Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

After the fierce battle ended, I approached Miho.

"Miho."

Miho turned to look at me. The White Lotus Cult Leader and the Dharma Protectors had already headed to the Imperial Palace first, leaving a single word to follow them if we wanted to claim the spoils. I hesitated for a moment before speaking to Miho.

"It won't be easy for you to become my comrade. But I still consider you one."

...

Miho fell silent. Clear hesitation flickered across her beautiful face. It was proof that deep down, she truly believed the memories from the black onyx I'd shown her. The tales accumulated over seventeen reincarnations were more than enough to eliminate any possibility of fabrication. A moment later, Miho spoke.

"Baek Woong. What do you plan to do after rescuing Mangryang?"

"I'll think about it then."

So that's what she meant. I answered firmly.

"I'll become the White Lotus Cult Leader's disciple, uncover the secrets of the Heavenly Spirit Pill, and learn more ways to oppose the gods in the future. While I'm at it, I'll gather the Seven Luminaries too."

"The gods... Does that include the Heavenly Realm?"

"I can overlook immortals like Yeo Dongbin, but the higher-ups like the Great Thunder Immortal seem suspicious. I need to uncover the secrets they're hiding."

Miho sighed at my response.

"If that's your thinking, then you and I can't walk together in this life."

"...I see..."

It was the answer I'd expected, but it still hit me hard inside, and I gritted my teeth. It was Miho herself rejecting me—Miho, who had received the black onyx memories firsthand. As strength drained from my hands, Miho continued.

"Do you really have to oppose the Heavenly Realm? You've just crushed the Imperial Palace faction, so you could ascend to immortality as a reward. Why not rise to the Heavenly Realm and enjoy eternal life?"

An inexplicable earnestness colored Miho's words. It revealed her position: she could never be comrades with someone opposing the Heavenly Realm. I nearly blurted out an emotional response but held back and answered slowly.

"Miho. Let me ask you something."

"Ask away."

"You'd know from reading my memories, but this world is destined to collapse under the ancient star Luzyo anyway, hundreds of years from now. What meaning would immortality have then? Won't the Heavenly Realm fall too? Won't even immortals perish when that time comes?"

...

Miho looked at a loss for words. I took her hand and pressed on.

"I don't want to wait for that fated destruction. If there's a best path, I want to find it. Mangryang, the Sword Demon, Jin So-cheong... They all became my comrades because they understood my will. Don't you get it?"

"That's... Hmm..."

Miho pondered before replying.

"I don't. It feels overwhelming to me..."

She shook her head, clearly wanting to change the subject.

"Let's head to the Imperial Palace first. We need to rescue Mangryang."

"Right."

"But that bastard Zhuque vanished. How do you plan to find Mangryang?"

I gazed toward the distant horizon and answered.

"Zhuge Budo didn't know where Zhuque hid Mangryang, but since Zhuque died and revived multiple times, cracks must have formed in the barrier. With Cheon Woojin's help, we can find it."

...

Miho thought for a moment before speaking.

"Understood. I'll help rescue Mangryang too."

"Really?"

"Yes. But if conflicts arise afterward, I won't yield."

Swoosh.

The moment Miho finished speaking, she vanished like a mirage with Wolyeong. She must have used Wolyeo's power to leap through space. I couldn't afford to lag behind her movements, so I felt the urgent need to hurry.

"Damn."

Paat

I first headed to where Cheon Woojin and Zhuge Sa had been, linking up with them. Then, using teleportation, I moved straight to the front of the Taeryong Hall where the group would be gathered.

The situation in front of Taeryong Hall had been fully cleared. Demon corpses and dragonkin bodies littered the ground here and there, alongside fallen White Lotus Cult experts. It had clearly been an intense battle. I spotted the Sword Demon, Dugeosong, and the Shadowless Sect disciples standing in a small group, treating their wounds.

The moment I saw the Sword Demon, I hurriedly shouted.

"Cha Lord! That wound..."

The Sword Demon gave a wry smile.

"Hah... Dozens of demons and dragonkin were no joke. Even the world's White Lotus Cult elites suffered like that."

A massive wound scarred the Sword Demon's left chest, and his body was covered in minor cuts. Lee Gwang and Jin So-cheong hadn't taken as severe damage as him but were still injured. Dugeosong had the least injuries and was currently tending to the wounded.

One of the Shadowless Sect disciples, lying down with serious injuries, sniffled as he spoke.

"Sob... If you'd been alone, Cha Lord, you'd have been fine, but you protected us and..."

"Hmm."

