Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm: Apostle of the Gods

Heavenly Realm

Apostle of the gods!

I had already anticipated this to some extent through my past lives, so I took the news fairly calmly. But the others didn’t seem to. Especially Dokgo Seong—his shock was profound, his face openly twisting in horror.

Dokgo Seong spoke in a trembling voice.

“Gods…? You’re saying their power is something like sorcery?”

“There will be terminals in them that borrow the power of the gods. I think it’s similar to the principle by which I descend upon the Contractor.”

Yeo Dongbin said this, glancing at me.

principle by which I descend upon the Contractor."

Yeo Dongbin said this, glancing at me.

“Contractor. Between you and me exists a karmic law called fate. I cannot explain how it came to be, but as long as that karmic law is established, I must respond to your summons.”

“……”

Karmic law.

An absolute rule that even the [Ancient Ruler] could not defy.

The incantation linking to Yeo Dongbin’s terminal was set by karmic law, persisting even beyond my regressions and rebirths. It wasn’t some specific device implanted in my body; rather, it was a thread of connection that even gods could not sever, binding me and Yeo Dongbin from right after my rebirth.

*Karmic law is something else.*

As I dazedly pondered this, Dokgo Seong let out a groan.

“No way… the cult leader…”

He seemed to have some inkling. I left the bewildered Dokgo Seong aside and turned to Yeo Dongbin with my urgent matter.

“Sword Immortal. I’m suffering from chaos in my sword arts. I’ve learned too many martial techniques, and unifying them is incredibly difficult.”

“Hmm. So it seems.”

Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin stared piercingly at me for a moment.

Then he spoke.

“Then, though it may be a bit early, we must proceed to the third stage of the Heavenly Escape

Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin stared piercingly at me for a moment.

Then he spoke.

“Then, though it may be a bit early, we must proceed to the third stage of the Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship.”

“The third stage? Is that the final one?”

At my question, Yeo Dongbin nodded.

“Your realm and comprehension of intent are so refined that there’s no need to learn the essentials of Trust and Insight any further. I shall impart the final Escape.”

“Wasn’t it a total of five stages?”

“With Entry into Oblivion, Emptiness, and Heavenly Escape following in sequence, it matters not. You’ll need at least that much to overcome the chaos.”

It was then. Dokgo Seong, who had been mumbling dazedly, suddenly snapped to attention and shouted loudly.

“Wait!”

“What is it?”

“Teach me the Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship as well.”

All eyes turned to Dokgo Seong. He stared boldly at Yeo Dongbin as if it were the most natural thing.

“I too wish to master a transcendent swordsmanship and behold the pinnacle of martial arts.”

His face brimmed with confidence. Of course—Dokgo Seong was the foremost master of the Thunder God Style, gifted with extraordinary talent from a young age. Having now witnessed

“I too wish to master a transcendent swordsmanship and behold the pinnacle of martial arts.”

His face brimmed with confidence. Of course—Dokgo Seong was the foremost master of the Thunder God Style, gifted with extraordinary talent from a young age. Having now witnessed the Great Thunder Immortal’s prowess with his own eyes, it was only natural he’d pay any price to learn it.

But Yeo Dongbin calmly shook his head.

“Our fates do not align. In the mortal realm, the only one who can learn my Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship from me is this Contractor alone.”

“We’ve just faced off once and are speaking now. Isn’t this the bond of warriors?”

Yeo Dongbin replied flatly, his expression unchanging.

“No. The reason we met is solely because the Contractor sacrificed ten years of his life. No other bond exists between us.”

“......!!”

“The Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship is but one path. Hone your own martial arts, and someday you may ascend to immortal realms.”

His words held no ulterior motive or emotion. I had always seen Yeo Dongbin as a passionate soul, but this was the first time I witnessed such cold impartiality. Only then did I truly feel that Yeo Dongbin operated strictly by the laws of the heavenly realm—a divine being.

As Dokgo Seong fell silent, Yeo Dongbin turned to me.

“To master Escape, you require Burning. Are you prepared for that?”

