Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

***

Heavenly Realm

Celestial Yin Body!

"Ah, right, that happened."

As far as I remembered, it was the incident where Nangong Hwan, the later-generation prodigy of the Nangong Family known as the Soaring Heaven Sword Dragon, drunkenly boasted and leaked the secret that his fiancée Mo Yong-yeon had a Celestial Yin Body to the martial world.

As a result, Nangong Hwan had fled with Mo Yong-yeon while being pursued, and eventually came to his friend Jin So-cheong for help.

I had gotten involved in that mess and fought against the martial artists trying to rape Mo Yong-yeon.

But now, using that as an excuse to contact Jin So-cheong? It felt a bit out of left field.

"Hmm. You must have thought Mo Yong-yeon followed Nangong Hwan out of love."

"Huh?"

I countered.

"Jin So-cheong told me that, so I assumed as much."

"It's not that simple. Both you and Jin So-cheong are quite naive..."

Manggyang muttered that and flicked his Five Fire Seven Plum Fan.

"Timing-wise, it's probably about a month away. Thanks to you gathering fortuitous encounters at an optimized pace, the timing lines up perfectly."

"Is that so."

"To confirm for sure, we need information from the Cao Manor. Let's go."

I headed to the Cao Manor with Manggyang.

The Cao Manor was one of the six great families of Guanzhong. They had provided a hideout for Nangong Hwan in the past and even helped Jin So-cheong.

I remembered uncovering the secret there and tracking Nangong Hwan.

Upon arriving near the Cao Manor, Manggyang said,

"Baek Woong. Try the Invisibility Art."

"I'm not confident..."

I scratched my head.

Of course, I could use beginner spells proficiently, and thanks to the Dharma Treasure and Spiritual Energy, I wasn't lacking in power, but the Invisibility Art was a fairly difficult spell.

Having often failed while practicing, I wasn't eager.

Manggyang smiled faintly.

"Don't worry prematurely. If the potential is there, the rest falls into place. You're different from your past self now."

"Hmm... Alright."

Wooong.

A moment later, I cast the Invisibility Art.

Holding Manggyang's hand, I slowly moved past the gatekeepers of the Cao Manor, but they showed no reaction.

In my eyes, Manggyang and I were clearly visible, but others couldn't perceive us.

"Success."

After passing the gatekeepers and reaching the inner courtyard, I saw Ha Jun, the chief steward of the Cao Manor.

He had argued with me before and reluctantly hinted at Nangong Hwan's whereabouts while grumbling.

I remembered him as a bit prickly but diligent in his duties as steward.

This was right in front of the guest quarters.

Beside Ha Jun stood a middle-aged man with catfish whiskers and a plump build.

He said to Chief Steward Ha,

"Chief Steward Ha. It's time to send off the Soaring Heaven Sword Dragon."

"I think so too, Manor Lord."

"I'll go rest inside, so handle the rest."

"Yes."

The middle-aged man, apparently the Cao Manor Lord, walked into the guest quarters with an uncomfortable expression.

"Whew. The Nangong Family... Why must they cause trouble even here?"

Chief Steward Ha sighed and grumbled as he walked away.

Manggyang gestured to follow him.

I nodded and trailed after Chief Steward Ha.

He arrived at a deep chamber in the building.

Standing before a door, Chief Steward Ha called out loudly.

"Soaring Heaven Sword Dragon! I have words for you."

A moment later, Soaring Heaven Sword Dragon Nangong Hwan emerged.

He was the peerless beauty I remembered from before, but his expression was dark.

Glancing inside the room, I caught sight of Mo Yong-yeon.

Chief Steward Ha looked at Nangong Hwan with unkind eyes and spoke.

"Please pack your things and leave soon."

Nangong Hwan was silent for a moment before replying.

"Can't I stay a bit longer? I have nowhere else to go..."

Chief Steward Ha didn't hide his irritation.

"There's no connection or tie between the Nangong Family and our Cao Manor, yet you've been acting high-handedly using your family's prestige. But now, riffraff from the martial world tracking your whereabouts are flooding into Guanzhong. Our Cao Manor has no reason to bear that burden."

"If you chase me out like this, you'll regret it."

"Ha! The rumors in the martial world calling the Soaring Heaven Sword Dragon a righteous later-generation prodigy are laughable. We've secured our own backing, so spare us your empty threats."

"......"

"Hmph. Let's see how long you hold out."

With that, Chief Steward Ha turned and hurried away.

He seemed callous and mean-spirited, but the conversation content said otherwise.

Especially Nangong Hwan's threat toward Chief Steward Ha just now felt bizarre.

'What the? Turning the tables...'

It contrasted sharply with the Nangong Hwan I remembered.

