Reincarnation Sword God

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The process of learning the Three Treasures Technique under the Sect Leader was undoubtedly different from when I learned it from Jin So-cheong. Unlike Jin So-cheong, the Sect Leader explained each and every key point in detail, laying out the training process for me in a very clear manner. The drawback, however, was that it had turned into a vastly longer and more complicated training process, but strangely enough, this made me feel more at ease.

‘ I can feel my skills increasing.’

Jin So-cheong often offered vague benchmarks, relying more on instinctive standards like “This should be enough.” Consequently, most of the time, I was completely lost, which is why I could never properly train in the Three Treasures Technique. In contrast, the Sect Leader’s teaching gradually lowered the threshold of the Three Treasures Technique’s limits, explaining it step by step like teaching a child to walk.

Thanks to that, about three months into my training, I finally began to get a faint sense of what Heaven, Earth, and People truly meant. Of course, knowing something and realizing it through training are worlds apart, so I was still practically at the beginner stage, but I had nevertheless succeeded in entering the discipline. This was also thanks to the Yang Spirit Technique I had applied, which doubled my training effectiveness.

Zhuge Sa commented,

[ The Sect Leader seems to have a lot of experience in teaching someone. That’s why there’s such a huge difference from Jin So-cheong’s teaching methods.]

[ What do you mean?]

[ Teaching and training others requires both talent and experience. Jin So-cheong is a genius who realizes everything on his own and isn’t accustomed to teaching others, while the Sect Leader understands the mindset and thoughts of a dullard. Therefore, he can teach you only the necessary parts, keeping in mind your perspective.]

Zhuge Sa chuckled at that.

[ But at this rate, don’t you think it’ll take at least ten years to use the Three Treasures Technique in practice? Seriously slow—the kid’s a real dimwit.]

[ Damn it. Stop nagging me; it’s exhausting.]

Hoooowww

Grumbling inwardly, I crossed my legs and started training the Soul Exchange Technique on my bed. During the day, I practiced the Three Treasures Technique diligently under the Sect Leader’s guidance, and at night, I worked on the Soul Exchange Technique. This had been my routine for nearly two months.

At this rate, I wouldn’t even get an hour of sleep, but since I had immense inner power, the lack of sleep was far from a problem. My stamina was such that I could run around all night long using lightness martial arts.

Zhuge Sa explained,

[ It looks like the techniques for extracting the Bai (魄) are finished; now you need to move onto the advanced stage of reinforcing your Bai and amplifying its resonance.]

[ What? Why do I need to do that?]

[ Your Bai needs to have gravitational force, or else the extracted Bai won’t come back to you! You’re asking such a dumb question! Seriously!]

[ ……]

[ Enough chitchat; just do as you’re told. Once you finish this training, it’ll be easier to manage your magical power. This training derives from the Daoist Techniques, so it contains the essence.]

Following Zhuge Sa’s instructions, I started practicing the techniques. I faintly sensed the energy surrounding the Bai and began to connect it, starting to understand the principle of the Soul Exchange Technique, which draws in the opponent’s soul. Though I knew it in my head, I was beginning to feel it genuinely for the first time.

As I trained, my curiosity got the better of me, and I asked,

[ Zhuge Sa, you mentioned that when the old ruler—the Evil God—rises, the world will end, right?]

[ Yes, it’s an inevitable future.]

[ So, if that happens, can’t we just escape to the Phantom Realm or the Kingdom of Gold we saw before? If it’s just the human world facing destruction…]

As I spoke, Zhuge Sa chuckled in amusement.

[ Hehe… you’re not trying to act noble since the end is near, are you? You’re actually curious if there’s a way out if the world ends, right?]

Caught off guard by Zhuge Sa’s comment, I finally stammered,

[ Um… honestly, yes. If there’s a way to escape, I want to know.]

[ Unfortunately, that’s impossible. If it were, I wouldn’t have had to contract with the Fengshen Sect.]

[ What do you mean? Are you saying that if the underwater city rises, it will impact other worlds?]

With a sigh, Zhuge Sa responded,

[ Sigh… You really have no idea what dimensions are, do you?]

[ I have some knowledge thanks to the knowledge of the divine beings.]

[ Even with a divine level of knowledge, you still don’t get it with that thick skull of yours, do you? Just look at the questions you’re asking; it’s evident you have no clue.]

Zhuge Sa continued, his voice tinged with impatience.