“What do you mean?”

“You may melt away amid the fusion of martial arts.”

“……”

In that instant, as my mind resonated with Yeo Dongbin’s, I vaguely sensed what the final stage of Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship—Escape—entailed. And I realized what a gamble it was.

*Entrusting my soul completely to Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin and absorbing the culmination of his swordsmanship...!!*

The ultimate possession technique leading to!

Until now, my possessions of Yeo Dongbin had kept a corner of my consciousness alive, observing reality. But in the Escape stage, Yeo Dongbin would fully overwrite my mind, his swordsmanship as Sword Immortal fusing completely into my unconscious. This was no process an ordinary mentality could endure.

Curious, I asked Yeo Dongbin.

“Why is the Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship divided into five stages?”

“Because it seeks to save the world.”

Yeo Dongbin gazed at the sky with somewhat sorrowful eyes, then said.

“The case where the Contractor must be led to the immortal sword realm via the Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship is when the world is plunged into suffering. It asks whether you are prepared to sacrifice yourself even then, Contractor.”

I understood what Yeo Dongbin meant. Those connected to Yeo Dongbin via terminals were originally bound by strong fate—righteous heroes concerned for the world’s future. To such a

Escape Swordsmanship is when the world is plunged into suffering. It asks whether you are prepared to sacrifice yourself even then, Contractor.”

I understood what Yeo Dongbin meant. Those connected to Yeo Dongbin via terminals were originally bound by strong fate—righteous heroes concerned for the world’s future. To such a person, Yeo Dongbin would impart his knowledge and power to the utmost, but the abilities and memories of the Great Thunder Immortal were far from ordinary.

Even just absorbing Master Mangnyang’s memories was burdensome...

An average human’s mentality might dissolve. Guessing Yeo Dongbin knew this, he had deliberately not recommended the Escape stage until now. People willing to sacrifice for immense power weren’t exactly common.

But I nodded without hesitation.

“Please do it.”

A body that rebirths even upon death anyway. Plus, with my own power alone, there was no telling when I’d overcome this chaos. Better to gamble now than endure the endless mental attrition across repeated lives.

Yeo Dongbin reached toward my heart.

Then, as if warning, he said.

“Your chaos seems particularly unique, so we may need aid from the other Eight Immortals. The chance of your mind burning away will rise even higher. Do you consent?”

“Of course.”

“Very well.”

Shwaa...

Yeo Dongbin’s body vanished.

Of course.

“Very well.”

Shwaa...

Yeo Dongbin’s body vanished.

In that moment, I felt a torrent of information flood my mind, akin to when I received Mangnyang’s assassination arts. Unlike Mangnyang’s advanced, specialized sorcery knowledge, this was arrayed intuitively and simply. But as it progressed to the principles of supreme martial arts, profound insights enveloped my body.

“......!!”

Drip.

A massive headache struck, and blood gushed from both nostrils. Dizzy, I dropped to one knee. Even as a martial artist with tolerance for pain, this headache was brutally hard to bear—like dozens of moths fluttering in my skull, temples scraped by thin blades.

Nobutsuna, beside me, asked worriedly.

“Are you alright?”

“Ah... ugh...”

At the same time, I sensed something colossal surging from the depths of my soul’s unconscious. It was Yeo Dongbin’s true soul, overlaying me with my consent. I realized that within moments, Yeo Dongbin would fully descend.

Before losing consciousness, Yeo Dongbin’s final words imprinted in my mind.

[Perfect—this place teems with demons. I shall demonstrate the power of the Eight Immortals.]

Consciousness sank into depths. But it was shallow, like gazing at the surface from underwater; I hadn’t fully lost awareness and could still perceive the outside.

Whether Yeo Dongbin knew this, he seized my body, gripped my sword, and charged forward.

Pababat!

Sharing Yeo Dongbin’s and my martial experience, he instantly adapted the Annihilation Soul Step, soaring toward the Water Sea’s front like flight. With each ceaseless sword qi he unleashed, surrounding demons shattered with tremendous force—he rampaged like a fish in water.

