Reincarnation Sword God

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Mount Ye – Dark Heaven Village

The Fire Dragon Incarnate burst forth with a brilliant light and charged out. In an instant, she compressed dozens of copies and leaped into the battlefield, parrying Gongsun Byeok’s attack aimed at Jang Gwa-ro with a decisive blow.

[CRACK!!]

Gongsun Byeok, recognizing that the one who blocked him was the helpless boy who had just been beside Jang Gwa-ro, wore a puzzled expression, but soon recoiled in horror as his sword entwined with the Fire Dragon Sword, engulfing him in a powerful flame.

“Uugh!!”

He hastily withdrew his hand from his long sword, trying to dispel the flames with his internal power, but the flames clinging to his fingertips wouldn’t cease. With no other choice, Gongsun Byeok bit down hard and severed two of his fingers with a swift chop, finally freeing himself from the flames. His self-inflicted injury caught Lee Gun-ak by surprise.

“Lord Gongsun!!”

“Ugh… Who are you?”

As Gongsun Byeok shouted in anger, the Fire Dragon Incarnate moved Yeodong-bin’s body, speaking in a menacing tone.

[ You cowardly ones! Meet your end in this Mount Ye!]

She dashed forward, this time launching an attack on Lee Gun-ak. Calmly, as the Fire Dragon Incarnate revealed the might of her sword, Lee Gun-ak raised his spear into a defensive stance. In an instant, the range of their attacks clashed, creating a tense standoff. However, Lee Gun-ak soon realized that his clever tactics were predicted by the Fire Dragon Incarnate, leaving him aghast.

[KWANG!!]

They had barely exchanged blows for three seconds, yet the potent energy unleashed by the Fire Dragon Incarnate sent Lee Gun-ak soaring into the sky. Though he wasn’t mortally wounded, the sheer force of their duel made him bleed from his mouth.

“Cough.”

The Fire Dragon Incarnate didn’t stop there; she gracefully danced forward to finish off Gongsun Byeok. In response, Gongsun Byeok concentrated his internal energy and drew the hidden sword at his waist, facing the Fire Dragon Incarnate’s strikes. This time, perhaps due to the perfect fusion of their energies, the flames did not transfer to Gongsun Byeok’s sword, and they clashed normally.

[CRACK!]

[CRACK!]

Unlike Lee Gun-ak, Gongsun Byeok demonstrated a refined technique, not yielding even to the Fire Dragon Incarnate’s Absolute Slash. Observing the Gongsun Sword Technique he was performing, I recognized something distinct.

‘ Yes, that’s right… This is different from what Zhuge Yulong showcased!’

Theoretically, Gongsun Byeok and Zhuge Yulong’s styles of swordplay should be identical, given that they practiced the same technique despite the passing of time. Yet, it felt different. It was clear to anyone with the eye of an expert.

Though Zhuge Yulong’s Gongsun Sword Technique was nearly perfect, the Absolute Slash Gongsun Byeok executed possessed a unique flavor. I pondered on what that sensation was, yet I couldn’t promptly articulate it. Something was undeniably different, so why couldn’t I pinpoint it? Frustration overcame me as I starkly acknowledged my lack of talent.

[BOOM!!]

However, Gongsun Byeok could not hold out against the Fire Dragon Incarnate for long. After barely sharing twenty seconds, he revealed a fatal flaw. With one decisive swing, the Fire Dragon Incarnate inflicted serious injuries upon him.

[SWISH!!]

Blood sprayed as Gongsun Byeok staggered back in disbelief, clutching his chest.

“Cough… Hah… This is insane… My martial arts should be unmatched in the world…”

At those words, the Fire Dragon Incarnate scoffed.

[ How dare someone who hasn’t reached the Absolute Realm speak of being the best in the world? You’re deluding yourself, believing your skills are strong, yet you’re far inferior to that Lee Gun-ak.]

“… Cough… This can’t be…”

[THUD!]

Gongsun Byeok collapsed, seemingly enraged, spewing blood onto the ground. He wasn’t dead yet, but it was evident he wouldn’t last long. The Fire Dragon Incarnate glanced over at Lee Gun-ak, who observed Gongsun Byeok’s state with an unexpectedly composed expression.

“Lord Gongsun’s plan has failed…”

[ What do you mean by that? I’ll have you taken down as well.]

“Let’s stop here.”

[ What?]

Lee Gun-ak crossed his arms and said, “I have been dispatched by the Sect Leader to provide as much support as possible to Lord Gongsun… Personally, I have no reason to get involved further, and there’s no need for more fighting.”

[ Who gave you the authority?]

[SWOOSH!]

Lee Gun-ak suddenly pulled something from his possessions. Upon spotting the small artifact in his hand, I immediately recognized it.

