Reincarnation Sword God

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“Long time no see, nephew!”

Zhuge Sa emerged from the scroll with a bright grin as soon as we arrived at Jinrang Valley. Seeing him, Mangnyang frowned and replied,

“Good to see you.”

“Still don’t want to treat me like an uncle, huh?”

“I used to feel that way, but now it’s for different reasons. I can’t predict where you’ll spring up next, which frustrates me.”

Indeed, Mangnyang was currently aware that his respected father, Zhuge Yulong, was the Vermilion Bird and his worst enemy. Therefore, while he could brush off someone like Zhuge Sa as nothing more than playful antics, the uncertainty of his erratic behavior had made him dislike Zhuge Sa as an advisor. Noticing the change in tone, Zhuge Sa smiled faintly.

“Looks like spending time with that oddball has changed you a bit.”

“Anyway, thanks for saving Baek Woong. So, what’s the compensation…”

“Oh, no need for that. He’s already given me something.”

Zhuge Sa pulled out gold ingots to show, and Mangnyang said,

“Then we’ve had our introductions. What’s the reason for seeking me out?”

“Well, I came to confirm what that guy said about you being his companion. I’m glad it’s true.”

“Phew… I’m not particularly happy you’re worried about me.”

“What a cold-hearted fellow.”

Zhuge Sa grumbled. I had noticed for a while that he seemed to genuinely like Mangnyang. On the other hand, Mangnyang neither liked nor respected Zhuge Sa. After staring at Zhuge Sa for a moment, Mangnyang continued,

“Zhuge Sa. Be honest.”

“What about?”

“You’ve cast the Soul Transition Technique on Baek Woong, haven’t you?”

I was taken aback.

“Wha-at?!”

The Soul Transition Technique?!

That was a forbidden scripture only known to the leader of the Heretical Sect, and I already knew that Zhuge Sa was an expert in it. However, it had never crossed my mind until now, so I was shocked by Mangnyang’s sudden claim. Zhuge Sa then spoke nonchalantly.

“I don’t know what you mean. Isn’t the Soul Transition Technique part of Heretical Scriptures?”

“Why, you’re the heretical leader, aren’t you?”

“Oh come on, that’s true, but do you have proof that I cast it on that guy?”

Mangnyang nodded.

“Given your personality, there’s no way you’d let Baek Woong hold onto the Spirit without letting him go freely. You must have found an opportunity to contact him and are cleverly monitoring his spirit!”

“……”

Zhuge Sa didn’t respond, but I hastily spoke to Mangnyang,

“Are you saying I’m under the Soul Transition Technique? I don’t feel anything…”

“That’s precisely the characteristic of the Soul Transition Technique. The subject feels nothing. However, all the sensory information—sight, touch, smell—flowing through every sense is likely being transmitted to Zhuge Sa. It’s because Zhuge Sa has already extracted your Spirit and is controlling it.”

“……!!”

Zhuge Sa, who had been listening to this, curtly replied,

“If you’re properly under the Soul Transition Technique, that might be true. But you’ve got no evidence, do you? Show me the proof. Are you trying to intimidate your uncle with mere suspicions?”

Zhuge Sa pretended to be angry.

“How sad it is that you think you can win through instigation and fabrication, dear nephew.”

“In this case, physical evidence isn’t needed. Suspicion and circumstantial evidence are enough. If you absolutely need physical evidence…”

As Mangnyang spoke, he chuckled.

“Baek Woong, attack Zhuge Sa.”

Good idea!

Whoosh!

The moment Mangnyang finished speaking, I swiftly swung my sword toward Zhuge Sa’s neck. Naturally, I intended to kill him, and under normal circumstances, his martial arts should have been unable to block it. However, the next moment, I was shocked.

“?!”

It stopped.

I had extended my sword close to Zhuge Sa’s neck, yet it halted as if there were an invisible barrier. I thought Zhuge Sa had deployed a barrier or shield to protect himself, but it didn’t feel like that at all. As I broke into a cold sweat, Mangnyang said,

“I’ve heard that when the Soul Transition Technique becomes extreme, it binds an opponent so they can’t harm themselves. As expected, Zhuge Sa, you don’t trust Baek Woong and have placed him under a restriction against attacks.”

Zhuge Sa stared blankly at Mangnyang, then slowly pushed my sword away with his finger. But with no strength or will being conveyed to his finger or arm, he was unable to do anything. Zhuge Sa said,

“You know a lot.”

I couldn’t believe it and exclaimed,

“W-wait, are you saying that Zhuge Sa can control me?”

