Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

What the hell is he talking about?

As far as I could tell, there was more than enough reason and justification to attack the Demon King Bi Ji-sang. Yet he was responding as if he'd been caught off guard by a surprise assault. I pushed my thoughts aside for the moment and addressed him.

"I can't let you shatter Luoyang's Great Barrier and plunge the world into chaos."

"Ahaha... An apostle of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors preaching justice? What a joke. The spokesman for the greatest evil in this world, worse than the [Ancient Rulers]?"

"What do you even know?"

I snapped back curtly, and Bi Ji-sang let out a high-pitched laugh peculiar to women before replying.

"Apostle. I actually like you personally."

"What?"

I ground my teeth.

"...You stole this human's body by force?"

"What's strange about that? This is how the founding patriarch of the Demonic Cult achieves eternal life."

That's right.

That body originally belonged to a woman of the Central Plains named Bi Ji-sang. The Demon King had no physical form of his own, so he forcibly entered her soul and took possession of her body. The scary part was how many people throughout history had fallen victim to this sort of magic. Demon Kings—we could only guess.

"How are you bypassing the laws of causality to move around?"

At my question, the Demon King flashed a strange smile.

"No reason to tell you."

I glared at him.

"Fine, then brace yourself, Demon King or whatever you are."

Taking him down would resolve everything. This was a battle I absolutely could not lose!

"Huhu..."

Shwwaak.

Bi Ji-sang's body slowly collapsed. Black smoke began pouring from her eyes, nose, ears, and mouth, swirling in the air like living mist.

[Let's see the power that felled the Sea God.]

Kwaang!

In that instant, my body shot forward like lightning, a fiery dragon surging into the sky and air with an explosive boom. I'd blocked the Demon King's surprise attack. The Fire Dragon True Person possessing me reflexively swung Hwayo and shouted.

[With this sword, I shall enact justice!]

At the same time, Maeng-ryang and Cheon Woo-jin activated their barrier and drew their treasures. Golden light erupted as the heat from Maeng-ryang's Five Flames Seven Metals Thread struck my back.

Fwoosh!

Suddenly, I felt the Fire Dragon True Person's power surge dramatically. The Five Flames Seven Metals Thread shared the fire attribute, amplifying and restoring the Fire Dragon True Person's strength. Empowered, he fully merged with Hwayo.

Wooong.

Jang Sam-bong's soul settled into me next, recreating the state from the Sea God subjugation. Jang Sam-bong controlled my body, the Fire Dragon True Person maximized Hwayo's power and countered sorceries, while Maeng-ryang and Cheon Woo-jin supported us with their treasures from behind.

In this formation, victory was ours!

This matched the Sea God fight in power!

As I grew confident inwardly, the Demon King's voice echoed through the air from his smoky form.

[Dear Sea-god of the shadowy forest, bearer of the prophecy of the Nine Heavens... Hear my plea...]

It had begun!

I sensed both the Fire Dragon True Person and Jang Sam-bong tense up.

What he was chanting now was an Outer God's incantation—its power could turn the entire Changed Lands into another realm in an instant, rivaling that of a single nation. If he finished it, even the Fire Dragon True Person might not endure.

'I have to take him down before he completes the chant...'

Just as the Fire Dragon True Person and Jang Sam-bong moved to act—

Puk!

The mist form suddenly dispersed, and the Galaxy Severing Scroll pierced the void. The Demon King easily dodged his smoke to dodge, but in the next moment, the Three Sages materialized in the air, occupying the Three Talents positions and encircling him.

[What?]

As the Demon King faltered in surprise, Twelve Laws Lord smirked slyly. He'd appeared in the hall unnoticed.

"Hey there~"

[You bastard...]

"I never thought Baek Woong would really go through with the Seven Treasures, but since we're here, let's do this right."

Ha Eun-cheon tossed the Galaxy Severing Scroll into the air as if it were nothing. The Three Sages formed their barrier simultaneously, and he formed hand seals while intoning.

"Galaxy Severing Scroll, unleash your power!"

Flash!

White light blazed as the barrier bound the Demon King's ethereal body tight. Maeng-ryang and Cheon Woo-jin seized the chance, pouring their sorcery into it.

Kugugugu.

