Reincarnation Sword God

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Heavenly Realm

After Jin So-cheong regained consciousness, we tidied him up and set off together towards Anhui Province. Mangnyang mentioned that he would take action for the grand scheme while I was away, and we agreed to rejoin at Jinrang Valley once my task was completed.

As we walked along the mountain path, Jin So-cheong spoke.

“Baek Woong, thank you for hearing me out.”

“No worries. We have to rescue them regardless.”

Ethically and for practical reasons, it was imperative to save them. Exposing the Namgung Clan‘s corruption would surely help pave my way forward. Suddenly, a thought struck me, and I asked Jin So-cheong.

“Don’t you think we should inform Lee Kwang about our movements?”

“I already contacted him. He won’t be looking for us for at least a year.”

“……”

I felt a bit skeptical. Was that guy really going to let Jin So-cheong wander for an entire year? Yet Jin So-cheong continued.

“Master must know I reached my limit. He’ll understand I need to travel to advance my martial arts.”

“True.”

“Is this your first time going to the Namgung Clan?”

I nodded.

“I see you’ve been there before.”

“Namgung Hwan mentioned how Master and the Leader of Namgung Clan often keep in contact. So, several years ago, I met with Namgung Hwan, and I visited the Namgung Clan at that time.”

“What’s the Namgung Clan like?”

Jin So-cheong paused for a moment before answering.

“From what I recall, they wielded power comparable to the City Lord within Anhui Province. I doubt it has changed even now.”

“Hmmm… If we go at a leisurely pace, it’ll take three days to reach Anhui Province, but if we rush, we might arrive today.”

“Let’s hurry. I want to save a day.”

“Understood.”

Thud!

At that, Jin So-cheong and I spread our Myeonghon Cloth to increase our speed. Thanks to the Black and White Lotus, Jin So-cheong‘s internal power had risen, allowing him to keep up remarkably well with my outrageous pace. I ran much faster than a horse or an arrow, glancing sideways at Jin So-cheong.

“Jin So-cheong, I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“It’s true that the women kidnapped by the Namgung Clan are in the most unfortunate position in the world, and we must rescue them. But aren’t they, in the end, strangers to you? Are you really willing to risk your life for people you’ve never even met?”

“……”

Jin So-cheong leapt over a massive tree in a single bound, landing soundlessly on a branch. After a moment of stillness, he replied softly.

“Baek Woong, what life do you think I led in my first life?”

Eep!

I flinched at his unexpected question. After a brief pause, I answered.

“In my first life, you were recognized as the greatest among the Ten Great Masters, called a Hero. Why do you ask?”

Actually, I felt that was an understatement. If Jin So-cheong had trained for that long, it was only natural he would become the greatest martial artist in the world. However, I never met him in my first life, so I wasn’t sure.

Then Jin So-cheong smiled wryly and replied.

“I believe that future life was the result of being complacent and compromising with reality.”

“What do you mean?”

“In your first life, the White Lotus Sect remained intact until the very end, right?”

“Hmm… that’s true.”

Even when the bizarre cult known as the Nine Evil Sect emerged, the White Lotus Sect was quietly holding its ground in Shingang. It seemed strange, looking back, why such immense power didn’t make a grand attempt in the world. Regardless, the White Lotus Sect would still be standing strong thirty or forty years in the future.

“My Master always used to say: Even if he dies, I must rise up the Thunder God Lineage and take revenge on the White Lotus Sect. I heard this from the time I was ten, so I know his obsession well.”

I realized the implication behind Jin So-cheong‘s words.

“Are you saying the future Ten Great Masters Jin So-cheong gave up on avenging the White Lotus Sect?”

“Likely. If he truly wished to take revenge, he should have hidden his identity and infiltrated the Martial World, growing his power in secrecy. Whatever happened, he likely abandoned revenge and merely executed visible agreements while wandering the martial world freely. After all, that’s the easier way.”

“……”

I had never thought of it that way. After all, even the life of Ten Great Masters Jin So-cheong seemed dazzling to me. Jin So-cheong continued quietly.

“I had a strong sense of doubt about whether I needed to take revenge on the White Lotus Sect. I was also unknowingly plagued by a deep emptiness. It was a choice that was obtainable.”

“Hmmm…”

“However, now I feel differently. I can live without shunning the agreements because you accepted me as a companion.”

With that, Jin So-cheong gazed intensely at me.

“It’s not just for them. This rescue mission represents a turning point in my new life.”

“I see. Now I understand.”

