Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

"What the hell? How are you here...?"

"The master of this dream is Mangnyang the Monk. Since the master of the dream invited me, it's only natural that I can enter as well."

The Twelfth Rhythm Lord replied leisurely, glancing at Mangnyang the Monk before speaking.

"A black cat... So that's how Baek Woong perceives you? It's excessively cute compared to your usual self."

[ I like it. ]

"You're way off."

The Twelfth Rhythm Lord subtly showed fear toward Mangnyang the Monk. He kept a faint distance, as if the monk were some kind of monster. The Twelfth Rhythm Lord looked at me and said.

"Well, we took down the Sea God together this time, didn't we? And now you're one of the

"Well, we took down the Sea God together this time, didn't we? And now you're one of the Twelve Rhythm Lords too, so we're comrades at this point, right? That's why I want to form a contract to strengthen our alliance even further and fight together."

I was stunned by his shameless words.

"Aren't you throwing around 'comrades' a bit too lightly?"

"Why? You called the Four Seas comrades too."

"That's not what you say in a situation like this."

I glared at the Twelfth Rhythm Lord with sharp eyes.

"And I know you didn't go all out in the Sea God Subjugation Battle."

He seemed to fight hard enough, but I felt like the Twelfth Rhythm Lord had held back his trump card and observed until the end. There was no particular reason—it was just the on-site intuition of someone who had fought there. It was also why I still branded him as an unreliable figure. The Twelfth Rhythm Lord responded glibly.

"I think you're curious about a lot of things regarding me, right? If we get closer, you might learn my secrets. I have enough loyalty toward my contractors to go that far."

"......"

"By eliminating the Sea God, my plan has overcome a major hurdle. At least we've bought a hundred years. If you help me a bit more, we can aim for even longer."

"First, explain what this contract is."

As I didn't let my guard down, the Twelfth Rhythm Lord opened his mouth.

"It's nothing much. The contract's content is [We do our utmost to help each other]. That's it."

"......? Do we really need a contract for that?"

"During the fulfillment of the contract's content, we receive the protection of the mediator, Mangnyang the Monk."

"......!!"

I looked at Mangnyang the Monk in surprise. He sat on the wall, indifferently not even glancing our way.

'The Blessing of Breaking Heaven!'

The blessing bestowed by Mangnyang the Monk—its true nature was mysterious, but it greatly aided humans! Realizing the Twelfth Rhythm Lord's intent, I said.

"You're trying to contract with me to get Mangnyang the Monk's help?"

"In conclusion, yes. To deal with the upcoming chaos, it's the best option."

"The conditions are too good to be suspicious..."

"It's not that great."

The Twelfth Rhythm Lord gave a wry smile.

"His blessing will activate at most once or twice. And for this contract, I have to bear considerable losses. Even so, without Mangnyang the Monk's blessing, we can't handle the

He told him......

The Twelfth Rhythm Lord gave a wry smile.

"His blessing will activate at most once or twice. And for this contract, I have to bear considerable losses. Even so, without Mangnyang the Monk's blessing, we can't handle the divine beings ahead, so I must make this contract."

I looked at Mangnyang the Monk and asked.

"Is that true?"

[ It is. ]

Mangnyang the Monk licked his front paw and replied.

[ All the power I possess is being used to suppress the demon sealed in Luoyang. Normally, I couldn't spare even a speck of it. However, the Twelfth Rhythm Lord has sufficient qualifications and power, so I permit the contract. ]

"Is giving power through a contract not an issue?"

[ Since it follows the law of causality, the deficiency in power is immediately replenished. A great existence assists with that contract. ]

So that's how it is.

But before, when I begged Mangnyang the Monk for the Breaking Heaven Blessing, he refused. Feeling uneasy about this difference, I pondered and asked.

"Is there a difference between a deal and a contract?"

[ Sharply perceptive. No human standing before me has ever pointed out that distinction. ]

"......"

I fell silent at Mangnyang the Monk's intrigued words. I worried it might invite unnecessary

[ Sharply perceptive. No human standing before me has ever pointed out that distinction. ]

"......"

I fell silent at Mangnyang the Monk's intrigued words. I worried it might invite unnecessary suspicion.

"I'll answer that question."

The Twelfth Rhythm Lord interjected.

"Anyone can propose a deal, but a contract follows set procedures. I happened to learn about contracts, so I could request one from Mangnyang the Monk. He can't arbitrarily refuse a contract, even if he could refuse a deal."

"Can I also request a contract from Mangnyang the Monk?"

The Twelfth Rhythm Lord shook his head awkwardly.

"Probably not."

"If you teach me about contracts and pass on the method, I'll agree."

"No. That's not for me to decide."

I glanced at Mangnyang the Monk, who said.

