Reincarnation Sword God

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00531 Dark Heaven Village

*Paat!*
I arrived at Jinrang Valley, where the Extreme Tiger was waiting. It didn’t take long for me to sense his presence, immersed in training in the nearby forest.
“Ha!”
Swish…
With his battle cry, a corner of the bamboo grove seemed to slash apart. As I approached, he noticed me and stopped his training.
“You’re here.”
Since I had accepted his obsidian, the previous subtle hierarchical distance was brushed aside, and we treated each other as equals. Even though I had surpassed him due to the abilities I accumulated through my reincarnation, I had actually been climbing the ranks since the time I was a practitioner of the Thunder God lineup. Since he had originally held the position of a Thunder God successor and had once been my older brother, it felt more comfortable to treat each other as equals rather than maintaining unnecessary formalities. I glanced around at the training situation and asked,
“How’s the training going?”
“It feels fantastic.”
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Extreme Tiger settled down on a nearby rock.
“No sweet wine can top this.”
“It seems you really like the Seven Great Techniques and Eight Immortal Divine Art.”
“Of course.”
Although it had only been a day or two since he began training, he was visibly excited. I could understand why he felt good—just being able to learn the Splendid Techniques would boost anyone’s spirits. I said to him,
“The obsidian I gave you is just a rough memory transfer. You can understand the basics of the Seven Great Techniques, but for the advanced level, you’ll need stronger memories, so I’ll prepare them later.”
“Hm… did things go well on your end?”
“That’s why I came here.”
After a moment’s hesitation, I added,
“I think I need to find out what Zhongli Quan’s blessing is.”
I recounted what had happened during the seven luminary offering ceremony. Extreme Tiger frowned as he replied,
“What? That Great Immortal didn’t even explain what he gave?”
“Well, he said he’d enhance my martial talent, so I figured I’d understand that as I trained.”
“Training doesn’t just happen overnight… Who said that?”
“Mangnyang.”
“That Mangnyang…”
Seemingly unhappy, Extreme Tiger muttered before recalling something.
“I guess Mangnyang wants you to focus solely on your body this lifetime.”
“Focus on my body?”
“You set the goal to reach the Absolute Realm, so he likely means to suggest you should train diligently without meddling in divine matters or human affairs.”
“……”
“It seems he wants you to train first before trying anything else, even though there are many things you could attempt now.”
That might be true. As Extreme Tiger spoke from his intuition, he scratched the ground with his spear tip and continued,
“Hey, that’s not right.”
“What do you mean it’s not right?”
“You still have things to do. You need to smash the Namgung Clan, right? You have plenty on your plate aside from that.”
“… Right.”
Although I had rescued the hostages from Great Thunder Valley and the Blood Blade Group, there were still women being abused in the Namgung Clan. However, unlike with the previous rescues, this one was going to be quite challenging and required various strategies to approach.
After some thought, Extreme Tiger continued,
“Hey, how about you confirm your skill by pushing them back with numbers?”
“What do you mean?”
“Instead of sacrificing ten years of your lifespan to force the Master of Shadowless Sword down, let’s throw all the connections you’ve gathered against the Namgung Clan. They’re not that great anyway.”
“How?”
“Listen up…”
Extreme Tiger then spontaneously shared his improvised plan. As I listened, my expression kept changing because it was genuinely a foolish plan. But behind its foolishness lay enough potential for success to leave me hesitating.
“……”
“How about it? Let’s do it.”
“But… Mangnyang probably has thought through all possible plans like this, so he didn’t mention the risks to me. Moving carelessly feels a bit…”
Then, Extreme Tiger replied brusquely.
“What are you afraid of?”
“What? Afraid?”
“Honestly, the area where you’d get smashed is at the level of an Immortal or God, right? You’re not even yet in a position to confront them, so why are you shrinking back from a measly Namgung Clan compared to the White Lotus Sect? If I were you, I’d just barrel through.”
“… Uh…”
Extreme Tiger grabbed my shoulder and shook me vigorously.
“Let’s just give it a go, okay? If we fail, we just won’t do it again next time.”
“……”

Extreme Tiger clenched his fist.
“One life for a man! Ah, you’ve got multiple lives.”
As Extreme Tiger aggressively pushed me, my resolve wavered. Indeed, there was no reason for me to be intimidated by the Namgung Clan. It felt like a drinking buddy was proposing to drink even more after moving to a different bar. After some contemplation, I nodded.
“Got it.”
*Paat!*
I headed to the Shadowless Gate first and released the female hostages, including Seo Mun-hye. Then I met the Sword Demon and handed him the obsidian. He accepted it, appearing momentarily confused, before sighing.
