Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

Han Baekyeong scanned me up and down as if trying to probe my depths, her eyes suddenly lighting up.

“Impressive skills indeed. Your internal energy is extraordinary...”

“Before a Dharma Protector, I'm no more than a firefly before the sun.”

“That's not true. It's merely the difference between ocean and river.”

“......”

Han Baekyeong, who had made the peculiar analogy, puffed on her pipe and spoke.

“Who are you? In the Thunder God Style at its peak, I'd never seen anyone like you.”

“Do you think I've returned to my youthful prime?”

“I'm not that old. You've mistaken me for someone who's returned to youth.”

As I answered, Han Baekyeong fell silent and stared right through me. Then she suddenly tossed her pipe at me.

The pipe seemed slow, almost hovering in midair. But in truth, it carried an absurd force that shattered space as it flew. What my eyes saw wasn't its true position—it was surely an illusion created by her Intent Severing Technique. In that instant, I saw through the move, gritted my teeth, poured all my power into my sword, and struck back.

Boom!

A massive explosion rang out. I was flung backward, tumbling across the ground, while Han Baekyeong retrieved her pipe with realm-transcending grasp and walked toward me.

“That was my signature move, Sword Soul One Hand. I put my all into it just now.”

She said coldly.

“Even the super peak experts of the martial world can't defend against that strike—their meridians rupture throughout their bodies. Yet you blocked it head-on without a scratch on your weapon. That means your current internal energy is the best in the world, excluding the Dharma Protectors.”

“Urk.”

“And you don't seem to have taken any internal injuries. Remarkable internal energy.”

Han Baekyeong, marveling as she spoke, continued coldly.

“The only one in the current martial world with such internal energy is Divine Victory Monk. And yet you claim it's not a return to youth?”

“Believe it or not, that's the case. I simply had a fortuitous encounter with spirit medicines.”

“Hmm.”

Han Baekyeong readjusted her pipe and said.

“Very well. If the Cult Leader acknowledges you, I have no choice but to follow. But if anything harmful befalls me or the Fire God Style, I will never forgive you.”

“......”

“Rest well.”

Whoosh!

Han Baekyeong vanished in a trail of flames. That must have been the Fire God Style's secret divine technique I'd heard about from Mangyeong before—the Fire Shadow Phantom Step. It was said to be an exquisite footwork, profound in its elegance yet backing ultimate offensive power.

“'Rest well,' she says. As if I could rest easy.”

I grumbled inwardly but realized the Cult Leader's summons were extraordinarily unusual. The distance from Luoyang to Jangryeong Valley was considerable, yet Han Baekyeong had come personally to see me. It meant I was someone worth their attention. Perhaps the Cult Leader had heard directly about making me a Dharma Protector. Her actions had been a way to probe a suspicious newcomer while keeping me in check.

Once Han Baekyeong was gone, I went to the maid waiting outside. She had fainted from the earlier explosion and was unconscious, so I injected her with some internal energy to wake her. As the maid barely sat up, I sighed.

“You're lucky to be alive. You know a bit of martial arts yourself.”

“The previous Valley Lord taught me. But that explosion was too powerful.”

It was understandable. She'd already had internal injuries from before, which I'd treated along with my own. An ordinary person might have died from the energy blast, not just fainted. I considered it fortunate it ended there and said.

“Anyway, let's go to General Hwang Yeon now.”

“Yes.”

Following her guidance, I headed to General Hwang Yeon's residence. He was dressed in white, quietly reading a book, and closed it as I arrived.

“You're here.”

“How's your health, General?”

“I'm fine. The air here is good, and the food is delicious.”

After replying, Hwang Yeon gazed at me steadily and said.

“It seems you've been caught by the White Lotus Cult Leader as well.”

“Embarrassing as it is, yes.”

“Sigh... Can you tell me how it happened? Suddenly receiving the White Lotus Cult Leader's backing to rival the imperial court feels too abrupt.”

With no choice, I explained to Hwang Yeon how I'd been captured by the White Lotus Cult Leader. He listened to the end and said.

