Reincarnation Sword God

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Chapter 1 – The Transformation

“Wait, you can just swap out a personality like that?”

I exclaimed in shock at Zhuge Sa’s words. “What do you mean by that? Can a person’s personality really just be changed at will?”

It sounded utterly absurd—yet, Zhuge Sa was asserting it as though it were common knowledge.

“Hehehe. What do you think a personality is?”

Zhuge Sa chuckled, continuing, “The human mind cannot be defined as just one thing. It’s split into external personas and internal attitudes, and when you touch the unconscious, the layers of the soul can stack up to hundreds. It can split as needed, and superficial observation alone has its limitations. Overwriting such a complex object of personality is practically impossible with regular mind techniques. But…”

He poked Zhuge Bu, who was in a stupor, on the forehead and grinned.

“If you flip it from the ground up, it doesn’t matter. Yeah… it’s more accurate to say it’s blown away than swapped out.”

“……?!”

“And if done slowly, it would involve subduing him first, followed by drug administration and brainwashing. We’ll implant despair from the smallest details. If done quickly, techniques like the Soul Exchange and Alchemy come into play.”

I felt intrigued and confused, catching just enough of Zhuge Sa’s words.

“So… you mean you’re going to completely obliterate his mind and personality? From the unconscious level?”

“Of course! Otherwise, it’d be useless.”

I hesitated before saying, “… No way! That’s the same as killing him.”

Having spent a long time under Zhuge Sa’s tutelage, mastering advanced knowledge like the Soul Exchange and Alchemy, I understood Zhuge Sa’s intentions and implications. Destroying the personality lying dormant within Zhuge Bu—the very essence of the being referred to as [Zhuge Bu]—would essentially mean that he would be dead.

Zhuge Sa replied coolly, “Oh really? Then why not just take a knife and kill this useless creature right now? What’s the difference between a straightforward kill and a psychological one, huh?”

“Um…”

“What’s your intention in seeking my help, then?”

“……”

I had no retort, as even I found it contradictory.

“Wake up and listen closely. Now’s not the time to debate human morals or ethics. I’m going to explain the benefits gained from obliterating this guy’s personality.”

Zhuge Sa looked at Zhuge Bu and began to elaborate. “You’ve probably heard from the prophet before, but a person’s [talent] is greatly linked to their personality. Talent is an offshoot connected to mental strength, making them inseparable.”

“Right,” I recalled asking the prophet about ways to enhance my talent in the past. I vividly remembered the prophet’s response.

[A blessing that increases talent is exceedingly rare… and the methods are highly restricted…]

[Talent encompasses not only the capability to put forth effort but also intuition, flexibility, creativity, and inherent dispositions… the potential for growth… It’s all-inclusive… But in order to enhance talent… it must mean a change in personality, right?]

[Correct… Personality…]

[If personality doesn’t change, talent cannot rise… because it necessitates restructuring the very fabric of the mind… well, the opposite holds true as well, hence why spells to improve talent must be complex and demanding… They could leave severe aftereffects on the recipient…]

Having heard that the prophet’s lineage was one of the most spiritually able among beings in the universe, I believed their theories concerning the mind held a degree of truth. As I pondered the prophet’s words, Zhuge Sa proceeded.

“Zhuge Bu had natural talent since childhood. At just the beginning of his teenage years, he grasped peak martial theories, read through the Four Books and Five Classics, and entry into the divine arts known as the Feather Transformation Technique was a breeze for him. He never felt the need to further his development. The problem was, the pride stemming from that made him cling to his talent until he was over thirty.”

He looked down on Zhuge Bu with somewhat cold eyes. “Without the will to improve, a person can only stagnate. Originally, he had the potential to reach Absolute Realm in martial arts and Great Immortal Level in sorcery, but he squandered it.”

I didn’t understand and tilted my head. “But it’s confusing… being a genius, he must know just how powerful he could be when reaching that peak, right? I can’t fathom why he would disregard that benefit simply out of laziness…”

Zhuge Sa replied, seemingly exasperated, “Because he’s a genius, he quits even faster, you idiot. Though you may think you lack talent, haven’t you reached the threshold of Absolute Realm after dying 23 times? Even if you were one of the top martial geniuses in the Central Plains, reaching Absolute Realm isn’t a trivial matter; it requires at least twenty years of constant dedication to training and self-abandonment. Even then, it’s only a toss-up whether you’d really achieve it. It’s an arduous journey, and Zhuge Bu had no reason to push himself that hard.”

“Oh.”

“It’s all because he’s smart. He always chooses the easy path, steering clear of the hard and arduous royal path.”

