Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 67

Nangseon’s Bizarre Tales – 66

He twisted Hwanseon’s neck.

The creature’s body slumped with a chilling sound.

It was then.

A blood-red bead shot out from Hwanseon’s body with lightning speed.

It was the creature’s *danryeong* [a spirit core or essence].

Unlike spirit beasts, humans only have one core.

Even if the body is lost, one can survive as long as the *danryeong* remains intact.

It was an obvious choice, as it allowed one to seize another’s body and prolong life.

‘He seems confident in his escape technique.’

The creature was already more than twenty yards away.

However, Mountain Lord wore a smirk.

His finger pointed at the creature.

Then, golden light surged from beneath the ground.

“Aaaaaaaaargh!!”

The *danryeong*’s scream echoed all around.

The corners of Mountain Lord’s lips curved into a deeper arc.

The creature’s *danryeong* was tightly bound by golden threads of the *Geumjangsa* [golden silk threads]. *Tamhwaogong* [a technique or skill] was triumphantly turning the *danryeong* into a cocoon.

The creature struggled desperately to escape, but it was impossible.

No matter how skilled Hwanseon was, it couldn’t exert power with only its *danryeong* and no body.

Moreover, how could it sever the *Geumjangsa* of *Tamhwaogong*, which was no different from a treasure, with just its *danryeong*?

Mountain Lord ignored the creature and turned his body. Already, *masa* [followers or subordinates] were surrounding him.

Seven *masa*, each with their treasures drawn, their faces etched with tension.

And then.

“Now, nine.”

Click.

He snapped his fingers.

Immediately, dozens of *Cheongok* [a type of puppet or construct] appeared, encircling the creatures from all directions.

*Ryugokja* [a type of puppet or construct].

He had reforged it anew.

Thanks to the countless numbers and the *Sawoljehang* [a technique or skill] he possessed.

The *biseon* [a type of celestial being or immortal] were now aghast.

The creatures must have realized that these *Cheongok* were not simple objects.

He formed a hand seal.

Then, slender threads unraveled from the *Ryugokja*, made of *Geumjangsa* refined with *Bongakcheonghwa* [a type of mystical fire]. Mountain Lord combined *Ryugokja*, *Bongakcheonghwa*, and *Geumjangsa*, replicating them countless times.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that these *Cheongok* were close to being supreme treasures.

It was then.

Thud, thud, thud, thud!! Dozens of blue threads plunged into the ground from the *Cheongok*. The *biseon* were startled and hurled their treasures.

However, Mountain Lord’s *Cheongok* didn’t budge. They tried to flee, but the surroundings were already covered in a grim realm swarming with demons.

There was no escape for them.

A dilemma.

Whether they knew their predicament or not.

The *Cheongok* slowly rotated.

The threads intertwined like a spiderweb, and as the *Cheongok* rotated, the threads tangled together, gradually closing the space.

“This can’t be happening!”

A *biseon* shouted in indignation.

Dozens of *Yeongseongbu* [a type of talisman or charm] were summoned and launched, but they were incinerated by the flames entwined in the threads!

“Let’s, let’s kill him first!”

“That’s right! If we kill him, this too… Ugh!”

However, Mountain Lord had already vanished. The *biseon* were dumbfounded.

They had tried to surround the intruder, but instead, they found themselves cornered.

Bang! Crash!

For a while, explosions and screams echoed from the place where the *biseon* were trapped.

After a while.

Only fragmented pieces of flesh remained, but even those disappeared into the bellies of the demons.

Mountain Lord retrieved a treasure from Gongjeonggang. It was a small pagoda.

The *Yukryeongbitap* [a type of pagoda or tower]!

It was one of the *Chilseonbogus* [seven treasures], treasures of the *Ilwolmun* [a sect or organization], found in the *Ilwolmun*’s secret vault.

There were numerous golden seals and barriers, but with *Haebongseok* [a type of stone or mineral] and *Bongakcheonghwa*, there was no way he couldn’t obtain it.

