Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

After Miho's power grew stronger, Mangyang spoke to me.

"Baek Woong. What do you want to do now?"

"What kind of sudden question is that?"

"Ever since you reincarnated, we've been dragged along by the gods' plans. And in my opinion, we probably won't get a chance to take the initiative in the future either."

“......!!”

"It's because our power is absolutely insufficient."

Mangyang's eyes darkened slightly.

"So now, rather than acting rashly, it's time to make a choice."

"That's right. If we can't stop any of them—Cheonghil, the Demon King, the White Lotus Cult, or the Heavenly Emperor—then choosing not to stop them at all might be an option."

What was he saying?

I was flustered because this wasn't the Mangyang I knew. I'd thought he, of all people, would insist on protecting humanity to the end. But while I was stunned, the Sword Demon, standing beside him with arms crossed, spoke up.

"He's saying we should let Baek Woong witness what happens when the Heavenly Emperor descends."

Mangyang turned to the Sword Demon.

"Yes."

"We need to see how much force the heavenly faction has and how they carry out the purification of the earthly realm once the Heavenly Emperor we've only heard about begins his move. That's crucial information, so it's a viable choice."

"Exactly. And since Baek Woong is the apostle of the Three Emperors and Five Emperors, he can survive to the end. We believe he'll outlast us even after all events conclude, so until then, we gather as much information as possible for him."

I understood what the two were saying.

'Certainly... that is a choice.'

But if we did that, the damage to the earthly realm would be unimaginable. With the Demon King rampaging, along with Cheonghil's incarnation, the [Ancient Ruler]'s incarnation, and even the heavens—it would create unimaginable chaos. Surviving in that mess would be a gamble in itself.

And because of another issue, I could only grit my teeth.

"If we do that, everyone here dies except me."

"Probably."

I clenched my fists and objected.

"That's not an option. I'll struggle to the end."

Mangyang gave me a strange look.

"Baek Woong. Can you swear that feeling is truly sincere?"

“......?”

"If it's just self-satisfaction as Zhuge Sa said, what then? We'll gain hope from your courage, but your journey will drag on several times longer. It could end up as a meaningless dog death."

"I was prepared for that."

"You don't care about some greater good; you just hate watching us die, right? You're not saying that struggle is mere self-satisfaction?"

Why was Mangyang cornering me like this?

It was just like Zhuge Sa.

I pondered Mangyang's words carefully before answering.

"No! It's because if you get used to abandoning things, eventually that's the only choice anyone can make."

"Hoo. What do you mean by that?"

I spoke with utter sincerity.

"I've seen for over a hundred years how selfish, cruel, and harsh humans can be without respite. I know how ruthless they can be to others outside themselves."

"So?"

"So I believe what people call the ruthless, efficient, rational choice is really just taking the easy path."

Mangyang's expression turned surprised for a moment.

“......”

"Who can't abandon something? In the end, humans only value themselves. But I believe sticking it out without giving up is what makes the right answer."

"You mean the people around you are precious? Then you should have secluded yourselves from the start."

I shook my head.

"No. My own will is the most important."

"Hmm."

"That's why I'm here right now."

Then Cheon Woojin, who had been listening, sighed.

"What incredible arrogance!"

Everyone's gazes turned to Cheon Woojin. He looked at me with complex eyes and said:

"It's the pinnacle of arrogance a reincarnator can have. You're not just a fool—you're an arrogant fool. I can't even judge the vessel you possess."

"What are you trying to say?"

"You're essentially saying mortal lives are how finite and foolish they are. You've escaped the human perspective."

The Sword Demon shook his head as well.

"Baek Woong. What you just said might seem like the mindset of a great hero at first glance, but it's not. It's different from any righteous knight. You've denied the self, ego, and selfishness inherent to humans. It's like you're observing humanity from too lofty a height."

“......”

He chuckled.

"But I don't find it all that bad..."

Mangyang stepped forward.

"...I heard you well."

"Mangyang. Why did you ask me such a question?"

I continued, a bit annoyed.

"It doesn't feel sincere."

"I'm sorry for testing you. I've only understood you through the obsidian's memories until now, so I wanted to hear directly what kind of person you really are. That way, our strategies won't fail anymore."

“......?”

"And now I know. We've been manipulated by the gods because we misjudged you all this time."

Mangyang continued calmly, then spoke in a firm tone.

"Baek Woong! Whether it becomes flesh or porridge, let's grab anyone and fight. That's the strategy that suits you best right now!"

“......?!”