I let out a groan. Given the Sword Demon's martial prowess, he shouldn't have sustained such wounds. It seemed he'd been forced to suppress his defenses to protect the Shadowless Sect disciples, taking a hit. Thanks to that, they had almost no critically wounded and only one or two deaths. Dugeosong, who had been caring for the injured, approached and said.

"Baek Woong. This isn't the time to assess our situation. Hurry into the Imperial Palace."

"Has the White Lotus Cult Leader's group gone in?"

Dugeosong nodded.

"A new building appeared behind the collapsed Taeryong Hall. Something must be hidden there."

Where Dugeosong's gaze pointed stood a five-story palace hall. It definitely hadn't existed before Taeryong Hall collapsed. I stared at it and said.

"It looks like a trap."

"Even if it is, do we have another choice right now? If the emperor hid treasure there..."

"No. I think differently."

I glanced at Zhuge Sa before continuing.

"The Zhuge clan's strategists aren't that naive. Following what's visible will get us killed."

Not the first or second time. Considering Mangryang or Zhuge Sa's scheming nature, the Zhuge clan used any means necessary.

Zhuge Sa scowled.

"You little shit. Why are you looking at me?"

"Because you're handsome."

"Bullshit, you bastard..."

Grumbling, Zhuge Sa said.

"Fine. That building's likely conjured by sorcery and a trap. But if we don't go there, what? Waste time here treating wounds?"

"You know that's not it better than anyone."

"What?"

I continued.

"Let's start by securing the Imperial Jade Seal."

"...?!"

The moment my words dropped, everyone in the area gasped in shock. The Imperial Jade Seal was a legendary artifact known to all sorcerers and martial artists alike.

The true proof of the Son of Heaven, passed down from the Warring States era or earlier!

The genuine seal existing through dynasties for hundreds or thousands of years!

Many imperial houses forged their own seals as proof of legitimacy, but none symbolized legitimacy and authority like the Imperial Jade Seal.

Lee Gwang, pale and slumped from exhaustion, sprang up and shouted.

"What?! Where could something like that— Cough! Cough!"

"Master!"

Jin So-cheong rushed to support Lee Gwang as he spat blood and collapsed. For Lee Gwang, a former Imperial Guard commander who served the court for decades, this was shocking news. The Sword Demon gathered his thoughts and spoke.

"Hmm... Indeed. We must secure it first. Baek Woong, you've grown quite cold-blooded."

"We need to move fast. We still need time to rescue Mangryang."

"Then select the elites."

The Sword Demon let out a long sigh and scanned the area before saying.

"Take Cheon Woojin and Jin So-cheong."

"That's my thought too."

Dugeosong, understanding the situation, chimed in.

"I'll control this place."

"Please do."

Zhuge Sa, furious, yelled in a shrill voice.

"Damn it! You're sidelining me from claiming the Imperial Jade Seal?"

I replied curtly.

"I'm not begging it. I'll leave scraps for you, so don't worry."

"Don't make me laugh. I could wreck this place right now."

Gooo...

Zhuge Sa began channeling sorcery. Violet aura swirled as his eyes gleamed fiercely. No matter how low key he was, he was the current head of the Baekhae sect, a powerful sorcerer and legalist. If he rampaged, something terrifying would happen.

Puk

"Urk."

But in the next instant, Jin So-cheong dashed forward and struck the back of Zhuge Sa's head, knocking him out cold with one blow. As Zhuge Sa crumpled limply, Jin So-cheong laid him on the ground and said.

"Let's go."

I said, stunned.

"No way, Jin So-cheong. Did your martial arts improve again in the meantime?"

I couldn't help but be amazed. Even if Zhuge Sa looked like a pale scholar, he possessed peak-level martial arts. He'd even summoned aura to boost his defenses and physical abilities moments ago, yet Jin So-cheong moved too fast for him to react, knocking him out precisely. It meant his skills had advanced several levels beyond before.

"It grew through battle."

If that was true, hadn't he advanced through real combat right here in front of Taeryong Hall? I couldn't even guess Jin So-cheong's current martial realm. As I stood dazed, Cheon Woojin, finished with his preparations, shouted.

"Let's move!"

Say what you will, Cheon Woojin was a sorcerer too, greedy for sorcery treasures. I gave a wry smile and led Cheon Woojin and Jin So-cheong to where the Imperial Jade Seal was hidden.

Swooo

Directly beneath the collapsed Taeryong Hall lay the barrier concealing the Imperial Jade Seal. I'd once followed High Immortal Mangryang here when he came to dispel this very barrier. The barrier was strong, but as long as the barrier's power held, we couldn't reach the center. It had to be dispelled first.

