Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

Dalma had been killed by the [Old Rulers]?

That was different from what I’d thought—that he’d simply exploded and died from the overwhelming demonic power of the Magic Tome. I looked at the Oracle and said,

“Tell me more.”

[Dalma was originally a great monk from Tianzhu... He came to the Central Plains during the era of the Sixth Patriarch, met Emperor Wu of Liang Xiao Yan, founded Shaolin Temple, and spread the Buddha’s teachings... But afterward, he vanished... That was because, as his cultivation deepened, he realized the truth hidden on the underside of the world and went mad.]

“Went mad?”

[Everything without exception is despair... Even death is hell... This world is a sandcastle barely held together by the flimsy mercy of the gods... Few beings could easily accept such a fact...]

“……”

I fell silent. I was certainly strong-willed enough to endure facing that despair head-on and keep going, but most would be consumed by madness or choose suicide. The Oracle continued.

“What? Just from creating a single Magic Tome...”

[That Magic Tome was no ordinary one. It was a true harbinger of the end... A living ‘something’ in its own right.]

“It was alive...”

[Yes... That Magic Tome was different from all others in its very origin. Perhaps it wasn’t even something that should be called a Magic Tome... Something that came from the ‘outside’...]

The Oracle’s tentacles rippled for a moment before it spoke.

[No matter how great a deity, the call from the ‘outside’ is something to fear... One misstep, and everything could perish before even hearing the revelation...]

“Hmm.”

[So at that time, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors temporarily withdrew their protection from the Central Plains... And all the deities united to slay Dalma... But he didn’t die quietly... He embraced a curse of 5.67 billion years upon his soul... And scattered the Dharma fragments across the world.]

“……?”

I made a baffled face.

“5.67 billion? Are you mocking me right now...?”

[Remember, all the gods were shocked and enraged... The curse poured upon Dalma at that time... Was enough to destroy the Central Plains continent a hundred times over... Yet the chaotic power he wielded then was so immense that even that curse couldn’t fully annihilate him... And with his final strength, the Dharma fragmented.]

“……”

The story was so immense that listening to it made my head reel. It also made me freshly realize just how absolute the [Old Rulers] were. Overwhelmed by the scale, I listened quietly, and the Oracle shifted a step to the side before continuing.

[The Dharma fragmented into a total of six pieces... But if the one who obtains a fragment is an [Old Ruler]... He will guard it with his life... Because he does not wish the destruction of all things... Even if I obtained one, I would protect a fragment at the cost of my entire race...]

“So what are you getting at? Are you saying it’s certain the fragments are currently held by the [Old Rulers]?”

[Yes... Almost certainly... At that time, all the lesser races and servant races rampaged across the earth... At least one or two fragments... are surely in the hands of the current [Old Rulers]...]

The Oracle said,

[The White Lotus Cult Leader seems to desire a fragment of the Dharma... But it’s a pipe dream...]

“I see... So that’s it.”

I recalled what Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors’ envoy Zhan Wu had said when summoned to the Heavenly Sovereign Altar in the past.

[That one spares no means to seek the Dharma of Nothingness and Non-Death. As if a mere human’s power—no, even the power of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors—could complete it! I shall show that arrogant human the might of the Heavenly Realm.]

At the time, I’d been too stunned by the leader’s supposed betrayal to pay it much mind. But Zhan Wu had clearly said with his own mouth that even “the power of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors” couldn’t complete it.

‘Even the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors can’t seize a Dharma fragment by force from an [Old Ruler] whose identity they don’t even know.’

No matter how mighty the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, stealing a fragment of doom from an unknown possessor is no easy task. That’s why he called it “impossible.” Of course, if all the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors united their power, it might not be out of reach—but there’d be no need. Why risk such enormous danger to claim a fragment leading to destruction?

I pondered deeply before saying,

“Could obtaining one of those Dharma fragments grant tremendous power?”

[...It’s possible. It’s certain they contain terrifying chaotic power... But until you obtain one, it’s all speculation.]