Stunned by the abrupt words, I faltered. But my comrades around us nodded as if they understood Mangyang perfectly. Even though his attitude shift was so sudden, I was the only one who didn't get it.

Mangyang said.

"We misunderstood your efforts to minimize reincarnations as much as possible. We thought it was just your disposition, mere self-satisfaction. But if that's your best effort in itself, then it's different. Instead of just enduring to the end, fighting to break through this crisis is the answer."

"W-Wait. So what are you saying we do?"

"First, we go beat up the easiest one. Once Fire Dragon True Person recovers, we all combine forces and kill the Demon King before thinking further."

"Zhuge Sa said not to touch the Demon King carelessly..."

Mangyang chuckled.

"That was before Miho gained her power. We weren't without a chance even before, and now I think we can definitely win. It was just too risky, so we couldn't decide if striking the Demon King was worth it."

"Hmm..."

"But with your perspective, Baek Woong, just holding out won't yield an answer. Things will only worsen, and even if you alone survive, you won't accomplish anything in the end. It's better to go all out and fight while we still have power."

Mangyang declared firmly.

"Even if we lose to the Demon King and the subjugation fails, we won't resent you. Because we believe you'll definitely avenge us in your next life!"

“......!!”

"With that mindset, I'm now certain you won't lose your resolve."

Only then did I understand Mangyang's intent.

His initial analysis was probably correct. Even defeating the Demon King would be meaningless if stronger foes appear, so saving only me to observe to the end might be the answer. But after our conversation, Mangyang judged that the gains from toppling the Demon King outweighed the risks.

The Sword Demon chimed in as if waiting.

"I think the same. I've felt frustrated being toyed with without doing anything, so this is good."

"Like Mangyang said, we might all end up as dog deaths."

"Then what? Holding out like this doesn't guarantee we won't."

“......”

"And once we subjugate the Demon King, Cheonghil will reveal his traces on his own. He's aiming for that, so we just need to be ready to pursue them."

Jin So-cheong said.

"Baek Woong, you're the leader. If the leader can cut off the leader's head, the war is already over."

"...I understand."

Miho giggled and patted my head.

"Don't worry! We'll definitely win."

"I got it."

I snapped a bit irritably. For some reason, everyone here seemed to treat me a little like a child. Strangely, though it annoyed me, it wasn't unpleasant. In that moment, I felt my relationship with my comrades shift slightly.

'Alright, let's do it!'

Once my mind was set, there was no hesitation.

I asked Han Baekryeong, recuperating at the Han family estate, to perform the Incarnation Spirit Fusion once more. She accepted again, and I felt Fire Dragon True Person's power recover significantly. He fully recovered three days later.

Mangyang said.

"Baek Woong. Wait just three more days. My junior needs time to master this Semi-Yellow Pearl technique."

"Got it."

Mangyang had the Five Fires and Seven Glories Thread, so he planned to give Cheon Woojin a supplementary treasure. I also requested help from the Twelve Rulers and trained in my own way, so the three days passed quickly.

Once preparations were complete, we headed straight for Blood Shadow Valley, where the Demon King was.

Flash!

"...It's ominous."

Jin So-cheong groaned. As he said, we were still fifty li from Blood Shadow Valley in Zhangluo, yet the ground was dyed blood-red, and demonic energy pierced the heavens everywhere. No signs of farmers or hunters nearby—it was clear Blood Shadow Valley had already dominated the area.

Mangyang said.

"Blood Shadow Valley has already collapsed the Righteous Heaven Alliance. Three of the Nine Great Sects and One Temple were exterminated, two half-destroyed, and most suffered heavy losses. Only Wudang Sect and Shaolin Temple are relatively intact. Soon, even the Eight Demonic Sects will fall to them."

"Hmm."

"But as the rumors say, they're killing even civilians who aren't martial artists."

In the direction Mangyang looked hung a shriveled corpse on a tree branch. There were more than one or two—scattered like rags everywhere. Cheon Woojin frowned.

"They call it the art of corpse law, turning slain lifeforms into subservient corpses."

"Fighting each corpse individually has no end, junior brother."

"I know."

Rustle.

Soon, Cheon Woojin's Phantom Fog unfolded. It spread with terrifying momentum, instantly enveloping the area in mist. Strangely, our vision remained clear within it, allowing free movement.

Whooo.

We saw ragg-like corpses shambling here and there. Spotting corpses in righteous faction uniforms, I looked puzzled, and the Sword Demon explained.

