Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 321

Tales of a Wandering Swordsman – Part 2, Episode 30

“Huff!”

Waking with a start, Saha abruptly sat up, a distressed expression on her face as she looked around.

In her dream, she had been riding in a carriage with Beom, heading towards the Underwater Palace of Tongcheon, but now she found herself in the detached building of Gonyang Inn.

Tears welled up as she realized that last night’s events were not a mere illusion.

“You bad man.”

She had become a Gaseon [a warrior or retainer] of the Sa Clan, vowing to elevate the Sangseo [likely a clan or faction] higher than anyone else!

“You said you’d make me happy!”

He didn’t say those exact words, but he certainly conveyed that sentiment.

“My Lord, did you cough?”

“…Who is it?”

“It’s Suni, may I come in?”

“Ah, yes. Come in.”

The maid, Suni, had been with her since childhood, a close friend and like family, sharing every moment of Saha’s life.

Suni sighed as she saw Saha with her swollen eyes.

“You must go out quickly.”

“Why…”

She pulled the blanket over her face, reluctant to leave her bed.

Hearing her weak voice, Suni felt drained as well.

But she had to go.

“You must go see Geumcheon.”

“To Beom?”

Saha, who had started to sit up, stopped moving for a moment.

Then, she pulled the blanket back over herself.

“Hmph, why should I go to a guy who abandoned Saga and went over to Gon’s family? I don’t want to see that traitor’s face again.”

Suni sighed again.

Having been revived not long ago, the current Saha was still young and prone to rashness.

Suni recalled the intelligent Saha of the past, feeling a sense of bitterness.

“My Lord, in the past thirty years, Geumcheon has never been one to abandon Sangseo and Saga carelessly. I have been by his side longer than you, even considering your age.”

“What? Well, that’s true…”

Saha, who had been in seclusion for thirty years, had nothing to say.

Some inexplicable emotion surged within her, but Suni’s words were not wrong.

“Even so, he turned away without much hesitation. Even if it was for the sake of Sangseo, it’s still the Gon Clan…”

It was understandable that he would turn away.

Saha couldn’t bring herself to say it.

She felt resentful and wronged.

Had she ever resented her own lacking family this much before?

“My Lord, I think you’re mistaken about something. Originally, Geumcheon was capable of entering any of the Five Great Clans if he had set his mind to it. He single-handedly eliminated the Hwang family of Yongma Valley and even turned back the Cheonmu Seonma [likely a powerful martial arts technique or entity]. Would it have been difficult for him?”

Would such a person now sincerely set foot in the Gon Clan?

If he had been so inclined, there would have been no need to wait thirty years.

“But…”

“Nevertheless, he remained in Sangseo, striving to make Gabu the top Seon [immortal or celestial being], and rekindled the flames of Geukyang Sangsan [likely a martial art or technique].”

Saha’s lips pursed.

She seemed to be deep in thought.

Suni flicked her lips with her finger and handed her a warm cup of tea with both hands.

“Since that is who Geumcheon is, it would be wise for you to consider his intentions for a moment.”

Yes, that’s right.

Suni’s words were correct.

Why hadn’t she thought of that and acted like a fool?

Saha took the tea and brought it to her lips.

Gulp, gulp.

She drank it all in one go and placed it on the tray held by Suni.

Clunk.

“Yes, that’s right. There’s no way Beom would abandon Sangseo so easily. He’s a man of great cunning, so he must have something in mind.”

Saha was about to go outside when she realized her appearance was a mess and asked Suni for help.

Suni smiled and tidied up her clothes and hair.

“By the way, Geumcheon came to visit this morning.”

“What?! Beom came to my room?”

“Yes. He came early in the morning.”

She should have told her that sooner!

She glared, but Suni feigned ignorance, as if not knowing why.

“How could you let a man into a woman’s room so carelessly? Who knows what might happen.”

“If something had happened, it would have been all the better. Wouldn’t it be a joyous occasion?”

“Aish! So where is Beom?”

“Geumcheon is with the young masters of the Gon and Mi Clans.”

“Gon and Mi?”

Gon must be Gon Sabi, but why Mi all of a sudden!

“He’s said to be the fiancé of the Gon Clan’s young lady.”

