Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

After deliciously devouring the chicken ginseng soup, we left the White Lotus Cult and headed to the Azure Dragon Martial Hall. Lee Gwang had already returned to the Azure Dragon Martial Hall, and he greeted us in the Crouching Dragon Hall with a sullen expression.

He had heard the recent developments from Jin So-cheong and now glanced at me.

“That Bask Woong has become a Dharma Protector Lion of the Thunder God Style?”

“Yes.”

“It’s certainly fitting in terms of skill… but I can’t fathom the Cult Leader’s intentions.”

Muttering to himself, Lee Gwang spoke up.

“So, what’s the reason for coming to me?”

“We need to show the Cult Leader evidence that we’re unifying the Thunder God Style. Only then will he reveal the secret of the Heavenly Spirit Pill.”

Lee Gwang spoke firmly, his eyes gleaming sharply.

“The Heavenly Spirit Pill grants infinite internal energy. Handing it over to you three out of the blue is far too generous a condition. Moreover, it directly upends the power balance that’s been steadily maintained in the White Lotus Cult all this time. I don’t believe for a moment that the Cult Leader would propose such terms in his right mind.”

Lee Gwang’s words made sense.

Mang Liang, who had been listening from the side, then spoke.

“I believe it’s possible, Elder.”

“Why do you think so, Mang Liang?”

“Consider this: As the head of the Water God Style, the Cult Leader has ample reason to make the Fire God Style and Wind God Style uneasy. By strengthening the Thunder God Style, he can naturally sound the alarm for their factions, thereby securing his own authority. He might even think that to bolster the lagging Thunder God Style’s power, there need to be about three owners of the Heavenly Spirit Pill.”

At Mang Liang’s words, Lee Gwang replied incredulously.

“Nonsense. Most successors of the Thunder God Style harbor deep grudges against the White Lotus Cult itself. You think the Cult Leader would tolerate the variable of three hostile Heavenly Spirit Pill owners emerging? Now that the Young Cult Leader has been healed and is poised to enter the Central Plains, why risk it? It’s all pie in the sky.”

“Your words hold true in the usual sense, Elder…”

Mang Liang trailed off before continuing.

“But the story changes with intelligence that the Cult Leader has a very strong obsession with the Thunder God Style’s ultimate secret art.”

“What did you say?”

“He’s only asked us to gather the Thunder God Style successors for now, but ultimately, he plans to have them research the ultimate art to complete the Thunder God Spirit Soul. I believe his scheme is to advance his own martial arts one step further through the owner of the completed Thunder God Spirit Soul.”

“…!!”

Lee Gwang’s face showed genuine shock. It was likely a perspective he had never even considered before. The White Lotus Cult Leader, already possessing invincible martial arts throughout the world, coveting the Thunder God Style’s supreme art—and even using it as a foundation to enhance his own? For Lee Gwang, who had been expelled from the White Lotus Cult over fifty years ago, it was undoubtedly unimaginable.

Mang Liang pressed on.

“Moreover, the Cult Leader’s current prowess is at a level where he could single-handedly eliminate three or even five Heavenly Spirit Pill owners. Even Wind God Style’s Dragon Flying Squadron was suppressed by a flick of his finger and dropped to the ground—he’s no longer human.”

“That powerful…”

Lee Gwang let out a low groan, his face etched with deep contemplation. Then he spoke.

“In other words… that bastard is confident he can handle us no matter how strong the Thunder God Style becomes?”

“Most likely.”

“Kukuku… Kuhahaha!!”

Lee Gwang suddenly burst into mad laughter. He laughed for a long while without stopping, his eyes turning bloodshot as he said.

“Fine, excellent… If he looks down on us that much, we must show him what we’re made of! I’ll drill it into him that thinking he can control the Thunder God Style is a grave delusion!!”

Unlike his previous passive and skeptical attitude toward allying with the White Lotus Cult, Lee Gwang had now completely shifted to an aggressive stance. It stemmed from facing the reality that the Cult Leader utterly disregarded the Thunder God Style. As a direct lineage of the founder, being dismissed to this extent could only ignite unparalleled fury.

“He’s fired up.”

I swallowed a silent groan inwardly. Once Lee Gwang got like this, no one could stop him. It was his temperament—unforeseen malice, cruelty, and genius that would crush opponents no matter what. It was also the pillar that had allowed him to survive alone in the turbulent martial world.

Regaining his composure quickly, Lee Gwang said.

“I’ve identified a total of three Thunder God Style successors. Gather them all at the Azure Dragon Martial Hall within seven days and nights.”

“I’m sorry, but who are they?”

“One is Geuk Ho. He’s the legitimate successor of the Annihilation Soul Step, disguising himself as a pillar gentleman in a Guanghong brothel. So-cheong has seen him before.”

