Reincarnated Swordmaster

Translator: Ase

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

The self-proclaimed Great Sage Equal to Heaven had yet to reveal his true nature. Still in the form of the human "Oh Seung-eun," with only his Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils gleaming, he said to me,

"So, will you hand over the Fire Luminary and Water Luminary nicely, or do I have to beat them out of you?"

"...​"

It was too blatant. But I'd faced this level of intimidation countless times in my life, so I didn't lose my composure. Instead of arguing right away, I responded calmly.

"If we hand them over nicely, you'll let us live?"

At my words, Miho and Musashi glanced at me. At this point, the Seven Luminaries were items we absolutely could not lose. When I posed the question, the Great Sage replied,

"To be honest, I can't kill you."

"You're an apostle of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. If I killed you, Hwayung would fly into a rage and storm the heavens. I can't have that. No matter what you choose, you won't die."

He added with a smirk,

"Choose freely."

It sounded reasonable at first glance. But I knew this world had plenty of ways to make someone wish they were dead without actually killing them. Especially if a mighty transcendent immortal like the Great Sage Mi Houwang decided to torment me—I couldn't even imagine the suffering.

Moreover, he'd said he couldn't kill "me". That meant he didn't care about the lives of the others, so Miho and Musashi would surely die by his hand.

'And the way he's saying it isn't just a simple threat.'

No matter my reaction, he was determined to do what he intended. It was the attitude of someone fully prepared to crush me without hesitation. From my experience, anyone who made such take-it-or-leave-it offers was a terrifying brute accustomed to violence. I asked again.

"I phrased the question wrong. If we hand over the Seven Luminaries, you'll let us go unharmed and never attack us again?"

"Heh, you must really want to leave here alive. And it seems you've heard the rumors about me."

"You're pretty famous, after all."

The Great Sage burst into laughter and said,

"Flattery won't get you anywhere! I'd love to drop this and go have fun, but this isn't something I can just let slide."

"I have a question."

"You've got a lot of questions, huh."

"I'm willing to hand over the Seven Luminaries peacefully. So answer me. What exactly do you plan to do with them up in the heavens?"

"...​"

I began reciting the "words" Zhuge Sa had given me. Before falling into slumber, Zhuge Sa had provided a clue that just might persuade the Great Sage.

'Will it work?'

I felt uneasy. It was a gamble, but the Great Sage Mi Houwang's combat prowess was overwhelming. If he got annoyed with the talking and just attacked, it would all be pointless.

"...​"

"Hey, I've got a question for you too. Mind answering first?"

After pondering, the Great Sage crossed his arms and continued.

"By my nature, I would've smashed you all when you first arrived at the shrine. But I waited on purpose because I wanted to see for myself what this so-called apostle of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors was like."

"...​"

It seemed sincere. I nodded.

"Ask away."

"Why'd you capture the Sea God?"

"Why? Because he's a wicked bastard bringing harm to the world."

"Heh."

The Great Sage seemed intrigued by my answer. Then he asked again.

"Why'd you go after the Demon King?"

"Because he established the Blood Shadow Valley, massacred the martial world, and there was a chance he'd destroy Luoyang's Great Barrier."

"You know about the Great Barrier, huh. But why are you protecting it?"

"What...? If the Great Barrier breaks, the worst demon in history trapped in Luoyang will be unleashed."

"Did Monk Mangsang tell you that?"

"...​"

As I fell silent, the Great Sage stepped out of his Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils, gazing intently at me.

'An gaze that pierces the heart...'

His eyes looked dumb at first glance, but they brimmed with boundless power. They even carried the aura of Paan Hyeongjeong. After observing me silently for about a moment, he spoke.

"So, you meant to pick a fight with the [Ancient Overlords] or those lizard folk."

"That's right."

"Kukukuku."

The Great Sage laughed in disbelief. He giggled for a while before saying,

"Listen, even as an apostle of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, there are limits. Even if it were the real Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, they'd have limits against the [Ancient Overlords], which is why they created the Seven Luminaries. What makes you, a mere human, so cocky?"

I replied without backing down.

"I'm doing it because I can. And if I get cocky and die alone, that's my freedom, isn't it?"

"...​"

The Great Sage stared blankly before suddenly exploding into laughter.

"Kahahaha, pahahaha, uahaha!!"

His laughter grew wilder, mixing with the monkeyish nasal squeaks unique to his kind. He rolled on the ground, laughing uproariously. Despite the openings, I knew his "gaps" weren't real, so I didn't dare attack.

Wiping tears from his eyes, the still-chucking Great Sage said,

"Kukuku... Fun, so fun! It's been a thousand years of boredom, and you finally made me laugh."

"Why are you laughing? Are you so superior that you mock others' dreams?"

Irritated, I snapped, and he replied arrogantly.

"If I weren't superior, would I call myself the Great Sage Equal to Heaven? I am."

"...​"

What? Self-aggrandizement?

Miho, watching from the side, spoke up.

