Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 334

Nangseon’s Spirited Journey – Part 2, Episode 43

“What on earth is going on?”

I knew we were entering the Janjan Gyeongjeongdo [a magical space for competitions] to compete, but actually being here feels incredibly strange.

‘It’s like controlling an avatar.’

It felt like leaving my main body behind and controlling an avatar separately.

The replicas of the Janjan Gyeongjeongdo create clones with hair, and the Cheonmuseon [a type of celestial being] create them with blood.

But this is done purely with consciousness, so it’s bound to feel peculiar.

‘The inside isn’t that different.’

The interior of the Janjan Gyeongjeongdo was situated above a sea that churned endlessly.

Not just any sea, either.

A sea made of mist.

It was a replica of the Geonwon Sea [a mystical sea in their world].

Cheonbeom settled on it, surveying his surroundings. The thickly rising mist obscured everything, creating a sense of unease, unsure of what might emerge from where.

“Why did they do it like this? It’ll be hard for the Suseon [water immortals] who came to watch the matches, and difficult to determine the winners and losers.”

It’s one of the few spectacles in the Water Realm.

From the Water Palace’s perspective, they should slowly build excitement and ignite the audience to maximize their gains.

But holding all the matches at once will end the martial arts competition in an instant.

‘It’ll probably be over in a day or two.’

From Beom’s perspective, there’s no harm in it ending quickly, but it felt unsettling.

“There’s no point in thinking about it.”

After pondering for a moment, he shook off his thoughts and began to move.

In any case, his current appearance would be visible to the audience through the Janjan Gyeongjeongdo.

He figured it would be best to find an opponent, or he might get booed.

Cheonbeom stopped walking on the clouds.

Because something was heard in his head.

[The Suseon of the Sangseon Martial Arts Competition are to compete with the first person they encounter.]

[They must not form groups, and if they meet an opponent, one of them must be defeated to determine a winner.]

That’s how it is.

For a moment, he wondered what would happen if three or four people met at once, but there was probably someone controlling the Janjan Gyeongjeongdo.

‘They called them the Great Cheonmu General, right?’

A woman wearing a black uniform and a veil.

Everything was full of unknowns, but for now, he should focus on the competition.

“Who are you?”

He asked leisurely, and a man appeared from the thick mist.

“I am Kang Oh-yu from the Kang family.”

“I am Cheonbeom from the Sa family.”

They introduced themselves with a polite bow.

The introductions ended there.

He had no curiosity about his family or name, so all that remained was to exchange blows.

“Come on in.”

The Suseon who introduced himself as Kang Oh-yu took a stance first.

The stance of raising his hand like a blade, without clenching his fist, resembled that of a bird.

Beom stared at him intently before kicking off the ground.

‘No need to drag this out.’

Beom rushed toward him.

His body gradually transformed as he ran.

A giant golden tiger with two pairs of wings appeared from the thick mist.

Kang Oh-yu instantly transformed into a humanoid bird god, colliding with him.

Soon, the Geonwon Sea shook greatly, and the mist surged like a flood.

After a moment, all that could be seen was a humanoid bird god with torn wings and Beom tearing at him.

* * *

The Sangseon Martial Arts Competition began, and the spectators gathered in the training ground watched the unfolding Janjan Gyeongjeongdo.

“To hold all the matches at once… is something happening in the Water Palace?”

“Why would something have to be happening? They’re probably trying to make some changes this time. Didn’t the Great Cheonmun General change recently anyway?”

“Are you talking about the person over there?”

“No, that’s the Great Cheonmu General, and I’m talking about the Great Cheonmun General, who used to be the best among the Munseon [a type of celestial official].”

“Ah, that person. I heard their relationship isn’t very good….”

“That’s how it always is with Munseon and Museon [another type of celestial official, often rivals]. Anyway, since that person has been newly appointed, something might change.”

“Still, this is a bit… strange.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Shortly after, the images of the Janjan Gyeongjeongdo spread in all directions above the training ground.

