Reincarnation Sword God

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Dark Heaven Village

I wondered if the Empty Dimension was a space so suffocating it was hard to breathe, like the void of the universe. But Gucheon Hyun-nyeo answered my question immediately.

[ The boundary of dimensions has shattered, and everything except the source material has collapsed, rendering time and space meaningless. In this place, all states are ensnared in chaos, regardless of the survival of life. ]

[ I don’t understand what you mean. ]

[ It means that the probability of existence fluctuates infinitely. ]

Gucheon Hyun-nyeo gracefully maneuvered my body with a technique that resembled the hem of a celestial maiden’s dress, pointing out something as we floated through the Empty Dimension.

[ Look at that structure. ]

[ What is that? ]

[ I can’t tell you which era it’s from, but you’ll see it changing constantly. ]

And indeed, the structure appeared to be a near-square rock formation, only to suddenly metamorphose into a circle or scatter into puddles of sand. The changes occurred so quickly that I couldn’t keep up, suggesting that the phenomenon stemmed from discontinuous time rather than mere speed.

As I grasped Gucheon Hyun-nyeo’s words, a chill ran down my spine.

[ Does that mean… if we stay in this space too long, we could turn into something entirely different? ]

[ Precisely. The Empty Dimension inherently lacks laws, and the probability of existence often teeters between void and being. Information flowing from countless dimensions manifests in erratic ways. ]

[ …!! ]

It’s terrifying!

This space may seem peaceful at first glance, but the implication that I could suddenly be annihilated or transformed into something unrecognizable makes it infinitely more perilous—potentially worse than the cosmic void itself. I turned to Gucheon Hyun-nyeo with a question.

[ Then how have you managed to endure in this space? ]

[ I utilize the Corpse Dissolution Technique to solidify the principle of interaction. By binding the fundamental laws of the universe, even in the Empty Dimension, existence won’t decompose. It also prevents interference from multidimensional waves. ]

[ … ]

I couldn’t comprehend most of that. All I could grasp was that, thanks to her Corpse Dissolution Technique, I was somehow prolonging my life in this place, and that it was an impressive technique indeed.

[ Gucheon Hyun-nyeo. ]

Just then, Cheon Gong-pyo unexpectedly materialized beside Gucheon Hyun-nyeo. It felt as though he emerged from an empty space, but Gucheon Hyun-nyeo seemed to have already known of his presence and showed little reaction.

[ To escape from here, we need to harness the power of Wednesday. Use it now. ]

[ Before that, I have something to say. ]

Unlike her polite tone with me, Gucheon Hyun-nyeo spoke somewhat icily to Cheon Gong-pyo, suggesting they had a history that wasn’t pleasant. She glared at him and asked.

[ Why didn’t you comply with the intentions of the Three Pure Ones at the end of the Fengshen Plan? ]

What was that supposed to mean?

Cheon Gong-pyo replied with a smirk to Gucheon Hyun-nyeo’s inquiry.

[ Are you seriously asking me about something that happened thousands of years ago? ]

[ Answer me. ]

[ … No. ]

[ What did you say? ]

With his arms crossed defiantly, Cheon Gong-pyo declared.

[ That matter is a secret between me and them. Plus, it’s been resolved among the parties involved. I have no reason to tell you. ]

[ Is that so? Then I have no reason to help you escape from this Empty Dimension either. ]

[ Hmph! Do you think that kind of threat will faze me? I can leave on my own using my techniques. ]

[ But it would be utterly exhausting. And outside, you’ll face the swarming Demon Gods of Dark Heaven Village. ]

[ …… ]

Gucheon Hyun-nyeo then produced Wednesday and said.

[ This isn’t just our problem. The fate of the entire Celestial Realm hangs in the balance, so it would be wise to stop your stubbornness and speak up. ]

[ The fate of the Celestial Realm, ha! ]

[ What’s so funny? ]

[ I don’t even see a reason why the Celestial Realm should continue to exist. ]

Continuing with a cynical expression, Cheon Gong-pyo added.

[ When the Fengshen War ended, humankind was practically finished. There was no longer any capacity to resist divine beings, and we would end up being harvested like insects, facing annihilation. The Celestial Realm doesn’t prevent such an end; it merely looks after humanity for a while… What meaning does the Celestial Realm hold when we’ve lost the right to fight against the Old Ruler? ]

[ …… ]

[ If you want to hear from me, first liberate the powers and talents of the sealed humans in the Celestial Realm. If you promise that, I will speak. ]

Gucheon Hyun-nyeo shook her head at Cheon Gong-pyo’s proposal.

[ Impossible. I do not possess the right to liberate them. ]

[ What do you mean? If not you, then who possesses that authority? ]

[ The Jade Emperor holds that authority. ]

[ … That’s ridiculous. Fine. ]

Cheon Gong-pyo scoffed, waving his hand dismissively.

