Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 57

Nangseon’s Romantic Tale – 56

“How old are you?”

“Yes? Oh, I’m fourteen this year….”

The maid couldn’t even look at San-gun, bowing her head deeply as she spoke.

She was at an age where she was very shy.

‘Fourteen, huh.’

Even those with innate talent usually reach the level of Doseon around the age of twenty.

San-gun was inwardly surprised to hear she was fourteen.

He thought her talent was extraordinary to be used as a maid.

Hwa-ran seemed to feel the same, expressing her surprise as well.

-It’s strange. If she reached Doseon at fourteen, her talent should have been highly valued….

That was right.

But why was the Ilwol Gate using such a child merely as a maid?

“If you reached Doseon at fourteen, that means you have extraordinary talent. Why are you working as a maid?”

He wondered if she had the blood of a mixed race, but there was no sign of that either. This child was purely human.

So, he was curious.

“That is….”

The girl fidgeted with her fingers.

It seemed there was a difficult reason she couldn’t easily explain.

“Dosa, you’re here!”

Just then, the Dosa who had called San-gun saw him and greeted him happily. The maid bowed and stepped back.

‘Hmm….’

The one who wanted to see him was Biseon from the Cheonjamun.

If it weren’t for San-gun, all the Biseon gathered in the Amjang would have died, and the responsibility would have fallen entirely on the Cheonjamun, so he had come to express his gratitude.

“If it weren’t for you, Dosa, our Cheonjamun would have suffered greatly.”

“No. I was just trying to save my own life.”

San-gun smiled amiably and 겸양 [gyeomyang – a Korean expression for humble self-deprecation].

The old man was relieved at the sight. He was Yanghwang Dosa, a Biseon belonging to the Cheonjamun and in charge of the Biryong Hall.

San-gun didn’t show it outwardly, but inwardly he couldn’t hide his frustration.

It had been well over a month since the Guieumnachal’s surprise attack.

But the fact that they came after such a long period meant that the Cheonjamun wasn’t just coming to express their gratitude.

-Did they bring the Haebongseok [a mythical stone said to ward off evil]?

-You never know. And even if they did, they wouldn’t just give it away.

It was obvious what they wanted.

They would try to recruit him, who had recently made a name for himself in the Seondo world.

Since he was already under the scrutiny of other sects, they would try to win over San-gun, who had driven out the Guieumnachal, to their side.

“So, I’m telling you this, our Cheonjamun has acquired the item you’re looking for after much effort.”

As expected.

“Are you talking about the Haebongseok?”

“Yes! You probably know that our Cheonjamun operates the Amjang [a type of hidden training ground]. Although the Haebongseok is a rare item, there’s nothing we can’t obtain if we put our efforts into it!”

So said Yanghwang Dosa of the Cheonjamun, taking out a wooden box from his chest and opening it.

As soon as he opened the wooden box, a crude but strangely powerful gray stone was inside.

“This is the Haebongseok that Dosa wants.”

San-gun’s face lit up when he saw it. But he soon smiled faintly and asked.

“You wouldn’t just give me this precious thing, would you? What do you want?”

“Haha, I can’t fool you, Dosa! Since you ask, I’ll tell you frankly!”

San-gun’s expression became strange as he listened to the old man’s words.

“Are you talking about the Gyeongjang Elder?”

“Yes. That’s all we need.”

The Gyeongjang Elder was a position where one could freely act while only having their name attached to the sect.

It wasn’t bad to only want that, but it was strange that they were giving San-gun, who was only at the level of Biseon, the position of Elder.

It would be one thing if they were just asking him to join their sect, but a Gyeongjang Elder?

“There’s no need to think strangely. You probably know that our Cheonjamun’s situation has become unfavorable due to this incident. If you would serve as a Gyeongjang Elder and say that the Cheonjamun has nothing to do with the Demonic Sect….”

-That’s right. From their point of view, there’s no better condition. If San-gun joins the Cheonjamun, he might be scrutinized by other sects.

