Reincarnation Sword God

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Upon returning to the White Lotus Sect’s main base, I found one of the elders from the Elder Council waiting for me instead of the Sect Leader. He appeared as a little child, looking similar in age to my current physique. With a light smile, he said,

“I am One Old. I have come to convey a message from the Sect Leader to the Dharma Protector.”

Seeing his name associated with the Third Elder, I presumed they were perhaps like sworn brothers. The profound martial artist, One Old, continued,

“Before relaying the message, I would like to hear about your mission results.”

“Of course.”

I recounted the details of the battle against the Otherworldly Beings to One Old. He pondered for a moment before responding,

“I’m glad to hear you succeeded in your mission.”

“It was just luck.”

“Then, I will deliver the Sect Leader’s orders. The Dharma Protector is to engage in self-training until called upon.”

“……”

“And since you completed your mission, a reward will be provided at your lodging. Thank you for your efforts.”

Again with the self-training!

I stood there dumbfounded. I had no interest in rewards; I couldn’t care less. But what in the world did this command mean?

“Why did the Sect Leader give such an order?”

“Because he is currently engaged in closed room training.”

“Closed room training?”

One Old nodded.

“Our Elder Council has a duty to protect the Sect Leader, so I cannot elaborate further. However, since you are the Sect Leader’s disciple, I wanted to give you this hint. Please, do not divulge any secrets.”

“Understood.”

I withdrew and returned to my quarters. There, dozens of servants began piling up luggage in one corner of my residence with several carts. Upon closer inspection of the goods, they were filled with luxurious furnishings, gold, silver, and precious items. It took about one ‘shik’ to stack up such lavish goods that could dazzle even the wealthiest of nobles.

I stared at the treasures, feeling utterly blank. I was overwhelmed.

‘What kind of foolishness is this?’

The Sect Leader was rewarding me while commanding me to engage in self-training because I had not yet absorbed Zhang Sanfeng’s Seven Great Techniques. Given that Zhang Sanfeng’s techniques are unrivaled martial arts, it wasn’t that surprising.

However, Jin So-cheong managed to absorb a substantial amount in just a month and even recreated the Three Treasures. The Demon Sword Master also reached an application stage within about a month. On the other hand, I had explained the fundamentals to the Sect Leader just a few times, and it had taken me a staggering two to three months to grasp them.

As I felt a wave of disappointment, Zhuge Sa spoke up.

[ Just think about it easily. It’s not that the White Lotus Sect Leader’s talent is inferior to Jin So-cheong’s but that it might not even measure up to the Demon Sword Master’s.]

[ So you’re telling me that makes sense? He’s the recognized strongest, yet he’s not the most talented and can reach such a level?]

[ Don’t take it out on me. It’s actually true. And don’t forget that Jin So-cheong and the Demon Sword Master’s talents are among the very best in the Central Plains.]

[ ……]

[ If I were you, I would approach it from a different perspective.]

[ A different perspective?]

Zhuge Sa chuckled and said,

[ In any case, that worked out well. Use the excuse of self-training to sneak out of the Sect. With the Sect Leader himself engaged in closed room training, the watchful eyes will surely be relaxed, so take that chance to roam free.]

[ That’s a good idea.]

That day, I rested comfortably to relieve my fatigue, and the next morning, I summoned the Sacred Beast and quickly left the Sect. The first place I arrived at on the Sacred Beast was Jinrang Valley because I thought Mangnyang might offer some advice regarding my situation.

However, upon reaching Jinrang Valley and checking Mangnyang’s hut, there was no sign of him, and all his belongings had been tidied away. I asked the villagers, and they told me that Mangnyang had vanished one day without a trace.

‘Mangnyang has disappeared?’

I stood there, flabbergasted, when Zhuge Sa remarked,

[ He is currently at a great turning point with the legacy of the Three Sovereigns, receiving the blessings of self-cultivation. If I were in his position, I would definitely choose to hide and elevate my capabilities first before searching for you.]

[ Hide? Why?]

[ Not long ago, the Sect Leader became the Lord of the Daemons, absorbing martial sects across various regions. Naturally, Jinrang Valley would have become a target, and sensing something was amiss, he must have gone into hiding.]

[ Ah… that makes sense.]

