Reincarnated Swordmaster - Chapter 194

Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors

I felt a bit taken aback by Mangnyang‘s words. The northernmost edge of this world, huh! Of course, according to the information I’ve gathered so far, in order to unlock the second seal of Moya and obtain the true power of the Seven Luminaries, I must go to that northern edge and overcome the trials. But do I really have to do that right now?

When I looked at him with curiosity, Mangnyang provided clarification.

“Do you know what our biggest problem is at the moment? It’s a lack of ‘power.’”

“……”

I had no words because his statement pierced the reality too bluntly.

As I fell silent, Mangnyang continued,

“The power of the being known as Dalki is likely of a level that even the Great Immortal would struggle against if they all ganged up. Even if I were to train for hundreds of years, reaching the level of Dalki is uncertain, even for you.”

“That makes sense…”

I managed to fend off Dalki using Huang Wu‘s strength, but I knew that had been extraordinarily lucky. If Huang Wu hadn’t possessed exceptional strength beyond the ordinary Great Immortal, and if I hadn’t received Mangnyang’s Heavenly Favor to overcome Dalki‘s secret techniques, I wouldn’t have had any means to resist.

“While I can’t say for sure until we reach the [Ancient Ruler], we need to find a way to deal with Dalki. The strongest card we have right now is undoubtedly the Su-yo known as Moya.”

“Is that even feasible?”

“The Seven Luminaries are the greatest treasures bestowed upon humanity by the divine beings of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors during the prehistoric era. Even the Great Immortal would revere them, so if we can’t rely on the Seven Luminaries, then nothing else will suffice.”

Mangnyang scratched his head as he spoke.

“Originally, my plan was to seek the secret of Moya after toppling the Imperial Palace. Honestly, that seemed like a pipe dream due to low success probability. But right now, I believe this is the best option.”

“Even if it means going to the northernmost edge of the world, it still feels somewhat vague.”

“Well, there’s no rush to head there immediately. I would like you to contemplate and research how to head north in your own way.”

“Hmm.”

Going to the northernmost edge of the world had unexpectedly turned into my new task! As I pondered, Miho, who had been listening beside me, spoke up sharply.

“I don’t know, but this feels too half-hearted. Why not think of looking for other Seven Luminaries?”

“The Seven Luminaries possessed by the Dan clan are impossible to seize, and if we try to steal the Moon Luminary, it would spell disaster. The Fire Luminary is likely located deep in the southern continent’s wilds, and the whereabouts of the Eight Trigrams are as clear as mud. We can’t do anything but make the best of what we have.”

“……”

Miho fell silent for a moment before glaring at Mangnyang.

“Are you really not giving up?”

“I am not. We simply need to accept that trial and error is necessary.”

“Hmm.”

Then, we began plotting an operation to rescue Hwang Yeon‘s family. Since we didn’t have any allies we could mobilize immediately, we decided to prepare for about a month before making the rescue attempt. Most importantly, I needed the time to refine the martial arts I had gained so far.

Through countless battles in my fourteenth life, I could feel my martial skills stepping distinctly beyond the threshold of the peak level into a higher realm. Specifically, the enlightenment I gained from Zhang Sanfeng and training with geniuses helped me break through the barrier.

‘No matter what I do, mastering the Peerless Sword Slash feels impossible.’

I muttered while once again unfolding Zhang Sanfeng‘s insights. Other martial arts techniques felt like second nature to me now, but I couldn’t seem to grasp Peerless Sword Slash. More precisely, I found it hard to comprehend fully. I understood it was a counterattack-oriented technique, but its specific power remained elusive.

“If only Musashi or Hanzo were here, it would be easy.”

On the day of the operation, Miho expressed her disappointment. But it was unavoidable, so I moved with Miho toward the village where Hwang Yeon‘s family was being held captive.

Paah!

We arrived at a secluded warehouse in the village. Miho said,

“Then, I’ll set up here and summon the Front Demon and Back Demon along with the Spirit Puppets. You deal with the rest.”

“Leave it to me.”

Paaah!

Moments later, an ethereal light conjured by sorcery floated around Miho, and the Front Demon and Back Demon appeared. Simultaneously, the Spirit Puppets fluttered here and there before gradually solidifying into physical forms.

“Uaaaah!”

“What the heck is this?!”

