Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 61

White snowflakes fluttered down in Wolcheonseong, the very place he had departed from.

Spotless purity settled on the eaves of the buildings, and a biting cold seeped deep into the bones.

That day…

A woman as fair and cold as winter herself arrived in Wolcheonseong.

She inquired about someone, and men, captivated by her beauty, eagerly offered their assistance, but their efforts often proved fruitless.

Then, a few days later…

“Is that so.”

The woman, with a demeanor as calm as a flower blooming in midwinter, seemed to piece something together from the circulating rumors. Gazing into her teacup with melancholic eyes, she appeared to deeply miss someone.

“Yes, but what brings a disciple of the Ice Palace to Wolcheonseong at this time?”

The woman, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear, offered a faint smile.

At her elegant appearance, the Taoist [a follower of Taoism, a Chinese philosophy and religion] blushed, momentarily forgetting his age.

“Then.”

The woman rose from her seat and bowed gracefully. The man, caught off guard, clasped his hands in response and offered words of caution.

“Ah, yes. The Seondo sect of Banggok is currently at war, so please be careful on your journey.”

The woman inclined her head in acknowledgment and disappeared with a graceful air. The man stared blankly at her departing figure and muttered to himself.

“Even in the dead of winter, flowers bloom, and those that bloom at the risk of their lives are often the most precarious.”

Beauty and misfortune often walk hand in hand.

In the chaotic world of Taoism, possessing such striking beauty is not always an advantage.

The nameless Taoist silently hoped that dawn would break in the woman’s future.

* * *

Biseon [a high-ranking female disciple] of the Ice Palace.

Baeklyeon turned away from Wolcheonseong, retracing her steps.

“I thought the Chuchimpan [a mystical compass] was broken, but it seems I was mistaken.”

The Chuchimpan was designed to indicate the approximate distance to a specific person.

Originally, she had intended to rush to Wolcheonseong upon learning of his presence there, but the thought of actually meeting him had given her pause.

She was no longer the snot-nosed child he remembered, but a woman now.

Before, she hadn’t cared much about her appearance, but now things were different. She was already considered beautiful without any artifice, but human desires are never truly satisfied. Moreover, she was about to meet someone she admired, which only amplified those feelings.

“He really did head south.”

Couldn’t he have waited just a little longer?

What was the rush?

She sighed softly.

Now that she knew the Chuchimpan was functioning correctly, it was clear he was somewhere in the south.

He must have gone to the Three Kingdoms (Samguk) [an ancient Korean kingdom].

That in itself wasn’t the problem, but Banggok to the Three Kingdoms was at least a year’s journey, even at a rapid pace.

Even flying non-stop, it would still take a year.

She marveled at how he could disappear so quickly.

“If I had known this would happen, I would have spent more time with that child back in Baekseon.”

He truly was a frustrating person.

Baeklyeon pouted slightly but subtly raised the corners of her lips.

It wasn’t the first time she had felt resentment towards him.

When she heard from Yeon that he wielded blue flames, she had been consumed by anger.

But that feeling was fleeting.

She was ultimately grateful that he was alive.

Because he was alive, she could now dare to dream of their reunion.

That single thought filled her with a vitality she hadn’t felt before, and the corners of her lips twitched involuntarily.

It was a profound change sparked by knowing just one simple fact.

She couldn’t help but think how easily people were swayed by emotions, but when she considered that he was the cause of this transformation, she couldn’t bring herself to be upset.

The warmth she had felt in those days was something she couldn’t forget, even after years had passed and she had grown older.

Baeklyeon reminisced for a long time before quickening her pace towards the south.

* * *

“Why are you doing that?”

The person sitting cross-legged asked, suddenly looking up at the ceiling as if sensing something.

“It’s nothing. By the way, how long are you planning to stay like that?”

“Why are you being so grumpy all of a sudden?”

It was inevitable, perhaps.

Hwaran was currently resting her chin on San-gun’s shoulder, leaning heavily on him. Anyone who saw them would likely assume they were lovers.

“Oh my, are you perhaps… embarrassed?”

“Not at all. I’m simply asking because you’re doing something you don’t usually do.”

San-gun’s right eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly.

Hwaran noticed the subtle gesture and knew he was saying something he didn’t truly mean.

It was an old habit of his.

A habit that would be difficult to detect unless you were Hwaran, who had lived alongside San-gun for a very long time.

Hwaran smiled inwardly at the realization.

“Something I don’t usually do? Didn’t we used to embrace each other often and fall asleep together?”

Hwaran feigned a tone of sadness. But San-gun remained unmoved.

“That was then, and this is now.”