“That’s right. Right now, you’re completely under the Soul Transition Technique.”

Mangnyang, not taking his eyes off Zhuge Sa, continued,

“Think carefully. You can’t cast the Soul Transition Technique through mere contact. If that were possible, the Heretical Sect would’ve ruled the world two hundred years ago. There’s likely a trigger that allowed you to fall under the Soul Transition Technique.”

A trigger?

I pondered, then suddenly remembered. I had wrapped myself in that strange scroll when receiving help from Zhuge Sa.

“The scroll…”

“That’s right. Zhuge Sa protected you with sorcery while quickly casting the Soul Transition Technique using the influence of his items.”

“Ugh.”

I glared at Zhuge Sa.

I never would’ve thought such a terrifying spell like the Soul Transition Technique would be cast upon me at our first meeting. I’d been taught that even a master couldn’t cast it with just a moment of contact, so I had let down my guard.

Then Zhuge Sa chuckled.

“Damn… Looks like that Mangnyang fellow is pretty remarkable. He’s familiar enough with the Heretical Scriptures to teach you about it.”

“Zhuge Sa. Remove the Soul Transition Technique immediately, or I won’t let this go.”

Zhuge Sa looked blankly at Mangnyang and replied,

“What do you mean by ‘won’t let this go’? Are you saying you’ve acquired skills powerful enough to subdue me?”

“I warned you. Baek Woong is my best friend, so if you attack him, it’s the same as attacking me.”

“Hmm…”

As Zhuge Sa subtly raised his hand, Mangnyang warned again,

“If you make him attack me, I will absolutely eliminate you.”

“What?”

Zhuge Sa appeared surprised by that. His expression wasn’t one of disbelief but rather surprise, as if he hadn’t expected Mangnyang to say such a thing. It also indicated he felt some potential in Mangnyang. After briefly contemplating, he said,

“Seems you’ve changed more than I thought. For today, I’ll withdraw.”

Vrrrr!

At that moment, a white spirit flowed from Zhuge Sa’s palm, suddenly creating a beam directed at the center of my forehead. Startled, I looked at the beam, feeling something flowing into me, and soon the beam disappeared. It seemed Zhuge Sa was returning the Spirit he had stolen.

Mangnyang approached me and activated Spirit Vision, observing me intently.

“I’m still suspicious. Until the Soul Transition Technique is completely undone, you should be on guard.”

“… Understood.”

Mangnyang then turned to Zhuge Sa.

“Having used the Soul Transition Technique on my companion, our trust is completely severed. If you wish to live, it would be best for you to leave here at once.”

“I haven’t done anything since casting the Soul Transition Technique. Aren’t you overreacting?”

“Hmph!”

Mangnyang scoffed.

“The Soul Transition Technique is a versatile method, capable of borrowing weapons for murder, evolving into plots, bartering for favors, and making it your own. Once you fall under the Soul Transition Technique, you become nothing but a puppet, lifeless. If you wanted, you could even endanger your own parents!”

“……”

“Do you know why I dislike you? Because you ignore the suffering of others and always act as you please, dragging others into your downfall without a second thought. Someone like you is truly the worst.”

Zhuge Sa fell silent, his expression neutral. He then said,

“Good point.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“But what’s wrong with that?”

Zhuge Sa smirked and continued,

“Nobody truly understands the pain of another. You only feel pain when it affects you; otherwise, empathy is just a façade… Where is the logic in that? Even in the afterlife, due to the affairs of the gods, it’s akin to hell, making it unnecessary to build up good deeds. In a world where only the strong gain everything and toy with souls, why should one take care of or help others?”

“This punk…”

I nearly lunged at Zhuge Sa in anger, but Mangnyang raised his hand to stop me. After a moment of thought, he said,

“If you know the truth of this world, it’s not strange to think that way. Yet my master strives to change this very world, even at this moment. If people don’t forget their inner goodness, change will come eventually.”

Hehehee…

Zhuge Sa laughed. His laughter was laced with a chilling madness.

“Whatever. I’ll apologize for today. See you next time.”

“Get lost!”

Whoosh!

Zhuge Sa cast a spell and vanished. Mangnyang scanned the surroundings to confirm he was really gone, then said to me,

“Baek Woong, let’s go to my master. We need something worthy to offer.”

“Are we checking if the Soul Transition Technique has really been lifted?”

“Of course. Zhuge Sa would never keep his promise…”

Just then.

Whoosh!

“Huh?!”

I found myself dashing somewhere against my will, using the Soul Transition Technique. I was baffled as I didn’t understand why my body was moving on its own. Mangnyang was already out of sight, and my body was soaring over mountains and forests at breakneck speed.

