Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Celestial Realm

The horde of demonic beasts charging toward Miho was like an enraged wave. There were thousands, even tens of thousands of them, moving so lifelike it was uncanny. Even blocking them with Wol Yo’s power seemed overwhelming for her. That’s when I came up with a good idea on how to save her.

“The more urgent, the more you circle back!”

I grabbed Cheon U-jin’s hand.

“Cheon U-jin!”

“H-Huh?”

Seeing him flustered, I quickly said,

“Do you have a spell that can wipe out thousands or tens of thousands of demonic beasts at once?”

“Hmm!”

“Take me there.”

“Got it!”

“But we have to bring Zhuge Sa too.”

Why? I didn’t understand at first. But I decided to head to where our allies were, as he said.

Given Miho’s current skill, she wouldn’t last immediately. We had at least half an incense stick’s worth of time. I swiftly used Flight to break away from the front lines. Then I went to the group and called for Zhuge Sa.

Zhuge Sa seemed to understand Cheon U-jin’s intent. He immediately scowled in protest.

“That’s mine. Why are you using it without permission?”

“If we lose this battle, it’s all over anyway. Were you unaware of that, fool?”

“Damn… I’ll make you pay dearly for this debt.”

Zhuge Sa grumbled.

Flash!

I quickly returned to the battlefield with the two sorcerers. Cheon U-jin gave a quick glance, and Zhuge Sa beside him pulled out the crystal stone tablet from his space ring. Cheon U-jin placed his hand on it and shouted,

“Hasten as per the law!”

As the incantation rang out, an immense illusory mist erupted centered on Cheon U-jin. The momentum was like a raging storm, instantly blanketing a dozen li radius in fog so thick you couldn’t see an inch ahead. Soon after, a barrier even stronger than the one protecting Manggyang Seon’s village formed in all directions.

Wooong.

Kieeekk—

From within Cheon U-jin’s illusory mist barrier, the cries of demonic beasts echoed. The horde of demons lunging at Miho halted temporarily. But when Cheon U-jin waved his hand moments later, the mist didn’t affect our group—we retained normal vision.

“……!!”

I couldn’t help but be astonished. The thousands of demonic beasts were spinning in place like dazed fools or standing blankly? From the perspective of someone inside the barrier, the sight of those caught in its illusions was pathetically hilarious. Cheon U-jin chuckled and said,

“It’s impossible to deploy an illusory mist this powerful with my own strength alone. I borrowed some power from the crystal stone tablet.”

“Damn it…”

I heard Zhuge Sa’s irritated mutter. He’d anticipated Cheon U-jin’s intent from the start. Anyway, things had gone as I wanted, so I surveyed the battlefield again.

‘The Emperor and the alchemist are flustered. And Miho’s still holding aloft…’

Now was the chance to contact Miho. I asked Cheon U-jin,

“Cheon U-jin. Can you annihilate the ones trapped in the mist?”

He shook his head.

“Impossible. Their demonic energy is too potent. Attempting it would shatter the mist.”

“Understood.”

I replied and glanced at Yong Bi-cheon.

“Use the power of the Heavenly Spirit Pill to clean up some demonic beasts. I need to talk to Wol Yo’s master.”

Yong Bi-cheon growled unpleasantly.

“Am I your subordinate? How dare you order me around!”

“Cheon U-jin’s mist won’t last forever. Are you planning to waste this chance to deal with those pests?”

“…You and I will settle this later!”

With double irises glaring in his eyes, Yong Bi-cheon shot into the sky. He created dozens of wind bombs and hurled them at the demonic beasts.

“Die!!”

Kwaaang!!

Kuooh

Few demonic beasts charged at Yong Bi-cheon despite their bodies exploding into chunks from the wind bombs. The mist seemed to impair their perception, slowing their reaction to attacks on themselves. Normally, even a guardian beast with infinite internal energy would struggle against this horde, but Yong Bi-cheon massacred them like a lion among sheep.

“Miho!!”

In the meantime, I rushed to Miho’s side. As I approached, she turned toward me, apparently sensing my presence. Wol Yo’s power must have allowed some perception even within the mist.

Miho looked at me with a troubled expression and said,

“You’re… that human from before?”

