Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

The answer came surprisingly easily.

[ I believe we should not strike down the White Lotus Cult Leader. ]

[ Why is that? ]

In response to Yeo Dong-bin's question, I replied calmly.

[ Because the Sword Immortal is hesitating. ]

[...... ]

[ The Sword Immortal is the guardian of humanity. The moment you hesitate, doesn't that mean your justification has already vanished? ]

I wanted to phrase it more convincingly, but my eloquence was lacking, so that was the best I could manage. Even so, Yeo Dong-bin seemed to understand, falling silent as he gazed at the Fire Dragon Divine Sword, lost in thought. Then he spoke.

[ Uh... well... ]

Unsure how to respond, I faltered, and the Sword Immortal said calmly.

[ My fated one. I am deeply grateful for your help in finding the Fire Dragon Divine Sword. However, even if it returns to my hand, what meaning does it hold if I cannot find justice? ]

[ Hmmm... ]

[ You are the one who forged the greatest bond with me in a thousand years. I wish to hear more of your thoughts. ]

Yeo Dong-bin seemed genuinely at a loss himself. Seeing him like this felt novel, almost human. It made me think that the worldly notion of great immortals transcending all human emotions was wrong.

After pondering deeply, I said.

[ Please help me persuade the White Lotus Cult Leader. ]

[ Persuade him of what? ]

[ The Heavenly Realm's justification for issuing the Celestial Mandate is that the White Lotus Cult's occupation of Luoyang poses a danger. As the Vice Cult Leader, I can convince the Cult Leader to withdraw. That way, everything can be resolved peacefully without resorting to force. ]

This was something I'd discussed beforehand with Zhuge Sa. In fact, it was what I'd prepared to say from the start once Yeo Dong-bin was summoned, but his swift dominance over the hall had barely given me the chance.

[ Isn't your eloquence enough for that? ]

[ The Cult Leader reveres strength. I need the Sword Immortal's assistance. ]

[...I see. ]

Shrilling.

[ Four Divine Guardians. ]

Yeo Dong-bin sheathed the Fire Dragon Divine Sword and suddenly called out to the Four Divine Guardians. As the summoned statue gazed silently at him, he stroked its neck and continued.

[ Once again, after a thousand years, I must impose on you. ]

Surprisingly, the Four Divine Guardians—who had until now only fulfilled its duties with few words—responded curtly.

[ You sure talk big now, Yeo Dong-bin. In life, you worked me to death. ]

I could feel the kirin-like eyes of the Four Divine Guardians flash with sharp light.

[ Is that so? ]

[ If there's work to do, get moving. I'll handle my part as well. ]

Paat!

Riding the Four Divine Guardians, Yeo Dong-bin soon headed to the Cult Leader's secluded training chamber. The elders sensed his approach and swarmed in like a pack. Il-ro glared at me and said.

"Vice Cult Leader! I told you the Cult Leader is in seclusion. How dare you intrude!"

The elders were more vigilant and murderous than ever. The Cult Leader's current seclusion was critically important, so they had to block intruders at the cost of their lives. Even I, the Vice Cult Leader who often met the Cult Leader one-on-one, was no exception.

"Baek Woong, Vice Cult Leader! State your reason for intruding and get out! Otherwise..."

Led by Il-ro, the peak elders stood ready to attack me at any moment. They all harbored genuine loyalty to the Cult Leader.

[ Yeo Dong-bin! Lend me your body. I'll explain to them... ]

[ No need. ]

Rejecting it outright, Yeo Dong-bin drew his Fire Dragon Divine Sword and shouted at them.

[ I have business with the Cult Leader. If I shatter your combined assault in three moves, open the way!! ]

Kurrrung.

Yeo Dong-bin had drawn heavily on my internal energy, unleashing a massive storm of qi in an instant. But the elders were no slouches in inner power; they staggered briefly before sneering.

"Madman!"

"No Celestial Spirit Pill, and you're suicidal?!"

[ Do you accept? ]

Il-ro, their leader, stepped forward with a voice thick with killing intent.

"Of course! But your head—Vice Cult Leader—will roll first!"

Seeing their reaction, I felt a bitter pang. I'd risen from Dharma Protector to Vice Cult Leader, thinking I'd advanced far in the White Lotus Cult, but the elders had never truly acknowledged me without the Celestial Spirit Pill. It made sense—I had no pill or faction—but their attitude still irked me.

