Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

I returned to Jangryeong Valley and told Zhuge Sa about the Supreme Void and Chaos. He then said,

“That means, in the end, you have to obtain the Primordial Spirit to reach the divine realm.”

“I think so.”

The Primordial Spirit was the ability to borrow power from Chaos’s jade throne. In truth, it wasn’t martial arts but an advanced evil sorcery, a secret demonic technique. To gain the power of Chaos, the Primordial Spirit was the ultimate method. Zhuge Sa pondered deeply before speaking.

“…Even so, refrain from obtaining the Primordial Spirit for the time being.”

“Huh?”

“I’m not sure if the Primordial Spirit’s restriction would even mean anything to you, but it’s still a [contract]. You can’t proceed without knowing the exact terms of the contract and the detailed circumstances behind it. You need to hear the full story from the White Lotus Leader herself, the demonic sorceress who created the contract.”

“Got it.”

“Yi Cheong-un is looking for you. Go see him right away.”

I also told Yi Cheong-un about the situation I’d learned from Monk Mangryang. He let out a deep sigh and said,

“I see! So the Leader has already set foot in such an astonishing realm.”

“The problem is how strong the Leader is now…”

I trailed off. Yi Cheong-un gave a wry smile in response.

“Haha, my apologies. Since the martial achievements I’ve gained are fully transmitted to the Leader, she’s probably the strongest in any of your past lives. What a nuisance I’ve become…”

“Oh, no, it’s fine.”

I could only mumble awkwardly. Making Yi Cheong-un, the greatest transcendent expert I could recruit, my master to elevate my own realm was good, but it simultaneously strengthened the White Lotus Leader—a glaring contradiction. I no longer knew if our power alone could stop the White Lotus Cult.

Yi Cheong-un said,

“Hmm, if that theory about the Supreme Void is correct… it feels like I might have one foot in that realm myself.”

“Pardon?”

“When I push the Thunder God Soul Fusion to its ultimate state, I sense something in that super-sensation, right as the thunder soul reaches its peak speed and crosses the momentary barrier. Something faint mixes in with the lightning. I’ve always thought it was due to my own immaturity, but…”

Yi Cheong-un, who had been mulling it over, continued,

“Perfect timing, Baek Woong. Come with me to see Jin So-cheong.”

“Wasn’t he in closed-door training?”

“He’s the best one to discuss this dilemma with. You’ll gain something by joining us.”

I headed with Yi Cheong-un to a low hill about ten li from Jangryeong Valley. As part of his closed-door training, Jin So-cheong was living alone in the mountain, subsisting there by himself. Upon reaching the mountain entrance, Jin So-cheong emerged as if he’d been waiting.

“Master. And Baek Woong… you’ve come.”

“Jin So-cheong. How’s the training going?”

“I’m just reviewing what I already have.”

I sensed something off about Jin So-cheong’s energy flow—it felt weaker than before.

“Huh? Why does he seem weaker than me…?”

He was far weaker than the time I’d sensed him at the entry to the Absolute Realm. No, he felt even weaker than when I’d first met him. The qi circulating inside and outside his body was so faint he seemed no different from an ordinary person. It wasn’t the realm of No Refutation Returning to Truth—it truly appeared close to nothingness.

We went to the simple thatched hut Jin So-cheong had built for his training and sat down. Yi Cheong-un explained the information I’d brought about Chaos and the Supreme Void to him, and Jin So-cheong listened silently. Once finished, Yi Cheong-un calmly said to him,

“When I raise the Thunder God Soul Fusion and the thunder soul unleashes its maximum speed in that instant, I cross the barrier of a fleeting moment and feel something. Something extremely subtle mixes into the lightning. Don’t you think that’s the Supreme Void, Jin So-cheong?”

“… …”

Jin So-cheong stared piercingly into his teacup for a long while, deep in thought. Then he spoke.

“It’s insufficient. I probably haven’t reached it in the pure sense.”

“I thought as much.”

“But I don’t think the Master’s words are wrong. It’s just that the acceleration isn’t enough.”

“Huhu. That’s an interesting take.”

Yi Cheong-un burst into hearty laughter.

I couldn’t follow their conversation, so I asked Jin So-cheong,

“What do you mean by acceleration? Explain it to me.”

“The realm where one obtains the thunder god’s soul through the Harmony of Heaven and Earth is the Thunder God Soul Fusion. Since the essence of nature is chaos, the Thunder God Soul Fusion should have the potential to reach chaos as well. But at the speed we know it, it can’t fully shatter its form and arrive at the extreme.”