"Fine, enjoy your superiority. Just to check, this isn't Queen Mother of the West's orders, is it?"

"What if it was?"

"Then..."

Unable to respond, Miho hesitated, and the Great Sage said calmly,

"Fox, get a grip. You're not some pet to the Queen Mother. You're far more important, so you won't be discarded. Stop wandering and return to the heavens."

"What... pet..."

"You can still come back now."

Enraged, Miho unleashed her six tails.

Wooooo!!

In that instant, I felt fully awake. Her Yin spirit energy spread widely, dispelling the Great Sage's trick. Musashi benefited more than I did, his expression stabilized.

'Incredible spirit power!'

I'd thought it before, but if Miho grew stronger, she might rival the moon rabbit. She could be the strongest in our group.

Yet the Great Sage absorbed this immense energy without a flinch, looking bored as he said,

"Fox. Don't you find it odd that you got off with just banishment from the heavens despite your grave crime? Since the heavens opened, we have committed crimes as great as yours. Normally, you'd be suppressed, imprisoned eternally in the heavenly jail, or sent to the afterlife as fodder for the [Ancient Overlords]. Any ordinary immortal would have met that fate. You received an enormous exception."

Swish...

Miho's energy subsided. Bewildered, she said,

"Exception?"

"Yes. Because you're the being the Queen Mother cherishes most in the heavens."

The Great Sage chuckled.

"That power ended up in your hands for a reason, didn't it?"

"...​"

Miho fell silent. Her words felt profound, but I couldn't grasp the meaning. As she quieted, the Great Sage turned to me.

"So, Baek Woong, you plan to gather all the Seven Luminaries and gain the power to defeat the [Ancient Overlords]?"

"Yes."

"Nope, can't let that happen."

"...?!"

Whoosh.

Suddenly, a massive staff-like object materialized in the Great Sage's right hand.

'A staff?'

Taat!

Snatching it up and pointing it at me, he said,

"I'm the type who shuts up and follows orders from the heavens, no matter what. But that doesn't mean I'm their dog. I submit to the heavens by my own will, but I don't pledge loyalty to the Jade Emperor or the Three Pure Ones."

"You mean you live by your own convictions?"

"Exactly."

His Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils flared intensely. Golden beams shot from his eyes.

"And I believe unleashing the Seven Luminaries must never happen. That's my will and judgment."

"...​"

"As long as I'm around, you won't unseal them. I'll stop you for sure."

A headache brewed.

"Why can't they be unsealed? Don't you want to defeat the [Ancient Overlords]?"

"Haha! Hilarious. Sure, maybe you could defeat them. After humanity's extinct, that is."

"...!!"

"Tripitaka told me that in the West."

Muttering, the Great Sage withdrew his staff.

"I'll withdraw for today. Thanks to you taking out the Demon King, there's a temporary reprieve."

"What...? You think it'll be easy to take the Seven Luminaries from me next time?"

Stunned by the unexpected words, I said to him.

But he nodded as if it were obvious.

"Unless you're at least twice as strong as now, you won't even qualify to face my Ruyi Jingu Bang."

"...​"

"I was time thinking you'd beaten the Demon King, but you're disappointing. I could wipe you out with spells alone, without reverting to my true form or using treasures."

He underestimated us that much?

It was like a first-class expert eyeing a third-rate thug.

'No way. The gap can't be that wide.'

I'd only seen his spells so far. I considered fighting him here, staking my life, to learn his abilities and prepare for next time.

Then Musashi stepped forward boldly.

"My sword can slay you too."

"Mu, Musashi!"

"I want to compare you to the Sea God."

Are you insane?!

Challenging the heavens' strongest transcendent immortal in this situation?

Has he lost his mind?

The Great Sage's eyes lit up.

"Heh! You don't believe it? Thirsty for punishment?"

Flinch!

That instant.

Transcendent Immortal Ultimate Technique

Ape King Dance

Pum-pum-pum!

"Kaak!"

My body suddenly moved at tremendous speed, and Musashi, drawing his sword, retreated five steps. Miho let out a short scream, flying sideways and dropping to one knee.

Musashi, slamming his katana into the ground, looked shocked. He muttered,

"...Beyond the Heavens..."

I was unharmed. In that split second, Jang Sam-bong sensed the danger, possessed me, and used his martial arts to protect me. The Great Sage's possession of both divine and demonic power made it easy for him to descend.

'What just happened...'

I couldn't even tell what attack it was. Clearly, we'd been struck at incredible speed—Musashi spat blood as if punched in the chest multiple times, and Miho staggered from the impact.

Jang Sam-bong gravely said,

[Mi Houwang.]

"Uncle, I'm the Great Sage Equal to Heaven."

Grumbling, but Jang Sam-bong continued.

[Withdraw from this place. Not only that human, but my fated one isn't yet worthy to clash with you.]

Annoyed, the Great Sage shouted shrilly.

"What obvious nonsense! You think you can take me?"

[...No. You're the heavens' strongest transcendent immortal.]

