Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 47

Tales of a Wandering Swordsman – 46

The Mountain Lord gathered the bodies of the dead Taoists and collected their belongings into his Gongjeong River [a personal storage space, like a pocket dimension].

He also took all the treasures they had found.

Geumgin didn’t seem particularly interested in them.

However, the Mountain Lord remained suspicious.

He suspected Geumgin might be feigning disinterest, planning to take everything after killing him.

Later.

He explained the situation to the awakened Geumeun sisters and fed them medicinal herbs.

It was an emergency treatment, but better than nothing.

While they sat cross-legged, circulating their energy [a common practice in Taoist meditation and healing], he stood guard, organizing his thoughts.

‘What on earth is going on?’

Everything was incomprehensible.

He’d gleaned some information from the Geumeun sisters, who were pale and weak, but many questions remained.

‘Geumgin seduced Han-soo.’

Otherwise, Han-soo wouldn’t have gone to such lengths, transforming into a monster.

He claimed he brought the other Taoists as offerings to Geumgin.

‘Then who took over Han-soo’s body?’

Han-soo said he found the hidden treasure his master had told him about. The treasures were placed on top of the coffin where his master’s friend was buried, lending credence to his claim.

He didn’t seem to realize that the soul of the deceased dwelled within those treasures, though.

-Wasn’t Han-soo’s master using him as a disposable pawn?

-It seems so.

Cheonyodong [a cave system], managed by Suwolmun [a Taoist sect].

The monsters of Yeongmyeong [a dark, chaotic realm] infested the place.

But they were stretched thin.

So, the master sent Han-soo.

He wasn’t sure about the “friend” part, but the master might have wanted the Taoist who took over Han-soo’s body to annihilate the monsters and emerge victorious.

That was one possibility, but it was just speculation.

Perhaps the master was unaware of the spirit dwelling in the brush.

-They must have figured it would be good if Han-soo succeeded, and if not, oh well. Such things happen frequently in the Taoist world.

-They commit acts unimaginable for those who cultivate the Tao.

He clicked his tongue but felt no sympathy.

He knew what Han-soo had done to the Geumeun sisters and considered it a just reward.

‘Excessive greed brings disaster.’

Various interests and betrayals were likely at play.

The Mountain Lord’s intervention had turned the tables, and they would be furious when they discovered the truth. All the treasures and the sacred tree they coveted were now in his possession.

The Mountain Lord held three medicine bottles, a red rosary, a purple gourd, and an unknown brush.

The rosary and gourd were nearly treasures themselves.

The Mountain Lord happily pocketed them and examined the medicine bottles.

Two contained elixirs he could consume, but they were less potent than the Jade Pearl White Elixir.

The remaining bottle contained Churyeongju [Spirit Cleansing Wine], said to grant immunity to all poisons.

The effect was potent, so he couldn’t drink it immediately, but it would be beneficial to have on hand.

‘This is…’

The unknown brush.

The Mountain Lord frowned as he examined it.

‘I don’t know what it’s for.’

Even when he infused it with spiritual power, nothing happened.

There was definitely a spirit’s soul inside.

But it was too dangerous to send his own soul in to investigate. What if his soul became trapped?

The Mountain Lord gave up and stored everything in his Gongjeong River.

He had acquired treasures by chance, but this wasn’t the time for celebration.

Geumgin was keeping him alive for now, but there was no guarantee he wouldn’t change his mind and kill him.

‘But there’s no real way…’

This was different from the time of the Three Evils.

He had somehow accessed the realm of Yeonggyeol [a high level of spiritual attainment], thanks to the other Taoists, Oryuk Chohak [a type of herb], and Gwangryeongcho [another type of herb].

It was a stroke of incredible luck.

But this was different.

Geumgin was a Yeongmyeong Yuksa [a high-ranking official in the Yeongmyeong].

He had treasures, but it wasn’t enough.

How could he possibly defeat Geumgin, who could create a phantom world with a mere glance?

He couldn’t escape, and Geumgin wouldn’t let him.

The situation was dire.

‘If only Hongyeon would come looking for me…’

There might be a way.

He didn’t know if Hongyeon had entered this place, but there was a good chance she had come to find him.

‘She’s strangely obsessed with me.’

She might have come in.

If she did, she would definitely seek him out, so if he could buy time, he might escape.

It was a slim hope, but he had to cling to it.

“Ha- Gongja [an honorific title]! Thank you!”

Geummae opened her eyes and expressed her gratitude.

Eunmae also glanced at Geumgin and greeted him, but her complexion was poor.

She had taken herbs to boost her energy, but she had lost a significant amount of essence [spiritual energy].

She would need months to recover.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. Considering the situation.”

As he nodded, Geumgin looked at them and said, “If you’re done, leave. I’m busy.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The Mountain Lord supported them and followed Geumgin.

-Gongja-nim. I have something to tell you.

-Tell me.

Eunmae sent a telepathic message, unbeknownst to Geumgin.

-We barely survived, but things don’t look good. Am I understanding correctly?

Her telepathic message was clear and confident.

-That’s right. That guy is Geumgin, a Yeongmyeong Yuksa belonging to Siphaemancheok [a faction or organization]. He’s taking me to Baekgwi Yahaeng [likely a dangerous place or situation] and keeping me alive for some reason, but I don’t know when he’ll decide to kill me.