A massive vortex swirled as a powerful seal began to form, prompting an incredulous response from the Demon King.

[Betraying me? You've truly betrayed me?]

What?!

I couldn't help but be stunned by the Demon King's words.

The Twelve Laws Lord just grinned.

"Betrayal implies trust, doesn't it?"

[...]

"We never trusted each other, so this isn't betrayal. Why act surprised now?"

[You scum...]

Kugugugu.

The barrier strengthened further. Jang Sam-bong gripped his sword and spoke inwardly to me.

[Young friend. If the barrier can finish him, we needn't interfere... We'd just get in the way.]

[Can it seal him like this?]

[Unclear, but it'll weaken him at least.]

Jang Sam-bong acknowledged the barrier's might. The Three Sages poured everything into it, backed by Maeng-ryang and Cheon Woo-jin. The Demon King's form visibly shrank, and he'd even abandoned his incantation.

'What? Why is he weakening so fast?'

I felt deflated after coming so prepared. Could we seal him this easily? But the Fire Dragon True Person warned me.

[Don't let your guard down! He hasn't shown his true power yet.]

[True power?]

[If a seal like this worked, he wouldn't be called Demon King. He's on par with the apocalyptic great dragon we sealed a millennium ago, me and Yee Dong-bin.]

Kurung...

Sure enough, the trapped and shrinking Demon King suddenly expanded his form into a giant of swirling mist—not black big this time, but pure mist shaped like a colossus.

"...?!"

"His power's regenerating...?!"

The Twelve Laws Lord and Three Sages paled, while Maeng-ryang and Cheon Woo-jin looked shocked. No one had anticipated that even the world's top sorcerers, offering the Galaxy Severing Scroll as sacrifice, couldn't contain the Demon King.

Paat.

The Demon King reverted from mist giant to human woman—Bi Ji-sang—laughing wildly without restraint.

"Ahahaha! You mortals really thought you could seal me? Me, who clashed with the apostles and powers of gods? Me, who amassed power over millennia?"

The Demon King's eyes burned crimson.

"I am Simon Magus, the one foretold by the Divine King Demiurge. The being who shall bring the revelation of the end times to Aeon!"

He clenched his fist, transforming into black mist that seeped into the air like dark grains.

[Receive the curse of the black goat!]

Kwa kwang!!

The barrier shattered simultaneously.

The Demon King grew ever larger, becoming a colossal dark fog rivaling the Sea God's size. It surged with terrifying momentum, extending tendrils to devour all creation. The Fire Dragon True Person and Jang Sam-bong in Hwayo drew deep on their power to block, but they were gradually being pushed back.

[Haap!]

Shing.

The Fire Dragon True Person and Jang Sam-bong unleashed their full might in Sword-Mind Unity, slicing through the darkness as a single beam of light. I felt myself stabbing at blinding speed, but soon realized the blade tip had merely grazed empty air.

[He's hidden his essence in another dimension.]

The Fire Dragon True Person muttered in frustration.

[Ugh... If we'd been prepared, we'd have caught him! Had I known he'd use the Curse of Darkness, I'd have brought treasures and spells in advance...!]

Jang Sam-bong sighed.

[Too late... We endure and seek reversal.]

I barely grasped what the two great immortals meant.

But I knew the failed strike was a massive setback.

'It's so dark...'

I couldn't see or sense anything beyond myself.

The world seemed swallowed by darkness.

The Fire Dragon True Person hastily summoned a fire dragon to illuminate, revealing Maeng-ryang and Cheon Woo-jin barely holding a barrier nearby. He rushed to protect them, but the sorcerers were pale.

Behind them, the warriors lay in comas. Musashi, Jin So-cheong, and the Sword Satyr sat in meditation, trying to expel the curse, but it was beyond mere poison—black auras flickered on their skin like pitch.

"Hah... hah..."

"Curse... too strong..."

The sorcerers fared slightly better, but Maeng-ryang and Cheon Woo-jin had already drawn treasures. Even those couldn't fully block the mist's malice.

The black fog carried a potent curse; their limbs blackened and rotted. The Fire Dragon True Person tried to heal it but soon spoke despondently.

[This curse can't be cured. We take him down first.]

[Take him down? Where is he?]

[...]

The Fire Dragon True Person fell silent. Jang Sam-bong stated gravely.

