Reincarnation Sword God

---

00392  Celestial Realm (天界)  ————————————————————————=

After taking control of the Imperial Palace, the Sect Leader ordered Dokgo Jun to lead the experts of the Su Shin Sect to restore order amid the chaos. To be honest, I doubted whether Dokgo Jun alone could handle such a vast turmoil and vacuum, but surprisingly, it took him only a day to stabilize the chaos in the Imperial Palace.

First, Dokgo Jun led the Su Shin Sect to visit the powerful families and key ministers in Luoyang. And after about half a day, he returned to the throne room of the Imperial Palace holding a petition, which contained the signatures and seals of over 80% of the powerful ministers agreeing to the selection of the next emperor.

Armed with that petition, Dokgo Jun soon entered the palace with a boy.

[ Sect Leader, I’ve brought him.]

[ Hmm… Is that the one?]

[ Yes, it is.]

I became dumbfounded as I confirmed the boy’s face.

“……”

No way?

My suspicions were confirmed moments later by Dokgo Jun’s Six Harmonies Assembly.

[ This is Zhu Jae Hu, the legitimate heir to the throne.]

The boy looked around nervously with anxious eyes.

He was the remarkable prodigy who had come with Mangnyang back when I was helping the Thunder God Lineage in the resurgence movement! I couldn’t forget him because I had participated in the Thunder God Lineage gathering with him. I remembered him as a bright and lively boy, so my impression of him wasn’t bad at all.

The memory of meeting Jae Hu for the first time was still vivid.

[ Nice to meet you, Baek Woong.]

[ This is Jae Hu, who just joined the Thunder God Lineage. Please take care of him.]

[ Although Sagong Lin and Jae Hu may not be as talented as Jin So-cheong, they are children who possess martial talent to shake the world. I am confident they will become experts dominating the realm within ten years. And since we are going to study the peerless secret art of the Wudang Sect, it would be better for the gifted to gather and discuss together.]

[ He is my last remaining card. I’ll explain his identity later, but just know that Jae Hu’s talent is on par with Sagong Lin.]

Since that time, Jae Hu’s connection to my past life never significantly intersected. After being significantly hurt by the Thunder God Lineage Lee Kwang, I had been trying to distance myself from them and had no intention of dragging Jae Hu into any of it. So I had completely forgotten about him.

But now Jae Hu is the rightful heir to the throne?!

Staring in surprise at Jae Hu, Zhuge Sa spoke up.

[ Well, you may not have known. After all, Hyun had no reason to tell you such things.]

[ What? What’s going on?]

[ It’s simple. In the past, Hyun referred to Jae Hu as the last card, right? Think back to that situation when he said that.]

[ Um… I’m not sure.]

Zhuge Sa chuckled.

[ At that time, Hyun was already using General Hwang Yeon to incite rebellion while nurturing the Thunder God Lineage, preparing to seize Luoyang and establish a grand plan to control the imperial authority. However, he never even hinted about truly giving the throne to Hwang Yeon.]

[ Ah!]

Now that I think about it, that’s right. Mangnyang only suggested taking down the forces in the Demon Subduing Hall located in the Imperial Palace but avoided mentioning what would happen afterward. Naturally, I hadn’t heard anything about what to do with the emperor’s position.

[ Hyun had no intention of giving the position of emperor to someone like Hwang Yeon. While he is indeed a patriot and a great general, making him emperor had no legitimacy whatsoever. It’s a rebellion that completely denies the legitimacy of the Great Ming Empire, so of course, from Hyun’s perspective—one who seeks the world’s peace—it was not an option. However, leaving the emperor’s position vacant wasn’t viable either, so an appropriate alternative was needed.]

[ That appropriate alternative is….]

[ Exactly. It’s Zhu Jae Hu. He’s the first in the line of imperial succession among the royal family. You wouldn’t know, being a silly country bumpkin, but the Zhuge family, who inherited the astrologer title, were all aware of Jae Hu’s presence. I knew about him too.]

[ ……]

[ Hyun must have had a strong personal relationship with Jae Hu. And believing he could control him once he became emperor, he probably brought him into the Thunder God Lineage and nurtured him as a prodigy while naturally laying the groundwork to push him as the next emperor.]

After hearing Zhuge Sa, everything made perfect sense.

‘So Mangnyang had already envisioned such a far-off future while nurturing the Thunder God Lineage.’

I had died without even reaching that future and hadn’t realized Mangnyang’s deeper intentions. I felt admiration for Mangnyang while also feeling a twinge of fear towards Zhuge Sa’s abilities. Regardless of how many memories we shared, Zhuge Sa was a genius for directly reading past Mangnyang’s thoughts and schemes in that moment.

