Reincarnation Sword God

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As I used my powers of enchantment to arrive at Daiwei, I found that twenty young masters from the White Lotus Sect were already dispatched and engaged in battle. Daiwei was a canyon area, featuring a forward base and a village belonging to the White Lotus Sect, with a number of corpses scattered around.

Graaah!!

“Haap!!”

“Kill that guy!”

The air was filled with flashes of swords and gusts of energy as the White Lotus Members fought earnestly, relying on their profound inner strength. Their opponents looked like giants. But not just any giants — one had its mouth vertically positioned at the top of its head, looking like its skull was sliced vertically, and it had two pairs of grotesquely split arms that felt eerie. There was no way this creature was a natural occurrence.

‘Otherworldly Being!’

I let out a low hiss, realizing I was face-to-face with a race born from some unknown magical origin. The otherworldly giant appeared to be at least two or three times taller than an average human and exuded sheer power, making it a formidable threat. It even appeared to move at great speed.

However, the twenty members of the White Lotus Sect were outnumbering and overpowering about eight otherworldly giants. Even though they were numerically superior, the physical abilities of these giants couldn’t compare to the humans, and the deep inner strength from the Sacred Lotus allowed them to repel the giants effectively.

One White Lotus Member, after striking the giant’s arm, spotted me and shouted,

“The Dharma Protector has arrived to support us! Everyone, hold strong!!”

I felt their gaze shift towards me momentarily. Feeling that it was time to act, I concentrated and gathered my inner strength. Once it peaked, I released it from my toes, shooting forward with a spring-like motion.

Thunder God Sword Dance

Blue Sky Flower!

As my mastery surged, the flower pattern formed by lightning briefly engraved itself in the air. In the next instant, the bodies of two otherworldly giants near where I passed were shattered into dozens of pieces and collapsed. The speed of the Blue Sky Flower’s sword intention was so quick that the otherworldly giants likely couldn’t even react in time.

Boom!

Bang!

“Oooh!!”

As I took down two giants in an instant, the atmosphere in the area shifted dramatically. It seemed the otherworldly giants, possessing at least some intelligence, realized they were severely outmatched and hesitated, while the morale of the White Lotus Members surged. Feeling oddly pleased, I smiled and said,

“Let’s finish this!”

“Yes!”

The fierce battle with the otherworldly beings concluded about half a ‘shik’ later. While it could have been done in half the time had we just wanted to knock them down, we took longer to ensure there were no injuries or fatalities. The area was a bloody mess, drenched in the blood of the giants, with a terrible stench wafting through the environment.

After the battle, someone who looked like the leader among the White Lotus Members approached me. He appeared in his twenties, a neat-looking young master who wielded a sword.

“I am Woo Young-pyo of the Fire God Lineage, currently serving as the Captain of the Fire God Team. It’s an honor to meet the Thunder God’s Dharma Protector, Baek Woong.”

“How are the damages?”

Captain Woo Young-pyo replied bitterly,

“The Fire God Team has no injuries or fatalities. However, among the villagers, twelve have died, and twenty-nine are injured.”

“Hmmm…”

I glanced around the village, letting out a low hiss.

‘Significant damage.’

It was evident that the population here wasn’t large, perhaps only a couple of hundred people in the small village. To have forty casualties from such a small population was a huge blow. As I silently surveyed the ruined buildings, Woo Young-pyo added,

“If the Dharma Protector hadn’t come to assist, there would have been casualties among the Fire God Team as well. Thank you once again.”

“Where did those bizarre monsters come from?”

“Well… We suspect that a Demon Cave has appeared nearby.”

“Demon Cave?”

I tilted my head at the unfamiliar term, and Woo Young-pyo explained.

“It refers to a location where the Otherworldly Beings suddenly manifest.”

“Such a thing exists?”

“Yes.”

I couldn’t help but be slightly shocked.

‘There was nothing like that in the Central Plains!’

No, the existence of otherworldly giants themselves was something I’d never seen or heard of in the Central Plains, particularly in the Shaanxi region. I had lived for over fifty years without encountering these bizarre otherworldly creatures at all. Yet here I was, confronted with Otherworldly Beings and Demon Caves on the land of the White Lotus Sect. Captain Woo Young-pyo continued speaking.

“We would be grateful for your help in destroying the Demon Cave.”

“Understood. Let’s search for it.”

