Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 480

Nangseon Gi Hwan Dam – Part 2, Episode 189

Hwa-dam could barely open his eyes, as if caught in a raging storm.

Violent winds and scattering seawater buffeted him, making it difficult to see.

“Ugh!”

Thud!

Hwa-dam, who had been skimming across the water, was swept away by a gust and pushed back.

Tuk.

“Get a hold of yourself.”

“S-Sorry.”

Tanhwa grabbed his back, helping him regain his footing.

Only then could Hwa-dam truly take in the scene before him.

Kugung! Kugugugung!

The storm raged relentlessly, and the sound of thunder, as if the sky itself were furious, reverberated in every direction.

At the heart of the chaos, Cheonbeom and the Heunwon Sword stood motionless, their blades locked. The immense energy surging between them seemed to create a barrier, preventing any disturbance.

Cheonbeom and the Heunwon Sword had been locked in this silent, intense confrontation for hours. The surrounding environment was anything but still.

The sea of Geonwon was carved out and reshaped, as if some colossal creature had taken a bite out of it.

This was undoubtedly due to the overwhelming storm of energy emanating from their duel.

‘I can’t dare approach…’

It was on a completely different level.

The sight was awe-inspiring.

Hwa-dam knew Cheonbeom possessed great skill, but he hadn’t considered him a particularly formidable fighter.

This was because Hwa-dam had rarely seen Cheonbeom in action; he and Tanhwa had handled most of the enemies they’d encountered on their journey.

So, he was quite taken aback.

And he felt a strange mix of emotions.

A powerful immortal who didn’t need his strength. That was Cheonbeom.

Hwa-dam’s existence felt insignificant, making his past feelings of being Cheonbeom’s protector and benefactor seem somewhat foolish.

As if sensing his thoughts, Tanhwa spoke.

“Unlike before, you are useful now. Father only keeps what he needs. The fact that he brought you along means he still has a use for you.”

Hwa-dam flinched, as if Tanhwa’s words, which seemed to pierce through his very being, had struck him in the heart.

Soon, a sense of fulfillment at being acknowledged warmed a corner of his heart.

He tried not to smile, considering the gravity of the situation, but he couldn’t suppress the twitching at the corners of his lips. In the end, he received another comment.

“Idiot.”

“Sorry…”

Tanhwa glanced around and nudged Hwa-dam.

“Why?”

“True form.”

He was telling him to transform into his true form.

Hwa-dam, about to ask why, understood as he saw streaks of light approaching from afar.

With such immense energy fluctuating, it was inevitable that nearby immortals would take notice.

They weren’t fools; their attention would naturally be drawn to such a spectacle.

‘The Great One is fighting…’

It was their duty to intervene.

Hwa-dam felt a surge of satisfaction at the thought of being able to help.

“Fool.”

Tanhwa erupted in a dazzling light, scattering dark poison and transforming.

He became a colossal five-headed dragon, over eight hundred yards long, radiating the potent energy of Hyangsan [Hyangsan is a mythical mountain associated with powerful spiritual energy].

Hwa-dam also transformed.

His gray fur shimmered with a faint moonlight, and his own energy transformed him into a mystical deer that illuminated the night sky.

He took a deep, sighing breath, and pure white energy spread out in shimmering motes.

As if on cue.

The immortals of the Immortal World surged forward, wielding their respective Dharma instruments [sacred implements or tools used in spiritual practices].

* * *

“How is it? Do you know?”

When U-myeong asked, Ga-yeon shook her head.

“I saw them heading towards the front lines of the Immortal World, but their whereabouts after that are unclear. Even if I ask the immortals here, they refuse to answer, claiming it’s confidential.”

“Ahem…”

U-myeong and Ga-yeon, along with Yang Mi and most of the Twin Immortals, openly expressed their disappointment.

They had hoped to meet the Head of the Civil and Military Affairs Office soon, but it was proving difficult.

“Where is Tam-lang?”

“Well, I sent a telepathic talisman to Baek Su-seon, so I should have an answer soon.”

As he spoke, a small bird appeared, fluttered its wings, landed on Ga-yeon’s arm, and transformed into a talisman.

It was a telepathic message.

“Speak of the devil.”

Ga-yeon’s brows furrowed as she examined the talisman.

“Why, Vice-Commander?”

“Tam-lang seems to be on the front lines of the Immortal World. But the atmosphere there seems…unsettled.”

“What’s wrong with the atmosphere…?”

“That is…”

Just then.

Ppuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

The battlefield horn blared.

“What’s going on!”

He grabbed an immortal from the 34th front line who was passing by and demanded an explanation. The immortal replied.

“The immortals of the Immortal World are suddenly rushing into battle! I don’t know what they’re fighting about, but they told me to go and help!”

With that, he hurried onward.

“Vice-Commander, what should we do?”

“Well, we aren’t obligated to participate.”

But it felt wrong to simply ignore it.

But to join them….

“Vice-Commander U, what are you going to do?”

“Let’s gather more information first. What exactly is wrong with the atmosphere there?”

“It’s said to be as sharp as a knife.”

“Why?”

“There are rumors that Sword Do-il-taek, the Wonseon Grand Master of Sangcheon Haewol [Wonseon are elite warriors; Sangcheon Haewol is likely a powerful sect or organization], is coming to the front lines of the Immortal World.”

“That…”

It was not a good sign.

The fact that the Wonseon were starting to appear meant the war was escalating.

“This isn’t about the Head of Office.”

“It’s not a good situation for the Lord either. He tends to make enemies, so it’s best not to linger here.”

It was best to find him as quickly as possible and leave.

The Wonseon were on a different level, and notoriously eccentric compared to the Sangseon and Hyangseon [likely ranks or types of immortals]. Crossing them was a death sentence, so it was best to avoid them.