“Hmm…”

I was briefly puzzled by Jin So-cheong’s words but grasped what he meant.

“You’re saying that if the Thunder God Soul Fusion becomes even faster, you can achieve fusion even with thunder god-style martial arts?”

“That’s the conjecture.”

“… …”

I stared piercingly at Jin So-cheong, a sudden thought striking me, and asked,

“Jin So-cheong. Don’t tell me… you’ve reached the Absolute Realm?”

Jin So-cheong nodded.

“A little while ago.”

“… …!!”

Just as I thought!

Yi Cheong-un hadn’t come to seek insights from him for no reason. Naturally, since Jin So-cheong had also reached the Absolute Realm, they could exchange insights on equal footing and advance together. My prediction confirmed, I looked at Yi Cheong-un.

“Isn’t crossing from peak transcendence to the Absolute Realm supposed to be incredibly difficult?”

Yi Cheong-un gave a wry smile.

“Actually, Jin So-cheong reached the Absolute Realm quite some time ago. He was already there before closed-door training. Sorry for not telling you.”

“Why hide that from me…”

“It was because of your morale.”

Yi Cheong-un took a sip of tea and continued.

“Truth be told, even in the thousand-year history of thunder god arts, where I’m called the greatest genius, Jin So-cheong’s talent is on an incomprehensible level. I genuinely believe he’s superior to me. Seeing him casually shatter the wall of the Absolute Realm with my own eyes made it impossible to even mention it to you. No matter how much insight into martial arts you’ve given me…”

“… …”

“It’s a talent so immense that even geniuses and prodigies feel utter defeat… Telling you about Jin So-cheong’s achievements would only deepen your sense of futility and deprivation, wouldn’t it? I planned to keep it hidden until you fully mastered the Pinnacle of Subtlety.”

“I see…”

“But the fusion of chaos and the Supreme Void is too profound an insight. It made no sense not to bring you along, since you’re the reincarnator who can share it directly.”

I could understand Yi Cheong-un’s consideration. Truth be told, I’d exploded with inferiority countless times over Jin So-cheong’s terrifying talent. I’d taken solace in the fact that even he couldn’t easily break through to the Absolute Realm—but now even that was meaningless.

Jin So-cheong waved his hand dismissively and said,

“You’re overpraising me. We should focus on the matter at hand.”

“Right. So, do you know a way to accelerate the Thunder God Soul Fusion further?”

“I think we lack clues for now. The Thunder God Soul Fusion, refined over generations, can’t be improved overnight. It’ll take at least several years.”

Jin So-cheong spoke firmly, then continued,

“Right now, we only grasp the concept of fusion. Without the experience of someone who’s directly handled chaos, it’s impossible.”

Yi Cheong-un let out a groan.

“You’re saying we need the Leader’s help?”

“Yes. And I believe peak experts who’ve reached the Absolute Realm should gather to discuss it.”

“Hahaha!”

Yi Cheong-un laughed boisterously. He seemed genuinely delighted.

“Absolute Realm experts are so rare in martial history—one might not even appear in a century… Yet in this era, there are so many. To think we can discuss among Absolute Realm masters…”

He looked at me and continued,

“Baek Woong. Negotiate with the White Lotus Leader as soon as possible. Make sure to obtain her insight into chaos from her.”

“You’re serious?”

I looked at Yi Cheong-un in disbelief. I never expected him to bring it up first.

“With your grudge against Yi Cheong-un and the thunder god lineage, wouldn’t it go against propriety for me to negotiate with them?”

Yi Cheong-un replied self-deprecatingly.

“My grudge is just from this life, anyway. It pales compared to your tragic fate of fighting malevolent absolute gods through reincarnations. Besides, I originally died defeated by the Leader, so I don’t even have the right to revenge.”

“That’s…”

“The thunder god lineage’s creed is self-strengthening dominance. I failed to uphold it, so I’ve partly lost my qualification as its master.”

“… …”

“So don’t mind my position as a defeated dead man. What’s important is that you’re part of our thunder god lineage and could fulfill our longings someday. For that alone, I’m grateful to you, Baek Woong. As master of the thunder god lineage, I support all your decisions.”

“…Understood.”

I was inwardly moved by Yi Cheong-un’s magnanimity. He should harbor the greatest grudge against the White Lotus Leader, who purged him, killed him, and drove the thunder god lineage to ruin. Yet he’d set aside all that hatred to act solely for me, the reincarnator. It was the rational choice, but for the person involved to truly change his heart was no easy feat.

