Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 381

Things became much easier thanks to Great General Daechen showing up.

Mise-pa willingly entered Palyeoldo [a high-security exile zone] without any resistance and was exiled. Those who had their exile grades unfairly increased due to his influence were returned to their original exile locations.

In the process, there were also those who were unjustly framed, but Cheonbeom couldn’t intervene in those cases.

He couldn’t overturn judgments that had already been made.

“Not bad.”

Cheonbeom, who was reviewing the exile registry, picked out a few names and wrote them down separately.

They were the names of those with minor offenses and those with serious offenses.

“Lord Munmugwan [Cheonbeom’s title], what is that for…?”

A direct subordinate of Great General Daechen asked.

Cheonbeom said it was nothing and patted him on the shoulder.

‘There are quite a few with decent qualities.’

He separately wrote down those with minor offenses but outstanding skills, and those with serious offenses but regrettable talents.

According to the records, they were all criminals, but how could one judge a cultivator solely based on records?

Some of them were truly guilty, but others were not.

The only thing Cheonbeom could do was to write down their names and tell them to come find him later.

‘I need to prepare for the Seonsal War [a major conflict in the story’s world].’

Great General Daechen was the same.

Mise-pa was corrupt, but his skills as a martial immortal were outstanding.

That’s why he was sent to Palyeoldo for now, but since the Mi Clan was behind him, he would probably be released again to participate in the war when the Seonsal War approached.

The same went for the cultivators with outstanding skills among all the prisoners in this exile zone.

War made one desperate for every hand available, so it was only natural.

In any case, most of the prisoners here were grateful to Cheonbeom.

If it weren’t for him, they would have been trapped in Palyeoldo until they died.

“Can I… can I go too?”

Looking over, it was Hwang-on, being escorted to Iyeoldo [another exile zone] by the soldiers.

Cheonbeom stared at him silently.

His eyes were clear, unlike before.

They weren’t the eyes of someone looking at their mortal enemy.

His 불안하게 [uneasily] trembling pupils contained an unreadable earnestness.

“If you atone for all your sins.”

In response, he looked relieved as he was escorted away.

His exile period was about nine hundred years.

If he returned after completing his exile, it would probably be when the Seonsal War was breaking out.

The beginning was a bad relationship, but there was no guarantee that it would end that way.

‘Did he have a change of heart?’

I don’t know. But I’ll find out when the time comes.

“Nine hundred years…”

Long if it’s long.

Short if it’s short.

The exile zone was no different from being in prison, but cultivation was possible.

It was said that a prisoner who succeeded in ascension in the exile zone could have their sentence reduced in recognition of their achievement.

“I look forward to the day we meet again.”

Hwang-on, the other exiled immortals, and even Mise-pa trapped in Palyeoldo.

‘He was strong.’

If there had been more time, the victory would have tilted towards Cheonbeom.

But it was two against one.

Mise-pa endured against Tamlang and Cheonbeom for quite a long time.

Of course, he was on the defensive, but his resilience was undeniable. He was indeed a formidable opponent, proving why the Mi Clan held such a prominent position among the five great families.

Cheonbeom knew that this was just a taste of the power the Mi Clan possessed. The true strength of the clan lay in its elders and the family head, individuals whose power was far beyond what he could currently comprehend.

‘I am still too weak.’ Cheonbeom thought, a familiar sense of urgency washing over him. He remembered his experiences in the Insect World, where his weakness had constantly put him in danger. He recalled the near-fatal encounter with the Golden Foil Master’s illusion, and how he barely survived thanks to the intervention of the Heavenly Outlaw Army. Had it been any other powerful immortal, he might not have been so lucky.

This realization fueled his determination to grow stronger. He needed to accumulate power, to build a solid foundation upon which he could rise to greater heights.

“Steady steps, one at a time,” he muttered to himself, reaffirming his commitment to a gradual but persistent path of growth.

His immediate goal was clear: to become a full-fledged immortal. He would focus all his efforts on achieving this milestone.

“Lord Munmugwan,” a voice called out, interrupting his thoughts. “Great General Daechen is summoning you.”

“What is it about?” Cheonbeom asked.

“He said he wants you to accompany him to the palace.”

“Hmm… I understand.”

The immediate matters had been resolved. The cases of the exiled prisoners and the corruption of Mise-pa’s faction had been thoroughly investigated and dealt with.

Much of this was thanks to the detailed records found in Mise-pa’s ledgers and lists, which meticulously documented instances of bribery and other illicit activities. These records had greatly expedited the process.

“Tamlang, let’s go.”

Tamlang, still visibly annoyed at being called a ‘snack,’ bared his fangs at Cheonbeom.

“Snack? One day, I’ll start by chewing your head to pieces!”

“Yes, yes, you will. But let’s go for now. You did enjoy fighting Mise-pa, didn’t you?”

“Hmph, that’s true. Mise-pa? He was a somewhat skilled fellow. Of course, not as skilled as me, kahahaha!”

‘He’s so simple, it’s almost endearing,’ Cheonbeom thought. He led Tamlang towards the carriage where Great General Daechen awaited.

“Rumors will spread,” Daechen said as soon as Cheonbeom entered the carriage.

Although the subject was omitted, Cheonbeom understood immediately.

“By revealing my connection to the Ji Clan in public, both my existence and the Ji Clan will attract attention.”

Rumors spread quickly in the Water Realm. Once they reached the ears of the lesser immortals, they would spread like wildfire.

Cheonbeom had intentionally used this to his advantage.

The Ji Clan was now aware of him.

“What do you intend to do? Now that you’ve struck a blow against the Ji Clan, you can expect a response from the Munmugwan soon.”

