Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

Summoning Peng Chao was practically a gamble betting on a slim chance.

At this point, there was a high likelihood that Peng Chao had already firmly pegged us as 'enemies.' He was probably scheming some secret plan in that gloomy underworld when he detected the All Nations Jade Seal springing on him. If he'd hidden his tracks, he would've tried to uncover the identity of the seal's bearer—me. And if that effort succeeded, he might even know who I was.

But before fearing Peng Chao, it was true that he was our only lead to Changhil's whereabouts. Plus, wasn't he the great-grandson of Zhuanxu, one of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, and a Great Luo Immortal to boot? If he ignored the summons, I could spread rumors in the Heavenly Realm that Peng Chao was suspicious.

It was all upside with no downside, so I immediately began preparations to head to Mangliang Monk's village and summon him. But Zhuge Sa put on the brakes right before.

"Wait. Hold on a second. There's something I need to check first."

"Got it."

Zhuge Sa fell silent for a moment, then crossed his arms and spoke.

"Bask Woong. Have you ever thought about just how strong Changhil or Peng Chao might be?"

"Well... probably around Great Luo Immortal level."

"Damn. Good thing I asked."

"Why?"

"They're way beyond that. At minimum, think of them as Apostle-class."

"......!!"

What was he saying? I stared at Zhuge Sa with wide eyes, and he leaned forward in his seat as he continued.

"Sure, Changhil and Peng Chao might hold the title of Great Luo Immortal in the Heavenly Realm. There aren't really any higher ranks set above the Three Pure Ones and Great Luo Immortals up there. But based on the info you've gathered across your reincarnations, Changhil was a close aide to Emperor Gong Gongduan during the ancient Yin-Zhou era when he ruled as king, and Peng Chao is blood kin to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors by birth. The odds are very high they possess power far beyond their apparent rank."

"Hmm."

"And get this. Peng Chao's at the Black Brotherhood's main base, and those guys are tied to the Golden Radiance and the Holy Land... Doesn't that strike you as highly suspicious?"

......

"Peng Chao knows a ton about the Golden Radiance. He might even be the one who took it from the Central Plains to the West."

I listened intently to Zhuge Sa's words. I'd rushed to the West in a frenzy due to the absolute command to find Changhil within ten years, but he was pointing out angles I hadn't considered. After pondering, I asked.

"Has Peng Chao allied with the Yi Clan to boost his own power?"

"Could be, but we won't know until we ask him ourselves."

Zhuge Sa chuckled.

"Those two make for a bizarre pair. Both are famous figures from the mythic era recorded in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, yet their roles in those myths are minor. For them to emerge as the masterminds now means the myths of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors era that we know have been deliberately distorted."

"I'm not interested in that complexity right now. Even if they're Apostle-class, I can handle them if I use the Seven Luminaries' power right?"

I pressed on firmly.

"Even if Peng Chao answers the summons this time, he won't spill Changhil's info easily. He'll play dumb for sure—so how do we pry it out of him?"

Truth be told, this was the stratagem I most wanted from Zhuge Sa. He shook his head.

"No stratagem for that!"

"What...?"

"If it's impossible, it's impossible. Too many uncertainties right now. But just the fact that he responds to the summons gives us some clues, so you just do your best talking to him. It might go surprisingly well."

Zhuge Sa then explained how I should handle the conversation. He could cast the Soul Projection Technique on me and direct from afar, but someone like Cheon Woojin would spot it instantly. In the end, I'd have to handle it solo.

Psst!

Once ready, I went to Mangliang Monk's village and met Cheon Woojin. He eyed me with a look like he was staring at a slug and said.

"Please... just go away... go."

......

Cheon Woojin started backing away.

"I'm telling you, it's a hassle! Please!"

To think he'd me

I must've come off as a leech always showing up to mooch off his abilities whenever I got the chance. But I couldn't back down, so with a sigh, I said.

"Sorry, but I have to see Mangliang Monk."

"You think I'll step aside just because you want to? No one's come here as many times as you, driven by selfish desires. Please, just leave."

Seeing Cheon Woojin resort to 'please' made it clear he was desperate. Did he sense that tangling with me further would bring worldly troubles his way? But I replied coldly.

"I've got news on the West's guardian. So I must meet Daoism's guardian, Mangliang Monk."