Kugugugu.

The eight elders in front amplified their energy at once, unleashing their ultimate techniques. Some hailed from the Four Great Martial Lineages, but over half were renowned experts from the Central Plains who had joined for the cult's fame, handpicked by the Cult Leader for the council and empowered. Most could be considered the Cult Leader's direct disciples.

'Damn it!'

The sight drove me mad. These eight were true peak experts who could best even sect leaders of the Nine Great Sects. No matter my inner energy, without summoning Wol-yo's Moon Shadow, victory was impossible. I urgently shouted to Yeo Dong-bin.

[ Yeo Dong-bin! Use Wol-yo. With Wol-yo, it'll be easy... ]

[ No need for an ox-cleaver to kill a chicken. ]

With a simple reply, Yeo Dong-bin raised the Fire Dragon Divine Sword and charged forward.

Ka-ku-ku-kwang!!

Moments later, the eight peak experts' ultimate techniques erupted in countless streams of sword energy, forming a dazzling waterfall of light. Even a Dharma Protector would need to defend against such an assault. The council's strength and reputation were well-earned.

But in that instant—as if time froze—Yeo Dong-bin's sword danced.

Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship.

Six Intents Holy Heaven Diagram.

Sea Severing.

It was as if massive waves crashed, space engulfed in sword shadows. A single sword shadow couldn't withstand the sword energy waterfall, yet impossibly, all techniques in the path of the Six Intents Holy Heaven Diagram's Sea Severing vanished. The overwhelming power of nature itself writhed and surged from the sword's edge.

Kwoong!

A blue-green hue sliced through their protective auras like sea wind.

"Kraaak!"

"Uwaaak!"

In a flash, the eight peak experts became bloodied messes, flung backward. Yeo Dong-bin had held back slightly—no deaths, only severe wounds. It all happened in one move without a word, leaving me dumbfounded.

'This... this strong?'

I'd known Yeo Dong-bin was the ultimate combat immortal, witnessed his feats many times: felling demon gods with peerless divinity, effortlessly toppling even the Shadowless Sword Emperor. But the power I felt now was on another level entirely—overwhelmingly absolute.

Il-ro rushed at me, screaming.

"Everyone, charge!!"

Paaat.

As his cry ended, thirty elders leaped into the air. Likely the council's full might; never before had they combined against anyone in cult history. Yet they charged without hesitation, viewing Yeo Dong-bin as a colossal threat.

Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship.

Six Intents Holy Heaven Diagram.

Yeo Dong-bin took a light step, fusing his sword formula.

Earth Rain Severing.

Unity.

Diagonal rain poured against the heavens. Sword light split into tens of thousands of strands, surging from earth to sky. In an instant, over a dozen elders were struck by the sword formula, losing consciousness; the rest couldn't resist the curving barrage and plummeted.

Thud thud dung.

"Heuk..."

"Keuhk..."

In just two moves, it was over—the elders annihilated, Il-ro fainted. Not a single death.

Yeo Dong-bin impassively surveyed the scene and walked inward without a word, as if it were nothing noteworthy. But feeling the profound realm in his martial arts, I was too thrilled to speak.

Six Intents Holy Heaven Diagram of the Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship!

The immortal's swordsmanship without forms transcended human martial arts. As an absolute realm technique honed by a combat immortal over centuries, no earthly art could oppose it.

I realized why this thrill felt so intense.

'My own level has risen.'

It sounded odd, but that was it. Ignorantly, I'd once marveled at flashing sword lights and energies. But in this life, I'd encountered absolute realm arts more than ever, learning their theory and practice—especially the Three Treasures Ultimate Arts from the Cult Leader, glimpsing that realm. Thus, Yeo Dong-bin's power struck me more vividly than ever.

Step.

As Yeo Dong-bin entered the seclusion cave, candles lit one by one in the darkness, soon numbering hundreds. As if by magic, flames ignited on the pre-set wicks.

At the cave's center stood the White Lotus Cult Leader, awaiting Yeo Dong-bin. He stared intently, then clasped his fists in salute.

