Reincarnation Sword God

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Celestial Realm

An uncanny aura enveloped the room as I entered the throne chamber. Just as Cheon Woo-jin had described, the Emperor was seated on the Throne, flanked by the Alchemist and Zhuque on either side. Before their trio stood the Leader of the White Lotus Sect and three Dharma Protector Lions.

‘Hmm? Something feels off.’

An uneasy sensation washed over me. The Sect Leader and the Dharma Protectors should have arrived here at least half a beat earlier. Logically, there should have been a clash by now, yet they stood there, merely facing off against one another? Whether the Sect Leader made a move or the Emperor unleashed his orders, one side should have suffered heavy losses by now.

In that moment, the Sect Leader gazed my way and spoke.

[So, you’ve arrived, Baek Woong.]

“Sect Leader!! You must—”

I attempted to urge the Sect Leader to strike at the Emperor, but something about the atmosphere felt off. The Alchemist was chuckling mockingly, while Zhuque, the Old Sage of Mount Tai, regarded me with an indifferent look. Even the Dharma Protectors lined up behind the Sect Leader displayed nothing but cold expressions.

Turning to face me, the Emperor spoke.

“I have been waiting for you. You could say I awaited your arrival with great anticipation.”

He sounded youthful. With an appearance that belied his actual age, he looked to be in his twenties, evidently due to his immortal body. As I remained on guard, the Emperor then turned to the Sect Leader and added,

“Then, Sect Leader, you’re seriously considering my proposal, aren’t you?”

[I’m still weighing my options. You come to me with such a sudden proposition.]

“Very well… Let us have a calm discussion.”

As the Emperor snapped his fingers, an enormous banquet spread out in the spacious room. An array of dishes adorned the table, and alluring maidens appeared from nowhere, attending to the feast. The instant something manifested in this once-empty space, I realized the Emperor possessed magical power as well.

The Sect Leader silently approached the table and took a seat. Then the Dharma Protector Lions followed suit, sitting beside him. A silent invitation came from the Sect Leader as he gestured for me to join them.

[First, have a seat.]

“But, Sect Leader…”

[It’s not too late to fight after we’ve exchanged words.]

An overwhelming force restrained me.

‘This situation is taking a strange turn.’

I had no choice but to awkwardly walk over and sit down alongside Lee Kwang. Eventually, the Alchemist and Zhuque settled across from us, with the Emperor taking his place at the head of the table.

The Emperor wasted no time, remarking,

“Sect Leader, let me reiterate. If you join hands with me now, I will recognize the territories of Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, and Guizhou as yours, appointing you as both prince and state advisor. Furthermore, I shall grant autonomy over those regions and reward the White Lotus Sect as the foremost sect of the Central Plains with the utmost support.”

“……!!”

I was taken aback by the Emperor’s statement.

Could he really be offering up a third of the Central Plains territory to win over the Sect Leader? This proposal was unimaginable considering the historical relationship between the White Lotus Sect and the Imperial Palace. No religious faction in history had enjoyed such benefits.

With a cold smile, the Sect Leader retorted,

[Ha ha… That’s amusing. You think I could simply enjoy all that by getting rid of you? It sounds like such a hassle.]

“If that’s what you believe, you should have acted sooner.”

The Emperor wore a coy smile as he continued,

“With your power, you could disregard my commands and kill me. Of course, I won’t go down without a fight, but with your authority, it might be possible. However, can you handle the aftermath?”

[……]

“Both of us are aware that we cannot rashly engage in battle.”

The mention of ‘aftermath’ seemed to make the Sect Leader flinch momentarily. Perhaps he implicitly acknowledged the Emperor‘s words, as he fell silent, pondering. He then sneaked a glance at the lavish feast before turning to remark.

[I’m late. I should have come before you formally contracted with the Master of the Underworld.]

The Emperor erupted in malevolent laughter.

“Ha ha… In that case, the world would have been in your grasp. But now, I hold absolute advantage. What will you do?”

[Hmm…]

The Sect Leader appeared to be in deep contemplation. Even as he deliberated, he seemed to share silent communication with the Dharma Protectors. In silence, the tension in the air began to intensify.

