Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 394

Nangseon Gi Hwandam – Part 2, Episode 103

The red blade pressed against Gyeolcheon’s neck.

Gyeolcheon parried a few blows but was quickly overwhelmed.

Cheonnyeo’s swordsmanship was unpredictable, seamlessly blending offense and defense, leaving him no opening. Her power, speed, and technique were simply on a different level.

A drop of blood trickled from the blade against Gyeolcheon’s skin.

“Please yield.”

Gyeolcheon frowned, visibly shocked.

“When we next meet, I won’t be so easily defeated.”

“Next time, we’ll meet on the battlefield. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Gyeolcheon clicked his tongue and, leading the Honseon group, departed from Gyewolseon.

Only the Inseon group remained.

“I apologize for the belated introduction. I am Cheonnyeo of the Heavenly Palace.”

Umyeong and Gayeon greeted Cheonnyeo and invited her to sit.

Unlike Ju Haejong and Gyeolcheon, who were Honseon, there was an undeniable sense that this woman would be reasonable.

“I am Umyeong, the Military Vice-Minister of Tongcheon Water Palace.”

“I am Gayeon.”

They had a general understanding of the situation from the earlier battle and Baekgeonbun’s explanation.

Cheonnyeo held a high position in the Heavenly Palace, and it was said that only a celestial immortal or higher could defeat her, as she had mastered a thousand sword techniques.

Umyeong and Gayeon were inclined to believe it.

The unpredictable moves that had subdued Gyeolcheon and her effortless execution were certainly impressive.

“I showed you an unpleasant scene, but I believe you now have a rough understanding of the situation between the Inseon and Honseon.”

The conversation between Cheonnyeo and Gyeolcheon had clearly demonstrated their allegiances.

The Heavenly Palace and the Seon Palace were at war.

The infighting between the Inseon and Honseon factions appeared to have been ongoing for quite some time.

“The term ‘enemy territory’ isn’t far off here. If certain conditions hadn’t been met, I wouldn’t have set foot here. Even for me, this is a dangerous place.”

“May we ask why you came all this way despite the risk?”

Gayeon inquired, and Cheonnyeo readily answered.

“To escort the envoys to the Heavenly Palace.”

As expected.

In the Seon Realm, embroiled in war, the Water Realm’s support could significantly impact morale.

Thus, both sides were vying to win them over.

Now that he considered it, he understood Gyeolcheon’s insistence. Securing the Water Realm’s envoys would be a major victory in the Honseon-Inseon conflict.

“Hmm…”

However, the situation was complex.

Within the Water Realm, many favored supporting the Honseon, due to their existing connections.

Although they had dispatched an investigation team, the initial inclination was to side with the Honseon, however slight the connection.

“Are you aware of the Honseon’s Law Blood?”

“Yes. Gyeolcheon Suseon promised us the Monthly Law Blood. He also proposed several conditions.”

“I see. Then, are you also aware of the potential dangers of the Law Blood?”

“Dangers?”

Gayeon had never heard of such a thing.

“Law Blood is a mystical medicine created using the Honseon’s unique mixed blood. Because of this, its efficacy and side effects vary depending on whose blood is used, making it potentially dangerous.”

“I see…”

“I understand that the Monthly Law Blood is less potent, but…”

There were still side effects.

Gayeon’s eyes narrowed.

She seemed to anticipate what Cheonnyeo was about to say.

“Even so, the efficacy of the Monthly Law Blood is undeniable. Moreover, unlike the Inseon, wouldn’t it be free of side effects for your Water Realm’s Suseon [practitioners of the Water Realm’s cultivation methods]?”

Cheonnyeo paused, considering her words.

“Perhaps. I may have sounded as if I were disparaging the Honseon, but I was simply stating what I know. I cannot definitively say whether it will be beneficial or harmful to the Suseon of the Water Realm.”

“In that case…”

“Therefore! Shouldn’t we calmly evaluate both the Inseon and Honseon?”

Her eloquence was remarkable.

Looking at her smiling eyes, one could imagine she had captivated many hearts.

“And I observed many envoys from the Water Realm in Juhaeseong. Most seemed to be searching for something. Out of curiosity, I discovered they were looking for tonics or divine herbs to treat internal injuries… It seems someone is unwell.”

