Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

I headed to the center of the dark ruins alongside Maeng Ryang. The ruins grew progressively darker and deeper. As we emerged from that cavern, a vast open space appeared, and as we walked the corridor, an increasingly massive sound echoed.

Kwaaang!

Kwachangng!

It was an enormous, deafening noise, almost like an explosion. But as I traversed the corridor adorned in the ancient Balhae style, I realized the true nature of the sound, and my expression changed.

"...Someone's striking something?"

"Indeed."

A little further ahead, a spectacular sight unfolded.

Pew pew pew pew pew!

Lightning of such magnitude burst forth that it immediately evoked those words, relentlessly battering a massive gate without pause. Thousands of bolts streaked at terrifying speeds, each taking the form of spears or swords in their assault, each one infused with terrifying destructive power. Like siege rams pounding away, the countless strikes seared the eyes in the forward field of view.

Kwagwang!

The explosions ceased momentarily, and before us, the blue lightning coalesced into human form. As expected, it was Yi Cheong-un, who had been hammering the giant gate with his Thunder God Possession activated. Spotting me, he spoke with evident delight.

"Oh, Baek Woong! You've finally obtained the Sword Thunder?"

"You could tell at a glance?"

"You're not the type to bolt out before your training is even complete."

His words left me scratching my head sheepishly for some reason. Then Maeng Ryang, standing beside me, spoke up.

"Apologies for interrupting your reunion, but is destroying the gate truly impossible?"

"Hmm, no. This gate isn't meant to be opened by physical force."

Yi Cheong-un sighed and continued.

"Even with the Heavenly Spirit Pill in my possession, drawing on infinite inner power and channeling every ounce of my Thunder God Possession into raw destruction, I've been at it for seven days and nights straight. A single strike from my Thunder God Possession could reduce a massive city gate to scrap metal in one blow, yet even that hasn't dented it. Not even hundreds of thousands of catties of gunpowder could shatter it."

—...

I stared ahead at the gate with a look of dismay. It was constructed as a seamless dome enclosing a circular space—if the gate didn't open, there was no way to enter the inner chamber. On a whim, I suggested,

"What about digging around the outside of the gate? Tunneling underground..."

Swish.

Yi Cheong-un pointed to a spot with his index finger. There were signs of massive tunnels dug and dikes excavated, he said,

"It seems not everything visible is bound by the barrier. We've tried other approaches, but it's as if space itself shifts to block us."

"Hmm?"

Maeng Ryang spoke.

"Baek Woong, allow me to explain. We've collected and studied quite a few Balhae texts here in these ruins, but we discovered the greatest secret of the Balhae royal family lies within that royal chamber. We've been trying to open its gate since before the Seven Luminaries Night, to no avail."

"The royal chamber."

I eyed the massive iron gate sharply.

"It must be sealed by some tremendous sorcery barrier."

"That's our thinking as well. It's undoubtedly a barrier erected with the last of the Balhae royal family's power. We've attempted every method to breach it so far, but if Yi Cheong-un can't break through with raw force, no one in this world can."

"Then we'll have no choice but to summon Cheon Woo-jin."

"Indeed..."

Yi Cheong-un interjected from the side.

"Baek Woong, there is one other way. The orthodox method—obtaining the key to the gate."

"The key?"

Step.

I followed Yi Cheong-un forward. Right before the iron gate, he produced a silver phoenix carving from his bosom. Miraculously, it fit perfectly into the gate's intaglio. Yet the gate didn't budge an inch.

I realized upon seeing it.

"It only fits on the left side."

"Exactly. As you say. This phoenix carving is surely the key to this royal chamber's gate... but there's more than one. It requires two phoenix carvings, one for the left intaglio and one for the right, to open."

"Hmm?"

That meant we needed to obtain the other phoenix carving?

As I pondered, I said,

"But in my past life, the 'Maeng Ryang' who ran the Anti-Heaven Alliance had uncovered part of the truth about the Balhae royal secrets and the Earth Key. That was..."

