Reincarnation Sword God

---

00442 Dark Heaven Village ————————————————————————

[What are you saying? Do you dare to make a request to the Great Immortal?]

Namhwa No-sun looked furious. But I calmly replied, “I simply want what is due for the offering ceremony.”

[To pass on the Great Immortal’s magic to a human is to defy the heavenly laws. Such powerful magic disrupts the balance on earth, thus forbidden by the laws of the Celestial Realm.]

I couldn’t help but smile, as it was exactly what I had anticipated. “Then I will add extra offerings to make up for the shortfall.”

[What?]

Namhwa No-sun’s eyes widened in disbelief. Seizing the moment of his surprise, I started lifting treasures one by one. “To begin with, I’m thinking of offering the statue of Jeon Wook of the Three Sovereigns and my twin broadswords…”

[Hmm…]

“And here are the Muramasa and various precious metals I’m willing to offer.”

[……]

Namhwa No-sun looked deeply troubled. He then cleared his throat and said, [Hrm! Isn’t your sincerity lacking…?]

“What?”

Namhwa No-sun, staring at the sky with his hands behind his back, appeared to be contemplating. [Sincerity! If you had a bit more sincerity… I might consider it…]

“……”

Wow… that’s so blatant! Is it really okay for a Great Immortal to be this straightforward? ‘Ugh… disgusting!’ At that moment, I thought that a revered Great Immortal, whom the disciples of the mortal realm held in such awe, need not cultivate their spirit or develop their personality at all. Namhwa No-sun’s behavior was no different from that of a corrupted human.

But for now, I pretended not to be disappointed and glanced at Mangnyang beside me. Since Zhuge Sa was a demon sorcerer, he couldn’t join us for the offering ceremony, so the only one who could aid me here was Mangnyang. Mangnyang nodded, as if he understood, and turned to Namhwa No-sun.

“Namhwa No-sun!! I wonder if you’re being excessively greedy.”

Namhwa No-sun frowned.

[What does something like ‘humanity’ have to do with this?]

“I am a disciple of Jeon Mangnyang before being human. Just by the value of the offering, it should be sufficient. Yet Baek Woong here has generously added additional offerings. But you, Namhwa No-sun, have your eyes blinded by wealth, disregarding the sincerity of humans.”

Mangnyang strongly criticized Namhwa No-sun and pointed to the shrine of Yeodong-bin behind us.

“If you continue to disregard us like this, I have a plan. I will offer my master a sacrifice and ask him to destroy you!”

[Huh!?]

Namhwa No-sun looked genuinely startled.

[Do you think such a thing is possible? Even Jeon Mangnyang…]

“It’s entirely possible.”

At Mangnyang’s next words, I was slightly taken aback.

“Don’t you know my master fears nothing in the Celestial Realm? I thought you would know most about that, Namhwa No-sun!”

[……]

I interjected slyly. “Since you are the one with excessive greed, I shall collect the additional offerings altogether. Please grant me the Taepyeong magic.”

[You… you brats…]

“If you don’t give it…”

As I stepped slightly toward the shrine of Yeodong-bin, Namhwa No-sun flinched. He couldn’t help it; he was previously annihilated in a single blow by Jeon Mangnyang. If we decided to ask Jeon Mangnyang for help in taking down Namhwa No-sun, this time he’d surely become utterly incapacitated.

Then Namhwa No-sun screamed in desperation, [You insolent humans! Yes, I admit my greed, but it’s true that the celestial laws don’t match the price! The Taepyeong magic is a Great Immortal’s technique, so at least surrender Jeon Wook’s statue and the Muramasa.]

Ugh, that guy…

I was irritated, but just then Mangnyang relayed his thoughts to me through Suspicious Fishhook.

[Baek Woong. Namhwa No-sun’s words this time are correct. In fact, Taepyeong magic is quite big to obtain just through offerings.]

That was a logical argument. Though the offering was an immense natural spirit energy accumulated over thousands of years, Taepyeong magic was still a powerful technique able to control and resurrect hundreds of thousands.

[Hmm… shall we settle here?]

[That would be wise. If we provoke Namhwa No-sun too much, he might place a curse on us and leave.]

[Understood.]

