Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

“This is a condition that can't be treated with medicine…”

I felt troubled. Despite Mang-ryang's bold claim that he'd handle it himself, his current state looked extremely precarious. If I left him like this, he might drop dead at any moment, so I had to do something. But the medical knowledge I possessed couldn't treat mystical phenomena like godly fever.

I asked Jang Sam-bong.

“Does Immortal Jang not know a way to resolve this?”

[ I could arbitrarily possess his body and regulate the divine energy for him… ]

“Is there a problem with that?”

[ In that case, his mental strength wouldn't hold up, and he'd die from shock. ]

“Huh? Why is that…?”

“Hmm…”

Jang Sam-bong's explanation made sense to me. In the first place, godly fever was the lingering power of the Great Thunder Immortals, and Mang-ryang was teetering between life and death because he couldn't withstand it. If a spirit as overwhelmingly powerful as a Great Thunder Immortal forced its way into his body in that state, Mang-ryang's mind could burn away.

“Is there no other spell that could resolve it?”

[ This is the first time I've encountered a case like this… And since I cultivate the Way of Wu, I'm not well-versed in sorcery. ]

“Urgh.”

That left seeking Zhuge-sa.

‘ But Zhuge-sa is a demonic sorcerer… ’

Could he resolve the spirit fever side effect unique to shamans?

Still, I had to go to him first. My own knowledge of sorcery, from the Taepyeong Essentials or Heavenly Scripture, offered no clear solution for godly fever. If I could use Earth Immortal Mang-ryang's sorcery knowledge, I might figure it out, but my level was far too low to even interpret it.

I quickly moved to the Immortal Spirit Valley. But Zhuge-sa wasn't in his usual spot and seemed to have stepped out. When I asked the maid, she replied,

“The master went out on urgent business.”

Of all the times…

I'd thought if Zhuge-sa were here, he could use the Great Soul Transfer to place Mang-ryang's soul into a spirit tablet, but that was just a stopgap—a postmortem measure at best. It wouldn't fundamentally resolve the phenomenon killing Mang-ryang.

My next idea was to seek help from the Twelve Rites. They had sects specializing in sorcery, so they might assist in recovering from godly fever. I hurriedly headed to the headquarters of Haedong Milcheon.

Flash!

“Huh?”

The sorcerers nearby were startled by my sudden appearance at the Haedong Milcheon Lord's chambers. The lord, seated in a chair, glanced at me and said,

“… Who are you?”

“I'm Baek Woong, who fought alongside you recently. Also one of the Twelve Rites Lords.”

“What nonsense…”

He sneered. Then, groping the scantily clad woman at his side, he said,

“Get lost. I need rest after that big fight.”

I started to open my mouth to explain Mang-ryang's situation but closed it again as another thought struck me.

No telling if this guy would even help, or if he could.

Why waste time persuading him and reveal our secrets?

No matter how I looked at it, bickering with the Haedong Milcheon Lord was a waste of time.

So I clasped my hands in greeting and said,

“Believe me or not, it doesn't matter. But there's one thing I want to know, whether you accept me as Baek Woong or not.”

“You barge into our sect's forbidden area—bold move. Fine, let's hear your question.”

“If a shaman suffering godly fever from repeated possessions by Great Thunder Immortals appeared, what method should be used to heal their divine fever?”

“Kukukuku.”

The Haedong Milcheon Lord chuckled amusedly.

“Why should I tell you that?”

“If you teach me, I'll repay you. Even if I have to give everything I own…”

“Heh heh. I don't need anything… But damn, you're ugly.”

“What?”

Dumbfounded, I shot back, and the Haedong Milcheon Lord burst into laughter.

“Never mind. Offer me a pretty woman, and I'll consider it. If you can manage that…”

I ground my teeth watching him jest. This guy wasn't taking me seriously at all. Continuing would just get me mocked. Glaring at the Haedong Milcheon Lord, I said,

“You're a sect leader, and at your age, don't you know how weighty your words are? Why make enemies so hastily?”

“Huh? Can't hear you over that ugly mug.”

This bastard…

I swallowed my anger once more and warned him.

“You might greatly regret insulting me just now.”

“Khahaha! Do your worst.”

“Fine.”

Flash.

I left the Haedong Milcheon Lord behind.

I'll make that guy regret it across my reincarnations.

But right now, my grudge wasn't the priority. Lying on a rock in True Wave Valley, I anxiously watched Mang-ryang's face grow ever paler. My chest tightened; even the best medicine would be useless now.

Then it hit me.

‘ Should I ask Cheon Woo-jin for help?’

If his sworn brother was dying, wouldn't he help? Seizing the idea, I brought Mang-ryang and rushed to the village where Cheon Woo-jin and Mang-ryang Immortal Master were.

“Cheon Woo-jin! Mang-ryang's in critical condition. Help him!”

Rustle.

Cheon Woo-jin emerged from his illusion barrier. Frowning openly, he said,

“That godly fever is something your sworn brother brought on himself.”

I flinched. In terms of justification, it was indeed Mang-ryang's own doing. I couldn't blame Cheon Woo-jin for his failure to endure it on his own. But I needed to save Mang-ryang, so I steeled my face and shouted,

“So you won't treat him? He's your sworn brother!”

“… Do you even realize how absurd you're being?”

Cheon Woo-jin sighed.

“Even ordinary possession shamans teeter on the brink of death from one Great Thunder Immortal. To deliberately take in nearly ten and amplify your sorcery with that immense godly fever… Nine-tenths of sorcerers would call your sworn brother insane if they knew.”

“But you…”

“What about me?”

“……”

I'd seen Cheon Woo-jin grow stronger by overcoming godly fever. Mang-ryang must have attempted this seeing that. But saying so would just get dismissed as nonsense. Cheon Woo-jin was an immortal-level sorcerer with the foundation to endure it, after all.

