Reincarnation Sword God

856——————==

True Martial Home

Even when I was told to defeat Musashi, I wasn’t flustered. To be honest, I felt that my vague hopes of becoming something were starting to materialize into reality. So, I silently nodded and left the place.

Pa-at

I decided to gather my thoughts for a bit. I stepped into an inn in Luoyang, ordered quietly some dumplings and food, and sank into contemplation.

‘Defeat Musashi and use the Soul Exchange Technique to extract information about the Lunar Kill Technique and Aokigahara Life Sea from him…’

The reason for doing this was ultimately to obtain the Four Great Artifacts in the other dimension. I knew that using the Soul Exchange Technique was inherently a wrong thing to do, but attempting it on Musashi was due to the obvious fact that he wouldn’t willingly share the Lunar Kill Technique, and the chances of him becoming an ally were slim at best. All those roundabout reasons like learning the secrets of the White Transformation Technique were just to ensure that I had a clear win when I faced him one-on-one, and now I felt that opportunity was finally at hand.

So, how do I take down Musashi?

First of all, Musashi must be hiding somewhere in the Imperial Palace, using his will to conceal himself. Therefore, when I sneak around the interior of the Palace to do my stealing, there’s a good chance he detected my presence. However, judging by the fact that he hasn’t tried to engage me, it was clear that he was adopting a thoroughly passive stance, gathering information until further orders came from the Master of the Twelve Joules. Finding that kind of Musashi was practically impossible.

Even the Master of the White Lotus Sect only managed to find him by sheer intuition after reaching a new level. With my current abilities, I couldn’t possibly detect his stealth techniques that allowed him to blend completely into the environment.

‘But there’s definitely a way.’

I had already thought of this long before I began training in the White Transformation Technique. However, since there was no guarantee of winning one-on-one against Musashi, I’d been exercising caution. Now it was solely about how to take him down.

“…”

As I munched on dumplings, lost in thought, I got up from my seat a moment later.

“Shall I give it a try?”

There’s no need to delay any longer.

Pa-at

I used the Technique of the Golden Lamp to appear on the roof of the main gate of Shenguan Palace in the central part of the Imperial Palace. Because I had used the Stealth Technique to move, none of the Imperial Guards, Sibi, or officials passing by were aware of my presence. At first glance, it seemed like a flawless infiltration, but I knew Musashi was nearby.

‘Let’s use the Eye Technique.’

Activate Fire Eye Golden Spirit!

As red light flowed from my eyes, I sensed a faint shadowy space among all realms. That must be Miyamoto Musashi, detected by the Fire Eye Golden Spirit. To my shock, he was merely three paces away from me, staring in my direction, sending chills down my spine.

I deliberately avoided looking in that direction. Standing on the roof with my arms crossed, I spoke in Dongyoung language.

“I, Two Heavens One Style Miyamoto Musashi, have come to challenge you.”

It was a low voice. I hadn’t particularly enhanced my tone with internal power, nor did I employ any renowned techniques like Six Harmonies Assembly. But I thought that would suffice.

Swoosh

At that moment, I sensed a space behind me opening up, and a presence appeared silently. It was barely a single step away from me, and I felt cold sweat trickling down my spine.

A familiar voice in Dongyoung reached my ears from behind.

“Who are you?”

“…”

“You seem like the thief who infiltrated before. A ninja of Dongyoung, eh?”

As expected.

I had guessed he would be here since the Master of the White Lotus Sect had inspired him and found him near Shenguan Palace last time. And indeed, it seemed Miyamoto Musashi had recognized me from when I had stolen the Imperial Seal.

Moreover, my Stealth Technique was useless against him. Even while I was employing it, he was accurately looking at and recognizing me. In the face of the Absolute Realm’s will, low-level techniques like this seemed to get easily seen through.

I calmly turned around and said, “I want to duel with stakes.”

Miyamoto Musashi regarded me with a cold gaze and replied, “State your name first.”

“My name is Baek Woong.”

