Reincarnation Sword God

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00456 암천향(暗天鄕) ————————————————————————=

Having brought the National Seal, I discussed a plan to simultaneously acquire Zhuge Sa, the Fire Element (화요), and the Dragon Flower Tree (용화수). Zhuge Sa raised two fingers and spoke to me.

“There are two methods at this point. The first is to move to the Peach Garden near the Fire Element, quickly absorb the Fire Spirit’s power with the Fire Dragon Sword, then use the All-Seeing Eye to locate the Dragon Flower Tree and return to the headquarters…”

Zhuge Sa slowly folded his fingers and clicked his tongue.

“This method has some issues. If the Guardian suddenly appears in the Peach Garden, will you have the leisure to infuse the Fire Spirit’s power into the Fire Dragon Sword? You will need a Dharma Guardian to protect you and withstand the Guardian. And even though the Central Plains Martial World is vast, capable fighters are limited.”

“Umm…”

“The other option is this…”

I listened intently as Zhuge Sa explained the second method. After contemplating, I said,

“The latter seems more of a gamble.”

“Right. So, the precondition in either case is that a powerful ally who can withstand the Guardian must be on our side. That way, we can minimize the probability of death.”

As Zhuge Sa spoke, something suddenly came to mind.

“The Dharma Guardian of the White Lotus Sect!”

If the Dharma Guardian possesses infinite internal power, he should be able to withstand the Guardian. No, depending on the fight, he might even win.

“That’s the best option. I’ve seen Yongbi-cheon face the Moon Sovereign directly.”

“But getting involved with the Dharma Guardian…”

“Is no different than getting involved with the Master. The Dharma Guardian wouldn’t hide major actions from the Master.”

I frowned, feeling uneasy. With such a powerful artifact as the Fire Element, the Master wouldn’t just let the ownership of a treasure slip away quietly. Even if I tried to persuade him, I could somehow move the Dharma Guardian to join us, but it would mean he’d aim for the Seven Luminaries. Additionally, earning the White Lotus Sect’s resentment was all too clear.

“Otherwise, if neither works, you could forcefully take down the Guardian yourself. You could elevate the power of the National Seal to unleash the Great Destruction and use Thunderclap; that should be feasible, right?”

“Damn it. It’s not that I don’t know, but doing the Great Destruction means death for me.”

Even if I won the battle, what’s the use if I die?

I couldn’t help but feel irritable because Zhuge Sa was toying with my feelings about it.

“Hehe. When will my foolish lord grow stronger?”

Zhuge Sa said teasingly, chuckling.

“Let’s objectively analyze our current power. If you seamlessly enter the Absolute Realm, you could cut down the Guardian without any complicated thinking. But attaining the Absolute Realm with your current talent would naturally take hundreds of years at the very least. You’re barely at the level of a mid-tier Sorcerer, not to mention that I’m not particularly good at fighting either. Right?”

“…That’s true.”

“Then we’ll have to give up on the Dragon Flower Tree this lifetime.”

“…What?”

I asked, wondering if I misheard. Zhuge Sa shrugged.

“Are we supposed to create allies to fight mythic-level beings? There’s no need to spend such time and effort. You’re pushing yourself to acquire the Dragon Flower Tree, but truthfully, it’s more of a bonus. Let’s just make an attempt using the National Seal, and if it seems impossible, then we can just stick with the Fire Element.”

“Ugh… but with the obsidian…”

“That plan isn’t suitable for immediate use. You’re not even ready to make a choice yet.”

Zhuge Sa said coldly.

“Getting the Fire Element as soon as possible is crucial. We’re as prepared as we can be for the Dragon Flower Tree, so let’s leave the rest to luck.”

“That makes sense.”

Indeed, even if I used the obsidian, it would take at least a year to three. It was much better to acquire the Fire Element first and finish the remaining tasks. I realized I was obsessed with the need to acquire the Dragon Flower Tree.

I asked Zhuge Sa again,

“Zhuge Sa, what about using this method against the Guardian?”