Gayeon’s eyebrows twitched.

She glanced at Baekgeonbun, who had accompanied Cheonnyeo, but he shook his head, indicating he hadn’t revealed anything.

“If it’s medicine for internal injuries, I happen to have some with me.”

At Cheonnyeo’s gesture, one of the women behind her placed a small box on the table.

“What is this?”

“Open it.”

Umyeong opened the box, revealing a square glass bottle.

Inside was a milky white liquid that shimmered and emitted a subtle light, clearly indicating its extraordinary nature.

“It’s Heavenly Law Blood.”

“Heavenly Law Blood?”

“I mentioned that the Monthly Law Blood made by the Honseon has side effects, however minor.”

Law Blood amplifies the power contained within the blood, awakening enlightenment and the blood force within the body.

However, the resulting side effects are unavoidable.

They are less pronounced for the Honseon, but if the Inseon use it, they risk losing their reason.

Monthly Law Blood is milder, but still carries risks.

Therefore, the Inseon faction improved upon the Monthly Law Blood, creating the Heavenly Law Blood.

“With this, you can instantly heal internal injuries. You might even break through a cultivation bottleneck. I myself reached my current level with its help.”

At that moment, Baekgeonbun communicated telepathically.

-Monthly Law Blood is already a divine medicine that ordinary Suseon cannot obtain. It takes a long time to produce, and its value is so immense that it’s nearly impossible to acquire unless you belong to a large sect. The Heavenly Law Blood, an improved version of that, is even more precious.

It can only be obtained from the Heavenly Palace, and only a select few Inseon possess it.

To offer it so readily signifies that the Inseon are staking everything on this.

Knowing its significance, he wanted to immediately inform the Minister of Military Affairs.

‘But…’

If they used the Heavenly Law Blood, they would inadvertently become indebted to the Inseon.

Gayeon and Umyeong were inwardly troubled by this.

The decision wasn’t theirs to make.

The ultimate decision-maker was the Minister of Military Affairs.

As they hesitated, Cheonnyeo, as if sensing their thoughts, pushed the Heavenly Law Blood towards Gayeon and Umyeong.

“I won’t pressure you to choose with this. I simply want you to consider the Inseon’s perspective, not just the Honseon’s. You don’t need to decide now, so wouldn’t it be wise to prioritize saving a life?”

Her words evoked gratitude.

Umyeong and Gayeon rose from their seats and offered a respectful bow.

“We are grateful for Cheonnyeo’s kindness.”

“Thank you.”

Regardless of her true intentions, it was undoubtedly a mystical medicine that could aid the Minister of Military Affairs, who remained unconscious.

Since she was considerate of their position and offered the Heavenly Law Blood as a gesture of goodwill, they couldn’t help but express their appreciation.

“Ah, you’ll need to break the seal to use the Heavenly Law Blood, so I’ll accompany you if you wish to use it now.”

Her adjutants hesitated briefly at her words, but quickly agreed.

* * *

Following Gayeon and Umyeong, the Military Vice-Ministers, Cheonnyeo felt a sense of relief.

‘As expected.’

Upon arriving in Juhaeseong, she had learned that the Suseon of the Water Realm were searching for mystical medicines.

That’s where the connection began.

The fact that so many Water Realm envoys were seeking such remedies suggested that someone of high rank was injured.

Heavenly Law Blood is a rare and valuable medicine, not easily obtained even by her.

Giving it away simply to gain favor wouldn’t be worthwhile.

However, her gamble had paid off. If the Minister of Military Affairs could be treated with the Heavenly Law Blood, it would be a significant favor, ultimately benefiting the Inseon and the Heavenly Palace.

“It’s here.”

“Yes.”

There’s a saying that if you want to gauge someone’s status, look at the entrance to their home.

True to the saying, even the entrance was extraordinary, befitting the residence of a high-ranking Suseon.

Unlike other rooms, it was expansive, with a grand gate, and magnificent carvings of phoenixes and dragons.

The numerous seals and spells indicated that it was heavily guarded.

Gayeon and Umyeong released dozens of seals and barely managed to open the gate.

Then, a brilliant light streamed through the opening.