I watched the exchange inwardly, stunned.

Jang Sam-bong admitting inferiority?!

Unbelievable, given his martial arts so far. How strong was this flippant guy? Jang Sam-bong assumed the stance of Yang's Swordsmanship Taiji Tae-eul and continued.

[But I'm not alone. If I hold point, we can manage.]

"Hmph... Seeing I dot get why you'd study martial arts. Fights are about winning, right? That ultimate intent is meaningless."

[You know the essence of the Peerless Conqueror too.]

"We sparred in the heavens last time. For the record, even if you taught me, I wouldn't learn. Too dull."

Grumbling, the Great Sage said.

"Does Hwayung-Jin have words for me too?"

Arrogant tone.

But Hwayung-Jin in-gradually manifested from the Fire Luminary and replied.

[Mi Houwang, it's been a millennium.]

The Great Sage scratched his head vigorously.

"I told you, Great Sage Equal to Heaven!"

[Doesn't a man honor his word? You promised to let us go.]

He glared, growling slightly annoyed.

"I want to, but that human wanted to fight me. I never turn down a fight that comes to me—that's my creed."

[Humans are ignorant beings who can't fathom higher powers. They make foolish choices. You know that much, don't you?]

If Musashi fought, I couldn't let him die stupidly. An Absolute Realm expert like him was vital; losing him would darken our future.

Naturally, fighting to protect him meant my death too, so Hwayung-Jin in intervened.

"Heh. Even the noble Hwayung-Jin in from the heavens covers for someone. Well, your disciple was decent—not very human-like."

The Great Sage looked reminiscent.

"Ye Dong-bin, was it? Solid guy. In three hundred years, even I couldn't predict him. My condolences."

[Enough of that. Will you let us go or not?]

"... Hmm."

Scanning me thoroughly, he suddenly turned to Musashi.

"That swordsman seems eager to learn a move from me. Shall I teach him? Lightly."

Miyamoto Musashi assumed his lifetime's ultimate Two Heavens As One stance.

'A warrior's honor...'

Kahang!

It happened in a flash. Musashi froze mid-forward slash, his blade snapping in half and flying through the air. With thudding sounds, he staggered as if struck dozens of times in chest and gut but didn't fall.

"Kuhk..."

The Great Sage stood opposite, glancing at his hand. A long sword mark scarred his palm. Amazed, he chuckled.

"Wow. Landed a hit on me... Not bad for a human! You can wield a sword."

Musashi finally grasped his level, muttering with fear.

"... Monster..."

"You qualify for the Ruyi Jingu Bang."

Boom! The Great Sage summoned it.

"...?!"

He intends to kill.

Despite my vast inferiority, I sensed it. In the clash, Musashi would be butchered. Hwayung Jin-in bellowed, sensing it.

[Stop!]

"Hwayung Jin-in, don't order me. Even as Ryong's incarnation, you have no authority over me."

Coldly, he continued.

"I even punched the Jade Emperor in the face. To stop me, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors must come themselves."

Bwoong.

The Ruyi Jingu Bang hummed eerily.

Kwagwangwang!!

[Haaap!!]

Next instant, Musashi, I, and Miho formed the Three Talents Formation to block the Great Sage's staff. Hwayung Jin-in and Jang Sam-bong possessed me at the front to take the first blow, Miho raised her six-tailed spirit barrier, and Musashi counterattacked with Two Heavens As One.

Ku-kwang!

"Kheuk!"

"Ugh..."

[Umuu.]

But none emerged unscathed. The staff, now mountain-sized, smashed down with a roar and colossal force. Musashi bled profusely from mouth and nose, innards ruptured; Miho spat blood. Jang Sam-bong faced best but still retreated.

"Kheuk."

Finally, Musashi collapsed unconscious, willpower spent.

Three of earth's top powerhouses together, and this?

From a casual swing of the Ruyi Jingu Bang!

The Great Sage laughed heartily.

"Haha, what's wrong? I haven't even gone true form yet—crying already? If I use the Seventy-Two Transformations, you'll really bawl?"

[Don't anger him further.]

"Hmph."

Tsk.

Flicking his fingers, a multicolored cloud appeared. Mounting it, he glared coldly at me.

"Baek Woong, I respect you fighting for humans. But even as an apostle, you're just human. That power won't cut it in divine battles."

"Kwuk."

"You're interesting, so I'll watch. But if you screw up and let the Seven Luminaries fall to the [Ancient Overlords], I won't spare you. Guard your comrades well."

A warning.

"Don't decide on your own!!"

I shouted in protest, but he ignored me, looking skyward.

"Let's go, Muscle Cloud."

Pewng!

With the multicolored Muscle Cloud, his form became a beam vanishing beyond the firmament. Likely a transport treasure or spell. With that mobility, he could roam heaven and earth freely.

Jang Sam-bong sighed.

[Fortunate.]

Thus ended our first encounter with the heavens' strongest transcendent immortal, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong.

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