Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

Taiping Dao?

I was dumbfounded by Il-ro's words. Taiping Dao was a folk religion that had surged in popularity at the end of the Later Han dynasty, the force behind what could be called the first large-scale peasant rebellion in history. Though it had been suppressed, it was Taiping Dao that destroyed the rotten Later Han and paved the way for the era of the Three Kingdoms, when warlords rose up everywhere. That was why every scholar who studied literature and history knew all about Taiping Dao.

The problem was that Taiping Dao had emerged a staggering fifteen hundred years ago. Far earlier than the Manchus era, even decades before Zhuge Wu Hou's time—it was truly ancient history.

The Cult Leader pondered for a moment before responding.

[They say they can't overcome it without our help?]

[Yes.]

[That boy is disappointing. To think he lacks the power to suppress a mere rebellion...]

Il-ro hurriedly continued, as if to correct the Cult Leader's misunderstanding.

[How urgent, exactly?]

"All of Hebei Province has already fallen, and Taiping Dao's forces are estimated at three hundred thousand strong. They're attacking Shaanxi right now, and Shaanxi Province is on the verge of collapse. Scholars and provincial governors who fear the Ming Empire is on the brink of destruction are raising armies everywhere and marching to Luoyang to provide reinforcements."

[...]

The Cult Leader spoke as if it were absurd.

[I'm supposed to receive a summary of Central Plains intelligence every half month. Does that mean this all happened in the last half month?]

"Y-Yes. Precisely six days, to be exact..."

[Hmm...]

The Cult Leader let out a short groan before declaring firmly.

[Convene the council.]

"Understood!"

[Have all the Dharma Protectors attend, along with the top officers and elders from each faction.]

The White Lotus Cult's top executive council was convened half a shichen later. Composed of twenty members in total, the meeting included the Cult Leader and me, the Vice Cult Leader, as well as the Dharma Protectors, elders, and the supreme experts of the Elder Council.

The Cult Leader opened the meeting.

[Everyone should already know the situation from the prior reports. What are your thoughts?]

"Cult Leader, we must intervene immediately."

The one who spoke up decisively was Han Baek-ryeong, the Dharma Protector of the Incarnation Unit. She had returned to the White Lotus Cult from Luoyang in record time using the Flame Spirit Cauldron, her face etched with grave concern. For a sly fox like her to fail at masking her expression meant the crisis was that severe.

"Luoyang is a scene of utter chaos right now. Maniacs and lightning strikes are appearing everywhere, and public order is plummeting to its worst. We're deploying the Twin Gate Division to hold the line, but we're reaching our limits."

[Maniacs?]

"It's a phenomenon where ordinary people suddenly go insane and attack those around them. Their physical abilities when berserk rival those of seasoned martial artists, making them incredibly difficult to handle."

[Hmm...]

The Cult Leader gazed at Han Baek-ryeong and said.

[Han Baek-ryeong, you were in Luoyang and received the news sooner. Why didn't you report it earlier?]

"I'm sorry. At first, it was just rumors of a rebellion, with no signs for three or four days. Then Hebei Province fell overnight, and Taiping Dao's massive army advanced at an insane pace, flooding us with intelligence we couldn't process."

[What? So effectively, it happened in just one or two days.]

"Yes. As I reported, there were frequent incidents of the Emperor's guards going berserk, making containment extremely difficult. I apologize once more."

It seemed Han Baek-ryeong hadn't reported sooner because the events had unfolded so far beyond comprehension in such a short time. Reporting mere speculation without grasping the situation would only sow confusion.

The room buzzed with unease. Taiping Dao's uprising and advance were shockingly fast, defying all common sense. Even the swiftest armies typically marched about a hundred li per day. Only light cavalry or specially trained units could exceed that.

But Taiping Dao had covered thousands of li in a single push, smashing everything in their path—like a raging gale.

"Unless every soldier is sprinting at the speed of a fine steed with endless stamina for marching and fighting, it's impossible..."