I nodded after discussing with Mangnyang.

“That will do.”

[Hrm.]

A moment later, Jeon Wook’s statue and the Muramasa vanished from the altar. After receiving the price, Namhwa No-sun stretched his hand toward me, his eyes sparkling.

[Then I’ll pass on the Taepyeong magic, receive it…]

Wuuuuuu

As he reached out for a long time to transmit the spirit energy and memories, Namhwa No-sun spoke in confusion.

[Huh? What’s this? This…]

He stumbled back awkwardly, leaving me tilting my head.

“What’s wrong?”

[…It’s overwhelming.]

“What?”

Namhwa No-sun shouted furiously.

[I feel creeped out!! I never expected someone to lack talent this much…]

“……”

[Ugh… am I really going to give it to such a talentless fool? It’s a waste to share with an outstanding disciple…]

“You’ll have to give it. It’s a contract.”

[Hmph!]

Finally, Namhwa No-sun completed the transmission. I could now access the knowledge and training methods for the new Taepyeong magic along with its background information. Although merely receiving it wouldn’t increase my magical power, I had now acquired another magic from a Great Immortal, following the Heavenly Secret Technique!

Once the offering ceremony concluded, Cheon Woo-jin blinked at me, appearing fatigued, and said,

“Baek Woong… do you know what kind of magic Taepyeong is before receiving it?”

“Of course, I know.”

“Good grief… there are better magics out there, so why did you choose—”

Cheon Woo-jin murmured as if he couldn’t comprehend, crossing his arms.

“Let me remind you, don’t create a cult or mislead others once you’ve trained in Taepyeong magic. If that happens, I’ll come and punish you.”

I felt slightly displeased and retorted, “Who are you to say you’ll punish me? Is learning Taepyeong magic a crime?”

“It could be.”

“Hmm?”

“Taepyeong magic is classified very close to forbidden laws in the techniques of the Central Plains. Naturally, it contains necromancy that controls the dead and enchantment techniques, so it’s obvious. Consequently, many practitioners have fallen into wickedness, resulting in rampant corruption. Many people end up creating cults or going insane while training.”

“……”

So that’s why Namhwa No-sun was like that, huh?

“While it’s acknowledged that it’s incredibly attractive and powerful magic, making sure it’s a high risk to train is undeniable.”

“I’ll handle it my way, so don’t worry.”

“That’s absurd either way.”

“I am not the absurd one.”

I said firmly and then left the village with Mangnyang. We headed to find Zhuge Sa, waiting outside the village, to inform him that I had acquired the Taepyeong magic.

Zhuge Sa asked, “So can you use the Taepyeong magic now?”

I shook my head.

“No, I have no clue what it is all about.”

“Explain it in more detail.”

“Um… it’s similar to receiving the magic and experiences of Jeon Mangnyang from 200 years ago. A massive amount of knowledge is crammed into one part of my head, but I can’t comprehend it.”

“That’s understandable. It’s like having an entire sect’s techniques loaded in your mind.”

I asked with skepticism, “Is it really effective?”

“Of course!”

Zhuge Sa replied confidently.

“According to my knowledge, Taepyeong magic has another capability beyond the necromancy and enchantment you’ve seen. That ability is to manipulate the weather.”

“Hmm.”

“If Taepyeong magic reaches the level of Great Achievement, it might be able to hasten an eclipse. The magic of a Great Immortal holds such power.”

Zhuge Sa chuckled.

“I do wonder when you’ll master it, considering you’re still struggling with the Soul Exchange Technique and the Three Treasure Technique…”

However, I wasn’t swayed by Zhuge Sa’s words. That’s because I had already sworn to oppose the gods and witness their demise, regardless of time.

‘As I cannot acquire the Fire Element right now, let’s put it on hold for now.’

Rushing into acquiring the Fire Element now could be done anytime later. Now that I had gained Zhuge Sa and Mangnyang in this lifetime, I needed to gather further information.

I looked at Mangnyang and said, “Mangnyang, do you think it will be necessary to contact the Thunder God Lineage in this life?”

“I’m not sure. In your memories, the Thunder God Lineage moved quite recklessly…”

Mangnyang sighed softly.

