Reincarnation Sword God

Dark Heaven Village

Feeling the pressure after failing to gain any results with the Heavenly Sword, Mangnyang spoke beside me.
“Baek Woong, I think we should visit the ruins of the Shaolin Temple together.”
“Understood.”
*Crack!*
I headed towards the ruins with Mangnyang and Cheon Woo-jin in tow. We entered through the stone door that the Zen Master had opened and examined the site. Mangnyang and Cheon Woo-jin meticulously inspected the ruins, and then suddenly, Mangnyang voiced his thoughts.
“Baek Woong, please bring Zhuge Sa.”
Following his request, I took Zhuge Sa, who was establishing a base in the Southern Continent, to the ruins. Zhuge Sa, as if guessing why he was brought, didn’t say much and focused on the site. The three of them silently observed various facilities for about half a moment.
After a while, when they gathered, Mangnyang asked,
“What are your thoughts on this facility, Uncle?”
“… Well, it’s rather ambiguous.”
It was an unusual response from Zhuge Sa, who typically answered without hesitation, and he seemed a bit unsure. Zhuge Sa looked at Cheon Woo-jin.
“To express my own opinion, I should hear the thoughts of the genius in magic.”
Receiving the gaze, Cheon Woo-jin replied,
“I also agree. This place was not created by magic or technology based on magic. I can’t judge this site with my knowledge.”
“Hmmm, right. So, it’s not based on magic…”
Curious, I asked Zhuge Sa.
“What do you mean ambiguous?”
“… This place was undoubtedly created with advanced technology. It is certainly much more advanced than the current scientific capabilities of the Great Ming Empire. But… it’s ambiguous.”
Mangnyang interjected.
“Baek Woong, during my free time, I learned demonic knowledge related to the civilizations and technological levels of the otherworldly races from Uncle. However, it does not align with any known civilization of the otherworldly races.”
“What do you mean?”
“In other words… it’s significantly advanced for contemporary civilization but lags behind any otherworldly civilization.”
“……”
So, it doesn’t compare to the Prophet’s level of technology. However, I couldn’t quite accept that, so I countered.
“That can’t be proof that it’s not of the otherworldly civilization, right? After all, there shouldn’t be any humans with this level of technology on Earth today; if it’s not from the otherworldly races, then what is it?”
Normally, Mangnyang would have countered my argument immediately, but this time he responded with an uncertain tone.
“That is also correct. The fingerprint recognition device at the entrance and the various mechanical and electronic facilities of this site indicate that there is no one with this level of technology in the current era. However… it does not align with any of the otherworldly civilizations that Uncle and I know. The otherworldly races have their unique styles, and these facilities seem entirely unaffected by that. More importantly…”
He continued in a skeptical tone.
“This facility has an independent system unaffected by magic, demonic methods, or techniques. It’s as if it has developed independently for centuries… Therefore, there is no one among our companions who can explain the existence or creator of this facility.”
“Hmm…”
It indicated an unknown identity and mystery.
Zhuge Sa spoke.
“I can’t understand why the energy absorption device is more effective here. Its technology is so independent that I can’t explain it with my demonic knowledge.”
“Zhuge Sa, what do you think we should do?”
“The easiest way would be to offer a tribute to Master Mangnyang and find out who dedicated this facility. He should know who it is. However, this is not the time for that.”
Zhuge Sa shook his head.
“While seeking treasures to go to Dark Heaven Village, it seems wasteful to offer an unknown amount of treasures to Master Mangnyang.”
“Hmm… That’s true.”
I understood. Having chosen a critical task while avoiding the Master of the White Lotus Sect, we must definitely succeed in our exploration of Dark Heaven Village. But as it’s hard to survive in Dark Heaven Village, treasures would undoubtedly be required—so it felt wasteful to offer them to Master Mangnyang just to extract some information about this ambiguous facility. It was clear that it would lead to a long, winding quest for clues.
Mangnyang said,
“Baek Woong, I’ve discovered another peculiar aspect of this facility.”
“What is it?”
“None of the techniques work within.”
“……?!”
Glancing at Cheon Woo-jin, he opened his mouth helplessly.
“Just as my elder brother said. I tried various techniques from beginner to advanced, and nothing worked. I even attempted some powerful demonic-level spells, but nothing functioned.”
“You’re saying this is a place where techniques are sealed?”
Zhuge Sa, who had been beside me, added.