“It's a blessing in disguise for both of us? You've risen in the White Lotus Cult, and I've unexpectedly gained the aid of the martial world's strongest force.”

“Don't joke. The Cult Leader is only keeping me alive for amusement. The moment they tire of me or find me useless, they'll kill me.”

As I recoiled in response, Hwang Yeon chuckled.

“You're not the only one. Who among the Nine Sovereigns and Eight Emperors of the Central Plains can escape the White Lotus Cult Leader's grasp? You're just closer than the others.”

“Hmm...”

“With someone of that caliber, it's better to win them as an ally than make them an enemy. That's why the Great Ming Dynasty's court has never touched the White Lotus Cult in Gansu Province since its founding. Every Cult Leader could assassinate the Emperor at any time.”

“Sigh, I have no idea what to do going forward.”

Hwang Yeon chuckled and handed me a book.

“What's this?”

“One of the Seven Martial Classics, the Sima Method. I had nothing to do while waiting for you, so I read it. The previous Valley Lord here must have loved books—it's stacked with tomes from ancient and modern times, East and West.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“The Sima Method is a military strategy book. How is that useful to me?”

“Heh heh.”

Hwang Yeon said nothing, merely laughing. With no choice, I tucked the Sima Method into my robes, and only then did he continue.

“You complain about your situation, but I can sense you're harboring a hidden dagger within. As long as you don't give up, a path will open. Keep your mind steady and achieve a good outcome.”

“Understood.”

“I'll do my best in my own way.”

I took my leave from Hwang Yeon. The general seemed determined to view the situation positively somehow. In a way, it truly was a blessing in disguise for him. But I couldn't share that optimism.

My heart ached! My neck ached!

I'd luckily reclaimed the Heavenly Dark Secret Book thanks to the Cult Leader's whim, but losing teleportation and storage was a devastating blow. Not to mention, I'd lost not just the treasures but everything to the Cult Leader! Thinking of them casually using the spirit medicines and demonic scriptures made my blood boil.

“I want to kill myself and restart right now.”

But I held back. As long as I lived, I could make a comeback somehow. And the longer I survived, the more information I'd gather, benefiting future lives. I resolved inwardly to endure the humiliation and loss and survive as long as possible.

For now, I had to cut off contact with Mangyeong completely. He'd luckily escaped the Cult Leader's clutches so far, but who knew for how long. If I reached out first, the Cult Leader might ensnare him too, so I had to avoid it. I had no choice but to focus on life in the White Lotus Cult for the time being.

It would be better to seek Mangyeong only at a critical moment.

“The Valley Lord summons you.”

The next day, at the Cult Leader's call, I headed to the Jangryeong Valley Lord's office. Upon arriving, I was shocked to see unexpected figures standing there.

“......!!”

Dugojun, Yong Bicheon, Han Baekyeong!

The White Lotus Cult's three Great Dharma Protectors stood arrayed beside the Cult Leader. In that moment, I realized Han Baekyeong hadn't been the only one in Jangryeong Valley yesterday. All the Dharma Protectors, including her, had come at the Cult Leader's summons.

The place had become a dragon's lair and tiger's den. As I swallowed hard under the pressure, the Cult Leader spoke slowly.

[Baek Woong. I didn't mention it yesterday, but thanks to the black and white lotuses you had, the Young Cult Leader has lifted the curse and awakened.]

“C-Congratulations.”

[Moreover, the treasures you possessed will be very useful. You can be said to have rendered great service to the cult itself, so I bestow upon you the position of Thunder God Style Dharma Protector and grant you the Heavenly Spirit Pill.]

Hearing that, I glanced at the other Dharma Protectors. They showed no reaction, suggesting it had been discussed beforehand. But their gazes weren't kind, so I quickly prostrated and replied.

“Thank you!”

[Follow Yong Bicheon, assist with the Wind God Style's duties, and return to the main altar. You'll receive the Heavenly Spirit Pill upon return, so give it your all.]

