Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 317

Nangseon’s Romantic Tale – Part 2, Episode 26

“Hahahahahahaha!”

It had been so long since I laughed like this that I couldn’t even remember the last time.

I laughed because it was funny, but also because it was absurd.

“Haha! And here I thought you were going to ask me for some grand favor, but that’s all it is?”

Saha’s face was flushed red. Was it because she had become a Celestial and the blood of the Hwagirin [a mythical fire-bird clan], hidden within her, was surging forth, allowing her to assume her true form?

Or was it thanks to the elation of condensing the Won-Ok [a spiritual pearl representing inner power] within her body?

She had spoken with too much enthusiasm.

She was incredibly embarrassed, but she figured there was nothing she could do about it now that things had turned out this way.

“Let’s drop the honorifics!”

Like friends!

She put on her best poker face, but the unusually red blush made her look charming.

Cheonbeom burst into laughter again, and after finally calming down, he replied.

“That’s not difficult. Now that we are both Celestials, our statuses are not so different.”

At that, Saha’s lips, which had been flushed with embarrassment, curved into a smile.

“Then, can I call you Beom?”

Saha nodded at his reply.

Cheonbeom looked at Saha with deep eyes. Dropping honorifics meant a closer, more intimate relationship.

He had parted with Jisu in his previous life without even having the chance to do so, but it was truly amazing that he was now dropping honorifics with Saha.

‘She’s clever.’

There was no downside for her in becoming close to him.

Beom was someone who could bring her many things, and she was in a position to receive even more from him.

Cheonbeom shook his head for a moment.

There was no need to think so calculatingly.

She had faint memories of Geummyeongjisu, and she had also become a Celestial by holding her divided soul.

She had completed her mind, body, and spirit as one to condense the Won-Ok, so she was definitely someone else, but he couldn’t say she wasn’t her.

Saha was Jisu, and Jisu was Saha.

She, too, must be trying to build a relationship that she couldn’t achieve in her past life.

If it were another Celestial, he would have felt bad, but if it was Saha, Cheonbeom was happy to oblige.

“Beom, but what is all of th…is?”

She seemed a little awkward omitting honorifics, and her bashful smile was cute.

“This is a celebration for you. Knowing that you would soon emerge, I gathered all the So-seons [disciples or followers] of Sangseo to hold a festival. It’s a celebration for you, the head of the Sa Clan.”

“For me…?”

“Yes, for you.”

With those words, Cheonbeom grabbed Saha’s shoulders and turned her around.

There, many people were gathered, still kneeling and bowing.

From children who didn’t know why they were doing this to old people shedding tears.

The So-seons of Sangseo were all prostrating themselves before her.

Sangseo was the clan of the Hwagirin.

The lineage of the Hwagirin, which had been cut off, was restored with her becoming a Celestial, so how could they not be happy?

“Wave to them, at least. They are pure and kind people. They are rejoicing and moved by your success as if it were their own. They are your So-seons of Sangseo.”

Your Sangseo.

Saha’s heart swelled at his words. She closed her eyes.

The blood and tears that Sangseo had shed all this time were as vivid as yesterday.

But when she opened her eyes again, she saw the prosperous Sangseo and the So-seons who had made it possible welcoming her, so how could she not be overwhelmed with tears?

With the revival of the Hwagirin of the Sa Clan, Sangseo would now walk a path of success.

She couldn’t convey any significant words to the So-seons at the festival that day.

Her throat was so choked up that she felt like she would burst into tears if she opened her mouth.

Instead, she breathed fire and transformed into the form of a Hwagirin.

She stepped into the air and ascended.

Illuminating the dark night sky with the flames of the Hwagirin was her answer.

That night.

Sangseo was warmer than ever.

* * *

The next day.

“So, this person is my ancestor?”

“That’s what they say.”

Saha sat on the throne of Hwamaebong and asked, looking at the man in front of her.

He was Saak, the very embodiment of Geukyangsangsan [a powerful mountain spirit].

“Why don’t you pay your respects to your ancestor? Give him a nice bow.”

Saha’s eyes darted around.

Looking askance at Cheonbeom, she meant to ask if those words were true.

He simply shrugged at her question.

“I’m really out of it.”

