Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

I went with the Sword Demon to the Akgu region to visit a blacksmith named Seoljo. Of course, he was a blacksmith only in name—Seoljo was a former expert of the Nangong family and once a swordsman from the Shadowless Sect who held the title of World's Greatest Swordsman: the Shadowless Sword Emperor.

*Clang—clang—*

The Shadowless Sword Emperor, who had been hammering iron with his tools, turned to look back as he sensed our presence. Neither I nor the Sword Demon bothered to hide our power, so we were radiating the aura of the Intent Realm. The Shadowless Sword Emperor subtly assumed a battle stance and spoke in a low voice.

"Impressive fellows... Have you come to kill me?"

I felt considerable pressure from the Shadowless Sword Emperor. But it wasn't as overwhelming as it once had been. That meant my skills had improved considerably while cultivating the Three Treasures Absolute Arts, and compared to the absolute beings I'd encountered so far, the Shadowless Sword Emperor was on the weaker side. Even so, I still couldn't be confident about beating him one-on-one.

I stepped forward and cupped my fists toward the Shadowless Sword Emperor.

"Shadowless Sword Emperor. I am Baek Woong, and this is the current sect leader of the Shadowless Sect, Sword Demon Seo Moon Daeryong."

"—......"

"I greet the former World's Greatest Swordsman."

"Hmm... What brings the supreme unorthodox expert, the Sword Demon, to this place?"

"We know everything, so there's no need to hide..."

The Sword Demon spoke softly, his eyes gleaming.

"Uncle Nangong Jo."

"Hmm!"

"I hold no grudges or resentment from the past, and today, I intend to lift the ban my father placed on you."

Nangong Jo was startled.

"You... really mean it?"

"Yes, but only on the condition that you uphold justice."

"Justice?"

Soon after, we took the Shadowless Sword Emperor, Nangong Jo, back to the Shadowless Sect's base and explained the atrocities unfolding in the Nangong family. We provided evidence and vivid testimonies from the abducted women. The Shadowless Sword Emperor trembled with rage and said:

"I... I can't believe it! How could this..."

"I stake my life that everything I've said is true."

The Shadowless Sword Emperor's face twisted in horror as he sighed deeply.

"Heh... If that's true, then I will surely punish the Nangong family."

"That's a given."

The Sword Demon replied with an indifferent gaze.

"After destroying Sword King Nangong Myeong and the Nangong family, and taking over as family head, ally with me to form a new alliance."

"What do you mean?"

"The current state of the world is in chaos. The Shadowless Sect alone can't navigate it, so please join us, Uncle, and together we'll build a force capable of dominating the entire martial world."

"...You've thoroughly dragged me in for practical gains."

"I won't deny it. But it's to uphold the banner of benevolence, righteousness, and chivalry that my father spoke of. Help us create an organization that surpasses the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families."

"Very well. So be it."

A moment later, the Shadowless Sword Emperor left to gather his thoughts before engaging in patricide, leaving the Sword Demon and me alone in the room. The Sword Demon sat in his chair and let out a sigh.

"Now, the plan I've proposed is this: I'll use Uncle to take control of the Anhui martial world and eventually subjugate all Eight Demonic Sects. Of course, the reason I'm gathering this power is to aid your future endeavors."

"I see."

The Sword Demon gave a wry smile at my nonchalant response.

"Heh... This is my gamble for life, something that could reshape the martial landscape, yet you seem uninterested. Then again, compared to the goals you're aiming for, this must be nothing."

"That's not what I meant."

"Anyway, I'm glad you came. Why not rest here a while and organize our future plans?"

I said to the Sword Demon.

"Sword Demon, I have one question."

"What is it?"

"If I hadn't rescued Seo Moon-hye... do you think you could have saved her on your own?"

The Sword Demon flinched.

But upon realizing my question stemmed from genuine curiosity rather than mockery or threat, he calmed down. He stroked his chin thoughtfully before answering.

"...Probably not. From your black obsidian memories, the slave market was enormous. If the imperial palace and Wind God Ryu were directly involved, it would mean clashing indirectly with the White Lotus Cult. I have no confidence I could have rescued my daughter before she was sacrificed. Circumstances suggest barely a month remained."

"......"

So that's how it would have been.

"I think I know what you're pondering. You're curious about the 'original history' if you hadn't intervened, right?"

I nodded.

"Yes."

"Hmm... I'm just an ordinary person, so I don't dwell on such things, but it's certainly worth considering."

"In my reincarnations, I've been saving suffering people, but I'm also curious about what history would have been without my involvement."

