Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 522

A smile never left Cheonbeom’s face as he quietly observed Cheonchuk’s battle.

‘He seems to have a greater aptitude for the Lightning God Technique than the Fire God Technique.’

Cheonchuk used Unbreakable Wall more frequently than Golden Skyfire.

He also seemed more adept at wielding the Lightning God Technique compared to the Fire God Technique.

Of course, from Sangseon’s [High Immortal] perspective, both were formidable divine techniques, likely unmatched among his peers of the same level.

Watching him indiscriminately slaughter the Insectoids emerging from the Gongmyo Cave, it was like watching a younger version of himself.

‘The Unbreakable Wall I entrusted to Cheonyu… has flowed down to Chuk.’

Over generations.

What was given to Yu was passed down to So-cheong’s generation, and then to Chuk.

It wasn’t a divine technique that anyone could master, and Chuk seemed to have invested considerable effort and possessed the necessary talent.

That’s why he couldn’t help but feel touched and immensely proud.

He was the only one of his bloodline who had progressed this far.

Indeed, there was a reason for it.

-Amazing! He’s perfectly intercepting the surprise attacks of the Insectoids who are concealing their presence!

-That’s right.

One Insectoid attempted a stealthy approach using Silver Arts [a technique to conceal one’s presence], but the strange talismans circling Cheonchuk flared, revealing the Insectoid’s position.

It appeared that the talismans were nullifying the Silver Arts.

The exposed Insectoids were instantly struck by Cheonchuk’s lightning and perished.

Furthermore, he demonstrated proficiency in formations using the Lightning God Technique, creating several purple lightning spears to construct a lightning formation, annihilating a large number of Insectoids.

-But what is this place? Why are there so many…?

-Yeah. There are quite a few.

Cheonbeom’s brow furrowed.

It was highly unusual to see so many Insectoids gathered naturally.

‘There must be something significant here.’

A subtle energy permeated Gongmyo Cave.

However, it wasn’t potent enough for Cheonbeom to concern himself with, so he had been ignoring it.

‘I’ll investigate it once the situation is resolved.’

Kwaang!!

Hudududuk!!

Boulders crumbled and giant Insectoids collapsed from the impact of the lightning.

“Hoo….”

Cheonchuk was fighting exceptionally well, but he was alone.

The Insectoids of Gongmyo Cave didn’t seem to care.

They were relentlessly charging forward.

The sheer number of Insectoids in this place was staggering, ranging from those as small as fingernails to those as large as bulls.

Cheonchuk was also conserving his strength while fighting….

‘The situation is deteriorating. They’re attacking without pause.’

It was as if they were fiercely defending something.

Cheonbeom began to worry about his great-grandson sustaining serious injuries.

‘No, let’s observe a little longer.’

He had already witnessed enough of Cheonchuk’s power and was deeply moved, as if witnessing the culmination of his bloodline’s cultivation.

So, he continued to anticipate more.

Why wouldn’t he, as an elder, be curious about what his descendant would display?

Moreover, Cheonbeom was naturally thrilled to see his great-grandson wielding the divine techniques he had personally imparted in such a spectacular manner.

Just then.

A desolate wind swept through a section of Gongmyo Cave. It was a gentle breeze, almost a rustling, but the energy it carried was incredibly fierce.

It was the energy he had sensed earlier.

A serious expression settled on Cheonbeom’s face.

And at that moment.

Hoo-oong!! A sharp gust of wind, like a blade, hurtled towards Cheonchuk.

Kwaang!!

“Keuk!!”

With a chilling whoosh, Cheonchuk was sent flying, crashing through the cave wall.

The sudden wind.

Cheonchuk, struck directly, coughed up blood as he struggled to regain his footing.

Hudududuk.

A stream of blood trickled from Cheonchuk’s mouth as he emerged from the rubble.

Simultaneously, the armor he wore shattered and turned to dust.

The talismans circling him had dimmed considerably.

They had lost a significant amount of energy.

Seizing the opportunity, dozens of Insectoids swarmed towards him.

Just then.

Hoo-oong, Tat!

Two streaks of light shot towards Cheonchuk.

“Chuk!!”

A woman gazed at him with worried eyes.

It was Mi Seodan.

* * *

“Haa….”

Cheonchuk, barely catching his breath, assessed the approaching Insectoids and his dwindling divine energy.

‘This is my limit.’

After repeatedly using the Lightning Formation, his accumulated divine energy was rapidly depleting.

However, the Insectoids of Gongmyo Cave showed no signs of diminishing… despite his meticulous preparations, it was woefully inadequate.

Cheonchuk understood why Gongmyo Cave had earned its notoriety.

‘It’s too much for one person.’

Successive subjugations over time might be possible, but not now.

As Cheonchuk gathered his thoughts and prepared to retreat.

Hoo-oong!

A gust of wind that made his entire body tremble enveloped him.

Kwaang!!

