Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

Woooooo—

Clang! Clang!

'Where is this?'

The owner of this body rose unsteadily to his feet. The world seen through this small, slight frame was vast and wide, and soaked in blood. All around were the sounds of weapons clashing, shouts, and the gruesome tearing of flesh.

My gaze began on a battlefield.

I immediately knew the owner of this gaze was Yeo Dongbin. These were Yeo Dongbin's memories, so this small boy must be him. His age was probably not much different from mine at the start of my reincarnation.

Yeo Dongbin gripped his sword in one hand and gathered his strength throughout his body. Then he counterattacked a soldier who had suddenly charged from the side, thrusting a spear at him.

Puk!

Yeo Dongbin had no intention of sparing him. He drove the blade even deeper into the throat of the soldier who gurgled in agony with the sword lodged in his neck. Only when the soldier's throat was half-severed, his eyes rolled back, and he died completely did Yeo Dongbin begin to pull the sword from his neck.

Spurt!

After killing the man, he showed no sentiment and quickly picked up the spear the soldier had been holding. But deeming it me, he tossed it away and gathered the jerky and dagger from the soldier's body. Then he crawled into a pit strewn with corpses to hide himself.

The chaos of the war was intensifying, but Yeo Dongbin remained remarkably calm. Hiding among the pile of bodies, he kept watch on his surroundings. If someone tried to stab into the corpses with a spear to ensure they were dead, he would spring out and ambush the soldier, killing him. He didn't hesitate to strike vital points if needed. Amid the dust and blood mist of the battlefield, Yeo Dongbin clung desperately to his thread of life.

How much time passed like that?

Yeo Dongbin's stamina was running out; his vision was growing dim. As he dry jerky into jerky from beneath the pile of corpses, a foot came into view. Looking up, he saw a beautiful black-haired woman standing there, holding a massive sickle.

"Sanggwan Wana!!"

I recognized her instantly, but at this point, Yeo Dongbin had no idea who she was. He gripped his sword tightly but didn't charge. He instinctively sensed the vast gap in power between them.

Sanggwan Wana spoke with an intrigued expression.

"The Yellow Turban will ignite a rebellion that topples the Great Tang's empire and meet its end. After a great defeat in Chenzhou of Henan, he will take his own life here in Mount Tai's Wolf Tiger Valley. I came to the battlefield to check on the progress of my plan... and found an interesting child."

"......"

Yeo Dongbin didn't reply. The reason he didn't charge now was that he noticed the commotion around them had ceased the moment she appeared. Even so, Sanggwan Wana continued.

"I've been watching you from the start. For a boy soldier set up as cannon fodder for the imperial army in this war, you've been remarkable. The Yellow Turban just took his own life, the war is over, and you've killed over a hundred men to achieve the Hundred Kills. Even those who practice martial arts couldn't do that easily."

Yeo Dongbin replied in a dry voice.

"Are you going to kill me?"

"Heh heh. If I wanted to, wouldn't I have done it already? You have an intriguing fate and overflowing talent. I want to see your future."

"Who are you?"

She chuckled.

"I am Sanggwan Wana. Impressed by your talent, I'll grant you one wish. Proposals like this from me happen perhaps once every hundred years."

Without hesitation, Yeo Dongbin answered.

"I want to learn the world's greatest martial art."

"Oh? Why?"

"I don't want to remain a weakling any longer."

Yeo Dongbin clenched his fist as he spoke.

"I want to become the hegemon of the world, seize all glory, wealth, and honor! And gain unrivaled power to slaughter my enemies."

"I see."

I watched their exchange and inwardly felt bewildered.

'Wasn't Yeo Dongbin the noblest and most righteous Sword Immortal in the world?'

Did Yeo Dongbin have such thoughts when he was a child pursuing power? As I marveled at how different he was from the Yeo Dongbin I knew, Sanggwan Wana continued.

"As far as I know, there are three martial arts worthy of being called the greatest in the world."

Yeo Dongbin stared piercingly into her eyes, focusing intently on her words.