Zhuge Sa scoffed at Zhuge Bu. “He probably thought that since he had such innate talent, he’d achieve something meaningful within thirty or forty years, but ultimate mastery isn’t something you gain by just passing the time.”

I see.

I nodded, but suddenly had a thought and asked, “Wait, what about Zhuge Yulong? He seems to have enough reason and ambition to grow stronger, unlike Zhuge Bu.”

Zhuge Sa fell silent for a moment. Then he replied, “Hmm… his reasons are likely entirely different from Zhuge Bu’s. What he’s vying for is the annihilation of the Celestial Realm, so personal martial strength, whether it be Absolute Realm or Great Immortal Level, would be meaningless. You’d need centuries of training just to have a chance at overcoming the monkey beast you signed that contract with in this life.”

He was right. Thinking of the strength of the Celestial Sage, no ordinary human could ever contend. The gap was so enormous that training itself felt meaningless—it was akin to the existential divide between demigods and humans.

“Moreover, I suspect he’s already aware of the Queen Mother of the West’s true identity and strength. Do you really think he would believe he could oppose someone like the Queen Mother of the West with just Absolute Realm?”

“……”

“It’s normal for someone who doesn’t continuously reincarnate like you, a madman, to give up on personal strength.”

His arguments held such weight that I found myself momentarily at a loss for words.

“His goal is to genuinely destroy the Celestial Realm. He’s likely prioritizing time spent scheming over personal training. That’s the terrifying part about him—he might actually pull it off…”

After explaining, Zhuge Sa took a sip of tea that was beside him, quenching his thirst before continuing.

“Anyway, let’s get back to the point. In Zhuge Bu’s case, his lazy, cold-hearted, and selfish personality is blocking his talent. By completely obliterating his personality and turning him to a blank slate, only pure talent will remain. Got it?”

“… Is that really possible? What if obliterating the personality erases the talent as well?”

When I questioned back, Zhuge Sa stated, “Of course that possibility exists. Hence, the precise usage of the Soul Exchange Technique is crucial.”

“The Soul Exchange Technique?”

Zhuge Sa nodded and raised both hands, palms facing up. He then proceeded to execute the Soul Exchange Technique, preparing to draw in a soul.

“If the Soul Exchange Technique is mastered to its extremes, you can use your own essence to draw in a soul, invade the opponent’s essence, and seize control over both their psyche and body. Simultaneously, you can copy the symbols and perceptions they subconsciously harbor and momentarily transfer them to yourself.”

“What?!”

“Just in case, we’ll temporarily store his memories and personality, then use the essence of the Soul Exchange Technique to completely erase his inner and outer persona. I’m confident this method won’t have side effects because during the copying process, we can suppress any resisting instincts his mind possesses.”

“Of course, in theory, that’s possible…”

I was taken aback.

Having practiced the Soul Exchange Technique to a decent extent, I knew what Zhuge Sa said was theoretically valid. The Soul Exchange Technique was historically the most adept method for handling essence, allowing tremendous influence over a person’s soul and psyche.

However, it remained merely theoretical. Based on my experiences, even simply pulling in an opponent’s essence required extreme sensitivity and concentration. The idea of erasing someone’s psyche while simultaneously copying their memories demanded an immense level of skill.

Reaching that pinnacle, the extremity of mastering the Soul Exchange Technique, might be a distant dream. Stuck in my thoughts, Zhuge Sa calmly added, “What I just said. If you intend to execute my proposed method, don’t interfere or make excuses.”

“Um…”

“I can’t offer any more plans. It’s impossible. Trying to manipulate this guy while keeping him intact is nonsense and utterly illogical. Even if you were to subdue him with the Soul Exchange Technique, a scheming and capable guy like him will find an opportunity to stab you in the back at any time. It’s plain to foresee that you’d end up in a dire situation, and I can’t bear to watch that unfold.”

Zhuge Sa growled.

“Make your choice! Wipe his mind or just kill him right here. The Nameless Ritual Book can just be considered lost.”

I contemplated. Zhuge Sa’s reasoning made sense, and this was nearly my own blunder. I had fought with Zhuge Bu to relieve the fatigue that had accumulated from dying numerous times and to affirm my own strength, but ultimately, it ended up being a loss. Pushing further in such a situation would yield nothing.

But—killing him psychologically was the same as outright killing him.

Was there really enough of a rationale to justify his execution given the crimes Zhuge Bu had committed thus far?

“……”

Upon deeper reflection, it seemed he hadn’t been that extreme. Selfish to a fault, utterly oblivious to the common people’s suffering—and indeed a talented bastard—but he hadn’t committed atrocious acts to a degree that warranted death. He had merely aligned himself according to his self-interest. I also knew from experience that this type could effortlessly commit heinous acts in the future, but Zhuge Bu couldn’t yet be classified as purely evil.

