Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

Afterward, the negotiations with Han Baekryeong proceeded meticulously under Mangryang's lead. Mangryang revealed information about me and Jin So-cheong, and explained the circumstances that had forced us to annihilate the Nangong Family.

Han Baekryeong, who had been listening, spoke up.

"The Nangong Family's depravities were unknown to me. Had I known they were such heretics, I would have destroyed them myself first."

She continued in a low voice.

"Handle that matter as you see fit."

"Thank you. And in place of the destroyed Nangong Family, could you help raise a new family...?"

"Weren't there three requests?"

"It's an investment for the future. I've scouted someone who will be of great use to the Incarnation Style."

When she asked with evident interest, Mangryang chuckled and replied.

"I've found a man named Baek Ri-jeongun, the eldest grandson of the Baekri Family. His current martial prowess isn't high, but his intellect is sharp and his resolve firm—I believe he's usable."

"The Baekri Family. You're saying you want to raise the remnants of a fallen great family from Sichuan."

"If you wish, I can bring him here soon."

"No, that's fine. If someone of your caliber speaks so highly of him, he must be worthwhile. Strengthening Sichuan's martial world could be beneficial."

"Thank you."

I let out a low hum as I listened from the side.

"Hmm..."

Baek Ri-jeongun!

He was the man I had encountered in the past while traveling to Sichuan in search of Dongbang Mu-gyeol's whereabouts. The Baekri Family had once been a great house in Sichuan, but it had fallen into ruin, leaving only Baek Ri-jeongun to guard the crumbling buildings. He was so destitute he could barely afford rice. I remembered helping him refine his family's martial arts in exchange for information about Dugosong, who had secluded himself in Sichuan's Dragon King Valley.

At the time, I hadn't paid him much mind, but it seemed Mangryang had decided to recruit him. I resolved to ask for details later and focused on the conversation.

"Jin So-cheong. Is your master, Lee Gwang, also joining your plans?"

All eyes turned to Jin So-cheong. He answered calmly, without the slightest fluster.

"No. My master intends to oppose the White Lotus Cult until his dying breath."

"Hmph... So you're betraying your master's will, despite being his disciple."

"If my master's path were righteous, I would follow it with my life. But he himself cannot grasp what he lives for. That path leads only to emptiness and ruin, so as his disciple, I believe it's my duty to set him straight."

"......"

Han Baekryeong pondered his words with a surprised expression. Then she said.

"Jin So-cheong... What kind of man do you think Lee Gwang is...?"

"My master's life went astray from the moment Guardian Lion Yi Cheong-un died."

Jin So-cheong continued firmly.

"You, Han Baekryeong—practitioner of the Incarnation Style and friend of Yi Cheong-un—should understand what I mean."

"......"

It was an insolent remark to make to a White Lotus Cult Incarnation Style guardian. Indeed, Han Jin-seong, standing behind her, showed a flicker of disturbance in his expression, indicating his anger. No matter how skilled Jin So-cheong was, such words were not easily spoken considering a guardian's position.

Yet Han Baekryeong didn't grow angry. Instead, she fell deep into thought before saying.

"Very well. I'll watch and see."

At that moment, Mangryang interjected.

"Regarding the third proposal I mentioned earlier—when presenting the Black White Lotus, may we also have an audience with the White Lotus Cult Leader?"

"You'll need to explain its effects anyway. Of course, you may join us."

"Thank you."

We exchanged a few more words before leaving the Incarnation Style's residence. After exiting the Han Family compound, I tried to use the flying vessel right away, but Mangryang stopped me.

"The Incarnation Style is now paying close attention to us. We should use it later, in a place out of sight."

"Understood."

We blended into Luoyang's crowds and began shaking off our pursuers slyly. Jin So-cheong occasionally detected trackers and subdued a few. After about an hour, we found an opening and used the flying vessel to return to our base at Jinrang Valley.

Back at Jinrang Valley, I asked Mangryang.

"Mangryang. You never mentioned Baek Ri-jeongun to me. Was that a spur-of-the-moment idea?"

He shook his head.

"No. I'd already gone to Sichuan myself using the Earth Contraction Technique to meet him. I sensed his talent and capacity were exceptional, so I decided to bring him to our side. There's no better recruit than the heir of a fallen prestigious house."

