Reincarnation Sword God

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850——————==

True Martial Home

“What the?!”

Supreme Thief?!

I was in utter disbelief. I never imagined I would suddenly be transported to a fantastical world and that the Supreme Thief would appear right in front of me. I stared at him with a stupid look, and he seemed displeased, muttering.

“What’s up with that dumb reaction? Are you really my junior? You, who became the greatest thief with the ‘Transformation of the Hundred Changes’, should have the wits, cunning, and agility of a top-tier thief. What’s going on?”

“…….”

That’s when I realized something. I regained my composure and replied.

“I used the martial arts of the ‘Transformation of the Hundred Changes’ to steal from the Sect Leader of the Nine Great Sects and the Twelve Joules’ sleeves, even snatching the Imperial Seal. Is that why I was summoned here?”

The Supreme Thief grunted dismissively.

“I don’t know the details. What kind of thief goes around boasting about what they’ve done? Do I look like I have time for that?”

“…….”

What have I done wrong….

‘What a grouchy guy….’

I felt unjust, but the Supreme Thief continued.

“Anyway, your presence here means you’ve passed the three conditions I’ve set.”

“Conditions?”

“One. You’ve mastered all the martial arts of the ‘Transformation of the Hundred Changes’.”

The Supreme Thief slowly extended three fingers and started folding them down one by one.

“Two. You succeeded in pulling off a heist worthy of being recorded in history using those martial arts.”

Up to this point, those conditions were what Zhuge Sa and I had expected. But the third condition was something I never could have guessed, leaving me puzzled. The Supreme Thief continued.

“Three. You have the will to pursue my legacy through your thievery. If you meet these three, you will automatically summon your will here.”

“Hmm… Isn’t that a bit too simple? Aren’t there any other conditions?”

“Simple, you say?”

The Supreme Thief blinked a few times and burst into a hearty laugh.

“Haha! You’ve got guts! Well, judging from what I see, you’re not an ordinary person either. By the way, not a single thief has come here in the last thousand years.”

“That’s because the techniques of ‘Transformation of the Hundred Changes’ were entrusted to the Han Clan.”

“What are you talking about? That was just a precaution, and I ended up creating about fifty more volumes of those techniques and spread them throughout Jianghu.”

“…….”

“Back in my day, everyone knew about ‘Transformation of the Hundred Changes’. The Han Clan just kept it out of loyalty, thinking it was a secret technique.”

I was miffed, but soon felt baffled by his words.

“You say you spread those techniques throughout Jianghu?! Why on earth…?”

“Because I wanted more thieves to train and follow in my footsteps! If everyone knows about it, it should continue to be passed down through the years. But it seems no one has successfully completed a historical heist or followed my path.”

“…….”

“You can take some pride in that at least. You can say you’re the only one successful in a thousand years.”

I felt dazed. What kind of freak is this Supreme Thief in front of me?

But after clearing my thoughts, I realized there was a reason behind the Supreme Thief’s bizarre behavior. He was only looking for the will of those who wanted to chase after him, regardless of what martial arts or internal strength they possessed!

And the three conditions he set were easy for me, but they would be difficult for other thieves. This was because ‘Transformation of the Hundred Changes’ was mostly a collection of subpar martial arts, and even techniques like ‘Flashing Retreat’ and ‘Stealthy Escape’ couldn’t be decisively categorized as peak martial arts, making it nearly impossible to perform a notable heist in history.

The secret techniques of ‘Transformation of the Hundred Changes’ might indeed not have left an impressive legacy for future generations. Most likely, a thousand years ago, thieves practiced diligently only for it to gradually be forgotten. After all, thieves don’t have a master-apprentice relationship or obligation for inheritance. However, considering that the techniques from ‘Transformation of the Hundred Changes’ were still somewhat familiar to modern thieves, it appeared that some traces remained even after a thousand years.

As I sorted through my thoughts, I spoke to the Supreme Thief.

“You seem to have very strong martial arts, but why didn’t you include your powerful techniques in ‘Transformation of the Hundred Changes’? If you had, challengers wouldn’t be so rare. A strong martial arts would make thievery much easier.”

“True. That’s a valid point. If a thief possessed peak or super-peak martial arts, they would typically perform their heist using sheer force. But….”

The Supreme Thief snorted dismissively.

“That just means they’re strong, not that they’re good at thievery. Martial artists need to be able to fight, but thieves, not so much.”

“…….”

“I wanted someone with the potential of becoming a top-tier thief, even with subpar martial arts, to come here. If, as you said, there were powerful martial arts hidden in ‘Transformation of the Hundred Changes’, there would be more challengers, but most would just be martial artists who have grown accustomed to bloodshed, only reaching my location after washing blood with more blood.”

“Why can’t that work?”