Soon, the appearances of various Sangseon [high-ranking immortals] were projected in front of the spectators.

Over a hundred Suseon.

All of them were participants in the Sangseon Martial Arts Competition.

Members of the Five Great Families were also seated in the upper seats of the training ground.

They, too, were puzzled by the sudden change in the competition format.

“Have you found out anything?”

“It was changed abruptly yesterday. They say that both the Great Cheonmu General and the Great Cheonmun General agreed to it.”

Gyo Cheong found it strange after hearing the Suseon’s words.

Since ancient times, the Great Cheonmu General and the Great Cheonmun General have not been on good terms.

He heard that the ones in this generation were even worse, but the fact that they both agreed to change it meant something was up.

‘I don’t know what it is, but….’

It was generally believed that it wouldn’t be anything good.

Gyo Cheong leaned back in his chair after seeing the winged tiger among the various Sangseon displayed by the Janjan Gyeongjeongdo.

He felt a chill, as if something ominous was about to happen.

At the same time.

In the upper seats occupied by the Gon family, Gon Sa-bi was glaring with fire in his eyes.

“Die! Die! Die!”

It wasn’t exactly cheering, but his wish wasn’t granted.

[Ah, one Suseon has already been eliminated!]

The Water Palace’s immortal who was hosting the event said with a hint of regret.

It hadn’t even been an hour since the martial arts competition began.

It was barely enough time to eat a meal.

But one Suseon had already been defeated.

The eliminated person rose from a chair placed near the training ground.

His desolate expression was truly pitiful.

He trudged back to his family’s side.

“It’s a Suseon from the Kang family.”

“It’s Suseon Kang Oh-yu. He’s the youngest of the Kang family and not that weak….”

He was defeated strangely quickly.

“Damn bastard.”

Gon Sa-bi cursed as he watched the majestic golden tiger in the Janjan Gyeongjeongdo.

“Please maintain your composure.”

“How can I maintain my composure right now! At this moment, when that bastard who screwed me over is triumphing!! What is the Gaseon [family disciple] of the Gon family doing! Why aren’t they going to teach that bastard a lesson!”

The Gyeol-ui Suseon [a close attendant], who was trying to calm the agitated Gon Sa-bi, was sweating profusely.

After finally calming him down, he slumped back into his chair.

“Surely he won’t win, will he?”

“Surely not. No matter how strong that guy is, it’ll be difficult for him to beat the Suseon of the Five Great Families.”

“That’s right. If our family’s Gaseon were to lose, they’d be kicked out of the Gon family immediately.”

The Suseon next to him sighed and looked at the Janjan Gyeongjeongdo.

The appearances of various Suseon looked like reflections in a pond.

And those were divided into pieces. Focusing on one of them would connect their consciousness, directly painting the scene of the competition in their mind.

“The head of the Sa family also participated in the competition.”

“Really?”

It was true.

He saw the face of the woman who had taken thirty nyang [currency] from him.

“Her opponent is a daughter of the Peng family?”

“She wasn’t lucky. To run into Suseon Ga-yeon of the Peng family of all people.”

Gon Sa-bi and the surrounding Suseon were startled by the voice of a dignified man. However, they had no choice but to lower their heads, as he was Gon Sa-chun, the head of the Gon family.

“Father, do you know the Peng family’s daughter well?”

“Yes, the head of the Peng family praised her so much that if she had been born a man, he would have set aside all his sons and passed his position on to her.”

Unlike the Gon family, the Peng family was famous for having many children.

The current head of the Peng family had over twenty children, and she was said to have the most outstanding talent among them, which was astonishing.

“Then the head of the Sa family won’t be able to win.”

Gon Sa-bi smiled contentedly.

Gon Sa-chun sat next to Sa-bi and watched Sa-ha facing off against Peng Ga-yeon.

“The Sa family….”

His eyes deepened.

He seemed to be reminiscing about the distant past, with a hint of longing.

