Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 74

Tales of a Wandering Swordsman – Chapter 73

Holding the Ansi Stone in one hand, San-gun left Geumgang Mountain.

“Suspicious, indeed.”

The Ansi Stone contained the *Tongsul Gukyeol* [a secret manual or technique].

It was a *Gukyeol* [a more specific type of secret manual, often related to martial arts or cultivation] that described how to handle horns efficiently.

“*Hoecheongakgo* (悔天角呱).” [Regret Reaches Heaven, Horn Cries]

Regret reaches the heavens, and the horn cries.

It seemed the person who created this *Tongsul* [secret manual] regretted some past wrongdoings.

In any case.

It was the first *Tongsul* [secret manual] about horns he’d encountered.

San-gun didn’t usually reveal his true form, so he hadn’t given horns much thought.

However, after the fight with Geummyeongjisu, he had been pondering it a bit, and then he received a related *Tongsul* [secret manual].

But he was more suspicious than pleased.

The one who gave it to him was none other than Yoho, the Great Elder of the Gungbiho.

“There’s no reason to give it….”

There was no reason for her to give him this.

He hadn’t asked for it in the first place, and to her, he was nothing more than a thorn in her side, so it was natural to be suspicious of her kindness.

Even more puzzling was this.

A crystal with a bug trapped inside.

A bizarre-looking spirit insect with a thread-like body and a pointed head.

It was curled up inside the crystal, looking like a skein of silk at first glance.

The letter in *Gongjeonggang* [a storage space, like a pocket dimension] said:

[This is called *Jangchungjitae* (長蟲漬兌), a medicinal insect that, when cultivated in the body, strengthens bones and makes the skin tough. I know your divine power is strong, but you may lack the physical fortitude to find the Blood Collapse Water, so I hope you achieve your purpose with this.]

San-gun burned the letter and twisted up the corners of his lips.

“Looking at this alone, it’s clearly intended to kill me….”

It was truly ironic.

San-gun also knew that *Jangchungjitae* [medicinal insect] was a medicinal insect. And he knew what some practitioners did to this medicinal insect before administering it.

‘If they take it without knowing anything, their inner core will be ruined, and they’ll be half-crippled.’

San-gun imagined a scenario where Yoo-jung was given this and the insect was turned loose inside them.

‘I thought it was satisfying back then, but to think this would come into my hands.’

He took out a small pebble from his pocket and infused it with spirit energy.

Then, cracks appeared throughout the pebble, and a strange light burst out.

It soon settled on the *Jangchungjitae* [medicinal insect], and the light flickered and disappeared.

“Even if they tampered with it, if I have *Hae Bongseok* [a stone with purifying properties], I can return it to its original state, so it’s a win for me.”

With a smirk, San-gun grabbed the *Jangchungjitae* [medicinal insect] and stirred up spirit energy.

Then, the crystal melted away in an instant.

The awakened creature moved its body and thrust its head toward the place where spirit energy was being emitted.

The sharp head aimed for his wrist.

Soon, the *Jangchungjitae* [medicinal insect] burrowed into his wrist and disappeared inside.

Since he had removed the *Geumje* [a type of seal or restriction] on the *Jangchungjitae* [medicinal insect], the spirit insect would travel through San-gun’s body, strengthening his bones and skin.

‘I understand that they were trying to cripple me with *Jangchungjitae* [medicinal insect]… but why did they give me *Hoecheongakgo* [Regret Reaches Heaven, Horn Cries]?’

He pondered, but couldn’t figure it out.

There was nothing inherently bad about learning *Hoecheongakgo* [Regret Reaches Heaven, Horn Cries]. Since it was originally a *Gukyeol* [secret manual] for handling horns, learning it wouldn’t affect other things.

He wondered if there was a hidden *Gukyeol* [secret manual] he didn’t know about, but it didn’t seem so.

He didn’t know what their intentions were, but it wouldn’t be bad to watch for now.

San-gun recited the *Gukyeol* [secret manual] of *Hoecheongakgo* [Regret Reaches Heaven, Horn Cries] with a sullen look, and suddenly called Tamhwaogong.

