Reincarnation Sword God

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00396 Celestial Realm (天界) ————————————————————————=

What Zhuge Sa referred to as the best option was to draw Cheon Woo-jin into the fray and eliminate the Vermilion Bird.

‘Well, it’s surprising that Master Mangnyang figured it out without saying a word.’

Originally, I intended to explain my plan to Master Mangnyang, but it seemed he already knew everything, like he could read my mind. Zhuge Sa spoke as if it bothered him.

[ Master Mangnyang is truly an incredible being. Don’t mess around carelessly, you idiot.]

[ Just a hot-tempered cat.]

[ You’re the only one crazy enough to treat Master Mangnyang that way.]

Even the mad Zhuge Sa seemed to show some respect toward Master Mangnyang.

I decided to take the anxious Cheon Woo-jin to Mount Tai. Before we left, Cheon Woo-jin gruffly said,

“Don’t you think you should explain what this Vermilion Bird is, before just dragging me off?”

“Hmm, that’s a good point.”

I began to explain the situation to Cheon Woo-jin. It seemed he had only received a simple directive from Master Mangnyang, as he listened intently to my words. Once I had finished telling the story, Cheon Woo-jin murmured in a bitter voice,

“So there are two top-tier sorcerers capable of using the treasure? And you want to go directly to their base?”

“True enough…”

I subtly provoked him.

“If that seems tough, it might be better to gather more companions before we go.”

Cheon Woo-jin scoffed at that.

“Nah, let’s just go.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m not going to be tossed around by your schedule for long. Let’s get this done quickly so I can take care of my own business.”

Cheon Woo-jin spoke confidently, nodding arrogantly. His eagerness to go left me dumbfounded.

‘Does this guy not know about Zhuge Yulong and Zhuge Bu’s powers?’

He showed not a hint of fear.

Since Zhuge Sa insisted it was the best option, I did draw Cheon Woo-jin in, but I couldn’t be sure if he could actually defeat them. Noticing my doubts about Cheon Woo-jin, Zhuge Sa said,

[ That makes sense.]

[ What do you mean? How strong is this guy?]

[ At least he’s much stronger than you.]

Zhuge Sa continued.

[ There’s no need to doubt. If Cheon Woo-jin cannot handle the Vermilion Bird right now, then we have no choice but to draw in the master. There’s a reason why only Cheon Woo-jin was brought here from the Celestial Realm.]

Is that all?

Feeling half relieved, I took Cheon Woo-jin with me to the Four Great Spirits and headed to the barrier in front of the Heavenly Altar of Mount Tai.

*Pa-at*

As soon as Cheon Woo-jin saw the barrier, he muttered like he understood.

“It’s the Eight Trigrams Formation.”

“Can you break it?”

“There’s something I need to check first. Are they definitely inside?”

“As far as I know…”

“If that’s the case.”

Cheon Woo-jin extended his left hand and shouted shortly,

“Quickly, as if by law!”

*Crack!*

The Eight Trigrams Formation shattered as the space distorted simultaneously. I felt like he broke it even easier than before. Last time, he had concentrated quite hard when breaking it, but this time it seemed as simple as pushing a door open.

‘Last time he said he couldn’t completely break the formation.’

I remembered his words from before.

[ This formation is connected to the sorcerer’s life force. It’s proof of the determination of the one who set it.]

[ The one who set up this Eight Trigrams Formation is an impressive sorcerer. Even for me, it wouldn’t be easy to break a formation set using one’s life on the line. At least it would take a day of rituals to gain control.]

[ If you had time to scout inside, you could prepare a meal.]

In other words, last time, I hadn’t actually broken the formation. I had only temporarily released the formation for a brief moment. However, it seemed Cheon Woo-jin had permanently dispelled it without any further ado. There was no doubt that he had grown stronger than before.

Once the formation broke, Cheon Woo-jin stepped forward confidently, then suddenly shouted,

“Five Thunder Commands!”

*Flash!*

With a shout, five bolts of lightning suddenly fell from the sky. As the lightning struck, thick black smoke billowed up from afar, and Cheon Woo-jin shouted again, seemingly displeased.

“Summon all spirits!”

*Boom boom boom!*

This time, the earth and sky shook violently as if they were colliding. It felt like an earthquake was shaking Mount Tai. I realized the significance of Cheon Woo-jin’s words and felt a chill run down my spine.

‘The Sacred Word?!’

The Sacred Word is the power contained in the word itself, activated like a principle, which imbues power when spoken. However, the Sacred Word is merely a secondary aspect of a sorcery and requires the support of hand seals and rituals to function. Those who can wield powerful sorcery solely with the Sacred Word were termed Sacred Word Users, and were extremely rare among sorcerers.

