Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

White Lotus Leader Assassination!

I felt bewildered by Han Baekryeong's words.

I already knew she harbored hidden resentment toward the current White Lotus Leader, but I hadn't expected her to state it so directly.

I thought carefully before speaking.

"Why?"

"I'm asking because you possess such power."

"That isn't a reason."

I looked her straight in the eye and said.

"That may be so."

"But why make such an out-of-the-blue, unreasonable request?"

In response to my question, Han Baekryeong said.

"Though the Dragon Incarnation has never met the White Lotus Leader, he is an extremely dangerous man. He appears serene at first glance, but he is a being wholly consumed by madness and obsession—that is the White Lotus Leader. If the Dragon Incarnation desires peace for the world, conflict with him will be inevitable in the end."

Her words made me flinch inwardly.

"You know it well, don't you?"

Though Han Baekryeong spoke abstractly, I could only agree, having experienced the White Lotus Leader firsthand and witnessed his end.

She understood and analyzed his temperament and thoughts quite deeply.

But I kept my up cold facade without showing that I knew, continuing.

"That's something to decide when the time comes. I can't kill someone over events that haven't even happened yet. If there's nothing more to discuss, I'll take my leave."

As I spoke firmly, Han Baekryeong looked somewhat troubled.

Then she said.

"Even if I said he could become a demon far more powerful than the wicked sorcerers of the Imperial Palace he just defeated?"

"......"

I knew it.

Once his shackles were broken and the Imperial Palace fell, the White Lotus Leader would seize Luoyang and seek the Dharma of No-Life Immortal, even if it meant serving the [Ancient Ruler].

And as Han Baekryeong said, he would become the apostle of the evil god.

Knowing his nature and plans full well, I couldn't deny her words.

"I'd like to hear more details."

"What would you like to know?"

"How you know all this, and specifically why the White Lotus Leader is so dangerous."

"It'll be a long story. Is that alright? It's an internal secret of the White Lotus Cult."

"Since it's a grave matter, I'm prepared to listen carefully."

Han Baekryeong nodded and began her tale.

"The current leader, Dugok Uncheon, was originally nameless. Back when I, Dugok Jun, Yong Richeon—the current Dharma Protectors—and the late Yi Cheongun were making our martial names resound across the world, he was so insignificant that no one even knew he existed in the White Lotus Cult. All he did was study books and decipher unknown sorceries from ruins—a pale scholar. But when the Dharma Protectors competed in martial prowess to succeed the leader, he appeared out of nowhere, displayed infinite inner energy, defeated even Yi Cheongun—who was called the strongest among them—and claimed the leadership."

"......"

"It was a power no one could obtain through normal means. There couldn't be a martial genius surpassing Yi Cheongun, and infinite inner energy is a power that shouldn't even exist."

"Then..."

"Yes. His power isn't from martial arts—it's from sorcery or magic. It's almost certain he's colluded with beings called demons. With a non-martial artist leading the White Lotus Cult, his goals must lie beyond the martial world, no? Moreover, he views humans as mere tools for his ends, so he'll soon bring about a great catastrophe."

She spoke calmly, but I knew every word was spot on.

'It's... all true...'

Far from that, I was chilled by how deeply she'd grasped it.

Even I had only uncovered his true face after a dozen reincarnations and slaving away at his side until death.

Pretending ignorance, I probed.

"If that's true, then the Heavenly Spirit Pills and infinite inner energy your Dharma Protectors possess come from demonic power?"

"Correct."

"Any proof?"

"All us Dharma Protectors, myself included, obtained this power not through normal cultivation, but by passing through a suspicious ritual. It couldn't be martial arts. It's shameful for warriors."

"Hmm..."

"But without the Heavenly Spirit Pills, we couldn't protect our sect, so we had no choice."

Her words carried deep self-loathing.

Puzzled, I said.

"But... by gaining infinite inner energy, didn't you obtain absolute power overwhelming all factions and hidden experts of the realm?"

"Before one who has reached the Absolute Realm, this power means little. At the level of adjusting the world's laws, quality matters more than quantity. Meanwhile, we don't even know the price of this power."

Han Baekryeong continued.