[This darkness spans hundreds of li—it's all him... Every living form within is likely dead. We must obliterate the darkness entirely before our spirit energy runs out.]

[Can we?]

[Impossible. It's an Outer God's incantation. Even Hwayo Heavenly Flame lacks the power. As is...]

Jang Sam-bong trailed off, but I understood.

No way out.

The Outer God's power borrowed was overwhelming—even great immortals with Seven Treasures couldn't kill him. Amid despair, the Fire Dragon True Person spoke calmly.

[Few odds, but we try...]

Fwoosh.

Hwayo's power surged under the Fire Dragon True Person, a flaming dragon erupting. The fearsome flames that once incinerated the alchemist giant purified the air around me—but only locally.

Wooosh.

Everywhere but us erupted in flames across hundreds of zhang. Hwayo amplified, expanding, but fell short of erasing the darkness wholesale. New fog rushed in wherever it burned.

The Fire Dragon True Person gritted his teeth.

[Not enough...!!]

If Hwayo Heavenly Flame peaked, maybe—but could my body endure? Breath caught, lungs burned as if the curse's malice like maggots burrowing.

"Huhk, heuh..."

I recovered after gasping, but exertion invited the curse's food.

An insane curse.

Even possessed by the Fire Dragon True Person and Jang Sam-bong for peak evil resistance, drawing the National Jade Seal's remnants—it pierced like paper.

This was the Demon King's curse!

Only now did I realize I'd misjudged him.

'He's not like the Sea God. Can't beat him head-on...'

Originating human, pinnacle of demonic arts.

He wouldn't even engage.

Lower realm than Sea God, but borrowing Outer God powers made him immune, assaulting with dread magic. Unlike Sea God's brute force. Even mighty Fire Dragon True Person and Jang Sam-bong had no counter to spells.

Especially if we couldn't seal his mist-form under Outer God protection—attacks were futile. Yet how could we endure long enough for a seal to heal him?

"Somehow... counter his spells..."

I'd thought elite sorcerers, treasures, barriers, Fire Dragon spirit, Hwayo would suffice—naïve?

No, not naïve.

The Demon King was just that strong.

We'd all underestimated him.

Without a tailored strategy, total annihilation awaited.

'Hold on... just a bit longer...'

My Yin God power kept me intact, but allies would perish, and I'd follow. Needed a solution.

Then—

"Take my power."

"..."

Warm energy flooded my back. A silver barrier formed, freeing comrades from the curse. Even those with narrow-deep demon qi stirred.

Turning, I saw Miho with hand on my back, watching me.

"Baek Woong. Can you still fight?"

"Miho!"

Miho unleashed her full power, enveloping surroundings demon qi—the situation improved vastly.

"Miho's immune to the Demon King's curse."

Not naturally—Joon Wook's Yin-Yang God power elevated her to grand yokai level.

As people roused one by one, Miho declared resolutely.

"I'll lend my foxfire to Hwayo."

"Got it."

Maeng-ryang staggered up.

"We'll all ours too."

Maeng-ryang, Cheon Woo-jin stood with Miho behind me, treasures ready, palms to my back. The Fire Dragon True Person's eyes widened.

Kwwaat.

[Here we go, Hwayo Heavenly Flame!]

Flames dozens of times larger soared skyward like a celestial dragon piercing the heavens. Hwayo Heavenly Flame formed a massively fiery pillar, writhing alive as during spirit realm manifestation, incinerating darkness. Unlike before, scattered fog burned without regenerating.

Kugugugu.

It split into nine dragons, surging outward with greater fury. Fog lifted, visibility cleared within a li.

Yes!

No more curse worry! Felt it weaken. Hwayo roared, burning heaven and earth for about an incense stick's time—darkness fled beyond the horizon.

Shuuk.

[Not bad...]

The Demon King appeared mid-air, incredulous.

[Surviving the black goat's incantation... Even great immortals and Seven Treasures shouldn't have this much power.]

[You!!]

Jang Sam-bong roared, charging. As if coordinated, Miyamoto Musashi, Jin So-cheong, and the Sword Demon attacked too. Normally, even White Lotus Leader would struggle against this combo.

But the Demon King dissolved to mist and vanished. Musashi half-closed eyes, slashing air—blood sprayed briefly.