I glanced at Cheon Woojin, who confidently said.

"Don't worry. It's a strong barrier, but nothing I can't handle."

Cheon Woojin summoned the forms of the Eight Trigrams in his palms. Conjuring Qian and Xun, he thrust the trigrams forward. They distorted and passed straight through the space ahead. Soon, Cheon Woojin chanted.

"Urgent Mandate of Imperial Authority!"

Kwang

Moments later, an explosion shattered the front of the labyrinth sealing the Imperial Jade Seal. Impressed, I asked Cheon Woojin.

"Urgent Mandate of Imperial Authority isn't a formal incantation, is it? Is it okay to use it as one?"

I asked because "Urgent Mandate of Imperial Authority" was merely a bureaucratic phrase from Han dynasty documents. I wondered if chanting something like that could break an ancient barrier like the Imperial Jade Seal's. Ancient languages usually amplified curse power.

Cheon Woojin replied curtly.

"Mysterious realms aren't bound by form! I like the phrasing, so it works for me. Mind your own business."

"I see..."

"Once you master sorcery to advanced levels, you'll realize how foolish that question is."

He spat it out and strode inside. Typical prickly genius. Jin So-cheong followed me and asked.

"Baek Woong. Why haven't you learned sorcery in your past lives?"

I hesitated before answering.

"Emm... Elder Mangryang said my martial talent was mediocre and my sorcery talent even worse. I didn't want to waste time on it."

"That was judging you from your Black-dais days. Now you've got the Seven Luminaries' Demon Night and all sorts of potentials. You could learn sorcery now, right?"

"I haven't thought about it."

Jin So-cheong chuckled.

"Learning sorcery would expand your options beyond just martial arts. I recommend it."

"Intuition?"

"Intuition."

I was swayed by Jin So-cheong's words.

"Yeah. Maybe learn sorcery in the next life?"

First rescue Mangryang, become the White Lotus Cult Leader's disciple, uncover the Heavenly Spirit Pill's secrets, then learn sorcery. My future plans stacking up lifted my mood. After walking a while, we finally reached the cavern I'd been to before.

Cheon Woojin looked to one corner and said.

"There it is."

"Hmm."

I groaned at the sight of the rectangular object gleaming brilliantly. It emanated a divine glow, embossed with a dragon. Even to my eyes, an extraordinary aura flowed from it, carrying a natural majesty.

Last time, we'd only confronted it here and left without claiming the Imperial Jade Seal. I wondered why it now appeared so clearly. Cheon Woojin said.

"The Taeryong Hall barrier collapsed entirely, breaking the seal holding the Imperial Jade Seal too. Jackpot."

"So we just take it now?"

"Wait."

Cheon Woojin stopped me.

"The Imperial Jade Seal devours immense power just by holding it. Touch it rashly, and who knows what happens."

"Ah!"

Come to think of it, the Imperial Palace faction had possessed it but couldn't use it until gaining immense power through the Enfeoffment Ritual. Unlike other artifacts or treasures, it demanded special conditions.

Cheon Woojin began chanting sorcery again, hurling multiple trigrams at the Imperial Jade Seal.

Wooong...

"I've sealed it with my sorcery for now. Safe to touch."

"Got it."

I reached for the Imperial Jade Seal. In that instant, a strange vision appeared before my eyes.

Wooong

"...?!"

I felt hurled into the boundless Heavenly Dark. Swimming in an endless sea of darkness. But the darkness wasn't pure black; silver lights twinkled scattered across the sky.

Yes.

I stood amid the Milky Way, stars blazing gloriously across heaven and earth. Star clusters scattered in the infinite dark sky! Tens of millions, hundreds of millions of luminous stars!

I'd seen this scene once before.

[Have you ever seen this universe in your lifetime? Could you describe this sight to others?]

[The brain is but a mirror. With narrow gaze and angle, nothing is seen.]

The scenery Elder Mangryang had shown me upon our first meeting!

I'd never believed such a place existed. But the space he called the universe undoubtedly did. And in the center of this pitch-black cosmos loomed the largest sphere.

It appeared just by my side. I saw a round sphere packed with land and seas. Unthinkingly, I reached out—and upon touching it, a strange voice echoed.

[I am the relic left by the Five Emperors' Shao Hao, the Golden Heaven. Do you qualify to become master of the Imperial Jade Seal, relic of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors?]

The question echoed in my mind for a moment. Then the voice spoke.

