Reincarnation Sword God

---

I quickly shared the information about the future vision that Zhuge Sa and I had seen. Zhuge Sa examined the memory of the future through the obsidian and wore an amused expression.

“Hmm, is that so? I had a vague sense that there was some danger, but it might actually be possible…”

“Zhuge Sa, did you figure something out?”

“As you know, the possibility that the Imperial Palace’s divine portrait could mutate into an evil spirit’s apostle is intriguing. That would imply direct involvement from the evil spirit… If that’s the case, then I can’t understand Zhuge Yulong’s actions. He should have realized that if he connected to the evil spirit’s constellation to draw power, it was likely going to happen.”

“……”

“Does that mean the city of Luoyang is more deeply entrenched in demons than I thought…” Zhuge Sa muttered.

“Baek Woong, to use the method you mentioned earlier, we need to gather more treasures. Since we have to conduct the offering ceremony and the petition three times, we can’t do it all at once. You understand that, right?”

“Of course.”

“If we push forcefully right now, it’d be possible to obtain the Fire Element, but let’s take a circuitous route and look for a stable method instead.”

I realized what Zhuge Sa meant.

“You mean we should find more treasures, but is there even such a place?”

Finding treasures is no easy feat. Even I, through twenty lives filled with death-defying adventures and gambles, had achieved this level of results. For an ordinary person to find treasures they might never see in their lifetime requires immense effort and luck. Even the Muramasa I dedicated to the Southern Flower Immortal was of lower grade among my treasures, yet it was an item most people would find hard to acquire in a lifetime.

Then Zhuge Sa chuckled.

“Hehe. You already know where the top-grade treasure is, don’t you?”

“Ah!”

“You figured it out.”

I replied with my arms crossed.

“That treasure is currently torn and shattered, absorbed into the barrier. Without the power of the All-Seeing Eye, you wouldn’t be able to retrieve it in its original state; how would we get it?”

“Hehe.”

“Besides, we need to obtain the Fire Dragon Sword, but why do we need it all of a sudden…”

The Fire Dragon Sword!

Zhuge Sa was talking about retrieving the Fire Dragon Sword absorbed into the underground barrier of the Shangguan Family. The Fire Dragon Sword was exclusively used by Yeodong-bin, and if it were in his hands, it could display the true power of the overlay technique. Moreover, it had an enormous spirit energy, making it a top-tier treasure in its own right. However, since it currently lost its sword form and was absorbed into the barrier, obtaining the Fire Dragon Sword through normal methods was impossible.

Zhuge Sa spoke leisurely.

“In your nineteenth life, Yeodong-bin with the Fire Dragon Sword couldn’t unleash his full power. He was afraid of breaking the sword. So, essentially, the Fire Dragon Sword has only a little power left and is pretty much done as a treasure on its own. If we can manage to acquire the Fire Dragon Sword now, it would just be a hunk of scrap that could break at any moment. But…”

“……?”

“What if we absorbed the supreme fire energy contained in the Fire Element into the Fire Dragon Sword?”

“Hmm!”

“The Fire Dragon Sword would regain its original power, and the fire energy of the Fire Element would be neutralized to a level usable by a human. It would be killing two birds with one stone.”

What a great idea!

In some ways, it was a simple plan, but I hadn’t even thought about linking the Fire Dragon Sword and Fire Element together. That thought process was limited by the premise that the Fire Dragon Sword had lost its material form and couldn’t be obtained without the National Seal. Zhuge Sa continued speaking.

“Furthermore, there are two or so methods to restore the Fire Dragon Sword to its original state… Well, we’ll find out once we go. Let’s move.”

“I understand.”

I realized once again that Mangnyang and Zhuge Sa were quite different types of strategists. Neither’s cunning could be said to be better, but Mangnyang was a strategist who painted grand pictures from his desk, while Zhuge Sa was one who took action first to see results.

Piying

I arrived with Zhuge Sa at the basement of the Shangguan Family, right in front of the barrier. The bizarre structure spiraling around the barrier twisted as if it were infinite, repeating its curved motion. The eerie sound resonated through the silence.

Zhuge Sa looked delighted as he examined the barrier with his own eyes.

“Hehe. This is a highly advanced magical engineering that is impossible with the technology of this era… undoubtedly a creation of the otherworldly race. I can’t even estimate how many sorcerers were used to create this.”

