Reincarnation Sword God

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Celestial Realm

After concluding the deal with the Prophet, I returned with the three companions to Jinrang Valley and began discussing our future strategy.

“We need to open the Heavenly Altar and seek a way to counter the commands of the History Emperor from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.”

“Of course, that’s the prerequisite.”

Zhuge Sa, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, chuckled.

“Realistically, we should compare our strengths with those of the Imperial Palace.”

“What do you mean?”

“I think our side is lacking in strength.”

With those words, Zhuge Sa looked at me apathetically.

“With our current personnel, we wouldn’t even have a chance to talk. We need more allies.”

“Lacking in strength? With my and Jin So-cheong’s skills, we could win against more than five Golden Eagle Guards together. And with your sorcery and Cheon Woo-jin’s spells, it should be enough.”

“Aigoo… Are you really that foolish or doing this on purpose? That was before the offering ceremony.”

“What?…”

Is he mocking me for no reason?

As I glared at Zhuge Sa, Cheon Woo-jin spoke up.

“I agree with him. The Imperial Palace is likely stronger than ever. Even my spells might not hold up against them.”

“Stronger, you say?”

“First, the Emperor has presumably summoned various creatures to enhance his control. This means the Golden Eagle Guards and the Yerrims would have likely gotten stronger through that power.”

“Oh!”

“Moreover, that Old Sage of Mount Tai might possess strength on par with the Guardian Beast. Since they’ve contracted with Changqie through the offering ceremony, they could access divine powers as well. Not only their commands but their overall combat power may have become exceptional.”

“But Jin So-cheong confronted the Old Sage one-on-one.”

When I protested, Cheon Woo-jin shook his head.

“The Old Sage was likely using all his strength to maintain the Eight Trigrams on Mount Tai. In that state, even someone as extraordinary as Jin So-cheong could hardly win. Yet, what could be expected if the Old Sage returned to his full form? It’s impossible to predict.”

“……”

Is that the extent of it?

Jin So-cheong, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

“It seems Zhuge Bu and the Old Sage cannot use the commands of Changqie. If they could, they would have used them by now. For now, let’s assume only the Emperor can use those commands.”

“That’s true.”

Judging the situation coldly, he turned to glare at Zhuge Sa.

“And don’t underestimate Baek Woong. He lacks meticulousness, but his ability to see the bigger picture is superior to anyone here.”

As Jin So-cheong made his point, Zhuge Sa looked somewhat awkward. He seemed to be waiting for an opportunity to tease me for some reason, and I didn’t hide my discomfort since I felt the same way about him. Cheon Woo-jin also turned away.

Both of them were known for their bizarre personalities and high pride, so they wouldn’t easily recognize me. Jin So-cheong seemed to understand that and was trying to guide the conversation to allow me to take the lead. I felt a subtle gratitude for that.

Jin So-cheong turned to me and said,

“Baek Woong, I’m certain you can build the strength you need. Please, give us your guidance.”

“Hmm…”

Strength, huh.

I pondered. I had indeed planted several seeds in the martial world, with one being the Ghost Shadow Swordsman’s faction and another being the Thunder God Lineage. Additionally, through a recommendation from the Fire Spirit Sect, I was able to join the White Lotus Sect, which meant my influence appeared mightier than I expected. Just having the strong warriors from the Ghost Shadow Swordsman and the Thunder God Lineage join would be a monumental help. The connections and karma I’ve gathered over multiple lifetimes aren’t to be underestimated.

However, the problem lay in the future course of action.

‘I promised to assassinate the Leader of the White Lotus Sect with the power of reversal. That’s the issue.’

At the time, I thought it was the best course of action. I didn’t want to leave someone as meddlesome and untouchable as the Leader of the White Lotus Sect alone. But now, with the Emperor unexpectedly appearing as a formidable foe, I needed to reconsider.

Wouldn’t it be better to just assassinate the Emperor using the power of reversal?

Having become a strong entity with immortality through the offering ceremony, is there really a need to struggle to kill the Emperor with mortal powers? Wouldn’t it be more convenient and safe to just eliminate him with divine powers?

After all, if I leave him be, the Leader of the White Lotus Sect would likely remain inactive as he always did. Unless Black and White Lotus infiltrate the White Lotus Sect, it’s rare for him to take any proactive actions. Plus, considering I might have a chance at becoming a disciple of the Leader of the White Lotus Sect, eliminating the Emperor seems much more favorable than taking out the Leader.

Yet, if it were necessary to eliminate the Leader of the White Lotus Sect later on, I might feel regret over losing the assassination right. As long as the [Old Ruler] doesn’t guarantee I can rely on his assistance repeatedly, that’s quite a valuable privilege.

