Reincarnation Sword God

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I looked at the Sword Demon with eyes slightly startled by the sudden turn of events. I hadn’t heard that something like this would happen, so I carefully observed the movements of the Blood Wolf’s master while scanning the hall.

In response to the Sword Demon’s words, the Blood Wolf’s master pointed his twin swords at the Sword Demon and said, “I can acknowledge that a big shot has emerged from a backwater like Henan. But to have invited me knowing I’m of the Fire Spirit Lineage? You’re really not aware of your own status.”

“Heh… Even if you’re part of the Shadowless Alliance, you know you can’t compare to the Fire Spirit Lineage.”

“……”

The Blood Wolf’s master’s eyes sharpened. He then slowly lowered the tips of his blades. “What do you want?”

“I wish to speak with your lord. Please relay that I want to set up a meeting.”

The Blood Wolf’s master snickered at the Sword Demon’s words. “What a funny joke!”

“What’s so funny about it?”

“The status is different. You think just because you’ve become the leader of some riffraff, you can act all high and mighty?”

With a roar, the Blood Wolf’s master suddenly shot his aura toward the back door. His light body technique was incredibly fast, showing how advanced his skills were. Moreover, I could tell he was a peak expert capable of using mind control techniques.

‘That guy is a master-level expert of the Fire Spirit Lineage!’

In the Han Clan of Luoyang, there were hardly any experts like the Blood Wolf’s master. There were one or two who hid their auras and moved secretly to protect Han Baek-ryeong, but that level was nothing compared to Blood Wolf’s master who was certainly equal to or superior to the leader of the Nine Great Sects. This meant he was undoubtedly an important officer in the Fire Spirit Lineage as well.

At that moment, the Sword Demon and I launched our energies towards Blood Wolf’s master, and the experts of the Shadowless Gate, already stationed nearby, spread out like a web to block him.

“Stop right there!”

Swish!

“Whoa.”

As five experts from the Shadowless Gate charged at him, unleashing their sword qi, Blood Wolf’s master twisted his body and unleashed three streaks of crimson blade force, causing the Shadowless experts to panic and retreat with all their might. If they faced that blade force head-on, they would be dead for sure. After breaking through the encirclement of Shadowless Gate’s experts, Blood Wolf’s master slammed down a ground-impact technique, creating a shock wave that once again dismantled our pursuit.

A formidable expert!

He was a powerhouse that ordinary Jianghu people might only see once in their lifetime. Yet, I boldly stood in his way with the Soul Removal Technique, compelling him to frown.

“I don’t like cutting down children!”

Tshhh!

Contrary to his words spoken in a momentary lapse of control, his twin swords were already flying towards my limbs. Having experienced all kinds of battles, he had completely severed any connection between moral sense and actions, becoming a cold-blooded martial artist in the Jianghu.

I replied to him, “Shouldn’t you worry about your own neck?”

Bang!

“Gah!”

In that instant, I simply cut down with the single stroke of a dire dragon, but Blood Wolf’s twin swords were violently deflected and hurled back three paces with a thunderous sound. As his figure, once soaring like a blood arrow, landed on the ground, Blood Wolf’s master trembled in disbelief.

“Wh-what kind of skill…? You’re not from the Elder Council, are you?”

It seemed he immediately thought of the White Lotus Sect’s Elder Council when he heard “Half-Transition Master.” Understanding his thoughts, I chuckled and said, “I didn’t say I’d kill you, did I? How about you listen to the Sword Demon properly?”

“……”

Blood Wolf’s master grit his teeth. Unbeknownst, the Sword Demon had approached and was now surrounding him together with me. Being a peak expert himself, he understood that our combined strength was far above his own, and it seemed he instinctively realized he had no chance of survival if things continued like this. After a brief pause, he sighed and said, “… I got it.”

We turned back to the Shadowless Gate with Blood Wolf’s master in tow. The Sword Demon spoke to him. “Think seriously about this. I know you’re affiliated with the Fire Spirit Lineage and that you’re in a position to speak directly with the Dharma Guardian, Han Baek-ryeong.”

“… Whatever you’ve learned, you sure know a lot. So you want me to set up a meeting with the Guardian?”

“It wouldn’t be a bad deal for you.”

With a cold glare, the Sword Demon added, “After all, wasn’t it your curiosity that led you here in the first place, wanting to know about Han Baek-ryeong? Instead of being sneaky like this, why not lay your cards on the table and have a conversation between the Shadowless Alliance and the Fire Spirit Lineage?”

“Hehe… that person has nothing to do with this. Don’t make wild assumptions.”

Vicious intent erupted from the Blood Wolf’s master’s eyes. For a brief moment, a battle of wills occurred between the Sword Demon and him, and then Blood Wolf’s master hesitated before speaking. “… Fine. I’ll consider what you said.”