“I’ll need to use at least a *Cheonryang* [a type of treasure] treasure to make things easier.”

Muttering, Mountain Lord rummaged through his robes and pulled out an amulet.

It was one of the lost *Chukjibu* [a type of talisman or charm].

A spirit talisman that could instantly transport one up to a thousand miles.

The *Cheonrimayangbu* [a type of talisman or charm].

“A thousand miles is impossible for my level…”

But a short distance was fine.

He was borrowing the Spatial Divine Power, so what did escape techniques or lightness skills matter?

The reason he could easily kill Hwanseon earlier was largely due to the surprise attack from *Chukji* [instant movement or teleportation].

Mountain Lord placed the *Cheonrimayangbu* in his robes and looked at the ground.

Now, only one remained.

The Hwanseon from before was at the early stage, but this one seemed to be at least at the middle stage, so he couldn’t let his guard down.

“…….”

The Taoist who appeared belatedly fluttered his faded gray robe.

Hwanseon at the middle stage.

Perhaps even beyond that.

That was all Mountain Lord could sense.

The creature silently gazed at the scenery Mountain Lord had created before glaring at him. Then, looking at the tower in his hand, it opened its mouth.

“What is your purpose in stirring up this place?”

Mountain Lord answered the creature’s question.

“I don’t care what you guys are making with the Gu poison or what you’re up to. But since Blood Collapse Water is involved, I have no choice.”

“……I see.”

It was then.

Mountain Lord’s figure vanished in an instant.

Hwanseon’s eyes widened.

Swaaack! The sound of a sword wind echoed, but the Taoist had already thrown himself away.

“Huh….”

As soon as Mountain Lord disappeared, he threw himself away to save his life.

The Taoist, who had saved his life with *Naryeotagon* [a movement technique], unfurled a rolled-up scroll.

“Come forth, Gallimsu!”

Thud!

Light flashed, and a heavy noise erupted.

The magnificently drawn beast writhed and revealed itself.

Its overall appearance closely resembled that of a lion. Its rough mane and sharp fangs were menacing.

Its massive size and aura were enough to paralyze and demoralize anyone who looked at it.

Its size was so great that one of its front legs was as thick as a thousand-year-old pine tree.

‘And there are two of those things.’

Mountain Lord immediately realized that the plural called Gallimsu was a revenge spirit.

It seemed to obey orders without hesitation, as if it had been raised as a revenge spirit for a long time. The Hwanseon who summoned the Gallimsu continuously formed hand seals and chanted incantations.

In his hand, he held what appeared to be a monkey’s hand, which seemed extraordinary at first glance.

It was then.

The two Gallimsu charged towards Mountain Lord. The way they ran, crossing each other, was incredibly valiant.

Strange spiritual power surrounded them, focusing on the front. It was an aura that ordinary Taoists wouldn’t even notice, but Mountain Lord, who had mastered *Danryeong Geumjeong* [a technique or skill] and *Bunhap Sugeol* [a technique or skill], could sense it.

The Gallimsu shook their bodies as they charged.

Then, their manes turned into thick iron needles and poured out in all directions.

Mountain Lord chuckled and activated the *Cheonrimayeongbu*.

He transcends space.

Swoosh.

Mountain Lord, who had vanished in an instant, reappeared four yards away. He took a deep breath and pulled out a red rosary from his robes.

The rosary instantly transformed into a red serpent.

It opened its mouth wide and flew towards the Gallimsu.

-Krrr!

The Gallimsu, enraged, snorted and shook its body at the serpents. Immediately, sharp iron needles of light poured down on the serpents.

Clang!

The iron needles and serpents collided in a burst of explosions, and one of the *Cheongok* shot out from Mountain Lord’s hand.

The *Cheongok*, creating a blue tail, plunged straight into the Gallimsu’s side.

Thwack!

-Kwaaaaaaang!

One of the Gallimsu howled.

But soon, its face contorted with rage. The *Cheongok* had pierced its body, but since its body was four yards in size, it was no different from being pricked by a needle.