I have to make a choice.

Between the White Lotus Sect and the Imperial Palace, which of the two great powers should I take down?

‘This is troubling…’

I wanted to lay this issue bare for my companions in front of me, but looking around, it was apparent there was no one truly fit for that discussion. Zhuge Sa was too unpredictable; there was no guarantee he would provide advice for my benefit. Cheon Woo-jin was likely to be indifferent too, probably suggesting I deal with the Emperor first as opposed to the Leader of the White Lotus Sect.

As for discussing it with Jin So-cheong, being affiliated with the Thunder God Lineage made that difficult. Given his focus on the Thunder God Lineage, he might heavily lean to that side and lack objectivity.

Thus, it would probably be better to consult with the Ghost Shadow Swordsman.

Shortly after, I said,

“I’ll share my circumstances.”

If I hide too many facts from my companions, it would damage our trust. Moreover, the three in front of me have a high likelihood of becoming my greatest allies this lifetime, so knowing the situation is prudent.

It took about half a meal’s worth of time to lay out all the events of my current life. When I finished, Zhuge Sa seemed astonished.

“You’ve got the Ghost Shadow Swordsman and dormant masters from the Thunder God Lineage… Are you aiming to become the supreme ruler of the martial world?”

“Supreme ruler? Not at all. I was merely conserving my strength for emergencies.”

“That’s the same thing. If all the folks you’ve gathered become allies, you’d not only take over the martial world but more!”

Zhuge Sa, looking exasperated, continued.

“Anyway, that’s just perfect. If we gather the top-tier masters like Doko Seong, the Ghost Shadow Swordsman, and Jin So-cheong, we can infiltrate the heart of the conflict with a good chance of success. Preparing countermeasures against the commands is the most critical.”

“Before we proceed, we should select and secure one of the Heavenly Altars among the Five Sacred Mountains. Which one do you think would be best?”

At that, Zhuge Sa and Cheon Woo-jin spoke almost simultaneously.

“Mount Hua!”

They glared at each other as if they had synchronized thoughts. It felt like watching a comedy sketch. I found it puzzling and questioned them.

“Mount Hua? I would prefer the safest Mount Song.”

In fact, I had made arrangements to receive assistance from the Divine Monk, the highest master of the Shaolin Temple. With the Shaolin monks protecting us, performing the offering ceremony at the Heavenly Altar couldn’t be safer. Hence, I was asking for an expected answer, only to be surprised when these two sorcerers mentioned Mount Hua instead.

Zhuge Sa scratched his cheek and explained,

“If the offering ceremony were a simple sacrificial rite, like you said, then Mount Song would indeed be the best. However, the offering ceremony must be kept secret, and it significantly differs from a typical sacrificial rite. It seems this fellow didn’t fully explain that part.”

“What do you mean? How is the offering ceremony different?”

Cheon Woo-jin, who was listening, looked at me sharply.

“Consider the essence of the offering ceremony. It’s a rite intended to summon either the [Old Ruler] or a being close to it directly. This means that the being summoned has the power to influence the laws of the world simply by their existence, which will undoubtedly impact the material realm.”

“Um!”

“You could even see it with the phenomenon where evil deities gain power during favorable alignments, causing celestial signs to falter. The descent of a transcendent being will significantly affect earthly matters.”

Continuing to ponder, Cheon Woo-jin added,

“And if a malevolent being plays tricks, it could bring calamity to that place. The Heavenly Altar on Mount Tai, protected by Emperor Gongson Huan’s boundary, minimizes that risk, making it a primary site for past offering ceremonies. If we perform the ceremony at a different Heavenly Altar, who knows what kind of chaos the summoned being might unleash?”

With Cheon Woo-jin’s detailed explanation, I began to understand the situation. After a while, I could comprehend his reasoning.

“So, you’re saying the ceremony on Mount Hua carries less burden, right?”

“Precisely. If something goes awry at Mount Song, it could be detrimental to the Shaolin Temple.”

“I see.”

“While it might sound awkward, with the Mount Hua Sect being vanquished, the area around Mount Hua is likely uninhabited now. Any events that occur nearby would hopefully result in minimal casualties. The downfall of the Mount Hua Sect is unfortunate; however, given the current situation, it would be much better to conduct the ceremony at Mount Hua.”

“……”

I grasped their words and accepted their reasoning, yet I felt uneasy about their mechanical and cold tone when discussing such great misfortune. Just then, Jin So-cheong, who had been listening, spoke.

“Baek Woong, it’s nearly time for you to return to the Fire Spirit Sect to become a disciple of the Leader of the White Lotus Sect, isn’t it?”