After a moment of consideration, San-gun nodded and placed his hand on the wooden box.

There was nothing bad about serving as a Gyeongjang Elder of the Cheonjamun.

Then the old man was overjoyed and gave him a 영패 [yeongpae – a badge or token], a symbol of the Gyeongjang Elder, from his chest and left.

It was too easy, so he felt rather uneasy. But it didn’t matter even if they were plotting something.

‘I’ll be leaving soon anyway.’

Now that he had obtained the Haebongseok, there was only one thing left to do.

“This is enough.”

San-gun stroked the wooden box for a long time in that spot before returning to the 귀빈각 [guest quarters].

* * *

At the same time.

The Sangmun of the Ilwol Gate.

In the Jipbeop Elder’s office, Pungunryeong reported to Maeung with a serious face about the visit of the Cheonjamun’s Biseon.

“I see……. That guy became a Gyeongjang Elder of the Cheonjamun.”

“Yes.”

“Those guys are making moves. A Gyeongjang Elder, no less. And to a Biseon……. Hmm.”

The position of Elder can only be held by those who are at least Hwanseon.

In a small sect, a Biseon might hold the position of Elder, but the Cheonjamun is a well-known large sect in Banggok.

For such a place to appoint a Biseon as a Gyeongjang Elder, something was strange to anyone who looked at it.

“They’re trying to cover up their mistakes with Daeho Dosa. Even if things go wrong, they have nothing to lose.”

“If that’s the case, we can’t ask for anything, can we? Now that he’s a Gyeongjang Elder, we can’t tell him to join the main sect…….”

“That’s not true. A Gyeongjang Elder is originally just borrowing the name of a Dosa who belongs to another sect. But as you said, things have gotten a bit twisted. With the atmosphere already uneasy, the Guieumnachal stirred things up, so the war with the Demonic Sect is not far off, is it?”

So many Biseon from Banggok had been killed by the Demonic Sect that they couldn’t ignore this.

Perhaps another war would be fought soon.

“Then will the war start soon?”

“Not necessarily. As planned, we’ll start by sending scouts to the Demonic region to observe their movements.”

That was why they were trying to capture San-gun in the first place.

The area where the Demonic Sects are located, northeast of Banggok, is the number one avoidance area for Dosas who practice Seondo.

It’s inevitable since all sorts of evil 금술s [geumsul – forbidden arts or magic] run rampant there.

It’s one thing to just die, but they might be used as 강시s [gangshi – Chinese hopping vampires or zombies], or their 영각s [yeonggak – spiritual souls] might be captured and used as living corpses without being able to 윤회 [yunghoe – reincarnation].

“Then what about Daeho Dosa…….”

“The date has been moved up, so there’s no choice. Bring him here.”

Yangpaeyun’s Adam’s apple moved up and down.

That meant they were going to poison the Dosa now.

‘Still, to do this to the person who saved my life…….’

Anyway, it was true that he had broken the Hwanjin in the Cheonjamun’s Amjang and stopped the Guieumnachal.

Thanks to that, Yangpaeyun, who had survived, left the Elder’s office and sighed deeply before heading to him.

Even though his level is Biseon, what can he do?

He was just a powerless Biseon.

* * *

In the main hall of the Cheonjamun, many old men were sitting in their respective seats.

Among them was the Biseon who had given San-gun the 영패 [yeongpae – badge or token] of the Gyeongjang Elder, and he was feeling intimidated by the 영압 [yeongap – spiritual pressure] of the other Dosas.

“It’s a relief. Now that that guy has become a Gyeongjang Elder of the main sect, I can breathe a sigh of relief.”

“That’s right. The 영패 [yeongpae – badge or token] also has a tracking technique on it, so even if our plan goes wrong, it doesn’t matter!”

Yanghwang’s face was turning pale with each word they spoke.

The reason for this was that the seductive 살기 [salgi – murderous aura] emanating from the Elders was covering him like a blade cutting through his skin.

