Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

After continuously sparring with Jin So-cheong and the Sword Demon, I could definitely feel that my proficiency in applying the Seven Ultimate Arts and the Eight Divine Powers had risen another level.

'This is experience I couldn't gain training alone.'

If I trained by myself, I might deepen my mastery of each individual ultimate art, but achieving synergy between them would be difficult. However, since Jin So-cheong and the Sword Demon had mastered the same arts as me, sparring with them was a massive fortuitous encounter in itself.

After repeating the training day and night for seven weeks straight, at some point, I sensed my movements had greatly improved. Jin So-cheong seemed to notice it too, as he paused and lowered his spear.

"Baek Woong. If the three of us combined our strength right now, holding out against the White Lotus Cult Leader wouldn't be impossible. You've achieved martial prowess of that caliber."

"The White Lotus Cult Leader?"

"Before he unleashes Heart Heaven Infinite, that is..."

Jin So-cheong trailed off slightly as he spoke.

"..."

"I agree."

Zhuge Sa, who had been watching the training from a distance, spoke up as he walked into the arena. He fixed me with a sharp gaze and continued.

"The remaining powerful enemies are all divine-level. You can't erase them with the Power of Reversal! So, the only option is to use it to revive someone."

"Hmm..."

"We've let it slide so far because there haven't been major changes, but now it's time to resurrect one of our allies."

Zhuge Sa was right. We had reached the point where reviving someone would yield real benefits. With only about half a month left until the Heavenly Emperor descended, any more delays could leave us with nothing accomplished. I responded to him.

"Couldn't we use the Power of Reversal to eliminate the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?"

"It might be possible. But do you know what it means to kill the Great Sage Equal to Heaven with the Power of Reversal? It would be a declaration of war against the Heavenly Realm and the Three Emperors and Five Emperors by the [Ancient Ruler]. The Heavenly Realm wouldn't sit idle after losing such a powerful asset. When that happens, all our schemes will dissolve into meaningless chaos."

"..."

"Do you really think that monkey will be your final adversary in this life?"

"What do you mean?"

"The situation has already escalated beyond that. At the end of this life, something even the Great Sage Equal to Heaven can't handle might appear."

"Hmm. But..."

"I have a few schemes in mind. First, I'd like to hear yours."

Before I knew it, not just Zhuge Sa but all my other comrades had gathered nearby. I thought long and hard before speaking.

"No... I won't revive anyone!"

"What?"

"Something tells me that's the case. It feels like... expanding our allies right now would be a fatal mistake..."

"That damn intuition of yours again."

Zhuge Sa grumbled a bit before saying,

"Fine. Then we'll quietly wait for the Heavenly Emperor's descent like this. Satisfied?"

"Yeah. I want to see what that Heavenly Emperor bastard is all about."

I'd faced the Heavenly Emperor's threats many times before, but I'd never actually felt what he was like. Since things had come to this, I figured I'd find out firsthand. Zhuge Sa gave a wry smile and said,

"Follow me. Now that we've settled on a plan, there's something I want to show you."

I followed Zhuge Sa. Deep inside his research facility, I discovered something pitch-black rippling ominously.

"The Crystal Stone Tablet."

"It's active. I've researched a lot with it."

Muttering that, Zhuge Sa approached the Crystal Stone Tablet and reached his hand inside. Then he chanted an incantation.

Wooong

Suddenly, a rippling liquid burst from the Crystal Stone Tablet, writhing in midair before turning into faintly glowing gold. I cried out in surprise at the sight.

"What? Real gold?"

"Yes. This is the true use worthy of the name alchemy. The Crystal Stone Tablet can produce gold. And it's convenient—no equivalent exchange required. The alchemy formula of the slumbering Trismegistus within the Crystal Stone Tablet transcends the physics of the human world. It can even turn a handful of water into hundreds of ingots of gold."

"..."

"Of course, in the demonic path's world, gold isn't that important. What alchemists value more than worldly riches is reaching divinity. The goal is to research the Crystal Stone Tablet and alchemy to create superior mediums, mass-producing better offerings. Offering those to the [Ancient Ruler] grants even greater magical power."

"I see..."

I thought I understood. Hadn't I myself received greater blessings and treasures from the Heavenly Realm, prophets, or the Three Emperors and Five Emperors the better my offerings were? For demonic sorcerers, their counterpart was simply the [Ancient Ruler]. I turned to Zhuge Sa.

"So? Why bring me here?"

"..."

Zhuge Sa spoke cautiously.

"Baek Woong. Let's offer the living effigies produced here as sacrifices and trade with the [Ancient Ruler]."

"What?!"

"What we gain from the deal with the god is the location of Changhil's incarnation. If we report that location to Jeon Wook, he might acknowledge the merit and halt the Heavenly Emperor. At this point, I think this is the best scheme."

"Why the [Ancient Ruler] of all things? We could ask a prophet..."

Zhuge Sa snapped irritably.

"After getting duped like that, you still want to go to that guy? He'll try to take everything we have. The [Ancient Ruler] at least has potential."

I hesitated.

"But I'm Jeon Wook's apostle right now. He obviously won't look kindly on me trading with the [Ancient Ruler]."

"Of course not. But even if the means are unsavory, isn't completing your mission more important? From what I can tell, Jeon Wook is a lord who prioritizes results over appearances."

"..."

"I brought you here instead of discussing it in front of Mangnyang because he'd vehemently oppose it. What's your take?"

I recalled the past encounter with Jeon Wook.

[What I commanded you, my apostle, was to bring Changhil to me within ten years. You've given me the location, so you're telling me to go crush them myself?]

[So what?]

