Reincarnation Sword God

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The 19th life has begun.

Although I died from my body melting due to the curse, upon reincarnation, the pain wasn’t too severe. Perhaps it was because my nervous system had melted away at once, leaving little anguish. However, the despair and frustration I felt while slowly dying were beyond words.

With the cultivation in the Heavenly Realm still to pursue and the secrets of the Heavenly Spirit Pillar right before my eyes, who would have expected to die suddenly due to the retribution curse from the Vermilion Bird?

‘There was absolutely no predicting that.’

I had already coordinated everything with Mangnyang and Jin So-cheong. I firmly believed that borrowing the power of the divine to eliminate the Vermilion Bird would be smooth sailing. Imagining I would die due to a curse in such a situation was simply not realistic.

Frankly, I should have discussed it with Mangnyang at the point when the fortune teller warned me. But I hastily rushed to Qilsal Village, thinking that borrowing the power of the [Old Ruler] wouldn’t have any variables. I could only blame myself for that.

Ah, it hurts.

I miss Mi-ho…

Suddenly feeling down, I wiped my eyes. My heart ached.

After a moment, I shook off the shock and decided to review what I gained from my 18th life.

‘First, I uncovered the hypocrisy of the Namgung Clan and found out the location of the treasured item, the Pure Fish Talisman, which belongs to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. I’ve also learned the basics of the Three Steps Secret Technique from Jin So-cheong, learned the Heavenly Spirit techniques from Mangnyang, and received the basics of the Separation Technique from the Zhuge Clan. Additionally, I found out about Beom Kyun and Jeong Yun-bo, who are successors of the Thunder God Lineage and Lee Kwang, my peer.’

I gained a lot.

But reflecting on what I lost makes me feel bitter.

‘The right to enter the Heavenly Realm’s Kunlun Mountain… the secrets of the Heavenly Spirit Pillar… and my life…’

None of those three were unimportant. Overall, it felt like I achieved nothing significant, and died a tragic death. I pondered for a while and sighed.

“Cheh. Then this time, I need to move differently…”

Getting the Thunder God Lineage would remain the same as before. However, knowing about the Pure Fish Talisman in the Namgung Clan meant my course of action had to change. I mulled it over for a moment and then set my plans into motion.

After obtaining the Thunder God Lineage, I dashed intensely all the way to Shandong for the Sacred Flame. The moment I got the Sacred Flame, I remembered that I now had three groups to rescue.

Women captured by the Pirate Group, Blood Sabre Group.

General Hwang Yeon and the captives trapped in the Thunder Prison.

Women being abused in the Namgung Clan’s secret place.

I suddenly felt exhausted from the absurdity of it all.

‘Why are there so many bastard sons in this world?’

Kidnapping, murder, and violence were rampant everywhere. I’d never even thought the world could be this messed up when I was a child. Of course, I lived a gloomy childhood as a slave in the village chief’s house, but at least the world appeared calm and normal from the outside.

Is this due to other races?

Or is it that humans are just these kinds of creatures?

But overthinking wouldn’t help change the situation, it would only lead to more sadness. Instead of sighing, I drew in a big breath.

“Hmph!”

When I sigh, it feels like all my energy drains away. But snorting a breath keeps some energy in me. There’s no wisdom in it, but it’s a trick I learned from all the shitty things I’ve faced in life.

‘I will save everyone, but I need to head to the Thunder Prison first.’

It’s not particularly about who deserves pity. It’s just that since the Thunder Prison houses the necklace, I must get that first for everything else to proceed smoothly.

Bang!

Using the Sacred Flame, I headed straight to the Thunder Prison where I faced the Giant Toad. I considered invoking Yeodong-bin’s divine possession, but soon changed my mind and decided to fight directly.

“Let’s practice the Three Steps Secret Technique.”

Grrr!

And thus, I began a fierce battle against the Giant Toad. With its massive size, taking it down took some time, but beyond that, defeating it wasn’t an issue. I was essentially training to master the essence of the Three Steps Secret Technique that I learned from Jin So-cheong.

Snap

“The Seven Stars Shadow moves in accordance with the Great Dipper’s transitions. When the energy of the Seven Stars rises to its peak, the positions will reverse.”

