Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

[Bluffing...?]

The White Lotus Leader countered. There was no noticeable change in his emotions, but he seemed focused on my words. Ignoring the shocked stares from those around me, I continued.

"Don't you think so yourself?"

[Interesting. Why do you think I'm bluffing?]

"Because you're not attacking me right now."

I spoke calmly.

"White Lotus Leader. As you said, there's no reason you couldn't attack us. And if you see me as the mastermind, it would be simple to strike me down or capture me on the spot. Yet you're giving me options and buying me time."

[What are you getting at?]

[......]

A brief silence fell.

Most looked at me with worried expressions—even Mang Liang was no exception. What I had just said was a massive gamble, a direct provocation to the White Lotus Leader. Only Jin So-cheong seemed utterly indifferent to his own fate, staring blankly into the hall.

I didn't stop there and pressed on.

"And one more thing! Proof that you're bluffing."

[Oh? Let's hear it.]

My heart raced, but I forced a relaxed smile. I'd learned over time that even if you're terrified, keeping a smile on your face pays off.

"You don't know what's really happening right now. You took down the Vermilion Bird, but it wasn't the real one—you have no idea what scheme is at play, or even if you've truly checked the Imperial Palace as you wanted. In this situation, the one most in the dark and anxious is you, White Lotus Leader, and your White Lotus Cult."

[...Hmph...]

"If what you want is to fight and wipe us out, we'll oblige. Come on, let's kill each other and see."

I stared at him calmly as I said it.

"But as the shadowy manipulator of this realm, Baek Woong, let me tell you this: you'll regret attacking our Anti-Heaven Alliance. Because your true goal lies higher!"

[......]

The White Lotus Leader fell silent at my words, but Dugu Jun, the Guardian Lion of the Divine Receiving Guardians beside him, bristled and stepped forward. He seemed furious, his golden dragon mask twitching as he spoke.

[How dare an ignorant whelp spout such nonsense at the Leader! Pay for that crime with your life.]

Kukwang!

The ground suddenly exploded, and Dugu Jun's form shot toward me like a cannonball. The second-in-command of the White Lotus Cult, a supreme expert wielding the infinite inner energy of the Heavenly Spirit Pill, was attacking me in earnest. In that instant, I sensed his speed penetrating more than half my detection range and thought:

Slow.

It wasn't slow at all—fast enough to slay a peak expert in one strike—yet that's how it felt. With my skills, I could counter and then some.

'Is it because I've sparred so much with the owner of the Thunder God Soul Fusion?'

I didn't panic at all. As Dugu Jun's palm strike aimed to rip out my ribs, I unleashed the Three Treasures Ultimate Technique. It suppressed the changes of heaven, earth, and man, fluidly deflecting his attack. Dugu Jun, as if expecting it, countered with the Seven Great Ultimate Arts.

Pababat!

He must have indirectly learned the Seven Great Ultimate Arts through the Leader, for he wielded the subtleties of the Coiling Dragon Heaven Pivot Sword to unleash dozens of water spears at me. His dazzling water techniques brimmed with overwhelming power, seeking to pierce my flesh. Each attack from Dugu Jun, bearer of the Heavenly Spirit Pill, would shred my protective aura like paper. Objectively, there was a vast gap between his pure striking power and mine.

This tastes bitter.

I could see his attacks coming so predictably.

'So you're underestimating me? Fair enough—you have the skill for it, Dugu Jun.'

But—that only mattered if they hit.

Wudang Five Great Divine Skills

Four Images Creation Art

Earth Overcomes Water

Back in the days when I'd trained directly under Chang Sambong, I'd mastered the Wudang Five Great Divine Skills through live combat. With Chang Sambong's detailed guidance echoing in my mind, I understood the profound interactions of the five elements deeply. Coupled with decades of cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Divine Skill and my inner energy and will at their peak, applying the Four Images Creation Art to manifest Earth Overcomes Water was no challenge.

Taiji Fist

Retreating Step

Parting the Waves Hammer

Hwiririk!

With a light rotation of the fist form, the energy of earth gathered in my palms, softly enveloping Dugu Jun's water spears with my will. The flow of force naturally descended, the water's energy sapped by the earth and slamming into the ground. Dugu Jun's assault faltered for a moment.

[What?!]

No matter how strong the force, it can't overcome a proper deflection.

That's why the Wudang school's transcendent techniques are so highly prized in the martial world.

"My turn!"

As Dugu Jun faltered at the unexpected application of Earth Overcomes Water, I summoned thunder energy and struck back with the Three Treasures Ultimate Technique. He surged his Heavenly Spirit Pill aura to repel me, but I accelerated the thunder even further, concentrating lightning power in my index finger to the bursting point.

'Full of openings!'

Eight Immortals Divine Skill

Seven Stars Exploding Thunder Finger

Ultimate Technique

One-Two-Three-Four-Five-Six-Seven! Boom!

"One!"

With my shout, the first finger strike collided with his protective aura, creating a palm-sized ripple.

"Two! Three!"

The second made a two-palm ripple, the third one as thick as a torso.

Thudung

"Four! Five! Six!"

Boom boom boom

At the fourth, his entire aura trembled. At the fifth, Dugu Jun's face showed alarm. At the sixth, as I fully extended my arm, his aura split in a massive X. The Seven Stars Exploding Thunder Finger's potential had momentarily surpassed his defensive aura.

Crack

"Seven!"

In the final, all-out Seven Thunder Finger, Dugu Jun abandoned reliance on his aura, guarding his vitals and leaping back.

[Urk!]

Kwagwang!

Chijjik...