If Mangnyang had heard the rumors, he would have guessed that the Lord of the Daemons was actually the Sect Leader or a remarkable practitioner. He must have realized something was likely wrong concerning my safety and decided to disappear for the time being. If Mangnyang had made up his mind to hide, it would be challenging for me to find him now.

‘It’s not impossible, but the White Lotus’ influence is widespread. If I dig too deep, I might raise suspicion…’

Reuniting with Mangnyang right away seemed difficult. For now, I could only trust that he was managing well on his own. Deep in thought, I asked,

“Zhuge Sa, do I really have to go to the Heavenly Stronghold?”

[ Of course. If you don’t go, you’ll be dead. You might end up wishing for death instead.]

“Ugh… then I guess I have no choice but to go now.”

Swish!

I mounted the Sacred Beast and rode towards the mountainous areas of Gansu Province. Stroking the Sacred Beast’s mane, I asked,

“Could you please take me to the Heavenly Stronghold?”

Until now, I had only used the Sacred Beast’s teleportation ability, but I hadn’t asked it to run directly. I had been cautious because it was a sacred beast and I was scared it might get angry. Gently proposing it, the Sacred Beast replied,

[ Of course.]

“Wait, really?”

[ Due to the blessings of self-cultivation, our minds are connected, so that’s only natural! Just tell me the exact destination.]

“Then I need to go to the Qingzhang Plateau in Tubo, do you happen to know it?”

[ Of course!]

Paaah—

Instantly, the body of the Sacred Beast was wrapped in a rainbow hue, and mine was too. The vibrant colors filled the space around us, and then the Sacred Beast’s form transformed into light as it dove into a passageway. The passage showcased strange illusions like bending space itself.

After about an hour, the light faded, and the Sacred Beast had landed softly on a plateau.

[ We have arrived.]

Whiiiii—

The place was a vast plain with enormous mountain ranges visible, but the altitude made the air feel thin. The desolate highlands emanated an exotic atmosphere, with herds of sheep grazing in the distance.

I, astonished, asked the Sacred Beast,

“Did you already know about this place? How did you know as soon as I mentioned it?”

[ The eyes of the Heavenly Realm extend over the world, so I merely pinpointed the location you mentioned from that information. That’s an ability any Sacred Beast possesses!]

“Oh…”

If that’s the case, does it mean I can go anywhere just by mentioning it, regardless of whether it’s in the Central Plains?

It was a distinct advantage compared to the teleportation ability that only worked for places I had been to before.

[ Then, I shall head back.]

The Sacred Beast vanished as soon as it finished speaking. I stood still for a while, gazing at the breathtaking scenery of the Qingzhang Plateau.

Technically speaking, Tubo wasn’t part of the Central Plains but referred to as a foreign region. Though there was a kingdom established by the Tubos, I knew little about it. Having traveled across Mongolia and all sorts of remote areas, I was seeing this western region for the first time.

I took in the earthy scent and then asked Zhuge Sa,

“How do I proceed from here?”

[ Normally, you would summon the Ground Ghost to reach the promised location.]

“What’s a Ground Ghost?”

[ An Otherworldly Being that lives underground; you can think of it as a giant squid.]

Zhuge Sa chimed in,

[ Since you have no ability to manipulate the masses of demons, you’ll need to use the techniques of the Divine Spirit to summon the soul of a Baehwa Sect member.]

“Do you have a reason to be so confident? A soul summoned through the Divine Spirit techniques must have been an extraordinary hero in life.”

[ I didn’t mention that. You’re about to head to the sacred ground where the previous Baehwa Sect Leaders were buried. The soul of the Baehwa Sect Leader should be found there.]

Sacred Ground!

At that, I felt a jolt.

[ Judging by the terrain, it shouldn’t be too far, so you can probably reach it within a day.]

“So you mean that the former Baehwa Sect Leaders died here?”

[ In a way, yes.]

Zhuge Sa mentioned it casually and urged me,

[ Is there any need for further small talk? Hurry and find the sacred ground. The sooner you finish this errand, the better.]

“I get it already.”

I grumbled before pulling out the Divine Spirit technique from the Ten Realms.

Whoooom—

Since I had been using the Divine Spirit technique frequently, my proficiency must have increased, and I sensed my detection range expanding. Originally, I could only search for souls within twenty li, but now it had extended to thirty li.