The very next day after becoming a Celestial and condensing the Won-Ok, she learned that Geukyangsangsan was the ancestor of the Sa Clan, who had committed a sin, and that Beom had caught him and placed a Geumje [a magical seal or restriction] on him.

“What on earth is going on…?”

“It’s just as it sounds. Saha, just accept it. It’s roughly like that.”

“Beom. This isn’t something you can just tell me to accept!”

If he was really an ancestor of the Sa Clan, then Saak, not her, should be sitting in the position of Clan Head.

However.

‘He’s someone who committed an unknown sin.’

No matter how much of an ancestor he was, she couldn’t hand over the position of Clan Head to someone who was just his incarnation.

“He’s not on good terms with me due to certain circumstances, but he knows a lot of things and considers Sangseo his home, so he’ll do a good job. If he doesn’t, he’ll die by my hand.”

Saak subtly looked around at Cheonbeom’s calm words.

Saha was beyond dumbfounded.

There were more than a few things that bothered her.

The fact that the ancestor was Geukyangsangsan himself, and that such a person was being threatened by Beom and even looking around cautiously, made it even more so.

She was unsure how to sort out this situation and make a decision.

“It can’t be helped, Saha. That guy is the most suitable person. Seeing him teaching Yeon-gi [energy cultivation] to the So-seons in Geukyangsangsan, Sangseo will be fine even without you.”

“Haa….”

That’s right. She was planning to leave Sangseo soon.

If you ask why, it’s because Cheonbeom was participating in the Celestial Martial Arts Competition.

He had made up his mind a long time ago.

For her, if a Sangseo Celestial participated in the Martial Arts Competition and achieved great results, it would naturally be helpful to the clan, so there was no reason to object.

However.

‘I can’t send Beom alone.’

That was the problem.

The Celestials of other clans would be heading to Tongcheonsugung [a celestial palace] with the full support of their clans.

But if a Celestial from a small, remote clan went to the Martial Arts Competition without any direct family members accompanying him, how insignificant would he look?

Saha could never stand by and watch Cheonbeom, who was like a benefactor to her, be treated like that.

However, Saha was the only direct descendant of the Sa Clan. Therefore, although it hadn’t been long since she ascended, Saha was also thinking of leaving Sangseo.

But Saha couldn’t help but wonder if this was the right decision.

“You’re going to the Martial Arts Competition too.”

“Yeah, I’m… what? Me!?”

“Tan Suseon has no interest in martial arts, and Cho Suseon has entered seclusion and has no intention of coming out at all. We can’t take Saak, who isn’t even a complete Celestial, and if that guy leaves Sangseo, the fire of Geukyangsangsan will go out, so no way.”

Of course, Saha had to go.

Her participation was a bonus.

“Think of it as a good experience. It’ll be easier to fill the vessel within you if you accumulate various experiences.”

“But….”

“Let’s think about the rest after we depart. The Martial Arts Competition starts in three months. I’ve already written your name on the entry list, so you can’t back out now.”

Saha sighed deeply.

She was in trouble because a big problem had arisen as soon as she became a Celestial.

She was also worried.

Participating in the Martial Arts Competition.

Saak, who would be looking after Sangseo in the meantime.

“It’s okay. I’ve placed thirty-six Geumje on that guy’s body.”

“…”

That’s not what I meant.

Saha was curious about how he had placed thirty-six Geumje, but she soon gave up thinking about it.

“Okay. It doesn’t seem like I have a choice anyway….”

From the beginning, Saha had no choice in this matter.

He had decided everything and planned the work a long time ago.

It couldn’t be helped, but there was nothing she could do now.

“When do we leave?”

“Tomorrow.”

“…”

When she glared at him, Cheonbeom looked back as if to say, ‘What do you want me to do?’

‘Now I understand a little.’

Why he fought so much with Geummyeongjisu.

Saha chuckled and took a deep breath before getting up from her seat.

“I knew we didn’t have much time. Since we’re leaving tomorrow, I need to prepare now. And Saak.”

“What?”

“To be honest, I have a hard time accepting that you’re my ancestor. I’m very doubtful about whether I can entrust you with the position of acting Clan Head, but since that’s what my friend wants, I’ll give it a try. I’ll start handing over the duties of acting Clan Head from now on, so please follow me quickly.”

“Hmph, I don’t want to do this kind of thing either… Of course, since it’s the work of a descendant of the same blood, I’ll actively lend my strength.”

