Reincarnated Swordmaster

Translator: Ase

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

The Twelve Rites Lord was standing at the village entrance in the Divine Hour, as if he had been waiting for us. He stood alone before the cloud bridge, without his Three Elders. I found that odd and said,

“Did you know I was coming? And where are the Three Elders?”

The Twelve Rites Lord replied,

“I divided it. The Three Elders are at the spot where the Sea God fell, setting up seals to kill him quickly. Baek Woong, you pulled off the big feat and left the cleanup to me alone. If you’d just helped a little with sealing the Sea God, the damage to Tamra Island wouldn’t have been so severe.”

“….”

“Anyway, that’s not the point.”

The Twelve Rites Lord crossed his arms and said,

He seemed to have anticipated my arrival but not the reason.

I organized Mang Ryang’s scheme in my mind and spoke.

“The situation has become urgent.”

I informed Twelve Rites Lord Ha Eun-cheon of the current chaos: Demon King Baek Ji-sang’s rampage, the Heavenly Emperor’s descent, and even the revival of the [Old Dominator]’s incarnation by the White Lotus Church. Ha Eun-cheon listened gravely, then uncrossed his arms and said,

“This is truly dire. You’ve come to the right place.”

“Can you help?”

“First, what solution have you come up with?”

“I’m planning to implement Yi Yi Zhi Yi and liberate the Water Yao.”

My brief answer seemed to reveal the scheme’s essence to him at once. He nodded.

“Hmm, it seems you have an excellent strategist. Indeed, in this situation, nothing else but Yi Yi Zhi Yi will work.”

“I need the Rites Lord’s assistance.”

I stared at him steadily and said,

“We must combine our strength. You know what I mean, right?”

“Ah, I do.”

He stated firmly,

“I’ll mobilize the full forces of the Twelve Rites. We’ll immediately enact the contract for Breaking Heaven’s Blessing, and I’ll reveal the seal location of the Moon Yao that I know.”

Of course, I already knew where the Moon Yao was. But I feigned surprise without showing it.

“The Moon Yao?!”

“The Moon Yao is on Ganghwa Island’s Mani Mountain. If we acquire and liberate it, we should be able to counter the incarnation or apostles.”

“Each of the Seven Yaos usually has a guardian. The Moon Yao’s guardian will be powerful too—how do you plan to defeat it?”

Twelve Rites Lord Ha Eun-cheon replied,

“With force!”

“….”

“I never intended to entrust the Moon Yao, but defeat now means no future. We have no choice. We must eliminate the guardian somehow and claim the Moon Yao.”

Right now, I couldn’t mention the most crucial issue.

Once the guardian is gone—who gets the Moon Yao?

Both he and I were masters of the Seven Yaos, and we knew two people holding them wielded far greater power than one. Thinking of that, neither could yield the Seven Yao to the other. If I gained the Moon Yao too, I might have the strength to smoothly resolve this entire crisis.

But having heard Mang Ryang’s words already, I slowly opened my mouth.

“…Rites Lord. Let’s make a deal.”

“What deal?”

“Ownership of the Moon Yao is a highly sensitive matter. But I will cede ownership of the Moon Yao to you, Rites Lord.”

“Hoo….”

“In exchange, you must fully assist me in liberating the Water Yao, and if I ever have to fight divine beings in the future, you must unconditionally help me. And one more thing.”

My eyes gleamed.

“Share with me everything you know about ways to oppose the gods.”

The Twelve Rites Lord tilted his head.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I said we’d liberate the Seven Yaos and fight.”

“That’s not all.”

I fixed him with an even fiercer gaze.

“You somehow eavesdrop on heavenly information in advance. That’s how you knew I had the Fire Yao, right? And in the fight with the Sea God, you held back your power. You also hid something from me about the plan to seal the Sea God’s subordinate cities.”

“….”

“You’re in no position to talk to me about cleanup. Hand over whatever aces you have. Give me something convincing.”

The Twelve Rites Lord clasped his hands behind his back.

“What if I refuse?”

I gave him a look as if to say, what kind of question is that?

“I’ll abandon resolving this crisis and go into seclusion for decades. The hell of the Central Plains will engulf Goryeo and the Twelve Rites too. If you think you can handle it with your own power then, ignore me.”

“Hmm… impressive.”

