Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

An ominous energy hung in the air. As I entered the chamber of the jade throne, just as Cheon Woo-Jin had said, the Emperor sat upon the throne, flanked on either side by the Alchemist and the Vermilion Bird.

And three paces before them stood the White Lotus Cult Leader and three of the White Lotus Cult's Dharma Protectors.

'Hmm? Something's off.'

I sensed something strange. The Cult Leader and his Dharma Protectors should have arrived here at least half an incense stick's time ago. By all rights, they should have clashed by now, yet they were standing there in a calm standoff. Whether the Cult Leader made his move or the Emperor invoked his divine words, one side should have suffered heavy losses.

At that moment, the White Lotus Cult Leader turned to look at me and said,

[You've arrived, Baek Woong.]

"Cult Leader!! Hurry and strike down the Emperor..."

I urged the Cult Leader to attack the Emperor, but the atmosphere felt wrong. The Alchemist was chuckling mockingly, and the Vermilion Bird, the Mount Tai Old Man, was gazing at me with deep, profound eyes. Even the Dharma Protectors lined up behind the Cult Leader wore merely cold, impassive expressions.

"I've been waiting for you. You could even say I've been counting the moments."

It was a young voice. His appearance was that of someone in his twenties—no surprise, given his immortal, ageless body. As I regarded him warily, the Emperor turned his head to the White Lotus Cult Leader and said,

"Well then, Cult Leader... you'll firmly accept my proposal, yes?"

[I'm still considering it. Even for me as your lord, this is rather sudden.]

"Very well... then let's discuss it calmly."

With a flick of the Emperor's finger, a massive table suddenly appeared in the vast space. It was laden with every delicacy from land and sea, and beautiful maids emerged from nowhere to attend. Since something had been summoned into an empty space, it was clear the Emperor also wielded demonic power.

The White Lotus Cult Leader silently approached the table and sat. His Dharma Protectors followed suit, taking seats beside him. The Cult Leader sent me a transmission via Six Harmonies Swordsmanship, as if asking what I was waiting for.

[Sit first.]

"But Cult Leader..."

[We can fight after hearing him out.]

An immense, irresistible pressure bore down on me.

'The situation is turning strange.'

With no choice, I awkwardly made my way over and sat with Lee Gwang. Soon after, the Alchemist and Vermilion Bird took their seats opposite us, and with the Emperor at the head, the gathering was complete.

The moment he sat, the Emperor spoke.

"White Lotus Cult Leader. Let me say it again. If you join hands with me even now, I will recognize Gansu Province, Qinghai Province, Sichuan Province, and Guizhou Province as your territory. I will enfeoff you as a royal prince and national preceptor, granting permanent autonomy over those lands. Furthermore, I promise to recognize the White Lotus Cult as the foremost cult of the Central Plains and provide the utmost support."

"......!!"

I was stunned by the Emperor's words.

To cede nearly a third of the Central Plains' territory to win over the White Lotus Cult Leader! Considering the historical enmity between the White Lotus Cult and the imperial palace, this was an unthinkable offer. No religion in history had ever received such concessions.

The White Lotus Cult Leader let out a cold laugh and replied,

[Ha ha... amusing. I could claim it all by simply eliminating you here, Emperor. Why bother with the hassle?]

"If that were possible, you would have done it already."

The Emperor continued with a peculiar smile.

"With your power, you could ignore my divine words and slay me. Of course, I wouldn't die easily, but with your divine authority, Cult Leader, it might be feasible. But could you handle the aftermath?"

[......]

"You acknowledge that neither of us can strike first recklessly."

The Cult Leader flinched at the word 'aftermath.' He tacitly accepted the Emperor's point, remaining utterly still for a long while. Then, glancing down at the delicacies, he spoke.

[I was too late. I should have come before you formally contracted with the master of the Demon Subduing Hall.]

The Emperor let out a sinister chuckle.

"Kukuku... then the world would have fallen into your grasp. But now, I hold the absolute advantage. What say you?"

[Hmm...]

