Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

666----------------------------------

Dark Heaven Village

Chaos Talent!

It felt like the first time I was hearing this story, but something suddenly flashed through my mind.

It was a conversation I'd had with Mang-ryang before.

[Our goal is to learn the secret of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors from Jeonuk, and ultimately reconnect heaven and earth. If we can achieve that, we'll be able to challenge the Heavenly Realm directly and gain various powers forbidden to humans.]

[Powers forbidden to humans?]

[You probably wouldn't have known. When Jeonuk severed the connection between heaven and earth, human sorcery progressed greatly. Various powers that primordial humans could use as naturally as breathing were sealed away in the Heavenly Realm. If we unseal them, we can become even stronger.]

But perhaps... the 'powers' Mang-ryang had mentioned back then were the same as this 'Chaos Talent' Shin Gonggyo was talking about?

Just in case, I asked Shin Gonggyo.

"Shin Gonggyo! I heard from a Daoist who obtained the Three Sovereigns' Inner Gate in the past that when Jeonuk severed heaven and earth, certain powers were sealed. Is that what you're referring to?"

Shin Gonggyo looked at me with surprise.

[You really have a lot of information. Are you really human? You seem to know far more than even the Great Thunder Immortals of the Heavenly Realm...]

"...I've just had a lot of adventures."

[It's probably the same thing.]

"But Jeonuk's era, when he ruled Zhonghua with the Seven Divisions, was far earlier than your time in the Ten Great Yao Shun era. That doesn't add up."

[You idiot, asking sharp questions in the strangest places...]

Shin Gonggyo replied.

[I heard that when Jeonuk severed heaven and earth, he sealed several powers of the human race, including immortality. But up to that point, it was only to prevent overly powerful beings from reincarnating, so humans still retained many powers. It was only after the Enfeoffment War that they were completely sealed in a second wave.]

"So Jeonuk took them in the first wave."

[If there had been a power of immortality, that would have been nice, but alas.]

Shin Gonggyo muttered with some regret. Curious, I asked.

"Immortality? What is that?"

[I don't know the details, but there's a legend that a human born with it once threatened even the gods. I learned through oracle bone inscriptions that Jeonuk probably took it out of caution.]

"Hmm. Who was this person born with it?"

[I don't know. It's not recorded in any documents; it's only passed down orally.]

Shin Gonggyo didn't seem to know much either. Well, Jeonuk's severing of heaven and earth was thousands of years ago from now, and even from the ancient immortal Shin Gonggyo's perspective, it was centuries back. How could anyone know? It was around the time humans had just left primitive tribal life, so far in the primordial past that no proper records would exist.

I kept asking my questions.

"So why did the Enfeoffment Plan and the Immortal Realm War happen? Why did you oppose it?"

[The goal was the Great Extinction. And behind it were the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. I was the only one who could oppose the Heavenly Church, so I rode the White Liquid Tiger to the Absolute Church and the Church Lord...]

Shin Gonggyo's face suddenly hardened as he tried to explain.

[Do you plan to chat with me here for a hundred or a thousand years?]

"Huh?"

[You idiot, look beyond the horizon.]

Following Shin Gonggyo's irritated direction, I looked toward the far plain her finger pointed to. But it was just a peaceful field with golden reeds waving, so I tilted my head in confusion. Shin Gonggyo said, truly annoyed.

[No matter how strong you are, you're still just human! You didn't even sense the malicious killing intent from a hundred and forty li away?]

...

[Judging by the level of strength, it's probably an [Ancient Ruler]. If you're not careful, you might have to fight it, so hurry and hide or leave this place.]

Damn it, even if I'm an expert, how am I supposed to detect killing intent from a hundred and forty li away?!

I cursed inwardly but had no choice. Shin Gonggyo's standards were set at least at the Great Thunder Immortal level, and she herself had been the leader of the Great Thunder Immortals, the Sovereign of the All-Heavens Church. She looked human on the outside, but in truth, she was a transcendent being between god and human, so my abilities naturally fell far short of her criteria.

"Got it."

Flash!