“What’s impressive?”

“When I said to go ahead and gut it, you really did—tougher than you look.”

The Twelve Rites Lord muttered, seeming deep in thought.

Then he glanced slyly at Musashi and said,

“Musashi. If we extract the Moon Yao, a greater calamity will strike the Dongyoung lands where you humans live. Until now, the sealed Moon Yao resonated to suppress the Wood Yao’s power over Dongyoung’s yokai. You okay with that?”

What?

I looked at Musashi in surprise, and he replied calmly,

“The Tsutsukimado clan is sealing the Askihara flood—if they hold, it’ll last a few years. And telling me won’t change anything. I’m not the legitimate heir to the Original Moon Heaven Killing Law anyway.”

“But it’s true you’re the closest to a legitimate heir among humans. You flaunted that status to me, but now that it’s inconvenient, you claim up? Heh heh.”

“….”

“Anyway, fine.”

As Musashi fell silent, the Twelve Rites Lord said,

“Baek Woong, how about this? I’ll teach you how to resolve your biggest worry right now.”

“What do you think my biggest worry is?”

“Obviously, you’re on guard against that [Old Dominator] incarnation suddenly showing up. A divine incarnation like that won’t be unaware of you—they’re surely watching closely.”

“…….”

“I know how to drive it away. I’ll tell you.”

Really?

I wanted to exclaim, but I managed my expression. He might just be baiting me or deceiving me. Instead, I looked at him coldly and said,

“Explain what ‘drive away’ means.”

“Literally. I can’t expel it from the material world, but I can prevent it from reaching you. It’s tricky, but it can buy you the time you need.”

“What method?”

“Borrowing the power that counters the [Old Dominator]’s existence—the one usually called the Ancient Gods.”

With that, the Twelve Rites Lord continued,

“And one more. I’ll tell you how to halt the regeneration of an immortal body. Whether Demon King or [Old Dominator] incarnation, they’ll have immortality as a baseline—essential info.”

“……?!”

“Those two pieces should suffice, right?”

“It’s hard to believe.”

“Well—I suppose so—but we’re both short on time. So we’re just being more honest. The decision’s yours.”

“Give me a moment.”

Through Soon Eo-gu, I relayed our conversation to Mang Ryang at base. Mang Ryang replied,

[That’s sufficient. Push for more, but the Twelve Rites Lord might back out—so compromise here.]

I nodded.

“Understood.”

“Alright, shall we go receive Breaking Heaven’s Blessing first?”

Flash!

I took Musashi and the Twelve Rites Lord to Mang Ryang Zen Master’s village. After teleporting alone to hide the Heavenly Dark Secret Book in Jeong Ryang Valley’s sanctuary, I entered the village and headed for Yeo Dong-bin’s shrine, but something felt off.

“What are you doing there?”

Turning, I saw the Twelve Rites Lord standing stock-still, refusing to enter the village. Musashi eyed him curiously too, and the Twelve Rites Lord scratched his head awkwardly.

“I can’t go in.”

“What do you mean? Walk in.”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

The Twelve Rites Lord said in genuine distress,

“If I enter that village, Mang Ryang Zen Master will kill me.”

“……?”

It didn’t sound like a joke. No reason for one in this situation.

Unable to understand, I asked the Twelve Rites Lord,

“Why would Mang Ryang Zen Master kill you? In the dream, you were close enough to contract……”

“Heh heh… To you, Mang Ryang Zen Master looks like a cute little black kitten? Not to me. Every time I face him, fear makes my skin crawl.”

He laughed self-deprecatingly and continued,

“Anyway, I can’t enter. We’ll do the contract outside—you enter via dream.”

“It doesn’t make sense.”

“Personal reasons. Don’t pry—let’s proceed like adults.”

There was a hint of desperation in his tone. Everything else was fine, but entering this village was absolutely forbidden. Unable to press further, I walked to Yeo Dong-bin’s shrine.

Sss…

Soon, sleep came, and I entered the dreamworld. This time, not just me—the Twelve Rites Lord and Musashi stood side by side on the path. Opposite us, a small black cat sauntered along the dream path.

[Hello. Here for the contract.]

“If we contract, we’ll really receive Breaking Heaven’s Blessing, right?”