Having read military treatises, I knew how absurd this was. Capturing a walled city in a day or two was one thing, but fording rivers and marching thousands of li to strike near the capital in Shaanxi? No human army could do that. Even if every soldier rode a warhorse, they'd need infinite stamina—and logistics made it outright impossible. Not even the legendary Mongol steppe cavalry could manage it.

The Cult Leader, who had been listening, suddenly questioned me.

[Vice Cult Leader, what do you make of this?]

Why ask me? Trying to dump this on me?

I grumbled inwardly, but Zhuge immediately scolded me.

[Idiot. You need to make the Cult Leader face reality first. Otherwise, we'll miss our chance and regret it.]

[Zhuge, do you know what's happening?]

[Of course. Just relay my words exactly. Don't hesitate.]

This guy always...

Hiding my irritation, I began speaking as Zhuge instructed.

"This isn't something human forces can achieve. Nine times out of ten, it's the work of Celestial Realm Great Luo Immortals. Among them, the one with the deepest ties to Taiping Dao is Nanhua Laoxian, said to be Grand Master Zhang Jue's master. He's likely using Taiping sorcery to control the army."

The room stirred again. It was the same reaction as before—utter disbelief. To most martial artists, the Celestial Realm was a vague, folk-religion concept, alien and mythical.

Sure enough, Duguo Jun shot to his feet and addressed me.

[Vice Cult Leader... what do you mean? You truly believe the Celestial Realm and Great Luo Immortals are our enemies? Imaginary beings like that...?]

"Of course."

I continued curtly.

"From the secular martial world's view, our Heavenly Spirit Pill is straight out of legend too. And you all know sorcerers exist in this world, right? The Celestial Realm and Great Luo Immortals are real, and they're intervening directly because they fear the power we used to conquer the Central Plains. Given the Cult Leader's martial might, it's entirely plausible."

[Hmm...]

"The palace already confirmed the presence of gods and apostles. What more proof do you need?"

Duguo Jun fell silent. As the man who had traded with otherworldly beings to obtain the divine power of the Heavenly Spirit Pill, the idea of the Celestial Realm's existence instantly became conviction for him. The other executives seemed similarly shaken, beginning to accept reality.

The Cult Leader refocused the room.

[If the Vice Cult Leader is correct, then their army consists of hundreds of thousands of berserkers enhanced by Celestial Great Luo Immortal power. And with immortals behind them, we'll have to fight immortals too.]

[...]

A heavy silence descended. The Cult Leader's stark assessment made the enemy's terrifying strength sink in. There was no guarantee of victory against such foes. He chuckled dryly and turned to me.

[Vice Cult Leader, victory aside—do you believe we have a duty to intervene?]

"Our Incarnation Unit and Dharma Protectors are in Luoyang right now."

[The Incarnation Unit can withdraw tomorrow if needed. Give me a straight answer.]

It left a bitter taste. The Cult Leader was drawing me out, clearly testing my quick thinking and wisdom. Our one-sided alliance turning mutual probably factored in too. Suppressing my annoyance, I responded calmly as Zhuge advised.

"The White Lotus Cult must commit fully to stopping Taiping Dao's army. If Celestial Realm Immortals are truly backing them, their ultimate target is undoubtedly us."

[No proof they're aiming for the cult, is there?]

"A horde of hundreds of thousands claiming to be Taiping Dao charging straight for Luoyang, freshly under our control? It's suspicious to anyone. They're trying to destroy the city before we grow stronger with the treasures the Cult Leader obtained from the palace."

[Then why not strike our main altar in Xinjiang directly?]

"I'm not sure, but maybe they lack the power right now? Perhaps they think seizing Luoyang will make them stronger..."

The last part was my own guess, not Zhuge's. He'd stopped talking out of laziness. I feared a sloppy finish would invite rebuttals.

But the Cult Leader nodded as if it made sense.

[I see. That could be...]

What could be?

Curious, but before I could ask, he commanded me.

[Very well. Vice Cult Leader Baek Woong, scout Taiping Dao's army immediately and report back.]

"Ugh."

My face twisted. Scout that dangerous horde? Even at peak expert level, plunging into hundreds of thousands of death-defying soldiers was suicidal. Grumblings, I protested.