I summoned the National Jade Seal to check for hostile entities near the Bronze Star and scout the nearby terrain. After heading to what seemed a safe canyon and crossing the massive Thousand-Zhang Cliffs three times, we arrived near a rainbow-colored river, where the National Jade Seal reported it was safe.

"...This is safe? Really?"

No joke, the water really shimmered with rainbow colors. Even the most unusual water was usually red or black at most, but this swirled with all seven colors, opaque to any depth. It looked utterly dangerous no matter how you sliced it, but the National Jade Seal's spirit replied.

[Humans die instantly if they drink that water, but swimming or touching it is fine. It's judged the safest and most unremarkable spot in Dark Heaven Village. No parasites, curses, or abyss tentacles will attack.]

"......"

As I stood dumbfounded, Shin Gonggyo spoke.

[We've shared enough information now. How about we go look for Toyo?]

"Isn't that too obvious? You seem to want Toyo too, but you're okay spilling everything to me?"

When I smirked at her, Shin Gonggyo chuckled.

[I know you came to Dark Heaven Village prepared to die. Even if you die, I'll take Toyo back to the real world for you, so don't worry and just die.]

"Funny. If I can survive, I will."

I snorted and ordered the National Jade Seal.

"Find the imperial palace of Lateral Heaven Martial Marquis where Toyo is!"

[Searching...]

The National Jade Seal searched for a long while. Then it gave an unexpected report.

[Warning! A divinity is forcibly accessing the National Jade Seal. Immediate termination possible under administrator privileges.]

"......?!"

Crackle! Crackle!

The National Jade Seal's spirit spewed lightning wildly before going quiet.

[Auto-protection activated. First intrusion blocked, but immediate disconnection recommended.]

"W-What?!"

What the hell is this?

I panicked for a moment but quickly reacted, shutting down the National Jade Seal and exiting. I swiftly stored it inside the wooden armor box. Shin Gonggyo, who had been watching as a spirit, asked.

[What's all the fuss?]

"The National Jade Seal said a divinity was accessing it and to shut it down quick..."

[Hmm.]

Shin Gonggyo thought for a moment before saying.

[Isn't that wooden armor box a sub-space magic tool for storing important items?]

"Yeah, so?"

[Then I wouldn't store the National Jade Seal in there if I were you.]

"Why?"

[If a divinity re-accesses the powered-off National Jade Seal and descends inside the box, do you think it couldn't break through a mere magic tool?]

"......"

It was perfectly logical. At the same time, a chill ran down my spine, and sweat soaked my back.

'Sh-She's right! Then what do I do...'

I'd stopped the National Jade Seal for now, but there was no guarantee the divinity wouldn't try to possess it again. Stashing it in the wooden armor box offered no assurance either. But could I discard the National Jade Seal, which was such a great power and crucial trump card for exploration?

Without it, I couldn't head straight to Lateral Heaven Martial Marquis's palace where Toyo was. Traversing this hellish Dark Heaven Village on foot would be pointless—I'd just die in vain! Plus, considering the value of the spiritual power it boosted, I absolutely couldn't throw it away.

I bit my lip and made a decision.

"Damn it all...!"

No matter how precious the tool, survival came first!

I quickly pulled out the National Jade Seal and reconnected. In the tense moment, I shouted.

"National Jade Seal! Transfer all your spiritual power to me and then self-destruct!"

[...Command confirmed.]

Crackle-crackle!

As I returned to the real world, blue spiritual energy enveloped my body, and a surge of immense power welled up for an instant. Even if it was just the residual energy transferred from the National Jade Seal, it was better than nothing—and it would fade soon enough.

I hurled the lightning-wreathed National Jade Seal far into the sky with all my might. Once it had flown beyond sight, I hurriedly summoned the magic beast and mounted.

"To the eastern edge!!"

I'd heard there was a city of illusions near the eastern edge, so I could make it there somehow!

Boom!

As I flew off with the light, I caught a glimpse in the explosion's direction of something [godly] manifesting. It had truly been a do-or-die moment; my heart pounded fiercely.

Flash!

