Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

I rode the Four Not Images and brought Yi Cheong-un to the front of the Azure Dragon Martial Hall. Looking at the Azure Dragon Martial Hall's signboard, Yi Cheong-un let out a hollow laugh.

"To think the day would come when a direct disciple of the Thunder God Style Patriarch opens a martial hall in the Central Plains!"

"Life is full of surprises."

"Haha, coming from you, that really rings true."

Pa-at!

Yi Cheong-un, who had been laughing heartily, entered the main gate without hesitation. Not wanting to draw attention, he vanished like a bolt of lightning, and I had to chase after him belatedly with the Annihilation Soul Step. Yi Cheong-un's instantaneous speed far surpassed the Annihilation Soul Step, leaving me inwardly amazed.

'The Annihilation Soul Step is already an extreme pinnacle technique among super-peak standards, yet he's even faster than that.'

The Thunder God Transcendent Soul truly seemed an absurd realm. By the time I arrived at the Crouching Dragon Hall a few breaths later, the door was already open. No doubt Yi Cheong-un had strode right in.

It was early evening now. The candles were lit, but it wasn't fully dark yet. In that leisurely twilight hour, I witnessed the scene of the Thunder God Style master and disciple facing each other. Yi Cheong-un greeted him with a grin.

"Gwang-ah. Have you been well?"

Lee Gwang stood frozen in the corridor, facing Yi Cheong-un. Silence simply lingered in that state.

"......"

Lee Gwang's expression was as if he were possessed by a ghost, blinking vacuously without any particular action. Or rather, it was more accurate to say he couldn't act. It seemed a profound mental shock had overwhelmed him, like the time he fell ill from a clash of values in the past.

It took about five breaths for Lee Gwang, who had been standing there with his mouth agape, to regain his senses. He scanned his surroundings warily.

"...A ghost? Is there a sorcerer nearby who could bewitch me to this extent?"

At the attitude that seemed to dismiss him, Yi Cheong-un replied cheerfully.

"If there were such a person, I'd love to see them! Gwang-ah, do I look like a ghost to you?"

"Master... I collected your body myself... There's no way you'd be here."

Muttering as if brainwashing himself, Lee Gwang slowly raised his spear. I could feel ferocious killing intent gathering at its tip. In this narrow corridor, if Lee Gwang thrust his spear at full power, few in the world could dodge it. Even I would struggle to block such an attack.

But Yi Cheong-un provocatively said,

"Let's see how much you've improved. Come at me once."

"Ha-at!"

Pyu-ung!

The air split fiercely. It was the result of Lee Gwang's spearhead, accelerated to the extreme and infused with Thunder Spirit Gang Qi, exploding forth. This absolute strike concealed the techniques of Na (Seize) and Chae (Strike), making it a terrifying lethal blow.

Tu-ung!

However, in that split second, Yi Cheong-un flicked the spearhead with his finger and pressed his finger to Lee Gwang's philtrum. Yi Cheong-un's speed had outpaced the spear tip's—an unbelievable feat.

Lee Gwang had perfectly exposed his vital point, so in one exchange, he was defeated. If Yi Cheong-un flicked his finger now, Lee Gwang's head would fly.

"......!!"

As Lee Gwang stiffened rigidly, Yi Cheong-un withdrew his hand and smiled brightly.

"You punk, your skills are worse than I thought! Have you been slacking off instead of training?"

"This can't be..."

Yi Cheong-un persuaded him,

"Who else besides me could subdue you in one exchange with the Thunder God Style martial arts? Of course, only your sky-like master, right?"

"......"

Lee Gwang's face was frantic, unable to deny reality yet forced to believe it. He then cautiously said,

"I can't believe it. Master, your dantian shattered back then, and I confirmed your death before burying you. No human could survive that."

"You're right. I definitely died then."

Yi Cheong-un continued,

"But since our school's Heavenly Spirit Pill is the power of the gods, you must believe in miracles born of divine power... I succeeded in reviving with a meillenia-old lotus."

"I can't believe it!"

Lee Gwang growled fiercely, gripping his spear again. A savage aura flickered in his eyes.

"Bullshit!"

"What will you do if you don't believe? Then who is this standing before you, if not the Thunder God Style Dharma Protector Lion who achieved the Thunder God Transcendent Soul, Yi Cheong-un?"

Lee Gwang couldn't respond.

"Hahaha."

Yi Cheong-un laughed mischievously and said,

"Gwang-ah! How have things been with Jeong Yun-bo and Beom Gyu?"

"...Who the hell are you!"

Lee Gwang unleashed another absolute strike at Yi Cheong-un. This time, it seemed more refined, unleashing four variations with advanced techniques. It concealed cunning changes that even I, knowing, one couldn't avoid.

