Reincarnation Sword God

Dark Heaven Village

As I rode on my magical cloud, I sensed the Celestial Sage suddenly come to a halt. Suspended in the void, he was staring intently at something before he said,
“Hold on. Seems there was indeed a patrolling fool around.”
I followed his lead, concealing my breathing and aura, drastically reducing my movements. Just as I erased all traces of my presence to the level of a mere plant, something swept past beside my cloud.
Whoosh!
A dark wind flowed like overlapping waves. The Celestial Sage seemed to invoke one of his techniques to conceal himself and hardly moved. For a fleeting moment, I felt that something was riding atop the dark wind, but upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a monster donning ceremonial garb. It felt like I had seen this monster before.
Sure enough, as the dark wind completely vanished, the Celestial Sage descended to the ground and muttered,
“The Northern Dipper Star Lord is actually out and about. Things could’ve gotten serious if we’d been caught.”
“…!!”
The Northern Dipper Star Lord!
He was said to be one of the sub-deities who governs lifespan, alongside the Southern Dipper Star Lord. Despite being a sub-deity, the Northern Dipper Star Lord held a unique title of ‘Overlay Technique,’ primarily overseeing human death. Conversely, the Southern Dipper Star Lord governed human life, and their role involved judging humans post-mortem, deciding their fate in the Underworld.
I questioned the Celestial Sage,
“The Northern Dipper Star Lord seems closer to a god than merely a title. Why would he voluntarily take on such menial tasks?”
No matter how capable as an Overlay Technique user or favored as a celestial immortal, he still fell short of divine status. However, the Northern Dipper and Southern Dipper Star Lords uniquely assumed such a position, suggesting a willingness to handle the dirty work. The Celestial Sage replied to my query,
“I don’t know for sure, but I’ve heard they are related to the Underworld’s ruler, Yama. They originally hail from the Underworld. There must have been some dealings between the Celestial and Underworld realms.”
“…”
So they are from the Underworld.
“Honestly, there hasn’t been a single Overlay Technique user I like. They’re all just self-important idiots, and I want to smack them!”
“Is that so?”
The Celestial Sage spat. I casually agreed before asking,
“Even if it’s the Northern Dipper Star Lord, wouldn’t you lose if you fought him, Lord Celestial Sage? Is that why it would be a problem…?”
The Celestial Sage scratched his ear.
“Well, obviously if we fight, I’ll win. I’m confident I could beat both Dipper Lords if they teamed up. But those guys have tricky powers, so honestly, they’re not who I want to fight.”
“Powers, you say?”
I inquired further, and the Celestial Sage nodded.
“They can call upon the powers of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to instantly kill an opponent. Even an immortal can be executed like that. They, after all, are sub-deities of the constellation that rules over ‘death.’”
“…!!”
“Because it’s me, I can easily crush them, but others would have quite a hard time. Even if they endure the powers of death, their strength would be severely sapped.”
I began to understand the Celestial Sage’s thoughts. Alone, he could likely trounce the Northern Dipper Star Lord, but it wasn’t an opponent he could freely engage while also protecting me. Plus, there was no way to block the Northern Dipper Star Lord from informing the outside world.
‘All Overlay Technique users are monsters, huh…’
Yeodong-bin, Jang Sam-bong, Hou Yi, and so on—they were all formidable figures, having attained the status of the strongest in the Martial Arts world. While the strongest Overlay Technique user was clearly the Celestial Sage, there might be those appointed as Overlay Techniques whom even he wouldn’t take lightly.
Swoosh
How far had I ridden on my cloud? Cautiously advancing while cloaked by his magic to avoid detection, the Celestial Sage stood before the entrance of a massive mountain, saying,
“We’ve arrived. This is Nine Heavens Mountain, where Xiang Yu is secluding himself.”
“Do you know where he might be hidden in this mountain?”
“I have no idea. I’ve only heard rumors that he built a palace somewhere here to mourn someone.”
“Then we should find the palace.”
I considered using the National Seal examination technique, but I had second thoughts. There was no way the Celestial Sage wouldn’t know about the National Seal, and I couldn’t even imagine how he’d react upon discovering I was its master. The Celestial Sage remarked,
“Well, it’s fine. He’s an idiot strong enough to be too dumb for tactics; you’ll feel his aura as we go.”