The White Lotus Cult Leader appeared deeply conflicted. Even as he pondered, he seemed to be subtly exchanging transmissions with his Dharma Protectors. No doubt they were debating fiercely via mental messages. The tension mounted in the silence—just as the saying goes.

While the Cult Leader remained silent, I glared at the Vermilion Bird across from me and said,

"You—where have you hidden Mang Ryang?"

The Vermilion Bird, the Mount Tai Old Man, lifted a golden goblet, took a sip, and replied,

"That's none of your concern."

"He's my comrade. I've come all this way to retrieve him from your abduction."

"Is that so... Hrum—I have a fine friend."

I exploded in anger at his sentimental tone.

"No matter that you're Mang Ryang's father, Vermilion Bird, if you've harmed him, I won't forgive you!!!"

My outburst drew all eyes in the chamber. The Vermilion Bird replied, seemingly surprised.

"You figured it out well. Did Lee Gwang tell you?"

"I pieced it together myself. You're of the Zhuge clan from the Imperial Observatory, former master of the Inner Yellow Horn Hall and Vermilion Bird—so of course you're Mang Ryang's father. I never dreamed you'd be one of the Righteous Faction's Three Great Elders, the Mount Tai Old Man, and the shadow behind the imperial palace!!"

"Impressive... I've guarded that secret for over half a century."

The Vermilion Bird spoke nonchalantly, his expression unchanging as he continued.

"Indeed, I am Zhuge Yulong, Vermilion Bird of the Four Guardian Constables serving His Imperial Majesty, and patriarch of the Zhuge family."

Vermilion Bird Zhuge Yulong!

He was Mang Ryang's father and the final guardian deity of the imperial palace. In all my dozens of reincarnations, this was the first time I'd confronted him and uncovered his true identity. Zhuge Yulong fixed his profound gaze on me and said,

"I see you've used the rights of the Sealing Immortal Ritual to unbind Chilyo. Is that why you dare come here, trusting in Chilyo's power?"

Zhuge Yulong knew I was Chilyo's master and that I'd recently freed Suyo! This was information no one could know without a spy at my side, but I couldn't guess who. I countered,

"...You looked into it? How did you find out?"

Zhuge Yulong interlaced his fingers and said,

"That's why I've always disguised myself as the Mount Tai Old Man to monitor the Five Peaks Heavenly Emperor Altar. It's not only the site of the Sealing Immortal Ritual but also the least taxing conduit for divining heavenly secrets. A simple sacrifice at Mount Tai's Heavenly Emperor Altar reveals the heavenly realm's plans and status with ease."

"What...!!"

He smiled faintly and continued.

"Do you know how overjoyed I was when I learned Hyun-i had obtained the Sealing Immortal Ritual rights? It shaved at least twenty years off our timeline—I wept with joy that day. Then I lay in ambush at the Five Peaks Heavenly Emperor Altar and captured him."

So that's how it happened.

The Heavenly Emperor Altar wasn't just for summoning the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors via the Sealing Immortal Ritual—it was the fastest channel for heavenly realm intelligence! Ignorant of this, I'd been backstabbed by Zhuge Yulong every lifetime. Biting my lip, I said,

"Mang Ryang acquired the Three Sovereigns Inner Gate, a relic of the immortal realm, granting him immense sorcery. No matter how strong you are, you couldn't have captured him easily."

"That's your assumption. No matter the Three Sovereigns Inner Gate, it can't withstand a surprise sleeping incense."

"...You used poison?"

Zhuge Yulong drew a letter from his bosom and unfurled it.

"I knew the boy was stubborn, so I planned to bring him and persuade him first. But he wouldn't listen, so I had to dominate his mind in the end."

I was dumbfounded by the story.

"He'll use any means necessary!"

Even knowing his own abilities were superior, fearing Mang Ryang's sorcery, he'd ambushed him with poison and sleeping incense! In his disregard for methods, he embodied the Zhuge family's strategist archetype.

Unable to comprehend, I said,

"What exactly do you want? Is safeguarding imperial authority worth allying with those fiends and offering human sacrifices?"

