Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

Heavenly Realm

Mangyang said.

"And do you also know why I didn't ask Miho to plead for your pardon from the Queen Mother of the West during this offering ritual?"

I thought for a moment before answering.

"For the sake of my freedom of movement?"

If I asked the Queen Mother of the West to free Miho, she would be bound by karma to serve as my bodyguard for ten years. Because of that, Miho's intentions had clashed with those of my companions more than once or twice. It seemed Mangyang was mindful of that discord.

"That's one reason, but there's another."

"What is it?"

"Hmm."

I let out a groan. According to Sword Sage Yeo Dongbin, Miho was a partial incarnation of the Demon King Daji. This was truly unexpected information I hadn't anticipated. As I pondered the meaning behind Mangyang's words, he continued.

"What will you do when you meet Miho, hand her the obsidian, and she learns the truth? Can you predict her reaction?"

"---Honestly, I don't think it'll go well."

"It's a grave matter directly tied to Miho's existence and identity. Naturally, she'll be confused. If Miho falls into tremendous turmoil, you'll surely get swept up in it too, and this lifetime will spiral out of your control. Your mental strength will be drained in the process."

Mangyang was right. With nothing to say in response, I scratched my head, and Mangyang spoke.

"When you tell Miho the truth, you must reveal it only after uncovering a certain degree of the facts yourself."

I realized the hidden intent in Mangyang's words.

"So that's why we're heading to the Heavenly Realm!"

"Exactly."

Mangyang nodded.

"I didn't pick a fight with the Nine Heavens Profound Woman for no reason. As you know from Supreme Immortal Mangyang's memories, she was my master. She's also the Goddess of War, serving as the Queen Mother of the West's right hand. By learning the Art of Soul Transfer under her, we'll have opportunities to uncover information related to Miho."

"Hmm."

I hadn't considered that far. Impressed inwardly by Mangyang's calculations, I watched as he gazed at the sky and said.

"Moreover, the Nine Heavens Profound Woman has always been tormented and puzzled by the Queen Mother of the West's contradictions. That's why Supreme Immortal Mangyang trusted your reincarnation ability and chose the path of transferring memories and experiences via the Art of Soul Transfer."

"I have those memories too."

Recalling them, I continued.

"The Queen Mother of the West has her human manifestation and another true body. But that true body vanished somewhere in the Heavenly Realm after the Mythical Age, nowhere to be seen."

"To be more frank..."

Mangyang sighed.

"The Nine Heavens Profound Woman knew the Queen Mother of the West was plotting something, but not what. She suspected it involved the vanished true body and the [Ancient Rulers], but many immortals under her were slain by a mysterious entity."

"Hmm."

That's in Supreme Immortal Mangyang's memories too. Numerous Supreme Immortals, direct subordinates of the Nine Heavens Profound Woman on her level, were erased by some enigmatic being. They were likely killed while investigating the plot.

"After handling affairs in the Yellow Palace, Supreme Immortal Mangyang wanted to uncover the plot but felt his abilities were insufficient. His talents weren't particularly superior compared to other Supreme Immortals."

Listening, I realized anew how vast the conspiracy I'd stumbled into was. Supreme Immortal Mangyang was an earthly immortal near the pinnacle as a sorcerer, yet even he felt inadequate! To uncover the Queen Mother of the West's intentions would clearly require risking my life.

"A being that can erase a Supreme Immortal without a trace... Could a Great Roster Immortal do that?"

"I doubt it would be easy for me. The culprit would need to be at least a Battle Immortal among the Great Roster Immortals. Or perhaps a fully divine entity."

"Battle Immortal."

"Not all Great Roster Immortals have high combat prowess. Some are barely above Supreme Immortals. But those who ascended as masters of battle, like Sword Sage Yeo Dongbin, possess exceptional fighting power."

With that, Mangyang waved his hand.

"Anyway, let's discuss our next steps. First, we recruit Geomma and Jin So-cheong as companions."

"Right."

Flash

After discussing plans with Mangyang, we headed to Pirate Island together.

Upon arriving at Pirate Island, the Blood Path Group had been annihilated. Peak Experts from the Shadowless Sect had slaughtered them without mercy. Geomma was gathering and treating the survivors, and I met him with Mangyang.

Geomma laughed heartily.

"Haha! First time meeting in this life, Mangyang."

Mangyang gave a wry smile.

"An old acquaintance and a stranger at once--- this is a novel experience for me too, Sect Leader."

"Who wouldn't say the same."

"Have you finished your business?"

"More than enough. I was waiting for you two."

Indeed, Geomma seemed to have already rescued his daughter Seomun Hye and exacted revenge on the Blood Path Group. All that remained was returning to the Shadowless Sect. Geomma glanced at me and said.

"Baek Woong, I have something to tell you."

"Yes."

"From what I've uncovered, it seems the Yellow Palace was behind the Blood Path Group."

"......?"

What was this about? Mangyang, standing beside me, chimed in.

"As expected."

"Hmm. Shame I lack the ability to transmit memories... But with the Shadowless Sect's forces, if even I found it taxing, only the Yellow Palace has that level of power. Especially since Wind God Ryu backed the Fighting Demon Horse---it's obvious. With Wind God Ryu allied to the Yellow Palace, their plot extended from there."

Having laid out his speculation, Geomma said.

"That's why I plan to investigate the Dark Scripture Martial Tournament."

I was startled by Geomma's words.

"Are you sure? It's extremely dangerous."

"That's why I have my own plan. It'll be easier if you help me."