Soon, Yeo Dongbin reached the giant earthworm guarding the Life Sea’s gate. He eyed the worm, dozens of feet long, coldly, then traced a finger from above downward.

Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship

One Sword to Heaven

Swiik

[Graaaah!!]

A single strike. The intent-forged greatsword pulverized the Life Sea’s gatekeeper outright. To finish it, Yeo Dongbin unleashed a few Spirit Command Hands and Spirit Command Palms. The giant worm vanished without a trace.

Having slain the gatekeeper, Yeo Dongbin entered the dark cave. A one-way path leading to ancient ruins. Reaching a vast cavern with an altar, he scanned around—then an illusory figure appeared.

Dressed in pristine yin-yang shaman robes, the figure sighed.

“I am Abe no Yoshihira of the Water Sea’s administrator clan. Are you an immortal?”

Yoshihira seemed to instantly recognize Yeo Dongbin dominating my body. Yeo Dongbin slowly nodded, then said.

“I must proceed.”

“I cannot allow it. Gather the eight and return.”

“Is there a reason?”

“Beyond lies the domain of the Demon God. If you fall, disaster follows.”

Yeo Dongbin paused, then spoke.

“This suffices.”

Shshshik!!

In the next instant, the souls of the Eight Immortals descended upon my body simultaneously. Realizing this, Abe no Yoshihira shrieked.

“Zhongli Quan... Zhang Guolao... Han Xiangzi... Li Tieguai... Lü Dongbin... Lan Caihe... He Xiangu... Cao Guojiu!! The Eight Chinese Immortals descending together?!”

He knew them well. And among sorcerers, the Eight Immortals held immense significance.

“With the power of Spiritual Revelation, you’ll see. Open the path.”

“Do you know? If you fall, your souls become the Demon God’s possession!”

Yoshihira pondered long, then sighed.

“Please don’t overreach.”

He formed hand seals, seemingly blessing Yeo Dongbin with the power of the Eight Trigrams.

Kugung.

Soon, a massive gate materialized in the air, and Yoshihira vanished. Yeo Dongbin strode straight through.

The revealed Death Sea was a vast forest. Demonic qi several times denser than the Life Sea filled it as thick blue mist. Yeo Dongbin gazed silently, then drew his sword.

Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship

Six Intents Sacred Heaven Diagram

Wind Severance

A colossal vortex formed, plunging into the Death Sea forest. An inhumanly immense sword wind swept ahead, bursting demons. Then, with a heavy rumble, something erupted from the earth.

Kuooh...

It was the massive, amorphous demon that had once killed me with a body slam. I knew it well. The problem: this one bursting from the ground was ten times larger than those before.

A literal mountain of a beast. And not just it—others rose from all directions, each radiating far

Kuooh...

It was the massive, amorphous demon that had once killed me with a body slam. I knew it well. The problem: this one bursting from the ground was ten times larger than those before.

A literal mountain of a beast. And not just it—others rose from all directions, each radiating far greater demonic power than Life Sea’s foes. It felt like the apocalypse.

Gooooh...

Yeo Dongbin hardened his resolve, infusing his sword with his soul, and declared.

“My comrades, lend me your strength!”

A jade-like voice echoed from somewhere.

[Lü Dongbin, I, Han Xiangzi, bestow my blessing. Demonic poison and acid shall not harm you.]

The Eight Immortals began pouring blessings in sequence.

[Lü Dongbin, I, Lan Caihe, bestow my blessing. Curses hold no power over you.]

[Lü Dongbin, I, Zhongli Quan, bestow my blessing. You gain power to shatter divinity.]

[Lü Dongbin, I, Zhang Guolao, bestow my blessing. Your avatar ability becomes unlimited.]

[Lü Dongbin, I, Li Tieguai, bestow my blessing. Your offensive power rises further.]

[Lü Dongbin, I, He Xiangu, bestow my blessing. Even lesser demon gods’ divine power shall not reach you.]