"Power always comes with a price. If things continue, we'll all meet ruin, and the martial lineage that follows us will perish alongside. That's why I seek to strike down the White Lotus Leader."

"I see..."

Han Baekryeong didn't know the exact nature of the Heavenly Spirit Pill contract or its price.

But through logic, intuition, and inference, she knew she'd fallen into something sinister.

Thus, from Yi Cheongun's death to now, she'd been seeking a way to escape the White Lotus Leader's grasp.

I pondered deeply before saying.

"I understand the reason to strike the leader. But even so, I can't just take your word and attack him. He's extraordinarily strong, that's true, and I have pressing matters without making needless enemies."

"Even if we offer everything of our Incarnation Style?"

"I don't see that as worth making an enemy of the White Lotus Leader. He's closest to the supreme under heaven and earth—not someone to take lightly."

Han Baekryeong fell silent at my polite refusal.

Then she spoke.

"I know two of his weaknesses. Strike them, and we can greatly weaken the White Lotus Leader for an easy victory."

I startled!

Her words shocked me—not from the unexpected fact, but because I couldn't gauge how much she truly knew.

'... Definitely the Reverse Scale and the Young Leader?'

Striking those two weaknesses would make taking down the leader straightforward.

Unlike the Reverse Scale, why the Young Leader was a weakness remained unclear, but knowing it offered an opening.

At a loss for words, I listened as Han Baekryeong continued.

"Dragon Incarnation. If you eliminate just the leader, you'll gain not only our Incarnation Style, but Luoyang's martial world, the entire White Lotus Cult, and ultimately the Central Plains martial world. This isn't pie-in-the-sky."

"......"

"Accept, and I'll reveal the weaknesses and a concrete plan."

I agonized.

Then answered Han Baekryeong.

"Give me time to think."

"Until when?"

"I'll reply in ten days."

"I'll await you."

I saw her pick up her pipe again.

I stared at her before saying.

"Is the Shadowless Alliance Leader well?"

"As the Dragon Incarnation's kin, we treat him with utmost respect. He'd diligently learning the Incarnation Style's martial arts day by day."

"I'd like to speak with him briefly."

"I'll guide you."

I watched Han Baekryeong suddenly unleash a lightness skill and soar away.

She vanished at tremendous speed, then transmitted via Thousand-Li Telepathy.

[Follow me.]

Unable to use lightness skills myself, I felt a bit awkward, but traced her trail by her qi.

Soon, I found a small martial hall in a remote spot far from the Han family estate.

Someone inside was diligently swinging a sword—it was the Sword Demon.

Spotting me, the Sword Demon said gladly.

"Long time no see!"

"Hmm... How have you been?"

"Well enough."

I recounted to the Sword Demon what Han Baekryeong had just told me.

Han Baekryeong listened nearby, but it was pointless to hide, so I spoke openly.

Hearing the full story, the Sword Demon pondered before saying.

"I have nothing to add."

But that was mere surface talk.

In a fleeting moment, he sent me a transmission.

[Consult with Zhuge Segun and Mangryang.]

Indeed.

After confirming the Sword Demon's safety, I left the Han family estate and returned to my base, Jangyeong Valley, via flight.

There, I explained everything to Zhuge Segun and Mangryang.

Zhuge Segun said with an irritated face.

"Hmph. Acting on her own without consulting the strategist?"

"Ugh... Sorry..."

With nothing to say, I apologized, but Mangryang interjected.

"Baek Woong, you've always kept in mind the possibility of accepting Han Baekryeong as a comrade. When you earn her trust later, this will be seen positively. No need to think too badly of it."

Zhuge Segun snapped irritably.

"Sheesh. If that's the case, just go give that wench the black obsidian and ask if she'll join us or die! Why waste time mind-gaming with that sly fox? Scared you'll incur her grudge and ruin future chances?"

"......"

"Nonsense—ignore it. We have no leeway to fight the White Lotus Leader."

Zhuge Segun dismissed Han Baekryeong's assassination proposal outright.

Realistically, he was right.

With the Changhil search unfinished, antagonizing the White Lotus Leader was too big a deal.

Mangryang, seated nearby, pondered before saying.

