Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

I was riding the Somersault Cloud when I felt the Great Sage Equaling Heaven suddenly come to a halt. Floating motionless in the air, he stared intently at something before speaking.

“Hold still. Looks like one of the patrols was around after all.”

I did as he said, deeply suppressing my breath and presence while minimizing my movements. Once I’d erased my presence to the point where I was practically like a plant, something streaked past beside the Somersault Cloud.

Whooosh!

A black wind surged forward like crashing waves, layer upon layer. The Great Sage seemed to have activated one of his spells to conceal himself, remaining utterly still. For a fleeting moment, I sensed something riding atop the black wind, and upon closer inspection, it was a bizarre figure wearing a headress. I felt like I’d seen that figure before.

Sure enough, after the black wind fully vanished, the Great Sage descended to the ground and muttered.

“The North Dipper Star Lord himself out patrolling… We would’ve been in real trouble if he’d spotted us.”

“...!!”

He was known as one of the lesser gods who governed lifespan alongside the South Dipper Star Lord. As a lesser god holding the unique position of Terrestrial Immortal, the North Dipper Star Lord primarily oversaw human death. Conversely, the South Dipper Star Lord managed human life, and their duties involved judging souls after death to determine their fate in the underworld.

I asked the Great Sage.

“The North Dipper Star Lord seems more like a god than a Terrestrial Immortal—why does he take on such lowly duties?”

No matter how superior Terrestrial Immortals were in combat or status compared to ordinary immortals, they still fell short of true divinities. Yet the North and South Dipper Star Lords uniquely held divine missions and hierarchies while also claiming Terrestrial Immortal ranks, which meant they willingly handled the grunt work. The Great Sage replied to my question.

“I’m not entirely sure myself, but I’ve heard they’re connected to Yama, the lord of the underworld. They’re originally from there. Probably some deal between the heavenly realm and the underworld.”

“………”

From the underworld, huh.

“Anyway, I don’t like any of those Terrestrial Immortals. Every last one of them is so full of themselves—makes me want to smack them just to put them in their place.”

“I see.”

The Great Sage grumbled. I nodded along appropriately before asking.

“Even against the North Dipper Star Lord, wouldn’t Your Excellency win in a fight? Why would getting caught be such a big deal…?”

The Great Sage scratched the behind his ear.

“Well, sure, I’d win if we fought. I could take both North and South Dipper together, no problem. But their authority is a pain to deal with—they’re not opponents I really want to tangle with.”

“Authority?”

At my question, the Great Sage nodded.

“They borrow power from the Three Officials and wield Yama’s chains to instantly slay foes. Even immortals aren’t immune to that authority. After all, they’re underworld-born lesser gods who command the domain of death.”

“...!!”

“That’s why I can beat them easily—anyone else would struggle hard. Even surviving the power of death would leave you drained.”

I understood the Great Sage’s point. He could pummel the North Dipper Star Lord alone without issue, but protecting me at the same time made it impossible. And there was no way to stop the North Dipper Star Lord from sending word outward.

‘Terrestrial Immortals are all monsters…’

Ye Dongbin, Jang Sambong, Hu Yi, and the rest—every one a powerhouse. Those from mortal origins had all claimed the title of strongest in the mortal world before ascending. The Great Sage was undoubtedly the mightiest Terrestrial Immortal in the heavenly realm, yet some were appointed who even he couldn’t underestimate depending on the circumstances.

Rustle…

How far had we traveled on the Somersault Cloud? Carefully advancing under spell concealment to avoid detection, the Great Sage stopped at the entrance to a massive mountain and spoke.

“We’re here. This is Nine Immortals Mountain, where Xiang Yu has holed up.”

“Do you know where on this mountain Xiang Yu might be?”

“Nope. All I know is rumors—he’s built a palace somewhere here and shut himself away mourning someone.”

‘We’ll have to find the palace, then.’

I considered using the State-Securing Seal’s foresight but decided against it. The Great Sage would surely recognize it, and I couldn’t predict how he’d react if he learned I was its master. The Great Sage said.

