Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

I decided to head to Thunder Sound Temple first to learn about Changhil's avatars. Once the plan was set, Mangyang said to me,

"Baek Woong. I've heard that the lamas of Thunder Sound Temple harbor considerable hostility toward Central Plains folk. It's only natural, given that the area has long been a hotspot for conflicts with the Central Plains."

According to Mangyang, the lamas of Thunder Sound Temple were all warrior monks highly skilled in martial arts and esoteric rites, classified as a martial force. Moreover, their strong animosity often led to clashes with Central Plains experts.

"What would be the best approach?"

"There are various strategies, but they're all armchair theories. The wisest course is to prepare gifts and approach them cautiously."

"Understood."

I had once traveled to the border regions with Zhuge Sa, so I could reach the area quickly.

Paat!

After arriving at the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in Tibet, I used the Heavenly Divine Scripture's incantation to summon a lama's soul. The summoned lama was the same Karan Lama I had called before—a senior monk of esoteric Tibetan Buddhism. For some reason, I felt glad to see him and greeted him.

"Good to see you, Karan Lama."

In a past life, Karan Lama had guided me to the sacred site of the Hundred Flowers Cult. Of course, it was familiar to me, but this was our first meeting from his perspective.

[...Do you know me? You who wield the Heavenly God's incantation. What favor do you seek?]

"I wish to go to Thunder Sound Temple. Guide me there and interpret their language so I can converse with the lamas."

[That's no great task, but your requests number two. Shall I extinguish two flames for it?]

I had no intention of using two flames from the Heavenly Divine Scripture for this, so I waved it off.

"No, that's not it. In that case, I'll find my own way there—just handle the interpreting, if you would."

[...]

Karan Lama seemed to ponder, then spoke.

[Very well. Exceptionally, I'll handle both with a single flame.]

......

"My thanks."

Karan Lama appeared quite generous. Soon, he possessed my body and began to run. He covered about three hundred li without rest, then veered off and ran another five hundred li.

It's far...

We descended from the plateau basin into the depths of a mysterious mountain range. Karan Lama navigated it effortlessly, following a path only he knew.

Tadat!

Karan Lama struck the surrounding trees with his palm, spinning in circles. Curious, I watched and asked,

[What are you doing?]

[This place is protected by a formation, so ordinary people couldn't enter even in death. I'm following the disarming method from my memory.]

A qimen formation controlling access?

Thunder Sound Temple certainly seemed like a martial force.

Susuuu!

After a moment, Karan Lama's peculiar movements completed eight rotations, dispersing the mystical fog everywhere and revealing a narrow path. He descended without hesitation, and soon a grand Tibetan-style Buddhist temple came into view in the basin.

[That's Thunder Sound Temple.]

[Uhmm...!]

It was when Karan Lama guided my body to the temple's main gate.

"Kahat!"

Buwoong!

Suddenly, five iron shackles flew at me from all sides. Karan Lama dodged using his lightness skill; each attack was at first-class level. The intense formless aura suggested years of dedicated training in first-class martial arts.

Before I knew it, five lamas had surrounded me, and the leader shouted,

"Who are you? How dare a Central Plains dog invade our sacred grounds?"

"Kill him!"

Thanks to Karan Lama's possession, their Tibetan words were translated directly to me. Karan Lama replied in Tibetan.

"I am Karan. Circumstances forced me to borrow another's body and return home without awaiting Kalpa's silence. Do not point your blades at a soul-brother sharing Kalyuga."

"What?"

Karan Lama formed a mudra with one hand and greeted them.

"Drapara Kala."

Murmurs rippled.

Perhaps due to his fluent Tibetan, the lamas' hostility wavered. The one appearing highest in rank stepped forward and said suspiciously,

"You look nothing but Central Plains through and through. How do you know the secret lama's homecoming greeting?"

"This body's owner is Central Plains, but I possess him as a soul. I am Karan Lama, senior disciple of the late Alikii Lama—inform the current abbot, and he will know. I shall wait; relay the message."

"Hmm... Wait here!"

The lamas who briefly entered and returned bowed simultaneously and said,

"Follow us!"

I followed them inside. I was led to a grand hall that seemed the main sanctuary, where I met a small lama with an aged, wizened appearance seated in the center. The moment I faced him, I was greatly shocked.

'Huh... His martial prowess...!!'

Incredibly high!

Despite his unassuming looks, the internal energy and presence of that small lama were extraordinary—perhaps among the top three even in the Central Plains? I hadn't imagined such a supreme expert existing in the borderlands. But as the abbot of Thunder Sound Temple, representative of Tibetan esoteric Buddhism, it made sense.

The abbot of Thunder Sound Temple raised his liver-spotted face, glanced at me, and said,

"You... indeed Karan... good to see you..."

Karan Lama said in surprise,

"Yorhan...!! You're still alive?"