“It’s not just techniques. I tried demonic methods as well, but they didn’t work here. Neither summoning demonic beasts nor the secrets of alchemy were effective. And…”
He placed his hand on my body. When I looked at his hand, he grinned.
“As you can see, the Soul Exchange Technique is also forbidden here. As a fellow practitioner of the Soul Exchange Technique, it should be normal for you to sense my intent to move the Baek. However, I can’t do anything. Even the power to move the Baek has been sealed.”
“Hmm… What does this mean?”
“I’m not sure either. Regardless, the technology that created this facility seems very alien.”
*Buzz!*
Hearing that, I gathered my internal energy to imbue my sword with Sword Thunder. I tried using techniques like Changong, Finger Techniques, and Divine Techniques, but nothing unusual happened. I tilted my head.
“Martial arts work just fine?”
“Everything else is sealed but the Qi is allowed… It’s artificial. Considering that there are techniques that can seal the activation of Qi, it’s clearly artificial.”
We continued to examine the facility but gained no further insights. So, we exited the facility and brought back Cheon Soo-cheong, Geuk-ho, the Sword Demon, and Tang San, who were all practicing martial arts at the time. The quick absorption advantage meant their martial arts training would progress swiftly.
After returning to the Southern Continent, I spoke to Zhuge Sa.
“Have we done everything? Can we challenge Dark Heaven Village right away?”
Zhuge Sa replied.
“There’s just one thing left to do. Complete that and then challenge.”
“Is it the story?”
“Yes. It’s too cumbersome and lengthy a task to do in the next life, so we should see results in this life to lessen our regrets.”
“That’s true.”
I had assigned Oh Seung-eun to ghostwrite, but he said to wait at least six months from then. Since quite some time was still left, I decided to wait patiently. After all, no matter how much the Master of the White Lotus Sect stirs up the martial world, it’d be nearly impossible for him to find us. Thus, I would train martial arts with my companions in the ruins of the Shaolin Temple during that time.
*Whoosh!*
About three days passed as I trained martial arts when Tang San said.
“My internal energy is accumulating at an astonishing rate… It seems at least ten to fifteen times faster than outside.”
“Is that so?”
“You may not feel it since you’ve already reached the peak of your internal energy, but it is true. Here, an ordinary person could train for a year and be treated as a considerable expert in the outside world. If one trains for ten years, they might be among the top in the world based on internal energy alone…”
“Hmm…”
“By the way, what do we call this place?”
“Zen Master referred to this location as the Ark.”
“The Ark?”
I racked my memory.
“It’s what the person who dedicated this facility called it.”
“Ark, how curious. No matter how I look at it, this doesn’t resemble a ship at all.”
Tang San muttered, puzzled, and then said.
“Anyway, we can surely become powerful here.”
That was indeed the case. Over the next few months, I watched as my companions grew in real-time; they absorbed insights from the Seven Great Techniques and the Eight Immortal Divine Art, elevating their martial arts skills. Moreover, techniques they previously couldn’t use due to insufficient internal energy, like the Absolute Slash, seemed to be mastered easily, thanks to the Ark’s support.
‘Shall I head out soon?’
Having deemed the time was right, I went to find Oh Seung-eun in Luoyang with Mangnyang. But strangely enough, Oh Seung-eun was missing.
“I’m not sure. He was in and out of the Seven Aspects Pavilion until a month ago after he took on your commission. Since you entrusted me to take care of him, we treated him well, but at some point, he just stopped showing up.”
“Really? You have no idea where he went?”
Upon my question, the Pavilion Master nodded.
“I collect wandering scholars, but I don’t personally oversee their whereabouts.”
“Didn’t you attach any martial artists to keep an eye on him?”
“Why would I do that?”
That was true. The Pavilion Master was merely a wealthy man spending his money on personal hobbies, so he had no reason to monitor a mere student like Oh Seung-eun. I regretted not being more thorough and said to him.
“Do you know any places he might have gone?”
“I don’t know. I can give you the names of a few scholars he was close to; you can ask them.”
After gathering information from the Pavilion Master, I scoured for the drinking companions of Oh Seung-eun. However, they all claimed he suddenly went missing after binge-drinking. As I scratched my head in frustration, Mangnyang spoke up.
“We might not have any other choice. Try the National Seal.”
*Buzz!*
I activated the National Seal to locate Oh Seung-eun. To my surprise, the spirit of the National Seal said,
[The target, Oh Seung-eun, is currently eating in the capital of Goryeo, Gaegyeong.]
