Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

The White Lotus Leader showed up here to forge an alliance? I never saw that coming!

I scanned the situation inside the hall.

And it hit me in a flash what I needed to do right now.

'...Should I just run?'

I had the potential to maybe beat the White Lotus Leader. If I unleashed every spirit power and spell from the Great Destruction Array, I might pull it off somehow. But using the array again with no guarantee of survival afterward would just be suicidal. Besides, there was no reason to go toe-to-toe in a deathmatch with a heavyweight like the White Lotus Leader.

Negotiating seemed even more headache-inducing. In my 10th regression, I'd learned firsthand just how cunning and slippery the White Lotus Leader was. He hid his true intentions to the very end and only took what he needed for himself. The moment you thought you understood him, you'd already been played. He was a nightmare to bargain with.

That left running away. Ignore his show of force and bolt, prioritizing my own safety.

'Easier said than done.'

Han Baekryeong was covered in blood and looked unconscious. From the looks of things, it hadn't been long since the Incarnation Faction got subdued. That meant the White Lotus Leader had known I'd come and preemptively taken out Han Baekryeong and the Incarnation Faction to wait for me. If I didn't gauge how much he knew about me here, I'd be at a constant disadvantage going forward.

After agonizing over it, I spoke to the White Lotus Leader.

"I don't follow what you're saying, Leader. And how can you be so sure I'm a divine apostle?"

The White Lotus Leader replied.

[Someone tipped me off. I heard you're the incarnation of the Heavenly Realm's Fire Dragon and a divine being wielding the immense power of the Qi Zhen Yi Bo.]

"Who?"

[Heh heh heh...]

The White Lotus Leader ignored my question and flashed a cryptic smile. Then he said.

[I heard you had quite the chat with the Incarnation Faction. Care to have one with me?]

"Why attack the Incarnation Faction?"

[For treason.]

The way he flatly declared it suggested he'd grasped a good chunk of Han Baekryeong's plans. He'd swooped in at the perfect moment, before she could solidify an alliance with me and build her power base.

'He doesn't plan to attack and subdue me right now, at least.'

The fact that he was trying dialogue first meant he knew about the power I'd shown. Wary of my unknown potential, he was opting to talk it out. I figured I could use that to my advantage.

I asked the White Lotus Leader.

"Fine, whatever. Explain what you mean by allying with me."

[Simple enough. From here on, don't interfere with our White Lotus Cult's advance into the Central Plains. Help each other toward our goals. In exchange, I'll spare no aid from the White Lotus Cult.]

"Sounds good on paper..."

[It's not a bad deal. Think it over...]

The White Lotus Leader didn't press for an answer. That meant he'd judged I wasn't the type to be bullied into concessions—and that he saw me as a real threat. I subtly read his psychology.

'What he wants is for me to walk away with a favorable impression of him.'

From his perspective, he didn't need my answer right now. Just planting the idea that he was the one to negotiate with—in place of the Incarnation Faction—was a win. I saw through his game and knew how to play this out.

"Are you planning to wipe out the Incarnation Faction, Leader?"

[Yes. I can't let rebels live.]

His firm tone rang true. I nodded and continued.

"Then I've got nothing to say to you."

The Leader seemed slightly taken aback.

[...Do you have an attachment to the Incarnation Faction?]

I shot back curtly.

"Isn't the problem not Han Baekryeong's disloyalty, but your own failings as a leader?"

A stir rippled through the hall.

The atmosphere shifted in an instant. The Elder Council warriors who'd followed the Leader and the Emissary Corps elites looked flustered, while the bound Incarnation Faction members gaped in shock. No one expected even the Fire Dragon's incarnation to openly criticize the hegemon of the world, the White Lotus Leader.

But the Leader didn't flinch. Instead, he replied with intrigued curiosity.

[My failings? Enlighten me—which ones?]

"The reason Han Baekryeong harbored rebellious thoughts is your suppression and isolation of the other factions. Your protector guardians, who should be your right hand, live in fear of when you'll discard them. Hell, you even formed the Elder Council—your personal guard and disciple clique—to tighten the screws. You're a dictator blind to all but your own Emissary Faction, hiding your true aims. This mess is all on your poor leadership."

[......]

