Reincarnation Sword God

---

**Jin So-cheong (眞所靑)**

I glared at the Jade Emperor after what he said.

“Are you trying to toy with me with that nonsense?”

[It’s not nonsense.]

The Jade Emperor glanced at the Kunlun Twelve Majors beside him. Then, one of the Kunlun Twelve Majors, Gu Liuson, stepped forward, unfurled a scroll, and began to read it slowly.

[Oh, Baek Woong! The trace of the Great One! We, the Kunlun Twelve Majors, have finally come to understand our own duties and destinies, how can we not be grateful? Therefore, with the consent of all but one of the Kunlun Twelve Majors, we acknowledge your rightful claim to the Jade Emperor’s position. We also earnestly hope you will soon ascend above the Celestial Sovereign.]

“……!!”

[Please accept our wishes.]

Thud.

And then, Gu Liuson knelt before me. It was utterly shocking to see someone like Gu Liuson, one of the highest Great Immortals in the Celestial Realm and a master of the Eight Immortals’ techniques, kneel before me without any resistance, offering me the scroll. What on earth was happening that the Kunlun Twelve Majors were pleading for me to become the Jade Emperor?

I looked at Gu Liuson, not understanding, but for a moment, I felt something from his expression. Not wanting to miss that discomfort, I asked him, “Gu Liuson, what does it mean that you have come to understand your duties and destinies?”

[…….]

“Please answer me. If you don’t, I absolutely will not accept it.”

Then Gu Liuson opened his mouth, seemingly without choice.

[…Everything we called the techniques was not the Way, and everything we referred to as the Way that we obeyed was merely part of the counter-heaven. We have come to understand that we are no longer the regulators between Heaven and Earth, but merely artifacts of Taihao Fuxi.]

“……?”

What does that even mean?

His words were too complicated and convoluted for me to grasp immediately. However, as I read the ‘fear’ in his gaze with my Fire Eye Golden Spirit, I began to understand the situation.

‘The Kunlun Twelve Majors have been overpowered by the Jade Emperor, the Queen Mother of the West, and the Primordial Void Ruler!’

I may not have known the details, but it was clear that the humiliating attitude they were taking was because they were facing the threat of annihilation. Given that they had to maintain the Celestial Realm, rather than being caught up in chaos, they must have felt that their own lives were at risk. With a complicated expression, I gazed at Gu Liuson and said, “There’s no Guang Chengzi here. Where is he?”

[He never resided in the Celestial Realm from the beginning….]

“Is Guang Chengzi the avatar of the Emperor?”

“…….”

Both Gu Liuson and all Twelve Majors simply bowed their heads in silence. It seemed they had already lost hope of free will. I gritted my teeth and spoke to the Jade Emperor.

“Fine, if you grant me the position of Jade Emperor, what happens to you? Do you perish?”

[Heh heh…, I would likely perish…. At least this ‘me’ here would.]

That smile was suspicious.

‘Damn it. There’s definitely a catch here.’

And the reason he was speaking so bluntly, without even trying to hide his intentions, was probably because he believed he could manipulate me at will. After all, there were three godly beings in this room—what couldn’t they do? I turned my head toward the Queen Mother.

“Queen Mother, or Nüwa! Why did you join hands with the Primordial Void Ruler?”

[…….]

“What the hell is that bastard’s true identity?!”

As I shouted, Nüwa silently paused before finally speaking.

[In the beginning, there was chaos. In that chaos, even a master did not exist; it was neither darkness nor light. Eventually, all that was birthed from the chaos became the universe. We, the [Old Rulers], are the heirs of chaos and the firstborn of this world. I wish to guide these foolish people of this land with the duty of the firstborn.]

“What…?”

[The Emperor deceived all the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Therefore, I must prepare for the end in my own way….]

As she spoke, Nüwa slowly pointed her finger at me.

[Reborn one, I shall grant you the Celestial Realm. So, consider our proposal of the Jade Emperor’s position as the greatest favor we can offer you.]

“Favor? Are you asking me to become the Jade Emperor and conspire with you?”

[Continuing to struggle at the human level without knowing when it will end, you will attain nothing no matter how many times you die…. But if we help you…, you will surely be able to become the protagonist in the revelation within three trials.]

“Hmm….”

[The moment you become the Jade Emperor, you will gain divine power. At the very least, you will be strong enough to suppress the Eight Parts of the Divine by yourself.]

At that moment, I felt a sudden urge.

Divine power!

It had always been an obstacle in my path and yet an object of longing and aspiration. I had seen countless mortals fall before divine power, no matter how fiercely they struggled. Moreover, when one reached a cosmic level, it was impossible to resist. But if such divine power were to belong to me…?