The spirit insect, now grown to a body of over ten feet.

Tamhwaogong.

San-gun stroked its head and took out an animal arm from *Gongjeonggang* [storage space] and threw it.

It was the arm of a spirit beast used by a Demonic *Hwanseon* [ascended being].

He didn’t have any use for it, so he was giving it to eat. The more he fed it, the stronger it would become.

“San-gun. Let’s go now.”

“Okay.”

San-gun got up and walked a little, and Geummyeongjisu and Ryun were already on the *Giryeongcha* [a spirit carriage].

Geummyeongjisu saw San-gun and turned his head away.

The two were still at odds.

He didn’t have good feelings either, so he ignored them and got on.

Soon, a *Hosinmak* [protective barrier] covered them, and horses appeared, turning into a ray of light and streaking across the sky.

The destination was Hansan.

If they were plotting Sikma Habil [a demonic ritual], the central axis would be Hansan.

He tried to ignore it at first, but if there was Blood Collapse Water there, it was a different story.

‘From the stories I know, they open the Collapse Realm for Sikma Habil [a demonic ritual]….’

If that happened, things would get complicated.

It would be best to find the Blood Collapse Water before the Collapse Realm opened and ascend to *Yeongmyeong* [a higher realm of existence] by receiving *Cheonsuilgigeop* [a heavenly tribulation].

‘I hate getting involved.’

After that, Talraengi would come out to clean up the mess, and Gungbiho would appear and play tricks.

But no matter what happened, his only goal was the Blood Collapse Water, so he wouldn’t interfere.

San-gun ignored Geummyeongjisu, who kept glancing at him, and thought about the future.

* * *

A splendid palace in Hansan.

In one of the buildings, there was a woman with long, dark red hair.

She was Guieumnarachal, receiving a report from her subordinate with a listless look.

“So. There’s a sudden problem?”

The subordinate’s words were like this.

While performing 108 Godok [a ritual], two *Hwanseon* [ascended beings] died and eight *Biseon* [lesser ascended beings] died because one place was discovered.

“Which one was it? What was the guy’s appearance or description?”

“He looked to be around the age of twenty, and he was a man. He possessed so many kinds of divine powers and treasures that it was impossible to specify… but they say they saw a blue pillar of light.”

Her eyebrows shot up.

“Blue pillar?”

“Yes. He seemed to be a Taoist who handled lightning flames.”

Blue lightning flames.

Her eyes curved like a crescent moon.

She wasn’t sure, but she seemed to know who it was.

“What about the pursuit?”

“According to the report, Gungbiho rushed in after that and took them away. The aftermath is still….”

Gungbiho.

Gungbiho….

Tuk tuk.

She tapped her lips with her index finger and released the girl held in her other fist.

Thud.

The girl who fell into the pool of blood was motionless. Dozens of young girls were dead around Guieumnarachal.

They weren’t hurt anywhere, but they were motionless as if their souls had left.

“Is there any problem with opening the Collapse Realm?”

“There is no problem with summoning Collapse Demons, but there is a possibility of problems with achieving Sikma Habil [a demonic ritual].”

“What kind of problem?”

“It concerns the safety of the Vice-Leader….”

“If that’s the case, it doesn’t matter. What does it matter to a body that’s neither dead nor alive anyway?”

“You may be consumed by the ritual.”

Sikma Habil [a demonic ritual] is a treasure-ized monster.

It’s about transplanting it into the body.

You may be eaten by consciousness while intoxicated with power.

But she didn’t care.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Vice-Leader….”

“Do you see me as alive in your eyes?”

“That’s….”

The subordinate closed his mouth.

Guieumnarachal snorted and got up from her seat.

“Where are you going?”

“To meet a woman who may become a friend or an enemy.”

* * *

Baeklyun and Bicheong were staying at the palace in Hansan, introduced by the Ice Palace.

Because the place Bicheong mentioned was the palace in Hansan. Baeklyun and Bicheong lived a luxurious life.