Reappearing oddly, Demon King laughed in surprise.

[Hahaha. Still don't get it? Your power can't hold m—]

Before finishing—

Chomp!

Crunch.

[....?]

Dumbfounded, the Demon King stared as silver light flashed—his right arm torn off. Miho, now in half-yokai form, tossed it earthward.

"Next is your head."

[Wha... Why isn't it regenerating...]

Puzzled, as it didn't regrow. Jang Sam-bong, spotting the opening, blazed eyes and struck with Musashi.

Shak!

[Uaaah.]

He tried mist again but screamed. Hwayo slashed shoulder to hip; Musashi's strike grazed ribs.

[Arrogant fool. You thought the same trick works repeatedly against transcendents?]

Jang Sam-bong said coldly.

[Now we can sense your dimensional hiding.]

"I get the gist too."

[You escape nowhere.]

Absolute Realm masters could counter even Demon King spells.

Enraged, Demon King glared furiously.

[Showoffs. I'll spare you nothing next time.]

Puk!

"Don't forget me."

As mist for escape, Ha Eun-cheon's Galaxy Severing Scroll flew from nowhere; Demon King dodged. Ha Eun-cheon survived with Three Sages.

[Where—]

But Jang Sam-bong and Fire Dragon True Person charged with Hwayo frenzy; Musashi joined. Miho finished with White Fox Claw to the throat.

Jang Sam-bong landed sternly.

[Where's 'next'?]

Pahhh.

[Uuuh...]

Fierce barrage passed; mist-blood erupted from Demon King like rags. He writhed voicelessly. I felt absurd watching.

'These guys... won't let anyone flee.'

Twelve Laws Lord, Jang Sam-bong, Fire Dragon True Person, Miyamoto Musashi, Miho!

None would watch escape—they'd stab backs. Demon King underestimated humans and immortal, paid dearly.

Bububuk.

Suddenly expanding to dark giant mist for dispersal, Fire Dragon True Person yelled to Miho.

[Let him flee, he'll chant Outer God spells again. Celestial Nine-Tailed Fox! Burn him together!]

[Got it!]

Fwoosh!

Hwayo Heavenly Flame and foxfire vortexed fiercer, pursuing relentlessly. Darkness peeled like scales; Demon King a black ray desperately evading, but closing in.

[Impossible... I, Simon Magus, here...]

Kwa kwang.

Leaving final words, incinerated utterly by Hwayo Heavenly Flame and foxfire blaze. Fire Dragon True Person inwardly laughed, certain of annihilation.

[Ha, die!]

Jang Sam-bong sighed in relief.

[Whew... Tough foe. Couldn't have without everyone...]

True. Alone, impossible. Human strongest, great immortals, Seven Treasures barely sufficed. Even with my Yin God holding, I'd have lost him. Demon King was truly divine.

'We did it.'

Exhausted, I clenched fists.

"Baek Woong. You never cease to amaze."

As we caught breath, Twelve Laws Lord approached with Three Sages. Our group eyed Ha Eun-cheon; he waved casually.

"Don't worry. Not here to fight."

I glared.

"You held back your trump card again."

Near wipeout like Sea God. Without Miho's power, even Fire Dragon True Person and Jang Sam-bong controlled my body, host body cursed meant instant death. Yet in crisis, Ha Eun-cheon withheld full power.

"Trump card? What do you mean?"

"Keep this up, we'll respond. Next time, face divine beings solo."

My throat shook him unlike before.

"Hmm... Hey, calm down. My bad. Reasons."

"Reasons?"

"Yeah. Can't say now, but... sorry for holding back. Let's keep good relations."

He clung harder to alliance now. Makes sense—our Demon King feat showed night.

Sensing my upper hand, I scoffed.

"That's your excuse? Treating us fools."

"Hmm. Dropped everything to fight here as asked. I've upheld my end."

"Fine. I know your sincerity now."

...

Ha Eun-cheon hesitated, then.

"...[Ancient Continent]."

Eyes turned to him.

"I know a safe path to the [Ancient Continent]. Teach you that as sincerity?"

"What's that?"

"Your group has a warlock. Consult him, visit via divine messenger. Bye!"

Paat.

He vanished with Three Sages.

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