"Heh! Are you saying outright in front of me that you wouldn't have bothered saving my daughter?"

"......"

"I'm joking. I know that's not your intent. I understand why you're seeking my advice."

The Sword Demon crossed his arms and continued.

"Well... The thing that bothers you most is probably the Naiin Cult, isn't it?"

"Yes, exactly."

I was impressed by the Sword Demon's wisdom—he had pinpointed my exact concern.

Naiin Cult!

It was the enigmatic cult that emerged late in my first life as an escort warrior. Known for human sacrifices, cannibalism, and bizarre sorcery, the Naiin Cult suddenly surged from southern China, sowing chaos across the central plains. Eventually, the state indiscriminately purged them, unleashing a storm of blood.

Originally, the Naiin Cult's rise was forty years from now. So currently, there's no need or reason to worry about it. But the reason it troubled me was different.

After taking a sip of tea, the Sword Demon said:

"As the lord of the unorthodox sects, I've heard all sorts of information and pride myself on my knowledge and experience, but I've never heard of the Naiin Cult. You fear it because that future cult is likely a gathering of fanatics worshipping the [Ancient Ruler], right?"

"Yes, exactly. The Naiin Cult is undoubtedly connected to the [Ancient Ruler]. But that leads to something strange."

"What?"

"As you know, the current central plains are delicately balanced among three major powers: the White Lotus Cult Leader, the Vermilion Bird, and the Twelve Laws Lords. The White Lotus Cult could sweep the central plains unchallenged, but Vermilion Bird Jeon Ga Yu-ryong counters him with the power of the [Ancient Ruler], while the Twelve Laws Lords watch them. In this precarious balance..."

As I trailed off, the Sword Demon understood.

"You're saying it's odd that, like in your first life, decades of peaceful stability passed without incident? Despite the three-way balance being on the verge of collapse?"

"Yes."

"Hmm. That's indeed suspicious. Even I find it strange."

The Sword Demon suddenly froze as if struck by a thought.

"Ah! Isn't it because of that [sorcerer] you first drove away?"

"......"

"That sorcerer spoke of escaping through time and space. That means he no longer entangles with your reincarnations. In fact, in your past life, the sorcerer never reappeared, and the imperial palace's main adversary shifted to the [alchemist]."

The Sword Demon cracked his knuckles and continued.

"So, from the moment the [sorcerer] escaped, the original history you knew may have vanished without a trace."

"...I've thought about exactly that dozens of times over decades. It's my own story, after all."

I scratched my head.

"That's why I want to know the future. Whether, in this 'altered' future, the Naiin Cult still emerges as before, and whether those decades remain uneventful."

The Sword Demon burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! 'Uneventful'? With my daughter and innocent commoners captured by pirates as divine sacrifices, the Nangong family imprisoning sex slaves, Grand General Hwang Yeon locked in the Great Thunder Prison on the brink of death, and the imperial palace crafting artificial soldiers—this hardly looks uneventful."

"......"

"Well, it could be. History doesn't record the tales of victims or the weak. If the weak were exploited silently, it might appear peaceful on the surface."

"But we can't ignore them out of conscience and just watch."

"True. If you didn't know, maybe, but now that you do, you can't abandon the rescues. Nor can you hide away for decades. That's your dilemma."

"Yes..."

The Sword Demon pondered. An awkward silence hung for a while before he spoke.

"Somehow, I think there's a way."

"What way?"

"Hmm... Not certain. Isn't there someone versed in formations, illusions, or sorcery? We'd need to ask them."

Hearing that, Cheon Woojin immediately came to mind.

"There is one."

"Right, Cheon Woojin. After smashing the Nangong family, let's go see him together."

"Agreed."

Soon, we fetched the meditating Shadowless Sword Emperor from outside and headed to the Nangong family's main hall. The timing was off—Sword King Nangong Myeong and the Eight Nangong Swords were absent. But as the Shadowless Sword Emperor began wreaking havoc, Nangong family warriors swarmed from everywhere, eventually leading to a standoff with Sword King Nangong Myeong.

Sword King Nangong Myeong spoke in bewilderment.

"What is the meaning of this...?"

"Shut your mouth, you beast!!"

The Shadowless Sword Emperor glared murderously, and the Sword Demon beside him said.

"I'll recite your crimes in detail soon enough, Sword King."

Sword King Nangong Myeong recognized the Sword Demon instantly and snarled.

"Sword Demon Seo Moon Daeryong...! Did you dare deceive my granduncle?!"