Lee Cheong-un’s guess seemed likely. Each fragment held immense power, so finding and claiming one would grant me that chaos in my grasp. I clenched my fist.

‘Good... I’ve got it!’

I knew the location of at least one fragment. If I claimed it during my reincarnations, my path to strength would accelerate for sure! On a whim, I asked again.

“You said the [Old Rulers] attacked the moment the Dharma was completed—wouldn’t they notice and attack if I obtain individual fragments?”

[No... From what I know, they wouldn’t... Before completion, they wouldn’t sense it... They’d just think it’s a bit of strong chaotic power...]

“Then you have no idea who currently holds which fragments?”

[I don’t... Unlike with the Seven Desires, I’ve heard nothing on that...]

In the end, I’d have to find the fragments entirely on my own. Satisfied with this much, I said,

“Got it. Finally, tell me how to use the Weapon in the Tower of Endless Weapons.”

[Very well... Take this. It’s the method to use the weapon.]

Whoosh

The Oracle tossed me a small crystal orb, which I caught. Just like before, a flood of information poured into my mind: the weapon’s structure, components, operation method, power, and more. As I staggered from the sheer volume, the Oracle said,

[Your civilization would need at least 800 years just to imitate it... More than generous compensation.]

“It’s still just a one-time rental.”

As I grumbled, the Oracle replied,

[Well... Is our deal concluded? I don’t mind if you want more.]

“……”

Should I end the deal here?

“Wait a moment.”

Unable to decide alone, I secretly communicated with Zhuge Sa via the Telepathy Pearl. He listened to the full story, then said,

[Nothing more worth gaining right now. Return first.]

[Got it.]

“That’s enough for now.”

I informed the Oracle the deal was done. As I prepared to move using Dimensional Shift, the Oracle said,

[One thing... Shall I give you some free advice?]

I paused

Intrigued, I turned to the Oracle. It rolled its eyes for a moment before slowly continuing.

[Searching... Receiving... Seizing by force... But there are not just three paths. There is a fourth way...]

“……? What are you talking about?”

As I questioned it, the Oracle chuckled.

[Keh heh heh... I don’t like dragging things out either...]

No idea what that meant.

Ignoring the Oracle, I headed back to base at Jiangyeong Valley.

Flash

Back at Jiangyeong Valley, I met Zhuge Sa, who transferred the alchemy formula and weapon knowledge from me via the black obsidian. He examined it for a while before saying,

“It wasn’t an empty claim that researching this alchemy would take 100 years.”

“Impossible?”

“With my power alone, yes. My specialty isn’t even alchemy to begin with, and the difficulty is insane. We’ll have to gather the strength of alchemists and Western sorcerers from everywhere.”

“Ugh... Scammed again...”

“No. Just receiving this is a huge gain. With this formula alone, our civilization could advance several levels. The derivative knowledge alone is worth a million gold nyang. And for a regressor like you, 100 years isn’t that long.”

“Hmm.”

“If we can create the memory transfer metal, you could shorten your journey several times over.”

Zhuge Sa continued firmly.

“And save the Tower of Endless Weapons’ weapon until the very end.”

“Got it.”

Swoosh

That was when Mang Ryang burst in from outside, using Shrinking Earth Technique as effortlessly as breathing—his sorcery clearly at a very high level now. In a slightly agitated voice, he said,

“Big trouble, Uncle.”

“What’s wrong, Hyeon-a?”

Our faces—mine and Zhuge Sa’s—hardened at his next words.

“The Ming Empire’s 450,000-strong army has surrounded the Ye Mountain area.”

“……!!”

“The troops from Huguang, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan Provinces... even the central army. All forces are deployed to encircle Ye Mountain, completely sealing off the twenty-li radius. Elite heavy cavalry and special units are estimated at around 70,000.”

Zhuge Sa stroked his chin and replied.

“That means they’ve pulled every soldier from a single province, ignoring the provincial governor’s wishes. Even the public security forces?”

“That’s the report.”

“Looks like information leaked to the imperial palace beforehand. The surprise attack’s already failed.”

“……”

I bit my lip hard.

