Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

Paat!

As soon as we arrived in Kaifeng riding the Four Buddha Statue, a bustling commercial district caught my eye. This was the Jeongdu district in Kaifeng that the cult leader had mentioned, and the statue had brought me here right away when I told it. It was a different advantage from having to recall every place I'd visited in my head like with Bi Seung. I headed toward a place called Changgyeong Hall to meet my contact from the Jeongdu district.

On the surface, Changgyeong Hall was a martial arts dojo. But when I showed the gatekeepers the badge of the Thunder God Style's Dharma Protector Lion, their eyes changed instantly, and they said,

"We've been waiting for you."

"This way... "

As I followed them inside Changgyeong Hall, there sat a man in his forties. He rose from his seat and clasped his hands in greeting toward me.

"I am Changgyeong Hall Master Sangmun. It is an honor to meet the Thunder God Style's Dharma Protector Lion."

"You're from the Water God Style too?"

"I belong to the Water God Style's Outer Hall. I will do my utmost to assist with this mission."

"Then you're the helper the cult leader mentioned... "

"Ah, no, that's not it. Another person is waiting at the mission site."

"......?"

Changgyeong Hall Master Sangmun didn't seem to be the helper the cult leader had mentioned. As I looked at him with puzzled eyes, Sangmun continued.

"Our Outer Hall may be weak in martial arts, but we handle external intelligence and fund collection. I'll explain the details shortly."

"I see."

"Would you like to eat first... "

I shook my head.

"I've already eaten. I'd like to hear about this mission first."

I didn't feel like eating food offered by strangers in a foreign place. Even if I was immune to all poisons, there was no harm in being cautious.

"Understood."

Soon, Sangmun sat across from me at the table and began sharing various details. He took a sip of water and continued.

"We've detected signs of the Wind God Style's involvement throughout the slave market. The Golden Garment Guards are active as well. I understand your mission as the Dharma Protector Lion is to find evidence of collusion between the Wind God Style and the Golden Garment Guards—is that correct?"

"The cult leader didn't go into that much detail."

"Hm... my apologies for overstepping. In any case, you can capture a specific transaction site or take enemies alive. The government offices are under control too, so feel free to go wild if needed."

"... The government offices are under control?"

I asked in surprise, and Sangmun replied nonchalantly.

"Yes. Everyone from the Kaifeng Prefect downward is under the Water God Style's influence. We can cover most incidents, so don't worry."

"......"

I let out a low groan at the Water God Style's influence. Even the Kaifeng Prefect was a high official governing the vast city of Kaifeng, only one rank below a city lord. Controlling all the powerholders below him meant they could manipulate the lives of at least hundreds of thousands at will, and amassing wealth would be several times easier.

The problem was that Kaifeng Prefecture probably wasn't the only area under the Water God Style's sway. I had no idea which regions of the Central Plains fell under their influence. The Fire God Style and Wind God Style's reach into the martial world was impressive, but the Water God Style's power, which had seized entire regions, seemed bottomless.

[ What's there to be surprised about? For the Water God Style, this is par for the course. How else could they stand against the imperial palace? ]

Zhuge Sa's rebuke snapped me out of it. I cleared my throat and said,

"Fine. I heard the slave market auction is tomorrow—what should I prepare?"

"We've prepared everything: carriage, attendants, and even your auction participation ticket. The auction starts at You hour, so it'll be a nighttime operation."

"You hour... so it begins when night falls."

"Dharma Protector Lion, how much do you know about Kaifeng's slave market?"

"Not much. Just that they trade slaves..."

That was true. Even during my days as an escort warrior, rumors about the slave market were rife in the shadows, but I'd never actually seen it. In later lives, I was too busy with other matters to investigate it personally. Sangmun continued cautiously at my response.

"Tomorrow's slaves number at least two thousand. It's the largest scale market in three years."

"Two thousand...?"

I said in slight surprise.

"They're trading that many slaves? Is that even possible? Even with lax security, that much attention... "

"Yes. Normally impossible—numbers, location, all difficult. But the organizers declared they'll use special methods to avoid drawing eyes. That's why slave traders from across the Central Plains have flocked to Kaifeng in droves."

Sangmun sighed.

"I don't know what methods, but right now, Kaifeng is crawling with slave traders come to buy, plus individuals, rich folk, and powerholders buying personally. Everyone's expecting top-quality slaves."

I tilted my head.

"I don't get it. Say they pull off this massive slave market. Won't buying and leaving with slaves look suspicious? How do they plan for that...?"

"The organizers have a plan for that too, apparently."

"......"

"The issue is, while we've gathered buyer info for the Water God Style, we haven't figured their methods. We suspect sorcery, but we're not sure."

After pondering Sangmun's words, I replied,

"I suppose you hope I uncover that method while attending the slave auction."

"Yes. If it's sorcery, the caster won't be some ordinary sorcerer. You must find out."

"Got it. Any other info?"

"Hm... rumors say top-tier martial experts are hired as guards for the slaves. That's why prior scouting has been tough."

That piqued my curiosity.

"Top-tier martial experts...? How top?"

"You can gauge from the helper the cult leader assigned you. We gleaned that their level matches appropriately."

"Hmm."

The helper assisting me.

