Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

Zhuge Sa and his party entered the interior of the Ogre Heaven Gate under Yeol's guidance. Then, the palace inside the Myriad Ghosts Hall, identical to the one Baek Woong had seen before, was revealed. That palace was enormously vast, requiring passage through no less than 99 rooms.

[Do not make eye contact with the ghosts, do not look at them, and do not respond even if they speak to you.]

"Understood."

Unlike Baek Woong, Yeol gave them this special warning. However, Zhuge Sa did not question the reason why, as Baek Woong had. This was because he had already sensed the difference between them and Baek Woong through the immense power of the Myriad Ghosts Hall's mighty yin spirit.

'The moment that warning is broken, that person will be killed. Moreover, they will be subjugated to the Myriad Ghosts Hall and become an eternal slave.'

Though it appeared normal on the surface, this place was no different from a demonic realm, the territory of the [Former Ruler]. It was a place where a mere human would die a hundred deaths rightfully, and the only reason they could even breathe here for a moment was because Yeol was protecting them. Baek Woong, who had been welcomed as Jeon Wook's apostle, could tour the Myriad Ghosts Hall like a sightseeing spot and even chat with the ghosts without issue, but they, as ordinary humans, could never do the same.

'Surely there won't be any fool idiotic enough to ignore Yeol's warning...'

Zhuge Sa considered it a relatively easy warning to follow, but the next moment, an incident erupted.

[Kraaaaaah...!!]

Suddenly, with a horrific death cry as if their souls were being sucked in, two elders among the high experts who had joined under the White Lotus Cult Leader's orders perished. They had merely made eye contact with one of the ghosts sitting nearby out of ignorance, and in that instant, the ghost had used its trickery to devour their souls.

"Burp"

The ghost that had slain the White Lotus Cult elders in the blink of an eye burped as if savoring the meal after devouring their souls.

"Damn it all..."

Geuk-ho grabbed his spear, about to attack the ghost in that moment, but Geom-ma hurriedly restrained him and sent a transmission.

[Stop it! With our power, we can't even defeat that one ghost. Fighting here would mean total annihilation.]

[But look at that. Those bastards right now...]

[I know. But endure it!]

[Tch, damn it.]

The reason for Geuk-ho's rage was not simply because allies had been killed. After the elders' souls were sucked out and they died, their bodies collapsed like puppets with cut strings. Then, ghosts slithered over to those bodies and began dismantling them piece by piece.

Meat!

Meat!

"Crunch crunch" "Crack crack"

The cacophony of chattering ghosts tearing into human flesh and bones from behind was a gruesome experience. An eyeball clump rolled to Geuk-ho's feet, trailing blood. Geuk-ho trembled at the brutality he couldn't have imagined, but as Geom-ma said, they couldn't fight here, so he had to hold back.

'Baek Woong... Have you witnessed this hellish scene dozens of times?'

It was on a whole different level from merely viewing it through black obsidian memories; the horror seeped into his very skin. The underside of the world was something that drove ordinary humans mad the moment they peered into it. Until now, Geuk-ho had thought Baek Woong was just a dumb, tenacious guy, but considering the will and mental fortitude required to continue through those past lives, he was filled with admiration.

Eventually, they followed Yeol to the front of the grand jade throne room. Yeol glanced back briefly before speaking.

[This is before His Majesty's chamber. I will open the door.]

Zhuge Sa interjected.

"Wait a moment."

[Why?]

"I alone will have an audience with that one. Please protect the rest of the party."

[How dare you make such a proposal?]

Yeol showed displeasure, but Zhuge Sa did not waver.

"The moment ordinary humans behold the true form of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, they go mad from the sheer presence. Leading out a group of lunatics would be troublesome, so it's better if I enter alone."

[Are you saying you won't go mad?]

"As a demonic sorcerer."

[...Fine. I dislike troublesome matters too.]

*Rumble rumble...*

Soon after, the door to the jade throne room began to open, and Zhuge Sa followed Yeol down an endless path of darkness and madness. Unlike when Baek Woong had entered and immediately reached the audience chamber lined with myriad ghosts, this time it felt as if a chilling dread seeped in, testing the visitor. Zhuge Sa surmised that Jeon Wook was assessing the capabilities of the one seeking audience.

