Reincarnation Sword God

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Chapter 1 – Dark Heaven Village

After completing a series of tasks, I returned to Jangryeong Valley. Now, I decided to put aside my study of spells and focus again on martial arts training. This decision came about because Zhuge Sa firmly expressed his opinion on my growth direction.

“Studying spells any further would be a waste of time until your ‘power’ reaches its peak and you can break through the boundaries with Thunder Spirit Technique. Rather, go back to refining your martial arts.”

I followed Zhuge Sa’s advice and sought out Lee Cheong-un.

“Haap!”

Lee Cheong-un was in a training ground at the corner of Jangryeong Valley, teaching Geokho. Geokho was creating eight clones at an astonishing speed and sparring with Lee Cheong-un, who was moving in sync with Geokho’s level, just like he did when he fought with me. A loud clash of powerful Qi erupted as their weapons collided dozens of times, and with each clash, the Absolute Slash from the Seven Great Techniques caused changes.

“Crack!”

“Ugh.”

In that moment, Lee Cheong-un nimbly slipped in and struck Geokho’s waist, sending him flying as he stifled a moan of pain. After winning the spar, Lee Cheong-un turned to me.

“You’re here.”

“Do you always spar like this?”

“Six times a day.”

“Isn’t that a bit excessive?”

Worry filled my mind. Indeed, the training ground was utterly destroyed due to the clashes. There was a reason Zhuge Sa complained about the high repair costs. Moreover, the participants would inevitably face severe exhaustion in both physical strength and internal power.

“Geokho is on the right track. He’s a martial artist who grows through sparring.”

“What about Jin So-cheong…”

“Her training method is different. I’m currently teaching her the Essence of Soul Extinguishing Step.”

After saying that, Lee Cheong-un fixed me with a serene gaze. The depth of that look made me flinch as I said, “W-what do you want to say?”

“Baek Woong. While you were off studying different things, I did a lot of thinking. If I let you walk the path of Thunder Spirit Technique despite your lacking talent, you would inevitably fall into the Heart Demon. It was a problem that was truly difficult for me to solve.”

Lee Cheong-un turned his gaze to the sprawled-out Geokho.

“Geokho. Come here. You need to hear this too.”

“Yes, Grand Master.”

Geokho sat down next to me, grinning as he said, “Hey! How have you been?”

“Just so-so.”

Then Lee Cheong-un opened his mouth again.

“Baek Woong, I previously mentioned that there are five gateways to the Absolute Realm.”

“Indeed.”

“The last two stages are quite straightforward: transmission and training of Thunder Spirit Technique. However, since you can’t possibly achieve that, I aimed to help you reach a level where you can absorb the essence of Thunder God lineage through martial arts training. Once you have mastered the nuances of that art, you could potentially achieve that level, regardless of talent.”

Lee Cheong-un crossed his arms.

“However, after you left, I pondered deeply and realized I was overlooking something very important. I had been looking at everything only from the perspective of the Thunder God lineage master.”

“What do you mean?”

“It relates to what the Sect Leader left behind. Your rebirth led to discovering a very valuable clue.”

“…?”

When I looked at him with confusion, Lee Cheong-un continued, “Do you remember? You witnessed the miraculous event where the Master of the White Lotus Sect killed and resurrected the Dragon Flower Tree.”

That statement brought back a vivid memory. It was certainly during the 18th cycle, back when I entered the White Lotus Sect and became the Sect Leader’s disciple. Although I had met a rather ridiculous end, that moment is still fresh in my mind.

“Ah… I remember discussing martial arts with the Sect Leader then.”

“Recall that conversation well.”

I propped my chin on my hand and tried to remember.

[Baek Woong, what do you think Qi is?]

[Over countless trainings leading up to martial extremes, I realized one important fact. It was that my Primordial Spirit did not stem from the Divine Void, namely, the Primordial Void itself.]

[Primordial Void refers to Qi. The Primordial Dimension is Qi, where Qi appears scattered like the Primordial Void.]

[Look. What is at the end of this world?]

[You probably can’t understand it right now. But… in the entire world, there was only one person who understood the Primordial Void. The fact that he reached the four calamities… ]

[He is dead now.]

Surely, those were the words spoken.

The Sect Leader had spoken so mysteriously then, leading me to believe it was a clue to reaching the absolute martial arts realm. Yet I found no promising results and only heard a few words from Mangnyang while he was exploring the Flame Elemental Sword. Afterward, I was so swept up in various circumstances that I didn’t think to revisit it.

As I recounted what I remembered, Lee Cheong-un nodded.

“Exactly. The Primordial Dimension is Qi. That carries significant implications.”

“I understand that, but… it’s too metaphysical to comprehend fully.”