Just as the Celestial Sage said, after venturing about five miles into Nine Heavens Mountain, I suddenly felt a wave of powerful presence wash over me, as if the entire mountain was infused with immense energy. I hadn’t felt such oppression even when facing the Dharma Guardian’s infinite internal power, so I was startled while the Celestial Sage adopted a poised stance, gazing into the distance.
“Oh, there he is.”
“Is that Xiang Yu?”
“He doesn’t look too pleased. You’d best watch your neck.”
“… Understood.”
Honestly, I didn’t feel confident about surviving if Xiang Yu decided to kill me, but I resolved to muster my courage. Opportunities like this to reach Xiang Yu’s homeland don’t come often, and death was worth the chance. Moreover, with the Celestial Sage by my side, I would have a chance to escape if need be.
As I ventured deeper into Nine Heavens Mountain, a large palace came into view, styled after the ancient Chu Dynasty. At the entrance of the palace stood a gigantic figure with crossed arms.
Jang Han looked at the Celestial Sage and said,
“Celestial Sage, what’s the matter in my estate?”
The Overlord of the South, Xiang Yu!
He gazed at the Celestial Sage with a somewhat bored, displeased expression. Evidently, Xiang Yu also sensed the Celestial Sage’s approach. Then the Celestial Sage gestured to me and said,
“This friend here wants to meet you. I just brought him along.”
“Is it a human?”
“A human can come to the Celestial Realm, can’t he? You’re not sure if you’re dead or alive yourself.”
“…”
Xiang Yu continued to stare at me without replying.
Crack
‘Cough…!!’
The moment I met his gaze, an overwhelming sense of powerlessness engulfed me.
Unprecedented oppressive presence!
The innate influence of a supreme master was unlike anything I had felt before; it was pure yet destructive ‘power’ itself! Every hair on my body stood on end, shivering in response to that enormous might. Instead of a high, refined pressure, it felt as if I were facing a colossal natural disaster. I felt as if I had been hurled into the depths of the universe.
While I trembled, trying to withstand Xiang Yu’s presence, he remarked with interest,
“You’re quite strong for a human. Far stronger than that scoundrel, Red Dragon.”
“Stop bothering him. This kid’s a good one.”
The Celestial Sage spoke somewhat angrily, causing Xiang Yu to nod.
“If he’s your guest, he must be quite special. It doesn’t seem fitting to keep him standing here; come inside.”
“Is there anything to eat?”
“None.”
Soon after, we entered the interior of Xiang Yu’s palace. There was an oppressive darkness within, with a faint moonlight filtering through. With no servants or guards around, it felt eerily silent, like a lonely tomb.
A few candles flickered to life, and Xiang Yu arrogantly sat at the head of a large table. He glanced at me with annoyance and asked,
“So what’s your name? Why have you sought me?”
“Uh… Well, I’m Baek Woong…”
“If it’s something trivial, then get out.”
His bluntness was overwhelming, but I knew this was quite mild for him. Xiang Yu had met an unfortunate demise and remained isolated in a state of resentment for unsettling the Celestial Realm in his time. If I had come alone, I likely would have faced death without hesitation.
Calming my nerves, I said to Xiang Yu,
“I have two questions to humbly ask the great Overlord of the South.”
“One question is already rude; asking two is quite presumptuous.”
“My apologies.”
Xiang Yu twitched his brow slightly, but after stealing a glance at the Celestial Sage, he sighed,
“… Go ahead and speak.”
It seemed he found it bothersome to fight the Celestial Sage, so he granted me leniency. I cautiously stated,
“May I ask why you ascended to the Celestial Realm?”
“How mundane.”
Xiang Yu replied dismissively after taking a sip from the nearby cup.
“I was ambushed by the reapers of the Underworld and kept lingering between life and death. Annoyed by their presence, I intended to venture into the Underworld but stumbled into the Celestial realm instead. While I was here, I started beating up those irritating immortals, and now, here I am.”
“…”
“Your question was probably the most asked since my arrival in the Celestial Realm.”
“That’s not it.”
“Is there something more you want to say?”
I nodded and continued,
“I’d like to know if you had any encounters with the Queen Mother of the West when you ascended.”