I promptly followed the Fire God Team as they set out to find the Demon Cave. The Fire God Team had a master skilled in tracking techniques, who used the monsters’ fluids, scents, and traces to backtrack to the cave. As I silently followed them, Zhuge Sa interjected,

[ There’s no doubt about it. This area is precariously connected to Dark Heaven Village.]

Huh?!

“What do you mean?”

“Ah… Nothing.”

I waved my hand at Woo Young-pyo, dismissing Zhuge Sa’s words.

[ Is that really true?]

[ Can’t you feel the vast magical energy spread across this land? The only otherworldly realm that can emit this level of energy and erode the material world is Dark Heaven Village. For some reason, the dimensional interface must be overlapping here.]

[ ……]

Dark Heaven Village!

That was a land of illusions and nightmares where the Ancient Ruler and the Otherworldly Beings resided. It was notorious enough that even the Dae Risen Seonma would risk annihilation by going there. As I pondered, I asked,

[ So, does it mean the Demon Cave is a passageway to the otherworldly Dark Heaven Village?]

[ That would be correct. The dimension is unstable, creating a hole. It’s a connection that could vanish at any time.]

[ Why is this happening?]

[ Isn’t it obvious? You dense fool. Use your brain.]

I was genuinely furious at that response.

As my latent rage towards Zhuge Sa intensified, he chuckled at my frustration.

[ If I had to say, it likely involves the Master of the White Lotus Sect.]

[ The Master of the White Lotus Sect? Why?]

[ Hah… You fool. Wasn’t there a time when the Master of the White Lotus Sect clashed with the Ancient Ruler? Whatever may have happened back then is likely the cause of this. The instability of this space could very well be a remnant of that event.]

[ Hmmm… That makes sense.]

I nodded at Zhuge Sa’s hypothesis. If that were true, it would explain why this area had become a fearful place where Otherworldly Beings roamed freely, even though the rest of the Central Plains were fine. The clash between the Master of the White Lotus Sect and the Ancient Ruler likely sent out massive shockwaves, destabilizing this time and space.

I asked Zhuge Sa another question.

[ Is there a way to sever the connection with Dark Heaven Village and stabilize this area?]

[ Since there’s a connection, it opened up when the hole was created. This phenomenon occurs due to the close distance between the dimensions of Dark Heaven Village; if we widen that distance, it should cease. Of course, achieving that would take a major wizard a few decades of hard work.]

Zhuge Sa’s blunt response continued,

[ You idiot. This is just someone else’s problem. Why bother over something so complicated? You should focus on the benefits you can gain.]

[ But people are being harmed and killed by the Otherworldly Beings. How can we just leave it be?]

[ Who cares? You gonna swoop in during your next lifetime to save them? You’re taking on way more work for zero gain.]

[ …That’s…]

Zhuge Sa spoke, mocking me.

[ Listen well. This isn’t your responsibility. The party who caused it should be the one to resolve it. Trying to take on everything will only lead to you getting the short end of the stick.]

I was struck with the unsettling feeling that Zhuge Sa was giving me good advice. It felt so uncharacteristic of him that I found it uncomfortable. Unlike the mischief he usually displayed, he seemed to be adapting well to this dynamic. Given Zhuge Sa’s original personality, it was truly bizarre.

Unable to keep silent, I asked him,

[ What’s your angle? Why are you helping me like this?]

[ Obviously, I have to help. After all, you’ll be transferring my spirit into the body of the next generation, right? What else would I do, hang around as a wandering spirit for a thousand years?]

[ I can’t trust you.]

[ Suit yourself…]

Zhuge Sa seemed to find it amusing and chuckled at me as I couldn’t help but feel like I had to stay cautious.

[ You know, if I were you, I’d have a lot more going on than just living so boringly.]

[ I guess not everything will go smoothly.]

[ Hahaha…]

As I chatted with Zhuge Sa, we arrived at the Demon Cave.

Whooooo—

A large dark opening loomed in the air! It looked like a circular door spanning roughly three yards. All around that gaping hole in the field, all sorts of demon beasts were slinking about. Each and every one of them looked bizarre, not resembling anything from this world. Especially one with twitching tentacles and dozens of eyes was enough to make anyone nauseous just by looking at it.

I frowned and said,

“Do the White Lotus Members have to fight these creatures on a regular basis?”