I recalled the elements of the Seven Stars Shadow. Tian Shu, Tian Xuan, Tian Ji, Tian Quan, Yu Hang, Kai Yang, and Yao Guang. The seven stars whirled in my mind. I knew that being able to freely move the positions of the seven stars was the prerequisite for mastering the Seven Stars Shadow.

But the idea that it evolves according to the movement of the Great Dipper and the positions will reverse was something that simply didn’t register in my mind, no matter how many times I learned it.

It seemed to imply some unusual transformation, but what could it really be?

Bam!

“Anchor yourself around the Great Dipper and visualize the movements of the other six stars in your mind. Only then can you connect them to complete the Three Steps of Heaven, Earth, and Human.”

I gritted my teeth and unleashed the 7 Stars Shadow. Dodging the Giant Toad’s attacks while attempting to realize Jin So-cheong’s teachings didn’t go as smoothly as I’d hoped. The concept was too abstract to be applicable in practice.

‘I don’t get it!’

Eventually, after over 200 seconds of continuously trying the Seven Stars Shadow, I had to call for Yeodong-bin. I could have avoided it longer, but being stuck fighting a giant toad had no positives for me.

“I’ve come to exterminate the demon…”

‘Yeodong-bin!’

The moment Yeodong-bin invoked, I screamed as if I was set on fire. Just as I attempted to move my body to defeat the Giant Toad, Yeodong-bin flinched. He then evaded the Giant Toad’s attacks with a martial skill.

“What’s the matter, my friend? I’ll defeat this creature.”

‘No, that’s not the problem!’

“What’s the issue?”

‘The Seven Stars Shadow evolves according to the Great Dipper’s movements, but do you understand what it means to anchor yourself around the Great Dipper and visualize the other six stars’ movements in your mind?’

“……”

Yeodong-bin looked bewildered. He then suddenly thrust his sword forward, launching a massive wave of energy towards the Giant Toad.

Ka-boom!

“Ggaaah!”

The Giant Toad’s arm and much of its body seemed to have been severed all at once. As it spewed poison and writhed in agony, Yeodong-bin remarked,

“You’re practicing an interesting martial art, my friend. Your skill memories show you’ve been training diligently.”

Yeodong-bin murmured, sounding rather impressed.

“Indeed, this Three Steps Secret Technique is a good martial art for subduing Heaven, Earth, and Human. One can see the meticulous personality of its creator.”

‘Gah…’

I was internally astonished.

Yeodong-bin deduced the advanced form of the Seven Stars Shadow without me even mentioning it! How did he manage to grasp the crystallization of what took Jin So-cheong an intense month of training to barely recover? This was absurd. As I was shocked, Yeodong-bin said,

“Friend, there’s no need to be surprised. It’s merely the difference between those who have reached enlightenment and those who haven’t.”

‘What do you mean?’

Yeodong-bin effortlessly dodged thousands of poison arrows raining down from the Giant Toad.

“Given you have reached the realm of Sword of Heaven, you can instantly see the training period, level, principles, strengths, and weaknesses of a martial artist’s skills at a glance. Isn’t that so?”

‘That’s true, but…’

“It’s the same for me. Since I stand at a comparable level to the creator of that Seven Great Techniques, I can instantly recognize the forms, strengths, and weaknesses.”

‘……!!’

Yeodong-bin casually stated it, but I trembled inside.

‘Is this… the power of a Transcendent?’

The ability to instantly perceive the martial skills below your own level! This was closer to a supernatural ability than a mere skill of a master! I couldn’t even begin to replicate Yeodong-bin’s level as my martial prowess was nowhere close. Once regarded merely as a convenient presence, my awe for Yeodong-bin deepened as his level of martial arts rose.

A protector of humanity who can slay thousands of demons and rise to the pinnacle of martial arts as a Transcendent!

That is the Divine Sword, Yeodong-bin!

Once Yeodong-bin finished explaining, he conjured dozens of heavenly swords in the air. These spirit blades, created with his rigorous intent, glowed like lasers before flying at terrifying speeds, blasting apart the toad’s skin.

