Reincarnation Sword God

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00461 암천향(暗天鄕) ————————————————————————=

Summoning Peng Zuo was practically a gamble on the slim chance of success. At this point, it’s highly likely that Peng Zuo already sees us as ‘enemies.’ Perhaps Peng Zuo is concocting some secret plan in that grim underground, having caught wind of the espionage regarding the National Seal. And if he’s hiding his whereabouts, he might have even tried to uncover my identity as the possessor of the National Seal. If that attempt was successful, he could very well have figured out who I am.

However, before worrying about Peng Zuo, the truth is that he is the only clue to uncovering Chang Hil’s whereabouts. Furthermore, isn’t Peng Zuo a descendant of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, holding the status of a Great Immortal? If I exploit the fact that he’s not responding to this summoning, he might end up alerting the Celestial Realm that something is amiss.

With not much to lose, I began preparing to head to Master Mangnyang’s village to summon Peng Zuo immediately. But Zhuge Sa just had to put a stop to it.

“Hold on a sec. There’s something I want to clarify first.”

“Got it.”

Zhuge Sa fell silent for a moment, crossing his arms before speaking up.

“Baek Woong, have you ever thought about just how strong Chang Hil or Peng Zuo might be?”

That was an unexpected question. I paused briefly before answering.

“Well… I guess they’re about the level of a Great Immortal.”

“Damn, I’m glad I asked.”

“Why?”

“They’re definitely not that level. It’s better to think of those two as at least Apostle-grade.”

“……!!”

What on earth? I stared wide-eyed at Zhuge Sa, who was sitting with a slightly lowered posture, explaining.

“Of course, whether it be Chang Hil or Peng Zuo, their status in the Celestial Realm would be that of a Great Immortal. Outside of the Three Pure Ones and Great Immortal, there isn’t a strict upper hierarchy in the Celestial Realm. But according to the information you’ve gathered during your reincarnation, Chang Hil was a king during the ancient Silver Age and a close aide to Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen, while Peng Zuo is inherently a descendant of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. They’re highly likely to possess power beyond their apparent rank.”

“Hmm.”

“Moreover, there’s the fact that Peng Zuo is the headquarters of the Black Brotherhood, and that they’re involved with the Golden Eagle Guards and the Sacred Place… doesn’t that scream suspicious?”

“……”

“Peng Zuo likely knows a great deal about the Golden Eagle Guards. It’s possible he might even have taken the Golden Eagle that used to be in the Central Plains to the Western Regions.”

I carefully considered Zhuge Sa’s words. I had rushed to the Western Regions due to the pressure of the absolute order to find Chang Hil within ten years, but Zhuge Sa was certainly pointing out aspects I hadn’t thought about. After a moment of contemplation, I asked.

“Could it be that Peng Zuo allied with the Otherworldly Race to enhance his strength?”

“That could be the case, but you won’t know until you ask him directly.”

Zhuge Sa chuckled.

“They’re a truly peculiar duo. Chang Hil and Peng Zuo are both famous figures from the Classic of Mountains and Seas, yet their significance in the myth is rather low. The fact that such beings are only now emerging as dark figures suggests that the myths from the era of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors have been deliberately distorted.”

“I don’t want to delve into something so complicated right now. Even if they’re as strong as Apostles, I can still deal with them using the powers of the Seven Luminaries!”

I continued resolutely.

“I don’t expect Peng Zuo to readily offer information about Chang Hil, even if he agrees to the summoning. It’s clear he’d stick to his silence; how could I extract information from him?”

In truth, this was the strategy I most wanted to hear from Zhuge Sa. He shook his head.

“I don’t have any particular strategies for that!”

“What?”

“It’s just not going to happen. Right now, there are too many uncertainties. However, the fact that he agreed to the summoning suggests something, so you just have to do your best to talk to him. Oddly enough, things might just work out.”