"But Uncle, now that the Imperial Palace is leaderless, the White Lotus Leader might advance on Luoyang as a base. Even if we don't kill him as Han Baekryeong suggests, we need a way to check him."

"Hmph! Even so, without unleashing the Black White Lotus, he's stuck in Shin Gang with his cursed Young Leader in tow. Means we can check the White Lotus Cult just by handling or controlling his subordinates."

Sneering, Zhuge Segun said.

"Baek Woong. In ten days, go to her and say: Convince the Wind God Style to join in striking the leader. Oh, and the Literati too."

"Eh?!"

Zhuge Segun smirked.

"That wench Han Baekryeong absolutely can't! If she could, she'd have rallied the Twelve Styles or whoever by now to settle it with the leader. She's a paranoid, scheming fox who only looks out for her own sect—so toss that at her, and she'll waste at least one or two years fumbling. Drop the line and wash your hands of it!"

"......!!"

"While she's wrangling Yong Richeon, both Incarnation and Wind God Styles are tied up. That leaves Divine Style or the Elders' Assembly, but territorialism from the Two Ultimate Styles makes it hard for them to meddle in Luoyang. Plus, the leader himself can't come—so what's the point?"

"Uh... You're right..."

"Solves the White Lotus check in one go!"

Zhuge Segun's scheme blew through like a gale, but it didn't sound bad.

Tossing her the headache of unifying factions would indeed trouble Han Baekryeong.

Since I'd neither accepted nor refused, it shifted the burden.

Rather than headache over Han Baekryeong, dump the homework—that was Zhuge Segun's thinking.

Zhuge Segun eyed Mangryang unkindly.

"And you, Hyun—your lust for sorcery has clouded your judgment. Reflect as a strategist."

Mangryang said embarrassedly.

"You're right."

"To cool your head, how about heading to Mount Young alone for secluded training for a while? Useless until you found your own path and ascend fully."

To me, Zhuge Segun's words seemed too harsh.

Useless to Mangryang?

But Mangryang nodded calmly, accepting it.

"I'll do that."

"Got it? Good. One slip and it's a big mistake."

"I understand."

Zhuge Segun gruffly scolded.

"He'll be fine."

But his underlying worry was strong, so I left it be.

That was when it happened.

"Now everyone is finally gathered."

Clumsy Central Plains speech rang out—from right behind me.

"......?!"

Realizing I'd been suppressed at my back without noticing, my body stiffened, veins turning deathly pale.

Even now, I was within the foe's attack range—life felt unreal.

Zhuge Segun and Mangryang were the same, staring at my back like possessed.

Despite their usual barriers of sorcery or spells, they hadn't detected the intruder behind me.

I must attack.

But I couldn't.

The moment I intend to, I die.

Sweating, I lightly touched my sword hilt.

But I couldn't even dream of drawing.

"No... They'll be faster for sure!"

No matter how I amplified my physical prowess with Thunderclap and inner energy, or drew on Flame Desire and the National Seal's power—at that instant, my head would fly or I'd take a fatal wound.

On a level beyond any prior injury—my body shredded into hundreds.

Even with near-immortality from Cheonuk's gift, no gamble.

It wasn't about power output.

The one behind me wielded Absolute Swift Sword— even the White Lotus Leader couldn't evade it.

His blade would shred any protective qi or barrier.

What kind of expert is this?

One name flashed: I groaned.

"Miyamoto... Musashi..."

The man behind responded intrigued.

"So you know me."

Indeed.

Suppressing us three with sheer presence was Absolute Realm supreme expert and Twelve Styles special appointee, Miyamoto Musashi!

The East's greatest swordsman, Five Rings Book author, Two Thousand First-Class founder—silently seizing my rear.

His reason for coming was obvious.

'... Right... Musashi is...'

A lackey of the Twelve Styles!

Miyamoto Musashi had been covertly secluded in Luoyang as their special agent, observing it.

His stealth was Absolute Realm martial art—only an enlightened White Lotus Leader might notice.

And with the Imperial Palace destroyed by Flame Dragon Immortal, he'd tracked the culprit—me—to Jangyeong Valley.

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