about that.”

Saha replied calmly.

She had heard that she used to be on good terms with the Hwang Heir, but that was when they were just little kids.

And what’s important is not the past but the present.

It’s the self that lives in the present.

Contrary to her calm demeanor, the Hwang Heir looked at her with longing eyes.

“That’s the fate of a Lesser Immortal. Even if the appearance remains the same, they lose their memories… it’s a cruel life, isn’t it?”

“That’s just the reward and punishment from the heavens for those born in the Upper Realm.”

“You’ve received that punishment more often. Did you commit some sin in your past life?”

Saha’s mood immediately soured at the Hwang Heir’s mocking tone.

“Watch your words, Hwang Heir. I’m representing the Clan Leader of the Sa Clan. I’m not an ordinary Lesser Immortal that the Hwang Clan’s youngest son can treat carelessly.”

As she growled and warned him, the Hwang Heir raised both hands to the sky and feigned innocence.

“Oh, I made a mistake, Acting Clan Leader. Seeing you like this reminds me of when I saw the Acting Clan Leader when I was young. You had a unique talent and were ahead of everyone else in martial arts from a young age, and you were praised as being better than most men in dealing with the Immortal Insects. That’s Saha, the current Acting Clan Leader.”

“…What’s your point?”

As she narrowed her brows and asked back, the corners of the Hwang Heir’s mouth twisted.

“I’m just saying that it’s a pity that the Acting Clan Leader, who has such talent, was born with a congenital disability and couldn’t become a High Immortal even after taking the Won Gyeoldan [a powerful elixir]. The disappointment of the clan’s elders must have been immense.”

Then Saha’s eyes turned cold.

Blood seeped out from her clenched fist and dripped to the floor.

“Did you ask why I came? I just wanted to see your face because I remembered our old connection. Oh, you don’t seem to be feeling well, so I’ll be on my way.”

He said, calling her Acting Clan Leader.

And then he disappeared.

Saha glared at the spot where the Hwang Heir had disappeared, biting her lip so hard that blood flowed.

“Yes, I need a High Immortal to cure that disability. No, I will cure it!”

Saha wiped the blood with her sleeve and turned her steps towards Yongchaebong, where he would be.