Yet the Sacred Word Cheon Woo-jin emitted was on another level. Even a true Sacred Word User wouldn’t be able to command the spirits of heaven and earth just with the Sacred Word alone. Each word from him seemed capable of manipulating and even destroying the elements of all things. Having studied sorcery before, I realized the sheer magnitude of Cheon Woo-jin’s power.

Moreover, both the Five Thunder Commands and the Summon all spirits were simply Taoist phrases from the useless Taoist spell. The ability to unleash the Sacred Word to overturn heaven and earth without any significant functions is something I had never seen or heard of before.

Once the Sacred Word was uttered, I heard a echoing cry from afar.

[ Who are you? Who dares to break the Eight Trigrams Formation and attack me?]

It was highly likely to be the Vermilion Bird. Cheon Woo-jin smirked and replied coolly,

[ I’ve come to eliminate the evil ones peeking at the Celestial Secrets.]

*Swish*

Cheon Woo-jin suddenly disappeared from in front of my eyes. He must have directly gone to attack the Vermilion Bird. I sensed the Qi and rushed forward, following the faint remnants in anticipation.

‘The space is distorting.’

I felt this after leaping about fifty feet. The Eight Trigrams Formation had already vanished, but the air was weighing down heavily and distorting. As I pressed forward, thunder and wind started to swirl, giving rise to an overwhelming storm.

*Boom boom boom…*

[ Strike!]

I saw a giant divine general falling from the sky, swinging a spear. The towering divine beings were definitely summoned by Cheon Woo-jin. As the generals rushed in unison, it felt like the mountains would collapse.

Simultaneously, thunder rumbled from the distant skies. It seemed Zhuge Yulong was using sorcery to counter Cheon Woo-jin’s spells. The storm engulfed the generals, causing an enormous landslide as mud and rock erupted, creating a thundering explosion.

*Rumble!*

At the same time, white feathers floated in the sky as talismans appeared along with holy light. Like a torrential downpour, a variety of elemental forces began to fill the air. The Fire Dragon and Water Dragon flew through the sky, decorating the air with flames.

‘What an incredible sorcery…!!’

I swallowed hard, witnessing the spell battle between Cheon Woo-jin and Zhuge Yulong. The terrifying elemental arts and sorcery were beyond the realm of ordinary sorcerers! Normally, casting such spells would drain one’s life force to the point of risking death, yet they showed no signs of fatigue.

Cheon Woo-jin, appearing to be bothered, extended his hand forward and shouted,

“The Three Thousand Yang Earth is in upheaval!”

In that instant, the elemental arts and protection charms Zhuge Yulong was conjuring suddenly lost shape and dissipated. The temporary barrier protecting Zhuge Yulong also broke apart, revealing his true form clearly from about thirty feet away.

Is the climax about to unfold?

Zhuge Yulong took something from his cloak and began to chant a spell. Simultaneously, the Eight Trigrams started to float around in the air. I noticed the Kan and Ken trigrams drifting faintly around me, indicating he had summoned the Eight Trigrams over an immense range.

I instinctively sensed what Zhuge Yulong was trying to use, and my hair stood on end.

‘Earth Star Eight Trigrams!’

The Earth Star’s spell cancellation!

This ability could seal even the powers of the Seven Luminaries; I had once experienced this technique when Miho and I moved to the Heavenly Altar. It seemed Zhuge Yulong had borrowed the Earth Star beforehand to use this power.

With his sorcery sealed, Cheon Woo-jin was just an ordinary young man!

Feeling the imminent danger, I quickly moved to protect Cheon Woo-jin. If he were to be overwhelmed here, it would spell disaster. But Cheon Woo-jin, whether he realized the effects of the Earth Star Eight Trigrams spell cancellation or not, addressed Zhuge Yulong calmly.

“You’re using an unfit power.”

“……”

“Even if you borrow the powers of the gods, a human cannot become a god.”

Cheon Woo-jin muttered that and suddenly reached into the air, taking a grasping posture.

*Crunch!*

“Cough!”

Suddenly, a person appeared out of nowhere before me, now ensnared in an intangible force and struggling. It was Zhuge Bu, screaming in pain. Zhuge Yulong was startled by the sudden turn of events, and Cheon Woo-jin said coldly,

“Looks like you’ve laid your own trap. I was just wondering how to deal with him.”

“……”

“It seems you were hiding nearby to ambush me, but that was a foolish act.”

Zhuge Yulong seemed hesitant to act with his son as a hostage. I quickly approached Cheon Woo-jin and asked,

“Are you okay?”

He looked at me blankly, as if questioning my concern, and said,

“What are you doing?”

“Huh?”

“Subdue him. He can only use martial arts now.”

“Oh!”

“I need him as a hostage, so you have to do your part.”

