Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

"HEY, YOU LOT!"

The Great Sage Equal to Heaven approached us after subjugating Yi Jinashi. With his Ruyi Staff slung over his shoulder, he glanced at Jin So-cheong and Lee Cheong-un, then spoke as if sensing something off.

"What's your reason for chasing the Seven Relics?"

"......"

It seemed the Great Sage had pegged Jin So-cheong or Lee Cheong-un as the leader, not me. Jin So-cheong didn't deny it and picked up the conversation smoothly.

"The world is hurtling toward destruction. We heard that obtaining the great treasure known as the Seven Relics could save humanity, so we've come with like-minded allies to claim them. If you have words for us, speak them to me."

Jin So-cheong had turned the spotlight onto himself. It was a diversionary tactic to save my life first, come what may.

"Hoh. Just as I figured. And how'd you know who I am?"

"I see."

The Great Sage rubbed his chin thoughtfully before speaking.

"But no dice. I get your situation, but the Moon Relic goes to me."

"What do you mean?"

"You don't need to scramble for the Seven Relics to save yourselves—this chaos will be sorted by the Heavens. So hand over the relic without worry."

He narrowed his eyes meacingly, and his fiery golden gaze flared like sparks.

"That's the key to the apocalypse! If the demons snatch it from you, we're all in deep trouble."

"......"

Jin So-cheong paused in thought before replying.

"Then, Great Sage, you'll need to grant me two requests in return."

"What?"

The Great Sage Mihouwang looked utterly baffled.

"You lost your mind? Think a decent human can take me on just 'cause you've got some skills? Let me tell you, I'm the type who lets his fists do the talking before words—nice chats like this are rare for me."

"Doesn't seem like something to brag about..."

"Whatever."

Jin So-cheong spoke up.

"How many innocents do you think are dying across the world right now due to the whims of the [Ancient Ruler]? Can't you show a shred of mercy while taking the Seven Relics—our last hope?"

"Ugh."

Jin So-cheong bowed deeply.

"I need to understand the situation and save the remaining humans. Please, I beg you."

"......"

The Great Sage scanned us, lost in deep thought. Then he nodded heartily.

"Fine! If a mere human's got the guts to come this far and fight a guardian, I can spare that much. Spit it out."

Huh?!

I was inwardly stunned that the Great Sage accepted Jin So-cheong's plea so readily. He'd just called himself the type whose "fists come before words," and it wasn't empty talk—he was a pro at resorting to violence. Yet here he was, yielding to the proposal with ease. As I marveled at this unexpected side, Jin So-cheong said,

"Please tell us your purpose and the current situation, Great Sage."

"Damn, that's a question that hits a lot at once. You're sharper than you look."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

The Great Sage scratched his head and replied.

"My purpose? Like I said, I'm here to work. The demon kings sealed by the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors have grown too strong—most seals are breaking. With body and soul fusing like this, the odds of them reviving as [Ancient Ones] are high. So the greatest, most awesome, super-strong guy in the Heavens—Great Sage Equal to Heaven—is going around resealing them one by one."

Quite the string of adjectives.

"Didn't you just annihilate it?"

He chuckled.

"Annihilate? Gods' souls are immortal. Leave it be, and Yi Jinashi will pop back up fresh in a few thousand years. Of course, the Heavens will seal it before then."

"You're collecting the Seven Relics while resealing them?"

The Great Sage's eyes sharpened for a split second.

"If I can."

He sat on a nearby rock and continued.

"Want more on the situation? You know the baleful star got causality, flipped the world's yin-yang axis, and threw everything into chaos, right? So the Heavens are meuntering with the Celestial Emperor's Descent soon."

Jin So-cheong, having my memories, knew what that was but feigned ignorance.

"What's the Celestial Emperor's Descent?"

"All the celestials descend to maintain order on earth. That'll buy the mortal realm at least a decade of stability."

"Can the Heavens do that on their own?"

"Why not? It's an order from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors up top—we just follow. Those great beings will handle the causality restrictions somehow."

"......"

Jin So-cheong propped his chin and asked again.

"And what's this scheme of the baleful star?"

The Great Sage shrugged.

"Nothing major. Chaos and rampant yin energy will cull humans and regress civilization. It'll use that gap to spread its faith, unleashing a religion worshipping the baleful star on this land. Humans in life-or-death crises forget Buddhism, Confucianism, everything—and turn to demonic cults easily."

"Hmm..."

"If that religion spreads, the end times accelerate. That's why the Heavens stepping in to protect you humans checks the baleful star."

He spun his Ruyi Staff with a flourish, striking a dashing pose.

"The Heavens are on your side—don't worry!"

The Great Sage's words packed a ton of info. Watching him spill high-level details so freely let me realize one thing.

'He's sympathetic to humans.'

Unlike cold, ruthless types like Namhwa Nosun, he was more like Ye Dongbin, Hwaryong Zhenren, or Jang Sambong—kind to mortals. Arrogant and belligerent from his own power, sure, but at core, Great Sage Equal to Heaven Mihouwang Sun Oh-gong was good-hearted.

