Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

Unexpected intelligence that an enemy was hiding on Mount Tai!

The moment I heard that, I agonized over what to do.

'Hmm... It's awkward to go confront them, and just leaving them be feels off...'

Even if the remaining four Heavenly Sovereign Altars were intact, losing even one would be a headache. The Heavenly Sovereign Altars were practically gateways connecting heaven and earth, crucial spots where clever schemes could spy on celestial realm intelligence. Who knew what variables the freak occupying the altar might become during the Heavenly Sovereign's descent, potentially harming us?

But the opponent was undoubtedly a formidable sorcerer capable of setting traps even All-Seer Cheon Ujin's Heavenly Eye couldn't detect. Charging headlong into such traps to fight was suicide. Depending on our forces, we could face total annihilation. Sorcerers who fortified their positions with mechanisms and traps unleashed tremendous power.

That said, obliterating the entire altar from afar wasn't an option either. Destroying a Heavenly Sovereign Altar would shatter the barrier Wuxk had created, allowing immediate celestial descent. That alone would spell disaster.

As I reading my thoughts, Mangyang spoke up.

"The best scenario right now would be for the Demon King of the Future to strike Mount Tai again."

"We could petition the heavens that a freak has occupied the Heavenly Sovereign Altar... It might work somehow."

As Mangyang trailed off, Cheon Ujin interjected.

"That won't fly, senior brother. You know why."

"Frustrating..."

"The celestial realm already sees us as aligned with the Three Emperors and Five Sovereign' apostles. Unlike before, they won't properly hear us out."

Cheon Ujin was right. Until now, the heavens had readily accepted Mangyang and Cheon Ujin's views due to their status as Disciple Mangyang's disciples. But the heavens treated the Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns as potential threats. Now that both had sided with me, the heavens wouldn't comply easily.

Jegalss declared,

"At this point, there are no soft enemies we can outmaneuver with tricks. They're all formidable foes. The best course is to recognize the danger, stay put, and build our strength. For the one on Mount Tai, we'll have Cheon Ujin monitor access periodically with his Heavenly Eye."

"As expected."

"This time, let's use the remaining Portrait Automatons to scout White Lotus Church movements."

Flash!

Jegalss combined the remaining three Portrait Automatons into one squad and dispatched them to the Shinkang region. Of course, due to the risks, he didn't send them straight to the church but had them gather intel from the outskirts. It was possible because he'd taught the Portrait Automatons the necessary scouting techniques.

The result was unexpected intelligence arriving for us.

[Compiling rumors circulating in Shinkang's martial world: A new White Lotus Lord has taken office, and the church's name is changing.]

I was stunned and replied via the oracle script.

[Really? The White Lotus Church hasn't fallen?]

[Yes. Villages trading with the White Lotus Church are fine, and Shinkang's castle lord shows no unusual activity. Shinkang folk think something happened at the church but aren't too concerned.]

[...Did you learn anything about the new Church Lord?]

[No idea. But unlike the previous lord, he wears no mask and appears as a young man.]

A young man.

The words immediately brought the Little Church Lord to mind.

'Looks like he's transformed into Little Church Lord Dokgo Seol's form.'

No doubt he'd shifted from that wrinkled, horrific visage I'd seen into human shape. Suppressing my complex emotions, I continued questioning.

[You said the church's name is changing? To what?]

The response left me aghast.

[The Nain Church.]

[......!!]

What was this?

Why was the Nain Church popping up here?

It was utterly unforeseen, but Portrait Automatons were mere obedient dolls with no reason to distort info maliciously. Shaking my head, I sent an oracle command.

[...Got it. Keep scouting.]

[Understood.]

Calming my shock, I relayed the fresh intel from the Portrait Automaton to my comrades. Jegalss frowned.

"Nain Church... What rotten taste."

"Jegalss. What's going on?"

"What's going on is the [Ancient Ruler]'s incarnation wants to become the Nain Lord, not the White Lotus Lord."

"So why the Nain Church of all things..."

It made no sense.

Why was the name of the grim god's future emissary church already surfacing? And since the [Ancient Ruler] had chosen it deliberately, it surely held profound meaning. As silence fell over the group, Jin So-cheong beside me spoke slowly.

"Perhaps we're misunderstanding something about the [Ancient Ruler]."

All eyes turned to Jin So-cheong. He'd attended meetings but rarely offered opinions, just listening quietly before diligently training afterward, so his presence was subdued. Him speaking up first was unusual.

I asked,

"Misunderstanding? What do you mean?"

"The Little Church Lord's incarnation that descended on the White Lotus Church once mentioned viewing the grim god as a rival. So we assumed a major rivalry between them, right?"

"Correct. That entity clearly treats the grim god as an adversary. That's why this name change to the grim god's Nain Church feels off."

Jin So-cheong crossed his arms.

"But what if it's friendly competition."

"......"

"What if they're cooperating until a shared goal is reached? Maybe he's renaming it Nain Church, turning the whole White Lotus setup into a springboard for the grim god's advance."

I was thrown by Jin So-cheong's idea.

