Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

After parting ways with Dokgo-seong and his group, I decided to take Jin So-cheong with me. Lee Gwang seemed displeased about me taking Jin So-cheong, but since Dokgo-seong had vouched for my character, he had no choice but to allow it. Of course, Dokgo-seong had read my memories, so he knew full well I would never harm Jin So-cheong.

"What should I do?"

I had promised to train Jin So-cheong until we met again, but I was still conflicted. It was true that Jin So-cheong couldn't grow much further as he was, but if I started teaching him, his growth rate would become overwhelming even for me to handle. I already knew all too well just how monstrous his talent was.

After much thought, I took Jin So-cheong and headed for Jinrang Valley.

Flash!

Upon arriving at Jinrang Valley, Cheon Woo-jin was there. He was apparently tending to nearby fields, holding a large hoe in one hand. He eyed us sullenly and spoke.

"Your master has returned. You'll find him at the hut."

"And Jegal-sa?"

......

It hadn't been that long since he left, so what kind of chaos had he caused to get sealed again? Even accounting for Cheon Woo-jin's brusque personality, it was clear they didn't get along. Shaking my head, I headed to the hut to meet Mang-ryang.

At the hut, Mang-ryang was waiting on the porch. He greeted us warmly.

"Oh, you've come!"

"Mang-ryang. Did everything go well on your trip?"

Mang-ryang grinned.

"Of course! I've gained a new power now."

"Congratulations."

Sure enough, an aura of spiritual energy emanated from Mang-ryang that hadn't been there before. It was proof that he had reached a considerable level as a sorcerer. Mang-ryang glanced at Jin So-cheong standing beside me and said,

"You've brought a companion."

Jin So-cheong then clasped his hands in greeting toward Mang-ryang.

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Jin So-cheong of the Azure Dragon Martial Hall."

"Ah... Pleased to meet you."

Mang-ryang, who already knew of Jin So-cheong, returned the greeting casually. With his past-life memories inherited, there was no way he wouldn't know him. He just wasn't making a big fuss about it.

A moment later, I explained everything that had happened to Mang-ryang. As he listened, his expression grew grave when the Mount Tai Old Man and the Vermilion Bird came up. After a long silence, he said to me,

"The situation has entered a new phase."

"What do you mean?"

"With this wild card called the Vermilion Bird in play, we need to change our approach."

Mang-ryang stared at me intently and continued.

"Before I explain, there's something I need to confirm."

"What's that?"

"Do you intend to truly accept Jin So-cheong as a comrade?"

I let out a groan at Mang-ryang's question. He had zeroed in on the very issue that was giving me the biggest headache.

"That's why I came here—I'm undecided."

"Fine. I'll say it for you."

Mang-ryang looked me straight in the eye and stated firmly.

"Don't hold back on enlightenment or teachings! And the more comrades, the better. You should stick to that policy in all future lives."

"Why?"

There was a reason I was questioning him. Using the obsidian to transmit memories was a double-edged sword for me. It was ten times more effective than painstakingly convincing someone, but it also meant revealing my greatest secret to them. If they harbored ill intentions, I'd suffer a massive loss and die.

Mang-ryang replied calmly.

"If your goal was personal fame and fortune, you wouldn't need the obsidian. But as things stand, you may have to gather karmic threads to battle divine beings. In that case, you can't be stingy when granting something to a comrade."

"What if someone betrays me?"

"That would actually benefit you. Just don't take them as a comrade next time."

"......!!"

"We're desperately short on power right now. Use any means necessary until we amass it."

I understood Mang-ryang's point. Even if we gathered every ounce of human strength, we couldn't be sure of reaching divine power, so rather than suspecting everyone, we should expand our allies as much as possible. That was the maximum benefit for me.

"Um, I have no idea what you two are talking about..."

Just then, Jin So-cheong interjected, looking baffled. Mang-ryang glanced at him and said quietly,

"Baek Woong. The choice is yours. What will you do?"

After a moment's deliberation, I nodded.

"I'll follow your advice."

Swoosh.

"This is the last obsidian, huh. Guess I'll have to mine more."

I'd need to swing by the Dongyeong obsidian mine again. Pushing aside stray thoughts, I held out the obsidian to Jin So-cheong. He stared at it blankly, but I urged him gently.

"Jin So-cheong. If you take this obsidian, you'll understand the meaning behind our conversation."

"What do you mean?"

"And your relationship with me will change from what it is now."

"......?"

"One thing's certain: if you don't accept my memories through this obsidian, our talks go no further."

Jin So-cheong crossed his arms, pondering. Then he said,

"Will my martial arts improve?"

I chuckled.

"Of course."

"Fine. I'll trust you for now."

A moment later, as Jin So-cheong placed his hand on the obsidian, I cast the memory transmission spell.

Flash!

Jin So-cheong's eyes glazed over in confusion as he absorbed the massive influx of memories. He stood rigid for a while. After about half an incense stick's time, he relaxed and shook his head.

"Incredible."

He had successfully inherited the memories without issue.

"Hard to believe or not, it's the truth, brother."

