Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

Shiiik!

As soon as the battle ended, the Cult Leader shot toward the Imperial Palace using a terrifyingly fast flight technique. The Dharma Protectors followed him, but when I tried to use my own, I felt a pang of difficulty.

'I can't fly...'

Flight technique.

It was a lightness skill that allowed one to soar freely through the skies, something you could never find in the martial world. Before seeing the Dharma Protectors myself, I'd thought it was just fictional nonsense from novels, and nine out of ten martial artists probably felt the same. Spotting a transcendent expert who could use Heavenly Ascent or Treading the Air was rarer than a star in the sky—how could anyone believe a human could fly like a bird? Even top experts like Lee Hwang or the Sword Demon couldn't dream of it; in real combat, they only occasionally used variant absolute techniques like Heavenly Ascent or Treading the Air.

But the Dharma Protectors and the Cult Leader could do it. With infinite internal energy from the Heavenly Spirit Pill and the Primordial Infant Spirit, flying through the skies was no issue. If they wanted, they could probably hover in the air all day.

The problem was that I couldn't use the flight technique they employed. I'd once asked the Cult Leader if he could teach it to me, but he said that while my internal energy was sufficient, it required supreme mastery of lightness skills, so I couldn't learn it in a short time. According to him, to use flight technique, one needed to wield Initial Supreme Flight, Snowless Footprints, and Heavenly Ascent with complete freedom.

I could use Annihilation Soul Step, giving me exceptional speed and quality in lightness skills, but that relied entirely on the unique properties of Annihilation Soul Step itself. My pure training time in lightness skill principles and insights was relatively short, so while I was proficient, I hadn't reached the master's realm yet. Flight technique was impossible for me right now.

'I could use Four Divine Images, but I want to see with my own eyes what's happening along the way.'

Tadadak.

When I reached the inner walls of Luoyang and looked toward the gates, the guards stood there dumbly as if nothing had happened. Even after the Cult Leader and Dharma Protectors passed, there was no real change—they were just standing guard as usual. I'd expected a huge fuss and tightened security, so I felt baffled.

Then Zhuge Sa chuckled.

[The speed of flight technique is incredibly fast. If shadowy figures suddenly fly in from dozens of li away into the palace, who would think it's real? Perfectly natural.]

[That's true, but...]

[The Cult Leader and the Dharma Protectors' martial arts are beyond human level. You've been with the White Lotus Cult so long your standards for strength have risen, but they're all superhuman experts.]

[...]

I shook my head and quickly unleashed Annihilation Soul Step. Seizing the moment their gazes focused on me, I leaped dozens of zhang over the walls and straight into the inner palace. I quickly scanned for presences inside the Imperial Palace, but oddly, no Imperial Guards were detectable.

'Hmm. Even if the Imperial Guard Chief's agents were massacred by the Aquatic Spirits, they should have replenished quickly... Though filling numbers alone is pointless, I suppose.'

Normally, the inner palace would crawl with guards and Imperial Guards, making it a dragon's pond or tiger's den, but right now, no proper Peak Experts remained. I easily avoided notice and reached the palace where the Emperor resided.

Shiiik.

Upon arriving at the palace entrance, experts of the Aquatic Spirits wearing bamboo hats stood in formation. It seemed the Cult Leader had already released them from the wooden armor.

'Has the Cult Leader already gone in?'

As I glanced at them, the one at the front spoke.

[Dharma Protector Baek Woong. The Cult Leader says to enter.]

[What are you planning to do?]

[Isn't it obvious? As per the Cult Leader's orders, we're doing an internal cleanup.]

Internal cleanup.

That meant, without exception, massacring everything living and breathing in the Imperial Palace. It would undoubtedly claim the lives of hundreds, even thousands.

There were about twenty Aquatic Spirits experts before me. Yet the Imperial Palace currently had no power to stop them. No—even if the Righteous Heaven Alliance's combat units arrived, could they block these twenty? Frowning, I said to him,

"Stop it."

[What did you say? This is the Cult Leader's command. A Dharma Protector daring to defy...]

I ground my teeth and said,

"I'll take responsibility. Stop. If you try massacring the palace humans now, I won't stand by."

I absolutely couldn't let it happen. The palace scum were clearly the root of evil, leading human sacrifices, but those responsible were the executives under the Imperial Guards and Embroidered Uniform. Most remaining in the palace were innocent folk unaware of it. They had no reason to be slaughtered by the Aquatic Spirits out of nowhere.

[...]

