Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

Heavenly Spirit Pill, they say!

'Ugh, damn it!'

This should have been something to jump for joy over, but I couldn't bring myself to celebrate. I'd already heard from the prophet that the Heavenly Spirit Pill was tied to a terrifying slave contract with the demon god. Even with reincarnation via the Heavenly Dark Secret Book, I had no idea how the pill's restrictions might become an obstacle. If things went wrong, reincarnation might become impossible, turning me into a god's slave, doomed to eternal torment.

But showing any sign of reluctance here would arouse too much suspicion. I gathered all my endurance to mask my emotions. Pretending to think it over, I finally replied.

"Cult Leader, I wish to master the Three Treasures Ultimate Skills a bit more before receiving the Heavenly Spirit Pill."

Surprised by my response, the Cult Leader said,

[Why? Those two things are unrelated.]

"They are related for me."

"The Heavenly Spirit Pill grants infinite internal energy. You can wield as much power as you desire. But unless you're accustomed to it, the difference in output might make it hard to train the precise techniques of advanced martial arts, don't you think? Getting the pill before mastering the Three Treasures Ultimate Skills might be..."

Huh? It actually sounded reasonable now that I'd said it?

While even I was stunned by my own words, the Cult Leader fell into thought. Then he spoke.

[That's a valid point. I hadn't considered that side effect.]

"Uh..."

[Very well. The transmission of the Heavenly Spirit Pill will be postponed until you've truly made the Three Treasures Ultimate Skills your own. Train diligently until then.]

"Yes, understo—yes, sir."

I'd somehow muddled through. Unable to believe it, I asked Zhuge Sa,

[Hey, did you manipulate my mind or something?]

Zhuge Sa replied curtly,

[Don't be ridiculous. You handled it all yourself—why drag me into it?]

[Then what I just...]

[After so many reincarnations piling up experience, it's only natural you'd have the knack. What happened was your accumulated quick thinking and wisdom bursting forth thanks to your focus. Crisis sharpened your logic.]

Zhuge Sa chuckled.

[If you hadn't fundamentally changed, you couldn't have pulled off that improvisation at the right moment.]

[Too bad it came with your usual snark.]

I grumbled. If only this guy spoke nicely.

While I was prostrating, the Cult Leader continued.

[Your power isn't something I need much anyway, so it doesn't matter. If a fierce battle breaks out with the Imperial Palace, prioritize your own survival.]

His words stirred more strangeness than insult in me. Lifting my head, I asked,

"Forgive me, Cult Leader, but I believe there's no martial expert in the Imperial Palace stronger than me right now. Would a clash with them truly be that perilous?"

[It's not the Golden Guards or the Eastern Depot I'm worried about. The current Four Divine Guards aren't even worth mentioning. In terms of martial prowess, we overwhelmingly dominate.]

The Cult Leader gazed at the sky as he replied softly.

[But he'll almost certainly use his power as High Priest. The problem is, even I can't predict its level. If he deploys sorcery and divine law, it'll be a tough fight.]

"He? Who do you mean?"

I feigned ignorance and asked. The Cult Leader said,

[The true mastermind behind the Imperial Palace! Not the Zhuge Household, at least.]

"Ugh...!"

[It won't be easy.]

A groan escaped me at his words—not from dread of the Imperial Palace's might, which I'd known about anyway. What shocked me was realizing the Cult Leader viewed the grand scheme with far broader perspective than I'd imagined.

'Does the Cult Leader even know about the demons and beastmen reared by the Imperial Palace?'

Quite likely.

I'd initially thought he was just a transcendent martial artist secluded in the White Lotus Cult, but that was far from the truth. He knew exactly what forces backed the Imperial Palace, who the [former rulers] were, and the dark balance lurking beneath this world's surface. He'd clearly anticipated the struggle for supremacy between him and the palace, plotting his future accordingly.

Zhuge Sa said,

[The Cult Leader can be seen as a sorcerer of the demonic path. Interpreting demonic tomes and forging unique contracts is a level rare even in the Western Regions....Though put another way, he's one meltdown away from dropping dead.]

[So when he demanded that service in exchange for the Soul Commanding Dark Moon Blade back then...]

[Exactly. He recognized it as a demonic artifact harboring immense power. Depending on how it's used, it could rival the Seven Desires.]

[......]

[The Twelve Rulers gained two Seven Desires, but the Cult Leader's current state is comparable.]

Zhuge Sa's words gave much food for thought. It wasn't for nothing that the Heavenly Realm tasked me with balancing the mortal world. Even they couldn't recklessly interfere with the Twelve Rulers or the White Lotus Cult Leader—these two hegemons had surpassed imagination.

[Speaking of which, what abilities does the Soul Commanding Dark Moon Blade possess?]

[Hard to say... I've heard rumors of similar demonic artifacts, but nothing certain. But it can't be that one. It was sealed away ages ago—impossible for it to be in the human realm.]

[Why so sure?]

[Because that demonic artifact can summon the power of a highly dangerous outer god.]

[And if the Cult Leader has that one?]

[Depends on how he uses it. One thing's certain: your odds of a screaming death skyrocket.]

[......]

This bastard always...

As I fell silent, the Cult Leader spoke.

[Good. Then for the remaining seven days and nights, you'll join the research on the Seven Great Ultimate Arts.]

I brightened.

"R-Really?"

[Of course, you needn't propose ideas. Just take what you can from it.]