Lee Cheong-un chuckled heartily.

“Honestly, I was just as baffled.”

“Really? You too, Lee Cheong-un?”

“Just because one has reached the same realm doesn’t mean they can fully grasp every nuance of it. Each understands the profundity from their unique perspective as masters in their own martial lineage. In that area, mysteries abound which we cannot comprehend. I had merely thought the Sect Leader was explaining the approach to establishing the Heavenly Pillar of Intent.”

Lee Cheong-un’s expression grew serious.

“Yet lately, as I trained the Seven Great Techniques and the Eight Immortal Divine Art, my insights deepened, and I began to feel something was off. Perhaps the Sect Leader had reached a level far beyond my imagination.”

He spoke as if lamenting.

“The Qi of Heaven and Earth takes on various forms, yet the Primordial Harmony is limitless when demonstrating its rise and fall. Do you remember that statement?”

“Yes, it seemed like the Sect Leader gained enlightenment upon receiving the treasure of the Great Immortal.”

“I’ll share the essence with you now. Though it sounds complicated, it’s quite simple in reality.”

Lee Cheong-un’s eyes sparkled.

“The Primordial Void is critical. The Primordial Void is the only clue that can surpass even the Absolute Realm.”

I was taken aback.

“Is that truly the case?!”

“I also found that quote puzzling and looked further into the writings of the mysterious author. As expected, the Sect Leader had merely quoted it. However, the interpretation of ‘formless’ and ‘actionless’ directly relates to the concept of emptiness in Buddhism.”

“It’s quite convoluted.”

“I believe the Sect Leader borrowed the theories of this author or Buddhism, not literally to use them for martial arts realization. Perhaps it’s just a case of stumbling upon a mouse while searching for a cow.”

Lee Cheong-un’s face lit up with intrigue.

“They articulated their theories metaphorically to best describe their realizations. It’s clear the Sect Leader’s understanding was in a completely different field. My research led me to extract the essence, which brings us back to the Primordial Void.”

“It’s so difficult…”

Lee Cheong-un’s words were so deep it left me struggling to keep up. I wasn’t the only one; Geokho sitting beside me also wore a dumbfounded expression. Suddenly, Geokho began cheering me on, thumping my back.

“Hey! Even if you don’t get it, just keep listening intently.”

“Ugh…”

Then Lee Cheong-un chuckled wryly.

“I’ve been so roundabout in my explanations.”

“It’s fine.”

“Let’s put it simply. The author explained the Primordial Void to articulate his own theories on Dao. However, the Master of the White Lotus connected the theory of ‘formlessness’ with discussions of ‘emptiness.’ ‘Nothingness,’ ‘emptiness’… but even in that void of nothingness, the Primordial Void persists.”

I began to grasp something from Lee Cheong-un’s words.

“Is what the Sect Leader truly wanted to convey the word ‘Nothingness’?”

“Correct.”

Lee Cheong-un continued,

“Something existing while simultaneously not existing. Isn’t it curious? That represents the ultimate contradiction. Yet, the Sect Leader realized this contradiction exists within his very being.”

“Realized it with his body?”

“The Primordial Spirit.”

“…?”

“The Sect Leader confessed to you that the Primordial Spirit did not originate from the Divine Void, or the Primordial Void itself. Then where did the Primordial Spirit come from?”

“You mentioned receiving the Primordial Spirit through a contract with God, so it must be drawn from the Throne of Chaos.”

I barely managed to follow along as Lee Cheong-un said, “The Sect Leader comprehended the deeper essence of the Primordial Void, which possesses infinite potential. And this is just my conjecture, but… I believe the Sect Leader realized that the power of Chaos he possessed included the Primordial Void.”

“Are you saying the Primordial Void exists within Chaos? What does that mean?”

“That reflects the contradiction I just mentioned. If the Primordial Void wasn’t inherent within Chaos, there would be no reason to discuss the concept of emptiness.”

Lee Cheong-un clasped his hands together.

“Perhaps the Sect Leader uncovered a single irrefutable truth about the nature of the Primordial Void.”

“What truth is that?”

“The Primordial Void is immortal.”

“Pardon?”

Lee Cheong-un emphasized strongly, “That means it does not cease to exist. The power of Chaos borrowed from the ultimate Demon God who could annihilate the three thousand worlds with but a single word emerges not to be lost. That ultimate essence dwells within Qi!”

“……!!”

“That state of existence is precisely what we call the Primordial Void. And because of that, the Sect Leader is capable of wielding the abilities of the Primordial Spirit not by directly using the power of Chaos, but through employing the Mind Control Technique and various techniques of the White Lotus Sect.”

Upon grasping Lee Cheong-un’s explanation, I felt utterly dumbstruck.

