Reincarnation Sword God

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Chapter 1 – Dark Heaven Village

“I managed to hear more details about the current situation from Mangnyang for a brief moment.”

Gong Sun Xuanwen had vanished into his research room, claiming he would prepare something, while Jin So-cheong left after telling me to come visit him once she had heard everything from Mangnyang, leaving us alone together.

“… Miho-sama went to seek help from the Celestial Realm, but there has been no news since.”

“Is that so…”

Fifty years’ worth of history couldn’t be covered in just a short moment, but at least I could understand how much had occurred during that time through Mangnyang’s words. As I listened, I pondered aloud.

“Mangnyang, could this be… the technique of Emperor Changqie?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean… everything happening right now, which I perceive as reality.”

At this, Mangnyang chuckled softly.

“Hah. The reality you perceive after 50 years may actually be an illusion created by Changqie, and there’s also the possibility that we are not real here as well.”

“……”

“That’s a reasonable suspicion. According to the information we have gathered, Changqie is the Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen’s most trusted aide and is comparable to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors in power. A being like Changqie could easily craft an illusion indistinguishable from reality.”

Mangnyang, who had countered that thought, continued.

“However, I believe that possibility is slim.”

“Why is that?”

“No illusion, no matter how great, can exceed the unconsciousness and experiences buried within your mind. If new information, which you are unaware of, continues to accumulate and creates a new Law of Cause and Effect, it is no longer an illusion. It’s already another reality.”

“That sounds a bit difficult, can you explain it easily?”

“If this is an illusion, then the moment you gain new information and grow within it, you are essentially twisting the Law of Cause and Effect. The moment illusions and reality intertwine, not even a god could be free from it. If Changqie were truly as great as the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, creating such a feat might not be impossible, but…”

Mangnyang, who had been deep in thought, declared.

“The idea of manipulating a ‘small wheel’ just to deceive you, while risking the Law of Cause and Effect, seems preposterous.”

“I see…”

I had some knowledge about techniques and the Law of Cause and Effect, so I understood Mangnyang’s explanation. It was possible to deceive me, but the effort required for that was simply too absurd.

Indeed, in this reality, I had already obtained information about the existence of the Nine Lotus Bishop and the future of the Nine Lotus Sect. Soon, I would receive further knowledge and abilities from Mangnyang, Zhuge Sa, and Jin So-cheong. Even if this was an illusion, once it began to affect reality through me, distinguishing between true and false became meaningless. Whether it was real or not wasn’t something I needed to worry about right now.

Suddenly, Bai Woong came to my mind, and I spoke up.

“But from Bai Woong’s prediction of the future, I acquired a clue about the powerful existence of the Archbishop and the Nine Lotus Sect, right?”

“That’s a case where Bai Woong’s advanced future prediction inferred a probability that aligns with your experiences by mere coincidence. However, that prediction has not granted you any new abilities or techniques. Moreover, Bai Woong acknowledges variations post-observation, which means it doesn’t contradict the Law of Cause and Effect.”

“Ah.”

“Even for the sake of proving it, I need to convey something to you quickly.”

As Mangnyang muttered this, he stretched out his hand.

Woong!

From his hand, bright white spirit energy emanated and connected with me. I was startled to realize what this technique was.

“Is that the Soul Exchange Technique? Have you mastered it all this time?!”

“Indeed. I also learned the Soul Exchange Technique from my uncle, reaching a grand level.”

Mangnyang interconnected our souls using the technique and suddenly focused so intensely that the veins on his forehead bulged, channeling his power into me.

Oooooh—

Crackle!

Something flowed into me! As I realized knowledge and experience were rapidly pouring into me along the thread of our connected souls, my body shivered in excitement. After a moment, the transmission of knowledge concluded, and Mangnyang seemed to collapse onto the ground, breathing heavily.

“Hah…”

“What did you do?”

“I transferred useful techniques from my knowledge into your memories through the Soul Exchange Technique. Unlike Mangnyang’s memories, I transferred them as I understood them, so you can use them immediately.”

“……!!”

Just as Mangnyang said, I could suddenly wield five intermediate to advanced techniques freely. Astonishingly, he had gifted me his proficiency level! I said to Mangnyang.

“Is this really possible…?”

Mangnyang collected himself and got back up.

“It’s possible because it’s been 50 years. During that time, my uncle diligently honed the Soul Exchange Technique, and I researched those outcomes together. Furthermore, while an ordinary person would spend their lifetime mastering the technique, I was able to shorten that time and increase the power of the techniques as well.”

“So now, Mangnyang, you are a Grand Sorcerer…”

“Perhaps so. I have likely reached the level of a priest from your early reincarnation.”

Mangnyang licked his lips.

“Unfortunately, the improved version of the Soul Exchange Technique is too advanced, making it difficult to impart casually. I fear that sharing it abruptly might further complicate your understanding.”

“I understand what you mean.”

The Soul Exchange Technique itself had forever been esoteric and complex. If the two geniuses from the Zhuge Clan had spent decades researching it, there was no way I could grasp it all at once. I would have to understand through further explanations later before I could accept it.