"Kuhuhu... Fancy meeting a fellow initiate like this."

Yorhan, speaking in a phlegmy voice, chuckled meikly.

"You seem surprised, even as a soul... Well, you wouldn't have expected me to live past one hundred eighty..."

"Yorhan... Your cultivation has reached sublime heights."

"Longer than Master Alikii."

"Truly, it's been ages."

Swik!

The two lamas exchanged greetings. Listening, I felt inwardly confused.

'What? This Yorhan, abbot of Thunder Sound Temple... over one hundred eighty years old?'

'Could a human live that long?'

Then Yorhan's power and cultivation must far exceed my initial estimate. As I composed my shock, Yorhan spoke.

"Karan... You seem bound by a great incantation..."

"Indeed. This body's owner has business at Thunder Sound Temple, so we've come. Pray, grant us favorable answers."

"Hmm... Not pleased..."

Yorhan said with displeasure.

"That incantation... grants rest at the end times... Yet no one can verify if that rest is true. Whether sweet lie... or truth..."

Karan Lama sighed.

"Ha! Same for me. Ages of asceticism in the wilderness seeking God's will, yet unknowable. Died without fulfillment, so I stake on this final hope."

"Kuhuhu... Karma... karma indeed..."

What were they talking about?

Soon Yorhan said,

"Return the body to him... I'll answer as he wishes."

"Understood."

Shiiik!

Karan Lama retreated inward, my ego surfacing. But he wasn't fully dismissed; he lingered in my mind to interpret Tibetan. Sure enough, Yorhan's words came to me naturally as if in Central Plains tongue.

"You who command Karan Lama. What brings you to Thunder Sound Temple?"

Borrowing Karan Lama's ability, I replied in Tibetan.

"I've come seeking knowledge of the ancient being, Changhil's avatars."

"Changhil..."

"By my knowledge, Changhil has eight avatars total, and Thunder Sound Temple holds information on them—that's why I've come to learn."

Abbot Yorhan fell silent for a time, then said,

"Of course we know..."

"Tell me!"

"But... why do you wish to know...? Do you intend to slay Changhil?"

I hesitated at Yorhan's question, then answered.

"I am apostle of Jeonok among the Three Emperors and Five Emperors. Jeonok commanded me to find Changhil, so I seek the avatar's trails to locate him. No separate order to kill."

Normally, one would dismiss such talk as madness. Few in Central Plains martial world believe the Three Emperors and Five Emperors exist, let alone apostles. I hesitated telling Yorhan, but lying might seem deceptive, so I spoke truth.

After a moment, Yorhan said in his phlegmy voice,

"I see... Heavens quake, sea god falls... that great event was your doing. God's apostle."

"......!! You know of the Sea God's death?"

"Of course... We hear heaven's portents..."

Yorhan seemed to grasp my situation well. Not just leader of a martial force like Thunder Sound Temple, but versed in mystical secrets. He knew of Three Emperors, Five Emperors, apostles too. Yorhan paused, then said,

"You are truly a great hero... I'll tell all freely... But first, a promise..."

Yorhan now used honorifics toward me. I asked,

"What promise?"

"After sharing avatar info... Changhil will seek to uproot Thunder Sound Temple... for violating his taboo..."

......

......

"But I fear not... Life and death are one... Do not clash needlessly with Changhil... Uncover traces, deliver to Three Emperors and Five Emperors..."

"I don't follow."

I replied to Yorhan.

"If Changhil's avatar comes to destroy you all, that's opportunity. I'll seize and crush that avatar."

"... Do you not know Changhil is a god...?"

"What do you mean?"

Yorhan sighed deeply.

"Fighting such a being... not as easy as you think... Avatars won't come directly... Changhil moves world at whim to destroy us... Clashing with his pawns needlessly... exposes all your info, hero... erases chance to fell Changhil."

I couldn't grasp it all at once, scratching my head.

"Yorhan. I'm not bright; explain simply."

"Changhil's avatars... like sea God you felled, rarely step forward... From world's darkest shadows to brightest lights... they enter like how... understand humans perfectly... manipulate the Legions themselves..."

......

Yorhan's deep-set eyes fixed on me.

"Changhil never meets force with force... slyest being under heaven... While you know not, hero... you may already be ensnared in Changhil's web..."

"Hmm."

"Thus, to destroy us... no direct avatar... moves pawn like breeze... Past clashes of Central Plains martial world, us, Tibetan martial world—all per Changhil's design... Master of cunning schemes, delights in them..."

......

"Even if your power felled Sea God, no chance for frontal clash with avatars... Changhil knows, avoids direct fight all the more..."

Absurd, I told him.

"Then no need to give me avatar info? Useless against such a foe?"

"It has meaning... Listen, and you'll see."

Finally, the main point.

"Tell me."

"Changhil's eight avatars are the Eight Legions... or Eight Divine Legions."

