Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

Cult Leader assassination?!

I'd thought about it once or twice, but I'd never dared to actually attempt it. I stared at Zhuge Sa in shock for a moment before speaking.

"You and I alone are going to assassinate the Cult Leader?"

It was a plan I never saw coming. When I questioned him, Zhuge Sa replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"It's worth a shot, and it won't be that hard. We know enough of his weaknesses by now—killing him in some convoluted way at this point would just be ridiculous."

"Be specific. How exactly?"

"Before I explain, I'd like to hear your thoughts first."

Zhuge Sa gazed at me calmly.

"......"

"This matters more than the plan itself."

I fell silent at his words.

Could I kill the Cult Leader?

Even if I wanted to, could I actually go through with it?

Zhuge Sa knew about the pity I harbored toward the White Lotus Cult Leader.

He was essentially saying he wouldn't share his strategy until that was settled. I wasn't fool enough to miss that, so after some thought, I replied.

"...Is there really no way to bring the Cult Leader over to our side?"

"Why ask me?"

"Huh?"

"Baek Woong. You are a king."

Zhuge Sa's eyes grew serious.

"You're freer and more powerful than even the emperor of the Great Ming Empire right now. No one in history has ever monopolized all that knowledge, treasure, and martial arts through past-life abilities to defy the gods like you have. There are hardly any mortals left who could stand in your way. Mangnyang and I see you as our true king and craft our schemes

"You're freer and more powerful than even the emperor of the Great Ming Empire right now. No one in history has ever monopolized all that knowledge, treasure, and martial arts through past-life abilities to defy the gods like you have. There are hardly any mortals left who could stand in your way. Mangnyang and I see you as our true king and craft our schemes accordingly. You've heard it from Hyeon-i before, right?"

"......"

I had.

"In the end, it's all up to your will and choice. I can warn you that taking the Cult Leader as an ally is insanely risky, but I can't predict the outcome. Your heavenly fortune and ill fate are so fickle that no human wisdom can fathom them. Hasn't it always been that way?"

Zhuge Sa let out a brief sigh before continuing.

"Baek Woong, what do you want to do with the White Lotus Cult Leader? That's what matters most. I can't answer that for you."

I thought it over.

And soon reached a conclusion.

"I don't want to kill him. But if he tries to harm my comrades, I can't just stand by."

I knew the White Lotus Cult Leader was a hero trying to save humanity in his own way, with his ideals and beliefs. But if he extended his demonic claws toward my comrades, I couldn't sit idly by. My personal sympathy had limits, and right now, I had a duty to protect my allies.

Zhuge Sa nodded.

"So you want the middle strategy."

"Yeah."

"Then that's what we'll do. No more clashes with the Cult Leader—focus solely on challenging Dark Heaven Village. Leave the base relocation to Mangnyang and me."

Zhuge Sa spoke as if that settled it, but my curiosity got the better of me.

"Wait... Was assassinating the White Lotus Cult Leader per the superior strategy actually feasible?"

Zhuge Sa gave me a blank look.

"Hey, why are you such a wuss? Didn't you just decide?"

"I'm curious. Gotta know for next time."

"Heh. You're a king, sure, but no hero material."

He chuckled as if amused, then answered.

"It's simple. Kill the Little Cult Leader."

"I thought of that too."

I shook my head.

"But Heavenly Law Hall where the Little Cult Leader is isn't a pushover."

"I know."

"I thought it was unguarded at first, but sorcerers are always stationed there maintaining barriers. And though they're not obvious, Water God School experts provide constant protection. Some were even from the Water God Squad or Water God School elders."

"Heh. Meaning we'd have to fight Dharma Guardian-level monsters."

"Exactly."

Water God School elders!

I'd been clueless before, but some possessed Heavenly Spirit Pills unknown to the other great martial schools. Naturally, that was a major weakness for the Cult Leader, so Water God School kept those with the pills on constant guard duty—which meant clashing with Dharma Guardian-level experts.

'If there are two or more with Heavenly Spirit Pills, it'd be hell...'

Zhuge Sa picked up.

"Plus, Heavenly Law Hall seems to have a device that can summon the Cult Leader instantly."

"...I didn't spot it, but it's probably there."

It had to be.

The Little Cult Leader was such a critical vulnerability that if harmed, it could cripple the Cult Leader irreparably. No way the master sorcerer White Lotus Cult Leader wouldn't have a summoning device.

"Heh, and you're wondering why the assassination success rate is over eighty percent despite that?"

"Yeah."

"Simple. With you and the Zhuge division combining forces, even if the Cult Leader gets summoned to Heavenly Law Hall, we could take him out together. Or at least inflict mortal wounds."

