Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm (天界)

After receiving Shangguan Hyeok's commission, I fell into thought.

'This works out perfectly, though.'

If I returned to the main headquarters following the Cult Leader right away, I wouldn't be able to avoid being taught the Heavenly Spirit Pill technique. Last time, I managed to dodge it by claiming my martial arts were in disarray, but the Cult Leader isn't that easy to fool. The next time he brings up passing down the Heavenly Spirit Pill, he'll have everything prepared so I absolutely can't evade it.

For now, while fulfilling Shangguan Hyeok's request, I needed to find a way to avoid the Cult Leader passing down the Heavenly Spirit Pill. Running away from the Cult Leader would be the most comfortable option, but for some reason, my intuition told me that if I separated from him now, I'd miss out on some crucial information.

As I was devising a plan in my head, Zhuge Sa chuckled.

[You're wasting effort racking that useless brain of yours. Still, you're not off track.]

I was tired of paying attention to his snide remarks every time. Pretending not to hear, I asked Zhuge Sa a question.

[Why does Shangguan Hyeok want the command plaque? He could get it from the Cult Leader.]

[Greedy?]

[When the Cult Leader announced rewards for subjugating the Imperial Palace, if he'd asked for the command plaque then, the Cult Leader would've handed it over easily. But instead of doing that, he came to you separately with this request. That means he wants to keep the Cult Leader in his debt. He's planning to squeeze him for all he's worth.]

I shook my head.

[Unbelievable. What if the Cult Leader doesn't keep his promise...]

[Of course, the Cult Leader's the type who might break promises depending on the situation, but at least he tries to honor his own words. That's why keeping him in debt carries real weight. Shangguan Hyeok clearly knows the Cult Leader's character well.]

[.....?]

[He won't tell you why he needs the command plaque unless you ask. For now, focus on how to obtain it.]

Zhuge Sa was right. If I already asked Shangguan Hyeok why he needed the command plaque, but he'd evaded the question. With things like this, all I could do was carry out the commission. After pondering deeply, I said,

[Should I track down Manggyang?]

[You've come up with a terrible plan, you idiot.]

His mockery gave me a headache every time.

[What? What's wrong with it?]

Zhuge Sa sneered.

[You're thinking the Five Fires Seven Birds Fan that Hyeon has is the easiest to obtain, right?]

I snapped in irritation.

[Yeah! I don't know where that Zhuge Clan bastard with the White Cloud Fan kicked the bucket, Cheon Ujin won't hand over the Mountain River Subjugation Chart, the Imperial Seal is under too much scrutiny right now and I don't have the magic to unseal it, I don't know where the Fire Dragon Divine Sword is, and the Dragon Language Pearl is in the Cult Leader's hands. So I'm going after Manggyang—what else could be the right answer?!]

[Heh heh. That's exactly the thinking of a mortal.]

Zhuge Sa, still chuckling, continued.

[To find Manggyang, you'd either scour information networks, go to Elder Manggyang yourself, or whine to me—one of those three. But since all of them are terrible plans, that's why I called it a terrible plan.]

[What?]

[Put yourself in Manggyang's shoes. Do you think he doesn't know the White Lotus Cult's power is rising like the sun? He'd naturally assume you're cooperating with the White Lotus Cult Leader, so he'd guess their forces are growing stronger than before. In this situation, Manggyang won't show himself unless he's fully prepared. No matter how desperately you search.]

[Ugh...]

[Finding Hyeon when he's gone into hiding is incredibly difficult. Plus, you can't use information networks or act rashly right now. You know you're being watched discreetly, right?]

I glanced around furtively. Two Thunder God Style experts were watching me from a distance, their presence hidden very subtly. I could beat them in a fight, but since neither side could afford to clash, I was just leaving them be.

[Yeah.]

[Finding Hyeon now is a terrible plan. Remember that.]

Crossing my arms and sitting still in thought, I said,

[Then what's the middle-long plan?]

[Dig a trap and wait in Luoyang from now on.]

[What? A trap? Why?]

[Kukuku... You really know nothing.]

Muttering like he was complaining, Zhuge Sa said,

[Hey. Let's set aside your biases and stick to the facts. Whoever kills the Vermilion Bird receives the gods' curse. So why hasn't the Cult Leader died?]

[Hm...?]

I blinked out for a moment before realizing and responding.

[You're saying the Vermilion Bird is still alive. But that's something I already knew...]