“If they inherited the Sa family’s bloodline… it’s still unknown what will happen.”

“The Sa family’s bloodline? At best, it’s a bloodline from a remote area that may or may not exist. Would there be anything different?”

Gon Sa-chun stroked Sa-bi’s head at the innocent question.

“Even after living for so long, what I cannot be certain of is the outcome. It was the same when you were born, Sa-bi. So don’t jump to conclusions. You really never know what might happen in the world.”

* * *

“What a coincidence.”

“Indeed.”

But unlike her words, her lips were smiling.

She was a truly unpleasant woman.

That’s what Sa-ha thought.

“Isn’t meeting like this fate or something? Since it’s a competition, we can’t hold back, can we?”

“That’s what I want.”

Sa-ha immediately took out her fan.

It was the Gihwaseon [a magical fan], a Sangseon treasure.

Two unicorns embroidered inside the translucent pink fan were truly impressive Sangseon treasures.

Peng Ga-yeon smiled meaningfully as she looked at Sa-ha’s Gihwaseon.

“The Sa family is truly lucky. Their lineage hasn’t been cut off yet, and they even have such an excellent Suseon.”

Sa-ha’s face furrowed.

It didn’t seem like she was saying it with good intentions.

“Luck is luck. Unlike some rude families, we are upright, so the heavens must have bestowed such luck upon us, don’t you think?”

Then Peng Ga-yeon grinned.

“I don’t think you’re that upright….”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I’m a bit interested in the past, so I looked into it. It’s written that the head of the Sa family attacked the Water Palace and received the punishment of Cheonrak [divine punishment].”

“That’s…!”

“This much is true, isn’t it? Even though it’s said that they were framed, the crime of striking the Water Palace, which is the center of the Water Realm and the heavens, is deserving of punishment. Are you still that upright even after that?”

She said that and smiled slyly.

She was an unpredictable woman.

“Why are you telling me this? It doesn’t seem like you’re just saying it in passing… it seems like you want something, but I don’t know what it is yet.”

Then Peng Ga-yeon took out a red whip from her chest and let it hang down.

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

Soon, a red butterfly flew through the air.

After that,

Thunder rumbled in the sky.

* * *

Cheonbeom, who had turned his head, narrowed his brows as if he was puzzled.

“Thunder?”

He was doubtful.

He let go of the nameless Suseon he was grabbing by the collar and shook his hand.

“Keuk.”

The Suseon, whose form was dissipating, cursed at Cheonbeom and disappeared.

“For someone who’s nothing, you sure have a big mouth.”

Those who weren’t even worth a handful were babbling about their families.

“Even if I trample on them, they’re just like weeds, only their mouths are alive and flapping.”

Their mouths were flapping like carp, making it questionable whether they were even immortals.

Beom loosened his shoulders and counted the number of Suseon he had defeated so far.

He had defeated over ten, but it seemed like there was still a long way to go before the martial arts competition was over.

“Does that mean there are one hundred and thirty-one left now?”

That’s what the letters written in the sky said.

After waiting for a moment, it decreased to one hundred and thirty.

It seemed to be correct.

The number of participants in the main competition was two hundred and thirty-one, so it must be correct.

“I want to rest a bit now.”

He had defeated the first Suseon he met in one go and was just walking forward slowly, but other Suseon kept appearing one after another, so he had no choice but to keep fighting.

His body was already stiff from defeating ten guys in a row.

He wondered if he should sit down, but the Janjan Gyeongjeongdo didn’t seem to want to see Beom resting.

“An unwelcome face.”

Another Suseon appeared from the mist. He was a head taller than most men.

A man Cheonbeom knew.

“Is that so? I’m very happy to see you!”

It was Ji Heon-wi from the Ji family.

‘Well, whatever.’

At that time, he couldn’t recklessly do more because of the family’s interests….

He was also uneasy about letting the guy who touched his woman walk away on two feet.

“Shall we loosen up a bit?”