Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 89

Nangseon’s Spirited Journey – Episode 88

The small sect nestled at the foot of Baeksan was called Baekhae (白海, White Sea). [Baekhae literally translates to “White Sea” and is the name of the sect.]

It had been 40 years since he left Baeksan, so it wasn’t strange that a sect had sprung up.

“It’s certainly possible, but…”

The odd thing was that the spirits and humans seemed familiar and close to each other. Moreover, this was centered around Baeksan, making it all the more intriguing.

Just in case, he looked at Jangcheon.

“…I did receive a report. It’s a sect called Baekhae, formed around Baeksan.”

As Jangcheon said, buildings were constructed on most of the peaks.

Not only that, but pavilions and gazebos were also built in between.

“It would be faster to see for yourself.”

Sangun decided to first visit Cheonhogun, where he used to reside. It was where he had made his home, and if that child was anywhere, he would be there.

However, that thought vanished as soon as he descended onto Baekunbong.

“A phantom array?”

Cheonhogun, his former residence, was surrounded by a faint phantom array [a type of magical barrier or illusionary defense].

“This is going to be a bit annoying.”

Just as Sangun narrowed his brow, a voice echoed from the air.

[Who dares to set foot in Baekhae without permission!]

Soon, the sound of swords being drawn echoed from all directions, and footsteps filled the air.

The scenery twisted strangely, and suddenly, a sword was pointed at Sangun’s neck.

The blade, reflecting the sunlight, was chillingly sharp.

“Identify yourself.”

Before he knew it, a dozen men in armor appeared, exuding murderous intent.

“Who do these guys think they’re dealing with…!”

Choa, her face contorted, was about to say something when Sangun raised his hand to stop her.

“Interesting.”

Even with a sword at his neck, he smiled. The faces of the men holding weapons twisted at the sight.

“You villain! Your impudence knows no bounds! If you do not reveal your identity, we will immediately cut off your head and hold you accountable!”

The spirit was valiant, and the voice was thunderous, but it didn’t seem very wise.

“Baekhae, which is said to have the backing of Baeksan’s power, doesn’t seem to know how to treat guests. Otherwise, they wouldn’t treat us so poorly, would they?”

At those words, the warriors hesitated.

They began to think that he might be an important guest they didn’t recognize.

As if agreeing with Sangun’s thoughts, they began to glance at each other.

Sangun chuckled and flicked the sword at his neck.

“Hmph!”

Clang!

With a clear sound, half of the sword snapped and flew away.

“Lead the way, to the master of Baekhae.”

* * *

A palace built somewhat modestly.

Inside, a man was sitting on the jade throne, with a woman beside him.

“It’s been almost 30 years since we’ve been together… Do you still have no intention of marrying me?”

The man was wearing a splendid robe.

He was the master of Baekhae, Uran.

“Don’t say ridiculous things. Don’t mistake my cooperation for goodwill. Even if I die, I have no intention of marrying you.”

The woman in the red skirt glared at him with a look of deep disgust and dismissed him.

However, the man chuckled, as if used to it, and sneered.

“It’s been almost 40 years since he last appeared… Could it be that he’s died somewhere? That would be a shame for me.”

His eyes turned fierce for a moment.

“If I don’t tear that bastard to pieces, I can’t avenge our ancestors.”

He gripped the armrest of the jade throne, revealing his murderous intent. At the sharp energy, the woman, or rather, Yeona, frowned.

“Don’t do foolish things. If your master returns, the sect created by your petty ambition will be reduced to mere dust.”

“That’s hard to say. I’m also eagerly waiting for him to come.”

Uran smiled slyly.

Yeona, who was displeased with him, swallowed a sigh.

“Don’t think I’ll wait forever. The vengeful spirits you command are also in my grasp.”

“Don’t dismiss them with such a low-class word. They are my comrades.”

“Ha, humans and spirits as comrades? Even a stray dog would laugh.”

That might be true.

The divide between humans and spirits was deep and profound.

“Even so, how can I call those who fought with me and protected Baeksan vengeful spirits? They will always be my comrades and close friends.”

“Is that so? Even though those precious comrades are holding you back?”

“That’s just for a moment. How long do you think you can control this place?”

At first glance, it was a confrontation without an inch of retreat, but that was all she could do.

Uran chuckled and shook his head.

“I always enjoy our conversations.”

“I think you misunderstand the meaning of conversation. We haven’t laughed or joked for a single moment.”

Uran just laughed as if she were cute, and Yeona bit her lower lip.

She was dealing with him firmly now, but she didn’t know how long that could last. It had already been 30 years since he took control of Baeksan, so it was only natural.

The master of Baeksan, whom she had been waiting for so long, didn’t even show his face, and some strange guy had appeared, so how could she not be frustrated?

Moreover, she was tasked with protecting Baeksan by him.

She couldn’t protect it, so it was no wonder she was struggling with extreme self-loathing.

’30 years.’

She had reached Doseon [a high level of spiritual attainment] with his help, but even with the increased lifespan, 30 years was by no means short.

‘It’s always been a regret that I don’t have the strength.’

She had put down the brush and picked up the sword, but the sword in her hand was still pathetic.

‘Is it the sword that’s pathetic, or is it me?’

Yeona, with a bitter smile, caressed the sword hilt with affectionate eyes.

It was the sword her master had given her.

How could she call it pathetic?

At least to her, it was heavier and more brilliant than anything else.

“You’re always caressing that shabby sword. It’s not even a treasure…”

Yeona glared at him with fierce eyes and then averted her gaze.

