Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

My 22nd life had begun.

I forced myself to my feet, enduring the throbbing pain of my spirit body shattering. Unlike the time I took all nine of those arrows, the pain ended quickly this time, so while the initial agony was intense, it was overall bearable.

"Unexpected..."

I had anticipated that trying to break the barrier might kill me, but I never imagined some entity called the Victorious Fighting Buddha would intervene out of nowhere. This death wasn't so much my mistake as it was a failure due to an unforeseen enemy.

Victorious Fighting Buddha, the Buddha who wins every battle.

A monkey-like appearance.

Rides on clouds and wields a massive staff.

"A yokai immortal, perhaps?"

Even if I borrowed Sword Immortal Ye Dongbin's power, the same thing would happen. There was even a chance Ye Dongbin could turn his Self Slaughtering Sword on himself.

I mentally gauged the power of the Red Bow White Arrows that Ye had fired. Then I reached a conclusion.

"If the Cult Leader draws out the Chaos Possibility and unleashes the full power of the Primordial Spirit, maybe we could break through...?"

But it wasn't certain. The Red Bow White Arrows' power increased exponentially with each additional arrow. The Cult Leader's palm strikes and Infinite Sky Void's internal energy were superhuman, but they might fall just short compared to a true top-tier victorious immortal's combat prowess. So, it seemed we'd need the transformed state drawing out the Chaos Possibility.

More than that, I lacked the confidence to seek out the current Cult Leader and rejoin the White Lotus Cult. It was true that the White Lotus Cult Leader pursued her own brand of justice by practicing Vacuum Homebound, but the problem was the balance of the world.

The current martial world maintained equilibrium among three major powers!

The White Lotus Cult checked the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Palace checked the White Lotus Cult, and the Twelve Laws watched over both.

If even one collapsed, the balance would shatter in an instant, leading to immense tragedy. Especially since the White Lotus Cult and the Imperial Palace were locked in covert mutual surveillance, it would be unwise for me to rashly reach out to the Cult Leader. Giving her the Black White Lotus would remove the shackles binding her, so it was something I absolutely could not attempt. There was no need to attack the White Lotus Cult either, so for now, it was best to leave them be.

"This time... I should seek advice."

Once you've hit a realistic wall despite your best efforts, that's when you can seek the strategist's help. I finally understood Zhuge Sa's meaning completely. I might find an answer by stubbornly struggling on my own, but there was no need to go that far.

First, I obtained the Heavenly Dark Secret Book and Bi-dung, then went to Dong-yeong to mine black obsidian. After that, I headed straight to Zhuge Sa. The sooner I got advice, the better.

Flash!

I arrived in a village near Zhang Ling Valley. As I walked slowly toward the entrance, I noticed an array had been deployed.

"Oh, right!"

Zhang Ling Valley Lord and Guangxi Scholar Zhuge Sa's other moniker in the martial world was Ghost Valley Lord. As such, he was profoundly skilled in formations. When I'd come with Mang-ryang before, Mang-ryang had racked his brains breaking it. I recalled the time I'd visited Zhuge Sa with Mang-ryang in the past.

[One more step forward from here, and the formation activates.]

[What kind of formation is this?]

[It's the Heavenly Chaos One Qi Array. That guy's temperament...]

[Temperament? It's that sinister?]

[Not sinister so much as petty. Even if you trigger it properly, you won't die, but it'll make you suffer to the point of tears and snot, forcing you to flee. It's designed to humiliate.]

In any case, Mang-ryang had dismantled the Heavenly Chaos One Qi Array using only footwork back then. And when I, following behind, couldn't memorize his method, I'd read the formation's core and shattered it. Desperately recalling that memory, I also remembered what Mang-ryang had said about the Heavenly Chaos One Qi Array's traits.

[The Heavenly Chaos One Qi Array is a formation built on the most orthodox principles. Even peak experts can't cross it with a single leap of lightfoot skill—they'll inevitably get caught. But follow the correct sequence, and even a woman or child can pass unscathed. That said, it's twisted so tightly that no ordinary formation knowledge can crack it.]

"......"

In other words, as he said, it was an orthodox formation solvable only by a formation expert through ingenious variations. I knew a bit about formations, but clearly not enough to tackle this. I considered just blasting it with raw power, then shook my head.

"No choice. Even if it raises some suspicion, I'll have to use Bi-dung."

Using Bi-dung to teleport directly into the Valley Lord's building would render the formation useless. After all, Zhuge Sa wouldn't extend the formation into his own living quarters.