Nangong Hwan glared at Chief Steward Ha's back and muttered.

"Damn it... How can I, the heir of the Nangong Family, suffer such treatment?"

At his next words, my eyes widened.

"When I return to the family, I'll exterminate the Cao Manor's entire clan."

I was stunned for a moment.

Was that really something said by Nangong Hwan, one of the top later-generation prodigies of the righteous faction, heir to one of the Five Great Families, and a peerless beauty?

Considering the Soaring Heaven Sword Dragon's famed chivalry, it was unacceptable no matter how mistreated he felt.

His words carried genuine killing intent, making it clear—even to a fool—that he meant to follow through.

Stunned, I stood there as Manggyang wrote on my back with his finger.

Enter

Realizing it meant to enter the room, I grabbed Manggyang's hand and slipped inside like a shadow with the Annihilation Soul Step.

Nangong Hwan shivered as if sensing a chill wind but didn't find it suspicious.

A moment later, he slammed the door shut and muttered frustratedly.

"What should I do? If Jin So-cheong doesn't come in time..."

"Brother, Can Jin So-cheong really save us?"

"Jin So-cheong's martial arts are incredible. No one his age in the martial world can match him. Because he's a direct disciple of the Death God's Guard Azure Dragon."

There was substantial trust in Nangong Hwan's firm tone.

Seeing him, I let out a groan.

'Nangong Hwan knew Jin So-cheong's true capabilities well.'

Even I at the time hadn't fully grasped Jin So-cheong's real power.

As heir to the Nangong Family, he must have vaguely sensed the realm of transcendent mastery.

Nangong Hwan gently stroked Mo Yong-yeon's cheek.

"More importantly, are you still not feeling well?"

Mo Yong-yeon flinched at his words and replied.

"Yes... Please hold back on bedroom matters."

"It's hard leaving a beauty like you untouched."

"Since you love me, can't you endure it?"

"Hmm... Very well."

Nangong Hwan smacked his lips and stood.

"Then I'll head out. Need to take a walk to clear my head."

"Be careful."

"Sure."

Nangong Hwan closed the door and left.

Time passed.

Manggyang then revealed himself and said,

"Miss Mo Yong-yeon."

"Eek!!"

Mo Yong-yeon was startled as the Invisibility Art lifted, revealing us.

She tried to scream, but I rushed forward and sealed her mute acupoint.

Though a martial artist with considerable skill, she couldn't resist the Annihilation Soul Step-infused movement and was subdued.

With Mo Yong-yeon subdued, Manggyang said,

"Baek Woong. Check her Virginity Acupoint."

I turned to him at the unexpected order.

"Manggyang, That's..."

"Hurry."

Feeling strange, I infused qi into her Virginity Acupoint to diagnose.

Scratching my cheek awkwardly, I said,

"...She has no experience."

"As expected."

"......!!"

The Virginity Acupoint checks if a woman is a virgin.

Manggyang had essentially asked me to verify her chastity.

As Mo Yong-yeon's face flushed with shame and humiliation on the verge of exploding, Manggyang continued leisurely.

"Miss Mo Yong-yeon. We've come to gain your cooperation. And we suspect you're hiding something."

At Manggyang's glance, I released her mute acupoint.

She cautiously looked around and said,

"What do you mean? Who are you?"

"I'm Manggyang, and this is Baek Woong."

"Release me!"

"We will. After confirming our suspicions."

Manggyang flicked his Five Fire Seven Plum Fan and said sharply,

"Be honest, Mo Yong-yeon. You suspect Young Master Nangong, don't you?"

"......"

"You treat him like a lover outwardly but refuse your body because you think he has ulterior motives. That must tie into the Nangong and Mo Yong Families' relations, and the secret of your Celestial Yin Body."

Mo Yong-yeon stiffened, her guess spot-on.

Manggyang pressed on.

"If I'm right, you're in an incredibly awkward position. Regardless of whether Jin So-cheong rescues you, you're essentially being sold off to the Nangong Family. So you want to confirm Young Master Nangong's true intentions, right?"

"Th-that's..."

Mo Yong-yeon lost her composure and said,

"Who are you to interfere in my affairs? I'm a proper descendant of the Mo Yong Family! I'm not pathetic enough to rely on mysterious strangers."

Manggyang provoked her.

"Pathetic... Then you're fine letting things proceed like this?"

"......"

"Think carefully. We have business with Jin So-cheong and came to share thoughts with you. Help us, and it's mutual benefit. We also know the inside story of why you and Nangong Hwan came to the martial world."

Manggyang explained how Nangong Hwan leaked the Celestial Yin Body secret, leading to their pursuit.

Hearing that, Mo Yong-yeon's expression softened slightly.