......

Jin So-cheong still looked dazed. And why not? My memories chronicled seventeen full lifetimes. Dokgo-seong might have skimmed the unknown, but Jin So-cheong had crossed paths with me many times, making it all the more disorienting. It must have felt like peering into his own unknown past lives repeatedly.

Much later, Jin So-cheong spoke.

"You spent over a hundred years surpassing me in the end. Impressive."

"Is that sarcasm?"

"No. Anyone lesser would have given up from exhaustion long before achieving what you did."

There was no mockery in Jin So-cheong's tone—only genuine admiration. It was a frank assessment from a genius aiming for a thousand years on the martial path. Looking at me with newfound respect, Jin So-cheong said,

"But calling you junior feels awkward now, Baek Woong. In past lives, I was your senior, but your current stature rivals my master's. What should I call you?"

The matter of titles and treatment was worth considering. After a moment's thought, I replied,

"Let's treat each other as equals from now on. I've decided to accept you as a true comrade, so there can be no hierarchy between us."

Jin So-cheong grumbled.

"Somehow, it feels like I'm getting the short end."

"I've put in a hundred years of effort, haven't I? Cut me some slack."

"Urgh."

We stared at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Pahaha!"

It was a conversation that could turn deadly serious, yet both Jin So-cheong and I accepted it without resistance. Probably because we'd never harbored ill will toward each other. Sure, I had my inferiority complex about his talent, but I'd largely overcome it this lifetime, allowing me to open up to him.

Mang-ryang, who had been listening, spoke to Jin So-cheong.

"Now that you know, Baek Woong's goal is to uncover the secrets of the divine beings disrupting the human world from the shadows and restore order. We can't predict how powerful the foes we'll face will be. Are you still committed to fighting alongside us?"

Jin So-cheong nodded.

"Absolutely. In fact, I'm thrilled by this proposal."

"Thrilled?"

Gazing at the sky, Jin So-cheong said,

"To be honest, I've felt profound emptiness lately. I diligently trained in martial arts per my master's teachings, but a thousand-year martial path is too long and distant a goal. I felt lost at sea, unsure of my position. Even my training had stagnated somewhat."

......

I see.

Suddenly, I understood why Jin So-cheong's growth stalled if he stayed cooped up at the Azure Dragon Martial Hall. Though stimulated by a mysterious warrior in his youth, he must have grown disillusioned with his monotonous routine. With his unparalleled talent, no one around could challenge him, making emptiness inevitable.

"But even before seeing your memories via the obsidian, you stimulated me greatly, Baek Woong. A younger martial artist stronger than me was a huge shock."

"My talent is a drop in the ocean compared to yours."

"Results speak for themselves. You have every right to be proud, Baek Woong."

Jin So-cheong continued matter-of-factly.

"I want to follow as your comrade and elevate my level alongside you. I believe you can guide me to the ultimate martial realm I seek."

"......!!"

In that instant, his words felt like an inevitable truth about to unfold. I'd dismiss it as a joke from anyone else, but coming from Jin So-cheong, it rang as destiny. That was the genius defying the impossible.

An inexplicable awe washed over me. A slight talent gap breeds jealousy, but such a vast chasm inspires pure admiration.

'Yeah. Maybe Jin So-cheong really can do it.'

I'd have to fight divine beings anyway. If he could surpass gods with human martial arts, what better outcome? Excitement surged at the thought that my journey toward my goal might shorten dramatically.

"Understood."

I said firmly.

"I'll support you with everything I have."

My resolve was set.

"Now, let's plan our real strategy."

With my talk with Jin So-cheong concluded, Mang-ryang climbed onto the porch and sat.

......

Seated together at one table, a strange sensation arose. It felt like decades had passed before we three finally united. Mang-ryang, sensing awkward too, cleared his throat awkwardly and began.

"Ahem. Anyway, let's start with what we need to do now."

"Go ahead."

"First and foremost, Baek Woong, you stay here in Jinrang Valley and raise Jin So-cheong. As for me, I'm planning to form the Anti-Celestial Alliance from now on."

What was this? Surprised, I said,

"You're forming the Anti-Celestial Alliance now? Isn't that too reckless?"

Quite some time had passed in this lifetime, so the imperial palace's demon soldier training was likely well underway. Meaning their forces had grown dramatically. There was a real risk the Anti-Celestial Alliance could crumble under imperial assault midway.

Mang-ryang shook his head readily.

"This Anti-Celestial Alliance isn't for clashing head-on with the imperial palace. It's the bare minimum setup for handling the aftermath."

"Explain."

"Baek Woong, as you know, the heavenly realm's response this lifetime is different from before."

Mang-ryang's eyes sharpened.

"The celestial faction that created the Yellow Turbans in the past has descended to the mortal world and is active. The Queen Mother of the West ordered Miho to retrieve Moon Yo. The heavenly realm's unprecedented activity stems directly from the summoning ritual we requested."

"What's the connection between the summoning ritual and the heavenly realm's actions?"

