Reincarnation Sword God

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Dark Heaven Village

I was greatly disappointed by the blessing of Zhongli Quan, but when I eventually told Zhuge Sa and Mangnyang about it, they both exclaimed in unison.

“It’s quite a good blessing, isn’t it?”

Zhuge Sa commented.

“It felt like there were fewer variables in this life, flowing smoothly, and it turns out the blessing played a role. You’ve received quite the good blessing.”

“Um… I’d actually prefer to increase my talent and become stronger quickly…”

“Our role in this life is to help you focus on your training. It’s a really good blessing that allows us to assist you with that, right? If you’re still bothered by it, try what I mentioned in our last life in the next one. Speaking of which…”

Zhuge Sa spoke bluntly and then asked me.

“The Silver Phoenix contains the memories of the Balhae royal family. Is it possible for you to store new memories within it?”

“Let me take a glance.”

I held the Silver Phoenix up to check its capacity. Then I stated.

“There’s still a lot of space left.”

“How much?”

“About 30% remaining…”

“Then give it a shot.”

“Wait just a moment…”

I attempted to cast the technique as I had when storing memories in the obsidian. But soon after, a sharp sting started in my hand and spread throughout my body.

Crack!

“Ugh.”

I hurriedly placed the Silver Phoenix on the table, looking back at Zhuge Sa.

“I can’t. It’s not possible to store memories here.”

“Hmm… Why not?”

“I have no idea. It’s like it’s rejecting me.”

“……”

Zhuge Sa seemed to think for a moment before saying.

“Baek Woong. For the time being, you should focus on your training. Also, bring Yeon Jong-hwi over here.”

“Uh? Why?”

“Because I have something for him to do.”

I called for Yeon Jong-hwi to Zhuge Sa, who seemed to give him some secretive instructions. Of course, it felt pointless for me to worry about it, so I headed off to train.

Training took a long time. I scheduled my martial arts training for half the day and spent the rest of my time accumulating knowledge about the Demon Path. With all that, I ended up more tired than when I was just focusing on martial arts, and I had to take breaks after a few days.

About three months passed. One day during my lessons, Zhuge Sa remarked.

“I think I’ve figured out some of the old rulers among the [Old Ruler] category.”

“Um…”

“Even if you don’t know the details, memorize everything for now. You’ll need it later.”

I was overwhelmed trying to absorb all the knowledge Zhuge Sa incessantly poured out. Although my memorization was good, my comprehension wasn’t great, resulting in getting scolded dozens of times. Regardless, after three months of diligent study, I managed to understand the basics. I felt puzzled and asked Zhuge Sa.

“It seems there are at least hundreds of them… Why are there so many divine beings?”

This was strange. I assumed that among the [Old Ruler], only a few would be extremely powerful, yet the list of [Old Ruler]s Zhuge Sa provided extended into the dozens, even hundreds. Some were in languages that couldn’t be pronounced by human tongues, leaving me merely to remember their patterns. When I voiced my confusion, Zhuge Sa clarified.

“I mentioned before that the [Old Ruler] are categorized into two types: those from the material realm and those from the divine seat.”

“Ah, right.”

“Rarely do you find a powerful divine seat-born [Old Ruler] capable of truly shaping the universe; most are from the material realm. Hence, some can even be subdued by the power of the Great Immortal.”

“They’re called [Old Ruler] despite being that weak?”

It could be seen as arrogant to label the Great Immortal as weak, but looking back at the powers of [Old Ruler]s I had faced thus far, this was indeed perplexing. I thought beings referred to as [Old Ruler] were overwhelmingly powerful, but that wasn’t necessarily the case.

“[Old Ruler] is a term of reverence. They refer to those who rose to divine status from ‘chaos.’ As you’ve learned, there’s a significant disparity among them, and everyone you’ve encountered, except for the Sea God, can be categorized as Extreme Demon Gods. You’re an exception to the norm.”

“Hmm.”

“Currently alive Demon Kings or Apostles who have survived for thousands of years might also be called [Old Ruler] if they accumulate more power. Ultimately, it’s a matter of stature.”

I suddenly remembered something and asked.

“Does being born from chaos mean they have no parents?”

“Not exactly. Dammit, you still don’t grasp the meaning of chaos in the Demon Path.”

Zhuge Sa said, exasperated.

“That aside, why haven’t you learned alchemy properly?”

I scratched my head.

“I can memorize the combination formulas, but applying them is… a bit challenging.”