“Hm. This is truly a long fight with no signs of victory in sight. I can’t see any way to defeat the Three Sovereigns and Old Ruler.”
I responded sourly to the Sword Demon’s words.
“If I reincarnate, even a thread of hope might emerge. I won’t let go of that thread.”
“Baek Woong, I salute your mental strength.”
The Sword Demon performed the martial authority and then turned to Extreme Tiger, saying,
“Extreme Tiger… I suppose you’ve officially become our companion now.”
Extreme Tiger grinned.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Sword Demon.”
“I can drink quite well, so let’s share a drink next time.”
“Uwahaha. Don’t fall for my leading.”
Somehow, Extreme Tiger and the Sword Demon seemed to have a good chemistry. The straightforward Extreme Tiger and the open-minded Sword Demon would likely enjoy each other’s company. After the greetings, the Sword Demon added,
“Extreme Tiger’s plan looks interesting. It seems dangerous, though.”
“Will you join us?”
“Of course. I’ve hated the Namgung Clan for how long.”
*Paat!*
We immediately went to the Heavenly Emperor’s Palace in Dongyoung, where Miho was. As if waiting for us, Miho summoned Front Demon and Back Demon to attack us intruders, but Extreme Tiger and the Sword Demon quickly moved their bodies to fend off the ambush. I shouted to Miho in a loud voice,
“Miho!! I know how you can return to the Celestial Realm!”
“……?”
Miho emerged from the darkness, looking at me with a guarded expression, resembling a white fox. I continued,
“I also know that you were framed for killing the Great Blue Bird while you were in the Queen Mother’s palace and were cast out.”
“……!!”
Miho was genuinely shocked. Up until now, it might have only sounded like sweet temptations, but knowing her most crucial secret had left her surprised. However, Miho soon fixed her expression and retorted,
“Hmph! Where did this lowly person hear such news from the Celestial Realm? What are you plotting by coaxing me?”
“Right. This alone would be information any celestial expert would know. But…”
*Peepipeep!*
I unleashed my Sword Strength and inscribed a massive pattern on the wall. It was a depiction of more than a dozen patterns I had learned from Miho concerning the ruins underneath the Queen Mother’s palace. As Miho watched the pattern being carved, she momentarily let her guard down, sinking to the ground.
“Uh… how did you…?”
“You stumbled into the deepest part out of curiosity while the Queen Mother was absent and saw this pattern, right? Then you came to your senses and found yourself accused of killing the Great Blue Bird. By the way, this pattern isn’t even included in Zhuge Yulong’s collection.”
“Who the hell are you? How do you know things only a maiden would know?”
“I am Baek Woong. I heard it directly from you.”
“What?”
I crossed my arms and replied,
“I heard it from you in your past life. I am a Reborn Person.”
“……!!”
I explained my situation to Miho. She was greatly confused at first but eventually came to have a fascinated expression. I extended the obsidian to her, saying,
“Accept this memory.”
“There’s no way I’d take such a suspicious item from a stranger.”
“Is it okay if I continue like this? Then you’ll just be more curious and burst from the inside. Because I am the only human who can find a way for you to return to the Celestial Realm.”
“……”
“Miho. Please trust my words. I beg you.”
“Hmm…”
After much contemplation, Miho cautiously accepted the obsidian, as if she had no choice left.
*Paat!*
As the memories transferred from the obsidian settled into her, Miho’s expression changed to one of pure shock. She then looked around in disbelief before suddenly staring at me, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“W-Why are you crying?”
“This memory… If this memory is all true, then you are really a fool. Why would you go through such hardships?”
“I’ll see it through to the end. And I will make sure to bring you happiness.”
“You foolish person…”
After a while, wiping her tears, Miho grasped my hand and said,
“I understand. I will help you, Baek Woong.”
“Thank you!”
With the warmth of her hand, I felt certain. From now on, I wouldn’t have to rely on the Queen Mother to stabilize bringing Miho back. Then, Extreme Tiger, who had been watching from the side, grumbled as he leaned on his spear.
“Ah~ It’s hot, it’s hot. A person without a lover would surely feel sorry for living.”
At that, Miho turned her head toward Extreme Tiger, wearing a strange expression.
“Uhuhuh. Weren’t you the one who approached the Maiden because you found her reading a book to be so beautiful?”
“Ugh…”
Extreme Tiger froze.
“Extreme Tiger, you might catch a cold. Shall we sit down for some tea and chat?”
“Damn it!!”
“Hahaha.”