His eyes flashed. In that instant, I instinctively sensed that gaze was some alien 'something' unlike a human's. Unlike normal killing intent, an endlessly chilling, goosebump-inducing energy flew at me. As he stepped forward, sending Six Harmonies Sword Energy my way,

[I am Elder of the Aquatic Spirits and ranked fifth, Dokgo Yu. Previously, at the slave market, my fellow elders and I subdued Yong Bi-cheon. I believe the Dharma Protector was present.]

"Hmm..."

I let out a groan.

Right. The Aquatic Spirits Elder Dokgo Yu before me was one of the three who possessed the Heavenly Spirit Pill. Nominally an elder, he was effectively Dharma Protector level.

If I fought Dokgo Yu one-on-one, I'd likely lose. What a dogshit situation—this guy also had infinite internal energy.

'Damn it. Why does the Aquatic Spirits have so many monster freaks...'

I grumbled inwardly. Then Zhuge Sa snapped irritably,

[Cut the fake righteous hero act. What do the palace scum have to do with you that you're blocking them? Lose to Dokgo Yu and you won't be able to show your face in the cult anymore.]

He was right. Even nominally a Dharma Protector, getting smashed by a mere Aquatic Spirits Elder would ruin my reputation. But steeling myself, I said to Dokgo Yu,

"Dokgo Yu. This isn't idle talk. It's for the White Lotus Cult's benefit."

[Benefit? I don't follow.]

I racked my brain and continued,

"Among the palace folk, there must be other clans, families, or nobles deeply tied to the barbarians. Some info they hold could greatly aid the cult later. Like that... Shangguan Family, right?"

The Shangguan bit at the end was a half-remembered fake identity from the slave market—Shangguan Jeong.

'Ah, damn! Too sloppy!'

It felt like something anyone could say. Heart pounding, I watched Dokgo Yu Elder, but unexpectedly, he halted his formless energy. After pondering, he finally spoke.

[Dharma Protector, how much do you know about the Shangguan Family?]

"Hmm... well..."

As I scrambled for an answer, Zhuge Sa quickly interjected.

[Hey. This won't do. Say what I tell you.]

[What? You'll help?]

[Can't back out now, so I'll clean it up. You fucking idiot.]

Zhuge Sa cursed, but I couldn't argue. With no choice, I parroted what he fed me.

"I know the Shangguan Family serves as the Cult Leader's secret line, playing a major role. Can you identify Shangguan members in this palace? You might lose a major intel source."

[Hmm... troublesome. Why bring this up here...]

"Think about it!"

[W-wait.]

Hearing my shout, Dokgo Yu floundered like he'd been struck by lightning.

"Huh?"

I felt puzzled. Zhuge Sa's words seemed like a wild guess, yet Dokgo Yu Elder was uncharacteristically flustered. After hesitating long, he said,

[Fine... Hurry inside and relay that advice to the Cult Leader. Remember, we're stopping solely on your responsibility, Dharma Protector.]

"Don't worry."

[At most half a shichen. If no revised orders by then, we'll do our job.]

Dokgo Yu Elder turned away. Sighing in relief, I dashed into the palace.

Tadak.

As I leaped inside, I asked Zhuge Sa,

[Zhuge Sa! I've been curious—is the Shangguan Family really the Cult Leader's secret agent?]

[Hmph... No idea. Just matched your words. No proof they're his secret line—just suspicion.]

[What? Then why butt in...]

[Saw you rapidly losing confidence.]

Zhuge Sa continued curtly,

[Words are heavily influenced by attitude. If you're failing, making shit up without knowing what to say, would Dokgo Yu Elder believe you? Only shameless delivery without hesitation sells the bluff.]

[Ah...]

[Damn it. Train your brain to turn faster. Hyun would've fooled Dokgo Yu twice as smoothly.]

Was this guy actually considering me?

Zhuge Sa's intent confused me. Lost in thought, I reached the innermost throne room.

The White Lotus Cult Leader sat on the throne, with Han Baekryeong and Dokgo Jun at his side. Before him lay the Emperor, hatless, pathetically torn limb from limb. On the wall behind, a human-shaped stain was etched, tentacles wriggling from it.

"That's the alchemist. Smashed into the wall by palm force."

What happened was obvious. Regretfully, I said to the Cult Leader,

"If you'd kept them alive for info, that would've been good."

[I wanted to, but they tried suspicious sorcery, so no choice. Couldn't subdue without killing...]

Replying thus, the Cult Leader looked at me and said,

[Baek Woong. Why stop them?]