Yanghwang, who was in charge of the Biryong Hall, was being severely scolded by the Jipbeop Elders of the Cheonjamun.

“Now that we’ve accepted the Gyeongjang Elder, we must proceed with the operation. It’s a pity for that guy, but for the sake of the main sect, there’s no choice!”

“That’s right. Even if he has powerful 신통s [shintongs – supernatural powers] for a Biseon, a Biseon is still a Biseon. There’s nothing he can do.”

“It’s a shame, but what can we do? If he survives, he’ll rise higher, and if he dies, that’s his fate. Now! Let’s stop talking about that and have a productive conversation. Isn’t it because of those Demonic Sect guys that we’re going through this trouble? We must somehow repay them for this humiliation.”

“엽 사제 [Yeop Saje – Junior Brother Yeop] is right. Who would have thought that someone would invade the Biryong Hall out of the blue! Anyway, we can’t ignore them anymore. So, we must use him to make up for our mistakes. The Cheonjamun’s credibility is hitting rock bottom, so we can’t leave it like this any longer!”

“Why wouldn’t we, 사형 [Sahyung – Senior Brother]. The losses from this incident are enormous. But like the saying goes, this could be a blessing in disguise. If we use that guy properly, we can raise the Cheonjamun’s status!”

Then a boy with a nonchalant face opened his mouth.

“……사제들 [Sajedeul – Junior Brothers]. So, what are you trying to say? Why are you just repeating the same thing? If you have anything in your head, say it without hesitation! It’s frustrating to watch!”

The one who was looking at the Elders who were talking was a Dosa with the appearance of a boy.

But unlike his appearance, he possessed profound 영력 [yeongryeok – spiritual energy], and he was Cheonyunso (天胤蕭), the Great Elder of the Cheonjamun.

“Hmm, since the Great Elder says so, I’ll cut to the chase. Since he has the Gyeongjang Elder 패 [pae – badge], the whole world will know that he’s affiliated with the main sect. So, we’ll tell him where the treasures of the Demonic region are hidden. If there’s a 귀물 [gwimul – rare or precious item] that’s helpful to Hwanseon, that guy, who’s probably feeling proud, will definitely go! Even if he dies, it’s good for us since he died fighting the Demonic Sect, and even if he comes back alive, it’s a profit, so the Cheonjamun’s fallen status will rise!”

But Great Elder Cheonyunso remained indifferent to his 사제 [saje – junior brother]’s words.

“If it’s a Demonic region near here, it would be Sagalryeong (社渴嶺), but is there a treasure hidden there? This is the first time I’ve heard of it?”

“Of course, it’s a lie.”

“Hmm…. So, you’re going to trick him into going there and make him die a glorious death?”

“That’s right!”

Cheonyunso nodded, looking very displeased.

“Do as you please. But if things go wrong, all of you will be in trouble, so keep that in mind.”

“Of course.”

* * *

At the same time.

Far away from the Cheonjamun.

On that cliff, a man was looking at the scenery with a serene expression, feeling the mountain breeze.

“How amusing.”

It seemed like he liked to talk to himself, but that wasn’t the case. Next to him, a bloody 요수 [yosu – a type of monster] was groveling humbly.

“They said the guy who uses blue flames is Yujeong….”

He raised the corners of his lips.

Some 요수s [yosus – monsters] who didn’t know the value of their lives came to find him, so he wondered what was going on.

But when he found out the situation, he couldn’t overlook the fact that made him smile bitterly.

[Th, that’s right! We’re just….]

Chwak!

Before the 요수 [yosu – monster] could finish speaking, its head flew off.

Chwarruk!

A 표창 [pyochang – throwing star]-shaped 보패 [bopae – treasure or talisman] was caught in his hand, making a sound.

The man, no, Yujeong, put it away and turned around. That place was a sea of blood with dozens of 요수s [yosus – monsters].

“I have to settle grudges for sure. How dare that bastard impersonate my name?”

Yujeong frowned at the blood on his 장포 [jangpo – long robe] and turned into a crow and flew away.