Reincarnation Sword God

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00405 천계(天界) ————————————————————————=

What do you mean, Taiping Dao?

I felt a surge of disbelief at Ilro’s words. Taiping Dao was a folk religion that flourished during the late Han Dynasty, and it was responsible for instigating the first large-scale uprising in history. Although it was eventually suppressed, Taiping Dao was the very force that eradicated the decaying Han and ushered in the chaotic Three Kingdoms Period. As a scholar studying literature and history, I was well aware of Taiping Dao’s existence.

The problem was that Taiping Dao was a religion that had emerged a staggering fifteen hundred years ago. It was much older than the late Tang era, and even the era of Zhuge Liang was decades later—truly ancient.

After a moment of thought, the sect leader responded.

[They said we wouldn’t be able to overcome it without our help?]

“That’s correct.”

[That boy, what a disappointment. I never expected he wouldn’t even have the ability to suppress a single uprising…]

At the sect leader’s words, Ilro hastily added, as if to protest.

“That’s not the case. The situation is extremely urgent.”

[Just how urgent do you mean?]

“The Hebei province has already been completely suppressed, and the Taiping Dao’s military force is estimated to be as high as three hundred thousand. They are attacking Shanxi, and Shanxi Province is on the brink of falling. Scholars and city lords concerned about the imminent collapse of the Great Ming Empire are raising armies everywhere to support Luoyang.”

[……]

The sect leader spoke with a tone of incredulity.

[Surely, I receive intelligence from the Central Plains every half moon. Does that mean all this happened within the span of a fortnight?]

“Y-Yes, specifically within the last six days…”

[Hmm…]

The sect leader made a short humming sound and said decisively,

[Call a meeting.]

“Your honor!”

[The Dharma Guardians and of course, the top executives and elders of each sect must attend as well.]

The meeting of the highest executives of the White Lotus Sect was convened half a moment later. Consisting of a total of twenty people, this meeting included not only the sect leader and myself, the deputy sect leader, but also a large number of Dharma Guardians, elders, and the top experts of the Elder Council.

The sect leader opened the meeting.

[Everyone is likely aware of the circumstances by now. What do you think about the current situation?]

“Sect leader, I hope you will join the battle immediately.”

It was Han Baek-ryeong, a Dharma Guardian of the Fire Spirit lineage, who made that determined statement. She had returned from Luoyang to the White Lotus Sect in a short time using the Flame Spirit technique, and her serious expression was unmistakable. The fact that this slippery character couldn’t hide her expression meant that the situation was dire.

“Currently, Luoyang is in chaos. Madmen and thunderous occurrences are rampant, and public order is deteriorating to its worst. We’re attempting to contain it with the Twin Gate Sect, but we are reaching our limits.”

[Madmen?]

“It’s when ordinary humans suddenly go insane and attack those around them. Their physical abilities when mad are difficult to handle even for martial arts experts, making it extremely tricky.”

[Hmm…]

The sect leader looked at Han Baek-ryeong.

[Han Baek-ryeong. You should have received news earlier because you were in Luoyang. Why did you not report sooner?]

“I apologize. However, the initial report merely indicated a riot without any sign for three or four days. Suddenly, the Hebei province was taken, and the Taiping Dao’s massive army advanced at an alarming speed, inundating us with information that we couldn’t respond to.”

[What? So it effectively happened in just a day or two.]

“Yes. I reported it, but there were also frequent incidents where the emperor’s loyal soldiers went mad, making it extremely difficult to manage. I apologize once more.”

It seemed that Han Baek-ryeong had failed to report earlier due to how quickly the situation escalated, which left her unable to gauge the situation. Making rash assumptions in such confusion would only have caused further chaos.

Murmuring

The atmosphere in the room turned perplexed. The speed of Taiping Dao’s rise and advance was far beyond common sense. Normally, regardless of how quickly an army advances, it averages about a hundred li per day. An army capable of exceeding this speed would usually be light and agile cavalry or specially trained troops.

But now, Taiping Dao was moving at a pace that allowed them to cover thousands of li in a single day, demolishing everything in their path—it was akin to a mad storm.

‘It would be impossible unless each soldier is running at a steed-like speed, repeatedly moving and battling with infinite stamina…’

Having read military texts, I understood just how outside the realm of possibility this was. Capturing a city in a day or two and then crossing and advancing thousands of li to reach the mountains of Shanxi near the capital was beyond what human armies could achieve. Even if all soldiers were mounted, they would need infinite stamina, and considering their logistics, it made no sense. Even the legendary cavalry of the Mongolian steppes wouldn’t be able to do so.

As I listened to the discussion, the sect leader suddenly questioned me.

[Deputy sect leader, what do you think of this situation?]

Why is he asking me? Is he trying to pin this on me?