"Back then, that Maeng Ryang must have obtained both phoenix carvings—the keys to the royal chamber—and opened it. I've gathered plenty from the ruins of the Shangling Yongcheon Citadel, but not as much information as that 'Maeng Ryang' had."

"Hmm..."

"[Gate]. That's all we can assume."

Maeng Ryang continued calmly,

"It was heavenly fortune. And at that time, Maeng Ryang had been running the Anti-Heaven Alliance for over a decade, pouring all manpower and funds into it. Of course, compared to our current forces, it was insignificant, but allying with the White Lotus Cult to check the Golden Guards made it a respectable power in its own right, no?"

"I see..."

"Unlike then, we've only just learned of the royal chamber's existence, so it might take at least a decade scouring the Central Plains to find the other phoenix carving—if we're lucky."

...

I could only sigh inwardly.

'Damn it! Why did I do such a stupid thing back then...'

If I hadn't picked that needless fight with Ri Gang-jang just to show off my martial arts to Maeng Ryang in a fit of desperation, I wouldn't have died so pointlessly near Jin Rang Valley. And if I'd escaped with Maeng Ryang right then, wouldn't I have gleaned more information from him? I regretted my past idiocy anew, but what was done was done.

I said gravely,

"Then for now, we'll have to summon Cheon Woo-jin and see if he can unseal the Balhae royal barrier with sorcery."

"Yes, we must."

Paat!

I went with Maeng Ryang to Cheon Woo-jin. As soon as they met, Maeng Ryang got straight to it.

"Junior brother. I need your help with something."

Cheon Woo-jin replied curtly,

"What do you want to make this junior brother do? Work me to the bone?"

"Not without compensation. I'll give you a advance reward."

Whoosh.

Maeng Ryang suddenly pulled out the Five Flowers Divine Flame Thread from his bosom. Cheon Woo-jin's eyes widened slightly, and without hesitation, Maeng Ryang tossed it to him, saying,

"This treasure is yours now, junior brother. In exchange, grant me one favor."

...

Tak.

Cheon Woo-jin caught the Five Flowers Divine Flame Thread and pondered deeply before saying,

"Very well. If it's within my power, I'll do it. What is it?"

"Opening the [gate] of the Balhae royal chamber."

"Sounds entertaining."

Paat.

We moved back to the gate with Cheon Woo-jin. I showed him the silver phoenix carving and explained the current situation. Once finished, Cheon Woo-jin furrowed his brow slightly and said,

"...This is a headache."

He approached the sealed gate, stroked it, and said,

"This barrier is maintained by great sorcerers offering their own lives as the price. Moreover, their spirits are fused into the barrier itself—truly the strongest barrier in the mortal world."

"How strong, exactly?"

Whoosh.

Cheon Woo-jin tossed the Five Flowers Divine Flame Thread back to Maeng Ryang and continued,

"The math doesn't add up. Senior brother, consider this request never made."

Maeng Ryang looked baffled.

"What do you mean? Haven't you endured that divine flame and become a Great Thunder Immortal... or beyond? Even if you can't break it..."

"Sigh, senior brother. It's true my realm has advanced greatly... but sorcery follows principles of sacrifice. This barrier is forged from powerful grudge and self-sacrifice, designed so it cannot be forced open. Self-sacrifice is the strongest sealing rite in curses."

Cheon Woo-jin tapped the gate with his knuckles.

"Listen. This is the sound of the great sorcerers who pledged loyalty to the Balhae royal house being slaughtered en masse. At least a dozen sacrificed their lives for the seal, rejecting reincarnation to become part of the barrier. Honestly, this is the craziest barrier I've seen in my life."

...

Ooooooo.

To me, familiar with spiritual energy, the sounds faintly reached my ears. Horrific grudges and screams brushed past like whispers. If I focused my spirit sight further, I could probably see the sorcerers' souls, but they were surely grotesque—I had no desire to look. I swallowed hard and said to Cheon Woo-jin,

"Cheon Woo-jin. If there were a legitimate heir to the Balhae royal bloodline, could they open it without the key?"

"Hmm? Interesting idea."

