Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

The next day, I left Jinrang Valley together with Mang Ryang and Jin So-cheong. Cheon Woo-jin decided to stay behind to guard the valley while sealing the Jeon Gal Temple. We used our flying technique to slip into the city of Luoyang and secured separate lodgings. Mang Ryang ordered a cup of tea at the inn and spoke up.

“As I mentioned yesterday, I’m thinking of meeting Han Baekryeong right away, even today.”

“The reason for rushing is to slow down Hwasin-ryu’s response, right?”

“That’s right. It’s only been a day or two since the incident, so now is the best time. Hwasin-ryu has likely heard the news by now, but they haven’t grasped the full details yet, making this the perfect moment for negotiations.”

Mang Ryang continued after that reply.

“Negotiating with someone who has all the accurate information piled up is foolish. The ideal opponent is one scrambling with vague intel. We have to move before they uncover the full truth of the incident.”

The discussion from yesterday was already settled. He was bringing it up again just to double-check for any contingencies. I glanced at Jin So-cheong and thought to myself.

‘Well, with Jin So-cheong here, it should be fine.’

It might seem excessive for arts gained in just a month, but that wasn’t the case. Blessed with exceptional martial talent, Jin So-cheong had absorbed all my century-plus of martial knowledge and experience at once. In reality, his current state equated to more than a decade of dedicated, intense training.

Just in case, I brought it up.

“Mang Ryang. What do you think of Han Baekryeong?”

“What do I think? She’s a monster who’s returned to her prime despite her age.”

“Not that. In future reincarnations, could she become our ally?”

I had never truly crossed swords with Han Baekryeong up to now. On the contrary, over a dozen reincarnations, I’d received much help from her. Perhaps we could even share the obsidian with her.

“Hmm...”

Mang Ryang pondered unexpectedly at my words. Then he replied.

“There’s a possibility. But there are uncertainties, so I can’t guarantee it yet.”

“Uncertainties?”

“She’s a woman who adapts fluidly to situations. Sometimes that makes her easy to talk to and straightforward. But she never carelessly abandons her own gains. If things get dire, I have no idea what choice she’ll make. Unlike us, she has a massive faction she must protect.”

“Hmm...”

Of course, Han Baekryeong abandoning Hwasin-ryu was impossible.

“Bae Woong. Remember this. Being easy to talk to doesn’t mean she’s trustworthy. Whether you can trust her or make her trustworthy is a separate matter.”

“Got it.”

It felt like I’d just learned a valuable lesson. As I mulled over the worldly wisdom in Mang Ryang’s words, Jin So-cheong spoke up.

“Let’s order a chicken. I’m starving.”

“Sounds good!”

“Let’s eat.”

Jin So-cheong and I readily agreed, and soon the chicken dish arrived. The fried chicken that came out as a side was a delight, but suddenly Jin So-cheong poured the accompanying spicy-sweet sauce over it. Shocked, I said to him.

“Whoa! Why are you pouring it?”

Jin So-cheong looked baffled.

“Because it seemed like it’d taste better that way...”

Then Mang Ryang bellowed in outrage.

“What nonsense! You dip it to eat it properly.”

“Is that so...?”

As Jin So-cheong and I expressed our regret, the passing innkeeper chuckled and said.

“Haha. It tastes good whether you dip or pour. Eat up.”

I grumbled at that.

“Ugh... Dipping is the tasty way.”

But since Jin So-cheong had already poured the sauce, we had no choice but to eat it as is. Ordering another felt like a waste of money. We finished the stir-fried chicken and had another steamed chicken before leaving the inn.

When we arrived at the gates of the Han Family manor, I sensed the presence of Xuan Yuan Disciples lying in wait, just like before. I hadn’t noticed it much back then, but now that my skills had reached the transcendent realm, my senses clearly picked up their level. They were right around what the martial world called first-class.

Sure enough, sensing that Jin So-cheong and I were no ordinary foes, the Xuan Yuan Disciples dropped their concealment and blocked the gate. The lead one glared at us and demanded.

“Who are you?”

Mang Ryang waved his hand casually, trying to ease the tension, and replied.

“We’re here to see the head of the Han Family. We’ve brought a gift.”

“A gift? Tell us what it is first.”

“Sorry, but we can’t. It has to be delivered directly to him in person.”

“You’re uninvited guests. If you don’t state your names and affiliations, I advise you to leave.”

Ssssh.

As the Xuan Yuan Disciple finished speaking, presences stealthily revealed themselves from various spots. I could see first-class and peak experts watching for any opening. Mang Ryang chuckled and responded.

