Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

The Elder Council experts, having witnessed the power I unleashed, didn't dare touch me and quietly escorted me back to the Thunder God Faction building. Seeing the Wind God Faction members working in the Thunder God Faction, I couldn't help but wonder what to do with these burdens.

"No martial arts, and yet I have to take care of them..."

On top of that, there weren't just a few of them. Dokgo-jun and the Cult Leader had handed them over to me out of the goodness of their hearts, but now it felt like an unnecessary burden. As I felt irritated, Zhuge Sa spoke up.

[There are quite a few beauties from the Wind God Faction. Why not call some over for your service? Like two-to-one or three-to-one...]

[Are you insane? How many times do I have to tell you I'm not into that?]

[Then use them as test subjects for the Divorce Great Law. If not, I can teach you a few evil arts I know—sacrifice those Wind God Faction guys as offerings.]

[...]

Realizing Zhuge Sa was dead serious, I was at a loss for words. It wasn't some cheap third-rate joke like Geuk-ho's—it was Zhuge Sa genuinely suggesting a path of inhuman depravity, killing and violating humans. I knew following his advice would be the most "efficient" way to use the Wind God Faction, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Instead, I said in exasperation,

[Huh?]

[I just can't understand it. I've seen plenty of villains, murderers, and hypocrites in my life... but I've never met anyone who views humans as mere meat lumps like you. Normal people wouldn't think that way even after dying and coming back to life. How the hell have you lived to end up with that mindset?]

My question caught him off guard, and Zhuge Sa fell silent for a moment. Then he chuckled and said,

[Kekeke... Well said. The humans in this world are nothing more than meat lumps.]

[What?]

[Inhuman history books can't even describe it—an incredibly ancient era... The 'Ancient Ones' created the first humans as both food and pets. Back in the distant past, humans were no different from the cows or pigs raised by two-legged beings. Then the war between the 'Ancient Ones' and the evil gods put them to sleep... and the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors rose, granting civilization to humans—that's all.]

As he explained, I could almost feel him shrugging.

[Well, that's the surface reason. Or you could say I just got disappointed because I find no value in humans.]

[Value? Isn't just living enough?]

[Hmph... You've cultivated the Divorce Great Law to that extent and still can't grasp the essence of life and death. Then again, since you can reincarnate, it might be harder for you to perceive.]

Grumbling for some reason, Zhuge Sa continued,

[While we're on the topic, let me say this: the Cult Leader is even crazier than me. Stick with him to the end, and something interesting will happen.]

[Gasp...]

I was genuinely shocked.

Sure, this guy recognized his own madness, but I never expected him to admit the White Lotus Cult Leader was crazier than him! Knowing how insane Zhuge Sa was, I couldn't help but be surprised.

But the White Lotus Cult Leader I'd seen was passionate about his goals and sly, but nothing definitely "mad" beyond that. He had an unusual charisma as a religious leader, but it was too mild to call insanity.

[No matter how I think about it, he doesn't seem crazy...]

[Heh heh. He's normally crazy. He's in utter despair. I just felt his madness and shuddered.]

[......?]

[Anyway, your relationship with the Cult Leader will change from now on. Don't be a fool—follow him well.]

I learned what he meant by "relationship changing" the very next day.

The next morning, the White Lotus Cult Leader gathered all the Dharma Protectors, the Thunder God Faction and Flame God Faction elders, and solemnly declared,

[I appoint Baek Woong as the Vice Cult Leader of the White Lotus Cult.]

Murmurs...

Everyone except the Cult Leader looked bewildered. The elders seemed like they wanted to say something, but before they could, Han Baekyeong, the Flame God Faction's Dharma Protector, stepped forward and said,

"Cult Leader. What is the meaning of this sudden decision?"

[Exactly as you heard. Thunder God Faction Dharma Protector Baek Woong is promoted to Vice Cult Leader effective immediately.]

"There has never been a position or title of Vice Cult Leader in the thousand-year history of the White Lotus Cult. This is unprecedented!"

As Han Baekyeong protested in confusion, the Cult Leader replied,

[I haven't explained it to you all yet, but Baek Woong has formed an alliance with me as an equal. Thus, I've given him a position befitting that.]

"An alliance...?"

[Indeed. Vice Cult Leader Baek Woong holds authority second only to mine. From this day forth, all of you except myself shall respect Baek Woong, serve him as your superior, and address him with honor.]

"......!!"

The murmurs grew even louder. A monumental event had just overturned a thousand years of White Lotus Cult tradition in one fell swoop.

I was just as flustered, but Zhuge Sa's words snapped me out of it.

[The Cult Leader is trying to win you over no matter what.]

[By improving my treatment?]

[It'd be very effective for most people. The position you've just gained isn't just within the White Lotus Cult—it's a seat of power unrivaled even by the emperor across the entire Central Plains.]