Jin So-cheong gave an awkward smile.

“He’s a free spirit.”

“Another is Beom Gyun. He’s known in the martial world as the Demon Spear and operates in the northern regions.”

Mang Liang exclaimed in surprise.

“Demon Spear Beom Gyun! One of the top three spear experts in the north is a Thunder God Style successor?”

“That’s right.”

“Hmm… Astonishing.”

“The last is in Luoyang. Jeong Yun-bo, the bodyguard warrior for the powerful minister Yan Song.”

Mang Liang tilted his head at Lee Gwang’s words.

“I know the powerful minister Yan Song is currently a treacherous official corrupting the court. But how did a Thunder God Style successor end up as Yan Song’s bodyguard? And his name seems completely unknown in the martial world…”

Lee Gwang gave a bitter smile.

“The reason he’s by Yan Song’s side is that the lamp’s light is darkest underneath. No one touches you if you’re one of Yan Song’s men. And Jeong Yun-bo isn’t some nameless foot soldier.”

“What kind of person is he?”

“He’s a member of the Thunder God Style’s Ghost Soul Squadron and a master of the Revolving Fist.”

Everyone was stunned by Lee Gwang’s additional words.

“His fist art surpasses mine.”

“…!!”

“He’s merely uninterested in spreading his fame in the martial world, so he serves as a bodyguard. Even Yan Song cherishes his skills and treats him with utmost respect.”

For the arrogant Lee Gwang to admit someone else’s fist art was superior! Given what I knew of his pride, it was almost unthinkable. Hadn’t even the Sword Demon of the Shadowless Sect been someone he usually looked down on?

In that instant, I gauged Jeong Yun-bo’s prowess from Lee Gwang’s words.

‘A Transcendent Peak Expert!’

His overall martial might might fall short of Lee Gwang’s, but he had undoubtedly ascended to the ranks of a transcendent master. The term “transcendent peak expert” meant an ultimate powerhouse within a fraction of an inch of the pinnacle in the world’s martial arts—truly astonishing. I hadn’t expected a Thunder God Style successor to be of such caliber.

With Lee Gwang revealing this much, he had practically bared his hand. Accordingly, Mang Liang brought up his own information.

“Elder. Actually, we’ve also located Elder Dokgo Seong.”

“Really!”

“Yes. Would you accompany us to persuade him?”

Lee Gwang nodded readily.

“Of course! With Elder Dokgo Seong’s help, this will be much easier.”

“…...”

I felt a twinge of annoyance at how smoothly things were progressing. It was a petty emotion akin to spite. Matters that once demanded blood, sweat, and head-splitting effort were unfolding effortlessly, evoking a sense of absurdity.

What truly irked me was that it all stemmed from Lee Gwang cooperating so readily. Just him not exploding in defiance and simply helping normally resolved so much.

‘Damn it! You’re truly like an onion, you bastard.’

Why did layers keep coming no matter how much you peeled?

The scariest part was the possibility that Lee Gwang still had more cards up his sleeve. At this point, it wasn’t dislike so much as nausea. As I stood dumbfounded in bewilderment, Jin So-cheong spoke.

“I have one question.”

“What is it?”

“I understand that you and Elder Deng Guo, the head of the Pure Stream Society, are sworn brothers.”

“Mm, yes.”

“If Elder Deng Guo refuses to help even when the Thunder God Style is in crisis, what do you think the reason might be?”

Jin So-cheong possessed memories from my past life. He seemed eager to infer why the Thunder God Style’s plea for aid had been ignored by Deng Guo.

“…...”

Surprised by the unexpected question, Lee Gwang’s expression showed astonishment. He had likely never dreamed Jin So-cheong would ask him such a thing. But he quickly regained his composure and answered calmly.

“It would be a matter concerning the survival of the entire Pure Stream Society.”

“Survival?”

Lee Gwang nodded.

“The Pure Stream Society is a progressive opposition force that upholds staunch remonstrations and believes in governing the people according to righteous political principles. To the sovereign, they are no different from thorns in the eye. Yet the Pure Stream Society maintains considerable influence and endures because most capable officials flock to it. Purging it would paralyze state affairs and undermine the sovereign’s rule, forcing him to reluctantly accept their harsh criticisms.”

“I see.”

“Even so, before the sovereign’s absolute authority, the Pure Stream Society officials face the constant peril of annihilation. A single misstep could brand them as traitors, exterminating their entire clan. Thus, they are extreme principled purists striving for impeccable integrity. The Eastern Depot agents and Embroidered Uniform Guard are always bloodthirsty, hunting for their weaknesses.”