To think the palace would respond this swiftly! Zhuge Sa wasn’t exaggerating in declaring failure—it was already over. Attacking enemies who knew and were prepared wasn’t a surprise; it was a frontal assault, with victory chances plummeting.

Staring piercingly at Mang Ryang, Zhuge Sa said,

“But that alone wouldn’t make you come here in person. You could’ve just sent a paper bird spell... Coming yourself means...”

“Yes. Just now, envoys from the Twelve Laws and White Lotus Cult arrived regarding that.”

“No way...”

“They say they’ll break through head-on.”

“Crazy bastards, as expected.”

Zhuge Sa spat the curse, but I couldn’t help agreeing in my heart.

450,000 troops!

70,000 elite units!

Moving that force would annihilate Goryeo or Dongyeong in one go. It was a defensive barrier pouring in most of the Ming Empire’s current military might! The White Lotus Cult or Twelve Laws might not see it as much, but it evoked the image of a heaven-shattering army all the same.

But Zhuge Sa focused not on numbers, chewing his lip as he said,

“For such massive forces from Shanxi or Henan to arrive exactly one or two days before... Orders must’ve reached the mid-level commanders leading them at least five days prior. That means the info leaked before those Heavenly Rebel Alliance guys came threatening us. Damn worthless scum... Leaking secrets like incompetent fools.”

Understanding, I countered,

“You’re saying the White Lotus Cult or Twelve Laws leaked the info?”

“It means Zhuge’s capabilities are greater than expected. Not the Embroidered Uniform Guard or Eastern Depot, but their own independent spy network pierced theirs. The Twelve Laws and White Lotus Cult got caught flat-footed.”

“……”

I let out a groan. Zhuge Yulong wasn’t an absolute expert like the Twelve Laws Master or White Lotus Cult Leader, but with his heaven-first-class intellect and immortal nature, he was incredibly troublesome. At least in strategy and intelligence, the palace had taken the lead.

Zhuge Sa shook his head.

“Their talk of breaking through directly probably means the White Lotus Cult’s Dharma Protectors will use infinite inner power to overwhelm with firepower. Are they really planning that madness?”

Mang Ryang replied with a gloomy face.

“That’s how it looks. No reason they wouldn’t.”

“Even if they can break through, it ignores the unspoken rules. The Dharma Protectors’ power comes from demonic paths of the hidden world, not the human realm. The moment they topple a great army with it... The world loses the order humans built over thousands of years and descends into chaos.”

“But there’s no way to stop the White Lotus Cult’s ritual now.”

“True...”

The next instant, both spoke at once.

“We still have to stop it.”

“We still have to stop it.”

I looked at the two Zhuge sages with puzzlement. Then asked,

“We agree it must be stopped, but I don’t fully grasp why we should sacrifice to make it happen.”

“Heh heh, Baek Woong. Sometimes you’re chillingly rational.”

Mang Ryang gave a bitter smile and said,

“The reason we must stop the White Lotus Cult’s ritual... is that the cult massacring the Ming Empire’s elite troops could itself be Zhuge’s trap.”

“What?”

“Zhuge can’t be unaware of the Dharma Protectors’ firepower. With intel prowess to uncover our raid instantly, he’s surely grasped their full strength. And he knows tens of thousands of troops are toothpicks before infinite inner power.”

Realizing something from Mang Ryang’s words, I said,

“A sacrifice!”

Mang Ryang nodded.

“Zhuge Yulong has likely already set up a ritual barrier so that the mass slaughter becomes a human offering for Ye Mountain. So the cult starting the massacre would actually aid his plan.”

“Hmm...!!”

“The instant hundreds of thousands are slaughtered, their resentful souls will be drawn to the altar and offered to the god.”

It was chillingly plausible! A demonic path scheme through and through.

Groaning, I said,

“But... We can’t just let them peacefully perform the ritual inside Ye Mountain either.”

“Exactly. If we do, the ultimate Portrait of the Supreme Ghost will complete inside, upending the power balance and granting the palace immense might.”

“Surrounded on all sides...”

A no-win situation.

That was when Zhuge Sa spoke.

“There is a way.”

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