Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

I eventually returned to our base and discussed with the strategists how to relocate it to the Southern Continent. Mang Liang immediately offered his opinion.

"Use the All Nations Jade Seal to find a suitable place on the Southern Continent. It should have moderate sunlight, abundant flora and fauna, minimal natural disasters, easy access to fresh water, and good spirit vein circulation."

"Can we find such a place that easily?"

"The All Nations Jade Seal's search capabilities should suffice."

I summoned the spirit of the All Nations Jade Seal with some skepticism and requested the search.

Wuwung—

[There are a total of 5 locations matching the criteria.]

"Is that so? Show me their positions and prospects."

I was struck anew by how incredible an artifact the All Nations Jade Seal was when it located places so effortlessly. Even on the vast Southern Continent, barely touched by civilization, it pinpointed ideal spots in an instant—a feat beyond human imagination. After viewing each location, I shared the information with Mang Liang and Zhuge Scholar. They spoke in unison.

"This one looks good."

They indicated precisely one spot. It lacked any notable name, but based on their geopolitical knowledge, it seemed the most suitable for human habitation. However, upon examining its prospect, I pointed out:

"There are natives living there."

Any place fit for living would naturally attract human settlement. I could see clusters of primitive huts where the natives dwelled. Their population appeared to number around 3,000—quite substantial for savages.

"Just drive them out. What's the problem? We could even enslave them."

"Hmm..."

As I let out a groan, Mang Liang spoke from beside me.

"There's no need to act excessively toward strangers. Let's negotiate with them and stay."

Zhuge Scholar snorted in response.

"Why show mercy to barbarians whose civilization is no better than pre-Shang Dynasty savages? They're little more than talking animals."

"Even so, they are human."

Mang Liang replied firmly, then turned to me.

"With the All Nations Jade Seal and Heavenly Divine Scripture's arts, negotiation should be simple."

"Very well."

I decided to side with Mang Liang. Certainly, with our faction's power, exterminating or expelling these savages would be trivial, but that wasn't humane. I took Mang Liang, Jin So-cheong, Sword Demon, and others straight to the savage village.

Paat!

"Krhat!"

"Uooo!!"

Upon arriving at the village via flight, the savages were startled and grabbed their spears and axes, lunging to attack us.

Kugung!

But as I unleashed a surge of internal energy, radiating my aura around us, they instantly cowered and dropped their weapons. The sight of hundreds of warriors subdued in a single move was quite the spectacle. Sword Demon looked at me with renewed surprise and said:

"Baek Woong. Excluding the Dharma Protectors, you might possess the highest internal energy in martial history..."

"It's not much use against Absolute Realm experts."

"That's not true. Even Absolute Realm masters aren't guaranteed to beat you..."

"There are variables."

As Sword Demon and I chatted idly, about a dozen savages emerged from a large hut. In their midst was a savage in distinctive attire, who swung his staff vigorously and shouted:

[Who are you?]

Using the All Nations Jade Seal's ability to interpret their language, followed by the Heavenly Divine Scripture's art to summon a potent nearby spirit for more precise acquisition, I conversed briefly with the summoned soul before speaking.

"Priest of the Mabuig tribe, we are Nyuans from the Northern Continent. We seek to coexist and dwell here with you."

"No! How do you know our Paman?"

The one before me was the priest of the Mabuig tribe. In this theocratic society, the priest was equivalent to a king. Nyuan referred to humans, and Paman meant their language. Borrowing the summoned savage hero's memories, I continued:

"Lend us a place to live, and we'll slay the swamp monster that's long plagued you."

The priest's face lit up with joy.

"Oh... oh... Really? You'll eliminate that monster?"

"Yes."

"Very well. I permit you to stay."

From the savage hero's summoned memories, I learned he had died fighting that swamp monster. This village was the largest on the Southern Continent, yet it had suffered generations of raids, losing population and barely surviving through human sacrifices. The monster was likely a yokai or lizardman, so slaying it would secure our stay easily.

