Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

I returned to Jangryeong Valley with Cheon Woo-jin and Mang Ryang in tow. Cheon Woo-jin looked quite surprised that he’d been summoned instantly thanks to the apostle’s authority I wielded.

“This is...?”

With a flicker of hope, I asked him.

“Do you know what this power is?”

“I’m not entirely sure, but it’s the power of a god.”

Muttering to himself, Cheon Woo-jin continued.

“And it’s completely different from the Shrinking Earth Technique.”

Cheon Woo-jin laid Mang Ryang down and began chanting incantations, focusing his mind. The ritual earlier, borrowing the power of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden, had only temporarily stabilized Mang Ryang’s condition. Now, Cheon Woo-jin was stepping in

Cheon Woo-jin laid Mang Ryang down and began chanting incantations, focusing his mind. The ritual earlier, borrowing the power of the Nine Heavens Mysterious Maiden, had only temporarily stabilized Mang Ryang’s condition. Now, Cheon Woo-jin was stepping in personally to quell the divine fever.

Woooong.

As Cheon Woo-jin’s incantations continued, a flush of red returned to Mang Ryang’s pale face. His life force, suppressed by the excessive divine power, was recovering. It was clearly improving, and as I watched from the side with a sigh of relief, Cheon Woo-jin spoke.

“Fortunately, I’ve saved your senior brother’s life, but as a side effect of the divine fever, his lifespan has been shortened by fifteen years.”

His tone had changed.

“......”

“Can you take responsibility for those fifteen years of his life?”

This was no longer the Cheon Woo-jin who’d been cursing and speaking casually moments ago. He appeared calm, but beneath that, anger and killing intent simmered, barely restrained. I realized he was still in a dangerous state and that I needed to answer this question with utmost care.

‘I can’t mess this up.’

Cheon Woo-jin wasn’t here to become my ally. He’d come to protect Mang Ryang, who had abandoned everything to follow me, out of suspicion and doubt. After thinking it over, I responded.

“I can take responsibility.”

“You talk a good game. How exactly do you plan to restore the lifespan your senior brother has lost?”

“Within fifteen years, if I find tribute offerings worthy of the heavens, I can extend his life. I’ll make sure to give it back.”

“Fuu.”

Cheon Woo-jin let out a sigh.

“I need to stabilize your senior brother’s condition, so leave.”

“Got it.”

I could tell from his demeanor that continuing to talk would only make things worse. He seemed in a state of extreme irritation and dissatisfaction, where even the slightest word would provoke a negative reaction. So I quickly excused myself and went to find the maids of Jangryeong Valley.

“The valley lord still hasn’t returned?”

“No.”

“Did he say anything about where he was going?”

The maid looked troubled as she replied.

“As I told you before, he only said he’d be back in half a month and then left.”

“Did he leave in a hurry?”

“…Yes. He seemed quite urgent.”

What’s going on?

What could Zhuge Sa be up to for half a month?

With a hunch, I pressed the maid for more details.

“He didn’t leave any message for me?”

“He did.”

“What did he say?”

“To train hard…”

“……”

It was predictable. But I had a strong feeling that Zhuge Sa’s sudden disappearance signaled something gravely important. We’d been sharing memories of past lives through the black obsidian up to now, so he’d consult me on anything major. For him to vanish for half a month without a word was out of character.

I wanted to drop everything and use spells and my authority to search for him right away. But I forced myself to think rationally.

‘Rushing in blindly could ruin everything!’

If something serious had happened to Zhuge Sa, flailing around alone would only make it worse. I realized what I needed to do now was help Mang Ryang recover from the divine fever as quickly as possible, then get his advice and make a plan.

‘Hmm... but I can’t just sit idle. At least let’s get a rough idea of Zhuge Sa’s whereabouts.’

That way, things would progress faster when I talked to Mang Ryang.

I raised my hand and activated the incantation from the Heavenly Divine Scripture. Then I sought out a powerful spirit nearby and questioned it.

[I am the Iron Fist Saint Sovereign Mu Ak. What do you want from me?]

A martial artist?