*Step.*

After walking about two hundred paces, light finally entered the audience chamber, revealing a dark giant spanning dozens of feet seated upon a massive jade throne. In the faint afterglow of light, that existence rested its chin on its hand, gazing at Zhuge Sa. The moment he beheld the dark giant, Zhuge Sa felt suffocated.

This was it—the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.

"Ugh... H-heuh..."

Zhuge Sa realized he had briefly fainted from terror and madness. He had come to fully know that something utterly despairing, something he had never felt since birth, stood before him! It was worlds apart from what he had indirectly sensed through demonic tomes or summoning rituals. Zhuge Sa, who had lived immersed in madness until now, truly felt the world collapsing in despair.

If he could, he wanted to jam a spinning blade into his temples and pulverize his brain. Just the fact that this existence was looking at him filled Zhuge Sa with infinite powerlessness. It was like being cast into the center of the universe, forced to gaze at its endless expanse for eternity—a despair that gripped his entire body.

"Khek..."

Zhuge Sa vomited blood and fainted again.

'...Now... I must... adapt...'

When he awoke again, an unprecedented madness enveloped his body, and demonic power minimally shielded him. As a top-tier demonic sorcerer, it took time, but he could resist the madness and despair to some degree.

It was possible because he had established a control device using powerful magic contracted with the [Former Ruler] to protect his mind at all times. If warriors like Jin So-cheong or Geom-ma had come here, they could never have recovered their sanity like Zhuge Sa.

Instead, he giggled maniacally, regaining reason while steeped in madness, then calmly stood and paid his respects.

"Your Majesty, forgive my rudeness."

He bowed deeply.

"This lowly human Zhuge Sa has the profound honor of several lifetimes in audience with the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, Jeon Wook."

Indeed.

Before his eyes was none other than the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, Jeon Wook!

The master of the Myriad Ghosts Hall, the one who had rent heaven and earth asunder.

Jeon Wook had impassively watched Zhuge Sa writhe and rave until he paid proper respects, then his voice took on a hint of interest.

[Not bad for a worm. So you know about Chang-hil's Eight Dharmapalas?]

"Drip drip"

Tears of blood traced streaks down Zhuge Sa's eyes. Though he endured with the mental protection unique to demonic sorcerers, he could not converse with Jeon Wook for long. Without even the leisure to wipe the bloody tears, he replied.

"If Your Majesty would grant us your grace, I shall surely capture some of them and offer them to you. I will dig a trap to lure out Chang-hil's true body."

[Hmm...]

Jeon Wook tapped his finger as if pondering. Then he spoke.

[I'd like to grant one of you authority as my apostle, but you're all too weak, like worms. And there's nothing noteworthy about you. Though I desire Chang-hil, I hesitate, thinking you might tarnish my dignity.]

"Your words are utterly just."

Baek Woong's case had been truly exceptional. Normally, being appointed as an apostle of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors required at least surpassing Great Yao Beasts or Great Arhat Immortals—possessing power that wouldn't lose to other divinities' apostles. But granting an apostle's authority to a mere human without even Seven Luminaries was an unthinkable choice for Jeon Wook.

Zhuge Sa cautiously proposed.

"If so, then send down an avatar to capture Chang-hil..."

[It goes against causality.]

Jeon Wook crossed his arms.

[The other Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors would be greatly displeased if I sent an avatar. And it consumes much power.]

"......"

[However, considering the Eight Dharmapalas' power, half-hearted aid to you offers no guarantee of capture...]

"Does Your Majesty doubt our intelligence?"

[Indeed. I cannot act rashly on the words of worms like you. Your appearance here might even be Chang-hil's scheme.]

As expected, it wouldn't be that easy?

As Zhuge Sa inwardly muttered, the yin spirit Yeol beside him spoke.

[Your Majesty. Wouldn't it be better to just send them back? No need to play along with such nonsense...]

[Be silent, Yeol.]

[Yes.]

Jeon Wook pondered in silence before speaking.

[Summon Ryeo. I will consult with him.]

[I shall summon him.]

