Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

Since we hadn't made any progress on the Ultimate Heavenly Sword, Mangyang spoke up from beside me.

"Baek Woong. I'd like to go check out that Shaolin Temple ruin together."

"Got it."

Pa-at!

I headed to the ruin with Mangyang and Cheon Woo-jin in tow.

We entered through the rock door that Shin Seung had left open and examined the site. Mangyang and Cheon Woo-jin spent a long time inspecting it, and suddenly Mangyang said,

"Baek Woong. Bring Uncle Jeogal-sa here."

Just as he said, I fetched Jeogal-sa, who was building our southern continent base, and brought him to the ruin. Jeogal-sa seemed to have a guess as to why he'd been summoned and focused on the investigation without a word. The three of them silently toured the facilities for about an hour.

"Uncle, what are your thoughts on this facility?"

"...Well, it's ambiguous."

It was an unusual response from Jeogal-sa, who always answered straightforwardly, and he seemed lacking in confidence. Jeogal-sa glanced at Cheon Woo-jin.

"I need to hear from the spellcraft genius before I can give my opinion."

Cheon Woo-jin, receiving the look, said,

"I agree. This place wasn't made with spellcraft or spellcraft-based techniques. With my knowledge, I can't judge it."

"Hmm, I see. Not based on spellcraft either..."

Curious, I asked Jeogal-sa,

"What's ambiguous about it?"

"...This place was undoubtedly built with advanced technology. Far more advanced than the current Great Ming Empire's scientific capabilities. But... that's what makes it ambiguous."

Mangyang, standing nearby, chimed in.

"Baek Woong. I've been learning about the Yi clan's civilizations and technologies from Uncle in my spare time. But this doesn't match any Yi clan civilization."

"What do you mean?"

"In other words... it's too advanced to be a modern civilization, yet too primitive to be a Yi clan one."

"......"

Was it not comparable to the Prophet's technological level?

But even that didn't satisfy me, so I pressed,

"That doesn't prove it's not a Yi clan civilization, does it? No human on earth today has this level of tech anyway—if it's not Yi clan, then what is it?"

Mangyang, who would normally rebut right away, replied in a somewhat dissatisfied tone this time.

"You're right. The fingerprint scanner at the entrance and the various mechanical and electronic devices show no one in the current era has this civilization or tech. But... it doesn't match any Yi clan civilizations that Uncle or I know. Yi clans have their unique styles, but this facility shows no such influence. And above all..."

He continued in a hesitant tone.

"This facility has its own independent system, uninfluenced by magic, evil arts, or spellcraft. It's as if it evolved independently for hundreds of years... That's why none of our comrades can explain its existence or creator."

"Hmm..."

It meant unidentified and enigmatic.

Jeogal-sa said,

"I can't figure out why internal energy accumulation is easier here either. It's too independent a technology—my demonic knowledge can't unravel it."

"Jeogal-sa. What should we do?"

"The simplest way is to offer tribute to Elder Mangyang and find out who offered him this facility. He'd know, if anyone does. But now's not the time."

Jeogal-sa shook his head.

"We're heading to Dark Heaven Village—we can't spare even a single treasure. Offering unknown valuables to Elder Mangyang now would be a waste."

"Yeah... you're right."

I agreed. Having chosen the path of evasion against the White Lotus Leader, we had to succeed in exploring Dark Heaven Village no matter what. Diving into a place even the Great Thunder Immortal would struggle to survive would clearly require many treasures, so it felt wasteful to offer any to Elder Mangyang just to pay information now.

The Ultimate Heavenly Sword could be a major asset right away, so sacrificing the Land and Soil or Twin Ghost Swords was fine. But wasting them on secrets about this mysterious facility? It was bound to lead to an endless chain of dues.

Mangyang said,

"Baek Woong. I did find one other peculiarity about this facility."

"What is it?"

"Spellcraft doesn't activate inside here at all."

"......?!"

Mangyang glanced at Cheon Woo-jin, who opened his mouth reluctantly.

"He's right. I tried everything from beginner to advanced spellcraft—nothing worked. Even somewhat powerful miracle-grade spells failed."

"A place that seals spellcraft?"

Jeogal-sa nearby added,

"Not just spellcraft. I tried evil arts too, but they didn't work here. Summoning familiars or alchemy secrets? No dice. And..."

He placed his hand on my body with a click. As I looked at his hand, Jeogal-sa grinned.

"As you can see, the Soul Separation Great Law is banned too. You, as a fellow Soul Separation Great Law sorcerer, should normally sense I was trying to move your soul, but nothing happened. Even the power source for moving souls is blocked."

"Hmm... what does that mean?"

"No idea. The technology that made this facility seems extremely alien."

Whirring!

Hearing that, I circulated my internal energy and formed sword lightning on my blade. I tried Long Fist, Ground Fist, and divine steps—no issues. I tilted my head.

"Martial arts work fine?"