The Leader slowly rested his arm on the chair. He didn't show it, but the air told me he was rattled. He spoke.

[Impressive... You're an outsider, yet you speak like you've peered inside the White Lotus Cult. Did Han Baekryeong spill all that? A heroine who hides even from her own blood kin...]

"You're not denying it. Admitting you shut everyone out?"

[Yes. I admit it.]

Dokgo Jun, at his side, panicked and blurted out.

[L-Leader!]

[Quiet, Jun. This is important.]

[Yes, sir.]

Silencing Dokgo Jun, the Leader continued.

[But that's our internal affair. Nothing for you to meddle in. I'm the Leader of the White Lotus Cult, with full authority to execute traitors. No matter how you dress it up, an outsider like you has no say in the Incarnation Faction's fate.]

"Who said anything about that?"

I snapped curtly.

"I'm just saying I don't like your actions. Cross me, and we've got nothing to discuss."

Whoosh

In that instant, the White Lotus Cult's Emissary Corps and Elder Council elites all around unleashed their killing intent at me. Monsters one and all, their collective malice and grudge hit like a tidal wave. Even the Emissary Faction's protector guardian Dokgo Jun glared daggers. But the Leader flicked his hand, and the pressure vanished like mist. He said angrily.

[Any who release killing intent without my permission will be executed on the spot from now on.]

The hall fell silent. The White Lotus Leader sighed and said.

[My apologies. As you said, I'll put off dealing with the Incarnation Faction indefinitely.]

"About time."

[Now, about that alliance... your answer?]

I replied calmly to the White Lotus Leader.

"You just said allying means you'll push into the Central Plains. Is unifying it your goal?"

[Yes.]

A lie.

I knew his real aim was the Void Fragrant Home. No way he'd reveal a secret he hid even from his confidants. Conquering the Central Plains was small potatoes to him—nothing worth making his endgame.

But I held back from calling him out. Flaunt that I knew his goal, and he'd go full paranoia on me. And I couldn't exactly hand over the black obsidian to make him an ally, so best avoided.

I told him.

"Fine then. Even if we ally, I won't lift a finger to help you. That okay? I won't get involved in your business."

[No issue. I'd prefer your aid, but I'll settle for you not opposing the White Lotus Cult.]

He clearly thought he could take the Central Plains easily without my interference. I figured I'd probed enough and said.

"Got it. We're allies. But remember—this is a promise from the Fire Dragon's incarnation alone."

[...?]

"And hands off Han Baekryeong, the Incarnation Faction, and the Sword Demon."

[Understood.]

The White Lotus Leader looked puzzled, but I had my reasons.

"I need an out using my Twelve Laws Lord status."

I'd gotten the joint deputy Twelve Laws Lord seat from the Twelve Laws Lord, so agreeing to an alliance here could be spun as one between the Twelve Laws and White Lotus Cult. Emphasizing my Fire Dragon incarnation identity sidestepped that. It was pure politics, but I'd learned the hard way: pretexts matter more than you'd think. No harm in building safeguards.

This meeting was just about giving him his alliance and slipping out. As long as he didn't block the Changhil search, it was a net positive. I almost laughed, thinking I'd dodged this bullet.

"And since we're allies, I'd like the source of your info on me..."

[Hm. Can't reveal that.]

"Why?"

[I'd like to, but that source's safety is a grave secret—one tied to the cult's very survival. Hard to disclose. But I'll say this: I know nearly everything you've done in Luoyang and your secret pact with the protector guardian.]

So, refusing while dangling a threat. His attitude grated, but yeah—exposing a secret informant for a verbal promise would be idiotic. Instead, I said.

"My comrade the Sword Demon's here somewhere. What'd you do with him?"

[He's secured far away, but I'll have him brought if you wish. One moment.]

A bit over an hour of incense time passed in silence.

Swish

One of the Elder Council elites dragged in the rope-bound Sword Demon from afar. At the Leader's gesture, the ropes fell away, and the Sword Demon walked to me. He said with a sigh.

"Sorry. Didn't even get a chance to run."

"No worries. I get it."

Even a master like the Sword Demon couldn't escape the Leader mobilizing the Elder Council and Emissary Corps in a heaven-and-earth net. With Han Baekryeong subdued, it was hopeless odds. I checked him for wounds or poison, then said.