I flinched at Zhuge Sa’s words and turned to look at him.

“You mean they were used up?”

“That’s right. This alone wouldn’t be enough to close the passage to Dark Heaven Village. It would have required at least tens of sorcerers and hundreds, even thousands, of humans for human sacrifices. And even then it wasn’t enough, they hastily borrowed the power of the Fire Dragon Sword to barely close it.”

I frowned.

“Human sacrifice again?”

Why do sorcerers have such a penchant for killing people to offer? And if that was true, at least hundreds of humans must have been sacrificed here, but even activating the Heavenly Secret Technique revealed no credible evil spirits nearby. That meant the barrier in front of me had the property of absorbing and devouring evil spirits.

Zhuge Sa said,

“Alright, let’s begin the first method.”

I nodded and then attuned my spirit to call Yeodong-bin. I felt Yeodong-bin’s tremendous power and sensed him settling in my body.

Whooosh

[What is it, Dharma Protector?]

As Yeodong-bin’s spirit surely descended into the underworld, I spoke to him.

[Yeodong-bin the Sword Master, the Fire Dragon Sword of yours is absorbed here. It is being used to seal the barrier of Dark Heaven Village!]

Yeodong-bin responded, seemingly taken aback.

[Is it true? I don’t feel the power of the Fire Dragon Sword…]

As expected, the Fire Dragon Sword was in a cleverly concealed state, so much so that even Yeodong-bin himself wouldn’t be aware of it if he were here. This would explain why a successor for Yeodong-bin hadn’t appeared in a thousand years.

[It has lost its form due to being sealed. Is there any way to resolve this?]

[Hmm… I wasn’t aware until you mentioned it.]

Yeodong-bin appeared thoughtful. After a long silence, he spoke.

[Dharma Protector, regardless, the essence of the Fire Dragon True Person should still be attached here. If not, the essence would have disintegrated and rendered it ineffective. If we can retrieve and awaken that essence, perhaps we can detach the Fire Dragon Sword from the barrier.]

[What should we do?]

[First, I will call out to him.]

A while later, Yeodong-bin possessed my body. Then he bellowed loudly.

[Oh, my teacher, the Fire Dragon True Person!! I, Yeodong-bin, have come to seek you! Come forth!]

Woooooo

Woooooo

It was a simple and brute method, but it seemed effective. As Yeodong-bin’s Lion’s Roar echoed, sparks flew from the barrier as it tremored. Zhuge Sa, who was watching from the side, muttered.

“The spirit of the Fire Dragon True Person is responding.”

Though Yeodong-bin shot him a glance, Zhuge Sa simply grinned and said,

“I’m just a passing sorcerer, but I’m harmless, so Sword Master, please continue your work.”

Yeodong-bin, whose mission was to eliminate demons, seemed to be contemplating whether to kill Zhuge Sa for radiating significant magical power. However, when I panicked and tried to exit, Yeodong-bin ignored Zhuge Sa and shouted again.

[… I, Yeodong-bin, have come to seek you! Come forth!]

Krouuuung

The barrier trembled even more violently. At that moment, a furious voice echoed from the corridor behind.

“Damn it!! Which son of a bitch dares to meddle with the seal?!”

Swish

In an instant, the formidable sorcerer Sangwan Hyuk burst into the room, demonstrating an impressive light body technique. Indeed, as a warrior of the Return to Simplicity, his martial prowess was at a peak level. Sangwan Hyuk’s immense energy surged out and attacked Yeodong-bin.

But who could possibly defeat Yeodong-bin with mere martial arts?! Yeodong-bin, as if to ridicule him, casually waved his arm and split Sangwan Hyuk’s power in two, then swiftly placed the blade against Sangwan Hyuk’s throat in just one second.

Piying…

“Ugh…”

In an instant, Sangwan Hyuk found himself at the brink of losing his head, swallowing hard as he pressed himself against the cave wall. He realized that he was facing an absolute powerhouse beyond his comprehension. Though startled, he spoke quickly.

“Stop! If that seal breaks… the world will be doomed…”

Zhuge Sa then jeered.

“That’s all well and good, but what right do you have to steal someone else’s item and use it as you please? The original owner has come here to reclaim what’s theirs; do you have the decency to respond?”

“W-What?! The original owner?”

“The Fire Dragon Sword has only one master, right?”