The reason Jin So-cheong dedicated himself to training for a month with his life on the line was related to his change of heart. I felt I understood the human side of Jin So-cheong a bit better. He possessed extraordinary talent and a brilliant mind unmatched by anyone, yet that very gift led him to suffer from emptiness. Now, he resolved to act without hesitation to fulfill agreements.

Before long, we arrived at Anhui Province. As we entered, we could see lively streets bustling with carts and merchants. Thanks to its location, it was only natural for this level of commerce to thrive.

As we took a break at a nearby Inn, Jin So-cheong spoke up.

“The Namgung Clan is about sixty miles further from here.”

“Aren’t they based in Hefei?”

“They moved their base closer to the City Lord.”

“They moved? Why?”

Jin So-cheong sat down at the table, picked up a dumpling, and answered.

“Hefei traditionally relied on agriculture, producing grains such as rice and soybeans, along with cotton farming. The Namgung Clan initially dealt with the agricultural trade there for profit. Now, I think they are trying to dive into the vast commerce of Anhui Province, hence the relocation.”

“Hmmm!”

His reasoning made sense. I looked at Jin So-cheong with newfound respect.

‘Jin So-cheong is sharp!’

It sounded simple, but his analysis required insight into realistic shifts, commerce dynamics, and Clan motivations that only someone with thorough investigation, like Jin So-cheong, could articulate. As he researched the Namgung Clan through Shadowless Gate, he must have interpreted a plethora of information meticulously.

I said to Jin So-cheong,

“Let’s head close to the Namgung Clan, then go into Shadowless Gate. I need to extract more detailed information about the internal layout and the location of the women from Namgung Hwan.”

“……”

“Jin So-cheong?”

He didn’t respond, quietly contemplating something. After a while, he opened his mouth.

“Baek Woong, what kind of punishment are you planning for the Namgung Clan?”

“Uh?!”

I was slightly caught off guard by his question.

“Punishment? The Namgung Clan is powerful and also a subordinate force of the White Lotus Sect. If we meddle carelessly, things could get complicated.”

“But Mangnyang said we could cause as much racket as we wanted.”

“That… that’s true.”

Before we left for Anhui Province, Mangnyang had said we could topple the Namgung Clan without any issues. I was curious about what Mangnyang had in mind, but I didn’t think he was the type to make baseless claims.

‘Is it okay to strike the Namgung Clan?’

It seemed that in the grand scheme drawn by Mangnyang, the Namgung Clan held less significance. Did he believe he could negotiate with the White Lotus Sect even after striking against the Namgung Clan? While I pondered, Jin So-cheong spoke again.

“Baek Woong, rescuing the women from the Namgung Clan would be a huge event—big enough to shake the Orthodox Martial World to its core. Moreover, from what I’ve gathered from Namgung Hwan, the Secret Room where the women are confined is deep within the Namgung Clan, making a quiet resolution impossible.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I think if we’re going to do it, we should do it decisively. We should ensure they can’t harbor any ill thoughts again…”

“……”

“If things escalate too much, no one can touch the eye of the storm.”

Jin So-cheong’s words intrigued me. Most of my allies had urged caution, but he was advocating for a bold offensive. I was reminded of the past.

‘This reminds me of the Jongnam Faction incident.’

Back then, it felt like Jin So-cheong was recklessly toppling everything, making me panic. But ultimately, things turned out well, and Jin So-cheong had all facets of the calculations figured out before wreaking havoc. He wasn’t the type to engage in a foolhardy endeavor.

I resolved to heed Jin So-cheong’s guidance.

“Alright, let’s do it. You mean to confront them head-on?”

“Of course.”

“Okay. Let’s finalize the Sword Demon negotiation first.”

Swish!

Jin So-cheong and I utilized Myeonghon to reach Shadowless Gate. We headed straight to the Torture Chamber, where we found Namgung Hwan, half-mad and soaked in blood.

He was clearly a victim of additional torture. The Thunder God Lineage‘s methods inflicted minimal physical damage, so the holes and markings across Namgung Hwan‘s body were unusual. When we glanced at the Shadowless Gate skilled member, he chuckled sinisterly.

“Torture begins when the spirit is broken.”

“Did you torture Namgung Hwan again? Why?”

“I simply acted under the Sect Leader‘s orders to gather additional information. Opportunities to torture a Namgung Clan’s subordinate are few and far between.”

“Hmmm… Please tell me what information you uncovered.”

He shrugged.

“I can only share it upon receiving the Sect Leader‘s permission.”

“Understood.”

Then we went to seek the Sword Demon. When I asked if he had tortured Namgung Hwan, he affirmed.

“Of course. Information regarding the Namgung Clan is worth its weight in gold.”

“Please share that information with me.”

“I will, but don’t rush.”

