Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

I gave Manggyang a brief explanation of what had happened. Then I pulled out Bi-eung. Mok-gap, and Il-seong-su, using them to convey my intent through the oracle language. Riffing through Mok-gap, I muttered,

“And here's the black obsidian...”

“Ah, I believe you. You're undoubtedly Baek Woong.”

Manggyang let out a sigh.

“I was on the fence. Our connection suddenly cut off, and you showed up looking aged out of nowhere—hard to recognize. Your old features lingered just enough to make me wonder, but anyone else would find it hard to believe.”

“Hmm...”

“Send me the memories via the black obsidian.”

I'd given a quick rundown, but nothing beat the obsidian for clarity. I nodded and transmitted the memories of recent events to him. After peering into them, Manggyang said,

Manggyang's face showed a flicker of shock. For someone who usually kept his expressions in check, this meant my accomplishments were extraordinary. As my cheekbones lifted in quiet pride, he continued,

“But what exactly is this apostle's authority Jeon-uk granted you?”

I pondered his question before replying,

“...I'm not sure. My body and instincts remember how to use it, but I can't grasp its true nature. All I know is it's what kept me from reincarnating so far, and it works for both travel and combat.”

“Why are the memories of your training at Mount Ilwol's O-geocheonmun gone?”

“No idea. Next thing I knew, I was back in reality.”

“......”

Manggyang crossed his arms, deep in thought. Then he said,

“We should discuss this with Zhuge Sa. Let's go.”

I followed Manggyang to Zhuge Sa. He was surrounded by a pile of paper effigies, inscribing curse seals on their bodies—some kind of magic. Midway through his work, Zhuge Sa glanced my way and said,

“No way? Is't Baek Woong?”

“You spotted it right away.”

“Your look's changed, but you're the only one who'd show up with him.”

I passed my memories to Zhuge Sa via the black obsidian. After absorbing them, he said in astonishment,

“...No kidding? For real? You actually took it down?”

“I was there.”

“......”

Zhuge Sa seemed more shaken than Manggyang; he spaced out for a moment. Then he burst into mad laughter.

“Kahahahaha! Unbelievable! A mere human slaying an [Ancient Ruler]!! Hahahaaha!!!”

He grabbed my shoulders and shook me wildly.

“Liu Bang? Cao Cao? Emperor Wu? Xiang Yu? Zhu Yuanzhang? Forget 'em all! You're history's greatest hero! Hahaha!”

“H-hold on...”

“Kahahaha...”

Wiping his eyes, Zhuge Sa spoke in a manic tone.

“Even the geniuses of the Zhuge family, proud heirs of a millennium-old Chinese dynasty, couldn't measure a single Great Immortal. Yet you pulled off hundreds of times that. You're one hell of a guy.”

“Heh heh. Got lucky!”

“Yeah, luck. All those millennia of Chinese heroes should hang themselves. Couldn't do what a dullard like you managed.”

“......”

He'd hyped me up sky-high, but one snide remark and he knocked me down. As my face twisted, Zhuge Sa continued,

“Anyway, congrats for now. Best possible outcome.”

“Think the heavenly realm will pick a fight over this?”

“No chance. They're underlings of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. They won't challenge an apostle over something their bosses already settled.”

I glanced around and asked,

“So what's with all these paper effigies?”

It was odd. More than I'd ever seen in past lives—easily over twenty, all shapes and sizes, men, women, old, young. Zhuge Sa grumbled in response,

“Made 'em as emergency sacrifices.”

“Why?”

“Why do you think? You cut off oracle comms out of nowhere, likely fighting the Sea God. Who'd you think you were fighting with? With death certain, I mass-produced these to beg the [Ancient Ruler] to save your ass.”

“Ah...”

Manggyang chimed in from the side.

“To rush them, Uncle Zhuge Sa blew through every asset in Zhangling Valley. All his hoarded spell materials and treasures went into these.”

That explained it.

I bowed gratefully to Zhuge Sa, who'd tried to save me even borrowing the [Ancient Ruler]'s power.

“Thanks.”

“Kukuku. Zhangling Valley's wealth is nothing. What matters is the Sea God, ruler of the world's oceans, is down.”

Zhuge Sa cackled.

“Mermaids will vanish from Central Plains and Goryeo for a while; their cities will crumble. Human slaves under them will hide their mixed blood and live free. Even the greatest emperor with the finest prime minister couldn't buy that peace. Thanks to you, tens of thousands will be saved for the next decade.”

“...Is that so.”

The Sea God's fall seemed monumental.

“Truth is, I can't predict what comes next. First time in history an [Ancient Ruler] dies to a human. Massive chaos ahead, for sure.”

Curious, I asked Zhuge Sa,

“Aren't [Ancient Rulers] beyond life and death, impossible to kill? Why could the Sea God die?”

Even weakened by self-sealing as Yeo Dongbin, it was strange. Past-life knowledge recalled: I'd asked the Jungle Ruler, an [Ancient Ruler], to slay a hateful god.

[Can your authority plunge the so-called hateful god into death?]

