Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

Zhuge Sa and his group finished their discussion and exited the Penglai Island to the Seven Stars Altar outside. Waiting there was Feng Bo, one of the Three Sages, who addressed Zhuge Sa.

"These are the Lord's orders. Tell us what happened inside."

Zhuge Sa smirked.

"Why should I?"

"You refuse?"

"You lot did nothing at the Ogre Heaven Gate. If you want to hear the story, offer something in return."

Feng Bo did not back down.

"Then hand over the Half Yellow Bead right now. Coming all this way to subjugate the Sea God Tribe was our achievement. We didn't do it for free."

"Think what you will."

Feng Bo showed no particular reaction. But contrary to the mockery, Zhuge Sa inwardly deduced the mindset of the Twelve Fate Lords.

'Strong fear... or wariness.'

It wasn't directed at Zhuge Sa's group.

The Twelve Fate Lords had avoided this place out of fear of possibly encountering the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors or their subordinates. Otherwise, it made no sense that they had left only one subordinate and moved their main forces away, when intimidating with force would have been easier.

Why were the Twelve Fate Lords so afraid of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors?

Of course, considering that the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were essentially top-tier [Ancient Rulers], it wasn't strange for human sorcerers to feel fear.

However, for powerful beings like the Twelve Fate Lords, who had few equals in the human world, there was no reason to simply cower. Thanks to karmic rates and contractual bonds, there were ways to counter them. Since the true bodies rarely manifested directly, a top-class sorcerer could handle them easily with proper use of contracts and spells.

The fear the Twelve Fate Lords showed now was hard to comprehend. After pondering inwardly, Zhuge Sa spoke.

"...For now, we can hand over the Half Yellow Bead. But you'll have to accept a small condition from our side as well."

"What condition?"

"We'd like to borrow your special operative, Miyamoto Musashi, as a martial arts instructor. Learning Absolute Realm techniques would strengthen our forces."

"......"

Feng Bo seemed to use a spell to contact someone somewhere. After a long pause, he replied.

"Approved."

"Good."

Once Feng Bo received the Half Yellow Bead and vanished with a spell, Gok Ho spoke in a worried tone.

"That Half Yellow Bead seems like an incredibly powerful treasure. Is it really okay to just hand it over? We could've refused, and those guys wouldn't have had a leg to stand on..."

"It's an alliance front for the time being, and overly provoking the Fate Lord would limit our options. Besides, even if one of us got the Half Yellow Bead, it wouldn't make much difference against the Eight Divine Guardians' combined assault. Even if Cheon Woo-Jin got it, same thing. Better to hold it over them and extract something else."

After responding, Zhuge Sa glanced around at the warriors present, his gaze settling on Guardian Lion Han Baek-ryeong. He addressed her.

"So, what do you plan to do?"

"...What do you mean?"

"You don't think I shared our secret plans with an outsider like you for no reason, do you? You're no fool. Well, the idiot elders self-destructing was an unexpected stroke of luck for me."

"What do you want."

Zhuge Sa opened his mouth.

"You're not particularly loyal to the White Lotus Leader. So I'm offering you a chance to decide your fate."

Han Baek-ryeong's eyes sharpened.

"You're telling me to betray the White Lotus Church?"

"Not betrayal—call it a decision for the survival of the Incarnation School."

"What?"

"Don't make me explain at length. You don't know the Leader's true purpose, the identity of the Primal Spirit and Heavenly Spirit Pill, what's happening now, or what it means that we just went to the Ogre Heaven Gate. You're little more than an infant. You don't even know what the Eight Divine Guardians are or why they attacked the Leader, do you?"

"What..."

"In this situation, we're offering solid information and aid for your Incarnation School's survival. You plan to refuse? You must know the Leader sees your school as mere tools."

"......"

Han Baek-ryeong wavered visibly, greatly flustered. And rightly so—Zhuge Sa's words pierced every uncomfortable suspicion she harbored. Zhuge Sa spoke calmly to her.

"Join hands with us. Then you can survive."

"...I want to hear the information first. Then I'll decide."

"Oh, I'd like to call that prudent, but I can't. I know you're still weighing in your mind which side to join. High chance you'd take our info and run straight to one of the three major powers."

"Hmm."

"Decide now. We don't need you anyway."

Pressed by Zhuge Sa, she thought long and hard before reluctantly answering.