Soon enough, Zhuge Sa explained how I should approach the conversation. While it would be beneficial if Zhuge Sa cast the Soul Exchange Technique and gave me hints from a distance, I was sure that Cheon Woo-jin would immediately sense the aura of the technique. In the end, it seemed like I had to handle everything on my own.

Pa-at

Once I had finished preparing, I headed to Master Mangnyang’s village and met Cheon Woo-jin. He looked at me with the same disdain as he would a dung beetle.

“Please… just go away…”

“……”

Cheon Woo-jin began to back away slowly.

“I’m tired of this! Please!”

I never expected him to be this disgusted with me. It seemed that I had come to be seen as some kind of leech looking to borrow Cheon Woo-jin’s abilities at every opportunity. But I couldn’t afford to back down, so I sighed and said.

“I’m sorry, but I absolutely have to see Master Mangnyang.”

“Do you really think my stepping aside just because you want to see him is going to happen? No one has come here with as many ulterior motives as you have. Please, just leave.”

Seeing him even use the word ‘please,’ it appeared he was quite desperate. Did he sense that any further entanglement with me would lead to big trouble due to worldly issues? Regardless, I responded coldly.

“I have news concerning the protector of the Western Regions. Therefore, I must meet the Taoist protector, Master Mangnyang.”

“Ugh…”

For a moment, Cheon Woo-jin flinched. Then, seeming resigned, he said.

“Damn it… Since the Master permitted you, you may enter for now.”

It seemed that he had just received permission for me to come in from Master Mangnyang. Once Cheon Woo-jin’s illusion faded, I walked into the village and approached Yeodong-bin’s shrine. Shortly after, a familiar drowsiness washed over me.

……

I entered a dream. Just as expected, Master Mangnyang was approaching from the opposite path in the form of a black cat. He leisurely called out to me.

[ You’re coming up with all sorts of excuses. You seem quite adept at improvisation— is that skill or talent?]

Why the sudden curiosity about that?

I felt like Master Mangnyang was in a rather good mood. So I said to him.

“Master Mangnyang, the Western Regions are hell.”

[ I already know all that you want to tell me. At the very least, you’re aware that the guardian of the Western Regions was sealed in order to protect the Golden Eagle Guards.]

That was how he replied, as his eyes gleamed a brilliant blue.

[ All of this is the scheme and plot of a wicked being, whose goal is to force open the sealed doors of the Eastern Regions…]

“… I don’t quite understand you.”

I set aside the thought of needing to extract something from Master Mangnyang. That darn cat would easily catch on and disregard what I had to say whenever he was speaking with ulterior motives. So I decided to express my genuine feelings.

“I’m sealing Mar who sleeps in Luoyang, and I’m the guardian of Taoism, a cosmic being? And you have amnesia too? What on earth are you?”

[ You just explained it with your own mouth.]

“No, that’s just a bunch of embellishments! I still don’t know who you are at all!”

I yelled in frustration.

Over the course of my 22 reincarnations, Master Mangnyang had provided me with important information on various occasions, yet he had never revealed what he was, nor what he desired. Nevertheless, it was only natural to want to understand who Master Mangnyang truly was. As Master Mangnyang stared at me with a blank expression, I became increasingly exasperated.

“Why a black cat of all things?! Why?!”

[ Do I look like a cat to you?]

“Of course! You’re a cat!”

This was something I urgently wanted to say!

Why does Master Mangnyang appear as a stern teacher to others but shows up as a black cat to me?!

Then, Master Mangnyang responded.

[ How amusing. That might mean you’ve managed to glean some understanding of the essence of my power…]

Gleaned understanding?

Master Mangnyang leapt onto the roof, curled up, and arrogantly looked down at me.

[ If you have anything else to say, go ahead.]

“You claim to be a protector, yet are you planning to leave the Western Regions as they are? If so, the Golden Eagle will be lost, and all Westerners will become cattle for the Otherworldly Race.”

[ I can’t help it. I lack the power to stop them.]

“Are you implying that you’re only protecting the Eastern Continent?”

