Reincarnation Sword God

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Heavenly Realm

In this situation, I had no right to refuse. Of course, I could choose to escape using boiling flames right here and now, but that would mean completely turning the White Lotus Sect and the Fire Spirit Sect against me. Just moments ago, I had deliberately shared as much of the truth as possible because whether the White Lotus Sect would become hostile toward the Imperial Palace was a crucial issue going forward.

“Understood.”

And this situation could be considered half a success. After all, I could at least now broach the subject with the powerful Leader of the White Lotus Sect. Whether the Leader would join the fight against the Imperial Palace was a different matter, but at the very least, I had succeeded in diverting the arrows away from myself.

Han Baek-ryeong said,

“Let’s move with the Flame Spirit.”

“Yes.”

I followed Han Jin-seong and Han Baek-ryeong deeper into the Han clan estate. There, I found a massive furnace that was currently unlit. Then, with a snap of her fingers, Han Baek-ryeong summoned a blazing flame that erupted from it.

After a moment, Han Jin-seong pulled out a red orb from his sleeve and handed it to me. I was puzzled, not knowing what it was, but Han Jin-seong soon explained.

“Keep this orb in your hand. Whatever happens, don’t let go.”

With that, his hand rested on my shoulder.

Whoooosh

“Ugh!”

In the next moment, my vision flipped completely, and I felt the intense heat envelope my body. Yet, amidst the flames, I felt neither pain nor discomfort; instead, it felt as if I had become a part of the fire itself. Han Jin-seong, whose hand was on my shoulder, seemed to transform into flame as well.

Whoooomp

It felt like I was being transported again. After a couple of sensations of movement, I found myself in a place I had never seen before. A large building with an empty auditorium lay ahead, and a massive furnace stood in the middle of it. I was dumbfoundedly standing right in front of the furnace, with Han Jin-seong and Han Baek-ryeong beside me.

‘What just happened?’

Jin-seong seemed to pick up on my confusion and spoke,

“This is the home base of the Fire Spirit Sect. Prepare to meet the Leader.”

“……!!”

So this was Gansu Province?! To get here from Luoyang would take at least a thousand li! That was no easy distance, and yet I had arrived in an instant. Sure, I could do something similar using boiling flames, but this was completely unexpected. I never imagined the Fire Spirit Sect possessed such a quick travel technique!

“Are you really saying this is the home base? How…?”

“The orb you just held is probably gone now.”

I opened my palm to check. Just as he said, the round red orb I had been clutching was nowhere to be seen. Han Jin-seong continued calmly,

“When the Flame Spirit technique reaches a certain level, it can merge with natural elements. This furnace is a device that combines that technique with sorcery, allowing for movement between flames. Since you haven’t mastered the Flame Spirit technique yet, we used the orb instead to transport you with me.”

“Is that so…?”

I couldn’t help but be astonished.

A furnace for flame movement!

If that was the case, then the Fire Spirit Sect could traverse from flame to flame, covering hundreds or thousands of li as long as a furnace was set up! I never thought the Fire Spirit Sect had been concealing such a powerful device. It wasn’t quite on par with boiling flames, but in this vast Central Plains, having such a means of transportation would provide an incredible advantage.

I suddenly realized and remarked,

“Could it be that the Han clan’s trade operations flourished significantly because of this…?”

“Sometimes, when we receive important trade or transportation requests, we use the Flame Spirit. We’ve greatly benefited from it.”

“……”

If what Jin-seong said was true, it meant there were furnaces set up in various places throughout Jianghu, used freely by the experts of the Fire Spirit Sect. Of course, only those who had reached a considerable level in the Flame Spirit technique could utilize it, but it was undoubtedly a broken mechanic. They could instantly move goods from one end of the continent to the other!

That must have been the driving force behind the Han clan accumulating their wealth!

As I lost my words in awe, Han Baek-ryeong spoke sharply,

“I’ll say it again. Present everything before the Leader. If you don’t, everything you hold will be obliterated by the power of the White Lotus Sect.”

“Understood.”

Patter

Han Baek-ryeong strode out of the Fire Spirit Sect’s home base.