I wasn’t sure, but judging by the title, it seemed like the spirit of a martial world figure. A spirit strong enough to be summoned by the Heavenly Divine Scripture’s incantation must have left its mark on history, meaning Iron Fist Saint Sovereign Mu Ak had been a renowned expert in the martial world in life. I asked him.

“The lord of this Jangryeong Valley has vanished from his seat. I want to track his movements or the direction he went.”

Iron Fist Saint Sovereign looked troubled.

[I’m sorry, but that’s beyond my abilities. All I can do is fight.]

“Doesn’t the Heavenly Divine Scripture’s incantation require you to grant one wish?”

[Hmm... I could try, but I never learned tracking techniques in life.]

After pondering, Iron Fist Saint Sovereign Mu Ak spoke.

[That’s right! I’ll recommend someone else.]

“Who?”

[A man who was the unrivaled master of tracking in the martial world during my time. With Jade Thunder Soul Chaser Su Chun’s tracking skills, he might be able to find him...]

“You’re sure?”

[In my era, no expert in the martial world could escape Jade Thunder Soul Chaser’s tracking. His skills were truly remarkable.]

“Commune with that spirit. You can do it, right?”

[Understood.]

I could see Iron Fist Saint Sovereign’s soul concentrating intensely somewhere. After about the time it takes to burn a joss stick, a powerful soul flew into the range of my Heavenly Divine Scripture incantation. It seemed Jade Thunder Soul Chaser Su Chun, who’d been in another region, had heard the call and come here despite it not being his territory.

[What is it? Why summon me?]

Soon, the apparition of Jade Thunder Soul Chaser Su Chun appeared before my eyes.

[I’ve done my part, so I’m off.]

Iron Fist Saint Sovereign slipped away quietly. One of the flames on the ten fingers of my Heavenly Divine Scripture extinguished. He had fulfilled the request, after all. I said to Jade Thunder Soul Chaser Su Chun.

“Jade Thunder Soul Chaser Su Chun, I need you to find the lord of Jangryeong Valley. Track him with your skills.”

[Fine. Will you entrust your body to me until I find him?]

“I’m not handing over full control, but if you can just find some clues for me, that’s enough.”

[Got it.]

Shooo!

Jade Thunder Soul Chaser Su Chun’s soul possessed my body. He could move it, but I didn’t surrender complete control. I kept watch in case he did something foolish, ready to intervene at any moment—I’d only given him partial authority. Aware of this, Su Chun said to me.

[I need something that belonged to that man.]

[Like what?]

[Something with his scent or blood—anything with traces of his body...]

Following Jade Thunder Soul Chaser’s request, I fetched Zhuge Sa’s longsword from his room. As a sorcerer, Zhuge Sa only used the sword when bored or killing, rarely carrying it otherwise. Jade Thunder Soul Chaser held the sword, gathered his qi for a moment, then infused it with a jade-green energy.

Whiiiing.

[Oho.]

jade-green energy.

Whiiiing.

[Oho.]

I was impressed. In the shared vision with Jade Thunder Soul Chaser, I saw a long thread of qi extending out. There were many tracking experts in the martial world, but I’d never heard of a method like this. Jade Thunder Soul Chaser grinned.

[This is my signature technique, Jade Thunder Soul Chaser. A special qi art that detects the target’s qi.]

[What? Isn’t that your title?]

[I had special circumstances that kept me from using my formal name in the martial world. So I just used my signature technique as my title.]

[......?]

What a weird guy.

Special circumstances? What’s that about?

Pabat.

[As you said, it hasn’t been long, so I can track up to six hundred li from now.]

But I was startled when Jade Thunder Soul Chaser started moving my body with fluid, rapid lightness skills.

[Hey, wait! Jade Thunder Soul Chaser!]

[What?]

He stopped mid-leap, and I shouted in bewilderment.

[That move you just used—it’s Thunder Shadow Step Heavenly Pillar Kill!!]

That’s right.

The footwork Jade Thunder Soul Chaser used to navigate Jangryeong Valley’s web-like terrain was one of the Thunder God Style’s practical martial arts: the mighty Thunder Shadow Step Heavenly Pillar Kill! As one of the five great footwork arts, it surpassed most martial world lightness skills. I knew it well because I’d drilled it relentlessly under Lee Gwang in a past life. There was no mistaking it.