‘There’s a possibility….’

What Nüwa said was not mere nonsense. If I could obtain divine power just three times, I would have power to rival or even exceed that of the [Old Rulers]. Considering that Nüwa was a high-level ruler among the Rulers, her assistance would amount to more than merely gaining powers.

As a shortcut lay before me, I found myself hesitating deeply. But it was at that moment that I realized something strange about their proposal.

‘The Primordial Void Ruler isn’t saying anything at all…?’

The only ones putting themselves forward were the Jade Emperor and Nüwa, while the Primordial Void Ruler was quietly observing me. However, his gaze was so emotionless, it resembled that of an animal. Rather than one of detached observation, it felt like pure chaos manifesting within, utterly uncontrolled.

He was far removed from the one I had seen, who had once seemed bewildered during our previous encounter. Instead of that familiar form, the atmosphere now felt thick with something inert, a monumentally powerful being merely observing.

Chaos was staring at me.

As if testing me…

I couldn’t shake the feeling that making a hasty choice in this situation would lead to regret. But even so, the temptation of immediately gaining divine power was immense. With a glimmer of hope, I asked Nüwa, “If I were to obtain divine power, could I defeat the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors as well?”

[That’s entirely possible…. But you cannot frame the conflict of divine statuses in terms that mere mortals can understand, so I can’t go into details.]

“What do you want me to do? On the day the end is approaching, what do you want from me?”

[Finding that out will be your task….]

Though vague, I could grasp the implications of her words with insight and the intuition of the Reborn.

‘Nüwa doesn’t know anything at all!!’

If they had known something definitive about the impending doom, they would never have uttered those words. In that case, the Jade Emperor and Nüwa would desire me to investigate the end, but could that truly be considered a shortcut in my journey?

‘No! Now I’m sure!’

I made my resolution and drew my sword. Then I said, “Well then, adios! See you next time!!”

Let’s commit suicide!

Poof!

I stabbed the sword into my brow. However, the moment I plunged the blade into my brain, time and space suddenly warped, and I found myself transported back to the timeline of the past, still with the sword not yet drawn.

I caught a glimpse of the Queen Mother, who was also Nüwa, laughing coldly.

[Do you really think you can take your life in front of a god…? Since you have rejected our proposal, from now on, you will be subjected to endless torment.]

Of course, because he’s a god, he would definitely be able to reverse time!

I had anticipated such a thing. After all, Zhuge Sha had anticipated this scenario when devising suicide methods. I smirked at Nüwa’s words and replied, “Is that so? How about this?”

Swish swish!

“Go back!!”

And at that moment, I drew upon my Yin Spirit Power and used the abilities gained as the Apostle of Jeon Wook. Then, the [Small Wheel] began to spin, my movements rapidly rewinding, causing Nüwa to mutter in annoyance amidst the flow of time reversing.

[What a pointless act….]

Boom!!

A massive sound suddenly erupted amidst the distorted landscape, which shimmered with rainbow-colored lines, as a majestic voice thundered in my ear.

[So you were the Reborn One! I understand now why you can wield the powers of an Apostle even without being formally appointed by me.]

“Jeon Wook.”

And before me stood a giant cloaked in black flames, revealing itself. The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors Jeon Wook chuckled amidst the warping time and space.

[Hahaha…. Rejecting the offers of the Nüwa’s faction and using my powers means you are resolutely prepared to join my side…. Welcome, Reborn Baek Woong.]

“……”

[I shall formally appoint you as my Apostle and grant you formidable power. You will acquire all Seven Luminaries and become the king of the world while perfectly overcoming the trials!!]

I gazed at Jeon Wook, slightly bewildered.

“Jeon Wook, how dull.”

At my words, Jeon Wook stopped laughing and looked at me. I smirked back and continued, “How long do you plan to keep following behind the Emperor’s tail? The trials of the Seven Luminaries are nothing!”

I said this and invoked the Evil Spirit Command to empower my body with it. It was the same Evil Spirit Summoning technique I had used right before my own demise.

Hoooon—

[Ugh…! This… this is…!]

Jeon Wook reached out to grab me as I overwhelmed with the energy of the Evil Spirit wrapping around my entire being, but he stumbled backward, disoriented. I felt the [Call] of the Evil Spirit echoing endlessly in my head, fully saturating my entire being with its energy.

This is both Zhuge Sha’s method of suicide and a way to escape being cornered by divine beings!