“Gasp.”

Cheonnyeo involuntarily gasped and covered her mouth.

‘Incredible Seon energy…’

As soon as the gate opened, golden light flooded outwards.

The immense energy that emanated enveloped her.

The intense light made it difficult to see, but when she focused her vision, she finally glimpsed the interior of the room.

‘My goodness.’

Inside, a vast, otherworldly landscape seemed to unfold.

The floor was covered in golden lotuses, and Hwajeong [likely a name] was seated upon the fully bloomed flowers.

‘What are these golden lotuses…’

The energy contained within each one was extraordinary. Cheonnyeo instinctively reached out to touch one, but then hesitated and withdrew her hand.

“It’s best not to touch them. They contain fire energy sharper and more potent than most treasured swords, so you risk being cut and burned simultaneously.”

At Gayeon’s warning, Cheonnyeo nodded and slowly surveyed the spectacle.

At the far end, beyond the tens of thousands of golden lotuses, stood five Taesans [referring to mountains, possibly with a specific significance in this world].

They exuded a slightly different energy from the golden lotuses, and Cheonnyeo immediately recognized that they contained the energy of the Five Elements [metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, fundamental forces in many Eastern philosophies].

‘Five Elements Extreme Mountain!!’

Obtaining even one of the energies of the Five Elements was difficult, but she was astonished to see all five possessed here.

‘All the energies are weakened.’

That explained why she hadn’t noticed it sooner. The energies were likely depleted due to a fierce battle.

It was said that the owner of this place had suffered internal injuries.

Cheonnyeo was naturally curious.

About the kind of person who resided here.

‘As expected, he is no ordinary immortal.’

With that thought, Cheonnyeo walked along the path between the golden lotuses.

After a while, the clouds and mist surrounding the Five Elements Extreme Mountain stirred.

Curious, she looked and began to discern something black within the clouds and mist, and a sharp energy pierced the air.

It was a palpable killing intent.

“Please wait a moment.”

As she stopped, the head of a dragon wearing armor emerged from the clouds and mist and growled.

‘Oryong!! [Five-Headed Dragon]’

She had never seen one before, but that kind of carapace and appearance could only belong to an Oryong.

She was astonished to see an Oryong, which she had only read about in books, in such a place.

The birth of an Oryong was said to require consuming tens of thousands of dragons, making them incredibly rare.

‘I can’t believe I’m seeing an Oryong…’

True to the myth of consuming countless dragons, the energy it exuded was intense.

Cheonnyeo considered the outcome of a fight between herself and the Oryong and shook her head.

She preferred to avoid conflict if possible.

Gayeon approached the Oryong and appeared to be communicating telepathically, before disappearing back into the clouds and mist.

“You can proceed now.”

Cheonnyeo’s curiosity only intensified.

After walking for a long time again, a forest suddenly appeared.

Within the forest, a multitude of divine herbs that would astound even Cheonnyeo were hidden, and various weapons were arranged.

And at the end, a large lotus was in full bloom.

Seated atop it was a divine beast, its body concealed by enormous wings.

The exact appearance was obscured by the wings.

She didn’t sense as much energy as she had from the Oryong.

Cheonnyeo hesitated for a moment before taking a step, but at that instant, the ground beneath her feet vanished and the scenery turned black.

‘Illusionary Realm!’

Realizing it was a powerful illusionary realm, Cheonnyeo chose to show respect rather than resist.

The creator of this illusionary realm must be the Suseon she was about to meet!

“Are you the Minister of Military Affairs, representing the Water Realm?”

As she spoke, she heard footsteps, both heavy and light, approaching.

It wasn’t just one person.

It was two.

She raised her head and looked.

Before Cheonnyeo stood Suseon in the forms of a boy and an old man.

The boy had an innocent expression, while the old man possessed a sharp, seemingly emotionless face.

Cheonnyeo was puzzled and asked.

“Are you the Minister of Military Affairs?”

The boy and the old man answered.

“We are and we aren’t.”

“Am I? Am I not? I don’t know?”

Both gave ambiguous answers.

Cheonnyeo felt a strange chill.

“What do you mean…”

As she asked, both of them replied simultaneously.

“That’s obvious.”

“We are his original spirits.”