Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 31

Nangseon’s Spirited Journey – 30

In the hazy mist where one could barely see an inch ahead.

Whoosh.

Shh.

A streak of red light danced around him.

It was hard to guess what it was, rapidly circling and wrapped in red light.

He sheathed the sword he had drawn and suddenly waved his hand.

The moment his figure disappeared and reappeared, San-gun was holding a centipede with numerous legs.

“Bokchung?”

He thought it was a spirit insect from Yeongnae Mountain, but seeing the Geumje [a type of talisman or seal] attached to it, it was someone’s Bokchung [a type of spirit-controlled insect].

He watched the centipede wriggling and squeaking, then slightly raised the corner of his mouth and released the Bokchung again.

The Bokchung, which had been squeaking, turned back into a red light and flew into the air, and San-gun chased after it.

A moment later.

“How curious.”

The place where the Bokchung stopped was none other than where the Gyeonghwanpae [a jade pendant used in formations] was stuck.

The Bokchung approached the Gyeonghwanpae and suddenly stretched its body, wrapping around the treasure.

After that, the aura of spiritual energy emanating from the Gyeonghwanpae was slightly distorted.

-Do you know what it is?

-I don’t know the details, but it seems to be trying to twist the Hwanjin [Illusion Formation].

-Twist?

-Yes. Since it’s not easy to find the Taoists who deployed the Hwanjin, they are using some kind of spell to find the Gyeonghwanpae first. After that, they twist the Jin [formation’s energy flow] of the Gyeonghwanpae to take control. It’s one way to break the Hwanjin, but… it doesn’t seem like that’s their intention.

In other words, they were trying to use the Hwanjin instead. As expected, the color of the Hwanmu [illusionary mist] was gradually turning red, and its condition was strangely unstable.

-Hwaran. Would it be useful to steal one of these?

-Well. It looks like someone’s Bokchung… If you keep it, the owner will notice.

-What if I put another Geumje on it?

-…That might work. But if you put a Geumje on someone else’s Bokchung, your training will be revealed.

-It’s okay for a moment. Besides, seeing a Bokchung messing with one Gyeonghwanpae, there must be Bokchungs on most of the Gyeonghwanpae laid out in the area.

-Are you perhaps going to take them all?

-If possible, wouldn’t it be good to have them, just in case?

-That’s true, but….

-Enough, just tell me the Geumje Gugyeol [a specific incantation or hand seal for the Geumje].

Hwaran sighed and told San-gun, who was urging her, the Gugyeol.

He nodded and reached out to the Bokchung attached to the Gyeonghwanpae.

Muttering the Gugyeol, particles of light flew from his mouth to the Bokchung. After a while, the Bokchung became quiet as if it had fallen asleep, and he happily rolled it up and put it into the Gongjeonggang [a type of storage artifact].

“Hoo.”

He breathed out and reached out again to pull out the Gyeonghwanpae, but stopped.

-What happens if I pull this out?

-The Geumje on the Gyeonghwanpae will be activated and try to kill San-gun.

He crossed his arms and pondered for a moment.

Then, someone appeared in the Hwanmu.

It was Byeongnyeop, a Taoist from Mudang [a famous Taoist sect].

His gray Jangsam [Taoist robe] was stained with blood, and he looked exhausted, as if he had been fighting fiercely.

“What, a Sword Immortal? I thought it was Taoist Taechan, damn it. What are you staring at! Do you think my appearance is funny!”

He seemed to think he was just a Sword Immortal and suddenly got angry. It was as if he had been slapped somewhere else and was venting his anger on him.

‘Should I kill him?’

As he was contemplating.

He was about to pass by, but stopped abruptly, and his face changed when he saw the Gyeonghwanpae next to him.

“Oh! You were protecting the Gyeonghwanpae!”

San-gun’s expression crumpled.

He didn’t know why the personality of a Taoist was so dog-like.

But Byeongnyeop didn’t seem to care about his thoughts and approached happily.

He looked at the Gyeonghwanpae, nodded, muttered, and shouted.

“Taoist Taechan! Are you there!! I am protecting your Gyeonghwanpae, so come out quickly!!”