"You have business with Jin So-cheong?"

"Yes. Our goals don't overlap, so we can aid each other."

Mo Yong-yeon pondered then said,

"How do you plan to confirm Young Master Nangong Hwan's true intentions?"

"Like this."

After Manggyang explained the plan, Mo Yong-yeon's expression showed she was hooked.

Nodding in conviction, she said,

"You're right. I suspect Soaring Heaven Sword Dragon Nangong Hwan."

"As expected."

Mo Yong-yeon sighed.

"The circumstances of my Celestial Yin Body secret leaking to the martial world are too suspicious. He claims it was a drunken slip, but it doesn't add up. So since becoming his lover, I've withheld my body."

"But this crisis is real. You think he's sinisterly plotting something, even at the cost of facing danger?"

"I don't know. He's to be my husband, so why go to such lengths..."

Manggyang chuckled.

"That's why we check. Just follow our plan."

"...Alright."

"Alliance formed. We'll work together soon."

We formed a temporary alliance with Mo Yong-yeon and devised the plan.

After withdrawing, we headed to an inn in Guanzhong city.

"With about a month left, now... Ah, not the time."

Manggyang rented a room and ordered chicken, but canceled moments later, saying,

"We must save time. Let's handle the other matter."

"Other matter? What?"

"To the ruins of the Light Star Immortal. We need the Three Emperors Inner Text's location."

"Ah!"

I sensed Manggyang was operating on a tight schedule, squeezing every spare moment.

Likely from past failures.

Past

Soon, Manggyang and I used Flight to head to Kongdong Mountain.

I'd never been, but inheriting Earth Immortal Manggyang's memories allowed precise arrival.

Per those memories, the Light Star Immortal's ruins were here, containing the legendary Three Emperors Inner Text.

Manggyang headed to a ruin at the mountain's edge and chanted a spell.

Past

Suddenly, the rubble-strewn ruin revealed a cave entrance.

Manggyang stared and said,

"Inside is the Three Emperors Inner Text."

"Shame you haven't entered before."

"Indeed. Last death was too rushed."

Muttering regretfully, Manggyang said,

"But if I'm right, we can finish in a day."

"I heard it took considerable time when you entered alone..."

"That was because the trip from Jinrang Valley was long, and my martial arts and spells were depleted. With you bringing me instantly, one day suffices."

"Hmm, fair enough."

We entered the ruin cave.

Taiji symbols were engraved sporadically, emanating strong spiritual energy.

Unlike exploring demon ruins, no evil aura—just sacred power.

Wooo...

Soon, Manggyang's expression soured.

"Oh no! The formation is shifting."

Manggyang said in alarm,

"Baek Woong. Use Intent Severing Blade to break that formation over there."

"Got it!"

Kwang!

I drew sword aura from my Dark Demon Sword and swung, collapsing one cave side.

Following Manggyang's directions, I smashed spots while advancing.

After about an hour of struggle, Manggyang panted,

"Huff... Huff... Almost there."

"Really?"

Wiping sweat from his chin, Manggyang muttered,

"Breaking the formation isn't hard. But lacking power, sticking to orthodox methods took months. I suffered here, eating and sleeping in the ruins. Now, with you smashing unnecessary parts, we're nearly done."

"......"

Manggyang's past confidence in obtaining the Three Emperors Inner Text stemmed from such ordeals.

Finally, dismantling the last formation ended the long maze, revealing an exit.

Following the pure white light, we emerged to a crimson scroll floating midair, radiating divine glow.

It brimmed with immense power at a glance.

"That's the Three Emperors Inner Text."

Manggyang muttered and reached out unhesitatingly.

Shriirirk

Upon touch, it rippled like water, sucked into his fingers.

Once fully absorbed, Manggyang's pupils dilated as if struck by lightning.

For about thirty minutes, he stood rigid.

Then, crimson spiritual energy flowed from his body.

Manggyang gathered it in his palm, clenched his fist a few times, and grinned.

"Excellent! Now I'm the master of the Three Emperors Inner Text."

"Well done."

Indeed, his spiritual energy had advanced tremendously.

Sorcerers are judged by spiritual energy strength; Manggyang's, once ordinary, now visibly potent—like a martial artist instantly reaching peak expert via fortune.

"One step closer to the goal."

Manggyang's eyes gleamed.

"Perfect timing. Right now, I'll impart the Thousand Gods Mirror spell to you, Baek Woong. After, the schedule aligns perfectly."

"Thousand Gods Mirror?"

"A secret art in the Three Emperors Inner Text. Unknown to any Daoist or Immortal in this world."

Manggyang smirked.

"Like a downgrade of the Direct Energy Nourishment? You'll gain much from it."

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