Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

Ghostwriter, huh!

I was a bit shocked and stammered.

"Uh... do you think I can't write that well...?"

I'd been diligently practicing day and night, repeating reading, writing, and contemplation endlessly. I'd probably practiced tens of thousands of characters by now. And yet, it still wasn't anywhere near good enough? In response to my question, Feng Menglong smacked his lips.

"Well... it's not that you can't write at all. You're about on par with an average scholar. But to reach the level you're talking about, you'd need at least ten years of devoted study in literature... If you want a popular novel in a short time, ghostwriting is the only way."

"I see... Are ghostwriters any good?"

"That's why we're heading to Luoyang. It's overflowing with eccentrics and talents."

I turned to Mangyang, who gave a wry smile.

"Then there was no point in me practicing writing."

"... I thought you might have talent."

"......"

I let out a sigh. I wasn't without talent in writing, but it seemed to be just ordinary. In that case, using a ghostwriter to satisfy Jecheon Daeseong was the right move. If my goal was to write a great novel myself, I'd never borrow someone else's power, but since that wasn't my life's ambition, it couldn't be helped.

Paat!

We teleported to Luoyang. Following Feng Menglong's lead, we entered a large building where sharp-featured scholars lounged everywhere. Curious, I looked around, and Mangyang muttered.

"It's been a while since I've been here."

"You've been here before, Mangyang?"

He nodded.

"This is the Seven Sages Pavilion. It's where scholars in Luoyang who haven't yet obtained official positions or achieved fame gather to hone their skills and study. They exchange information too..."

"You were here back in the day?"

"I came before taking the imperial exam, thinking it might help. Not for long, though."

Feng Menglong, standing nearby, chimed in.

"Huh... By the way, Baek Woong, you have incredible abilities. From the Five Mysteries of Jiangsu Province to Luoyang is thousands of li, yet we arrived in an instant... Are you some legendary sorcerer? Earth Contraction Technique?"

"... So where do we find a ghostwriter?"

Talking about magic tools or flying swords to ordinary folk was pointless, so I changed the subject. Feng Menglong shrugged.

"Best to get a recommendation from the Pavilion Master of the Seven Sages Pavilion."

"This place has its own master?"

"Talented but penniless scholars are often destitute. The Pavilion Master disliked seeing them in poverty, so he used his own fortune to build this place. He's accomplished in poetry, calligraphy, painting, and all sorts of arts."

"Hmm..."

I glanced around. Dozens of idle talents per floor, and with all the floors, over a hundred in total. Keeping them fed and creating without work was no small feat.

'Must be filthy rich...'

We went to find the Pavilion Master. Thanks to Feng Menglong's acquaintance, we entered his room easily. The middle-aged man called the Pavilion Master spoke.

"You want a ghostwriter... Do you know this goes against propriety?"

"It's not for wealth or fame. This Baek Woong here just wants to spread an entertaining story he knows across Luoyang to share the joy."

After Feng Menglong persuaded him, the Pavilion Master pondered briefly before asking.

"What do you want?"

"What do you mean?"

"Most seek wealth and fame through novels. Popular tales sell well, and printing and papermaking tech improves daily. But you want something odd."

"I'm curious about you too—why pour a fortune into running this money-losing Seven Sages Pavilion? Got money to burn?"

He chuckled at my retort.

"How I spend my money is my business."

"I'll throw that right back at you. I just want to achieve my goal."

"Interesting fellow. You're a true eccentric."

The Pavilion Master tossed me something. Catching the scroll, he explained.

"That lists about 170 notable writers and scholars in Luoyang. Show it, and they'll likely accept your request."

"What's so special about this scroll?"

"They owe me one favor for lounging and eating here without office. This enforces that debt."

"Hmm."

It was quite useful. Not magically empowered, but its symbolism alone could command talented scholars.

We sought out the listed writers one by one, making our ghostwriting offers. One man reacted strongly.

"I'll do it!"

"Who are you?"

"My name is Wu Cheng'en! Please, let me write it."

"......"

He pleaded desperately.

"I have no money for drink! I was hunting places to sell my writing—perfect timing! Please hire me! I'm good at ghostwriting."

Wu Cheng'en!

Wait... Doesn't he look exactly like the form Jecheon Daeseong took before...?

When I'd gone to the village with the Twelve Rhythm Lords, Jecheon Daeseong had disguised as a human waiting there. He'd introduced himself as a Mount Liang recluse, and now this scholar Wu Cheng'en matched that appearance perfectly. I eyed him warily.

"You... aren't you the self-proclaimed Mount Liang recluse?"

"Huh? You know me?"

"What's your relation to Jecheon Daeseong, the Demon King Miho?"

"Huh...? What are you talking about?"

"Come with me."

"Uwaaak."

Pabapak.

I dragged him by the scruff to a deserted alley, sealed his acupoints, and cast the Soul Separation Technique to hypnotize him. I intended to probe his connection to Jecheon Daeseong thoroughly.

But Wu Cheng'en knew nothing. The info I got: he was in his forties, showed early promise in poetry but no official path, now idling at the pavilion, selling his writing skills for booze and daily survival.