The Golden Eagle Guards screamed in terror as they fought against Miho‘s summoned creatures. Even the Twelve Rhythm expedition group, known for its large numbers, had to brace for annihilation, so there was no doubt the guards would struggle. I watched Miho with worried eyes.

“Be sure to dodge if it gets too dangerous.”

Miho laughed heartily at that.

“Aha! Are you genuinely concerned for me? How sweet of you!”

I felt a bit flustered. The truth was that Miho had displayed some intimidation against the peerless peak experts, but in reality, she was wielding the power sufficient to be called a Great Youkai. So worrying about her was ironically absurd in my current state!

‘My concern arises from issues relating to the Thunder God Lineage!’

That kind of situation should never happen again. Mangnyang‘s words that “power is lacking” echoed in my mind, fueling my desire to grow stronger.

I ventured outside the village to witness the chaos unfolding everywhere. Amidst the turmoil, I noticed that Hwang Yeon‘s family was gathering towards a specific building.

‘Over there!’

I silently used the Soul Destruction Technique to approach the building. However, not long after, five Golden Eagle Guards suddenly appeared around me, surrounding me with murderous intent.

“Just a kid?”

“Don’t underestimate me! That agility technique is no joke!”

Swish! Swish!

It seemed they had reached a silent consensus to kill me. As I faced their murderous intent, I thought,

‘You all are truly guilty of many things.’

Just puppets moving to satisfy the ruler’s whims without thinking for themselves. They didn’t seek to comprehend anything beyond satisfying their own interests. In some ways, they could be considered pitiable beings.

Yet, even so, I would still kill them.

Because if you commit a crime, you should be punished.

“Farewell!”

I shouted briefly, charging forward and unleashing my Sword Flame. It spread like a thread in the air, swiftly cutting the two nearby Golden Eagle Guards in half. The remaining guards gasped, launching their own techniques at me, but I quickly realized their attacks were surprisingly easy to evade now.

‘Were they this weak?’

Crack!

I sent one of them to the netherworld with a knee strike and then delivered a sword strike to the hearts of the remaining two. Watching them fall like puppets with their strings severed, spilling blood, was quite pitiful. Despite appearing feeble, each of them held the rank of a top-tier expert in their own right.

I had been playing at such a high level that they seemed weak in comparison. However, that didn’t foster a feeling of reward. As Ikwang had once said, as long as I recognize the existence of Beyond Heaven, I would forever feel short-changed.

To shake off this dirty feeling, I had to grow even stronger and build my own power.

“Who are you?”

As I arrived at the building where Hwang Yeon‘s family was imprisoned, I looked around and spoke to them.

“I am Baek Woong, here to rescue you. There’s no time for explanation, so please extend your hands to this mok gap.”

“Wait! Three of them are in another building!”

“Which building?”

“In the lumberyard just twenty paces away…”

“Got it.”

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

After placing all of Hwang Yeon‘s family members into the mok gap, I snuck outside, only to find three experts waiting for me, arms crossed. They all radiated a terrifying murderous intent, indicating they were at the peak expert level.

“This brat…”

“Looks like he’s come to die! He won’t be dying easily.”

As more elite guards from the Golden Eagle Guards began to gather around them, there were now more than ten of them. I cast a glance at them and spoke,

“Heavenly Tigers, huh?”

“You’ve got some nerve coming here. You won’t die comfortably.”

All three of the Golden Eagle Guards ranks were peak experts, a terrifyingly renowned level in the martial world. If three of them collaborated with other guards, I was sure it would be a formidable threat. But instead of feeling daunted, I gazed calmly at them and said,

“I don’t harbor any personal grudges. Just so you know.”

One of the Heavenly Tigers scoffed at that.

“Hah! A madman!”

“Kill him!”

As soon as he finished his sentence, attacks from the elite guards of the Golden Eagle Guards rained down simultaneously. These were not the predictable attacks of street thugs; each one was a deadly assault laced with intent from experienced martial artists. In my past self, I would’ve had to brace for a serious injury from this onslaught.

However, I grinned and activated both the Baek Woong Form and the Thunder God’s Will, casting the Soul Destruction Technique. Suddenly, it felt as though time had slowed, and my reaction speed skyrocketed.

Shwaaaa!

