Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

After recruiting the Zhuge Scholar, I decided to relocate our base from Jin Rang Valley to Jang Ryeong Valley. While Mang Ryang had built his own intelligence network and forces in Jin Rang Valley, it wasn't on the same level as what the Zhuge Scholar had established in Jang Ryeong Valley. From there, I immediately set out to collect the remaining fortuitous encounters.

Flash!

My first stop was the secret chamber in the Dragon Gate Stone Cave's Hidden Yang South Cavern, whose location Han Jin-seong of the Fire God Flow had told me about. Since I already remembered the inner coordinates, I didn't need to bother breaking down the wall behind the fifteenth statue. Sure enough, an enormous hoard of platinum was stored there, and it was certain to be of great help to me.

I also gathered the crescent blade and the five manuals of the White Transformation Throw, then exited the Hidden Yang South Cavern's secret chamber. In truth, the most valuable thing to obtain here was the platinum, which I could use as a foundation to expand my financial power.

'I want to go to Penglai Island and rescue the Immortals, but it might be too dangerous right now.'

I could force my way to the Seven Stars Altar on Tamra Island and, with Cheon Woo-jin's help, open the path to Penglai Island. However, that realm was currently under the Sea God's dominion, and with the Sea God still alive, the Sea God tribes dwelling there were undoubtedly extremely powerful. Even if I rescued the Immortals, it would inevitably draw unwanted attention from the Sea God. It was clearly something I couldn't attempt until my power was sufficiently built up.

Flash!

I headed straight to the depths of the Aokigahara sea disaster where Cheong Wol was. Before long, I found Cheong Wol on the verge of death and placed him in my spatial pouch.

I scanned the surroundings briefly for the wide-brimmed hat warrior I'd seen before, but there were no signs of anyone fighting or moving—just the cries of abyssal beasts echoing from all directions. Thinking it dangerous to linger, I exited via spatial traversal.

I took a brief detour to Tamra Island's coast to gaze at the clear sea, then recalled the Zhuge Scholar's words.

[First, secure the Hidden Yang South Cavern's secret chamber. Next, rescue Cheong Wol. Then, build up your strength until you can obtain both the Imperial Seal from the Imperial Palace and the Nameless Sacrificial Text at once.]

[What about Hwayo and the Fire Dragon Divine Sword?]

[Based on our experiences so far, rushing won't work. Stirring up the White Lotus Cult, Fire God Flow, and Three Emperors Five Kings all at once would make the situation too urgent. The moment you obtain Hwayo, the Heavenly Realm will scrutinize us intensely. You'd be holding two of the Seven Desires.]

[You're right.]

[No one will take those items right away anyway, so let's keep an eye on them for now. Same with the Imperial Seal. The key is for you to grow stronger. We'll discuss the next steps when you return.]

Like Mang Ryang, the Zhuge Scholar believed it best to bide our time this lifetime. Indeed, as he said, greedily pursuing top-tier treasures like Hwayo, the Fire Dragon Divine Sword, or the Imperial Seal before I was ready would only elevate the caliber of our enemies in an instant.

'Hmm... Still, just going with the flow feels a bit boring.'

I wanted to accomplish as much as possible. The more I prepared in advance, the more time I'd save. After pondering what I could do without causing trouble, a good idea struck me.

"Alright. Let's give that a try."

Flash!

I arrived at the Qingzang Plateau. My purpose wasn't to revisit Thunder Sound Temple again, but because heading a bit farther southwest from here would lead to the Tianzhu continent due to the terrain.

Tianzhu!

It was the continent said to lie west of the Central Plains, the birthplace of Buddhism. It hosted a massive civilization distinct from the Central Plains, with unique religions worshipping gods like Brahma from the west. The Zhuge Scholar had also mentioned that Tianzhu's demonic path was highly advanced, making it impossible to ignore.

'Let's go take a look.'