“…Well, it would be strange if she didn’t have one. If she’s around Gon Sabi’s age, it must be Mi’s troublemaker.”

She nodded in agreement.

“But what reason do I have to go?”

Unlike before, her eyes sparkled with intelligence.

She seemed to have finally come to her senses.

“The Gon Clan’s young lady always has a game she plays with her fiancé…”

Whisper, whisper.

“What? Making the Gaseons fight each other?”

* * *

“You’re telling me to fight the Gaseons of the Mi Clan… is that what you mean?”

“Yes, the Five Great Clans enjoy making their Gaseons fight each other. The pretext is to have the Gaseons compete against each other to boost morale and gain experience, but in the end, they’re just playthings.”

They’ve gone so far as to tell them to fight just because they’re bored.

He was so disgusted that he didn’t even want to look at them.

“We lost in the last competition, so we ended up acting as Unjeok [likely a demeaning role or punishment]. Cheon Soo-seon, you have outstanding martial arts skills and extraordinary divine powers, so you’ll have good results. If you win here, you’ll receive a great reward.”

He encouraged him to do his best.

Beom was dumbfounded.

Wasn’t this Seon being suppressed by the Gi [spiritual energy or aura] of the clans, accepting the fate of being a plaything for the young Seons as if it were natural?

He felt a little sorry for him now.

‘He wouldn’t have gone through the difficult process of achieving the Great Dao [path to enlightenment or immortality] and ascending to immortality just to receive this kind of treatment.’

He probably wasn’t like this at first either.

But as time passed, he couldn’t withstand the pressure of the Five Great Clans, being pushed around here and there, and eventually changed like that.

“Tsk.”

He clicked his tongue in bitterness, but nothing changed.

He had worked so hard to achieve the ascension to immortality that everyone dreamed of, but who would have known that he would be destined to be swayed by a young Seon who was born with good parents?

‘It’s all so futile.’

What was he striving for so arduously in the Great Dao? Did he leave behind everything he had achieved in the Lower World, both big and small, just to see this?

Just for this!

His wife, his sons and daughters, and his disciples.

And did he abandon Mount Baek and the Lower World, where his memories remained intact, just for this?

“What are you doing, Cheon Soo-seon? Come up to the training ground quickly. My Bi is so proud of your outstanding martial prowess, so compete with the head guard of the Mi Clan and show me your skills.”

Gon Sabi, sitting close to him, spoke in a very unpleasant manner.

‘But…’

If this is also the will of Heaven.

That Heaven.

Shouldn’t it be overturned?

The situation isn’t bad.

‘The headstrong Gon Sabi is acting coy in front of that guy Gyeong.’

If he uses this situation well.

Beom turned his gaze away from them and stepped onto the training ground.

“I am called Gojong. I’ve heard that your skills are outstanding, so I’d like to receive some guidance.”

The head guard of the Mi Clan smiled and paid his respects.

However, unlike his polite tone, his posture was not very respectful.

He had one hand behind his back and was beckoning him to come in.

Was he so proud of his position as the head guard of the Mi Clan?

He seemed to be full of confidence, looking down on Beom to the fullest extent.

“I’m sorry to say this.”

“Hmm? What do you mean…”

He had just met him, so what was he apologizing for?

The head guard of the Mi Clan, Gojong, raised the corners of his mouth, wondering if his opponent was about to give up.

Well, no matter how outstanding his skills were, if he had heard the name of the head guard of the Mi Clan even once, he would give up.

‘I narrowly missed out on the Seon martial arts competition last time, but this time, my skills will inevitably reach Cheonmu Seon [a high level of martial arts skill].’

Gojong nodded to himself.

But the words that came out of the Seon’s mouth were not a surrender.

“I’m not in a good mood right now.”

Whoo-oong!!

The released Gi of the Seon expanded.

The expanded Gi went from inside to outside.

And from top to bottom.

“Kuh-huh!”

He pressed down.

“Protect the young master!”

“Protect the young lady!”

Jing! Several Seons who were guarding them gathered together and created a protective barrier.

It was an overbearing aura.

Even though they were the same Seons, they were shaking their heads at his tremendous Gi and murderous intent.