As I laid out my strategy against the Guardian, Zhuge Sa replied as if he expected me to say that.

“It would have some effect, but it’s not feasible!”

“Why not?”

“That’s a one-time-use method, and it’s too precious to waste on someone like the Guardian. The chances of acquiring the Fire Element are already high, so why bother with such waste?”

“Tch.”

Zhuge Sa looked at me with a disbelieving expression.

“Your thinking has improved compared to before, but you still have a tendency to be rough and throw things around casually. You need to study more.”

“Ugh… I consider myself studied as much as any average scholar; how much more do I need to do?”

My complaint was valid. Having spent three years with Mangnyang, I had read numerous Daoist texts and foundational classics, and during my previous life, I trained in martial arts while studying books whenever I could. I’d be at a level comparable to a fairly educated scholar in the Central Plains.

“I don’t know. At the very least, you need to read more than the current Mangnyang to be of any use.”

With Zhuge Sa’s retort, I realized he took my comment seriously, and a slight blush crept to my face.

“That shouldn’t be too difficult…”

Interrupting my sentence, Zhuge Sa began listing out something, mocking me.

“To be proficient, you should read at least twenty thousand books, understand them all, and annotate them. Realize the arguments of different schools and develop the flow of history. Be well-versed in the records of kings and the interpretations of the classics. Be knowledgeable about royal etiquette and proficient in Confucianism as well as historical texts, emotions, military strategies, arithmetic, medicine, and even Qimen Dunjia. Also have a keen skill in poetry and prose. And just for reference, you should also be good at charming women.”

“……”

“That’s the level of current Mangnyang.”

I understood roughly but hearing it directly from Zhuge Sa showed that Mangnyang was indeed an outstanding strategist. Very few scholars would accomplish even one of the items Zhuge Sa just listed, yet at such a young age, to have amassed all that knowledge and wisdom! Despite lacking sorcery talent, there was no doubt that Mangnyang is among the top geniuses in the Central Plains.

“Hyun is a genius. There’s nothing lacking for a descendant of Zhuge Wu-hou.”

Zhuge Sa gave me this advice.

“Of course, in terms of improvisation or intuition, you’re definitely better than Mangnyang. However, that cannot be said to correlate with the ability to see the larger picture. To observe the bigger picture, you must let go of a narrow perspective, and to do that, you must have knowledge. That is why wise individuals study to accumulate knowledge.”

“Umm…”

It was odd to hear Zhuge Sa speak like that, strangely insightful. When I looked at him in surprise, he chuckled.

“Why? Just so you know, I’ve also studied as much as Hyun. That’s how I can make this assessment.”

“Oh, I see…”

“While you’ve had a lot to learn in your previous life, don’t think you can catch up with our levels of study. However, if you yourself do not strive to enhance your knowledge and wisdom, even if you have a strategist, you won’t be able to use them efficiently.”

That was something to keep in mind. I nodded.

“I understand.”

“Then shall we go?”

A moment later, Zhuge Sa went inside, and unexpectedly, it wasn’t Zhuge Sa who came out but the Divine Portrait (초상기인). This Divine Portrait appeared in the form of a black-haired girl, likely because it was an early model, but Zhuge Sa moved her body nonchalantly as he spoke.

“Let’s depart.”

Her voice had a tinged madness, reminiscent of Zhuge Sa collapsing in the sound of marble rolling. I found it absurd and objected.

“Hey, wait a minute… What’s going on?”

“What do you mean? I’m controlling her with the Soul Exchange Technique. This Divine Portrait has the highest completion rate.”

“No, it’s just… that’s a female body…”

Upon hearing my words, Zhuge Sa blinked in surprise before bursting into a fit of laughter.

“Hahaha!! The Divine Portrait is just a doll in human form. Controlling a doll, why does gender matter?”