I sighed after considering for a long time.

“Sorry. Let me have some time to talk with Mangnyang.”

“Go ahead. I’ll keep this guy in check using the Soul Exchange Technique until you return.”

Zhuge Sa seemed indifferent to my conversation with Mangnyang. I exited and made my way to find Mangnyang, who was likely managing things atop Mount Huang.

Pa-at!

I handed Mangnyang the obsidian, showing him the progress we had made. After receiving the obsidian, Mangnyang pondered for a moment and then spoke.

“Honestly, when I think about my brother, it’s complicated. As you mentioned, he lacks the ability to distinguish between good and evil and is merely an extremely intelligent individual… but he’s an unfeeling one. However, lacking talent in sorcery, I felt inferior to him and couldn’t properly address his shortcomings before I exited the Inner Imperial Pavilion.”

He gazed at the distant sky, then added, “Recently, I came across those confidential details through your memories, and a different thought has surfaced. Perhaps that was intended by my father.”

“……?”

Intended?

Curious, I looked at him, and Mangnyang smiled sadly.

“Still, it’s just a speculation. But I don’t think your minor affection for your brother is misplaced. He’s not the sort who’s irredeemably malevolent, so I hope he can be improved.”

“So, what should we do?”

He nodded.

“I’m in favor of initially erasing his personality using my uncle’s Soul Exchange Technique. But afterwards, I want him accepted as an ally and treated well. Once he genuinely bears a good heart, we can restore him to his original state.”

“Ah…”

Could it be that Zhuge Sa’s idea of copying the representations and perceptions of the unconscious was also intertwined with that thought?

Realizing it belatedly, I nodded, but Mangnyang spoke firmly.

“As uncle has said, there’s no other way. Even I believe it’s impossible to safely use the Soul Exchange Technique on someone like Zhuge Bu; thus, we have no choice.”

Unexpectedly, Mangnyang appeared to agree on erasing Zhuge Bu’s essence to begin with. However, his focus seemed more on temporarily punishing Zhuge Bu and aiming for his redemption. I grew curious and inquired.

“Mangnyang, if Zhuge Bu were to fully unleash his talent, how much potential would he have?”

“Hmm…”

After a moment of contemplation, Mangnyang replied, “He would be reborn as the true treasure of the Central Plains. While I personally lean toward disliking him, I cannot deny the extent of his talent.”

“I see…”

After hearing Mangnyang’s words, I could finally decide what to do. Just as I was about to return to Zhuge Sa, Mangnyang called out to me.

“Baek Woong.”

“What is it?”

“And finding the descendant of Guan Yu won’t be too difficult, so leave that to me. But first, hand over that halberd for a while.”

“Um, fine. But why do you think it’ll be so easy…?”

As I questioned him, Mangnyang chuckled softly.

“Oh dear… it seems you’ve forgotten a bit about your studies. Guan Yu was a renowned warrior of the Three Kingdoms, famed as Liu Bei’s sworn brother and called the God of War during that era. Does that ring a bell?”

“Oh!”

It clicked for me, and I exclaimed in realization.

‘Why did I forget that?’

While Guan Yu might not be extremely famous, he was an indispensable figure in the history of the Three Kingdoms, and his recognition among the people was significant. Feeling flustered, Mangnyang spoke.

“It’s no surprise. You’ve been studying for decades and have gone through countless wonders and adventures, rolling around without a thought spare for the past, so it’s understandable that you might forget for a bit.”

“Hm, should I study again…?”

“No need for that. If it’s the descendant of someone like Guan Yu, tracking them down shouldn’t be hard. I’ll use the Bancheon Alliance to look into it.”

“Please do.”

As I answered, a slight sense of unease washed over me.

‘My memorization skills from the Thunder Spirit Classic aren’t perfect…’

Until now, whenever I needed to memorize something crucial, I had utilized the Thunder Spirit Classic to enhance my ability and improve my brain’s functionality. This method had prevented memory leaks during my reincarnations. However, now that a gap appeared…

‘This is a problem!’

I realized I needed a different method to store my memories. If not, by the time I reached my 50th or 100th life, I was likely to forget significant information or key clues rather than trivial ones. Forgetting who Guan Yu was wouldn’t cause a catastrophic issue, but what would happen if I were to forget the weaknesses or secrets of a god later on?

The memories and life experiences I had accumulated so far were equivalent to centuries of experience for an average person. The adventures and information I had gathered were far beyond what an ordinary human could acquire in a lifetime.

