Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 528

Tales of a Wandering Swordsman – Part 2, Episode 237

“The Celestial Sound Stone, you say….”

“From what I know, the Mika Clan’s most prized treasure is the Celestial Sound Stone.”

This was one of the reasons why Cheonbeom came here.

The Celestial Sound Stone, a long-standing tradition and heirloom, was originally something outsiders couldn’t even glimpse.

Even Wonseon Taesa [a high-ranking celestial official] would normally be reluctant to show it.

However.

‘A justification has arisen.’

A perfect justification has emerged. Could they dare refuse?

“I have only recently become a Wonseon Taesa. I don’t particularly want to see blood, and it’s just a mistake made by a child. It wouldn’t do to spill blood over it.”

“…….”

“But simply overlooking a mistake because they are young is not good for the child either.”

So, he was telling them to hand it over.

The Celestial Sound Stone.

He put it nicely, but it was no different from saying, ‘Hand it over if you don’t want to die.’

Naturally, the Mika Clan’s retainers turned pale at the unexpected declaration, and even the head of the clan, representing the Mi Clan, looked troubled.

“S-Showing it is possible.”

“Showing it is possible?”

Cheonbeom raised an eyebrow, displeased. The head of the clan bowed even lower.

“It is an item steeped in tradition, locked away by the ancient seals of our ancestors….”

Seals.

Cheonbeom’s eyes narrowed.

“It seems the Celestial Sound Stone is protected by the Wonseon’s enchantments.”

“Yes. Our ancestors arranged it for the sake of their descendants….”

That was understandable.

Presumably, they had placed enchantments to prevent anyone from recklessly damaging or stealing it.

“Therefore, we are unable to do anything about it….”

They couldn’t handle it themselves.

If it was a Wonseon’s enchantment, they wouldn’t be able to undo it.

It was understandable.

The face that seemed relieved was not pleasing to see.

“Would you consider compensating with something else?”

“Something else?”

“It’s not for me to say, but even if you were to take the Celestial Sound Stone, there wouldn’t be much use for it.”

“Oh, why is that?”

“The Celestial Sound Stone merely indicates the concentration of energy and does a bit of analysis. Lesser beings like us can see and avoid great dangers, but it wouldn’t be of much use to someone of Great Master Geumcheon’s caliber.”

That was true.

From the start, the energy of a Wonseon Taesa was different from that of a typical immortal.

Unless they intentionally hid their energy, it was impossible not to notice their presence. It was too vast to hide.

“Well, the value of an item is not determined by others, but by oneself.”

“Y-Yes… but we cannot give it to you even if we wanted to.”

“Then let me take a look first. We can decide after that.”

“Yes….”

At that moment.

“Chuk, you were here.”

“Yes, Great-Grandfather. But what is going on….”

He had only stepped out for a moment, and now all the retainers of the Mi Clan were prostrating themselves. It was understandable that he would be curious.

Beom patted Chuk on the shoulder as if it were nothing.

“It’s nothing.”

It didn’t seem like nothing, but Chuk didn’t ask further.

Whatever had happened, it was his great-grandfather, a figure who had ascended to the Upper Realm. What could he ask?

There must have been a good reason.

Thud.

Then, a woman appeared before Cheonchuk and prostrated herself.

Looking closer, it was Mimi, her face as pale as a ghost.

“Lady Mimi, is that you? Why suddenly… Please, get up.”

A flustered Cheonchuk tried to help her up, but she wouldn’t listen.

Chuk and Seodan, who was behind him, couldn’t understand her sudden prostration as if she were begging for forgiveness.

“No! I have committed a great wrong. I-I dared to overstep my bounds!!”

“What suddenly….”

Her status and bounds.

Chuk and Seodan exchanged puzzled glances. Mimi, with a face full of fear, glanced at Cheonbeom and opened her mouth. When Mimi confessed to disparaging Seodan and her mother, they finally understood why she was acting this way.

She was apologizing so profusely; it seemed unnecessary. However, the one who had heard it was none other than the Wonseon Taesa who had reached the heavens.

Great Master Geumcheon. Chuk and Seodan couldn’t say anything.

As they hesitated with awkward expressions, Beom said calmly.

“Come with me. We will go to examine the Celestial Sound Stone. It is a treasure made by a Wonseon, so it will help broaden your horizons. Seodan, you come too. You are the daughter of the child I cherish, and the future partner of my great-grandson, so it is right to take care of you.”

“Yes, Elder.”

Seodan, looking down at Mimi who was shedding tears with her forehead touching the ground, followed Cheonchuk and Great Master Geumcheon.

The retainers of the Mi Clan watched her back with strange eyes.

* * *

Thump….

A heavy sound was heard as the underground stone door opened, releasing dust and welcoming them with a refreshing scent of grass and bright light.

“There are no special enchantments.”

The path to the Celestial Sound Stone was not difficult.

It was an easy path, requiring only passing through a stone door leading underground.

One would expect multiple layers of enchantments in the place where the Mi Clan’s greatest treasure was kept, but that was not the case.

“There is no need for that. The Celestial Sound Stone itself has enchantments, and most people would not dare to touch the Mi Clan’s treasures.”

“I see.”

Recalling the anecdotes he had heard about the Mi Clan, Cheonbeom nodded.

In the past, a non-ascended cultivator had foolishly provoked a member of the Mi Clan, resulting in a nationwide manhunt and eventual execution.