“Hmm. By the way, I realize you haven’t mentioned Cheon Woo-jin until now.”

Mangnyang had provided a recount of past events for roughly a brief moment but intentionally avoided talking about Cheon Woo-jin. I was curious why, but I did not press him about it. However, now that the subject had come up, I decided to clear my curiosity. Mangnyang looked bitter as he began to speak.

“Cheon Woo-jin, after feeling the power of the Evil Spirit, transformed into something like a half-wreck and lost his will to fight. During that time, he changed his mind and decided to infiltrate the Celestial Realm.”

“Is that so…”

“He swiftly advanced to the rank of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals and easily became a Great Immortal. But…”

“But?”

“At some point, he fell out of contact.”

Mangnyang looked up at the sky as if in despair.

“If he were to return to the Central Plains, I fervently hope he would find out about the priest’s whereabouts.”

“I understand.”

After talking a bit longer with Mangnyang, I proceeded to find Jin So-cheong.

Jin So-cheong was standing with a spear in a completely ruined area. Locking eyes with him, I opened my mouth.

“Zhuge Sa and Mangnyang have aged, but you remain just as you were.”

“There was no need to change.”

The sunset gradually descended. Jin So-cheong received the sunset’s glow without any change in expression as he continued speaking.

“As you know, Half-Transition Master is part of the Rebirth of Flesh. Once a Martial Artist undergoes the Rebirth of Flesh awakening, they can either revert to youth as a Half-Transition Master or maintain their prime body in a state called ‘pyeongsin’.”

“You chose the rebirth into a pyeongsin state.”

When a Martial Artist reaches the pinnacle of their physicality and goes through the Rebirth of Flesh, they have two paths: one being Half-Transition, and the other being Pyeongsin, meaning they maintain their original physical state. It seemed that Jin So-cheong had opted for pyeongsin, allowing him to remain unchanged for fifty years without aging.

After a brief silence, Jin So-cheong spoke up.

“In fact, choosing the Half-Transition path significantly boosts one’s potential lifespan and internal capacity. During that time, one could gradually improve their strength as they break through walls, overcoming the limits of their physical forms.”

Perhaps Han Baek-ryeong had taken the Half-Transition path for a similar reason.

“Yet I chose pyeongsin because…”

“Half-Transition might increase potential and expected lifespan, but it inherently reduces combat power. No matter how world-class martial skills you possess, if your well-honed body disappears while taking control of a diminutive one, limits will arise. I have had to fight too many battles since fifty years ago to afford to transition halfway.”

“……”

I understood now. A curiosity bubbled up, and I asked.

“What is the standard for undergoing the Rebirth of Flesh? I’ve asked countless Martial Artists this question before, yet none could provide a definitive answer.”

Indeed, I had posed this question to countless individuals: the Half-Transition Master Bright Dragon, Han Baek-ryeong, and during discussions with others like the former Master of the White Lotus Sect or the Dharma Guardians. I sought to understand under what circumstances the Rebirth of Flesh occurs.

Still, no one among them seemed to have a clear grasp of it. Some vaguely deduced that perhaps an extreme accumulation of internal power or a state of supreme physicality might trigger it, yet even the former Master of the White Lotus Sect or Lee Cheong-un.

It was understandable, given that the Rebirth of Flesh itself originated from legendary realms, and those who reached that state seldom had the chance to hypothesize or study each other’s conditions. Most answers were merely experiential, having happened as they continued to practice.

In response to my inquiry, Jin So-cheong replied.

“In the past, Bright Dragon explained to you that Rebirth of Flesh is a phenomenon that occurs when chi reaches its peak and transitions into the best state. However, that only partially captures the truth.”

“Do you know the exact criteria for Rebirth of Flesh?”

“I do.”

Jin So-cheong continued.

“The reason your internal power has reached an elite peak, surpassing all humans except the Dharma Guardians, yet you don’t naturally undergo Rebirth of Flesh, is likely what you truly seek to know.”

“That’s correct.”

In truth, that was my main concern. Despite consuming countless spiritual pills like the Black and White Lotus, Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng, and the Spirit Energy Pill to gain the best internal power in the world, I had yet to experience Rebirth of Flesh, let alone grasp the essence of it. I had long lamented not being able to undergo Rebirth of Flesh, so could it be that fifty years later, Jin So-cheong knew the reason?

As I focused on his words, Jin So-cheong slowly opened his mouth.

“Your internal power at the peak level isn’t enough to rely on for Rebirth of Flesh. The true requirement stems from necessity and will—these two are crucial.”

“Necessity? Will?”

“Necessity means you must feel your limits and desperately yearn for transformation, akin to a dried-up person needing muscles; therefore, you should fervently wish for your body to change.”

I tilted my head in confusion.

“Then necessity and will sound synonymous. Is it simply about wishing for change?”

“Will carries a different meaning.”

Jin So-cheong’s gaze turned sharp, directed firmly at me.

“It refers to the very will of the body itself.”

“……?”

“That means you are still unable to fully control your own body.”

Swish.

“……!!”