San-gun was so dumbfounded that he let out a hollow laugh.

To be able to spout such blatant lies without batting an eye.

At this point, should he call him amazing?

-Amazing.

Hwaran also seemed to be shaking her head.

A moment later.

A figure soon appeared in the Hwanmu; it was Taechan of the Bing Palace [Ice Palace Sect].

He was also quite surprised to see Byeongnyeop of Mudang in the Hwanjin.

He also seemed puzzled as to how he had found him.

“Please help me! The reckless thug of Taesan [Mount Tai Sect] has attacked Mudang!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Taoist Gojun of the Taesan sect is after me! All the Mudang disciples have been defeated, and I barely escaped! He has also entered this Hwanjin, so I am asking Taoist Taechan for help!”

Taechan was bewildered.

He was making thorough preparations to catch Ohyuk Chohak, but suddenly the state of the Hwanjin became strange.

Moreover, he couldn’t even reveal what was going on, and Mudang was asking for help, so he was dumbfounded.

“No. First… Why is Taoist Gojun after Taoist Byeongnyeop?”

In the first place, how could a Taoist from Taesan be after a Taoist from Mudang?

Unless he knew the reason, he couldn’t rashly intervene.

“That, that is….”

As Byeongnyeop was hesitating as if he was in trouble.

“It’s because the old man stole my Geumjangjitae [Golden Ginseng Root]!”

Gojun of Taesan and other Doseons [Taoist masters] emerged from the Hwanmu.

“Nonsense!! You are the one who killed all my disciples to steal my Geumjangjitae! Have you ever seen such a bastard!”

“Hmph! You stole my Geumjangjitae with such arrogance, and you have the nerve to say that! Taoist Taechan! There is no need to listen to that old monster’s words! Anyway, it’s just a matter between me and the old monster! We’ll settle it ourselves!”

Taoist Gojun floated the Taetanbo [a type of Taoist artifact, often a staff or whisk] into the air as if there was nothing more to say and spread his killing intent. Looking at that appearance alone, it seemed that Gojun’s words were correct. But looking at Byeongnyeop’s expression, it seemed that his words were also correct, so it was confusing.

Taechan looked back and forth between the two, but the truth was shrouded in mystery.

‘Geumjangjitae?’

And.

San-gun, who had been listening to the stories of the Doseons confronting each other, suddenly had a glint in his eyes.

-Geumjangjitae is a rare treasure that is rarely seen even in the Manbo Era [a legendary era of cultivation]!

That’s right.

It was not only an elixir that would prolong life just by eating it, but also an elixir that would help one achieve enlightenment in their training.

At that time, a youthful Jeoneum [telepathic message] penetrated his mind.

San-gun raised the corner of his mouth.

“Gojun! Could it be that you have done something to this palace’s Baekbingjinyeonmu [White Ice Frozen Mist Formation]?”

Taechan looked at Gojun with suspicious eyes.

“Hwanjin? I didn’t do anything. Come to think of it, the state of the Hwanjin is strange. Baekbingjinyeonmu shouldn’t be a Hwanjin that emits such red mist….”

“That’s right. It seems like someone is using magic… They are not showing themselves. The atmosphere is unusual, so I would like to stop the two of you from fighting.”

Then Byeongnyeop shouted in surprise.

“Stop it! You must catch the heinous bastard with me!”

“I have no way of knowing who is telling a lie. So, I can’t rashly lend a hand.”

Byeongnyeop pounded his chest with his fist as if he was dying of injustice. But since people cannot be judged hastily, Taechan could only smile bitterly.

“Haha, Taoist Taechan. As I said before, if you don’t interfere, Taesan will give you a suitable reward!”

Taechan smiled faintly and opened his mouth.

“If it’s not the two of you, then someone else has entered the Hwanjin. It seems like he’s up to something, so please lend a hand. You can settle your grudges after that, can’t you?”

For him, this was the best he could do.

Besides, Ohyuk Chohak was wandering around in the Hwanjin, and there was one more enemy, so he couldn’t delay.

Since distrust was rampant, it was best to create a common enemy and put out the urgent fire first.

But then.

San-gun, who had been quietly watching the situation, opened his mouth.

