Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

That guy?

I looked at Strategist Zhuge with curious eyes, and he spoke.

"First off, to obtain the Earthly Jade, you'll face incredibly arduous trials. Those trials obviously can't be overcome with skill alone. So, if not skill, what do you need?"

I caught on from Strategist Zhuge's words and shouted.

"It's luck!"

"Right. You'll receive the blessing of the Supreme Void Heavenly Lord."

I see!

To challenge an unknown treasure like the Earthly Jade, you'd definitely need tremendous luck. This wasn't optional—it was essential.

Strategist Zhuge replied curtly.

"Who said anything? It's not like you can only perform the heavenly tribute ritual once in the heavenly realm. We have Hyun-il and Cheon Woo-jin here, so with enough treasures, we can do it multiple times."

"Hmm."

"Naturally, two or more blessings..."

As Strategist Zhuge started to say something, Mang Ryang suddenly spoke up from the side.

"Uncle, I see it a bit differently."

"Hyun-ah. Do you know what I'm thinking and say that?"

"Yes. It's the most efficient method. But what if we forgo the absolute best efficiency and aim for growth alongside it?"

"... Oh ho."

Strategist Zhuge closed his eyes, deep in thought as if trying to read Mang Ryang's mind. Then he said.

"You're saying to widen the scope of karmic ties for future lives. Got someone in mind?"

"I'll leave that to Baek Woong's tastes."

"You're leaving it to the reincarnator's instincts. Yeah, that might be right."

What were these strategists talking about among themselves?

As I stood there baffled, Strategist Zhuge said.

"Baek Woong. I've changed my mind. Listen carefully to what I say from now on..."

Then Strategist Zhuge imparted his stratagem to me. After hearing it, I understood why Mang Ryang had interjected just now. And as I inwardly admired their wisdom, Strategist Zhuge continued.

"I'll investigate Dark Heaven Village and its sect in more detail. It'll probably be a short-term battle, so no need to worry about anything else, right? After the heavenly tribute ritual ends, gather as many treasures as you can."

"Got it."

As I nodded, Mang Ryang stared at me intently and said.

"Baek Woong, I have a question."

"What is it?"

"In your 23rd life, you obtained Yeo Dongbin's Immortal Sword. Can you still manifest it now?"

Come to think of it, I'd completely forgotten about Immortal Swordsmanship since starting this life. As soon as the words left his mouth, I focused my mind to summon the Immortal Sword above my right hand.

Shooo...

"Urk!"

But I suddenly froze as a stabbing pain hit my heart. The startled Mang Ryang asked.

"Baek Woong, what's wrong?"

"......"

I tried focusing again to summon the Immortal Sword, but it failed once more, replaced by pain like needles piercing my organs. And my mana remained untouched. I wondered if it was a karmic issue, but the direct pain and effects didn't fit, so I fell into thought.

'Why is this happening?'

There was no sign of the Immortal Sword manifesting, yet strangely, I felt that unique fullness when handling it. It wasn't impossible to deploy—it felt like it was blocked multiple layers deep. I described this sensation to Mang Ryang and Strategist Zhuge. Mang Ryang observed me carefully before saying.

"That's enough. Don't try anymore."

"Any guesses?"

"Yeo Dongbin transformed into the Immortal Sword, but the Immortal Swordsmanship itself is the Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl's spell, not his. So, you've mastered the Immortal Swordsmanship but lack the exact incantations, spells, and elements, making manifestation impossible."

"Then what about this stabbing pain?"

"...No idea. Normally, if the incantation fails from the start, you wouldn't feel pain like that—just wasted mana. But you said you feel no mana drain?"

"Yes."

"The only thought is... Immortal Swordsmanship differs from regular spells. And perhaps every time you try, it reacts with the Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl and Yeo Dongbin."

"......!!"

I was shocked. Just attempting the spell stimulates heavenly immortals? As I panicked, Mang Ryang continued.

"Ask your master for details. And with little time before the tribute's calamity hits, let's hurry."

Flash!

I headed to Mang Ryang Seosa's village with him. As usual, I buried the Heavenly Dark Secret Book and met Cheon Woo-jin. He tried chasing us away with his usual annoyed look, but Mang Ryang convinced him roughly, letting us in.

Rumble...

Cheon Woo-jin glanced at the sky and said.

"The heavens are unfavorable. Three hours later, and the tribute's calamity would've hit right away."

"Hmm, tight for tribute prep, isn't it?"

"Not really. Simplified version's fine."

Cheon Woo-jin reduced the flags from the full set by 90%, planting only 10% in the directions. He'd handle the rest with his own spellcasting. I considered giving him the black obsidian but decided to focus on the ritual for now.

Soon, the heavenly tribute ritual began, and the Supreme Void Heavenly Lord appeared first.

[The tribute was good. Humans.]

Until now, I'd either listened quietly or snarked back. But this time, neither. The Supreme Void Heavenly Lord's suspicious appearance at the end of my 23rd life stuck with me.

The massive spell dragging the public into chaos, calling himself the Queen Mother of the West's observer—and most damning, the Three Pure Ones annihilated by the Queen Mother of the West, yet her incarnation, the Supreme Void Heavenly Lord, unscathed! Perfect proof he wasn't her incarnation but another black curtain.

I wanted to grill him, but held my itchy tongue. If he's truly the black curtain, he'd never answer direct questions here—just heighten his guard.

Instead, I slyly said.

