Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

"Method?"

"The method is to obtain the ancient texts of the Four Guardian Styles."

"Ancient texts of the Four Guardian Styles?"

"From there, I'll explain."

Yi Cheong-un cleared his throat and spoke.

"For a master of the Thunder God Style like you, there have often been cases where one unleashes explosive power far beyond their capabilities. But in the early history of the Four Guardian Styles, it was dismissed as mere martial arts rampage. The proper research into that phenomenon began a few generations before the study of the Thunder God Soul."

"Hundreds of years ago."

"As the current patriarch, I inherited all that research material and refined and advanced the Thunder God Soul... but according to the tradition passed down to me, that rampage phenomenon likely dates back to the early days of the White Lotus Cult."

"In other words, the first patriarch who created the Thunder God Style martial arts had an inkling of why that phenomenon occurs and the ultimate direction that the martial arts of the Four Guardian Styles, including the Thunder God Style, would lead to."

"The first patriarch of the Thunder God Style... who was that?"

"I'm not certain."

I couldn't believe Yi Cheong-un's response and asked again.

"Pardon?"

"I'm saying I'm not certain who it was."

"It's absurd to say you're unsure who created the thousand-year-old Thunder God Style martial arts."

"It's because there's a historical blank period of about a hundred years after the White Lotus Cult's founding patriarch, Dharma. This is a secret passed down only to the patriarchs of the Four Guardian Styles. I haven't mentioned it until now because it wasn't particularly helpful for your martial arts..."

A blank period?

It was the first I'd heard of it, so I focused intently, and Yi Cheong-un continued.

"The founding ancestor of the White Lotus Cult, Dharma, is said to have been a monstrous monk who wielded immense Buddhist power. He gathered his followers and secretly established the White Lotus Cult, but that initial century is completely blank."

"Why? Weren't there disciples of Dharma or the progenitors of the Four Guardian Styles?"

"That part of history seems to have been deliberately erased. So all I know is the history after the Four Guardian Styles were firmly established."

"......"

"However, 'someone' created the Four Guardian Styles, and that's why they exist."

"Could it have been Dharma himself?"

"That's possible, but according to tradition, Dharma had little interest in martial arts. Based on the information you've gathered so far, he was purely a demonic sorcerer and monk. That's why in the White Lotus Cult, martial arts and sorcery are considered completely different from the root."

"Hmm."

Does that mean the creators of the Four Guardian Styles were not disciples of the White Lotus Cult Lord Dharma?

"Anyway, getting back to the point, we must obtain the ancient texts containing the lost history of the White Lotus Cult's Four Guardian Styles. Only by knowing those records can we understand the meaning behind the Thunder God Style martial arts and the true nature of the Thunder God Power."

"Do you know where those ancient texts are?"

"You've already been there."

Yi Cheong-un's eyes gleamed.

"It's the village of the Water God Style."

"That artificial fortress!"

"It's where the bloodline of the White Lotus Cult priests live, and the priests have passed down all the history and knowledge of the White Lotus Cult generation after generation. Therefore, all the historical texts of the White Lotus Cult must be in that village."

As I listened, something suddenly came to mind, and I said.

"...The White Lotus Cult Lord likely knows the lost history of the White Lotus Cult."

"You catch on quick. They say you've been studying hard lately—your mind seems sharper."

Yi Cheong-un, slightly impressed, continued.

"The White Lotus Cult Lord wasn't originally a martial artist. Born with the bloodline of a natural sorcerer, he spent decades holed up in the Water God Style village, reading books. He's undoubtedly mastered all the hidden dark secrets and history of the White Lotus Cult."

"Could the reason the White Lotus Cult Lord is after the Thunder God Style's ultimate secret be..."

"He already knows the lost history of the Four Guardian Styles and the realm their ultimate secrets will reach. He may have already read the secret records left by the first patriarch of the Four Guardian Styles. That's why he's trying to make the other Four Guardian Styles his own."

"......"

Everything connects.

The White Lotus Cult Lord deliberately leaving remnants of the Thunder God Style like Lee Gwang and Jin So-cheong unheeded despite his overwhelming power, searching for the teachings of the Lifeless Old Mother, and suddenly aiming for dominance over the Four Guardian Styles...

My face hardened as I said.

"In the end, the conclusion is that we have no choice but to negotiate with the White Lotus Cult Lord."

"That won't work if it's just using each other out of necessity like before."

"I know."

"He's a deeply cunning and wise man. Trying to superficially probe him will only get you used."

Jin So-cheong, standing nearby, chimed in.

"To fully uncover the secrets from the White Lotus Cult Lord, we must make him submit completely from the heart. We have to convert him, a man who despairs at the darkness of the world deep in his soul."

"From the heart..."

"It will be extremely difficult, but we must do it."

Make 'that' White Lotus Cult Lord submit from the heart?

Whether as an ally or subordinate, it was utterly ridiculous.

I knew this well, so negative thoughts were inevitable.

"The White Lotus Cult Lord sees this martial world as mere kindling and burns with a sense of mission to save humanity. He's the type who wouldn't hesitate to kill millions for his goals. What words could possibly sway him?"

"Sincerity will get through."

Jin So-cheong replied with a chuckle.

"...And for you, Baek Woong, it might be easier than for anyone else."

"......?"

"Let's end the information sharing here. Now we need to devise a way to negotiate with the White Lotus Cult Lord, but that's for the strategists rather than us martial artists."

"Understood."

I sparred with Jin So-cheong a few more times before leaving. Then I went to Jeon-ga-sa and showed him the conversation with the black obsidian. He crossed his arms and said.

"So? Can you last ten exchanges against the White Lotus Cult Lord with your current skill?"

