Reincarnation Sword God

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Chapter 5 – The Whispering Darkness

“Ah, Banara Mountain! It’s legendary among the three great sacred peaks, often seen alongside Yungju Mountain and Bangjang Mountain. Together, they’re regarded as mythical entities. Many places claim the name of Banara Mountain, but according to Ji-seon Mang-nyang’s knowledge, the true Banara Mountain doesn’t exist in the human realm but in another dimension.”

Mangnyang elaborated calmly.

“Baek Woong, as you know, the concept of this world, ‘Iseung’, originates from the idea that the heavens are round and the earth is square, a thought stemming from ancient cosmology. You understand that the vertical axis is called ‘Ja-o’ and the horizontal axis is ‘Myo-yu’?”

“Indeed.”

Mangnyang nodded in agreement.

“Furthermore, ‘Saiyu’ stabilizes the four corners of the heavens, symbolizing the directions as depicted in models like the ‘Cheonban’ or ‘Sikban’. Therefore, when it’s said that ‘Iseung’ and ‘Saiyu’ meet in ‘Jin’, it points to a place where the energy representing the East, signified by Jin, is the strongest.”

Without catching a breath, Mangnyang asserted firmly.

“Moreover, the Heavenly Realm is at the center of the Sikban, and located to the east of the Heavenly Realm is Banara Mountain, the only place where the entrance to the five heavenly passages exists.”

“Hmm… But Banara Mountain isn’t a place within the material realm. Like Golden Crow Island, it must also be part of the otherworldly realm. It’s certainly protected by barriers.”

I frowned, realizing the dilemma.

“That’s why neither Byungdo nor my powers can access it. Byungdo cannot cross the sealed dimension, and since I’ve never been to Banara Mountain, I can’t use my powers either.”

Then Cheon Woo-jin, who had been listening, spoke bluntly.

“There’s a way to get there. Quite enough.”

“What way?”

Cheon Woo-jin shot a glance at Zhuge Sa.

“You’d have an idea, Zhuge Sa. It’s now…”

Zhuge Sa responded grumpily to Cheon Woo-jin’s suggestion.

“I know without you saying. We’re giving up on the Nameless Ritual Book.”

“Smart move.”

*Crack, crack.*

“Ugh…”

Zhuge Sa’s flesh near his heart bulged out. It appeared as if pain creased all across his body, and then suddenly, a book-shaped mass emerged from his chest. I gasped in shock.

“Huh?! What was that?!”

Indeed, with a *thump*, dark energy shaped like the Nameless Ritual Book erupted from Zhuge Sa’s chest, causing him to stagger and bleed profusely. His vital essence gushed out, and normally, a person sustaining such an injury wouldn’t survive.

‘No way!’

Quickly, I reached out towards Zhuge Sa, unleashing my powers.

[Time, rewind Zhuge Sa’s body to the past!]

*Whoosh!*

Zhuge Sa’s grievous wound reverted as if time were rewinding. Since it wasn’t healing but rather restoring time, he wore an expression that had forgotten the pain in an instant. He picked up the energy of the Nameless Ritual Book and offered it to me.

“Here.”

*Fwoosh!*

The dark energy materialized into the form of the Nameless Ritual Book, dropping to the ground. The essence that had been absorbed by Zhuge Sa flowed out.

“You madman! If that’s how you’re gonna pull something out from yourself, at least give me a heads up! If I didn’t have powers, you’d be dead even with the Five Great Physicians here!”

I shouted in panic and astonishment, while Zhuge Sa remained unfazed.

“Save the chit-chat and take it. I’m off to take a nap at the Land and Earth Diagram.”

“…”

“And just a piece of advice: don’t confront the Blood Demon residing in Blood Shadow Valley head-on. If you do, everyone will die, so try to avoid conflict as much as possible.”

“What? Are they that strong?”

“They’re much stronger than when they were human, reinforced by the Demon King’s dark techniques, and they self-destruct. Fighting recklessly will get Jin So-cheong or the Sword Demon killed. The curse of the Blood Demon can’t be treated even by an average spirit beast, so anything hit will rot away.”

“…”

“The Demon King’s forces are not a joke. Avoid them.”

*Swish!*

With that, Zhuge Sa entered the Land and Earth Diagram. Cheon Woo-jin exhaled deeply after resealing Zhuge Sa.

“We’re finally caught up. With this state, we can seal him for ten or twenty years, given the lowered magical power.”

“Is this the right method?”