The reason I hadn't used Bi-dung immediately despite having this option was to avoid arousing Zhuge Sa's suspicions as much as possible. I knew well that once he started suspecting, there'd be no end to it. But since I couldn't pass the Heavenly Chaos One Qi Array orthogonally, I'd have to risk a little suspicion. I could have brought Mang-ryang, but I questioned if it was worth going that far, so I pushed ahead.

Entering the Valley Lord's room, I saw Zhuge Sa slicing someone's throat with a sword.

Spurt...

With a whoosh of air, silver sword light scattered amid sprays of blood. The victim's head thudded to the floor.

"......"

Even caught in the act of murder, Zhuge Sa didn't panic and greeted me warmly instead. Blood dripped from the longsword in his hand.

"Huh? Who are you? Want to try solving my riddle?"

The headless corpse seemed to be someone who'd failed Zhuge Sa's riddle while trying to win a gold ingot. I noticed the body had stood perfectly still, its head cleanly severed, and Zhuge Sa's sword draw had been of considerable skill.

"As expected, this guy's cultivated martial arts."

There was no rule saying sorcerers or demonists couldn't learn martial arts. Especially since Zhuge Sa had once demonstrated leg strength capable of kicking off Zhuge Bu's head, it was almost certain he practiced martial arts. And not some mediocre third-rate style, but proper first-class martial arts.

I cleared my throat and said,

"Zhang Ling Valley Lord Zhuge Sa?"

"You came knowing that, didn't you? More importantly, who are you?"

This guy didn't ask "how" I'd entered. That meant he already suspected me. Either way, I was suspicious, so he'd hear my introduction first. I opened my mouth tensely.

"I'm Baek Woong."

"I see... Baek Woong... So what?"

"......"

Seeing Zhuge Sa stare at me with those blank, thoughtless eyes sent chills down my spine. It looked innocent at a glance, but having spent time with him, I knew that vibe signaled madness on the verge of exploding. Zhuge Sa was rational, but occasionally his savagery and cruelty overwhelmed his control.

Staring straight at Zhuge Sa, I said,

"Valley Lord. Give me a riddle. But I don't need gold ingots!"

I could hand over the black obsidian right now and transmit the memories. But doing so meant I wouldn't know the answer to his riddle. Since this was the first challenge, grasping the question and answer first would benefit me.

"Hoo. Quite bold for a little punk. Heh heh..."

Zhuge Sa giggled as if amused, then said,

"Fine. What do you want as the riddle's prize?"

"I want you to accept this black obsidian."

I placed the full black obsidian on my palm and showed it to him. Seeing it, Zhuge Sa's eyes gleamed as he said,

"That's a gem processed with sorcery. Are you a demonist? Sorcerer?"

Denying it would be pointless with this guy. So I replied curtly,

"Nah. One thing: this black obsidian transmits memories."

"You're definitely a demonist. Processed with magic, right?"

"Use your imagination."

From long experience, I knew racking my brains in front of Zhuge Sa was like a monkey doing tricks before humans. So I decided on a frontal assault.

"Zhuge Sa. Do you accept this gamble?"

Zhuge Sa laughed cheerfully.

"Kahaha... Of course! You seem just as crazy, so let's play."

"Good."

"If you lose, your life is mine."

"Got it."

Of course, I couldn't feel that laugh was genuinely cheerful. I could clearly sense his madness building to a peak. Arms crossed, I said,

"Give me the riddle."

"Hmm... Let's see... A riddle fit for you..."

Pondering briefly, Zhuge Sa smirked suddenly and said,

"What walks on four legs in the morning, two at noon, and three in the evening?"

"......"

What? What the hell?

I was momentarily flustered by Zhuge Sa's riddle. It was stranger than I'd expected.

"No, wait... I think I heard the answer from Mang-ryang last time..."

A vague memory surfaced. But with so many memories and my fluster, I couldn't recall it clearly.

What was it? I should've stopped by Mang-ryang first!

Composing myself, I said,

"It's you, Zhuge Sa!"

"Hoo. Close to the answer... but why?"

I clenched my fist.

"If I fight you, tomorrow morning I'll make you crawl on four legs, at noon you won't die so you'll stand on two, and by evening one limb will be crippled, making three!"

How's that!

"......"

"......"

"You idiot?"

Zhuge Sa turned away, sighing in exasperation.

"Get lost. I don't kill kids normally."

"Did I get it right or not?"

"Half and half, but you're a real moron. Can't count it."

With that, Zhuge Sa turned to leave. But I chased after him as he tried to ignore me, saying,

"Zhuge Sa. Aren't you curious who I am?"

"A little, but anyone who breaks my formation is no pushover, right? I don't know your faction, but you'd better leave while I'm being nice."

