Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 427

Tales of Nanshan – Part 2, Episode 136

After entering the underground cave some time ago, Gyeon and Yeon-a were surprised by its unexpectedly vast size.

The further they ventured, the wider the passage became, easily accommodating a dragon. The ceiling was so high it disappeared from sight, even after flying upwards for a long time.

And that wasn’t all.

Instead of a single passage, forks appeared constantly, creating a labyrinthine network.

One path led to a desert, another to the sea, and yet another to a lush forest.

Some places contained lakes full of poison, while others were filled with bizarre stone towers teeming with various parasites.

“Vice Commander, where was that place we passed earlier?”

“The one with about a thousand Phantasmal Beasts fighting in a pit?”

It was a strange arena where Phantasmal Beasts divided territories within a huge pit and relentlessly fought each other.

Strangely, even when injured, the Phantasmal Beasts quickly recovered, likely due to the medicinal herbs growing nearby that promoted vitality.

Knowing this, the Phantasmal Beasts fiercely protected or seized the land where the herbs grew.

The herbs they guarded were Adonis flowers, rare even in the Immortal Realm. [Adonis flowers are known for their medicinal properties and beauty.]

Judging by the many human bones near the Phantasmal Beast packs, it seemed many greedy individuals had met their doom.

“It’s amazing that we can see such scenery after passing through that desolate place.”

Yeon-a and Gyeon sat in the shade of a tree to catch their breath and admire the scenery.

Unlike the desolate and bizarre landscapes they had traversed, this place was full of flowers and trees, bathed in warm sunlight.

The flowers in the flowerbeds swayed in the breeze, and the fragrant scent of trees filled the air.

There were no dangerous parasites or cruel Phantasmal Beasts, which put their minds at ease.

“Now I understand why it’s called the Black Sky Labyrinth; there really is a reason.”

Upon entering the labyrinth, they had encountered and fought with some cultivators, exchanging information. They learned that this labyrinth had appeared in the Black Wind Zone [a dangerous and chaotic region] some time ago.

Those who survived the labyrinth called it the Black Sky Labyrinth, and the rumor spread, attracting many cultivators.

“Black Sky Labyrinth…”

“Vice Commander, are you sure we can smell Master here?”

“I’m sure.”

I’m certain.

It’s faint, but it’s still there.

“Then, even after being here for over ten years, we still can’t find him?”

“You ask knowing the answer. This is the vast Black Sky Labyrinth. You know it’s not called ‘Black Sky’ and ‘Labyrinth’ for nothing.”

“I’m just frustrated. Frustrated.”

Ten years since entering the labyrinth.

It’s already been ten years.

Even for cultivators who are not bound by time, ten years is not a short period.

So, it’s understandable to be frustrated.

Yeon-a’s heart must be heavy, having come this far relying only on Gyeon’s nose.

As she calmed her agitated heart and looked at the swaying flowerbeds, Gyeon spoke.

“Do you remember the couple we met a while ago?”

She seemed to be talking about the cultivators they had met wandering the labyrinth a few days ago.

They were a well-matched couple; the man had a refreshing demeanor, and the woman was also charming, making them a good pair.

“Originally, a group of cultivators from a sect had entered together, but due to an unforeseen accident, only the two of them remained, wandering the labyrinth.”

Whatever the situation, love bloomed even in such a place, and they decided to marry.

Gyeon continued, “I couldn’t say it then, but I sensed something else in the woman’s belly.”

“Something else?”

“I’m saying she’s pregnant.”

“Ah… that’s something to celebrate.”

Having a child in the Black Sky Labyrinth… it was ambiguous whether to congratulate them or pity the child’s fate.

Still, since a new life was being conceived, it was definitely something to celebrate, regardless of the situation.

“I don’t know much about Master’s time in the Lower Realm. Did he have a wife or children?”

Gyeon, sitting in the shade with her knees drawn up, looked more lonely than usual.

“I was wondering what you were getting at… you could have just asked.”

In Yeon-a’s eyes, Gyeon appeared to be a confident woman on the outside, but she had some insecurities inside.

“He had a wife. He didn’t have any children when I was around. A Taoist’s body is infertile, so he probably couldn’t have children even after I ascended. Unless he took another wife or concubine, but knowing Master’s personality, he wouldn’t have…”

Suddenly, Yeon-a thought of a woman from the Gung Biho clan who lived in Baeksan [a legendary mountain], but she quickly dismissed the thought.

“He had a wife.”

“Yes, they were a truly well-matched couple. His wife was truly worthy of being called Master’s partner.”

Even now, when I think about it, it comes to mind.

“Master always said that his wife reminded him of snowflakes.”

Cheonbeom always said that she was like a snowflake.

Yeon-a also felt that way.

When she thought of her, a scene naturally came to mind.

A snowfield covered in soft, fluffy snow.

Falling snowflakes.

A woman in the middle of it.

Hair like snow and eyes like a blue lake.

She had a seemingly cold impression, but her faint smile made her an incredibly beautiful and lovely woman.

“She was a kind person. I wouldn’t be where I am now without her help.”

Yeon-a, sitting in the shade with her eyes closed, calmly speaking as if recalling old memories, unknowingly curved the corners of her mouth.