“May I say something?”

The others had expressions that said, ‘What is a Sword Immortal doing,’ but Taechan nodded.

“When I was alone here. The Doseon of Mudang said this. ‘I stole the Geumjangjitae, but his divine power is strong, so I will have to borrow the power of the Bing Palace.'”

At the sudden thunderbolt-like sound, sparks flew from Byeongnyeop’s eyes.

“Where did that Sword Immortal come from with such nonsense…!”

“Haha! So the truth is revealed! Now, do you understand! It’s that guy!”

Taechan narrowed his eyes and subtly moved closer to Gojun.

Byeongnyeop shouted that it was nonsense, but Taechan ignored him.

That Sword Immortal was someone he had brought with him, so why would he lie?

“Y, you! You bastard!!”

Just as Byeongnyeop was about to throw a treasure at the Sword Immortal in anger.

Shushuk!

Puk puk puk!

“Keueok!!”

Byeongnyeop’s body was torn to shreds by the treasures thrown by the Taesan sect’s Doseons.

Byeongnyeop, who had been riddled with holes in an instant, glared at the Sword Immortal as if he would kill him and then died.

“Haha! You coveted other people’s things, so good for you!”

Gojun laughed heartily.

He took the Gongjeonggang out of Byeongnyeop’s arms, put it in his arms, and sent a Jeoneum.

-I will reward you greatly when I get out of here!

San-gun just smiled silently.

As the situation was sorted out, Gojun and Taechan watched the state of the Hwanjin and pondered.

They had killed a person, but they treated it as if it had never happened, as if they were quite used to it.

“What do you think about withdrawing the Hwanjin?”

“I can’t do that. The moment I try to withdraw it, the initiative will be handed over to him, and I will be completely trapped.”

“There is a problem with the Gyeonghwanpae, so how about going to each one and eliminating the problem?”

“Yes, that’s what I came here to do in the first place… There is no problem with the pae here.”

“Hehe, then how about going to the eye of the Hwanjin and holding out longer? That might be what he wants. No matter who he is, if there are many people gathered together, he will have no way to do anything!”

“That’s right. I might be attacked by him if I wander around… Okay. Let’s do that. You come with me too. You’ll just die a dog’s death if you stay here.”

Taechan nodded and ordered, looking at San-gun. Just as he was about to nod, thinking it was a good idea.

[Where do you think you’re going.]

It was a voice that seemed to shrink his limbs.

Along with that eerie voice, a sound that pierced the air struck his ears.

“Keueok!”

“Keok!”

With a final scream, the figures of the two collapsed. The Taesan sect’s Doseons.

Gojun’s disciples.

Seeing them with their heads smashed in an instant, the others couldn’t help but be shocked.

It was two red beads that had smashed their heads. The energy they emitted was unusual, and it even allowed them to guess the level of the person who was handling them.

“B, Biseon [Ascended Immortal]!”

The Taoists bit their lower lips tightly at the increasingly oppressive Yeongap [spiritual pressure].

Only Doseons and Sword Immortals were supposed to come to Yeongnae Mountain, so how could there be a Biseon!

“No! It’s Samtong Yosu [Three-Eyed Poisonous Serpent]!”

A red figure appeared from the Hwanmu.

He was a man with red skin wearing a brown sackcloth.

Eyes split vertically like a snake.

And the two horns protruding from his forehead were telling him that he was not human.

Taechan was aghast and threw two talismans from his arms in an instant.

The man with red skin, Samgwi, smirked at their appearance and opened his mouth slightly.

Then, a red stream flowed out of his mouth and flowed into the beads floating in the air.

As soon as the beads touched the stream, they violently shook and turned into streaks of red light.

Kwajak!

Then, he smashed the talismans and treasures that had been sent flying in an instant.

“How can this be!”

“How could you, with such paltry things, do anything to me, Samgwi!!”

The Doseons were intimidated by the spirited cry.

“S, Samgwi!!”

“Get out of the way!”

Taechan, who was horrified by the blood-red beads, was flustered, so Gojun threw the Taetanbo.

Chwarararak!

The Taetanbo, which flew away with a rough noise, collided with the two beads.

Kwaang!