Indeed, intricate combinations and lists of materials were memorized due to my excellent memorization skills over the past three months, but I couldn’t blend them or understand ‘why’ it worked in my own way. Zhuge Sa sighed.

“Ugh! If you can’t learn this, it’ll be tough to grasp the basic sorcery techniques, let alone master the Eastern ascension methods. Let’s aim to fully grasp alchemy within a year.”

“Isn’t that a bit harsh? Western alchemists take at least a decade to become proper apprentices…”

I complained as Zhuge Sa made his disappointment blatantly clear. I hadn’t simply slacked off for three months; I had also devoted myself to martial arts training and then stressed my mind, so it felt like an unfair assessment. In response, Zhuge Sa continued.

“Do you know why I’m rushing for you to acquire alchemy? It’s because one day, you’ll need to produce Divine Portraits using the powers of the Crystal Stele and the Water Element of Seven Luminaries, and the sooner you can do that, the better. Ideally, you’d achieve it within this life.”

“Uh? You’re saying I’m going to make Divine Portraits?”

“That way, there’ll be more strategies to attempt after being reborn. How long are you going to depend on me? Without me, you’d probably have to die ten more times to use Divine Portraits. Luck certainly seems to be on your side.”

“…”

I had no words. Because it was undeniably true. I felt grateful toward the Sword Demon who had suggested recruiting Zhuge Sa in the first place.

He interlocked his fingers.

“Creating Divine Portraits requires mastering alchemy to a proficient level, having a deep understanding of the Eight Trigrams Qimen Dunjia, and being skilled in the ergonomic design of the human body. Fortunately, you’ve laid the foundation in these three areas. It’s a challenging feat, but you can accomplish it one day.”

“And how long did you train to reach that level?”

“I’d say… about a year of serious study.”

“……”

He said it took him a year to master alchemy, Eight Trigrams Qimen Dunjia, and medical techniques? Zhuge Sa was indeed a genius of the Zhuge clan without a doubt. Zhuge Sa said.

“It’s looking impossible. Even if we doubled our training efficiency using heretical methods, your talent is simply inadequate. For a while, focus on alchemy and put martial arts training aside.”

“Really?! Can I do that?”

“Reaching the Absolute Realm doesn’t happen overnight, so let’s quickly obtain what you can grasp.”

“Understood.”

From that day onward, I decided to set aside martial arts training temporarily and devote myself to alchemy. Lee Cheong-un, upon hearing this, rested his spear on his shoulder and said.

“Alright. Then now I’ll join the discussions of martial talks with the others.”

“Do you think anyone else can reach the Absolute Realm?”

Lee Cheong-un shook his head.

“That’s truly uncertain. It requires both skill and luck… It’s possible that none of them will attain it within the next ten years.”

“……”

“There’s a world of difference between peering into the entry of the Absolute Realm and actually stepping into that stage. It wouldn’t be strange for someone to linger around the mid-level stage for an extended period. Even a prodigy, no matter how talented.”

“What about me?”

“Your level has deepened recently, but you still haven’t completely immersed yourself in the graveyard… Anyway, let’s talk again after you grasp alchemy.”

I felt a sense of regret.
‘When will I reach the Absolute Realm?’
I knew it wasn’t an easy feat. Yet, I had to reach it someday. Only then could I say I had achieved a minimum level to combat the divine. Despite my current skills being formidable in the Martial World, they felt inadequate when compared to the underlying realm, leaving me frustrated.

And I began to receive harsh alchemy instruction alongside Zhuge Sa as if it were closed-room training. Zhuge Sa brought all sorts of minerals and alchemy materials to make me conduct experiments and study, as well as forcing me to read and study incessantly.

“Ugh…”

As I struggled with my studies, my head began to ache so badly I trembled my hands.

‘This is a few times harder than studying foundational subjects under Mangnyang…’
If it were just physical training, at least I could clear my mind. But this kind of study was unbearably torturous, as it gnawed away at my brain. Even in alchemy, dozens of principles were shared within one formula, and if I wasn’t sharp, producing results would be difficult.

About a year passed again.

That day, I was idly flipping through my alchemy book when Zhuge Sa called out.

“Baek Woong. Stop that for a moment and come out.”

“Uh?”

“It seems something has come up, and I believe we need to hold a meeting.”

I staggered out of the dim room. It had been quite a while since I had buried myself in study like a madman; it felt as though my mind might split. Once outside, I found Mangnyang and all my companions waiting for me.

“Mangnyang, what’s going on?”

Mangnyang replied seriously.

“The event we were worried about has transpired.”

“What event?”