[Idiot. What good is knowing if you don't grasp what it means that he's alive?]

[.....?]

[Think from the Vermilion Bird's perspective. He barely escaped with his life after losing to the White Lotus Cult's overwhelming power and transferred to a spare body. What would he be thinking in that situation?]

[Well... He'd be looking for a chance to strike back at the White Lotus Cult.]

[So how would he strike back? What's the foundation for that? Information, of course. And what information?]

[Uh... That is...]

My mind wasn't turning quickly, so I stammered, and Zhuge Sa said,

[Information on the Heavenly Realm. He's occupying the Heavenly Emperor Altar on Mount Tai right now, eavesdropping on heavenly secrets.]

[Ah...!!]

[The White Lotus Cult can't be topped by any human martial forces right now, no matter what. But gathering heavenly information might create an opportunity. Why? Because the Vermilion Bird Zhuge Yuryong is a powerful demon and demonic arts master.]

I hadn't thought of that!

'Right, the Vermilion Bird was residing on Mount Tai under the identity of the Mount Tai Old Man, monitoring the Heavenly Realm!'

It was information I'd obtained before, but I hadn't connected it to this incident. As something clicked in my head, my mouth fell open, and Zhuge Sa continued.

[And there's a high chance he's already gotten one huge piece of information. What do you think it is?]

[What?]

[Information about you. Not long ago, you negotiated with Yoo Dongbin and gained the qualifications as Moon Yao's master, receiving the mission to check the earthly overlord. If the Vermilion Bird has obtained heavenly information, wouldn't that be jackpot news for him? Because if he takes you down, one of the Seven Yao falls into his lap for free.]

[.....!!]

[Plus, you cast the Soul Separation Great Law on the Zhuge Clan, ultimately killing them. The revived Zhuge Clan naturally knows your face. If you were the Vermilion Bird Zhuge Yuryong, would you leave you alone? He'd target you dead on, approaching to kidnap or attack.]

Not a single word was wrong. After deep thought, I realized the situation was bad.

[So you're saying we dig a trap and wait?]

Zhuge Sa sneered.

[Yeah. Now you get why suggesting to go chase Manggyang, who could be anywhere in the Central Plains, is the proposal of a brainless idiot?]

[Fuck...!!]

His infuriating words made me want to curse, but I had nothing to say. Before he pointed it out, I hadn't even considered the prerequisites for the middle-long plan. Calming my rising frustration, I asked,

[...Then what's the superior plan?]

Zhuge Sa cackled.

[Heh heh. You want to hear it?]

[Tell me. We're going with the superior plan anyway.]

[First, one thing to confirm. Are you willing to risk your life for an adventure?]

[Uh?]

[Assuming success makes everything go smoothly.]

What was he getting at with this question?

I was puzzled but shook my head.

[No, I don't plan to.]

[Why?]

[This life feels special. The longer I survive, the more information I gain, so I want to play it safe as much as possible.]

[Hmm... I see.]

[Why ask something like that?]

[Ah, it's nothing. Then I'll explain the superior plan now.]

Brushing it off vaguely, Zhuge Sa said.

[The superior plan is to go to the village where Elder Manggyang is. That's the best option right now.]

[What? Then couldn't we just head to Mount Tai first and take out the Vermilion Bird completely?]

[You madman. The Vermilion Bird, defeated by the White Lotus Cult Leader, is bunkered down in his final stronghold, the Heavenly Emperor Altar on Mount Tai that he absolutely can't lose. You think you can go there alone? Even the White Lotus Cult Leader himself might face a massive counterattack if he went—the place is probably rigged with traps. Are you insane?]

[.....]

I couldn't suggest bringing the White Lotus Cult Leader or his guardian warriors. He'd suspect how I knew the information, and things would spiral out of control.

[Quit yapping and go to where Elder Manggyang is first. That's how things will proceed properly.]

"Wait, before that, let's stop by there..."

I came up with an idea and told Zhuge Sa. After hearing it, he replied,

[Not bad. Though I'm not sure it's necessary.]

"You're saying no?"

[It doesn't matter much. No need to get too chummy with the Thunder God Style.]

Zhuge Sa muttered bitterly, but I ignored him and decided to proceed.

Flash!

Before heading to Elder Manggyang's village, I rode the Four Divine Beasts Statue toward the Azure Dragon Martial Hall. The hall hadn't closed, but the number of disciples had dwindled greatly—only about twenty in total. As I entered the innermost part, I spotted Thunder God Style experts.