Cheonbeom had heard it from Saha when he had just ascended, so he had temporarily forgotten, but the Mi Clan was originally a bellicose family, so one should avoid doing anything that would offend them.

They were known for being relentlessly thorough in settling their grudges.

‘They are bowing because I am here.’

They were not originally so docile. Their true form was that of giant apes.

After pondering for a moment, Cheonbeom asked the Mi Clan head with a puzzled expression.

“By the way, didn’t the Mi Clan originally have a Wonseon Taesa? I thought they did.”

The Mi Clan head shook his head as if hearing it for the first time.

“It was a long time ago. There was one, but they could not withstand the weight of the heavens.”

“…Is that so?”

Meaning they could not withstand the heavenly tribulation [a trial to achieve immortality].

However, Beom found it hard to shake off his doubts.

‘That’s strange. I clearly remember hearing that there was a Wonseon in the Mi Clan….’

However, even his own memory was vague, and the Mi Clan denied it, so he couldn’t ask further.

He simply walked along the path leading underground, feeling puzzled.

“It is here.”

“Hmm. Splendid.”

After passing through several more stone doors, a splendid garden and a small pond appeared.

A garden and pond created underground seemed out of place, but the surrounding mist and intricately carved pillars made it harmonious.

‘Hmm.’

The floor was not ordinary soil.

It was carved with various images, mostly of imposing monkeys wearing armor and wielding staffs.

One held a staff, another a fan, and so on. The twelve giant apes each had different weapons.

The twelve images on the ground were connected to the magnificent pillars, each carved with corresponding patterns.

Staffs, swords, spears, fans, gourds, and various other items were engraved on each pillar.

The surrounding mist and the garden in the center created a strange atmosphere.

“Where is the Celestial Sound Stone?”

However, the Celestial Sound Stone he had come to see was nowhere to be found.

When Beom asked, the Mi Clan head nodded as if understanding and stepped onto the pond, creating ripples as he moved forward.

“You will understand why I said we cannot give it to you once you see it for yourself.”

Whoosh.

A strange wind created ripples on the pond.

Soon, a small dagger appeared in the Mi Clan head’s hand, and he covered it with his palm.

Snikt.

A chilling sound was heard, and drops of blood flowed from his palm, dripping onto the dagger and falling into the pond.

Whooong!!

Then, the twelve pillars glowed faintly, and mists of various colors emanated from them, gathering in the center.

The swirling mists soon formed a cloud-like mass, solidifying its shape. Only after its movement ceased could Beom understand.

“I see. So that’s why.”

What appeared above the pond was a cloud.

The form of a terrain made of clouds.

It depicted the Upper Realm.

A representation of the Upper Realm’s land, divided into five regions. It was a miniature version of the Upper Realm made of clouds.

“I hope you can understand. This is why we cannot give it to you even if we wanted to.”

Beom, and even Cheonchuk behind him, looked at the Celestial Sound Stone in amazement.

Something made of clouds was not surprising.

However, this Celestial Sound Stone accurately indicated the size of concentrated energies while depicting the shape of the Upper Realm.

“That’s right.”

Looking at the Lower Realm, there was one at Ma Yujeong.

And there was a mark on the northern side where the Woo Clan was located.

At Ma Yujeong was Geumcheon.

Of course, there were no written words. Only a golden light was floating.

“Here is….”

“It is called Baekbu of the Woo Clan. The person here is….”

The white light floating above Baekbu was naturally the Wonseon Taesa of the Woo Clan.

Woo Baekja.

“Great-Grandfather, this place is….”

Chuk pointed to a certain location.

A place with several lights floating.

Geonwon Sea, slightly off the Lower Realm.

There were several lights floating on the Celestial Sound Stone.

About five were gathered.

The Mi Clan head folded his sleeves and waved his arm, causing the shape of the lights to change.

One turned into a sword.

Another into a dragon.

Others transformed into black flames, goblins, and revealed themselves.

‘The Heavenly Outlaw Army is also here….’

The figure of Hwagirin was proudly situated there.

“Why are the Wonseons here….”

Chuk and Mi Seodan were puzzled, but Beom didn’t bother to answer.

Cheonbeom’s eyes moved away from them, searching for other lights.

“This place is Chunggye.”

Two lights floated.

‘As far as I know, there is only one Wonseon Taesa in Chunggye.’

The Wonseon Taesa who effectively reigned over but did not rule the current Chunggye.

“Green-Faced Woe King….”

However, there was another light near him.

Cheonbeom narrowed his eyes as he looked at it.

[What is it?]

[He should be in Chunggye now.]

[Who are you talking about?]

[My teacher. Help my teacher. He is probably someone you have a deep connection with.]

These were the words that Jade Celestial King and Yoo-jeong, also known as Cheongmyeong, had asked before disappearing.

His teacher, who would be in Chunggye.

Cheongmyeong had said that his teacher, who had taken care of him in the past, would be in Chunggye.

The green light was the Wonseon Taesa of Chunggye.

It must be the Green-Faced Woe King.

Then the remaining light must belong to the one he called his teacher.

Splash, splash.

He approached the Celestial Sound Stone above the pond and reached out his hand.

Then, the lights scattered and gathered again, forming a single shape.

The shape was a bow and arrow.

“I knew it….”

He waved his hand again, scattering the bow and arrow. Soon, the lights gathered and formed words in the air.

Ilsin Hongseong.

“Ilsin Hongseong, Ye Dong….”

Beom’s eyes sank deeply.