Dugu Jun blocked the Seven Stars Exploding Thunder Finger's ultimate technique, but he'd been pushed back two zhang from his original spot. A deep finger mark scarred his forearm, meaning I'd struck his meridian to temporarily block his inner energy flow. The ground bore scorch marks from his dragged feet.

Dugu Jun cried out in disbelief.

[Th... This...]

I dusted off my hands.

"If I used my sword, I'd be twice as strong. Want to test it?"

Of course, this was my bluff. The sword does make me stronger than with bare-hand techniques, but not enough to surpass the Heavenly Spirit Pill yet. In a prolonged power clash, I'd be at a huge disadvantage—I still couldn't handle a Heavenly Spirit Pill guardian with pure skill.

[......!!]

But my bluff worked; Dugu Jun hesitated, no longer attacking. Unlike before, he now eyed me warily. The watching Leader then spoke.

[To repel Jun—you have impressive skill... Baek Woong, you too are a peerless expert shaking the world.]

"Flattery gets you nowhere."

As I retorted, the Leader crossed his arms.

[One question. Baek Woong, do you grasp what's happening here?]

"Yes. And aside from Zhuge Yuryong, everyone—me, you, those Twelve Laws—has been screwed."

[Hm...]

"And I alone know the only way to resolve this crisis."

"B-Baek Woong!"

Mang Liang cried out in alarm beside me. I'd leaked critical information that could be negotiation leverage to the White Lotus Leader. But I'd decided to push forward relentlessly with the momentum.

I stared him down boldly.

"White Lotus Leader! The goal of this Mount Ye assault was to destroy the Imperial Palace and bury the Vermilion Bird forever. But you've guessed the Vermilion Bird escaped and are bluffing to avoid the real issue. That way, we'll all just play into its hands."

[......]

"I'll say it once more. Maintain the alliance or fight—your choice. I hope you choose wisely."

This was my final gambit.

'Please buy it...'

I gritted my teeth inwardly.

If the White Lotus Leader ignored me and attacked, I'd use Spatial Transference to escape with my comrades as best I could. But I couldn't save everyone—maybe just one or two. That would ruin this reincarnation. It was a huge gamble.

The silence stretched long.

Finally, the White Lotus Leader spoke.

[Baek Woong. What is your goal? World domination?]

"Not interested. But my dream is..."

A peculiar term from the Twelve Laws Leader popped into my mind—perfect for this. I hesitated, then continued.

"...to broadly benefit humanity."

The White Lotus Leader flinched, trembling slightly.

[Broadly benefit humanity, eh.]

[Who wants the age of ruin?]

[Huhn...]

With a low chuckle, the White Lotus Leader said,

[Fine. You win. We'll follow the Anti-Heaven Alliance's lead.]

[L-Leader!!]

Dugu Jun whirled in shock, but the Leader waved him off.

[I apologize for the backstab. On my soul, I swear—at least today, I won't betray you again.]

I replied curtly.

"Think a few words make up for stabbing us in the back?"

[But it's something you must accept.]

"...Fine."

I did it!

The White Lotus Leader abandoned attacking the Anti-Heaven Alliance and agreed to reform the alliance. Soon, the Anti-Heaven Alliance experts held by the guardians were freed from their bonds and joined us, faces etched with relief at having survived. The Sword Demon came to my side, impressed.

"Truly remarkable. Negotiating as an equal with that White Lotus Leader..."

"My skill doesn't even reach the sole of his foot."

"No. It's not that... Not just anyone could do it. You've grown."

"Haha."

I'd just bluffed like Mang Liang or the strategists used to, and it worked perfectly—I felt quietly pleased. Then Mang Liang sent me a transmission.

[Baek Woong. Let's withdraw from here quickly. No good facing the White Lotus Twelve Laws longer. And to where your uncle is...]

Obviously. I'd talked like I'd share info with the White Lotus Cult, but they struck first—no need to honor that. As I prepared to move everyone via Spatial Transference while watching the Leader warily—

"...?"

An odd feeling hit me.

Is this really the best?

A nagging doubt lingered in my mind. Logically, no reason to hesitate fleeing with the Anti-Heaven Alliance, yet my throat felt parched. The hesitation sprouting like weeds in my heart slowed me.

Just then, Elder Mang Liang's words echoed.

[I sense ill omens. Don't get arrogant and invite a counterattack...]

"......"

Was this 'arrogance' right now?

'Is taking just the Anti-Heaven Alliance to take down the Vermilion Bird arrogant enough to invite doom?'

My mind felt trapped, suffocating. It made sense, but no guarantee my choice was right. To claim the ultimate portrait automaton, ditching the Twelve Laws and White Lotus Cult for our solo escape was textbook. This doubt felt ridiculous.

But... but.

The assumption that the battered Anti-Heaven Alliance could take down the Vermilion Bird.

What if that was wrong from the start?

What if the Vermilion Bird still had the power to annihilate us?

'Damn. No time.'

I glanced at Mang Liang, but no time to consult. The Leader eyed me intensely, hungry for info, and the Twelve Laws watched—ready to intervene anytime. Debating now would just make me look foolish. No time for a spirit pearl chat with Zhuge either!

Just like Zhuge said before—a split-second call I had to make myself!

After agonizing, I spoke.

"Leader. Follow us."

[Where?]

"Baek Woong!!"

Mang Liang yelped in surprise, but I'd made up my mind and continued.

"We're heading to where the Vermilion Bird is crafting the ultimate portrait automaton. Let's finish it for good."

I abandon claiming the ultimate portrait automaton this life.

Too greedy—better secure one before losing both.

I'd bear the consequences, but my gut said unite the three powers' full might to focus on eliminating the Vermilion Bird.

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