“Better to formulate a plan and act quickly than to worry about such things.”

Cheon Woo-jin remarked coldly as he continued.

“The way to get to Banara Island is straightforward. We need to find the traces of Xu Fu.”

“Xu Fu?”

“Long ago, Qin Shi Huang sent a fleet of youths to the east to search for the elixir of immortality. The aim was to discover even one of the Three Sacred Mountains to learn the secrets of immortality from the immortals. The one responsible for that was Xu Fu.”

I see, that’s interesting.

While I absorbed the information about Xu Fu, Mangnyang said.

“Baek Woong, it’s unclear if Xu Fu succeeded or failed. However, we already know Qin Shi Huang’s full story. He couldn’t wait for Xu Fu and ultimately accepted the Demon through the Offering Ceremony, heading toward the Dark Heaven Village. Thus, Xu Fu never returned to the Qin.”

“Did Xu Fu find the Three Sacred Mountains and the elixir of immortality?”

“That’s uncertain, but Xu Fu was human, and it’s known that he headed towards Shandong. So, the method to search for Xu Fu is certainly set.”

Hearing Mangnyang, I suddenly thought of something and exclaimed.

“The Heavenly Secret Technique!”

“Exactly. It’s a well-known fact that the entrance to the Three Sacred Mountains overlaps with the material realm, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

If I use the Heavenly Secret Technique to summon souls and trace their paths, I’m sure I can locate Xu Fu.

“Baek Woong. Your chances are now limited.”

“That’s right.”

“You must use them wisely.”

Although I had initially underutilized this technique, I had wandered around and gained wisdom, using it significantly—six times already, with just four more left. The Heavenly Secret Technique was powerful, but using it all ten times would leave no way to recharge it, so I needed to conserve it.

*Thud!*

I decided to head towards the outskirts of Shandong first. I scouted for powerful spirits near the sea and summoned a large, robust spirit that sported a fierce demeanor, carrying the aura of an ancient figure.

“My name is Zi Lu Zhong You. Why have you summoned me?”

“Zi Lu? Are you a disciple of Confucius?”

“Indeed.”

Zi Lu! He was renowned as a disciple of Confucius during his lifetime and a figure of remarkable courage. Though his later years weren’t so great, many Confucian scholars respected him for upholding righteousness and courage while being strict with himself. Faced with such a significant spirit, I felt a mix of awe and curiosity.

“I’m searching for the Three Sacred Mountains or Xu Fu near this Shandong sea. Have you seen or heard anything?”

Zi Lu was much older than Xu Fu. If he had existed here, he’d have witnessed and heard a lot over the centuries. When I looked at him hopefully, he pondered before responding.

“You should ask the East Sea Dragon King, Guang De Wang. I don’t know about such matters.”

“Ugh…”

I scrunched my face.

‘Didn’t you know I summoned you for this purpose?!’

The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas!

These are deities that have ruled the Chinese seas since ancient times, belonging to the dragon clan. They’re categorized as powerful entities within the heavenly realm, possessing divine abilities that match the strength of the dragon lineage.

However, according to Cheon Woo-jin, their influence had greatly waned since the Sea God gained power, and they now lived in hiding, making them even harder to find than Xu Fu. Moreover, a being like the Sea Dragon King would obviously be capable of resisting the Heavenly Secret Technique, meaning the attempt was too risky. Therefore, I had deliberately summoned a human soul to conserve strength and offerings, yet Zi Lu casually stated he didn’t know.

“Please don’t gloss over it. Do you know if there are any potent locations or dimensional entrances nearby?”

“Hmm… I do not know about such things.”

Zi Lu seemed to consider for a moment before suddenly speaking up.

“Yes. There was a General known as Tian Bu Ping Jun who seemed to take a keen interest in these matters. You might want to ask him.”

“Who’s that?”

“I’m not sure either, but he’s known for having a great interest in history while in his soul state.”

“Bring him over.”

“Understood.”

*Thud!*

Soon, Zi Lu summoned a spirit and then left. I regarded the newly arrived spirit, who appeared to possess weak spiritual energy, as he wore a white hood that felt somewhat dignified. Cautiously, I asked him.

“Who are you?”

“I am Tian Bu Ping Jun.”

“Not that; I mean your real name before death.”

“… Wang Xian Zhi.”

“Got it.”

Now I recognized the identity of this figure.

‘The leader of a rebellion during the onset of the Huang Chao Rebellion back in the Tang Dynasty.’