"Th-that makes sense? Those monsters cooperating...? Why think that?"

"No real logic, just a hunch. Based on the feeling from the virtual futures I saw as Baek U-seon before."

Listening in, All-Seer Cheon Ujin grumbled curtly.

"[Ancient Ruler] and friendly rivalry... The most mismatched pairing in the world."

I didn't care much for Cheon Ujin, but I had to agree this time.

These [Ancient Rulers], embodiments of the world's ultimate evils, engaging in 'friendly rivalry'? Each one an absolute transcendent beyond worldly opposition—why do something so sportsmanlike?

Surprisingly, though, Jegalss—the foremost expert on demonic paths—furrowed his brow gravely. Propping his chin, he pondered deeply before speaking with effort.

"...It's possible."

"Jegalss."

"Let's gather more intel for now."

For the next five days, we kept collecting info via Portrait Automatons. We learned more details.

Wind God Style experts are patrolling the outermost areas heavily.

Water God Style members are nowhere to be seen.

They're frantically buying up books across the continent.

Three pieces of intel. Puzzled, I tilted my head.

"They're selling off White Lotus gold and weapons to buy books, drawing merchants all the way from the West to Shinkang... What's the play?"

"......"

After mulling it over, Jegalss said,

"I suspect it's hunting for demonic tomes."

"Demonic tomes?"

"What else could mass-buying books mean? Demonic tomes sometimes hide innocuous among ordinary texts."

"But it's a divine being. Why need demonic tomes?"

"No clue. An [Ancient Ruler] of that caliber wouldn't need them—it'd author them for fun. Gods rule over magic; to them, such books are toys..."

Mangyang cut in from the side.

"Uncle, isn't it because the demonic tome it seeks records the End?"

"Unlikely."

Jegalss rejected it outright and continued.

"The End refers to the cataclysm five centuries from now when constellations reclaim their seats. Even my Nameless Sacrificial Scripture doesn't record it. It warns of precursors but omits process and outcome. Because it's a secret known only to gods—demonic tomes wouldn't have it."

"So if it's absent from the Nameless Sacrificial Scripture, no lowly common demonic tome has it?"

"Exactly. And even if a superior demonic tome existed, it wouldn't lurk amid Central Plains rabble. Such tomes brim with fearsome magic; their owners would've morphed into colossal calamities long ago."

Sword Demon, who'd been listening, spoke up.

"Dunno the details, but the White Lotus bulk-buying books is bad news. If that monster finds what it needs, doom arrives sooner, right?"

"Likely."

"Then I'll mobilize martial forces to slow the book flow. At least until the Heavenly Sovereign descends."

Eyes turned to Sword Demon. He declared confidently,

"The Eight Demonic Sects be deeply into Central Plains commerce. Unlike the Righteous Heaven Alliance, they escaped Blood Phantom Valley unscathed by fleeing or hiding. As their alliance leader, I can choke their trade routes and block merchants to Shinkang."

In other words, leverage the underworld unorthodox sects to suppress merchants. Efficient, but I worried.

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"Dangerous, sure. If Water God Style spies or squads come, I'm dead meat..."

Sword Demon grinned.

"But sacrificing my life to thwart a god's scheme? An honor."

"......"

"And just until the Heavenly Sovereign—only a month."

Seeing another comrade ready to sacrifice twisted my gut. Sword Demon had gained little this life from learning the Twin Sword Style yet moved for me anyway. Then Jegalss beside us said,

"Can't move on bravado alone. If we're doing it, plan thoroughly."

"Got it, Jegalss."

"One question."

Jegalss eyed Sword Demon and Jin So-cheong steadily before asking.

"Could you two take down a Dharma Protector Lion together?"

"Hmm..."

"Might be tricky."

Their reactions differed slightly. Jegalss seemed to glean something and continued.

"Good. Then let Baek Woong decide when to start. If he approves, you two head out and disrupt the Nain Church's plans."

"Why?"

"Spar with them nonstop for the next few days to gauge their levels. You'll get what I mean."

"Got it."

I followed Jegalss's instructions.

Until now, after passing the Seven Great Ultimates, I'd given them personal time, sparring sporadically with Jang Sambong's descents. But we hadn't fought properly often, deeming excessive spars unwise.

'Jegalss means have Jang Sambong descend for a proper gauge.'

The pair already seemed to grasp it, radiating battle intent toward me. The moment I summoned Jang Sambong, the duel would begin. Curious, I asked Sword Demon and Jin So-cheong,

"How much stronger have you gotten...?"

"Heh. Just say the heritage you shared was an unprecedented martial miracle."

"Same here. You won't be disappointed."

I wanted to see too. Nodding, I shouted.

[Jang Sambong Zhenren! Come!]

Flash!

The instant Jang Sambong possessed me.

"Hah!"

"Take this."

Their intent ultimates flew simultaneously, an instant killing blow. Worlds apart from before—twice as fast, it felt.

Boom boom boom!

[Hooh...]

Jang Sambong adapted Taiji Fear Seal, summoning sixty-four Taiji in the air to deflect, but Jin So-cheong pierced them with his HsiJih, chaining spear strikes at my upper body. Jang Sambong fluidly enfolded Jin So-cheong, he evaded with phantom substitution.

