Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

I promptly shared with Zhuge Sa the information from the future vision that I had witnessed. Zhuge Sa examined the memories of the future vision through the black obsidian, then wore an intrigued expression.

"Hmm, so that's how it is? I vaguely sensed there was some danger, but it could turn out that way..."

"Zhuge Sa. Did you figure something out?"

"As you know, the fascinating part is the possibility that the Imperial Palace's portrait ghost could mutate into an apostle of the baleful god. And with the baleful god's direct intervention at that... if that's the case, then Zhuge Yuryong's behavior doesn't make sense. He should have noticed the risk if it involved connecting to the baleful god's constellation and receiving its power. Why didn't he?"

"......"

"Does that mean the city of Luoyang is more deeply infested with demons than we thought..."

Zhuge Sa muttered to himself before speaking up.

"Baek Woong. To use the method you mentioned earlier, we'll need to gather more treasures. Because we'll have to perform the offering ritual and pray three times, we can't use them all at once. You know that much, right?"

"We could force it right now and acquire the Fire Vitality, but let's take a slight detour here and find a stable method."

I understood what Zhuge Sa meant.

"You're saying we should find more treasures. But is there a place worth that much?"

Finding treasures isn't easy. Even I had only achieved this much after twenty lifetimes of risking death through adventures and gambles. For an ordinary person to obtain treasures they'd never even glimpse in a lifetime required tremendous effort and luck. Even the Muramasa I had given to Namgung Noun earlier was low-grade among my treasures, yet it was an elixir no normal human could acquire in a lifetime.

Zhuge Sa then grinned.

"Heh heh. Don't you already know where the ultimate treasures are?"

"Ah!"

"You've caught on."

I crossed my arms and replied.

"It's currently torn apart and shattered, absorbed into the barrier. Without the power of Jeon Si-an, there's no way to retrieve it and restore it to its original state. How do you plan to get it?"

"Kekeke."

"Besides, we do need the Fire Dragon Divine Sword, but why suddenly now...?"

Fire Dragon Divine Sword!

Zhuge Sa was telling me to retrieve the Fire Dragon Divine Sword absorbed into the Shanggu Family's underground barrier. The Fire Dragon Divine Sword was Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin's exclusive treasure, and in his hands, it could unleash the true power of a Sword Immortal. Moreover, possessing immense spiritual power, it was a top-tier treasure in itself. However, having lost its sword form and been absorbed into the barrier, it was impossible to obtain normally.

Zhuge Sa said leisurely.

"In your nineteenth life, Yeo Dongbin with the Fire Dragon Divine Sword couldn't even use his full power. He was afraid it would break. So the Fire Dragon Divine Sword only has its last reserves left—its spiritual power as a treasure is effectively depleted. Even if we somehow obtain it now, it's just scrap metal that could shatter anytime. But..."

"......?"

"What if we absorb the supreme fire energy dwelling in the Fire Vitality into the Fire Dragon Divine Sword?"

"Uhmm?"

"The Fire Dragon Divine Sword would regain its original power, and the Fire Vitality's fire energy would be neutralized to a level usable by humans. One stone, two birds."

There was such a method!

It seemed like a simple scheme in hindsight, but I had never thought to connect the Fire Dragon Divine Sword and the Fire Vitality. That was because it was premised on the sword having lost its material form, making it unobtainable without the Imperial Seal. I hadn't expanded my thinking that far. Zhuge Sa continued.

"And there are about two ways to restore the Fire Dragon Divine Sword to its original state... Well, we'll know once we go. Let's move."

"Got it."

I realized anew that Manggyang and Zhuge Sa were quite different types of strategists. Neither was superior in the subtlety of their intellect, but Manggyang was the kind who drew grander pictures from his desk, while Zhuge Sa was the type who acted first and saw results.

Flash!

I arrived with Zhuge Sa right in front of the Shanggu Family's basement, before the barrier. The spiral, bizarre structure swirling around the barrier seemed infinite as it repeated its curving motions. A humming sound vibrated the silence.

Zhuge Sa, seeing the barrier with his own eyes, chuckled delightfully.

"Heh heh. Ultra-high-level demonic engineering impossible with this era's technology... No doubt, architecture of the Yi-folk. Can't even guess how many demonic engineers they sacrificed for this."

I flinched at Zhuge Sa's words and turned to him.