"The first is the White Lotus Cult's Four Great Martial Schools. This emerging force that recently appeared in the martial world reigns as the strongest of the era. All the righteous sects of the Central Plains are a step below their arts and secretly fear them. Among them, the Thunder God Style and Water God Style are said to be transcendent."

Rustle, rustle.

The battlefield's stench of blood gradually faded. Sanggwan Wana was using sorcery to transport herself and Yeo Dongbin elsewhere. Soon, the two found themselves beneath a waterfall on a lush green plain filled with clear water and birdsong.

Sanggwan Wana continued.

"The second is the Gongsun Family's Gongsun Swordsmanship. Mastering it to perfection would make it the strongest, but that's impossible for humans... No human can ever see the end of Gongsun Swordsmanship! Even so, that doesn't change its reputation as the world's greatest in the current martial world."

"And the last?"

"The Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship, said to have been left by the Hegemon in his final years. It's said that those who learn it gain the Hegemon's power. If you wish, I can take you to the cave where it is."

"......"

Sanggwan Wana slowly extended her hand.

"Choose. I'll take you wherever you desire."

Rustle, rustle—

At that moment, my vision blurred, and I floated in pitch-black space. As I looked around, an illusion of Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin appeared and spoke.

[At that time, I chose the Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship.]

[Yeo Dongbin.]

[And by chance, the place I appeared was a chaotic melee where martial artists vied to claim the Hegemon's treasure, the Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship. Sanggwan Wana had tossed me there and left.]

[......]

[I somehow survived to the end and headed to the deepest chamber where the Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship was sealed.]

I was at a loss for words as I listened.

'How did you survive a place like that?'

Even though Yeo Dongbin had achieved Hundred Kills relying as cannon fodder on the battlefield, he was still just a child without any martial arts. Dropped into a place where martial artists rampaged for the Hegemon's treasure, death was inevitable.

As I opened my mouth to say something, the perspective shifted again, returning to Yeo Dongbin's memories.

Rustle, rustle—

Yeo Dongbin was covered in wounds all over his body, but none were fatal or severe. Beside him, a plump-faced young man wiped sweat from his brow and said.

"Aigoo, I'm dying. Brother Jang, that damned Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship still isn't in sight."

Then, an old man riding a donkey along the narrow passage snorted irritably.

"Jongri Gwon, why are you complaining so much? If it's such a hassle, just use shrinking earth technique and get out of the Hegemon's tomb right now."

"Ego... I was joking. Joking."

"A guy with enough dao power to ascend to immortality soon, lacking patience like that!!"

"Ego, ego..."

Cowed, Jongri Gwon muttered softly.

"They said in the Dao lineage that Senior Jang Gwa-ro is narrow-minded, and it's true."

"Hmph."

Jang Gwa-ro seemed to hear but ignored him. He spoke to Yeo Dongbin, who was walking beside the donkey.

"Boy. The Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship, called the Hegemon's legacy, isn't the convenient manual martial artists imagine. It's undoubtedly a vital relic we of the Dao lineage must recover responsibly, so abandon any greed."

Hesitating,

Yeo Dongbin paused at his words, then cupped his fists toward Jang Gwa-ro.

"How can you judge without seeing it? I can never forget the grace of saving my life in this tomb and teaching me foundational martial arts, so I will repay it. However, I have aspirations for glory and immortality, so please don't dismiss me, Elder Daoist."

"Ohhh... Is that so."

Jang Gwa-ro chuckled heartily and said.

"Boy. Is glory and immortality so important? Humans are destined to die anyway, aren't they?"

"Even with death as the end, how one lives is different."

"True... The world seen through a strong man's eyes would be comfortable and easy. I can't criticize your desire to enjoy that world."

Jang Gwa-ro pulled out a large pipe, puffed on it, and continued.

"But then, what is the strongest existence in the world? Humans? Nature? Even if you grow stronger and stronger, is that the path to true happiness?"

"......"

"This old Daoist, having secluded myself on Mount Zhongnan for so long, has realized something. Even becoming an immortal can't change the world itself. Rather than recklessly pursuing great power and falling to evil, it's better to care for the weak you can protect with your own hands."

"Is that so..."