I'd end up going to Tianzhu anyway while pursuing the Three Staffs' trail. After all, the Demon Fox King himself had hinted that the Three Staffs had said something in Tianzhu. To speed up future explorations, I decided to blaze a trail from the Qingzang Plateau straight to Tianzhu.

Thud thud thud!

I began running. Having once circled the west by foot, Tianzhu held no fear. At my lightness skill speed, I'd probably arrive before long. I pushed through the harsh snow-capped mountains and vast ranges from the plateau onward.

After running nonstop for about a day, I spotted nomads herding sheep in a quiet, unknown mountain valley. Their attire differed greatly from the Qingzang region's people, suggesting I'd entered the outskirts of Tianzhu.

It was then.

[Baek Woong, where the hell are you?]

The Zhuge Scholar contacted me via the Pure Language Pearl. I replied the same way.

[On my way to Tianzhu right now.]

[...]

The Zhuge Scholar fell silent for a moment, then chuckled.

[Kekeke... I knew talking more would just hurt my mouth. I get what you're thinking, so go ahead for now. Contact me again once you reach a major Tianzhu city.]

[Got it.]

I'd expected a scolding, but lucked out. I patted my chest inwardly and kept running.

Thud thud thud!

After running some more and briefly losing my bearings, I cast the Heavenly Divine Scripture's spell. While searching for strong spirits in the area, I summoned an ancient warrior's soul.

[Did you call me?]

"Who are you?"

[I am the Mamluk captain who served Salah ad-Din!]

"No name?"

[I was born a slave, so I have none!]

Salah ad-Din?

Mamluk?

Dumbfounded by the incomprehensible Tianzhu tongue, I was puzzled. Of course, absorbing foreign knowledge wasn't new to me, so I nodded and said,

"Anyway, I'm heading to a major Tianzhu city. Guide me to the largest one."

[The largest city... That's Cairo!]

"Cairo? Show me the memory."

Sssssh...

The self-proclaimed Mamluk captain transmitted his memories. I grasped a rough map and terrain of the Tianzhu region, confirmed Cairo's location, and said in bewilderment,

"...This is way too far west to be Tianzhu, isn't it? It seems to be in the north of the so-called Black Continent."

The 'Black Continent' was a place I'd only heard about from the Zhuge Scholar—a sweltering, primitive land far west of Tianzhu. I instantly realized the Mamluk captain wasn't a native Tianzhu person.

[Is that so? I wouldn't know! I came from my homeland to the eastern battlefields and died here, so this is foreign soil to me.]

"Why come all the way to the distant eastern lands to die?"

[I served under my lord Salah ad-Din in the great war against invading western sorcerers and monsters, routing the enemy. Then I joined the second eastern expansion war but fell in battle, regrettably!]

[...]

Some complex Tianzhu history seemed involved, giving me a headache. It was hard to understand and irrelevant anyway. With a sigh, I said,

"If the Heavenly Divine Scripture summoned you, you must have been a powerful warrior in life. Lend me your body briefly and take me to the nearest city."

[Agreed!]

Thud thud thud!

Soon, the Mamluk captain possessed me and began running.

[Incredible chakra!! Are you a demigod? This isn't human chakra!]

Amazed, the Mamluk captain leaped dozens of zhang at once. He seemed accustomed to qi, effortlessly employing divine steps. Watching him was fascinating.

[Does Tianzhu have developed martial arts too?]

[Martial arts?]

[Using qi to wield superhuman power...]

Once I explained the concept, he understood quickly.

[You mean operating chakra through yoga? Chakra and yoga are basic disciplines for elite warriors since ancient times! I'm no Brahman or yogi, but I diligently trained in martial arts in life. I can emit chakra to enhance my combat prowess.]

[I see.]

[Even among Salah ad-Din's Mamluks, I was the strongest!]

Hearing this, I realized one fact.

'All the world's people know of qi.'

In the West, it's called Kraft.

In Tianzhu, chakra.

Different names, but they all understood and wielded the power of 'qi.' It wasn't exclusive to Central Plains folk.