"Supreme Void Heavenly Lord. For the tribute's price, I want another immortal's blessing."

The Supreme Void Heavenly Lord, about to speak, said intriguingly.

[Oh? Whose blessing do you seek?]

"It's... the Great Sage Equal to Heaven."

[......]

The Supreme Void Heavenly Lord looked quite flustered. Like he never expected the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Then, incredulously.

[The Great... Great Sage might not have a blessing to give...]

"But he might. Call him first."

[No, the Monkey King is busy with heavenly duties...]

His squirming annoyed me, so I yelled.

"Just call him!!"

[Urgh. Fine...]

The Supreme Void Heavenly Lord slunk off sheepishly, vanishing in smoke and passing the turn.

Soon after, Cheon Woo-jin's eyes, possessed by the Supreme Void Heavenly Lord, returned to normal. Possession lifted, we were shocked, and Cheon Woo-jin couldn't hide his surprise.

"Ah... could it be the Great Sage."

Then.

Shwoooosh!!

Prismatic clouds whirled wildly in the chamber at blinding speed. After about a gak, a monkey immortal appeared before us.

"Hyaat-chaa-cha!"

Shouting some incomprehensible kiai, he rode his somersault cloud, grinning mischievously at us.

"Puhahaha! Which reckless fools summoned me?"

"......!!"

Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Monkey King!

I couldn't help but be shocked at his personal appearance. I thought it'd just be a spirit possession on Cheon Woo-jin, not the body flying here on somersault cloud. As we gaped, the Great Sage picked his ear.

"Why so surprised? I'm half-god, half-demon, so separating body and spirit is more hassle. Somersault cloud's fast anyway—flying from heavenly outskirts is easier."

I see!

Regular great immortals use high spirit possession, but the Great Sage, exceptionally half-god half-demon bodied, was appointed thus. Makes sense he'd prefer moving his body.

'Never considered this...'

Flustered but plan unchanged, I regained composure, clasped hands, and said.

"I, Baek Woong, seek the Great Sage's protection for the tribute's price!"

"Hmm... so that's it..."

The Great Sage scratched his cheek awkwardly and said.

"Odd for me to say, but I'm not well-known among mortals? Famous only among immortals—regular folk don't know me. Any reason you want my blessing?"

"......"

He smirked teasingly.

"Low fame means I might not give a good blessing~ Maybe scrub-tier~"

True. Only veteran Taoists or true immortals knew the Great Sage. High-profile great immortals have stronger powers, so naming him specifically seemed odd.

I pondered, then blurted anything.

"Uh... if that's an issue, I'll spread your fame through my activities?"

His eyes widened curiously.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Like, dances or music of Yuan Ho, or... even write a novel spreading your glory."

"How much?"

"Make it a huge hit in the capital Luoyang someday."

What nonsense was I spouting?

Frustrated after saying it, but words out, no takebacks.

"Oh? Ooo?"

The Great Sage's eyes curved like crescent moons. He burst into monkey-like giggles, delighted.

"Kyahaha! For real? A novel about me—sounds fun! Maybe my Journey to the West story?"

"Uh..."

"Sounds great! Came for boredom relief, but today was worth it~"

Like drunk on fine liquor, the Great Sage shouted joyfully.

"Alright! I'll give you, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven Monkey King's, blessing! Extra strong!"

Flaaash!

He thrust his hand at me, blue light enveloping my body. Intense spiritual energy surged inside, a clear supernatural ability taking root. As the light faded, he rode his somersault cloud away, his voice echoing.

[I'll think of the novel title later!!]

"......"

That's not the point!

Tell me the ability first!

Again, no explanation—baffling. Why do these great immortals give blessings without detailing powers? As I stood dumbfounded, Cheon Woo-jin irritably said.

"Writing a novel on that monkey immortal's travels? What a wastrel."

"Huh?"

"Who'd read that crap? What's the plot even?"

Recalling what the Great Sage told me before, I roughly replied.

"Uh... Great Sage goes to India with Tang Monk Tripitaka or something..."

Cheon Woo-jin snorted.

"Hah! What? Even as fiction, I guarantee no one reads it. I'd rather read erotic tales. I'd write better—title it Golden Lotus? Sheesh..."

"......"

Thought he was just a farmer, but he likes novels too?

Clicking his tongue, Cheon Woo-jin said.

"Anyway, done here—get going."

As he said, business finished.

Strategist Zhuge's plan was Supreme Void Heavenly Lord's luck stack right before Dark Heaven Village, after getting Xiang Yu's blessing this time. That'd near-guarantee the Earthly Jade.

But Mang Ryang objected. Instead of pure efficiency, increase immortals tied to me by karma. Any giving even one blessing links karmic ties. Future reincarnations strengthen them, expanding options.

So I skipped Xiang Yu, choosing the strongest fighter immortal I knew: Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Excited for his blessing.

"Wait, one question."

I stopped Cheon Woo-jin, handing him the black obsidian.

"What's this suspicious gem?"

He initially refused, but Mang Ryang convinced him, and he reluctantly took it. Moments later, absorbing its memories, his eyes flashed in realization.

"......!!"

As he inherited them, I asked gravely.

"Got a question."

No need for formal speech if he recalls.

I explained the Immortal Sword summon failing with organ-piercing pain. Cheon Woo-jin stared blankly, then said.

"That phenomenon?"

He sighed soon after.

"... You've been marked by the Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl!"

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