“No big deal. The guy’s a muscle-headed brute, so we’ll sense his energy eventually.”

He was right. About five li into Nine Immortals Mountain, a tremendous domineering aura suddenly swept over me, as if the entire mountain was filled with overwhelming energy. I’d never felt such pressure even against the Dharma Protector Lion’s infinite internal energy, so as I stood stunned, the Great Sage struck a pose gazing into the distance.

“Hoh. There he is.”

“Xiang Yu?”

“Doesn’t look like he’s in a good mood. Better watch your neck.”

“…Understood.”

Honestly, if Xiang Yu decided to kill me, I had no confidence in surviving, but I resolved to be brave. Opportunities to reach the Hegemon-King’s lair didn’t come often, so it was worth risking death. Plus, with the Great Sage here, there might be a chance to escape if things went south.

Deeper into Nine Immortals Mountain, a grand palace came into view, built in the ancient Chu style. At its entrance stood a towering warrior.

The warrior, arms crossed, addressed the Great Sage.

“Great Sage Equaling Heaven. What brings you to my domain?”

The Hegemon-King of Western Chu, Xiang Yu!

He eyed the Great Sage with a bored, irritated expression. He’d sensed our approach. The Great Sage jerked his chin toward me and said.

“This guy here wanted to see you. I just brought him.”

“He’s human.”

“Humans can come to the heavenly realm too, y’know. Not like your own life’s a clear-cut case of dead or alive.”

“………”

Xiang Yu ignored the Great Sage and stared piercingly at me.

Boom

‘Urk…!’

The moment his gaze hit me, an immense sense of powerlessness engulfed me.

Unprecedented domineering aura!

Unlike the martial influence of a supreme expert, it was pure, destructive power itself! Every hair on my body stood on end, trembling at his overwhelming might. It wasn’t some lofty, transcendent pressure—it felt like standing before a colossal natural disaster. The helplessness was like being cast adrift in the heart of the cosmos.

As I shuddered but somehow endured his aura, Xiang Yu spoke with evident interest.

“Not bad for a human. Much stronger than that Azure Dragon King.”

“Quit bullying the kid. He’s a good one.”

At the Great Sage’s somewhat angry tone, Xiang Yu nodded.

“If he’s your guest, he must be someone special. Can’t leave a guest standing—come inside.”

“Got any food?”

“No.”

Soon after, we entered Xiang Yu’s palace. No signs of life anywhere; the gloomy interior was shrouded in darkness, with faint moonlight seeping in. No maids or servants—it felt like a silent tomb.

A few candles flickered to life, and Xiang Yu arrogantly seated himself at the head of a massive table. He eyed me lazily and spoke.

“So, what’s your name? Why’d you come find me?”

“Uh… well… I’m Baek Woong, and…”

“If it’s nothing worthwhile, get out.”

He was curt as could be, but I knew this was downright mild for him. He’d met an inauspicious end, turned the heavenly realm upside down, and now lived in exile here like a prisoner. With his naturally abrasive personality, if I’d come alone, he’d have probably smashed me on sight.

Calming myself, I said to Xiang Yu.

“I have two questions, so I boldly sought out the Hegemon-King of Western Chu.”

“One is already rude—two? Insolent.”

“My apologies.”

Xiang Yu’s forehead vein twitched in slight anger, but he glanced at the Great Sage and sighed.

“…Out with it.”

Seemed he didn’t want the hassle of fighting the Great Sage. Cautiously, I said.

“Why did you ascend to the heavenly realm?”

“Boring question.”

Xiang Yu took a sip from a nearby wine cup with a bored look.

“I was wounded near to death but wouldn’t die, so underworld messengers kept circling me endlessly. Annoyed, I tried heading to the underworld, but ended up here instead. While I was at it, I happily smashed those irritating immortals until things reached this point.”

“………”

“What you just asked is probably the most common question I’ve gotten since arriving.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Something else on your mind?”

