Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

And the White Lotus Leader said to me.

[ I need to take a look at your martial arts, so follow me. Let's have a spar. ]

"Understood."

It was a relief that the Leader still didn't know the secret of my reincarnation. He just thought I was bold, unaware that I was anxious without the Heavenly Dark Secret Book. I steeled myself to endure the White Lotus Leader's probing, but my chest felt tight.

On the way to the training grounds with the Leader, I saw the martial artists from earlier kneeling. The Leader paused to look at them and said.

[ From today, join the White Lotus Cult and pledge your loyalty. ]

"Yes?!"

[ An emissary from the main cult will come soon to handle the initiation rites. ]

The martial artists looked troubled. Their flustered expressions showed they had no idea this gathering was for joining the White Lotus Cult. One middle-aged warrior stood and shouted.

"Valley Lord! What do you mean? We acknowledge your incredible martial prowess, but were you with the White Lotus Cult all along?"

[ And if I was? ]

"Th-that... You could have given us some warning to prepare our hearts..."

His voice trailed off weakly. He seemed resentful but cowed by the overwhelming gap in skill. He knew the Leader could slaughter them all in an instant and turn the place into a sea of blood if he wanted.

The White Lotus Leader replied with amusement.

[ Is being part of the White Lotus Cult shameful? If you want to speak of a warrior's honor, step forward, and I'll respect that. ]

Silence fell. No one moved, not even lifting their heads. They knew stepping out meant being torn apart in one exchange. The Leader continued in a somewhat benevolent tone.

[ Worry not. You will come to see today's events as the greatest fortune in the world. Since I personally took you in, I'll give you special care. ]

"Th-thank you!"

"Thank you!"

"Long live the Valley Lord!!"

Cheers erupted. The Leader walked on, ignoring their shouts as if they meant nothing. As I followed silently, he said.

[ I took them in for fun, but they seem utterly useless. ]

His words sent a chill through me. It meant he could wipe them out anytime. I said cautiously.

"Are you going to kill them?"

[ I said I'd look after them—why would I? They'll just receive punishment fitting their incompetence. ]

"-....-"

[ Even in our cult, only the capable survive—not to mention Central Plains folk. ]

No emotion showed in the Leader's firm words. The vast gap made him view ordinary martial artists like insects. Soon, we reached a spacious training ground, and the Leader crossed his arms.

[ Come at me. I need to see how far you've mastered the Thunder God Style. ]

"Please guide me with one technique."

I inwardly thought this was fortunate.

A one-on-one spar with the White Lotus Leader!

If I could gain something here, it would be pure luck. I drew my sword, took a deep breath, and slowly entered a focused state. Then, I unleashed a swift strike.

Shiiik

The Bending Void Slash compressed space in an instant, slicing toward the Leader. Unlike my previous brute-force strike loaded with raw energy, this maximized the technique's subtlety. It was like laying groundwork rather than an all-out assault.

Sensing its momentum, the Leader said calmly.

[ Interesting martial art. ]

Whiirrl

The Bending Void Slash warped space, making it hard to dodge or block. But the Leader pressed down the distortion as if playing, then unleashed a light palm strike from his right hand. It was a slow attack, testing me, but I sensed its world-shattering potential.

Realizing I couldn't block it head-on with my current power, I deployed the Annihilation Soul Step. Escaping the palm force's range at tremendous speed, the Leader floated ten formless qi blasts in the air and fired them at me.

Thud thud thud thung!

I unleashed the Thunder God Sword Dance's ultimate techniques continuously, firing fifty slashes from my stationary position. My breath grew labored, but I could still endure. As I withstood the qi blasts, the Leader said.

[ You're not using the pure Thunder God Style martial arts. You've learned others. Can you tell me their origins? ]

I sighed.

"Even if I hide it, you'll find out anyway, right?"

[ True, but asking permission makes a big difference. ]

"I obtained the Wudang Sect's Jang Sam-bong's Seven Great Arts."

[ The Seven Great Arts! ]

Knowing concealment was pointless, I explained the Seven Great Arts in detail. The Leader listened with interest, then exclaimed in admiration.

[ Indeed, True Man Jang Sam-bong... Excellent martial arts. They rival mine. It would have been good to live in his era. ]

Muttering that, he continued.

[ But that's not all. You have something more, especially a profound realm in your footwork. Tell me that too. ]

He wanted me to bare everything.

With no choice, I replied.

"It's the Three Treasures Absolute Art."

[ Three Treasures? ]

"A wondrous technique using the principles of Seven Star Phantom Shadow to suppress heaven, earth, and man. But it's just a concept—I'm still training it."

[ Demonstrate it once. ]

"Alright."

Swish swish swish

I executed the Three Treasures Absolute Art to the best of my ability. After showing what I understood, the Leader seemed amused.

[ Hahaha... Are you trying to make me laugh? It's a complete mess. ]

"-....-"

His frank amusement crushed me. Even after over three months of training, was I still so far off? The Leader continued.

[ I get the idea. The concept is apt and brilliant—once perfected, it'll be a supreme art. But as is, it's just random dancing, unusable in practice. ]

"...I know it's still imperfect."