“Wait… could it be…”

Sangwan Hyuk stuttered and suddenly realized something, his eyes widening.

“Yeodong-bin!!”

His face displayed shock as if he couldn’t believe what he had just learned.

[Indeed, human. I have come here to rescue my Master’s incarnation.]

As soon as Yeodong-bin’s solemn voice echoed, Sangwan Hyuk closed his eyes in resigned defeat.

“Ugh…”

[Fortunately, it seems my Master’s essence has been in a dormant state. Just a couple more calls, and he should awaken completely. At that point, the Fire Dragon Sword should also detach from the seal.]

When Yeodong-bin turned his head, Sangwan Hyuk was sweating profusely.

“Sword Master! Please hold on for a moment! This cannot go on!”

[What do you mean?]

“The barrier is the crack that was created between Dark Heaven Village and this world due to the ancient offering ceremony! This barrier barely holds thanks to the Fire Dragon Sword’s essence, and in two hundred years, it will lose its efficacy and burst open. If we retrieve the Fire Dragon Sword now, the otherworldly monsters will immediately pour out!!”

[……]

“Please… I’m sorry, but for now, leaving the Fire Dragon Sword where it is is the best option.”

Yeodong-bin had a difficult expression. He needed to extract the Fire Dragon Sword to save his Master, but that also meant bringing a tremendous calamity to the world. Zhuge Sa interjected as he observed from the side.

“If you want, I can step in and definitively close it.”

Both Yeodong-bin and Sangwan Hyuk turned their gazes to Zhuge Sa. He responded with a cold grin.

“But in exchange, you’re going to become my puppet from now on.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m Zhuge Sa, the leader of the Heretical Sect. If you agree to have the Soul Exchange Technique cast on you, I’ll help you retrieve the Fire Dragon Sword and close the barrier even more securely.”

“Ugh. The leader of the Heretical Sect…”

Zhuge Sa chuckled.

“I can cast it without your consent, but since you’re a sorcerer, your mental defenses are high, which makes things troublesome…”

Sangwan Hyuk seemed to realize Zhuge Sa’s identity, grinding his teeth. It appeared he was familiar enough with Zhuge Sa’s infamy as a fellow sorcerer. Additionally, he seemed to understand the power of the Soul Exchange Technique to some extent, as he tightly sealed his lips. Zhuge Sa smoothly continued.

“What will it be? If you drag it on any longer, it will only put you at a disadvantage. You might enjoy a front-row seat to the chaos unleashed by thousands of otherworldly monsters in Luoyang.”

Sangwan Hyuk began to sweat profusely from every pore on his face. Even as a martial expert capable of controlling his own body with his power, such a reaction indicated that his emotions were dangerously escalating, nearing a breaking point.

Eventually, Sangwan Hyuk seemed to gather his resolve and spoke somberly.

“I accept.”

Moments later, Zhuge Sa placed his hand on Sangwan Hyuk’s heart and cast the Soul Exchange Technique. Sangwan Hyuk hesitated for a moment, as a mental defense spell was cast on him, but then they observed Sangwan Hyuk’s essence being drawn into Zhuge Sa. Thus, Sangwan Hyuk became akin to a slave dominated by the Soul Exchange Technique.

Yeodong-bin glared at Zhuge Sa.

[Sorcerer, if you cannot fulfill your promise, I will take your head.]

“Don’t worry; I will get the job done.”

Swish

Zhuge Sa took out the Nine Stars Material and unfolded it. The unknown otherworldly language inscribed in the artifact gradually began to materialize as if it were truly alive in reality. Zhuge Sa seemed to chant the secrets of the Nine Stars Material, then muttered more intently.

Ph’nglui Mglw’nafh….

Cthulhu R’lyeh Wgah’nagl Fhtagn…

A strange resonance echoed, reminiscent of something I had heard before. Finally, as the incantation concluded, a dark light arose in the void and shot forward.

Kugung

The dark light pierced the center of the sealing barrier, and a whirlwind began to form violently as Zhuge Sa threw the Nine Stars Material into it.

“I offer this to the God!”

The whirlwind devoured the Nine Stars Material as if it were alive, followed by a profound silence.

Zhuge Sa breathed heavily and said to Yeodong-bin,

“It’s done now. Call upon the Fire Dragon True Person to awaken him.”

[Understood.]