He was indeed a person, but could a figure like that be summoned by the Heavenly Secret Technique? No matter how I viewed it, he was just a bandit leader and a salt smuggler. Anyway, I had questions for him, and he responded as if he understood.

“I don’t know much about that, but someone in Silla would know.”

“Who?”

“A fellow named Go Un. He mastered mystical techniques in life and should have excellent powers and knowledge regarding Banara Island or Xu Fu’s location. Besides, I’ve seen him investigating Banara Island near Shandong.”

“Bring Go Un to me.”

“He’s in the Eastern Country. I heard he’s in the southern region, so maybe search there.”

Silla.

The eastern country.

‘Ah, the kingdom that existed before Goryeo.’

While I was in Goryeo, I learned a little of its history, so I knew of Silla’s existence. After a rough guess, I sent Wang Xian Zhi back.

“Understood. You may leave.”

After gathering information, I returned to Jangryeong Valley and spoke. From beside me, Miho remarked.

“Go Un would be referring to Choi Chi-won.”

“Miho, you know him?”

Miho nodded.

“That man was an exceptionally renowned ancient great sorcerer, Taoist master, and scholar in Silla. He is fairly well-known across the continent. It’s said he ascended after death or became a deity but seems to remain here on the surface.”

“Is it common for powerful spirits not to ascend to heaven and stay on earth?”

“Such cases are frequent. If one has a lot of regrets and unfinished business in life…”

It felt like I was getting closer to the answer. I rested my chin on my hand and murmured.

“Hmm. They mentioned a southern area; I wonder where it could be.”

“I might have a lead. Want to come with me?”

“Sure.”

Having lived a long time in the continent or Dongyoung, Miho seemed to have insight regarding Choi Chi-won’s whereabouts. I moved with Miho to Goryeo, and from there traveled to the southern regions. Of course, this was the southernmost area I passed when I moved from the continent to Dongyoung. Miho led me to a quiet coastal area.

“Here at Haeundae. The last known whereabouts of Choi Chi-won that I know of is around here.”

“A pavilion here.”

“I believe if we use the Heavenly Secret Technique here, he might just appear…”

*Fwoosh!!*

Following Miho’s suggestion, I executed the Heavenly Secret Technique. As I searched for a strong spirit nearby, I summoned Go Un, Choi Chi-won, before my eyes. A refined man of scholarly appearance materialized in front of me, possessing an aura of elegance.

[Why have you summoned me?]

“Are you Go Un, Choi Chi-won?”

[Yes.]

Certainly, a spirit with a strong essence. It seemed true that he possessed tremendous powers during his lifetime; there was remarkable potential about him. He likely mastered techniques on par with those of Earth Immortals during his life.

‘With this level, it’s odd he hasn’t ascended…’

I questioned Choi Chi-won.

“I am searching for the entrance to Banara Mountain. By chance, I also want to know where Xu Fu sought the elixir of immortality.”

[……]

“I heard from Wang Xian Zhi that you took a great interest in this matter during your life.”

Choi Chi-won sighed and replied.

“Ah… You too have wasted time on fleeting illusions.”

“What do you mean?”

“I sought the legendary Three Sacred Mountains, using all my techniques and wisdom in my latter years. I found the traces of Xu Fu and discovered what the elixir of immortality truly was. However, in the end, all of it was mere illusion…”

“You’re saying Banara Mountain doesn’t exist?”

Choi Chi-won shook his head.

[The elixir of immortality and Banara Mountain do exist. However, they are vastly different from what people commonly perceive.]

“How so?”

As Choi Chi-won continued, I felt my shock grow.

[The elixir of immortality is an enigmatic herb that transforms beings into otherworldly races. And Banara Mountain was long ago invaded by the Sea God and demons, where all immortals have become slaves to the Sea God, now turned into a hell overrun by evil beings.]

“……!!”

[Xu Fu discovered this and returned to Qin Shi Huang to reveal the truth of immortality, while Qin Shi Huang, unable to wait, sought to ally with demons through a ritual to become a god.]

Those were some shocking words.

Could it be that the background behind Qin Shi Huang performing the Offering Ceremony threads back to such matters?

However, I couldn’t just be astonished, so I maintained my composure as I spoke.

“… Regardless, I must go and find Banara Mountain. Please tell me where I can find the entrance.”

[Very well. I shall inform you.]

Choi Chi-won replied in a heavy tone.

[But be careful. That place is the hell of this realm.]