Reincarnation Sword God

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Chapter 1 – Arrival in Dark Heaven Village

“More chaotic than I imagined…”

The place I reached using the Golden Lamp technique was Gui Zhou Long Chang. It lay a bit south of Sichuan Province, a rather underdeveloped and rugged area. Also, many ethnic minorities resided here, meaning the Ming Dynasty’s control was known to be weak.

‘Is he really living a life of privilege in a place like this?’

Wang Shouren.

From what Zhuge Sa told me, he was currently in his old age and had been a scholar researching Confucianism for a very long time. He played a significant role in suppressing the rebels during the Prince Consort’s uprising and was said to possess impressive martial arts skills. Yet frankly, I wasn’t interested in his past; I was more curious about why he spoke of the Primordial Void.

Extreme Tiger surveyed Long Chang’s cityscape and spoke up.

“Lord Zhuge, it seems if we go about five more li, we’ll reach Wang Shouren’s home.”

Lee Cheong-un opened his mouth.

“Baek Woong, I’m sorry, but let me handle the conversation with him completely.”

I nodded.

“Of course.”

Lee Cheong-un had reached the Absolute Realm and was the one who knew Wang Shouren the best. He claimed to have studied during the past year, so our conversation might flow well. Finally, we arrived in front of Wang Shouren’s residence and handed the letter to a servant.

The letter issued in the name of Bancheon Alliance invoked the authority of a high-ranking official. As a mid-level administrator, Wang Shouren couldn’t refuse it. A moment later, the servant emerged and said,

“Master wishes to see you.”

We walked into the house and saw Wang Shouren seated, waiting.

Wang Shouren’s first impression was that of a man in his seventies, his hair largely gray save for the traces of black. He was quite tall and appeared more like a martial artist than a scholar. However, his gentle demeanor lacked any air of intimidation.

Wang Shouren stood up and said,

“I hear you are the ones introduced by the Duzua Inspector. Delighted to meet you.”

The Leader of Bancheon Alliance, Mangnyang, had already formed an alliance with the scholars using the name of the Duzua Inspector. So, borrowing the authority of the Duzua Inspector was quite easy. Lee Cheong-un sat at the table and revealed his alias.

“Pleasure. I am Lee Geum-do, serving the elder Duzua Inspector. We came for a few necessary assistances stated in the letter and will leave.”

“Hmmm… Lee Geum-do. How may I assist you? I am but a humble Sixth-Rank Official.”

“We did not come seeking your title. We came to inquire about your teachings on Yangming philosophy.”

“Oh! That is indeed delightful news.”

Wang Shouren appeared somewhat excited. The self-proclaimed Lee Geum-do, Lee Cheong-un, asked.

“First… I understand you have spiritually inherited the teachings of the Heart School from Luxiang Mountain?”

“That is correct.”

“It’s referred to as Heart is Reason, and I believe you also define the essence of the mind as nature, meaning nature is also reason. Is that correct?”

Wang Shouren chuckled.

“Haha! My writings aren’t that famous, but you seem to have researched well. It seems you understand my theories sufficiently.”

“I’m relieved to hear that.”

“So, my task is to expound on the relationship between heart, reason, and nature and discuss the attaining of good knowledge?”

He appeared to think we had come to listen to him lecture on Taoist and Heart studies, exhibiting a hint of enthusiasm. However, that was not our intent, prompting Lee Cheong-un to shake his head.

“Lee Geum-do did not come to hear such lectures.”

“State your purpose, then.”

“I found an intriguing passage in your writings. It states, ‘Heavenly Principles exist eternally; the enlightened essence lacks nothing nor is it swayed.’”

“Hmmm… You seem to have read quite carefully.”

“I would ask, ‘The qi of heaven and earth gathers and disperses in various ways, but the Great Harmony collides, causing the interplay of yin and yang.’… How can this be interpreted according to your theories?”

“……”

Wang Shouren’s face hardened upon hearing the question, turning grave and stern, as his previous cheerfulness seemed to vanish completely. He glared at Lee Cheong-un, disguised as Lee Geum-do, and asked.

“Are you from the ‘other side’ of the world?”

“The other side… what do you mean?”

“Reveal your identity. You haven’t come here disguised after killing the Duzua Inspector, have you…!!”

Wang Shouren’s reaction grew increasingly intense. However, we realized one crucial fact from his response.

‘Wang Shouren knows about the hidden world!’

Lee Cheong-un, maintaining a neutral expression, spoke slowly.

“If that were the case, I wouldn’t have any reason to engage in this dialogue with you. Neither I nor my friends standing behind me are anything but human. We aren’t beings allied with demons.”