With a keen gaze, the Sword Demon surveyed us.

“You didn’t come here just for that, did you?”

I explained our intentions. We were indeed going to rescue the women but were considering a head-on confrontation. The Sword Demon looked at Jin So-cheong with interest, commenting,

“Interesting. There might be a chance of winning. I can see what you’re plotting, Jin So-cheong.”

“Indeed.”

“However, you’ll need overwhelming power to execute it.”

Murmuring thus, the Sword Demon added,

“Do you think you can take on the Master of the Orthodox Sect, Namgung Myung, the Eight Swords of Namgung, and the formidable forces of Celestial Air Squad and Earth Air Squad, in addition to countless skilled Namgung Clan members?”

As I heard Sword Demon’s words, I felt a sense of despair wash over me. I had vaguely realized it before, but hearing it stated factually hit hard. The strength of the Namgung Clan was certainly beyond that of most major factions. It was no wonder they were regarded as the top martial power in Anhui Province.

“Of course, I can.”

“Oh? Aren’t you afraid of Namgung Myung?”

“If I fear him, how will we fight moving forward?”

The Sword Demon smirked.

“Ha ha, that’s a good point. Then go and give it a shot. Even if things go south, I’ll help prepare an escape route.”

“Understood.”

It seemed the Sword Demon had grasped Jin So-cheong’s intentions. It appeared Jin So-cheong had a valid reason for his reckless push. The Sword Demon then shared all the information we gathered from Namgung Hwan.

“Like it or not, that perverted guy’s fate is sealed. Do you want to take him with you?”

“Yes. I think I’ll need him.”

“Take him then.”

I knocked out Namgung Hwan and stuffed him into a bag.

Once we finished our business at Shadowless Gate, we moved back to Anhui Province and reached near the Namgung Clan. From a hill about a hundred yards away, we observed the Namgung Clan grounds. True to its reputation as a major clan, the compound was enormous. It occupied a space ten times larger than that of a typical clan, and the number of warriors and servants moving about was staggering.

What was more shocking was that there were additional buildings near the Namgung Clan grounds, which appeared to belong to the clan as well. If we counted those in, the Namgung Clan seemed larger than several villages combined. I gawked at the magnificent scene, muttering,

“This is my first time seeing such a grand Martial Clan.”

“Baek Woong, do you know why the Namgung Clan could grow so massive?”

I looked at Jin So-cheong. His expression seemed calm, yet a profound anger simmered beneath.

“I’m not sure.”

“The Namgung Clan competed with rival clans that could challenge them as they grew. In surviving those competitions, they attained their current power. But as a result, they’ve accumulated tremendous enmity.”

“Enmity?”

“Competing is something other great clans often did. What set the Namgung Clan apart was their ruthlessness in defeating rivals. They left no stone unturned and brutally dealt with their enemies. They destroyed everything and eliminated everyone, quickly turning their competitors’ wealth and connections into their own.”

I was taken aback.

“Brutal dealings? How could they still remain part of the Orthodox Sect?”

Brutal dealings were self-evident. Most likely, it involved nighttime sneak attacks or ambushes to massacre their rivals. Such acts are not uncommon in the martial world, but the issue was that the Namgung Clan was a distinguished member of the Orthodox Sect. The Orthodox Sect is supposed to adhere to a minimum of righteousness and social morals; actions like these shouldn’t happen.

“The current True Heaven Alliance is corrupt. Even if they know the Namgung Clan is corrupt, they don’t have the means to suppress them. Anyone harboring a grudge against the Namgung Clan has hidden in the Evil Faction, becoming either demonic leaders or sharpening their blades for revenge.”

“Ah.”

Now that I thought about it, I recalled how the Sword Demon had mentioned the True Heaven Alliance‘s decay. Back then, I couldn’t quite understand why the Sword Demon mocked them, but now it made sense. If they were this rotten, it would be amusing indeed from the Sword Demon‘s perspective.

Jin So-cheong unsheathed his spear.

“In your first life, the Namgung Clan never descended from their position as predator. This means that if we leave the Namgung Clan be, for decades to come, those exploited by them will continue to suffer.”

“……”

He was likely referring to the women victimized by Namgung Hwan and their families. The thought that such weak individuals would suffer for decades was indeed troubling.

“Baek Woong, I implore you. Let’s carry out the agreements within the martial world together.”

I felt the sincerity in Jin So-cheong‘s words. It was the desire to rectify the injustices we had previously turned a blind eye to. This opposition was something I personally felt more deeply than anyone else, allowing me to easily align with Jin So-cheong‘s viewpoint.

“I understand. Let’s go!”