“Yes, Baek Woong!”

“What is Su Yo’s master doing here?”

I tilted my head.

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

“……”

After a moment’s thought, Miho replied coldly,

“No reason to explain. My goal is to strike down the Emperor—don’t interfere!”

“Hmm.”

Her wariness made me uneasy. Miho had likely become Wol Yo’s master as a celestial emissary, freed with heaven’s aid. And I, having freed Su Yo, was undoubtedly the top target of suspicion in the Celestial Realm. Whether by choice or coercion, she wasn’t in a position to chat amiably with me.

But I had a plan. Calmly, I said,

“My goal is to eliminate the Emperor too. How about we cooperate for now?”

“Cooperate…?”

“You have Wol Yo, I have Su Yo. Using both Seven Relics’ powers together might just be enough to take down the Emperor, even with the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors’ protection.”

“……”

Miho glanced at Su Yo in my hand. Then she said,

“Fine! Then give me vision through the mist too.”

“Of course.”

I went back to Cheon U-jin in the distance. I asked him to restore Miho’s vision. He waved his hand, and Miho slowly descended to the ground as her sight cleared.

Kwaang

Ahead, Yong Bi-cheon was massacring wildly. Staring at him, Miho said,

“Let’s attack together.”

“Right.”

Unlike a celestial emissary, Miho actively agreed to join forces with me. Having fought the horde alone moments ago, she’d realized her power alone wasn’t enough and prioritized practicality and her mission.

Miho summoned Wol Yo’s three divine tools around her body amid silver light. I gripped Su Yo and drew forth its power. I thought we’d simply aid Yong Bi-cheon like this, but something unexpected happened.

Psjjjjik…

“……!!”

“This is?!”

Suddenly, the lights of Wol Yo and Su Yo intensified. They resonated, and a massive shockwave rang out. After it passed, I felt the power flowing through Su Yo was several times faster and stronger.

It felt like power to cleave heaven and earth!

Miho looked shocked too—not just me. Then she shouted,

“Go!”

“Right!!”

We charged the horde ahead almost simultaneously. Miho unleashed moon shadows from her hovering three divine tools, while I executed the ultimate technique of the Thunder God Sword Dance, unleashing a massive sword aura beam.

Kwaang…!!

It was just one attack.

Yet the power from the two Seven Relics merged in midair, amplifying several times in size and strength, engulfing the demonic horde ahead. It was a radiant slash that seemed to bisect heaven and earth.

“Hup.”

Even Yong Bi-cheon recoiled in shock from the immense force, retreating with Wind Steps. Light blanketed the canyon.

Whoooosh

The aftershock rushed in.

A fan-shaped scar etched into the earth, spanning dozens of li, in an instant. I’d seen destructive techniques before, but this was on another scale. The terrain changed—a whole mountain vanished! The horde filling the world was wiped out root and stem.

“Th-This…”

Even I, who unleashed it, was speechless at the devastation ahead.

‘Do the Seven Relics hold this much power?’

I knew freeing Su Yo normally granted immense strength. Without that confidence, I wouldn’t have charged Yong Bi-cheon head-on earlier. As a divine weapon, Su Yo held such power—I was certain.

But I never imagined two Seven Relics resonating upon combining would multiply the power dozens of times!

This was unknown until now—chills ran down my spine.

This transcended mere weaponry.

This was a true divine instrument.

Then…

What if all seven scattered Seven Relics resonated together?!

“……”

Miho stared wide-eyed in shock. After a long moment, she regained composure and said,

“The Emperor’s moved farther away.”

“Where?”

“Follow me!”

Flash!

Miho flew off somewhere. Mindful of me, her speed was allowable. I swiftly pursued with Annihilation Steps.

‘Tch. No chance to give her the obsidian…’

I grumbled inwardly. I needed to deliver the obsidian for communication, but the situation rushed ahead without opening. Even if I brought it up rashly, her wariness would make her refuse.

Moments later, Miho entered a deeper canyon branch. Ahead waited the Emperor and alchemist. They’d descended from their transparent orb, feet on the ground.

The Emperor, slightly pale, said,

“So that’s the power of the Seven Relics? Truly tremendous.”