[ Do as you wish with Wednesday. ]

Shooosh!

Cheon Gong-pyo vanished again into the Empty Dimension. I turned to Gucheon Hyun-nyeo and asked,

[ Did Cheon Gong-pyo leave the Empty Dimension? ]

[ The Empty Dimension is a malignance born from the collapse of dimensions. Even the Head Priest of the Sect of Absolute Teachings cannot exit easily. He’s likely waiting for me to use Wednesday to slip out along with him. ]

[ Ah. ]

[ I wonder what he’s thinking… ]

Gucheon Hyun-nyeo sighed, then said.

[ Fortunately, Cheon Gong-pyo had already freed Wednesday, so escaping this space shouldn’t be a problem. ]

[ How can I help? ]

[ Just remain focused. Even if you regain your full strength, without your support as a morbid spirit, I cannot exert my powers. ]

[ Understood. Then what about Cheon Gong-pyo…? ]

Gucheon Hyun-nyeo paused for a moment before replying.

[ When you fainted, I spoke with the Fire Dragon Incarnate. Like her, we agreed that Cheon Gong-pyo must not be allowed to return to the physical realm as he is. ]

[ Huh? ]

[ A fully resurrected Cheon Gong-pyo possesses enough power to disrupt the laws of cause and effect in this world. Right now, I could suppress him, but that also means he’s an entity beyond the capacity of normal mortals to handle… With the Three Pure Ones annihilated, not even the Jade Emperor or Queen Mother of the West can confront him. ]

[ …… ]

[ Once we escape the Empty Dimension, I intend to join forces with the Fire Dragon Incarnate to subdue him. ]

[ What?! You mean to fight? ]

I exclaimed in shock, and Gucheon Hyun-nyeo responded calmly.

[ We must either kill him or put him on a leash. Otherwise, nothing good will come of this. ]

[ But that’s far too dangerous… ]

[ Regardless, Cheon Gong-pyo is likely thinking the same. He plans to bring us back to the physical realm and immediately suppress us. It would be best to settle things beforehand. ]

[ Hmm… ]

She had a point. Without restraining Cheon Gong-pyo, the future could easily spiral out of control. Yet, as I pondered, a sudden thought struck me.

[ What about the Eight Parts of the Divine? Are they really dead? ]

[ That’s the variable. They should have perished, having been hit by the Spirit Summoning Technique and the Corpse Dissolution Technique simultaneously… But those beings are strange entities that, despite being Demon Kings and Apostles, still possess quirks of humanity. They could very well still be alive. ]

[ Then we mustn’t proceed recklessly. ]

I advised Gucheon Hyun-nyeo.

[ Don’t attempt to suppress Cheon Gong-pyo so hastily; it might be wiser to find a safer location. If the Eight Parts of the Divine are alive, it would be better to maintain friendly relations with them. ]

This prompted a somewhat gloomy response from Gucheon Hyun-nyeo.

[ … Are you suggesting that I couldn’t defeat the injured Eight Parts of the Divine? ]

Did I hit a nerve?

Feeling that I had inadvertently struck a blow to the pride of Gucheon Hyun-nyeo, who had regained her full power, I quickly continued.

[ Even Cheon Gong-pyo, fully revived, was overpowered by their joint efforts. Moreover, their master, Changhil, resides on the moon of Dark Heaven Village, making it practically their home turf. There’s no harm in exercising caution, is there? ]

[ You’re right… Let’s do just that. ]

Paat!

A moment later, Gucheon Hyun-nyeo wielded Wednesday and sliced through the fabric of space. As she did, the black and red sky of Dark Heaven Village came into view, and she opened a larger hole to the outside world. Once Gucheon Hyun-nyeo landed on the surface, Cheon Gong-pyo descended behind her, utilizing his Sabre Sword and the Sword Flying Technique.

Ta-daht!

With a smirk, Cheon Gong-pyo said.

[ My promise was only until I returned Baek Woong to reality. But with Wednesday being used, I can fulfill that promise right now. ]

[ …… ]

[ What are you waiting for? Create a path to escape Dark Heaven Village just like you did when you cut through the Empty Dimension. ]

Gucheon Hyun-nyeo glanced back at Cheon Gong-pyo and replied.

[ You’re rather naive. Why are you so excited? ]

[ What? ]

The expression on Cheon Gong-pyo’s face twisted at her retort, and Gucheon Hyun-nyeo pointed toward the sky behind him.

[ If Baek Woong is correct, those guys have also exited the Empty Dimension. ]

Kugugugu…

In the glowing cloud of cerulean light, the forms of the Eight Parts of the Divine floated ominously. It seemed they had emerged from the Empty Dimension quicker than us, and their stillness was far from comforting.