‘ Vajra?’

[CRACKLE!]

“If you insist on not backing down, then I, Lee Gun-ak, will have no choice but to unleash my strength as a member of the Thunder God Lineage…”

A tremendous surge of thunder erupted from the Vajra. The Fire Dragon Incarnate watched the display, a smirk forming.

[ An incredible power lies dormant within. Is that a treasure?]

“No, this is the source of the Four Great Families… It is a testament to our reverence for the Thunder God.”

Lee Gun-ak replied to the Fire Dragon Incarnate’s inquiry.

“With this Vajra, I can summon the power of the Thunder God, and neither of us will be able to escape unharmed. I propose we both step back.”

[ Hmph, we shall see.]

Surprisingly, the Fire Dragon Incarnate, who appeared ready to execute an immediate kill, relented. It seemed like she sensed that the power of the Vajra wasn’t to be trifled with. As Lee Gun-ak extended his hand to assist Gongsun Byeok, the Fire Dragon Incarnate shot a blast of sword energy toward him, leading to his reluctant retreat.

“I just need to treat Lord Gongsun.”

[ Let him be.]

“… Understood.”

Lee Gun-ak had no choice but to exit the arena alone. Soon after, the Fire Dragon Incarnate turned to treat the fallen Jang Gwa-ro and Zhongli Quan, who were both taken aback upon spotting her.

Without anyone saying a word, they immediately bowed deeply in respect.

“Greetings, Immortal!”

“Greetings, Immortal!”

[ Rise.]

Jang Gwa-ro, visibly flustered, began, “I was aware this mission was crucial in the Celestial Realm, but I never imagined the Fire Dragon Incarnate would be here with the Divine Sword.”

It was clear Jang Gwa-ro held the Fire Dragon Incarnate in the highest regard. Coldly, she replied, [ The Celestial Realm has not changed. You, Jang Gwa-ro, a mere Earth Immortal, have taken orders without any explanation.]

“May I ask why the Immortal has descended from the Celestial Realm?”

[ ……]

The Fire Dragon Incarnate did not respond, instead shifting the subject. [ What do you intend to do with this Yeodong-bin?]

“I plan to adopt him into a well-off commoner’s household so he can live a peaceful and happy life. As an orphan, he has suffered for too long…”

[ Don’t speak nonsense.]

“What?”

As Jang Gwa-ro questioned, the Fire Dragon Incarnate crossed her arms and said, [ This child has already experienced countless deaths on the battlefield, with that Ghost Face engraved in his soul. He possesses the utmost qualities of a martial artist, but it is a double-edged sword. Should he be left in the hands of mere commoners, he might either succumb to malevolent ways or fall into the path of evil. His fate isn’t to lead an ordinary life. Your actions would simply bring more chaos to the world.]

“What do you propose instead?”

[ I will take this child, Yeodong-bin, as my disciple.]

“……!!”

Both Jang Gwa-ro and Zhongli Quan exchanged startled glances. Zhongli Quan, scratching his head, said, “I’ve never heard of anything like it. In the Celestial Realm, your status is comparable to the highest; yet training an ordinary human boy as your disciple?”

[ Hmph! What is the highest? Everyone, including the Three Purities and the Queen Mother of the West, only regards the avatar of Shenglong, me, with reverence.]

“Well, that’s…”

Stumbling for words at the Fire Dragon Incarnate’s mockery, Zhongli Quan finally responded, “But, if he were to become your disciple, his lineage would rise drastically, enabling him to learn powerful sorcery without limit; however, he would simultaneously attract endless envy.”

[ Envy?]

“Even as we speak, countless Taoists throughout the Central Plains continent are tirelessly endeavoring to ascend, and they would hardly tolerate the idea of the Immortal’s disciple. Moreover, the great Immortals of the Celestial Realm will likely envy Yeodong-bin’s status, considering your superiority over them.”

[ Hmm…]

“I believe this isn’t the best path for the child…”

The Fire Dragon Incarnate seemed to contemplate Jang Gwa-ro’s reasoning. Then, Zhongli Quan interjected, “What if, for now, we take Yeodong-bin as a disciple, allowing him to undergo basic cultivation for a while?”

[ What do you mean?]

“For a year or so, we could observe his core disposition and talents while preparing him to be your disciple. Once I report my findings to the Celestial Realm, I believe they’ll be more agreeable to his status as your apprentice.”

[ Huh? Who are you?]

The Fire Dragon Incarnate’s abrupt questioning made Zhongli Quan tense up. “Uh… Even though I haven’t yet ascended, I am the top disciple of the Daoist Master Dao Xing, one of the great sages of Kunlun. I haven’t ascended, but I have already been bestowed a treasure. If I approach Dao Xing, he will likely agree.”