Soon, Sword Demon and the Shadowless Gate disciples borrowed a section of the village to build our new quarters. We'd hired a dozen skilled carpenters from the Central Plains and brought laborers, so it wouldn't take long. Mang Liang beside me asked:

"What's this swamp monster?"

"Hmm... Seems like a creature dwelling in a nearby volcano."

"If it's a [Former Ruler], we can't handle it..."

"From the savage hero's memories, it didn't seem that level. I suspect it's around the size of the giant toad from the Great Thunder Jade."

"I see. Then it should be easy to catch."

"Since it's come up, I'll take care of it now."

Paat!

I headed to the spot where the savage hero had perished. The summoned hero wailed frantically in my mind.

[Oooh! That monster devoured countless villagers. Let me handle it—give me your body!]

"No."

[What?!]

"I'm stronger than you, so just watch."

Kugugugu....

The location was a dormant volcano. Walking up from the dark, cloud-shrouded plain, I spotted a cave. Instead of entering, I hurled a steel spear I carried, infusing it with massive internal energy.

Kwaakwang!!

The cave exploded, shaking the mountain's interior. Knowing it was likely filled with the monster's slime, I didn't want a close encounter, so I destroyed it from outside. From the rubble crawled a massive toad-like beast, over ten zhang in size, flapping its tentacles.

Gururuk!

'Lizardman confirmed.'

It seemed the same species as the one I'd faced in the Great Thunder Jade long ago, though smaller than that giant toad. The giant toad vibrated the membrane inside its throat and spewed a powerful breath.

Hwaaak!

The breath's intense acidity melted every rock in its path. But I dodged effortlessly, closing in with Thunder Shadow Step—Heaven Lord Slaughter and unleashing a full-power lightning strike.

Shukang!

[Graaaah...]

The toad let out a death cry and perished. After dispatching it with a single blow, I asked:

"Hey. Any treasures this monster had?"

[......]

"Hey. Didn't you hear?"

The savage hero exclaimed in shock.

[Impossible... I trained my entire life in martial arts, used our tribe's sacred spells and treasures, yet could only put it into hibernation at the cost of mutual destruction... How did you kill it so easily? No way!]

"I told you, I'm stronger than you. I handled things like this easily ten years ago, and even more so now."

[Oooh...]

He couldn't stop his astonishment. His reaction felt oddly burdensome.

'Why the fuss over such small fry?'

Had I faced so many overwhelming foes that this seemed trivial? I couldn't fully grasp the savage hero's surprise. Moments later, he calmed and said:

[...Very well. You deserve my greatest secret, hidden until death.]

"Treasure?"

[Not treasure... but a way to meet the Spirit of Death.]

"Hmm? Spirit of Death?"

Intrigued, I tilted my head. The savage hero explained:

[We believe the Rainbow Serpent created this world. The Spirit of Death is its foremost servant. Meeting it grants a chance to encounter the Rainbow Serpent.]

"A way to meet the Creator God through the Spirit of Death?"

[Yes.]

I chuckled dismissively, deeming it irrelevant.

"Rainbow Serpent... What for?"

His next words surprised me slightly.

[You gain the privilege of reincarnation. Carry your past life's wisdom and experience into the next, becoming a superior being.]

"......!!"

Reincarnation?!

With my own reincarnation ability active, I couldn't dismiss it lightly.

Composing my shock, I said:

"Impossible! If true, why didn't you seek this privilege?"

[I had to fulfill my duty to stay that monster. Reincarnation would prevent it, but putting it down granted our tribe centuries of peace. It revived eventually and resumed devouring...]

"......"

This savage hero, though weak, seemed righteous.

[Reincarnated beings lose their mark as proof. The Rainbow Serpent removes it from the warrior's soul, allowing inheritance of memories and experience.]

"I see... Such a thing must exist."

His words convinced me fully, matching what Xiang Yu had once said.