Yi Cheong-un, spotting me, said gladly,

"You've come at a good time, Baek Woong."

"How have you been?"

"Every day has been fulfilling."

Beside Yi Cheong-un stood Lee Gwang and Jin So-cheong. I examined their auras and instinctively sensed they were vastly different from before.

'Hm... This is...'

It wasn't like when they'd reached the transcendent realm through studying the Seven Supreme Arts. I could feel a more fundamental natural energy flowing through their bodies. Their intent when using skills was sharper rather than rigid. I didn't know the details, but I sensed this difference was significant.

Yi Cheong-un said,

"I'd like to know what happened in the meantime. Can you tell me the recent events?"

"Yes."

I nodded and explained everything since parting with Yi Cheong-un. When the explanation was mostly done, to confirm more solidly, I pulled out the black obsidian from my bosom, infused it with memories, and handed it over. After reading the memories, Yi Cheong-un let out a low exhalation.

"The Earth Holder Wisdom King! The Cult Leader focused his research on the destructive power of the Seven Supreme Arts."

"Do you know the principles behind that supreme art?"

"Of course."

Asserting so confidently, Yi Cheong-un explained.

"It's the result of combining three supreme arts: the Taiji Subtle Intent Flowing Sword, the Mysterious Heaven Five Divine Formulas, and the Turtle Shell Strike. Think of it as the checkerboard-like grid you saw before expanded according to the Turtle Shell Strike's formulas. Detailed formula variations were applied, but no need to explain them one by one."

"I see..."

"But it's a completely different direction from the Three Treasures Ultimate Skills. It's a supreme art created for overwhelming destructive power rather than the flexible application of martial learning. It suits the Cult Leader's temperament perfectly, I suppose."

"Compared to the Three Treasures Ultimate Skills, which is stronger: the Earth Holder Wisdom King?"

"The Three Treasures Ultimate Skills are naturally superior. Properly mastering them allows evasion of the Earth Holder Wisdom King's attack range and striking its flaws. Though it depends on proficiency levels."

Muttering that, Yi Cheong-un said,

"Baek Woong. No need to deliberately disrupt the Cult Leader."

"Yes? Why?"

He smiled steadily.

"He's flailing without grasping the true essence of the supreme art. I see a path to victory, however slim."

Flailing?

Having witnessed the Earth Holder Wisdom King's terrifying power firsthand, I couldn't easily agree. Yi Cheong-un, who claimed to see victory after seeing it pulverize hundreds of demons in one blow, seemed like a monster himself.

I glanced at Lee Gwang. He said curtly,

"What are you looking at?"

"You finally acknowledge your master's resurrection?"

"No reason to answer you."

As I started to step back in annoyance, Jin So-cheong waved his hand from the side.

"Baek Woong. Don't mind it. We're grateful to you."

"Hm, got it."

I shared with Yi Cheong-un the insights and subtleties I'd heard while attending the Cult Leader's research meetings. The Thunder God Style experts, including Yi Cheong-un, grasped something immediately upon hearing it.

"Good. I'll share our formulas too."

I also received about two eleventh's worth of pointers on the Seven Supreme Arts from Yi Cheong-un. Though a brief transmission, it felt very helpful. Once the information exchange ended, Yi Cheong-un said,

"Why not stay a few days now that you're here? I'd like to explain more calmly..."

"Thank you, but I'm under Thunder God Style surveillance. If I don't move quickly, they'll tail me, and this place's secrets might leak."

"I see. Take care, then."

"Stay well."

Flash!

With the side errand done, I immediately rode the Four Divine Beasts Statue toward the Elder Manggyang's village. Entering the village after buying the Heavenly Dark Secret Book, I felt something off.

Wuuung

The barrier's energy enveloped my body even more closely than before. As I felt stifled and twisted my body, the barrier pressed harder. When I was near suffocation, a voice came from somewhere.

[Baek Woong. What brings you here?]

Along with Cheon Ujin's voice, his figure appeared three zhang away. Cheon Ujin, wrapped in multicolored clouds, signified this was an illusory space, not reality. At least without liberating the Seven Yao, I couldn't break through his illusions.

Clearing my throat awkwardly, I said,

"I'm here to meet Elder Manggyang first. Then I have business with you."

Cheon Ujin glared at me unkindly and said,

"I know you joined the White Lotus Cult and fought the Imperial Palace. If you don't clearly state your reason for coming here, you won't meet my master."