“……”
What?
Did I just mishear?
I was stunned and asked,
“What? Why the hell is he there?”
[Insufficient information to respond.]
“Damn… Is he injured or anything?”
[No external injuries confirmed.]
“Show me the surroundings.”
*Crack!*
When I seen the images around Oh Seung-eun, I felt my expression harden. Sure enough, the surroundings were lavish palaces, and there were two or three martial artists standing guard nearby. Not only that, but Oh Seung-eun seemed to be chatting while eating with none other than the Master of the Twelve Joules.
‘You filthy bastard!’
I relayed what I saw to Mangnyang. His expression darkened.
“From the Twelve Joules—Oh Seung-eun has been secured?”
“Seems likely… Damn it.”
In this situation, there was no reason for Oh Seung-eun to randomly travel from Luoyang to Gaegyeong. Moreover, there was no reason for him to be eating in a palace guarded by martial artists. Most likely, the Twelve Joules had realized Oh Seung-eun had connections to us and kidnapped or coerced him into coming to Goryeo!
Mangnyang sighed.
“The Twelve Joules digging into such trivial matters… My judgment was flawed. I thought it best not to be overly conspicuous; had I known this, I would have just brought Oh Seung-eun back to our base.”
“But why…? Why did the Twelve Joules take him?”
I tilted my head in confusion.
What possible reason could the Twelve Joules have for taking Oh Seung-eun?
Mangnyang replied.
“I have an inkling. They likely activated their information network in the martial world to discover our tracks, and the Twelve Joules, who even planted spies in Luoyang, must have sensed something. And they probably figured out that Oh Seung-eun is the link to us. They took him in order to use him as leverage to negotiate with either the White Lotus Sect or us.”
“Hmm…”
“I apologize, my negligence constituted the failure to notice the new mythical secrets and facts that emerged. I apologize…”
As Mangnyang sighed, I shook my head.
“No, more importantly, we need to rescue Oh Seung-eun.”
“We must meet with the Master of the Twelve Joules. He’s the one directly in charge of Oh Seung-eun.”
“That…”
Was a very tricky matter. We were about to face the significant challenge of exploring Dark Heaven Village, and now we had to negotiate with a scheming guy like the Master of the Twelve Joules, using all the wits we had? As I hesitated, Mangnyang said,
“The Master of the Twelve Joules might consider using Oh Seung-eun as a bargaining chip to propose a deal to the Master of the White Lotus Sect. If his wellbeing falls to the Master of the White Lotus Sect, things could get very complicated. Before that happens, we should act quickly and secure Oh Seung-eun.”
“But wouldn’t that be putting the cart before the horse? In this situation, getting Oh Seung-eun back could jeopardize our plan of making his novel a hit in the martial world…”
“No, it wouldn’t. Rescuing Oh Seung-eun is of great significance. Because he is the person connected to the Celestial Sage and the Law of Cause and Effect.”
“Hmm…”
I accepted that and held a meeting with Zhuge Sa and the others. Zhuge Sa said,
“We don’t know how the Master of the Twelve Joules will act, so bring all our forces.”
“Should we negotiate?”
“Initially, yes.”
A few days later, I finally met with the Master of the Twelve Joules.
Standing behind him were members of the Three Masters, along with three leaders from the Twelve Joules. With Mangnyang, Cheon Woo-jin, Jin So-cheong, the Sword Demon, and Geuk-ho, I arrived at the location set by the Master of the Twelve Joules in Gaegyeong.
The Master of the Twelve Joules said,
“Meeting you all like this for the first time. The notorious Thunder God Lineage and the Bancheon Alliance…”
“Seeing each other’s faces? You’re wearing a mask right now.”
He shrugged with an exaggerated flair.
“Oh, my handsome face is a treasure of the state, so I can’t reveal it carelessly.”
Ugh!
I inwardly scoffed at the Master of the Twelve Joules’ nonsense as he clasped his hands and asked,
“What do you want?”
“Master of the Twelve Joules, please return Oh Seung-eun.”
“Just like that?”
“Then what would be the use of holding him?”
In response to my retort, the Master of the Twelve Joules nodded.
“True, there would be no point in keeping him. I have interrogated that Oh Seung-eun multiple times, but he turned out to be a simple, useless scholar. Apart from his writing talent, he offers nothing else of value, and even that talent isn’t extraordinarily impressive. Why are you so desperate for such a person?”
“Whatever.”