I stared at Yorhan's words.

"Eight Legions! Buddhist guardian deities, no?"

"Yes... literally... Those Eight Legions involved in Tianzhu myths' secrets... existed since mythic age... Only difference: they're Changhil's avatars."

......

Eight Legions!

Buddhist guardians called by various names: devas, dragons, yakshas, gandharvas, asuras, garudas, kinnaras, mahoragas. They serve Four Heavenly Kings, guard Dharma with martial might, sometimes worshipped as gods. I studied Buddhism, knew this much—but who thought the Eight Legions were avatars of Changhil?

Yorhan continued.

"Our Thunder Sound Temple records say Eight Legions possess transformation and theosis powers."

"Theosis?"

"Shedding material essence to become spirit body, wielding vast might—ultimate form. Peak of sorcery..."

Then, a past conversation surfaced in my mind.

[His power surely not from magic. It's theosis.]

[Earlier, Ivan IV's power not demonic, you said? Correct. Obsessed with curing illness, he touching theosis power.]

[As explained, Theosis: Eastern Church term for humans nearing divine realm. Ivan IV now demigod.]

Archimandrite Belov explained during clash with Rus Empire's mad tsar, Ivan IV. They called his state theosis, near demigod. Not demonic, but immense spirit body manipulating nature—that's theosis.

A chill ran through me.

"Damn..."

Ivan IV, mere frail human transformed, required releasing Seven Calamities to fight. How mighty would Changhil's avatars—divine from start, immense power—become in theosis? Eight Legions surely troublesome foes. Ensnaring over direct clash? Even more annoying.

As I pondered silently, Yorhan continued.

"As said, Eight Legions transform into myriad forms, lurking human world everywhere... beggar, seductress, official, monk, Daoist, martial artist... Thus for millennia, observing humans, relaying to Changhil."

"...If they transform so, how to find them?"

"Two ways..."

Yorhan said.

"Shatter transformations with mighty dharma treasures, artifacts, martial arts, spells attacking directly... Or borrow power of primordial script..."

First way meaningless. Can't attack without knowing transformation. Second piqued interest.

"Primordial script?"

"Changhil invented humanity's first script... But its invention a calamity for mankind... bound Changhil's origin to script... Thus he and his weak spot to first-created script..."

"Is that script Chinese characters?"

"Unknown..."

"Why? Changhil invented them."

Yorhan replied,

"That's unknowable... Likely not solely Chinese characters..."

"......!!"

He... divine being touching history-transcending mystery... What first script is... currently unknowable...

As he said, must investigate Changhil's very first script. Only knowing 'primordial script' counters History Emperor Changhil and kin.

"Follow, hero..."

Following Yorhan to a library, he handed twenty books. All in complex Tibetan, Sanskrit, sometimes Yi script. Seeing Yi, I said surprised,

"Demonic tomes?"

"Not god-written, but degraded human demon sorcerers' works... Still hold divine age secrets... Pray, decipher well, uncover Changhil's info."

"My thanks."

In essence, Thunder Sound Temple held low-grade demonic tomes with Changhil info. I told Yorhan,

"I'll visit often to decipher Changhil's attacks. Protect you as best I can."

Yorhan replied bitterly,

"Life-death meaningless... No need fuss..."

"......?"

Why meaningless to Yorhan?

Puzzled but bidding farewell, I returned to Dragon Spirit Valley. Told Zhuge Sa, Mangyang, Cheonujiin of gains, showed low-grade demonic tomes and books.

Zhuge Sa skimmed one, said,

"Authentic. Worth translating."

"How long?"

"Well, low-grade or not, translation takes time... Without direct communion to unseal, at least three months."

Muttering, Zhuge Sa said,

"Must research Changhil's primordial script weakness. Mangyang!"

Mangyang nodded at call,

"Need interpret oracle bones, ancient texts."

"Wait. After I translate this tome."

"To maximize deed with Prophet, eh."

Zhuge Sa to Mangyang,

"Exactly. Till then, you learn sorcery from Cheonujiin with enhanced divine artifacts. Baek Woong, hire Sword Demon here."

"Sword Demon?"

"If Han Baekyeong rated him that, he's mastered dual swords by now. No more leaving him; make solid asset."

Zhuge Sa had point.

"Got it."

Hearing him, I moved to Han Dan at once.

But arriving, an unexpected sight awaited.

[Good to see you, God's apostle...]

Kugung!

I scanned around. Han Clan retainers all subdued, bound; even Han Jinseong acupointed, kneeling. On the patriarch's chair, a masked stranger propped chin, staring.

"......!!"

Beside him, Han Baekyeong lay bloodied. She'd resisted fiercely—area ruined—but outnumbered. Stepping her back: golden dragon-masked guardian lion of Water God Style.

White Lotus Leader's eyes gleamed as he said,

[I wish to ally with you.]

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