“Haha! Bi, your Gaseon is really passionate! This competition will be very interesting! Hahahaha!”

“Hehe, right?”

Unlike them, who were looking forward to an entertaining spectacle, the Seons protecting them were sweating profusely.

They couldn’t speak, but they were exchanging glances, assessing the situation.

Gojong, who was facing him, was frightened without realizing it.

“I, is there any need to go this far?”

It was just a simple competition.

It wasn’t a battle to the death.

From the beginning, it was a competition to entertain the children of the Five Great Clans.

But why was he trying to engage with such a terrifying momentum?

But Cheonbeom didn’t listen.

He continued to build up his momentum.

“Then I have no choice!”

Gojong stomped his foot.

Thud!

It was just a competition after all.

There was no need to use even the Seon Armor!

Gojong’s fist was unleashed.

At the same time, the forms of two dragons flowed out of his fist.

Twin Dragon Hundred and Eight Fists.

“Try to receive this!”

Drrrrrrrrrrr!!

The two dragons, scraping the floor of the training ground, opened their mouths.

It was a powerful blow that seemed to tear apart everything in front of them.

It was then.

Swoosh.

The flow of the wind changed.

And at that moment.

Gojong saw it.

His strange golden eyes.

Kwaang!

The twin dragons shattered as if exploding, and a whirlwind raged.

“What, what? What happened? Bi, did you see it?”

“No, I didn’t see it either.”

Gon Sabi didn’t know what was going on. In an instant, the surroundings became foggy and she couldn’t see an inch ahead.

‘The Gaseons?!’

The Gaseons who were protecting her had all disappeared long ago.

It was a strange feeling.

She was clearly watching the competition in the training ground, but she couldn’t feel any sound or presence.

Sabi felt scared for no reason.

“Gyeong…”

It was then.

Swish!

With the sound of something being cut off, something hot splattered.

“Kyaa, what is this!”

She wiped the hot thing that had splattered on her face and looked at her palm.

“…Blood?”

Why was blood splattering like this?

As the incomprehensible time continued, something touched Sabi’s knee.

Thud.

Squeak, squeak, her head gradually lowered and stopped.

In that gaze.

“Gyeong?”

Gyeong’s head had been cut off.

Goosebumps ran all over her body.

She doubted whether what she was seeing was real.

She pinched her cheek, but strangely, nothing changed.

Her cheek was sore and flushed.

“Gyeong… Gyeong! Gyeong is, ah, ah!!”

Her whole body became as hot as a fireball.

Only then did Sabi see a man standing blankly.

“Cheo, Cheon Soo-seon! Gyeong! Our Gyeong…!”

She shed tears like raindrops and lifted Gyeong’s head.

Gyeong is a young Seon.

Even if his head is cut off, he can be revived again if it is attached properly.

‘Cheon Soo-seon is an excellent Seon, so he will be able to help Gyeong’s revival.’

But Sabi had no choice but to stop her body. It was because Cheon Soo-seon was holding a blood-stained sword in his hand.

“Why is that… why… why is there blood on it…?”

“I was so disgusted by your arrogance that my blood boiled over. But what can I do? I can’t stand being told what to do by mere young Seons.”

“You, you killed Gyeong?”

“Yes. I killed him.”

“Why! Why!!”

She screamed in resentment, but all that came back was a listless voice and a kick.

Thwack!

“Kyaa!”

“Take revenge if you’re so upset.”

Beom threw a sword at Sabi.

“I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you with my own hands, and if you have a family, I’ll kill them all and wipe out your seed!!”

“Go ahead and try.”

Sabi picked up the fallen sword.

It was the first time she had ever held a sword. But she wasn’t such a fool that she couldn’t even stab.

Stab!

‘It worked.’

There was a feeling in her hand.

“You arrogant bastard, die! Die!!”

She pulled out the sword and stabbed again.

She stabbed again and again.

Blood splattered and flesh flew, covering the girl’s whole body in blood.

“Die!!”

Stab!

When she plunged the sword into his head.

Crash.

Suddenly, the scenery shattered like a mirror.

And what came into view was.

“What are you doing, Bi!”

Gyeong was alive, and under her feet were the dismembered young Seons she had never seen before.

“Uh…? What is this… Huh?”