“Just so you know, we have no intention of being at odds with the Fire Spirit Lineage. If we had plans to use you as bait for greater gains, that would make sense.”

“Hmph, who in the Jianghu believes another’s words?”

“Hehe! You wouldn’t have the decency to speak with Han Baek-ryeong, would you? I’m just setting things up for you.”

“Ugh!!”

Though gritting his teeth, Blood Wolf’s master seemed unable to fully express his anger as he was a seasoned expert capable of rational judgment. If the Sword Demon had started plotting with him as a hostage, it was obvious that he alone would bear the brunt of the consequences.

After a moment, the Sword Demon finished conversing with Blood Wolf’s master and let him go. After dismissing his subordinates, he called me to a separate room and said, “Baek Woong, I apologize for suddenly concocting a plan.”

“Not at all. I never expected we would involve Blood Wolf’s master.”

I gazed into the Sword Demon’s eyes and continued, “You remembered the list I received during my previous life when I visited Han Jin-seong and the cave.”

“Indeed. I saw that and devised today’s plan.”

I understood how things unfolded. Han Jin-seong’s words still echoed in my ears.

[I said I would support your power. With this gold badge, you can freely use any battlefield under the Han Clan’s jurisdiction. Spend the money as you need. With this badge, you could mobilize martial groups under Han Clan, like the Blood Wolf Unit and the Black Star Sect.]

[The supporting forces and sect leaders we’re aligned with are listed here for your reference.]

During my previous life, in the 17th iteration, I had the chance to operate under the full support of the Fire Spirit Lineage led by Han Baek-ryeong. At that time, I recalled having seen the list of various lower forces operating outside the Fire Spirit Lineage that were active under the management of Han Jin-seong. I hadn’t really thought much of it until now, but it seemed the Sword Demon had decided to use that list, having accepted memories through the obsidian.

“The list contained around thirty major and minor factions, including the Blood Wolf Unit and the Black Star Sect. All of these were under the direct command of Han Jin-seong, and the Blood Wolf Unit is particularly renowned as a mercenary unit in Jianghu. If a master from the Fire Spirit Lineage leads such a force, they are undoubtedly an important officer.”

“So you invited Blood Wolf’s master.”

“Exactly. Plus, his use of twin swords made this situation all the more fitting.”

I briefly thought back to Blood Wolf’s master I’d seen earlier and said, “He was undoubtedly an ultra-peak expert—likely an elder-level master. To divert such a figure to the outer sect shows how strong the Fire Spirit Lineage is. Wasn’t that a bit reckless?”

“Haha! I knew what I was doing. After all, it was something that needed to happen eventually.”

“What needs to happen?”

Blood Wolf’s master had engaged in this somewhat foolish invitation to infiltrate our rapidly growing Shadowless Alliance and gather intelligence. After all, since we annihilated the Namgung Clan, which was one of the lower factions under the Fire Spirit Lineage, it made perfect sense for them to be alarmed.

“Hmm!”

That much was true. I had been wondering how the Sword Demon would handle that situation, and it appeared he had thought of everything down to the细节. His composure resembled that of a worthy leader. The Sword Demon continued, “Now he’ll report this to Han Jin-seong, and Han Jin-seong will have no choice but to inform Han Baek-ryeong. I see that meeting with her as a critical juncture.”

“That’s dangerous.”

“Why?”

“From what I’ve seen, while Han Baek-ryeong is someone who can engage in conversation, she’s also quite accustomed to employing violence. Things could easily turn dangerous.”

It’s easy to negotiate if you’re willing to yield to everyone, but it can also lead to being underestimated. However, Han Baek-ryeong was skilled at adeptly handling all proposals and negotiations but was always ready to turn chaotic at the right moment. Knowing this about her made me realize how perilous it could be to engage in negotiations too hastily. The Sword Demon then said, “Why do you think she remained observant without intervening when she learned of the Namgung Clan’s destruction?”

“Hmm… perhaps she was being cautious?”

“No. While that is one reason, I believe she’s waiting to see how things unfold.”

What did that mean?

As I stared blankly at the Sword Demon, he chuckled.

“When you eventually manage an organization yourself, you’ll understand. The more lower factions there are, the more troublesome management becomes. Even having just one subordinate could create numerous headaches, let alone handling a whole organization. Just imagine how much more difficult it would be for someone with a network like the Han Clan that has various factions and five great families all across the Central Plains.”

“Are you suggesting…?”