Gritting my teeth, I said,

“Please, I beg you. He'll die like this. You're really going to let him go?”

“… He said he'd endure it himself. He has to take responsibility for his words.”

“Damn it! I know it's his tantrum. But if Mang-ryang dies like this, how do we repay that debt? Can you say without hesitation that letting him die was the right choice?”

“You son of a bitch.”

Huh?

The sudden curse made me look at Cheon Woo-jin's face. Staring daggers with a hardened expression, he said,

“You're the one who filled his head with reckless ideas and pushed him into this death trap! You swore to take responsibility for his life, but when you can't, you come begging for my help? What the hell kind of bastard are you, you fucking shit!!”

He dropped the formal speech and unleashed profanity at me.

“Think being Seven Desires' master makes you all that? Your sworn brother's not your plaything! That's why scum like you—who tempt people with grand ideals but can't back it up—are called powerless bastards!!”

“Urk…”

His tirade left my mind in chaos. I knew Cheon Woo-jin despised me, but not to this extent. And pinning Mang-ryang's godly fever on me made it hard to respond.

As I stayed silent, Cheon Woo-jin said,

“Fine. I'll save your sworn brother.”

Murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

“But hand over Fire Desire!”

“What?!”

Cheon Woo-jin sneered contemptuously.

“Why, don't like it? Comparing his life to a Seven Desire, the Desire wins every time, right? You've got to save the world, after all.”

“Listen…”

“If you hate the deal, get out! You worthless cripple.”

“……”

Biting my lip at his abuse, I thought,

‘ He's lashing out, unable to control his rage. ’

Perhaps from enduring so much scorn, my mind stayed cool amid the insults. I realized Cheon Woo-jin was being swept by his own fury. Reacting rashly would only fuel it.

Handing over Fire Desire would worsen Fire Dragon Immortal's recovery from the Sea God's magic, crippling my forces ahead. Without forcibly releasing Water Desire, I'd be just a slightly skilled martial artist. I couldn't choose that.

Yet I drew Fire Desire from my waist and held it out to Cheon Woo-jin.

“Take it.”

Even so, I'd choose Mang-ryang now.

Cheon Woo-jin looked baffled.

“… You serious?”

It was an unexpected reaction even for him.

“Yeah.”

Gritting my teeth, I said,

“I can get another Seven Desire, but not another Mang-ryang. Want it? Take it!”

“……”

“But if you don't save him, I'll never forget this day.”

No matter how many reincarnations brought me Mang-ryang, I couldn't treat his life as disposable. Objectively, a Seven Desire outweighed him, but I had to save him. Valuing objects over bonds was the path of inhumanity.

This life would grow harder for it, but no choice. I'd protect my connections.

Cheon Woo-jin clenched his fists, trembling.

“Crazy bastard… What the hell are you… How great do you think you are… Damn it…”

He shook for a long while, emotions churning wildly. Then, composing himself, he let out a deep sigh.

“Hoo— Fine.”

Cheon Woo-jin reached toward Mang-ryang's body. Placing index and middle fingers on his solar plexus, he chanted something. A brilliant blue energy extended, enveloping Mang-ryang. As the light faded, Mang-ryang slowly opened his eyes.

“Uh… Where…”

Mang-ryang sat up, the godly fever subsided.

“I temporarily stabilized it by borrowing the Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman's power.”

Cheon Woo-jin eyed him and said,

“Sworn brother, what the hell are you trying to do?”

“Junior brother.”

Cheon Woo-jin glared fiercely at me.

“Using godly fever to get stronger is insane. It's not something you overcome with willpower alone. You know countless possession shamans die failing to endure it.”

“……”

“I don't get what about that cripple bastard made you think so extremely.”

Mang-ryang gathered his thoughts and replied,

“… Junior brother. Your dream was to reach the divine realm through sorcery and meet Master again.”

“Yes.”

“Mine's the same. Primarily to right the world's chaos and uphold justice… but the end of that path leads inevitably to the [Ancient Ruler] or the gods ruling the world. Our paths align.”

“……”

“The [Ancient Ruler] dominates all life and death in this world. We're mere livestock, unable to escape ruin even in death. That's wrong.”

Mang-ryang spoke with conviction.

“And Baek Woong defeated the [Ancient Ruler]. I see him as the ray of hope for suffering humanity.”

“No way…”

Cheon Woo-jin scoffed incredulously.

“The Sea God he beat was mighty, but many [Ancient Rulers] surpass it vastly. Beating one doesn't qualify that claim. Besides, it changes nothing at the apocalypse.”

“But it's a feat no one in history has achieved. No hero in millennia of Middle Kingdom history even attempted it.”

“……”

Cheon Woo-jin fell silent. My feat against the Sea God was indeed awe-inspiring enough to hush even immortals. Mang-ryang pressed the opening.

“If Baek Woong sought glory, he'd have it already. I respect his will, so I want to help him, even at the cost of my life.”

Silence stretched.

“Hand it over.”

Suddenly, Cheon Woo-jin snatched Fire Desire from my hand. He stared at it for a moment, then tossed it back at my face.

Smack.

As I caught it, Cheon Woo-jin said,

“I'll follow you.”

An unexpected declaration.

“What?”

“That deal made Fire Desire mine. But you say there's urgent business, so hold it for now.”

Growling, he added,

“I won't watch your sworn brother die a dog's death trailing you. When you blunder to your death ignorant of heaven and earth, I'll take it then.”

For all his roundabout words, I understood.

Grinning, I replied,

“Come along.”

Up to now, he'd hunkered in the village citing Mang-ryang Immortal Master's protection and hassle. Now he'd aid me.

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