Zhuge Sa chuckled.

[ Well, I am a bit exceptional.]

[ Ugh, stop the nonsense…]

I retorted irritably and then got startled.

[ Wait a minute. But isn’t Jin So-cheong also an heir to the throne? With a higher rank than Zhu Jae Hu?]

[ Hoho, you managed to think of that with your dim-witted head. Kudos.]

[ Ugh… seriously…]

[ It’s a simple matter. Mangnyang undoubtedly knew that Jin So-cheong was also an heir to the throne. Yet, despite that, he likely pushed forward his plan of making Zhu Jae Hu emperor. Mangnyang had no intention of giving the emperor’s position to Jin So-cheong.]

[ What? Why?]

I asked in surprise. How could Mangnyang have thought that way?

Zhuge Sa replied, as if questioning my confusion.

[ He could control Zhu Jae Hu, but he had no confidence when it came to Jin So-cheong. That’s all there is to it.]

[ I don’t understand.]

[ Hmm… I’ll explain it to you so even your dull head can comprehend. Zhu Jae Hu is a talented prodigy, exceptional in both intellect and martial arts, but he cannot be compared to Jin So-cheong. The real reason Jin So-cheong is terrifying is that, despite her martial talent, she excels in mind techniques, wisdom, willpower, judgment, charisma, courage, and so on.]

Zhuge Sa continued leisurely.

[ What happens when you seat a born emperor on the throne? Naturally, it means disaster for you and Hyun. Because Jin So-cheong is fundamentally one of the Thunder God Lineage. At that point, they would never be able to walk the same path together.]

[ ……!!]

[ Anyway, Lee Kwang is a lucky guy. To have such a genius as his disciple…]

As I listened to Zhuge Sa, a complex feeling welled up inside me.

‘Then, at that point, Mangnyang had already gauged Jin So-cheong’s potential thoroughly?’

I was just beginning to understand the schemes and psyches of geniuses. It became clear how big the gap was between me and them at that time. As a sense of helplessness enveloped me, Zhuge Sa chuckled softly.

[ Just by understanding my words, you’ve already surpassed the range of an ordinary person. Stop fretting.]

[ Huh?]

[ Ah, focus on what’s in front of you.]

I felt an absurd feeling wash over me. Could it be that this guy just encouraged me?

In any case, just as Zhuge Sa suggested, now was the time to focus on the situation at hand. I gathered my thoughts and observed the hall, noticing that Zhu Jae Hu had already stepped forward and stood just ten steps away from the Sect Leader.

“……”

After a long silence, Zhu Jae Hu clearly spoke.

“Did you bring me here to make me a puppet emperor?”

How bold it was to dare speak such words to the White Lotus Sect Leader!

The White Lotus Sect Leader calmly replied.

[ You’re well-informed.]

“Did you assassinate the emperor?”

[ Not at all.]

“Then why not just become emperor yourself instead of propping someone else up?”

The Sect Leader gazed quietly at Zhu Jae Hu and responded.

[ I do not wish to become emperor.]

“……!!”

Zhu Jae Hu’s expression turned astonished. The Sect Leader continued, regardless of Zhu Jae Hu’s shock.

[ I see talent in you. If you swear to serve the White Lotus Sect and not go against its authority, I have the intention of making you emperor.]

Zhu Jae Hu clenched his teeth.

“And if I refuse?”

[ I’ll send you back home. Right now, I don’t want to create chaos in the Imperial Capital.]

The Sect Leader calmly warned, as if comforting a child.

[ But I cannot guarantee that the next person I call as emperor will let you be.]

“……”

That’s certainly true. No matter how much of a puppet emperor he would be, Zhu Jae Hu would undoubtedly be seen as a threat by the influential heir. And no one in the world would protect Zhu Jae Hu from the Sect Leader’s spite. He might survive today, yet there was a possibility he would be torn to pieces and executed for treason later.

After quite a while of contemplation, Zhu Jae Hu knelt before the Sect Leader and bowed his head.

“Please make me emperor, Sect Leader.”

He chose reality.

[ Very well. From today, you are the emperor of the Great Ming Empire.]

“Thank you.”

[ Then move immediately with this petition.]

With a swift motion, the Sect Leader tossed the petition that Dokgo Jun had brought to Zhu Jae Hu. As Zhu Jae Hu caught the petition, the Sect Leader spoke in a cold voice.

[ Go gather the powerful ministers and let them know I’ve made my choice. Set a date for the emperor succession ceremony and organize the official ranks. You should be capable of at least that.]

“Understood.”

[ Then go. I’ll assign some guardian warriors from the Su Shin Sect for assistance whenever you need it.]