“W-wait a moment! That doesn’t make any sense!”

Indeed.

What Lee Cheong-un had just explained was an ultimate contradiction. Chaos is the power that obliterates everything, yet within that chaos, the essence known as the Primordial Void continues to exist, allowing the use of Qi. The notion that the Primordial Void is contained within the chaos signifies just that.

Lee Cheong-un chuckled lightly.

“It doesn’t make sense, but my conclusion after a year of contemplating the Sect Leader’s words is none other than that. The Sect Leader discovered the coexistence of Chaos and the Primordial Void. He indicated that wielding the power of Chaos while simultaneously manipulating the forces of Qi and Intent is possible.”

“Hmm…”

“And this carries another significant meaning.”

Only now was I able to follow the flow of Lee Cheong-un’s words. I then quietly recited a sentence from the Sect Leader that remained in my memory.

“[If understood, one could realize that humans can surpass gods.] …”

“Exactly.”

As Lee Cheong-un spoke, he suddenly snapped his fingers in excitement.

“The Sect Leader discerned that by merging the powers of Chaos and the Primordial Void, one could temporarily gain absolute power. It’s through that power that humans will be able to transcend the divine.”

My expression stiffened, and I slowly remarked,

“You’re saying this relates to when the Sect Leader defeated three Great Immortals alone… and when he transformed into the form of Chaos during the battle with Demonic Master Yeodong-bin.”

“Precisely. The transformation he underwent was essentially a fusion state of Chaos and the Primordial Void. Not derived from the inherent power within the Primordial Spirit, but a transformation he developed through research.”

Lee Cheong-un clenched his fist tightly.

“Moreover, I suspect that fusion form materializes in the embodiment of emptiness. Hence, the Sect Leader metaphorically referenced that state using the theories of Buddhism.”

Suddenly, everything began to align.

Up until now, I had pondered at length over what the Sect Leader’s sudden transformation into a form imbued with Chaos actually meant. Was it simply an innate transformation power contained within the Primordial Spirit? But in truth, it was a heightened state of explosive power achieved by harmonizing the forces of Chaos and the Primordial Void!

At that moment, Geokho, who had been listening, chimed in.

“However, Grand Master, it’s a little weak to say the Sect Leader’s research surpassed that of the divine, isn’t it?”

“Geokho.”

Geokho scratched his head.

“While the abilities showcased by the Sect Leader during the 19th cycle were indeed formidable and comparable to Apostles or Demon Kings… isn’t that still below the level of an ‘Old Ruler’?”

I inwardly agreed with Geokho’s sentiment.

If the true powers of an ‘Old Ruler’ were on the line, there would be no way to subdue even Yeodong-bin, who wielded the powers gathered from various divine artifacts. If it were possible, I would have long since amassed every means and made my way alongside Yeodong-bin to hunt down the Sea God. Yet, even combined efforts now fell short of approaching the Sea God’s power.

Lee Cheong-un shook his head firmly.

“Consider what kind of strategy the Sect Leader employed at that time. He did not dare take on the Celestial Realm alone and sought refuge under the Old Ruler to be protected. He clearly understood the limitations of his maximum power. From this, we can infer that the Sect Leader believes to transcend the divine through the fusion of Chaos and the Primordial Void, a considerable period of cultivation would be required.”

“A cultivation period, you say…”

“While we might be able to hear the whole truth from the Sect Leader, I have my suspicions about the Dharma Technique.”

“Dharma Technique?”

“The Master of the White Lotus had set a consistent goal during your rebirth journey. No matter the scenario, he prioritized seeking the Dharma Technique. There must certainly be reasons beyond merely saving the world.”

Lee Cheong-un spoke with a slightly dry tone.

“The Law of the Non-Birth Mother. Obtaining that might mean gaining immense power. Perhaps the Sect Leader intended to amplify his strength through the power of the Dharma Technique, striving to transcend the divine with the assistance of the fusion state.”

“……!!”

Lee Cheong-un continued.

“So, Baek Woong, Geokho. Pack your things and prepare to depart. I’ve already received information from Zhuge Sa.”

“Where are we headed?”

“To the residence of Wang Shouren.”

“Why there…?”

“I do not believe that the philosopher Hengye or Wang Shouren coincidentally championed the theory of the Primordial Void. They must know something about the Chaos and the Primordial Void. Only by speaking directly with Wang Shouren can we clear away the doubts surrounding the Primordial Void.”

“If we resolve those doubts…?”

Lee Cheong-un stepped forward and gazed into the sky. With a voice filled with conviction, he proclaimed,

“We humans too shall discover the technique to merge Chaos with the Primordial Void, allowing our martial arts to transcend the divine!”