The mood at the table froze instantly. I'd openly denounced imperial authority in the Emperor's presence—a capital crime. Even the White Lotus Dharma Protectors eyed me with surprise. The Emperor's face twisted in disgust.

Zhuge Yulong calmly replied,

"Nothing in the world is more noble than His Majesty's authority. As patriarch of the Zhuge family since the Three Kingdoms era, I have a duty to protect my clan and the altars and lands of the Great Ming Empire. Everything I've done as Vermilion Bird and Mount Tai Old Man is justified."

It was then.

Lee Gwang, who had been silently listening at my side, clenched his fist and said,

"Vermilion Bird! As former Azure Dragon of the Four Guardian Constables, I ask you."

Zhuge Yulong glanced at him, surprised.

"Speak."

"Were you truly at the late Emperor's deathbed?"

It wasn't a hard question to answer. A simple 'yes' would suffice.

Yet unexpectedly, Vermilion Bird Zhuge Yulong hesitated, struggling before finally replying.

"...Yes."

"You were always tasked with close protection of the late Emperor. The rest of us, myself included, trusted your abilities, allowing us to focus on other duties beyond near-guard."

Lee Gwang glared at the Vermilion Bird with blazing eyes.

"Even when the late Emperor passed, I tried to understand. He often dispatched you elsewhere, so I thought it was the same this time. Yes, you even gave that excuse when I left the palace."

"...Yes."

"But if you were at his closet side, guarding his final moments... that means you lied to me that day."

"......"

The Vermilion Bird's face pales, bad. At that moment, the Emperor, listening from the head seat, sneered openly and said,

"Hey, Lee Gwang! Why pick a fight with my loyal Guardian Constable? You're no longer one of them anyway, are you?"

"...Your Majesty, I've relinquished my Guardian Constable title, but I have the right to know what happened that day."

"Hmph! The right?"

The Emperor suddenly sneered viciously.

"I've never liked you, Lee Gwang. You crawled up thinking you were something because the late Emperor favored you. But you're just a guard dog at best!"

"......!!"

Lee Gwang struggled to maintain his composure, but shock was etched on his face—like decades of faith shattered in an instant.

"You're not even a dog anymore."

The Emperor imperiously pointed toward the exit.

"Get out, Lee Gwang. This isn't a place for you—leave now. Crawl out on all fours for failing to protect your master!"

Wooong.

In that instant, I sensed the Emperor's divine words activate on Heavenly Might. Lee Gwang's eyes glazed over, losing his reason. He dropped to all fours and began crawling as ordered.

Lee Gwang was crawling.

Pitifully wiggling his hips as he crawled.

"Puhahaha! It suits you perfectly, Lee Gwang."

The Emperor burst into mad laughter.

Watching Lee Gwang crawl slowly filled me with an indescribable emotion. Part of me felt a grim satisfaction, but something else surged within. If the Emperor were exercising righteous anger, fine—but this was clearly suppressing Lee Gwang's pursuit of justice through brute force.

Should I just watch this?

Was it acceptable for the White Lotus Cult Leader, Dharma Protectors, or even the Emperor's group to humiliate him?

Could I truly watch this and feel satisfied?

This... isn't right!

Something snapped in my mind. Gritting my teeth, I pointed at Lee Gwang across the table and shouted,

"Release!"

Wooong.

A yellow aura shot from my fingertip, striking Lee Gwang. He snapped back to awareness, quickly dusting himself off and rising. By invoking the blessing I'd received from Jeon Wook, Lee Gwang gained resistance to the Emperor's divine words. His face flushed with humiliation, he ground his teeth and said,

"Huzong, you bastard! I'll kill you if it's the last thing I do."

"Huh!"

The Emperor flinched at Lee Gwang's killing intent. The aura erupting from Lee Gwang was so fierce even I felt my skin crawl. Beyond the intent, he was shocked that Lee Gwang had dropped all titles and honorifics, calling him by name directly.