However, Yi Cheong-un leisurely raised his hand, then in the next instant twisted Lee Gwang's arm, snatching the spear from his grasp. It was a speed unbelievable even after seeing it. Yi Cheong-un irritably said,

"This is really annoying. Proving one's resurrection..."

Lee Gwang gritted his teeth and glared at Yi Cheong-un.

"Even if Master has revived, why come now? All this time, I've... the Thunder God Style has..."

Yi Cheong-un scratched his head.

"I see... It must have been tough for everyone."

Regaining his reason, Lee Gwang replied—his speech shifting to semi-formal due to the skill gap. After all, Yi Cheong-un was undoubtedly a transcendent expert.

"Whoever you are, leave. Don't appear before me again. I can't believe in resurrections."

"I can't do that."

"What?"

Yi Cheong-un's eyes turned icy in an instant.

"Gwang-ah. Seems you've forgotten my temper after all these years."

"Wha..."

Ppeok!

In the next moment, Lee Gwang was struck and spun two and a half times in the air before crashing down. He executed a landing technique upon hitting the ground, but Yi Cheong-un charged in and kicked him in the stomach.

"Keok!"

Lee Gwang spat blood and rolled on the floor.

"I tried being nice, and you've truly lost all manners. There's plenty to discuss calmly, yet here you are? You've changed nothing with age."

"Ugh... Wait..."

Yi Cheong-un grabbed Lee Gwang by the collar, yanking him up and growling.

"One who abandons human decency is worse than a beast. Didn't I tell you that countless times?"

At those words, Lee Gwang's expression cleared as if awakened. Those words must have been a memory only he would recognize.

"You really... are Master..."

Yi Cheong-un irritably retorted,

"How many times do I have to say it before you get it?"

Lee Gwang bit his lip and said,

"Still, I can't believe it... Something like that... really..."

"...Sigh, I suppose so. It's hard to believe right away."

Releasing Lee Gwang's collar, Yi Cheong-un continued,

"Then tell me. If I truly am Yi Cheong-un, what would you ask of me?"

"...Then I would boldly request that you gather and lead the Thunder God Style once more."

"Even gathered, we couldn't defeat the Cult Leader."

"But..."

Yi Cheong-un sighed meik-appointedly and said,

"Gwang-ah. You've become a sly, suspicious old man with age... Do you think I don't know you're inwardly accepting me as real while testing me?"

"......"

"Are you really my disciple?"

Ku-rung!

It was then. With thunderous sound, a flash seemed to erupt from Yi Cheong-un before me. As if every fiber of his body had become Thunder Spirits, massive lightning bolts exploded repeatedly. At the same time, a will transcending intent resonated and echoed.

[Do you think the Thunder God Style Patriarch is so shallow as to be swayed by such tricks?]

The earth trembled and shook. Under that immense pressure, I—and Lee Gwang—shuddered and were overwhelmed. The Central Plains' top experts had their movements sealed by Yi Cheong-un's mere presence.

This was the Thunder God Style's Dharma Protector Lion!

'Monster...!!'

Even when hearing the tales of his fight with the Cult Leader, I hadn't fully believed, but now I understood. Before us was truly the strongest in Thunder God Style history, the Dharma Protector Lion Yi Cheong-un.

"Huhk..."

Stunned, Lee Gwang staggered back. Regaining his composure, he said,

"W-Wait. Give me some time to think!"

[Bullshit...]

"We can at least talk."

Seu-seu-seu

As Lee Gwang pleaded, Yi Cheong-un withdrew his aura. Smiling satisfiedly, he said,

"Good. Then, with no time to waste, let's hear what happened."

His attitude shifted quickly. As soon as Lee Gwang accepted, Yi Cheong-un sat at the table and explained how he revived, introducing me beside him. After listening for about the time to eat a meal, Lee Gwang eyed me suspiciously.

"You can revive the dead just by praying to the gods?"

"Yes."

"And you're Master's new disciple..."

I hadn't told Lee Gwang about being a reincarnator or anything about the Zhuge Clan. Officially, I was a successor of the Thunder God Style wandering the world who coincidentally revived Yi Cheong-un. Yi Cheong-un's eloquence left no room for doubt.

Soon, Yi Cheong-un continued,

"Baek Woong will now become the Thunder God Style's Dharma Protector Lion and distract the Cult Leader. Meanwhile, you and I will gather the Thunder God Style experts."

Lee Gwang said reluctantly,

"I still can't believe you're my master."

"Hmm, can't be helped."

