Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

The words of the Lord of the Twelve Precepts carried considerable authority, stirring a subtle shift in the chilled air of the chamber. It signaled that the leaders of the three major factions gathered here were weighing whether to compromise at this level. The Imperial Palace would share information on the Dharma Texts to add the White Lotus Cult in gathering them, in exchange for the Cult halting its advances for ten years, while the Twelve Precepts would cede Liaodong, Shandong, and the Tatar Kingdom to the Central Plains.

But Mangryang seemed displeased with the mood and addressed me via telepathic transmission.

[Baek Woong. If this negotiation concludes as is, it won't end well. Let me shake things up.]

[You're serious? It could be dangerous...]

[Trust me.]

There must have been a reason he deliberately sought my input instead of acting alone. It seemed he was entrusting the decision to my judgment and luck. After a moment's thought, I replied to Mangryang.

[All right! I leave it to you.]

Mangryang nodded, then stepped forward slowly and cupped his hands in salute.

All eyes turned to Mangryang. Standing at the center, he spoke.

"The core issue right now is whether the Imperial Palace truly possesses reliable information on the Dharma Texts. If we can confirm that, everything falls into place. But building mutual trust here and now is no easy task."

[Indeed.]

"Then how about using 'stepping stones' to establish a grace period?"

Intrigued, the Lord of the Twelve Precepts responded to Mangryang's words.

"You're saying the Imperial Palace should provide preliminary information on the Dharma Texts to the White Lotus Cult in advance?"

"Excellent insight."

It wasn't just the Lord of the Twelve Precepts who understood. Vermilion Bird Zhuge Yulong and even the White Lotus Cult Leader seemed to grasp the proposal from the phrase "grace period" alone. Crossing his arms, Vermilion Bird spoke.

"I was about to bring it up myself—thanks for saying it first. Indeed, by that method, we're willing to provide preliminary information enticing enough about the Dharma Texts."

[Share it here.]

"We can't do that. Even if it's not a full truce, we need firm assurances in return before revealing it. Do you think we're fools?"

[Hmm.]

As a subtle battle of wills unfolded between Vermilion Bird and the White Lotus Cult Leader, the Lord of the Twelve Precepts spoke up irritably.

"So, Anti-Heaven Alliance Leader, that's why you're bringing up the stepping stones now, right? You're offering to have your Anti-Heaven Alliance act as the bridge for sharing that preliminary information."

Mangryang nodded.

"Precisely. Our Anti-Heaven Alliance will relay the Dharma Text information and serve as a reliable guarantor."

"Guarantor. Meaning, if one side reneges or deceives..."

"We will immediately notify the other factions present at this tripartite summit."

"Hmm."

The Lord of the Twelve Precepts let out an amused hum. Then, the Sword Demon, standing to Mangryang's left, stepped forward, cupped his hands, and spoke.

"May this Sword Demon, Lord of the Shadowless Sect, representing the Eight Demonic Sects of the Central Plains, offer a word to the esteemed leaders of the three major factions?"

He had come alongside Mangryang to voice the unorthodox factions' stance at this gathering. Those in the chamber took keen interest in the Sword Demon's emergence.

"Oh, the Sword Demon."

[So that's who it was—the head of the Eight Demonic Lords came along. Then over there...]

As the White Lotus Cult Leader recognized the Sword Demon, a short man from the right stepped forward and cupped his hands.

"I am Dark Dragon Child of Wudang. I represent the Nine Great Orthodox Sects of the Central Plains."

[Dark Dragon Child.]

The White Lotus Cult Leader suddenly turned to Dugoko Jun, who stood at his right.

[Jun, Didn't you exchange moves with him once before?]

Dugoko Jun, the guardian beast of the Water Flow Style, bowed humbly and replied via telepathic transmission with the Six Harmonies Sword Formation.

[It happened in the past.]

[Reuniting with an old acquaintance must be pleasant. Greet him.]

At those words, Dugoko Jun approached Dark Dragon Child and cupped his hands.

[It's been a while, Elder Taoist.]

"This one is honored... But calling me Elder Taoist when you're no spring chicken yourself?"

Dark Dragon Child accepted the greeting with a barbed remark, and Dugoko Jun merely smiled faintly without retort.

[Heh heh.]

Once their exchange ended, the Sword Demon spoke.

"As you see, Dark Dragon Child and I represent the orthodox and unorthodox sects of the Central Plains at this gathering. We also declare our intent to align with the Anti-Heaven Alliance henceforth. Moreover, we pledge to observe all promises and declarations made here impartially and to the utmost, with the full support of the Central Plains' Eight Demonic Sects and Nine Great Orthodox Sects."

The White Lotus Cult Leader touched his chin and said.

[Curious. Why side with the Anti-Heaven Alliance Leader? Is he truly that capable?]

"Indeed. We believe the Anti-Heaven Alliance Leader possesses the capacity to orchestrate peace across the land, so we follow his will to this hall."