"Cult Leader, why not just take the Dharma Protectors and smash them like you did the palace forces? That should end it."

I meant it. The current White Lotus Cult Leader could probably annihilate them solo. His power rivaled Great Luo Immortals, and with Primordial Spirit, his qi and stamina were infinite. Barraging them with Earth Holder Wisdom King and 42 blasts for mass slaughter? Even hundreds of thousands wouldn't survive. Even if Nanhua Laoxian descended in person, I'd bet on the Cult Leader.

But he refused flatly.

[No.]

"Why not?"

[I have a hunch they're not that simple. And if this uprising targets us as you say, they've prepared countermeasures anticipating our full strength. We can't rush in without knowing their schemes and power.]

[...]

[The Vice Cult Leader has superior mobility, wisdom, and martial arts. I trust you to gather the intel.]

Just send me, huh?

Grumbling inwardly, Zhuge chimed in.

[What's the big deal? Just do the job.]

[It's dangerous. They'll be like Taekyung Village—frenzied with sorcery. Would you dive into that?]

I'd infiltrated Taekyung Village once, consumed by madness from an evil god's ritual. Every villager was a berserker ignoring death with monstrous strength. Assigning him was like granting a heavenly army. Proof the Cult Leader took this seriously. Then Zhuge smirked.

[You'd need to gather intel anyway, even without orders. This is the Celestial Realm's gambit. If it fails, they'll rebuild the Heavenly Ladder. Uncover their plans.]

[Hmm...]

No choice. I replied softly.

"Understood."

[You'll need backup, though. I'll assign an escort.]

As he finished, Duguo Jun stood and clasped his hands to me.

[I look forward to working with you, Vice Cult Leader.]

[...]

[I won't be a burden, so don't worry.]

I was floored.

"Like you'd ever be a burden!"

Who was Duguo Jun? In the monster packed Divine Newcomer Unit, he was the transcendent expert second only to the Cult Leader, a Dharma Protector. Assigning him was like granting a heavenly army. Proof the Cult Leader took this seriously. Then Zhuge smirked.

[The Cult Leader isn't that straightforward. He has other motives.]

[What do you mean?]

[Just a hunch. Nothing certain yet.]

Zhuge's vagueness raised suspicions. My nape itched, fearing a betrayal. But refusing now was impossible, so I bowed.

"Thank you."

Right after the meeting, the Cult Leader pulled me aside.

[Baek Woong, did you sense anything strange in Luoyang's palace?]

"Strange how?"

[Maybe it's my senses playing tricks... While tidying up Luoyang, I felt an itch. My seven senses warned of danger at times. I sensed something lurking, but unsure, so I'm asking.]

[...]

What was he getting at?

Nothing came to mind, so I shook my head.

"No idea. But I doubt anyone in the world could fool the Cult Leader's senses."

[I see...]

After a pause, he patted my shoulder.

[Then go well.]

Flash!

Soon after, Duguo Jun and I rode the Four Buddha Statue toward where Taiping Dao's army swarmed. Per Han Baek-ryeong's intel, they'd overrun Shaanxi and were advancing like a swarm of bees, position hard to pin down. We tasked the Four Buddha Statue with locating them.

It found them quickly. From an nameless hill, we watched their horde thunder across the plains.

"Rumble rumble rumble"

"Rumble rumble"

The earth shook violently. Staring at their advance, I paled.

"Insane..."

No cavalry. Yet every soldier sprinted at warhorse speeds! Ordinary humans couldn't sustain that, let alone match it. Looking closer, their eyes were rolled back white, seemingly unconscious, veins bulging as muscles swelled grotesquely.

Duguo Jun, observing beside me, remarked.

[They're pushing their bodies to the absolute limit. Strength, grip, leg power—all twenty times a normal human's, at least.]

"How do you know at a glance?"

[I've seen similar effects from forbidden secret drugs. But those killed the user within half a shichen, max.]

"These show no signs of dying."

As I retorted, Duguo Jun eyed Taiping Dao's rabid vanguard and said.

[Then they're no longer human.]

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