Cheon Woo-jin thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"...In terms of a legitimate blood oath, it's possible, but this barrier has only one method of dispelling: inserting the two phoenix carvings into the intaglios. And Balhae fell ages ago—how do you propose finding that bloodline?"

"The phoenix carving... no other way?"

"Then take me back."

Cheon Woo-jin said irritably.

"I haven't finished plowing the fields."

“...”

Come to think of it, this guy was farming.

With no choice, I returned Cheon Woo-jin to the village before heading back to the seal site. Maeng Ryang stared piercingly at the gate and said,

"For now, Baek Woong, let's return to base."

"Understood."

"No method presents itself at the moment."

Paat.

...

We returned to the Dragon Spirit Valley. There, Zhuge Sa and Maeng Ryang huddled in deep discussion for about half a day before summoning me.

"Baek Woong. Fetch Yeon Jong-hwi."

"Why?"

"I suspect he has a lead."

I brought Yeon Jong-hwi as instructed. Zhuge Sa regarded him calmly and said,

"Yeon Jong-hwi. As you surmised, the phoenix carving requires two to open it. How did you know that?"

Yeon Jong-hwi answered without hesitation,

"Because I recall seeing a similar design as a child."

"As a child?"

Yeon Jong-hwi nodded and said,

"As a descendant of the Yeon royal house, my family had stacks of ancient texts. While devouring them young, I remember spotting a similar diagram."

"Do you know where that book is in your house?"

"Well..."

Yeon Jong-hwi hesitated uncomfortably before saying,

"When bandits raided the village at age sixteen, the house burned to the ground."

"You're not lying, are you?"

"Why would I lie? If it aids our great cause, I'm prepared to offer even this Ink Forest Longbow. I serve Baek Woong as my lord."

"What happened with those bandits?"

"What do you think? I killed them all."

...

So he was already a master archer back then?

As I inwardly admired, Zhuge Sa's questions continued.

"Fine. Another question then. You said you were heading to Mount Zhongnan—what's there?"

"I told you before. My parents said I had the origin of my bloodline there."

"But no one just wanders off on vague instruction. There must have been a specific goal—person or site."

"Hmm..."

Yeon Jong-hwi pondered briefly before replying,

"...To be honest, they told me to find someone."

"Why hide that from the start?"

"With my lord focused on martial training and everyone devoted to helping, I didn't want to burden them with my personal matters by bringing up trivial things."

Zhuge Sa snorted.

"That's not for you to worry about. No more hiding."

"Understood."

"So who is this person?"

"Well... a distant relative named Yeon Mu-rin."

Zhuge Sa's eyebrow twitched.

"Yeon Mu-rin... Any details on age, appearance, traits?"

"Not really. But my father said Yeon Mu-rin was a prodigy, easy to find. I heard a paternal clan elder was sheltering him."

"A prodigy? A martial artist?"

"Most likely."

Zhuge Sa pondered deeply before saying,

"I've never heard the name Yeon Mu-rin. No famous figure in the martial world bears it."

"Same here."

"I know most of the prominent experts, including the Nine Great Sect leaders. With centuries of wandering the rivers and lakes, few know the scene better than I. Yet Yeon Mu-rin was new to me."

Then Maeng Ryang beside us said,

"But Uncle, you have a hunch, don't you?"

"Yes. It's just so absurd..."

Zhuge Sa stroked his chin and said,

"...No point delaying. Baek Woong, handle this yourself."

"Me?"

"Yes. If my prediction holds, you and Yeon Jong-hwi alone is the ideal scenario."

He continued,

"Head straight to the Zhongnan Sect leader."

Paat!!

Yeon Jong-hwi and I rode the flying sword to arrive near the lake I'd visited before.

"It's been a while here too."

This serene spot on one flank of Mount Zhongnan was reserved solely for the Zhongnan Sect leader of the Nine Great Sects. Even elders rarely entered. Spotting the distant cabin, a middle-aged man gazing at the lake turned his eyes toward us.

The distance was about seventy shang.

A normal person would stroll it leisurely, but the man deployed ghostly lightness skill, closing to ten shang in a single breath. Supreme lightness skill, befitting a transcendent.

