Reincarnation Sword God

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Dark Heaven Village

So, Dalma got killed by the [Old Ruler], huh?

I always thought that Dalma just burst from the excessive power of the Demon Book. This was a whole different story. I looked at the Prophet and said, “Please explain a bit more.”

[Dalma was… originally a High Monk from Tianzhu… During the Six Dynasties era, he came to the Central Plains and met Emperor Yang of the Sui, then established Shaolin Temple and conveyed the Buddhist law… However, he later vanished… this was because his deep meditation led him to realize the terrifying truths hidden in the world, driving him insane.]

“Insane?”

[He realized that everything was in despair… even death was hell… This world barely holds together, relying on the meager mercy of a god… It’s not something beings could easily accept…]

“……”

I fell silent. Sure, my mental strength allowed me to endure facing such despair, but the average person would go mad or choose suicide. The Prophet continued.

[He sought the greatest power in the world… and collected the teachings to complete the Demon Book… sacrificial ceremonies were held, but the moment the ultimate book was completed, all supreme beings of heaven and earth were horrified by its presence.]

“What? A mere Demon Book was created…”

[That wasn’t just any Demon Book. It was a true harbinger of doom… a living ‘something’ of its own.]

“It was alive…?”

[Yes… That book differed fundamentally from other books. It came from the ‘Outside’… perhaps it wasn’t even right to call it a Demon Book…]

The Prophet’s tentacles twitched momentarily as he spoke.

[No matter how great a divine being is, the calling from the ‘Outside’ would inevitably instill fear… They risked total annihilation before even hearing the revelations…]

“Uh-huh.”

[So at that time, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors temporarily withdrew their protection of the Central Plains… and all divine beings united to slay Dalma… But he didn’t die quietly… embracing 5.67 billion years of curses within his soul… he spread the teachings throughout the world.]

“……?”

I wore a puzzled expression. “5.67 billion? Are you messing with me…?”

[All the gods were horrified and enraged… that curse cast upon Dalma at that time could easily destroy the Central Plains a hundred times over… however, the chaotic power that Dalma possessed at that time wasn’t enough to be extinguished by that curse… thus, at the final moment, the teachings split apart.]

“……”

The sheer enormity of the story made me feel like I was about to lose my mind. I also had a renewed sense of how absolute the existence of the [Old Ruler] was. Overwhelmed by the scale of the narrative, I quietly listened as the Prophet stepped aside and continued.

[There are a total of 6 fragments of the teachings… but if the one who obtains them is the [Old Ruler]… he will risk his life to protect those fragments… simply because he does not wish for the destruction of everything… even if I were to acquire them, I would secure the fragments, staking the fate of my race on it…]

“So what you’re saying is? Is it certain that the teachings are currently in possession of the [Old Ruler]?”

[Yes… that seems quite certain… there’s an indication that all the subordinate races and servile races were rampaging across the land back then… at least 1 or 2 fragments are likely in the hands of the [Old Ruler] now…]

The Prophet said.

[It seems the Master of the White Lotus Sect desires a fragment of the teachings, but that dream may be a mirage…]

“I see… so…”

I recalled what Jeon Wook had said when he summoned to the Heavenly Altar during the era of the Three Sovereigns.

[That man would stop at nothing in search of the Non-Birth Mother’s teachings. It’s impossible to complete it with human power, or even with the strength of the Three Sovereigns! I will show that arrogant human the power of the Celestial Realm!]

At that moment, I was so bewildered by the notion of the Master betraying that I dismissed it, but Jeon Wook clearly stated that it was impossible to complete it even with the strength of the Three Sovereigns.

‘Even with the strength of the Three Sovereigns, forcefully seizing a fragment of the teachings that belongs to the [Old Ruler] would be an impossible task.’

No matter how powerful the Three Sovereigns are, it’s hard to snatch a fragment of destruction unknown to who holds it. That’s why he used the term ‘impossible.’ Of course, it wouldn’t be out of reach if all the Three Sovereigns cooperated, but there’s likely no need for that either. Why would they take such a huge risk to obtain a fragment leading to destruction?

I pondered deeply before speaking again. “Is there a chance that obtaining a fragment would grant immense power?”

[… It might be true. There is certainly fearsome chaotic power hidden within… but until you obtain it, it’s all just speculation.]

Lee Cheong-un’s conjecture seemed right. Each fragment likely contained great power, and if I could track it down and acquire it, I could wield chaotic power. I clenched my fist tightly. ‘Alright… I’ve got this!’

