Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 315

Tales of a Wandering Swordsman – Part 2, Chapter 24

“Who are you?”

On the frozen lake, where a chilling cold emanated, Chun-bum gazed at Wan-hyung with an intrigued expression.

However, his face had transformed, now indifferent and devoid of its previous innocence, as if displeased with the current situation.

“Would you even understand if I told you who I am?”

Unlike before, his tone was even, resembling that of a seasoned adult rather than a boy.

“Well, even if I know nothing else, I certainly know that after the fire of Extreme Yang Mountain disappeared, a young immortal, presumed dead, is alive.”

The two must be related, especially now.

A moment of silence lingered between them, and an inexplicable tension began to build. Wan-hyung broke the silence.

“Yes, you’re right. Thanks to you, I’ve come this far, so I see no reason to hide it anymore.”

With those words, Wan-hyung walked past Chun-bum and approached the frozen tree.

“This child died long ago. The soul has already crossed into the cycle of reincarnation, so I’m temporarily using the body as a vessel.”

With each step, smoke rose, and the ice melted. Gradually, his sleeves began to burn, and his entire body was engulfed in flames.

“You asked who I am?”

He reached out to the frozen tree. Instantly, the tree melted and split into several branches, blooming like a flower bud unfolding its tightly closed petals.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I have found my name again.”

Inside the tree that bloomed like a flower, something resembling a horn emitted a faint light. It seemed extraordinary at first glance.

Perhaps it was the Yeongnae Mountain [a sacred peak] of the Extreme Yang Mountain, but speculation is just speculation. Nothing is certain.

Chun-bum waited patiently with his hands behind his back for him to speak.

“My name is Sa-ak (侯岳).”

Sa-ak was now engulfed in flames, appearing very satisfied, no matter what the horn in his hand was.

“So, you’re from the Sa clan.”

“Yes, I am from the Sa clan.”

If he was from the Sa clan of the Ministry of Personnel, he might be related to Sa-ha, perhaps an ancestor. Chun-bum had many questions for him.

“You must have many questions, but please wait a moment. I have much to do.”

*Swish.*

As the horn entered his body, his eyes flashed, and a strong light burst from his entire being.

*Kugugugugu!*

His entire body burst into flames, illuminating the surroundings. Soon, the flames subsided, revealing a handsome young man.

Chun-bum pondered his next move, deciding to observe him a little longer. The energy and character he sensed didn’t seem evil.

“I was originally a prisoner bound here.”

“A prisoner?”

“Or rather, the incarnation of a prisoner.”

Chun-bum’s brow furrowed. Yeongsan (靈山) [sacred mountains] are often created when an immortal commits a sin and is imprisoned as punishment.

The Extreme Yang Mountain, one of the Five Elements Yeongsan, is one such place. So, Sa-ak, who calls himself a prisoner, is a being who committed a sin in the past and was imprisoned in the Extreme Yang Mountain.

‘Judging by him calling himself an incarnation…’

The original being imprisoned in the Extreme Yang Mountain has long disappeared, and this is its essence. The Yeongnae Mountain, also called Naesandan (內産丹) [inner alchemy], seems to have acquired spirituality and become what he is now.

“It was a big deal. When the Seonchung (仙蟲) [immortal insects] swarms attacked, all the Yeon-gi practitioners (鍊氣師) [Qi cultivation masters] here took refuge in the room where I was, but they were all killed by those that slipped through.”

*Bubbling.*

The frozen lake was steaming and boiling. Sa-ak sat down on the exposed tree stump and rested his chin on his hand.

“The tragedy was a tragedy. I barely managed to enter the body of a young immortal and repair myself, but once I left this room, I couldn’t return, which was troublesome.”

He had used up his strength to heal the young immortal’s body, and since his main body, the horn, was here, he might have suffered in vain for hundreds of years. In the midst of all this, Chun-bum appeared, as if heaven had helped him.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect much from a mere Sangseon (上仙) [high immortal], but you satisfied me enough!”

Sa-ak was overjoyed, but offered no gratitude. The atmosphere between them was strangely subtle.

*Bubbling.*

The once-innocent lake turned into lava, bubbles bursting and sizzling as they touched the surrounding land.

“If you have any questions, I’ll answer them.”

Chun-bum pondered for a moment and asked, “If you are the Yeongnae Mountain of the Extreme Yang Mountain and originally the incarnation of this mountain, what happens to this mountain when you disappear?”

“It will turn into an ordinary Yeongsan. Even while my soul was not one with the horn, the fire energy of the Extreme Yang Mountain did not appear.”