“If Madam ascends, even if she’s a rogue immortal, her nature would lead her to leave for the Water Realm alone. Even in the Lower Realm, she always longed for Master and would go to find him herself if she didn’t hear from him for a long time.”

“Is Madam also human?”

“Yes. Master doesn’t discriminate based on race.”

From the beginning, their story, which started in Baeksan, was about a mountain god and a sacrifice, so it was natural.

Yeon-a told the story of Cho-a, who was originally a sacrifice, and the mountain god who ruled Baeksan, becoming enthusiastic.

“Isn’t it romantic?”

“It is. I was worried that Master might have other preferences since he takes care of women so well.”

“He has great ambitions, so he deliberately keeps his distance. But Master is also a man, and there were times when he enjoyed months of pleasure with Madam?”

Yeon-a, blushing as she spoke, had the face of a curious girl, unlike before.

Gyeon was surprised by Yeon-a’s appearance, as if it were unexpected.

After chatting like children for a while, Yeon-a seemed to come to her senses and quickly got up, realizing what she was doing.

“We’ve rested enough, let’s go again.”

Gyeon glared at Yeon-a, chuckled, and got up from her seat.

“Still, Master’s scent has gotten stronger than before. It seems like we’re getting closer, so let’s hurry.”

The two women then quickened their pace again, making their way through the flowerbeds.

And then it happened.

When they accidentally stepped on a flower, the sound of a baby crying suddenly came from there. Startled, they took their feet off, but it was already too late.

“Ugh!”

The crying, which echoed piercingly, made them cover their ears, and the ground beneath their feet wriggled and surged.

“Sky Maiden!”

“To the sky!”

The ground rose and fell repeatedly, as if it would burst open at any moment.

Having wandered the Black Sky Labyrinth for ten years, they were so used to this kind of thing that they were practically immune to it.

Yeon-a and Gyeon instantly leaped into the sky.

But at that moment.

The remaining flowers bloomed, scattering a light pink energy.

Crack! Bang!

With a sound, their bodies, which had been flying into the sky using magic, began to fall to the ground.

“A ban!”

The flowers blooming here had cast a flight ban.

Without any way to stop it, the cracked ground swallowed them like a living beast, leading them into the darkness.

“How can this be!”

Gyeon tried to ascend by wielding her whip, but the bottom of the ground was just an empty abyss.

They kept falling endlessly.

The space, which they thought was an abyss, changed its scenery countless times.

There was the desert they had seen before, the forest, and various other spaces lined up like a kaleidoscope.

But even after a day or two, the bottom was not visible.

Then, curiosity and a desire for exploration surged rather than fear.

What is this place, and how was it created to produce such a space?

Questions kept piling up.

“The ban is gone!”

Then, Yeon-a, sensing something, shouted and grabbed Gyeon’s wrist.

Soon, they slowly floated up and flew using magic, and the scenery instantly froze.

It was dark but cozy, suffocating but reassuring.

“Master!”

“Master!”

Gyeon and Yeon-a shouted at the same time.

The first thing they saw was Cheonbeom, bound by black iron chains.

He was tightly wrapped around his entire body, sealed with all sorts of metal rings and talismans.

He must have sealed himself.

Gyeon narrowed her eyes as she looked at Cheonbeom, who was bound by chains.

Cheonbeom was chained on what looked like an altar, but there was one thing different from before.

‘He’s not wearing armor.’

There was no Tamhwa.

And next to Cheonbeom, who was bound, was a beautiful woman sitting with her chin resting on her hand, a woman Gyeon had seen once before, Hwaran.

There were other guests in the space where Cheonbeom was sealed.

“Vice Commander Woo!”

And even Tamlang and the Munmu Sons [elite warriors]!

But strangely, they didn’t move.

Their faces were pale white as if they were frozen, and frost had formed all over their bodies.

Even if I don’t know what the situation is, it didn’t seem good.

The Munmu Sons all seemed frozen in place, having drawn their magical weapons.

“They’ve been hit by the cold. Judging by the fact that their whole bodies are frozen, they were hit in an instant.”

Judging by the fact that they were hit with their magical weapons drawn, they must have been struck down instantly.

‘Even Tamlang…’

Even Tamlang, who could be called an immortal, was frozen with his eyes open, so the opponent could not be taken lightly.

“Who… who is it!”

Gyeon asked, looking at Hwaran, but it wasn’t her who answered.

“It’s me.”

Soon, a calm woman’s voice was heard from somewhere, and a pure white chill filled the floor.

Step by step.

The one walking was a woman with pure white hair neatly tied up with a hairpin.

She inherited the blood of the Baekyo tribe, Baekmu, the elder of the Baekyo clan.

A woman more famous as Baekjeolsamu [a title signifying her unwavering resolve].

As the rogue immortals of the Baekyo tribe with similar appearances appeared behind her, Gyeon and Yeon-a showed conflicting reactions.

Gyeon swallowed hard with tension, but Yeon-a widened her eyes in surprise, as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Madam…?”

Madam! The only woman Yeon-a would call Madam was only one person.

“Madam? Is it really you!?”

“Ah….”

But when she asked again, she tilted her head as if something was strange.