“The ‘Way’ I want isn’t a philosophy of combat. It’s the path of an elegant thief. Those with talents in fighting should challenge the path of the Martial God instead. Though, aside from Yeodong-bin and Jang Sam-bong, there probably aren’t many such individuals.”

The Supreme Thief muttered this with a derisive tone, and from his expression, I could tell he didn’t really care much for fighting and had a firm idea of what a [true thief] ought to be.

“Uh… I just used the ‘Thunderclap’ technique from the Thunder God lineage to pickpocket, though….”

“Really? Sure, you look like a chump who just bulldozed through with peak martial arts. But the fact that someone with your level of martial arts is challenging me is already bizarre… Let’s just move on.”

“…….”

“Let’s call it a freebie. With willpower alone, you can be a prodigy.”

As those words jogged my memory, I quickly asked the Supreme Thief.

“Supreme Thief. Where exactly is this place? And where are you right now? Where did you go to search for the Xuanyuan Sword…?”

The Supreme Thief got annoyed.

“Ask one question at a time, will ya?!”

“…….”

“You seem to have some talent as a thief, but why do you look so dim? What a strange fellow.”

“Well then, let’s start with where this place is….”

“This is beyond the [Gate] of the Martial God.”

“……!!”

With that, I knew the vague sense of unease I had felt all along was about to be confirmed.

Beyond the [Gate]!

That must be the enigmatic space where Yeodong-bin attained enlightenment to defeat the dragon. Although initially, I couldn’t recall that much due to how sudden the events were, upon deeper thought, I had definitely seen this in Yeodong-bin’s memories. As I showed a look of shock, the Supreme Thief grinned.

“Seems you’re not an ordinary person after all. That expression of yours means you have a rough idea of what the Martial God’s gate signifies.”

“…I have a slight understanding. So if I touch this vortex, I could gain martial arts experience as powerful as Yeodong-bin, and progress further!”

I replied, reaching out toward the vortex beside me.

“I’m going for it!”

Even if it drives me mad, I too would seize new martial arts experience and break into the Absolute Realm!!

“What are you doing?”

“…….”

I steeled my resolve in my heart and awaited the oncoming maelstrom, but after a long wait, nothing came. Instead, the Supreme Thief just stood there, grinning mockingly.

“Wow! Our junior is so cool〜〜. Show us your power!”

“…….”

The Supreme Thief shook his shoulders.

“Are you just gonna stand there〜〜? When are you gonna get to it〜〜.”

“Well, I just… tried it out.”

As I made a sheepish expression and pulled my hand away from his mockery, the Supreme Thief said.

“You might’ve seen or heard of this, but that’s ultimately pointless. It’s true that grabbing the vortex grants martial arts experience, but you can’t get it.”

“Why not?”

“Why do you think? Just so you know, I summoned you here without being a Martial God.”

“…….”

Why not?

As I desperately wracked my brain, the Supreme Thief clicked his tongue.

“You didn’t formally enter the Martial God’s [Gate], so you came here as a guest on my invitation. And this vortex is in the domain of the Martial God, under the power of divine beings, which means you, as a mortal, do not qualify to take it.”

“…Hmm.”

“Only those who have opened the gate formally are qualified.”

Guest qualification.

So because I entered through a side path, I couldn’t gain strength like Yeodong-bin?

But I didn’t understand, so I turned to the Supreme Thief.

“But I heard Yeodong-bin was invited by the Martial God multiple times. What makes a difference?”

“Well, you see… he was a special case. He had a ‘contract’ with them. He gave up everything he could enjoy and received that power through self-sacrifice for the greater good. Almost nobody can do that, so it doesn’t concern you.”

“…….”

“Anyway, back to the main topic.”

The Supreme Thief continued.

“To answer your second question. I told you I’m not ‘here’, right?”

“You’re not here? Then what’s in front of me?”

The Supreme Thief shrugged.

“A remnant thought. Think of it as a guiding spirit I left for my junior who passed the conditions of the ‘Transformation of the Hundred Changes’. My true self is probably busy exploring somewhere. For about a thousand years.”

“Where are you referring to?”

“An alternate dimension.”

“……!!”

“From your expression, you seem to know what that is. Makes explaining easier.”

I gasped in shock.

An alternate dimension?!

The Supreme Thief has crossed into an alternate dimension?!

I shouted in disbelief at the unexpected whereabouts of the Supreme Thief.

“Wait a second. I heard that an alternate dimension is a place where pure cosmic darkness condenses, and there’s hardly any air or life. You’re saying you’ve been exploring there for a thousand years without dying?!”

“Yep.”

“How is that even possible…?”

Surviving in an alternate dimension is said to be ten times harder than surviving in outer space. Who could easily endure in a chaotic universe filled with the primordial chaos and the screams of chaotic beings? Yet the Supreme Thief replied casually.