[......]

That made sense. The imperial palace faction, which had formed a massive pillar of the Central Plains alongside the White Lotus Cult, had been annihilated, and the Cult had absorbed all its power. As the Cult Leader said, the Vice Cult Leader position was truly second only to him.

But I knew that declaration was meaningless. Because the power he touted was less than dust compared to the truths of the Mythical Age and the might of the hidden rulers behind the scenes. I felt a surge of emotion and nearly stepped forward, but Zhuge Sa stopped me.

[Let it go.]

No, I'm stepping forward.

[Planning to yell and throw a tantrum?]

Why did I propose an alliance in the first place? Because I was sick of being leashed and dragged around by the Cult Leader—and now this again...

[This is the Cult Leader's declaration, his answer to your alliance proposal yesterday. If you don't accept this line, he'll wipe you out right here, even if it means enduring your suicidal charge. Think you can take on the Cult Leader, Dharma Protectors, and elders all at once? It's a fight against the White Lotus Cult itself. Even Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin descending here couldn't win.]

[But... this just feels like I'm still being dragged along by the Cult Leader's intentions again.]

[Endure it, you idiot. How long do you plan to ruin things because of your petty pride?]

After snapping at me, Zhuge Sa said,

[Smile right now! Smile, I said. If you can't smile now, you're a loser.]

Smile?

If I don't let emotions control me, I'll just be controlled by the White Lotus Cult Leader—but still, smile?

Something unacceptable boiled up inside me, but I barely managed to suppress it. Normally, I'd ignore Zhuge Sa and do my own thing, but after spending so much time with him, I could understand parts of it. I sensed the sincerity hidden beneath his dog-like tone.

In the end, I forcibly moved my facial muscles and controlled my mind.

Soon, I was beaming broadly.

"Thank you, Cult Leader."

[We can go together from now on. And we'll have chances to understand each other better.]

The White Lotus Cult Leader neatly wrapped it up and suddenly looked at Han Baekyeong.

[Han Baekyeong. Do you not accept my decision?]

Han Baekyeong replied as if it were nothing.

"I've merely been surprised that you've broken a thousand-year custom."

[That's enough.]

She was undoubtedly the most dissatisfied here. She was helplessly watching the White Lotus Cult Leader dictate everything at his whim. But so skilled at emotional control was she that no agitation showed.

Shortly after the Vice Cult Leader appointment ceremony ended, the Cult Leader said,

[Vice Cult Leader Baek Woong. Follow me.]

I silently followed the Cult Leader. He took me to the same place as yesterday and said,

[The watcher I assigned to you reported to me. You suddenly vanished using the Four Buddha Statues. I also heard reports of you entering a place where Sangwan Hyeok is.]

......

[Since we're allies, mutual trust is essential. Tell me what you've been up to.]

If the Cult Leader wasn't forcing the Heavenly Spirit Pill on me, our partnership wouldn't differ much from before. After consulting Zhuge Sa, I opened my mouth. I told him about slaying the Vermilion Bird and receiving the commission for the lost plaque from Sangwan Hyeok.

The Cult Leader said in surprise,

[The Vermilion Bird? Is that true?]

"Yes. I'll bring the evidence now."

Moments later, when I retrieved Zhuge Yuryong's head from the Thunder God Faction building's secret chamber, the Cult Leader examined it. After confirming the appearance of Zhuge Yuryong's spare flesh body as well, he let out an exclamation.

[If it's true you've eliminated the Vermilion Bird, you've accomplished something monumental. Now we can focus entirely on the battle with the Twelve Laws.]

He muttered contentedly,

[Indeed, you have the qualifications to mention an alliance with me.]

"Cult Leader. I have one question."

[Ask.]

"Even now, the [Ancient Ruler] we served in the imperial palace must be viewing the White Lotus Cult unfavorably. You said you'd appease him—what method do you plan to use?"

This was a crucial issue. If the god grew angry and decided to eradicate the White Lotus Cult, even the current Cult Leader had no way to resist. But when we sabotaged the imperial palace, he hadn't explained the method in detail. As I eyed him suspiciously, the Cult Leader said,

[I've already appeased him.]

"Pardon?"

[I had Sangwan Hyeok offer a portrait as a stooge, and upon returning to the main altar, I performed a proper ritual and promised to offer tribute to that ruler. At least for the next ten years, there won't be issues.]

Tribute reservation!

Considering the ferocious and wicked nature of the [Ancient Ruler], this wasn't something easily done. But the [Ancient Ruler] behind the imperial palace seemed quite lenient, readily accepting the White Lotus Cult Leader's proposal. From that being's perspective, as long as its offerings remained intact, it didn't care what happened below.

Curious, I asked,

"What tribute did you promise to offer?"

[Before I answer that, let me ask you something.]

"Yes."

