Reincarnated Swordmaster

Translator: Aoo

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

Crackle.

Zhuge Ba's soul seemed to resist my command at first. But soon, it wilted and began answering my questions in a defeated tone.

[The backup bodies' hideouts are... near the Five Peaks Heavenly Altar...]

"Nearby? Be more specific."

[...There are a total of seven.]

Not just one?!

I was momentarily shocked, but it made sense. Given the Vermilion Bird's exceedingly cautious nature, he wouldn't have kept them all in one place. And he'd hidden them around the Five Peaks Heavenly Altar so that, if needed, he could transfer to a backup body and seize control of the altar.

[Urgh... That bastard... Not content with killing me, he uses me as he pleases... What grudge does he have against me to do this...]

"Hmm."

I nearly replied that of course there was a grudge, but I hesitated.

From Zhuge Ba's perspective, it must look like I'd ambushed him out of nowhere. In my previous life, I'd suffered at his hands, but this Zhuge Ba had no such memory. To a third party, I was the clear aggressor and invader. Understanding his grievance, I scratched my head with a twinge of conscience before responding.

"I am Baek Woojin, the Dharma Protector Lion of the White Lotus Cult's Thunder God Style. And I had to smash you for deeply personal reasons. Besides, didn't you offer up innocent people as human sacrifices to gain power?"

I could say this with certainty. Anyone who saw the horrors of the human sacrifices at Mount Tai's Heavenly Altar would never think I'd been too harsh on the Zhuge family father and son. At minimum, hundreds had died gruesome deaths.

He'd probably had the soldiers stationed at Mount Tai's fortress round up civilians from nearby villages. It was a vile tragedy.

[Don't make me laugh! I don't even know who you are, and you do this to me...]

"Good. Then you'll get to know me from now on."

[Urgh...]

As Zhuge Ba seemed about to lash out, I continued.

"Anyway, you're reincarnated in a demonic body—aren't you worried your soul might get sucked into the [Ancient Ruler]'s grasp? Once you've served enough under the Heavenly Divine Scripture's spell, karmic ties to the Heavenly Realm will form, putting you in a much better spot."

[...]

"Think about it with that brilliant mind of yours. You're dead anyway and can't come back without this."

Zhuge Ba made a pained expression before speaking as if resigned.

[You're a real bastard.]

"Hmm..."

I looked uncomfortable. I'd thought I'd been as considerate as possible, so why the reaction? Then, Zhuge Sa, who'd been listening from within, chuckled inwardly.

[Why, that was well said.]

Hearing Zhuge Ba praise me only soured my mood further.

Soon after, Zhuge Ba detailed the locations of Zhuge Yulong's hideouts near the Heavenly Altar. Following his directions, I began riding the Four Divine Beasts status to check each one.

Boom!

Boom!

I unleashed palm strikes to collapse Zhuge Yulong's hideouts, frowning all the while.

That takes care of five near the Heavenly Altar.

Seeing the "backup bodies" lying in deep underground caverns left a bad taste. Each one was identical to Zhuge Yulong, identical enough to pass for twins. With at least twenty per site, I could guess he had over a hundred spare lives.

If a guy like Zhuge Yulong kept reviving a hundred times, hounding us relentlessly with his intellect and martial arts, even the White Lotus Cult Leader couldn't stay safe. No wonder the Leader obsession over the Vermilion Bird's existence.

Cheon Woojin, who was smashing the hideouts beside me, spoke up.

"Baek Woojin. Zhuge Yulong isn't here."

"He's probably at one of the last two."

I replied and questioned Zhuge Ba.

"Zhuge Ba. Where are the remaining two?"

[...]

"Resisting won't do you any good. You know better than anyone the torment of a soul claimed by the [Ancient Ruler]. If I want, I can release the Heavenly Divine Scripture and cast you out."

As I growled, Zhuge Ba grudgingly answered.

[One's in Xi'an. The other is Luoyang.]

"Right in major cities, huh."

Hearing that explained how Zhuge Yulong had revived immediately after death and popped up unpredictably at the Heavenly Altar or Luoyang. He'd built his bases around key strongholds. That way, in an emergency, he could swiftly subjugate the Nine Great Righteous Sects in the Five Peaks.

Swoosh.

Soon, Cheon Woojin and I headed to Zhuge Yulong's base in Xi'an. Entering the underground lair, I let out a groan.

