Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

The 21st life had begun.

"Huaaah..."

Smoke seemed to pour from my mouth. My throat itched with intense pain.

My head throbbed from the momentary agony of my entire body being charred. But with breathing techniques to dull the pain, I barely regained my mental fortitude and gasped for air. Once I calmed down somewhat, I clenched my fist.

"Good! I've reached the place where Hwayo is!"

Until now, I'd hesitated on whether to use it or not and ended up not using the ultimate secret technique—Great Fortune Overlap!

By overlapping Great Fortunes, I could pull off the cheat of smashing through all my dilemmas at once. In fact, using that absurd Great Fortune, I bulldozed through Hwayo's ruins that had blocked me until now, casually took down the guardian Gonggong like picking up scraps, and reached right in front of Hwayo's altar. Though I hadn't anticipated the altar being infused with thousands of years' worth of massive fire energy, it was still a huge gain for me.

The simple reason I hadn't used this great method until now was that the maintenance time for Great Fortune Overlap was extremely short. And due to the backlash of the Great Fortune, I would inevitably plunge into extreme misfortune and die. No matter how good the results, it meant nothing if I died.

But in my 19th reincarnation, my mindset had shifted slightly. Realizing the true nature of those vague 'gods,' their terrifying power, and their malice made me feel it was no time to be picky. And realizing that merely raising my martial arts and spell realms couldn't even scratch the gods' power led me to conclude I needed to gather the Seven Essentials as quickly as possible. So, even at the cost of death, I'd decided to break through to Hwayo first.

The results were excellent. Now, I could extract Hwayo from its sealed jar. There was just one problem.

"Fire energy..."

I shuddered, recalling the terrifying fire energy I'd felt from Hwayo. Like condensed flames from mythic times, no matter how much I raised my internal energy to resist, all I could do was die in agony. Directly grabbing it would mean certain doom, so I couldn't transfer Hwayo to my neck pouch. Fighting while holding it was a pipe dream.

"Hmm... Then I just won't touch it directly!"

I quickly reached a simple conclusion. I stood up and got moving right away. This time, instead of cumbersome, inevitably fatal cheats like Great Fortune Overlap, I'd go with the strategy of verifying the idea that just occurred to me.

First, I grabbed the Heavenly Dark Secret Book and dashed straight to Shandong. While racing toward Shandong, the surrounding scenery gave me an oddly familiar feeling. It was thousands of li from where I'd lived, so why did it feel so familiar? I tilted my head in puzzlement for a moment.

"Ah!"

From running to Shandong so many times, I'd naturally optimized the shortest path and grown accustomed to the mountain trails. It had seeped into my body unconsciously, and since the route was always the same, I couldn't help but feel déjà vu.

Thud.

Zhuge Sa's death briefly flashed through my mind. I clenched my fist tight.

"This path will probably get tiring from now on."

I arrived in Shandong and obtained the Bi Deung. Then, from the Great Dragon Merchant Association's warehouse, I planned to use the Bi Deung to teleport directly to the inner altar of Uluru where Hwayo was, specifically to the secret chamber that opened after defeating the guardian.

"I've been there once, so..."

Thwung!

A sensation of being repelled hit me, followed by intense pressure pounding through my body.

"......?!"

The next instant, I realized my body was floating in the middle of a bright blue sky. I was falling freely through the lofty heights, hundreds of zhang above the ground. As I began falling according to nature's laws, I looked around in bewilderment.

The sky was clear and blue. The sea was clear too. And far off, land was visible.

A few seagulls brushed past me.

Splash!

"No way?"

To confirm my thought, I used lightness skill to avoid landing on the water and deliberately plunged in.

"Puha!"

Pulling my head above the seawater, I checked its color.

"Incredibly clear and transparent... This isn't the Central Plains sea."

Neither Shandong's sea nor the Southern Sea was this clear. With a splash, I kicked off the surface and raced toward the distant land using the water-skating Divine Step. After expending quite a bit of internal energy to reach the coastal shore, I confirmed my guess was right.

"The Southern Continent..."

Based on past exploration experience, this was the Southern Continent's coastline. The tree types and nearby plants made it obvious. I wondered why I'd been bounced back when trying to use the Bi Deung to enter Hwayo's seal directly.

And quickly reached a conclusion.

"There's a barrier blocking magic tools from entering Hwayo's seal."

I'd half-expected it, but it was true. The Bi Deung was a convenient magic tool that could teleport anywhere I'd been before, but it couldn't penetrate special barriers or spells. Likely, a barrier repelling magic tools like the Bi Deung covered Uluru and Hwayo's seal area, opening only during total solar eclipses.

When I'd tried to lock coordinates inside Uluru, the barrier repelled me, naturally flinging me off to the continent's edge?

"That's the most likely explanation."

Without cheats like Great Fortune Overlap, did that mean I had no choice but to bide a total solar eclipse perfectly and break through head-on?