“Considering the timing, it seems so.”

“I think it would be wise to seek the assistance of the White Lotus Sect in this matter.”

“…..!!”

I looked at Jin So-cheong in surprise.

Of course, I had considered this idea. Given the situation, it was indeed a solid solution. By leveraging the White Lotus Sect’s strength to keep the Imperial Palace in check, I could absorb the entire power of the White Lotus Sect afterward. But since he comes from the Thunder God Lineage and is a disciple of Lee Kwang, it presents a rather complicated choice for Jin So-cheong. Therefore, I found his suggestion unexpected.

Jin So-cheong smiled faintly.

“There’s no need to feel uncomfortable. I plan to follow you to the end, regardless of whether your choices are right or wrong, in order to save Mangnyang and secure ultimate victory. We must proceed with the best possible decisions.”

“Thank you.”

I felt a bit embarrassed toward Jin So-cheong. Just earlier, I had trouble fully trusting him, but his capacity was several times greater than mine. He held empathy and bravery that exceeded my expectations and truly embodied the qualities of a great man. Clearly, Jin So-cheong was a person rich in heroic qualities.

At the same time, I realized why I couldn’t approach Jin So-cheong easily until now. Being a disciple of the Thunder God Lineage or Lee Kwang was merely an excuse; in truth, I was unconsciously intimidated and scared by his overwhelming talent, which led me to distance myself. So, it took me longer to accept him as my comrade because of our shared memories.

‘Get a grip, Baek Woong.’

I steeled my thoughts. This won’t do. I must train myself to keep pace with heroes like Jin So-cheong and the Ghost Shadow Swordsman, expanding my own capabilities.

While I was so dedicated, Cheon Woo-jin spoke up.

“The most pressing variable remains that fox.”

“You mean Mi-ho?”

“You suggested it would take time for Mi-ho to obtain the Moon Quarrel, but that’s quite unpredictable. If her calculations are correct, it could mean that Mi-ho receives enormous backing from the Queen Mother of the West, implying that all of the Celestial Great Immortals might lend her their strength. Given her celestial origin, she’s likely to face fewer constraints in terms of causal interactions. If the Celestial Immortals offer her insights while gazing at the mortal realm as if it were their backyard, she could quickly discover the Moon Quarrel’s sealed location.”

“……!!”

“Every Taoist shrine or tomb, temple, and sect around the continent is a potential source for information. If they summon land deities and share insights among their followers, the breadth of information will be staggering.”

I sighed at Cheon Woo-jin’s composed analysis. Zhuge Sa, listening nearby, chuckled.

“Haha… So, are the lofty Heavenly Immortals pouring their strength into that humble fox spirit they once disparaged? How amusing!”

“This isn’t a laughing matter. The Celestial Realm is aware that the offering ceremony has concluded, and they must have figured out that the Emperor is behind it. It’s evident that they will intervene, utilizing any means necessary to secure the Seven Luminaries, seeking ties to the Emperor.”

“What’s your plan then, Baek Woong?”

“……”

I contemplated for a moment before responding.

“I’ll handle that myself, so don’t worry.”

“Don’t worry? Do you know how crazy that sounds?”

Chatting with Zhuge Sa made me feel like my lifespan was shortening. So, I couldn’t help but feel irritated.

“Shut it. Is there anything you do aside from sarcasm?”

“Hah? I believe just listening to your story is already quite an achievement. I see no reason to share my resources openly like that dangler who robs you blind while helping you!”

Zhuge Sa, answering with indignation, shrugged his shoulders and added,

“More importantly, whether this situation resolves favorably or unfavorably, it seems unrelated to my goals. I won’t betray you, but don’t expect active support. Giving you the Illusory Palm has already cost me dearly.”

Suddenly reminded, I asked,

“What’s the Illusory Palm exactly? Is it a scripture of treachery?”

“Haha… That’s why it cost me dearly. To hand over the utmost secret of our sect to someone who doesn’t even know its true name? If the Illusory Palm seeps into the martial world, thousands will die fighting for it.”

As he grumbled, Zhuge Sa frowned.

“If you plan to practice ineffectively, you might as well stop. Executing the Illusory Palm perfectly would make it the best of the secrets, while failing would lead to its detriment.”

“Thanks for the advice.”

After this, I provided instructions to Zhuge Sa and Cheon Woo-jin.

“I will sort through the Ghost Shadow Swordsman and Thunder God Lineage with Jin So-cheong, then return to Jinrang Valley. Until then, Cheon Woo-jin, please explore and secure the Heavenly Altar at Mount Hua. Zhuge Sa, you assist Cheon Woo-jin.”