I nodded and said.

“I want to know if you clashed with the Queen Mother of the West when you arrived.”

“………”

Interest flashed in Xiang Yu’s eyes, and the Great Sage’s too. Xiang Yu stroked his chin thoughtfully before speaking.

“…Why do you want to know that?”

“Just curious…”

“No, it’s not ‘just’ anything.”

Xiang Yu fixed me with a sharp gaze.

“That’s not a question you ask without reason. Plenty of other powerhouses around—why her specifically? You’re hiding some special secret. Makes sense, though—no one without one would drag the Great Sage all the way here.”

“Uh…”

“Speak plainly. Then I’ll answer honestly, on my honor as Hegemon-King.”

Tricky.

I’d gotten a reaction by asking, but now it felt like an interrogation. I knew spilling everything here carried massive risk—could even lose the Great Sage’s goodwill in an instant. Feeling my life on the line, I swallowed hard.

‘What do I do?’

After agonizing, I said.

“…Is this place safe from eavesdropping or surveillance?”

“Of course. My stellar authority envelops it—no one knows what happens inside this palace.”

“Then I’ll be frank.”

Taking a deep breath, I said.

“I… suspect the Queen Mother of the West is actually Nüwa, the first of the Three Sovereigns—or at least her avatar.”

“...!!”

“That’s why I came all this way. I wanted to know the outcome when you, said to possess history’s strongest innate stellar power, fought her.”

I’d laid it all bare.

I could’ve held back more, but my instinct said there was no point. This chance might come once in a lifetime—no need to probe Xiang Yu or hide my intentions. Besides, I figured he’d despise even minor deception.

The backlash was explosive.

The Great Sage shot to his feet, eyes bulging as he barked.

“Baek Woong, you bastard! What the hell are you?!”

“Great Sage…”

“How’s a human suspecting that shit?! With the Seven Luminaries mess too—what the fuck are you?!!”

Xiang Yu stayed cool, glancing at the Great Sage before turning to me.

“First, my answer: I’ve never fought the Queen Mother. Not sure about this lunatic.”

The ‘lunatic’ was probably the Great Sage—his infamous clashes with the Queen Mother were heavenly realm legend.

“I-is that so.”

“When I was slaughtering those Greater Imperial officials, she never showed. Neither did the Jade Emperor or the Three Pure Ones. In the end, the Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl came out for ‘cleanup.’”

As expected.

After confirming the Four Perils’ disappearance, the Nine Heavens Mysterious Girl had no choice but to negotiate cleanup with Xiang Yu.

“She and the Upper Heavenly Immortals unleashed a massive execution ritual—I had to stop. We negotiated, and I agreed to hole up here.”

Xiang Yu continued with interest.

“…But that’s fascinating. Never crossed my mind. Nüwa, the creation goddess of origins among the legendary Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, as the Queen Mother.”

“Tch! That ain’t something to brush off as ‘fascinating’! Jeez…”

The Great Sage grumbled before turning to me.

“Hey, Baek Woong! So what if she’s Nüwa’s avatar? Why dig into that—and what’s your angle?”

“Uh… well…”

As I hesitated on how to respond, Xiang Yu crossed his arms and said in a low voice.

“You want to kill Nüwa.”

“...!!”

“I bear the Heaven-Slaying Star’s energy, so I’m sensitive to killing intent. I detect even a hair’s worth from anyone—and instantly know who they’re harboring it toward.”

Xiang Yu’s lip curled slightly.

“Amusing human… Just now, talking about Nüwa, I felt genuine killing intent toward her.”

“………”

“A human who truly hates the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.”

Even I thought it sounded off.

Hating worldly things made sense, but hating the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors? Impossible to fathom logically. Why bear grudge against such lofty heavenly divinities? But I had no choice—I was a reincarnator.

“Baek Woong, you’ve piqued this king’s interest.”

Xiang Yu went on.

“I’ll appoint you as my subordinate. You can ask one more thing.”

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