[ That’s the realistic limit.]

The indifferent words from Master Mangnyang continued.

[ Do you have nothing else to say?]

“What about you just getting out there yourself, dropping any restraints for those pesky outer forces? Being a cosmic being, you could probably take on the [Ancient Ruler]!”

I erupted, releasing all the frustrations I’d been bottling up until now. In response, Master Mangnyang nonchalantly licked his paw.

[ That would be like burning down the house just to catch a flea.]

“What?”

[ If I were to stop my sealing and step out, I could indeed match your so-called [Ancient Ruler]. However, by doing so, hundreds of times more threatening beings would roam freely. At that time, even the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors wouldn’t be able to stop them.]

“……!!”

What?!

I was shocked when Master Mangnyang directly mentioned the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. I knew he wasn’t bound by the ranks of the Celestial Realm, but did that mean he might be an entity equal to or greater than the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors? I swallowed hard and cautiously asked.

“Are you… one of the [Ancient Rulers]?”

[ I don’t even know that. According to your words, I indeed have amnesia currently. My connection with the Celestial Realm is only coincidental.]

Master Mangnyang’s gaze turned to the blue sky.

[ The only thing I know is this.]

“What is it?”

[ When I first fell to the surface, my essence whispered to me: “Protect the humans.”]

“……”

So, Master Mangnyang acts on some impulse to protect humanity.

I felt a swirl of confusion and asked back.

“You fell? Where did you fall from? The sky… the universe?”

[ That’s not it. I felt as if I fell from a higher place.]

“Where are you talking about?”

[ The moment I fell, I thought: Once I’ve fallen, I can never return before the world perishes…]

As Master Mangnyang muttered, he continued.

[ How strange. My essence is reacting to the causality you’ve accumulated. It’s still far from perfect, though.]

Is he referring to my reincarnation ability?

Could it be that because of the accumulated causality, Master Mangnyang was sharing his thoughts with me?

As I fell silent, Master Mangnyang asked.

[ What brings you here?]

“I received a command from Jeon Wook to locate Chang Hil. Along the way, I learned that Peng Zuo is related to him, so I came to summon and find out more.”

[ I see.]

For a moment, Master Mangnyang swayed his tail and spoke.

[ I spoke to Jeon Wook. He told me to help you.]

“Gasp!”

Is this crazy cat seriously asserting his equality with the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors?! It seems totally nonchalant talking about Jeon Wook so familiarly, which was quite alarming. My vision gradually blurred, and as Master Mangnyang’s figure distanced itself, his last words echoed.

[ Cheon Woo-jin will assist you with your summoning. Now go.]

……

…

I awoke from the dream. Cheon Woo-jin was diligently placing a flag in the center of the altar, his face filled with rage. I called out to him.

“Cheon Woo…”

“Shut up!! I’ll help as Master said, so please be quiet!!”

Crack

With a betrayal of intense emotion, Cheon Woo-jin thrust the Tai Chi flag right into the center of the altar, shouting.

“If you were not a friend of my older brother and didn’t have the imperial command, you would have died here by my hand for sure!!”

This guy is really mad?!

Even Cheon Woo-jin, no matter how competent, becomes furious when he has to repeatedly run around for others. I thought it best not to provoke the enraged Cheon Woo-jin further and quickly considered what gift I could give him to cheer him up. Continuing to have a grudge with Cheon Woo-jin would be an utterly unwise action moving forward.

Soon after, the summoning ritual for the Great Immortal began. This time, a target was already specified, so I wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of facing Tai Xu or the Queen Mother of the West. I took out a silver phoenix sculpture and a divine portrait for the offerings. Both were precious, but I chose to offer them since they weren’t immediately necessary.

Whooosh

As Cheon Woo-jin received the spirit summoning, a silver ring floated above his head. For quite a while, blue veins bulged on Cheon Woo-jin’s head, and his eyes rolled back white, before a deep voice erupted from his mouth.