“Disciple!”

“We greet the Disciple!”

At that, the experts of the Fire Spirit Sect, who had been training in various areas, immediately ceased their actions and bowed deeply before Han Baek-ryeong. As she walked, more and more of them fell to their knees until before long, a grand spectacle was formed by the experts who had lined up.

Gulp

I swallowed hard. The experts on either side were definitely not any ordinary folks. Many could easily hold their own as elders in the martial world, and at least ten seemed to possess unmatched prowess. Seeing them bowing without saying a word made me realize just how impressive Han Baek-ryeong’s position was.

Leader of the Fire Spirit Sect and supreme being!

The unbeatable guardian who wielded boundless internal power!

That was Han Baek-ryeong.

We finally exited the territory of the Fire Spirit Sect and approached the gate. Along the way, we encountered a group of young martial artists who hurriedly bowed their heads and prostrated themselves.

“We greet the Disciple of the Fire Spirit Sect.”

“Rise. We have urgent matters to attend to.”

“Yes.”

“Inform the Elders Council that I seek an urgent audience with the Leader.”

“I’ll report to the Three Elders first!”

The youth shouted and dashed inside the gate.

I recognized that brat. He used to run around with a group as the Chief of Security for the White Lotus Sect when I had visited them in my past life. He usually acted all high and mighty since he was on some kind of confidence boost from his elixir, but now he looked like a mouse before a cat, frozen in place upon seeing Han Baek-ryeong.

Moments later, we arrived at the gate, where a middle-aged man in white stood with an annoyed expression. He was one of the peak experts from the Elders Council, known as the Three Elders, someone I had encountered in my past life. He looked at Han Baek-ryeong and said,

“This is quite reckless. Didn’t the Leader say she was busy and wouldn’t meet with anyone?”

He appeared to be over a hundred years old but seemed to hold back from speaking informally to Han Baek-ryeong. She responded as though it were obvious,

“That may be the case for trivial matters. However, this situation is a matter of vital importance that could determine the fate of the sect. Step aside immediately.”

“Don’t try to order me around. No matter how powerful you are, we do not take orders from you.”

“You refuse to listen to the orders of the guardian? Such stubbornness…”

Han Baek-ryeong continued with a hint of mockery,

“Learn to know your place and stop acting out of turn.”

“……!!”

At this blatant provocation, sparks seemed to fly from the Three Elders’ eyes. The fierce presence of a top expert suddenly filled the area, causing a wave of martial spirit to arise. The Three Elders’ internal power was so tremendous that there seemed to be no equal in the martial world. Yet, he ultimately lowered his aura and relented.

“Very well. I’ll inform the Leader, so just wait here.”

“Hurry back.”

The Three Elders gritted his teeth and quickly vanished inside with a burst of speed. It seemed he was off to see the Leader now. I tilted my head in confusion and sent a message to Han Jin-seong.

[Is the relationship between the Elders Council and the Fire Spirit Sect not good?]

[Which sect’s relationship is good with the Elders Council? They’re all a bit reluctant since they see the Elders Council as the Leader’s personal guard.]

[What about the Thunder God Lineage?]

[They stay separate and haven’t had any contact with outsiders.]

[Hmm…]

If what he said was accurate, it meant that the White Lotus Sect’s fortress was currently divided between the Wind Spirit Lineage and the Fire Spirit Sect. The Thunder God Lineage had previously been expelled, so they were another matter entirely, while the Water Spirit Lineage was holed up somewhere outside.

“The Leader has allowed for an audience. Follow me.”

A short while later, we followed the Three Elders into the Leader’s chamber. Just as I had seen before, the Leader was shrouded in shadows behind. As we stood before the Leader, Han Baek-ryeong bowed respectfully.

“I am Han Baek-ryeong, the guardian of the Fire Spirit Sect. I request this urgent audience because a critical matter has arisen. I sincerely apologize if I have disturbed the Leader.”

The Leader replied with an ominous voice from the shadows,

[Not at all. I am not displeased. But I hope you haven’t forgotten the guidelines we discussed previously, correct?]