As Extreme Tiger made a displeased face, Miho burst into laughter. In my past life memories, Miho had once completely ensnared Extreme Tiger with her charms, leading to a hilariously awkward situation. It seemed Extreme Tiger would end up firmly captured by Miho in the future.
“Shall we head off to the next place?”
After securing Miho, we headed toward the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School. Extreme Tiger told me,
“Wait here. I’ll go get Jin So-cheong.”
About a meal period later, he brought Jin So-cheong, who was in the midst of training the martial artists as the Grandmaster of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School. Upon seeing the Sword Demon and Miho waiting unexpectedly, Jin So-cheong’s expression turned sour.
“Older Brother, are you trying to trap me?”
“Ah~ no.”
Extreme Tiger chuckled.
“How about we have a spar between siblings for the first time in a while? You can attack first if you want.”
“Did something happen… You gathered the Jianghu phantoms to show off your martial achievements, did you?”
“Of course not. But I must say, I will win.”
“Since I am the Grandmaster of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, I won’t go easy on you. If you are truly trying to trap me, you will regret it.”
*Buwung!*
Extreme Tiger and Jin So-cheong faced each other as if in direct confrontation. After a brief moment of tension, their spear dance ignited sparks in mid-air.
*Clang!*
Watching the clash, the Sword Demon crossed his arms and remarked,
“Both are exceptional experts seldom seen in Jianghu.”
“Hmph… Why would you be watching this?”
As Miho grumbled, I countered,
“Jin So-cheong also needs a convincing process.”
I could simply knock Jin So-cheong out and hand him the obsidian, but gaining trust through that method would be impossible. Even though it was a hassle every time, I needed to persuade my companions to accept it.
While talking, the duel between the Thunder God experts was crossing the thirty-second mark. Yet, Jin So-cheong could only endure with Ranna Chul, while it was Extreme Tiger who was stepping up the attack.
*Clash!*
“Ugh.”
Jin So-cheong seemed to struggle significantly, taking three steps back. Extreme Tiger paused his offensive, looking satisfied.
“Got it? It’s not a huge difference, but right now, my martial arts are superior. Why is that?”
While it sounded like he was merely showing off, Jin So-cheong contemplated deeply before saying,
“You’ve learned the external martial arts.”
“Not just any external martial arts. How do you see the changes of this moment?”
*Paat!*
At that instant, Extreme Tiger elegantly unleashed his spear technique. The spear tip curved into an unusual trajectory, and Jin So-cheong’s expression changed as he noticed the spiral shift.
“Ultimate Technique…!!”
“That’s right. It’s the Bowing Sky Slash of the Seven Great Techniques passed down by Jang Sam-bong. I’ve only just grasped the feeling, and this is how I approached you.”
“Jang Sam-bong?!”
“You’ve heard of him because Baek Woong told you about it back then.”
Then, with eyes full of suspicion, Jin So-cheong queried,
“You’ve gained a fortuitous encounter, older brother. So why did you summon me here?”
It seemed Jin So-cheong had come to realize this meeting wasn’t a trap. Extreme Tiger glanced at the obsidian in my hand before calmly saying,
“Jin So-cheong. If you accept that obsidian, you can also attain the Seven Great Techniques. And you will soon learn of a world unknown to you until now.”
“That sounds suspicious.”
“Mind you, I don’t care whether you accept it or not. In fact, I prefer it that way. If you accept it, it’s apparent you’ll surpass me soon.”
Sincerely speaking, Extreme Tiger continued,
“However, I’ve decided to set aside such jealousy. I felt Baek Woong possesses a great cause sufficient enough to transcend that jealousy. What will you do?”
“……”
*Thud!*
As Jin So-cheong reached out to accept the obsidian, I transmitted the memories to him. Soon after absorbing the memories, he wore a blank expression and said,
“So that was it.”
“Soe-chang, I’ll tell you this: if Baek Woong desires it, I will take the head of Master Lee Kwang.”
“……!!”
“I am different from you. Baek Woong is the only one who can fulfill my revenge, and Master Lee Kwang cannot. For that wish to be fulfilled, I’m prepared to take such a path.”
Extreme Tiger’s cold words made Jin So-cheong wear a complicated expression.
“You’re rather kind, older brother. To warn a disciple who may face a life-or-death situation.”
“Think what you will. Since we are bound for a lengthy reincarnation together, I wish for you to be prepared. Even if it comes down to killing or being killed.”
“I understand.”
What does Jin So-cheong’s “I understand” truly mean?
Only he himself would know.
“Now that we’re all set.”
I nodded at the Sword Demon’s words.
“Let’s go.”