Had I reached the eastern edge? When I came to, I found myself on a beach with ink-black waves lapping. This place was abnormal too—chaotic energy filled the air, and magic beasts lurked here and there. But compared to facing that mysterious divinity, it was better, so I sighed in relief.

"Phew."

I'd saved my life for now, but losing the National Jade Seal hurt deeply. My survival odds here felt like they'd dropped by twenty percent.

'Why the hell would a divinity...?'

No way to know.

But if I had to guess, it was definitely triggered by my attempt to find Lateral Heaven Martial Marquis's imperial palace where Toyo was. Otherwise, why would it stay dormant until that exact command and then try to descend?

'A pre-stored command in the National Jade Seal? Or that [Ancient Ruler] backing Lateral Heaven Martial Marquis...?'

Either way, it was a headache. No more easy trips to Toyo's location. Even in future lives, I couldn't count on the National Jade Seal for optimal paths anymore—that much was confirmed.

But now wasn't the time to worry. I needed to gather more intel on Dark Heaven Village while moving, every moment I was still breathing...

That was when it happened.

Whoooosh!

Clouds gathered in the sky, starting to form a shape. I instantly sensed it was a divine descent—the clouds emanated an ominous mix of divine and demonic power.

I didn't need to be told.

That being had come for me.

"......"

No escaping. I'd just summoned the magic beast, so abbreviated summons were out, and I'd need a proper sacrifice to reuse. Running on foot wouldn't work against a divine being anyway—it'd be like a circus act. If it could chase a magic beast flying at light speed, my movement arts would be child's play.

'Have to fight...?'

What were my odds?

I couldn't even guess. Fortunately, I'd just absorbed the National Jade Seal's stored spiritual power, boosting all my abilities greatly, but it wouldn't last. Yeo Dongbin couldn't descend either, so I'd have to rely solely on Fire Dragon True Man's power. If the opponent was demon king-level or sea god-tier, that alone wouldn't cut it.

But I had to survive.

Gritting my teeth, I gripped the Fire Dragon Divine Sword and said to Shin Gonggyo on the Ruyi Bang.

"Lord..."

[......]

"I want to live."

I couldn't just die like a dog.

...

I had to borrow Shin Gonggyo's power and turn this around somehow.

Shin Gonggyo stared at the forming clouds before speaking.

[There's no way you can win alone. It's an incredibly strong being. But why cling to life so desperately?]

"Of course I have to live. Is that even a question...?"

[Surviving longer in this Dark Heaven Village just increases your chances of dying in agony. At least that one seems intent on ending you cleanly. I don't get why someone who's resolved to die is so obsessed.]

I understood what Shin Gonggyo was asking. Chuckling, I replied.

"You're wondering why bother living if you're gonna die anyway."

[Something like that.]

"I'm a reincarnator, that's why I'm telling you this as I face death."

[......?]

Shin Gonggyo's expression turned baffled.

"Since I start over when I die, for me..."

Roar!

As I awakened Fire Dragon True Man, I felt him open his eyes within the sword. Gritting my teeth, I shouted.

"The way you die matters more often!!"

I couldn't face my comrades without struggling longer.

Die kicking and screaming if I must!

Rumble...

At that moment, the clouds before me fully formed into a humanoid shape. Unexpectedly, it took the clear form of a 'human' and a 'man.' The odd parts were his somewhat sleepy eyes and the assortment of weapons strapped to his back.

But I had seen that face once before.

The man looked at me with sleepy eyes and said.

"You're the famous one who scratched the nerves of the Heavenly People so badly."

"Who are you?"

He grumbled, glancing at the sky.

"Never thought I'd end up assassinating a human all the way in Dark Heaven Village."

I knew without asking. I'd seen that face and remembered it. I was just pretending not to.

If it was who I thought—

I'd definitely die here.

Even with all my reincarnated comrades fully grown and giving their all, it'd be a stretch—let alone in this state.

Creak.

"Baek Woong. Prepare yourself."

The man slowly drew a rusted sword from his back with sleepy eyes.

"I am Asura of the Eight Legions Divine Hosts. By order of Lord Changhil, for the crime of probing forbidden realms with his treasures, I reclaim that soul for its master."

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