[ Stranger, you have come well. ]

[ Who do you think I am? ]

[ Your form is the Vice Cult Leader's, but the power emanating from within is that of an absolute expert. That divine feat subduing the council in one go rivals heavenly arts. I've rarely seen your like in my life. ]

Evidently, the Cult Leader had sensed the battle outside during seclusion and prepared.

[...... ]

[ Are you perchance a combat immortal of the Heavenly Realm? ]

To the Cult Leader's frank words, Yeo Dong-bin replied calmly.

[ Indeed, I am the Sword Immortal Yeo Dong-bin. ]

Flinch!

The Cult Leader was visibly shocked. Who wouldn't be, facing one of the legendary Eight Taoist Immortals revered in folklore? Yet, locked in direct conflict with the Heavenly Realm, he accepted it readily.

With a slightly downcast air, the Cult Leader said.

[ A pity. I wished to train more... ]

[ I did not come to kill you. I came to talk. ]

The Cult Leader's eyes gleamed at Yeo Dong-bin's words.

[ What do you mean? Have you not come to purge me, the Heavenly Realm's nemesis? ]

[ That would have been the case. ]

Yeo Dong-bin paused, then said.

[ My fated one has decided to persuade you, so I will trust him. ]

Swooo...

Finally, Yeo Dong-bin released the possession, returning control to me. Sensing the shift instantly, the Cult Leader stared. I sighed and addressed him.

"Cult Leader. You must abandon Luoyang."

I explained everything that had transpired. After hearing it all from start to finish, the Cult Leader pondered in silence for a long while before speaking.

[ I don't understand. ]

"Yes?"

[ Baek Woong. I've long known you subtly wished to eliminate me. I thought it balanced precariously. With the combat immortal Yeo Dong-bin's power, you could have easily slain me and reclaimed the treasures. Why risk persuading an immortal? ]

"......"

Scratching my head, I replied.

"Because we're allies."

[ Sincere? ]

"Yes. And as you once said... I'm curious about the future you'll show me."

Continuing, I said.

"Cult Leader, isn't this enough? Whatever the Heavenly Realm fears, provoking them into direct clash now is premature. Let go of Luoyang and withdraw. If you do, I'll persuade the Heavenly Realm somehow to halt the Celestial Mandate."

[...... ]

"Cult Leader."

I could feel his resolve wavering greatly. This might just work.

The Cult Leader said.

[ I don't grasp why the Heavenly Realm fears me so. I wish to speak with Yeo Dong-bin again. ]

I nodded and summoned Yeo Dong-bin as requested. Meeting his gaze, the Cult Leader groaned softly at its depth before asking.

[ Yeo Dong-bin. Tell me one thing. Is abandoning Luoyang enough? ]

[ It should be. ]

[ Why? ]

[ It is heavenly secret, not to be revealed. Especially not to you. ]

[ As expected... ]

Muttering bitterly, the Cult Leader continued.

[ Very well. I'll withdraw all White Lotus forces from Luoyang immediately and never return. Will that persuade the Heavenly Realm? ]

[ I cannot guarantee. But the odds are slim otherwise. ]

[ Heh... Grasping at straws, then. ]

Yeo Dong-bin replied firmly.

[ If the Celestial Mandate descends, innocents will die, and greater calamity beyond. I will do my utmost to prevent it. ]

[ Thank you. ]

Oooo.

At that moment, the Infinite Mandala of Heart Heaven subtly arose around the Cult Leader. Yeo Dong-bin regarded him silently as the Cult Leader extended one hand.

[ Before you go, grant this junior some instruction. ]

[ Do you not know your position? ]

[ My heart, enthralled by the Martial God, yearns too greatly. It would be a shame to end without learning a move. ]

The White Lotus Cult Leader's martial challenge!

But Yeo Dong-bin replied unenthusiastically.

[ This is no time. The energy spent clashing would drain my fated one. I cannot risk his life. ]

[ I promise pure martial insight only. No Original Spirit Divine powers. ]

[......Even so. ]

After much deliberation, Yeo Dong-bin aimed his Fire Dragon Divine Sword.

[ Very well. ]

[ My thanks. ]

As the two absolute experts assumed stances, Yeo Dong-bin murmured.

[ Sparring the White Lotus Four Great Martial Lineages after a thousand years... ]

What felt like a thousand moments passed, but precisely three exchanges began.

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