“Aren’t you a person of Dongyoung?”

“I am from the Central Plains. However, I know about the Lunar Kill Technique.”

Swish

At that moment, I felt his gaze sharpen. Simultaneously, his aura shifted, and the killing intent of the Absolute Realm enveloped me. But it wasn’t overwhelming, and as I calmly withstood it, Miyamoto Musashi looked at me with unusual interest and said, “You’re not an ordinary person.”

“I believe I’m qualified to challenge you to a duel.”

“I see. Then let’s kill each other right now.”

Miyamoto Musashi took a stance as if he would immediately use the ultimate technique of the Absolute Realm, but I raised my hand to stop him.

“Wait! It’s not death I seek. I want to duel with stakes.”

“What?”

“Don’t you want to know what I know?”

“…”

As Miyamoto Musashi fell silent, I continued, “Come to Dragon Cloud Palace tomorrow during the hour of the Rat. Let’s fight there until one of us admits defeat.”

“What’s the stakes of our duel?”

Looks like he’s ready to listen.

I lit up my eyes.

“If I lose, I’ll tell you why I stole the Emperor’s Imperial Seal not long ago, what I know about the Lunar Kill Technique, and everything you’re curious about. Conversely, if you lose, you must reveal everything about the Lunar Kill Technique and the King of Aokigahara Life Sea. We’ll be gambling with information in this duel.”

“…!!”

“Also, neither of us should inform anyone of this duel. I also came here without telling anyone.”

For the first time, Miyamoto Musashi showed a visibly shaken expression. Then he glared at me with sharp eyes and growled, “You’re not, by any chance, a ninja hired by Abe no Seimei?”

Abe no Seimei?

‘Ah. It makes sense that he would think so, since Seimei knows all about Musashi’s situation.’

Having understood their relationship during my previous life, I grasped the situation quickly and shook my head. “No. I have my reasons to penetrate the Death Sea and go to the place beyond it. To do that, I need to either defeat or bypass the King of Life Sea, and I’ve heard you’re the only one who survived an encounter with him.”

“Did Seimei tell you that?”

“Yes.”

Though it was something from my past life.

After considering my words, Miyamoto Musashi replied, “Fine. I accept the challenge. Don’t be late for the duel.”

Swish!

As soon as he finished speaking, Musashi vanished. I grumbled from where he disappeared.

“It’s a duel, not a death match.”

As expected, typical of a fighting man; he likely had no intention of keeping it a duel. He would undoubtedly want a kill-or-be-killed scenario. Shaking my head disapprovingly, I left.

‘I could challenge him right away, but I need a day.’

The reason for deliberately allowing that extra day was that I needed at least that long to make use of the gains I had achieved from my meeting with the Supreme Thief. The key factor would be how far I could apply that technique in reality.

I first went into Luoyang Castle to buy a mask. Reaching my current level didn’t actually necessitate a mask, but having one made it easier to maintain my will.

Then, I headed to the Iron Blood Gate and snuck into the Lord of Iron Blood Gate’s place before launching a surprise attack on him.

Poof!

“Cough.”

Though the Lord of Iron Blood Gate was a Peak Master, seemingly attempting to fend off my ambush, he managed to block just one blow. On the second strike, he got hit with an acupoint and collapsed.

I reached out to the fallen Lord of Iron Blood Gate and murmured, “Don’t hold it against me. I’ve got a score to settle with you.”

“What did you….”

The Lord of Iron Blood Gate had an expression of confusion hearing my words, but I ignored him and slowly began to chant an incantation.

Sssss…

As I recited the 108-character incantation, I saw a mask slowly rising from behind the Lord of Iron Blood Gate’s head, along with darkness. This mask was visible only to the summoner’s eyes and, according to the Supreme Thief, it was said to be the essence of the abyss. As the mask revealed itself, I proceeded to the next stage of the Technique of All Things.

‘Awaken….’