"Uh..."

Cheon Woojin flinched briefly, then said with resignation.

"Damn it... Master already gave permission, so come in."

It seemed Mangliang Monk had just approved my entry. As Cheon Woojin's illusion lifted, I entered the village and went to Ye Dongbin's shrine. Moments later, the familiar drowsiness poured over me.

......

I entered the dream. Sure enough, Mangliang Monk approached from down the path in his black cat form. He spoke leisurely.

[You come up with every excuse in the book. Adept at improvisation—is that experience or talent?]

Why was he suddenly curious about that?

Mangliang Monk seemed in a good mood for some reason. So I told him.

"Mangliang Monk. The West is hell."

[I already know what you're going to say. That the West's guardian was sealed to protect the Golden Radiance.]

His eyes glowed blue as he replied.

[It's all a scheme by malevolent beings. The goal is to pry open the tightly shut gates of the East...]

"...I don't get you at all."

I gave up on prying anything out of Mangliang Monk. That damn cat always saw through intentions like that and ignored people with infuriating ease. So I decided to be straightforward.

"You're sealing the demon slumbering in Luoyang, Daoism's guardian, a cosmic entity? And amnesia to boot? What the hell are you?"

[You just explained it yourself.]

"No. Those are just descriptors. I still have no clue who you really are!"

Frustrated, I shouted.

Across 22 reincarnations, Mangliang Monk had doled out crucial info here and there but never said what he was or what he wanted. Sure, amnesia made answers unlikely, but anyone would want to know what the guy was about. As Mangliang Monk stared blankly, I grew even more baffled.

"Why a black cat of all things?! Why?!"

[I look like a cat to you?]

"Yeah! You're a cat!"

This was something I'd dying to say!

He appeared as a stern master to Manghan, so why a black cat to me?!

Mangliang Monk replied.

[Interesting. That means you've glimpsed the essence of my power to some degree...]

Glimpsed?

Mangliang Monk leaped onto the roof, curled up, and gazed down arrogantly.

[If you've got more to say, spit it out.]

"You're the guardian, yet you'll just let the West be? At this rate, the Golden Radiance gets stolen, and all Westerners become livestock for the Yi Clan."

[No choice. I lack the spare power to stop them.]

"So you only protect the Eastern Continent?"

[Practical limitations.]

Mangliang Monk continued coldly.

[Nothing else?]

"How about dropping that outer god seal and using your power directly? Cosmic entity, right? You could take on an [Ancient Ruler] no problem."

I vented my pent-up frustration. Mangliang Monk licked his front paw and replied.

[Like burning down a thatched house to kill a flea.]

"What?"

[If I drop the seal and step in, sure, I could handle most [Ancient Rulers] like you said. But entities hundreds of times more dangerous would roam free. Even the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors couldn't stop them then.]

"......!!"

What?!

I was stunned that Mangliang Monk mentioned the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors directly. I knew he wasn't bound by Heavenly hierarchies, but equal or above them? Swallowing hard, I cautiously asked.

"Are you... an [Ancient Ruler]?"

[I don't know. Like you said, I've got amnesia. My alliance with the Heavens is just a side gig.]

Mangliang Monk's gaze turned to the blue sky.

[I know only one thing.]

"What's that?"

[When I first fell to earth, my essence whispered to me: [Protect humanity.]...That's it.]

......

So he moved on instinct to safeguard humans.

Feeling hazy, I pressed.

"Fell? From where? The sky... space?"

[No. It felt like from somewhere even higher.]

"Where?"

[In that falling moment, I thought: Once fallen, I can never return until the world ends...]

Muttering, Mangliang Monk added.

[Curious. My essence is reacting to the karma you've built. Still far from enough, though.]

Talking about my reincarnation ability?

Had the accumulated karma made him open up?

As I stayed silent, Mangliang Monk said.

[What's your business here?]

"I'm on Zhuanxu's orders to track Changhil. Heard Peng Chao's connected, so came to summon him."

[I see.]

Swishing his tail, Mangliang Monk said.

[I spoke to Zhuanxu. He said to help you.]

"Huh?!"

Was this crazy cat really on par with or above the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors?! Casually bantering with Emperor Zhuanxu like old pals was no joke. My vision blurred as Mangliang Monk faded, his final words echoing.