I at least knew where one of the fragments was located. If I could acquire that fragment through the cycle of rebirth, there’s no doubt my strength would accelerate! I hesitated, then asked once more, “Earlier you mentioned that the moment the [Old Ruler] completed the teachings, he attacked. Could he sense the acquisition of each fragment and attack then?”

[No… to my knowledge, that is unlikely… Before completion, it wouldn’t be possible to sense it… you would merely think the chaotic power is strong…]

“Then, Prophet, you also don’t know who currently possesses which fragments at all?”

[No… unlike the Seven Luminaries, I have not heard any news on that…]

In the end, the teachings must be entirely found through one’s own efforts. I felt satisfied with this much and said, “Understood. Then lastly, can you tell me how to use the weapon located in the Tower of Muwang?”

[That would be good… then take this. It’s the method to use the weapon.]

Whoosh

I received the small crystal ball thrown by the Prophet. Immediately, information and materials about the weapon, along with its mechanisms and effects, flowed into my mind. Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information, I began to wobble, but the Prophet said:

[If you were in your civilization, it would have taken at least 800 years to even imitate this… It’s indeed a lavish high-level skill.]

“Still, it’s just a one-time rental.”

As I grumbled, the Prophet responded.

[Well then, is this trade done? If you wish for more, I won’t mind.]

“……”

Should I end this trade here?

“Wait a moment.”

Unable to decide on my own, I secretly contacted Zhuge Sa using the Suspicious Fishhook. Zhuge Sa soon understood the situation and said.

[There’s nothing significantly larger to gain right now. For now, return.]

[Got it.]

“I’ll end here.”

I informed the Prophet that the trade was over. As I was about to use the Golden Lamp to move out, the Prophet said,

[One thing… may I offer you some advice for free?]

I hesitated.

I was intrigued by his words and looked at the Prophet. The Prophet rolled his eyes for a moment and slowly continued.

[Searching… receiving as a gift… fighting to seize… but there are only the three methods, right? There’s a fourth path…]

“……? What do you mean?”

As I asked back, the Prophet chuckled softly.

[Hehe… I too dislike dragging this out too long…]

I didn’t understand what he meant.

Ignoring him, I decided to move to the Great Dragon Hall, which is my main stronghold.

Pa-at.

Upon returning to Jangryeong Valley and meeting Zhuge Sa, he received the knowledge of Alchemy and weaponry from me through the Obsidian. Zhuge Sa pondered over the information for a while before saying,

“It’s not a lie that studying Alchemy takes a hundred years.”

“How could it be so?”

“It’s beyond my capabilities alone. My expertise isn’t Alchemy, and the difficulty is immense. I’ll have no choice but to gather the strength of western mages or alchemists.”

“Ugh… I fell for another trap…”

“No, you’re mistaken. Just obtaining this knowledge is already a gain. If we have this Alchemy, our civilization could evolve several stages. The derivative knowledge alone is worth a million gold coins. And for you, the Reborn One, a hundred years isn’t such a long time.”

“Hmm.”

“If you can create the memory transmission metal, you could shorten your journey by several times.”

Zhuge Sa spoke decisively. “And you should save the weapon from the Tower of Muwang until the last moment.”

“Understood.”

Swoosh.

Just then, Mangnyang came charging in as if he were flying with the teleportation spell. The way he effortlessly used a spell like breathing indicated that his sorcery level must be very high. Mangnyang spoke in a somewhat agitated voice.

“Serious trouble, Uncle.”

“Hyun Ah, what’s wrong?”

At Mangnyang’s following words, my and Zhuge Sa’s expressions hardened.

“The 450,000 troops of the Ming Empire surrounded the area of Mount Ye.”

“……!!”

“Troops from Hubei, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Henan provinces… All military forces, including the central army, are positioned to encircle Mount Ye, effectively sealing off a twenty-li radius! Among them, about 70,000 elite iron troops and special forces.”

Zhuge Sa rubbed his chin and replied.

“If that’s the case, they must have disregarded the lord’s directive and drawn out all the troops of a mere city. They’ve even called out the urban security forces.”

“That’s the current report.”

“It seems they’ve leaked information to the Imperial Palace in advance. The surprise attack has already failed.”

“……”

I bit my lips tightly.