Mang-ryang gazed serenely at the sky for a moment, then said,

"I've mentioned before: those who complete the summoning ritual gain immortality, magic, and the authority of a high priest communicating with the [Ancient Rulers]. Depending on circumstances, it could even birth a new ruler."

"A new ruler?"

"The [Ancient Rulers] are beings born from ultimate ascension in shamanistic hierarchy. The ritual might summon a ruler rivaling them. That's what the heavenly realm fears."

A new ruler.

The birth of a new god.

That was certainly cause for heavenly concern. But I didn't understand, so I said,

"Didn't you say Qin Shi Huang and Wu Zetian gained power from the ritual and went to the Dark Fragrance of Heaven? Why didn't that shatter heaven-earth balance then?"

"Because the god granting the boon in the ritual back then was of low stature."

Mang-ryang continued resolutely.

"The summoning ritual calls forth an [Ancient Ruler] to Mount Tai. No one knows who will appear. A low-stature one is fine, but a high-stature one could unleash catastrophe."

"A high-stature one?"

"Outer Gods. Beings so absurd even the [Ancient Rulers] worship them as gods..."

Mang-ryang muttered.

"The heavenly realm wants to avoid that at all costs. That's why they're establishing religions in the human world to build forces and eliminate us. That new religion rising in Hebei will become our enemy soon enough. Its backer is the Great Thunder Immortal."

"Hmm."

"Miho receiving the order to find Moon Yo fits the same pattern."

"What's the relation?"

At Mang-ryang's next words, my eyes widened.

"The heavenly realm is signaling they'll break Moon Yo's seal if need be to stop the ritual. Since you hold Water Yo, they must counter the Seven Yo with Seven Yo, right?"

"......!!"

Stunned, I froze momentarily, then stammered in panic.

"But Miho can't obtain Moon Yo with her power alone. It would require the guardian beasts staking their lives—how is that possible?"

"You're forgetting who issued the order: the Queen Mother of the West."

"So what about her?"

Mang-ryang sighed.

"If Miho just locates Moon Yo's seal, the Queen Mother might descend personally, risking karmic chaos, to battle its guardian. The Queen Mother is several times stronger than Lady of the East—more than capable of breaking Moon Yo's seal."

......

I realized things were heading south faster than expected. At the same time, I recollected from the worst-case scenario surfacing in my mind. In a trembling voice, I said,

"So... Miho will become Moon Yo's master and block my path?"

"Yes. But that would disrupt karmic laws and fuel worldly chaos. That's why I'm establishing the Anti-Celestial Alliance—to manage the fallout. We'll also use it, along with the Thunder God Style, to secure the Celestial Emperor Altars in the Five Peaks."

Mang-ryang stated firmly.

"It's a matter of time. Decide quickly."

Though unspoken, his intent was clear.

Make Miho an ally—or eliminate her.

Either way, it was a tough choice for me.

Tormented, I said,

"Do we really have to perform the summoning ritual, going this far? If we just gain enough power to crush the imperial palace and Moon Deer..."

"Absolutely not. We must perform the summoning ritual this lifetime, even if it strains us."

Mang-ryang showed no sign of yielding. Clenching his fist, he said,

"That's why I risked death to obtain the Three Sovereigns' Inner Gate from the Purple Mansion Immortal. Decoding it confirmed we can summon one of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors using their relic in the ritual."

He apparently planned to use my Water Yo as medium to call one of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Hesitant, I said,

"Must it be one of them?"

As doubt crept into my voice, Mang-ryang replied,

"With Water Yo as sacrifice, who among them will manifest? Zhuanxu. The one who severed heaven-earth connection."

His eyes gleamed.

"Our goal is to learn the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors' secrets from Zhuanxu and reconnect heaven and earth. That would let us challenge the heavenly realm directly and claim powers forbidden to humans."

"Forbidden powers?"

"You wouldn't know. When Zhuanxu severed the connection, human sorcery regressed greatly. Innumerable powers humans once wielded as naturally as breathing were sealed in the heavenly realm. Unsealing them would make us far stronger."

"I see..."

With the discussion wrapping up, Mang-ryang prepared to leave. He said he was off to inspect the Anti-Celestial Alliance setup in the Five Peaks and added to me,

"While I'm at it, I'll check who this Vermilion Bird on Mount Tai is. If he's nothing special, I'll dispose of him myself."

"Won't it be better if I come along?"

"No need. The Three Sovereigns' Inner Gate will handle most things—save your time."

Mang-ryang brimmed with unprecedented confidence. Likely bolstered by leaping to advanced sorcerer level via the Immortal's relic. Concerned, I said,

"If you need help, call anytime."

"Of course. See you."

Once Mang-ryang departed, I pondered briefly.

'It'll take Miho time to find Moon Yo's location. The heavenly realm doesn't know either, and the Twelve Rulers, who do, are hiding it.'

From experience, Miho would need at least a decade to find it on her own. I realized I had to meet her before then and resolve things somehow. To do that, I needed to build my strength while training Jin So-cheong.

I turned to Jin So-cheong.

"Then let's begin the transmission."

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