"It's huge."

The Xi'an base was over ten times larger than the others. It looked like an entire hill had been hollowed out and remodeled, with dozens of rooms inside the massive cavern. Each room held ritual tools and Zhuge Yulong's backup bodies. Finding over forty this time left me stunned.

'He made a lot of spare lives.'

Boom!!

Boom!!

After demolishing the Xi'an base, we headed straight to Luoyang. The final hideout was near the south gate, by a graveyard. It appeared to be just a simple gravedigger's shrine from outside, but stepping in triggered mechanisms. Dissolving them revealed a massive cavern yawning open.

As the cavern's iron door opened, I said to Cheon Woojin.

"He's probably here. This is his last hideout—he can't abandon it."

"Likely."

Cheon Woojin crossed his arms with a nonchalant reply.

"Something doesn't add up."

"What do you mean?"

"A sorcerer of this caliber could claim to be the top in the Central Plains among spellcasters right now. In the Eight Trigrams alone, he might surpass even me—a master. So why ally with the Other Race...?"

"No reason to ally with the Other Race?"

"Someone like Zhuge Yulong could become an Earth Immortal and ascend the Path of Selection, or summon a renowned Great Thunder Immortal for ascension qualifications. The Heavenly Realm welcomes powerful immortals—they'd have no reason to refuse. Yet he commits these acts..."

[...]

I thought for a moment before answering.

"Maybe he just didn't want to go to the Heavenly Realm that badly?"

"Nonsense. Among all Central Plains sorcerers and martial artists, those who can ascend number but a handful. That's unrealistic thinking."

"You had the ability, but didn't go."

"Hah!"

Cheon Woojin gave me a piffled look. Puzzled by his reaction, Zhuge Sa spoke from within.

[Idiot. Haven't you figured out Cheon Woojin's position?]

[What do you mean?]

[He's the guardian of Central Plains Taoism and a disciple of Jemyanggyang, the lord of power. That means he's a disciple taken directly by a god. So even the Great Thunder Immortals can't treat him lightly, despite his apparent rank.]

[Hmm.]

[He's received spells directly from a god—why would he go to the Heavenly Realm?]

I'd never considered it that way, so I groaned.

Disciple of a god!

That's why no one questioned his grandiose title of Illusion God. And during the recent spirit offering ritual, I'd seen with my own eyes how his spell power had multiplied after overcoming divine flames. Realizing I'd spoken out of turn, I smacked my lips and said.

"Well, he must have his reasons. Let's catch him and interrogate."

"I'll dispel the barriers first—follow behind."

With those words, Cheon Woojin vanished in an instant. I followed his presence into the dark cavern. Before my eyes adjusted to the blackness, a massive illusory flame erupted ahead.

Roar!

The enormous fire dragon Cheon Woojin summoned surged up, splitting into five streams that lit the chamber brightly. He was clearing barriers, traps, and securing visibility in one go. With him paving the way, I advanced without worry.

Rumble.

The cavern shook as if about to collapse. Emerging at a secondary exit, I found another bottomless abyss below. Unlike Zhuge Yulong's previous bases, this felt different. Seeing the spiral staircase descending into the abyss stirred a sense of familiarity.

'An Other Race ruin!'

This architecture wasn't human-made—it was Other Race! My long adventure experiencing let me recognize it immediately. A fire dragon flew wildly in the abyss's center; Cheon Woojin, too impatient to wait, had descended straight down. Unable to use flight techniques, I summoned the Four Divine Beasts statue and rode it to the bottom.

Flash.

Upon landing, I saw Cheon Woojin facing off against Zhuge Yulong in the darkness. Zhuge Yulong looked more exhausted than ever, his conical hat removed. His refined, handsome middle-aged features gleamed pallidly in the firelight.

Zhuge Yulong spoke in a hollow tone.

"...So you've come all the way here. I hoped you wouldn't."

Cheon Woojin retorted.

"Zhuge Yulong. You could have ascended to become an immortal, yet you do this folly... Didn't you know human power and politics are worthless?"

Zhuge Yulong chuckled softly.

"Haha... No one knows that better than I. Do you think I became the Demon Subduing Hall's high priest out of lust for power?"

"Then why commit such heinous acts?"

Cheon Woojin continued angrily.

