Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

Dark clouds were gathering.

The predawn sky, just as night was ending, had been torn apart by the screams of the night, gradually transforming into a massive mass echoing with streams of light. The eastern sky was already roiling ceaselessly due to the terrifying magic power, and the sorcerers reacted sensitively to its fluctuations. One of the sorcerers from the Myriad Crane Spirit Sect maintaining the barrier at the giant altar let out a groan.

"This wailing is terrifying..."

"I've never heard anything like it, even against great yokai."

All of them maintaining the Xin-si barrier were sorcerers versed in advanced spells, yet they all expressed intense fear as they thought of the source of that wail. And rightly so—for no matter how much yin energy and demonic power a great yokai spewed, there were limits, and they had tacitly gauged the boundaries between humans and yokai during their exorcisms. But the being now descending ignored such limits entirely; they instinctively realized it was something absolute.

Atop the altar, the Twelve Rites Sect Master, Lord of the Eastern Sea's Mystic Heavens, calmed the agitated sorcerers and said,

"Calm down. We all knew multiple Demon King-level beings would appear."

"But if this is a Demon King... there's no way humans can oppose it. It's dozens of times more powerful than a great yokai."

"These kinds of monsters are new to me too. But hey, the Rite Lords will handle it somehow."

"How exactly?"

"I just need to hold this position. What about you? Master Zhuge."

The Lord of the Eastern Sea's Mystic Heavens subtly glanced at the Zhuge Master beside him. The Zhuge Master smiled faintly and said,

"I agree. If we can't intercept it, better to sit tight."

"Haha. No divine wonders from Mystic Odd Mountain or anything?"

The Zhuge Master didn't reply. Watching him, the Lord of the Eastern Sea's Mystic Heavens clicked his tongue inwardly.

'Tch. What the hell is this guy thinking?'

The Twelve Rite Lords had deliberately paired the cunning Lord of the Eastern Sea's Mystic Heavens with him to read his intentions, but he still hadn't figured out what the Zhuge Master wanted or planned. The man was masterful at hiding his thoughts, and he was clearly issuing orders to allies in ways undetectable to him. Suddenly forced to show his incompetence to the Rite Lords, the Lord of the Eastern Sea's Mystic Heavens couldn't help feeling irritated.

Abruptly, the Lord of the Eastern Sea's Mystic Heavens looked up at the sky and said,

"The moon is bright..."

"Hmm."

The Zhuge Master, unexpectedly, showed interest in that trivial remark. Strangely, dawn was nearly gone and morning approaching, yet the predawn moon hadn't set and shone dazzlingly. The Lord of the Eastern Sea's Mystic Heavens had only meant to draw attention to it as a common phenomenon, but unexpectedly, the Zhuge Master spoke up.

"Problem. I'll go block it for now."

"What? You moving on your own?"

"If you're not helping, better stay put."

Swish

At that instant, the Lord of the Eastern Sea's Mystic Heavens and the five Esoteric Sect sorcerers beside him simultaneously cast binding spells and the Fivefold Method. It was an incredibly swift activation, and each was highly skilled, so the Zhuge Master would surely be caught. But unexpectedly, he paused briefly before waving his hand and saying,

"Endura."

Crackle!

"Argh."

The sorcerers trying to bind him all tumbled backward. Black lightning crackled, repelling the spells with immense force and nullifying them. As the staggering Lord of the Eastern Sea's Mystic Heavens rose, the Zhuge Master held his Vajra Staff aimed at the man's philtrum. Immobilized, the Lord couldn't move further, and the Zhuge Master grinned.

"You Eastern bumpkins wouldn't know about the White Lotus Cult's Secret Veil magic. Leyline magic is a completely different school, so defenses don't work well."

"Damn it. If I weren't ordered not to kill you, it wouldn't have been this easy."

The Lord of the Eastern Sea's Mystic Heavens ground his teeth. As a spell practitioner himself, he was confident his skills weren't inferior, but the order not to kill the Zhuge Master had restricted his spells, leading to his subjugation. The Zhuge Master smiled coldly, infusing power into the Vajra Staff, and the Lord's eyes widened.

"W-what, you wouldn't dare..."

Boom

The next moment, the Lord of the Eastern Sea's Mystic Heavens' head exploded. He hadn't imagined the Zhuge Master would kill him right in front of the Twelve Rites' headquarters and the Divine Altar Tree, facing Demon Kings, so he hadn't resisted. Rightly so—if the Zhuge Master opposed the Twelve Rites, overwhelming force would normally kill him. The Zhuge Master summoned black spears to finish off the surrounding sorcerers as well, then muttered,

"If I wait for the Phoenix Summoning, it'll be too late. Time to move."

The Zhuge Master slowly vanished into the darkness.

Planning to reveal himself last.

========================================================================

Meanwhile, those sensing the descent of the Eight Legions weren't the only ones. The White Lotus Cult Leader, arms crossed, gazed up at the blindingly white predawn sky while addressing the Dragon of Darkness beside him.

[O God. I humbly beseech you to exterminate those Eight Legions.]