Hearing that brought to mind the three Water God Style experts in my throat armor. They were certainly formidable forces. Combined, we'd be a match for most foes. It suddenly hit me, and I asked,

"Wait. You haven't said who my helper is this whole time. Who is it?"

"Well... "

Sangmun hesitated before saying,

"They said they'd reveal themselves tomorrow. I believe it's the cult leader's will... so as mere Outer Hall, I can't say."

"Who the hell is it?"

"......"

As Sangmun shut his mouth, I grumbled,

"Hmph, fine. Just tell me the contact method."

"My apologies."

After receiving all necessary info from Sangmun, I told him,

"I'll be cultivating in my room, so call me when it's time."

"Understood."

I planned to stay quietly in the room for a full day. Wandering now for intel would just draw unwanted eyes. Plus, I needed to meditate on the Three Treasures Absolute Arts and Soul Separation Great Law, so seclusion was ideal.

But as I entered the room, Zhuge Sa said,

[ Idiot. Don't waste time—get moving. ]

"What now?"

[ Soul Separation Great Law practice. ]

Pabat!

"Ack... "

As per Zhuge Sa's words, I swiftly subdued a passing maidservant nearby. With her acupoints sealed and unconscious, I placed my hand on her forehead, extracted her soul, and it entered my body. Then, following Zhuge Sa's instructions, I began activating the soul's movement.

Susesu.

[ There. Vision shared now. Let her go. ]

Releasing her acupoints and laying her aside, she stirred awake in confusion. It happened so fast she wouldn't know I'd knocked her out. Sitting cross-legged in the room, I operated the incantation Zhuge Sa taught me to share her vision.

I could see.

The scenery through her eyes projected into my closed eyes. But it was unclear, foggy and uncomfortable—like a low attainment in the Soul Separation Great Law.

[ Attainment too low for full sensory sharing yet. Let's practice Chain Soul Theft. ]

[ Chain Soul Theft? ]

[ You stole her soul. Using her as medium, steal a third party's soul. ]

[ Is that possible...? ]

[ Quit yapping and do it. When else will you practice? In the White Lotus Cult under the cult leader's direct gaze? ]

No choice, I waited as per Zhuge Sa until she met someone. She encountered a guard warrior, chatting amiably. I watched idly, but when the guard grinned slyly, pulled her close, and brought his face near, I jolted.

' Eek! '

A kiss? The view was filthy. The guard's oily skin pressed close was crystal clear.

' They're together. Urk... but... '

I nearly retched but calmed at Zhuge Sa's words.

[ Perfect! Intense contact makes Chain Soul Theft easy. Operate the incantation quick. ]

[ Ugh... bad for mental health... ]

[ Heh. Full five senses would knock you out. Quit whining and practice. ]

[ Tch... ]

Following the Chain Soul Theft incantation, I tried stealing the guard's soul too. Surprisingly easy—his soul was drawn and flew to me. As Zhuge Sa said, intense physical contact eased it.

Success on first try thrilled me. But the shared vision that followed twisted my face in horror.

' Fuck! Why's this lunatic stripping?! '

The pair entered a room and began undressing! I didn't want to see the man's naked body, and her lustful, lecherous gaze through his eyes was blatant.

' Eurgh! '

Nauseating! The man's erect member was so gross my hands shook, and Zhuge Sa cackled.

[ Ooh, looks like they're going at it? ]

[ How do I cut the vision share? ]

[ Why? Great show. ]

Head throbbing, I yelled mentally.

[ Shut up and tell me! I'm gonna puke. ]

[ So fun, why... ]

Zhuge Sa grumbled but taught me. Releasing the share left me with two souls, and he explained.

[ Now, these souls can control those two later. But for you, better spend souls differently. ]

[ How? ]

[ Soul is essence of being, but souls are fuel. Fuel means consumable. Stockpiling favors value exchange. ]

[......? ]

Zhuge Sa said,

[ Details tomorrow. You'll see that guy at the slave market anyway. ]

[ Who's that? ]

[ Backdoor merchant? Must meet 'him. ]

I spent half the remaining time reviewing the Three Treasures Absolute Arts from the cult leader, the other half honing Soul Separation Great Law. Meditation passed time swiftly. A full day later, Sangmun came.

"Dharma Protector Lion. Time to depart."

Half a double-hour before You hour, I donned my outfit, pocketed the money, and stood.

"Let's go."

Clack clack.

Riding in the carriage with Sangmun along the official road, he said,

"Destination is the Jeomri Village area. Remote mountain hamlet, nothing there... but not suited for housing two thousand slaves for a market, I'd think."

"You can't enter?"

"No. Only one invitation... "

I pulled out the crimson invitation in my hand. Unusually dyed blood-red on parchment, with pitch-black letters like embedded bristles—quite peculiar.

Soon the carriage stopped. Stepping out, I realized narrow canyons ahead barred further progress. I silently bid Sangmun farewell and walked into Jeomri Village's mountains.

' Narrow mountain path. '

After a hundred paces along the trail, my invitation glowed, and a crimson passage appeared in midair before me.

"This is... "

Looking around, presences faded. 'Guests' approaching from everywhere vanished one by one—clearly entering the passage.

No choice but to enter. Staring calmly at it, Zhuge Sa said,

[ Using the Blood Realm openly as waypoint—utter madness. One slip, and all become demon fodder. ]

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