As I confirmed, Mang Ryang Zen Master hopped onto the wall and said,

[No sword-swinger.]

“What?”

Flash!

Suddenly, Miyamoto Musashi’s form crumpled and vanished. He was instantly expelled from the dream world. Staring in shock, Mang Ryang Zen Master said,

[That human isn’t even a legitimate inheritor of the Original Moon Heaven Killing Law, nor does he have the will to confront the [Old Dominator]. He’s only faithful to his own martial desires. Giving Breaking Heaven’s Blessing to such a one is a waste of power.]

“No will to confront? Musashi directly attacked the Sea God’s true body—what nonsense.”

[At that time, he was merely brimming with the desire to test his martial arts as a warrior. He has no preparation for what a divine being is or how to face that terror. He lacks qualification.]

“……”

[He could even be lured by an evil god’s power and become a pawn.]

I vaguely grasped Mang Ryang Zen Master’s point. Musashi, who had reached the Absolute Realm, had overcome the Sea God’s terror with his mental fortitude, but he couldn’t sustain the fight upon facing a god’s essence. The mentality needed to confront darkness’s terror differed from a warrior’s ambition.

I cautiously asked Mang Ryang Zen Master,

“…Does Breaking Heaven’s Blessing go only to humans with the will to fight gods?”

[Yes. And only to those prepared to forge their own destiny.]

“Isn’t that too strict? The [Old Dominator]s and apostles are monstrous. Ordinary humans can’t even dream of facing them.”

As I protested, Mang Ryang Zen Master said,

[Among humans, only a tiny few like you drive directly oppose them. If one pursues the essence without drowning in ego or greed—such talented humans receive Breaking Heaven’s Blessing.]

“What? Then you have to give it to me, obviously.”

[Why obviously?]

I clenched my fist.

“I’m squeezing out courage I don’t have to fight the [Old Dominator]. Isn’t that admirable?”

Mang Ryang Zen Master licked his paw and retorted,

[I never asked you to. Never expected it from humans. Fighting is your choice—no reason for special treatment.]

“Eh?!”

[And I declare: no one in history has charged at the [Old Dominator]’s terror so brainlessly without flinching. I respect the stupidity, but no reason to go easy.]

“….”

His utterly cold response drained my strength.

This cat truly judges at his whim, whether humans fight or not. Then, the Twelve Rites Lord listening beside spoke up.

“Shall we proceed with the contract now?”

[Very well.]

Sss…

[By contract, I bestow Breaking Heaven’s Blessing upon you.]

Suddenly, Mang Ryang Zen Master’s body burst like smoke, filling the surroundings with thick darkness. In the pitch black where nothing was visible, I couldn’t sense him even with super senses in the dream world.

How long did I wait?

A quiet sound came. I flinched, thinking it was the eerie flute from the past monster, but it was different—relief.

This is…

A rustic yet clear sound.

Melancholy yet calming the emotions.

It felt like a song.

I’d never experienced sound arts before, but hearing this cleared my mind, dispelling the darkness. Absurd, but darkness repelling darkness.

Why?

Another strange feeling.

The sound and rhythm were surely new, yet familiar—like hearing it since ancient times. Even nostalgia. But definitely unheard before.

Primal Night filled me.

My inner self intensely awakened. An awakening beyond any martial achievement roused my brain fiber by fiber, lifting my body. My vision expanded endlessly, escaping the narrow earth toward the heavens, between cosmos and sky, beyond the universe.

Then, strange scents flashed through my mind.

[No regrets?]

Someone spoke.

[Even after one cycle, no guarantee of return. Even gods can’t come here.]

Someone replied.

But I couldn’t hear what.

When the awakening stopped, I knew I’d awakened from Mang Ryang Zen Master’s dream.

“….”

Had something changed?

I stood and checked myself—no increase in inner power, amplified shamanic arts, or strengthened divinity. Miyamoto Musashi had already risen and eyed me with displeasure.

“…Let’s go.”

He seemed dissatisfied at being the only one denied Breaking Heaven’s Blessing.

Outside the village, the Twelve Rites Lord waited, waving.

“Hey! Now we have the bare minimum preparation.”

“Now give the information.”

“Of course. But first, one question.”

“What?”

The Twelve Rites Lord leaned in and said,

“Baek Woong. You don’t want to become a god?”

What kind of question was this?