Seizing this moment of hesitation, I focused my gaze on Zhuque across the table.

“Where did you leave Mangnyang?”

Then Zhuque, the Old Sage of Mount Tai, raised a golden goblet to take a sip before responding.

“That’s none of your business.”

“He’s my companion. I came here to retrieve him because you abducted him.”

“Is that so? Hyun has found himself a good friend.”

With a nostalgic tone, Zhuque replied, prompting me to retort angrily,

“No matter how much you claim to be Mangnyang’s father, I won’t forgive you if any harm comes to him!”

For a moment, the eyes of everyone present shifted towards me. Zhuque responded with an expression of surprise.

“You figured it out, huh? Did Lee Kwang tell you?”

“I figured it out on my own. You are of the Zhuge Clan, the family of the heavens, and Zhulun, the Zhuque, so it was obvious you were Mangnyang’s father! I never imagined you were the legendary Old Sage of Mount Tai and a shadowy figure in the Imperial Palace!!”

“Impressive… I’ve kept that secret for over half a century.”

With an emotionless expression, Zhuque continued,

“Yes, I am Zhuge Yulong, the Zhuque, who serves the Emperor and the head of the Zhuge Clan.”

Zhuge Yulong!

He was not only Mangnyang’s father but also the last line of defense protecting the Imperial Palace. It was the first time I had fully confronted and identified him despite my numerous reincarnations over the years. He stared at me with his deep-set eyes and said,

“I see, you must be the one who awakened the Seven Luminaries through the rites of offering. It’s likely you relied on their strength to come this far.”

Zhuge Yulong knew I was the master of the Seven Luminaries and that I had recently liberated them! It was something only someone on my side would know; I hadn’t anticipated this revelation. So I asked,

“… How did you find that out?”

With his hands clasped together, Zhuge Yulong replied,

“I’ve been masquerading as the Old Sage of Mount Tai to keep watch over the Heavenly Altar. The Heavenly Altar serves as the venue for the offering and is also the best conduit for acquiring information about the Celestial Realm. Just sacrificing a few offerings there is more than enough to glean the whereabouts and plans of the Celestial Realm.”

“What…!!”

He smiled, saying,

“Do you know how delighted I was when I learned that Hyun had gained the right to perform the rites? It short-circuited at least 20 years of waiting, and I was nearly in tears from joy. I lay in wait at the Heavenly Altar and captured Hyun.”

“……”

So that’s how it was.

The Heavenly Altar could summon the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors through offering rites and also served as the quickest means to gather news of the Celestial Realm! Had I known this, I might not have been outsmarted by Zhuge Yulong throughout this life. I bit my lip and said,

“Mangnyang obtained the Three Sovereigns Seal, a relic of the upper realms, gaining immense sorcery capabilities. No matter how strong you are, capturing him shouldn’t have been easy.”

“Well, that’s your assumption. Even with the Three Sovereigns Seal, he had no chance against a sudden dose of sleeping poison.”

“… You poisoned him?”

Zhuge Yulong produced a small vial from his robes and opened it.

“Knowing that child’s stubbornness, I figured I’d take him first and reason with him. But of course, he refused to listen, so I had to use mind control.”

Hearing that left me dumbfounded.

‘This guy’s willing to resort to any means!’

Despite having his own abilities, he believed Mangnyang’s powers to be formidable enough to warrant using poison and sleeping powder to make a surprise attack! If anything, this really was the epitome of a schemer from the Zhuge Clan.

I didn’t understand and responded,

“What exactly do you want? Is preserving the imperial authority worth sacrificing humans and allying with the Otherworlders?”

In that instant, the atmosphere at the table froze. I had openly rejected the imperial authority while the Emperor was present, which was tantamount to treason. The Dharma Protector Lions of the White Lotus Sect looked at me with surprise, and even the Emperor wore an expression like someone who had just bitten into something sour.

Then Zhuge Yulong replied coolly,

“There is nothing more venerable than the authority of His Majesty. As the head of the Zhuge Clan, a lineage that has persisted since the Three Kingdoms era, I bear the duty of protecting not only my family but also the stability of the Great Ming Empire. Everything I have done as the Zhuque and the Old Sage of Mount Tai has been justified.”