Boom!

The ensuing slaughter was overwhelming. Yeodong-bin cutting down the Giant Toad was surreal.

“I wish to aid your martial arts training, but the level of that technique is too meticulous; you can only comprehend it on your own. It’s best to refine it diligently, day by day.”

Just as the divine possession was about to lift from my body, I hurriedly employed the techniques of the Heavenly Spirit to ignite a flame in my ten fingers, which brought about a jarring feeling and an astonishing voice.

“Huh?”

‘Uh… I-I’m sorry.’

“Did you stop me from leaving with your technique?”

‘……’

Indeed, I had.

The techniques of Heavenly Spirits held the power to control spirits; I used that to halt Yeodong-bin’s departure. He remained silent for a moment before speaking.

“Such is the technique of a Great Mortal Ascended. How did you acquire it?”

Considering it’s from the Divine Name Tablet, it’s indeed a technique of that level. That was why I could hold back a Transcendent like Yeodong-bin.

‘I cannot share the details…’

“You must have something to say, therefore you halted me. Tell me your purpose.”

Under the solemn tone of Yeodong-bin, I hesitated before stating,

‘My martial arts talent is minimal; there’s no guarantee I’ll comprehend the Three Steps Secret Technique even after decades… Is there any way you can help?’

“……”

Upon my desperate plea, Yeodong-bin appeared contemplative.

After a brief moment, he said,

“As a Transcendent, I’m under ban from intervening in the mortal realm due to karmic laws… however, as there’s a thread of fate connecting you and me, it may not be prohibited.”

‘Thank you!’

A wave of joy washed over me.

Why hadn’t I thought of this earlier?

Here is Yeodong-bin, who might be on par with or even exceed the Sect Leader of the White Lotus—the Transcendent in the Heavenly Realm—who is always nearby! Thus, when my comprehension falters, I can seek Yeodong-bin’s assistance. Just as I internally celebrated, Yeodong-bin continued,

“However, as of now, I can offer no assistance.”

‘Huh? What…?’

“You’ve already mastered the five stages of the Heavenly Retreat Sword Technique, beginning with Faith and concluding with Understanding, then experiencing the attainment of Emptiness to achieve the Heavenly Retreat. You should reach the level of the Divine Sword!”

‘……”*

“Yet, for some reason, the teachings of the Heavenly Retreat Sword Technique have only served to heal the contradictions within your heart and did not elevate you to the correct level of Divine Sword. Under these circumstances, I cannot further teach you the Heavenly Retreat Sword Technique.”

Suddenly, I had an epiphany.

Now that I think about it, I had indeed needed Yeodong-bin’s help when passing through the monstrous hordes during the Aokigahara disaster. Back then, I sought to navigate through the chaos of my sword path with the Heavenly Retreat Sword Technique. It seems I had learned all the secrets from Yeodong-bin then, but that wasn’t the end.

‘A normal martial artist mastering it should immediately attain transcendent swordsmanship… but I threw away my potential solving my sword’s confusion!’

It felt like a great regret. Yet, it wasn’t easy to say that my previous choices were wrong, leading to my uneasy feelings. Originally, the Heavenly Retreat Sword Technique was a divine swordplay without any predecessors, so it would be unreasonable to ask for further teachings.

Seeing me flustered, Yeodong-bin gently mentioned,

“However… there is one method.”

‘What is it?’

“The treasured sword I wielded, the Fire Dragon Divine Sword, holds the teachings of my master, the Fire Dragon Ascendant. I, too, gained immense strength through that enlightenment, and it might be a significant aid to you.”

‘……!!’

The Fire Dragon Divine Sword of the Divine Sword, Yeodong-bin!

Just hearing its name gave me a surge of excitement. Particularly, didn’t I witness the divine sight where Yeodong-bin summoned the Fire Dragon of the Heavenly Realm countless times? By mastering the secrets of the Fire Dragon Divine Sword, I might be able to replicate such feats!

In that moment, I mentally set my goal.

‘Alright, this life, I’ll hunt for the Fire Dragon Divine Sword first!’

I now had an additional goal to overcome the despair and disappointment of my 18th life.