Jade Thunder Soul Chaser, on the other hand, seemed flustered.

[Hmm… You’re from the Thunder God Style too? Or one of the Four Great Styles?]

[Thunder God Style.]

[A successor of mine, then.]

We didn’t bother debating master-disciple lineages. I had little attachment to the Thunder God Style anyway, and Jade Thunder Soul Chaser knew centuries had passed since his death, making such debates pointless.

[How did this happen?]

Amazed, I asked, and Jade Thunder Soul Chaser explained.

[Surprised? Even with the White Lotus Cult in the Divine Firmament, experts from the Four Great Styles constantly scouted the Central Plains martial world. I was a direct disciple of a Thunder God Style guardian elder, one of the ten top secret agents operating covertly in the Central Plains on his orders.]

[For a spy, you seem awfully famous.]

[Huh?]

[The Heavenly Divine Scripture’s spell distinguishes those with immense fame in life or high spirit rank. You’re the former.]

Iron Fist Saint Sovereign was undoubtedly a leader of some major martial force. For even him to acknowledge Jade Thunder Soul Chaser as the top tracker meant his skills and fame were at the pinnacle of the martial world. Someone with that level of renown couldn’t really be called a spy.

Jade Thunder Soul Chaser gave a deflating response.

[What does it matter? I lived out my life in the Central Plains—married, had kids, grew old and died—without anyone discovering I was from the Thunder God Style. I had nothing to do but gather intel, so it was peaceful. Back then, the Central Plains martial world and White Lotus Cult were on good terms.]

[......]

[Anyway, back to work...]

[Wait. I’ve never learned that signature technique Jade Thunder Soul Chaser. How did you?]

Pressing him, I got an irritated reply.

[I was a first-generation disciple of the Thunder God Style’s Ghost Soul Branch. Satisfied?]

[So Jade Thunder Soul Chaser is a Ghost Soul Branch technique?]

[Wait. I've never learned that signature technique Jade Thunder Soul Chaser. How did you?]

Pressing him, I got an irritated reply.

[I was a first-generation disciple of the Thunder God Style's Ghost Soul Branch. Satisfied?]

[So Jade Thunder Soul Chaser is a Ghost Soul Branch technique?]

[Damn it. Your martial arts look incredibly advanced—where exactly do you stand in the Thunder God Style? Don't tell me you know nothing about its internal factions?]

[Just curious...]

[Why ask a guy like me?]

Grumbling, Jade Thunder Soul Chaser said.

[Hey. Pick one: track this Zhuge Sa guy, or have me explain the Ghost Soul Branch techniques.]

I hesitated for a moment. Jade Thunder Soul Chaser seemed like an elder from a previous era of the Thunder God Style, uniquely a tracking master unlike the style's norm. Getting details on the Ghost Soul Branch from him would be valuable. Plus, acquiring his tracking technique as a bonus would help in future lives.

But swallowing my regret, I said.

[Sorry for interrupting. Find Zhuge Sa.]

[Should've said that from the start.]

Knowing he existed was enough. I could summon him again later. Right now, the priority was clues on Zhuge Sa's disappearance—I wouldn't lose sight of that.

Pababat.

Jade Thunder Soul Chaser moved unhesitatingly along the qi thread. He had a habit of checking for traps en route, which slowed his lightness skill somewhat. Still, before long, he'd covered

clues on Zhuge Sa's disappearance—I wouldn't lose sight of that.

Pababat.

Jade Thunder Soul Chaser moved unhesitatingly along the qi thread. He had a habit of checking for traps en route, which slowed his lightness skill somewhat. Still, before long, he’d covered four hundred li of the promised six hundred.

Jade Thunder Soul Chaser said.

[He went south.]

[South...]

[I can feel he kept going in this direction.]

He pressed on, exceeding the promised six hundred li by another hundred fifty li before halting. Then, in a puzzled tone.

[Strange. The qi thread cuts off here.]

[Is that unusual?]

[It means he shook off the trace—like vanishing into thin air. Impossible...]

[Any guesses?]

[No idea. This is as far as I can go.]

[Alright. You’re dismissed.]

I sent Jade Thunder Soul Chaser back. Then I surveyed the surroundings.

“This place...”

