Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

Yeo Dongbin's memories came to an end.

"...Ha!"

I jolted in surprise as my mind suddenly snapped back to reality. Until that moment, I had been so immersed in Yeo Dongbin's own self and memories that I felt a complete sense of unity with him. Having witnessed his entire life to the very end, I was filled with overwhelming emotion at the close.

'A true hero.'

Yeo Dongbin was the real hero!

He had single-handedly thwarted the schemes of the Eight Divisions Divine Beasts—something even Master Manggyang and the Heavenly Realm could not accomplish—thus protecting this world for a thousand years. The folk tales revered Pure Yang Child Yeo Dongbin as the Sword Immortal, but compared to his actual deeds, those honors felt almost meager. I felt immense respect for Yeo Dongbin, who had achieved what no great immortal had ever done.

If Yeo Dongbin hadn't slain the Earth Dragon, the world might have perished before I was even born.

But Yeo Dongbin, oblivious or indifferent to my gaze, spoke calmly.

"...I see."

Yeo Dongbin had selectively shown me his memories. For instance, the grudge he held against Baehae, the reason he continued gathering power and karmic laws even after meeting the Martial God, and the Great Extinction from the era of the Enfeoffment War—though he had revealed much, he still didn't fully trust me.

'If he shared more information, I'd learn even more about the Martial God...'

The impulse urged to pull out the obsidian and hand it to Yeo Dongbin, but at that instant, Cheon Woojin's sharp voice shook my mind.

[Don't! I told you not to decide rashly. Are you really confident you can escape from Yeo Wo?]

"......"

[If you're sealed by the Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns, everyone who shares the obsidian with you is done for. Choose wisely.]

I hesitated at Cheon Woojin's words. It might seem indecisive, but this wasn't a decision to make on emotion alone. Noticing my deliberation, Yeo Dongbin spoke as if understanding.

[There's no need to force sharing secrets with others. Follow your heart.]

"I'm sorry."

[With Grandmaster Sanggyan staking his name on sealing the passage, you needn't worry about that anymore.]

"Yeo Dongbin. I have three questions..."

I posed three questions, but the Sword Immortal replied evenly.

[I cannot say what I cannot say.]

"I understand."

I nodded and asked.

"The Sword Immortal searched for the Xuanyuan Sword but ultimately resolved the chaos without finding it. So what exactly was this Xuanyuan Sword?"

[What do you mean?]

"It's... questionable whether it even exists. The Divine Earth Lord might have been bluffing..."

This was one of my greatest doubts.

Xuanyuan Sword!!

A legendary treasure said to surpass the value of the eight treasures combined, bestowed upon humanity by Emperor Xuanyuan the Virtuous. In Yeo Dongbin's memories, I hadn't even known of such a thing until the Divine Earth Lord mentioned it. Thus, it was possible the Divine Earth Lord had wandered on baseless rumors or boasted lies.

Yeo Dongbin sighed at my question.

[Hoo... To be honest, I was curious about that myself. After ascending to the Heavenly Realm, I inquired about the Xuanyuan Sword wherever my rank allowed. Yet not a single immortal knew of it. I found only one clue—from a most peculiar figure.]

"Yes? Who was it?"

[...I cannot recklessly divulge that one's honor or prestige. If you wish to know, offer me a fitting price, Lotus Child.]

Yeo Dongbin could have shared this out of goodwill, but information tied to great immortals was heavenly secret, costing his own power and karmic laws. He clearly wished to conserve his strength.

"Hmm."

It didn't seem a bad trade. But since it wasn't urgent, I set it aside for now and said to Yeo Dongbin.

"Then, another one... What happened to the White Lotus Cult's divine artifact? The current White Lotus Cult has no such divine relic like it did a thousand years ago."

Knowing he'd ignore or evade questions about the Martial God, I asked about the White Lotus Cult's divine artifact instead. A divine artifact meant a god's treasure, and the White Lotus Cult's possessed power befitting its name. Yet the one from Yeo Dongbin's recollections was nowhere to be found in the current White Lotus Cult. If anyone knew, I would have obtained it across my dozens of reincarnations.

Yeo Dongbin pondered before replying.

[I don't know for certain, but I have a guess.]

"What?"

[Back then, the divine artifact was embedded directly in the Earth Dragon's body, binding it like iron chains. When the Earth Dragon fell, its chaotic flesh flew through the Sacred River into the cosmos... There's a chance the divine artifact was drawn into the realm of chaos along with it.]

"Huh?!"

I gasped in shock.

The cosmos, the realm of chaos!

If the White Lotus Cult's divine artifact had vanished into such unfathomable otherworlds, it was beyond recovery. I worried the valuable information I'd gained might come to naught. I might even have to probe alien realms.

"...My final question."

[Ask.]

"You said that when you finally slew the Earth Dragon, you had attained entry into the Martial Void. But 'Martial Void' shares its name with the ultimate secret art of the Thunder God Style. What connection is there?"

[I'm not entirely sure myself...]

The Sword Immortal pondered before answering.

[It's no coincidence. I believe not just the Thunder God Style, but the Four Great Martial Styles were named as such for a reason. They too must have ties to the Martial God.]

"Hmm."

[It may be related to the disappearance of the divine artifact.]

The divine artifact.

As I sank into thought, Cheon Woojin beside me grumbled curtly.

"Enough of that. Time to head back. With all this info, don't we need the strategists' help?"

"Ah, right."

Flash!

I returned to Zhuge Sa. I sealed all the information I'd gathered and Yeo Dongbin's recollections into the Silver Phoenix and showed it to Zhuge Sa.

Hummm.

After absorbing the information, Zhuge Sa smirked.