I understood the situation. Cheon Woo-jin had managed to capture Zhuge Bu as a hostage despite his spells being sealed by the Earth Star Eight Trigrams. However, the sealing of the Earth Star was no joke, meaning Cheon Woo-jin couldn’t do much more than that. Thus, I had to step in and subdue Zhuge Yulong at this moment.

“Got it.”

*Swift*

As I drew my sword and stepped forward, Zhuge Yulong let out a soft gasp.

“How strange. You must be the leader of the heretical sect, yet why are you receiving help from the Celestial Realm?”

This seemed to be a question directed at me. I looked at him and grinned.

“You really are good at jumping to conclusions. Get ready!”

As I raised my internal energy vigorously, lightning gathered around my sword. The sword I wielded was the famous sword I received from the White Lotus Sect, making it extraordinarily durable and impervious to ordinary battles. I escalated my killing intent and quickly rushed at him. At the same time, I witnessed Zhuge Yulong drawing his sword.

*Clash!*

The first clash was between the Thunder God Sword Dance and the Gongsun Sword Technique. I quickly withdrew my hand as I realized during the brief exchange that his swordsmanship contained twelve mysterious variations.

‘Hmph!’

This was a depth of sword technique that felt endless! Trying to gauge his strength with the first move revealed his swordsmanship was irregular and disturbingly free-flowing, unlike any techniques I had faced before.

[ It’s the Asura Heaven Light Technique and Gongsun Sword Technique. The Asura Heaven Light Technique is intertwined with internal energy techniques among my higher-level methods, while the Gongsun Sword Technique dates back to ancient times.]

[ Just a heads-up. Be cautious when fighting the Old Sage of Mount Tai; his sword technique is absurdly powerful.]

[ It’s a signature ultimate technique that established him as one of the Three Great Masters of the world. Be careful, very careful.]

According to Sagong Lin and the Zen Master, the Gongsun Sword Technique was fearsome. I hadn’t understood what that meant until now, but facing it directly, I began to see its meaning. The changes, weight, and sharpness of the sword path reached the top-tier level, and it maintained perfect balance while also penetrating and tearing through its opponent’s strength. As I had reached the level of a Sword Hero in swordsmanship, I could instantly grasp the power of the Gongsun Sword Technique.

Furthermore, the internal energy of the Zen Master was not significantly weaker than mine. The fact that someone with such tremendous internal energy warned me to be cautious about the Gongsun Sword Technique meant that I could not underestimate him. This was my first time fighting against the wielder of the Gongsun Sword Technique, adding to the pressure.

However, during my previous life, I had heard tales of an ultimate counter to the Gongsun Sword Technique.

[ The Gongsun Sword Technique is grounded in the principles of the Five Elements. It incorporates the characteristics of internal energy techniques with intent. Thus, sparring against it often pulls you into its flow, leading you to a defensive position; to avoid this, you must disregard the flow using a matched martial principle.]

[ Baek Woong, when facing him, actively utilize the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword to gain an advantage.]

[ By adjusting harmonization, you can exploit a gap in the Gongsun Sword Technique’s perfection. It’s favorable in compatibility.]

The annoying face of Lee Kwang flashed in my mind, and my expression soured. However, recalling the advice that Jin So-cheong had given me, I calmly began to employ the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword against Zhuge Yulong’s weapons. Given Zhuge Yulong’s strong internal energy, I couldn’t easily overwhelm him with my own.

*Whoosh!*

Approximately twenty seconds into the battle? I felt Zhuge Yulong’s Gongsun Sword Technique, which had been soaring with myriad changes, becoming entrapped in the harmonization and degrading into common sword strokes. Zhuge Yulong was utterly astonished and retreated.

“No!”

Though Zhuge Yulong wasn’t yet in dire straits, he instinctually realized that the flaws in the Gongsun Sword Technique were exposed. He must have become aware that if this battle continued, I could deal him a fatal blow. This was because the Cave-Collapsing Sword had aused a rift in the perfection of the Gongsun Sword Technique, allowing the Heavenly Contraction Sword to unravel it.

This did not mean that the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword were specifically weaknesses to the Gongsun Sword Technique. Rather, it stemmed from the fact that the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword, which manipulated the force of space, were superbly overpowered. With newfound confidence, I pressed directly against Zhuge Yulong.

*Bang!!*

An explosive sound erupted as I struck down my powerful sword with the One Fist of the Ending Dragon. Zhuge Yulong’s sword shattered under the impact, and with him staggering, I followed up with a knee strike to his solar plexus.

“Cough!”

Zhuge Yulong knelt, spitting blood. With one blow, his ribcage must have shattered and his organs ruptured. I looked down at him coldly.

‘I can’t kill him.’