"Not just human sacrifices—you seized the Heavenly Altar to spy on the Heavenly Realm's secrets. This crime far exceeds leaking heavenly secrets. The Heavenly Realm unanimously orders your eradication. Never has a human committed such a monstrous crime in history."

"Heh heh."

Zhuge Yulong merely laughed. He seemed uninterested in responding to Cheon Woojin's accusations. Assessing the situation, I stepped forward and demanded.

"Hey. Answer me. Why did you do this?"

[...]

Zhuge Yulong turned to me. With calm eyes, he said.

"I've lost to you completely. But that's because I misjudged your true nature."

"What bullshit is that?"

"I assumed the being employed the Soul Separation Grand Technique was naturally Zhuge Sa, my younger brother, the cult leader. So I anticipated his thoughts and prepared. But you shattered all predictions, striking straight at Mount Tai's Heavenly Altar. Pierced at the core, I had no choice but to crumble."

He recited calmly, then glared at me fiercely.

"Who the hell are you? How do you know all my secrets? And where is Zhuge Sa?"

"Hmm..."

For the first time, I sensed real emotion from Zhuge Yulong. He was clearly rattled. I'd struck at the secrets he'd hidden so meticulously.

Zhuge Sa said.

[Hey. Try the Soul Separation Grand Technique on that backup body over there.]

[Will it work?]

[You can't fix the soul at your level, but it can move for a short time. Maybe an incense stick's worth.]

[Got it.]

Following Zhuge Sa's words, I approached Zhuge Yulong's backup body and placed my hand on it. Knowing how much he'd awaited this confrontation, I granted his request.

Move the soul with the essence!

Hummm.

As I cast the Soul Separation Grand Technique, transferring Zhuge Sa's soul to the backup, the body trembled briefly before slowly rising. Rubbing his nape, Zhuge Sa—wearing Zhuge Yulong's face—smiled at him.

"Oh. Brother. Long time no see."

Zhuge Yulong sighed, grasping the situation.

"So that's it. Who killed you?"

"The White Lotus Cult Leader."

"Absurd."

"I thought so too, brother."

The brothers smirked almost simultaneously. Though the bodies were identical, their smirks differed, revealing distinct souls within. Zhuge Sa chuckled and added.

"Brother. Can you guess why you became a hypocrite?"

"..."

"You cast me out and crippled all the spells and martial arts I'd cultivated, just because I embraced the cult leader's teachings? All because the heir of Zhuge Mahou, who carries the Dao lineage, couldn't connect with vile Other Race."

"That's right."

"It took me three years of grueling effort just to restore those lost spells. And what did you do?"

Any normal person would have no retort. But Zhuge Yulong looked at Zhuge Sa and replied.

"For the same reason you despaired of the world."

"What?"

"I just realized it a bit later..."

What the hell is he talking about?

I was baffled, but Zhuge Sa's face hardened. His expression showed he understood and empathized with Zhuge Yulong's answer more than anyone. Though incomprehensible to me, it rang true for Zhuge Sa, who soon sighed.

"Hah. You were always like that, brother. Stubborn to the end, then changing in a flash."

"Don't talk like you know me, you heretic. There were reasons and motives."

"The result is this mess."

Zhuge Sa sneered.

"Bottom line, brother—you weren't cut out to reach the [Ancient Ruler]."

Zhuge Yulong growled.

"Then that guy you're backing is?"

"A bit unreliable, but far more practical than your path."

Zhuge Yulong's expression shifted.

"That good? What kind of guy is he?"

"No need for you to know. You're dying here."

Zhuge Sa grinned wickedly.

"Besides, this body isn't your last, right? You've hidden your true body somewhere even Zhuge Ba doesn't know, waiting for a final counterattack? I know everything—that's why we're here, brother."

"So what? You can't find it anyway..."

"No need to find it."

"What?"

Zhuge Sa flashed a crescent grin.

"Baek Woojin. Kill him."

"Don't order me around!"

Roaring, I charged Zhuge Yulong. At the same time, Cheon Woojin unleashed spells from the side.

"Urk!"

Zhuge Yulong summoned the power of the Earthly Trigrams Blade to seal Cheon Woojin's spells as before, but amid the floating trigrams, I swung my sword unhindered at his neck.

Clang!

Clang!

