Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

Storm clouds seemed to be gathering inside the hall. With the three great powers facing off against each other, this was truly the most perilous moment in the world.

The White Lotus Cult Leader was the first to speak.

[You're the Half-Heaven Alliance Leader, aren't you? This is the first time I've seen you in person.]

Mang Liang cupped his hands in salute toward the White Lotus Cult Leader.

"I am honored to meet the esteemed White Lotus Cult Leader."

[What were you thinking, calling for this tripartite summit?]

“……”

It was a simple yet piercing question at the core! The White Lotus Cult Leader was no pushover either, harboring a sly fox within. Not only him, but the Twelve Precepts Lord and the Zhuge Bureau were all watching Mang Liang intently. Mang Liang answered his question calmly.

[For the sake of all the common people...?]

"You have declared your intent to advance into the Central Plains, Cult Leader, but as you can see, there are two powers in this world that cannot sit idle by. Even if I hadn't gathered everyone today, a clash would have happened eventually. And the aftermath of such an unforeseen conflict would inevitably fall upon the powerless masses."

[...The masses.]

The White Lotus Cult Leader stroked his chin, as if surprised.

[Is the Half-Heaven Alliance saying that you orchestrated this summit to minimize harm to the common folk?]

"That is correct."

[Heh heh... What an unusual fellow.]

He let out a hearty chuckle. It was impossible to tell what nuance lay behind his words calling him unusual, but the Twelve Precepts Lord, listening from across the way, chimed in as well.

"What an amusing genius."

The leaders of the two great powers seemed to hold Mang Liang in rather high regard. Hearing this, the Zhuge Bureau interjected.

"I understand the Half-Heaven Alliance Leader's intentions. So, what outcome do you hope for from this summit?"

"Why ask me?"

"You are the one who scoured the vast world to gather the leaders of the major powers. Naturally, we should hear your thoughts first, shouldn't we?"

His words sounded reasonable, but it was clear he was reluctant to state his own position first and wanted to gauge the neutral Half-Heaven Alliance's stance before deciding their own policy.

"Very well. Then allow me to present the Half-Heaven Alliance's proposal to the masters of the world first."

Mang Liang took a deep breath before speaking.

"The Imperial Palace shall permanently cede Gansu Province, Qinghai Province, and Sichuan Province—three provinces and their territories—to the White Lotus Cult, granting them independence. Furthermore, enfeoff the White Lotus Cult Leader as the Great Ming Empire's State Preceptor to foster future friendship. In exchange, the White Lotus Cult shall renounce any advance into the Central Plains or hasty conflicts for the next twenty years. Naturally, this includes abandoning any entry into the Central Plains martial world."

“……!!”

The Zhuge Bureau's expression twisted sharply. The fact that he couldn't maintain his composure showed just how shocking Mang Liang's proposal was. He wasn't the only one surprised—the Twelve Precepts Lord leaned his chin on his hand with interest, and the White Lotus Cult Leader kept his hand resting on his chin.

The Zhuge Bureau spoke in a trembling voice.

"Do you... even realize what you're saying?"

"I know full well."

"You're talking about partitioning the Great Ming Empire's territory and granting independence to the White Lotus Cult! Moreover, the lands you mentioned far exceed what the Central Plains could afford to lose. Such an absurd proposal..."

At that moment, the White Lotus Cult Leader spoke up.

[A fitting proposal.]

The Twelve Precepts Lord agreed.

"I'm in favor. If yielding that much to the White Lotus Cult brings peace to the Central Plains for the future, it's a profitable deal, isn't it?"

“……”

The Zhuge Bureau bit his lip as the two great power leaders immediately voiced their approval. Even in a tripartite summit, once the balance of power tipped to a majority, his speaking rights would be limited. Yet the Zhuge Bureau was no ordinary man, and he calmly opposed Mang Liang's suggestion.

"Such a decision cannot be made without His Imperial Majesty's permission. Moreover, the Great Ming Empire's territory is the culmination of countless sacrifices! Ceding it at our whim would deny that history."

Mang Liang replied with a scornful tone.

"You're hopeless to reason with. You seem intelligent—are you pretending not to know, or do you truly not understand why my proposal is appropriate?"

"What..."

"If the White Lotus Cult rampages unchecked, it's impossible to defend those three provinces with the current Great Ming Empire's military strength. You know the reasons well enough, and afterward, a bloody war would erupt between the White Lotus Cult's supreme experts and the Great Ming Empire. Are you such a novice that you'd play a bad move when you can already see the sequence?"

