Reincarnation Sword God

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00455 암천향(暗天鄕) ————————————————————————=

The information obtained from the Zhuyong Tribe was quite thorough. Instead of answering my questions, he instantly threw a dark metal ingot at me.

“What is this…”

“I shall transfer my memories.”

Wiiing!

In the next moment, black light burst from the metal ingot, and knowledge poured into my mind in an instant. I soon realized what this metal ingot was.

‘It’s made from a mineral that can only be found in the Outside World!’

Since this world lacked that mineral, obsidian was being used as a substitute, but it was inefficient. The Zhuyong Tribe seemed to be using special minerals mined from their homeland to transmit memories much more efficiently.

Through this memory transfer, I immediately understood the ability of the Dragon Flower Tree. It condenses an immense amount of spirit energy and is a seed from one of the extremely rare tree species that remain in this world. It seemed that this spirit energy was used to break curses. However, there were no records detailing what specific abilities one would gain from consuming the Dragon Flower Tree.

Furthermore, upon seeing the shape of the Dragon Flower Tree seed, I made a bewildered expression.

A black lump that looked almost alive! It felt like some tiny creature was wriggling within the dark mass! Its features were so striking that one could hardly forget after seeing it once.

I asked the Zhuyong Tribe member a question.

“You didn’t tell me the location. Is the seed buried next to the Dragon Flower?”

“Well, we don’t know that either.”

“Why not?”

“Because… the records we have from the Celestial Realm only mentioned that it is buried near the Seven Luminaries. The Celestial Realm didn’t provide any more information, so we don’t know. However, it is highly likely that the seed of the Dragon Flower Tree is buried in the ground.”

I had just understood what the Phna Cutus was through the ingot. As I had seen when wandering around the Arasa Empire before, this [Great Tribe] had built libraries all over the world to accumulate their knowledge. One of those libraries is the Phna Cutus, a hidden city in the southern continent where the Dragon Flower is located.

‘Hmm. This isn’t really progressing much…’

I felt troubled. It was great that I had definitively discovered the shape and ability of the Dragon Flower Tree, but not knowing where it was buried in the Dragon’s Peach Garden made it difficult to say much. It seemed I had no choice but to recklessly overturn the Peach Garden using the soil-turning technique to find it.

The Zhuyong member continued, “Then I shall give you the information regarding Gong Gong.”

As he handed me another ingot, I stared at it curiously before receiving it. When the Zhuyong looked at me with an expression of intrigue, I asked,

“I’m curious, how efficient is this ingot compared to obsidian in terms of memory transfer?”

“I don’t know why you’re asking that, but… roughly 15,000 times.”

“……”

That’s an enormous difference. It meant that the size of the storage medium was 15,000 times larger, even if the same memories were placed inside. I looked at him with a slightly yearning gaze and said,

“C-can I buy a few of these ingots?”

The Zhuyong Tribe member replied resolutely,

“No way. This is classified information, so that cannot happen. My hand hurts, so hurry and receive the ingots.”

“Hmm.”

I smacked my lips and this time received the information about Gong Gong into my mind. The appearance and armament of Gong Gong matched almost exactly what I had personally seen, and a few weak points were recorded as well. Additionally, it was possible to see images of Gong Gong during the Mythological Age and scenes of battle replaying in my mind.

While examining the memories, I asked the Zhuyong Tribe member about Gong Gong’s weaknesses.

“Most of it is rather incomprehensible. Is there something a little more plausible?”

“What do you mean by incomprehensible?”

“It’s recorded that I should choose one of the types of weapons your Zhuyong Tribe possesses and attack him, but I’m asking for the weaknesses that Gong Gong himself holds.”

“Hmm?”

“I don’t have any Zhuyong weapons, so I’ll have to defeat him using martial arts and techniques.”

This was my frustration. A complicated language filled with weapon names written, but it came down to vague indications like “If you shoot Gong Gong from a distance using this weapon, you’ll win.” There were weapons like light cannons or ones that concentrated sunlight into a single point. Those were not weaknesses but merely boasting about their advanced weapons. The Zhuyong member then looked at me with a face full of incredulity and said,

“Are you seriously saying you’d fight the Divine Giant in close combat and expect to win? How primitive…”

“……”

How is that primitive?!

Why do I have to hear such things?! Just as I was getting irritated and about to retort, the Zhuyong slowly responded,

“That Divine Giant Gong Gong was once a being powerful enough to rival the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. He was a Flame Giant capable of freely manipulating water techniques, but now his power and divine status have been sealed, rendering him incapable of using the power of water and only able to use the fire he was innately born with. If I must say, that would be his weakness.”

So I need to find a way to suppress the power of flames.

I didn’t entirely like the thought, but I considered it a significant clue and nodded.

“Thank you.”

The Zhuyong Tribe member turned to leave and said,

“When the time comes, our king will formally make a request to you, the Apostle. Until then, safe travels.”

