Reincarnation Sword God

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Chapter 658: Dark Heaven Village

“I went to Aokigahara’s Life Sea.”

‘Oh right.’

Thinking I might as well rescue Elder Cheongwol of the Thunder God Lineage, I headed to the secret location of the Ingress Sea where he was hiding. It had been quite some time since my past life, and he seemed even more worn down. Yet, seeing that he was somehow still alive suggested that he had grown used to surviving in this hell.

“Ugh… am I finally… able to escape this hell?”

He, unlike a warrior of the Thunder God Lineage, showed tears. Well, life trapped in the Ingress Sea, dodging the monsters’ attention day after day, must have been hellish indeed. I had already extracted all I could from Cheongwol, but I thought there was still significance in rescuing him. I asked Cheongwol.

“Elder Cheongwol. Have you seen the exit from this Ingress Sea… heading towards the Death Sea?”

“I wouldn’t know that. The monsters here are too powerful to even think about such a thing… Ah.”

Cheongwol suddenly seemed to remember something.

“Now that you mention it… I did see a warrior passing through here.”

“Really?”

“I saw him twice.”

I turned back in surprise at his words. He slightly stammered before continuing.

“It was a long time ago, when I had just entered the Ingress Sea and was looking for a hideout. At that time, I saw a man flying while dodging the monsters. He was dressed as a Dongyeong Martial Artist and entered but then came out.”

“That was years ago.”

“He possessed an enormous Sword Qi. I wondered if there was such an expert in the Central Plains…”

Cheongwol said while chewing the chicken I had given him.

“Um… and the other time was more recent, about a month ago. A guy wearing a conical hat charged at a giant monster. But I saw him die in the fight, so it might not matter.”

“He died… how?”

“He was slaughtered by a monster with dozens of arms, resembling a Nata.”

“How was his skill?”

“I couldn’t see closely from a distance, but it seemed like it ended instantly. Considering how strong the monsters are here, it was no surprise.”

I realized that Cheongwol’s account sounded a bit jumbled. After all, it was unreasonable to expect clarity from someone who had danced on the brink of life and death daily. Yet, something inside urged me to believe what he mentioned was important.

‘The guy in the conical hat… might be the one I saw before.’

After having died from the monster’s breath once, it seemed he had met his end again. Regardless of the situation, if he had come this far to fight against a monster of such caliber, he wasn’t in a right state of mind. Anyway, since he was dead, he wasn’t my concern; the crucial matter was the former individual.

I stated to Cheongwol.

“Let’s escape from here immediately. And please tell us more details at our base.”

*Pow!*

I first took Cheongwol, giving him food and water to aid in his recovery. After three days, once he regained his strength, I was able to hear the full story. Cheongwol diligently sketched a drawing as he rummaged through his memories.

“I don’t remember in detail, but… the face of that Dongyeong Martial Artist felt like this.”

I carefully observed the outline and characteristics of Cheongwol’s drawing with my advisors. As I looked closely, a feeling surfaced, and realizing its nature, I exclaimed.

“It was indeed him.”

It was a face I had seen before.

No, very familiar.

“It’s obvious, but confirming it was significant.”

Mangnyang said calmly. He thought for a moment and added.

“Meeting him can wait. For now, let’s stick to the plan.”

“Understood.”

*Pow!*

I entered the Aokigahara’s Life Sea entrance with Mangnyang, Cheon Woo-jin, Zhuge Sa, and Jin So-cheong. The place was a dark cave that led out from the living sea into the Death Sea, housing remnants of the otherworldly race along with the Yin-Yang Master Clan’s administrator.

*Whew…*

A figure appeared on the altar. As it solidified into a complete human form, ‘it’ wore pure white clothes and donned specially crafted attire. The one dressed as a Yin-Yang Master greeted us politely.

“I am Abe no Yoshihira, the administrator of the Life Sea. May I ask who you noble guests are?”

I replied to him.

“Why should we tell you that?”

“Since you appeared here using a Demon Artifact, I assumed you must be a person of great secrets.”

He had it all figured out.

Well, I suppose an administrator would know that much.

When I fell silent, Mangnyang, who was next to me, spoke up.

“We wish to meet the leader of your clan, Abe no Seimei.”

“That’s unfortunate. Our chief is not someone who can meet just anyone, especially those with unknown identities.”

“We come from the Central Plains, and I am Mangnyang, disciple of Master Mangnyang. Here are our comrades, Expert Baek Woong, Jin So-cheong, Zhuge Sa, and my master, Illusory God Cheon Woo-jin. We aim to combat the Demonic forces.”

“And?”

“We can help strengthen your barrier in exchange for an audience with Abe no Seimei.”

“……”

Abe no Yoshihira pondered deeply. Then, he raised his index finger and pointed at Zhuge Sa.

“All is well, but you cannot come. Someone as powerful as you, a Demon Sorcerer, cannot be admitted.”

Zhuge Sa grinned at that.

“Are you telling me to get lost?”

“Those affiliated with the Demonic cannot enter.”

“What about him?”

Zhuge Sa pointed at me. When I looked puzzled, Abe no Yoshihira seemed equally bemused.

“What do you mean… he looks like an ordinary human.”

“Hah! That’s true.”

Zhuge Sa laughed as if it was amusing and waved his hand.

“Then I’ll just leave.”

*Swish!*

As he disappeared using his Forbidden Law, Abe no Yoshihira said.

“Our chief wants to meet you. Please follow me.”

Hearing that, I felt a tad uneasy and spoke.

“Was it not your decision to expel Zhuge Sa but rather Seimei’s will?”

“No, he only instructed to bring you all here.”

“What? Who do you think you are to interpret the chief’s orders on your own?”

As I pressed him, Abe no Yoshihira bit his lip and responded.