"Sacrificed?"

"Yeah. This alone couldn't seal the passage to Dark Heaven Village. They'd have needed human sacrifices from at least dozens of demonic engineers and hundreds or thousands of humans. Even then, it wasn't enough, so they hastily borrowed the Fire Dragon Divine Sword's spiritual power to barely close it."

I frowned.

"Human sacrifices again?"

Why did demonic cultivators love offering human lives so much? And if what he said was true, at least hundreds had been killed right here, but even activating the Heavenly Scripture's technique revealed no plausible evil spirits nearby. That meant the barrier ahead absorbed and devoured wandering spirits.

Zhuge Sa said.

"Alright, let's start with the first method."

I nodded and resonated with my soul to summon Yeo Dongbin. I felt his immense power as he descended into my body.

Whoooosh

[Mortal. What is it?]

With Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin's spirit fully descended into the mortal realm, I addressed him.

[Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin. Your Fire Dragon Divine Sword is absorbed here, being used to seal Dark Heaven Village's barrier!]

Yeo Dongbin replied, sounding quite flustered.

[Is that true? I don't sense the Fire Dragon Divine Sword's power...]

As expected, the Fire Dragon Divine Sword was so cunningly concealed by demonic power that even Yeo Dongbin himself couldn't detect it in his current state. No wonder no successor had appeared in a thousand years.

[It's absorbed into the seal and has lost its sword form. Is there no way?]

[Hmm... I didn't know until you told me, mortal.]

Yeo Dongbin seemed to ponder. After a long silence, he spoke.

[Mortal. Even so, the spirit of Fire Dragon True Man, who became one with fire through the Fire Dragon Divine Sword, should remain here. Otherwise, the spiritual power would dissipate and fall to ruin. If we can find and awaken that spirit, we might be able to detach the Fire Dragon Divine Sword from the barrier.]

[How do we do that?]

[First, I'll call for him.]

Moments later, Yeo Dongbin possessed my body. He then bellowed toward the front.

[My master, Fire Dragon True Man! Your disciple Yeo Dongbin has come to pay respects! Come forth!]

Wooong

Woooong

It was a crude, brute-force method, but it seemed effective. As Yeo Dongbin's lion's roar echoed, electric sparks crackled from the barrier, and it began to vibrate. Zhuge Sa, watching from the side, muttered.

"The spirit of Fire Dragon True Man is reacting."

Yeo Dongbin glanced at him, but Zhuge Sa chuckled and said.

"I'm just a passing demonic engineer, harmless and innocent, so please continue, Sword Immortal."

Yeo Dongbin's mission was to eradicate demons, so he debated killing Zhuge Sa, who openly exuded demonic power. But when I panicked and stopped Yeo Dongbin from acting, he ignored Zhuge Sa and bellowed again.

[...Your disciple Yeo Dongbin has come to pay respects! Come forth!]

Rumble!

The barrier vibrated even more intensely. At the same time, an enraged roar echoed from the passage behind us.

"Damn it! Which bastards dare touch the seal!!"

Whoosh!

In an instant, displaying phenomenal lightfoot skill, Yi-seong Sanggwan Hyeok leaped into the chamber. As expected of a Peak Expert of the Half-Demonic Ghost Realm with terrifying inner power, his martial prowess was superhuman. From Yi-seong Sanggwan Hyeok's twin palms, a majestic palm force spread toward Yeo Dongbin.

But who could defeat Yeo Dongbin with martial arts! Yeo Dongbin casually swung his left hand, as if not even worth a scoff, splitting Sanggwan Hyeok's palm force in two, then in one exchange pressed his sword edge to Sanggwan Hyeok's throat.

Piiing...

"Huhk..."

Sanggwan Hyeok, suddenly on the verge of decapitation, gulped and pressed against the cave wall. He realized Yeo Dongbin was an absolute realm expert beyond his capability. Looking terrified, he urgently said.

"St-stop! If that seal breaks... the world ends..."

Zhuge Sa sneered.

"Everything else is fine, but why did you steal someone else's belonging for your seal? The original owner has come to reclaim his property right here. Wonder if you have the shame to answer."

"Or original owner...?"

"There's only one master of the Fire Dragon Divine Sword, isn't there?"

"Uh... no way...?"

Stammering, Sanggwan Hyeok realized something and widened his eyes.