[ Apostle of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, Baek Woong. You called me without fear, huh?]

I shot him a glare in response to that voice.

“Are you indeed the Great Immortal Peng Zuo, a descendant of Jeon Wook?”

[ That’s correct.]

“I thought you wouldn’t respond to my summoning. You must have been feeling guilty about something.”

[ Heh, heh…]

Peng Zuo let out a strange chuckle. Then he raised his index finger, pointing at me.

[ The reason I’m responding is specifically to warn you.]

“Warn me?”

[ Whatever you’re doing in the East, we won’t interfere. But don’t meddle in the matters of the West. If you’re the possessor of the Seven Luminaries and an apostle of Jeon Wook, you should know exactly what I mean…?]

I instantly sensed that the diplomatic scenario Zhuge Sa had described was approaching.

‘ Just as expected.’

According to Zhuge Sa, if Peng Zuo responded to the summoning, it would mostly convey the meaning of refraining from coming to the West. I quickly racked my brain for a retort.

“I’m open to your proposal. But first, tell me where Chang Hil is.”

[ How would I know where Chang Hil went…?]

“Don’t play dumb. You and Chang Hil are registered as co-managers of the National Seal. If I were to tell Jeon Wook that you are allies, what do you think would happen?”

[ Ha… do as you please… But there’s no proof after all.]

“I have evidence.”

[ What?]

I raised the National Seal high from my robe and glared at Peng Zuo.

“Typically, the Three Sovereigns wouldn’t know the details of the affairs on the ground. However, if I present the National Seal as an offering to Jeon Wook, he would undoubtedly understand the intricacies of the National Seal and gain the causality necessary to descend to this realm.”

[ ……!!]

“Would you prefer to fight Jeon Wook’s actual body, or will you divulge Chang Hil’s whereabouts? This is justified causality, so it wouldn’t violate the agreements surrounding the Seven Luminaries!”

Peng Zuo gasped in shock.

[ You madman! The National Seal is the perfect treasure and a peerless legacy, and you plan to offer it to a god just as a mere threat? That has ten times the value of an ordinary treasure!]

“I’m serious.”

[ Don’t bluff.]

“……”

For a while, I engaged in a glaring contest with Peng Zuo. Though he was in the midst of spirit summoning, blocking his emotions effectively, he seemed to be quite troubled as his body quivered. After about a meal’s worth of time engaged in this staring match, Peng Zuo finally spoke.

[ Fine. If you tell me where Chang Hil is, I won’t interfere in the West any longer.]

“Certainly.”

I firmly stated just as Zhuge Sa had advised.

“However, since you could lie or make a slip of the tongue, I’ll require Master Mangnyang as an objective witness.”

[ What?]

Whoooosh

Along with my words, the air suddenly felt heavy. Although invisible, it signified that Master Mangnyang began keeping watch over this situation. The fact that Master Mangnyang would be an objective witness implied that, in the case of deception, he would gain the rightful causality to kill the liar.

It would be nearly impossible to utter a lie in such a circumstance!

Knowing that a god’s insight exists on a level far beyond that of a mortal only solidified this notion.

Then, Peng Zuo hesitated slightly, displaying a look of surprise and muttered.

[ … Understood. In the name of Master Mangnyang, I will speak the truth. But your promise must also be kept in Master Mangnyang’s name.]

“I have no objections.”

[ As of now, I do not know Chang Hil’s exact whereabouts either. It has been thousands of years since I last parted with him. What I do know is that he last headed towards Amcheonghyang (暗天鄕).]

“Amcheonghyang!”

I jumped a little, startled.

Isn’t that the land of madness, where even the Great Immortal would lose his mind?! The most terrifying Demon Realm known to have frequent appearances of [Ancient Rulers] is Amcheonghyang! Chang Hil spoke his final words and then left Cheon Woo-jin.

[ Go seek the moon of Amcheonghyang. The last I heard, Chang Hil’s destination was there.]