[ Heh. You developed a generational art, yet your own talent holds you back from training it... ]

The Leader sobered and said.

[ Fine. Hand over the Seven Great Arts' incantations. I'll master your Three Treasures Absolute Art and teach it to you. ]

"... Really?"

[ Yes. As I see it, you'll never even grasp one tenth of it in your lifetime this way. ]

"Th-that much..."

I felt wronged. Even so, saying I'd never master it was harsh, wasn't it? Didn't Jin So-cheong research and learn it in a month? But I couldn't argue—it came from the world's strongest martial artist.

"Then I ask your guidance."

Reluctantly nodding, the Leader said.

[ One more thing. ]

"Please speak."

[ Among your possessions, one baffled me—its purpose unknown. This one. ]

Flick. He pulled something from his robe and tossed it. Catching it, my eyes widened.

Heavenly Dark Secret Book!

I'd worried how to get it back, and he just handed it over!

[ I thought I knew the two-legged ones' language well, but I couldn't make sense of it. What is it, and where did you get it? ]

Stunned, I stared at him.

"Isn't this a demonic scripture?"

[ No idea. From your tone, you don't know either. ]

"-....-"

I sighed inwardly in relief, but doubts arose.

As expected, the Leader, who interpreted Museng Nomo's sutras, knew much about two-legged races and demonic scriptures. Yet even he couldn't grasp the Heavenly Dark Secret Book's nature. I recalled even Zhuge Sa couldn't decipher it before—this felt profoundly significant.

What is the Heavenly Dark Secret Book?

What is its true nature?

'One thing's certain: he must never learn it enables reincarnation!'

This was my chance. Miss it, and no guarantee I'd reclaim it from him! But act suspiciously, and his sharp instincts might uncover its value. Hiding my excitement, I casually tossed it to the ground.

"Whew, it's trash after all."

[ What? ]

"I got it from some nameless cave thinking it was a demonic scripture... Unlike others, it had no power, so I just kept it. If even you don't know... I'll have to discard it."

[ Hmmm... ]

"Burn it yourself. That'll put my mind at ease."

The Leader tilted his head, then said.

[ That'd be a waste. Just take it. ]

"I don't really need it..."

[ Figure out its purpose exactly and report to me. I'll count it as great merit. ]

Pretending reluctance, I replied.

"Yes. I'll do my best."

[ Good. ]

"Haa..."

Inside, I was overjoyed, but outwardly sighed.

'Now my reincarnation chance is secured!'

No more trailing him indefinitely! I could suicide for reincarnation again when the moment came. Suicide wasn't pleasant, but having the option versus not was worlds apart. I'd seize any opening.

But not now. Besides his watchfulness, this was my shot at the Heavenly Spirit Pill. Best to grab what I could and assess.

After reciting the Seven Great Arts' incantations, the Leader seemed to memorize them in his head. Then he said.

[ Can you say it once more? I can't commit it all at once. ]

"Yes."

Reciting again, I found it odd.

'The Seven Great Arts are long, but geniuses usually memorize them in one go.'

Maybe the Leader's intellect wasn't genius-level. After transmission, he pondered deeply as if memorizing. Then he said.

[ Go rest today. I'll assign tasks tomorrow. ]

"Yes."

[ If you want to see Hwang Yeon, ask the maid for his quarters. ]

"I have no real ties with him."

The Leader snapped irritably.

[ You're both my pieces—get acquainted. ]

"... Understood."

He showed consideration for subordinates, but only for their utility. In truth, he ruled them strictly and thoroughly, lacking human warmth. I was gradually grasping his nature.

Leaving the Leader to study the Seven Great Arts alone, I went to the maid. She waited outside the grounds, and we headed to General Hwang Yeon. As I followed, I asked her.

"Aren't you surprised by the sudden change in master?"

"I was... but the Valley Lord often said he could die young anytime, so prepare."

"I see."

Zhuge Sa had foreseen his short life. Thus, he planned to wander the world via magic after death, unattached to his mortal span. As I inwardly nodded, the maid said.

"Before General Hwang Yeon, there's someone you must meet."

"What do you mean?"

"The Valley Lord's direct subordinate told me in advance. Bring Baek Woong when there's a chance."

"......?"

Her meaning dawned when she led me to a room.

"You're Baek Woong?"

"Ugh..."

I groaned.

Before me stood a black-haired beauty, doll-like, her jade hands on the table holding a long pipe. Normally, one would admire her peerless beauty, but I'd seen her face many times and knew her identity.

Moments later, her eyes gleamed.

"I came to see the new Heavenly Spirit Pill owner chosen by the Leader."

"It's the Leader's decision—I know little."

"Who asked?"

Bluntly replying, she tapped the pipe on the table.

"I'm curious why the Leader is me-admitting the Thunder God Style."

Indeed.

Sitting before me was Han Baek-ryeong, the Incarnation Style's Guardian Lion!

She must have come here seeking the Leader, who had suddenly moved to the Central Plains' Dragon Spirit Valley.

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