"What?"

"No other Absolute Realm experts needed. They'd just get in the way. It's a strategy that works precisely because it's just you and the Zhuge division—two people."

What was he talking about?

I stared at him in disbelief, and he spoke slowly.

"You already chose the middle strategy. Hearing my superior plan would just shake your indecisive heart for no reason. Drop it and prep for the base move."

"...Got it."

I realized Zhuge Sa's 'superior strategy' was a cheat among cheats, an illegality among illegalities—something so bizarre and harsh he hesitated to share it. Knowing isn't always a gain. Convinced he'd tell me later, I began the relocation.

First, I stored the Shadowless Gate experts and assets with Geom Ma inside Mokgap, then headed to the southern continent. I'd considered Ayutthaya Kingdom at first, but even the southern barbarians were within the Cult Leader's striking range if he wanted, so I chose a true backwater for the new base.

Then we gathered to discuss the prisoners.

Mangnyang said,

southern barbarians were within the Cult Leader's striking range if he wanted, so I chose a true backwater for the new base.

Then we gathered to discuss the prisoners.

Mangnyang said.

"Tell Dragon Name Child and the Divine Monk the full story and recruit them as allies. Transmitting memories would help."

Zhuge Sa grumbled curtly from across.

"Hyeon-i, aren't you being too soft? Brainwash them and use 'em as minions."

"They're not that wicked—they're righteous sages. Turning them into puppets is excessive."

"They might not be wicked, but they're still sect leaders, those raccoon dogs. We're swamped as is—babysitting them sounds more hassle."

"If they couldn't even understand words, we'd have no choice."

"What about Lee Gwang?"

"......"

Mangnyang paused, then looked at Jin So-cheong.

"I'd like Jin So-cheong to keep monitoring Lee Gwang until Baek Woong finishes exploring Dark Heaven Village."

"Waste of manpower and time. Jin So-cheong's got enough on his plate with training—what pointless crap?"

"That's not it."

Mangnyang continued.

pointless crap?"

"That's not it."

Mangnyang continued.

"We'll use Lee Gwang as combat strength too."

"Ugh... So that's the play."

"He's a martial genius, after all."

Zhuge Sa shook his head.

"I oppose! I've seen enough of that bastard through Baek Woong's memories to be sick of him. He's a two-faced schemer—not trustworthy. Just chop his head off clean."

Jin So-cheong suddenly spoke up.

"I won't allow it. Not harm to my master."

Zhuge Sa glared at him with manic eyes.

"Oh yeah? Good point. So what if your master betrays us even once?"

"I'll atone with my death."

"Funny. Even if you gut yourself, it means squat to a reincarnator like Baek Woong."

"......"

I watched as the mood soured, then stepped in.

"I'll transmit memories to Dragon Name Child and the Divine Monk via Silver Phoenix Seal. I think they're trustworthy. As for Lee Gwang... Jin So-cheong, you decide. Whether to give him memories and accept him as an ally."

I stared him down, and he shook his head with sad eyes.

"...No."

"Then we'll keep suppressing and imprisoning Lee Gwang going forward. Seal all his meridians, suppress his qi—no need for guards beyond Shadowless Gate elder-level experts."

"Understood."

"Heh, as expected..."

As Zhuge Sa started mocking Jin So-cheong, I cut him off.

"That's settled! No time—let's move."

Zhuge Sa clearly despised Jin So-cheong, and he wasn't one to take it lying down—trouble was inevitable.

Paat!

I transmitted memories to the Divine Monk and Dragon Name Child via Silver Phoenix Seal. They shuddered as they absorbed them, eyes widening in shock.

"Whoa..."

"No way."

Dragon Name Child's reaction was especially intense. His youthful face twisted unbelievably as he bellowed at me.

"You little shit!! You handed out our sect's Seven Great Arts to anyone willy-nilly?! You got help

No way.

Dragon Name Child's reaction was especially intense. His youthful face twisted unbelievably as he bellowed at me.

"You little shit!! You handed out our sect's Seven Great Arts to anyone willy-nilly?! You got help from me and Wudang during your reincarnations, but gave us nothing back?!"

"......"

No words. I did owe him and Wudang—I'd been a total freeloader. With a sigh, I bowed my head in apology.

"I'm sorry."

"Damn it, you think 'sorry' covers it..."

"But how I obtained the Seven Great Arts was solely through my past-life ability, wrested from Heavenly Realm Zhang Sanfeng. No reason to fault me for that. Bluntly, without my reincarnation power, you'd never have gotten the complete version yourself."

"...That's..."

I replied firmly, then continued.