"Keke... The Sword Demon taught you something useless. Why bother dying one by one when there's an easy path?"

"Zhuge Sa! The people of Luoyang are innocent."

"Who cares? Damn. Strategists pursue efficiency."

Zhuge Sa grumbled. As expected, he had deliberately withheld advice on the seal. I felt bitter, but I understood his reasoning, so I couldn't argue. Instead, I said to Zhuge Sa.

"Zhuge Sa. There's so much info, I'm confused. Advise me on what I should do now."

"Hmm... Give me a moment to think."

Zhuge Sa pondered deeply, then asked Cheon Woojin nearby.

"Cheon Woojin! You're a disciple of the gods—ever heard of the Xuanyuan Sword? It's new to me too."

"First time hearing it."

Cheon Woojin crossed his arms, tilting his head in rare puzzlement.

"If such a powerful divine treasure existed, I'd have heard of it at least once. Strange."

It wasn't empty bravado. As a disciple of the gods and the pinnacle of Central Plains sorcerers, Cheon Woojin was the most knowledgeable on treasures and spells. If even he knew nothing of the Xuanyuan Sword, the information was likely distorted—or outright false.

Zhuge Sa spoke soon after.

"First off, there are three key priorities right now."

"Yeah."

"Priority one: You challenging Dark Heaven Village. You could attempt it immediately, dying like a mayfly to rack up experience quickly. Of course, it's easy to die or challenge, so no need to rush."

"Hmm..."

"Priority two: Obtaining info on the Xuanyuan Sword I just mentioned. I doubt it exists, but if it does, your reincarnation journey shortens by at least ten cycles. Can't ignore that. Claiming the Xuanyuan Sword as its master might grant you Apostle-level power in one leap."

Zhuge Sa's words rang true. A treasure surpassing the eight treasures might outrank even the Seven Desires. As I nodded, Zhuge Sa pointed out the final priority.

"Priority three: Searching for the god's tomb in Liaodong... We're leaving it solely to the Sword Demon for now, but honestly, he can't handle it alone."

"What?"

"What territory is Liaodong? Where Central Plains martial world meets the Twelve Laws' influence. To excavate ruins or uncover ancient mysteries there, we can't avoid the Twelve Laws' aid."

"......"

"I knew from the start. To find the god's tomb and uncover Somenhye's secrets, cooperation with the Twelve Laws is inevitable. But it wasn't urgent, so I held back."

I fell silent.

'Cooperation... with the Twelve Laws.'

Complicated thoughts swirled. The Lord of the Twelve Laws had no reason to help me willingly, and his scrutiny would limit my actions. Having been backstabbed a few times before, just thinking of the Twelve Laws muddled my head. As I brooded, Zhuge Sa clapped, sorting things out.

"Let's take it slow and steady. First, activate the National Jade Seal's search function to check if the Xuanyuan Sword exists in this world."

"Oh, right!"

"If not, offer tribute to Yeo Dongbin."

Flash.

No sooner had he finished than I entered the National Jade Seal's inner world and requested of the spirit.

"National Jade Seal! Find where the Xuanyuan Sword is now."

[Please wait a moment...]

Flash.

It was as if starlight rippled. Within the National Jade Seal, darkness and light swirled, devouring the world's information at tremendous speed. After gathering data for a long while, the National Jade Seal spoke awkwardly.

[Search results for Xuanyuan Sword: 0 matches.]

"......"

[Would you like to see related search results?]

Considering its words, I countered.

"Not like last time with the Spear of Heaven, edited due to admin request?"

At my question, the National Jade Seal's spirit tilted its head.

[Last time? What do you mean, Master? This is your first use of the search function...]

"Ah, right... Never mind."

I realized my slip and brushed it off hastily, but my heart raced.

'Only I reincarnate; others don't remember.'

It was obvious, yet since I'd repeatedly given the obsidian to allies right after reincarnating, I'd grown numb to the disconnect lately. I cleared my throat and awaited the spirit's reply. Soon, the National Jade Seal's spirit said.

[Yes. No admin edit requests or records, nor any from other users.]

"So even the National Jade Seal's power can't find the Xuanyuan Sword?"

[That is correct.]

"Can its search function reach other dimensions or otherworlds?"

[No. It covers only the present earthly realm, material plane, and primary dimension.]

"Hmm. I see."

I frowned.

'More useless than I thought?'

The National Jade Seal could find anything in this world, but not items that had crossed to others. Confirming the Xuanyuan Sword didn't exist here, I asked again.

"Then search for the White Lotus Cult's divine artifact's location in this world."

[Search results for White Lotus Cult divine artifact: 0 matches.]

"......"

[Would you like to see rela—]

"Shut it!! What the hell can you even find?!"

I lost my temper. The National Jade Seal's spirit scowled back.

[Can't claim to find what isn't there.]

"Forget it!! Can't you search other dimensions too? What's the harm?"

[...You could make one yourself.]

"Huh?"

[No, just muttering...]

Before I could retort, the National Jade Seal's spirit vanished.

'Was I too harsh?'

Feeling I'd lashed out needlessly, I scratched my head and returned to reality.

Zhuge Sa then said.

"We gained something."

"That neither the Xuanyuan Sword nor the White Lotus Cult divine artifact exists anywhere in this world?"

"No. That we now need the ability to search across dimensions. A problem for later."

With that, Zhuge Sa continued.

"Baek Woong. New task."

"What?"

"Use the Heavenly Divine Scripture's spells."

Zhuge Sa's eyes gleamed.

"Trade a treasure with Yeo Dongbin for the info. Then head to Mount Ye, where Gongsun Bi died, and summon the Gongsun family head from a thousand years ago—Gongsun Bi himself—and learn about the Xuanyuan Sword from him."

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