"Hmm..."

"Originally, I planned to recruit Sa Gong-rin from the Sa Gong Family to serve as the foundation of the Anti-Heaven Alliance. The Sa Gong Family is much closer from here, and Sa Gong-rin's martial talent is top-tier. But there was a reason I couldn't."

Something clicked for me as I listened.

"Mount Tai Old Man?"

"Exactly. Sa Gong-rin is the disciple of Mount Tai Old Man—that is, the Imperial Shadow Guard's Vermilion Bird. He may not have told her anything, but their bond is strong enough for him to issue her an imperial token. Recruiting her would inevitably draw his attention."

I could tell from his words that Mangryang viewed the Vermilion Bird as a thorough enemy. He referred to him only as Mount Tai Old Man or Imperial Shadow Guard Vermilion Bird, never as his father. Mangryang's eyes gleamed.

"But Sa Gong-rin will still be useful when the time comes. We can use her to set a trap and catch the Vermilion Bird off guard."

"Use her...? She knows nothing."

"Now's not the time to consider her circumstances. The Vermilion Bird is an opponent we might barely defeat even combining my intellect, your abilities, and Jin So-cheong's talent. Let's win first, then worry about the rest."

"Hmm, alright."

Jin So-cheong, who had been listening, spoke up.

"Mangryang. What are your plans from here?"

"The first priority is uprooting the Nangong Family's roots."

Mangryang continued resolutely.

"With the Incarnation Style's permission granted, I'll use my information network to spread word of the Nangong Family's atrocities across the martial world and turn public opinion against them. Soon, they'll lose escort agency contracts and face disdain from righteous faction experts. When the Nangong Family tries to crush them with force, that's when you step in and assassinate their high-level experts."

"Understood."

"Just to be clear—show no mercy. They're nothing but obstacles in our path now, so eliminate them thoroughly."

Mangryang's gaze was fixed on Jin So-cheong. I understood the implication.

'Mangryang's worried about Jin So-cheong's prior acquaintance with the Nangong Family.'

It was a valid concern. From what I'd seen myself, the woman Nangong Min even seemed to harbor a slight fondness for Jin So-cheong. It was natural to worry whether someone with the great hero's temperament could stain his hands with a family's annihilation.

Sensing this, Jin So-cheong declared firmly.

"No need to worry."

"Got it."

With his firm assurance, Mangryang continued.

"Things will accelerate rapidly after joining the White Lotus Cult. On that note..."

His following words surprised me.

"The White Lotus Cult Leader will take not Baek Woong, but Jin So-cheong as a disciple."

"......!!"

"With the Cult Leader's martial level, he'll recognize Jin So-cheong's perfect mastery of the Three Treasures. He'll surely want to claim those subtleties for himself. And geniuses recognize geniuses—nothing to be done about it."

It left a bitter taste in my mouth. I'd vaguely expected as much, but hearing it from Mangryang made my mood sink further. Jin So-cheong, listening beside me, spoke.

"Doesn't that deviate from the original plan? Baek Woong needs to obtain the Heavenly Spirit Pill's secret himself for it to matter."

"We can adjust. Once you uncover the Heavenly Spirit Pill's secret, pass it to Baek Woong. It may be less efficient than direct experience, but it'll suffice. And there's a way to improve efficiency further."

"Then..."

"Yes. Baek Woong teaches you the black obsidian spell. Then you transfer it back to him via the black obsidian spell. Baek Woong, what do you think?"

Teach Jin So-cheong the black obsidian spell?

I pondered the idea. After weighing its feasibility, I finally replied.

"This spell knowledge is composed of the Yi Clan's language and magic. I understand it, but I lack confidence in conveying or teaching it in human language. It's a power gained through the Prophet's magic from the start."

"I figured as much. We'll have to negotiate further with the Prophet."

"Hmm. To obtain more demonic tomes, we'd need the Inner Emperor Horn's Nameless Sacrificial Scripture."

"That's not urgent, so let's think it over slowly. We'll gather treasures worthy of trading with the Prophet in time."

Mangryang continued calmly.

"There are many tasks ahead, but leave the miscellaneous ones to me. For now, focus solely on destroying the Nangong Family."

"Understood."

"We need to confer with the Sword Demon, so off to the Shadowless Gate."