[That's a different matter... Ruler of Uyeol... That one is chaos direct lineage... A transcendent from the beginning, beyond life and death... Applying authority removal to it defies the laws.]

Exactly.

Gods, transcendent beyond life and death, can't be hit by reversal—they lack those concepts. Yet I'd somehow slain the Sea God, contradicting the Jungle Ruler.

Zhuge Sa smirked.

“Because the Sea God's an [Ancient Ruler] born in the material realm.”

“What?”

“You know [Ancient Rulers] have hierarchies, vast gaps in power?”

“Yeah.”

Zhuge Sa continued leisurely.

“[Ancient Rulers] split into two: those born in the material realm and those from distant divine thrones. Sea God's the former—lowest tier among them. Born in the material world means divine soul in a mortal body.”

“Ah!”

“Still, with a divine soul, it'll revive in millennia even now. But as an imperfect [Ancient Ruler], it can't escape physical death. Shared weakness of many material-born ones.”

Eye-opening stuff. I committed Zhuge Sa's words to memory, then asked,

“Those from distant thrones have immortal souls ”and“ bodies?”

“Yeah. Rare few—under ten among [Ancient Rulers], I'd say. Holy of holies.”

“......”

“Hateful god, chaos direct-lineage, is prime example. No death exists for it, so impossible to fell. Stronger still? Only outer gods, beyond gods themselves.”

“Damn it...”

I gritted my teeth.

My goal: block Uyeol's rise centuries hence, slay its ruling hateful god. But fighting the Sea God showed two Relics weren't enough—three minimum to even contend. How against a far stronger, deathless one?

“...Gotta collect all seven Relics.”

“Spot on.”

Zhuge Sa chuckled.

“Rest is secondary.”

Finished with Zhuge Sa, we discussed future plans. He asked about my state.

“Baek Woong, you look twenty years older than before. Feeling off? Combat power down?”

I shook my head.

“Nah. Inner energy makes physical strength secondary anyway; bigger body fights better.”

“Spell power?”

“Uh... gotta test.”

“Get a spell you know.”

Per his request, I unleashed flame spell, Invisibility, Soul Separation Grand Method, Peaceful Essentials Spell—each in turn. Astonishing results followed.

Roooor!!

“Wha—?!”

In Zhangling Valley's compound, my flame spell erupted into a three-chang-fan-shaped blaze. Far beyond expected power—nearly torched the whole place. Manggyang, watching, formed seals and said,

“Ice.”

Chilling aura blanketed everything. My flames died down, halting after a while. Blinking with astonishment, Manggyang marvelled,

“Impressive. Gave it my all, couldn't douse easily. That flame spell's now viable as main attack.”

“Wh-What happened?”

Never this strong before—three-chi burst at most. Power multiplied bafflingly. Manggyang explained,

“Proof of Jeon-uk's gift.”

“Gift?”

“You ate and drank at All Ghosts' Banquet. Aged twenty years as price, but gained yin god power in return.”

“Yin god power's yin—shouldn't boost flame spell?”

“Yin god power is taiyin—essential force human sorcerers struggle for. Skyrocketed your spell prowess. Taiyin transcends normal yin-yang. Plus, that flame spell's a yokai art from Miho—synergy inevitable.”

“......?!”

“You've got foundation for rare taiyin spells now. No human besides immortals wields them.”

I got it.

Yin god power from All Ghosts' Banquet!

Equaled a top talisman's spiritual force for my spells. I countered,

“What if I gorged on twenty plates and died of old age?”

“Jeon-uk's hope, probably. As his great ghost apostle, free with authority, dozens times stronger than human...”

“......”

“But you'd reincarnate on death, so maybe not.”

Other spells showed boosted power and cast speed too. Thrilled, Manggyang chided,

“Raw power up, but poor grasp—no shortcut seals or chants. Don't slack; train more.”

“Got it.”

I tried Soul Separation Grand Method, seeing me control a paper effigy. Zhuge Sa said,

“Finally hit seven-tenths mastery.”

“Really?”

“Eat Church lord says so. You're ready to bind souls to bodies.”

Soul Separation at seven-tenths!

Meant full paper effigy use now. Before, stuck at voice control—short bursts, sloppy. Now, easy fixation and movement; desperate times, swap bodies entirely.

Zhuge Sa stroked his chin, dissatisfied.

“Yin god power's potent. Thought ten more years of diligent practice for seven-tenths; taiyin smashed through.”

“Ehehe.”

“Don't gloat. Great success far off.”

Gruffly, he added,

“Spells good enough. Check martial arts. Post-battle, see what your foal realm arts reached.”

Fair point. I asked,

“How?”

“Use Heavenly Divine Scripture spell.”

Wooong

Activating it, I sensed souls across vast range. Before, twenty li max; now ninety. Zhuge Sa said,

“Summon strongest warrior soul, insert into effigy.”

“Might slip if I do.”

Even at seven-tenths, long holds tough without focus—souls detach sans great mastery.

“I'll stabilize soul. Go.”

“Alright.”