[I have no intention of meddling in my descendants' affairs give or take. Especially not in the West. But if they interfere with your mission, feel free to behead Pangjo.]

[Show some competence.]

I'd reported Changhil's presence on Ancheon Village's moon and only gotten scolded before withdrawing. Back then, I'd just blushed, but thinking about it now, it revealed Jeon Wook's nature as a ruler. As Zhuge Sa said, he was a lord who wanted results from his subordinates' tasks, regardless of the methods. Just mentioning beheading Pangjo proved it.

'It makes sense.'

An efficient scheme. But one thing bothered me.

"...What if that guy gives nothing? He takes the sacrifice and runs."

"Can't be helped. Still better than sitting around training until the Heavenly Emperor arrives, right? If things go south like this, you'll have to start investigating Changhil from scratch."

"Ugh..."

"What's it gonna be?"

I thought for a moment, then nodded.

"I'll do it."

"Good. The being we're summoning now is the one said to have annihilated the [Ancient Continent] with the power of water. Despite appearances, it's a powerful [Ancient Ruler], so be careful."

"Ugh... Why such a dangerous one..."

"The more dangerous, the stronger! Higher chance of giving us the info we want."

"...Got it."

Wooong

Soon, I placed the living effigy and offerings on the altar, watching from behind as Zhuge Sa performed the ritual sacrifice to the [Ancient Ruler] with magic. Zhuge Sa then spat out massive dark incantations.

Craaack

Suddenly, an ominous darkness rippled in midair. Beyond it, the form of a gigantic water basilisk seemed to emerge. Zhuge Sa muttered something in the demonic tongue and knelt, while the water basilisk in the air glanced at me.

Then, in the next moment, the water basilisk's mouth opened.

[Come here.]

Time stopped.

I realized I was standing on a vast white plain stretching to the horizon, with a shimmering lake. Opposite me, the water basilisk silently watched. This space wasn't a mental barrier but another realm created by a god's power halting time and space.

Near the water basilisk stood hundreds of snake-people I had seen before, arrayed as if serving their lord.

The being slowly spoke.

[The world's destruction approaches. Faster than anticipated. You are the seed of that destruction, so like the others, I find you intriguing.]

"What do you mean? Other beings?"

[To maintain your sanity before my true body... Being an apostle of the Three Emperors and Five Emperors doesn't explain it. Heh heh.]

The water basilisk chuckled as if amused. As expected, it knew I was an apostle.

The being said.

[The offerings from mere demonic sorcerers hold no interest. I considered killing them, but seeing you changed my mind. If you trade with me, I can give you what you want.]

"A trade?"

The water basilisk flicked its tongue briefly before continuing,

[Offer me the Seven Essentials.]

"...!!"

[In return, I'll grant you my apostle's power and reveal all locations of Changhil's incarnations. And you shall become the king of the snake-people.]

This one was after the Seven Essentials too!

As Zhuge Sa had warned before starting the ritual, I gritted my teeth and said.

"I can't do that. As an apostle of the Three Emperors and Five Emperors, I will protect the Seven Essentials."

No choice.

Even if it meant dying here to the [Ancient Ruler] and restarting, I had to refuse.

If the Seven Essentials fell into this thing, the Three Emperors and Five Emperors and the entire Heavenly Realm would become my enemies. If the world persisted after my reincarnation, my comrades would undoubtedly face eternal torment from the Heavenly Realm.

I thought it would kill me instantly, but unexpectedly, it coaxed me in a sly voice.

[Greedy one... How about this? In addition to the previous terms, immortality, heavenly beauty, soul absorption, and water manipulation.]

It was tempting. Accepting all that the water basilisk offered would make me surpass this world's emperors. But that only underscored the Seven Essentials' value, so I firmly replied.

"Just kill me. I absolutely refuse."

[I'll give you supreme virility.]

"...I refuse."

The water basilisk seemed slightly angered.

[How dare... a minion of the Masked One refuse my offer!]

The Masked One?

Unsure what it meant, I calmly responded.

"The [Eternal Embryo] that appeared in the White Lotus Cult wanted the Seven Essentials too."

[......]

"I don't know what the Seven Essentials mean to you all, but if I'm doomed to die anyway, I'll die upholding my will."

[Hmm...]

Unexpectedly, the water basilisk grew calm, deep in thought. After a long pause, it spoke.

[An amusing one. Truly willing to die defying me... For a mere human to have such mental fortitude? And I can't even read your mind...]

It shook its tail and continued.

[Since you're not mocking me by relying on Jeon Wook's fame, I'll spare you. But you will never obtain the information you seek.]

"Are you cursing me? If you're killing me, do it quickly."

[It's true. Because Changhil is...]

The [Ancient Ruler], about to say something, flashed crimson eyes.

[First, as requested, I'll accept the offering and give equivalent recompense.]

"Thank you."

[Apostle. Remember this well.]

An eerie incantation spread with the [Ancient Ruler]'s terrifying magic. It felt like the entire world was submerged in water.

[Your master possesses power rivaling ours but can never be the prophet of revelation. Once that one's revelation is fulfilled, your lord cannot protect you. After the end, you will regret refusing my offer today.]

Flash!

I returned to the real world. Then I heard Zhuge Sa, kneeling joyfully, speak.

"We got info on one of Changhil's incarnations!"

"Huh?"

"It devoured the living effigy completely, though."

I glanced at the altar. As he said, the living effigy had been gruesomely torn into bloody chunks. The sight was too gruesome to linger on, so I turned away.

"What is it?"

"Kinnara. It's on Mount Tai."

"Really?! Then..."

Zhuge Sa looked up at the ceiling and said.

"It means our task is now clear."

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