Unsure of the intent, I stared. The Twelve Rites Lord said,

“That guy called Demon King Baek Ji-sang started as a human sorcerer, pursuing power until reaching demon king realm. His ultimate goal is godhood rivaling the [Old Dominator]. And actually, you and I are closer to that goal than him.”

“Closer how?”

“Master of the Seven Yaos. Breaking Heaven’s Blessing. Acknowledgment and blessing of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors……”

Muttering, the Twelve Rites Lord said,

“If we successfully defend the earth from this [Old Dominator] invasion, you and I could ascend to the Ten Thousand Gods Pavilion of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors with this merit alone. Doesn’t that excite you?”

“Haha, what a joke…”

I tried to laugh it off, but stopped seeing he wasn’t moving.

“…He’s serious.”

The godhood he meant probably wasn’t mere greater immortal level. At minimum, heavenly realm administrator or powerful apostle under the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors—eternal immortality wielding immense authority.

Standing there, the Twelve Rites Lord asked again,

“Baek Woong. Do you want to become a god?”

“What about you?”

I asked first.

“……”

“I really want to hear—answer.”

I pondered long, Then replied.

“No, I don’t.”

“Why not? Godhood erases all mortal joys, sorrows, loves, hates, desires, and pains—grants far greater power than one. Thinking of that, neither could yield the Seven Yao to the other. If I gained the Moon Yao too, I might have the strength to smoothly resolve this entire crisis.”

“That’s exactly why I hate it.”

Crossing my arms, I said,

“You’d still be a subordinate of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors—can’t ultimately defeat the [Old Dominator].”

At my answer, the Twelve Rites Lord seemed greatly flustered.

“Ah… what?”

“Can’t defeat the baleful gods or prevent Ji Riu’s injuries either.”

“….”

The Twelve Rites Lord suddenly burst into mad laughter.

“Kukuku, kwahaha! Hahaha!”

“Why laugh?”

“Hahaha…”

Chuckling long, he said,

“Got it. I understand you hate answering my question.”

“….”

He’d interpreted it oddly.

Then I took the Twelve Rites Lord and Musashi to Jeong Ryang Valley. Upon arrival, the Twelve Rites Lord drew the His Ancient Gods Septagram Blade, tracing a pentagram with a star inside. A radiant star floated in the air, and he chanted some incantation.

Flash!

“Now the [Old Dominator] can’t enter here.”

Choon Woo-jin eyed the Twelve Rites Lord sharply and said,

“Twelve Rites Lord. Is this the Ancient Gods’ barrier passed down in secret?”

“Correct. Illusion God Choon Woo-jin.”

The Twelve Rites Lord sheathed the Galaxy Septagram Blade at his waist and replied,

“Among the few divinities that can oppose the [Old Dominator] in this world are the ancient gods. I happened to acquire a barrier borrowing their power. This one will protect for at least a month, and evades the [Old Dominator]’s detection too.”

“How did you learn it? I heard ancient gods’ secrets are more hidden than the [Old Dominator]’s…”

“Se-cret.”

Brushing it off casually, the Twelve Rites Lord continued,

“And I’ll teach you how to eliminate divine immortals—more like sealing their immortality.”

Soon, the Twelve Rites Lord shared several spells and incantations with Illusion God Choon Woo-jin. Choon Woo-jin, who had the highest sorcery realm among us, looked deeply shocked.

“You… what are you? Human?”

“Why ask?”

“These are spells no human could know. Clearly created by a divinity.”

As Choon Woo-jin growled, the Twelve Rites Lord shrugged.

“Se-cret.”

“……”

In a hurry, the Twelve Rites Lord said to me once transmission ended,

“Alright, I’ll go liberate the Moon Yao—handle things yourselves~”

Flash!

As the Twelve Rites Lord’s form vanished, Mang Ryang said,

“Baek Woong. We must move quickly.”

“Got it.”

“Having pulled in the Twelve Rites Lord, we can’t lag behind. I didn’t want to involve him if possible, but the [Old Dominator] incarnation forced our hand…”

With a grimly hardened face, he said,

“Go straight to the Han Family now, find Han Baek-ryeong. If she’s not there, liberate the Water Yao immediately. Once done, find the Demon King and enact the Yi Zhi Yi scheme.”

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