Yong Bicheon?

I felt uneasy but replied loudly for now.

“Understood.”

The White Lotus Cult Leader said, seemingly satisfied.

[From today, the White Lotus Cult's reign over the world begins. Assist me with all your strength to achieve the cult's ultimate goal.]

“We obey!”

“We obey!”

Han Baekyeong, standing at attention, spoke to the Cult Leader.

“Cult Leader, shall we go to the Flame Spirit then?”

[Yes.]

The Cult Leader soon departed somewhere with Han Baekyeong. It seemed they were using the Flame Spirit Hearth to return to the main altar, meaning the Cult Leader wouldn't linger in Jangryeong Valley. Han Baekyeong had come as the Fire God Style representative to escort them as a sign of respect.

The meeting with the White Lotus Cult Leader ended. As the Dharma Protectors dispersed, Yong Bicheon approached me and said.

“Follow me.”

His tone was calm, despite me being from the hated Thunder God Style. So I walked with him and asked.

“I'm from the Thunder God Style, yet you're not annoyed?”

Yong Bicheon replied meekerly.

“As the Cult Leader said, with the Young Cult Leader's strange illness cured, the White Lotus Cult's world domination is already reserved. Why bother caring about the Thunder God Style expelled fifty years ago?”

“......”

“In the past, you might have been our rivals, but not anymore. The Wind God Style hasn't been idle for fifty years—we've built power incomparable to yours. Even if the Thunder God Style returns to the cult, you'll forever be underlings. Don't dream in vain.”

I felt my insides boiling.

“This bastard...”

As a Thunder God Style warrior, I read the contempt in his tone. No matter my lack of attachment to the style, I couldn't feel good hearing such an obnoxious attitude. Moreover, didn't I have a huge grudge against Yong Bicheon? So I snapped curtly.

“Whatever the mission, I wish it didn't involve working with you.”

“I'd prefer that too, but alas. You and I must go together.”

“What mission requires a world-class Dharma Protector to step out personally?”

At my question, Yong Bicheon paused before answering.

“We're forming an official alliance with the Twelve Laws of the Eastern Martial World!”

“......!!”

The Twelve Laws?!

Why were they coming up now? I panicked but soon grasped the situation.

“'The White Lotus Cult's constraints on entering the Central Plains are gone. So before dealing with the greatest obstacle, the imperial court, they're allying with the biggest variable in the outer regions, the Twelve Laws. It would be trouble if they became enemies!'”

It was something I hadn't seen before, but apparently, I'd just missed it—the Cult Leader had assigned Yong Bicheon the alliance mission. After pondering, I asked again.

“So it's just forming an alliance—why do I have to go?”

“You annoying bastard.”

Yong Bicheon growled.

“The Twelve Laws Lord is a superhuman owner of profound martial arts, one even the Cult Leader doesn't underestimate. And his three masters under him are extremely powerful too. It's dangerous if ambushed there, so we need a small elite group.”

“Hmm...”

I let out a groan.

“'The Twelve Laws is that formidable, huh.'”

Yong Bicheon was a half-immortal level powerhouse as Wind God Style Dharma Protector, fearless in the world. Yet he felt burdened and afraid to go alone to the Twelve Laws Lord's presence, wanting to bring even one more expert. It meant the Twelve Laws Lord's martial arts might surpass even a Dharma Protector's.

“Then your son, Yong Jungil, is coming too?”

“Yes.”

“Rumors say you dote on your son, yet you're bringing him. Planning to protect him if things go south?”

I taunted as much as possible. Yong Bicheon irked me so much that I wanted to scratch at him, even if it led to a fight. But Yong Bicheon merely chuckled.

“Heh heh. Quite the opposite. My son is the most reliable.”

“......?”

What did that mean?

As I tried to ask, Yong Bicheon finally lost his temper.

“Ah, shut up. We're departing right now—pack your things and follow!”

“...Got it.”

Damn bastard.

If I die unjustly in the Twelve Laws, I'll definitely send you to the afterlife too.

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