At that moment, Lee Kwang, who had quietly listened from the side, clenched his fists tightly and said,

“Zhuque! As the former Green Dragon of the Four Great Experts, I have a question for you.”

Zhuge Yulong glanced at Lee Kwang with some surprise.

“Speak.”

“Is it true that you were present during the Emperor’s last moments?”

It wasn’t a difficult question to answer. He only needed to say yes or no.

However, surprisingly, Zhuge Yulong hesitated, struggling to respond to Lee Kwang’s words. He seemed to be mulling over something before finally admitting,

“… Yes.”

“You’ve always been by His Majesty’s side, protecting him. We, including myself and the others of the Dharma Protectors, trusted you completely so that we could focus on our duties without worry.”

Lee Kwang’s eyes glinted with intensity as he stared at Zhuque.

“When His Majesty passed, I tried to make sense of it all. He often sent you off on various errands, so I thought this was just another such occasion. Yes, you even created an excuse on the day I left the Imperial Palace, didn’t you?”

“… I did.”

“But your presence at the Emperor’s side during his passing means… you must have lied to me that day.”

“……”

Zhuque‘s face turned ashen. At that moment, the Emperor, who had been listening quietly, suddenly sneered.

“Hey there, Lee Kwang! Why are you picking a fight with my loyal Dharma Protector? You are no longer a Dharma Protector, so what’s your purpose here?”

“… Your Majesty, I may have renounced my position, but I have every right to seek the truth about that day.”

“Hmph! Right?”

The Emperor spoke suddenly with a vicious tone.

“I have long disliked you, Lee Kwang! Just because you were favored by His Majesty, you thought you could rise above your station, didn’t you? You are nothing more than a guard dog!”

“……!!”

Lee Kwang tried to keep his expression neutral, but he was clearly shocked, as if decades of conviction had shattered in an instant.

“You’re not even a dog anymore.”

The Emperor pointed arrogantly to the exit.

“Get out of here, Lee Kwang. This is no place for you, so leave at once! You are guilty of failing to protect the Emperor, so crawl away like the wretch you are!”

Woosh!

In that instant, I sensed the activation of Cheon Hwi’s Order. Lee Kwang’s eyes instantly lost focus, and he became blankly obedient, collapsing to the floor as ordered.

Lee Kwang was crawling.

He was pitifully scrabbling along the ground, his butt wiggling as he crawled.

Pfft ha ha ha!

“That suits you well, Lee Kwang.”

The Emperor burst into maniacal laughter.

I found myself engulfed in an indescribable mix of emotions as I watched Lee Kwang crawl. I felt an odd sense of satisfaction, yet simultaneously something within me surged. While the Emperor seemed to be acting in righteous anger, this was clearly an example of him suppressing Lee Kwang’s push for justice through sheer brute force.

Was I supposed to stand by and allow this?

Was I to let the Sect Leader, the Dharma Protectors, and even the Emperor ridicule me?

Could I calmly digest this scene, feeling elated by Lee Kwang’s misfortune?

‘This is… not right!’

In an instant, it felt as if something snapped within me. Gritting my teeth, I pointed at Lee Kwang and shouted,

“Release him!”

Whoosh!

A golden aura extended from my fingertips, striking Lee Kwang. In that instant, it seemed as though Lee Kwang regained his senses and swiftly shook off the oppressive aura, scrambling back to his feet. With the blessing I received from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, he now bore resistance against the Emperor’s Order. Lee Kwang’s face reddened from humiliation as he ground his teeth.

“Damn it! I’ll kill you, you bastard!”

Gasp!

The Emperor seemed startled by Lee Kwang’s sudden ferocity. The murderous intent emanating from him was potent enough to threaten even me. It seemed the fact that Lee Kwang returned to calling him directly by name shocked the Emperor even more than the killing intent itself.

Zhuque stood up from his seat, attempting to calm him.

“Steady yourself, Lee Kwang! There’s no way for you to win this fight. Even now, you should heed His Majesty’s words and withdraw gracefully. I say this not only as a fellow Dharma Protector but also as a comrade you have shared both joy and hardship with.”