"Rest up for now."

"Shameful."

I sat the Sword Demon beside me to recover. Exhausted, he passed out. I infused him with my internal energy to stabilize him and told the Leader.

"Good you didn't harm the Sword Demon..."

[Baek Woong!!!]

A strong vibration suddenly buzzed from the Pure Language Orb in my robes. Normally held in hand, it allowed thought exchange via mere contact. I'd been smoothly negotiating with the White Lotus Leader, so I hadn't consulted Mangnyang much—but this urgent summons made me pause.

[Mangnyang. What's up?]

Mangnyang shouted, voice ragged with desperation.

[Big trouble. Get to Zhangling Valley ASAP!]

[The White Lotus Leader's here at the Han Clan estate—we're just wrapping up alliance talks...]

My news was shocking enough, but Mangnyang grew more frantic.

[That's not important now! Hurry...]

[Got it. On my way.]

White Lotus alliance talks is not "important"?

Mangnyang didn't seem to be brushing it off lightly. That meant something massive had hit—big enough to dismiss even a White Lotus pact. I schooled my face and told the White Lotus Leader.

"...Something came up. Gotta go. See you soon."

[Sigh... Shame. So much more to discuss.]

"One more time: hands off Han Baekryeong, Incarnation Faction, and Sword Demon."

[Understood.]

Flash!

I hurriedly grabbed the Sword Demon and returned to Zhangling Valley. There, Zhuge Sa, Mangnyang, and Cheon Woojin waited with grim faces. They all turned to me at once. I said.

"What the hell happened?"

"Disaster. It's blown way out of proportion."

"What is?"

"...Lay the passed-out Sword Demon down first."

"Right."

I handed the Sword Demon to the maids for care, then rejoined my comrades.

But no one spoke up right away. After some hesitation, Mangnyang broke the silence.

"Baek Woong. Two massive crises just hit."

"Hit me with them in order."

"First: that being we called the Gambling King, Byuk Ji-sang... He's actually the founding leader of the Hundred Flame Cult and a human who reached the Demon King realm. He's stepped out into the open world."

"What?!"

What the hell?

Dumbfounded, I looked to Zhuge Sa. He met my eyes with a bleak gaze.

"Not long ago, I sought out that Demon King, got the Hundred Flame Leader's approval, and signed a contract extending my lifespan. I was meant to join his Ten Thousand Demon Hall right away but got a grace period. You know why, right?"

"Yeah."

Obviously to help me. Zhuge Sa, with no attachment to mortal life, had planned to shed his humanity and serve as a demon—but stayed for my sake. He continued.

"But the bastard had a change of heart and stepped up to revive the Hundred Flame Cult instead, appearing openly in the Central Plains. Right now, he's manipulating a martial group called Blood Shadow Valley from the shadows, gathering Hundred Flame followers."

What nonsense was this?

Stunned, I stared at him.

"Hold on. What about you then? I thought he used you as a front because reaching Demon King realm messed with worldly karma. Why the hell..."

"Not sure on the reason, but he'd found a way to dodge the karmic backlash. And a Demon King acting directly is way more efficient and potent than me pulling strings."

Wobble

Zhuge Sa suddenly staggered. Clutching his shoulder, he endured a throbbing pain.

"Urk... Calling again."

"Don't tell me the bastard's..."

"Yeah. He's ordering me, as his general, to lead Blood Shadow Valley and drag humans into demonhood. This summoning started just before—I learned his plans through it."

"That was the trigger."

"I'm resisting with the demonic power from the Nameless Sacrificial Text for now, but our contract means I can't hold out forever..."

"......"

What kind of absurd curveball was this? I'd just been set to balance the White Lotus and Twelve Laws, get intel from the Prophet, and chase leads on Changhil's Eight Divisions—now Zhuge Sa's mess explodes out of nowhere! And from the Hundred Flame Demon King I'd ignored till now!

Mangnyang said calmly.

"And another one..."

"Mangnyang. Worse than this?"

"Yes."

"Scary to even hear."

As Mangnyang hesitated, Cheon Woojin—arms crossed, leaning on a pillar—spoke up.

"After learning of the upheaval, I just went to my master. He said the Heavenly Realm has decided to lower the Heavenly Ladder in 49 days."

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