The Mamluk captain had mastered qi-based martial arts in life, earning countless merits and becoming a spirit strong enough for the Heavenly Divine Scripture. Equivalent to a peak expert at the late absolute summit in Central Plains terms. Curiosity piqued by his words, I asked,

[You mentioned participating in a war against invading western sorcerers. What war was that?]

[Countless western knights and sorcerers invaded our lands in great force. We fought back and, after a long war, defended successfully. They worshipped evil gods but invaded to reclaim their holy land.]

Regretfully, he continued,

[If I hadn't taken a blow from the Lionheart King in that war and gotten injured, I wouldn't have died in this distant land... Anyway, it was a war to defend the holy land!]

[Holy land?]

[I don't know the details. Ask someone else; I was just a soldier.]

Thud thud thud!

He ran for about five shichen. We arrived at a massive city, and from a distant hill, he gazed at it and said,

[We're here. That's Varanasi. Not as grand as Cairo, but the most prosperous in this region!]

[Varanasi? What's it for?]

[It's an ancient place teeming with Hindu believers.]

Whooo...

The Mamluk captain slowly withdrew from my body. Before leaving, he cautiously asked, almost nervously,

[...Hey, I worked hard, so you will really save me, right?]

Huh?

His sudden question left me baffled.

"What are you talking about? Save you?"

[Doesn't this spell promise salvation? That's why I refused the afterlife and waited anxiously.]

"......?"

[I thought a Brahman or yogi would save me, but a foreigner will instead.]

The babbling Mamluk captain grinned and waved.

[Hahaha! Anyway, off to salvation I go!]

Flash!

His soul vanished somewhere. This happened every time with the Heavenly Divine Scripture—task-complete spirits just disappeared. Strangely, it never explained where, why, or how, so I had no clue.

[...]

Salvation?

What did the Heavenly Divine Scripture's spell have to do with salvation?

Salvation from what, exactly? Brahman and yogi referred to Tianzhu's upper castes or sorcerers. Did they know spells similar to the Heavenly Divine Scripture, exclusive to great immortals?

Questions piled up, but I shook my head.

"Tch. No point dwelling on unknowns!"

First, head to the city ahead!

I entered Varanasi and wandered. Unlike the West, its culture wasn't highly advanced, and people wore exotic attire unlike the Central Plains. Like home, a palace stood at the center.

I checked the palace area but found nothing special. Oddly, guards wielded what looked like matchlock guns.

Does everyone outside the Central Plains use guns?

Perhaps the Central Plains was lagging behind the world's civilization.

An uneasy feeling stirred, but I shook it off and used spatial traversal.

Flash!

Back at Jang Ryeong Valley, the Zhuge Scholar eyed me pitifully.

"Not something you had to do right now, yet you wasted time anyway."

I scratched my head.

"Sorry. But prepping ahead eases my mind..."

"Fine, whatever. At least you secured a foothold to Tianzhu. Where'd you end up?"

"Varanasi."

"Hoh, you went properly. The Vedas should be there too..."

Muttering, the Zhuge Scholar said,

"Don't worry about Tianzhu for now. Instead, take Miho to Dongyoung."

"Miho?"

"We need to mine obsidian. We'll need lots ahead, so find an obsidian mine and take control."

"Ah..."

"That requires money, so give Miho the platinum from the Hidden Yang South Cavern. Even with her bewitching arts, negotiating with the shogun's bakufu is easier with cash. Buying up obsidian mines with it is the smoothest path."

"Right."

Come to think of it, Miho was a power player in Dongyoung. Using her political influence could secure plenty of needed obsidian. The Zhuge Scholar continued,

"After dropping her off, return to Jang Ryeong Valley and start training. Once it's on track, we'll probe the Imperial Palace and move for the Nameless Sacrificial Text and Imperial Seal."

"Got it."

He grinned slyly.

"I'll help you to the best of my ability. So this lifetime, train as wildly as you want—live or die."

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