“It’s not a frequent occurrence. It happens once or twice every couple of years. Of course, it’s a tough mission, but…”

“First, let’s wipe out all the demon beasts, then we’ll think about it.”

“Please!”

I nodded and stepped forward. Gathering my inner power to its maximum potential, I aimed to create a gigantic sword energy. While it was absurd to use such rebellious techniques among humans, these weren’t mere humans, so they just stood by, watching without interference.

Crackling roar!

Once my power reached a peak, forming a blade of light larger than three yards, I realized I had extra energy left. It felt like I had about thirty percent remaining.

‘This matches the level of what I once produced in the Jongnam Sect, but looks like my inner strength has increased significantly since then.’

I cast aside my distracting thoughts and unleashed the energy solely for destruction, extending it forward according to the rhythm of the Thunder God Sword Dance.

BANG!!

KABOOOM!

With a deafening explosion, it felt as if hundreds of tons of explosives had detonated, sending the demon beasts that were in front of me tumbling into a vortex of lightning. Without stopping the momentum, I slashed horizontally a couple more times, watching dozens of demon beasts perish with each stroke. After swinging like a madman thirty times, only traces of lightning and flames remained, along with the corpses of the monsters scattered across the field.

Huff… Huff…

I was panting, nearly drained of energy. In the past, even a single swing would leave me exhausted, but this time, I had managed to wield it with reasonable control, as if following a technique.

The White Lotus Members around me wore expressions of astonishment. Captain Woo Young-pyo stammered in disbelief,

“The… incredible levels of inner power… Could it be that you’ve already attained the Heaven Ascending Stage…?”

I staggered but waved my hand dismissively.

“This isn’t the time to discuss that. Let’s break down the cave.”

“Right!!”

The White Lotus Members approached the gaping hole in the air, forming a formation as they began chanting some incantations. At that moment, a peculiar shape began to materialize in mid-air. I instinctively stepped back, fearing it was some evil magic, but the silhouette radiated a comforting aura instead of malice. It was quite different from the otherworldly demonic energy I had sensed, drawing my full attention to observe the ritual closely.

Zhuge Sa, sharing my vision, remarked,

[ The Five Stars. The Mark of the Ancient Deity…]

[ What’s that?]

[ Pay close attention to that shape. It’s one of the few means to resist the Ancient Ruler.]

[ What?!]

I focused intensely on the shape as Zhuge Sa continued explaining.

[ In this world, while the Ancient Ruler isn’t present, there are ancient beings with similar powers. Sorcerers call them Ancient Deities, and these deities tend to be more favorable towards humans and the righteous.]

[ ……!!]

I was astonished to hear that such beings existed! As I mentally absorbed this new information, Zhuge Sa said,

[ And that shape is a symbol of the Ancient Deity’s power. The Mark of the Five Stars can drive out unclean entities and the followers of the Ancient Ruler. Of course, there are limitations, but in terms of protective measures for a righteous person, it’s the best you can get.]

[ Huh, got it… Wait.]

I interjected, flabbergasted.

[ Why are the White Lotus Members using such a symbol?! Isn’t that supposed to be a closely guarded secret?!]

[ I wouldn’t know. You’re the one who has to figure that out from now on.]

[ ……]

Swish…

Before long, the gaping hole of the Demon Cave had vanished. The magical essence that had filled the field began to dissipate dramatically. Even the dozens or hundreds of demon beasts I had slain appeared to be dissolving into the earth as their corpses melted away. I watched the perplexing scene with fascinating eyes as Woo Young-pyo approached to express his gratitude.

“Thank you for your help.”

“I have a question.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“The shape used in the sealing ritual… Where did you learn about it?”

Captain Woo Young-pyo looked troubled for a moment before answering.

“I’m not sure myself.”

However, almost simultaneously, I received a telepathic message from Woo Young-pyo.

[ It was instructed by the Master of the White Lotus Sect to be memorized by all members. It’s used in rituals against all Otherworldly Beings.]

I nodded in understanding.

“Got it.”

The Fire God Captain likely felt grateful but also hesitant to disclose information due to his position in the Fire God Lineage. Therefore, while he feigned ignorance, he subtly hinted at the reality.

As I returned to the main hall via the enchantment furnace alongside the Fire God Team, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of something being off.

‘Suspicious.’

It was evident that the Master of the White Lotus Sect was knowledgeable about evil arts and had deep insights into the Otherworldly Beings and Demon Paths.