“Then let’s do this. First, we’ll accompany the immortals of the 34th front line and follow the traces of the Head of Office.”

“Agreed!”

* * *

Ttok.

The sound of a single drop of water falling on the lake caused Cheonbeom to open his eyes.

“A mental image.”

When divine senses, which were also a form of energy, intertwined, this kind of synchronization could occur.

Cheonbeom’s physical form was locked in combat with the Heunwon Sword, but his mind was able to enter a mental image, allowing him to perceive and contemplate other things.

But this mental image wasn’t solely Cheonbeom’s; there was another presence within it.

“I understood after a single clash of swords. I saw it through Dangchun’s eyes, and now seeing it with my own, it’s even clearer.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Heavenly Sword, you are both our greatest enemy and our only hope.”

It was the Heunwon Sword.

The Heunwon Sword, in the form of a scholar, walked across the pitch-black ink where nothing existed.

“I am Cheonbeom, not Heavenly Sword.”

He shook his head, as if to correct him.

“Since that person calls you that, we have no choice but to do the same.”

“…Is the person you’re talking about watching me now?”

“We are all one with that person. When you were with Dangchun in the Lower World, we were all watching with that person.”

Cheonbeom’s expression darkened.

“But not as intently as now.”

Cheonbeom’s eyes narrowed.

“So, creating this mental world was the will of the Heunwon Sword.”

“That’s right. It would be romantic to say that men communicate through swords, but I had something I truly needed to say.”

He smiled brightly, revealing a handsome face.

“Something you wanted to say?”

“I received an order from that person. He told me to capture you.”

“And?”

“I understood after a single clash of swords. I cannot capture you. I knew that even if I killed you, capturing Heavenly Sword alive was impossible.”

“So you’re opening a mental image to buy time.”

“That’s partially true, but not entirely. As I said, you are both our greatest enemy and our only hope.”

That’s right.

He tried to ignore it, but the words kept echoing in his mind.

Greatest enemy and only hope.

What on earth did that mean?

It defied logic.

He’s the greatest enemy, yet also their hope.

When Cheonbeom remained silent, the Heunwon Sword continued, unprompted.

“We all serve that person as our master. We are proud and honored to be that person’s sword.”

But.

“Conversely, we feel the utmost hatred. You probably know why, Heavenly Sword.”

“You must be referring to Divine Sword Unification.”

“That’s right.”

Divine Sword Unification.

He still remembered it vividly.

The moment when his senior brothers transformed into swords and merged with him.

That was how Cheonbeom obtained Gyuncheon Ogwang [likely a powerful sword technique] and achieved Gyuncheon Bohwa [likely a state of enlightenment or power].

The Heunwon Sword and the other swordsmen’s swords would be no different.

“You are the last sword. Do you know why?”

“I don’t know.”

The Heunwon Sword replied without hesitation.

“Because you killed Dangchun, you finally became the last sword, Heavenly Sword.”

“Because I killed Dangchun?”

“Do you remember when Dangchun died?”

“I remember.”

He was quite a formidable opponent.

“But why… Heunwon Sword, you must have witnessed his death as well.”

“Yes, I saw it. I saw it very clearly. I also saw what happened after he died. That’s why we say you are our greatest enemy and our only hope.”

It was difficult to understand.

It was even frustrating.

“So why am I the greatest enemy and the only hope?”

“After Dangchun died, what happened to your sword?”

“My sword?”

He must be talking about Ran.

‘At that time…’

Killing Dangchun… At the same time, what happened at that time flashed through his mind like a lantern.

The sword wound on Cheonbeom’s body.

At the same time, Hwaran [likely the name of Cheonbeom’s sword] fell asleep.

“…Could it be.”

“That person has orchestrated everything. Not only the death of his sword, but also the changes that would result.”

“….”

Dangchun died at the hands of Cheonbeom.

His sword was embedded in Cheonbeom’s body.

The sword wound lingered for a long time.

When it finally disappeared, Ran fell asleep.

“That person’s swords were originally thirty-five. But since then, there are only eight left. What do you think is the reason?”

Cheonbeom let out a hollow laugh.

“They killed each other.”

“That’s right.”

The swordsmen’s swords turned against each other.

And they claimed the opponent’s sword as their own.

The swords that killed each other in this way grew stronger, and now only eight remained.

One of them was the Heunwon Sword.

And the Heavenly Sword.

“Did I create that hell?”

“Looking only at the results, that’s correct. But that must have been part of the plan as well.”

“I understand the term ‘greatest enemy’. But the word ‘hope’…”

It was ambiguous.

Cheonbeom wondered if his understanding was correct.

“What happens if the swordsmen’s swords fight each other and only one remains?”

“That’s why it’s called hope.”

He didn’t know what would happen.

But it was obvious that it would become an even more powerful sword.

That’s why they called it hope.

A greatest enemy who was aiming for his neck, and a sword that might kill the other swordsmen.

The Heavenly Sword.

“…I see.”

“Fortunately, unlike us, you are not bound by that person’s will.”

The swordsmen were connected to each other, but Cheonbeom was not.

That’s why Cheonbeom was the hope that could avenge them.

Cheonbeom understood everything.

And he calmly closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, his golden eyes shone brightly.

Kwajijijik! Kureureureung!!

A storm raged.

In front of Cheonbeom, who had opened his eyes, stood the Heunwon Sword, their blades touching.

The talkative Heunwon Sword from the mental world was gone. Cheonbeom looked into the Heunwon Sword’s eyes. And he said.

“I will definitely kill you.”

A declaration directed towards someone who might be watching.

The Heunwon Sword smiled.

Once again, the two swords collided.

Kwaaaaaang!!

A earth-shattering roar echoed in all directions, and the sea split open with a crash.