Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

Heavenly Realm

Miho appearing here of all places!

Miho, who had declared herself the master of Moon Yao, unleashed foxfire toward the Emperor. It looked like she was simply waving her hand lightly, but in that instant, a silver flash rippled like a wave, expanding to dozens of feet wide as it shot forward. The Emperor had no chance to dodge before it struck him.

Whoooosh

Without even a sharp explosive sound, the area the silver flash passed through was cleanly erased. The ground itself had been sliced away like a dry cross-section. Not only the Emperor but even the alchemists guarding him had vanished without a trace.

'What kind of technique is that?'

Before I could even wonder, Miho clicked her tongue in annoyance.

[He dodged it. But he won't escape forever!]

[Capture the Emperor alive. Then we talk.]

[What do you mean? What about the Emperor's proposal?]

[The situation has changed. Follow my orders first.]

Just moments ago, the White Lotus Leader had been seriously considering the Emperor's proposal. But now he wanted to seize the Emperor first and talk. He said the situation had changed, but I couldn't quite believe it. With the Leader's power, he could have captured the Emperor anytime. Why ask me now?

'Damn it. I can't read his intentions.'

What was clear was that Miho's appearance had triggered some shift in his mindset. This might be an opportunity for me, so I decided to stay calm and comply. I needed to capture the Emperor anyway.

[Understood.]

Miho suddenly snapped her eyes open.

[There you are!]

Swoosh

Miho's body vanished in an instant. It seemed she had used Moon Yao's power to pinpoint the Emperor's location, teleported away by the alchemist's secrecy.

'Ugh. How do I follow?'

I felt troubled. I could use Flying Ascension for instant movement, but unlike sorcerers, I couldn't teleport to unknown places or detect enemies hidden in barriers. At this moment, Miho and the Emperor's group had effectively vanished from my sight.

'If I'd known, I should've trained in sorcery...'

I stood frozen, unable to move. The sudden change had left my mind reeling. Then the White Lotus Leader turned to his Dharma Protectors and issued commands.

[Yong Bi-cheon. You protect Baek Woong.]

"By your command!"

[Dogojun, you handle the outside situation. Your role is the most important.]

"By your command!"

[Hmph. Annoying.]

The White Lotus Leader thrust out a palm, completely demolishing the Imperial Palace's Great Dragon Hall.

Kwarung!

Normally, a building's collapse scatters debris and wreckage, but the Leader's palm force was so overwhelming that the entire hall seemed to soar into the air. Soon, even the debris burned away cleanly, leaving empty sky.

"Is... is that human martial arts?"

I was awestruck. I could probably demolish the Great Dragon Hall with palm force too, but the Leader's display surpassed my maximum output by dozens of times.

[Move out.]

"Yes."

The Dharma Protectors sprang into action at his command.

Han Baek-ryeong followed the White Lotus Leader, who had leaped into the sky, using his lightness skill. Dogojun headed outside the Great Dragon Hall. And Yong Bi-cheon approached me, wearing his black tiger mask.

"As per the Leader's order, I'll protect you."

"......"

I glared hard at Yong Bi-cheon, and so did Lee Gwang. Wasn't this guy the sworn enemy of the Thunder God Style? Yong Bi-cheon chuckled.

"Heh. I do plan to settle things with you lot someday. But not today. With a common enemy, why not join hands for now?"

"Don't interfere. You're free to follow the Leader."

"I can't do that. Protecting you is the Leader's command."

Yong Bi-cheon smirked smugly and crossed his arms.

"Why not stop showboating and join your comrades outside? This place is dangerous."

"Dangerous my ass... The entire Eight Trigrams Array is gone. It's just bare ground now."

"All talk."

Yong Bi-cheon grumbled, but he was right—it was bare ground.

Even after Zhuque's death, the Eight Trigrams Array hadn't dissipated. But the Leader's single world-shaking palm had uprooted it from its source, annihilating it in one blow. Knowing it was a barrier on the level of a treasure-grade formation, I was stunned. The Leader's martial prowess was beyond human.

Then Lee Gwang, standing pale-faced beside me, spoke up.

"He's right... Anyway, to chase the Emperor, we need Cheon Woo-jin's or Jegal's help."

"Hmm. True."

"Let's go out first."