“Of course. You stated that direct help should only be sought when the combined strength of the guardians is insufficient, and that communication via letters would be sufficient otherwise.”

[You are well aware.]

The Leader continued,

[However, your decision to come to me directly… it piques my curiosity.]

Han Baek-ryeong seemed momentarily lost in thought before nodding and pointing at me,

“This is Baek Woong, and the reason for this audience.”

[Pray, elaborate. I am all ears.]

“Baek Woong. Please explain.”

I nodded and stepped forward to bow once more.

“I, Baek Woong of the Thunder God Lineage, kneel before the Leader of the White Lotus Sect. I assure you that what I am about to say contains no exaggeration or lies.”

Hearing that, the Leader seemed taken aback.

[The Thunder God Lineage… is that true?]

“Indeed.”

[Very well, proceed.]

I began to detail everything, including how I had met Han Baek-ryeong and all the events I had experienced in this reincarnation. I skipped over long-winded stories, like how I journeyed to Dongyoung and dealt with the Aokigahara disaster, considering them irrelevant. After talking about the Emperor and the offerings ritual, quite a bit of time had passed.

“… And that brings us to the present.”

[……]

The Leader remained still, not moving an inch. Then, lifting a hand, they said,

[The Elders Council is to prepare for immediate deployment. The guardian of the Wind Spirit Lineage, Yong Bi-cheon, will be waiting to receive them.]

[Yes, Leader!]

Swish, swish, swish

Suddenly, the sound of movement echoed as the Elders began making their departure. Perhaps they had been hiding out of sight. After issuing commands to the Elders Council, the Leader leaned forward and continued,

[This is quite intriguing. But Baek Woong, what made you wish to obtain the rights to the offerings ritual?]

It was a seemingly simple question, yet it struck right at the core of my intentions. I had anticipated this question and answered without hesitation.

“There exists a force known as the Doom Legion behind the Imperial Palace, once ruled by the ancient rulers. To confront them, I believe I also need divine authority.”

[So, you sought to gain power from the offerings ritual… Hmmm…]

The Leader continued to contemplate for a moment before speaking again,

[Baek Woong. Did you express a desire to become my disciple?]

“Yes. I wish to be the disciple of the greatest expert in the world.”

[You do realize that I was the one who purged the Thunder God Lineage, correct?]

“My master, Dokgo Seong, is overjoyed at my desire to become your disciple. He believes the grievances from that incident are not insurmountable. He also voiced his trust in you.”

That was a lie. Dokgo Seong had never said such a thing. While he wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about the Thunder God Lineage’s destruction, he held the event in a negative light. But I knew he was the Leader’s acquaintance, so I tossed out this line to test the waters.

Gotta figure out the Leader’s intentions.

The effect was greater than I expected. As soon as I said that, the Leader seemed to tremble for some reason. Then, with an air of resignation, they spoke,

[So he thought that? Can he still trust me after all that has happened?]

“Since you tried to eradicate the Thunder God Lineage, I figured you must have had a good reason. The grudges aren’t something one can easily forget, but I believe you had your reasons.”

[… Is that so…]

After a moment of pondering, the Leader said,

[Very well. I accept you as my direct disciple, Baek Woong. I shall also appoint you as the guardian of the Thunder God Lineage.]

“……!!”

Guardian of the Thunder God Lineage!

That meant I would be succeeding the previous guardian, Lee Cheong-woon! And along with it, I would obtain the ultimate internal power, the Heavenly Spirit Pill! It seemed Han Baek-ryeong had no objections, sitting there quietly.

The Leader continued,

[In five days, we shall combine the powers of the White Lotus Sect to annihilate the vile Imperial Palace. Until then, make all necessary preparations.]

“Yes, Leader.”

[And Baek Woong. Before you receive my teachings, there is something you must first accomplish.]

Something I had to do?

As I pondered in confusion, the Leader spoke in a subtle tone,

[I shall grant you five days. Convey my will to the experts of the Thunder God Lineage and persuade them to return to the White Lotus Sect.]

If I could do that?