As he said, I joined the Seven Great Ultimate Arts research with the Dharma Protector Lion elites. Held in a training hall specially prepared for the Cult Leader, Dokgo Jun, Han Baekyeong, and Dokgo Seong were already waiting. Spotting me, Dokgo Seong said in surprise,

"Why are you here...?"

"Things turned out that way."

I gave an awkward smile. Moments later, Dokgo Seong clapped my shoulder.

"Good. As an outstanding expert, you'll be a great help to this research."

"I hope so."

Dokgo-Jun and Han Baekyeong showed little interest in me. Once greetings ended, the Cult Leader said to us,

[Then let's resume the research.]

The research sessions felt much like before. Having once joined brainstorms with Thunder God Style prodigies living and training together, I blended in smoothly this time too. My lack of talent stung as always, but it no longer crushed my spirit.

'Smooth sailing.'

But about half a day in, during a break, Han Baekyeong used Six Harmonies Sound Transmission from afar to contact me.

[Perfect timing. Have you considered my previous proposal?]

Most imagined Six Harmonies Sound Transmission as an echoing buzz from all directions, but hers was a one-way flash, a technique vastly elevating telepathic secrecy—clearly mindful of onlookers.

She was undoubtedly wary of the Cult Leader and absolute expert Dokgo Jun nearby. Accounting for even the slim chance of the Cult Leader eavesdropping, she'd altered the transmission to contact me covertly. Legendary techniques like Radiant Mind Implantation existed in tales, but none in the White Lotus Cult could perform it.

'Here for that talk after all?'

Pretending to drink water, I replied via Six Harmonies Sound Transmission.

[Think? You only told me you could reveal the Cult Leader's weakness. You never specified your request.]

[In exchange for that weakness, you must kill him if he goes berserk.]

[......]

What was this?

Contextually innocuous, but I'd never expected Han Baekyeong to commission the Cult Leader's assassination. Did she harbor intense killing intent toward him, like Yong Bitian?

But it could be a trap. Thinking carefully, I replied,

[What if I tell the Cult Leader about this?]

[Do as you like. Pointless...]

[What?]

Han Baekyeong replied with utter nonchalance.

[Can't you see it from how he purged Yong Bitian? Sooner or later, he'll wipe out the Incarnation Style too. Once they're gone, your fate seals quickly. Didn't you realize you and I are like lips and teeth—bound together?]

In short, do or die—we were both doomed anyway. Her radical proposal caught me off guard; her brazenness left me unsure how to respond.

Zhuge Sa advised,

[Accept it for now.]

[Safe?]

[This isn't a probe. And she isn't wrong. Delay the Cult Leader's world conquest any longer, and you might drop dead before growing stronger.]

[What?]

[He's absorbing the Seven Great Ultimate Arts faster than expected. Rejecting this wastes opportunity.]

[Tch... No choice.]

Reluctantly, I replied to Han Baekyeong,

[Fine. I'll do it. Teach me the weakness, and I'll prepare to take him down anytime.]

[Hmph... I expect nothing. I just want his rampage stopped. You, his new protégé, might have a slim chance.]

Subtle nuance shift. Before I could parse it, Han Baekyeong continued.

[The Cult Leader has a reverse scale. It lies half an inch below his heart. Strike it, and he'll suffer massive damage.]

[......!!]

The Cult Leader had a reverse scale?!

Typically denoting a dragon's weakness, here it meant a warrior's critical vulnerability—like a death point. The meaning likely aligned.

This was info I'd never imagined! Yet suspicion was inevitable. How could I trust Han Baekyeong's sudden revelation? I'd just learned of its existence.

[How do you know...]

[Not just him. Most in the Divine Incarnation Style with great power have reverse scales. Over the years, I've used every means to uncover his—and its location.]

[Hard to believe.]

[Judge for yourself. In my view, catastrophe looms—decide quickly.]

[......]

Han Baekyeong ended the transmission, avoiding eye contact and focusing on research. No one would suspect her. But my heart raced with the bombshell info.

The Cult Leader's ultimate weakness: reverse scale!

Was it true?

No use dwelling now. She seemed done sharing intel—just another safeguard against him, as stated. To my brooding, Zhuge Sa said,

[Don't agonize. What she said must be true.]

[Why?]

[With such critical info, most would haggle endlessly for a huge price from you. But she gave it freely, no demands. It means the crisis is so urgent she has no time to bargain. Mere words exchanged—she's pinning faint hope on you.]

[But...]

I shook my head.

[Is it really that dire? The palace battle sounds bad, but I can't imagine the Cult Leader losing.]

Indeed. He'd gained massive power thanks to me, while the palace had no clear path to strengthen. He could pulp beastmen with a fist clench—no way he'd lose.

[......]

[Zhuge Sa?]

[One thing's sure: take her words to heart. Knowing the reverse scale means, if you fight him, strike without hesitation—give it everything.]

[Right.]

I agreed. Though my skill didn't reach his toe, countless reincarnations taught me the world's unpredictability. This knowledge would prove invaluable.

For the next seven days and nights, I trained madly with the Dharma Protectors. Dokgo Seong led with monstrous talent, aided by Dokgo Jun and Han Baekyeong. The Cult Leader oversaw, deep in contemplation.

On the decisive day, the Cult Leader declared,

[Then let's go. To the Gatekeeper Sect.]

The day White Lotus Cult and Imperial Palace settled scores had arrived.

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