“The issue we were most concerned about when we recruited Lee Cheong-un has indeed materialized.”

“……”

My expression hardened.

“You mean the Master of the White Lotus Sect has grown stronger?”

“Yes…”

The martial arts of the Dharma Guardian, possessing the Heavenly Spirit Pill, would also become known to the Master of the White Lotus Sect!

Understanding this fundamental principle, we had been hesitant in bringing Lee Cheong-un back to life all this time. While becoming teammates under the master of the Absolute Realm was undoubtedly a welcome circumstance, as Lee Cheong-un grew stronger with Seven Great Techniques and Eight Immortal Divine Art, so would the Master of the White Lotus Sect gain that insight as well. I, curious, sat down and inquired.

“What specifically happened?”

“Until now, the Imperial Palace and the White Lotus Sect had maintained a state of equilibrium. They were always in a mutually watchful relationship, but after we suppressed the Imperial Palace’s human sacrifices not long ago, things have changed.”

“That’s right.”

Not long ago, we’d laid waste to significant Imperial Palace buildings like Guanzhong and the Golden Eagle Guards, and even blew up the secret location where Zhuge Yulong’s preliminary body was stored. Nodding at the memories, Mangnyang continued.

“Since then, we’ve been moving the Bancheon Alliance in secrecy and have been doing our best to maintain the delicate power balance with the White Lotus Sect. Yet, it seems we’ve failed to maintain that balance.”

“The White Lotus Sect has taken action?”

“Indeed. This is the rallying edict the Master of the White Lotus Sect proclaimed to the Martial World three days ago.”

Swoosh—

A silk scroll was unfurled dramatically. I slowly read its contents.

[ I, the descendant of the First Ancestor, the Master of the White Lotus Sect, Doco Uncheon, hereby proclaims to the world.
How many powerful demons roam freely within this world?
I have lamented my lack of strength and have been unable to do anything until now.
However, having obtained the Heavenly Revelation, I will soon embrace your sect into the fold of the White Lotus Sect.
Those who seek purpose are welcome to join the sect and become foundational stones for the peaceful millennium kingdom. Those who are capable and purposeful shall receive generous treatment.
Let us create a world of peace to leave behind a lasting legacy for countless generations to come—the True Martial Household.]

“……”

“Additionally, there was a postscript attached stating that sects wishing to join the White Lotus Sect must respond within fifteen days. It’s clear that the White Lotus Sect aims to seize the Martial World.”

I frowned upon reading certain phrases from the edict.

“Heavenly Revelation… that implies the sect leader has obtained the Seven Great Techniques and Eight Immortal Divine Art.”

“That’s correct.”

Mangnyang nodded.

“And he’s likely escalated his own realm significantly as well.”

“…That means.”

I stole a glance at Lee Cheong-un, who responded with a wry smile.

“The leader must have sensed that I’m still alive. And even if he knows I’m alive, he clearly has confidence that he can defeat me, which is why he’s distributing such an edict.”

“How strong would the current leader be?”

“Well… hard to say. But if we leave the leader unchecked, you will recreate your nineteenth life.”

Lee Cheong-un was right. Since the leader had dispatched such an edict to the Martial World, it meant he would ultimately seize control of it, whether sooner or later. After obtaining the powers of the Martial World, he would likely engage the Imperial Palace with intent to exterminate the Imperial Palace forces. Afterwards, he would undoubtedly seek transactions with the former [Old Ruler] of the Imperial Palace for crazed human sacrifices and hunt down the knowledge of Non-Birth Mother.

I clenched my fists.

“We must stop the leader before he takes action.”

“We’ve also been contemplating ways to counteract this.”

Zhuge Sa, who had been beside me, spoke up.

“There’s also a way not to stop him.”

“What?”

“We can allow the leader to rampage and observe what happens when he gathers all the Non-Birth Mother’s teachings with the strength of the gods.”

“……”

“Are you not curious?”

If I said I wasn’t curious, it would be a lie. It would also be critical information that might shorten my rebirth. But I resolutely responded.

“No! I can’t let the people of the Central Plains become extinct while I watch.”

“Heh heh… I knew you would say that. You really are no fun…”

As Zhuge Sa grumbled, Mangnyang said.

“Fortunately, we know the leader’s true intentions, so we can devise an effective counter-strategy. What do you think about preemptively blocking him using the strategy of ‘using the enemy’s lance against them’?”

“Using the enemy’s lance against them?”

“Exactly.”

Mangnyang spoke seriously.

“Let’s mobilize the Master of the Twelve Joules.”