"Heh. Deceive? You don't have the luxury for such words."

"What?!"

*Thud thud thud*

Without a word, the Shadowless Sword Emperor struck, blood mist scattering everywhere.

"You bastard!"

*Clang*

That was the signal—Sword King Nangong Myeong and Sword Demon Seo Moon Daeryong clashed swords, explosive sword auras erupting around them. Watching, I thought:

'The Sword Demon wants to show me the extent of his current prowess.'

His warrior's pride had deliberately led him here to the Nangong family. Knowing the Shadowless Sword Emperor would handle the rabble while they dueled, I stayed out and spectated the two peak experts.

*Shrieek*

Sword King Nangong Myeong's swordsmanship was sturdy, domineering, yet flexible. The Sword Demon effortlessly deflected his initial assaults, employing the Shadowless Soul Severing Sword's signature dual strikes to slowly corner him. It was like a clash of yin and yang—their sword styles starkly opposed.

"Hah."

Soon, the Sword Demon unleashed Flying Sword and began employing Intent Realm techniques. Nangong Myeong's brow twitched as he parried each one, but imperfectly, sustaining five wounds on his limbs. Staggering yet unyielding, the Sword King blocked fatal openings.

'Not the strongest of the Five Great Families for nothing.'

I gauged their levels after about seventy exchanges. The Sword Demon was a notch or one and a half above the Sword King, with similar combat experience. But the Sword Demon's inability to end it quickly showed the Sword King was no pushover. Still, at this rate, the Sword Demon would take his head within three hundred exchanges.

*Shiiiik*

Gaining the upper hand, the Sword Demon retreated slightly and said bitterly:

"Without the Seven Great Absolute Arts, this is my limit... I was truly a frog in a well."

Strange to lament while winning, but I knew why. I quickly told him:

"No need to compare to gods or the White Lotus Cult Leader."

"No. It just feels bleak somehow."

The Sword Demon had prided himself on being among the world's top, confident in his arts. But seeing the beyond-heavenly experts from my black obsidian memories—gods, White Lotus Cult Leader, Dharma Protectors, Twelve Laws Lords, Fighting Sages—shattered his worldview.

*Thud thud thud*

Then, having cleared the minions, the Shadowless Sword Emperor ambushed the battling Sword King Nangong Myeong. Though he resisted desperately, ten exchanges later, his head flew from a Shadowless Soul Severing Strike.

"Argh!"

Soon, the bloodbath in the Nangong family ended, and the Shadowless Sword Emperor began reorganizing it. We agreed to launch a unified force called the Shadowless Alliance later.

Instead of returning directly to the Shadowless Sect with the Sword Demon, I headed to Monk Mangyang's village. Finding Cheon Woojin, I said:

"Cheon Woojin, I've come with a question..."

Cheon Woojin, amid his Illusory Maze Formation, replied irritably.

"Do I have to answer all your questions? Why not go practice your Peaceful Arts diligently?"

"Don't be so stingy. I'll pay if there's a price."

*Flick*

I tossed him a box of jewels and a few black and white lotus roots. Examining it closely, Cheon Woojin said:

"Ask away."

The Sword Demon stepped forward.

"I am Sword Demon Seo Moon Daeryong. I'm curious about the White Cloud Divination."

"White Cloud Divination?"

"I've heard the White Cloud Divination observes future possibilities. So it only observes mere potentials, which shift with the observer's intervention, making it inaccurate... Right so far?"

"Yes, but..."

"Then, under the premise of a fixed future, could the White Cloud Divination observe those possibilities?"

"......"

Caught off guard, Cheon Woojin pondered, chin in hand. Then he said:

"Entirely possible. The White Cloud Divination was originally created by Zhuge Liang after his death to divine Shu's fate, so it was meant for that purpose."

The Sword Demon's face lit up.

"As expected... Can that ability be used without sorcery skills?"

"I wouldn't know, but talismans inherently require immense spiritual power. Even innately gifted individuals barely build the foundation through grueling training. An unskilled person trying to scry the future with it would die."

"Understood perfectly. You've been most helpful."

We withdrew from Cheon Woojin. The Sword Demon chuckled and said to me.

"Now we have one method."

"Indeed."

I clenched my fist, burning with motivation. Deciding not to burn lifespan recklessly but revisit the past had been the right choice.

'We'll use the White Cloud Divination to learn the 'original history.'

Knowing the original history would let me judge if I'm doing well now. Plus, pinpoint exactly what's needed against the god! My immediate goal shifted to acquiring the White Cloud Divination.

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