"I'll join you. Keep your promise."

"Done!"

Zhuge Sa briefly explained the hidden world's information, the Leader's purpose, and current events. Listening, she looked greatly troubled and said.

"Incredible... Such a vast world existed?"

"The White Lotus Leader and Twelve Fate Lords can't be the final victors. They have clear human limits. But our Lord can. Better to side with us."

"Your Lord... Is that him?"

"Yes."

Han Baek-ryeong vaguely knew of Baek Woong's existence. She couldn't be unaware of the mysterious young expert who manipulated Jin So-cheong from the shadows. She just hadn't known why the Leader had relentlessly pursued him all the way to the southern continent. Now it made sense.

Commanding this generation's heroes while piercing all secrets of the hidden world!

That was why the White Lotus Leader chased Baek Woong.

With her resolve firm, Han Baek-ryeong said.

"Fine. Henceforth, the Incarnation School will aid you as allies."

"Alliance formed. First order of business..."

"What?"

"You'll handle a few tasks."

Zhuge Sa whispered his scheme. Han Baek-ryeong accepted.

They returned to the White Lotus Church headquarters and reported events to the Leader. Naturally, they omitted receiving the Zhu Rong summoning ritual from Jeon Uk, leaving the Leader quite disappointed.

[What a shame. All that for just one treasure...]

"We'll use the Half Yellow Bead to reinforce the World Tree's barrier. Not a total loss. Time well spent."

[Then we head to the Twelve Fates' headquarters next?]

"Of course. Meet at the Divine Market in two days."

[Understood.]

They had no intention of blocking the Eight Divine Guardians at White Lotus headquarters. No matter how many experts or weapons the church had, they were useless against divine beings—open fields might as well be barren. Better to defend at the spiritually complete stronghold of the World Tree and its nearby Divine Market.

Of course, headquarters might be destroyed, but Zhuge Sa wasn't worried.

'Massacring would just hurt them. They won't waste karma like that.'

The Eight Divine Guardians would use treasures to neutralize karma rates and interfere fully in the human realm, but those treasures weren't omnipotent. Naturally consumable, pointless massacres or destruction would deplete karma faster. Their goal was assassinating key figures like the White Lotus Leader and Twelve Fate Lords, so no needless slaughter.

Zhuge Sa then led the group to Monk Mangyang's village. Near Luoyang, it was risky, but necessary to bring Cheon Woo-jin. Sensing their approach, Cheon Woo-jin met them at the village entrance.

"Zhuge Sa. My brother said he'd proceed with the plan."

"Hmm, really? Then leave Hyun behind and just take you."

"Is there really a chance of victory? Against the Eight Divine Guardians' level, odds are zero."

To Cheon Woo-jin's doubtful words, Zhuge Sa replied.

"Well, we're not really fighting to win. If they come at us properly, even the Leader and Fate Lords combined are cannon fodder. Eight Demon King-levels charging in."

"Then why bother with this nonsense?"

"Who knows... something to gain? Meaningful nonsense, in its way."

"Ha!"

"And strategists like the tough spots best."

Glancing at the village mist with natural ease, Zhuge Sa said.

"By the way, can I really not meet Monk Mangyang?"

"You know from past life memories. Master dislikes meeting wicked sorcerers like you."

"Hmm."

Something felt off.

Zhuge Sa muttered inwardly. Viewing Mangyang as an ancient god opposing [Ancient Rulers] made sense for avoiding sorcerers like him. But Mangyang had too many enigmas to dismiss as merely powerful. His reluctance to even talk hinted at something amiss.

Just seeing him as a bug?

Didn't feel right.

Not only that. While studying sorcery tomes in spare time, Zhuge Sa found no [Ancient Ruler]-like info on Mangyang. Rumors of a cat-guarding ancient god existed, but it didn't match. Above all, to Baek Woong's eyes only a cat, but Yeo Dongbin's memories showed Mangyang's true form as terrifying Incarnation.

Since ancient times, no sorcerer knew Mangyang's nature. Absent from otherworld or constellation records. Per Baek Woong's gathered intel, Mangyang truly fell from the sky!

Could Mangyang be—

"...Coming or not?"

Cheon Woo-jin's gruff voice snapped Zhuge Sa from thought. Shaking his head, he said.

