Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 300

Romance of Nangseon – Part 2, Episode 9

The sky was overcast today, hiding the sun and dimming the light.

Because of that, Yongma Valley, already thick with humidity, grew even foggier, and I felt as heavy as a waterlogged sponge.

Hwaran commented that today’s weather matched the Mountain Lord’s face after eating… well, something unpleasant.

“Mountain Lord.”

“I didn’t eat anything!” he retorted automatically, but that wasn’t her point.

“It’s not that…”

“I’m thinking,” he interrupted, before Hwaran could elaborate. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“Are you thinking about another woman while you’re with me?”

Her tone was sharp, but Cheonbeom recognized the start of another one of her teasing jokes.

Normally, he would have played along, knowing it was a jest, but he wasn’t in the mood.

He fell silent, staring blankly at Yongma Valley, shrouded in mist.

As she’d said, Cheonbeom was indeed thinking about another woman.

More precisely, a woman who had disappeared and then returned.

That woman was Saha Soseon.

She wasn’t Geummyeong Jisu, but she was also her reincarnation.

Beom still felt a sense of obligation towards her and wanted to ease that feeling, if possible.

‘I wish I could meet her properly.’

He felt a pang of sadness that he couldn’t.

‘Thank you. I’m sorry.’

Their relationship wasn’t one where such words could be easily spoken.

But even if he couldn’t say them aloud, he wanted to express them in his heart and through his actions.

But she had returned to her original place, and it seemed he wouldn’t have another chance to meet her.

Saha existed, but…

‘She is not Jisu.’

Then how should he resolve this debt?

That was what preoccupied Beom’s thoughts.

Crack, crack!

“What’s that sound?”

Puzzled by the noise, he saw Tamhwa nearby, gnawing on tree roots.

“Why is she eating tree roots here…”

“Hmph, Tamhwa. Our master is brooding over a woman again. Let’s give him some space.”

Her tone was clearly sarcastic, but Beom simply shook his head.

“Now, fetch!”

Hwaran, who had been holding some treats, tossed them towards the base of Yongchaebong.

Cheonbeom stared at her, dumbfounded.

“What are you doing?”

“Tamhwa enjoys it.”

“…”

It was like throwing a bone to a dog. He couldn’t understand her actions.

“It’s much better than pining after a reincarnated woman.”

“It’s not like that.”

“Then what is it? Bringing another woman into your residence, and claiming it’s ‘not like that’? *Sob sob.* Things weren’t like this back in Baekseon… I wish you couldn’t even shapeshift!”

She pretended to wipe away tears with her sleeve, acting like she was crying. She teased him like this whenever she had the opportunity.

“Did I even want to bring her here?”

She had collapsed and refused to move, leaving him with no other option.

Now that he knew she was the reincarnation of Geummyeong Jisu, he couldn’t simply leave her somewhere where the Hwang family might harm her.

“Thanks to you, rumors are spreading that the newly arrived Sangseon [a high-ranking celestial official] has taken Soseon as his own.”

“Are you trying to nag me or curse me? Pick one.”

“Then I’ll curse you.”

“No, don’t.”

Saha was still recovering and remained asleep in her residence.

She is not Jisu.

But she is her reincarnation.

Therefore, the answer was already clear.

“What should I do about the Hwang family…”

For the past month, he had stayed within the Hwang family’s territory, listening to their stories.

He learned about the state of the Suye Gye [a specific realm or domain].

And the various families within the Suye Gye.

The relationship between the Hwang family and the Sa family.

“Is there any need to take action against the Hwang family?”

“Yes, there is. The Hwang family wasn’t always prosperous. They amassed a fortune about a thousand years ago and became very wealthy.”

“Why is that relevant?”

“Originally, when you acquire great wealth, you desire even more.”

“Does that have anything to do with us?”

Not yet.

“But it will in the future.”

Cheonbeom, wearing a black robe, turned and headed east.

Hwaran, watching his retreating figure, sighed and muttered.

“The older you get, the less I understand what you’re thinking.”

Then she glanced towards Yongchaebong and pulled another treat from her pocket.

Just then, Tamhwa reappeared and barked.

“I’m here!”

“Now, fetch!”

*Whoosh!*

Another treat vanished into the fog.

Tamhwa disappeared once more.

* * *

“Father, I need to speak with you…”

*Splash.*

The Hwang family head, engrossed in his work, listened to his youngest son, Hwangson.

“The Sa family’s girl hasn’t been seen for a month.”

“…You mean, she hasn’t left the eastern section of Yongchaebong.”

The Hwang family head chuckled.

“Indeed, a man is a man.”

What else could it mean when a woman remained secluded in a man’s room for an entire month?

Especially a woman responsible for the Sa family’s interests.

A family that relied more on a Sangseon’s favor than the Hwang family did.

The situation was obvious.

‘All she has is her body.’

Wasn’t she simply using her feminine wiles?

“This is no laughing matter. What if he becomes infatuated and sides with the Sa family?”

He was an exceptional Sangseon.