Bicheong bothered her by bringing up this and that to relieve her feelings, but she couldn’t just ignore her.

Bicheong was Baeklyun’s only fellow disciple.

She was someone she could call a friend.

Like that, two days passed in the palace.

Baeklyun was leisurely strolling through the garden.

Her complexion looked quite good.

It was natural since the *Chuchimpan* [a mystical compass] had started moving again. Compared to Banggok, Goseon was a small area to the Taoists, so finding it was only a matter of time.

The only thing left was to tell Bicheong what to say and find it….

It was then.

Suddenly, she felt a presence behind her and drew her sword.

Sreung!

“Hello, Taoist. We meet again here?”

Baeklyun, who had put the sword back after hearing the familiar voice, replied with a sullen look.

“Why are you….”

She was the woman who had been her companion for a while while crossing the mountain to Goseon.

It was Yehu.

“Yes! You remembered me!”

Yehu smiled as if she was happy.

Baeklyun also tried to ease her vigilance, but frowned at the scent of blood emanating from her.

“Ah, it’s nothing. There’s someone I’m friends with in this palace, and they asked me to cut off some rotten roots.”

There are always corrupt people wherever you go.

But it’s not good to have a blood scent all over your body.

It was the moment when Yehu’s impression changed rapidly in Baeklyun’s mind.

“……Is that so.”

“Yes! Anyway, fate is fate. I didn’t know I’d meet you in a place like this! Would you like to have some tea for a while?”

She was a little suspicious, but there was no reason to refuse.

She was waiting for Bicheong, so she told a nearby palace maid and followed her.

A little later.

Two flower-like women sat together on a beautiful pavilion in front of the pond.

“Did you find the person you were looking for?”

The subject was omitted, but how could she not know?

It was a story about her husband.

“……Unfortunately, he’s a person who doesn’t leave footprints, so I’m having a hard time. But I’ve found traces again, so it’s okay.”

“That’s a relief.”

“How about you, Yehu?”

“Um….”

She rolls her eyes as if choosing what to say.

But seeing that the corners of her mouth are subtly raised, it seems like she knows the answer.

“Congratulations.”

“No, I haven’t even seen his face yet. He’s such a noticeable person that he’ll come to find me even if I stay still.”

He’ll come to find her even if she stays still.

Baeklyun was envious of her answer.

“But how did you know I was here?”

“Haha, there are rumors in the palace that there’s a white-haired fairy-like woman, so how could I not know? I haven’t met many people either, but I don’t remember seeing a fairy-like woman like Seonja [a term of respect for a Taoist].”

“You flatter me. It’s just a color that I was stuck with when I was young.”

“Then why don’t you cover it up? I don’t think Seonja [a term of respect for a Taoist] would want to stand out.”

“I was thinking about what my husband would remember about me, and this was the only thing. I’m just leaving it in case…. he might come looking for me.”

Thanks to that, the monsters come looking for me too.

“I see. Ah, can I know what kind of appearance Seonja’s [a term of respect for a Taoist] lover has? You never know. My subordinates have a wide network in Goseon, so if fate allows, they might be able to find him.”

“It’s okay. Such trouble….”

“Trouble! Isn’t it the will of heaven that we met like this? Don’t worry about it and tell me.”

Baeklyun was embarrassed, but Yehu urged her in a friendly manner, so she finally opened her mouth.

“He’s manly. And handsome. His eyes are red…. Oh, and come to think of it, he has a big black sword. And he also handles blue flames. If I don’t know, no one in the same realm can beat my husband.”

As her words, blushing, continued, Yehu’s face hardened.

Baeklyun tilted her head as she didn’t move for a while.

“Yehu Seonja [a term of respect for a Taoist]. What’s wrong?”

“Ah, it’s nothing. That… is that so.”

She was trying to maintain her composure, but she couldn’t hide her twitching lips.

“Perhaps…. the name of the person Seonja [a term of respect for a Taoist] is looking for.”

“Daeho, it’s Daeho.”

Yehu.

No, Guieumnarachal’s lips were raised as if they were about to tear.