“But to offer proper advice, do save the power of reversal as much as possible in this life. Since it’s revealed you can only use that power once, you need to be more cautious.”

“I agree with that.”

Zhuge Sa chimed in.

“Another thing. I’d recommend digging into the Twelve Joules from now on.”

“That’s what I was thinking.”

After responding to Zhuge Sa, I pondered before saying, “However, I’m torn between starting from the bottom in the Twelve Joules or negotiating directly with the Joule Master.”

All of us here had agreed on the necessity to tackle the Twelve Joules in this lifetime to uncover their secrets. This was because among the three major forces currently splitting the world, the Imperial Palace and the White Lotus Sect had clear enough motives and means, while the Twelve Joules and the Joule Masters remained obscured. Therefore, I needed to find out about the Twelve Joules to strategize how to deal with them in the future.

To put it simply, I could just assassinate the Joule Master with the power of reversal, but I wasn’t keen on being under the dominion of a jungle, and I felt that borrowing divine power was futile. I could attempt that after getting to know the Twelve Joules better.

Zhuge Sa said, “You can do as you please with that. After all, you’re likely to encounter absurd problems while proceeding as you wish, resulting in either a life or death situation. Amidst all that, you might unexpectedly obtain important clues.”

“……”

“Then I’ll be at Jangryeong Valley.”

Paa-at

Zhuge Sa used a bizarre spell to summon a strange demon beast to ride on. That creature called Bi-yaki could move at an incredible speed. Once Bi-yaki disappeared, Mangnyang said,

“Baek Woong, you have an endless variety of tactics you can attempt now.”

“I know.”

“Whether it be me or Zhuge Sa, we have heaps of advice and possibilities we want to share with you. However, the reason we can’t readily speak is that your adventure has expanded so broadly that it’s become a realm beyond human wisdom to fathom.”

Mangnyang stared at the sky.

“Just look at the matters of the White Lotus Sect’s Heavenly Spirit Pill. We were all moving under the assumption that we needed to acquire the Heavenly Spirit Pill, but it ultimately turned out to be a trap. There are far too many unpredictable things in this world. And in this situation, the most crucial aspect is your intuition as a reborn person.”

“Um… so you refrained from giving advice to keep my intuition undisturbed?”

“Exactly.”

After Mangnyang nodded, he continued, “You can now choose your path with your own will, so I can’t force my strategies on you. Sharpen yourself and choose the path that looks the best. I believe no matter what, it will yield good results.”

Having given such advice, Mangnyang left.

‘Is this the consideration of my advisors?’

From an efficiency standpoint, it would have been best for Mangnyang and Zhuge Sa to stick with me right now, discussing and strategizing various things. However, since they didn’t do that and instead went off to do their own business, it was because they trusted my ‘intuition.’

I contemplated for a moment before making a decision.

“Then shall I go meet people I haven’t met until now?”

Immediately, I used the Wooden Armor and the Golden Lamp to release all the people I had rescued so far. After freeing the pirate prisoners, I visited the Shadowless Gate, handing the Sword Demon my daughter, Seo Mun-hye, and my obsidian.

The Sword Demon appeared noticeably surprised as he read my memories.

“Hmm…!! I can’t believe such a thing happened.”

“Sword Demon, I have a favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

“I have brought all the women who were victims of the Namgung Clan. Please persuade the Master of the Shadowless Sect to cooperate in punishing the Namgung Clan.”

“……”

The Sword Demon folded his arms in silence. Then he said, “I think I understand your thoughts. Are you trying to introduce me to the Master of the Shadowless Sect while resolving the prisoner issue?”

“You could see it that way.”

“Good. There’s nothing wrong for me to do that. However…”

The Sword Demon trailed off.

“I’m beginning to worry about you…”

When I looked at the Sword Demon, he said, “I can tell your determination to fight against the gods is genuine. However, to be willing to use your life as a means for such a cause… it worries me that one day, you might become a monster as your humanity wears away.”

I sighed.

“Your Honor, humanity is meaningless before gods…”

I realized this after facing them directly and dying over twenty times, leading me to choose the path of risking my life in battle.

“…I see.”

The Sword Demon smiled bitterly and stood up.

“Then I shall take my leave.”