*Whoosh!*

Moments later, Yeol used ancient sorcery to summon a demonic god possessing vast yin energy. The summoned demonic god writhed formlessly like a spirit, an amorphous mist, before taking human shape, clad in official robes. Resembling a somewhat gaunt scholar, the demonic god paid respects to Jeon Wook.

[You called for me, my lord?]

[Well come, Ryeo. Yet you still seem unaccustomed to human form.]

Ryeo gave a wry smile.

['Tis merely Emperor Gongsun Xuanyuan's vile hobby. I fail to understand why we don masks for such foolishness. If we had refused the Emperor's command back then...]

[Speak no more of that.]

As Jeon Wook openly showed displeasure, Ryeo merely shrugged. Watching from the side, Zhuge Sa gleaned one fact.

'An extraordinarily high-ranking being.'

Jeon Wook was a tyrant of hegemony, cold-blooded, often slaying subordinates in fits of temper. Yet Ryeo had blatantly irked him and received only a warning. Ryeo undoubtedly possessed power beyond human imagination as a demonic god.

In other words—Ryeo was on par with the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors' right hand. As Zhuge Sa's keen mind raced, Yeol explained the situation to Ryeo, who glanced at Zhuge Sa before addressing Jeon Wook.

[My lord, if it comes to that, why not dispatch me to the surface?]

[You would step forward? Are you unafraid of causality?]

[Heh heh. If I use the Zhurong Clan, it's no great issue.]

[True enough. Then you know what that entails?]

[Of course.]

[Your hands must be itching too.]

With a sigh, Jeon Wook spoke.

[Very well. I hereby release you from the Myriad Ghosts Hall's affiliation for a time.]

*Shoooo...*

As Jeon Wook pointed at Ryeo, the human-scholar's form began to change. His body rapidly expanded until it matched Jeon Wook's size—a colossal giant of flames—and azure flames flowed from his body in an ominous display.

[Ooooh... How long since I've taken this form...]

As Ryeo muttered joyfully, Jeon Wook commanded.

[Slaughter all the Eight Dharmapalas, but spare one and bring it to the Myriad Ghosts Hall, Zhurong.]

[I shall return soon, Your Majesty.]

*Shaaak!!*

Zhurong's form vanished.

Zhuge Sa stood silently, and Jeon Wook addressed him.

[Demonic sorcerer, I grant you Zhurong's summoning ritual.]

*Flutter*, and suddenly a spell inscribed itself in Zhuge Sa's mind. As befitting a divinity, Jeon Wook could impart spells instantaneously. It was an extraordinary ancient incantation, steeped in mystery, far beyond what human civilization could achieve in thousands of years.

[When the Eight Dharmapalas invade, summon Zhurong. He will aid you in capturing and slaying them.]

"I am deeply moved by Your Majesty's grace."

[Withdraw.]

*Flash*

Moments later, guided by Yeol, Zhuge Sa exited the jade throne room. His waiting comrades greeted him with concern.

"Zhuge Sa!"

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. More importantly, let's get out of here first."

In truth, he was not fine. Facing the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors and a demonic god even briefly had surely shortened Zhuge Sa's lifespan by over thirty years. No matter how he tried to extend it, he likely wouldn't last three more years. However, viewing his life as expendable, Zhuge Sa felt no particular emotion about it.

*Boom--!!*

They exited the Ogre Heaven Gate and headed toward the exit of Penglai Island. Once sufficiently distant, Zhuge Sa spoke.

"Jeon Wook will aid us through a loophole."

"A loophole? What do you mean?"

"Appointing an apostle or sending an avatar directly clashes with causality, so Jeon Wook can't act recklessly. To maximally evade causal constraints, he released the Myriad Ghosts Hall-affiliated demonic god Ryeo, turning him into the independent demonic god Zhurong. He gave me Zhurong's summoning ritual, allowing Jeon Wook to dodge responsibility."

Geom-ma spoke in disbelief upon hearing this.

"Does that even work?"

"It does. This method isn't unique to Jeon Wook—it's how all [Former Rulers] covertly extend influence when they desire. They sometimes combine it with [Callings] to corrupt as well."

Zhuge Sa continued.

"But there's one big problem."

"What?"

"I have to summon Zhurong myself, and after summoning him..."

Zhuge Sa grinned.

"I'll die."

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