But this was a difficult problem. While I could use any number of methods to store memories into obsidian, it fundamentally wouldn’t prevent memory leakage since the obsidian wouldn’t carry over from one reincarnation to the next.

Yet, how could I even think of passing down memories without an understanding of how the Heavenly Secret’s reincarnation worked?

‘What do I do…?’

A device that could continuously store my memories each time I reincarnated.

I recognized that necessity as being profoundly important. Until now, I had been managing with just the Thunder Spirit Classic, but I was beginning to feel its efficacy waning.

‘First, clear my mind.’

I pondered and headed towards Cheon Woo-jin. Regardless, I needed to take care of my responsibilities, so I decided to get the National Seal from him first.

When I met Cheon Woo-jin, he tersely remarked, “I recall you owe me for the protective barrier from last time. Are you really going to shamelessly ask me to break the National Seal barrier for free?”

“……”

“Pay up right now. Otherwise, I’m not working for you.”

As expected, this guy was meticulous about compensation. Just recently, I had given away quite a bit of the Sacred Lotus and Black and White Lotus to the prophet, so I was running low on treasures. I considered giving him the Inner Dan of the Human Face Pillar, but I figured it’d be better to pass that to Tang San, so I hesitated.

After contemplating, I said, “Um… how about this Secret Techniques of the White Transformation?”

Cheon Woo-jin frowned. “What do you want me to do with your petty thief techniques? It might be useful to Jianghu people, but I have no use for it!”

“Uh, how about some platinum, then?”

“Show me first.”

As I pulled out about ten pieces of platinum, Cheon Woo-jin opened his eyes wide, regarding them. “Wait, this isn’t much. Do you have anything more valuable in terms of sorcery?”

“Are you asking for treasures?”

“Sure, I’d like that.”

It seemed that he was subtly hinting he wanted treasures like the White Feather Fan or Suspicious Fishhook. Considering the importance of the National Seal, I thought it would be fine to give one away, but I felt an inexplicable reluctance stroking my mind.

Having recently accepted Cheon Woo-jin into my circle by giving him obsidian, I thought I could possibly save some treasures.

“Um… preparations for Dark Heaven Village require a lot, so it’d help if I could conserve my treasures… Is there anything else I can offer… Aha!”

I suddenly remembered and addressed Cheon Woo-jin, “Hey, you owe me!”

“What do you mean?”

I narrowed my eyes at him, shining with intent.

“Fifty years later, you gave me clues about the Heavenly Phase, which I read through the obsidian. Why are you wiping your mouth clean after that?”

“……!!”

Cheon Woo-jin appeared surprised. He had likely only thought of receiving but didn’t expect me to retaliate. He hesitated for a while before saying, “Th-That can’t be considered a debt. After all, I found it and handed it to you.”

“If I hadn’t conveyed that memory through obsidian, could you have gotten that? It’s a legitimate achievement I gained through my reincarnation!”

“Ugh!”

“You’re so shameless!”

As I cornered Cheon Woo-jin, he appeared visibly flustered. After a moment, he grit his teeth and said, “Damn… fine! I’ll break the National Seal barrier for free!”

“Hahaha.”

“But we’ll consider this debt settled from now on. This life’s the end of it.”

I shook my head. “It can’t be like that.”

“What do you mean?”

“This isn’t your average debt. It’s not a trivial matter concerning the Heavenly Phase! From now on, you’ll have to serve under me… like a slave…”

Cheon Woo-jin’s expression faltered significantly as I wore a smug grin.

‘Ugh…’

Sleepiness washed over me unexpectedly, and I noticed my vision blurring. Even Cheon Woo-jin before me seemed to be fading as his form waned away. Unable to resist the overwhelming drowsiness, I fainted into sleep.

In the realm of dreams.

I found myself in a village with winding paths, staring blankly. Beside me stood Cheon Woo-jin.

And before us sat a pitch-black cat, licking its paws.

The cat, Master Mangnyang, then turned to me suddenly and said, [You have three free tries.]

“Huh?”

Master Mangnyang yawned. [You really love free stuff, don’t you? Don’t siphon too much from other people’s disciples.]

Pa-at!

I awoke, and my eyes met with Cheon Woo-jin’s, filled with discomfort. He returned my gaze, reflecting a similar feeling of distaste, although he wore a somewhat relieved expression.

“Come on, let’s go.”

“…Alright.”

Disappointment lingered in my heart.

‘Master Mangnyang intervening…’

I lost the chance to leverage Cheon Woo-jin’s power for free due to his interference. On the bright side, I wouldn’t have to pay for the next three reincarnations.