Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

I thought his words were out of left field, but I saw it as a viable option. Up until now, that choice had existed, but the circumstances hadn't lined up for it. The White Lotus Cult Leader's public identity was ambiguous, their main enemy was the Imperial Palace, and killing him wouldn't improve the situation in most cases. Even if you took out the White Lotus Cult Leader, the Imperial Palace faction would remain intact.

From Dokgo Seong's perspective as a master of the Thunder God Style, however, he could absolutely use his abilities to eliminate the cult leader. And if we gained the power to crush the Imperial Palace, the White Lotus Cult Leader would likely become the biggest remaining obstacle, making it a strategy worth considering.

I thought for a moment before responding.

"I'll do that. But first, I want to become the White Lotus Cult Leader's disciple and uncover his secrets."

For now, keep in mind that we can kill the White Lotus Cult Leader. That alone could drastically change the situation.

Dokgo Seong nodded vigorously at my words.

"That's a good plan too. In any case, whenever we plot something big going forward, we must always be prepared to eliminate the White Lotus Cult Leader. He'll be the greatest obstacle in terms of martial arts and strategy."

"It's not certain. Those qualified would compete for the position."

Dokgo Seong muttered.

"The Thunder God Sword Dance I passed on to you will play a big role then."

"Yes."

There's no need to kill the cult leader right now. Once we've fully uncovered his secrets and eliminate him, those qualified to succeed him will compete. At that point, I could participate in the White Lotus Cult's leadership contest.

It was a plan with solid chances of success. As I inwardly approved of Dokgo Seong's scheme, he spoke up.

"And don't hate Lee Gwang too much. He wasn't always that prickly."

I flinched.

His words brushed against a raw nerve in my heart. Perhaps because of that, I replied curtly.

"That's between me and Lee Gwang, Master."

Dokgo Seong sighed.

"I don't know much about the life he led after joining the White Lotus Cult, but as a teenage boy, he was a once-in-a-generation prodigy highly anticipated in the Thunder God Style. As the Founder's disciple, everyone had high expectations for him, and he had a lively personality. I think the trials of time just made him harsh and fierce."

"-......"

There was a hint of lament in Dokgo Seong's words. It seemed the guilt of being absent from the Thunder God Style when it was purged by the White Lotus Cult was weighing on him. Perhaps he felt that things might have turned out differently if he'd stayed.

I shook my head.

"I don't want to do anything cruel to him without knowing the full story. I plan to settle things with him one-on-one later."

After showing him the memories via the black obsidian and fighting him fairly, I'd beat him to death. I had to avenge a hundred years of resentment.

"From what I see, you haven't been entirely honest with Lee Gwang up until now either."

"He wasn't the type to respond to straightforwardness."

"You must have suffered a lot."

Hearing my thorny tone, Dokgo Seong muttered bitterly and turned his head.

"Do as you will. But please give him one chance."

I hadn't expected Dokgo Seong to think so highly of Lee Gwang. Feeling something from his words, I nodded.

"Understood."

Up until now, my mind had been filled with thoughts of merciless revenge on Lee Gwang. But if Dokgo Seong said this much, I needed to have an honest talk with him once and consider it positively. There might really be a reason for Lee Gwang's twisted behavior.

With the conversation wrapped up, Dokgo Seong said.

"Then let's train hard until a month from now."

"Yes."

No more idle talk was needed. From that day on, I trained the Thunder God Sword Dance relentlessly, while Dokgo Seong and Cheongwol devoted themselves fully to mastering the Wudang Sect's ultimate techniques. Cheongwol especially trained like mad, as if to make up for lost time.

A month passed in the blink of an eye, and we began our search for the Mount Tai Old Man. Dokgo Seong distributed large bamboo hats to us and said.

"We have our own places to search. Go to the Avatar Style, learn what you can about the Mount Tai Old Man, then head to Mount Tai."

"When should we meet?"

"About another month."

"Got it."

