Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 526

Tales of Nangsungan – Part 2, Chapter 235

To be honest, their relationship was… complicated.

They started as enemies, then joined forces against a common foe, and eventually became somewhat friendly as they traveled together.

It was an ambiguous relationship, full of playful antagonism and subtle acknowledgment.

Rivals? Perhaps…

‘I was simply too outstanding,’ Cheonbeom thought, a hint of amusement in his mind.

In any case, their bond defied easy definition; it was the unique connection between Cheonbeom and Miseopa.

“Life is long, indeed. I never imagined you’d be asking me for a favor.” Miseopa’s voice was tinged with a mixture of humility and hope.

He was a man known for his immense pride, a trait matched only by his power and fame.

Now, it seemed, this formidable figure yearned to be a husband to his beloved wife and a father to his child, roles that transcended his warrior persona.

‘Could I do that too?’ Beom wondered.

Could he calmly accept his own mortality, focus on the well-being of his wife and children, and set aside his pride to seek help for what he perceived as minor concerns?

Beom inwardly shook his head.

Perhaps that was beyond him.

‘I’m too selfish.’

He couldn’t envision himself serenely embracing death or relinquishing everything to care for his family.

Wasn’t he the type to make a sudden exit, always with some excuse?

Ultimately, he acted in this way because he valued his own freedom and pursuits above all else.

His life in the harsh world of cultivation had been defined by constant training and relentless exploration.

That was Beom’s way.

It was how Cheonbeom, the Great Celestial, had survived, so he couldn’t definitively say whether it was right or wrong.

“Can you grant my request?” Miseopa’s question broke through his contemplation, drawing him back to the present.

Cheonbeom hesitated, then spoke with difficulty. “…It’s a delicate matter.”

It was a request that was both simple and complex.

With a few words from Cheonbeom, it could easily be done.

The Water Realm was structured around powerful families, and arranged marriages were not uncommon. The Lower Realm was no different. Chuk would find it difficult to refuse a direct order from his great-grandfather, Cheonbeom.

But…

‘Marriage should be a decision made by those involved.’

He didn’t want to force anyone into it.

“He’s only just met his great-grandson. I haven’t even had a chance to act like a grandfather, and I don’t want to start by dictating his life.”

“…I understand.”

Miseopa must have made the request out of concern for his wife and daughter, especially after his passing.

Even now, his friendship with the Great Celestial was well-known, deterring anyone from harming Yangmi and Miseodan. However, as a husband and father, he sought to forge an even stronger connection.

In this world, marriage created the most unbreakable bonds. If Yangmi and Miseodan became family with the Great Celestial’s only blood relative, their future would be secure.

As a father who worried about his daughter’s future, it was the best possible choice.

‘So, he’s suggesting marriage rather than simply asking me to look after them.’

Miseopa understood the limitations of mere protection. No matter how much someone cared for his wife and children, they would always be outsiders.

Their concern would never match that of family. Therefore, he wanted to integrate them into the family, keeping them under Beom’s protection.

“Don’t be too disheartened. Their relationship isn’t strained, and I’m not opposed to the idea.”

“Really?” Miseopa’s eyes widened with hope.

“In my opinion, they could make a good couple….”

He could certainly put in a good word.

“As is often the case with men and women, all it takes is a spark to ignite a fire.”

Miseopa, overjoyed, grabbed his hand, unsure how to express his gratitude.

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Was he truly that happy?

With a wry smile, Beom patted Miseopa, who now wore the beaming face of a relieved father.

* * *

Inside Cheonbeom’s room.

He had shared drinks with Miseopa late into the night, and even after retreating to his assigned room, he couldn’t bring himself to set down his glass.

The room was unnecessarily large and luxurious.

Nothing else particularly caught his attention, but he did appreciate the view from the window.

“Even the moon in the Upper Realm seems lonely now.”

What was once the Son’s Moon was now April’s Moon, leaving only a single celestial orb in the night sky. Perhaps that was why it appeared so forlorn.

“What… more alcohol?”