Yeodong-bin’s booming roar resonated several more times. The sealing barrier began to release dozens of shattered essences as if they were being expelled, and those sacred essences fluttered about like dandelion seeds lost in the wind. Gazing at this sight, Yeodong-bin concentrated his spirit and intent, taking a sword posture.

Chiriring!

What an astonishing sight. Moments later, the Fire Dragon Sword appeared in Yeodong-bin’s hand!

Yeodong-bin glared at Zhuge Sa with a sour expression and said,

[Sorcerer, I will not tolerate your kind in the future.]

“Do keep that in mind.”

[Dharma Protector… the Fire Dragon Sword has weakened. You must help restore its vitality.]

With those final words, Yeodong-bin departed from my body. Immediately after reclaiming control, I spoke to Zhuge Sa.

“Zhuge Sa, is everything alright? The Nine Stars Material could be used in dealings with prophets; wasting it here…”

Zhuge Sa chuckled.

“Hehe, a demon book is like a treasure for a sorcerer. Moreover, wasting such a supreme demon book as the Nine Stars Material for just a few tidbits of information from a prophet is something only a madman would do.”

“……”

“Using it on such a massive seal is much more efficient considering future plans.”

Suddenly, Sangwan Hyuk, who had been listening to our conversation, gasped in shock.

“I… the Nine Stars Material?! You just offered that legendary demon book to summon the power of the evil spirit?!”

“You’re quite perceptive.”

“Ugh! Who are you two…?”

The look of desire and regret boiling in Sangwan Hyuk’s eyes confirmed that the Nine Stars Material’s value was tremendously high. For a sorcerer handling knowledge of the otherworldly race, it was undeniably a priceless treasure.

Zhuge Sa pressed down on Sangwan Hyuk’s forehead.

“That’s none of your concern. And you are now my puppet, so do behave.”

“……”

“I won’t make you do anything terrible, so rest easy.”

Is that meant to be consolation?

Leaving behind Sangwan Hyuk, who had instantly become a slave of the Soul Exchange Technique, we both escaped from the basement of the Shangguan Family through the Whirlwind. Following the plan, I headed to Master Mangnyang’s village alone to meet Cheon Woo-jin again. Cheon Woo-jin grimaced openly.

“You’re back again? You’re not here to offer treasures to Tian Xuan again, are you?”

“Actually, yes.”

“Get lost! I have no reason to help you again!”

“Hmm…”

“Having received the Heavenly Decree Technique, shouldn’t you be holed up in the mountain temple practicing day and night instead? Why do you keep bothering me?”

Cheon Woo-jin’s face was filled with irritation as he shouted. However, I said nonchalantly,

“I’m not asking for it for free. I could listen to some stories…”

At this, Cheon Woo-jin’s expression changed slightly.

“Oh?”

“Well, I’m not rude enough to expect everything for free.”

As I spoke, I discreetly pulled out the Sacred Lotus and Black and White Lotus. Though a sorcerer, it seemed that the Sacred Lotus and Black and White Lotus were of enough value to pique Cheon Woo-jin’s interest, as his gaze shifted. After some contemplation, Cheon Woo-jin said,

“Well… let me check with my teacher.”

He vanished somewhere, then reappeared shortly thereafter with the Illusion Fog.

“My teacher has given the go-ahead. But first, I will need my share.”

“Are you asking for payment upfront?”

“Then what, you expect me to receive payment later? If things go south, I’d have to kill you afterward? I really prefer payment upfront.”

Responding brusquely to Cheon Woo-jin, I handed over the Sacred Lotus and Black and White Lotus one by one, forcing a bitter smile. Cheon Woo-jin accepted them with satisfaction and led me into the village.

“This way.”

As I watched Cheon Woo-jin’s back, I thought,

‘He’s not a bad guy, but I can’t quite warm up to him.’

He’s quite consistent in that regard.

Should I call him a pure genius?

After a while, Cheon Woo-jin began the Great Immortal Manifestation Ceremony, and I felt tense starting from the moment the Heavenly Ruler of Tai Xu manifested.

From now on, it begins.

[I am the Heavenly Ruler of Tai Xu. You have called upon me once more…]

“Tai Xu Ruler.”

[Hmm?]

As the Heavenly Ruler of Tai Xu was summoned, I spoke firmly.

“I wish to offer sacrifices in exchange for the right to perform the sealing ceremony.”