[ It's true. ]

Even though the Twelfth Rhythm Lord side seemed more desperate, his response made it clear there was some hidden secret to contracts. The Twelfth Rhythm Lord spoke not as "won't" but as "can't."

After listening to them and thinking for a long time, I said.

"Let's talk later. It's too sudden."

there was some hidden secret to contracts. The Twelfth Rhythm Lord spoke not as "won't" but as "can't."

After listening to them and thinking for a long time, I said.

"Let's talk later. It's too sudden."

I had a feeling I shouldn't accept rashly.

Then the Twelfth Rhythm Lord said disappointedly.

"Hey. Do you think I didn't come find you in reality because the thousands-of-li journey takes too long? I could have done it easily with the Three Sages' help, but that's not it. Contracts can only be made in Mangnyang the Monk's dream."

"What do you mean?"

"... It has to be now."

The Twelfth Rhythm Lord seemed to gloss over something and continued.

"Think about it more seriously. We all saw the Sea God's power, right? Among the [Ancient Rulers], there are countless beings stronger than him, more than pebbles underfoot. Facing them without divine protection is impossible."

"......"

"So far, I've mostly observed events, but now that the Sea God is down, signs will appear everywhere. I don't have confidence to handle that danger alone, so I need Mangnyang the Monk's power. Same for you."

This time, it felt sincere. He still seemed to hide something, but it was clear he desperately wanted to contract with me.

What should I do?

I made my decision.

"I haven't received everything I have coming from you yet. It'd be better to settle that first and talk calmly after."

Information on Changhil and Paengjo, Dark Heaven Village. And Musashi's and the Twelfth Rhythm Lord's assistance. I hadn't properly received any of the rewards he promised. In such a situation, I couldn't add a contract in a floating, ignorant state.

The Twelfth Rhythm Lord sighed.

"Damn... There might be no leisure time ahead."

"No compromises."

"Got it. Then let's talk next time."

Whoosh.

The Twelfth Rhythm Lord's body vanished. He had left Mangnyang the Monk's dream.

Mangnyang the Monk said.

[ Do you distrust that guy?]

"Wouldn't you? The guy shows up wearing a dog mask even in dreams."

[ A cat mask would have been better.]

"......"

Is this guy serious?

[ A cat mask would have been better. ]

"......"

Is this guy serious?

As I looked dumbfounded, Mangnyang the Monk continued.

[ Go out. ]

I woke up. I explained to Mangnyang what had just happened.

Mangnyang was startled.

"The Twelfth Rhythm Lord in a dream? You don't think it was an illusion?"

"Not sure. But Mangnyang the Monk has no reason to deceive me on purpose."

"Hmm..."

Mangnyang said.

"Let's proceed first."

Mangnyang and I set up the altar, and he became the ritual's conductor, starting to chant spells.

Flash!

Soon after, a massive spirit possessed Mangnyang's body. Seeing his pupils vanish, I realized the Great Luo Immortal had descended, just like before.

[ Apostle. Why summon an immortal? ]

This ritual was formally like offering sacrifices. This time, the offering was ten out of twenty Portrait Mechanisms—half. According to Zhuge Sa, ten Portrait Mechanisms equaled a considerable treasure.

[ Apostle. Why summon an immortal?]

This ritual was formally like offering sacrifices. This time, the offering was ten out of twenty Portrait Mechanisms—half. According to Zhuge Sa, ten Portrait Mechanisms equaled a considerable treasure.

"Who are you?"

[ I am the Supreme Void Heavenly Lord.]

As expected, the first to appear was the Supreme Void Heavenly Lord. Recalling the plan with Mangnyang, I said to him.

"Sorry, but please call the Queen Mother of the West."

[ What? Then you should have summoned her from the start...]

"Please."

The Supreme Void Heavenly Lord grumbled and passed the turn to the Queen Mother of the West. When she appeared, I passed it on again. This continued, and finally, the predetermined Great Luo Immortal Taegong Mang appeared. I said to him.

"Taegong Mang. I want the right to reselect."

[ Are you serious?]

"Yes."

[ Good. I will erase one of the Great Luo Immortals' energies in your body. Which one?]

"That is..."

After answering Taegong Mang, I summoned that Great Luo Immortal again.

Flash!

The Great Luo Immortal's apparition that descended on Mangnyang's body spoke as if troubled.

[ Giving you my blessing is not difficult. But does an apostle truly need my blessing?]

"I need it. Desperately."

[ Hmm, then I accept your request...]

Before the Great Luo Immortal could continue, I firmly added.

"I won't be satisfied with just your martial knowledge."

[... What do you mean?]

"I want to connect the terminal of fate with you."

[...... ]

"The value of my offering should make it possible."