[No... You have contracted with something far greater... I apologize for questioning your qualification. Rather, I am honored.]

What did that mean?

As I puzzled, the voice continued.

[I now recognize you as master of the Imperial Jade Seal. I grant you the All-Revealing Eye of Land and Ocean.]

Paat

The next instant, I returned to reality. Looking at the Imperial Jade Seal, I saw a phoenix pattern engraved beside the heavenly dragon emboss. Apparently, the recognized master gained phoenix authority too.

'All-Revealing Eye?'

I was baffled. It felt like I'd gained a special power, but I couldn't grasp it. So I asked Cheon Woojin.

"I got the All-Revealing Eye—what ability is that?"

"What? Really? That's the Imperial Jade Seal's power?"

Cheon Woojin's face paled.

"So it seems."

"Argh! That's what I should've gotten... Even Great Four Immortals struggle for it..."

Cheon Woojin let out a bizarre scream and stomped around briefly. It looked like jealous foot-stomping from sheer exasperation. After silently raging a bit, he gave up and told me.

"Use it to find your senior brother. Damn it! Necklace on a pig..."

"...?"

"Think of finding your senior brother and activate the Imperial Jade Seal."

"Got it."

Cheon Woojin grumbled.

"You greedy pig bastard! Hogging it all."

"..."

Greedy pig bastard?

Paat

Moments later, Cheon Woojin, Jin So-cheong, and I arrived in some dark, unknown space.

There, I spotted a young man shackled hand and foot. He seemed unhurt but haggard from long captivity. Realizing we'd found the right place, I called to him in a trembling voice.

"...Mangryang."

Mangryang didn't open his eyes even at my voice. As I moved to approach, Cheon Woojin snapped.

"You sure approach boldly not knowing traps. Just use the All-Revealing Eye on your senior brother, pig bastard."

Irritated, I shot back.

"Thanks... but why keep calling me pig?"

"You hog every treasure under heaven, so it pisses me off."

"Jealous? Get your own teleportation then."

"Pig bastard."

"..."

Damn it for real.

Suppressing my temper, I gripped the Imperial Jade Seal, activated the All-Revealing Eye again, and examined Mangryang. Miraculously, sorceries invisible to the naked eye revealed themselves even under mental domination. I couldn't help admiring the Enfeoffment Ritual rights methods. I simply followed the readings, manipulating the dispelling formulas to remove the trap sorceries on Mangryang.

Paat

Finally dispelling the sorcery dominating Mangryang's mind, he opened his eyes.

"Huh... Where am I?"

Mangryang regained his senses. I smirked and sliced his chains with sword aura.

"You're awake?"

"..."

Mangryang looked dazed even after the chains broke and his body was free. Then, spotting the Imperial Jade Seal in my hand, he seemed to grasp the situation.

"I see! You rescued me."

"Glad you're safe."

"..."

I briefly explained what had happened.

Mangryang sighed.

"I'm ashamed. I boasted about inspecting the Heavenly Emperor Altar and ended up like this..."

"No matter. Everyone makes mistakes. If we're counting, I've died dozens of times more than you."

"No. I put you in danger with my mistake. I'm truly sorry."

Mangryang looked deeply dejected. Jin So-cheong patted his back and said.

"Your survival alone is a huge help. And now the emperor and Zhuque are defeated—it's almost over."

"Ah...!!"

At those words, Mangryang's face suddenly hardened.

He urgently told me.

"This isn't the time. Nothing's over yet."

"What do you mean? All that's left is the White Lotus Cult Leader settling things with the gods..."

"The White Lotus Cult Leader isn't the issue!"

Scratching his head, Mangryang continued.

"From the black onyx memories, I learned the Red Dream sorcery and retained minimal awareness even under mental domination. I couldn't help losing the Enfeoffment Ritual rights over my life, but I didn't reveal your reincarnation secrets."

"Ah...!!"

I understood the situation.

The Red Dream forbidden art obtained from Emperor Dongyoung during my past lives! Mangryang must have mastered and used it with his high immortal sorcery and Three Sovereigns inner manual power. He sighed briefly before continuing.

"That let me grasp Zhuque's intentions to some extent. And if what I say is true, nothing's resolved."

I was baffled.

"I don't follow. We got the Imperial Jade Seal, crushed the Imperial Palace demons, defeated the Four Celestial Beasts, even eliminated the emperor. Zhuque might revive somewhere, but what can he do alone?"

"Indeed. Perfect situation. But, but..."

Mangryang said gravely.

"Soon... when the ruler of the Demon Subduing Hall descends, it will all mean nothing."

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