I never thought the Imperial Palace would respond so swiftly! Zhuge Sa’s assertion that it was a failure was not an exaggeration; it was already a failure. Attacking those who already knew of our plans was no longer a surprise but a frontal assault, and the odds of success would plummet.

Zhuge Sa gazed intently at Mangnyang and said, “If it were just that, you wouldn’t have needed to come here directly. A messenger bird could have sufficed, but you’ve come in person because…”

“Yes. Earlier, two emissaries from the Twelve Joules and the White Lotus sect came and spoke.”

“Could it be…?”

“They said they would make a frontal assault.”

“They’re really lunatics.”

Zhuge Sa spat out a curse, but I had no choice but to agree with him on a personal level.

450,000 troops!

70,000 elite troops!

If they mobilized that force, it would surely obliterate both Goryeo and Dongyoung in an instant. It was a defense mechanism that employed the majority of the current potential of the Ming Empire! Of course, the White Lotus Sect and Twelve Joules might not see it that way, but it was undeniably a colossal military force akin to the sky falling.

However, Zhuge Sa seemed to focus on something other than the numbers of troops, grinding his lips together.

“Given that troops from Shanxi and Henan arrived precisely within a day or two, orders would’ve had to reach the intermediate commanders leading the respective troops at least five days prior. That means the Bancheon Alliance must have leaked information before they came to threaten us. Damn those bastards… spilling secrets just like that.”

I understood Zhuge Sa’s words and asked back, “Are you saying the White Lotus Sect or the Twelve Joules leaked the information?”

“It suggests that the capacity of the Vermilion Bird is more formidable than we thought. It’s definitely pierced their information network independently, not through the Golden Eagle Guard or the Duke of Guanzhong. The Twelve Joules and the White Lotus Sect have suffered a blow.”

“……”

I let out a low hum. Zhuge Yulong, while not an absolute master like the Master of the Twelve Joules or the Master of the White Lotus Sect, possessed a natural strategy genius and the attribute of immortality, making him incredibly troublesome. At the very least, they were ahead in strategy and intelligence warfare.

Zhuge Sa shook his head.

“The declaration of a frontal approach suggests that the Dharma Guardian of the White Lotus Sect plans to use infinite internal strength to overwhelm them. Is he really considering that insane tactic?”

Mangnyang answered with a grim face, “It sure seems so.”

“Even if they can punch through, that would be disregarding the unspoken rules. The power of the White Lotus Sect’s Dharma Guardian is drawn not from the human realm, but from the demonic power of the hidden world. The moment they overturn a great army with that, the order established by humans over thousands of years will crumble into chaos.”

“But we have no way to stop the actions of the White Lotus Sect right now.”

“That’s right…”

Then, both men opened their mouths at the same time.

“Still, it must be stopped.”

“Still, it must be halted.”

I gave them a puzzled look as I stared at the two wise men of the Zhuge clan. I asked, “I get that it needs to be stopped, but I don’t understand why we need to risk sacrifices to do so.”

“Hoho, Baek Woong, sometimes your cold reasoning can be quite chilling.”

Mangnyang forced a wry smile and said, “The reason we must stop the actions of the White Lotus sect is that the massacre of the elite troops of the Ming Empire might very well be a trap set by the Vermilion Bird.”

“What?”

“The Vermilion Bird wouldn’t be ignorant of the White Lotus Sect’s Dharma Guardian’s firepower. If he has the capacity to instantaneously understand our ambush information, he would surely have a grasp on the operational strength of the White Lotus Sect. And no matter how numerous the troops gathered, they would surely know that before an Infinite Internal strength, they would merely be a collection of toothpicks.”

Realization dawned on me as I responded, “A sacrificial lamb!”

Mangnyang nodded.

“When the great army of Jeongdari slaughters millions, that grand massacre itself will become a human sacrifice of Yangwon. Thus, when the White Lotus Sect begins its carnage, it will actually aid the Vermilion Bird’s plan.”

“Hmm…!!”

“As soon as tens of thousands are slaughtered, their unjust souls will be led to the altar and offered to the divine.”

That sounds very plausible! Just the essence of the Demon Path!

I let out another hum of contemplation. “But… we can’t just let them conduct the ceremony placidly within Ye Mountain.”

“Indeed. We can’t afford to let them complete the ultimate Divine Portrait in there, disrupting the balance of power, which would grant the Imperial Palace immense strength.”

“We’re surrounded and have no way out…”

At that moment, Zhuge Sa opened his mouth.

“There’s a way.”