“This is the front line against the Demonic. How could we admit a Demon Sorcerer?”

“But…”

As I began to protest, Mangnyang interrupted with a cautious tone.

[Bae Woong, stop it. These folks are Yin-Yang Masters fighting on the front lines and are sensitive and conservative when it comes to Demonic influences. Arguing further will only worsen our image.]

[Got it.]

*Hiss…*

We passed through the many doors of the Eight Trigrams Technique that Abe no Yoshihira opened, arriving at a different location. The patterns of the Eight Trigrams and various mystical art forms were etched all around, and buildings seemed to rest atop divine trees. It was quite a large village, and everyone living there wore Yin-Yang Master robes.

After a while, we arrived at the highest point where a beautiful youth with silver hair stood. The beauty was androgynous but undeniably stunning, radiating an aura reminiscent of a fox. Upon seeing that youth, Abe no Yoshihira knelt and reported.

“Seimei, I have brought them.”

“Step back. Also, do not allow anyone nearby.”

“Yes.”

Even when commanded by a child, Abe no Yoshihira responded without a hitch. It was as if that youth was indeed the legendary Abe no Seimei, the greatest Yin-Yang Master we sought.

The youth gazed at us with eyes like silver pearls and spoke.

“Welcome. I am Abe no Seimei.”

Abe no Seimei!

Legendary Sorcerer who successfully conducted the Taishan Duke Ritual, and leader of the Dongyoung’s Yin-Yang Master Clan, currently responsible for sealing Aokigahara’s Life Sea. I asked Abe no Seimei.

“I’ve heard you’re hundreds of years old, yet why do you appear so youthful?”

“Isn’t it adorable? Respect my taste.”

“Uh, uh… Are you a man or a woman?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“……”

His calm demeanor only added to my bewilderment. Showing an indifferent expression, he addressed Mangnyang.

“You said you’d assist me in maintaining the seal, but how do you intend to help?”

“We will offer you our Divine Artifacts. With someone of your caliber as a Yin-Yang Master, you should be able to utilize the power of the artifacts to strengthen the barrier.”

“Sounds good. Then sit down.”

As Seimei pointed a finger into the air, suddenly the space shifted, forming chairs for us all to sit. After creating a chair for himself and sitting down, he clasped his fingers and said.

“If you have questions, ask me.”

I responded cautiously.

“Do you not question us? I would be weighing the value of the treasures we possess.”

“Why should I doubt?”

“What?”

“If you’re a disciple of Master Mangnyang, that is assurance enough. Plus, I know you don’t lie, so there’s no need to stress over it.”

“……!!”

“The number of humans opposing the Demonic is very few. If we trust, it’s beneficial.”

To be able to trust so deeply just because of my relation to Master Mangnyang? It seemed his influence was more substantial than I had thought. If a great sorcerer who had lived for hundreds of years could believe that readily, it was a clear indication of how much of an absolute ally that made him. While I was surprised internally, Mangnyang spoke up.

“You are aware that through the Taishan Duke Ritual, one could attain immortality, right? During this ritual, did the Southern and Northern Dipper Star Lords appear?”

“Looks like you’ve summoned the Taishan Duke before.”

“Indeed.”

Seimei answered slowly.

“Yes. The essence of the Taishan Duke Ritual is essentially about borrowing the power of the Southern and Northern Dipper Star Lords to meet with Yama and erase your name from his ledger.”

“Didn’t you feel something strange about it?”

“What specifically are you referring to?”

“Was there any indication of wrongdoing or corruption while the Southern and Northern Dippers were mediating with the Underworld?”

At Mangnyang’s question, Seimei slightly loosened his clasped fingers.

“Not particularly, but I think I understand the motive behind your question.”

“Do you know something?”

“It is indeed true the Underworld has its dark corners. They’re akin to fraudsters conducting tricked contracts.”

“Tricked contracts, you say…”

“The very fact that humans die and go to the Underworld is a tricked contract.”

What?

As I stood beside, shocked, Seimei continued.

“I’d like to hear the details of what you’re trying to uncover about their corrupt activities.”

I exchanged glances with Mangnyang. Believing that Seimei was a trustworthy ally, we explained how we had received a request from Xiang Yu to search for Yu Ji’s soul, leading us to uncover secrets of the Underworld. After contemplating our story, Seimei reflected thoughtfully.

“It seems those individuals wish to hide the fact that the King of Hell has perished. If you act suspiciously like you did, they would have no choice but to do so.”

This revelation took me aback.

“Wh-What? The King of Hell has perished?”

What does that even mean?

Isn’t the King of Hell the one who judges human good and evil to decide their fates for Heaven and Hell? As I expressed my shock, Abe no Seimei replied nonchalantly.

“The King of Hell is merely one of the Hell Kings. Just famous for it. And that one had already ceased to exist over five hundred years ago back when I performed the Taishan Duke Ritual. That’s why I persuaded the Southern and Northern Dipper to pay bribes and erased my name from the ledger of the nameless King of Hell.”

“Is that really true? Why did the King of Hell die…?”

“I honestly don’t know.”

Abe no Seimei replied, unbothered.

“You seem to have questions still.”

“Ah, wait. By any chance…”

I hesitated as I asked.

“Did Miyamoto Musashi ever come to this Life Sea?”

“He did.”

Just as I suspected!

After seeing Cheongwol’s portrait, I was hopeful, but indeed Miyamoto Musashi had breached Aokigahara’s Life Sea in the past! I swallowed hard and asked.

“Then… did he cross into the Ingress Sea?”

“No.”

“He couldn’t enter?”

“Correct.”

Abe no Seimei said.

“Miyamoto Musashi lost to the King of the Life Sea. He could never challenge the Life Sea again.”

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