I concentrated for quite some time, scanning the colors of the souls when I noticed a particularly large soul and summoned it toward me.

The soul addressed me as it detected my presence,

[ I am Karan Lama. Why have you summoned me?]

“A Lama? What does that mean?”

[ It means priest.]

It seemed he was a venerable monk who had reached a high level in the Western Esoteric Buddhism. Judging from his past life, he must have possessed considerable magical prowess. I nodded and then asked Karan Lama,

“I have come to find the sacred ground of the Baehwa Sect, reaching the Qingzhang Plateau. Are you familiar with such a place?”

[ Hmm… The place you’re referring to seems to be the ruins of Juuban. I know of that site.]

“Juuban?”

[ Juuban is the name of the first deity who gave birth to the good deity Ahura Mazda and the evil deity Angra Mainyu. I’m aware that the followers of the Baehwa Sect constructed ruins to worship Juuban in this area.]

“Then please guide me there.”

[ Very well…]

Whooosh!

Karan Lama’s spirit intertwined with my body. Through the Divine Spirit technique, the empowered Karan Lama briefly assessed my condition and marveled,

“Ah! What overwhelming power…”

He then began using a form of lightness technique I had never seen before, utilizing my internal power to dash forward. His speed was impressive, confirming that Karan Lama was indeed someone capable of using martial arts in his previous life. After some time traversing the plateau, Karan Lama brought us to a uniquely narrow terrain.

Karan Lama gazed at the steep mountain slope and said,

“See that white temple halfway up the mountain? That’s the ruins of Juuban. Now, please return my body.”

“Wait. Why?”

If we’re going to go, why stop there?

When I expressed my confusion, Karan Lama replied with a hint of bitterness,

“Even so, that site belongs to another religion. I cannot trespass.”

With that, the fortuitous spirit transfer ended, and Karan Lama departed. I felt utterly flabbergasted.

‘So, does death mean an end, yet even in death, he’s still bound by religious laws?’

Even if Karan Lama were to act freely, who would stop him at this point? I found it amusing how Karan Lama kept the rules even in death, and as I scoffed in disbelief, Zhuge Sa said,

[ Not exactly. In this world, religions bring an afterlife salvation…]

“I sometimes struggle to understand what you’re saying.”

[ Soon you’ll have a chance to meet him. Brace yourself.]

I raised my protective barrier and headed toward the temple. Although Karan Lama claimed it was set halfway up a steep slope, with my current lightness skills, no terrain would pose a challenge. Eventually, as I entered the temple, a surprisingly vast space opened before me that belied its outside appearance.

To illuminate the darkness, I cast a fire spell.

Flash!

As I walked deeper into the temple, I saw a statue of a deity with the wings of an eagle and a human face placed on an altar. However, an oddly familiar sensation washed over me, causing me to frown.

‘It looks familiar.’

The space was similarly decorated as the ruins of the previous deity. Even a peculiar altar for human sacrifices was laid out in one corner.

At that moment,

“Is Zhuge Sa dead?”

A monotone voice echoed. I started, for I had sensed no presence at all, and drew my sword in defense. Then, as I spotted a figure slowly emerging from behind the altar, I couldn’t help but gasp,

“Byeok Ji-sang…”

As Zhuge Sa had stated, the legendary master Byeok Ji-sang was waiting in this temple. She seemed as if she had always been there, but that was impossible. How could she have perfectly evaded my senses as an absolute expert and anticipated my arrival?

It felt bizarre, as though she appeared the moment someone stepped into this temple. Byeok Ji-sang regarded me for a prolonged moment, then spoke,

“You’re sharing your soul with someone. That means no plundering or absorbing of souls has occurred… this is curious.”

I gulped nervously and replied,

“That’s right. I came all this way because I was told I had to find you.”

“……”

Byeok Ji-sang fell silent, not uttering a word. That silence sent an unsettling chill through me.

“Say something, Byeok Ji-sang.”

“What am I supposed to say?”

Eventually, I couldn’t contain my frustration and shouted,

“Are you really the first Sect Leader of the Baehwa Sect, who made a pact with the [Ancient Ruler] and became the Demon King?!”