Despite his threat, I ignored it and tossed the black obsidian.

"Take it!"

"No thanks~"

Zhuge Sa didn't catch it, and the black obsidian rolled on the ground.

Clink clink...

As it rolled, Zhuge Sa said coldly,

"You really an idiot? It's obvious you're a demonist, Baek Woong. Why would I take a gem you magicked? What if it's cursed?"

That was a natural reaction. Those who'd accepted the black obsidian before simply had low wariness of magic. Zhuge Sa wielded demonic powers, so he knew their dangers and might perfectly. He absolutely wouldn't take what I offered.

In the end, I had no choice but to use my final card. Dropping all pretense, I shouted information that would force him to stop.

"Heretical Cult Leader Zhuge Sa! How much time left on your contract with Wall Lady? You need to go to her soon, get recognized as Heretical Cult Leader, and cooperate building the Demon King's Temple of All Gods. You okay just playing around?"

Halt.

Zhuge Sa froze as if time had stopped. Then, eyes flashing murderously, he turned to me.

"Who are you?"

This was different from before. Cold reason and killing intent poured out from behind the madness. I chuckled and answered.

"I'm Baek Woong! Heretical Cult Leader, just like you."

"Heh heh... Heh heh heh..."

Zhuge Sa let out mad laughter. I thought he might attack with sorcery any second, but I stared him down and said,

"If you want the full story, pick up that black obsidian. Then we can talk."

"......"

After a silent pause, Zhuge Sa grinned wickedly.

"Might as well fall for it once."

Moments later, he bent down and picked up the black obsidian. As memory transmission began through it, Zhuge Sa's face filled with shock. When it finished, he stood there with an uncharacteristically dumb expression.

Then it turned to disbelief, then utter bewilderment. His face shifted endlessly without a word, until finally he spoke.

"You fucking retard? Even when I spoon-fed you, you bitch!"

"......"

"...Ha, hilarious."

Zhuge Sa wore a complicated expression, then wordlessly entered his room. I waited quietly for him to emerge.

A long while later, he came out and said,

"Baek Woong. We need to see Hyun. Take me to him."

"Wait!"

As Zhuge Sa strode toward me, I stopped him and said,

"If you cast Divorce Great Law on me, I won't sit idle! I've reached the Sixth Accomplishment, so I can resist your sorcery."

"Yeah, sure~ Now use Bi-dung, idiot!"

"Got it."

Zhuge Sa spoke curtly, but I needed to warn him sufficiently. If he tried casting Divorce Great Law again, things would get very messy. I'd felt the terror of that Great Accomplishment-level Divorce Great Law bone-deep last time against him.

Flash!

Soon, I arrived at Jin-rang Valley's Mang-ryang with Zhuge Sa. I also gave Mang-ryang the black obsidian, transmitting the memories.

"......"

Mang-ryang and Zhuge Sa's eyes met after receiving the memories. Zhuge Sa sighed in disbelief.

"Hyun ah. How'd you end up with your nose pierced by such a moron? We..."

"Hmm... My feelings are quite complicated right now too..."

Mang-ryang had just received the memories and looked confused. After sorting his thoughts, he said,

"We have no choice but to follow him, Uncle."

Hearing Mang-ryang, Zhuge Sa's eyes gleamed.

"What's with you?"

"With what?"

"You wouldn't acknowledge me even in death."

"If we're in the same faction from now on, better to get along."

"Heh heh heh..."

Mang-ryang equivocated, but Zhuge Sa laughed as if finding him cute. Mang-ryang must have read his actions from the previous reincarnation and somewhat acknowledged him.

In that moment, I sensed a shift in Zhuge Sa's mood. As if granting a favor, he said to me,

"Fine, fine~ I'm not that foolish Zhuge Sa who pledged his life in loyalty to a punk like you, but Baek Woong, you should feel massively indebted to me from now on. For a soft-hearted idiot like you, the orthodox way is to squeeze you to the bottom."

"......"

In my 19th reincarnation, the help and emotion I'd felt from this guy now felt like a loss. But no matter how I thought that, what could I say aloud? As I grumbled inwardly, Zhuge Sa clasped hands in salute to me.

"Shall we get going then, my lord?"

"Huh? Oh, sure."

I was stunned. Did that guy just call me "my lord"?

But before I could marvel, Zhuge Sa immediately offered a plan.

"Now move and gather all the treasures!"

"Gather them?"

"Heh heh. I'm certain your past life's Hyun knew the answer. And just now, thinking it over, I figured it out."

"What?"

Zhuge Sa cackled.

"There's exactly one method."

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