An ordinary Yeongsan… That would be natural, but it wasn’t what Chun-bum wanted.

“I need the fire energy of the Extreme Yang Mountain.”

“What does that have to do with me?”

That’s true. He had been unjustly trapped here for a long time, his main body had died and disappeared, and after a long time, dust had gathered to become the incarnation, Sa-ak, right before his eyes. Chun-bum himself would likely feel the same.

“But if it’s a request from you, who helped me, I might consider it. Shouldn’t a cultivator be clear about favors and grudges? It might become the cause of unnecessary Simma (心魔) [inner demon].”

He was saying he would listen to the story. Chun-bum immediately told him about the current situation of the Ministry of Personnel, the Seonchung attack they suffered unjustly, and the necessity of the Extreme Yang Mountain.

“I see. There’s no reason not to help.”

“Really?”

“I don’t remember exactly, but my main body was also involved with the Ministry of Personnel. I’m not so heartless as to turn a blind eye to their descendants struggling. Besides, I needed time to train my mind and body and gather energy here anyway, so it’s not difficult.”

Sa-ak said with a benevolent face, as if it wasn’t difficult at all.

“But in return, I have a request for you too—a request that you, who broke that seal, can easily grant.”

As Chun-bum was about to ask what it was, Sa-ak gestured for him to come closer. Chun-bum’s golden eyes narrowed. After hesitating, he strode right up to Sa-ak.

It was then.

*Tatatak!!*

Red chains appeared from the lava and bound Chun-bum’s body!

“…What are you doing?”

As his whole body was wrapped in red chains, he couldn’t move easily, especially with the intense fire energy.

Sa-ak smirked as he looked at Chun-bum.

“The reason I chose this child as a vessel was because he had a higher aptitude for Hwasintong (火神痛) [Fire God Technique]. But…”

If there’s a better weapon than what you originally have, shouldn’t you change it? That’s what men do.

Since he was reborn, he had to switch to a better vessel.

“Gratitude is gratitude, but what can I do? There’s no reason not to take what’s better right in front of me!”

Sa-ak immediately reached out his hand towards Chun-bum’s head. Soon, his form became blurred, and a mysterious energy flowed towards Chun-bum.

“It’s a good body. Since you handle powerful Hwasintong, I’ll make good use of it!”

*Hahahahaha!*

Sa-ak’s sharp laughter echoed all around. The mysterious energy flowing from his hand covered Chun-bum’s entire body. Sa-ak instantly tried to transfer his consciousness to Chun-bum’s.

‘I’ll devour you in one gulp.’

He intended to devour Chun-bum’s consciousness and take over his body. It wasn’t difficult to devour the consciousness of someone who was only a Sangseon.

Inside the vast space of nothingness, Sa-ak’s consciousness suddenly felt a strange sense of incongruity and looked around. Chun-bum’s consciousness was nowhere to be seen.

‘This can’t be,’ he thought, looking around when.

“Do you think that’s possible?”

*Teong!*

Due to some kind of repulsive force, Sa-ak’s consciousness was instantly repelled.

“Huff!!”

Sa-ak, who had returned to his original body, moved away from Chun-bum with a face distorted like a demon.

“What did you do!”

“Nothing. I just flicked my finger because you were acting up with that petty consciousness.”

As Chun-bum pretended to flick his finger, a blood vessel popped out on Sa-ak’s forehead.

*Kaddeudeuk!*

“Don’t be arrogant!”

*Hwaaaak!!*

Fierce flames raged from Sa-ak’s entire body. At the same time, red lava boiled from the bottom of the lake, and the entire Extreme Yang Mountain turned red. Intense fire energy that was hard to breathe enveloped Chun-bum.

“Even if your consciousness is strong, the result will not change!”

Sa-ak became fire itself and disappeared.

[There is nothing that can catch fire. Don’t bother and hand over your body!]

That’s what fire is like. It cannot be caught if you hold it in your hand, and its mystery is like the law of nature.

“But it is the immortal who defies that law.”

*Kung.* Chun-bum stomped his foot.

*Hwareureureureuk!*

Golden flames soared from his toes, rushing in all directions.

[Do you think you can do anything to me with that petty Hwasintong!]

“I think I can.”

[!!]

Suddenly, the golden fire that Chun-bum spewed out spread out like a blooming lotus, pushing back Sa-ak’s red flames as if devouring them and steadily increasing its power.

[What!!]

Sa-ak couldn’t believe what he was seeing. No matter how much he was just a fallen incarnation, he was not at the level to be defeated by a Sangseon, especially with his Hwasintong!

