Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

The spell from the Heavenly Scripture that Mangyang spoke of was the Spirit Summoning Art. To me, already familiar with spirit possession, it felt strange why I needed the Heavenly Scripture's spells. After all, couldn't I just possess Yeo Dongbin for most things?

Mangyang then said, "Yeo Dongbin's power is mighty, but unreliable. He's ultimately a being of the Heavenly Realm."

"Hmm."

"Moreover, the uses of the Heavenly Scripture are endless beyond mere martial prowess. Once you master it, you'll understand."

Right there, I learned the Heavenly Scripture's cultivation method and spell deployment. Normally, this alone would take months, but Mangyang used the spirit energy of the Three Emperors' Inner Gate to imprint the explanation directly into my mind, allowing me to grasp the essentials. After about four hours of alternating rest and practice in a desperate transmission session, I returned to the Guanhong Inn with Mangyang.

"Hmm. We could keep watching from the shadows like this... but first, let's head to the Shadowless Gate."

"That would be best."

I went to the Shadowless Gate with Mangyang. I figured training was better than idling around Guanhong pointlessly. During the remaining time, I meticulously passed on Jang Sambong's insights to Geomma and learned spells from Mangyang.

Mangyang's teachings sank in effortlessly. I found learning spells easier and more enjoyable than before. Meanwhile, I didn't forget to feed Black and White Lotus pills to Mangyang and Geomma to boost their internal energy.

Then, with just days left in the month, we returned to Guanhong to monitor Jo Manor and wait for Namgung Hwan to make his move.

'Namgung Hwan's on the move.'

It seemed they were starting out on horseback. We overtook them slightly and arrived near Hangu Pass around sunset—the time when Jin So-cheong was supposed to appear to rescue Namgung Hwan, as per the original timeline.

Clang!

"Ugh, hand over the Celestial Yin Physique!!"

"Stand down!"

Jin So-cheong's spear swept horizontally, scattering silver light, sending three or four first-class experts flipping through the air. Numerous exchanges were happening in a short span.

Sure enough, Jin So-cheong was locked in battle with a swarm of martial artists. Hiding about thirty paces away, I observed his fight and couldn't help but marvel.

"No waste at all."

At this point, I'd surely win a head-on clash against him. But separately from that strength, Jin So-cheong's martial arts were incredibly refined, without flaw. Though his internal energy and enlightenment were lacking to fully unleash his potential, it was clear a great vessel had already formed. I could also tell how much he was holding back.

If Jin So-cheong went all out, the twenty or so martial artists surrounding him would end up as bloody messes on the ground. None among the gathered could handle him.

Mangyang said, "Time to step in. This is our chance."

"Got it."

Step.

I walked forward. The situation was tense, with no casualties yet—experts encircling Jin So-cheong and Namgung Hwan's group. As I emerged slowly from the pitch darkness, one martial artist shouted.

"Who's this punk? Get lost..."

Thwack.

He flew back instantly, punched in the face and knocked out. Attention snapped to me, and two or three first-class experts attacked in unison, as if on cue. The one I'd just sent flying was renowned in the jianghu, so they sensed something off.

'Hmph.'

I caught the incoming whip tip with my finger and infused power. The wielder's shoulder dislocated from the rebound, twisting his face in agony. Without stopping, I smashed the sword- and saber-wielders charging with Thunder Cloud Soft Fist's Arhat Kick.

Crack!

They sank without a scream, felled in one strike. It could have burst their skulls, but I held back to just concussions and knockouts. As I coldly scanned the surroundings, the other experts hesitated, not daring to rush me.

Short as it was, the gap in our levels was etched clearly in the arena.

"W-Who are you?"

I replied curtly. "Can't you tell? An expert."

"......"

"Cut the crap and shut up."

Snap.

"Argh."

Unable to bear the insult, he lunged, but a finger flick sent him tumbling like a frog, out cold. He couldn't even read my Finger Snap Gong, yet he was suicidal. Seeing things going south, a pale-faced man stepped forward from the group.

"Are you a rejuvenated elder? Which sect's renowned senior has graced us...?"

I glanced at him and instantly recognized him.