"......"

I thought it over and realized that wasn't quite right.

"Sabulsang!"

The divine beast Sabulsang had a special ability to pierce any barrier or dimension once per day! With Sabulsang, I could definitely break through Hwayo's seal barrier and reach right in front of it.

"Alright, let's perform the spirit-summoning ritual and head to Hwayo!"

This time, I'd indirectly manipulate Hwayo and get it into the neck pouch!

With somewhat brighter spirits, I set off again. I felt like I'd forgotten something, but decided to scoop up as many treasures as possible first. I used the Bi Deung to go straight to the Great Thunder Axis underground, and while training in the Three Treasures Ultimate Arts, I fought the Moon Beast.

Boom.

After defeating the Moon Beast and obtaining the neck pouch, Twin Demon Swords, and Nine Stars Origin Text, I rescued Hwang Yeon and his group, stored them in the neck pouch, and went to annihilate the Blood Path Pirates.

Pum-bam-bam.

"Uwaaak!"

"Spare me."

In the hellish chaos, I unleashed sword auras to sever the Blood Path Pirates' necks and suddenly thought,

"Now I'll recognize their faces..."

From killing so many Blood Path Pirates, I could roughly distinguish their faces. Being able to easily tell apart those ugly mugs streaming with sweat and grime. For a moment, pity welled up for the Blood Path Pirates, but recalling they were villains who massacred civilians, plundered, and gang-raped women every time, I silently cut them down.

Was it a slight change in mindset?

"Hmm."

After massacring hundreds of pirates, when I faced the Blood Path Pirates' leader transformed into a fishman, I could have sliced him in one second but instead observed him with somewhat bored eyes. Realizing the power gap, he trembled clutching his blood blade. Despite wielding sword energy and having physical abilities far superior to humans, he couldn't even resist my internal energy and martial prowess.

"Grrh... Who are you..."

In that moment, I thought of another possibility even in this situation. So, I questioned the Blood Path Pirates' leader.

"Hey. I've got a question."

"W-What is it?"

"You said you offer tributes to the sea god every time, right?"

The leader's fish-like head bulged its goggle eyes wide.

"H-How do you know that!"

"You look like a fish."

"......"

"Anyway, that merman city is at the bottom of the nearby sea, right?"

The leader nodded frantically.

"Yes! Anything else? I'm useful! Please spare me."

"I've got a question. It's underwater, right? Humans can't breathe there and die. Do you take captives?"

He shook his head vigorously.

"No! The sea god prefers live offerings, so we take them alive."

"Before they drown?"

"No. It's... it's..."

He glanced at the scattered corpses, approached a relatively intact pirate body, and placed his scaly hand on its head.

Burbble.

The next instant, a transparent water orb formed around the corpse's neck, expanding with bubbles. Big enough to enclose just the head, the water orb stabilized, jiggling softly. The pirate's head didn't even get wet.

"This ability lets them breathe underwater."

"Hoo...!!"

I was a bit surprised. He seemed assimilated with the bipedal sea god race, granting him this special ability. It was quite useful, so I asked more details.

"Are there others in the Blood Path Pirates who can use that ability?"

"No... You need the sea god's blessing."

"That figures. How long does it last?"

"About half a shichen."

"Can pure bipedal sea god race use it more powerfully?"

"Of course... They use large water orbs to protect themselves or trap enemies. They even catch whales with it."

"Hmm!"

Unexpected info. I'd learned the combat style and superpowers of the sea god race serving the sea god. I figured I could use this later.

At the same time, I pondered.

"Should I visit the altar where they offer human sacrifices to the sea god?"

But I realized the risks were too high. If it was a trap, underwater combat would be too dangerous, and if a high-ranking bipedal or the sea god appeared, it was over. I could force it, but since this life's goal wasn't digging out the sea god, I shelved it.

"Got it."

"You're sparing me?"

I quietly unleashed sword aura.

"I said I had questions, not that I'd spare you."

"You bast—"

Schwick!

I immediately decapitated the Blood Path Pirates' leader, looted all the pirate island's treasures into my pouch, rescued the hostages into the neck pouch. It was a bit cowardly to the leader, but since he was an utter villain, no guilt arose.

'Guys who do human sacrifices, massacre, plunder, robbery, and rape deserve death.'

Even after many lives, my view that evil bastards were fair game to kill hadn't changed.

I brushed it off lightly and used the Bi Deung to head to the Nangong Family's secret room housing the Dragon Fish Tool. I skipped Donggyeong's Kojiro this time since there was nothing special to learn from him; I could get the Five Rings Book later. As I stored the Dragon Fish Tool in my neck pouch, another thought struck me.

"Wait... Could this..."

Swoosh.

Soon after, I pulled out ample explosives and bombs from the neck pouch and headed to the Nangong Family's main hall. There, Sword King Nangong Myeong and the Nangong Eight Swords were gathered. I scanned around; no other people in sight. Probably the top brass in a secret meeting.