I could hear Zhuge Sa’s chuckling voice in my head, suggesting he was controlling my body through the Soul Transition Technique.

[Looks like you’re going to have to entertain me, brat.]

Zhuge Sa!!

I hurriedly attempted to summon the Three Spirits, but even that wouldn’t respond to my commands. I screamed desperately,

“Release this!!”

[Can’t hear you.]

“AHHH!! I said to lift the Soul Transition Technique!!”

[……]

Thud thud thud

I kept running. After running for about half a meal’s time, Zhuge Sa, who had been silently training me, finally spoke up.

[What the hell are you?]

“Huh?!”

[You were so noisy that I tried to silence you with the Soul Transition Technique, but it’s not working. While I have control over your body, your soul isn’t shifting.]

I felt a chill run down my spine. If he were saying that, it meant that if the caster of the Soul Transition Technique wanted, they could completely suppress the other person’s soul and take over their body, right? But it seemed that Zhuge Sa could not transfer his soul into my body right now.

[This is a first for me. No matter how much I try to move it, the soul just won’t budge. Not even a monster or immortal behaves this way; it must naturally be moving… What in the world is happening?]

“Damn it! Stop this madness and lift the Soul Transition Technique!!”

[Is this even possible? … I can’t even take your sense away.]

Zhuge Sa seemed bewildered. It appeared that the current situation was something even he hadn’t anticipated.

He made my body stop and then said,

[Looks like I’ll just have to study you thoroughly. Come here.]

Whoosh!

A moment later, I forcibly gathered Chi and activated my powers, arriving at the place where Zhuge Sa was. I bit my lip and glared at him, but no matter how hard I tried to attack, my body wouldn’t move. It felt as if my body no longer belonged to me.

Zhuge Sa, standing three paces from me, tilted his head.

“How strange. No matter how I look at it, you’re just human, right?”

“Lift this!”

Zhuge Sa smirked.

“Try lifting it yourself. Though no one in the history of the Heretical Sect has ever managed to do that…”

At that moment, my temper flared.

Why must I be controlled by this twisted freak? Am I destined to live as a slave, caught between life and death? At this rate, losing all the treasures stored in my neck would just be a matter of time!

I tried invoking the Sword Immortal Yeo Dong-bin to make an appearance, but he too wouldn’t listen to me, probably because he was human.

As I frantically pondered how to escape, a wild idea struck me.

‘Got it!’

The command inscribed on me under the Soul Transition Technique was [No Attacks Allowed]. I couldn’t act freely because I was trying to attack him. However, attempting to flee using Chi would result in being drawn right back—this was driving me crazy!

So there was only one way.

“This life is a lost cause!”

“What?”

Whoosh!

I immediately used Chi to rush straight toward the Leader of the White Lotus Sect. The Leader turned to look at me with seemingly no intention of moving, but I ignored him and shouted,

“AAAAAHHHH!!!”

The instant Zhuge Sa attempted to control my actions again, I unleashed all my strength at the Leader of the White Lotus Sect. There was no time to worry about the aftermath.

Whoosh!

The mandala blossomed near the Leader’s body, instantly erasing my intent and intangible energy, draining my power away. The Leader of the White Lotus Sect effortlessly stopped my attack with a single finger and swiftly grabbed my neck, raising me off the ground.

“Ugh…”

In just one second, the Leader of the White Lotus Sect subdued me, holding my neck aloft, staring at me with a bland expression before saying,

[Using the Thunder God Sword Dance, are you a remnant of the Thunder God Sect? How did you appear in this barren space…?]

Bam!

At that moment, as Zhuge Sa issued a return command through the Soul Transition Technique, my body sprang into action and activated the Chi.

Zhuge Sa spoke with annoyance,

“Running away is futile; you’re in my grasp… Hmm?”

Then, at that moment, Zhuge Sa and the Leader of the White Lotus Sect met each other’s eyes.

Since the Chi technique was capable of transporting both the user and the target in contact, naturally, the Leader of the White Lotus Sect, who was holding my neck, was also moved alongside me. The Leader cast me aside and began to walk forward.

[Where is this? And who are you?]

“……”

In an instant, Zhuge Sa’s expression contorted. He realized that the being before him was the strongest absolute in human history.

[Answer me.]

Indeed. If I were to die at the hands of the Leader of the White Lotus Sect, that would be acceptable; otherwise, I could just use the Chi technique to bring him in this way. I knew the Leader had a habit of seizing their targets by the neck when subduing them, and this was a gamble I was willing to take.