[Oh...]

The White Lotus Cult Leader fell into thought.

Munch munch.

"This meat is honey-sweet."

Meanwhile, the Lord of the Twelve Precepts propped his chin on his hand, stuffing a chicken leg into the mouth beneath his mask. I wondered how he ate with that thing on, but he seemed to manage just fine.

Vermilion Bird spoke up.

"Quite bold."

As Mangryang's gaze turned to him, Vermilion Bird continued without hiding his discomfort.

"We know your Anti-Heaven Alliance dares to defy heaven and oppose the Imperial Palace. Pulling in the orthodox and unorthodox sects here to act as guarantors—does that mean you're openly challenging imperial authority? Are you mere fledglings unaware of the ripples your reckless actions will send through the martial world?"

Snap.

In response to Vermilion Bird's direct question, Mangryang lightly folded his paper fan and retorted.

"I'll throw that question right back at you. Even if we stay silent, what reason does the Imperial Palace have to spare the martial world? They've already issued directives to the Righteous Heaven Alliance and demonic sects to oppose the White Lotus Cult—do you fools think their interference won't worsen? If anything, it'll intensify! We're merely choosing the best way to protect the martial world's freedom from the Palace."

"You speak well."

"Settle it between yourselves. We'll maintain this temporary peace until then. That is the will of the Anti-Heaven Alliance and the Central Plains martial world."

At that, the Lord of the Twelve Precepts, savoring his chicken leg, spoke.

"I'm in favor of entrusting the mediation to the Anti-Heaven Alliance."

All eyes turned to him. He grabbed another piece of leg and continued.

"Truth be told, I joined this summit hoping my Twelve Precepts would handle the mediation, but because both you Imperial Palace and White Lotus Cult distrust us thoroughly, if that's the case, we have no interest in the hassle—so handing it to the eager Anti-Heaven Alliance seems best. I strongly support their intentions."

The White Lotus Cult Leader flinched noticeably at the Lord of the Twelve Precepts' words, clearly swayed. Those words seemed to drive the final nail, for soon the Cult Leader slowly raised his head and declared.

[Very well. We entrust mediation to the Anti-Heaven Alliance. And during the truce between the Imperial Palace and us henceforth, we pledge in the name of Dugoko Uncheon not to harm the Anti-Heaven Alliance or the Central Plains' orthodox and unorthodox forces.]

"Rats!"

Vermilion Bird scowled.

"White Lotus Cult Leader, you haven't even heard our side yet."

[Heh... You and we are latest archenemies regardless. No trust possible no matter what you say. I merely seek to secure the pact's reliability through the Anti-Heaven Alliance Leader.]

"Not welcome."

[If you have a better proposal to convince us, speak now.]

"......"

Vermilion Bird looked displeased with the flow, but with two of the three factions in agreement, the Palace had no choice but to concede. Opposing now would spark all-out war. Reluctantly, Vermilion Bird spoke.

"Fine. So be it."

I watched the proceedings, then shuddered with thrill.

'We did it!'

Had things proceeded slowly, the Anti-Heaven Alliance and Central Plains martial world would surely have been ignored, leaving a pact solely between the Palace and Cult. Post-summit, the Alliance would face solitary battle against the Palace, scorned by the Twelve Precepts and Cult. Freed of the Cult's pressure, the Palace could swell its forces unchecked, becoming a monstrous foe.

But Mangryang intervened at the perfect moment, securing a 'major role' for the Alliance. Now its guarantor and messenger status made it untouchable by any of the three factions. It even opened the possibility of the Cult shielding the Alliance henceforth.

A truly remarkable achievement!

They then hashed out details, agreeing the Palace would relay Dharma Text info to the Alliance within a fortnight. They could have exchanged it on the spot, but this was procedural—to prevent Palace tampering or premature Cult moves.

As talks wrapped, the White Lotus Cult Leader privately told Mangryang.

[Do you know the fate this world will face?]

Mangryang nodded.

"I know some through ancient texts."

[The Dharma Texts of No-Life Old Mother are essential to averting that wretched fate. Permitting your faction to share the info we don't monopolize stems from the urgency—means be damned. We must obtain them, even borrowing your hands.]

Clenching his fist emphatically, the White Lotus Cult Leader stressed.

[This is a pivotal matter deciding humanity's future—our shared affair.]

[Then I have a question...]

[What?]

[Once gathered, what happens? And does each Dharma Text hold power?]

The Cult Leader replied calmly.

[What happens... even I can only speculate. We'll discuss details later. But gathering the scattered Dharma Texts worldwide is so arduous, I know not if we'll see it done in this life...]

Muttering lamentingly, he turned away. Midway with his guardian beasts, he came face-to-face with the Lord of the Twelve Precepts, who had deliberately blocked his path, smirking.

"Got words for you."

[What?]

"Not here—let's make a private spot. Coming?"

[Understood.]

Whoosh!