Flash!

We teleported to the Shadowless Gate. We briefed the Sword Demon on the negotiations with the Incarnation Style, and he smiled contentedly.

"Well done. Then I'll proceed as planned."

"What are your intentions?"

"Well... I'll mobilize the Eight Demonic Sects to pressure the Nangong Family. And since I've finalized talks with Young Lady Moyong Yeon, I plan to ally with the Moyong Family and establish a new force in the Anhui region."

Mangryang nodded.

"Anhui will become part of the Shadowless Gate too."

"Haha, snagging this much profit is fine, no? Pressuring the Nangong Family was unthinkable for the Eight Demonic Sects before. The Five Great Families' bonds were too tight, and their own forces overwhelming—we never dared. Even now, it's a huge risk."

"Not at all. Follow your will, Sect Leader."

Mangryang replied readily, then said to the Sword Demon.

"And do you plan to meet with the Twelve Laws?"

"Of course. It seems you've already opened dialogue with them."

"From my talks with the Twelve Laws Leader, I've secured their commitment to accept the Shadowless Gate."

"You're way ahead of me. I'd only been mulling it over..."

"Displeased?"

"Quite the opposite—it's convenient. With a strategist like you, I would have conquered the martial world long ago."

The Sword Demon gave a wry smile before saying.

"Hmm... Yes. Jin So-cheong. May I witness the subtleties of the Three Treasures you've newly mastered?"

"Certainly."

Soon, the Sword Demon and Jin So-cheong faced off on the sparring platform. Having seen Jin So-cheong demolish the Nangong Family barehanded up close, I couldn't help but favor him. But the Sword Demon had also inherited Jang Sambong's ultimate arts, so I didn't expect the same overwhelming dominance as against Nangong Family Head Nangong Myrong.

Flash.

Moments later, their first exchange clashed. The air on the platform trembled with the spatial distortion echoing from the sonic boom.

Splatter.

Blood like a thin thread meandered from Jin So-cheong's fist. He stared at the wound impassively, then drew his spear.

"Urgh!"

I let out a groan. For him to draw his spear after just one exchange held great significance. He hadn't needed it even while barehandedly razing the entire Nangong Family. For him to deem it necessary now meant the Sword Demon had grown that strong.

Facing the spear-wielding Jin So-cheong, the Sword Demon showed faint signs of cold sweat. He murmured lowly.

"Incredible... Just how far have you climbed? Breaching the Three Treasures' gaps seems impossible."

Jin So-cheong replied.

"Your realm is impressive too, Sect Leader. You haven't grasped the Seven Star Evasion's subtleties, but you've mastered linking the other ultimate arts. To self-teach it in such a short time—remarkable."

"Hmm... No good. I lack confidence in surviving three death lines."

The Sword Demon sighed and lowered his sword.

"I yield."

"A fine match."

Victory decided after a single exchange. Martial artists might scorn it as pathetic, but knowing the transcendent realm, I understood the conclusion stemmed from precise calculations.

The Sword Demon fell short of Jin So-cheong but could land a counter after surviving mortal peril. The odds were too low for a friendly spar, so he conceded.

'Amazing experts...'

I couldn't help but admire them. United, these two could even defeat a guardian. And if I obtained the Heavenly Spirit Pill's secret, that dream would become reality.

Descending the platform, the Sword Demon said.

"Baek Woong. Later, impart the same teachings to me as Jin So-cheong. I earnestly request it."

"Uh... Even if you say that, it requires an enormous black obsidian..."

The Sword Demon nodded.

"Fine. I'll search for black obsidian mines as best I can. If needed, I'll buy one outright. Just wait."

"......"

The Sword Demon seemed dissatisfied at losing to Jin So-cheong in this spar. It was the first time I'd seen the ever-calm Sword Demon like this. Jin So-cheong's prowess evidently stirred competitive fire in fellow experts.

After the spar, Mangryang pulled me aside.

"Baek Woong. Let's launch the full assault on the Nangong Family in seven days. Until then, leave the pressure to me and the Sword Demon."

"Hm? Any particular reason?"

"You need to train at Jinrang Valley. You must grow stronger."

Mangryang's eyes sparkled.

"Now, I'll teach you the true application of the Heavenly Scripture spell."

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