"Got it."

Seeing Miho so suddenly had thrown me off, but Lee Gwang's cool judgment snapped me back. As I nodded and moved to act—

Keeem...

"Huh?!"

I jolted in surprise. We'd barely taken a few steps when the Eight Trigrams Array reformed! It was still the Life Gate sector, so no immediate danger, but the Bagua runes etched everywhere confirmed the array was active again.

'No way...'

Something was off with this Eight Trigrams Array!

Formations normally dissolve via proper countermeasures, the caster's death, or dispelling. But this one ignored Zhuque's death, persisting on its own and now reviving. Even with my knowledge from the Heavenly Immortal's sorcery texts, this was impossible.

Yong Bi-cheon sensed it too.

"Hey. What's going on? The atmosphere's changed."

"...This place is dangerous. We need to get out now."

"See? Listen to me."

"Shut up and put your hand on my back."

"......"

Flash!

The next instant, I used Flying Ascension to teleport us both outside the Great Dragon Hall. Outside, comrades including the Sword Demon and Dogoseong waited.

"What happened?" the Sword Demon asked, eyes wide.

"As you see, Moon Yao's master blew up the Great Dragon Hall, and the Emperor and alchemists fled."

I briefly explained the events inside.

"And Zhuque?"

"Lee Gwang killed her."

All eyes turned to Lee Gwang. Exhausted from maximally unleashing Thunder Command, he ignored them completely. Cheon Woo-jin, listening nearby, frowned.

"Dead? Then why's the Eight Trigrams Array back up?"

"No idea. But Zhuque definitely exploded from Lee Gwang's ultimate technique."

"Strange."

As Cheon Woo-jin grumbled, Jegal spoke.

"I have a guess. But one thing to confirm first."

"What?"

"Was that really... the former Inner Emperor Pavilion Master?"

Jegal hesitated, I answered firmly.

"No doubt. She admitted it herself—Jeong Ga-ju Jeong Yuryong."

"......"

Jegal's face filled with uncharacteristic worry. If true, the Four Symbols Guardian Zhuque was Master Tai Old Man's own brother. He might not have come just for curiosity but to verify this.

After a pause, Jegal spoke.

"The reason the Eight Trigrams Array reformed is simple. Jeong Yuryong revived."

"What? That's nonsense!"

"It makes sense. Like the Super Supreme Eccentric."

Muttering, Jegal continued.

"My brother Jeong Yuryong is a Bagua master. Infusing a human body framework with spirit and soul via Bagua is child's play for him. It just lacked stability and permanence."

"I don't get it."

He scowled.

"You idiot... Jeong Yuryong prepared multiple perfected bodies like the Super Supreme Eccentric. In disaster, he freely transfers his soul to one. Normally impossible with his sorcery alone, but that alchemist must be an exceptional mage."

"......!!"

Understanding hit me like a chill. Stammering, I said,

"Y-You're saying he prepared multiple clones?"

Jegal nodded.

"He likely created the palace's Super Supreme Eccentric too. Used as sacrifice for the [Ancient Ruler], but as backup bodies for himself."

"Then Jeong Yuryong now...?"

"Who knows. Revived in some secret spot using a spare body."

Jegal glanced at the array.

"And this reformed the moment he awoke."

"......"

"Kekeke... Brother's cautious. Immortal via Soul Sealing Ritual, yet he taps every stone."

I trembled in shock. Reviving endlessly via spare bodies? An ultra-advanced sorcery defying common sense. Not just me—most martial artists here gaped at Jegal's explanation.

Cheon Woo-jin said,

"And each act provoked Heavenly Realm's ire. That's why Moon Yao's master descended."

"Cheon Woo-jin. Can you track Miho and the Emperor?"

He nodded.

"Started the moment you spoke. Got a rough fix."

"Let's go!"

I shouted, but Cheon Woo-jin eyed me.

"Go and do what? White Lotus Leader, Emperor, Moon Yao's master—it's a battlefield. Sure you'll survive?"

I paused, then replied,

"With my current power, I can fight using Water Yao."

Not baseless confidence. Fully liberated now, Water Yao supplied unimaginable spiritual power. I could use not just martial arts but other abilities.

"Think again. Preserve this force, and you could build unrivaled power in the Jianghu."