The Dragon of Darkness glanced at the six Eight Legions manifesting in the distant light and said,

[Devouring Changhil's avatar will serve as a lesson to that arrogant fool. I've never liked his cockiness, claiming the favor of the Crawling Chaos!]

The White Lotus Cult Leader was fortunate. Among countless rulers, he had summoned one harboring grudge against Changhil, greatly easing the summoning conditions and ensuring active participation in the purge.

[I beseech you.]

[Kehhehe... You think I can't wipe out those punks?]

Whoosh

Dark winds howled, and the [Ancient Ruler], Karfadorc the Fury King, dispatched his avatar. Not widely known among sorcerers, he had annihilated life on 100 stars in a distant constellation's otherworld, founding a great kingdom, with legends of incinerating a star in one breath. His true form was planetary in scale—ten planets combined—and far stronger than sea gods, though his material avatar could wield only a fraction of that power. Still, an [Ancient Ruler] was an [Ancient Ruler]; Changhil's avatar was doomed to suffer.

As the White Lotus Cult Leader watched the Fury King's avatar depart from afar, Han Baekryeong standing behind spoke.

"Leader, you are truly cruel."

[Han Baekryeong.]

She raised her voice.

"Before Changhil invaded, you sacrificed ten innocent cultists daily as living offerings to that avatar. This is unforgivable as a human."

It was rare for Han Baekryeong herself to show outright disgust, but even the shrewd woman protested due to the ongoing atrocities. Three thousand innocent White Lotus cultists had been offered for the avatar's summoning, and post-contract, ten were devoured alive daily for maintenance. No matter her desire for avatar guardians, this was inexcusable extremism. How was it different from fanatic demonic cults?

[I regret it for those offered. And the living sacrifices were given full-body anesthetics to minimize pain.]

"Is that all you have to say? What would Founder Dharma say seeing the Leader do this?"

As Han Baekryeong sneered, Dokgo Jun beside her said unpleasantly,

[What good does criticizing the Leader now do? The enemy is right there.]

[Jun, be quiet.]

[Yes.]

The White Lotus Cult Leader stared piercingly at Han Baekryeong and said,

[Dharma... seeing my actions, would have words. I merely follow his will.]

"What do you mean?"

[Protector Lion Han Baekryeong. I'll hear all criticisms after this. But obey my command now.]

Bloodlight flashed in the Leader's eyes.

[Immediately head to the Divine Altar Tree's core. Kill the Twelve Rite Lords maintaining the barrier's pillars.]

"......!!"

Han Baekryeong looked momentarily shocked. Glancing at Dokgo Jun, she said,

"Two of us won't suffice."

[Fear not. Reinforcements will join.]

Rustle

As three Breathing Technique experts emerged nearby, Han Baekryeong recalled the Zhuge Master's words.

[The Leader hides more Breathing Technique elites within. We know of three, but there may be more. Certainly, top Breathing Technique elders include Protector Lion equals.]

She had been skeptical then, but seeing with her own eyes convinced her. Infinite internal energy radiated subtly, even resonating. Han Baekryeong bit her lip inwardly.

'Five Protector Lion levels could kill a Rite Lord, but...'

Was striking from behind right already?

She couldn't shake the thought that the Leader was rushing. He seemed overconfident the [Ancient Ruler]'s avatar would surely repel the Eight Legions. Gradually, she felt drawn more to the Zhuge Master's side. But regardless, she clasped her hands.

"Your command."

Orders given, kill the Twelve Rite Lords.

He was utterly harmful to the White Lotus Cult.

As Han Baekryeong and the White Lotus Protectors moved— in Xin-si's training ground, Miyamoto Musashi paused.

"It's here."

He had been training Baek Woong's group. But of the group, only Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong stood before him now. The rest had dropped out midway. Even Gyeokho had endured maximally but quit four days ago at physical limits and life threats.

Yet Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong alone endured Miyamoto Musashi's hellish training to the end. Gazing at the rock-solid, silent figure, Musashi suddenly unleashed a single stroke.

Ultimate Technique

Peerless Slash

Clang!

The absolute realm strike that felled tens of thousands of bipeds in one go was lightly deflected by Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong. Watching, Musashi grinned.

"Decided to drop the pretense now?"

"Thank you."

Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong's body was filthy with sweat and bruises, but his eyes were crystal clear. He clasped his hands.

"Thanks to you, I can help Baek Woong more."

"I don't get it..."

Miyamoto Musashi said dubiously,

"You're a genius too. A hero with bandit king traits... For someone like you to throw away your life for one man?"

"Everyone has but one life."

"......?"

"But one who discards dozens of lives to uphold convictions exists. Unable to do the same, I offer this one life in aid."

"I don't follow."

"You will soon."

Miyamoto Musashi tilted his head and said,

"Survive, and we'll cross swords then. At your current level, I can go all out to kill you."

Flash

Miyamoto Musashi's form vanished.

And Sword Demon Seomun Daeryong clenched his fist.

"I pray it comes to that."

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