Yi Cheong-un gave a wry smile and said,

"I'll explain everything. You must have many questions, but we can't keep Baek Woong long. We shouldn't arouse the Cult Leader's suspicions, so let's send him off soon."

"Understood."

Pa-at!

I rode the Four Not Images from the spot and returned to my quarters in the White Lotus Church. Lying on the bed in my quarters, the Zhuge Clan voice spoke in my mind.

[They'll handle things from here. You focus on intensifying your Dual Soul Great Law training.]

Hearing that, I retorted absurdly.

[Sure, I'll train. With the Cult Leader's eyes everywhere and receiving martial arts training from him, do I even have time for Dual Soul Great Law? The first time was clueless practice, but master is a whole different level.]

The Zhuge Clan replied as if wondering why I worried.

[You'll see when you try. Keep drawing your bow for now.]

[Got it.]

A few days after arriving at the White Lotus Church, the Cult Leader summoned me again. Answering the call to the audience chamber, the Cult Leader said,

[Baek Woong. The Three Treasures Absolute Arts interpretation is nearly complete.]

"Yes..."

I could only hide my reluctance.

[You've waited long. I called you now that you're ready to learn, so from today, cultivate it diligently.]

So it was just my slow learning pace before? I felt fortunate to learn the Three Treasures Absolute Arts from the White Lotus Cult Leader, yet uneasy. It was the realization that the mysterious, absolute being wasn't purely a genius, and that he was hiding something from me.

Just before training began, the Zhuge Clan said to me,

[Baek Woong. While training under the White Lotus Cult Leader, operate the formula as I say.]

[What...]

Before I could respond, events unfolded before me.

Wuuu...

[Now, Baek Woong. Watch closely—]

"......"

The White Lotus Cult Leader began demonstrating the Seven Great Ultimate Arts slowly before me. As a warm-up, and to show his achievements, naturally, I had to concentrate without missing a single demonstration, so the Zhuge Clan's words flustered me.

[What are you saying? I need to focus fully, yet operate the formula?]

Operating the formula meant diverting mental focus. A genius might manage, but with ordinary talent, it'd jumble my mind. And during such a solemn transmission of ultimate arts?

[No backtalk. Do as I say. It's a simple application of the Dual Soul Great Law.]

Damn it!

The White Lotus Cult Leader could repeat demonstrations if asked, but the reverse was impossible. From his view, asking for repeats after his effort would seem ridiculous and arrogant, likely disappointing him. But since the Zhuge Clan handled my reincarnation plan, I had no choice but to obey.

Wuuung.

My body's meridians resonated. Reciting the incantation the Zhuge Clan taught and moving qi and blood, my meridians stirred familiarly, and I felt my nerves splitting. It was as if my body was cleaved in two by a famed sword.

It splits!

Soon, I was watching' myself with another pair of eyes, as if not myself. More precisely, viewing the White Lotus Cult Leader's Seven Great Ultimate Arts demonstration felt like through another's gaze. And behind that, I sensed myself freely thinking. I was startled by this state change.

[No way, this is...]

[You've used Two Forms Formula applications while cultivating Mysterious Heaven Divine Art, right? Same principle. With Dual Soul Great Law, operating Two Yi Divine Art becomes easier. Because Dual Soul Great Law surpasses the Wudang School in handling the mind.]

I let out a groan at the Zhuge Clan's words.

'Amazing.'

Indeed. Just by operating the formula, I could now do two things simultaneously! The Zhuge Clan added unnecessarily,

[With your talent, it'd take five years normally, but possible thanks to the contract with the Wall-Hitting Prodigy.]

[I see.]

[You can do two things at once or double efficiency.]

Soon, the Cult Leader's Three Treasures Absolute Arts lecture began, but I could start Dual Soul Great Law training inwardly too. Not mere distraction—full maximum efficiency on two tasks simultaneously, without confusion. Like using two brains?

[... Baek Woong. Understood?]

After fully hearing the Three Treasures Absolute Arts lecture, I pondered deeply. Then said,

"I'm sorry. I don't understand."

[I'll explain once more today. But from tomorrow, no repeats.]

"Yes..."

He explained again, but still incomprehensible. Like learning from Jin So-cheong.

[Then I have church duties, so I'll go.]

The Cult Leader, seeming disappointed by my reaction, tossed a command to train diligently until tomorrow and left. Quite irresponsible for a master, but he didn't seem the type to spend much time on the dull-witted.

Left alone, the Zhuge Clan said pityingly,

[Turns out now's not the time for Dual Soul Great Law simultaneous training. Better to double Two Yi Divine Art efficiency for Three Treasures Absolute Arts training speed.]

"......"

Though my training speed doubled, I couldn't shake the miserable feel.

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