Dokgo Seong gazed at me steadily before speaking.

"I'll say this: Han Baekyeong is no pushover. Don't let your guard down just because she's friendly with you—she's a heroine who reached the pinnacle of the Avatar Style despite being a woman. Even Lee Cheongwoon couldn't take her lightly."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Whoosh!

I left Dokgo Seong and Cheongwol behind and flew off. They seemed intent on moving freely on their own anyway, so there was no need to stick together awkwardly. I'd gather info on the Mount Tai Old Man alone for a month, then rendezvous with them.

My first destination wasn't the Avatar Style but the Shadowless Gate, home of the Sword Demon. I met him and recounted recent events. Stroking his chin with interest, the Sword Demon said.

"I see. Dokgo Seong will certainly make a powerful ally."

"I'm sorry for deciding on my own."

"No need. You're the Reincarnator, so the initiative is yours. Push forward with what you deem right."

Chuckling, the Sword Demon leaned back in his chair.

"By the way, the Mount Tai Old Man... He's always been suspicious. Whether it's Gyeolson or the eminent monk Myongho, they're somewhat known in the martial world, but he was too enigmatic. No intelligence network had any info on him."

"Is he an Imperial Palace lackey?"

"Hard to say. Even the vast Imperial Palace couldn't treat someone like the Mount Tai Old Man as mere fodder."

He continued calmly.

"It's more fitting to see it as a cooperative relationship. Perhaps the Mount Tai Old Man has his own goals and is aligning with the Imperial Palace for them?"

"Hmm..."

"In any case, if you're digging into the Mount Tai Old Man's identity, I'll help. I was planning to seize control of the Eight Demonic Sects anyway—might as well multitask."

Something occurred to me, so I asked the Sword Demon.

"Has Dokgo Jun of the Divine Emissary Style come by?"

In the past, Dokgo Jun, a Guardian Lion of the Divine Emissary Style, had visited and subdued the Sword Demon, the alliance leader of the Eight Demonic Sects. The odds were high it'd happened again this reincarnation. But the Sword Demon shook his head.

"I braced myself expecting it, but he never showed."

"He didn't come?"

"Your actions after this reincarnation might have influenced Dokgo Jun somehow. He didn't even attend the Eight Demonic Sects' gathering, and there's been no sign of him."

"-......"

It's true I'd influenced the White Lotus Cult this reincarnation. I'd met Han Baekyeong, talked with her, and taken down the Twin Temples' masters as she suggested. But how would overthrowing the Twin Temples' masters change Dokgo Jun's mindset?

"If direct approaches fail, try working backward. Good luck."

"Good luck to you."

Whoosh!

After bidding the Sword Demon farewell, I flew to my next stop: Jinrang Valley. I'd come in case Mangyang had finished training and returned. But three months had passed, and I faced the curt Cheon Woojin instead.

"Your senior brother isn't here."

"He still hasn't come back?"

"Don't ask me."

Every time I saw him, he grated on me. Irritated inwardly, I stared at him before speaking.

"Tell Mangyang that the Mount Tai Old Man is connected to the Imperial Palace and we're looking for him."

"Got it."

That was when.

"Damn it... What sin did I commit to be tormented like this?"

A familiar voice came from under a pine tree. Looking over, I saw Jeogal Master trapped in a hut between the pines, unable to move. It seemed Cheon Woojin had restrained him with sorcery. Cheon Woojin glared coldly at him and said.

"Be grateful I didn't seal you in another dimension."

"Heh... Damn it."

I approached the grumbling Jeogal Master and asked.

"Do you know anything about the Mount Tai Old Man?"

"Huh? And who the hell are you?"

"I'm Baek Woong, Mangyang's friend."

Propping his chin while lying in the cramped hut, Jeogal Master eyed me before speaking.

"You idiot! Look at me—I'm like this because of that punk Hyun. Why would I tell you anything?"

"-......"