"Swor... Imm... Yeo Dongbin?!"

His face was filled with shock, as if seeing something unbelievable.

[Indeed, human. I have come to retrieve my master's manifestation.]

Hearing Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin's solemn spirit words, Sanggwan Hyeok closed his eyes in resignation.

"Ugh..."

[Fortunately, Master's spirit was in slumber. A couple more calls, and he'll fully awaken. Then the Fire Dragon Divine Sword will detach from the seal.]

As Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin turned his head, Sanggwan Hyeok sweated profusely from his forehead and shouted.

"Sword Immortal! Please stop for a moment! We absolutely cannot do this!"

[What do you mean?]

"That barrier is a rift and passage between Dark Heaven Village and this world, created by an ancient sealing ritual! It's barely holding thanks to the Fire Dragon Divine Sword's spiritual power, but in two hundred years, it will lose all effect and burst. If you remove the Fire Dragon Divine Sword now, Yi-folk monsters will pour out from Dark Heaven Village immediately...!"

[......]

"Please... I'm sorry, but for now, leaving the Fire Dragon Divine Sword is the best option."

Yeo Dongbin looked troubled. He needed to retrieve the Fire Dragon Divine Sword to rescue his master, but that meant unleashing a colossal calamity on the human world. Zhuge Sa, watching from the side, interjected.

"If you wish, I can step in and seal it properly."

Yeo Dongbin and Sanggwan Hyeok's gazes turned to Zhuge Sa simultaneously. He smiled coldly and said.

"But in exchange, Sanggwan Hyeok, you'll become my puppet from now on."

"What nonsense?"

"I am the cult leader of the Demonic Cult, Zhuge Sa. Agree to my Soul Divorce Grand Law, and I'll help detach the Fire Dragon Divine Sword right here and seal the barrier more securely."

"Ugh. Demonic Cult Leader..."

Zhuge Sa cackled.

"I could do it anyway, but you're a demonic engineer with high mental defenses, so it's a hassle..."

Sanggwan Hyeok ground his teeth upon realizing Zhuge Sa's identity. As a fellow demonic engineer, he knew Zhuge Sa's infamous reputation well. He also seemed aware of the Soul Divorce Grand Law's power, clamping his mouth shut. Zhuge Sa then said slyly.

"What'll it be? Yeo Dongbin's calls have already stirred Fire Dragon True Man's consciousness. Even without a finishing blow, the barrier is half-broken. It could shatter anytime. Dragging it out only hurts you."

Sanggwan Hyeok wailed.

"Zhuge Saaa! What grudge do you have against me to do this...?"

"Decide quickly. If it's a bother, I can just leave. Luoyang rampaged by thousands of Yi-folk would be a sight."

Sweat poured from Sanggwan Hyeok's entire face. Even a high expert who could control his body with inner power showed this reaction, meaning his fury had reached an extreme. His emotions were in such conflict that his power was on the verge of qi deviation.

Sanggwan Hyeok soon composed himself and said somberly.

"I'll accept."

Moments later, Zhuge Sa placed his hand on Sanggwan Hyeok's heart and cast the Soul Divorce Grand Law. Sanggwan Hyeok had some mental defense spell, hesitating briefly, but soon his soul was sucked into Zhuge Sa. Thus, Sanggwan Hyeok became no different from a slave subjugated by the Soul Divorce Grand Law.

Yeo Dongbin glared at Zhuge Sa.

[Demonic cultivator. If you cannot keep your word, I will take your head first.]

"Scary. I'll handle my task properly, so don't worry."

Rustle.

Zhuge Sa took out the Nine Luminaries Scripture I had given him and unfurled it. The unidentified Yi-folk script engraved in the demonic tome began to rise from the page as if alive in reality. Zhuge Sa recited what seemed like incantations from the Nine Luminaries Scripture, then muttered more intensely.

Ph'nglui Mglw'nafh....

Cthulhu R'lyeh Wgah'nagl Fhtagn...

A strange resonance, as if I'd heard it somewhere before, brushed past. Once the incantation ended, a dark light floated in the air and shot toward the front.

Flash!

The dark light plunged into the center of the sealing barrier, stirring a fierce vortex. Zhuge Sa threw the Nine Luminaries Scripture in his hand toward it.

"I offer it to the god!"

The vortex swallowed the Nine Luminaries Scripture as if alive, followed by a hushed silence.