'In short, an aging, washed-up scholar...'

No martial arts or spells learned.

Mangyang, who'd watched the interrogation, spoke.

"In a past life, Jecheon Daeseong taking his form wasn't coincidence. Same courtesy name and given name. There must be a connection."

"But he can't lie under the Soul Separation Technique."

Mangyang smiled faintly.

"My thought: Wu Cheng'en lives ordinarily until fate brings him to Jecheon Daeseong someday. That happened before. But 'now', we met him first."

"... Wow."

Such a possibility?

Amazed, I listened as Mangyang continued.

"Perfect timing. It's fate, so let's have him ghostwrite."

Irritated, I replied.

"We haven't verified if he writes well. This scroll lists Luoyang's top talents..."

Mangyang shook his head.

"Such coincidences don't happen casually. Meeting future fate early means something. This encounter might be your luck, Baek Woong."

"Hmm... Fine."

Agreeing, I released his acupoints, erased the interrogation memory with the Soul Separation Technique, and assigned him the ghostwriting, handing over gold.

"Please write something good."

Wu Cheng'en stared at the gold, mouth agape. Enough for a scholar to idle twenty years—understandable.

"Got it. What's the title?"

"You decide."

He pondered, then slapped his palm.

"How about Journey to the Three...?"

"Sure."

I turned to leave after entrusting the writing. But Wu Cheng'en stopped me.

"Wait!"

"What?"

He cleared his throat.

"Uh... More gold, and I'll write an extra novel with you as protagonist."

Bargaining with me now?

I nearly laughed inwardly, but the idea sparked interest. Nameless yet wealthy martial artists often commissioned hero tales starring themselves. Sitting beside him, I said.

"Look at me—ugly as sin. Got the skill to make that entertaining?"

"Haha! In a novel, I can make you a peerless pretty boy."

"No need for that..."

I could've improved my looks with plastic surgery in past lives but skipped it—time-waster, and irrelevant to my tasks. My comrades didn't judge by appearance anyway. Wu Cheng'en added.

"Everyone wants to be a novel hero: handsome, great. Born plain, we crave vicarious thrills—human nature. Most aren't born as desired."

"... Hmm."

"Genius, heroes, beauties are rare. No matter the effort, we can't live like them now—just dream for next life."

I nodded. Relatable. Maybe why I loved wuxia and war tales. He grinned.

"You seem indifferent now, but tell me later. I write well—I'll craft a splendid one."

I smiled bitterly.

"Nah. What's fun in a tale of an ugly lug like me? For vicarious joy, protagonists need to be handsome studs."

"Eh, I can make you one..."

"That wouldn't be me. Can't self-indulge in absurdity. Too fake."

He blurted excitedly.

"Well? Hmm... Wait! I'll write it that way. Might have demand... Could be a hit. Trust me once."

The gold tempted him into nonsense. More gold meant lifelong idling—natural. Tired of his babble, I waved it off.

"Thanks anyway. See you later. When to return?"

"Generously, six months."

"Got it."

Paat.

Mangyang and I returned to Mount Huang. He said.

"Baek Woong, just to check..."

"What?"

"Can't the Heavenly Divine Scripture's spells summon souls via bonds with ancient relics?"

"Hm?"

I tilted my head, reviewing the scripture's methods, then shook it.

"No."

"Pity..."

"Why ask?"

"You told me to find Guan clan descendants. While growing elixirs on Mount Huang and mobilizing my forces, I recalled your Twin Noble Swords."

"Twin Noble Swords...?"

"Guan Yu's sworn brother, Emperor Liu Bei of Benevolence's personal sword. Thought it could summon him."

"Ah!"

If possible, hugely convenient. Collect legendary relics, summon owners! But the scripture didn't support it—shame.

"Guan descendants confirmed in Sichuan. I'll contact when found soon."

"Got it."

I dropped Mangyang off, returned to Dragon Mausoleum Valley, and trained with Jin So-cheong, Gok Ho, and Dang San. Many plans, but none yielded overnight—months of waiting minimum. In this odd downtime, only training remained.

Three months passed. Dang San grew fastest.

Pyuung.

Five needles flew from his fingertips, piercing a target dozens of feet away. It shredded like rags from Needle Penetration Scripture. He grinned proudly.

"This is the Tang clan secret art, Flying Violent Spiral Needle. Mastered it."

"......"

Watching his demo, I was dumbfounded.

'A direct-line Tang secret, glimpsed once at his age, fully comprehended in three months?'

Normally, a decade under master!

Absurd growth. He'd broken Peak realm, mastered Thunder God arts basic, entered advanced. Casually absorbed sidelined Tang secrets. Had to admit: true genius.

Future top ten master!

Current Dang San: strongest boy martial artist under twenty in Central Plains. Not bluffing about Supreme Peak in ten years. As I marveled, Jin So-cheong said.

"Baek Woong, Zhuge Scholar calls. Go see."

"What's up?"

"Not sure, but seems novel-related."

I visited Zhuge Scholar. He cut straight in.

"Baek Woong, go to the Western Regions once."

"Why?"

He grinned.

"To satisfy Jecheon Daeseong quickly, we need good bait."

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