Zhuge Sa poked me in the forehead with the girl’s finger, saying,

“This kind of Divine Portrait is an extraordinary treasure for someone like me who casts the Soul Exchange Technique. Unlike the human form, it’s durable and powerful, making it hard to break, and through the Soul Exchange Technique, you can amplify martial arts and sorcery.”

“Are you seriously thinking of following me with that Divine Portrait’s body?”

“Dummy. This body is perfect for exploring dangerous areas without risking your life. Why would I risk death by going to such perilous places in my main body?”

“……”

Zhuge Sa flicked my forehead with his index finger.

“Quickly master the Soul Exchange Technique. That way, you can reduce the probability of sudden death.”

Somehow it felt like genuinely good advice, but with a cute girl’s body delivering it, I didn’t find it very trustworthy. I suddenly remembered something and spoke to Zhuge Sa.

“Zhuge Sa, I didn’t have a white-haired boy among the Divine Portraits I brought. Didn’t I?”

“That’s right.”

“It seemed like a later model… Why is it that in the future where I saw Baek Woong, he just happened to awaken as the Archbishop of the Evil Spirit?”

“Well, I don’t know, but I could come up with a hypothesis.”

Zhuge Sa spun around, placing his finger on the girl’s head, then suddenly amassed energy, making it sharp, causing blood to drip down from her temple. With just a slight pressure, his finger would pierce through skin, bone, and brain.

“See? No matter how much it’s controlled by the Soul Exchange Technique, this body has no survival instinct or intellect. When you apply the technique to a human, they’ll follow, but minor defects or hesitations arise due to survival instincts. In other words, this Divine Portrait has the soul (혼) but no spirit (백). It was created to be a doll from the beginning.”

“I know that.”

“But looking at your memories, the white-haired boy had his own will despite being a Divine Portrait. That means he uniquely possesses the soul (혼), making him a Divine Portrait.”

“What does that mean?”

“It holds significant meaning.”

As Zhuge Sa retracted his finger from the temple, his eyes gleamed.

“A Divine Portrait with a soul. That’s no longer a doll; it surpasses humanity, it’s a superhuman, or even an evolved new species!”

“……!!”

“That’s the ultimate goal for all puppet sorcerers and sorcerers.”

Muttering like that, Zhuge Sa gradually spoke.

“Since you’re studying the Soul Exchange Technique, you’d know that the spirit regenerates easily when injured or separated. However, the soul is different. It has a delicate nature and unique quality that can’t be easily copied. So as far as I know, no human sorcerer or demon sorcerer has ever created a soul in history.”

“Are you saying it’s impossible to create a soul?”

“Exactly. Things like the body can be relatively easily created through the Eight Trigrams’ sorcery and alchemy. The spirit can also be produced artificially. However, souls are different. They can never be created. It is absolutely beyond human capability.”

I nodded, roughly understanding Zhuge Sa’s words.

“Then… doesn’t that white-haired boy mean he was the masterpiece of Zhuge Yulong?”

“……”

“Zhuge Sa?”

“I can’t believe it.”

Zhuge Sa bit his finger as if in envy.

“I can’t be sure. Zhuge Yulong is undoubtedly one of the best sorcerers in the Central Plains, but has he achieved what no one has been able to do, creating a soul? If he did, then for what reason? There are too many suspicious points.”

While muttering to himself, Zhuge Sa turned to me.

“There must be some huge secret. Next time I meet Zhuge Yulong, don’t kill him right away; capture him and torture him.”

“…Alright.”

No matter what, he’s my brother, right? Suggesting to torture my own brother seemed like something that would only fit with Zhuge Sa’s mental state. I wanted to say something, but Zhuge Sa’s logic made sense, so I held back.

“Let’s go!”

Pa-at!

Finally, I arrived at the Peach Garden of the Fire Element. As soon as I got there, I activated the All-Seeing Eye of the National Seal, trying to find the seed of the Dragon Flower Tree hidden within the garden.

‘Is it over there?’