[Cheon Woojin will assist your summoning. Now go.]

......

...

I woke from the dream. Nearby, Cheon Woojin furiously planted flags into the altar, face twisted in rage. I called out.

"Cheon Woo..."

"Shut it! I'll help like Master said, so just shut up!"

Kwak!

Infusing the Taiji flag with resentment, he slammed it into the altar's center and yelled.

"If you weren't my senior brother's friend and we hadn't heard Master's command, Apostle of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors or whatever—you'd be dead by my hand right here!"

This guy was pissed!

Even Cheon Woojin got fed up being dragged around for others repeatedly. Deciding not to poke the angry bear, I quickly pondered a gift to soothe him. Holding grudges with him wasn't wise for the future.

Soon, the Great Luo Immortal summoning began. With a set target, no need to deal with annoyances like the Limitless Heavenly Lord or Queen Mother of the West. I offered a silver phoenix carving and one portable automaton as tribute. Valuable, but not urgently needed.

Wooong!

A silver ring hovered over Cheon Woojin's head as he channeled. Blue veins bulged, eyes rolled back white—then a deep voice emanated from him.

[Apostle of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, Bask Woong. You dare summon me.]

I glared straight at him and retorted.

"You're Peng Chao, Zhuanxu's great-grandson and Great Luo Immortal?"

[Indeed.]

"I figured you wouldn't answer. Too many guilty secrets."

[Keko...]

Peng Chao let out an eerie chuckle. He pointed at me with his index finger.

[I responded only to warn you.]

"Warn me?"

[Do what you want in the East—we won't interfere. But stay out of the West. If you're the Seven Luminaries' owner and Zhuanxu's Apostle, you know what I mean...?]

I sensed the negotiation phase Zhuge Sa predicted had arrived.

'As expected.'

Per Zhuge Sa, if Peng Chao answered, he'd likely demand I stay out of the West nine times out of ten. Thinking fast, I replied.

"I'll accept your proposal. But tell me where Changhil is."

[How would I know where Changhil went...?]

"Cut the act. You and Changhil are both sub-administrators of the All Nations Jade Seal. Wonder what happens if I report your partnership to Zhuanxu directly."

[Hmph... Go ahead... No evidence anyway.]

"Evidence? I've got it."

[What?]

I flashed the All Nations Jade Seal from my bosom and glared.

"Normally, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors don't earthly affairs in detail. But if I offer this seal via tribute ritual, Zhuanxu learns all its secrets, gains the karma to descend in this era."

[......!!]

"Fight Zhuanxu's main body invading the West, or reveal Changhil's location? This is legitimate karma—no violation of the Seven Luminaries truce."

Peng Chao exclaimed in shock.

"You madman! The All Nations Jade Seal is the ultimate trump card, a peerless treasure—yet you'd tribute it to a god just to threaten? Its value is ten times a normal trump card!"

"I'm serious."

[Don't bluff.]

"......"

We locked eyes in a staring contest. Peng Chao's emotions were hard to read mid-possession, but he twitched, deep in thought. After about fifteen minutes, he spoke.

[Fine. I'll tell you Changhil's whereabouts. But stay out of the West after.]

"Of course."

Nailing it per Zhuge Sa's advice, I added.

"But you might lie or slip, so I'll use Mangliang Monk as witness."

[What?]

Wooong!

The air grew heavy in response. Invisible, but Mangliang Monk was now overseeing. Using him as witness meant any lie granted him legitimate karma to tear the liar apart.

No ordinary guts could lie then!

Especially with a god's insight dwarfing mortals.

Peng Chao hesitated, flustered, then said.

[...Agreed. By Mangliang Monk's name, I'll speak truth. But your promise binds by his name too.]

"No objections."

[Changhil's exact location now? I don't know. We parted thousands of years ago. Last I knew, he headed to Dark Heaven Village.]

"Dark Heaven Village?"

I jolted.

That was the mad land where even Great Luo Immortals went insane—a realm not of this world! The worst demonic realm, crawling with [Ancient Rulers] casually. Changhil departed from Cheon Woojin after his final words.

[Seek the moon of Dark Heaven Village. That's the last destination I heard for Changhil.]

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