[Lü Dongbin, I, Cao Guojiu, bestow my blessing. You may wield Lunar Spirit Qi.]

Paaat...

The remaining seven immortals’ blessings flooded in. Absorbing them, Yeo Dongbin’s body radiant with divine light, his sword aura expanding tenfold.

[Lü Dongbin, I, Cao Guojiu, bestow my blessing. You may wield Lunar Spirit Qi.]

Paaat...

The remaining seven immortals' blessings flooded in. Absorbing them, Yeo Dongbin's body radiated sun-like holy light, his already fearsome aura multiplying several-fold.

The Death Sea demons hesitated, sensing his power.

Yeo Dongbin roared.

"Haaap!!"

A greatsword hundreds of feet long plummeted from the heavens like a mountain-cleaving blade. Simultaneously, he conjured dozens, hundreds of avatars, each emanating terrifying battle spirit. I knew normally this splendor would exhaust me to death swiftly, yet Yeo Dongbin fought the great demons fiercely without strain.

Kwagwagwang!!

The Six Intents Sacred Heaven Diagram raced across the land like starlight. Yeo Dongbin traversed the swarming foes—several times stronger than Life Sea's—like his own home, slicing demons to pieces with each swing. Though some spewed curses, poison, acid, or demonic power, Yeo Dongbin ignored them all via the immortals' blessings.

Subduing over twenty massive Death Sea demons took little time. Once cleared, something immense rippled on the horizon like mist.

[Impressive... Eight Immortals...]

Yeo Dongbin recognized it as the Death Sea's gatekeeper, a league beyond prior demons. Grinding his teeth, he declared.

"Evil God! I fear you not!"

Yeo Dongbin recognized it as the Death Sea’s gatekeeper, a league beyond prior demons. Grinding his teeth, he declared.

“Evil God! I fear you not!”

[How futile...?]

The mist-shrouded being continued. Black, massive tentacles faintly undulating on the horizon embodied terror.

[The world’s end is fated... When constellations return... the slumbering ancient awakens... R’lyeh rises, chaos consumes the world... You repeat meaningless battles for millennia...]

Yeo Dongbin fell silent a moment.

Then clenched his fist.

“Human dignity gives meaning to our fight.”

I felt Yeo Dongbin and the immortals’ unyielding will. United as one, they rallied courage against the evil god. Its power was immense—beyond any single immortal—but with full Eight Immortals’ might, they reached a realm where battle was viable.

In that moment, I realized: this demon god rivaled at least the god’s apostle, Dagie. Chuckling amusedly, it spoke.

[A rare entertaining guest... I await in the Extinction Sea...]

Whoosh.

The demon god’s presence vanished, a dimensional gate opening beyond the horizon. Acknowledging the Eight Immortals’ power, it had opened the Death Sea’s gate. Yeo Dongbin relentlessly exterminated demons en route to the gate.

Kwagwagwang.

Backed by explosions, Yeo Dongbin headed to the next sea. Entering the Inlet Sea via the gate, he murmured.

“The dimension is warped.”

Perhaps due to the Ancient Ruler’s direct influence?

World of chaos!

Indeed, the third sea, Inlet Sea, was no longer habitable by humans. Earth and sky blurred, filled with utter chaos; objects floated arbitrarily in void. Surging fusion roiled.

Amid eerie darkness, demonic roars echoed faintly now and then. Unlike Life or Death Seas, no specific demons appeared, but piercing this twisted dimension itself seemed a grand ordeal.

Yeo Dongbin found a path through the abyss fusion, soon piercing the space with flying sword art. Entering a dimly glowing area—a cave—he advanced inward.

Soon after, Yeo Dongbin discovered a massive, primal altar. Indescribably horrific dark statues stood, inscribed with unrecognizable strange script. Bones and skulls littered the site of past human sacrifices. Staring at the altar brimming with colossal malice, Yeo Dongbin said.

“You there, come out.”

A figure hiding behind the altar cautiously emerged. Gazing anxiously at Yeo Dongbin, he spoke.