Seemingly unexpected, the Great Luo Immortal hesitated for a while. Then he said.

[ I cannot understand why you make such a request.]

Unlike with Yeo Dongbin, he clearly seemed uncomfortable.

"Aren't you a Fighting Immortal? I need that power."

[ Accepting the proposal isn't hard, but I must hear the reason. If it's for abusing my power in special matters, I cannot accept.]

"The Sea God is dead, and his forces are heading toward destruction, so other alien races will grow stronger. The chaos may exceed even the Yuan Dynasty era when you were active. That's why I need powerful combat strength usable right now, more than other blessings."

[ I will consult with the Heavenly Realm and return.]

After a long silence, the Great Luo Immortal nodded.

[ I will accept your request.]

"Thank you."

Swoosh.

The Great Luo Immortal's spirit body was sucked into my right hand like a vortex. Actually, like with Yeo Dongbin, a terminal of fate formed between us, meaning he could descend on me henceforth. Feeling half our plan succeed, I sighed in relief.

' Success.'

But the ritual wasn't over. Noticing the altar's spirit energy still lingered, I cautiously called Mangnyang.

"... Are you okay?"

"Huff... Huff..."

Mangnyang sweated coldly all over, as if enduring massive headache. He swallowed dryly and said.

"Still... I'm maintaining the ritual. I'll summon a new Great Luo Immortal... Before my spirit power depletes, conclude quickly..."

"Got it!"

A spell to summon the Heavenly Realm's Great Luo Immortals flowed from Mangnyang's mouth. Soon, the Supreme Void Heavenly Lord descended on Mangnyang and spoke openly in complaint.

[ Even with remaining payment, this is excessive greed.]

"You're right. Since payment remains, accept my request."

[ What does a apostle of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors want from us?]

As the Supreme Void Heavenly Lord spoke coldly, I held out Hwayo and said.

"The Fire Dragon True Person is injured and slumbering inside this."

[......]

"I'm using Hwayo's power to heal her, but the Sea God's demonic power is too strong; she's still unconscious. Please restore her."

This was our aim. Unsure when we'd need the Fire Dragon True Person's power, and unwilling to waste Hwayo's, we planned to use the Heavenly Realm's help! Hearing my request, the Supreme Void Heavenly Lord crossed his arms.

[ Not difficult, but... complicated.]

"Why?"

to waste Hwayo's, we planned to use the Heavenly Realm's help! Hearing my request, the Supreme Void Heavenly Lord crossed his arms.

[ Not difficult, but... complicated. ]

"Why?"

[ She is the incarnation of the Winged Dragon. To transmit our power to her, we need the Winged Dragon's permission, and its true body is in the Temple of All Gods, where Emperor Xuanyuan resides. ]

"What's the problem?"

The Supreme Void Heavenly Lord's eyes flashed with chaos for a moment.

[ The Emperor does not want any being in his abode, the Temple of All Gods. Contacting the Emperor and his kin is difficult for us. Troublesome. ]

"......"

[ We cannot contact the Emperor and his kin. So, consider that proposal unheard, and I'll return half the offering. ]

Flash.

With light, the Supreme Void Heavenly Lord's form vanished. Unexpectedly, the seemingly simple request to heal the Fire Dragon True Person was rejected. And of the Portrait Mechanism offerings that should have all vanished, five remained plainly visible. Half the offering returned.

' What?'

Something felt off. We hadn't anticipated this when planning with Mangnyang. The Fire Dragon True Person was a high-ranking Great Luo Immortal even in the Heavenly Realm, so I thought they'd surely help a comrade. But I hadn't expected excuses and refusal.

Something's up.

But I set aside the doubt and rushed to support Mangnyang.

"You okay?!"

"Huh... Huff..."

Mangnyang's body burned like a fireball from divine fever. Like Cheon Woojin's past spirit possession ritual, continuously accepting multiple Great Luo Immortals was natural consequence. Yet Mangnyang's face was more haggard than Cheon Woojin's then, his skin flushed red, life seemingly in peril.

Cough!

Mangnyang vomited blood. Panting, he said.

"As expected... This is what I... prepared for, something I must endure myself... Don't worry... Take me to Jinrang Valley... Quickly..."

"Got it."

Watching from the side, Cheon Woojin suddenly bit his lip and said.

"Senior Brother. This was truly foolish and reckless!"

"Heh... Junior Brother... You're worried..."

"All the world's Taoists would call this suicidal. Senior Brother could challenge the Promotion Gate in 1-2 years without such strain—why this reckless challenge?!"

Senior Brother! This was truly foolish and reckless!"

"Heh... Junior Brother... You're worried..."

"All the world's Taoists would call this suicidal. Senior Brother could challenge the Promotion Gate in 1-2 years without such strain—why this reckless challenge?!"