Suddenly, the White Lotus Cult Leader's group and the Lord of the Twelve Precepts vanished. Some spatial translocation sorcery, it seemed. As key figures departed the chamber, Mangryang prepared to leave with Yi Cheong-un—right then.

"Anti-Heaven Alliance Leader. In such a hurry?"

"Zhuge Bu."

Inner Yellow Pavilion Lord Zhuge Bu had appeared before Mangryang with a retinue. They wore pristine scholar robes, but Mangryang scowled upon seeing them.

"The Astronomers of the Inner Yellow Pavilion."

"Impressive to spot at a glance. You know they're all sorcerers?"

"......"

I knew full well. The Inner Yellow Pavilion's Astronomers rarely showed themselves, but each was an elite sorcerer trained under the Grand Astronomer. Upper-tier sorcerers, every one—a grave threat.

"Meeting like this is fate, so stay in Luoyang a few days. Might be longer."

"Hitting us right after the summit? If the Cult or Twelve Precepts learn..."

Zhuge Bu laughed coldly.

"Hahaha... Think we'll give them the chance? From now on, Anti-Heaven Alliance Leader, you'll live in the Brocade Guard's basement and ride our ship. Using you to hook the White Lotus Cult sounds entertaining."

Flash.

As Mangryang drew a talisman from his bosom, Yi Cheong-un, Sword Demon, and Dark Dragon Child simultaneously reached for his. They'd already planned for talisman escapes. But Mangryang's face hardened; he couldn't activate it.

"A barrier..."

"Heh heh. As expected—escape talismans or demonic tools. But you can't flee from here."

Rumble.

Growl.

Dragonkin and demonkin emerged from all sides. Each boasted immense physical prowess, combat weapons only Peak Experts could handle. Hundreds of them—utterly terrifying.

'Dangerous.'

Even with Yi Cheong-un's Thunder God Soul Unity, could he shield three and escape? If they formed an encirclement and attacked relentlessly, it spelled doom.

"Heh heh heh."

But then, Zhuge Sorcerer—watching via Thousand-Li Eye alongside me—grinned mischievously, as if awaiting something.

Soon, an incantation erupted in the chamber.

"Shatter, ko!"

Crack crunch.

"...Aaaargh!"

With a death cry, Zhuge Bu convulsed like a shrimp and collapsed forward. Internals ruptured, he vomited blood.

"L-Lord Pavilion Master!!"

The Astronomers panicked.

And it was Mangryang, not Zhuge Sorcerer, who triggered his Yin-Yang Thousand Tribulations. Finger extended toward Zhuge Bu, Mangryang activated the control incantation.

Mangryang sighed.

"Killing kin with my own hands isn't pleasant..."

"Urk... You... how..."

Mangryang eyed him coldly and said.

"Command it, ko."

"Grk! Urk! Keeeeaargh..."

Writhing bloody, eyes rolling back, Zhuge Bu screamed madly for a time.

"Withd- Draw! The! Forces! Withdraw!"

Rumble.

At Zhuge Bu's command, his controlled dragonkin and demonkin disengaged from the field. Then, trembling violently after the blood-soaked order, he passed out.

Mangryang gazed coldly and intoned.

"Explode, ko."

Boom boom.

Zhuge Bu perished in the blast. Normally, I'd capture and torture him, but Mangryang refrained deliberately. Feigning ignorance of his value would lower Vermilion Bird's guard.

"Kin or not, serving demons warrants no mercy. I'm pathetic for failing to redeem my brother."

Having slain Zhuge Bu in one strike, Mangryang muttered bitterly.

"Eek."

"No way..."

The panicked Astronomers faced Sword Demon, Dark Dragon Child, and Yi Cheong-un charging in, massacring them. Sword auras and energies flew; Yi Cheong-un's Thunder God Soul Unity tore foes asunder gruesomely.

"Arrgh."

"Mercy..."

Roar.

Once the slaughter ended, Mangryang hurled a Flame Division sorcery at Zhuge Bu's corpse, incinerating it rapidly. Burning was necessary to erase Yin-Yang Thousand Tribulations remnants. As it charred to cinders, he shouted toward somewhere.

"Vermilion Bird! We'll let this warning slide once. But try any more tricks, and we'll destroy you all, by any means."

No reply came, but the outcome was clear.

Total victory!

Our allies swiftly evacuated the General's Tower area. Watching the battle, I stuck out my tongue and said to Zhuge Sorcerer.

"You really predicted that situation?"

"Yeah."

Zhuge Sorcerer cackled.

"That's why I used the Soul Splitting Great Law to give Mangryang control of the Yin-Yang Thousand Tribulations."

Indeed.

Anticipating an Imperial ambush post-summit, Zhuge Sorcerer had shared senses with Mangryang via Soul-Splitting Formation and granted him Yin-Yang Thousand Tribulations authority. Thus, Mangryang had one-shotted Zhuge Bu in his stead.

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