“Understood.”

“Alright.”

Swish!

Along with Jin So-cheong, I headed toward the Ghost Shadow Swordsman’s domain. Upon seeing me with Jin So-cheong, the Ghost Shadow Swordsman appeared quite surprised. I quickly explained the situation to him and mentioned that Jin So-cheong had allied with me through sharing the Obsidian Board.

The Ghost Shadow Swordsman then remarked in awe,

“Ah, I see… Jin So-cheong’s skill has progressed remarkably since then, becoming several times stronger. I assume you have learned teachings from Zhang Sanfeng as well.”

Jin So-cheong nodded, confirming,

“That’s correct. The Sect Leader has also made incredible achievements too.”

“Ahaha, you can’t really compare to me… The martial world will soon be shaken.”

With a look of admiration, the Ghost Shadow Swordsman said,

“Indeed. Can you elaborate on how things transpired?”

“Yes.”

I recounted everything that had occurred thus far. When I mentioned the abduction of Mangnyang, the Ghost Shadow Swordsman’s expression turned grim. After some consideration, he said,

“If the Old Sage of Mount Tai is the Imperial Palace’s Four Great Experts, then he’s currently a being of Guardian Beast level. He should be considered one of the most formidable obstacles after the Emperor.”

“Is it possible to rescue Mangnyang?”

“I’m unable to say just yet. Until I clash with them, I won’t know.”

The Ghost Shadow Swordsman continued,

“I oppose joining forces with the Thunder God Lineage for now. I prefer to tread my own path for the time being.”

“What?”

“Doko Seong shares mutual interests with you, but Lee Kwang does not. He possesses a rather sensitive and easily disrupted perspective on these matters. Bringing such an unreliable figure into our midst will only bring poison! As long as Lee Kwang is present, I cannot ally myself with the Thunder God Lineage.”

“……”

I sighed deeply, fully comprehending the Ghost Shadow Swordsman’s reasoning. He was a broad-minded and accommodating person, yet as the ruler of the demonic path, he maintained strict boundaries regarding friends and foes. Unable to accept an unreliable, treacherous warrior like Lee Kwang in our ranks only added to his frustration.

At a loss for words, Jin So-cheong then intervened.

“Ghost Shadow Swordsman. I think it’s unavoidable to speak poorly of your master. In Baek Woong’s past life, your master was narrow-minded and arrogant, deceiving him, and he wasn’t particularly helpful this time either. But please don’t judge everything by that single experience.”

“I’m sorry to say this to my precious disciple, but I believe I know everything about Lee Kwang. He is undeniably an exceptional warrior, but his beliefs are fundamentally flawed. Furthermore, he would rather be the head of a chicken than the tail of an ox.”

Jin So-cheong paused before continuing,

“Your master only needs a catalyst to change. Just like me, he has been oppressed by fate until now. And I believe Baek Woong can provide that catalyst.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve witnessed the true qualities of your master, which you may not have seen. If he resolves his internal contradictions, he could become a more dependable ally than anyone else.”

“……”

The Ghost Shadow Swordsman sighed heavily.

“I’ll defer to Baek Woong’s judgment. What do you plan to do?”

After some deliberation, I finally replied,

“This incident is poised to escalate into a great war that will turn the world upside down, so we need Lee Kwang’s assistance. I’ll trust Jin So-cheong’s assessment.”

“Well… there’s no other choice then. I have no option but to prepare to join forces with the Thunder God Lineage.”

“Thank you.”

My trust isn’t in Lee Kwang; it lies with Jin So-cheong. Therefore, I substitute my confidence in Lee Kwang with my trust in Jin So-cheong. I found this the most suitable approach for managing my companions.

‘Trust is genuinely arduous.’

Building and utilizing trust within human relationships is far more challenging than embarking on a quest for unparalleled martial mastery. I truly believed that fate was exceptionally tricky. No matter how many lifetimes I lived, the answers remained elusive.

A short while later, the Ghost Shadow Swordsman offered me advice.

“I think it would be best first to lift the seal of the demand and then negotiate with the Leader of the White Lotus Sect directly. It’s best to exploit every resource at your disposal.”

“That certainly seems optimal.”

“And if you do join the White Lotus Sect, make sure to inquire about one crucial matter.”

“What is that?”

The Ghost Shadow Swordsman’s serious expression returned.

“You must ascertain how to accomplish the Heavenly Spirit Pill.”

“Oh…!!”

“You must do everything in your power to uncover this information.”

His words landed heavily on me.

“As long as the White Lotus Sect monopolizes the Heavenly Spirit Pill, it will be impossible for you to turn the causal powers around, no matter how many times you reincarnate.”