In that instant, I froze, halted by a vivid illusion of my throat being pierced. It felt as if Jin So-cheong’s mind spear had truly thrust through and pierced me, leaving my palm damp with sweat. But as I realized it was an assault through the Mind Control Technique, I managed to ease my tension just then.

Jin So-cheong explained.

“You didn’t even sense the essence of my mind’s spear for a second. No matter how absolute my realm is, thinking about the practice you’ve accumulated, enduring at least ten seconds should be the norm. This is solid proof that you are not fully controlling your own body.”

I was incredulous as I remarked.

“No one has ever said such a thing until now…”

“They simply lacked the martial level to detect your state. Furthermore, your tremendous internal power made that flaw hard to perceive.”

Mind’s Spear.

Hundred Flavors Dance.

Thud thud thud!

The instant Jin So-cheong concluded his words, I felt as if holes were puncturing through my entire body. Despite Jin So-cheong having not moved an inch, the mind spear was attacking me first. The terrifying thing was that the Mind’s Spear was undoubtedly a Mind Control Technique, yet I couldn’t evade or block it in any way.

If he had infused killing intent into the Mind’s Spear, I would have died more than a hundred times.

‘What… kind of martial arts are these…?’

The speed of the Thunder Spirit Technique was already astonishing, but this wasn’t merely fast; it was a level beyond that. It wasn’t merely velocity. Instantly, I could sense an outlandish thought: if Jin So-cheong employed his Mind’s Spear now, it might very well suppress the Thunder Spirit Technique.

“What I’ve discerned while continuously breaking through the walls of my absolute realm is that our bodies also possess individual will.”

“What do you mean? Bodies are controlled by the brain…”

“It’s different in the realm of Muwak. The martial name you have accumulated manifests your body to embody the realm of Muwak along with your development of mind. Yet you…”

Jin So-cheong lowered his spear as he spoke.

“Reborn Person. The spiritual achievements you’ve accumulated do not correspond with your physical reality, which is a constant dilemma. This is because, despite being a master with over one hundred years of martial practice, your body still resembles that of a teenage boy. Thus, a contradiction arises between the mind and body, preventing the body from responding to your proficiency, resulting in the inability to undergo Rebirth of Flesh.”

“……”

“You are experiencing a unique dissonance among all martial artists in the world. It’s the weakness only a Reborn Person possesses.”

Only then did I begin to grasp Jin So-cheong’s words.

The dissonance between body and spirit!

This had long been a worry of mine, but now I discovered that it was indeed a stumbling block to Rebirth of Flesh. Cautiously, I inquired of Jin So-cheong.

“Is it essential to undergo Rebirth of Flesh? If not, will I never attain the Absolute Realm?”

“That’s not necessarily true. However—in your case, it might be.”

“Why?”

“The reason you have abnormally lingered in the Peak Level for so long and struggled to ascend to the Absolute Realm isn’t merely due to a lack of talent. The internal dissonance between body and spirit I recently described is also holding you back.”

He maintained a composed gaze on me.

“The Absolute Realm is a stage where one possesses martial intent, attaining the Heavenly Pillar. It’s the stage where one defines the world outside oneself through a nearly mad martial intent. For that absolute mind to manifest, the Harmony of Mind, Qi, and Body must be achieved in any capacity.”

“……!!”

“I believe, more than your talent, what you truly need is a resolution to solve your inner contradictions, and a firm belief in your own Absolute Realm.”

“A belief, you say…”

As I pondered Jin So-cheong’s words deeply, he said.

“I wish I could carefully impart my insights to you, but time is short. I must return home immediately, so prepare yourself.”

“… Understood.”

I agreed with Jin So-cheong’s words.

Regardless of the unfolding worlds, lingering in this Kingdom of Duke Du and inheriting martial techniques and the arts from Jin So-cheong and Mangnyang might be the best option. But the situation was dire. If the Nine Lotus Bishop were to invade the Celestial Realm and succeed, a great descent of the Evil Spirit would ensue, and that would be when humanity faced true annihilation. It would then be impossible to hide and preserve my life.

‘Is it possible? … Even if not, I must try.’

I grit my teeth.

I must mobilize every means at my disposal to kill or seal the Nine Lotus Bishop.

Shortly after, the four of us, including me, gathered at the base of the Kingdom of Duke Du.

Zhuge Sa spoke up.

“I have heard some not-so-great news from the main land.”

“What is it?”

“The Celestial Realm was defeated by the Nine Lotus Bishop. Over twenty Great Immortals were annihilated in Luoyang.”

“……”

“Many were also slain in the overlay process.”

Before even beginning, I was left flabbergasted by hearing a proclamation of defeat, only for Zhuge Sa to continue his account.

“This is our last chance. Soon, the Nine Lotus Bishop will use himself as a medium to bring forth the Evil Spirit, causing the battle ground to collapse.”

Zhuge Sa declared.

“Assassinating the Nine Lotus Bishop during the ceremony is humanity’s only hope.”

“Do you think it’s possible?”

“Hah. Truthfully speaking, without a miracle, it’s impossible. The difference in strength is simply too vast. Not even the Bishop would be manageable.”

Zhuge Sa smirked bitterly.

“That’s why we must hope for a miracle, our foolish king.”