Hori, roused from her sleep, entered the room, rubbing her eyes.

She must have sensed his presence while she was dozing.

“Weren’t you drinking outside? Why are you drinking again now that you’re inside?”

“The moon is beautiful, the night is beautiful, and you are beautiful, so I’m drinking.”

“You’re just spouting nonsense because you’re drunk.”

She fanned herself with her hand, as if the smell of alcohol was overpowering.

Seeing her displeasure, Cheonbeom playfully blew his breath in her direction.

“Ugh! The smell of alcohol!”

She wrinkled her nose and covered it with her hand, but still settled down next to him.

“Are you lost in useless thoughts again? Tsk, tsk, that’s the problem with smart people.”

Tsking, she refilled Beom’s empty glass and produced a piece of *yakgwa* [traditional Korean honey cookie] from her bosom.

“Here, it’ll soothe your stomach if you’re drinking on an empty stomach.”

“You’re not a child, why do you have *yakgwa* in your bosom?”

“I kept it because it’s delicious, but I’m giving it to you as a special treat. Eat it sparingly.”

He simply smiled at her childish tone. When she realized he was teasing her again, she huffed and tried to snatch it back.

“If you’re not going to eat it, give it back!”

“Who said I wasn’t going to eat it?”

As soon as he took a bite, the corners of his lips twitched upward in amusement.

“So, why are you sadly sipping alcohol all alone? Tell your older sister. You’ve completely ruined my sleep.”

Puffing out her chest, she looked deliberately annoying. He poked her cheek, and she frowned.

“My cheek is not a dumpling!”

“I don’t have any particular worries to share. I’m just lamenting the ruthlessness of fate.”

Why did fate create such a painful thing as separation?

Why create love only to inflict the cruelty of death, plunging sentient beings into such misery?

“Weren’t you always like this?”

“I was. I was always like this. But today, it feels especially cruel.”

Then, as if she understood, Hori quietly studied Beom, rested her arm on the table, and tilted her head.

“Is it because of the injured man?”

“…Did you know?”

“I sensed it. Perhaps others who are perceptive have noticed it as well?”

Maybe his family knew too.

“You can heal him, can’t you? If that’s what you’re worried about, there’s no reason to fret.”

Just heal him.

“That’s not the issue.”

“Then?”

“I sensed celestial energy emanating from him.”

“Ah, he’ll have to undergo the Celestial Tribulation [a trial of lightning and storms that cultivators must face to ascend to a higher level of power].”

“Yes. He probably won’t be able to withstand it.”

Miseopa himself knew that better than anyone else.

Even if he focused solely on healing the wound, he wouldn’t have enough time to gather the energy needed to withstand the Celestial Tribulation. And if he prepared for the Celestial Tribulation, he wouldn’t have enough time to fully restore his body.

“No matter how quickly I heal his wound, I don’t know if he’ll be able to survive the Celestial Tribulation. And he probably doesn’t want that either.”

He likely wasn’t preparing for it. Extensive preparation was essential to withstand the Celestial Tribulation.

Accumulated energy and a clear mind were crucial.

Seclusion was necessary to purify oneself from worldly impurities and achieve complete self-awareness.

Even with such lengthy and thorough preparations, success was far from guaranteed. Was it even possible with a wounded body?

For cultivators, the Celestial Tribulation was often synonymous with death.

‘I’m slowly approaching it too.’

It was gradually drawing nearer.

The first Celestial Tribulation as a Great Celestial for Wonhyeong.

So, it didn’t feel like someone else’s problem.

Moreover, it was even more poignant because Beom knew that Miseopa was inherently a strong person.

Seeing him calmly preparing for death felt so wasteful.

“Well, even you can’t do anything about the Celestial Tribulation.”

Even the Great Celestial, who could accomplish almost anything in the Upper Realm, was powerless against the Celestial Tribulation.

They were all cultivators subject to the Celestial Tribulation, destined to endure the trials of the heavens.

“So, what are you going to do?”

“What do you mean, what am I going to do?”

