Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 303

The next day.

Lanterns, prepared by Yong Chaebong, adorned every room of the Eastern District.

The lanterns floated, brightly illuminating the Eastern District, and beneath one of them sat Cheonbeom, the master of Yong Chaebong’s Eastern District.

He sat in a chair under the lantern, engrossed in a book.

It contained the secret formulas of Subongwaeoe Jeong-ui [a rare and powerful martial arts technique], obtained from the Lower World.

“What are you looking at so intently?”

He spoke, noticing Hwaran beside him.

She had brought a chair and sat facing him, chin propped on her hand. She wasn’t teasing him as usual, nor giving him a dissatisfied look.

He had left her in silence for an hour, and she had remained that way, prompting his question.

“I was just thinking how much you’ve grown.”

“That’s out of the blue.”

He retorted, a bit gruff, and she smiled contentedly, gently cupping his cheek with her palm.

“Isn’t it natural for me to feel that way? A tiger who used to lick my palm has grown into such a noble immortal.”

“Are you teasing me again?”

“No, I’m serious. When you were on Mount Baek, you couldn’t even read.”

“That’s…”

That was true.

Back then, he couldn’t read.

He couldn’t even shapeshift properly.

There were many things he couldn’t do.

Besides, when she first saw him, he was a tiger dying from an arrow wound.

Seeing that tiger now, an Upper World Immortal reading books, she couldn’t help but feel deeply moved.

“So… you’re proud?”

“Yes. I raised a tiger who was dying and couldn’t even control his bodily functions to this point. I have no regrets, milord.”

“Quiet.”

Hwaran, who had been gazing at him, leaned closer with a slightly sulky expression.

“But it’s a shame.”

“What is now?”

“The Cheon Clan.”

Why would that be a shame?

If anyone should feel that way, it should be him.

“Why would you feel it’s a shame?”

“Since it’s a place with no ties, a new base is necessary, as Lord Hwang said. Also, for cultivation.”

That wasn’t wrong.

Unlike the Lower World, the Upper World requires Cheonji Wonki, or Immortal Energy, for cultivation, and it’s not available everywhere.

Therefore, cultivators always seek places with abundant Immortal Energy.

Wasn’t the Bidong [a special area] discovered in Geumhwan Immortal Township ultimately for gathering more Immortal Energy?

Thus, a base rich in Immortal Energy is essential for advancing on the Great Dao [the path to enlightenment].

“Mountain Lord, this isn’t the end for you, is it?”

“It’s just the beginning.”

“Then…”

“Are you suggesting I should make the Sa Clan of Sangseo my own?”

He closed the book with a thud and fixed Hwaran with a stare.

“Isn’t that how relationships become love, and the Sa Clan becomes the Cheon Clan?”

Her words implied that he could achieve it without aligning with the Hwang Clan.

It was certainly possible.

Most of the blood relatives who comprised the Sa Clan were said to be dead.

But…

“I’m not interested.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t know when I’ll have to run, so I don’t have the energy to build something like that yet. Exploring the Water Realm comes first.”

“Is it because of that Jiraanwi or Jiranwi of the Sea Dragon?”

That’s right.

“There’s no harm in being careful.”

He was someone who used Immortals like his own limbs.

He was a Prime Immortal, a rare existence even in the Upper World, and he was involved in the Water Realm.

Since he didn’t know when or what kind of danger he might pose, creating a clan was something he could do after gaining more strength.

“Then what will you do about the Hwang Clan?”

“What about the Hwang Clan?”

“Weren’t you going to overturn them?”

“It’s not me who has a grudge against the Hwang Clan, but Sa So-seon. I have an unfulfilled debt to her, but there’s no need to interfere in individual grudges.”

The Hwang Clan’s schemes harmed the Sa Clan, not Cheonbeom.

He had no particular feelings for the Hwang Clan of Yongmagol.

“Whether she repays her grudge or takes revenge differently is her business. Well… I might give her some help.”

Unlike him, she was.

“Burning with revenge.”

* * *

At the same time.

Saha emerged from the Eastern District of Yong Chaebong.

Her body had recovered to some extent, and she couldn’t remain in his residence forever.

She pondered as she left the Eastern District.

‘Why would the Immortal Lord suggest I could create his own clan?’

The path of cultivation is arduous and lonely.

For them, creating a clan and a family connected by blood is a rare privilege.

It’s even more difficult for a cultivator who has just ascended to the Upper World.

If she allied with the Hwang Clan, who had accumulated considerable wealth, success would be guaranteed, making it difficult to refuse their terms.

But he answered as if it were natural.

‘It’s not the right time yet.’

She didn’t know the exact reason, but she suspected complex motivations.

Perhaps he didn’t trust the Hwang Clan, or he refused to repay a debt from a past life.

Or…

‘Maybe he’s waiting for his wife left in the Lower World.’

Saha suddenly touched her cheek and brushed her hair. It felt rough and dry.