"Seriously, that Hyun guy—if you're gonna make friends, pick smarter ones."

Frowning in disapproval, Jeogal Master said.

"Hey, you. Get me out of here, and I'll tell you about the Mount Tai Old Man. It's suffocating in here."

From behind, Cheon Woojin called out loudly.

"Don't bother. He couldn't help you even if he wanted to."

Muttering under his breath at Cheon Woojin's words, Jeogal Master said.

"Doesn't Cheon Woojin just seem like an unlikable bastard who gives nothing?"

"Couldn't agree more."

We gossiped about Cheon Woojin behind his back for a bit.

"Aw, forget it... I'm taking a nap. Get lost."

Jeogal Master flopped over and started snoring. He'd apparently realized escaping Cheon Woojin's barrier was impossible. It was my first time seeing him like this—refreshing, in a way—but it also meant Cheon Woojin's sealing arts were so superior that even Jeogal Master had no choice but to give up.

"I could probably bust him out if I tried."

Swinging the Primordial Chaos might do it. But with it unbound, success was uncertain, and even if I broke Cheon Woojin's barrier, releasing the unpredictable variable that was Jeogal Master might not help.

Turning back to Cheon Woojin, he eyed me unkindly and said.

"Don't associate with that guy. He looks fine on the outside, but he's a wicked sorcerer."

"I know."

"And stop gossiping behind people's backs."

Cheon Woojin seemed genuinely annoyed. I grinned and scratched my head.

"I'll think about it."

Whoosh!

My next destination was the Sa Gong Escort Agency. Years ago, while digging for info near Mount Huang to obtain the Millennium Snow Ginseng, I'd worked there as an escort warrior for a few years. I entered the main hall and asked for the Escort Captain.

Soon, I beheld a beautiful woman in white robes commanding the escort warriors. Her clear eyes, which seemed to drown in the gaze of anyone who looked, proved her exceptional beauty. Her elegant, painting-like grace was anything but ordinary, and even I, who had seen countless beauties in my lives, couldn't deny she was top-tier.

I blinked for a moment before addressing her.

"Excuse me."

"Hm? What is it, little one?"

She smiled innocently at me. With my Heavenly Seal Blood Arts and mental suppression hiding my internal energy and presence, she saw me as an ordinary child. I hesitated, then sent her a transmission.

[I've come to ask about Elder Mount Tai Old Man.]

"-......!"

Sa Gong-rin looked startled. She glanced around before asking.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Baek Woong. As I said."

"Go away. I have nothing to say."

Sa Gong-rin replied firmly. No one would tell a mysterious boy asking about their master's whereabouts. As expected, I transmitted again.

[The pressure from Yellow Mountain Sect must be intense. I'm planning to visit Escort Agency Master Sa Gong-hwan now to help with that. Can we talk after?]

"-......"

She looked at me with troubled eyes.

"I don't know what you want, but the Sa Gong Family isn't some pushover to be toyed with."

"I have no intention of deceiving you. I just want to proceed in a way that's beneficial for both sides."

That was when.

"Rin! What's going on?"

"Brother!"

Warriors in white robes poured out from inside. They were the Sa Gong Family's experts, including Sa Gong-pae—Sa Gong-rin's own brother. Spotting me, Sa Gong-pae shouted in fury.

"You little punk not even dry behind the ears—how dare you mess with my sister?"

Misunderstanding wildly, Sa Gong-pae thrust his swift sword at me. It was laughable, so I glanced at him and used Force Control to deflect his attack without touching him.

"Yaaap!!"

Sa Gong-pae flailed wildly, clueless to what hit him. For about fifty seconds, he danced his sword in empty air while I stood still—until he finally realized something was off and stopped.

Watching this, Sa Gong-rin sighed.

"Impressive skill. Is Master Baek Woong a rejuvenated elder?"

"I'd rather not see blood. It'd be wise for us to handle this smartly."

"-......"

Resigned, she said.

"Please follow me."

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