Whether that response would be a welcoming banquet or a clandestine assassination attempt remained to be seen.

It was a question that implied he might have stirred up a hornet’s nest unnecessarily.

“It’s alright. I wouldn’t have said it without anticipating that much. Now that I’ve said it so openly, they won’t be able to move rashly. No matter how they act as they please, they can’t completely ignore public sentiment.”

However, Cheonbeom was more curious about Great General Daechen.

“But how did you come here? Even if you sensed the energy of Yeonghwabi [a powerful artifact or location], I didn’t expect you to come so quickly.”

From the start, even if he sensed the energy of Yeonghwabi, he didn’t expect Great General Daechen to come personally.

He held a position of great responsibility, handling the major and minor affairs of the Water Realm.

He never dreamed that he would bring soldiers because of him alone.

“Someone told me to come.”

“Yes?”

Who would dare to tell Great General Daechen….

Puzzled, Daechen smiled behind her black veil.

“The expectations placed on you are great. Since you carry the expectations of someone like me, you should at least do this much.”

“…Thank you. Things went smoothly thanks to you.”

“Besides, if I had been a little later, the second son of the Mi Clan would have died. I’m glad I came quickly. Even if he deserved to die, if the second son of the Mi Clan had died, it would have caused quite a stir.”

Even if he had committed a crime worthy of death and died, the Mi Clan would not have remained silent.

No matter how cold-hearted Dogye might be, what parent would be indifferent to the death of their child?

Moreover, the Mi Clan was a family that Wonsun Tae-sa [a high-ranking figure or deity] also supported.

“Munmugwanjang [Cheonbeom’s title, Head of the Munmu Bureau], making all five great clans your enemies will make things difficult. Embracing the enemies you can embrace is also a strategy.”

“I will take your advice to heart.”

After that, Cheonbeom asked Daechen about what had happened after they disappeared.

Most of it was about the Munmugung’s cultivators.

“It is still operating. Someone has temporarily taken over the position to replace the vacant Munmugwanjang.”

“Replace my position? Who is it?”

“It’s a cultivator that Munmugwanjang knows well. It’s Woo-myeong, a cultivator from the Woo Clan, who served as the Munmubu official by your side.”

“Ah….”

Woo-myeong, huh.

‘That taciturn guy is temporarily in charge of the Munmugwanjang position.’ Beom smiled briefly as he imagined it.

“Once or twice, I think, the Munmubu troops were dispatched once because of a monster and once because of a family dispute. As I recall, they carried out their duties very well. Munmugwanjang taught them well in a short period.”

“It was only a month. It must be because their talents were outstanding from the start. It’s not my doing.”

He said that, but he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride in his heart.

“Oh, by the way, do you know anything about the Sa Clan’s head?”

“Hmm, about Seonsalsinjang [Head of the Sa Clan]. I heard that she is also being recognized for her achievements. She is focusing on creating related tactics in preparation for the Seonsaljeon [a competition or event], and she must have gone on a business trip with her trainees this time.”

“A business trip?”

“She said she would examine old records, track movement routes, and set up traps. I’ve only received reports that she’s gone to identify locations.”

‘She’s doing better than expected.’

He heard that she was also diligently training and that her achievements were improving day by day, so Beom felt relieved.

‘I was worried she’d be crying because I wasn’t there….’

It seems that she is also growing.

The surrounding reputation is also gradually acknowledging her.

“Thanks to that, she’s been receiving many marriage proposals. I overheard that men from various families are coveting her.”

‘He seems to hear all sorts of stories.’

Because of his position, he can’t help but know what’s going on in the palace.

Beom was amazed to see Daechen talking so amusingly.

‘She’s a more talkative woman than he thought.’

Whether it’s because she has a lot to tell him or for some other reason, she talks about this and that without taking a break.

“Oh, have I been talking a bit too much?”

She covers her mouth with her hand as if she realized it belatedly.

“No, I was listening with interest. I didn’t know the way to the palace would be so short.”

“You’re being mischievous.”

A pleasant atmosphere continues.

Daechen, who glanced outside, soon realized that the Sugung [Water Palace] was close at hand and gave advice in a serious tone.

“Hold on a little longer. I will soon send Munmugwanjang to the Seon-gye [Immortal Realm] as an envoy of the Sugye [Water Realm]. Probably within a hundred years or so.”

“Is the situation not good?”

“It’s because of the Ssangmyeol [a powerful artifact or ability] that Munmugwanjang possesses. It can be used to encourage competition between families, but the risk is great. It’s safer and more rewarding to go to the Seon-gye now.”

He can get a lot.

That word felt strange for some reason.

‘Why is Daechen being so good to me….’

As a suspicious Cheonbeom, he couldn’t help but be puzzled.

“I understand.”

The door of the carriage opens, and Cheonbeom and Tamlang get off.

“Oh, take this with you too.”

A small spirit tablet came out of Daechen’s arms.

“Have him carry it. It will hide Tamlang’s identity and energy. He’s too noticeable anyway.”

As he inserted the spirit tablet into Tamlang’s waist, who was staring blankly at the Sugung, his energy, which had been as stiff as a needle, softened.

“Thank you.”

“Then, take care of yourself. Munmugwanjang.”

The door of the carriage closed again and disappeared in a streak of light.

“This place has a lot of prey.”

It’s been a long time since he visited the Sugung.

He wondered where to go first, but the only place that came to mind was one.

‘Saha is said not to be in the Sugung….’

Of course, his place.

It was only right to go to the Munmugung, which had been empty for so long.

‘The vacation was quite long.’

The one-year vacation had become seventy years, but it was okay because he had returned.

Beom strode into the Munmugung.