I began coldly calculating the possibilities in my mind.

‘Negotiating with the Leader…’

Of course, it was feasible. I could approach the White Lotus Cult with maximum goodwill, forming a close alliance. Since my face and identity weren’t publicly known, with luck, I might even become her disciple. Or I could venture giving her the obsidian to make her an ally.

Either way, thanks to Zhuge Sa and Mangryang’s efforts, I was in a strong position with many options.

The fusion of chaos and the Supreme Void!

What power would that primal form bring me?

Yi Cheong-un said,

“Baek Woong. But before negotiating, you need more training. You’re still lacking in many aspects of martial arts…”

“Right. Then I’ll refine the Pinnacle of Subtlety further…”

“No. That’s sufficient now. It needs more long-term refinement, but you’ve improved greatly. From now on, I’ll teach you fist techniques.”

“Fist techniques?”

“Among sword, fist, and spear, your understanding of fist techniques is the weakest.”

“I see.”

I felt my martial progress had matured another level. If Yi Cheong-un himself said the Pinnacle of Subtlety was enough, it meant my thunder god arts’ linkages and applications had advanced greatly. As I felt inwardly proud, Yi Cheong-un stood and said,

“Now, it would be good to gather the scattered masters of thunder god fist technique styles throughout the world.”

“Understood.”

“Before that, since we’re here with Jin So-cheong, let’s have a spar.”

“A spar?”

“Of course. It’s killing two birds with one stone—that’s why I came all this way.”

Yi Cheong-un chuckled.

“By the way, the Absolute Realm Jin So-cheong has comprehended isn’t the Thunder God Soul Fusion. He’s pioneered a different field, so feel it for yourself. Sparring an Absolute Realm master besides me will undoubtedly be a huge experience for you.”

“R-Really?”

“Absolutely. It’s not superior to the Thunder God Soul Fusion, but it’s a new realm he’s opened.”

Surprised, I looked at Jin So-cheong, who calmly said,

“It’s nothing special. The Master is hying me up, but I’m only at the entry to the Absolute Realm, so I haven’t named this realm clearly yet. I still can’t match Yi Cheong-un.”

Yi Cheong-un wore a subtle smile.

“Hahaha! ‘For now,’ maybe. But you’ll surpass me soon enough, won’t you?”

Jin So-cheong didn’t reply. It was as good as silent affirmation.

“… …”

I felt no jealousy or emptiness. At this level, the time for such emotions had long passed. Instead, intense awe welled up.

‘Amazing.’

Pure admiration filled my heart. And a touch of gratitude lingered.

‘I’m grateful to live in the same era as such a genius.’

In this brilliant era where geniuses and experts sprang up like stars, crossing paths with myths and civilizations—wasn’t this my fortune? Even if the world was vast, there’d never be another genius like Jin So-cheong, which oddly calmed my mind.

As I walked to spar with Jin So-cheong, Mangryang’s past words resurfaced in my head.

[Don’t hold back on insights and teachings! And the more comrades, the better. Stick to this policy in future lives too.]

[If your goal was personal fame and fortune, you wouldn’t need the obsidian. But as you are now, gathering karmic chains to fight godlike beings, you mustn’t stint on granting boons to comrades.]

[If someone betrays you, it’s actually a gain. Just don’t take them as comrades in the future.]

[We’re absolutely lacking in power now. Until we amass it, spare no means or methods.]

Mangryang was right. If I’d hoarded insights and teachings, Jin So-cheong wouldn’t have grown this fast, and I wouldn’t have the chance to spar an Absolute expert. No matter how long I secluded myself in the mountains, I couldn’t gain even a fraction of this growth. I’d died in my first life training alone to become an expert—I understood that viscerally.

‘I need to utilize others’ talents.’

Talentless as I am, I can’t create what I lack. Even with Jolyok’s blessing, it was impossible. So I must wield others’ talents from the shadows, grow them, and advance indirectly through them. It’s frustrating not to become the strongest myself, but this is how a mediocre talent defies heaven’s mandate.

What I need now isn’t inferiority.

I must advance with humility as my weapon.

Because someday, as the reincarnator, I will win. For that, I can endure momentary grievances or jealousy.

What humans need to grow is open exchange!

Assuming the starter stance for a thunder god sword form, I declared the spar’s start to Jin So-cheong.

“I’ll attack first.”

“Come.”

Those who reject exchange with others can never grow.

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