“Who are you? You reached the Inlet Sea on your own?”

Yeo Dongbin didn’t reply, but soon the figure read his aura, realizing an otherworldly being. No

A figure hiding behind the altar cautiously emerged. Gazing anxiously at Yeo Dongbin, he spoke.

“Who are you? You reached the Inlet Sea on your own?”

Yeo Dongbin didn’t reply, but soon the figure read his aura, realizing an otherworldly being. No wonder—with Eight Immortals’ blessings embodied, immense divinity surged.

The figure knelt, clasping hands in salute.

“A divine being. Please help me.”

“Who are you?”

“I am Cheongwol, guardian of the Thunder God Style.”

Yeo Dongbin replied calmly.

“Tell me the path to the Extinction Sea.”

“I don’t know. I merely hide here, scraping by day to day... To pass this fusion, one must forcibly twist space or find hidden doors.”

“Then that thing must be eliminated.”

Yeo Dongbin suddenly dashed out of the cave. Spotting an enormously colossal ‘something’ drifting in the fusion like a sea whale, he shot toward it via flying sword. The entity was truly immense, its form stretching to the abyss’s limits.

Colossal demon!

A formless undulating tentacles.

“You’re the Inlet Sea’s gatekeeper!”

Kuooh.

The demon shrieked at Yeo Dongbin’s attack, but its shattered parts regenerated instantly. Gripping his sword tighter, Yeo Dongbin cried.

“I shall exterminate this evil!!”

How many days passed as Yeo Dongbin fought to his limits?

He finally felled the colossal demon. Moments later, as it plummeted into the abyss, the gate to Extinction Sea opened.

But Yeo Dongbin’s state wasn’t great. Having expended divinity to extremes, even as an immortal, he looked fatigued. Bitterly, he said.

“Were the Contractor’s internal energy weaker, we’d have collapsed midway. No further...”

He endured by forcibly recovering boundless energy via immortals’ blessings.

To confirm, Yeo Dongbin stepped toward Extinction Sea, surveyed, then rescued Thunder God Style guardian Cheongwol and began the return journey. Rescued, Cheongwol wept joyfully.

“Ugh... thank you.”

Yeo Dongbin, ignorant of flight, steadily backtracked, repeating fierce battles with demons. Unleashing sword qi and sword gangs thousands of times was a spectacle.

I had observed quietly until then, then addressed Yeo Dongbin.

*Thank you.*

“......?!”

I had observed quietly until then, then addressed Yeo Dongbin.

*Thank you.*

"……?!"

It was then. Nearly finishing the return near Life Sea's entrance, Yeo Dongbin's face filled with shock. Genuinely flustered, he said.

"Contractor... even in the Escape stage, entrusting your entire soul to me, your consciousness persisted?"

*It did.*

"This... impossible... such a thing can't be."

Ceasing his shock, Yeo Dongbin returned to Life Sea's mouth and addressed me—his tone somewhat awkward.

"Contractor. In any case, I've taught up to the final Escape stage. I hope it helps you..."

Yeo Dongbin departed with the immortals' spirits.

Consciousness slowly returned.

"Kuaaagh!!"

My entire body throbbed with excruciating muscle pain and unrelenting agony. The wounds and fatigue Yeo Dongbin had accumulated now crashed back upon me. Unbearable torment.

As I writhed on the ground, faint voices reached my hazy awareness.

"Cheongwol, you're alive!"

"No, Dokgo Seong..."

"Did you find the Full Moon Thousand Kills Method?"

“Cheongwol, you’re alive!”

“No, Dokgo Seong...”

“Did you find the Full Moon Thousand Kills Method?”

“There was no such...”

Having inadvertently breached Water Sea’s perils, consciousness faded.

Half a success!

*Damn...*

Piercing Life Sea, Death Sea, Inlet Sea to Extinction Sea’s entrance and rescuing guardian Cheongwol was fortunate—but my lingering consciousness halved the absorption from Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship’s Escape stage.

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