Whoosh!

In the next moment, I realized that my body had suddenly returned to Jangryeong Valley. I had been forcibly teleported by someone else. Surprised, I looked around and noticed that they had used a spell to send me back to “the place I was just at.”

‘As expected, I should not make them my enemies…’

They were undoubtedly a powerful tribe with immense knowledge and wisdom, surpassing human understanding. Surely, being blessed with such tremendous strength earned them the title of the Great Tribe, bringing about awe. Even if, in the eyes of humanity, they were considered hideous monsters, their mental prowess didn’t fall short of treating humans as mere beasts.

Since I had obtained the necessary information, I headed to Zhuge Sa to share the findings. Upon reviewing the information, Zhuge Sa pondered and said,

“It seems we should start from the Imperial Palace. That would be the proper order.”

“I’ve already put the Crystal Stele and Divine Portrait into the Wooden Armor…”

“There’s still one thing remaining.”

Are you referring to the National Seal?

However, to obtain that, we must have the strength to breach the barriers guarding the National Seal. At this moment, I had no choice but to seek the help of Cheon Woo-jin, as Zhuge Sa’s barrier-breaking ability wasn’t very strong.

When I stared intently at Zhuge Sa, he remarked,

“Borrowing Cheon Woo-jin’s strength would be easier and faster.”

“Hmm. Am I giving too many treasures to Cheon Woo-jin?”

I felt troubled. Thus far, I had already given gold bars from the ruins of Seven Luminaries, Obsidian, and now the Sacred Lotus. Having given him treasures that an average martial artist would take a lifetime to obtain, it was only natural I would hesitate at the third requester.

“Don’t you think that forming a connection with a divine-level sorcerer to make a request is one of the fortuitous encounters? Compared to the benefit of acquiring the Dragon Flower Tree and the Dragon’s Peach, it wouldn’t be a big deal. But I must keep the Obsidian as a last resort for negotiating with the Master.”

“Then what should I give Cheon Woo-jin? The others are all precious items like the Fire Dragon Sword, White Feather Fan, Wooden Armor, or the Golden Lamp that I hesitate to part with right now.”

As I grumbled, Zhuge Sa chuckled.

“Simply take some puny fools and beat them up to take what you need.”

I gradually began to move according to Zhuge Sa’s strategy.

Boom!

I immediately transferred to Sasaki Kojiro’s house in Dongyoung.

“You’re crying too much… is it all empty now… this cicada shell?”

“……”

“Who are you?”

Sasaki Kojiro, it seemed, was sitting in his room reciting traditional haikus, but when I suddenly appeared, he stared at me blankly, and I spoke to him.

“Are you Sasaki Kojiro, pretending to be someone else because of Miyamoto Musashi?”

“Who are you?!”

“I’m a friend of Musashi.”

“……”

Though I lied so calmly, Sasaki Kojiro looked intrigued. That made sense, as he himself was a Peak Master and would surely have some idea about my prowess and was the most fitting identity to explain the entire situation. I continued speaking.

“Miyamoto Musashi said that it was obvious you’re hitting a limit with the Book of Five Relationships, so he told you to refine your sword skills on the continent.”

“Did… Musashi really say that?”

“Is that incorrect? You must clearly feel the limits of your own talents.”

Although I spoke, I felt bitter. I wasn’t in a position to tell Kojiro such a thing.

“Ugh.”

Sasaki Kojiro displayed a look of great shock. Though it was merely Zhuge Sa’s guesswork, it seemed to strike a chord. I took a bold step forward and extended my hand.

“Musashi advised that you should return the unsuitable Book of Five Relationships and show you a higher dimension of swordsmanship.”

Kojiro hesitated for a moment and then began to change his tone.

“… You should introduce yourself first. No matter what, this isn’t something to give to someone whose name I don’t even know!”

“I am Baek Woong of the Thunder God Lineage. You’ll understand that Musashi is currently in the Special Position of Twelve Joules and has restored the Lunar Kill Technique.”

“……!!”

Kugugugu

I unleashed my internal power in earnest to increase my aura. It appeared that Sasaki Kojiro was overwhelmed merely by that impact and pressure. He made an effort to resist through his intent, but for a moment, the disparity in strength had imprinted in Kojiro’s mind. I chuckled and said,

“I could take it by force, but I should at least ask as per your request. Hand over the Book of Five Relationships and follow me, and I will arrange a place for you to hone your skills in the Central Plains Martial World.”

“The Central Plains Martial World? You mean I’m to clash with Great Masters of the Great Ming?”

“Exactly. In this cramped Dongyoung region, even if there are Peak Masters like Kamizumi Nobutsuna or Tsukuhara Boku-den, there are only two! But in the Central Plains, there are over twenty Peak Masters that are revealed, and combined with hermits and White Lotus Sect masters, that number increases even more. It would be perfect for you to refine the sword qi from the Book of Five Relationships that you cannot digest due to your lack of real combat experience.”