"My reason? You want to know that?"

"Speak."

Grinning, I said,

"You know I'm the envoy of Moon Yao, receiving heaven's decree. An important mission arose, so I've come to seek Elder Manggyang's opinion as Taosim's guardian."

"What mission?"

Changing my expression abruptly, I said gravely,

"You have no right to ask that. Step aside now!"

Cheon Ujin said incredulously,

"What? You know you're caught in my illusion, your life hanging by a thread?"

"Of course."

"You'll only come to your senses after a taste of pain..."

As Cheon Ujin moved to cast a spell, I shouted strongly,

"Cheon Ujin. No matter how great you are, you're just a human path disciple of Elder Manggyang, not even an earthly immortal. Surely you know blocking and threatening one chosen as heaven's envoy is a sin in itself?"

Flinch

The multicolored clouds around me hesitated and dispersed. Cheon Ujin, looking annoyed, ground his teeth glaring at me. As he kept glaring, struck at his core, I brazenly waved him off.

"Step aside. Now."

Cheon Ujin stepped aside curtly, saying,

"If it's something trivial, prepare yourself."

"Oh, how scary."

Soon, I stood before Elder Manggyang's shrine.

"Elder Manggyang, I've come to see you!"

Not long after, I fell into a deep sleep.

[This is unusual, a side effect of the Soul Separation Great Law?]

A black cat was walking toward me from the opposite path under the trees. Looking at Elder Manggyang, I said,

"What side effect?"

[The traitorous Cult Leader's soul is in the same body as you. But that's neither failure nor success. The Soul Separation Great Law's premise was just flawed.]

I noticed pure white flames floating around the black cat's body. Staring at them, Elder Manggyang continued.

[The uninvited guest go back first.]

Whoosh!

The white flames vanished. They must have been Zhuge Sa's soul. Apparently, Zhuge Sa had unintentionally followed into the dream world, and Elder Manggyang sent him back.

'The gods are gods, indeed.'

As I inwardly admired Elder Manggyang's power, he said,

[You're tainted by intense demonic qi. But your essence hasn't corrupted at all. This is a first.]

"I'm tainted?"

[Yes. But otherworldly soul qi haven't devoured your soul. Foul qi that could corrupt even the Great Rakshasa Immortals...]

Muttering that, Elder Manggyang placed his front paw on my forehead.

[I'll purify you. You can't leave it like this.]

Wuuung.

My mind felt refreshed, as if cleared. As he fiddled with my forehead, Elder Manggyang said,

[I know why you're here. To borrow Cheon Ujin, right?]

"Uh... Can't I?"

[No reason you can't.]

After a brief silence, Elder Manggyang continued,

[Recently, at the Heavenly Realm's Great Rakshasa Immortal conference, the Queen Mother of the West said we need to reconnect the Heavenly Ladder.]

[.....?]

[She was furious enough to shake the human world's chaos.]

In this dream world, I couldn't hear Zhuge Sa's advice. Frowning and thinking deeply, I countered,

"The Heavenly Ladder means reviving the Heavenly Emperor Altar?"

[Yes.]

"Why? What's the intention?"

[A warning from the Heavenly Realm.]

Elder Manggyang looked unusually displeased, his tail straight up. Walking beside me along the path, he continued.

[We can't entrust the grand design of heaven and earth to a troublemaker like you. If we can't prevent incidents, we must handle the aftermath.]

"So you're saying the Heavenly Realm will clean up the chaos yourselves?"

[If you can't suppress the White Lotus Cult Leader and the Twelve Rhythm Lords, yes.]

"Damn it! What the..."

I felt absurd. I'd accepted the heavenly envoy role out of greed to handle Moon Yao, but it felt like things were leading to extremes more than expected. Elder Manggyang glanced back at me and said while walking the path,

[I don't want the Heavenly Emperor Altar reconnected either. Do your best.]

"Did you wake up?"

When I awoke, Cheon Ujin stood before me. Staring blankly at him, he said,

"Then let's go, Heavenly Envoy."

His face, full of sarcasm and irritation, made me feel good, so I grinned and said,

"You'll have to work hard helping me now."

"I know, so shut up."

"You know what we're doing, right?"

"Ugh."

"You heard from Elder Manggyang, didn't you?"

As I taunted, Cheon Ujin couldn't hold back his extreme annoyance and shouted.

"I know damn well! We're going to beat the shit out of that Vermilion Bird bastard spying on the Heavenly Realm!!"

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