If I ended him here, he would just escape as a substitute body. I swiftly began to pinpoint his bloodlines, and upon seeing my intent, Zhuge Yulong clenched his jaw, as if realizing something was about to happen. Then, in a fleeting moment, he ruptured his heart meridian.

*Spurt!*

Blood gushed from his seven orifices like a fountain. The speed at which he chose to die revealed that he had likely prepared a poison pill in advance. I grimaced, trying my best to save him by grasping his bloodlines, but it was too late.

Watching from behind, Cheon Woo-jin spoke,

“That’s fine. We can just ask him.”

Cheon Woo-jin held Zhuge Bu hostage in the air. Despite holding the White Feather Fan, Zhuge Bu looked unable to utilize it as he merely squirmed. The intangible force keeping him captive was far too powerful. I questioned Cheon Woo-jin,

“Cheon Woo-jin, this place is still under the seal of the Eight Trigrams; what spell are you using to keep Zhuge Bu restrained here?”

Then Cheon Woo-jin answered nonchalantly.

“This isn’t sorcery; it’s something created by intent. Therefore, even with the Eight Trigrams sealing it, I can still exert this much power.”

“What?!”

I looked on in disbelief.

‘Intent’ refers to the ultimate state of martial arts, which a gifted martial artist could barely awaken through decades of hard work. No matter how far Cheon Woo-jin might have reached as the exalted sorcerer, to think he could utilize Intent?

“It is said that you can reach out to the extreme.”

Cheon Woo-jin continued speaking.

“First, let’s check the state of the Heavenly Altar at Mount Tai. We can deal with Zhuge Yulong afterwards.”

“Understood.”

I sealed Zhuge Bu’s bloodlines completely and snatched the White Feather Fan he was holding.

The White Feather Fan.

This is said to be a legendary treasure originally used by the Late Master Zhuge, who reportedly crafted it not in the Celestial Realm but with his own knowledge and capabilities. While I couldn’t precisely understand the power of the White Feather Fan, I was certain it would help me greatly.

‘I’ll just give this to Sangwan Hyuk.’

That would wrap up this request rather simply. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to first fully ascertain the abilities of the White Feather Fan before handing it over. After stashing the fan, I arrived at the top of Mount Tai with Cheon Woo-jin and reached the Heavenly Altar, where a ‘ceremony’ was underway.

“……!!”

Human corpses and blood were scattered everywhere! Observing the remains of the people, they appeared to be dressed in the outfits of commoners, and horrifyingly, some had their hearts ripped out or skulls crushed. There were also symbols and mystical designs drawn in blood, indicating that a wicked offering ritual was indeed being carried out here.

Cheon Woo-jin said emotionlessly,

“Indeed, it seems they were performing evil rituals to seek the aid of the [Former Ruler]. It’s fortunate we arrived in time to crush them.”

“Does that mean we pulverized them before they could gain power?”

“Yes. If the ritual had been completed, it might have been difficult even for me.”

“Ugh…”

I shivered. Zhuge Yulong was an incredibly troublesome opponent, as I had felt in my previous life. He couldn’t be killed in one go, and given even a little time, he would thoroughly prepare and return stronger. I had to gather intelligence and strength capable of subduing him all at once; otherwise, it would surely become more complicated in the future.

“Baek Woong, if we want to know Zhuge Yulong’s whereabouts, I have no choice but to interrogate this man, but I’m not into torturing. Will you handle it?”

I shook my head vigorously.

“I’m not going to do something so bothersome.”

*Swish!*

I laid Zhuge Bu on the Heavenly Altar and swiftly drew my sword, beheading him. Blood gushed from the severed neck, and red tentacles burst out from within. Simultaneously, I could observe Zhuge Bu’s body twisting grotesquely into a form of evil. I slashed him repeatedly with my sword until he could no longer move.

As the figure that had once been Zhuge Bu grew quiet, I raised my hands and focused my essence into my ten fingers. Then I activated the Heavenly Secret Technique.

*Whoosh!*

In that moment, the spirit responded to my ten fingers, and a gigantic spirit appeared before me. In front of my eyes was the spirit of Zhuge Bu, engulfed in chaos and fear. I smiled and greeted his spirit.

“Hey, glad to see you.”

[ Ugh… you… you!]

Interrogating Zhuge Bu one-on-one would be too tedious and irritating, so I planned to simply kill him and forcibly summon his spirit using the Heavenly Secret Technique to extract information.

“As the master of the Heavenly Secret Technique, I command you. Tell me the location of Zhuge Yulong’s base body.”

For spirits summoned by the Heavenly Secret Technique, regardless of their feelings, they had to comply with the summoner’s requests. There could be no perjury or interference. This would be much easier than fruitless back-and-forth with the living Zhuge Bu.