Not just that. Seizing Jang Sambong's split-second gap, Sword Demon's intent sword flew in. Having reached True Sword Control, it scattered exquisite sword qi, shredding the Taiji Face Seal repeatedly.

Clang clang!

Jang Sambong gradually unleashed Crouching Dragon's pinnacle, dancing divinely through Nine Palaces Heavenly Net Tenfold Chains. A monstrous intent ultimate doubling per layer shed—even five layers crushed most. Ordinarily, they'd dodge flustered.

Bending Void Slash!

Sword Demon unleashed Bending Void Slash, seamlessly countering the flow without resistance. Even I couldn't claim such perfection.

Heavenly Thunder Limitless: Empty Vibration Thunder!

Jin So-cheong pivoted on himself, unleashing Heavenly Thunder Limitless Spear forms in one breath. His spear thrummed with Thunder qi, resonating. The resonance disrupted the chains, shielded him, and exposed Jang Sambong's defenses.

Boom boom boom!

Qi clashed in explosions, shockwaves cratering the ground. The training field lay in ruins, canyon crumbling—but Jang Sambong halted it with his arts. Hovering, he marveled.

[Superb...]

Gazing down, he said.

[In that brief time, forging a synchronized formation elevated to intent... Infused with Shadowless Soulsevering Swordsmanship and Thunder God Style essence. Layered with Seven Great Ultimates' True Martial Seven Ultimates, Eight Immortal Divine Arts' Ninety-Nine Harmonies for multidimensional response—truly the world's finest synchronized formation.]

Sword Demon gave a wry smile.

"No current expert could discern its mysteries at a glance... As expected of the Twin Sages."

[You are true martial prodigies blessed by the way. Had such warriors existed in my era, claiming world's best would've been impossible...]

The ultimate praise from Twin Sage Jang Sambong.

He declared,

[Yet you're far from the peak. I'll strive to show you skies beyond skies.]

Rumble rumble boom!

That day's duel lasted over two hours. All were exhausted, but Jin So-cheong and Sword Demon's eyes still burned with fight. Jang Sambong gained edge as offense intensified, yet they endured defensively when pressed. Satisfied, Jang Sambong said,

[May you soon forget mere forms...]

Flash!

Jang Sambong released. He'd burned my qi with absolute pinnacle arts indiscriminately, leaving me collapsed, panting. I bore the stamina and energy loss.

Wiping sweat, I said,

"When did you develop that synchronized formation? Wasn't there last time..."

"Nothing special. Debating Seven Great Ultimates and Eight Immortal Divine Arts with Jin So-cheong, our insights aligned. Seeing that instinct in training birthed it naturally. Practicing it accelerated our progress."

"......"

Casual words, colossal feat. Ordinarily, mastering forms was toll enough—yet in under a month, they'd reached application, shared enlightenment, pioneered new heights. Only possible for martial geniuses.

Now I grasped Jegalss's point.

"...Rest today, move out tomorrow."

From their tones, Jegalss had deduced they could fell even a Dharma Protector Lion combined. Their humility stemmed from ambition—he'd seen that too.

At this level, only the Demon King of the Future himself could kill them. They'd hold out until allies rescued them from peril.

Next day, we recalled the Shinkang Portrait Automaton. Jin So-cheong and Sword Demon formed a duo to disrupt Nain Church plans. Sword Demon leveraged his Shadowless Union Leader status, mobilizing intel networks to assemble Eight Demonic Sects leaders, ordering them to blockade Shinkang-bound trade caravans.

I watched the Eight Demonic Sects gathering via Cheon Ujin's Heavenly Eye.

Black Demon grumbled amid the sect leaders.

"Damn... Still recovering Blood Phantom Valley losses—why this pointless crap? Even if you're Shadowless Leader..."

Boom!

"Argh!"

Black Demon ragdolled into the wall from Sword Demon's single strike. An apex expert assassin origin, yet couldn't withstand one intent sword. Spitting blood, he fainted.

"......"

The Eight Demonic Sects leaders, realizing Sword Demon's prowess, shut up instantly.

Sword Demon chuckled.

"Want to keep your heads? Watch your mouths. I could slaughter you all and absorb your sects without issue."

Then Earth Demon beside fainted Black Demon trembled.

"S-Sword Demon... When did you get so strong..."

"Impossible..."

"One shot to Black Demon...?"

"Th-The World's Supreme Demon."

"......"

Not just Earth Demon, Heaven-Earth Sect leader. Nearby Poison Demon, Mad Demon, Yin Demon, Blood Demon all shuddered. Unbefitting apex experts, their agitation stemmed from keenly sensing the gap. They intuited Sword Demon could massacre them even combined.

Only Fighting Demon stood arms crossed, glaring thoughtfully at Sword Demon. He felt fear too but pondered something. Sword Demon eyed him brightly.

"What? Something to say?"

"Shadowless Leader Sword Demon."

In a quivering voice, he said.

"Would you meet my master? It'll surely aid your plans..."

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