Reincarnation Sword God

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After defeating the Giant Toad, I secured the neck guard, the Nine Stars Sacred Bell, and twin swords to rescue General Hwang Yeon and his group. Then I headed to the base of the Blood Sabre Group, where I slaughtered pirates yet again, rescued the pirate prisoners, and simultaneously acquired treasures from the Pirate Island.

Afterward, I made a brief stop at Dongyoung to gather Obsidian, then went to Wu Yong Moon. When I brought Seo Mun-hye to the Sword Demon, he seemed quite taken aback. It wasn’t just shock at his daughter returning to him, but it seemed to be due to the overwhelming presence I exuded as well.

The Sword Demon couldn’t hide his competitive spirit.

“Kid, you have quite the impressive sword intent at such a young age. Have you perhaps had a breakthrough?”

“No, I haven’t.”

Shaking my head, I handed the Obsidian to him. The Sword Demon, bewildered at first, soon grasped the memories contained within the Obsidian and his expression instantly changed to one of realization. He shuddered slightly before speaking.

“Hahaha… I suppose it really is the case that with great fortune comes great misfortune. Who would’ve thought Baek Woong would die like that?”

I smiled bitterly.

“Who could have guessed the Vermilion Bird would be that prepared?”

“He’s truly thorough. It seems he even prepared against the possibility of his own death due to a curse.” The Sword Demon paused, clearly deep in thought. “So, it seems there’s no choice but to confront the Vermilion Bird head-on.”

“For now, yes.”

“Hmm, I have a bad feeling about this. A great battle may be looming.”

“I was prepared for that.”

I spoke resolutely, then said to the Sword Demon,

“I still have places to visit. I’ll see you later.”

“Indeed.”

Bam!

I immediately used Breakthrough and headed towards the secret quarters of the Namgung Clan that housed the Suspicious Fishhook. This was the very place where Namgung Myeong from the Namgung Clan was tortured in my previous life. Upon arriving, the Suspicious Fishhook was indeed radiating light, and without hesitation, I took it. After that, I continued to use Breakthrough, heading straight to the Secret Space of the Namgung Clan.

I frowned.

“Truly… these are not human beings.”

I saw the same people from before who were kidnapping and imprisoning women. In addition, the sounds of women suffering echoed from a nearby building. Sharp, piercing screams indicated they were in the midst of their torment, and the creaking of beds was uncomfortably loud.

I charged into the building, kicking the door down. What unfolded inside was a raw spectacle of debauchery. A few lackeys of the Namgung Clan were engaging in unspeakable acts. One scandalously naked lackey jumped up in shock.

“W-What are you…?”

Puk!

I had just killed dozens of pirates and was absolutely boiling with rage. Without hesitation, I launched a punch that sent his jaw flying and splattered brain matter everywhere. As one lackey’s skull vanished instantly, the others turned pale as they realized what was happening.

“Yikes!”

“M-Master, please save me…”

I felt my ears ringing. I clenched my fists tightly. I could clearly predict that today my fists would be colored with more blood and brain matter.

“Die.”

Bam!

Corpses exploded everywhere around me. The women who had been suffering were now trembling in terror from the sudden massacre. I wrapped them in blankets and said,

“I came to save you. Are there any others here?”

“W-What…?”

“Is it true… you came to rescue us…?”

The women cried with joy, their tears flowing. One of them said,

“Yes, yes… oh, no.”

“What do you mean ‘no’?”

“Two of them were taken away by the Young Master.”

The Young Master must mean that scoundrel Namgung Hwan. I thought for a moment and then asked,

“… Where is he?”

“In that building…”

She pointed towards a building about fifteen paces away. I gave it a quick glance, then dashed in the direction of the building without hesitation, bursting through the window in a flash. There, I found the scene I had anticipated.

“Gah, gah.”

There was a beast entangled with women, enjoying the pleasures of the flesh, completely lacking any dignity as the Young Master of the Namgung Clan. The lecherous smile on Namgung Hwan’s face bore sadistic traits. However, he seemed to be highly skilled, as I sensed something was off for a fleeting moment, and felt my muscles stiffening.

I immediately ambushed Namgung Hwan and subdued him.

Thud!