Sword King Nangong Myeong eyed me suspiciously.

"Boy. Who are—"

"Bye, you dog bastards!"

Whoosh.

With a short shout, I hurled the pre-lit bombs and explosives fiercely forward. Infused with my internal energy, they flew at tremendous speed. Two Nangong Eight Swords elders took explosive heads straight to their guts.

"Urk..."

Before their faces could twist in shock, I used Extinction Soul Step to escape outside.

Kabu-kwa-kwa-kwang.

Kwa-kwa-kwa-boom.

The pirates' explosives were enough to battle regular navies, so in an instant, the Nangong Family's main hall exploded. Using Extinction Soul Step, I barely dodged the flames licking at my back and landed on a rooftop.

'Even with my pre-anticipated supreme Extinction Soul Step speed, it was a close call. With the Nangong Eight Swords' level of martial arts, they can't avoid instant death.'

Rumble.

'At this point, the Nangong Eight Swords are wiped out, and Nangong Myeong's gravely wounded, right?'

I didn't need to bother passing the Three Treasures Ultimate Arts to Jin So-cheong or summon the Shadowless Sword Emperor for revenge at the Nangong Family. I'd found a way to settle the score cleanly. No matter how much a martial clan, who could withstand sudden incoming explosives?

After 20+ reincarnations, the truly useless bombs and explosives finally had their use!

This time was lucky; I'd guessed their gathering spot right. From next time, I should practice timing precisely to plant bombs right in their guts. After crippling the Nangong Family leadership, I went straight to where the women were imprisoned, slaughtered the guards, and freed them.

Then, I dashed to the Inner Hwagwang Palace Library, swiftly stole the Nameless Sacrifice Book into the neck pouch, I put off the deal with the Prophet for later and went hunting for Soyo. After grabbing everything worthwhile from Soyo's ruins, I went to the White Lotus Cult's sacred lotus field and plucked a few stalks. Next, I obtained the Three Emperors Inner Gate from Communal Mountain and stored the Crystal Stone Tablet from the imperial palace underground in my pouch. Finally, I got the silver phoenix fragment from Taskyong Village.

"Whew... Busy..."

I sighed slightly after this series of tasks. With so many gains from past lives, collecting them one by one was a chore. But practicing to gather everything acquirable in minimal time was never excessive. There might be strategies requiring the fastest possible treasure collection.

Feeling I'd gathered enough treasures, I finally went to see Mang Ryang.

Flash.

Mang Ryang, receiving the black obsidian from me and inheriting the memories, looked dumbfounded. After thinking long, he spoke.

"Baek Woong..."

"What's up?"

"The strategy of using Sabulsang to infiltrate the seal, then indirectly lift Hwayo with qi manipulation and store it in the neck pouch, right?"

"Yes! Sabulsang can pierce the barrier."

He said cautiously.

"Sorry to say this, but... um..."

"......?"

"Dimension-piercing ability is once per day... What about getting out?"

"......"

Right!

Only then did I spot the flaw in my plan. Lifting Hwayo indirectly was fine, but I couldn't use Sabulsang to escape. And as seen with Wollo, tampering with the Seven Essentials via cheats instantly awakens the guardian unconsciously. I'd be trapped in Hwayo's ruins, fighting the giant god race Gonggong in a slim-chance deathmatch, and reincarnate.

Suddenly, Mang Ryang burst into roaring laughter.

"Uahaha! But Baek Woong, your plan isn't bad. In other words, if you break through head-on to enter that room, you only need it once to exit, right? Way less burden."

"Hmm, true."

After a brief silence, Mang Ryang looked at me.

"Baek Woong... Do you feel responsible for Zhuge Sa's death?"

The out-of-nowhere question startled me.

"......"

"The reason you're hastily planning and rushing without leisure to look back in this 20th and 21st reincarnation... is because of Zhuge Sa's advice: 'Don't rely on the strategist; think with your own head.'"

I let out a groan.

"...Maybe."

Mang Ryang said softly.

"Zhuge Sa's advice was right. In your 20th reincarnation, you thought for yourself, devised the plan by yourself, acted fiercely, and pierced Hwayo's seal on your own. But strategies and policies must adapt flexibly each time. Sticking rigidly leads to mistakes like now."

He chuckled.

"I may not match Zhuge Sa's ability right now, but I'll help with all I have. Let's combine forces."

"......"

I blankly gazed at the sky.

Had I been so conscious of Zhuge Sa's advice?

That lunatic always screeching in my head, scraping at my nerves like crazy?

The guy always plotting to smack my head from behind?

But recalling Zhuge Sa's final smile before the Ruler made my heart ache.

Drip.

A tear suddenly fell.

"Sak."

What! This!

Not knowing why, I hurriedly wiped it. Mang Ryang looked at me in surprise, so I acted nonchalant.

"A-Alright, let's go!"

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