[You lack the Mark of Oblivion. You likely have high reincarnation odds.]

[All fated ones bear the soul imprint to forget in the wheel of reincarnation. Rarely, it vanishes or never forms, allowing memory-retaining reincarnation.]

Back then, I hadn't grasped the Mark of Oblivion's meaning. Regardless, it aligned perfectly. The 'mark' was undoubtedly Xiang Yu's Mark of Oblivion, erasable by a divine being here on the Southern Continent.

'Interesting.'

Meeting the Spirit of Death enables reincarnation?

Pondering, I asked:

"Any conditions for reincarnation?"

[I don't know. The secret god-priest who told me said the Spirit chooses whom to reincarnate.]

"There's a risk of failure."

[If you reincarnate, you'll achieve greater feats. I'll teach you the method to meet the spirit.]

"......"

What would happen if I reincarnated now?

Already looping the same era via reincarnation, could this break the cycle? Curiosity piqued, I nodded.

"Teach me."

I learned all the secrets from the savage hero, sent him back, and informed Mang Liang and Zhuge Scholar. Zhuge Scholar immediately said:

"Don't attempt reincarnation this life!"

"Why?"

"If the savage speaks true, that 'Rainbow Serpent' is surely a [Former Ruler]. The Spirit of Death is at least a Great Thunder Immortal-level monster. Tangling with them only raises death risk."

"....True."

"Don't underestimate Southern Continent divinities just because their civilization is primitive. Handle it solo next sudden death."

After advising me, Zhuge Scholar continued.

"First, perform the tribute rite. Learn how to obtain the Heaven-Reliance Sword from Jang Sambong, then challenge Dark Heaven Village."

"Got it."

Paat!

I went to Mang Liangsen's village. With Mang Liang and Cheon Woo-jin's help, I set up an altar and offered the Twin Horn Sword and Earth Eater as tributes to summon Jang Sambong. The Twin Horn Sword wasn't immediately needed anyway.

Wuuu—

Light emanated from the altar, and Jang Sambong manifested in Cheon Woo-jin's body. In his summoned state, he projected a spectral image into the air, looked at me, and said:

[The human drawing the Nine Heavens Maiden's attention...]

"Huh? What...?"

I trailed off, realizing. In this life, attempting Immortal Swordplay had caught the Nine Heavens Maiden's eye! It seemed the rumor had spread through the heavenly realm, known even to Jang Sambong.

Cold sweat trickled down. I'd thought it merely annoying, but if it was this widespread, every action drew scrutiny? Shrinking back, Jang Sambong said:

[State your purpose for summoning me.]

"Uh... Great Immortal Jang Sambong..."

Hesitating, I said:

"I wish to know how to draw and wield the Heaven-Reliance Sword, which was yours in life."

[......]

Jang Sambong fell silent. The unusually long pause puzzled me until he spoke.

[You cannot draw it.]

"What? Why?"

His response left me frozen.

[Before ascending, I sealed it with all my Absolute Realm insights. Even razing Wudang Mountain entire, no one can wield it. I'd return all tributes before unsealing the Heaven-Reliance Sword.]

"Why?!"

[......]

I was stunned.

Jang Sambong himself had made the Heaven-Reliance Sword undrawable!!

And he refused to unseal it?

"Is it that immensely powerful a divine sword?"

Had he sealed it because it could warp causality?

But Jang Sambong evaded, saying:

[That sword brings ten thousand harms, no benefits. Proof of false history, blade of the false divine king... Its dual nature awakens beyond control. If capable, I recommend destroying the Heaven-Reliance Sword instead.]

"Blade of a false king?"

[I cannot reveal more; it's heavenly secret. Take back your offerings.]

Sususu

Jang Sambong's form began fading, the Twin Horn Sword and Earth Eater reappearing. Once he fully returned to the heavens, I couldn't hide my bewilderment.

"......"

What in the world is the Heaven-Reliance Sword?

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!