Saak, who had been about to say something else, glanced at Cheonbeom and changed his words. In any case, Saha immediately took Saak and began the handover, and Beom packed his luggage in his own way.

He selected the So-seons who would accompany them, and spent a hectic day searching for the crests and flags that would symbolize Sangseo and the clan.

The next day.

“Hmm….”

Cheonbeom pondered as he looked at Tamhwa, who was staring blankly at him.

“Tamhwa, can you stay here for a while?”

“No! I want to go with you!”

“Umm….”

He was in trouble.

The Martial Arts Competition was held in Tongcheonsugung.

And Tongcheonsugung was likely to have more Celestials with higher levels.

That meant there was a high probability that Tamhwa’s status as a Chungseon [a being of pure energy] would be revealed.

‘It doesn’t matter if his status as a Chungseon is revealed. But it’ll be troublesome if they set their sights on him.’

Tamhwa was a strong Chungseon.

He was also a special kid.

But in the Dao Realm [a lower plane of existence].

Now, in the Upper Realm, being special could be a poison.

This place was a sky full of people stronger than him.

In that place, Cheonbeom wasn’t confident that he could protect Tamhwa from Hyangseon and Wonseon [higher-level Celestials].

‘Tamhwa swallowed Woncheonggang [a powerful energy source], so….’

If he took Tamhwa, he might accidentally run into Jiranwi, the original owner of Woncheonggang.

The Martial Arts Competition wouldn’t last long, so it seemed like he could stay in Sangseo for a while, but Tamhwa didn’t like it.

“Take me with you!”

He was adamant.

Hwaran chuckled as she watched Cheonbeom and Tamhwa struggling.

“Just take him with you. What could possibly happen? Even if something does happen, wouldn’t it be okay if Tamhwa is there?”

And.

“If you leave Tamhwa alone, who knows what he’ll do. He keeps glancing at Saak, so if you leave him here, he might eat him up?”

“That would be a problem.”

But he couldn’t take him either.

He didn’t know how to explain it, but he had a strong feeling that he shouldn’t take Tamhwa.

It was a strange intuition.

‘Even if it’s just Yongnoe [a dragon’s essence]….’

“Tamhwa. I’ll be back soon. Can you stay here by yourself?”

Tamhwa pouted his lips.

He didn’t even answer, so he seemed very sulky.

“They say Tongcheonsugung is full of all sorts of delicacies, so I’ll bring you lots of things you’ll like.”

This time, he turned his body completely away.

Delicacies weren’t enough.

“Th, then! How about this. If you stay here by yourself and behave, I’ll give you anything you want.”

Tamhwa’s ears perked up.

He turned his head slightly and.

“…Really?”

He asked.

“Of course, really. Is there anything you want?”

Then, he fidgeted and slowly extended his index finger.

“No, Gongjeonggang [another energy source] is a little….”

“That, inside.”

“Inside Gongjeonggang?”

“Round thing. Smells like dragon.”

Something that smells like a dragon.

Cheonbeom pondered for a moment and then flinched.

‘Is he talking about Yongnoe?’

Or Yeouiju [a wish-granting pearl]?

For a moment, goosebumps rose all over his body, but he calmed down and took out the Yongnoe.

He had made several copies of it, so he didn’t mind giving away the Yongnoe.

“Uh-uh, something else.”

Cheonbeom’s vision went dark.

No, he had never shown it to him even once, so how did he find out!

‘Should I just take him?’

No way.

No matter what, Cheonbeom’s gut was telling him not to take him.

It was a strange intuition.

‘Yongnoe is one thing, but Yeouiju is….’

It was an item he hadn’t even tried to copy with Sawoljehang [a powerful artifact] yet.

Bong kept sleeping, so he hadn’t even tested it.

He couldn’t lose this.

“Th, this… Can’t I give it to you when I get back? I can’t give it to you now… That’s right! If Tamhwa stays here by himself and doesn’t cause any trouble, I’ll give it to you then. Okay?”

“Umm… Okay. Promise.”

“Yeah, promise.”

Cheonbeom, relieved, sighed in relief and made a promise by hooking his little finger.

When he hugged and stroked Tamhwa, he saw Hwaran, who was snickering and stifling her laughter.

When Hwaran’s eyes met Beom’s, she burst into laughter.