Uran also closed his mouth and carefully examined the letter. As the head of a sect, he had to look after the major and minor affairs, so it was natural that he was busy even with two bodies.

It was then.

Whoosh!

A talisman flew in through the gap in the door. It was a jeoneumbu (傳音符, message talisman) [a magical item used for communication].

Uran grabbed it and infused it with divine power, and his face instantly contorted.

* * *

Meanwhile.

Sangun was walking along the road, guided by the men. All of them were Sword Immortals, but the treatment was clearly different from before.

“Are you really Taoists of Goseon?”

“Can’t you tell by looking?”

When Sangun rebuked, one of the Sword Immortals smiled amiably and replied.

“How could that be? It is said that the closer one gets to becoming an immortal, the stronger the scent of grass becomes! How can there be such a fragrant pine scent…!”

“Pfft!”

The fox spirit covered her mouth and snickered.

The pine scent the man was talking about was from the sachet Sangun had.

Regardless, Jangcheon glared at Sangun with a displeased look. It was because he had borrowed the name of Goseon without permission.

“I heard that Taoists of Goseon wear masks…”

“You talk too much.”

“I’m sorry!”

“By the way, do you know anything about the woman who protects this place?”

At that, the eyes of the Sword Immortal widened.

“Do you know about Seonja (仙子, immortal woman) Yeon?” [Seonja is a title for a female immortal or fairy.]

Seonja Yeon.

How could he not know that surname?

“Is that child doing well?”

“She’s doing great! If it weren’t for Seonja Yeon, Baekhae wouldn’t be so prosperous!”

“Is she that important?”

“Of course!”

The Sword Immortal praised Seonja Yeon so much that his saliva dried up, even without being asked.

He talked about how the sect was created in Baeksan, the name of the sect leader, and even those who were said to be his companions.

“Uran…”

Sangun tapped his temple with his finger. It was a name he had heard somewhere, but he couldn’t remember it well.

Uran.

Uran.

After pondering for a while, his eyebrows shot up.

“We’ve arrived!”

Just in time, the footsteps stopped.

Looking ahead, the phantom array had disappeared, and a magnificent gate greeted them.

The symbol of a beast with two large fangs was drawn on it.

“Ah…”

As Sangun sighed softly, the gate began to creak open at the same time.

A dark shadow formed between the gaps in the gate, and a red light flashed for a moment.

It was a small throwing knife.

The throwing knife was wrapped in a red aura, taking the shape of a serpent and rushing in.

It was as fast as a ray of light.

It was so intense that even the Sword Immortals, as well as Choa, who was at the level of Biseon [a high level of martial arts mastery], gasped.

However.

Thwack!

Sangun simply flicked the throwing knife away with a wave of his hand.

It was with his bare hand.

‘Not bad!’

Due to the Jangchungjitae [a powerful technique or state of being], his physical hardness had risen dramatically along with his spiritual enlightenment. With just this level of treasure, he couldn’t even make a scratch on his transformed body.

The throwing knife, losing its power, stabbed its head into the ground, and the Sword Immortals were quite embarrassed.

First, they were puzzled by the sect leader’s sudden attack, and second, they were in awe of the power that had brushed off the attack as if it were dust.

“……”

Thanks to that, the one who was embarrassed was the sect leader of Baekhae.

Uran.

He didn’t attack as a formality.

It was an attack with the intention to kill.

He couldn’t help but be shaken that it had been easily brushed off.

However, Uran raised the corners of his lips.

He seemed pleased, but his burning eyes were only looking at Sangun as if to kill him.

“You haven’t changed at all. Isn’t that fortunate! Thanks to that, I was able to recognize you at a glance!!”

Words with an unknown meaning.

Sangun frowned.

It was because the guy started throwing throwing knives again.

“I’ve been living all these days just wishing for your death!!”

He spouted words he wasn’t even asked and threw dozens of throwing knives.

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!! Bang!

Sangun frowned and knocked away the throwing knives with his hands as he pondered. By the time the number of throwing knives stuck in the ground changed from dozens to hundreds in an instant.

“I will avenge my grandfather and father with my own hands!! Hahaha!!”

“Grandfather?”

No matter how much he thought about it, he had never done anything to incur such resentment.

However, it was ironic that it didn’t seem like a lie based on the guy’s reaction.

“Have you forgotten my grandfather Udan! My father Uja, Sangun of Baeksan!!”

Sangun, who recalled the pigs of Udunsan, widened his eyes.

If so, could it be that the guy was.

“The last descendant of Udunsan, this Uran, will take your head!!”

Suddenly, the guy slashed his wrist.

At the same time, vital energy splattered everywhere and was sprinkled on the ground.

Uran’s complexion turned snow-white in an instant, and the throwing knives scattered on the ground trembled.

“Sword Formation!”

Jangcheon shouted in surprise.

It was as he said.

The throwing knives were not simply scattered, but were forming a formation in the form of a sword formation.

“Even though you have reached spiritual enlightenment, you will not be able to escape my sword formation!”

Ominous flames erupted from the throwing knives stuck in the ground and transformed into kyoryong (蛟龍, flood dragons) [mythical creatures resembling dragons associated with water].

Hundreds of fire dragons soared and headed towards Sangun in the center.

He didn’t know what kind of sword formation it was, but its power and spirit were not to be taken lightly.

It was hard to believe that it was unleashed by a spirit of Yeonggyeol [a specific level of spiritual attainment].

“Die!!”

As Uran formed a hand seal, hundreds of fire dragons rushed towards Sangun.

In an instant, a huge whirlwind raged, explosions rang out, and pillars of fire soared.

Kwaaaang!!

“Sangun!!”