Reincarnation Sword God

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That day, Lee Cheong-un, a practitioner of the Thunder God Lineage and Dharma Protector, found himself unexpectedly deep in thought. His dilemma was how to determine his future in light of the reality of the Water God Lineage. With his eyes closed in his room, he reflected, ‘I must stop the Sect Leader.’

The Sect Leader was not purely evil. However, the methods he chose could become exceedingly malevolent – thus, Lee Cheong-un felt a pressing need to put the brakes on the Sect Leader’s actions.

Furthermore, there was the Heavenly Spirit Pillar!

The Heavenly Spirit Pillar, which represented absolute inner power, originally did not exist within the White Lotus Sect. At some point, under the leadership of the White Lotus Sect Leader, it was granted to the leaders of the Four Great Divine Schools, and Lee Cheong-un was also able to enjoy its benefits. Yet, rather than feeling joy upon obtaining this immense power, Lee Cheong-un only felt discomfort.

This Heavenly Spirit Pillar was the power of the gods.

It is not the martial arts of humans.

So then – was it not an unstable power that could vanish at any moment by the will of a god? Could he really entrust everything to a god?

And currently, the only person within the White Lotus Sect capable of interacting with the gods most proficiently was the Sect Leader himself. Everyone within the upper echelons of the Four Great Divine Schools was aware that the strange scripture interpreted by the Sect Leader evoked the power of the Heavenly Spirit Pillar. The problem was that no practitioner from the Thunder God Lineage had ever seen or heard of that scripture.

Hence, if the Sect Leader went on a rampage, no one would be able to stop him.

But could he strike against the Sect Leader merely due to suspicion?

The real issue was that at this moment, Lee Cheong-un was the only one within the White Lotus Sect harboring such doubts and anxieties. If he could find no allies to share his thoughts with, then expressing such ideas would only amount to nonsensical treason and would surely end in failure.

“Master.”

Just as Lee Cheong-un was lost in deep contemplation, a voice calling for him came from outside. Opening his eyes, he responded, “Come in.”

Creak

The door opened to reveal his prized disciple, Lee Kwang, who would lead the Thunder God Lineage in the future. He possessed exceptional talent among his peers and was very diligent in his martial arts training. Although he had only recently started training in the Thunder God Lineage, Lee Cheong-un felt he had already taught him everything worth teaching. Indeed, Lee Kwang had mastered the fundamental techniques of the Thunder God Lineage and was even adept at using ascending techniques.

Lee Kwang bowed and spoke, “I fought Jeong Yun-bo today and won. I came to tell you.”

“Haha!”

Lee Cheong-un could not help but burst into laughter. He continued chuckling for a while before saying, “You fool, don’t say something like that with such a serious face. I thought something was wrong…”

“……”

“Don’t worry; you are my only disciple. Although Yun-bo has talent comparable to yours, I will certainly not take him as my disciple. Why? Because you are far more qualified to be a leader. Didn’t I explain that several times?”

“My apologies.”

“Hahaha.”

Lee Cheong-un smiled wryly. ‘I need to rein him in a bit.’

His disciple Lee Kwang possessed talent that anyone in the martial world would drool over, but he also had a competitive spirit and intense determination. Upon realizing that his peer, Jeong Yun-bo, had skills that could pose a threat, he started competing with everything he had. In truth, the gap between the disciple of a leader and those who were not was immense, but it seemed Lee Kwang believed that there was a chance Lee Cheong-un might accept Jeong Yun-bo as a disciple.

Of course, Jeong Yun-bo wasn’t a pushover either and was diligently training alongside Lee Kwang while they bickered. This dynamic actually served to sharpen both of their skills, so Lee Cheong-un had been content to let it continue, but recently it felt somewhat excessive.

Lee Cheong-un continued leisurely, “What does it mean to be a leader? It means to lead the Thunder God Lineage and, if by any chance the life of the Sect Leader becomes endangered, to have the qualifications to take his place. Therefore, a leader must know not only the martial arts of actual combat but also ritualistic techniques and ceremonial martial arts.”

“……”

“Jeong Yun-bo possesses exceptional talent in boxing, but he has no gift for the swordplay of the Thunder God Lineage, so he cannot be accepted as a disciple. On the other hand, you, Lee Kwang, are adept at mastering everything. You have already reached the ascending level of the Thunder God Lineage’s swordplay and can use all the techniques of the Thunder God Sword Dance with ease, can you not?”

“… That raises a question for me.”

Lee Kwang cautiously inquired.

“Isn’t the Thunder God Sword Dance a bit weak? Isn’t there a need to set aside the ceremonial martial arts…?”

“Hmmm… Are you bringing that question up again?”

“I’m sorry, but I just can’t accept it.”