‘What on earth is this I’m seeing!’

When the golden and red flames mixed together, fiercely burning each other, a firm grip grabbed the red flames from within the golden flames.

“Come out here, you bastard.”

*Kwack!*

“Keok! How, how did you catch me!!”

Chun-bum’s hand was full of golden petals.

“I caught you because you were caught!”

When he pulled him out of the flames, he returned to the form of a young man. Chun-bum raised the corners of his lips in a smirk.

“Since you said you are the incarnation of a sinner, I will personally give you punishment!”

“You, you bastard!!”

“What, you bastard!”

*Kwang!!*

When Chun-bum punched him in the face, the flames went out in an instant. Sa-ak, slammed into the ground, coughed and couldn’t breathe properly.

“Empty wagons make the most noise.”

He was nothing special, but he was noisy.

*Swaeak!*

Sa-ak, stuck in the ground, turned into a streak of red light and flew away.

“I will never forget you!!”

At that moment when he was about to run away, Chun-bum’s golden fire, burning the surroundings, covered him again. The golden fire swelled like a whip and bound his arms and legs. Soon, the golden fire turned into chains and sealed his limbs with a clatter.

“What a funny guy. Who’s going to send you?”

“Re, release this!! Do you know who I am! You will definitely regret it!”

“Let’s get hit a little more.”

*Kwang! Kung! Bbaak!!*

For a while, the volcano of the Extreme Yang Mountain exploded slightly, and loud noises were heard.

* * *

Three days later, Chun-bum smiled gleefully as he looked at Sa-ak, beaten up here and there. He could have killed him, but that was a bad idea.

One way or another, he was the Naesandan itself of the Extreme Yang Mountain. He was the incarnation of an immortal trapped here, but he had no related memories. Besides, he was needed to keep the fire of the Extreme Yang Mountain from going out.

“Teach the young immortals Yeon-gi techniques well here and produce magical items well.”

“Don’t you dare order me!”

“Really? Then shall I roast you until you beg me to give you orders?”

Chun-bum hung Sa-ak, bound in chains, in the air and lit his golden fire below him.

“Kkeuaak! What the hell is this damn flame! Why does the incarnation itself feel hot, damn it!!”

Chun-bum tortured Sa-ak with his golden fire for three days and nights again, but he was persistent. He thought it wouldn’t work like this, so he tortured him from time to time for about a month to tire him out, and only then did he cry, beg, and bow his head. Chun-bum then placed all kinds of Geumje (禁制) [prohibitions] and made him his subordinate.

“I’m going to send the young immortals, so teach them well. You’ve been watching the Yeon-gi practitioners here, so you should know roughly what to do.”

The Sa clan has been based here for at least thousands of years. He must have seen a lot during that time, so he should be able to teach them.

“How can I…”

“Aren’t you going to do it?”

“I’ll do it. I’ll do it!”

“Okay, do well. If you bother the young immortals for no reason, I’ll come back, so keep that in mind.”

“Damn…”

“What?”

“It’s nothing.”

Chun-bum, staring at Sa-ak, struck the back of his head with his fist.

*Kwang!*

“Why! Why are you hitting me!”

“Just because you’re unlucky.”

“I will definitely… Keuheok!”

Sa-ak grabbed his chest and collapsed. It seems that the Geumje was activated because he harbored a wicked heart towards Chun-bum.

“Take care of yourself. Huh? Then I might release the Geumje. I am a Sinseon [divine immortal] of the Ministry of Personnel, and your roots were also with the Ministry of Personnel.”

It wasn’t the result he originally wanted, but this wasn’t so bad either. The Extreme Yang Mountain was revived, and he also made a Yeon-gi practitioner his slave.

He was sad about the Naesandan of the Five Elements Yeongsan, but Subongwaeoejeong (水峰外外精) [Water Peak Outer Essence] was not urgent, so it didn’t matter much.

‘It would be better to improve and use it a little rather than creating a new one.’

Anyway, it’s not bad because the revival of the Extreme Yang Mountain will give the Ministry of Personnel a little breathing room.

‘Yeah, this is not bad.’

He knew a lot of magic and had more knowledge about magical item forging than himself. If he uses such a guy as a subordinate, he will have many uses in the future.

‘The Ministry of Personnel will be fine too.’

Now that they have regained their lost skills, they will not be at a loss for how to live in the future. Creating jobs is what the current Ministry of Personnel needs.

“Now, I wonder if only Sa-ha will come out.”

By the time he becomes a complete Sangseon and finishes his seclusion… The Sangseon Martial Arts Competition will be held.