“……!!”

“There’s no need to be nervous. We merely wish to understand your thoughts. We are allied with the Duzua Inspector, so there’s no need for you to be wary. We also know of his circumstances.”

“… What on earth are you?”

“That’s what we want to ask you. Aren’t you also a member of the scholars?”

“Haha…”

Wang Shouren seemed to resign and lowered his head.

“Yes, I belong to the scholars.”

The scholars!

This group, centered around Dong Gwak, comprised countless Confucian scholars throughout history. They mastered martial arts and techniques that complemented their teachings while secretly thwarting the emergence of demonic forces. It turned out Wang Shouren was a scholar within this association.

“I want to know why you reacted so sensitively to my query.”

“Well… because your words struck right through something I’ve always regarded as a thorn in my heart.”

Wang Shouren continued with a frown.

“Indeed, it had been a secretive phrase handed down from antiquity, passed along from Heng Ge and Luxiang Mountain to myself.”

“I suspected something of the sort.”

“So you expected this to be the case?”

“Had I not thought it, we wouldn’t have traveled this far to learn about your studies.”

Lee Cheong-un crossed his arms and said.

“Relax. We have enough understanding of the hidden world. Today, we just need to remove that thorn from your heart.”

“Haha… Understood.”

Wang Shouren’s complexion returned to normal. After taking a deep breath, he began to speak.

“In my view, the person who uttered that phrase comprehends the concepts of chaos and the Primordial Void. This implies understanding the secrets bequeathed by the creator of our scholars in ancient times. I never imagined someone would actually grasp that principle and make practical use of it…”

“The creator of the scholars?”

Wang Shouren nodded.

“As you might have guessed, even before Zhu Xi or Heng Ge, our scholars had secretly shared those secrets. Countless scholars spread ideologies across this Central Plains, enabling governance by virtue and righteousness. It is our duty to ensure humans worship not power, thus avoiding the descent into heretical sects.”

“I know that to some extent.”

“Moreover, we unknowingly incorporated the secrets received from the creator of the scholars into our theoretical texts. Concepts like Primordial Void, yin and yang interchange, essence and principle, integrity and clarity originally encapsulated the fundamental principles of the universe but were transformed and disseminated under different meanings within Heart Studies.”

“Hmm…?”

Lee Cheong-un questioned back.

“Why would you do that? Why distort the divine enlightenment and teachings?”

Wang Shouren strongly objected.

“It is not distortion. If humans share knowledge only through verbal means, there’s a high risk it could be lost, hence scribbling phrases in books allows us to communicate in a manner understandable only amongst ourselves. That’s why the words may sound somewhat cryptic or riddle-like at times.”

“I see. By recording them, you can share and develop ideas while making preservation easier, right?”

“Precisely. Even if one of our scholars is murdered, the texts remain.”

“Anyway, who is the creator of the scholars?”

At this question, Wang Shouren hesitated.

“Before revealing that, may I ask what relationship you hold with the scholars?”

“It was likely explained in that letter. I must assure you complete cooperation.”

“… Please elaborate…”

“Hmmm. In short, we are those who actively fight against demons unlike you. Hence, we are in an alliance with the scholars.”

Wang Shouren seemed to understand as he nodded.

“Ah, understood…”

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

“The creator of the scholars is the Master Mangnyang. Renowned as the highest sorcerer of the Left Way, but in truth, he is a divine being.”

At that response, Lee Cheong-un appeared somewhat indifferent. He had anticipated this answer, as he already knew the Master Mangnyang was the creator of the scholars.

“Let’s get to the point. How would you interpret the passage I mentioned earlier? Not from the widely known perspectives of Confucianism or Heart Studies but from the perspective of [universal principles].”

Wang Shouren contemplated before responding.

“That would be… reincarnation.”

Lee Cheong-un startled upon hearing the unexpected term.

“Reincarnation? What does that mean?”

“I don’t know clearly. However, the phrase ‘The Great Harmony collides, and yin and yang interweave’ can be interpreted as the Primordial Void merging back into chaos at the end of ruin. As for the occurrence of that reincarnation phenomenon, to my knowledge, it can only happen at the [end] of this world.”

“The end of this world?”

“According to the inheritance of the scholars told by the divine, as the end approaches, everything enters reincarnation. So, that passage must…”

Wang Shouren continued to stare blankly as he further contemplated.

“When the cycle of reincarnation occurs, chaos and the Primordial Void merge into the void, this happens across the vast universe. Additionally, the immense power is said to be what turns the ‘Great Wheel’.”