With the Soul Destruction Technique, I dodged every incoming attack while using Thunder God’s Will to accelerate, slicing through the enemies with the Peerless Sword Slash, instantly merging seven opponents into the spirit world. Amidst the blood-spattered scene, I directed a wave of sword energy at the brow of one of the Heavenly Tigers.

With a whoosh, a small gash opened, and blood began to trickle. While he bore no significant external wounds, his brain had turned to mush, leaving him lifeless. I then continuously unleashed the Thunder Spirit Seal at the remaining foes.

Boom! Kachow!

“Uaaah!”

“Argh!”

Those were the sounds of the Thunder God Lineage’s supernatural techniques, the Thunder Spirit Seal! This was an advanced technique of the Thunder God Lineage, launching an attack infused with the energy of thunder. Although my mastery was only at the first level, my overwhelming energy turned the scene into complete chaos within moments.

It took me merely about 15 seconds to defeat the peak experts from the Golden Eagle Guards. I soared forward like a sparrow, capturing one of the Heavenly Tigers. He seemed resigned, lowering his head.

“Kill me…”

“I have a question for you.”

Swish!

I grabbed him and flew lightly to land on a roof about twenty paces away at the lumberyard. In a place devoid of others, I murmured to him,

“If orders came from above, would you have killed the elderly or children among Hwang Yeon‘s family?”

Without hesitation, the Heavenly Tiger replied,

“Of course. It would be our mission.”

“Even if that meant killing your own family?”

“……”

“I don’t wish to kill you without cause. Give it some thought.”

I had seen enough blood. I had killed enough already.

So, I slowly released my grip on his neck, and he bit his lip in anger, saying,

“Damn… Don’t get ahead of yourself. We are loyal to our country, putting our beliefs on the line! We are not here to take sermons from a traitor like you.”

“Indeed, that’s what you’d say.”

“We are loyal to His Majesty the Emperor…”

As the veins in his neck bulged, I grew annoyed and drew my sword.

Thwack!

The Heavenly Tiger’s head flew through the air. I let out a sardonic laugh and muttered,

“Go die while serving His Majesty the Emperor. What a fool.”

In that instant, I found myself shocked at what I had just said.

“……!!”

I couldn’t believe those sinister and cruel words had emanated from my mouth. Yet, that was certainly my resolve, leaving me in turmoil. But I calmed myself with the thought that it wasn’t a big deal, moving inside the lumberyard to rescue the last three members.

Once the rescue was complete, I returned to where Miho was. She greeted me with a broad smile.

“Great! Now, let’s move out!”

Paah!

Together with Miho, we arrived at the entrance of Jinrang Valley. Miho seemed eager to rest quickly, but since I had many thoughts to chew on, I walked slowly.

“……”

“What’s with that expression?”

I cautiously spoke to Miho, feeling rather uneasy.

“Miho, I feel like my will has become rather capricious.”

I wanted to confess this to Mangnyang, but for now, I decided to share it with Miho. As she looked at me curiously, I continued,

“When I killed those Golden Eagle Guards just now, at first, I did so without a thought. Then, halfway through, I didn’t want to kill anymore and tried to be a bit merciful, but suddenly, I got irritated and ended up killing them in one go.”

“Hmm…”

“I don’t know. It’s like I have this sudden mood swing. What is happening?”

I was confused.

Up until now, while executing martial arts and killing, I had only focused with pure concentration. I’d kill or spare as the situation called for. But now, my actions seemed erratic, as if I could not control my own will. This was not a good mental state for a martial artist.

Miho pondered briefly before saying casually,

“I can understand your heart.”

“You know why?”

“That’s an easy one.”

After her following statement, I found myself speechless, standing still.

“You just enjoyed the last battle as a form of amusement. You toyed with the defeated until you got bored and then killed them. That’s all there seems to be to it.”

“I fought… just for fun?”

“It isn’t that simple. You fought with seriousness; your attitude towards the defeated changed.”

Miho smiled with her characteristic youkai glint in her eyes.

“I’d say it’s rather delightful. So what if you kill a few mere humans? If you enjoy it, that’s all that matters.”

“……”

I couldn’t help but think this was a big problem.

‘What on earth should I do?’

What Miho implied was one thing.

My inner cruelty had grown considerably.

I apologize for the shorter length; I was writing in a half-dazed state. Please consider giving me support! ~ ㅠ