“Hmm…”

Sasaki Kojiro contemplated for a while, then nodded and retrieved the Book of Five Relationships from his belongings and handed it to me.

“Here, take it.”

“Great. Now, follow me.”

Boom!

I took Kojiro and headed to the Sword Demon. After briefly explaining the situation, the Sword Demon immediately understood and chuckled.

“What perfect timing. The position of the Dharma Protector was vacant.”

Kojiro, looking uneasy, said,

“Are there really so many masters in the Great Ming?”

As I translated Kojiro’s words to the Sword Demon, he burst into cheerful laughter.

“Bwahaha… to discuss masters at that level is truly audacious! Just putting a few top-ranking individuals from your island nation here indiscriminately would result in instant doom!”

“Gasp.”

Upon hearing the Sword Demon’s words translated, Kojiro’s face turned genuinely shocked. I bowed respectfully to the Sword Demon.

“Then I look forward to your guidance. As for the secret techniques of the Black Horse, I’ll claim them.”

“Fufu… do as you wish. I have no need for the techniques of the Black Horse.”

“Yes.”

“The plan of earning twice from one request is quite splendid.”

It seemed the Sword Demon immediately realized that Zhuge Sa had devised the plan to gain the Book of Five Relationships while also having Kojiro join the Sword Demon’s Shadowless Sect.

Swish!

Next, I moved to the hidden location of the Black Night Gate within the Eight Demons of the Demon Path. There was no gatekeeper near the small cave in the dark mountain valley. That was because it was a location so secretive, obscured by underbrush and shrubbery, known only to the Black Horse of the Eight Demons of the Demon Path.

I entered the hidden area and stored the secret techniques contained within the Black Night Gate into my Wooden Armor. Additionally, I collected the valuable gemstones and gold bars that the Black Horse had secretly hoarded. The worth of these alone could easily establish two or three battlefields.

‘Until now, I hadn’t thought of taking such things, but they come in handy…’

Having the Thunder God Lineage techniques and the Seven Great Techniques, there was no reason for me to learn martial arts from the contracted sects. Satisfied with having acquired the gemstones and gold bars, I left that place.

Then I visited Cheon Woo-jin again and said to him,

“Cheon Woo-jin! There’s a barrier you must break through. Of course, I won’t do it empty-handed, and I will give a sufficient offering.”

“Do you realize you’re trying to use me for the third time?”

Cheon Woo-jin looked at me with incredulous eyes. But I nonchalantly replied with confidence.

“You might find my proposal quite enticing.”

I pulled out the Book of Five Relationships and the secret of the Black Night Gate, alongside the box of gemstones and gold bars, and even the remaining stock of the Sacred Lotus, and placed them all on the table. As I explained each treasure’s details, Cheon Woo-jin clasped his forehead and sighed.

“About that… do you walk around as a treasure vault? Where did you acquire all this?”

“Are you going to do it or not?”

“Damn… I don’t have to, but out of goodwill, I’ll do it. I won’t do it again.”

Cheon Woo-jin grumbled but approved my request. And as I watched Cheon Woo-jin’s reaction, I realized,

‘Three times seems to be my limit.’

Having brought so much that was quite extraordinary, Cheon Woo-jin appeared drained, but it seemed he was the sort to dismiss everything once certain levels of inconvenience were crossed. In the future, even if I presented him with more treasures, it seemed unlikely he’d budge. This time, having made extensive preparations was indeed the right answer.

Boom!

At last, I stood before the barrier underground in the Imperial Palace alongside Cheon Woo-jin. Cheon Woo-jin frowned and examined the barrier, saying,

“What the hell? Why is this barrier so strong?”

Though he hadn’t spoken like this before, that must have been his true sentiments. It seemed he could easily break barriers without fuss, but it was evident that even the divine-level Cheon Woo-jin would have to go all out for this barrier.

“Are you unable to break it?”

“Who said I can’t? Anyway…”

Boom!

“Rapid Fire Command!”

BAM!

Cheon Woo-jin strained for a while but then recited a spell, shattering the underground barrier. Although he appeared weaker now than when he had a divine fever, it was undeniable that being the strongest sorcerer in the Mortal Realm was no empty claim. Finally, I reached the seal of the National Seal and successfully claimed it.

As I underwent the process of becoming the owner of the National Seal, I realized that I was finally prepared.

‘At last, I’m going…’

If I can’t be certain of the Dragon Flower Tree’s location even by overturning the earth, there’s only one remaining method.

To mobilize the all-seeing eye of the National Seal to locate the Dragon Flower Tree!

—————————= Author’s Note —————————=

There was a mistake due to the rush about Namgung Myeong still being alive. I will make an effort not to make such mistakes in the future. ㅠㅠ