He managed to block it momentarily, but it was an attack he couldn’t withstand.

“Keoheok!”

He spat out a mouthful of blood, and a searing pain, as if his body was being torn apart, surged through him as he exerted himself in his injured state.

Even so, the Insectoids relentlessly pressed their attack, eager to exploit his vulnerability.

Kwaji jik Kwang!!

‘This…!’

One Insectoid, resembling a grotesque bug, bared its fangs, piercing through the weakened Fire God Technique.

A moment of desperation.

Kwang!!

“Chuk!!”

Two streaks of light, like the break of dawn, descended upon him.

It was Mi Seodan and her confidant.

“…Why are you here?”

Kulk!

As he spat out another mouthful of blood he had been holding back, his vision blurred.

“I came to see what an ugly way you die!”

Despite her harsh words, her expression was on the verge of tears.

Cheonchuk chuckled at her appearance.

“You’re laughing in this situation!?”

However, Cheonchuk didn’t wipe the smile from his pale face.

Mi Seodan unfolded a red folding fan from her sleeve and waved it.

A strange energy stirred, and the ground rose, creating a barrier.

“I can’t hold out for long! Take Chuk and go!”

“What about Seodan-nim [term of respect]!”

“Do you think I can’t take care of myself!? Go quickly, I said!!”

Kung! Koong! Kwaang!!

The Insectoids’ attacks were relentless.

The wall she created wouldn’t last long.

It was quite a sight to see her trying to save him while arguing with her confidant.

‘You should have done that sooner.’

Just as he was releasing his tension.

Hoo-oong.

Cheonchuk sensed that strange wind again.

“!”

A powerful Wind God Technique instantly shattered his armor, which was a magical artifact, and inflicted internal injuries.

Mi Seodan wouldn’t be able to withstand that much power.

“Seodan!!”

Cheonchuk rose and shielded Seodan.

At the same time, the wall created with her divine power crumbled, and a gust of wind tore through him.

Chwaak!!

“Chuk!!”

Her scream echoed sharply.

A piece of his arm, severed from his body, fell heavily to the ground.

‘Ah….’

Cheonchuk thought.

He was going to die here.

He didn’t know when he was first attacked.

But now that he was attacked again, he knew.

The wind of this moment was not something that Sangseon [Upper Immortal] could create.

It was beyond that.

‘There’s Hyangseon [Mystic Immortal]….’

The number of Sangseon who have died here so far is in the hundreds.

Of course, they were not righteous beings.

Cheonchuk foresaw his death.

His divine energy was exhausted, and his arm was severed. It was difficult to form hand signs, and it was also difficult to circulate the energy and blood in his body to use divine techniques with his body damaged.

“Chuk!! Get a hold of yourself!!”

Seodan’s face, hovering above him, was streaked with tears.

“It felt like… it was, raining.”

Tudook, Tutudook. Mi Seodan’s falling tears poured down like raindrops.

Cheonchuk felt sorry and affectionate, and awkwardly smiled.

The more he did, the more Seodan wept with a heart-wrenching feeling.

“I was wrong. I, I was all wrong, so… please. Please… don’t die.”

She pleaded as if begging, but Cheonchuk’s focus gradually faded.

Behind her face, the figures of the rushing Insectoids loomed.

An Insectoid with a ferocious maw gaping through the collapsed Gongmyo Cave.

And beyond that, a tremendous energy was felt. Was it because he was on the verge of death?

He felt a lot of things.

His eyes were blurred, but strangely, his senses became clearer and sharper.

Was that why?

One energy that was not felt.

Another one was felt.

“Who….”

As he stammered and asked towards the air.

At some point.

A man he had never seen before appeared.

A man approaching, scattering golden energy around him. He was definitely a man he had never seen before, but his face was somehow familiar.

‘Golden eyes….’

It was a strange feeling.

What should I call this?

It was a feeling hard to express in words.

‘Who is it?’

Behind the man who suddenly appeared, hundreds of Insectoids were lined up.

But none of them dared to approach.

Rather, they were backing away as if they were afraid, so Cheonchuk wondered if he was dreaming.

But as if it wasn’t a dream.

When the man spread out his palm, a faint golden energy enveloped him.

Then, an amazing thing happened.

Cheonchuk’s complexion returned, and his severed arm began to reattach.

“Heot!!”

Cheonchuk was amazed that his dying body was being restored, and that vitality was springing up and overflowing with strength.

As he got up from Seodan’s arms, they were shocked as if they had witnessed a miracle, and Cheonchuk was dumbfounded.

His body was fine.

Just like before the fight.

It was as if time had been turned back.

Cheonchuk could only ask with a bewildered face at this mysterious harmony.

“Who… are you.”

Who was it that created such harmony?

Who was it that had such power and was helping him?

And what was the subtle, familiar fire and energy that was emanating?

“Could it be….”

As he asked that.

The man replied with a knowing face.

“I am one who uses the Cheon surname.”