Then she let out a hollow laugh and shook her head.

“Was I treated so harshly that even my head is strange? You’re really something.”

A sarcastic voice drifted to her from nearby.

Turning, she saw a grandson of the Hwang Clan smirking unpleasantly.

“You’ve suffered so much, giving up your body and mind, but what will you do? The Sa Clan won’t be able to have the Immortal Lord.”

Ha!

It was obvious what he was thinking.

Like attracts like.

Saha wanted to punch his face, which looked like it had been ground in a millstone, but she endured with a desperate resolve.

“Rice weevils only see rice, and dung beetles only see dung.”

“W-What? Dung?”

“Yes, dung.”

The insulted grandson of the Hwang Clan flushed with anger, then twisted his lips.

The arrogant expression made Saha’s eyes twitch.

She wanted to slap him across the face, but she had to resist.

“Since you’re someone who has nothing to mix with but flesh, there’s no need for us to talk. By the way, where is the Immortal Lord? He was supposed to go to Sangseo today.”

“Today?”

“Yes, I remember going to that barren land when I was young.”

Saha couldn’t help but laugh at his answer.

“How coincidental.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s today for me too.”

“…What do you mean by today?”

The grandson of the Hwang Clan frowned at her sudden answer.

Regardless, Saha smiled eerily.

“The day to unleash my revenge.”

Revenge? The grandson flinched, feeling a pang of guilt, but quickly regained his composure.

“…Revenge? What are you talking about? Did you mistreat your body so much that your head has gone strange?”

Despite his words, his gaze was filled with contempt and disgust.

Then he smirked.

“You looked so radiant when I saw you as a child. Now you’re no different from a courtesan, so you really never know what the future holds, So-seon.”

The rudeness was endless, but instead of getting angry, she retorted with the same sneer.

“I think it’s you who doesn’t know what’s ahead.”

“Ha! Don’t tell me you still believe in that Immortal Lord? I’ll tell you one thing out of consideration for our past relationship. The Immortal Lord has decided to join us!”

“….”

“And I advise you, I wouldn’t take the Immortal Lord to Sangseo. If he arrives there, Sangseo will no longer be your Sangseo!”

She would find out anyway if she went to Sangseo.

Whether she ran or not, knowing in advance wouldn’t change anything.

The grandson of the Hwang Clan hoped she would just run away.

But…

“Is that so.”

She remained calm.

“Then I’ll tell you one thing too.”

Saha brought her mouth close to his ear.

“If I were you, I would run far, far away from in front of me right now.”

“Haha, I’d like to hear the reason. Why should I run away from you?”

“Because that’s how you can survive.”

“…What?”

Just then.

The sky behind Saha was turning black.

At first, she thought it was just dark clouds gathering, but it wasn’t.

She saw a giant dragon. And behind it, an uncountable number of Seonchung [a type of celestial insect] were chasing it.

The number of Seonchung was so enormous that it covered the entire sky of Yongmagol.

The sky turned black, blocking out the sun, revealing their immense numbers.

“An untimely disaster has struck Yongmagol, and quite a few people will die. Just like when Sangseo was attacked by a swarm of mysterious Seonchung in the past, causing many deaths.”

“Th-That’s! What are you talking about!!”

“A disaster. Wouldn’t it be because an Oryong [a type of dragon], who accidentally smeared Mochwihang [a potent attractant] all over its body, is wandering around, attracting the attention of the Seonchung swarm and leading them to Yongmagol?”

“Mochwihang… How did you know that!”

Saha’s lips twisted.

“E-Even so, there are six Immortals in Yongmagol! Do you think they can’t stop a mere swarm of Seonchung!”

“Still, there’s no match for numbers.”

And it wasn’t just a simple swarm of Buchung [another type of celestial insect].

At first glance, there were various Seonchung mixed in. Among them, quite a few possessed powerful strength.

Even with six Immortals, the residents of Yongmagol, except for the Immortals themselves, might all lose their lives to that many Seonchung!

“And who knows, maybe the Oryong who brought the Seonchung swarm is trying to devour the dragons. Oryong are originally centipedes that eat dragons, aren’t they?”

Oryong!

The grandson of the Hwang Clan was terrified.

He had to warn them quickly.

“You said you’d tell me out of consideration for our past relationship. I’d like to do that too. Even if it’s just a little bit of affection, I’ll tell you one thing.”

“Wh-What is it!”

“I really hated you. And I’m grateful that you appeared in front of me now when no one else is around.”

The grandson of the Hwang Clan felt goosebumps all over his body.

What she was saying wasn’t just words, but a thick, palpable murderous intent.

“Thanks to you, I was able to prepare the first step of my revenge with my own hands. I’m really grateful for that.”

A member of the Hwang Clan was brutally killed in Yong Chaebong, but no one noticed due to the Seonchung swarm that engulfed Yongmagol.