“…”
Xiang Yu’s eyes lit up with curiosity, and the Celestial Sage responded similarly. Xiang Yu stroked his chin, looking intrigued,
“… And why would you want to know that?”
“Just curious…”
“No, not just curious.”
Xiang Yu scrutinized me with sharp eyes.
“That’s not a question you can ask without a reason. Surely, there are many powerful beings; why specifically the Queen Mother of the West? You seem to harbor some secret.”
“Well…”
“You better give me a proper reason, and I’ll answer truthfully in honor of the Overlord.”
This was a tricky situation. I had managed to ask a question that piqued his curiosity, yet the mood now felt like I was being interrogated. I realized just how burdensome it was to speak honestly in this situation, as one misstep could easily cause me to lose the Celestial Sage’s goodwill. I felt my life was hanging by a thread and swallowed hard.
‘What should I do?’
As I pondered, I stated,
“Is there no one here who can eavesdrop or spy on us?”
“Of course, not. With the power of my constellation’s might surrounding us, no one knows what transpires within this palace.”
“Then I’ll speak frankly.”
I took a deep breath and said,
“I suspect that the Queen Mother of the West might actually be Nüwa, one of the Three Sovereigns, or perhaps her clone.”
“……!!”
“I was curious to find out what outcome would come from your battle with the Queen Mother, the being said to possess the strongest power of the constellation throughout history.”
I laid it all bare.
I could have hidden more, but intuitively felt there was no reason to do so. This opportunity might be one I wouldn’t get again in my lifetime; there was no point in trying to gauge Xiang Yu or keeping secrets. Furthermore, I believed Xiang Yu held a strong disdain for anyone attempting to deceive him, no matter how minor the issue.
The aftermath was tremendous.
In that moment, the Celestial Sage shot up from his seat, eyes wide with shock, and exclaimed,
“Baek Woong, you brat! What the heck are you?”
“Lord Celestial Sage.”
“What do you mean, suspecting something like that while being a human?! The Seven Luminaries thing too, who the hell are you?!”
Ironically, it was Xiang Yu who remained calm. He glanced at the Celestial Sage before turning his attention back to me.
“First, answer me. I’ve never fought the Queen Mother. That madman might not know, though.”
The ‘madman’ was undoubtedly the Celestial Sage. His infamous adventures with the Queen Mother were well-known across the Celestial Realm.
“Oh, is that so?”
“When I was busy smashing up Celestial immortals, the Queen Mother never showed up. Neither did the Jade Emperor or the Three Pure Ones. The only one who came to clean up in the end was the Heavenly Mysterious Woman.”
So it was indeed as I suspected.
After confirming the disappearance of the Four Season’s Immortal, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman likely had no choice but to negotiate with Xiang Yu to deal with the resulting chaos.
“Seeing her cast a massive corpse dissolution technique alongside the high celestial immortals forced me to halt my rampage, and we agreed to retreat here.”
As he spoke, Xiang Yu seemed intrigued.
“… But this is quite interesting. I never thought the Creator Goddess Nüwa of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors would be the Queen Mother.”
“Tch! Is this something that ends with merely being interesting? Regardless…”
The Celestial Sage grumbled, then turned to me and said,
“Hey, Baek Woong! So what’s your aim in asking if the Queen Mother is Nüwa’s clone?”
“Um… Well…”
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond, until Xiang Yu, arms crossed, deep in thought, stated,
“You want to kill Nüwa, don’t you?”
“……!!”
“I possess the power of the Great Death, making me sensitive to the intent to kill held by others. Even if someone has only a trace of killing intent in them, I can sense it, and I can also instantly know who bears such intent.”
The corners of Xiang Yu’s mouth lifted slightly.
“You’re an interesting human… Just now, when you spoke about Nüwa, I detected a flicker of sincere killing intent toward her.”
“……”
“A human capable of genuinely loathing the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.”
Even I found that a bit strange.
Even if one could harbor a hatred for all sorts of beings, it’s hard to fathom why one would hold such feelings toward the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors! Why bear animosity against a being so far above in status? Yet here I was, with no other choice than to harbor hatred; that was precisely why I was a reborn person.
“Baek Woong, I find you intriguing.”
Xiang Yu continued,
“I shall appoint you as my subordinate. You may ask me one more question.”