The Vermilion Bird rose and said,

"Calm down, Lee Gwang! You can't win in a fight. Even now, dust off and leave as His Majesty commands. This is advice from a fellow Guardian Constable who shared hardships with you."

But the Vermilion Bird's attempt to calm him failed—Lee Gwang's reverse scale had been touched, and he was in full explosive rage, beyond control. He bellowed desperately,

"Shut up, Vermilion Bird! You murdered the late Emperor!!"

"......!!"

"No doubt that wretch Huzong assassinated him, and you stood by watching! Did you think I wouldn't see through the Zhuge clan's schemes under the guise of protecting the realm? You're the true traitor, the monster dooming the Great Ming Empire!!!"

Lee Gwang seethed with every step. In just two paces, his killing intent had multiplied several times, enough to make even the Dharma Protectors flinch. In all my decades knowing him, I'd never seen such fury.

Kugugugu

Lee Gwang had cast aside life and death, channeling immense energy into his spear. I sensed it was his ultimate hidden technique, reserved for true archenemies. The Vermilion Bird and Alchemist positioned themselves to shield the Emperor, tension crackling in the air.

It was then. The White Lotus Cult Leader, who had been watching with interest, spoke.

[What's this? A powerful energy has appeared...]

Kwagwagawang

The ceiling suddenly collapsed in catastrophic destruction. A single thread of moonlight plummeted from the heavens, blazing with intense light that illuminated everything. The table shattered amid the chaos, shockwaves raging, and in the turmoil, the situation shifted dramatically.

"Die!"

Lee Gwang held back no longer, unleashing Heavenly Thunder to deploy his ultimate technique. Its momentum screamed 'lifelong masterpiece.' As a massive spear river coiled like a dragon to impale the Emperor, the Vermilion Bird countered with his sword in Honorable Submission Sword Arts to block.

Kwaang!!

The clash of ej boomed first, but Lee Gwang's assault didn't end there. Riding the momentum of the Turning Wheel, his spear grew several times fiercer, plowing onward. The Vermilion Bird tried to invoke another defensive technique of Honorable Submission Sword Arts, but space warped in the next instant.

"Urk."

The Vermilion Bird cried out. In that split second, Lee Gwang's ultimate twisted his stance, disrupting Honorable Submission Sword Arts, and his spear pierced the Vermilion Bird's vitals. Lee Gwang gazed at him with icy coldness and said,

"I knew you'd block to protect that scum. I trained sleeplessly for this moment. How does it taste?"

"Ugh... you bastard..."

"Crawl to the grave and atone to the late Emperor!"

Pufufung

As Lee Gwang's wrist flicked, the spear river swirled, shredding the Vermilion Bird's body. Watching the absurd conclusion among the Guardian Constables, I finally understood.

'Lee Gwang planned for this from the start!'

What he'd just used wasn't merely Heavenly Thunder Ultimate Spear. It was the essence of Jang Sam-bong's martial insights I'd possessed. Likely, after receiving the martial insights from Jin So-cheong, Lee Gwang had rigorously trained in secret to make it his own and accompanied me with the intent to slay the Vermilion Bird from the outset.

In their confrontation, he'd feigned head-to-toe rage with reckless attacks to bait the Vermilion Bird, then exploited his defensive stance with Dragon Subduing Strike and Heavenly Pivot Sword to pierce his flaw in one blow. A perfect ambush and killing blow, overcoming the skill gap to fell him.

A chillingly cold-blooded warrior!

That was Lee Gwang.

Moments after Lee Gwang slew the Vermilion Bird, a clear voice rang through the chamber.

[Where is the Emperor who defied heaven's will?]

Descending amid the moonlight in silver radiance was a being with nine flickering tails. It was the form I'd seen several times before, but now it brimmed with incomparable power. Enveloped in a silver light orb, the entity scanned the surroundings, then spotted the Emperor.

[There you are.]

"......"

The Emperor was frozen.

He couldn't adapt to the sudden shift.

The silver-glowing entity then summoned foxfire atop its palm, killing intent sharpening its beautiful face.

[As Mihu, master of the Moonly, I shall subjugate you.]

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