"Ugh..."

"Be precise."

I hesitated, calculated in my head, and answered.

"If it were my early reincarnation self, maybe..."

"I see. So when you reach the entry to the Absolute Realm, you'll last about a hundred exchanges?"

"How would I know... I haven't reached the Absolute Realm yet, so I can't discuss that realm."

"You're no fun. Makes it hard to plan."

Muttering complaints, Jeon-ga-sa said.

"I'll work on the plan with Hyeon, so you go gather the Thunder God Style remnants with Yi Cheong-un."

"Got it."

I headed to the Crimson Dragon Sect, the base of Crimson Moon, with Yi Cheong-un. I'd been there before, so I arrived quickly using Thunder Shadow Step, and Yi Cheong-un barged right in upon arrival.

Boom!

Crash!

Boom boom!

"Aaaagh."

"Aaaack."

Screams echoed everywhere as Crimson Dragon Sect disciples were sent flying. Dozens, hundreds of martial artists scattered like a gale had passed, in less than half a breath. I followed inside and saw Yi Cheong-un facing the Thunderclap Three Venerables' Crimson Moon.

Crimson Moon trembled in terror at the sight of Yi Cheong-un.

"U, ugh, g-g-ghost? N-No way, the p-patriarch... after f-fifty years..."

Yi Cheong-un smiled faintly.

"Long time no see. But your Crimson Dragon Sect disciples practice Thunder God Style martial arts—why expand your sect in such a remote place?"

"Impossible! The patriarch can't be alive!"

Crimson Moon screamed, but at that moment, Yi Cheong-un shot finger wind infused with Thunder God Soul, sending him crashing into the wall.

Boom!

"Kuhk..."

Crimson Moon was neutralized in one strike. Not just his spirit—his skill didn't even match one exchange with Yi Cheong-un. Yi Cheong-un looked at him pitifully and said.

"The Crimson Dragon Sect is disbanded as of today. From now on, work under me to rebuild the Thunder God Style."

"P-Patriarch... please... this force is something I've built with my life over decades..."

"Not my concern."

"But..."

Thwack thwack!

Yi Cheong-un rushed in and slapped Crimson Moon ten times. Crimson Moon knelt, teeth flying, face bloodied, his senses sharply awakened.

"Ugh."

Yi Cheong-un brushed the teeth off his fist and said.

"Fifty years made you senile. Why are you defying the patriarch, you wretch?"

"Ugh... still..."

Smack!

"Guh."

Yi Cheong-un kicked Crimson Moon's shin and sighed.

"Shut up."

"... Yes..."

Crimson Moon, shedding thick tears of grievance, barely stood and declared the dissolution of the Crimson Dragon Sect. After stuffing Crimson Moon into the neck pouch, we went to the Dark Moon Squad of Dark Moon and repeated the process.

Dark Moon's reaction differed from Crimson Moon's. Seeing Yi Cheong-un, missing for fifty years, he showed great shock but quickly composed himself and said.

"I greet the patriarch."

One of the Thunderclap Three Venerables, Dark Moon—who had always maintained his arrogance—immediately knelt. In stark contrast to Crimson Moon, who got beaten for resisting, Yi Cheong-un's eyes lit up as he said.

"After fifty years, you believe it's really me?"

"No need to test me. I've always thought the patriarch might not have died."

"Hoo... on what basis?"

"......"

After a brief silence, Dark Moon said.

"If you wish, I'll bring all the remaining forces of our Ghost Soul Faction to follow you."

"The Dark Moon Squad wasn't all of it."

"Yes. Our Ghost Soul Faction preserved our forces intact using sorcery on that day fifty years ago."

Yi Cheong-un nodded silently.

"Follow me."

"Yes..."

It was the moment I approached to stuff Dark Moon into the neck pouch.

Flash!

A sudden flash erupted, and the scenery around us changed. Dark Moon's form turned to mist and vanished from the spot. In the abruptly altered situation, Dark Moon's voice echoed from the darkness.

[Even if you are truly Patriarch Yi Cheong-un, following you is absurd! Our Ghost Soul Faction will remain independent.]

Whoosh.

The mist began to dissipate. Yi Cheong-un muttered calmly.

"Illusion technique. Come to think of it, you were decent at sorcery too."

[Keep acting calm. I can't land a single blow on you with my skill, but you can't catch me either. Hahaha!]

"Really?"

[What?]

Yi Cheong-un said.

"Dark Moon. Last warning. Surrender obediently, and I'll spare you one arm."

[Puhaha! Do it if you can.]

"Fine."

Flash!

Yi Cheong-un suddenly activated Thunder God Soul, condensing thunder soul and cloaking his body. His entire form shimmered like a mass of light, bright enough to see with the naked eye—like staring at the sun. An immense radiance burst forth.

Thunder God Soul

Indra's Net

It felt like a net of lightning spread across heaven and earth. In the blink of an eye, the net covered dozens of feet. Dark Moon, trying to escape as mist, burned fiercely the moment he tried to break through.

Crackle crackle zap!!

"Aaaaaagh."

Dark Moon screamed and fainted from electrocution. Yi Cheong-un had controlled his power—he wasn't dead or injured, but foaming at the mouth meant he was fully subdued. Watching this, I asked.

"That technique just now...?"

"An application of Thunder God Soul. It neutralizes enemies with extreme lightning."

"Could you always use it?"

"Of course not. It's an application I developed after inheriting your black obsidian and undergoing intense training."

"......"

At that moment, I felt pity for the Thunderclap Three Venerables. They were struck by lightning from a clear sky.

"Now we've gathered all three of the Thunderclap Three Venerables. I'll make them work to solidify you as the quintessence of the Thunder God Style."

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