Having fought me before, Zhuge Yulong defended more adeptly than last time. But it was mere defense; the vast gap in inner power prevented any counter. If his martial arts surpassed Absolute Realm, he might have struck back lethally, but his weren't at that level.

'Difference exist even among peak transcendent!'

Thud.

Soon, my sword carved through the air, decapitating him. The Thunder God Sword Dance's ultimate technique overwhelmed with dominance—no human defense could withstand it.

Zhuge Yulong knew the attack's flow but lacked the power to evade. I ended it in 270 breaths, steadying my breath as I withdrew.

Watching Cheon Woojin commented.

"Your swordsmanship is impressive. A fitting master of Wolyo."

"Thanks, but that's not the point now."

Sheathing my sword, I said worriedly.

"Zhuge Sa. How do we find his hidden body?"

Zhuge Sa, in Zhuge Yulong's form, chuckled.

"I said no need. Killing it would just trigger the god's curse—pointless."

"But leaving it risks future trouble..."

Ignoring me, Zhuge Sa said.

"Baek Woojin. Time I taught you the true use of the Soul Separation Grand Technique."

"Huh?"

"Cheon Woojin. Seal him now."

With that, Zhuge Sa smashed his own crown. Moments later, the bloodied body with shattered crown rose abruptly. Panicked, he cried.

"What?!"

What happened?

Cheon Woojin grasped it first. He rushed forward, seizing Zhuge Yulong's throat, and intoned what seemed a powerful sealing spell.

"Vile spirit, your soul shall be washed in the Heavenly Realm..."

Crackle!!

"Aaargh! Stop!!"

Zhuge Yulong screamed. Not from pain, but utter despair at his plight. He flailed, but the divine lightning enveloping him showed no sign of stopping. Naturally, a seal from Illusion God Cheon Woojin could bind great yokai in one strike.

Zhuge Sa's returned soul said smugly.

[Backup bodies made just for Zhuge Yulong have insanely high soul synergy. Reading that flow and pulling the soul back with the Soul Separation Grand Technique is child's play.]

[You pulled his soul back after he transferred?]

[You could do it at Soul Separation Grand Technique level 8.]

[...]

[Train harder.]

As we conversed, Cheon Woojin's sealing continued. Looking at Zhuge Yulong with conflicted eyes, he said.

"They said killing you triggers the [Ancient Ruler]'s curse. I'll bear that karma in the Heavenly Realm—no need to worry about the god's curse after it striking us. You'll atone eternally in the Heavenly Realm Thunder Prison."

"Kukuhu... Sin... You think what I did was so evil?"

"Human sacrifice. Leaking heavenly secrets."

"It was to save humanity."

Realizing he couldn't overturn the board, Zhuge Yulong laughed maniacally.

"Heh heh heh... In a few centuries, all ten billion humans die... To prevent that future, I'd do anything. Unlike you Heavenly Realm cowards, I wouldn't stand by and escape reality."

"..."

"Illusion God Cheon Woojin. Do you know of Luerse's rise, when all [Ancient Rulers] awaken and life perishes under the constellations? Death itself won't be salvation then. I sacrificed everything to avert it!"

Screaming desperately, Zhuge Yulong added darkly.

"The ancients chose the same. Success or failure is all that differs..."

Cheon Woojin glanced at the spiritual energy around him.

"This weakened, even the Chart of Mountains, Rivers, and the Nation can't be escaped."

With a pop, the Chart appeared over Cheon Woojin's left palm. He'd seal Zhuge Yulong inside after weakening him first to prevent breakout.

"Farewell."

Poof.

Zhuge Yulong's body crumbled to ash, his soul glowing white above Cheon Woojin's palm. Cheon Woojin placed it into the chart.

The scroll fluttered, glowing red briefly. The process ended in seconds, the dark cavern falling silent once more.

"Hmm."

Just in case, I checked my body. Last time, my nervous system melted, taking my body with it—worried about the soul's curse. But after waiting, nothing came.

Cheon Woojin sighed, rolling up the chart and tucking it away.

"Baek Woojin. Ignore what Zhuge Yulong said. He dreamed beyond his station."

"Saving humanity—referring to an apocalypse centuries from now?"

"Probably."

He replied firmly.

"I said, don't mind it."

"..."

I couldn't not mind.

Cheon Woojin's "don't mind" implied an inescapable despair.

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