‘ Are they recovering their strength? ’

Even if they were the Eight Parts of the Divine, surviving two concurrent attacks from superior celestial techniques was impressive. Observing their still forms, Cheon Gong-pyo confidently raised his Sabre Sword and declared.

[ They’re just sitting there, begging to be put down! Let’s finish this! ]

[ Wait. ]

[ Wait for what? ]

[ Something feels off. They definitely escaped before us, but starting their recovery here seems odd, doesn’t it? The Eight Parts of the Divine aren’t fools. ]

[ Hmm… ]

As Cheon Gong-pyo tilted his head in confusion, Gucheon Hyun-nyeo said.

[ My intuition tells me this place is one to avoid. No matter what, they shouldn’t be able to recover from those injuries so easily, so follow me. ]

Paat!

Gucheon Hyun-nyeo unleashed the Corpse Dissolution Technique and instantly transported us through time and space, with Cheon Gong-pyo trailing behind. It appeared he also felt her words held merit. However, with residual feelings of discontent, he stubbornly added,

[ Hmph, to think I’d be intimidated by such weaklings. ]

After a short while, Gucheon Hyun-nyeo stopped us in a basin. She looked around and said.

[ This place holds no traces of the Old Ruler and appears safe. Now, settle the contract. ]

[ What contract? ]

[ The one you forgot about just now! You promised to share your secrets of the Absolute Teachings and information with Baek Woong. ]

[ Ugh… ]

Cheon Gong-pyo’s face twisted in vexation.

[ I’ll share that once we’re back in the physical realm. ]

[ That won’t do. Your protective duty lasts until we return, and there’s no guarantee you won’t change your mind afterward. You have to convey that information to Baek Woong right now. ]

[ Is that an order? ]

[ Must you act like a child? You’re the Head Priest of the Sect of Absolute Teachings, for heaven’s sake. Why are you so petty? ]

Gucheon Hyun-nyeo sighed in exasperation.

[ … Hah, perhaps I’ve rushed the Fengshen Plan too much. You’ve only learned the arts of Tai Gong-mang and the Primordial Heavenly Venerable for the past 20 years, yet you lack the character befitting a leader. ]

That remark seemed to strike a nerve with Cheon Gong-pyo, who shouted indignantly.

[ Who do you think you are to act so superior? I’ve wanted to say this for a while: You’re not my superior. Don’t keep thinking I’m just some subordinate! ]

Gucheon Hyun-nyeo replied calmly.

[ Perhaps not a superior, but I still have words for you. Among all who entered Kunlun Mountain, you were the most talented, but you were by no means the greatest immortal. If it weren’t for others standing as Head Priest, you wouldn’t have been sealed on Golden Crow Island. ]

[ Ugh, you little… ]

[ Do you not know the conduct of a great sage? Do not speak carelessly. I told you that when I was mentoring you in the absence of the Three Pure Ones. ]

Although Cheon Gong-pyo trembled with rage, he couldn’t muster a rebuttal. It seemed that in his early days at Kunlun Mountain, Gucheon Hyun-nyeo had been his mentor. I could only infer from observing the scene.

‘ Struggling to think of a logical counter and filled with nothing but curses… how amusing… ’

How strange it was.

Why could I read the thoughts of the Head Priest of the Sect of Absolute Teachings so easily?

While I was baffled, Gucheon Hyun-nyeo spoke.

[ Do you understand why I positioned you, with all your talents, as an infiltrator in the Sect of Absolute Teachings and tasked Tai Gong-mang with the critical mission of the Fengshen Plan? Although Tai Gong-mang lacked great talent as a Taoist, he was a renowned master who understood humanity well. Because he managed earthly matters efficiently, we could carry the Fengshen Plan without complications. ]

[ Why bring up my older brother now? ]

[ I’m saying it’s a pity that with all your formidable power, you’re still swayed by immature thoughts and can’t wield it effectively. ]

At that, Cheon Gong-pyo regained some composure and scoffed.

[ Hmph! I acknowledge that my political skills might not compare to my older brother’s. But ultimately, the Fengshen Plan aimed to annihilate and overturn the human race, wasn’t it? The one who executed that plan diligently was my older brother, and he ended up just being a pawn of the Celestial Realm while I was the one truly fighting for humanity. ]

[ …… ]

[ If I hadn’t become the Head Priest of Absolute Teachings, you wouldn’t have treated humanity’s civilization so permissively. My resistance is what allowed even this minimal lineage to survive. If not, the celestial beings would have turned humanity into fine livestock for the Celestial Realm, uprooting their very essence. Isn’t that exactly what the Fengshen Plan aimed to achieve?! ]

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