[The goal of my life is to manifest the Pure Void Fragrant World in this realm. To that end, I've relentlessly cultivated demonic arts and martial arts since youth. I have a firm sense of purpose.]

After prefacing, the White Lotus Cult Leader asked,

[But you, Baek Woong, seem utterly uninterested in life. What made you follow me all this time?]

......

How should I answer?

After a moment's thought, I replied,

"I'm curious about the world you'll create, Cult Leader."

Indeed. This life felt tangled and battered along the way, but my strongest motivation now was observing the Cult Leader to uncover the truth. The deeper I delved into the White Lotus Cult's superficial truths, the more it felt like my journey was accelerating dramatically.

[I see.]

Satisfied with my answer—I could even sense his smile through the mask—the Cult Leader finally said,

[The tribute I've promised the god is the Twelve Laws and Goryeo.]

......!!

[Once I defeat the Twelve Laws Lord, I'll have no business on that eastern peninsula. I'll feed them all to the [Ancient Ruler] wholesale.]

"Th-that's..."

[I considered handing over one of the Central Plains' provinces, but that would be too great a loss. So I've decided to offer the barbarians beyond the Central Plains.]

I froze at the unexpected answer.

Destroy the Twelve Laws and Goryeo!

Souls that fall into the hands of an [Ancient Ruler] couldn't even reincarnate—they became eternal playthings. This meant tens or hundreds of millions of humans swept into an unimaginable tragedy, all for the sole reason of enmity! I never imagined the White Lotus Cult Leader would say such a thing so casually, leaving me stunned.

"Was he always this evil?"

Until now, I'd seen him as enigmatic but living by his own convictions, never crossing the line. So while I disliked his arrogance, I couldn't truly hate or despise him. But his current attitude—tossing away human lives like trash—made him resemble Zhuge Sa or Zhuge Yuryong instead.

As I reeled inwardly, Zhuge Sa spoke.

[It's understandable. Once he defeats the Twelve Laws Lord and obtains the Seven Essentials, he won't be unilaterally pushed back even against an [Ancient Ruler]. If he uses that power to hunt the Seven Essentials, he'll eventually find them all. With his goal in sight, there's no need for half-hearted hypocrisy.]

[So the White Lotus Cult Leader is actually an extreme villain?]

[Kekeke... What the hell do you mean by good and evil?]

Zhuge Sa cackled.

[The White Lotus Cult Leader doesn't consider himself evil at all. He actually likes humans and genuinely worries about humanity's future. He just doesn't care about the sacrifices along the way. If his plan succeeds, the vast majority of humans might be saved. What right do you have to judge him as extreme evil?]

[He's casually trampling others for his own goals.]

Zhuge Sa replied in a tone of mock surprise.

[Whoa, really? I happen to know another guy like that.]

[What?]

[Some guy named Baek Woong—he used his reincarnation experience to thoroughly crush the Vermilion Bird, tortured its son to death, and wiped out the whole family without a shred of guilt. Didn't even make a grave—just beheaded and desecrated them.]

[...]

[This bastard?! You helped too!]

[Hey, I'm not saying judging good and evil is bad. Just don't recklessly apply the humanistic standards Hyoon instilled in you. To discern good and evil in this world tainted by evil gods, you need more flexible, relative criteria than human ethics.]

Zhuge Sa's final words carried not madness, but an ironclad command. It seemed a condensation of the worldly perspective he'd built as a sage. I didn't like his view, but it certainly broadened my own thinking.

As I remained silent, the White Lotus Cult Leader said,

[Vice Cult Leader Baek Woong. Continue participating in the Seven Great Absolute Arts Research Society.]

"I plan to."

[I intend to settle things with the Twelve Laws Lord in one year. You're still sorely lacking, so keep training until then.]

One year!

I tilted my head at his words.

"Why not fight now? While the Twelve Laws Lord hasn't fully tamed the Seven Essentials..."

[It's my intuition. I have a feeling his true terror might not be the Seven Essentials, but something else. So I'm delaying the battle until I see a sure path to victory.]

......?

[If only the Earth Spirit Language Moon Blade's repository were intact.]

Something more terrifying than the Seven Essentials?

But his tone was too serious to dismiss as nonsense. The intuition of the White Lotus Cult Leader, an absolute being beyond human martial prowess, couldn't be ignored.

And so I returned to my "daily routine." Days passed with me training the Seven Great Absolute Arts in the research society by day and cultivating the Divorce Great Law by night.

It was three months later.

In the midst of training, an Elder Council expert named Il-ro burst in from outside, shouting,

"Cult Leader! Big trouble!"

[What is it?]

From Il-ro's following words, I sensed a major incident had occurred.

"A report from Hebei: the Peaceful Way has raised a great army and seized nine provinces. The emperor in Luoyang has sent a letter requesting your aid, Cult Leader."

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