Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 543

Clink, clink, clink.

Clear liquor, like a stream, filled the glass, reflecting the swaying full moon.

Silence settled upon the rippling glass, mirroring the sky, and within it, a fleeting glimpse of his own face.

Was it me reflected in the glass, or you?

“Brother.”

“…Yes. The funeral, is it all taken care of?”

“Yes. It was the ending he wished for, so one could call it a joyous occasion.”

“A joyous occasion… Yes. We cannot choose when we are born, so if one’s departure is according to their will, that too can be considered a blessing.”

“Yes, it must be.”

Cheongmyeong, with a complex and subtle expression, filled with emotions, clinked his glass with Beom. The bitter taste of the liquor lingered in his mouth.

However, it soon spread throughout his body, inducing a drunken haze, unifying the complex emotions into one.

“I am late in offering my greetings. Congratulations on your ascension, Brother.”

“What is there to be late about? Both you and I had our own circumstances, so it was as it was. Even now, receiving such congratulations makes me feel good.”

A pleased smile spread across his face, and Cheongmyeong smiled back.

Unlike the fearsome aura he usually exuded, he was now infinitely gentle, strangely reassuring and gratifying to Cheongmyeong.

To others, he was a terrifying and dreadful being, this Geumcheon [Golden Heaven].

Yet, before him, he was a kind brother, making him want to boast and brag to the world if he could.

Of course, Cheongmyeong knew better than anyone that he couldn’t.

“Myeong-ah.”

“Yes, Brother.”

“Do you resent this brother of yours?”

“…I do not.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes.”

“Do you know why?”

“What are you referring to?”

“The reason I killed Ilsinhongseong Ye-dong [a powerful figure] was because he killed me once. If you delve into it, there were various complex interests involved, but for me, it was simply that.”

“It was the result Master desired.”

“Even so, I ended up killing him.”

“…I do not resent you.”

“Even though I killed you in the Lower World, you do not resent me?”

“…….”

“I know you know. I can faintly sense the energy of the Sipsaengcho [Ten Sacred Herbs] from you. Being the clever one you are, you must have realized your past life and made it your own.”

That must be why he reached the realm of Hyangsan [a high level of cultivation].

Why he ascended to the Hyangsan Immortal. That’s why he asks.

‘You and I are the same.’

Like Ye-dong and Cheonbeom.

Not much different in relationship.

Just as Ye-dong killed Cheonbeom, so too did he seek revenge.

Cheongmyeong also, or rather, Yoo-jeong, has the right to avenge Cheonbeom for causing his death.

At least, Cheonbeom thinks so.

That is what he thinks.

Because he did the same.

His younger brother also… has the right to do so.

“I do not know what thoughts you harbor. But whether you are my younger brother Cheongmyeong, or Yoo-jeong… I want to know.”

“What would happen if I said I was Yoo-jeong?”

Swish!

Swoosh.

Tanhwa, Hwadam, and Nachal, who had been nearby, each held their weapons to Cheongmyeong’s neck.

Tanhwa with his hand blade, Hwadam with his frost-filled chains, and Nachal with his ominous sword.

“Step back.”

However, at Cheonbeom’s single word, Tanhwa and Hwadam disappeared, and Nachal also turned into a wisp of black ink, melting into the shadows.

“Even if you say you are Yoo-jeong, nothing will happen.”

“But I wouldn’t be able to do anything, would I?”

Even if he became a Hyangseon [Fragrant Immortal], could Cheongmyeong harm Cheonbeom?

The gap between him and Beom was at an unimaginable height, so even if he wanted to, he couldn’t.

“The past is just the past. Surely, my past life was Yoo-jeong, and we were enemies, but in this life, I am Cheongmyeong, and I am the brother who shares a drink with you, Brother.”

“…Is that so.”

“Yes. I am more satisfied with this life than my previous one. Although, I could not become your Jigi [soulmate; close confidant].”

He must be referring to the promise with Yoo-jeong.

“Yes… I see.”

Beom, unable to express the emotions welling up within him, simply held the glass to his lips, concealing his trembling jaw.

No matter what the past may have been.

He is now his brother’s brother.

How sweet this sound is to his ears. The bitter liquor now tasted sweet.

If he could, he would laugh heartily and sing a cheerful tune, but how could he do that?

He would simply keep it in his heart.

Cherishing it long and deeply.

“Take this.”

Beom, still savoring the lingering emotions, handed over an arrow from his chest.

“This is…”

“Ye-dong’s arrow. He was also someone connected to me. When he died, he naturally transformed into an arrow, sealing himself, but you would be able to awaken him. You, his disciple, would be better than me.”

It was Ye-ja, who had been captured by Hwadam.

It was currently sealed, so no energy could be felt, but if it were released and the ownership ritual performed, it would regain its former powerful energy.

Moreover, if it was Cheongmyeong, who was Ye-dong’s disciple, the arrow Ye-ja would not have much resistance.

This was right.

“Thank you.”

Cheongmyeong accepted the arrow and carefully placed it in his chest, soothing his bitterness.

“Where are you going now?”

“I have finished all my business.”

He had met all the people he needed to meet.

He had also ensured the safety of his wives.