If gods impose a ban on death or rewind time, I can initially escape using Jeon Wook’s Apostle abilities, then apply the Evil Spirit empowerment on my body to repel even Jeon Wook’s interference! I had no particular plan for what to do after summoning the Evil Spirit, but I still felt a sense of leisure.

Finally, I heard the voice of the Evil Spirit in my mind.

[Reborn one…. When you cast this spell, it means you are offering up everything of yourself…, I understand you well….]

I growled in annoyance.

“Damn it, same old nonsense…. If you keep that up, I’ll just sacrifice my soul to anyone!”

Of course, if that were to happen, based on past experiences, the world would be destroyed instantly. This was also among the key points of Zhuge Sha’s method of suicide. Ultimately, as long as I followed the right sequence, no divine being could force me.

[…….]

The Evil Spirit had no response. It was clear that he understood what I meant.

But after a moment, he leisurely conveyed his will.

[You cannot comprehend…. No matter whether you join hands with Nüwa or Jeon Wook, or even myself…, as soon as you do, your past will come to an end…. The most powerful chaotic beings under Heaven, the [Old Rulers] are extending their favor to you, yet… why are you insisting on suffering?]

“I’m not insisting on suffering. I’m evading a trap.”

I gritted my teeth.

“Even if I borrowed your powers to become a cosmic being, I could never surpass you all. Even if I become a god, there will always be one above me. What truly terrifies me is the endless torment of compromising my values for fleeting conveniences.”

[…….]

“I will never give up, regardless of how slim my chances may be. I won’t traverse the path of abandoning all sense of humanity for the sake of an easy way out!”

This was the pledge of allegiance from the Reborn One multiple times.

My guilt for the warrior Mangnyang who died due to my foolishness, my regret toward Zhuge Sha who opened up my path by sacrificing everything, and my sense of responsibility toward Jin So-cheong, who had given me hints for years while waiting for me—

All the deaths and pasts of my companions layered my life. They lived as humans and died as humans. How could I explain to the Evil Spirit that I lived for their pride? How could I make them understand the stubbornness of a mere dust of humanity in this universe?

[…Is there still hope?]

Master Hyuncheon’s words sprang to mind. Within this reality, where chaos reigns and dignity is trampled, with not a shred of hope left, humanity was utterly insignificant like a frail weed. Yet, someday, I wanted to reply to Master Hyuncheon’s question from back then.

“There is hope!”

**Paaah!**

At that moment, I was flung back with the brilliance of light. Just like when the Evil Spirit was summoned and fought Jeon Wook, the clash among the rulers had begun, causing only the divine beings to be knocked away by the shockwave.

Boom boom!

I crashed into a rocky mountain and rolled multiple times before standing up, covered in dirt. I looked around and realized I was still in the Celestial Palace.

“Cough.”

This isn’t the time for this. I still had the chance to end my life, so I needed to decide whether to keep living or to end it now. Since I didn’t understand the true identity of the Jade Emperor or the genuine intentions of the rulers, it would be a waste to die at this point.

‘…Not yet. Not yet….’

I repeated in my mind as I gritted my teeth.

And then suddenly, from the western sky, the transformed figure of the Queen Mother revealed itself in a massive form with a long roar, while the Heavenly Mysterious Woman of Nine Heavens also transformed into a shape with colorful clouds, ready to fight.

Boom boom boom…!!

‘The Heavenly Mysterious Woman found and started to fight the Queen Mother.’

It would normally be a fight the Queen Mother would win, but since the Heavenly Mysterious Woman had inherited my memories, she had awakened her true essence and become exponentially stronger. That was no different from a confrontation among the [Old Rulers], and no one could predict who would emerge victorious. Like a prophetic act, countless clones of the Celestial Sage materialized in the void and began to engage in battle with the Great Immortals of the Celestial Realm.

That’s it!

I decided to rush over to the Celestial Sage, who was being aided by the Great Immortals. I soared into the air using the Heavenly Sovereign Light Body Technique and shouted, “Celestial Sage!! Can you lend me the Ruyi Staff for a moment!!”

“…Hey, you know I can’t take responsibility for this, right?! That guy has a terrible temper…”

“I know!”

“Alright, then! So break the seal!!”

Swish!

As the Celestial Sage tossed the Ruyi Staff to me, I concentrated my developed Yin Spirit Power into my arm. I could feel the seal on the staff being unsealed easily and quickly, and on the last part of the seal, I gathered my strength and ripped it off in one go.

Whoooooooom!!

With an ominous blue wind, the Divine Sorcerer appeared in that spot.

[No way…? What’s going on?!]