“What can’t you accept?”

Lee Kwang carefully but resolutely voiced his opinion.

“The swordplay of the Thunder God Lineage drastically lacks practicality compared to spear techniques. Isn’t training in martial arts that don’t match the Thunder God Lineage’s pursuit of practical invincibility a waste of talent?”

“Oh, I must not have explained that to you in detail before.”

Sighing, Lee Cheong-un continued, “When one masters the Thunder God Sword Dance and reaches the Thunder Principle Realm, one can use the Sword Thunder. At that point, the differences with spear techniques narrow significantly. Furthermore, when the Thunder God Sword Dance surpasses the Realm of Intent and reaches an even higher level…”

It was then.

[Lee Cheong-un, Dharma Protector! The Sect Leader calls for you.]

Whoosh

With the call came a great surge of energy. Feeling the storm of energy flowing from outside, Lee Cheong-un glanced quickly in that direction and swiftly used the Mortal Erasure Technique to move, soon catching sight of a figure standing with arms crossed in the outer garden.

Surprised, Lee Cheong-un raised his eyebrows.

“Dokgo Jun? The Sect Leader called for me? What’s going on?”

Indeed, the one who suddenly appeared was none other than Dokgo Jun, the Dharma Protector of the Water God Lineage and the Sect Leader’s prized disciple. Known to have exceptional talent even among the Dokgo clan, he was said to have nearly mastered the techniques of the Water God Lineage. Wearing a Golden Dragon mask, Dokgo Jun sent his energy toward Lee Cheong-un.

[Didn’t you once raise your concerns about the Heavenly Spirit Pillar and the scripture to the Sect Leader?]

Lee Cheong-un’s gaze sharpened.

“I did.”

[The Sect Leader decided to explain the detailed circumstances to dispel your concerns. Follow me.]

“……”

Lee Cheong-un felt an unshakable sense of unease. It felt more like an impending intuition than mere suspicion. So, he decided to test Dokgo Jun a bit.

“Ever since you obtained the Heavenly Spirit Pillar, you’ve only used the Mystic Martial Arts or the Thunder Principle Realm. Why don’t you just speak? I can hear you from this distance.”

[……]

“That’s an excessive waste of energy. No matter how infinite your inner power is…”

As Lee Cheong-un teased, Dokgo Jun retorted.

[Let’s not indulge in unnecessary speculation. We are not so close that we can talk like that, are we?]

“Isn’t it a bit too much for fellow Dharma Protectors not to share such trivial information?”

[The Sect Leader’s summons is serious. It would be disrespectful to waste time here.]

“Hmmm… Then I guess I have no choice.”

Lee Cheong-un had to swallow his irritation. He yearned to knock the arrogant Dokgo Jun down a peg, but he lacked a legitimate reason to do so. Although he could easily take him down ten times over, that would mean disobeying the Sect Leader and declaring total war on the Water God Lineage.

Glancing at Lee Kwang, he said, “My disciple.”

“Yes?”

“Look after the Thunder God Lineage until I return.”

It will only be a moment.

Playfully, Lee Cheong-un said this, but Lee Kwang seriously bowed and replied, “Understood!”

Swish!!

Following Dokgo Jun, Lee Cheong-un began to move swiftly. As they arrived at the Sect Leader’s chamber, indeed, as Dokgo Jun had said, the Sect Leader was there.

“Hm…?”

Sensing something odd, Lee Cheong-un scanned the surroundings when the White Lotus Sect Leader spoke.

[Lee Cheong-un, the Elder Council has been dismissed.]

“What’s this? Disbanding the elite forces voluntarily?”

[Because I want to answer your questions sincerely. If the Elder Council is lurking nearby, you wouldn’t question my true intentions, would you?]

“How kind of you.”

While Lee Cheong-un responded nonchalantly, he secretly found it fascinating. The Sect Leader always had the Elder Council members close by and never parted from them. Even if the Sect Leader was much stronger on his own, an assassin could target him, so he must tread carefully. This was related to how many assassins had aimed for the life of the previous White Lotus Sect Leader during his rise to power.

The White Lotus Sect Leader added, [And now, there’s really no need for guards.]

“……”

Hearing those words, Lee Cheong-un stared at the White Lotus Sect Leader intently. Then it dawned on him, and he let out a quiet sound.

“You have achieved the Mental Transformation of Primordial Spirit!”

The Sect Leader seemed startled by his realization.

[Indeed… you are truly a genius. To perceive that at a glance!]

“I am truly astonished. That is a level forbidden to humans…”

As he replied to the Sect Leader, internally, Lee Cheong-un was reeling.

‘Is he mad? He actually has achieved the Mental Transformation of Primordial Spirit?’

The Mental Transformation of Primordial Spirit!