'Wrap ourselves as "poor humans," and he'd listen easily. As I thought that, Jin So-cheong said,

"Then take the Moon Relic back—and help us just once?"

"Eh? Why should I..."

"We want to weather this crisis under the protection of the great and mighty Great Sage."

The Great Sage grinned, pleased.

"Haha, well, if you put it that way... Fine!"

Flash!

He flung a seal at Jin So-cheong, and the character "Sun" (孫) briefly glowed on his forehead before sinking in tracelessly. Jin So-cheong touched his brow, and the Great Sage said,

"Call my name once in dire straits, and I'll come running."

"Thank you."

Jin So-cheong smoothly took the Moon Relic from me and handed it over. The Great Sage checked it, smirked, and waved us off.

"See ya--"

Whoosh.

He rocketed away on his cloud somersault, vanishing like a shooting star beyond the horizon. The tension lifted, and everyone could finally breathe. As murmurs rose, people eyed Jin So-cheong—especially Mang-ryang, who said incredulously,

"Jin So-cheong, how'd you negotiate like that?"

"Just recalled the Great Sage from Baek Woong's memories and guessed his personality."

Jin So-cheong blushed faintly.

"Flattery ill-suited to me--embarrassing."

I praised him.

"No, you did great."

The real Jin So-cheong had nailed it. He'd extracted every detail from the Great Sage and scored a one-time summon to boot. Calling that powerhouse once would be a huge boon!

'Skyrockets at everything, huh, geniuses?'

A twinge of envy hit, but I brushed it off and said,

"Anyway, let's head back."

Flash.

We returned to the Da-du Kingdom base with Abbot Seosan and Yu-jeong. Sure enough, floods raged there, and Matteo Ricci and his men were frantic containing them. Luckily, our spot was high ground--no submersion.

Zhuge Sage gazed skyward.

"With Yi Jinashi down, the encroaching moon's orbit should normalize. That massive moon will shrink bit by bit."

"Did we stop the disaster?"

"No, it's just beginning."

Zhuge Sage continued.

"We lost the Moon Relic unavoidably, but we must secure the Fire Relic. The Great Sage is the problem."

"......"

True. We'd averted the Moon Relic fiasco, but heading for the Fire Relic's seal meant facing him again--high odds, since he'd admitted collecting them on the side. We'd hidden the Water Relic well, but he might track me soon.

Mang-ryang chimed in.

"The Fire Relic's guardian is the giant god Gonggong. In ancient times, Gonggong rivaled Zhuanxu in might as a divine being. If freed to full power, it'd be a catastrophe."

"So if Gonggong regains his strength, our power won't even scratch him."

"And there's more trouble. We can't pierce the Fire Relic's barrier now."

Zhuge Sage cackled.

"Kuhahaha. Total mess. Nothing we can do."

"......"

It felt like every path was blocked. Fire Relic was near impossible now; we'd focus on Wood, Metal, Earth Relics. But those three were even harder than Fire.

Lee Cheong-un crossed his arms.

"I say we bolster allies before chasing Relics."

"Hoh. Sharp thinker."

Zhuge Sage eyed him with sly interest.

"But you sure? Not your story to tell."

"Forgone grudges are forgotten."

Catching his drift, I said,

"You're suggesting allying with White Lotus Cult?"

"Exactly."

Lee Cheong-un said firmly.

"You gave them the Black-White Lotus, earning the Lord's trust and healing their young lord. That turns White Lotus into potential allies, forges a new pact, and blocks the [Ancient Ruler] latent in the young lord from descending."

"Brilliant...!"

Flawless plan!

The Lord's sly nature meant no full trust, but he'd help in crises. White Lotus aid would ease things ahead.

I moved to head to White Lotus post-strategy, but Zhuge Sage stopped me.

"Hold up, Baek Woong."

"What?"

"Ye Dongbin stonewalling you isn't trivial. Without his power, we're less than half-strength. You know that."

"......"

"Sort it before White Lotus. In some ways, more urgent."

"He ignores summons--how?"

"Perform a spirit-summoning rite."

Half-dragged, I sat at the sorcerers' altar for possession prep. A verbal call Ye Dongbin could ignore at will, but a formal rite forced appearance. Soon the altar was ready, and grim-faced Cheon Woo-jin began the tiny incantation.

"Urgent causality command..."

Flash.

Moments later, Ye Dongbin's spirit appeared before me. His face was fiercer than ever, glaring daggers. He drew his spirit sword, pointing it at me.

[Weakling. Draw.]

"Huh?"

[Draw your sword now.]

Ye Dongbin radiated genuine killing intent.

[I, Ye Dongbin, cannot calm without thrashing you.]

"......"

I wanted reasons before blows, but as my hand touched the hilt, massive hostility flooded the chamber. He truly meant to beat me.

Rumble.

Ye Dongbin's eyes blazed azure. Frosty aura pulsed; veins bulged on his spirit fist, immense sword ki surging.

Instinct screamed.

I might die here.

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