-I see.

Eunmae hesitated for a moment and said, -We are the Huna of Manbyeongakgwi [a group or organization associated with spirits and healing], so we are especially sensitive to things related to Hwanjin [a type of magical barrier or illusion].

It was unexpected, but the Mountain Lord listened silently.

-Geummae is sensitive to the energy of Hwanjin and its changes, and I am sensitive to the traces melted into it.

-Traces?

-Yes. So, I’m telling you… Did Gongja-nim have any companions?

Who would be a companion?

-When Hwanjin was twisted, I sensed one powerful energy and one energy similar to ours.

Powerful energy!

The Mountain Lord subtly smiled.

* * *

At that moment.

Hongyeon was also wandering around Cheonyodong.

She was holding hands with Ggamanghori, not for any particular reason, but because she feared she would lose her if she looked away for even a moment.

“Please stay still.”

“Do you think I’m a child! I’m old enough to take care of myself!”

Hongyeon just glared at her silently.

“…I’m worried about the Mountain Lord, so I’ll listen to you this time. Really! How can I, as the owner, be afraid!”

She spoke confidently, but seemed scared when Hongyeon glared at her. Hongyeon sighed softly and led Ggamanghori forward.

Just then, a young beast ran into them.

It was a giant monkey, trained in Yeonggyeol, wearing tattered rags.

“Taoist bastards! I’ll catch you… Cough!”

Before he could finish, a flash of light severed the monkey spirit’s head, and it fell to the floor with a thud.

“Ugh! You scared me!”

Ignoring Ggamanghori’s outburst, Hongyeon narrowed her eyes and made a gesture.

She extracted a white mass of light from the monkey’s body – its soul.

[L-Let me go… Ugh, Ugh!!]

She grabbed the spirit and shot red electricity from her fingers.

The spirit contorted, screaming in agony.

Hongyeon tortured the soul, extracting information.

After a while, she extinguished the spirit and unleashed red electricity from her entire body.

Her red thunder created a deafening roar and intensified.

Ggamanghori, startled by the power, shouted, “Why, why are you doing this!”

“I heard there is a Yeongmyeong Yuksa (六使) here. The Mountain Lord is in danger, so I have no choice.”

She unleashed thunder all around, shaking the cave, then gathered her hands and released the energy in a massive explosion.

Kukung! Kwang!

The caves of Cheonyodong collapsed, and the Hwanjin began to distort.

The powerful divine power pierced through the tangled Hwanjin.

It was a natural disaster.

Hongyeon grabbed Ggamanghori, kicked off the ground, and transformed into a streak of red light.

She moved like lightning.

She began to roam Cheonyodong at incredible speed, scattering red thunder.

Kurrrung Hwagagagang!!

“Ugh! Uaaaaagh! F-Fast, isn’t it! Too fast, Hongyeon!”

“Please bear with me a little longer!”

* * *

Kwagagagang!

“!”

Cheonyodong suddenly vibrated.

Geumgin, the Mountain Lord, and the Geumeun sisters all flinched and looked around.

However, they couldn’t understand what was happening because their senses were limited by Hwanjin.

Geumgin seemed to sense something unusual, and his expression darkened.

“Could it be…. At this level, it must be….”

Geumgin muttered and took out a cloth from his robes.

The purple cloth was densely embroidered with ancient Manbo era characters, and it floated in the air.

‘Dunbo(遁寶) [Escape Treasure]!’

It was a flying treasure used by Gogyedo Taoists or Yuksa, a Dunbo.

“Get on!”

He shouted, his face serious, and they quickly climbed onto the cloth.

Once the Mountain Lord and the Geumeun sisters were aboard, Geumgin jumped on, made a gesture, and chanted a spell. A purple protective barrier emanated from the cloth, and it shot away like an arrow.

‘Fast…’

He hadn’t expected it to be so fast, considering it was a cloth, but it was incredibly swift.

Geumgin continued chanting spells and opened all eight of his eyes, navigating the Hwanjin.

“Why are you suddenly doing this?”

“I don’t know, but someone with the realm of Taeseon [a very high level of spiritual power] has entered Cheonyodong! They’ve come to catch me!”

Geumgin’s voice trembled.

Even with the realm of Yeongmyeong, facing a Taeseon, who was on par with Yeonggeop [another high level of spiritual power], was a different matter.

Just as Geumgin had easily slaughtered the Taoists, he would be like a mouse before a cat if Taeseon appeared.

Taeseon could easily kill someone like Geumgin.

However, unlike Geumgin, the Mountain Lord’s face lit up with joy.

Eunmae’s earlier statement seemed to be true.

To be on par with Taeseon.

Even the Mountain Lord, who didn’t fully understand the realms, was surprised, but it was good news.

‘I thought he would be at that level since he is a Jeokryeoju [a title or position].’

He looked at Geumgin, who was manipulating the flying treasure with a serious face, and smiled.

‘The situation has changed, so it’s time for me to act differently.’

With a bitter smile, the Mountain Lord’s heart began to race.

He wondered what treasures the Yeongmyeong had hidden away.