It was the unique martial arts system established by the White Lotus Sect Leader. The Heavenly Spirit Pillar leads to the Primordial Spirit, but it is not the Primordial Spirit itself; it is but a provisional stage. The ultimate goal, as explained by the White Lotus Sect Leader, is to reach a state of open-mindedness through the Upper, Middle, and Lower Dantian, acquiring boundless power that exceeds human limits.

And upon seeing the White Lotus Sect Leader, Lee Cheong-un realized that he had, in fact, achieved that state.

This was evident by the fact that while the Sect Leader appeared ordinary on the surface, an overwhelming power multiple times greater than the Heavenly Spirit Pillar swirled like the Taiji within him. A massive circuit was arranged that circulated limitlessly from within, easily surpassing the power of the Heavenly Spirit Pillar. Although they both possessed infinite power, the Primordial Spirit moves the internal microcosm at will, making it capable of even manifesting the attributes of Taiji, the Five Elements, and ideas.

The reason the White Lotus Sect Leader had dispensed with his guards became clearer. He thought there was no one on this earth who could kill him now that he had achieved the Mental Transformation of Primordial Spirit. While Lee Cheong-un felt a slight unease from this realization, the White Lotus Sect Leader spoke.

[Lee Cheong-un, you seem to distrust the powers of the Heavenly Spirit Pillar and the Primordial Spirit. But do you not understand that the Heavenly Spirit Pillar is the strongest power that will protect the sect in the future? Can you tell me what reasons you have for doubting it?]

“Was that truly the reason you called me here?”

The White Lotus Sect Leader waved his hand dismissively.

[If it were anyone else, I would simply ignore it. But since you are the Dharma Protector and a practitioner of the Thunder God Lineage, I must hear your reasons.]

After a moment’s silence, Lee Cheong-un replied, “The idea that the power of the Heavenly Spirit Pillar is that of the gods feels too uncomfortable to me.”

The Sect Leader asked, “What do you mean?”

Lee Cheong-un continued, “During the thousand-year history of the White Lotus Sect, even though the Four Great Divine Schools have squabbled and been envious of one another, when it came to protecting the sect, we united with one heart. And the driving force behind that unity was the ‘human power’ of the supreme martial arts of the Four Great Divine Schools, unmatched by any martial arts in the Central Plains. That was the power accumulated by our sects.”

Pausing briefly, Lee Cheong-un resumed, “However, saying that the power is granted by the gods means that it could vanish according to the will of the gods at any time. How can we trust such power without reservation?”

[……]

“And what is the price of that power? You haven’t explained a thing to us in detail.”

Lee Cheong-un remembered clearly the ominous force that swirled around the Sect Leader on the day he obtained that fearsome power and ascended to the ranks of the supreme. It was a bizarre alien sensation that could not be described by mere martial means.

[Hmmm…]

Upon hearing Lee Cheong-un’s concerns, the Sect Leader appeared deep in thought. He then spoke, [But you accepted the power of the Heavenly Spirit Pillar. If it is thus suspicious, then why did you accept it?]

Lee Cheong-un sighed.

“You leave me no choice. If the other Divine Schools were to target us, discussing the lack of the Heavenly Spirit Pillar wouldn’t amount to much. If I weren’t a practitioner of the Thunder God Lineage, I would have never accepted the Heavenly Spirit Pillar.”

[I see. That explains why you’ve been so uncooperative since that day.]

“That’s enough of that. Now that I’ve heard your reasons, what are you planning to do?”

Lee Cheong-un shot a curt response, and the Sect Leader glanced at Dokgo Jun before speaking slowly, [Lee Cheong-un, in fact, your doubts are correct.]

“What?”

[The Heavenly Spirit Pillar is imperfect.]

“……!!”

The Sect Leader’s unexpected statement contorted Lee Cheong-un’s face.

[While it may not pose a problem against humans, it can become poison when facing an even stronger transcendent being. I apologize for revealing this only now.]

Lee Cheong-un was dumbfounded. What nonsense was this that was being said all of a sudden? However, he managed to maintain his composure and began piecing together the Sect Leader’s intentions.

‘Is he intending to either recruit me here or kill me?’

What then should be his response? What was the true intention of the Sect Leader?

While Lee Cheong-un was lost in thought, the Sect Leader continued speaking.

[The realm I am currently mastering through the Mental Transformation of Primordial Spirit is similar. I have shed a layer of the Heavenly Spirit Pillar’s constraints, but instead, a far greater shackle has been placed upon me. If I do not resolve this issue during my remaining time, I will ultimately face destruction.]

Lee Cheong-un’s eyebrows twitched. “What do you mean by that? Are you saying you forced us Dharma Protectors into a fraudulent contract?”

