Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 349

Tales of a Wandering Swordsman – Part 2, Episode 58

“Woo Mu-seon.”

“Yes, Chief of the Civil and Military.”

“Is it always like this between the Civil and Military lines?”

“I’m not sure, as I was appointed yesterday along with the Chief of the Civil and Military, but I’ve heard that the relationship between the Civil and Military has never been good.”

So it is said.

Pang Ga-yeon, who had been surveying the situation, reported.

“It seems a minor accident occurred while they were training using the Civil Line’s formation and illusionary array.”

“An accident? Was anyone hurt?”

“Just some minor scratches.”

During the training to break through the illusionary array, one of the Heavenly Military Line accidentally got hurt.

Because of that, the higher-ranking members protested to the Heavenly Civil Line, and their voices rose.

“The Heavenly Military Line here are the Mu-seon [elite warriors] of the Yangmu Unit, led by Yang Cheon-mujang [General Yang Cheon].”

“The Civil Line over there is the Heavenly Civil Line of the Yangmun Unit, led by Yang Cheon-munjang [Strategist Yang Cheon].”

What is the superior doing while his subordinates are fighting?

“Where are Yang Cheon-mujang and Yang Cheon-munjang?”

Woo-myung stared intently at one side, where Yang Cheon-mujang and Munjang were leisurely playing Go [a strategic board game] in a pavilion in a corner of the Cheonmungung [Heavenly Military Palace].

‘They don’t even care.’

Rather, they seem completely engrossed in the game.

“What shall we do?”

When Woo-myung asked, Cheonbeom pondered for a moment before answering.

“We should pay our respects.”

Even though they are lower in rank than him, they have a long history here.

It wouldn’t hurt to make acquaintances.

“You two wait here.”

Leaving Pang Ga-yeon and Woo-myung behind, he strode alone towards the pavilion and offered his greetings.

“Greetings. I am Cheonbeom, the Chief of the Civil and Military, newly appointed as of today.”

He showed respect, but the response he received was lukewarm.

Even though the Chief of the Civil and Military, who could be considered a superior in rank, greeted them, they didn’t even turn their heads, only glanced at him before returning to their Go game.

“Hmm? Ah, is that so? Well, we’re a bit busy right now.”

“It’ll be over soon, so please wait a moment, Chief of the Civil and Military.”

Cheonbeom’s cheek twitched.

“It seems your fortunes are on the line in this game of Go. You seem so engrossed.”

“Indeed, they are. A year’s salary is on the line, you see! Haha!”

“A whole ‘won-geun’ [unit of currency] each is at stake. You could say our fortunes are on the line.”

One ‘won-geun’.

If a year’s salary is at stake, then it’s understandable.

‘I could understand it that way and feel good…’

But no matter how he thought about it, it seemed like they were doing it on purpose. Cheonbeom wasn’t someone who had lived an easy life, nor was he someone who hadn’t constantly fought life-or-death battles.

If he didn’t even have this much awareness, he would have been backstabbed and killed long ago.

He momentarily considered flipping the Go board but decided against it.

It was his first day, and he had a rough idea of why they were acting like this.

‘A newcomer with no experience has a higher rank than them, so they’re feeling resentful.’

He understood it well.

They were trying to break his spirit before he, someone who had only recently entered the palace, started throwing his weight around just because of his higher rank.

He understood. Cheonbeom would have felt the same way.

However.

‘They chose the wrong opponent.’

Cheonbeom wasn’t someone who would let that slide. He had unintentionally taken on the great position of Chief of the Civil and Military, but since he was doing it, he was determined to do it properly.

‘I’d like to just let it go…’

But a battle of wills must be seized at the beginning.

If he tolerated being ignored now, they would climb all over him endlessly.

There’s a reason why the term ‘seizing the initiative’ exists.

“Haha, how can a man compare playing in that small Go board to his fate? Isn’t your vessel too small?”

*Thud.*

The man who slammed down the Go stone was Yang Cheon-mujang, a large man with half of his face covered in a beard.

“Ha! A vessel too small, you say… Those are words that cannot be overlooked. Then tell me, what is a fate befitting a man’s vessel?”

When Yang Cheon-mujang asked, Cheonbeom twisted his lips and moved his finger.

Then, the Go stones on the Go board stood upright and began rolling around the pavilion like coins.

“What are you doing!”

The Munjang, an old man with a beard reaching his waist, flared up.

But Cheonbeom didn’t care, and soon a formation made of Go stones was created inside the pavilion.

“If you’re a man, don’t be petty with your salary, but bet your life or something of equal value.”

Life. At Cheonbeom’s words, the eyes of Yang Cheon-munjang and Mujang changed rapidly.

“Can you… take responsibility for those words?”

“A man doesn’t speak twice. Fortunately, we’re not the only ones here, but also the Civil and Military lines of Yang Cheon are here, so they are all witnesses.”

As the story progressed to that point, the Civil and Military lines wondered what was going on and began to buzz.

“Hmph, even so, we can’t take lives given our positions.”

“Then give up the position of Chief of the Civil and Military.”

Then Sacheonjang’s eyes widened.

It couldn’t be anything but interesting.

“…What kind of bet will you make?”

“It’s nothing much.”

As he formed a hand seal, the Go stones placed on the floor of the pavilion melted.

Lines connected each other, and an illusionary array was created in an instant.

It was an amazing skill.

Soon, the appearance of the pavilion disappeared, and an illusionary world covering even the gathered Civil and Military lines began to unfold.

A vast land with a subtle mist.

The only things visible around were the Civil and Military lines watching nearby, and the land and sky.