“Are you certain? Saying the end of the universe is reincarnation sounds a bit absurd…”

Lee Cheong-un chuckled slightly.

“Moreover, weren’t you personally critical of Buddhist or Taoist sentiments?”

Blushing slightly in embarrassment, Wang Shouren replied.

“That was merely to cement my stance as a Confucian scholar. I am aware that the sages of Buddism and Taoism strive to protect humanity against demons.”

“Hmmm… Reincarnation… Does that mean this world makes a complete cycle?”

“I don’t know.”

Deep in thought, Lee Cheong-un rested his chin. After a moment, he spoke up.

“I wish to know how one obtains the Primordial Void or chaos. Do you have any knowledge of that?”

“Ugh… How would I know such things? That’s entirely a mythical story. Until your question, I didn’t even consider that there might be beings who actively manipulate the Primordial Void and chaos.”

“And one more thing. Have you heard of the Four Calamities?”

“Four Calamities? That aligns with the worldview held in Buddhism. I do not know.”

Wang Shouren continued with a shocked expression.

“Well, then I must leave…”

Just then, Wang Shouren’s expression lit up as if recalling something.

“Oh, I think I remember being asked a similar question once…”

“A similar question?”

“Hmm… Let me think… Where was it… Hmm…”

While pondering, Wang Shouren suddenly seemed to recall.

“That’s right! A young man from the Yagyu Clan asked me a question once.”

“Yagyu Clan? What are you talking about?”

“About twenty years ago… a newcomer joined our scholars. I only knew his surname was Yagyu, but he swiftly absorbed teachings and began taking on significant roles. I even taught him some of the Yuga inheritance, and he once posed a similar question to what you’re asking me now.”

“……”

“He even mentioned the Four Calamities.”

Lee Cheong-un’s expression turned slightly serious. Then he spoke up.

“How curious. Was that person named Yong Junil?”

Wang Shouren’s face brightened.

“Ah, yes! That was his name! Do you know him?”

“Hmm… I think I’ve heard about him a few times.”

“Well then, did you answer that Yagyu fellow just like you are now?”

“I think I did.”

“I see.”

Following this, Lee Cheong-un had a few more conversations with Wang Shouren, before exiting the house. After leaving, he looked back at us and said,

“That Yong Junil is quite the odd character.”

Lee Cheong-un expressed a genuinely perplexed expression.

“Why is the Minor Leader of the Wind Spirit Sect among the elite members of the scholars?”

“… Truly unexpected.”

Indeed, the information learned from the conversation with Wang Shouren was that Yong Junil, the Minor Leader of the Huashan Sect and the Wind Spirit Sect, was affiliated with the scholars. This was a possibility I had never considered during my past lives, thus leaving me flabbergasted.

Then Extreme Tiger bluntly remarked,

“Lord Zhuge. Let’s rush to Huashan Sect and take care of Yong Junil. While we’re at it, let’s wipe out the Wind Spirit Sect too.”

I looked at Extreme Tiger in surprise.

‘What’s with him?’

Lee Cheong-un responded dryly to Extreme Tiger’s suggestion.

“Should we?”

“It’s absurd to leave such a complicated matter for the next life. Capturing Yong Junil and torturing him will quickly reveal everything about the Primordial Void and such!”

“That’s a good point.”

Lee Cheong-un chuckled lightly.

“However, there’s no need for that, Extreme Tiger. I would say it’s actually a bad idea. I’m sure you understand why.”

Extreme Tiger made a sulky face.

“I certainly do. If we act rashly, the situation will escalate, and not only Baek Woong but all of us would be in serious danger.”

“If you know, then why bring it up?”

“……”

“While you have strong grievances towards the Wind Spirit Sect, set them aside for now.”

After giving a brief warning to Extreme Tiger, Lee Cheong-un turned to me and said,

“Baek Woong. This has clarified things certainly.”

“Have you discovered how to merge the Primordial Void and chaos?!”

I looked at Lee Cheong-un with doubtful eyes, and he made a face as if I were crazy.

“Do you think I could figure it out after just a few words with that scholar? The only person who knows that method in this world is the Master of the White Lotus Sect.”

“Then clarifying means…”

“It means clarifying where to obtain that method. The only one who knows it is the Master of the White Lotus Sect, but there exists another [god].”

I grasped the meaning of Lee Cheong-un’s words, and my expression soured.

“Is that truly the only method…”

“It is indeed the only method. I can’t assure you I can deduce it through research. To be honest, I have no clear clue about how to obtain the Primordial Void.”

“……”

Master Mangnyang!

There was no choice but to offer sacrifices to that damn cat and learn how to merge the Primordial Void and chaos.