“I’m Mang Ryang of the Bancheon Alliance. Didn’t you hear I delivered a gift to Young House Lord Han Jin-seong recently?”

“Hmm...”

The Xuan Yuan Disciple glanced back in confusion. In the rear stood Qi Long Divine Lord, the highest expert among the Han Family’s guests, who also looked taken aback. He stepped forward as the guest representative, clasped his hands toward me, and said.

“Please wait while we verify the facts.”

At Qi Long Divine Lord’s signal, a Xuan Yuan Disciple swiftly dashed inside. Moments later, Han Jin-seong, the young house lord of the Han Family, emerged. Spotting Mang Ryang, his eyes lit up. He clasped his hands toward Mang Ryang.

“I’m Han Jin-seong. I received the previous gift well, Bancheon Alliance Leader.”

Murmurs.

The Han Family guests stirred in surprise. They had assumed we were intruders and prepared to drive us off, only to learn we were actual visitors. At Han Jin-seong’s subtle gesture, the guests concealed their presences and withdrew inside. Han Jin-seong smiled faintly and continued.

“We were a bit rude. But with the ominous rumors lately, our vigilance is high. Please forgive us.”

“Hmm, no offense taken. But what ominous rumors?”

“We can discuss that inside.”

“Understood.”

We followed Han Jin-seong into the Han Family manor. I quietly sent a transmission to Mang Ryang.

[Was wandering around before this all preparation?]

[Haha, of course. I’ve already established Bancheon Alliance’s base in Luoyang and laid groundwork with the Han Family. Today’s visit will go smoothly.]

Mang Ryang had everything prepared. Impressed inwardly, I followed him in. Han Jin-seong led us to a serene chamber. He invited us to sit, and soon broached the main topic.

“We received the gold bars sent for the Bancheon Alliance’s founding celebration. My apologies for not reciprocating, as we didn’t know your location.”

Mang Ryang must have used the gold bars I’d given as startup funds. Mang Ryang smiled and replied.

“Haha, no worries. The gift we’re delivering today is the real deal.”

Han Jin-seong’s eyes gleamed slightly.

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Of course. We’d like to present it directly to the house lord.”

“I act with the house lord’s authority. Giving it to me is the same.”

Mang Ryang smirked and said.

“It seems too weighty a matter for the young house lord to handle.”

“What gift makes you so confident...?”

Han Jin-seong continued, somewhat bewildered.

“This may be rude, but our main house has considerable wealth, so gold bars aren’t major gifts. Still, the sincerity in sending them is rare, which is why I’m meeting you. Keep that in mind.”

That made sense. From the intel we’d gathered, the Han Family and Hwasin-ryu commanded mid-plains-level financial power. They could support all Five Great Families with plenty left over and had bribed many high officials in Luoyang—enough wealth to fill a room with gold. Han Jin-seong’s words held no exaggeration.

Mang Ryang burst out laughing.

“Hahaha! Naturally, we know that. Everyone in the know is aware the Han Family is a hidden tycoon. That’s why we’ve brought a treasure today that no amount of gold or wealth could buy or replace.”

“Hmm... What is it?”

“As I said, we won’t reveal it without meeting the house lord directly. But we stake our lives that it’s a treasure even he would covet.”

“......”

Han Jin-seong pondered briefly before saying.

“I’ll arrange for you to meet the house lord. But you’ll be held accountable for those words.”

“Of course.”

Being held accountable meant they could kill us if the gift disappointed. Knowing this was essentially Hwasin-ryu’s mid-plains stronghold, home to their Dharma Protector Lion, it sent a chill. Not to mention the peak experts from Hwasin-ryu lurking here?

But beside me were Jin So-cheong and Mang Ryang right now. That thought eased my mind and brought reassurance. No one in the world was more reliable to me than them.

Soon, we entered the innermost garden. There stood a stunning black-haired beauty, beautiful as a doll. I already knew she was Hwasin-ryu’s Dharma Protector Lion, Han Baekryeong. I’d met her multiple times before.

Han Baekryeong glanced at us and said.

“Who’s the Bancheon Alliance Leader?”

Her tone was rudely informal for a first meeting, yet no one in the hall objected. Everyone knew she had the qualifications. At her question, Mang Ryang stepped forward and clasped his hands.

“Bancheon Alliance Leader Mang Ryang pays respects to Hwasin-ryu Dharma Protector Lion Han Baekryeong.”

“......!!”