“Han Baek-ryeong wants my Shadowless Alliance to grow. With the Shadowless Alliance taking the place of the Namgung Clan, she can check the overconfident power of the other five great families and potentially manipulate the Nine Great Sects more effectively. Moreover, if the time comes, she could integrate the five families under my Shadowless Alliance for more efficient management. That would make things much easier for her as the leader of the Fire Spirit Lineage.”

“……!!”

I had never thought that far. Suddenly struck by a realization, I asked, “Does Han Baek-ryeong know about the Master of Shadowless Sword?”

“She likely knows it quite well. I’ve tried to keep her identity hidden as much as possible, but with the Fire Spirit Lineage’s intelligence network, they might’ve figured it all out.”

“If that’s the case, we’re in big trouble. Even with the power of the Shadowless Alliance standing strong, we are still no match for the Fire Spirit Lineage.”

I couldn’t help but feel anxious. No matter how mighty the Sword Demon and the Master of Shadowless Sword were, they still couldn’t contend with the strength of Han Baek-ryeong. Furthermore, the Fire Spirit Lineage was filled with powerful experts, and simply mobilizing their lower factions could spell trouble. For instance, Blood Wolf’s master, who I initially thought was just a mercenary leader, was actually a hidden peak-level expert from the Fire Spirit Lineage!

Calmly, the Sword Demon said, “I also pondered over who Han Baek-ryeong actually is while looking through your memories on the obsidian. The conclusion I came to is that she’s a formidable woman who rewards capable individuals appropriately.”

“Rewarding appropriately?”

“Yes. No matter how angry she gets, she’s someone who takes a moment to consider whether the other side’s argument is logical. Given the various circumstances, what she seems to dislike the most isn’t antagonistic behavior but rather incompetence. If she finds someone useful, she can set aside her feelings and accept them as their leader.”

“Hmm…”

I had never considered it in that way. Certainly, it seemed that Han Baek-ryeong rarely lost control or acted recklessly out of anger. The Sword Demon continued speaking. “I believe during the upcoming meeting with Han Baek-ryeong, I’ll join the Fire Spirit Lineage. Additionally, I’ll pass on the martial arts of the Fire Spirit Lineage to you.”

“……!!”

My eyes widened in astonishment.

“You mean, you plan to join the Fire Spirit Lineage?”

“Indeed.”

“B-but that’s…”

I couldn’t help but stutter.

For the Sword Demon to join the Fire Spirit Lineage. From my perspective as someone who had reincarnated, that choice seemed like a straightforward way to gain power. However, for the Sword Demon, who had no previous life abilities, it was different. As a figure linked to the ancient martial lineage of the Shadowless Sect, it meant he’d be turning his back on his own lineage to learn another martial art.

While experts from heretical sects sometimes joined other sects, the Sword Demon wasn’t merely a heretical sect member; he was a martial arts leader with honor, making this an incredibly difficult decision. Moreover, the Sword Demon already had the Seven Great Techniques, so he didn’t really need the martial arts of the Fire Spirit Lineage.

It was a decision severe enough to crush his martial pride!

The Sword Demon smiled and patted my back. “Haha! There’s no other way to obtain the twin sword arts of the Fire Spirit Lineage without exposing you to the White Lotus Sect, isn’t there? If I, as the leader of the Shadowless Alliance, ask for the Fire Spirit Lineage’s ascendant martial arts, she won’t even doubt it in her dreams.”

“……”

“I know. You feel sympathy for the Master of the White Lotus Sect but are unwilling to reach out because you have no means to rein in their ideals.”

He gazed out the window at the moon and continued, “Until you gain the power to rival or surpass the Master of the White Lotus Sect, you should endure the humiliation. It’s nothing compared to your ultimate victory.”

“… I’m sorry.”

“Haha. Would you like to share a drink?”

“Thank you.”

That day, instead of training, I drank with the Sword Demon. I felt like I was drinking more than I ever had since my reincarnation. I poured down the alcohol while suppressing the drunkenness with my internal power, wanting to savor the moment and somewhat leaving the poison in the drink.

Returning to my lodging, even feeling dizzy from the alcohol, I shed tears. ‘I’ve caused trouble for the Sword Demon, who has no previous life to fall back on.’

The pride of a martial artist can’t be bought with a fortune, but the Sword Demon had sacrificed his for me. I understood how momentous that decision was as a fellow martial artist. Once again, I had accumulated emotional debts in this life. How should I repay this?

‘… No, there’s only one answer.’

As the Sword Demon said, repaying it with my ultimate victory.

Keeping my will and determination alive, I must carve a path in this chaotic world! For that, I needed to endure everything and keep striving.

I spent a while shedding tears before wiping my cheeks and heading out to the training ground to start swinging my sword. I transformed the remaining drunkenness into internal power and bit down hard.

There’s no time to lose for some leisurely sleep!