“……”

"I presented this as a reasonable compromise. I'm starting to doubt if you're truly in charge of the Imperial Palace."

The Zhuge Bureau fell silent. Then, with a sigh, he said.

"It seems I underestimated this gathering. Forgive my rudeness."

"What will you do?"

Whoosh!

In the next instant, a shadowy figure appeared beside the Zhuge Bureau like smoke. He was a refined middle-aged man whose face I recognized well from having seen it many times before. The newly arrived man cupped his hands in salute to everyone in the hall.

"My apologies. I am the Vermilion Bird, here to convey the Imperial Palace's will in place of the Inner Yellow Pavilion Master. From now on, take my words as the Imperial Palace's official stance."

[Hmm... So it was you. I sensed a suspicious presence lingering earlier.]

The White Lotus Cult Leader and Twelve Precepts Lord had already detected his hidden aura. The Vermilion Bird, Zhuge Yuryong, sat down and looked at Mang Liang.

"Your proposal, Half-Heaven Alliance Leader, indeed secures both justification and benefit. You've prepared thoroughly."

"Spare the flattery. What is your decision?"

"I clearly refuse."

The hall froze at the Vermilion Bird's firm declaration. Since he had proclaimed his words as the Imperial Palace's own, it carried great weight. Perhaps because of this, the White Lotus Cult Leader spoke in a somewhat icy tone.

[Are you saying to ignore the mediation and go to all-out war?]

"White Lotus Cult Leader, don't be hasty. Let's discuss this calmly from here."

Brushing off the White Lotus Cult Leader's killing intent lightly, the Vermilion Bird continued.

"Those three provinces? We can cede them immediately. The title of State Preceptor is yours on the spot, and we can recognize your new kingdom's status. The problem is that we cannot trust the White Lotus Cult Leader."

"What do you mean?"

"We can offer plenty on our side, but there's no guarantee you'll honor your promises. Without trust, any agreement is meaningless."

Mang Liang replied awkwardly.

"With so many powers watching, there's no way you could break a promise made here. Isn't that undervaluing the White Lotus Cult Leader's honor? Breaking this summit's agreement would make you a laughingstock of the world."

"Kekeke..."

The Vermilion Bird let out a slightly sinister chuckle before speaking.

"I doubt the White Lotus Cult Leader fears becoming a laughingstock. I sense a fanatic ready to discard everything for his ultimate goal."

“……”

The Vermilion Bird had a keen grasp of the White Lotus Cult Leader's nature. He even seemed to know to some extent what 'certain goal' drove him. Otherwise, there'd be no reason to harp on trust repeatedly.

[You bastard...]

Before the White Lotus Cult Leader could respond, the Twelve Precepts Lord cut in curtly.

"So what? You want the three of us to tear each other apart?"

"Of course not. I'd like to propose a different form of truce than the Half-Heaven Alliance Leader's."

Zhuge Yuryong calmly interlaced his fingers and spoke.

"...We promise full cooperation in finding the Dharma texts, Cult Leader. In exchange, form a non-aggression pact with us for ten years."

It was at that moment.

Roooaar—

A terrifying killing intent enveloped the Vermilion Bird.

In the gap where time seemed deleted, it felt as if the Vermilion Bird's throat was gripped by an invisible demonic hand. At some point, the White Lotus Cult Leader's formless astral energy had wrapped around the Vermilion Bird's neck with murderous force. Had he willed it, he could have crushed not just the throat but the entire body.

"Know your limits."

But at the same time, a chilling aura encircled the demonic hand, checking it. It was the Twelve Precepts Lord unleashing his thought-severing technique to control the White Lotus Cult Leader's assault. In an instant, as the absolute realm experts unleashed their powers, an unimaginable tension swelled to the bursting point.

“……”

Mang Liang's face had already paled. With the White Lotus Cult Leader and Twelve Precepts Lord—beings who had reached the absolute realm—dominating the hall's atmosphere, Mang Liang's level of martial arts couldn't withstand it. The only reason he hadn't fainted was that Yi Cheong-un was neutralizing the pressure for him.

A situation on the brink of explosion!

The White Lotus Cult Leader withdrew his formless astral energy and spoke.

[Cooperation... I despise superficial gestures.]

"It won't be superficial."

Even after brushing shoulders with death, the Vermilion Bird's expression didn't change as he replied.

"We know the true nature of the Musheng Namo Dharma texts. I don't know why you're collecting them, but our God is willing to fully cooperate. If you wish, we'll tell you within a year where another fragment lies."

[I can't trust that.]