"It seals all other powers and spells but allows qi... Intentional. There are spellcrafts that block qi activation, so this is clearly deliberate."

We investigated the facility more but gained no further insights. So we left first, then brought everyone cultivating martial arts—Jin So-cheong, Geok-ho, Sword Demon, Dang-san, and others—to the facility. Its fast accumulation advantage would speed their martial progress.

Back on the southern continent, I said to Jeogal-sa,

"We've done everything now, right? Ready to challenge Dark Heaven Village?"

Jeogal-sa replied to my question,

"One thing left. Do that, then go."

"The novel?"

"Yeah. Too tedious and time-consuming for the next life—better see results this time to avoid regrets."

"Fair enough."

I'd left it to Oh Seung-eon, who said to wait half a year from then. Still plenty of time, so I decided to wait patiently. No matter how much the White Lotus Leader shook up the murim, finding us was near impossible. In the meantime, I'd cultivate with comrades at the Shaolin ruin.

Wuuuung

About three days into cultivation, Dang-san said,

"Internal energy's piling up at an insane rate... At least 10 or 15 times faster than outside."

"That much?"

"You've already maxed out, so you wouldn't feel it. But a commoner cultivating a year here could pass as a decent high expert outside. Ten years? Top-tier in the world on internal energy alone..."

"Hmm..."

"Come to think of it, what's this place called?"

"Shin Seung called it the Ark."

"Ark?"

Digging through memories, I said,

"The guy who offered this facility to Elder Mangyang called it that."

"Ark, huh. Weird. Doesn't look like a ship no matter how you see it."

Dang-san muttered oddly, then said,

"Anyway, we can become experts fast in this Ark."

Just as he said. Over three or four months, I watched my comrades grow in real time. They absorbed insights into Seven Severances and Eight Immortal Divine Arts daily, their martial arts soaring. Techniques they couldn't use due to low internal energy became feasible with the Ark's rapid accumulation.

"Time to go."

Judging enough time had passed, I went with Mangyang to Luoyang to find Oh Seung-eon. Strangely, he was missing.

"No idea. He was frequenting the Seven Sages Pavilion fine until a month ago after taking your commission. You paid the rest to look after him well, so we did—but he just stopped coming."

"Really no clue where he went?"

The Seven Sages Pavilion Master nodded to my question.

"I shelter wandering scholars, but I don't track their whereabouts."

"Didn't assign a warrior to watch him?"

"Why would I?"

True. The Pavilion Master was just a wealthy hobbyist spending on his pastime—no reason to surveil a mere scholar like Oh Seung-eon. Regretting not handling it more meticulously, I asked,

"Any places he might've gone?"

"No clue. I'll tell you some scholar friends he was close to—ask them."

After getting info from the Pavilion Master, I tracked down Oh Seung-eon's drinking buddies. But they only said he'd been booting hard then vanished suddenly. Frustrated, scratching my head, Mangyang beside me said,

"No choice. Use the National Seal to find him."

Whirring

I activated the National Seal to locate Oh Seung-eon. Unexpectedly, its spirit said,

[Search target Oh Seung-eon is currently eating in Goryeo's capital, Gaegyeong.]

......

What?

Did I hear wrong?

Dumbfounded, I asked again,

"What? Why's that guy there?"

[No information available to answer.]

"Damn... hurt or any health issues?"

[No external injuries confirmed.]

"Show me the surroundings."

Pabat!

Viewing a dozen scenes around Oh Seung-eon, my expression hardened sharply. Sure enough, he was in a lavish palace, with maids nearby and two or three warriors standing guard.

Worse, chatting casually over the meal was the Twelve Rites Lord.

"That dog!"

I told Mangyang what I'd seen in the seal. His expression soured.

"The Twelve Rites of Goryeo... They've secured Oh Seung-eon."

"Yeah... damn it."

No reason for Oh Seung-eon to go from Luoyang to Gaegyeong in a month out of nowhere. Nor to be guarded by warriors eating in a palace. Ninety percent chance the Twelve Rites sniffed our connection and kidnapped or lured him to Goryeo!

Mangyang sighed.

"To think the Twelve Rites dug this deep into trivia... My misjudgment. I thought staying low was best, but should have brought him to base."

"But why...? Why him?"

I tilted my head, uncomprehending.

Why take Oh Seung-eon?

Mangyang said,

"I have a guess. They probably activated their intelligence network across the murim and world to trace us after White Lotus contacts. With special agents in Luoyang, they caught wind and beat White Lotus to our trail—finding Oh Seung-eon as the link. They'll use him as a bargaining chip in future negotiations with White Lotus or us."

"Hmm..."

"My fault for overlooking amid new mythec secrets. Sorry..."

As Mangyang sighed, I shook my head.

"No. More importantly, we need to rescue Oh Seung-eon."

"We must meet the Twelve Rites Lord. He's personally handling him."

"That's..."