[ The dimensions like Blood Realm, Phantom Realm, Asura Realm, and Hungry Ghost Realm are all intricately intertwined with this world. To the casual observer, they seem independent, but those worlds cannot exist without the human realm. The reason is that those worlds were ultimately created by the will of the living.]

[ That doesn’t make sense to me.]

[ For instance, after the Fengshen War on Mount Kunlun, the Phantom Realm was created to categorize and manage those metaphysical beings. The fundamental control lies with the Grand Celestial Lord. If the human realm collapses due to the rise of the Evil God, then the Grand Celestial Lord will also be on the verge of extinction. Thus, the Phantom Realm would perish as well.]

[ ……!!]

[ Other worlds are the same. They might pretend to be independent, but they are all affected by the rise and fall of the human realm. The world is governed by causality.]

I couldn’t help but be shocked by what Zhuge Sa had said. I had to ask,

[ Does that apply to the Kingdom of Gold or Mount Kunlun as well?]

[ Those places are a bit special. They will probably continue to exist even if the human realm collapses. But inevitably, they will end up becoming slaves to the old ruler.]

[ ……]

[ The Heavenly Realm is merely a middle management layer, incapable of stopping the rise of these colossal beings.]

I pondered this and then inquired,

[ So you contracted with the Wall Illusions to survive. But how do you intend to avoid that destruction?]

[ That being can be considered a demigod, meaning I would be entering their ranks. So, at the very least, I won’t feel the excruciating despair of the celestial energies of the constellations.]

[ … Isn’t that just another form of slavery?]

Zhuge Sa let out a maniacal laugh.

[ Hahaha… You have no idea what it means when the old ruler awakens at the same time as the constellations regain their rightful places. Just knowing that truth has made me feel suicidal dozens of times. That would be the true end of the world.]

[ Hmmm… It seems like preparations are being made even in the Heavenly Realm.]

[ That, I can’t say for sure. But who cares? I’m just trying to survive.]

Zhuge Sa’s blunt retort emphasized his viewpoint.

[ Now shut up and focus on your training.]

[ Fine, fine.]

I once again came to realize the complexity of my relationship with Zhuge Sa. By sharing a soul, we could read each other’s memories and share some thoughts, but fundamentally, there were aspects we could still hide from one another. This is why I couldn’t fully trust Zhuge Sa, and I continued to harbor some skepticism intentionally.

As dawn broke after a sleepless night, a disciple entered, saying,

“Protector Bai! The Sect Leader summons you urgently. Quickly to the audience chamber…”

“What’s the matter?”

“I’m not sure either.”

Since it was an urgent summons, it probably wasn’t regarding training.

‘ Is there yet another task for me?’

Curiously tilting my head, I made my way to the audience chamber, where the Sect Leader was waiting for me from behind. After staring at me for a while, he finally spoke,

[ Bai Woong, have you figured out the effects of the Heavenly Spirit Pillar?]

The way he referred to me felt rather haphazard. The Sect Leader probably switched between calling me Protector Bai, or just Bai Woong, however he pleased.

I felt a slight jolt at the sudden mention of the Heavenly Spirit Pillar. Nervous, I replied,

“Sorry, I’ve been too consumed with practicing the Three Treasures Technique to look into it.”

[ Hmmm… That’s understandable. But don’t take the tasks I assign lightly.]

“Understood.”

[ Additionally, I need you to do something for me.]

“Command away.”

The Sect Leader maintained a momentary silence before continuing. This time, it was via a direct message, so it didn’t echo around us.

[ Right now, head to Kaifeng in Henan Province and monitor the Slave Market. Find out if the Wind Spirit Sect is present there and report back to me. The more detailed the information, the better.]

“……!!”

I jumped in surprise.

‘ What kind of command is this?’

I was at a loss regarding the Sect Leader’s intentions, but then I suddenly remembered information I had obtained in my past life.

The Sword Demon’s shadowless script had reached the slave market in Henan while investigating the Pirate Blood Alliance, but he had encountered difficulties!

The Nangong Family had also been involved with the slave market and had sought assistance from the Wind Spirit Sect!

Putting it all together, it was clear that the Wind Spirit Sect had a significant connection to the slave market in Henan. Up until now, I had merely been too preoccupied with larger matters to notice. It was then that I finally grasped the Sect Leader’s true intentions.

The Sect Leader had already suspected, to some degree, that the Wind Spirit Sect was colluding with the Imperial Court!