“How did you become such a prude? I certainly didn’t raise you to be like this!”

San-gun closed his eyes as Hwaran began to make a fuss. Things had been relatively quiet lately, but it seemed the teasing was starting up again.

She tried to provoke him by bringing up old memories whenever she had the opportunity, so it was better for his mental well-being not to engage.

“You used to come crawling into my arms first… I guess it’s true what they say about raising children being a thankless task.”

San-gun’s nose twitched slightly.

Hwaran’s smile gradually widened as she observed his reaction.

She began to chatter on her own, like a gossiping woman sharing tales.

He wasn’t always like this, she mused.

He used to be like a cute, affectionate cat, but now she grumbled about how he had transformed into an old man who had experienced all the hardships of the world.

San-gun remained stubbornly silent.

He certainly had been like that in the past.

It had been over 100 years ago, but whether it was due to his divine beast physiology or his increased cultivation, he remembered those times vividly.

Back then, San-gun had been mentally and emotionally exhausted and had relied heavily on Hwaran for comfort and support.

But he had never imagined that those actions would lead to such… humiliating feelings later on.

‘Damn it, why did I ever do that back then…!’

The bond between the woman who had saved a dying beast and the beast who had no one else to turn to was a long and enduring one, continuing to this day.

The situation had reversed over time, but the underlying affection for each other remained unchanged.

“I was truly happy then. When San-gun first crept into my arms. When I stroked your head, you would purr contentedly and seemed to feel so good.”

‘Damn it all.’

There was no darker, more embarrassing history than this.

The past, which could have been a source of fond memories, was being twisted into a humiliating recollection by Hwaran’s relentless soliloquy, and San-gun’s body trembled almost imperceptibly.

Words can change their meaning and impact depending on who says them, but he had never anticipated feeling this way.

“You followed me around so much that it was really difficult when I went to the bathroom.”

San-gun, who had been trying to completely ignore her, suddenly jumped to his feet. Hwaran, who had been casually riding on San-gun’s back, tumbled backward.

“Oh my!”

“Speak properly! When did I ever follow you around! I was protecting you because you seemed to be in danger! And didn’t you ask me to go to the bathroom with you in the first place?!”

He shouted in a fit of anger and embarrassment, and Hwaran covered her ears with her hands before breaking into a wide smile.

“Oh my, was that so? It’s an old memory, so I must have been mistaken. But… I didn’t realize you would remember it so clearly?”

Crack.

A vein visibly popped out on San-gun’s forehead.

“I didn’t even realize that I was naked with a man… I’ve already missed my chance to get married!”

Hwaran feigned tears, sobbing pathetically.

San-gun was on the verge of completely losing his composure.

If he hadn’t mastered the Bunhap Su Gyeol [a mind-strengthening technique] and strengthened his mental fortitude, he might have exploded.

“Hoo… Is it really that fun for you?”

His voice sounded as if he had given up on everything.

“Yes, don’t you know that the reason for my life is all because of San-gun?”

Her smile, which bloomed brightly, was as refreshing as if she had removed a long-standing stain. It sounded like a touching remark at first glance, but its true meaning was simply that it was incredibly fun to tease San-gun. He looked at her with a sullen face and turned his body away.

“Where are you going? Aren’t you going to enjoy the pleasures of love in my arms like before?”

“There’s nothing you can’t say, is there?”

The pleasures of love.

How could she utter such embarrassing words so easily? He shook his head in exasperation and stepped out of the cave.

As San-gun stepped outside, Hwaran dissolved her physical form and entered his body, residing within him.

“Why are you hiding now?”

[I am just a mere Chang Gui [a spirit], so what good would it do to reveal myself to others?]

She had been so excited to tease him earlier, but now she was hiding as soon as they were outside. San-gun felt unintentionally sulky at her behavior, so he voiced his concern.

“Didn’t I tell you that you don’t need to hide anymore?”

[Even if I do reveal myself, my existence is not particularly pleasing to the eye. Besides, I find San-gun’s embrace to be quite comfortable.]

Even though they had spent over 100 years together, he still couldn’t fully understand what she was truly thinking.

“If you like my embrace so much, why don’t you just marry me?”

[…]

Hwaran remained silent even though he had made what he intended to be a lighthearted joke. San-gun quickened his pace with an awkward feeling.

Squeak, squeak.

As he stepped on the thickly piled snow, the sound of his footsteps crunching through the snow, as if announcing his arrival, was the only sound that broke the silence.

After walking for a while, a magnificent palace built into the mountainside came into view.

The buildings, adorned with antique wolf patterns here and there, were undeniably impressive. They looked old but remarkably sturdy, as if they had been specially reinforced and maintained.