The fact that Hwang Gon, the family head known for his calm and steady leadership, had been defeated had already spread far and wide.

Moreover, they had granted him Yongnoe [a valuable resource or territory]. If they lost him to the Sa family now, the loss would be immense.

“That won’t happen.”

Hwang Gon remained confident.

“He is a god who ascended from the lower realm.”

The reason they valued ascended gods more than those born in the upper realms was their extensive experience.

Ascended cultivators, having endured countless hardships, possessed a depth of experience unmatched by gods from the upper realm.

Otherwise, how could they have risen from the lower realm to begin with?

“The allure of the flesh is potent, but if he were someone easily swayed by a mere woman, he wouldn’t have reached this point.

Besides, no matter how skilled that girl is in the bedroom, he will soon tire of the rough skin of a woman who spends her days catching Seonchungs [a type of insect or creature].”

Hwangson nodded.

“That would be ideal. We simply need to make him aware that there are other women available to share his bed besides the Sa family’s girl. You’re well-versed in that area, why not offer him one this time?”

“You mean…”

“You’re known for your womanizing ways in Yongma Valley. Find him a quick-witted woman with exceptional beauty and impeccable service. Then Cheon Suseon [Celestial Cultivator] will prefer a girl with soft skin over such a rough woman.”

“Aha! If we do that, that girl’s efforts will be in vain, and we’ll secure a valuable Sangseon.”

The Hwang family head sighed at his son’s inability to see the hidden dangers.

“Find a suitable girl.”

“Yes!”

Just then, one of the Hwang family head’s confidants rushed in.

“What’s happening?”

“Cheon Suseon of Yongchaebong has arrived.”

“Cheon Suseon?”

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

“Excellent. It’s been over a month since Suseon arrived. It’s time he gave us his answer.”

“What are your intentions?”

“Prepare everything as I instructed earlier. I’ll handle the rest.”

* * *

*Creak.*

Yongdugol, the location of the Hwang family’s main base.

As I ascended the stone steps and pushed open the gate, I saw the Hwang family head and a group of women already assembled.

“We’ve been waiting for you, Cheon Suseon.”

The table was laden with food and alcohol.

There were also women of striking beauty, dressed in thin, revealing pink garments.

Their lips were painted red, and their allure was overwhelming, making it difficult to know where to look.

-They’re determined.

As Hwaran had said.

There had been numerous attempts to sway him towards the Hwang family over the past month.

But after repeated failures, they seemed particularly resolute today.

“Please, take a seat.”

As soon as I sat down, the women, as if on cue, settled beside me and filled my glass.

“What is all this?”

“It’s nothing. I hadn’t considered Suseon’s fatigue from his ascension, so I failed to provide women to attend to you. I’m expressing my sincerity now.”

“Sincerity…”

Cheonbeom’s expression became unreadable. Seeing his ambiguous reaction, the Hwang family head quickly continued.

“The skin of the women in Yongma Valley is far softer than the rough skin of the Sa family’s girl. If you’re seeking companionship, wouldn’t silk be preferable to straw?”

“Silk rather than straw…”

Beom’s lips curved slightly.

The Hwang family head smiled faintly in response.

“Women are like that for Suseons destined for greatness.”

Beom silently reached out and grasped the waist of the woman beside him. She blushed in surprise but quickly leaned into him, embracing him.

The woman emanated a rich floral fragrance.

As he held her, the Hwang family head seemed increasingly excited and repeatedly called for toasts.

After several rounds of drinks, the Hwang family head subtly broached the subject.

“Since that ‘straw’ is infested with insects, wouldn’t it be unpleasant to sleep with? I’ve gathered the finest female Seons [celestial beings] in Yongma Valley, so please, choose someone to ease your weariness. Tonight, you may have them all. The fatigue of ascension must be immense, and a great man requires many women.”

The women’s faces flushed crimson.

Many were already casting longing glances at Beom.

“Haha, I feel uncomfortable receiving so much without offering anything in return.”

“Hahaha! Is this all? If Suseon joins our family, this is nothing. If you truly feel uneasy, would you care to hear a tale from this old Hwangmo [Hwang family elder]?”

“It’s no trouble to listen.”

At the Hwang family head’s gesture, the female Seons nodded and rose from their seats.

I was curious about the story he intended to tell that required dismissing the women.

As the last woman Beom held sent a regretful look and departed, the Hwang family head began to speak, as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“Suseon may not be aware, but I hold you in high regard.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m not simply flattering you. During our recent match in the Janjanjeongdo [a specific location or event], Suseon held back considerably. It gave me much to consider.”

“What did you consider?”

The Hwang family head raised the bottle to his lips and drained it, as if his throat was parched.

“Cheon Suseon.”

“Tell me.”

“Would you be interested in becoming the head of Sangseo [a high-ranking position]?”

“…What do you mean?”

“How would you like to establish the Cheon family in Sangseo?”

Creating the Cheon family in Sangseo.

Cheonbeom’s own family.

A smile played on his lips.