“Yes.”

Zhu Jae Hu nodded and exited the throne chamber.

I watched the scene in disbelief. I can’t believe that the post-processing ended so quickly, like a flash! I couldn’t comprehend how Dokgo Jun, right off the bat, acquired agreement from the powerful ministers and returned with the petition. Zhuge Sa spoke.

[ It’s not strange at all. After all, an emperor is just one form of power. The White Lotus Sect Leader only wanted to maintain the system and vested interests while becoming a new behind-the-scenes ruler. The ministers had no choice but to reluctantly accept the Sect Leader since their realms were untouched.]

[ The Sect Leader could have wiped them all out, though…]

[ You fool. Do you think the original emperor had the power to do that, leaving the ministers alone? Did you hear Lee Kwang’s words through your nostrils? The ministers aren’t simply babbling idiots; they are the pillars supporting the Great Ming Empire, talented individuals selected from across China. If they die, utter chaos would ensue, so why would he kill them?]

Zhuge Sa continued as if he was scolding me.

[ The Sect Leader may seem simplistic, but he is incredibly wise. He judged that stepping out as emperor and ruling would be too troublesome and face strong opposition, so he decided to install a new puppet emperor instead. And through that process, bloodshed was kept to a minimum, right? Honestly, I think the Sect Leader handled this situation perfectly.]

[ Ugh…]

[ And the fact that he circulated the petition so quickly suggests that there were quite a few high-ranking officials who had already been incorporated with the White Lotus Sect beforehand. The Sect Leader must have compiled a list of officials and created a kill list in advance. He must have always been planning to seize the Imperial Palace.]

[ I see.]

[ Remember this. Complete revolutions and destructions are impossible. It’s just a change in leadership.]

That was worth pondering.

I sank into thought as the Sect Leader addressed me.

[ Baek Woong.]

“Yes?”

[ You need to go to the Shangguan family and bring back Clan Leader Shangguan Hyuk.]

What kind of order is this? I looked at the Sect Leader with a puzzled expression as he continued.

[ It’s a matter of utmost importance. Bring him back respectfully.]

“Yes, understood.”

Pa-at

I immediately exited the palace. Inside, the Su Shin masters were detaining the Imperial officials and controlling information, creating an atmosphere of desolation. As I pondered how I would find the Shangguan family, I recalled past information about the Twin Gate Sect.

‘The Shangguan family… Oh! Speaking of which.’

I had attended the slave market of the Wind Spirit Sect under the name of Shangguan Zheng. At that time, I was posing as the young master of the Shangguan family. I hadn’t thought much of the fake identity the Sect Leader had given me then, but evidently, the Sect Leader and the Shangguan family have a closely knit relationship.

Zhuge Sa seemed to have read my thoughts and chuckled.

[ You’ve caught up to about 80% of it… 20% lacking.]

[ What’s missing?]

[ The Five Great Physicians.]

With that, Zhuge Sa calmly continued.

[ Celestial Doctor Eastern Perfection. Medicine King Hwangbo Yun. Hua Tuo’s descendant Hwa Seong-myeong. First of Henan Gang Jeon-gil. Up until now, you’ve met four of the Five Great Physicians. And you should already know who the fifth one is.]

I suddenly realized with a jolt. How had I completely forgotten about this?

[ The Medical Sage, Shangguan Hyuk!]

[ Right. The Medical Sage is indeed one of the Five Great Physicians. It seems you ignored him since you thought the Five Great Physicians had little to do with you.]

Zhuge Sa teased, but I wasn’t in the mood to retort.

The Medical Sage!

That title was one that my medical teacher, Physician Hwa Seong-myeong, often spoke about. Hwa Seong-myeong regarded Gang Jeon-gil as his rival while secretly recognizing Eastern Perfection as the best, yet he always appeared contemplative about the Medical Sage.

The reason for this was that the Medical Sage was nearest to the benevolent art of saving lives, and he respected the mindset of Medical Sage Shangguan Hyuk. Additionally, unlike others, the Medical Sage was renowned for excelling in all medical arts and not specializing in just one. Consequently, Hwa Seong-myeong often exchanged letters with Shangguan Hyuk to discuss medical techniques, even while the Hua Clan gained its reputation as the foremost medical school in Hebei.

In other words – the Medical Sage among the Five Great Physicians was the truest saintly healer! At least, the Shangguan Hyuk I knew was such a person.

[ What… What’s going on? Why would the Sect Leader want the Medical Sage…?]

[ I think I might know.]

[ Know what?]

Zhuge Sa replied.

[ Save the chitchat and just go. With this, you’ll meet all the Five Great Physicians!]