In front of the gate stood guards, easily identifiable by the animal ears on their heads and the auspicious tails swaying from their buttocks.

They were the Yuksa [wolf-like humanoids] of Sawolrang’s Yeong tribe [a tribe of demi-humans].

Their true size was as big as a house, so they usually disguised themselves as humans when interacting with outsiders.

“Taoist, you’ve arrived?”

One of the guards bowed his head respectfully upon seeing San-gun.

“It seems you have made a decision.”

“You have already reached Yeonggyeol Junggyeong [a cultivation stage]! Congratulations!”

It had been a year since San-gun had arrived here. With the abundant Yeongmaek [spiritual energy veins] training room and the expensive elixirs he received from Sawolrang, reaching Junggyeong was almost instantaneous.

Of course, it was an achievement made possible in part because he had also consumed the Seondan [elixir] he had obtained during his time as a divine beast.

“It is all thanks to Sawolrang’s generous consideration. Besides, what decision is there to make? I am overwhelmed by such kindness shown to a mere Nangseon [a wandering cultivator].”

San-gun smiled humbly and waved his hand dismissively.

“A mere Nangseon! You saved Sawolrang’s bloodline, so why do you belittle yourself so much? The fact that Geummyeongjilyeong [Sawolrang’s son] received your grace is no different from our entire tribe receiving grace from the Taoist!”

If he had had this conversation with the Taoists of Banggok, the outward words might be the same, but the underlying intentions would be vastly different.

But this place was different.

This was Sawolrang, a leader among the ancient Joseon [ancient Korean kingdom] tribes.

As long as he was here, there was no need for slander, intrigue, or hidden agendas. San-gun chatted amiably with the Yuksa guarding the area and then proceeded inside.

Every Yuksa he passed paid their respects to him with a slight bow. San-gun acknowledged each one and continued on his way.

Among them were also young children.

The young Yuksa were shy, only glancing at him furtively before running away.

San-gun smiled wryly and approached the main hall.

“Nangseon, Daeho [San-gun’s alias] has brought the answer.”

In the main hall, there were doors with stylish paper windows, and as San-gun spoke, the doors opened on their own.

In an instant, dozens of doors opened in succession. And when the last door opened…

A youthful voice was heard, filled with warmth.

“I’m glad to hear that you have brought the answer. I was starting to worry because you said you didn’t want anything.”

The one who spoke with a warm smile had the appearance of a young boy.

But the energy emanating from the boy could never be underestimated, because he was Okseo (玉栖) [Jade Nest], the head of Sawolrang, among the Yeong tribes of the South.

“Let’s hear the hermit’s answer. Sawolrang will never offer a paltry reward to the hermit. In fact, I most wanted you to marry one of my daughters! Hahaha!”

“I am overwhelmed by the fact that the head of Sawolrang is offering me such an honor.”

“Honor! You saved my son from those scoundrels with your own cultivation! It’s easy to say, but how could that have been possible for anyone else? You have accomplished a truly difficult feat. The hermit needs to elevate his achievements even further!”

San-gun simply smiled wryly.

Then Okseo realized that he was getting a little too excited and waved his hand dismissively.

Instantly, San-gun’s body was transported to a position directly in front of Okseo.

It wasn’t drawn by an intangible energy, but through one of the space Shintong [divine power] techniques that allowed for the instantaneous exchange of positions.

Okseo had already descended from the jade throne he had been sitting on and placed a bottle of alcohol and a glass on a low table.

“Enough with the long-winded words. What words can we truly share without alcohol between men? Here! Don’t feel pressured. Just give me your answer comfortably, and I will do anything within my power for you.”

San-gun gladly accepted the glass and sat down. Okseo held a deep affection for San-gun, who had saved his son, Geummyeongjilyeong, from certain death.

So he had initially tried to arrange a marriage between San-gun and one of his daughters, but San-gun had politely refused.

So now he was attempting to repay the favor by fulfilling whatever wish San-gun might have.

The two shared drinks and chatted without formality for a while, and when they were both pleasantly drunk, they finally broached the main topic.

“So, what is it that the hermit desires? Whatever it may be, Sawolrang will give the hermit more than he asks for.”

San-gun drained the last remaining drops of alcohol from his glass and then opened his mouth.

“Cheonsu Ilgigeop (天壽佾起怯) [a legendary formation].”

At that moment, Okseo’s eyes widened slightly, betraying his surprise.

“I have heard that Sawolrang possesses a special formation. It is said that performing it significantly increases the probability of achieving Jinsumyeonghwa [a state of enlightenment] by 30%.”

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