“Reaching the Absolute Realm and becoming the master of the Seat means that. I’ve been guaranteed infinite lifespan. I may not have overwhelming chaotic power, but as long as the will of the Martial God exists, my body and soul are protected from chaos. Unless I’m destroyed by external violence, I am immortal, and I can use this space indefinitely.”

“……!!”

“I don’t need to become an immortal like Yeodong-bin. By leaving behind these secret techniques, I can summon people like you too.”

Master of the Seat!

I had never heard that concept before. So I asked the Supreme Thief.

“What is this Master of the Seat?”

“Well, I can’t tell you that.”

“Why not?”

“Because that’s a top secret. It’s a mystery for a rookie who hasn’t crossed the gate yet…. I only shared it because you’re my direct descendant after a thousand years.”

It was the same as with Yeodong-bin. The Supreme Thief had also sealed his lips at a crucial moment. But even from that alone, I could infer basic information.

‘Yeodong-bin and Jang Sam-bong knew about this space where the infinite vortex exists. They also met the Martial God. That means they also are Masters of the Seat.’

Could it be that being a Master of the Seat means being someone chosen by the Martial God, who has opened the [Gate]?

But this was just a basic inference, and I had no idea what they opened the gate for, what the criteria for selection were, and what awaited them after opening the gate. It seemed that the Masters of the Seat meticulously upheld their secrets.

The Supreme Thief continued speaking.

“Thirdly, as I mentioned earlier, I went to the alternate dimension to search for the Xuanyuan Sword. That answers your query, right?”

“Supreme Thief! Have you found the Xuanyuan Sword? What is it really?”

“Hehe.”

He wore a sinister smile as he said.

“I won’t tell you.”

“……?!”

“I’ve been working hard for a thousand years to find it, and even now, I’m exploring in the alternate dimension. Would I just hand over that information for free? Would you do that, you dummy?”

“Wh-What? Then why did you summon me?”

“I called you to give you an opportunity to challenge it.”

The Supreme Thief stated.

“As I said, I’m in the alternate dimension, and I might share the secret techniques and survival methods on how to get there. If you’re ready to find the greatest treasure in the world, then follow me.”

“…Does the Xuanyuan Sword really exist?”

“Who knows〜 At least I’m still searching〜.”

“…….”

I pondered over the Supreme Thief’s words.

‘Every clue is compelling me to go into the alternate dimension.’

But I felt uneasy. That was continuously ringing alarm bells from information I had gathered while chasing the Xuanyuan Sword. If I were living a normal life, I might have been captivated by the Supreme Thief’s words, but I knew too much now to view his proposal as just a simple adventure.

After a long contemplation, I drew my sword. As the Moon Sovereign’s Heavenly Gathering Cloud Sword glowed, the Supreme Thief’s eyes sparkled with interest.

“Oh?”

“I can’t trust you. I’m not even certain that you’re really the Supreme Thief! I can’t take that challenge until I confirm that you are genuine, so send me back.”

I would eventually go to the alternate dimension to challenge the Xuanyuan Sword. Given that I was even seeking Miyamoto Musashi to penetrate the Death Sea, it was unavoidable. Therefore, while the Supreme Thief’s proposal was very alluring, I wanted to extract as much information from him as possible before making any moves.

“Didn’t you ask me to show you one move?”

“…….”

The one who has reached Absolute Realm as a thief.

Of course, I wanted to witness his martial arts.

“Gee, how odd… You don’t have any talent for martial arts but are desperately pretending to be a martial artist? From what I see, you could make a name for yourself as a top-tier thief, yet you insist on being something else….”

The Supreme Thief muttered with annoyance but soon folded his arms, saying.

“Well, fine. I was already planning to pass on my true martial arts as payment for satisfying my conditions with the ‘Transformation of the Hundred Changes’. I’ll show you a bit while training you.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Seriously… A rookie without even reaching the Absolute Realm is challenging me in the domain governed by the Master of the Seat? You clearly don’t understand the implications.”

“Come at me!”

As I took my fighting stance, the Supreme Thief transformed into a hazy illusion.

Divine Skill

One Slash to Seize Heart

Puh-kak

Twist

“……??”

In the next moment, I staggered, blood spilling from my lips. As I turned around slowly, in disbelief, the Supreme Thief held something round in his left hand. The round object pulsated with a crimson glow. I knew what it was, so I stared blankly, and the Supreme Thief said coldly.

“Pretty neat, right? I don’t really enjoy fighting, so even while active in Jianghu, I hardly ever fought.”

“…Cough….”

The Supreme Thief threw my heart at me while grumbling in irritation.

“When a passing third-rate thief steals a heart, those arrogant martial artists vomit like pigs and die. Right?”

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