'Strongest among this lot. Definitely the Lust Demon, that freak maintaining youth through yin-yang harvesting arts.'

I remembered. The mob that tried to gang-rape Moyong Yeon back then had gathered trusting in the Lust Demon's skills. Even now, his arts were at the peak realm, far above Namgung Hwan. He was hiding his claws for a fisherman's profit, but he couldn't fool my eyes.

I said to the Lust Demon, "What if you know? Your reckless rampage has thrown Guanhong into chaos."

He replied cautiously to my words. "Could you be... Wudang's Dragon Name Child?"

Dragon Name Child?

The mob didn't know the name, tilting heads puzzled. But I knew it well. And I realized this Lust Demon was well versed in hidden jianghu eccentrics.

'Probably guessed from my young age, swordsmanship, and internal energy.'

My arts mixed Wudang flows, aiding his hunch. Feeling no need to explain, I quipped lightly. "How about you all scram now? I might open the slaughter precept today."

"Heh heh... Tough luck."

Whoosh.

Grumbling, the Lust Demon fled without looking back. Even as the strongest here, he didn't hesitate to run. No wonder he roamed the jianghu so long despite being a public enemy and wanted criminal.

"Chase and crush his skull!"

I considered pursuing but gave up. Trash like him wasn't the priority. Instead, I roared at the flustered martial artists the Lust Demon had abandoned.

[Anyone not gone by the count of three dies by my hand!]

"Ugh...!!"

[One! Two!]

Before three, reactions split two ways: those gripping weapons to charge, and those fleeing blindly. Twelve rushed me—all first-class experts.

[Three!]

Swoosh.

"Charge!"

Seeing them come, I inwardly scoffed. After showing such a gap, they still dared? But my youthful appearance probably made them underestimate me. Or their low level blinded them to the difference.

Murderous glint in my eyes.

'Fine. You want death? I'll grant it.'

Thud thud thud!

It happened in an instant. Of those leaping with strikes, five heads severed simultaneously. Just a thin blade-gang compression, but none detected the speed or path. As lines broke, I dashed in, drawing long blade-gangs.

Each sword swing split flesh, spilled blood, tore the world. My blade never paused; enemies died screaming-free in the slaughter. By the technique's end, twelve were down to two, frozen in terror.

"Gasp..."

"S-Spare..."

Clang!!

As I swung to send the last two to the afterlife, Jin So-cheong intervened, blocking with his spear infused with qi. But the vast internal energy gap left his hands numb.

Jin So-cheong said, "That's enough. Stop killing!"

"...Fine."

I withdrew. But inwardly, I felt uneasy.

'Jin So-cheong, these scum tried to gang-rape a woman, torture her to death, and kill you. Need to save them?'

I wanted to tell him. But current Jin So-cheong knew nothing. Words would mean zilch. Sighing deeply, I said to him.

"Jin So-cheong, I've been wandering in search of experts. If you're game, spar with me?"

He tensed, raising his spear. "Sure!"

After agreeing, Jin So-cheong tilted his head. "But your arts are Thunder God Style, Successor?"

I ignored the question, saying only what I needed. "If you win, I promise safe passage for Namgung Hwan and Moyong Yeon. But if I win..."

"Win how?"

"You grant one request, anything."

"...Agreed."

Jin So-cheong assumed stance. Though superior, I didn't take him lightly, properly setting my guard. We vied for first move with intent realms.

Wooong—

I thought I could still press him, but suppression was tough. Jin So-cheong, purely defensive, desperately matched distances—not an easy foe. Gritting teeth, I overreached with Jang Sambong's ultimate arts.

Kaaang!

Space warped as Dragon Hole Strike flew. Caught off guard, Jin So-cheong yielded ground; I gained distance advantage and pushed. Internal energy and enlightenment gaps let me seize momentum in fifty exchanges.

But each striking blow, he blocked flawlessly. Seeming desperate failing, yet efficient defense. By a hundred, two hundred exchanges, I couldn't land a decisive hit, just kept attacking.

Impatience crept in.

Clear level gap, yet so hard to crush!

Thud.