The red serpents, struck by the iron needles, turned back into a rosary and scattered on the ground.

The Gallimsu regained its composure.

Its body swelled with rage.

It felt like it would turn all of its fur into iron needles to kill Mountain Lord.

It was then.

Pajijijik!!

One of the Gallimsu was engulfed in blue lightning and screamed.

The flashing lightning twisted like a snake, binding the Gallimsu. It thrashed, trying to resist, but soon its eyes rolled back, and it collapsed. Not only was there lightning, but blue flames also erupted from within its body, leaving it with no way to cope.

As the Gallimsu fell, the lightning subsided, and soon blue flames rose, burning it to ashes without leaving a trace.

Then, the *Cheongok* shot out from its body and aimed for the remaining one.

The Gallimsu, startled by the death of its companion but still tense, leaped and dodged the *Cheongok*.

It was then.

Mountain Lord, who wouldn’t miss that opportunity, formed a hand seal. Then, the red rosary scattered on the ground sprang up like a snake and wrapped around its neck. Instantly turning back into a rosary and strangling its neck, the Gallimsu collapsed.

-Khaaaaaaang!

Thud! Thud!

It thrashed, trying to get up, but even with the body of a giant spirit beast, there was no way to overcome the red rosary.

“Hoo- Give up. I tried wrapping it around myself, but it didn’t budge.”

When he was in secluded training, he had tried to test the function of the red rosary by putting it on his body. At that time, Mountain Lord groaned for about three days before barely escaping.

If Hwaran hadn’t called Geummyeong and Mansam, and if he hadn’t summoned Tamhwaogong, he wouldn’t have been able to move for several more days.

“Oops.”

Mountain Lord, who had been muttering while exhaling, twisted his body.

Bang!!

Mountain Lord, who had flown dozens of yards, destroying surrounding trees and buildings, crashed into a rock wall and barely stopped.

Thud, the green silk fell weakly to the ground. If he didn’t have the automatic defense treasure, the purple gourd, he would have been seriously injured.

“Ugh…”

Mountain Lord, tapping his head, stared ahead. A *masa*, now full of confidence, wore a sinister smile.

In his hand, he wore the hand of a beast that didn’t fit a human body.

The stiff, bushy fur and purple-tinged nails were striking. It seemed to be the hand of the beast he had been holding earlier.

“Is it a treasure that’s transplanted into the body?”

“That’s right. Your divine power is impressive, but that doesn’t mean you’re a Hwanseon! I don’t know what’s going on, but I can hear it after I butcher you.”

The creature continued, sneering.

“Do you have any last words?”

At his confident attitude, the corners of Mountain Lord’s lips curled up.

He couldn’t help but say something.

“Last words…”

After pondering for a moment, Mountain Lord dusted off the dirt on his clothes and said.

“I recommend looking up once.”

The Hwanseon, showing off his massive arm, scoffed.

“Do you think I’d fall for such a shallow trick?”

“If you don’t want to, there’s nothing I can do.”

Mountain Lord shrugged and glanced around, muttering, ‘How far did I fly?’ The Taoist, with a dumbfounded expression at his nonchalant appearance, took a step forward.

But with that one step, the smile vanished from the Taoist’s face.

“Wh-What!”

Darkness had already settled around him. The sun was still in the middle of the sky, so how could such a phenomenon occur?

He could only understand it after looking up at the sky. A tower spanning dozens of yards was falling towards him.

“Damn it!”

The creature immediately stepped on the ground to escape.

But for some reason, no matter how much he ran and flew, the shadow covering him didn’t disappear. His anxiety reached its peak, and when he looked up again for a moment, he slumped his shoulders.

That’s because.

At the bottom of the tower, a magic circle with unrecognizable patterns was drawn.

It wasn’t a magic circle that could be easily broken, and there was no time to do so now that it was right in front of him.

Then, he heard a sneering voice in his ear.

“I told you to look up.”

Along with the Taoist’s face contorting like a demon.

“Damn itaaaaaaaaa!!”

Mountain Lord’s *Yukryeongbitap* fell.