There was a reason I’d dismissed him. The area felt familiar.

“It’s definitely that spot.”

It was from my time working under the White Lotus Cult. I’d been led somewhere to infiltrate a slave market in disguise. After participating, a bunch of things had happened—I remembered that much.

Yes. This was the site of the slave market!

The largest slave market in the Central Plains, tied to the Wind God Style and the imperial palace, had been held right around here.

‘So the reason the trace vanished like a ghost is that someone artificially opened and closed a dimensional gate nearby.’

Back then, the slave market had been held in a place linked to the Blood Realm, using the power of heterodox demonic sorcerers to evade other martial forces’ eyes. They’d erected a barrier in the material world to create a direct passage to the Blood Realm.

Zhuge Sa had likely opened a dimensional gate here and entered the Blood Realm.

“......”

I considered crossing dimensions right there, but I lacked the sorcery or magic for it. I didn’t even have a Four Buddha Images to pierce dimensions. Trying my apostle’s authority didn’t work either—it seemed ineffective in such cases.

With no options, I returned to Jangryeong Valley first.

Having traveled over seven hundred li on foot, quite some time had passed. Mang Ryang’s color had fully returned; he sat up on the bed, with Cheon Woo-jin opposite him. I said to Mang Ryang

With no options, I returned to Jangryeong Valley first.

Having traveled over seven hundred li on foot, quite some time had passed. Mang Ryang’s color had fully returned; he sat up on the bed, with Cheon Woo-jin opposite him. I said to Mang Ryang.

“Mang Ryang, you alright now?”

Mang Ryang looked somewhat downcast.

“I have no face to show. Talking big and ending up like this...”

“Anyone can make a mistake. We’ll just prepare a way to control the divine fever next time.”

“...Thank you.”

Then I briefed Mang Ryang and Cheon Woo-jin on Zhuge Sa’s disappearance. After hearing it all, Mang Ryang said.

“If your guess is right and Uncle Zhuge Sa passed through an old passage to the Blood Realm, there’s only one reason.”

“What’s that?”

“He’s gone to meet that [Slave Trader].”

“That makes sense.”

Slave Trader!

The secretive ally of the Wind God Style and the imperial palace, this unidentified heterodox being traded in humans as a slave merchant. In truth, they belonged to the [Ancient Ones], said to have created humanity in prehistoric times, and were adept in demonic sorcery. In the past, I’d posed as an acquaintance of Zhuge Sa to trade with the Slave Trader and obtain a demon beast summoning bracelet.

Zhuge Sa eyed Cheon Woo-jin slyly, but Cheon Woo-jin didn’t even glance his way. Their relationship seemed strained. Turning his head, Zhuge Sa said.

“Anyway, I bought a few things from the [Slave Trader].”

Swoosh.

Zhuge Sa handed me a demon beast summoning bracelet. Taking it reflexively, I said.

“This is…”

“Familiar, right? You already know how to use it.”

“Hey. Didn’t we use up all of Jangryeong Valley’s wealth making that portrait? What did you pay for this?!”

Zhuge Sa’s face twisted.

“……”

“No way—you didn’t trade your lifespan…!!”

I shouted in shock, and Zhuge Sa looked at me like I was an idiot.

“What’s wrong with you? You lost it?”

“Uh… no…”

“Cut the bullshit.”

Stung by his sharp words, I sheepishly scratched my head.

“……”

Zhuge Sa sighed in exasperation.

“Do I need a reason not to buy it just because Jangryeong Valley’s funds are low? That’s only a

Stung by his sharp words, I sheepishly scratched my head.

“……”

Zhuge Sa sighed in exasperation.

“Do I need a reason not to buy it just because Jangryeong Valley’s funds are low? That’s only a portion of what I have.”

“Where’d the money and treasures come from?”

“There are some idiots in the martial world—cult leaders and such—who trade with me, the Heretic Cult Leader. I squeezed a bit from those vermin and converted it to sorcery treasures through a contact.”

“How?”

Zhuge Sa smirked slyly.

“Not telling you, idiot. Why spill my secrets to someone who reincarnates?”

“……”

The elation from saving Mang Ryang deflated in an instant.

Right, this is the kind of guy he is…

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