"If you truly couldn't trust it, you'd have left already. You know I'm a priest who serves the God, don't you? We've made our offer. We'll wait."

[......]

I could tell the White Lotus Cult Leader was deeply conflicted. Moreover, the Twelve Precepts Lord was holding back, observing without jumping in. I inwardly admired the Vermilion Bird's verbal prowess.

"Incredible... He turned the flow in his favor against those two in an instant."

He had pinpointed exactly what the Cult Leader desired most and struck at the weakness.

Immense courage and presence of mind!

Though the Vermilion Bird's personal strength might be the weakest among the three great powers' leaders, he was undoubtedly a genius and hero worthy of scheming for the world. Then, the Twelve Precepts Lord, who had hung back the most until now, spoke up.

"Suppose you give those Dharma texts to the White Lotus Cult Leader. What do I get? There's no reason for me to sit this out."

"Twelve Precepts Lord."

"Ah, no need. It'll just cause major obstacles in your path ahead."

Though his expression was hidden behind the dog mask, he was probably smirking slyly. The Twelve Precepts Lord was pressuring the Vermilion Bird with cunning precision. The Vermilion Bird responded.

"I can't even guess your goal. State your demand first."

"Make the first offer- I like that."

The Twelve Precepts Lord spoke smoothly, folding his arms.

"Stop the Ming Empire lording over Goryeo as a superior state. From now on, pay annual tribute to Goryeo equivalent to 500 nyang of gold in treasures and goods. And cede the Shandong region and all of Liaodong to Goryeo territory."

“……”

"Oh! And the Dadu Kingdom is ours too."

The Vermilion Bird paused in disbelief at the demand. He took a large gulp from a wine cup on the banquet table and muttered.

"You're insane."

"Why? Isn't it a perfectly fine proposal?"

The Twelve Precepts Lord seemed to grin.

"If you don't like it, forget it. Unlike you lot, I can cause chaos to my heart's content."

Watching from the side, the White Lotus Cult Leader spoke with interest.

[What an entertaining fellow.]

"I got that a lot."

The Vermilion Bird pondered for a moment before addressing the Twelve Precepts Lord.

"Just what gives the Twelve Precepts the confidence to act so boldly?"

"Hm?"

"I know there's no god backing you. No matter how strong you are, you're just a human faction. Why act so recklessly? Don't you realize your chances dwindle the further this goes?"

It sounded mad at first glance, but the Vermilion Bird's words rang true. No matter how absolute the Twelve Precepts Lord or how powerful the Twelve Precepts sect leaders were, they couldn't match a god's might. Unlike the White Lotus Cult, which connected indirectly to gods through the Heavenly Spirit Pill or Primordial Spirit God, the Twelve Precepts had no such divine link.

The Twelve Precepts Lord declared boldly.

"I trust in myself. Satisfied?"

“……”

"And let me ask one thing. Whether it's you or that White Lotus Cult Leader over there, you're both living with all your might right now... Why hold back?"

The Twelve Precepts Lord's words carried a subtle undertone. The White Lotus Cult Leader reacted strongly.

[Twelve Precepts Lord. What do you mean by that?]

"Well... Nothing much. No matter what we do in this era, there's no escaping the end, right?"

The Twelve Precepts Lord scratched his head.

"You all seem to care about humanity's future in your own ways, but isn't it futile?"

[......]

“……”

Silence fell.

After a long pause, the White Lotus Cult Leader spoke.

[So we all know the hour of humanity's appointed end. How intriguing.]

The Vermilion Bird spoke as well.

"Twelve Precepts Lord, you know of the apocalypse and yet have no thoughts on it?"

"Heh heh... Thoughts? What thoughts?"

"[The Ancient Ruler] rises, destroying everything, leaving neither living nor dead, burying all in chaos's abyss—that hell on earth looms, and you say such things?"

A hint of anger laced the Vermilion Bird's words. The White Lotus Cult Leader glanced at him in surprise.

......

Silence enveloped the room.

And that silence was broken by mad laughter.

"Ahahaha, hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!"

The Twelve Precepts Lord laughed.

He laughed as if nothing could be funnier.

His laughter seemed endlessly innocent, yet it brimmed with a chilling madness.

After a long while, the Twelve Precepts Lord gradually stopped laughing and said.

"As you predict, the night the constellations boil in the sky is not far off. That day when everything withers in madness and despair... I've been preparing for it since long ago."

“……?”

It was incomprehensible. The Twelve Precepts Lord spoke slowly, as if to draw attention.

"Come on, enough nonsense. Make your agreements. I have no energy to waste here."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!