Even if he were to return to nothingness, his descendants with the Cheon clan name would remain, so he would not feel empty.

“I must go to those who are waiting for me.”

“Are you referring to the Wonseon Taesa [Great Immortal Teachers] of Sangcheonhaewol [Above Heaven and Sea Moon]?”

“Yes. One more seat has become vacant, so Geonwonhaemok [Heaven and Earth Harmony] will have become wider. So they must be waiting eagerly.”

To open the Daeracheondo [Great Liberation Heaven], to cast off the small sky we have now and soar to a larger sky.

They are waiting.

So it was time to go.

“We just met, and you are leaving again.”

“Meeting and parting are like life and death; only by being together can we cherish each other’s existence.”

So do not be sad.

“I am also sad.”

Creak.

Cheonbeom, rising from his chair, subtly turned his gaze to the dark and gloomy forest where the moonlight did not reach.

“Since they have come to see me off, I must go.”

“Yes?”

It was then.

The clouds covered the moonlight in the night sky, and darkness, where one could not see an inch ahead, engulfed all directions.

And soon.

A small footstep treading on the grass slowly approached them.

The closer it got.

Cheonbeom’s complexion darkened.

Like the deep night sky.

Like the darkness that shrouded the place.

What was approaching was darkness and sorrow for him.

“Who is it?”

Swish!

Cheongmyeong drew the sword from his waist and pointed it at the figure that appeared.

The only flickering candlelight on the table wavered and disappeared, leaving only a small light reflected on the sword’s surface.

Reflected light revealed the approaching figure.

Cheonbeom’s eyes sank deeply.

“You shouldn’t intrude on adults’ meetings.”

Thud. He poked Cheongmyeong’s shoulder with his finger, causing his face to contort.

“Cough!”

Bang! With a sound like a bursting drum, Cheongmyeong’s sleeve tore and flew away, and the drawn sword was chopped into pieces as if cut by a blade.

Only then did the clouds part, and the moonlight spread, revealing the figure’s appearance.

Cheonbeom’s eyes sank deeply.

“It’s been a while.”

“I didn’t expect you to come, Hwaran.”

He didn’t know it was Hwaran.

A sharp sword was coming, and he wondered what it was, but it was her.

“It’s not bad to stand face to face like this after always being by your side.”

“Is that so.”

“Yes.”

She wore a pure white and red palace dress, and a sword resembling her was at her waist.

Her hair was black and glossy, and her eyes were clear, making her a woman worthy of the title of peerless beauty.

“Did you come to take me away?”

“A little bit of both?”

Her smiling face was full of playfulness.

Nothing had changed from before.

But there was no change in Beom’s expression.

“Nokmyeonwewang [Green-Faced Demon King] has already departed. Now only San-gun [Mountain Lord] needs to go.”

San-gun.

She was the only one who could call him by that title now.

So she was indeed her.

The woman who had always been with him.

The woman with whom he had started the path of Tao, and the woman with whom he had no doubt he would end it.

Ran.

It was Hwaran.

“What if I don’t want to go?”

“Well, there were no instructions on that matter, so I guess I’ll do as I see fit?”

“You’re going to take me by force?”

“You’ll listen no matter what I say, so think as you please.”

Her lively way of speaking was the same as the Hwaran he knew.

But the subtly changed atmosphere and energy frightened Beom.

So he needlessly.

Needlessly puts her to the test.

“The Cheongeom [Blue Sword] of Geomnoiltaek [Sword Old Man’s Residence] has personally come to greet me, so I should at least respond in kind.”

As he uttered unnecessary flattery, she let out a deep sigh as if she had been expecting it.

“Try it.”

At her calm words, Cheonbeom smiled and called for Nachal.

“Nachal.”

At the same time, the black ink that sprang from Cheonbeom’s shadow transformed into a blade and flew towards the Cheongeom.

And just then.

Clang!!

The moment Hwaran drew her sword, Nachal’s sword was shattered into two pieces.

Along with the earth that was split in a straight line as if cutting tofu, Nachal’s body was neatly cut in half.

[Kkyaaaaaaak!!]

Unlike usual.

Nachal screamed.

Crunch.

She stepped on the two halves of the broken sword with her foot, crushing them, and Ran grinned.

“I really don’t like you. I don’t know what there is to pick up that you keep sticking around… You’ve lived long enough, why do you keep getting involved? You’re not particularly helpful either.”

With that, she swung her sword once more, tearing Nachal into pieces.

She stopped her hand just as Nachal was unable to even scream.

“I’d like to get rid of you if I could… but that would be rude.”

Hwaran glanced at Beom and smiled playfully. And soon, as she pointed the drawn sword at Cheonbeom, Hwadam appeared and spewed frost-covered chains from the ground.

Thud!

In the form of a pure white stag, he stomped his foot, and Buljeolswae [Unbreakable Chains] sprang out, tightly binding Hwaran.

But that was only for a moment.

Swish.

[!!]

Despite the name Buljeol, which meant unbreakable.

Buljeol had no meaning in front of Hwaran’s sword.

‘Neat.’

It was a chain that could not be cut so quickly unless one was a Wonseon [Complete Immortal].

But the fact that she did it like that meant….

“Cheongeom.”

It meant that she had gotten closer to that.