Highly awkward. With Dark Heaven Village looming, negotiating again with that sly fox, racking our brains? As I hesitated, Mangyang said,

"The Twelve Rites Lord might test waters with Oh Seung-eon then offer him to White Lotus Leader. If his custody goes there, he'll get messy. We act first and secure him quick."

"But isn't this backwards? In this spotlight from major powers, parading Oh Seung-eon won't make his novel go viral as planned..."

"No, Rescuing him has plenty of merit. Because he's linked by karma to the Grand Celestial of Pole Star."

"Hmm..."

Convinced, I conferenced with Jeogal-sa and others. Jeogal-sa said,

"Don't know how Twelve Rites Lord'll play it—bring all our forces."

"Negotiation the way to go?"

"For now."

A few days later, I met the Twelve Rites Lord.

Behind him stood his three aides, and three Twelve Rites sect leaders. I'd come to Gaegyeong with Mangyang, Cheon Woo-jin, Jin So-cheong, Sword Demon, Geok-ho, arriving at his designated spot.

The Twelve Rites Lord said,

"First time seeing your faces like this. The Thunder God Ryu that White Lotus Leader desperately seeks—or Anti-Heaven Alliance?"

"Seeing faces? You're wearing a mask."

He shrugged theatrically.

"Whoops. My handsome face is a national treasure—can't reveal it lightly."

Pfft!

As I sneered inwardly at his nonsense, he snapped his fingers.

"What do you want?"

"Twelve Rites Lord. Return Oh Seung-eon."

"Just like that?"

"Then why keep him?"

He nodded to my retort.

"True. No use for him. Interrogated him multiple times—he's just a rice-guzzling ordinary scholar. Writing talent aside, nothing special, and even that's not exceptional. Why chase this guy so hard?"

"Ugh."

Oh Seung-eon, gnawing a chicken leg beside the meeting, flinched startled. Gaegyeong food must be tasty—he was still chowing down happily.

......

Eating heartily in this setting—impressive in his own way.

At a loss, the Twelve Rites Lord said,

"So I'm curious instead. Is your goal really just spreading Oh Seung-eon's novel across Luoyang Central Plains? So modest?"

"No answer to answer that."

"Then I can't return him."

"Will you if I tell?"

"Depending on sincerity."

After consulting Mangyang via transmission, I replied reluctantly.

"Yes. That's the goal."

"And what do you gain?"

"Grand Celestial of Pole Star's favor."

"Hmm, as expected, but too far-fetched."

He sighed, then said,

"Are you sane? Grand Celestial of Pole Star is a half-god, half-demon powerhouse even in the heavens, the strongest fighter god. Doing this mismatched stuff just for his favor? Not scared of heavenly eyes?"

"That's our business. Right?"

"...Haha."

Suddenly playful, he said,

"Don't dislike folks like you. So, get his favor—what then? Borrow his power ahead?"

"Naturally? You guessed already."

"Must be some grand long-cherished wish you want done, even with his aid."

"Think what you want."

"Huhuhu..."

After thinking, he said,

"Fine. I'll return Oh Seung-eon. But with conditions."

"What?"

"I want Grand Celestial of Pole Star's aid too. Get him to promise that. And ally with our Twelve Rites henceforth, act together."

"......"

"That way, our influence in Central Plains will help hype that novel too."

Expected, in a way.

But unclear on one thing, I said to Twelve Rites Lord,

"You're not planning to topple White Lotus?"

"Not particularly."

"You're the only force rivaling them."

He replied,

"Rival means must fight? Personally, I don't hate White Lotus. I know they're ultimately trying to save the world."

"......"

"Your face screams questions, but no more answers. Mystery's popular in men."

"...Fine. We accept."

"Deal."

We got Oh Seung-eon back and asked about progress. Sheepishly, he said,

"...Not done."

"How much longer?"

"Hmm... Give me one more year."

"A year?! Already gave nearly half a year. Why extend?"

"......"

No need to ask why. He'd blown the advance on booze and fun at Seven Sages Pavilion. Frankly, he confessed. In truth, the novel was only half done.

Mangyang said helplessly,

"...I'll call Sima Gyeong for co-authorship with Oh Seung-eon. No more wasting time... Sigh! Sorry to bother him."

"Sima Gyeong... that one from before."

"Sima clan genius. His talent rivals mine. No choice but his help."

I escorted Mangyang and Oh Seung-eon to Sima Gyeong's estate. After explaining, Sima Gyeong said,

"Got it. I'll do my utmost to help Jeogal Hyeon."

"Thanks, Sima Gyeong."

"I'll use every trick to make him write a masterpiece."

Mangyang, Sima Gyeong, and Oh Seung-eon holed up in the estate, not emerging. After a month, they emerged with a ragged Oh Seung-eon, handing me six volumes.

"Three Zhangs Chronicle complete."

I glanced at Oh Seung-eon. Vice and indulgence gone, replaced by exhaustion and creative torment. Seemed brutally driven by Sima Gyeong and Mangyang, locked in writing—turned him into a wreck.

"Got it."

Now we could spread the novel.

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