"I'm such an idiot. Writing novels in my head."

"Talk over?"

"You have a job."

"Damn it! After Baek Woong, now you want free labor too."

As Cheon Woo-jin's face crumpled, Zhuge Sa grinned.

"What's it matter? Take me to the Seer."

"Casually ordering me around. No pay, no deal!"

"Pay? Hmm... After the Eight Divine Guardians' raid, I'll teach you how to survive."

"What?"

"This raid will kill most. You survive and aid Baek Woong."

"......"

Suspecting mockery, Cheon Woo-jin stared, but Zhuge Sa's eyes were sincere. He was certain of near-zero odds and annihilation. Cheon Woo-jin sighed.

"Filthy sorcerer..."

"Heh heh."

Flash!

Cheon Woo-jin cast a spell, teleporting the group near the Divine Market, then used shrinking-earth to head north to the Seer's abode. Entering Aruse Empire territory and passing hazards, they reached the Seer's domain and entered.

Creak...

Baek Woong's home-away-from-home. But upon stepping in, immense pressure crushed Cheon Woo-jin and Zhuge Sa.

Rumble rumble rumble

[Who dares invade my domain, lowly sorcerer?]

The Seer's divine voice boomed. Caught in a spell trap, Cheon Woo-jin barely escaped with Urgent Karmic Rate Command, but Zhuge Sa couldn't even with magic. Feeling weighted by massive chains, he prostrated, thinking.

'Magic on another level. True Sorcerer King...'

Cheon Woo-jin, escaped and shielded, soon vomited blood.

"Cough!!"

[Impressive for a human, but pointless. Die.]

Rumble rumble rumble

Cheon Woo-jin soon collapsed helplessly.

'Damn... This is ridiculous...'

He couldn't believe being suppressed so easily at Illusion God realm. But Zhuge Sa saw it as expected: A far-off Sorcerer King dubbed lower [Ancient Ruler]—at least tens of millions, billions of years old! Power beyond human imagining.

Suppressing groans, Zhuge Sa said.

"We came... to transact... Sorcerer King..."

Pressure vanished. Zhuge Sa sprang up; opposite, the Seer emerged slyly.

[Transaction... What of it?]

"We are Baek Woong's comrades, who traded the Namaksu Sacrificial Text with you. Here for more trade."

A disdainful, arrogant reply came.

[Amusing... You humans think you qualify to trade with me? You look penniless.]

"...We'll see."

[Fine... Speak.]

Sss

Cheon Woo-jin's suppression lifted; they stood normally. As he flailed, regaining senses, Zhuge Sa smiled bitterly inwardly.

'Normal, really.'

The Seer had shown Baek Woong excessive curiosity, interest, favor. Fundamentally, it viewed humans as bugs or pets, sorcerers/mages as pests. It humored ordinary humans but exterminated the capable.

Normally, negotiating equally with such a being was impossible for humans. Without mentioning Baek Woong, they'd have been swatted like flies. Baek Woong seemed unaware, but this was humanity's pathetic bottom-rung status in this world.

Zhuge Sa spoke.

"We want Memory Transfer Spell in exchange for the Zhu Rong summoning incantation."

[Oh...? Let me see...]

The Seer's tentacles writhed briefly; Zhuge Sa felt his mind ransacked. Eyes on tentacles gleamed, finding the inscribed spell—a horrific sight. Reading via magic, the Seer said.

[Indeed. Conditions sufficient. But why Memory Transfer?]

"Call it a last will."

[...I see. External storage for the reincarnator, eh.]

As expected of the Seer!

Zhuge Sa shrugged as his intent was read instantly.

"No denial."

The Seer chuckled darkly.

[Ha ha ha ha... Pathetic... Even if reincarnator's race is human, he's fundamentally different. Wasted loyalty and effort on him—don't you know?]

"I have a rough idea, but worth trying, no? From our beggar-like position."

[Ha ha ha... Entertaining... Accepted.]

Tentacles extended; Memory Transfer engrams etched into Zhuge Sa's mind. As he savored it, the Seer turned.

[Such thrashing isn't bad... Thought to excise Zhu Rong incantation from your brain, but copied instead... Flail enjoyably.]

The Seer knew Changhil's schemes, all events. Knowing he was but a dancing bug to it, Zhuge Sa grinned undeterred.

"As you wish."

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