“Cough…”

Namgung Hwan hurriedly reached for his sword, but I was faster. I slipped behind him and knocked him out with a chokehold, sending his body slamming to the ground. As he lay there limp, I turned to the two women he had been assaulting.

“Are you alright?”

“Y-Young Master, that person is Young Master Namgung Hwan…”

“No.”

I stated firmly.

“This is a beast. A beast that must be killed!”

With that, I gathered all the women and stashed them inside the neck guard. I left Namgung Hwan alive for now; he seemed like he could serve as both a useful hostage and a source of relief for my anger later. I glared at him for a moment before thinking,

“Well then, I’ve done what I needed to, so I should head out…”

I froze.

Just as I was about to use Breakthrough to move away, I suddenly stopped. No one had cursed or attacked me, yet I was brought to a standstill. It was as if my own will had put the brakes on without my awareness.

I stood there for a long time, and a low voice slipped out of my throat.

“… I can’t leave like this…”

I felt angry.

I began to understand the feelings that Jin So-cheong must have had when he obliterated the Namgung Clan. After witnessing such crimes twice, I felt an immense urge to smash everything to pieces and kill them all. Especially after just coming from slaughtering the pirates of the Blood Sabre Group, my destructive impulses were at their peak. I wanted nothing more than to annihilate those scoundrels of the Namgung Clan.

But the Namgung Clan was not the Blood Sabre Group. With my strength now, I could potentially defeat even Namgung Myeong one-on-one, but if Namgung Myeong, his Eight Swords, and the powerful martial factions of the Namgung Clan interjected, I would be outmatched. In my previous life, Jin So-cheong had been simply too strong, while the Namgung Clan was undeniably a powerful force in the world.

The desire to crush something and the inability to carry it out.

As my urges were blocked, I felt like my eyes might explode. I wanted desperately to give those bastards a piece of my mind, yet I was powerless to do so.

Then a good thought suddenly sprung up in my mind. So, I spoke to Yeodong-bin.

“Yeodong-bin. I stake my ten years of life for you to manifest.”

[Understood, Yeonja.]

Swish!!

Just like when I was in the Life Sea, Yeodong-bin’s divine manifestation appeared before me. He stared at me intently and said,

“What is it?”

“Sword Master Yeodong-bin. Please help me eliminate the Namgung Clan.”

“Impossible!”

Yeodong-bin replied firmly. I expected that response, but I retorted,

“Why not?”

“Because my involvement in the mortal world is bound by karmic laws. I can only act to protect humanity and uphold justice. Therefore, my sword may only strike at the demonic.”

I spoke softly in response to his words.

“Yeodong-bin. These people terrorize the weak with their tyrannical behavior, kidnap and exploit women. If I hadn’t come, they would have been abused until death. Are you really saying that such vile creatures are still considered humans?”

“……”

“If your sword is truly for justice, shouldn’t it be employed to punish evil?!”

As I spoke vehemently, Yeodong-bin replied,

“Then do it with your own strength. Humans must solve their own problems.”

“I’m asking for help because my strength is lacking. Is there really no way?”

“Not possible.”

I gritted my teeth.

“You say you protect humans from evil. That is indeed a noble act for humanity. But what if humanity descends into evil, becoming worse than beasts? What sort of exorcism is that? What justice does it serve?”

“……”

“I’ve lived longer than I appear. And throughout my life, I have witnessed great evils. And what I’ve felt is that humans can be as wicked as any other race.”

I drew a connection to my experiences with the Imperial Palace and the Vermilion Bird.

“For their own greed, they wouldn’t hesitate to slaughter hundreds, thousands, or even millions of humans. Even other races would find it hard to follow such behavior.”

“Yeodong-bin! Is exterminating evil merely a convenient concept that one can avoid when it suits them? Doesn’t that mean it could ultimately result in humans being slain for the sake of humanity?!”

“Yeonja.”

Yeodong-bin sighed and said,

“… I once held such thoughts during my human days. I spoke these very words to my master, the Fire Dragon Ascendant. He told me in the end, what must be handled by humans must be resolved by humans.”

I paused at his unexpected words. Yeodong-bin looked up at the sky, as if recalling memories from the past.