Han Baekryeong and Han Jin-seong’s faces stiffened instantly. The abrupt strike at the core left even Han Jin-seong unable to hide his expression. Han Baekryeong glared fiercely at Mang Ryang, sending out formless energy via intent, but Jin So-cheong and I blocked its influence with our power. Noticing this, Han Baekryeong wore a peculiar expression.

“Not bad. Are you all from Bancheon Alliance too?”

Unsure how to respond, I stayed silent. Best to leave it to Mang Ryang in times like this. Sure enough, he replied calmly.

“These two aren’t from Bancheon Alliance, but they’ve come to see the Dharma Protector Lion, just like me. For a very important matter.”

“What...?”

“First off, let me say one thing.”

Mang Ryang prefaced and continued.

“We wish to join the White Lotus Church. We’ve brought a tribute for that purpose, so please hear us out.”

“......”

Han Baekryeong thought for a moment before asking back.

“How did you know we’re the White Lotus Church and I’m the Dharma Protector Lion?”

“In building Bancheon Alliance, I gathered information. While investigating funding sources linked to the Five Great Families, I happened upon it by tracing the origins.”

“Hard to believe easily.”

Before Han Baekryeong could press further, Mang Ryang quickly added.

“There’s one more thing.”

“What?”

“I’m not entirely unconnected to the White Lotus Church either.”

“What do you mean?”

Mang Ryang gestured toward us and said.

“These two are Baek Woong and Jin So-cheong. Both are successors of the Thunder God Style.”

“......!!”

“I could only establish Bancheon Alliance with their help.”

Flinch!

This time, Han Baekryeong couldn’t hide her agitation. Understandably, she hadn’t anticipated Thunder God Style successors appearing here. She stared blankly for a while before speaking.

“I see. Aiming to revive the Thunder God Style? Then why did you touch the Nangong Family, Jin So-cheong?”

Jin So-cheong replied calmly to her question.

“I believe you know the reason. They brutally exterminated minor families, then abducted women and girls to make them sex slaves. That defies human decency and contradicts White Lotus Church doctrine, so we destroyed them.”

“......”

Han Baekryeong seemed deep in thought. After a long pause, she spoke.

“Jin So-cheong, even as the main lady, I can’t easily gauge your martial arts. You’re likely the top survivor of the Thunder God Style right now. How did you attain such skill at your young age?”

“I can’t disclose the secret to my martial progress.”

Mang Ryang clapped and interjected.

“Alright, that should suffice for preliminaries. Ready to receive our tribute now?”

Han Baekryeong sneered coldly.

“Hmph... Show it then. It had better match the value of the Nangong Family.”

“Who knows. I think it’s worth ten times that.”

“What?”

Mang Ryang kept the black-and-white lotus I’d given him in a neat wooden box. He pulled it from his bosom and respectfully offered it to Han Baekryeong. She snatched it from three zhang away with a vacuum grasp technique. Her face hardened upon confirming the black-and-white lotus inside.

“This is...”

“It’s called the Black-and-White Lotus. As you see, it’s similar to the White Lotus Church’s sacred lotus, but the difference is that black and white lotuses grow in the same pond. Their effects differ too.”

“What effects?”

“You can probably guess from the spiritual energy emanating from the black-and-white lotus.”

Mang Ryang chuckled and said.

“The black-and-white lotus possesses the power to dispel curses or demonic forces. I believe the Dharma Protector Lion can put this gift to good use.”

“......”

Han Baekryeong stared piercingly at the black-and-white lotus. Shifting her gaze back to Mang Ryang, she said.

“Any conditions?”

Mang Ryang could have negotiated while holding the lotus, but handing it over first made sense. He’d gauged her personality, knowing she’d reciprocate properly for what she received. Offering the item first as a sign of mutual trust would leave a better impression.

“Yes.”

“Speak.”

Mang Ryang took a deep breath and said.

“There are three main ones.”

“Greedy, aren’t you.”

“Considering the black-and-white lotus’s value, they’re not excessive requests. Rest assured.”

Han Baekryeong replied curtly, displeased.

“Hmph, out with it.”

“First, permit us to completely eradicate the Nangong Family. Second, help the Thunder God Style return to the White Lotus Church.”

“And the third?”

“Grant me an audience with the White Lotus Church Lord.”

Han Baekryeong glanced at Han Jin-seong.

“Jin-seong. What do you think?”

She rarely asked Han Jin-seong’s opinion. It showed how seriously she viewed this proposal. Han Jin-seong pondered deeply before replying.

“It seems acceptable.”

“Indeed.”

Han Baekryeong continued.

“We accept the proposal.”

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