The Divine Sorcerer seemed momentarily confused and unable to understand the current situation as I shouted at him.

“Divine Sorcerer!! I’ve released your seal, so take this!”

As I threw the obsidian at the Divine Sorcerer, he exploded the obsidian with a hint of annoyance through his telekinesis. I hesitated for a moment, and the Divine Sorcerer spoke with an irritated expression.

[What’s your game?!]

“Damn it! I don’t know! Just help me out, Celestial Sage!”

[What do you mean by that?! Explain the situation!]

“…I wanted to, but you shattered the obsidian!”

Bam!

At that moment, one of the Twelve Majors of Kunlun attacked us both simultaneously using the Yin Yang Mirror artifact, but the Divine Sorcerer easily blocked the artifact attack with a barrier. After glancing at the attacker, the moment he turned, that attacker froze as if struck by lightning.

[W-What?!]

[What did you say?!]

[Master of Absolute Teachings Divine Sorcerer?! How?!]

All the Great Immortals were in a fluster. Naturally, it was perplexing that a powerful adversary from the days of absolute teachings suddenly appeared on the battlefield! The Divine Sorcerer gazed coldly at the Kunlun Twelve Majors and smiled cruelly.

[Well then…. I suppose we won’t need explanations. Little monkey, I’ll help you wipe out those wretched beings.]

“How flattering. Let’s do this!”

The Celestial Sage grumbled, but as the two of them stood side by side, the forces from the Celestial Realm seemed to halt their one-sided assault, entering a temporary calm. Even with all the Celestial Immortals gathered in this spot, it was dangerous to challenge those two!

‘Alright…, it’s time to move elsewhere.’

Since I had supported the Celestial Sage, I thought I should shift to another location.

It was just then.

[Divine Sorcerer…. Truly, the abilities of the Reborn One are magnificent…. I never thought I would see you again.]

The Divine Sorcerer gazed into the empty air where echoes could be heard. There stood the Jade Emperor, who had previously concealed himself, now emerging with a yellowish halo radiating from his entire body. I thought the Divine Sorcerer would acknowledge the Jade Emperor, but the next words from the Divine Sorcerer proved otherwise.

[Who are you to act familiar with me? A brat who has never appeared before now prancing around like a peacock!]

Never seen him before?!

Now that I think about it, the emergence of the Jade Emperor happened after the ancient Celestial War, or so I had heard. In that case, the Master of Absolute Teachings Divine Sorcerer would rightfully not know him, but the fact that the Jade Emperor acted familiar suggested something was off.

[Hahaha….]

The Jade Emperor laughed lowly and raised his hand. In his grasp was a sword that looked somewhat familiar. As I tilted my head, the Jade Emperor aimed the sword at the Divine Sorcerer and said,

[This time, I’ll finally be able to claim you as mine….]

When those words finalized, the Jade Emperor suddenly lost his human form, crumbling to pieces. Then, from the fallen form, a whitish light transformed like a milky serum, undulating as that strange form surged towards the Divine Sorcerer.

[Ugh!]

The Divine Sorcerer used a technique to repel that form, but by repelling it, she seemed to be put in a difficult situation, staggering backward. Given how formidable the Divine Sorcerer’s powers were in the Celestial Realm, this was unbelievable, and she eventually appeared to understand what was happening with an expression of sheer horror.

[You’re… No way….]

Swish!

Just then, in a bid to help the Divine Sorcerer, the Ruyi Staff that had been summoned lunged toward the Divine Sorcerer, but that previously summoned sword intervened as if it had a will of its own, preventing her from advancing. The clones of the Celestial Sage, which surged forth assaulting, also encountered barriers that couldn’t be overwhelmed, slashing through space-time itself. Again, the whitish serum surged toward the Divine Sorcerer, and when the Divine Sorcerer dodged through a teleportation, even that one was following her closely.

Slosh slosh!

With a slippery sound, the milky serum enveloped around the Divine Sorcerer, beginning to absorb into her body. In agony, the Divine Sorcerer screamed.

[Aaah! Aaaah!!]

What the hell is going on?!

Is there a possessing technique that even the Infinite Sorcery cannot resist?!

I was bewildered as I observed the situation, until shortly after, the thrashing of the Divine Sorcerer finally ceased. The figure of the Jade Emperor, now occupying the Divine Sorcerer’s body, slowly lifted its head and murmured.

[Finally, I’ve acquired the vessel I had marked thousands of years ago….]

Upon hearing that, I connected the dots from the information I had gathered and realized the identity of my opponent.

I trembled and quietly spoke that name.

“…Yu Shun.”

---