He stared piercingly at me, then slowly drew his sword.

Sring.

"A remarkable expert. Here to cross swords with this Yeon Mo?"

...

I felt awkward. I didn't think I'd have a fight, but jumping straight into combat atmosphere wasn't ideal. Then Yeon Jong-hwi beside me clasped hands in salute and said,

"Wait! As Yeon Jong-hwi, I pay my respects to the Zhongnan Sect leader, Yeon Jeong-bong!"

Flinch.

"Yeon... Jong-hwi?"

He seemed slightly flustered. Then, eyeing the Ink Forest Longbow on Yeon Jong-hwi's back intently, he said,

"Young man. What business do you have with me?"

"By any chance, do you know of someone named Yeon Mu-rin?"

“...”

Silence hung for a time. Unable to bear it, he sighed and replied,

"Yes. That was my childhood name, now discarded."

"Th-then, surely..."

With eyes of resignation, he said,

"Your father's name wouldn't be Yeon San-se, would it?"

"Yes, it is."

"Sigh. Then you are my eighth cousin."

He gave a wry smile.

"I never dreamed you'd come looking for me..."

“...”

Yeon Jeong-bong, leader of the renowned Nine Great Sect Zhongnan Sect, the Zhongnan First Sword. A transcendent sword expert, one of the top in the Nine Great Sects and close friend of Lee Gwang. He was, in truth, a descendant of the Warring States Yeon royal house and Yeon Jong-hwi's eighth cousin.

Seated across from Yeon Jeong-bong, he sat in meditation, quietly circulating his energy.

"You've come seeking me for blood ties, I presume?"

"Yes, but..."

Yeon Jong-hwi glanced at me and said,

"Who is that man?"

"My liege, Baek Woong."

"Baek Woong... A new name to me. But an extraordinary expert."

He sighed deeply and questioned me.

"What is your purpose?"

I answered calmly.

"I seek no hegemony or intent to stir needless strife in the martial world. I am merely a passing traveler with no business with the Zhongnan Sect."

"Music to my ears. So you've come here at Yeon Jong-hwi's behest?"

"Indeed."

Yeon Jeong-bong, listening, spoke.

"May I recount the events so far?"

"Go ahead."

Yeon Jong-hwi narrated his life journey from birth to now, including meeting me and arriving here. Of course, he omitted Dragon Spirit Valley and our true goals, vaguely claiming he'd come looking for his eighth cousin. Mid-way, Yeon Jeong-bong said,

"Yeon Jong-hwi. Yeon royal house or not, it's all empty glory now, meaningless... Though eighth cousins, we're practically strangers."

“...”

"Sigh! I've cast aside all status and duty as a Yeon royal in this life. Viewing it as just another noble house falling into time, I feared it might hinder me so, I discarded my childhood name and took a new one."

Yeon Jong-hwi replied with agitated, slightly angry voice.

"Your words are too harsh. I don't relish being royal blood either, but how can you deny even your own roots?"

"Then, Yeon Jong-hwi, do you plan to revive the royal house? Raise a rebellion?"

Yeon Jeong-bong, finding his own words absurd, smiled wryly and continued.

"It's all meaningless. I've chosen the life I desire."

Yeon Jong-hwi retorted.

"I have no such intent to revive the house. But you are my sole blood kin in this world—please don't speak that way."

"Understood. I spoke too harshly. I'll mind my words henceforth."

Seeing Yeon Jeong-bong admit his fault, my eyes gleamed.

'Not a bad sort after all.'

The authority of a Zhongnan Sect leader in the current martial world was immense. As one of the Nine Great Sect leaders, he possessed power that even the Imperial Court respected. Yet he showed humble sincerity.

Yeon Jeong-bong poured over a tea set and poured us both cups, saying,

"So, your visit is solely to confirm blood ties?"

"That's part of it, and one other curiosity."

"What is it?"

Yeon Jong-hwi swiftly drew the silver phoenix carving from his bosom and showed it to Yeon Jeong-bong.

"Have you ever seen something like this?"

“...”

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