Zhuge Sa panted before saying to Yeo Dongbin.

"Now it's done. Call and awaken Fire Dragon True Man."

[Understood.]

Yeo Dongbin's thunderous roars continued a few more times. The seal then began expelling shattered spiritual energies in tens of trillions of pieces, like spitting them out. Those divine energies fluttered aimlessly like dandelions. Staring at them, Yeo Dongbin focused his mind and spirit, assuming a sword stance.

Chhiring!

It was miraculous. Moments later, the Fire Dragon Divine Sword appeared in Yeo Dongbin's hand!

Yeo Dongbin glared bitterly at Zhuge Sa and said.

[Demonic cultivator. Next time, I will not tolerate aberrants being like you.]

"Keep that in mind."

[Mortal... The Fire Dragon Divine Sword is currently weakened. You must restore its vitality.]

Yeo Dongbin left those final words and departed my body. Regaining control, I immediately said to Zhuge Sa.

"Zhuge Sa, is this okay? We could have used the Nine Luminaries Scripture in a deal with the prophet, but wasting it here...?"

Zhuge Sa smirked.

"Heh heh. A demonic tome is like a demonic cultivator's treasure. And if you're the type to blow a supreme demonic tome like the Nine Luminaries Scripture on a few lines of info from some prophet, you're either ordinary or insane. You're the latter—insane beyond what I can match."

"......"

"Better to use it on a massive seal like this. More efficient, considering our future plans."

Sanggwan Hyeok, who had been listening to our conversation, suddenly exclaimed in shock.

"N-Nine Luminaries Scripture?! You don't mean you just sacrificed that legendary demonic tome to summon a baleful god's power?!"

"You catch on quick."

"Ugh! You bastards are..."

Seeing Sanggwan Hyeok glare at us with eyes boiling with desire and regret, the Nine Luminaries Scripture's value was evidently immense. To demonic cultivators handling Yi-folk knowledge, a demonic tome was an absolute treasure.

Zhuge Sa pressed Sanggwan Hyeok's forehead.

"Not your concern. And you're my slave from now on, so let's get along."

"......"

"I won't make you eat shit, so relax."

Was that supposed to be reassurance?

Leaving behind Yi-seong Sanggwan Hyeok, who had instantly become a Soul Divorce Grand Law slave, we went out of the Shanggu Family's basement. As planned, I returned alone to Manggyang Seonsa's village and met Cheon Woo-jin. He openly frowned.

"Back again? You're not here to offer treasures to Heavenly Immortals once more, are you?"

"That's exactly it."

"Go away! I have no reason to look out for your gains."

"Hmm..."

"You got the Peaceful Arts; why not hole up in some mountain Taoist temple and train day and night? Why keep bothering me?"

Cheon Woo-jin's face was full of irritation as he barked. But I said indifferently to him.

"I'm not asking for free. I'd at least hear you out..."

Cheon Woo-jin's expression changed slightly.

"Hoo?"

"I'm not that shameless to expect it for nothing."

As I spoke, I subtly pulled out the Sacred Lotus and Black-and-White Lotus. Even for a sorcerer like Cheon Woo-jin, they held sufficient value, and his eyes gleamed differently. Crossing his arms, he pondered for a while before saying.

"Hmm, well... let me ask Master and return."

He vanished somewhere and reappeared moments later with Hwanmu.

"Master says it's fine. Then I'll take my share first."

"Prepayment?"

"What else? Why trust you for post-payment? If things go south, I'd have to kill you and feel bitter after. I love prepayment."

To the curt Cheon Woo-jin, I gave a wry smile and handed over the Sacred Lotus and Black-and-White Lotus one by one. Satisfied, Cheon Woo-jin led me into the village.

"This way."

Watching Cheon Woo-jin's back, I thought.

"Not a hateful guy, but no affection grows."

And he's consistent.

A pure genius, perhaps?

Moments later, Cheon Woo-jin began the Great Thunder Immortal Descent Ritual. I tensed the moment Taeheo Heavenly Lord among the Great Thunder Immortals descended.

Now it begins.

[I am Taeheo Heavenly Lord. You have called me again...]

"Taeheo Heavenly Lord."

[What?]

As soon as Taeheo Heavenly Lord was summoned, I said firmly.

"I offer a sacrifice to claim the rights to a sealing ritual."

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