He'd sensed the outer events from deep inside? The Primordial Infant's detection truly transcended humans. Unsurprised, I said to the Cult Leader,

"Cult Leader. The palace may hold unknown info. Rash slaughter risks losing it."

[Proceed cautiously?]

"Yes. Needless killing is unwise."

Then the Cult Leader suddenly laughed.

[Hahaha... You're truly amusing. Everyone fears me, none daring to defy my will outright, yet you come persuade me directly?]

Emboldened, recalling Zhuge Sa's words, I declared,

"Kill me if you must. I told you before."

[Hahaha.]

The Cult Leader laughed heartily for a while. As it subsided, he waved his hand.

[Do as you like. If so insistent, installing a puppet and controlling from behind works.]

He'd apparently planned to become Emperor himself. Sighing inwardly, I bowed.

"Thank you."

The Cult Leader eyed Dokgo Jun.

[Jun. Command the outer units.]

[Understood.]

[Also, select a suitable imperial clansman in Luoyang and enthrone him. I entrust it to you.]

Dokgo Jun bowed at the orders.

"Got it."

[Powerful demonic energy inside. Shall we go deeper?]

The Cult Leader rose. In a blink, his form vanished. Unsure what to do, I stood awkwardly until Dokgo Jun passed, saying,

[Dharma Protector Baek Woong.]

"Why call me?"

[I find you an interesting person too.]

"- _ -"

[Follow the Cult Leader. Feels like you'll be helpful.]

Pabat.

With Dokgo Jun gone, I had no choice but to follow. Han Baekryeong, apparently having nothing to say, had already trailed him.

Zhuge Sa advised as I ran.

[Now, White Lotus Cult can salvage from the palace: crystal steles, transcendent mechanism workshops, and the Imperial Seal. Alchemist would've been useful in many ways—pity.]

[Cult Leader will find the crystal steles and transcendent mechanisms alone. But mention the Imperial Seal to him]

Zhuge Sa replied indifferently.

[Why tell him? Just take it yourself.]

[No way to open the barrier gate now.]

I stated honestly. The labyrinth barrier sealing the underground Imperial Seal was a divine seal made by gods, not humans. Only someone like Illusion God Cheon Woo-jin or Earth Immortal Mangnyang could dispel it. Zhuge Sa chuckled.

[Idiot. The barrier's hidden underground—even the Cult Leader won't find it today. Emperor and alchemist are dead. Too set natural, just look. One crystal stele will flip his eyes in ecstasy.]

Indeed as Zhuge Sa said. Wandering, I spotted the Cult Leader at a crystal stele; he seemed greatly satisfied, showing no intent to search further.

'No wonder—I only learned of the Imperial Seal and thus the underground barrier...'

With the Cult Leader oblivious, I could break the barrier later and retrieve it. Discovering the crystal steles and transcendent mechanism workshop pleased him. He summoned the Dharma Protectors inside and declared,

[The Imperial Palace is now in our grasp. Within a year, the entire Central Plains will fall under our cult's influence.]

"We offer congratulations!"

[Zhuge Zhuge Yuryong apparently didn't expect to lose, summoning even apostles but not gods...]

Muttering, the Cult Leader said,

[I hesitate no more. I'll topple the Twelve Laws and gather all dharma scrolls with my power.]

Curious, I asked,

"Cult Leader. Why seek all the dharma scrolls?"

[Want to know?]

"Yes."

[What do you think it's for?]

I meandered naturally,

"To gain absolute invincible power, right?"

The Cult Leader laughed.

[Heh heh... That's process, not goal.]

"What do you mean..."

Leaning on the throne leisurely, the Cult Leader replied,

[When all dharma scrolls unite, True Void Homecoming manifests via the Path of Radiance. But True Void Homecoming can't occur in this world. For that, the world must cycle through one revolution via dharma insight.]

One revolution?

This was new—not heard during the White Lotus Cult doctrine from Mangnyang and the Cult Leader before. Having fought to palace breach, he seemed to somewhat acknowledge me, sharing inner thoughts. Confused, I asked again,

"Why need True Void Homecoming? Surpassing Primordial Infant to invincible godhood grants immortality—why gather dharma scrolls? Near impossible..."

[Even gods have superiors above. You know nothing yet, Baek Woong.]

Replying thus, the Cult Leader said leisurely,

[Follow without doubt. Humanity's future lies in enacting True Void Homecoming, the moment Maitreya ends the cycle.]

In that instant, I realized.

The Cult Leader would never be satisfied with conquering the Central Plains.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!