[ Hmm, very well.]

And so, their discussion concluded for the time being. The Fire Dragon Incarnate headed to retrieve Yeodong-bin just before sending him off. She appeared before him as a spirit.

[ Yeodong-bin. I find it unsettling to leave you only in the care of that harshness. Under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t matter, but in this chaotic era where fates intertwine and demons reign, you’ll need to protect yourself.]

“Thank you for your concern.”

[ Thus, I shall impart to you the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique.]

After a moment of silence, the Fire Dragon Incarnate continued, [ I grew weary of the Celestial Realm and descended to partake in this purification of demons. While venturing the world, I stumbled upon the tomb of the Overlord Xiang Yu and acquired the heaven-defying swordsmanship he once wielded.]

“The Supreme Overlord!”

[ That swordplay was unparalleled among those I’ve seen. Likely the reason was that it was a royal technique of the Chu royal family. However, Xiang Yu himself was born with overwhelming power, which prevented him from fully developing the swordsmanship to completion.]

Yeodong-bin, grasping the context of her words, replied, “So, you’ve further developed the swordplay of Xiang Yu.”

[ Indeed. It took roughly a hundred years before I organized it into the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique.]

Her tone, slightly proud, conveyed her achievement.

[ However, before I could fully complete the technique, I encountered a tremendously strong demon. I managed to defeat it, but my spirit was injured, leaving me unable to manifest fully. During that time, rumors of the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique began to circulate in the martial world.]

“I see.”

[ The Heavenly Escape Sword Technique consists of a total of 96 strikes. It embodies the sword of a cataclysm that overwhelms the heavens. If you master it, you will find no rivals in the martial world.]

Thus, the Fire Dragon Incarnate imparted the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique to Yeodong-bin over the course of three days. Afterward, she returned to the Fire Dragon Sword to recover her strength as Yeodong-bin departed with Zhongli Quan from Mount Ye.

For the next two years, Yeodong-bin trained under Zhongli Quan to refine his sorcery, though he had little aptitude for it. Oddly, incidents and troubles arose ceaselessly around him. In just two years, he found himself engaged in life-and-death battles with demons over twenty times and involved in dire conflicts with martial artist factions five times, rescuing hostages and civilians many dozens of times, leaving him with hardly any time for training at all.

One day, Zhongli Quan lamented, “Dong-bin, what type of misfortune star were you born under? Why do events never cease to occur? As skilled as I am, I am still merely a disciple of a great Immortal, not yet ascended. I might just die at this rate!”

“Still, Master, you always help me.”

“Damn it…”

Yet, throughout this intensely fierce period, Yeodong-bin honed the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique under real conditions, utilizing his innate talent and quick reflexes to survive. Ultimately, the bewildered Zhongli Quan developed a technique aimed at maintaining peace, and he finally seemed to find some degree of tranquility.

As I explored Yeodong-bin’s memories, I was astounded.

‘ Goodness… In just two years, he’s progressed from complete unskilled to a Peak Expert level?’

This level of growth was unbelievable. Even during battles, Yeodong-bin had evolved the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique more than ten times through self-discovery.

The only other instance of witnessing such remarkable growth was with Jin So-cheong. Although Yeodong-bin’s innate talent might not quite reach her level, he had already transformed into a formidable Sword Demon. Despite the short training period and lack of internal energy, the superiority of the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique enabled him to triumph in every encounter with powerful foes, and his fighting instincts allowed him to secure unexpected victories.

Once their agreed-upon period had concluded, Yeodong-bin formally became the disciple of the Fire Dragon Incarnate. From that moment on, he began learning the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique properly under her guidance, accelerating his growth further than ever before, to the point where he felt strengthened every time he woke from sleep.

Three years later, confident that his skills had reached a point comparable to the greatest experts in the martial arts world, Yeodong-bin resolved to embark on a grand demon-hunting mission. The night before his departure, he declared his intent to the Fire Dragon Incarnate.

“I will set out on a demon-hunting journey at your request, but my goal remains self-promotion. I aim to capture a few great demons to restore peace to this world, and only then will I pursue my own desires.”

[ Your own desires? How do you wish to live?]

“I wish to establish the Heavenly First Gate and become the strongest in the martial arts world, marrying the most beautiful woman and living a life of wealth and leisure.”

Indeed. Despite countless hardships, Yeodong-bin’s ambitions had not wavered. He still envisioned using his skills as a weapon to attain wealth and leisure in a world replete with turbulence and chaos. His confident and composed words made the Fire Dragon Incarnate chuckle.

[ Hahaha. Do as you wish. If anyone can achieve it, it’s probably you.]

The Fire Dragon Incarnate added, [ However… your heart will likely change.]