His plan: powerful warrior soul in effigy, spar me. Combat experience sans worldly karma.

Wooo...

“This one?”

Ninety li out, massive potent soul—blue flames roaring, dwarfing others. Prime candidate; I pulled it.

[Why summon me?]

Ancient vibe: shabby armor, weapons; tattoo-script on cheek.

“Punishment?”

Strong warrior regardless. I said,

“Putting you in that doll. Want to test your martial skill.”

[Your request?]

“Yes.”

Swooo

Soul entered tall, sturdy effigy. Rising, he grabbed a huge crescent halberd from prepared weapons. One-handing it, he faced me.

[Fight's been ages.]

“Your name?”

[Ying Bu/Su?]

“Huh...”

The name startled me.

Ying Bu—Xiang Yu's general who betrayed for Liu Bang?

Historical giant, famed commander. Betrayal stain aside, top-tier might in Chu-Han era. Han founding hero, Rebel, executed—but legend.

Cautiously,

“Ying Bu. You met Overlord Xiang Yu, right?”

Irked, he replied,

[Gonna brand me traitor?]

“No. Asking 'cause I met him too.”

[What? Ridiculous.]

I summarized Xiang Yu's past possession. Wariness eased,

“True, led troops under him long—know him well.”

“His might was transcendent. How'd you betray such a man?”

[Too strong! Needed no one!]

“What?”

Uncomfortable,

“As you said, stellar power—swung sword, hundreds dead. But personality? Total bastard. Feared instant death if he soured; joined Liu Bang.”

I got to it.

“That's what bugs me. Liu Bang, Han Xin, Xiao He—heroes, sure, but human. How against Chu-Han monster?”

[They were monsters too!]

“How?”

[Liu Bang: heavenly red dragon incarnation. Han Xin, Xiao He, Zhang Liang—stellar powered. Zhang Liang: human stellar incarnation “and” Great Immortal. Era of star heirs rampaging. Stood good chance with Liu Bang; he won.]

“......?!”

Pondering,

“Can you gauge my power vs. those heroes?”

[Kahaha! Heavenly Scripture pawn play, crushing my pride? Devil you?]

“......”

[Fine.]

Kwaang!!

Ying Bu swung the halberd massively. I blocked head-on; shock pushed me half step back. Stunned by raw force,

“No way...?”

Odd. Ancient, no systematized arts—yet peak-expert strikes. Baffled, he grinned,

[Learned Chu royal secrets ten years from Xiang Liang. Don't underestimate.]

Kaang

Kakaang

We clashed long, impressive, but Seven Great Ultimates would overwhelm. I held back, pure Thunder God Sword Dance—no inch yielded, but confirmed: ceremonial art, inefficient.

Frowning,

“Something's off.”

Last moment beheading Sea God, I'd glimpsed latest potential in Thunder God Sword Dance. Disappointed with current stance, I asked,

[Why hold back? You surpass me.]

“Testing this sword's limits.”

[Awakening in crisis? Battlefield luxury.]

Mocking, he attacked anew.

“Tch, no choice...”

Switched to Seven Great Ultimates. Three Treasures flowed naturally, edging all; Dragon Coiling Slash seized range. Ten exchanges, he faltered; my blade at his throat.

[Should've from start.]

He'd sized my potential instantly—ancient hero, his skill peak-plus.

“Sorry for the insult.”

[You asked comparison?]

“Yes.”

[Your arts top Liu Bang, Han Three Excellents. Even Han Xin'd lose sword duel. No such swordmaster my era.]

Praise, then sour,

[...Save Father-son Xiang.]

“Xiang Liang, Xiang Yu swordmasters?”

[Chu royal direct secrets—Moon Maiden Sword rivals. Minus stellar power, Xiang Yu matches you.]

“......”

Moon Maiden Sword rang bells.

“Heard of it.”

Maybe snag another supreme art. Satisfied, I cupped fists,

“Thanks.”

Releasing Ying Bu, to watching Zhuge Sa,

“Just occurred—”

“Moon Maiden Sword, right?”

Nailed it. Nodding, he gruffed,

“White Ape Yin Demons guarding Dongbang Mukyeol—Spring-Autumn Warring heir. Squeeze 'em, get it. Best needed now?”

“Not essential, but...”

“You've got several supreme arts equaling or better. Busy with Jeon-uk's task—no distractions.”

Sheepish, scratching head,

“Got it.”

“Anyway, your martial arts didn't grow much?”

Shaking head,

“No. Advanced a step pre-Sea God. Fully awakened Three Treasures, freer sword flow. But...”

“But?”

“That oneness from Thunder God Sword Dance—gone.”

The issue. Now top-tier expert, but couldn't reawaken hidden power. Last slash surely that mystery force—regrettable.

Potential to slay gods.

Must wield consciously.

Manggyang interjected,

“Can't solve that. In martial arts, you're Thunder God Flow elder-plus; need your superior grandmaster for advice. At least one surpassing you.”

“Meaning...?”

He chuckled.

“Ask the world's supreme martial artist, no?”

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