Mangyang, who had been listening, said.

"You're planning to join the Twelve Laws."

"Hah! As expected of the world's greatest strategist..."

Geomma exclaimed in admiration. It seemed Mangyang had read his mind. Puzzled, I looked at them, and Mangyang explained.

"Baek Woong. As things stand, the Shadowless Sect will inevitably face pressure from the White Lotus Cult due to its position as a leader among the Eight Demonic Sects. To gain freedom of action, they need a backer on equal footing with the White Lotus Cult. In the 17th life, we allied with Thunder God Ryu, but the only force capable of standing against the White Lotus Cult is the Twelve Laws."

"Ah!"

"Moreover, the Twelve Laws Leader possesses the Ghost Spirit Yanluo Blade, the grand prize of the Dark Scripture Martial Tournament. That means ties to it, regardless of enmity. With the Twelve Laws Leader's aid, investigating Luoyang will be far easier."

"I see."

"For that, Baek Woong, you'll need to lend your strength as before."

Thinking of what lay ahead gave me a headache, so I grimaced and said.

"Does that mean meeting the Twelve Laws Leader again?"

"No choice. He's an meffably cunning figure, so we must interact more to discern his true intentions."

Mangyang shrugged.

"In the 17th life, you learned the White Lotus Cult Leader's true aim: obtaining the Mother of No Life's dharma, even if it meant negotiating with the gods. That's crucial information. Use the White Lotus Cult Leader's obsession well, and rising within the Cult will be easier. Guiding him to your will too."

"Hmm."

"We have much to do. First, make Jin So-cheong your companion."

Geomma, listening, asked.

"Hold on, Mangyang. Is there really a need to recruit Jin So-cheong now?"

Mangyang's eyes gleamed.

"Why do you ask?"

"Jin So-cheong has played no major role in Baek Woong's previous lives. Sure, he restrained Lee Gwang's rampages, but we just need to keep Lee Gwang out of our camp. We all know controlling Thunder God Ryu is exceedingly difficult---do we really need to take the risk of bringing in Jin So-cheong?"

"......"

Geomma's argument was logical. He too possessed sharp intellect and reasoning. After hearing him out, Mangyang fanned himself with his Five Flames Seven Metals Fan. He seemed hot.

"You're right, Sect Leader. But even so, I believe we must make Jin So-cheong an ally."

"Why?"

"Because he's the Central Plains' greatest genius, the linchpin who can mobilize forces including Grand General Hwang Yeon. And the reason he hasn't shone so far is that we failed to nurture him adequately."

"......!!"

Geomma's eyes widened. In a trembling voice, he said.

"Incredible. You rate Jin So-cheong's talent that highly?"

"Yes. In truth, without raising him, we have no future."

Mangyang continued slowly.

"From the 17th life's failure, we learned we can't oppose the Yellow Palace gods without gathering the Seven Luminaries. But acquiring them is immensely difficult---no guarantee even after ten more of Baek Woong's lives."

"True. We know Fire Luminary is at the southern edge, but when would we go there?"

"Even so, this life we're living is reality. We can't just sit and die. To have even a minimal chance against the gods, I believe it's Jin So-cheong."

"Hah... Don't you know?"

Geomma said frustratingly.

"Even the White Lotus Cult Leader couldn't stand against the gods. And he's meffably the greatest in martial history. No matter the genius, do you think a mere later-generation disciple of the fallen Thunder God Ryu can reach that realm?"

"No."

Mangyang said confidently.

"He will surely surpass the White Lotus Cult Leader, someday."

"......!!"

"Moreover, raising Jin So-cheong is the same as raising Baek Woong."

Geomma's face, and mine, filled with bewilderment.

What was Mangyang saying?

Was he serious?

But having spent decades with Mangyang, I knew he wasn't joking or spouting nonsense. Geomma sensed it too, unable to hide his dismay. We felt powerless, having reached our limits in martial arts, yet the strategist Mangyang denied those limits.

After much deliberation, I said.

"If you think so, Mangyang, I'll trust Jin So-cheong too."

"Thanks."

Geomma groaned before replying.

"Fine. I won't bring it up again."

"...Are you angry?"

"Don't paint me as petty. But coldly speaking, anyone can see Mangyang's spouting idealism."

"......"

Geomma's calm tone made it feel all the more realistic.

"Can Jin So-cheong really surpass the White Lotus Cult Leader?"

Even I, who had watched Jin So-cheong up close, couldn't easily believe it. The White Lotus Cult Leader's arts transcended known limits, even broadening my insight. No one would think even a genius like Jin So-cheong could surpass such a transcendent being. Except Mangyang.

Soon after, we wrapped up affairs on Pirate Island and returned to the Shadowless Sect with its disciples and Seomun Hye. Geomma said.

"Come back soon. Then we can proceed with the alliance to the Twelve Laws immediately."

"Understood."

"Oh, bring Sasaki Kojiro if possible. He's quite useful."

"I'll do my best."

Flash

Moments later, using Return, we arrived at Azure Dragon Martial Hall. Unusually, Mangyang came along this time. It was his stubbornness to scout the location with his own eyes in this life. Surveying the hall from the roof, Mangyang said.

"Approaching Jin So-cheong this life will require a detour. Don't go straight in and reveal you're the Thunder God Ryu heir. We want to avoid tangling with Lee Gwang."

"Then what should I do?"

"There's a simple way."

Mangyang chuckled.

"Soon, the Heavenly Yin Body will be in peril. Go ahead of the incident and rescue the Moyong family's daughter."

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