“The content of the bet is simple. Aren’t Yang Cheon the ones who have reached the extremes of the Civil and Military lines? Therefore, if the two of you can break through my illusionary array or defeat me, then the bet is yours.”

Simple rules.

So simple that it was rather suspicious.

The gazes of the Yang Cheons met in the air.

‘It’s a bet with nothing to lose.’

Their thoughts were in agreement.

It was strange that he was so confident, but at most he was a High Immortal, and at most he was a newly ascended Immortal.

It was laughable that such a guy was betting against them, using both the specialties of the Civil and Military lines.

‘All the Civil and Military lines are watching.’

If they couldn’t accept the victory or defeat here and went back on their words, the Chief of the Civil and Military’s palace life would be over immediately.

Needless to say, if he voluntarily relinquished his position.

It was a bet with nothing to lose for them.

Yang Cheon-munjang pondered for a moment before asking one thing.

“If we lose?”

“I don’t particularly want anything… Well, that’s right. You don’t have to be polite to me in the future, but I would like you to follow my instructions related to official duties.”

“Is that all? It doesn’t seem fair…”

He didn’t really care, but there were many eyes watching. He couldn’t save face like this.

“Let’s do this. If we lose, we’ll give you all of our salary for a year, and in addition to that, we’ll provide one High Immortal Elixir each for the adjutants and subordinates working in the Civil and Military Palace.”

“Are you sure? The number of people working in the Civil and Military Palace isn’t small…”

It was roughly over ten.

“Can’t you even do that much? If the Chief of the Civil and Military wins, the Lesser Immortals of the Civil and Military Palace can sell the High Immortal Elixir to obtain Source Energy Pills and ascend, then the Civil and Military Palace will be more vibrant.”

These were the people who would be with Cheonbeom throughout his tenure as Chief of the Civil and Military.

If their training improved, there would be nothing bad for Cheonbeom.

It was a brilliant proposal.

“Of course, all of that is only possible if the Chief of the Civil and Military wins.”

“Is it possible? If you’re scared now, I’ll pretend it never happened.”

But they would make fun of him behind his back for being scared.

Beom chuckled.

“You can attack together, or you can try to defeat me separately. As I said before, you only need to break through the illusionary array or defeat me, either one will be your victory.”

“You really won’t regret it?”

“What’s the point of a man having a long tongue? Hurry up and attack.”

*Huff!*

Yang Cheon-mujang, exhaling through his nose, took a stance and shouted.

“Munjang, you break through the illusionary array. It’s a simple illusionary array made of Go stones, so it should be easy to break through! I’ll cross hands with the Chief of the Civil and Military!”

“Why go that far? I can break through this illusionary array with my eyes closed. You always let your body go before your head.”

Thus, the battle of wills between the Yang Cheons and the Chief of the Civil and Military began.

* * *

“Hmm? He’s gone out?”

“Yes, he went to the Cheonmungung for an inspection. He left early in the morning, so it’s about time for him to return. Should I… send a message?”

The guest who came to the Civil and Military Palace was none other than Jucheonmujang Yang Hwi.

It was his first day, and the Great Cheonmujang had told him to check in from time to time, so he had come to visit, but he didn’t expect him to have already gone out for an inspection.

“No. If he went to the Cheonmungung for an inspection, it’s better for me to go. I understand, go do your work.”

Jucheonmujang Yang Hwi decided to head to the Cheonmungung. The sun was already high in the sky.

It would be a good time to share a meal, exchange ideas on cultivation, or discuss the state of the Water Realm.

‘There must be a reason why he became the Chief of the Civil and Military.’

It wouldn’t be bad to subtly uncover that reason.

As Jucheonmujang headed towards the Cheonmungung, he suddenly tilted his head at the strange flow of energy.

“An illusionary array?”

It wasn’t strange for an illusionary array to be deployed in the Cheonmungung, but it was quite different from the style often used in the Cheonmungung.

“This is the first time I’ve seen such a direct illusionary array. It’s like the mouth of a dragon.”

It was a formation waiting with its mouth open for prey to enter.

Intrigued by the illusionary array, Jucheonmujang readily stepped inside.

*Swish.*

His figure was swallowed into the mist.

Jucheonmujang couldn’t hide his surprise as he entered.

“It looked crude on the outside…”

It was different once he entered.

It was easy to enter, but it was an illusionary array that forbade leaving.

“Is he experimenting with a new illusionary array? The material cost for the demons that entered this illusionary array must have been considerable.”

All it was were a few Go stones, but Jucheonmujang had no way of knowing that.

“Is he paying attention because the Chief of the Civil and Military is inspecting? Haha, he sang so much about how much he hated it, but he still treats his superior well.”

Jucheonmujang, who had misunderstood something, smiled contentedly.

After walking for a while, he could see the Civil and Military lines gathered together, along with the sound of something clashing.

The gathered Civil and Military lines were all gaping and admiring something, and naturally following their gaze, what he saw was.

“Hahaha!! You were so confident, but is this all you’ve got, Chief of the Civil and Military!”

It was Yang Cheon-mujang, fiercely punching the air, and Yang Cheon-munjang, struggling to break through the illusionary array with his head in his hands.

“What is this…”

What was even more surprising was.

“An illusionary world is like this. Deceiving the opponent and leading the game to your advantage is what you can call an illusionary array and an illusionary world.”

It was Cheonbeom, watching the state of Yang Cheon-munjang and Mujang together in front of the Civil and Military lines and giving real-time teachings.

“If anyone has any more questions, raise your hand.”