Despite Zhuque’s efforts, Lee Kwang was already boiling with rage. No amount of persuasion would pierce that furious shell. He shouted defiantly,

“Shut your mouth, Zhuque! You murdered the Emperor, didn’t you?!”

“……!!”

“It’s clear that Hoo-Soo was behind the plot to kill the Emperor, while you just stood by and let it all happen! Do you think I wouldn’t realize that you Zhuge Clansmen have ulterior motives while claiming to defend the realm? You, above anyone, are the true traitor, a menace to the Great Ming Empire!”

With each step, Lee Kwang’s fury intensified. With barely two steps, his malevolence multiplied several times over, enough to make even the Dharma Protectors recoil. I had seen him angry plenty of times, yet it was clear this was his first full-out rage.

Kaboom!

Ignoring his own life, Lee Kwang had begun to gather an immense amount of power within his spear. It struck me that this must have been his hidden skill, reserved for the gravest of moments. Zhuque and the Alchemist took their places to protect the Emperor, and an air of tension filled the room.

At that moment, the Leader of the White Lotus Sect, who had been watching with interest, remarked,

[What is this? A powerful aura has emerged…]

Kaboom!

Suddenly, the ceiling began to collapse as utter destruction unfolded. A beam of moonlight descended from the heavens, illuminating the surroundings with blinding radiance. Amidst the chaos, the banquet shattered, and shockwaves erupted, causing the situation to turn on its head.

“Die!”

No longer able to hold back, Lee Kwang triggered his Rage, unleashing every ounce of his might in an all-out attack. This seemed to be the culmination of Lee Kwang’s life’s training. A massive spear of energy surged forth as Lee Kwang aimed to pierce the Emperor’s essence. Zhuque met Lee Kwang’s attack with his sword, engaging in a formal defense stance.

BANG!!

The sound of their clash reverberated throughout the hall, but Lee Kwang’s assault didn’t end there. Riding on the force of Rage, the spear surged significantly, gaining even more strength. Zhuque prepared to launch another defensive strike, but in the next instant, the space itself warped.

“Ugh.”

Zhuque cried out in shock. Just as Lee Kwang’s strike twisted the momentum, it disrupted Zhuque’s defensive stance, allowing Lee Kwang’s spear to penetrate his insecurity. Lee Kwang gazed coldly at him and stated,

“You anticipated I would go for that bastard, didn’t you? I trained tirelessly for this moment. How does it taste?”

“Ugh… You little…”

“Die and beg for forgiveness from His Majesty!”

Boom!

As Lee Kwang’s wrist twirled, the spear whirled and tore through Zhuque’s body. Watching as a Dharma Protector fell to such a fate, I finally grasped what had unfolded.

‘Lee Kwang had been plotting for this all along!’

What Lee Kwang had employed wasn’t just a mere Heavenly Thunder Spear; it was indeed the Heart Transforming Technique I’d passed down. Clearly, Lee Kwang had learned of it from Jin So-cheong, and after enduring harsh training, he had made it his own, intending to eliminate Zhuque from the very start.

Then, when faced with Zhuque, he had acted furious and reckless, luring them in before executing the move, using the Heart Transforming Technique in combination with an unexpected attack to pierce through Zhuque’s guard. It was a hit-and-run tactic, a lethal technique that allowed him to felled Zhuque, nullifying any difference in their skills.

What a chillingly calm warrior!

That was Lee Kwang.

Just after Lee Kwang had dealt with Zhuque, a melodious voice filled the hall.

[Where is the Emperor, who violated the Celestial Law?]

Descending along with the moonlight was a being with nine flickering tails. I recognized its form immediately; it was much more powerful than before. This being encircled itself with a silvery aura, scanning the area before honing in on the Emperor.

[Are you there?]

“……”

The Emperor remained frozen in place.

Seemingly overwhelmed by the sharpened turn of events.

Then, that being with shimmering silver tails manifested a Fox Fire in its palm, its lovely face twisting into a terrifying expression.

[I, Miho, the lord of Moonlight, shall hunt you down.]