Yeo Dongbin replied to Jang Gwa-ro's words but seemed unconvinced.

Of course, preaching Daoist righteous philosophy to an orphan who had rolled through the harshness of war wouldn't get through. Even I, who hadn't lived as harshly as Yeo Dongbin, couldn't relate much to the Dao's lofty tales.

It was then.

They seemed to have reached the tomb's final gate. It was a treacherous terrain dozens of zhang wide, blocked by scarlet lava. Jang Gwa-ro casually lifted Yeo Dongbin with his staff and placed him behind him on the donkey. Then he rode into the air, stepping forward steadily.

"Ah, Brother Jang! Take me with you!"

Jongri Gwon hurriedly leaped through the air from behind to cross the gate together. But at that moment, a massive force flew from behind, engulfing him.

Kugugung!!

"Jongri Gwon!!"

Jang Gwa-ro cried out in shock, and Jongri Gwon appeared beside him in an instant, having dodged. But he had taken damage, vomiting blood and coughing, his breathing labored.

"Kuhk..."

Enraged at Jongri Gwon's injury, Jang Gwa-ro glared across and shouted.

"Who is this audacious fool attacking others without cause?"

Then, a man slowly revealed himself on the opposite cliff and said.

"Isn't it natural for any martial artist to want the Hegemon's swordsmanship?"

"Reveal your identity."

He removed his hood and said.

"I am Gongsun Byeok, patriarch of the Gongsun Family. Once we pass here, the Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship is mine."

"......"

"Daoist, step aside. I'll spare your life."

Jang Gwa-ro, glaring at Gongsun Byeok, noticed someone else beside him and said.

"And who are you?"

The man, arms crossed, watching the situation, spoke.

"I am Lee Gunak of the White Lotus Cult's Dharma Protector Lion, Thunder God Style, here to assist the Gongsun Patriarch."

"Hmm... The martial world's top experts resorting to such petty ambushes."

Dharma Protector Lion Lee Gunak said.

"The Dao lineage and the martial world have little to do with each other anyway, right? If you yield the Hegemon's swordsmanship, Elder Daoist, there will be no further trouble."

Jang Gwa-ro bellowed loudly.

"Reckless villains! You'll lose your lives to your greed."

Kugugugu!!

As Jang Gwa-ro swung his staff, the entire cave shook. At the same time, Gongsun Byeok and Lee Gunak leaped into the air toward him, and Jang Gwa-ro began fighting back. Simultaneously, Jang Gwa-ro's voice transmission reached Yeo Dongbin.

[Boy! Hurry and obtain the Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship! We can't let it fall to those greedy ones.]

Tadadak

Yeo Dongbin unhesitatingly spurred the donkey forward into the depths. He entered the secret chamber filled with gleaming crystals and spotted the legendary treasured sword emanating immense spiritual energy in the center of an ancient crystal.

Fire Dragon Divine Sword!!

Yeo Dongbin seized the Fire Dragon Divine Sword. The next moment, Fire Dragon True Man's voice resounded in his head.

[Who are you?]

Yeo Dongbin seemed startled by the sudden voice but replied calmly.

"I am Yeo Dongbin. Yeo Dongbin!!"

[What do you seek by obtaining this sword?]

"I seek personal glory and immortality to become a strong one!!"

[......]

Fire Dragon True Man seemed speechless for a moment, then laughed.

[Hahaha! What an amusing kid. So honest in your desires.]

"I, Yeo Dongbin, would rather die than deceive with empty words."

[Good, I like that. I'll reshape your mental state, I, Fire Dragon True Man!]

"Huh?!"

Roarrr!

"Uwaaaak!!!"

The next instant, as Fire Dragon True Man enveloped him in tremendous fiery energy, Yeo Dongbin thrashed in extreme pain. But the energy soon subsided, and Fire Dragon True Man possessed his body. Moving Yeo Dongbin's body, he said in wonder.

[Oh. Not burning in my flames means you're honest in desire yet without evil intent! A first for me...]

Then, reading Yeo Dongbin's memories, Fire Dragon True Man's eyes gleamed.

[Two wicked humans? Time to punish them!!]

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