"My goal is uniting human strength to escape the clutches of the cruel gods dominating this world. But we haven't even toppled a god, let alone found a solid method—that's reality. No time to spare. So I'm sorry for not repaying Wudang until now."

"Hmm..."

Dragon Name Child grumbled, then seemed to realize something.

"Fine. I was too selfish. I acknowledge you're the one to save the world. Pay back Wudang someday."

"I will. Thanks for understanding."

Beside him, the Divine Monk chanted a quiet Buddhist invocation before speaking.

"Baek Woong. You walk the infinite path of reincarnation yet strive to uphold the righteous path. This old monk is moved by your resolve."

"No need for flattery, Great Monk."

"No..."

The Divine Monk paused, then said.

"To shorten your journey, I must aid you fully. Care to visit Shaolin Temple with me briefly?"

"Why Shaolin?"

"Need to seal the gates and give you a gift."

"Got it."

Soon after, I went to Shaolin with the Divine Monk and Dragon Name Child. He declared a full gate-sealing across Shaolin, then led me to a deep secret area.

How far did we go? About thirty li from Shaolin headquarters, deep in the mountains, when the Divine Monk placed his hand on a rock. Moments later, it emitted a strange noise.

[User fingerprint recognition complete. Opening the door.]

Whirrr.

The rock slid aside with a mechanical whir, revealing a vast interior space.

".......!!"

What was this?!

Oddly, the space brimmed with unknown machinery and bizarre storage compartments. As I stared entranced, the Divine Monk spoke.

"This is the gift Mangnyang Master bestowed upon Shaolin."

"What do you mean?"

"Mangnyang Master contracted with 'someone' for offerings, and this mysterious place was it. 'Someone' used it as a vital fortress but reluctantly gave it to Mangnyang Master."

He fiddled with the eerie blue walls.

"Nothing decays here. It's filled with divine spiritual energy and unknown otherworldly technology. I don't know its purpose fully, but training my internal energy here built qi several times faster than outside."

Was this the secret to the Divine Monk's world's strongest internal energy?

I was baffled.

"...What is this place? Unlike demon race ruins, no evil qi."

"I don't know either. But it'll help you, reincarnator. You don't need more internal energy, though..."

The Divine Monk went deeper, opened a box, and took something out. A palm-sized, round,

"...What is this place? Unlike demon race ruins, no evil qi."

"I don't know either. But it'll help you, reincarnator. You don't need more internal energy, though..."

The Divine Monk went deeper, opened a box, and took something out. A palm-sized, round, yellow-glowing pill—a Return Pill.

"Shaolin's finest spirit pill, the Great Return Pill. Please use it wisely..."

"Understood."

"Greater effect on internal injuries than Millennium Snow Ginseng, I believe."

I'd settle for the Great Return Pill for now.

Next, I went to Wudang with Dragon Name Child, watched him declare gate-sealing, and followed him.

He opened a hidden chamber behind the Wudang sect leader's quarters and said.

"I don't have some grand ruin like the Divine Monk..."

Rumble.

Proudly eyeing the interior, he declared.

"But you can take that from now on."

Kiriring—

A single elegant longsword embedded inside, emanating sacred light!

I knew instantly it was extraordinary. Among all famed swords I'd seen, this one exuded an aura that drew any swordsman's heart. Even the legendary Dragon Flame Sword seemed slightly inferior.

I swallowed hard.

"What's that sword?"

"There's a saying: 'Square earth as carriage, round heaven as canopy, long sword gleaming, leaning against the edge of the sky.'"

"......!!"

My eyes widened.

"That's the Heaven-Leaning Sword?!"

Dragon Name Child nodded.

"One of Zhongyuan's greatest treasured swords, obtained by our founder Zhang Sanfeng after slaying the Great Wicked Ghost."

Heaven-Leaning Sword!

A legendary sword of myth and legend, said to cleave anything in this world—coveted by swordsmen and warriors since antiquity. Seeing the fabled Heaven-Leaning Sword thrilled me.

I reached to draw it, but my arm suddenly felt immensely heavy. Glancing at Dragon Name Child, he said.

"No one's drawn it yet. Not since the founder."

"......"

"If you're able, take it."

"Why can't it be drawn?"

"Who knows? I would've if I could—taken it to fight the Cult Leader."

I poured massive internal energy into the Heaven-Leaning Sword.

Kugugugugu...!!

'Ugh, no good!'

I felt it budge slightly, but forcing it with qi would burden the sword. It might break. Reluctantly, I stopped.

"...Thanks anyway."

I'd have to ask Immortal Zhang Sanfeng how to draw the Heaven-Leaning Sword later.

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