"The Righteous Heaven Alliance must have sent a subjugation force. Those are their armed units."

"They seem pretty strong..."

I recalled avoiding them in the past, as there were many first-class and peak experts mixed in.

"Meaningless. If it were me, I'd avoid clashing with Blood Shadow Valley and hide... They must have thought they were something special."

The Sword Demon sneered. Indeed, he had already evacuated his Shadowless Sect and family to Dragon Mausoleum Valley—the best choice to avoid this bloodshed.

Creak.

Thud!

Suddenly, one corpse twitched, executing Wudang's Cloud Skimming Lightness Skill to attack something. A tiny rat was impaled on its blade. It seemed programmed to auto-attack any movement. Watching the Wudang corpse move, I marveled.

"It looks no different from when alive."

We were shielded by Cheon Woojin's Phantom Fog, so the corpses couldn't detect us. The Sword Demon said bitterly:

"Indeed. It can fully use Cloud Skimming Lightness Skill and Wudang's Nine Palaces Shadow Swordsmanship. This corpse art seems quite troublesome..."

Turning subjugators into their own forces was a cheat-like spell. And deploying necromancy over dozens of li was incredible. With dozens or hundreds of experts littering the area, we'd be in a massive battle without the fog.

As we walked far, Cheon Woojin said.

"According to Zhuge Sa, my Phantom Fog won't work on those Blood Demons or whatever. We'll have to take them down ourselves."

"I heard self-destructing is dangerous..."

Rumble.

Finally, the valley presumed to be Blood Shadow Valley appeared, with a massive palace at its center. Near the palace stood several black dots—each with flushed red skin and eyes rolled back white.

"Those are the Blood Demons!"

There were about thirty Blood Demons total. They stood motionless, unaware of us yet, but would likely attack once we approached.

Miho then floated orbs of yokai energy around her.

"Leave it to me!"

Whirr.

"Haat!"

Boom!!

Silver light from the orbs expanded to dozens of $ji$, blasting away the Blood Demons guarding the palace front. The palace itself crumbled in half from one strike, collapsing massively.

Rumble.

But that wasn't all. Miho swung her hand two or three more times playfully, sending even larger silver energies forward. The palace area vanished like hit by hundreds of thousands of bombs, a massive storm raging nearby.

Boom.

Whooo.

"Incredible power!"

I could mimic one strike gathering all my qi, but Miho did this casually, altering the terrain! Stunned by her overwhelming yokai power, I said.

"M-Miho."

"This much is nothing."

Miho boasted, but Miyamoto Musashi beside her frowned.

"...The Blood Demons are coming."

Jin So-cheong and the Sword Demon charged forward at his words.

Clang!

Their weapons clashed with attacks from flying Blood Demons. A battlefield erupted with intense qi projecting, colliding, and distorting. Over a dozen Blood Demons survived Miho's attack, rushing us. Musashi instantly beheaded two.

Jin So-cheong swung his spear.

"Let's finish them in one go."

Boom.

Bang.

Jin So-cheong and the Sword Demon fought back to back. Using Seven Great Absolute Arts or Eight Immortal Divine Skills, no Blood Demon could approach despite their high skills.

Slash!

Jin So-cheong beheaded two with his spear, but they clutched their necks, trying to reattach. They were immortals too.

"I need to watch for the explosion moment."

Boom boom.

Sure enough, as Zhuge Sa warned, three Blood Demons unleashed peak martial arts, then exploded when throats were slit mid-fight. The blood shards scattered at terrifying speed—any expert could get hit if careless.

"But if we know, this is nothing!"

Jin So-cheong and the Sword Demon had trained supreme arts briefly, sparred with Jang Sambong True Person, boosting their skills immensely. Forewarned by Zhuge Sa, they easily dodged. With me, Musashi, and Miho joining, we cleared the rest quickly.

After eliminating the Blood Demons unscathed, we headed to the palace site.

Tap.

A single woman stood there.

"Byeok Ji-sang!!"

I shouted her name loudly. She slowly turned toward us—exactly as I'd faced her multiple times in past lives. No trace of the Demon King transcending Great Immortal.

Demon King Byeok Ji-sang spoke slowly.

"I wondered who it was—the apostle of the Three Emperors and Five Emperors."

Oddly, she spoke in a human voice.

'She knows me.'

Being the Three Emperors and Five Emperors' apostle must be famous among divine beings. Byeok Ji-sang stared piercingly and said.

"Why attack me? The Three Emperors and Five Emperors have no need to now."

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