Mangnyang gave a wry smile.

"... No guarantee Junior Brother or Baek Woong will live in 1-2 years... I must grow stronger as soon as possible."

"......!!"

"Junior Brother... See you alive later..."

Flash.

I took Mangnyang to Jinrang Valley's bamboo grove. I laid him on a flat rock. As soon as he lay there, the boiling divine fever subsided, and he looked much more comfortable than before.

"This place... is where Jinrang Valley's qi condenses most—the spirit site... Regulating spirit power here should let me survive."

"You'll really be okay?"

"Hoo... Odds are fifty-fifty, but... Leave it to heaven."

Mangnyang smiled amid headache.

"To advance one step further, I have no choice but to use the divine fever..."

Indeed.

One major reason for this plan was the divine fever. Multiple Great Luo Immortal possessions leave powerful force circling the body, harming it—that's divine fever. Ordinary humans die from it boiling, but enduring amplifies the shaman's spirit power, advancing a stage.

Mangnyang had seen from my past life memories how much stronger Cheon Woojin became enduring it, so he risked it by conducting this ritual himself. But weaker than Cheon Woojin, unlike him, Mangnyang faced high death risk from divine fever—this was his gamble.

As I looked worriedly, he said.

"You have no more to do here... Don't worry about me, return and... hope for the new Great Luo Immortal's aid."

"Got it."

Praying inwardly for Mangnyang's recovery, I returned to Jangryeong Valley. I informed Zhuge Sa the ritual succeeded. Zhuge Sa said.

"The Supreme Void Heavenly Lord refused to heal the Fire Dragon True Person?"

"Yeah."

"Strange."

Zhuge Sa frowned.

"That's not a burdensome request for the Heavenly Realm."

"I think so too."

"They mentioned Emperor Xuanyuan's Temple of All Gods... We'll look into that later. More importantly, the terminal with the Great Luo Immortal is firmly connected?"

I nodded affirmatively, and Zhuge Sa said.

I think so too.

"They mentioned Emperor Xuanyuan's Temple of All Gods... We'll look into that later. More importantly, the terminal with the Great Luo Immortal is firmly connected?"

I nodded affirmatively, and Zhuge Sa said.

"There's a spacious area behind Jangryeong Valley. Train there from now on."

Since it came up, I headed there immediately. Through the terminal, I mentally called the newly connected Great Luo Immortal.

[ Come! ]

I felt the Great Luo Immortal's spirit approach nearby. I spoke to him.

[ I will share my martial memories with you. Witness this potential! ]

[......? ]

The Great Luo Immortal seemed puzzled, but as I strongly recalled martial memories, he soon exclaimed in admiration.

[ No... What is this... ]

[ Possibilities derived from your martial arts. ]

[ Hoo... ]

The Great Luo Immortal seemed deeply intrigued, peering into the possibilities. After savoring the principles and quality of the martial arts for a long time, he said.

[ Before ascending, I left teachings at Wudang Mountain, but they weren't complete. I created the Seven Great Absolute Arts, but most were lost except Gulpung Sword and Cheonchuk Sword, or so it's said. Baek Woong, how did you deepen and research my entire martial arts? ]

[ There were those who preserved and transmitted your enlightenment well. With their help, I

[ Before ascending, I left teachings at Wudang Mountain, but they weren't complete. I created the Seven Great Absolute Arts, but most were lost except Gulpung Sword and Cheonchuk Sword, or so it's said. Baek Woong, how did you deepen and research my entire martial arts?]

[ There were those who preserved and transmitted your enlightenment well. With their help, I mastered these possibilities.]

[ Hmm...]

As I vaguely covered, the Great Luo Immortal exclaimed.

[ Splendid...]

[ Can you teach me about the Seven Great Absolute Arts henceforth?]

To my question, the Great Luo Immortal replied.

[ Of course. But derived absolute techniques are another pure supreme martial art, so forgive me for not teaching them in detail.]

[ Why?]

[ The creators of the derived absolute techniques seem genius talents of terrifying ability; they too created new schools reaching absolute realm. I cannot explain all their possibilities, young one.]

[... Anyway, thank you.]

Smiling, I said.

[ Zhang Sanfeng.]

Founder of the Wudang Sect, ascended in human form to become a Great Luo Immortal and Fighting Immortal!

And the Zhang Sanfeng who once blessed me in the past, imparting the Seven Great Absolute

[ Zhang Sanfeng.]

Founder of the Wudang Sect, ascended in human form to become a Great Luo Immortal and Fighting Immortal!

And the Zhang Sanfeng who once blessed me in the past, imparting the Seven Great Absolute Arts' knowledge!

I connected the terminal with him to receive direct instruction.

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