It was in a place that definitely couldn’t be spotted just by digging through the earth with soil manipulation! Surprisingly, it was deep within one of the beautifully blossomed peach trees. I quickly approached, cut the trunk of the tree, and placed the seed of the Dragon Flower Tree into my wooden armor.

‘No time to waste!’

Then I took out the Fire Dragon Sword from the wooden armor and immediately called for Yeodong-bin.

As soon as Yeodong-bin entered my body, he said,

“Umm… I heard that the Dharma Protector has become an Apostle of the Five Emperors.”

“Don’t worry about that right now; quickly absorb the Fire Spirit’s power with the Fire Dragon Sword! That way, the Fire Dragon Incarnate will…”

Just holding it makes my hand heat up! It felt like my blood vessels would burn up, but I barely endured with the power of the National Seal preventing any severe burns. Yeodong-bin nodded.

“Understood.”

Woooong

As Yeodong-bin completely took over my body, the Fire Dragon Sword’s resistance diminished significantly. After briefly looking at the Fire Dragon Sword with pity, Yeodong-bin swung downward decisively!

Kakaang

“What are you doing…?”

I was taken aback. Is Yeodong-bin really trying to swing at the Seven Luminaries with the Fire Dragon Sword? But Yeodong-bin didn’t hesitate, silently swinging down again.

Kakang

In that instant, a swirling orange energy seemed to be siphoned into the blade of the Fire Dragon Sword. It felt like a blazing flame engulfed my entire body. Yet, despite being surrounded by flames, my body wasn’t burned at all; rather, it felt comfortable.

As the energy settled, Yeodong-bin stated,

“The energy of the Fire Dragon Incarnate has been revived; soon, your master shall regain his strength.”

Suddenly feeling a bit awkward at Yeodong-bin’s respectfulness, I asked,

“Yeodong-bin, is this because I’m the Apostle?”

“Indeed.”

“Don’t do that; it feels weird.”

“……”

Yeodong-bin didn’t reply and just walked away. I felt a strange sense of estrangement from someone I’d been close with until now and scratched my head.

“Anyway, I’ve obtained the Fire Element.”

I murmured while holding the Fire Element. How much had I suffered to have earned this Seven Luminaries? Tears of joy nearly flowed. Just then, Zhuge Sa, who had been watching the whole process with his arms crossed, said,

“Something feels off.”

“What’s wrong? I’ve become the master of the Seven Luminaries.”

“It’s strange that the Guardian hasn’t shown up at all. Given the importance of the Seven Luminaries, it would normally have appeared.”

“True.”

“Baek Woong, let’s step outside the garden.”

Following Zhuge Sa’s advice, I walked out of the garden with him. Then, at a distant altar, a hazy figure began to materialize, eventually revealing the Guardian’s form. Upon seeing him, I tensed, seeking a moment to use Thunderclap.

‘I can escape!’

But something felt off. Unlike before, the Guardian didn’t even think of drawing his greatsword; he just stared blankly at us, his expression vacant. Realizing something odd about the Guardian, I spoke up.

“O Guardian of the Fire Element! I, Baek Woong, shall take the Fire Element!”

[… Then go ahead.]

“Huh?!”

What kind of reply is that?

As I panicked, the Guardian laid his large body down on the altar and responded,

“Baek Woong, as the Apostle of the Three Sovereigns, why do you need to ask someone like this mere gatekeeper for permission?”

“Well, that’s…”

The Guardian raised both arms as if conceding.

[Understood. Take the Fire Element. I’ve been waiting for you to leave since earlier.]

“……”

[Hurry up. I want to rest for a bit…]

I looked at Zhuge Sa in disbelief. Suddenly, Zhuge Sa’s expression turned serious as he said,

“I’ll go first. Bring that Divine Portrait here.”

In the next moment, the Soul Exchange Technique was released, and the Divine Portrait girl slumped down weakly. I stood there dazed, unable to even think of collecting her into the wooden armor.

That’s right.

There was no need to go through all this effort to prepare.

By becoming the Apostle during the Offering Ceremony, the Fire Element had already been mine.