The summoner had to keep chanting the incantation while waiting for the mask to open its eyes. While I continued to recite, the previously subdued Lord of Iron Blood Gate suddenly wore a dazed expression. It appeared as though he was gradually losing consciousness and soon began to mumble incoherently.

“Ugh… I… No… Why am I seeing myself…?”

This was a phenomenon I hadn’t even heard of from the Supreme Thief. I waited patiently, and eventually, I could see the mask rising behind the Lord of Iron Blood Gate slowly opening its eyes.

Flash!

“……!!”

It was as if radiant light burst forth from the mask’s two eyes. The mask thrashed about as if it were alive, continuously emitting beams of light.

‘I can’t be late!’

I had heard that a calamity would occur if I took too long. I quickly reached out and snatched the mask and immediately slapped it onto my own face.

Pa-at

The moment I donned the mask, my body completely transformed into that of the Lord of Iron Blood Gate. I slowly stood up and suddenly noticed something strange.

“Hmm?”

The Lord of Iron Blood Gate, who lay in front of me, was gradually turning black. His body was becoming covered in blackness until eventually, both his clothes and sword transformed into a deep black hue, and that darkness seemed to change into a living liquid, flying toward my face a moment later.

Chwaah

Flash

At the moment the liquid absorbed into the mask on my face, I realized with a heavy shock, “Ah!”

I am the Lord of Iron Blood Gate, Bae Jin-hyuk!

I collapsed due to some weird guy attacking me, but what on earth happened?

Did I get taken down by that ugly little brat? Where the heck did he go?

I’m gonna catch him and kill him!

…

But….

No!

I’m Baek Woong!

Not Lord of Iron Blood Gate Bae Jin-hyuk!

“……!!”

Identity confusion!

As I staggered and felt lost, I finally understood why the second stage of the Technique of All Things was so dangerous. It’s because one feels the consciousness of the counterpart; if you steal without leaving your own self behind, there’s a risk of being absorbed and losing the summoner’s consciousness! This was yet another reason to master level one of the technique and enhance my proficiency as a mask practitioner.

‘Ugh… I feel nauseous…!!’

I felt like I might vomit. But barely holding on, I grabbed a sword and tried to unleash my martial arts.

Swish, swish, swish

I can do it!

My body was executing the Iron Blood Gate’s Iron Blood Twenty-Four Techniques as if I had known them from the start. More accurately, I was able to read the history ingrained in his body through the mask, feeling like him. At this moment, I was the Lord of Iron Blood Gate, and I had become a master of the Iron Blood Sword Techniques.

“Ugh.”

But I couldn’t handle how dizzy I felt and soon started vomiting uncontrollably.

I couldn’t endure it and forcefully tore the mask from my face and tossed it away.

Poof

At that, the mask turned back into a human and became the fainted Lord of Iron Blood Gate once more.

Seeing that, I understood the essence of the Technique of All Things.

‘The ability to turn an opponent into your mask and utilize it…!!’

No wonder it’s referred to as power! Such an ability transcends what can still be classified as martial arts!

However, this immense power even surpassed the purification of the Qimen Dunjia technique. If that’s the principle, if I were to steal the mask of a being stronger than myself, the efficiency would be beyond imagination. Of course, that would only hold true if I overcame them, but still, the possibilities seemed tremendous.

I took a deep breath, calming myself and thought,

‘That’s why the Supreme Thief mentioned it takes a long time to master…. Just to use one Lord of Iron Blood Gate with a mask, it takes barely an instant.’

With my mental strength and internal power, it was still tough to use the Technique of All Things properly.

Truly befitting the sorcery techniques of the Mythological Age.

If I were to use level one of the Technique of All Things, I could certainly maintain my form for a good while, but using level two, which allows me to wield the opponent’s abilities as well, was still far from reach. Nevertheless, the potential was clearly there, which gave me a sense of confidence.

‘Alright. If I use this technique well with the Supreme Thief’s inner insights…’

I will definitely defeat Miyamoto Musashi tomorrow.