“You’re the only one who’ll enjoy the luxury of dying to them, Emperor.”

“Kekeke… Hilarious. Even as Emperor, I have no taste for such luxury.”

Chuckling wryly, the Emperor turned to the alchemist and said,

“Isn’t it about time he arrives?”

“Of course…”

Puk!

Right then, the alchemist’s body exploded into chunks. So sudden that the Emperor mid-conversation, Miho, and I were all stunned.

Then the Six Harmonies Transmission rang in the area.

[Well done, Baek Woong. A better situation than expected.]

Step…

From behind a nearby tree emerged the White Lotus Cult Leader and Han Baekgyeong. They appeared as naturally as if they’d been there all along. I instantly realized the alchemist’s explosion was the Cult Leader’s doing—and neither Miho nor I detected any precursor. Chills again.

‘What the hell? Is that White Lotus Cult martial art?’

No, that’s more like divine authority!

Stunned momentarily, I said to the Cult Leader,

“Yes. It’s done. Now eliminate the Emperor too.”

I thought it worked out well. Eliminating the Emperor and razing the palace achieved my goal. Saving Manggyang would perfect it.

But the Cult Leader, arms crossed, replied,

[I won’t kill him.]

“What?”

That’s when the Emperor seized the opening and chanted Changhi’s incantation.

“Die, all of you!!”

Kugung

Sudden pressure bore down on my shoulders and heart. Immense enough that even as a martial expert, I staggered off balance. Despite Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors’ full protection, ordinary humans would die instantly.

“Ugh.”

“Hmm.”

But no one here died to the Emperor’s incantation. Miho, Wol Yo’s master with celestial blessings, merely stumbled. Han Baekgyeong paled slightly.

The Cult Leader didn’t budge at all—instead, leisurely approaching the Emperor. Uncomprehending, the Emperor recoiled in fear.

“Wh-What?! Changhi’s incantation is absolute against humans…”

[Emperor. You lack the qualification to wield that power. Your spirit and soul can’t support it—its authority is halved. A puppet is a puppet is a puppet, after all.]

“Wha—!!”

The Cult Leader sneered.

[Everyone here holds divine authority and blessings. The Three Sovereigns’ power would be dangerous, but a mere subordinate like the Four Emperors’ Changhi… we can endure.]

Crack

“Kaaagh…”

As the Cult Leader clenched at empty air, the Emperor thrashed, dragged upward. The Leader was crushing him with intent. The Emperor failing pathetically was pitiful.

I shouted to the Leader,

“Kill him!”

[……]

But though he could end it instantly, he hesitated. Why? As Miho reached her limit and stepped forward, the Leader said,

[Come out already. I want to speak with the real deal.]

What?

At his words, someone appeared from empty space. Wearing a bamboo hat, he glanced at the Emperor, then turned to the Cult Leader.

“You’ve realized killing the Emperor is meaningless. As expected, you’re in a class of your own among humans.”

A hint of admiration. The Cult Leader stood silently masked, thoughts unreadable. As he stared, the man spoke again.

“I’ve finally inferred your thinking.”

[Is that so? What do you think?]

A bitter smile crossed his face.

“White Lotus Cult Leader. You are truly arrogant.”

[……]

“Your plan lacks reality. Why not abandon it now and settle for being the world’s greatest?”

It was the Vermilion Bird, Zhuge Yuryong. As Zhuge Sa predicted, he’d transferred his soul to a spare body made with the crystal stone tablet and eight trigrams sorcery, resurrecting. His aura was incomparably stronger than in the Great Dragon Hall. So potent my Su Yo-empowered body trembled in tension.

No doubt.

He wielded guardian beast-level power. Far beyond a mere warrior’s potential. I’d only felt this from full-force guardian beasts.

‘Even so…’

But here stood the world’s greatest, the White Lotus Cult Leader, two Seven Relics masters, and Han Baekgyeong, a guardian incarnation. No matter how much power the Vermilion Bird gained, his confidence was baffling.

After a pause, the Leader said,

[That I cannot do.]

His following words hardened not just my face, but Miho’s too.

[I came here to settle things with your gods.]

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