And he was sending me to the slave market to scout to confirm his suspicions. If the Wind Spirit Sect were traitors, he undoubtedly intended to cut them off.

I cautiously sent a mental message to the Sect Leader.

[ I’m sorry, but if the top masters of the Wind Spirit Sect are involved, taking them down by myself might be a bit much. Furthermore, it would be impossible to conduct a thorough investigation without leaving traces on my own.]

The Sect Leader replied,

[ That’s why I’ve had you practicing the Three Treasures Technique. I’d bet your martial skills have slightly improved compared to before. Additionally, I’ve already dispatched a skilled helper who will assist you in the shadows.]

[ Who is that?]

[ You’ll find out when you arrive; just set off. The slave market opens tomorrow.]

With that, the Sect Leader tossed me a cap.

[ You’ll need this. Use it to gather evidence.]

“……”

Originally mine, receiving it back felt rather disheartening, as if he were doing me a favor. Yet I should probably be grateful that the Sect Leader was returning what he had seized. Reluctantly, I nodded in response.

“Th-thank you.”

After leaving the Sect Leader, I returned to my quarters and let out a heavy sigh.

“Haah, Kaifeng…”

I had never been to Kaifeng in Henan Province before. I had heard that it had temporarily become a land of barbarians during the Jin Dynasty’s invasion, and with the ensuing chaos among the various dynasties, it had been greatly devastated. Though I knew it had since grown into a sizeable city, I had virtually no other information about Kaifeng.

Zhuge Sa chimed in,

[ If you’re going to the slave market, you’ll need some money. Open the cap and check inside.]

[ Huh?]

[ The Sect Leader clearly isn’t an idiot; he would have prepared the necessary supplies.]

Fair enough.

I carefully opened the cap and took a look inside, and to my astonishment,

“Wow!”

There was a mountain of gold ingots and coins—gold and silver piled high!

In addition, there were dozens of thunderous pills packed in there. Amazing, there were even identity documents and seals exclusively for high-ranking officials, plus multiple outfits prepared for me. What astonished me further was the fact that three peculiar individuals were seated inside!

I was so taken aback that I pulled them out of the cap. They were all dressed in water-patterned clothes and were wearing hats and ghost masks.

“W-who are you?”

One of them stepped forward and declared,

“Protector Bai Woong, we are the support team meant to assist you.”

“Support team?”

“We are the elite members of the Water God Team, so just focus on your missions without worry. We will assist you whenever you require force.”

“……”

The Water God Team!

They were the most enigmatic organization among the Four Great Families. Composed of the combatants of the Water Spirit Sect, they lived secluded from the White Lotus Sect. However, there was no arguing the belief among White Lotus Sect members that the Water God Team might be the strongest military unit in the White Lotus Sect.

‘ These guys… are extremely strong…’

I involuntarily held my breath. Each of them had reached the level of exemplary martial artists, and none were weaker than Lee Kwang. In fact, it was possible that they were capable of easily overpowering even him. No matter how strong the Four Great Families were, for them to surpass the peak masters of the Central Plains was simply unfathomable. If I received the combined strength of these three, I was confident it would tip the scales in my favor in most battles.

Were there dozens of these monsters in the Water Spirit Sect?

As I stood there, feeling overwhelmed, the members of the Water God Team urged,

“Move quickly now. The slave market opens tomorrow; you’ll need to prepare!”

“Prepare? You mean I’m supposed to participate in the auction?”

“Exactly! Otherwise, why do you think the Sect Leader gave you the gold ingots and disguise clothes? He told us to subtly infiltrate and gather information.”

“Hmm.”

Participating in the auction at the slave market would definitely be a fresh experience for me. I decided to seize this opportunity to uncover the Wind Spirit Sect’s misdeeds and gave a nod in agreement.

“Understood. I’ll bring you out when necessary.”

“Thank you in advance.”

I stuffed the three back into the cap and summoned a beast to prepare to head to Kaifeng. Zhuge Sa smirked, remarking,

[ The slave market… Bai Woong, you’re in for an amusing experience.]

[ Have you ever been to a slave market?]

Zhuge Sa gleefully replied,

[ Oh, absolutely! It’ll be quite the adventure…]

What on earth is he talking about?

I felt a surge of foreboding. I had only heard of slaves; I had never witnessed an actual auction or transaction. Yet, could there be something horrifically shocking awaiting me?

‘ Guess I’ll find out when I get there.’