“During the last battle at Yeosan, when I dealt with the Great Evil, I finally understood what that meant. There were many who could have suppressed that evil, but their interventions would lead to even greater evils appearing. When power becomes intertwined, it knows no limits, rendering human affairs trivial.”

“……”

“Yeonja, I completely understand your anger. Right now, you want nothing more than to tear apart everything related to the Namgung Clan. You would not spare even women or children. But what meaning does such anger hold?”

“That is…”

“Think carefully. Anger narrows your vision; there are truths you may be overlooking.”

I began to calm my fury after hearing Yeodong-bin’s words, allowing me to become more rational. Instead of the vague rage demanding the annihilation of the Namgung Clan, I recognized my current reality. I realized that even if I pledged my life for an additional fifty years, the thought of eradicating the Namgung Clan was incredibly foolish.

‘At times, I do become too emotional.’

It’s a flaw I need to address.

As I was reflecting, a sudden thought struck me. I turned to Yeodong-bin and said,

“Then, Yeodong-bin, will you follow me and help?”

“What’s your request?”

“It’s not a request to kill someone; I only ask for one thing.”

“Understood.”

Moments later, I used Breakthrough to take Yeodong-bin with me, heading to Ezhou. We walked to a small village where about a hundred people might reside, a place I had heard about from Sword King Namgung Myeong. I was confident this was the village, so I made my way to where the blacksmith was located.

Clang!

Clang!

The clattering of iron being struck by a burly blacksmith echoed loudly. As I watched him concentrate on his forging, I could sense no martial energy from him. This meant he was either a normal person completely untrained or a master of hidden techniques. However, I came with a total conviction that he was indeed the latter.

So, I said from behind the blacksmith.

“Namgung Jo.”

The blacksmith suddenly froze in place. As he slowly turned to face me, I noticed a completely ordinary middle-aged man with no notable features. Locking eyes with him, I declared firmly,

“Master of the Shadowless Sword, Namgung Jo! The time has come to punish the evils of your clan.”

With that, the blacksmith blinked in confusion.

“Such strange words… I’m just a blacksmith named Seol Jo. What do you mean?”

I ignored his deceitful tactics and began to speak my mind.

“Sword King Namgung Myeong raised his son poorly. This son has restructured the inside of the Namgung Clan to create those who would imprison women, torturing them with perverse desires. Furthermore, Namgung Myeong even became complicit with his son, Namgung Hwan, and his wife’s family. The Namgung Clan being a prestigious family is a thing of the past; they are now merely beasts!”

Seol Jo’s expression remained unchanged. But I continued,

“Even so, if you are indeed the Master of the Shadowless Sword, you’ve likely turned your back on the matters of the martial world and would not interfere. Therefore, I wish to make one proposition.”

“A proposition?”

“If you can withstand my attack for a hundred breaths, I will give you my life. If you cannot withstand it, you must follow my orders and go punish the Namgung Clan!”

“……”

Seol Jo’s gaze turned towards Yeodong-bin. He sighed deeply.

“Go away. I don’t know how you found out I am the Shadowless Sword Master, but according to your words, I’ve long since retired from the martial world. The Namgung Clan would never commit such vile acts. I have no reason to accept your proposal.”

“Which is why I said, I’d stake my life on this.”

“What?”

“I’ll say it again: If you can endure for a hundred breaths, I will give you my life.”

Seol Jo, the legendary Master of the Shadowless Sword, Namgung Jo, grimaced in disbelief. He asked incredulously,

“Who the hell do you think you are to say such things?”

“Someone who uses a sword better than anyone else in this world.”

“Ha!”

The Master of the Shadowless Sword chuckled lowly, then suddenly raised his hand. As our gazes shifted to him, he waved his hand dramatically.

Boom!

“……!!”

In that instant, it seemed like thirty trees in the nearby forest were sliced apart effortlessly. A sword aura with tremendous speed and power shot forth, yet curiously, there was no sword in the Master of the Shadowless Sword’s hands, which was odd.

‘This isn’t the Incarnation Sword…’

As if answering my suspicion, he smiled and said,

“This is the Shadowless Sword I realized in my later years. Even without a physical sword, I can wield the essence of it. Do you dare to face my Shadowless Sword?”

I shook my head.

“I do not.”