I inwardly grumbled, but Zhuge Sa chided me.

[You fool. You need to make the sect leader aware of the reality first. Otherwise, it’ll be too late, and we’ll be in big trouble.]

[Zhuge Sa, are you implying you know what’s happening?]

[Of course. Just articulate what I’m saying clearly. Don’t mumble.]

This guy always insists on talking like this…

Suppressing my annoyance, I began to speak as Zhuge Sa instructed.

“This situation is beyond human capability. There’s a high chance that a Great Immortal from the Celestial Realm is involved. Among them, the one most closely related to Taiping Dao would be the Southern Flower Immortal, who is said to be the tutor of the Great Hero Zhang Jiao. There’s a strong possibility that he is using Taiping techniques to manipulate the army.”

Murmuring…

The room buzzed again. It was a reaction of disbelief, just like before. After all, even in the celestial realm, such concepts were unheard of for ordinary martial artists and were akin to folk belief.

Perhaps due to this, Dokgo Jun suddenly stood up and addressed me,

[Deputy sect leader… what are you implying? Do you really think the Celestial Realm or Great Immortals are our enemies? Such imaginary beings…?]

“Certainly.”

I replied bluntly.

“From the perspective of the people in the martial world, even our Heavenly Spirit Pill seems like the mythical abilities that could be found in legends. Moreover, you’re aware that entities called Sorcerers exist in this world, right? The Celestial Realm and Great Immortals truly exist, and they’ve directly intervened because they fear our power, which has dominated the Central Plains… I believe it’s possible given the sect leader’s martial authority.”

[Hmm…]

“It was already confirmed that divine beings or apostles exist in the imperial palace, so I don’t see how you can doubt this.”

Dokgo Jun seemed to run out of arguments. After all, he himself had made a deal with the otherworldly and possessed the divine power of the Heavenly Spirit Pill, which meant he would now have cause to accept the possibility of the Celestial Realm or Great Immortals existing. Other officials in the room seemed to start recognizing the shocking reality as well.

The sect leader spoke, attempting to redirect the focus.

[If what the deputy sect leader says is true, then that means those forces are composed of several tens of thousands of berserk warriors, reinforced by the power of the Celestial Great Immortals. Plus, if there are Great Immortals behind them, we might have to fight against them as well.]

“……”

The atmosphere grew heavy. When the sect leader laid out the grim reality, the terrifying power of the enemy was felt anew. There was no assurance that we could win against such foes. The sect leader chuckled softly and then asked me,

[Deputy sect leader, do you think we have a duty to intervene in this matter, regardless of victory or defeat?]

“We already have Dharma Guardians and Fire Spirit lineage protectors in Luoyang.”

[The Fire Spirit protectors can be withdrawn by tomorrow. I’d like a more honest answer.]

I grimaced. The sect leader was clearly wanting to see my improvisation and wisdom amidst this problem. Additionally, the recent shift from a one-sided relationship to an alliance likely played into this. Suppressing my irritation, I calmly responded according to Zhuge Sa’s direction.

“This army of Taiping Dao must be confronted by our sect with all our might. Because if their backers are indeed the Celestial Realm and Great Immortals, then they will ultimately set their sights on our sect.”

[But there’s no certainty that they’re targeting our sect?]

“It’s highly suspicious that a mob of madmen claiming to be Taiping is directly attacking Luoyang, which had just been subdued not long ago. They are likely intending to destroy Luoyang before they grow stronger using the treasures the sect leader acquired from the imperial palace.”

[Then why don’t they storm the main base of the Heavenly Stronghold directly instead?]

“I’m not sure, but perhaps they lack the strength for that now? They might think if they can take Luoyang, they’ll gain confidence to become stronger…”

The last bit wasn’t an opinion from Zhuge Sa but rather a hasty generalization I made. This was because Zhuge Sa had suddenly stopped providing further input. Thus, I felt apprehensive that the conclusion I drew might be too loose and would earn me a backlash.

However, the sect leader seemed to find my words reasonable.

[I see. That could be the case…]

What does “that could be” mean?

I got curious, but the sect leader soon issued me a command.

[Alright. Then, Deputy sect leader Baek Woong, immediately scout the Taiping Dao’s military forces and report back to me.]

“Ugh.”

My expression distorted. I can’t believe he wants me to scout that dangerous army! No matter how much of an expert I had become, it would be exceedingly perilous to enter the throngs of several hundred thousand soldiers who weren’t afraid of death. So, I protested in frustration.

“Sect leader, couldn’t you just crush them with the Dharma Guardians like when you dealt with the imperial palace forces?”

That was my genuine thought. The current leader of the White Lotus Sect could likely obliterate them all on his own. His strength reached the level of the Great Immortal, and with the Primordial Spirit supporting him, his internal power and stamina were infinite. If he unleashed his power—and even if the Great Immortal, Southern Flower Immortal, were to descend in person, I believed the sect leader would still win.