“I’m talking about Chuk’s wedding. Are you going to force him into it?”

“I don’t know either. Chuk is the one who has to get married, so I don’t know why everyone is asking me.”

Hori looked at him as if he had asked a foolish question and said,

“Marriage isn’t just about two people, is it? As far as I know, a wedding is a celebration for a family. So, you, the most senior member of the Cheon family, have to make the decision!”

“…”

Cheonbeom was speechless.

“You can actually say something sensible sometimes. I’m surprised.”

“Are you teasing me?”

“I’m just surprised.”

“Don’t lie! You made me look like an idiot again, didn’t you?! Do you think I don’t know!”

Hmph!

Hori huffed, crossed her arms, muttered, “You’re the idiot,” and retreated to the bedroom.

As always, dawn broke again at the window where he was left alone.

The brightening sky and the sunlight dispelling the morning mist were still magnificent.

Cheonbeom, still feeling the effects of the alcohol, left the room and headed toward Chuk’s residence.

The chirping of birds and the crisp morning air helped to clear his head.

It was then.

“Hmm….”

The voices of two women talking in front of the detached house where Chuk was staying reached Beom’s ears.

‘It’s Seodan. But who is that child….’

It was a child he had never seen before.

Beom, about to approach, paused and concealed his presence.

The two didn’t seem to be on good terms, and they appeared to be barely suppressing their rising anger.

“I clearly told you to go back.”

“Why should I? I didn’t come to see you, but to see Young Master Cheon, the great-grandson of Geumcheon Daesa [another title for Cheonbeom]. You’re not in a position to tell me what to do, are you?”

Oh.

The atmosphere was tense.

‘Come to think of it, her face is familiar. Wasn’t she the daughter of the Mi Clan’s head?’

Looking closely, she was indeed the daughter of the head who had greeted Beom in passing yesterday.

‘I believe she was the nth daughter, but I don’t remember exactly.’

He hadn’t been interested, so he hadn’t paid much attention.

“I heard that you and Young Master Cheon aren’t that close?”

“That’s….”

“You’re acting just like your mother. Did you inherit her lowly blood and try to monopolize men from the start, keeping me in check? How dare you….”

Her eyes were sharp and filled with malice.

Unlike her confident demeanor in Sancheong, Miseodan seemed to be suppressing her anger, remaining silent.

It seemed that this animosity had been brewing for a while.

‘Was her name Mimia?’

As a direct descendant of the clan head, she likely held a position of authority.

Miseodan, who had reigned supreme in Sancheong, was now unable to utter a word.

“If you understand, move aside.”

Her tone was so aggressive that Miseodan clenched her fists, lowered her head, and stepped aside.

“I heard you went to Sancheong to avoid me. I thought you had made progress in your training, but you were only focused on seducing men. As expected, blood doesn’t lie, does it? Her mother and her daughter are only interested in seducing men.”

Her insults were brutal.

‘Is this a women’s quarrel?’

He understood the saying, “Words can kill.”

Judging by her venomous tone, her personality must be unpleasant.

‘Disqualified.’

The girl named Mimia was immediately disqualified as a potential match for his great-grandson.

Standing in front of Cheonchuk’s detached house with a triumphant air, she stopped abruptly as the door opened.

Cheonchuk appeared, and Mimia’s face lit up.

“Ah, Young Master Cheon. I’m Mimia from the Mi Clan….”

*Swish.* Cheonchuk, ignoring Mimia’s greeting, strode past her and grabbed Miseodan’s wrist, who was standing some distance away, sobbing.

“I’m sorry, Miss Mimia. Unfortunately, I have a prior engagement, so it would be better to greet you another time.”

“Ah, well….”

Cheonchuk led Miseodan away, leaving Mimia speechless.

Mimia, left alone, let out a dumbfounded laugh, and Cheonbeom smiled contentedly, remaining hidden.

There was no need for him to intervene.

Beom watched Mimia, who was now alone, and then revealed himself.

“As an adult, I must punish this naughty child.”