The might of the Shadowless Sword was evidently equal to or even greater than that of the Incarnation Sword. The fact that he had earned the title of the world’s greatest swordmaster was no mere empty boast. The Master of the Shadowless Sword was an overwhelming expert I could not face at my current level.

The Shadowless Sword Master chuckled to himself.

“Forgive the rudeness of today. Enough with your nonsense, go back to where you came from.”

“Master of the Shadowless Sword.”

“What is it?”

I gestured with my finger.

“Stop spouting nonsense and withstand my attack for a hundred breaths. Are you afraid?”

“……”

The Master of the Shadowless Sword, Namgung Jo, visibly grew frustrated. He approached Yeodong-bin and glared at him, but Yeodong-bin met his gaze with an expressionless demeanor. Namgung Jo said,

“You seem pretty skilled, but you’ve chosen the wrong opponent. Instead, I’ll teach you a thing or two in a hundred breaths.”

Despite the provocation, Yeodong-bin showed no reaction. Eventually, he said,

“Yeonja, is it sufficient for me to defeat this man within a hundred breaths?”

“Is that possible for you?”

Yeodong-bin sighed.

“Mortal martial artists are all such fools. How long will this ignorant battle of martial arts continue?”

But then he seemed to relent and replied,

“Very well, Yeonja.”

Then, to my astonishment, the Master of the Shadowless Sword spoke in disbelief.

“Haha! Who do you think you are? Even if you were a master who recently had a breakthrough, I am Namgung Jo, Master of the Shadowless Sword, and I fear no one! Who do you think you are to claim you can defeat me in a hundred breaths? You’ll be carrying two corpses today.”

“Hmm… I am the Sword Master Yeodong-bin.”

“You’re being ridiculous. Where do you dare spout such claims?”

In an instant, a faint anger flickered across Yeodong-bin’s face.

Whir!

The aura of the Master of the Shadowless Sword erupted into dark waves, creating a menacing atmosphere all around. I felt every hair on my body stand on end. Truly, a person who could claim to be the world’s greatest swordsman was truly fearsome!

“Here it comes!!”

The Master of the Shadowless Sword unleashed his Sword Wave that swept through everything!

Thwack, thwack, thwack!

Thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack!

“Ugh… please… stop hitting me…”

Yeodong-bin was seizing the Master of the Shadowless Sword by the collar and punching him in the face. The Master’s face was already swollen and covered in blood. Still, Yeodong-bin continued to pummel him without a hint of emotion.

Bam!

A tooth flew out of the Master’s mouth.

The fight was decided precisely at the thirty-second mark. Within just five seconds, Yeodong-bin unleashed a series of astonishing techniques that revealed unbelievable swordsmanship, defeating the Master of the Shadowless Sword far too easily. For the next twenty-five seconds, the Master was left scrambling to survive, and as he revealed a significant weakness, Yeodong-bin seized him, mercilessly continuing his punishment.

‘I’ve riled him up…’

To provoke a Transcendent like Yeodong-bin, the Master of the Shadowless Sword must be somewhat notable.

Bam, bam, bam!

“Ugh. P-Please.”

I feared that if this continued, the Master of the Shadowless Sword would become a handicap, so I quickly intervened to stop Yeodong-bin’s relentless assault.

“That’s enough! Stop…”

“Mmm…”

Yeodong-bin dusted his bloody hands and calmly spoke.

“Mortal. Know your place.”

The Master of the Shadowless Sword nodded fervently.

“Y-Yes… I understand…”

“Is it truly understood?”

“I will not act arrogantly again.”

The bloodied Master knelt down without being told, driven by the fear that if he continued receiving blows, he might actually die. For a moment, Yeodong-bin gazed impassively at the kneeling Master before speaking.

“Yeonja, then please find my Fire Dragon Divine Sword…”

After a brief moment, Yeodong-bin vanished as if being sucked into the void. The Master of the Shadowless Sword, Namgung Jo, stood there in shock as he stammered,

“… W-Was that really the Sword Master Yeodong-bin…?”

“Yes, indeed. You were simply out of luck.”

“Ugh….”

As I smiled and continued speaking, the Master of the Shadowless Sword’s expression crumpled.

“Now, let’s go to the Namgung Clan as promised.”