Yet the sect leader firmly rejected.

[That’s not possible.]

“Why not?”

[I have a hunch that the enemy won’t be so simple. Furthermore, if the Taiping Dao’s resurgence is directed at our sect as you suggested, then naturally they’d anticipate our strength and prepare a means to overcome us. We can’t recklessly engage until we know their schemes and power accurately.]

“…”

[Deputy sect leader possesses outstanding maneuverability and wisdom, along with martial prowess. I believe you will be able to uncover sufficient information.]

Just go yourself!

I grumbled internally, but Zhuge Sa said,

[What’s the difference? Just do your job.]

[It’s dangerous. I can already guess there are madmen enhanced by sorcery rampaging around like in Taekyung Village… would you want to be among such people?]

I had infiltrated Taekyung Village, which had been consumed by madness, in the past. The village had been drenched in the wicked god’s offering ceremony, and every resident had become mad, possessing frightening strength and disregarding their lives. If the Taiping Dao followers were in such a state, no matter how peerless my martial abilities were, my life would still be in danger.

[You must gather information on your own, even if the sect leader doesn’t order it. Because this is a move by the Celestial Realm, and if it doesn’t pan out, there’s a good chance they’ll attempt to reinstall the Heavenly Ladder. We need to ascertain their intentions.]

[Hmm…]

I realized there was no way around this. So I quietly replied,

“Your Honor.”

[But it’ll still be tough to go alone. I’ll assign you a guard.]

As soon as the sect leader finished his words, Dokgo Jun stood up from his spot and pledged his martial authority to me.

[I look forward to your guidance, deputy sect leader.]

“……”

[I assure you I won’t be a burden.]

I was flabbergasted.

‘How can you not be a burden!’

Who is Dokgo Jun? He is one of the top martial artists right after the sect leader in the Su Shin Sect, a group renowned for its monstrous talents. Having him with me was akin to having an army behind me. It seemed the sect leader took this matter quite seriously. Then Zhuge Sa smiled slyly and said,

[The sect leader isn’t that simple. There might be ulterior motives.]

[What do you mean?]

[I just mean that. It’s still uncertain.]

As Zhuge Sa mumbled, I felt a suspicious tingle at the back of my mind. I worried that this guy might hit me in the back later on. However, I couldn’t refuse the sect leader’s orders now, so I begrudgingly offered my greeting.

“Thank you.”

As soon as the meeting concluded, the sect leader called me aside and said,

[Baek Woong. Did you sense something unusual in Luoyang’s imperial palace?]

“What do you mean by unusual?”

[Is it my senses that are off…? While I was organizing things in Luoyang, I had a tingling feeling. My seventh sense sometimes warns me of danger. I had a feeling that something was lurking but couldn’t confirm it, so I’m asking.]

“……”

What on earth is the sect leader talking about?

I shook my head as I had no leads whatsoever.

“I don’t think there’s anyone who could deceive your senses.”

[Is that so…?]

After a moment of silence, the sect leader patted my shoulder and said,

[Then, have a safe trip.]

*Bam!*

A moment later, Dokgo Jun and I rode the Four Great Spirits toward the location where the Taiping Dao army was gathering. According to Han Baek-ryeong’s intel, they were currently attacking Shanxi and were advancing like locusts, making it difficult to pinpoint their exact location. Therefore, I enlisted the help of the Four Great Spirits to find the likely area of the Taiping Dao’s forces.

The Four Great Spirits seemed quite capable and quickly located their position, allowing us to observe the Taiping Dao army galloping across the steppe from atop an unnamed hill.

*Dududududududuck*

*Dudududuck*

The ground trembled violently. I looked from a distance at the sight of their advance with a shocked expression.

“They’ve lost it…”

There were no cavalry. Yet, the soldiers ran, every one of them! They moved at a speed that rivaled the steeds! It was impossible for a normal human to run like that, and the sheer fact that they were maintaining that speed was shocking. Looking closer, each soldier appeared to have their eyes rolled back, seemingly devoid of consciousness, with bulging veins and greatly expanded muscles all over their bodies.

Dokgo Jun, who was viewing the scene next to me, remarked,

“They’re pushing their physical potential to the absolute limit. Their stamina, grip, ripping strength, all are likely enhanced tenfold… no, even twentyfold compared to ordinary humans.”

“How did you deduce that so quickly?”

“I’ve seen similar phenomena occur when someone takes forbidden elixirs. However, that potion kills its user within half a moment.”

“Those guys look like they’ve got no intention of dying.”

As I replied, Dokgo Jun glanced at the leading group of the Taiping Dao, who were barreling forward like wild beasts, and said,

“Well, that means they’re already not human.”