[Fraudulent contract? Not quite. As I said, the Heavenly Spirit Pillar only has adverse effects when dealing with transcendent beings. Against humans, it is close to invincible.]

“But you didn’t mention the constraints when you granted the Heavenly Spirit Pillar.”

[I apologize for that.]

With a glint of anger in his eyes, Lee Cheong-un glared at the White Lotus Sect Leader. “Don’t toy with people; just state your true intentions. Why did you call me here?”

[As I said, I invited you here to persuade you sincerely. That’s why I mentioned the weaknesses of the Heavenly Spirit Pillar and the Mental Transformation of Primordial Spirit. What I am about to share is the truth, so please listen closely.]

“……”

What followed utterly shocked Lee Cheong-un.

[Both the Heavenly Spirit Pillar and the Primordial Spirit are powers obtained from offering one’s soul to the Non-Birth Mother.]

“What… what?!”

The White Lotus Sect Leader lowered his voice as he spoke. A solemn Dokgo Jun, who had remained silent, showed no sign of movement or reaction.

[You could say it’s a form of offering. She has no interest in humans, yet we willingly offer ourselves to the throne of chaos where she resides. Those who gain the Heavenly Spirit Pillar or the Primordial Spirit become a part of the infinite darkness after death.]

“Ha ha…”

Lee Cheong-un could hardly find words to express his disbelief.

‘Could it be that it feels like we are merging into that darkness…?’

The Non-Birth Mother!

Originally regarded as the greatest deity worshipped by the White Lotus Sect and its very essence. However, to the White Lotus practitioners who had grown more focused on martial practices over the years, she had become less of a true deity and more of a figure to be revered. Thus, hearing talk of a Non-Birth Mother and offerings became difficult for him to accept at this moment.

[And the circumstances under which the Heavenly Spirit Pillar and the Primordial Spirit were created stem from this Book of Demon Arts.]

Swish

The White Lotus Sect Leader slowly pulled out a tomelike book from his robe. The front cover was inscribed with eerie words that were not in Chinese, but rather a strange, alien script. It seemed to be bound in human skin and had an unsettling dampness to it. As Lee Cheong-un silently stared at the Book of Demon Arts, the White Lotus Sect Leader spoke.

[This is the Book of Demon Arts of the Water God. The previous leader began to interpret it, and based on that, I discovered how to effectively make a contract with the gods.]

Lee Cheong-un replied in a bitter tone, “You’re insane. A Book of Demon Arts belongs to the beings of that alien realm and relates to their sorcery. You grafted it onto our Dharma Protectors?!”

[It depends on how you use it.]

The Sect Leader shook his head.

[As I said, the Heavenly Spirit Pillar does not directly endanger you. However, since it originates from Water God sorcery, you will never be able to oppose the dark entities that are its source… specifically, the Sea God or the Evil God.]

“……”

[It’s a sorcery that borrows the power of the Sea God as a medium to draw upon the strength of the greater ‘Father’.]

The White Lotus Sect Leader truly seemed deranged.

‘Are we selling our souls to the Evil God…?’

Thoughts of killing the White Lotus Sect Leader swirled through Lee Cheong-un’s mind. Until now, he had only felt worry and unease, but now, a sense of crisis overtook him. He could hardly begin to imagine what kind of malicious plans the Sect Leader, who had colluded with the aliens while deceiving the Dharma Protectors, could have in store.

As Lee Cheong-un fell silent, the White Lotus Sect Leader continued:

[In other words, as long as we avoid conflict with the aliens, it means we could dominate the martial world, and in the future, we could potentially make the Central Plains ours. To make that happen, I need your full cooperation, Lee Cheong-un.]

“What are you talking about? What help can I possibly provide you?”

[Just as we in the Water God Lineage have been interpreting the Book of Demon Arts, I know that you in the Thunder God Lineage have developed something as well. That would be the ultimate technique of the Thunder God Lineage.]

“……!!”

Although Lee Cheong-un’s expression showed no outward change, he was inwardly startled.

‘This… how could he know? Does he really know about the existence of the ultimate Thunder God Spirit?’

How could the Sect Leader be aware of the greatest secret known only to himself and Lee Kwang within the Thunder God Lineage?!

He couldn’t help but think of Lee Kwang’s face.

‘Could it be that Kwang has…?’

The Sect Leader’s eyes glimmered as he spoke. [Share with me the ultimate Thunder God Spirit. If you do so, I will guarantee the endless development and glory of the Thunder God Lineage and even pass the position of Sect Leader to you in the future. If you desire, I can also tell you how to attain the Mental Transformation of Primordial Spirit.]

“……”

[Let’s strike a deal, Lee Cheong-un.]

Lee Cheong-un clenched his fists tightly. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

“Your intentions are transparent.”