Oh Seung-eun, sitting by the side, flinched and was surprised while munching on a chicken leg. It seemed he was enjoying the delicious food in Gaegyeong.
“……”
The fact that he could enjoy a meal in such a setting meant quite a bit about him. As I was at a loss for words, the Master of the Twelve Joules exclaimed,
“Well, that piques my interest. Are you really just hoping to spread the novel written by Oh Seung-eun throughout Luoyang and the Central Plains? How quaint!”
“I have no reason to answer that question.”
“Then there’s no way for me to return Oh Seung-eun.”
“If you tell us, would you return him?”
“I will if I see sincerity.”
I discussed with Mangnyang and our cunning ally but had to reply.
“True, that is our objective.”
“Then what exactly do you intend to gain?”
“I hope to gain the favor of the Celestial Sage.”
“Hmph, as expected, yet it sounds utterly ludicrous.”
The Master of the Twelve Joules sighed and continued.
“Are you all in your right minds? The Demigod, the most powerful of the Vanguard Demons and the strongest of the Overlays, is the Celestial Sage. And here you are trying to do such an unreasonable thing just to please him? Are you not afraid of the Celestial Realm’s scrutiny?”
“That’s for us to handle, isn’t it?”
“… Haha.”
Now, in a playful tone, he said,
“I don’t despise fools like you. So, if you were to gain the favor of the Celestial Sage, what would you do next? Are you planning to seek his power?”
“Of course! You’ve likely deduced that.”
“You want to achieve some enormous ambition using the Celestial Sage’s power, correct?”
“Feel free to think as you like.”
“Hmm, alright. I’ll return Oh Seung-eun. But there’s a condition.”
“What is it?”
“I want to receive assistance from the Celestial Sage as well. Make sure to promise that with him. I also wish for the Bancheon Alliance and us the Twelve Joules to form an alliance and act together.”
“……”
“So, if you do this, it’ll be advantageous for the novel to gain popularity among the ranks of our Twelve Joules.”
In a way, I had anticipated this. However, there was something I couldn’t comprehend. Hence, I asked the Master of the Twelve Joules.
“Master of the Twelve Joules, do you have no intention to suppress the White Lotus Sect?”
“Not particularly.”
“The only force that can rival the White Lotus Sect is you.”
In response to this, the Master of the Twelve Joules countered,
“Even if we are rivals, must we fight? Personally, I have no strong dislike for the White Lotus Sect. Because I know they are ultimately trying to save the world.”
“……”
“You have a face full of questions, yet I’ll pass on any further inquiries. After all, a secretive man is usually charming.”
“… Very well. I accept your conditions.”
“Transaction established.”
After we received Oh Seung-eun, we inquired about his writing status. Oh Seung-eun, somewhat embarrassed, spoke,
“… I haven’t finished it all.”
“How long until you think you can complete it?”
“Um… give me another year.”
“Another year?! We’ve already given you close to half a year. Why is the timeline extending again?”
“……”
I already knew the answer without needing to hear it. Oh Seung-eun must have spent his time drinking and fooling around at the Seven Aspects Pavilion rather than writing with the advance we provided. It was the tendency of scholarly folk when money appeared. As a result, it seemed hardly any progress on the novel had been made.
Mangnyang, looking resigned, said,
“… I’ll have to summon Sima Jing to co-write with Oh Seung-eun. There’s no time to waste now… Hoo! I apologize for putting that burden on him.”
“Sima Jing, you mean that one from before?”
“Yes. A prodigy from the Sima clan. His talents rival mine. We’ll have to rely on his assistance.”
I took Mangnyang and Oh Seung-eun to Sima Jing’s residence. After Mangnyang explained the situation, Sima Jing said,
“Understood. I’ll do my utmost to assist Zhuge Xian.”
“Thank you, Sima Jing.”
“I’ll throw all my skills into making that person write a masterpiece.”
Then Mangnyang, Sima Jing, and Oh Seung-eun entered his residence and became reclusive. About a month passed, and they emerged with a haggard Oh Seung-eun, handing me six volumes of books.
“I’ve completed the trilogy.”
I snuck a glance at Oh Seung-eun. The carefree look of indulging had vanished, replaced by a face burdened with fatigue and the pains of creation. It seemed they had thoroughly pressed him to write while cooped up at the residence. If a person merely eats, sleeps, and writes, they could transform into such a pitiful state.
“Understood.”
Now, we could finally spread the novel into a trend.