Pausing to catch his breath, Lee Gwang continued.

“I believe Brother Deng Guo would only refuse to aid me if it posed a grave threat to the Pure Stream Society’s survival.”

Mang Liang was impressed by Lee Gwang’s logical explanation.

“Truly remarkable. Few current officials grasp it to that extent…”

“As an imperial censor, you see and hear much. But why do you ask?”

Jin So-cheong answered straightforwardly without evasion.

“Actually, there are indications that Elder Deng Guo is under significant pressure from another faction in Luoyang. In that case, he might not be able to help.”

“Hmm… Which faction?”

“One capable of branding the entire Pure Stream Society as traitors.”

“That would only be the Eastern Depot or Embroidered Uniform Guard.”

“There’s one more. The Wind God Style.”

“…...”

After a moment’s thought, Lee Gwang realized.

“Those bastards have allied with the imperial palace. What a dogged combination.”

“Their bond seems quite solid.”

“Got it. Don’t worry—I’ll break their alliance. It’s easy with my connections.”

Grabbing his spear, Lee Gwang said.

“Then let’s move quickly. The sooner, the better.”

We took Lee Gwang on horseback and immediately headed to Sichuan. Upon arriving at Dragon King’s Gorge in Sichuan, a misty valley unfolded before us, and Dokgo Seong soon appeared.

“All of you are from the Thunder God Style? And you—you’re Lee Gwang!”

Dokgo Seong looked quite flustered.

Lee Gwang nodded.

“Yes.”

“Hmm… What brings you here?”

“Lend us your strength.”

Lee Gwang explained the developments so far and the Thunder God Style’s strategy. Dokgo Seong listened with initial curiosity, but his face gradually flushed with anger, eventually erupting in fury.

“Uncle!! How dare he disdain the Thunder God Style so!!”

Rumble!

Dokgo Seong’s face twisted into a demonic visage from intense rage, and a bolt of lightning struck from the clear sky. His intent surged momentarly, resonating with heaven and earth to draw forth thunderous energy. It was proof of his profoundly enlightened realm.

After calming his emotions, Dokgo Seong spoke.

“Understood. I’ll help you to the best of my ability. With the Heavenly Spirit Pill and ultimate secret art, we can surely slay the Cult Leader.”

“We’ll definitely succeed.”

With Dokgo Seong joining us, we began tracking down the Thunder God Style successors one by one, as per Lee Gwang’s instructions. First, at the Spring Scenery Pavilion brothel in Guanghong, we found Geuk Ho drunk in broad daylight. The moment Dokgo Seong saw him, he bellowed.

“You worm! Drinking in the daytime!”

“Eek!”

Geuk Ho startled, flailing before standing up. The intent and thunderous energy in Dokgo Seong’s shout were overwhelming. Sensing Dokgo Seong’s transcendent prowess in an instant, Geuk Ho spoke with a hint of fear.

“Gr… grand… no, Venerable Elder?”

“Sober up first. Your drunken stench is offensive.”

“Yes.”

Geuk Ho circulated his internal energy, expelling the alcohol through his fingertips. The flush vanished from his face, and the smell dissipated. Scratching his head, Geuk Ho looked to Lee Gwang beside him, who said.

“Geuk Ho. From now on, we’ll gather all the Thunder God Style successors.”

“What’s the matter?”

Lee Gwang briefly explained the situation. Geuk Ho’s expression turned subtle as he replied.

“Returning to the White Lotus Cult… Isn’t that straying from revenge?”

“It’s entering the tiger’s den to catch the tiger.”

“I’m reluctant. How can we seek revenge on our enemy with their help?”

“Trust me, Geuk Ho.”

“…...”

After deep thought, Geuk Ho let out a long sigh.

“Just kill me instead. I can’t do it. No matter the strategy, I can’t bow my head to the enemy.”

It was unexpected. The usually carefree and frivolous Geuk Ho displayed such unwavering resolve! Fox Girl’s assessment that he was a man of iron will had been spot on. Everyone’s expressions grew complicated at his words.

Lee Gwang nodded.

“Our bond ends here. Farewell, Geuk Ho.”

Geuk Ho cupped his fists toward Lee Gwang.

“Master Lee Gwang, thank you for everything!”

“Yeah.”

Whoosh!

After the farewell, Geuk Ho vanished using Annihilation Soul Step. Their connection severed in an instant. Both had recognized no room for compromise and swiftly parted ways emotionally.

Dokgo Seong grumbled irritably.

“Insolent fool! You think you’re the only one with grudges? We must repay them by any means necessary.”

“Calm down. People have different thoughts.”

Turning to me, Lee Gwang said.

“Then next is Beom Gyun. Let’s go.”

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