My kick finally sent Jin So-cheong flying after four hundred twenty exchanges. From definite disadvantage, his energy depleted, allowing the hit.

'Phew!'

Relief washed over me inwardly. Jin So-cheong rolled on the ground, springing up gasping.

"...Why hold back?"

"What're you on about."

"Don't play dumb. That kick could've killed me."

True. I'd spotted a fatal gap, so kicked. My transcendent internal energy, fully infused, might've exploded his upper body.

Arms crossed, I replied, "It's a bet. I just won."

"Urk."

Jin So-cheong looked frustrated. Enduring four hundred twenty with Thunder Name Dao, yet lost. But I'd sweated more. Admiring his endless grit inwardly, I pulled out a large black obsidian.

"Take this."

"...This your request?"

"Yes."

"Can't! How can I accept something so suspicious..."

Coldly, "Not honoring the bet?"

He pondered, chin in hand. Then, "No. My mistake. I'll take the black stone."

"Not black stone. Obsidian."

"Obsessed with weird names."

As grumbling Jin So-cheong took it—

Flash.

"Urk...!"

His face twisted bizarrely. No wonder: the large obsidian held my 17 reincarnation journeys, plus Jang Sambong's insights and Dokgo Seong's Thunder God Style swordsmanship. Swallowing that volume stunned him.

Moments later, Jin So-cheong spoke. His expression wholly changed, fully inheriting past-life memories.

"...Baek Woong. Approaching me like this means you've decided to abandon Master?"

Namgung Hwan and Moyong Yeon behind him looked baffled. As I opened to reply, Mangyang emerged from the tree, shouting.

"Jin So-cheong, think! Even not killing Lee Gwang outright shows Baek Woong's restraint, right?"

"......!!"

Jin So-cheong ground teeth. Flustered by the shift yet quickly grasping reality, eyes sharp. Glancing at Mangyang, he said.

"So you won't touch Master?"

"Of course. No gains for him, no harm either. Lee Gwang lives as before."

Mangyang continued coldly. "We need you. With you, Baek Woong advances."

"I see... So that's why this happened."

"Forgive us."

Jin So-cheong sighed. "Is mutual understanding impossible for all?!"

"......"

I had nothing to say.

I understood his position. Deep love for his master made him want to help Lee Gwang too. But Lee Gwang's pettiness made it impossible now. His past deeds bore fruit.

"Then, best wishes ahead, Baek Woong."

"Likewise."

Swoosh!

Greetings done, next instant, Jin So-cheong pressed his spear to Namgung Hwan's throat.

"W-What, friend?!"

Namgung Hwan panicked; Jin So-cheong said coldly. "Friend? Hardly."

"What...?"

"'Past me' knew your nature but chose pretty optics. Reckless action risked dragging me, Master, and Thunder God Style into your mess. But now Baek Woong's ally, I'll act as I see fit."

Namgung Hwan's face hardened at Jin So-cheong's words.

"You destroyed eight mid-small sects mockingly, kidnapping beauties for Namgung Family basement, right? Dark alleys buzz with rumors."

Bombshell info dropped.

"......!!"

Mangyang, listening beside, said to Jin So-cheong—already suspecting, "From Divine Maiden Sect intel?"

"Yes."

"You knew the suspicions yet saved Namgung Hwan?"

To Mangyang's rebuke, Jin So-cheong sighed. "Thought rumors, jealousy smears on righteous prodigy. Lingering unease, planned personal Namgung probe post-this."

Ah, that explained Jin So-cheong's occasional training breaks for outings.

"Just excuses."

"...Excuses. 'Till now, I avoided others' affairs. Couldn't burden Master with huge issues I couldn't handle. That's Jin So-cheong's limit."

Jin So-cheong looked depressed.

Not heroic righteousness, but human melancholy.

Unable to watch, I said, "Enough! It's done. Focus on from now."

"Baek Woong, you forgive me?"

"No forgiveness needed—you won't err ahead. Don't worry."

Firmly stated, I glared at Namgung Hwan. "Verify facts first, then talk."

Anticipation built.

Finally, a chance to properly use Six Harmonies Battle Array and Eight Trigrams Seal.

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