Cheon Woo-jin's hand subtly pointed behind me. I followed his gesture—my gathered comrades: Sword Demon, Dogoseong, Jin So-cheong, Jegal, Lee Gwang, plus Shadowless Sect experts. Their influence and skills formed immense power.

Yong Bi-cheon, arms crossed, said,

"Don't like talk of factions, but he's right. What good going to the Leader's battlefield? Stay put, don't get swept up."

"......"

The listening Sword Demon spoke.

"Baek Woong. Go."

Eyes turned to him. Yong Bi-cheon glared murderously, but the Sword Demon continued unperturbed.

"If you were ordinary, I'd agree with Cheon Woo-jin. But you're different. For you, every experience counts."

"Hmm..."

"Don't hesitate. Leave the rest to us."

"Thank you."

Nearby, Dogoseong chimed in.

"Yeah, don't worry! What's the worst—death?"

They knew I was a reincarnator, sharing memories, understanding my situation. Grateful, I bowed.

"Thank you."

Then Yong Bi-cheon spoke coldly.

"Ridiculous. Think you can defy me?"

Rumble...

His Heavenly Spirit Core's infinite internal energy boiled, its vast usability intimidating all. If he rampaged here, casualties would be huge.

Glaring, I said,

"Just follow me then. Protect me—that works."

"Kek... Think I'll just flatten you easily?"

"Try it."

Swoosh

I drew Water Yao Dark Night and faced him. Seeing my resolve, Yong Bi-cheon looked incredulous, then murderous.

"Daring to challenge a Dharma Protector with paltry martial arts? You must crave death!"

"Not just martial arts."

"Trusting the Leader's order? I can make you suffer without killing."

I taunted.

"Why so chatty?"

"Wha—"

Flash

I unleashed Thunder God Sword Dance's ultimate technique on him.

"You madman!"

Yong Bi-cheon summoned massive protective aura, conjuring dozens of wind orbs mid-air. Creating dozens in an instant was half transcendent, Dharma Protector-worthy—strong enough to fell Seven Yao guardians. But I pressed on undaunted.

Skakak

The wind orbs flying to crush me dissolved against dozens of silver blades from Water Yao Dark Night. My body advanced unimpeded, first slash cleaving his aura, second grazing his shoulder by an inch.

"......!!"

On the third slash targeting vitals, he desperately used Wind White Step to evade, countering with illusions. But I ignored them, swinging relying on Dark Night's power. His illusions vanished instantly, his pupils dilating.

Swoosh

"Want more?"

"Urgh... ugh."

Yong Bi-cheon glared wide-eyed. He escaped my attack range with supreme lightness skill, but his aura and orbs couldn't block me. If he slammed orbs from the sky, it'd be annoying, but in direct clash, I wasn't losing. Trembling, he said,

"Fearsome divine weapon... Never imagined..."

"Think about it. Better I support the Leader with this Water Yao Dark Night, right?"

"Hmm... Fine."

Yong Bi-cheon grudgingly nodded.

With that settled, Cheon Woo-jin waved his hand, chanting.

"Haat!"

Flash

Moments later, Yong Bi-cheon, Cheon Woo-jin, and I arrived at some nameless place. Canyon-like terrain, dense foliage everywhere. But seeing flashes beyond, I was speechless.

Miho, true Moon Yao master now, floated with Three Divine Artifacts' glow, eyes closed in focus, swinging her hand.

Wheeeen

Silver moon shadows from Miho wove through air, flying out. Hitting a massive eerie worm dozens of feet long, it exploded, the worm writhing and collapsing.

Kwarung

Miho wielded Moon Yao's moon shadows against hordes of demons summoned by the alchemist—endless waves like tides.

Groooar

Kwarung

The Emperor and alchemist floated in a transparent orb, watching gleefully. As Miho fought furiously, the Emperor boomed laughter.

[Uhahaha, fox! I'll catch you and make you my concubine!]

Miho couldn't even retort, constantly expending power. The demon hordes blackened earth and sky—no conserving energy, even as Moon Yao's master.

'Where's the Leader?'

I scanned but saw no Leader. Likely arrived, observing. Ever scheming, I ground my teeth inwardly at him, gripping Water Yao Dark Night.

"Let's go."

Save Miho!

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