Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter 212

Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors

A month later, I bid farewell to the Sword Demon.

“Thank you for everything.”

The Sword Demon stood at the entrance of Shadowless Gate, personally seeing me off. The Experts of Shadowless Gate were nowhere to be seen, probably due to the Sword Demon’s influence. He crossed his arms, silently observing me, before speaking up.

“I like you, you know why?”

“……?”

“If you visit again next time, I’ll let you know the reason.”

Upon realizing his words, I smiled brightly.

“So, you mean I can come back?”

“Thank you!!”

I sincerely expressed my gratitude. The Sword Demon then made a somewhat sharp expression and continued.

“However, remember this: your opponent is no ordinary man. If you don’t fight to kill, you will be utterly defeated.”

“I understand.”

“I sincerely hope you achieve good results.”

“Of course.”

I spent a month training rigorously with the Sword Demon. During that time, I managed to open up a bit, sharing my concerns about Jin So-cheong‘s talent and skills, and the Sword Demon’s advice seemed to reflect that.

Paatt!

Utilizing Rising, I returned to Jinrang Valley. As soon as I got back, I saw Mangnyang waiting for me in the Great Hall.

“You’re back!”

“Today is the promised day, after all.”

Mangnyang nodded.

“The sparring is likely happening at noon at the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School. Are you adequately prepared?”

I thought for a moment before responding.

“Half and half.”

“Hmm… So, you haven’t come up with a decent secret strategy?”

“It’s tough to expect a perfect scenario.”

With a laugh, Mangnyang replied,

“Well, it seems there’s still a method to the madness. Your expression hasn’t wavered.”

“That’s the only harvest I’ve achieved.”

“Then let’s go. Is there anything you need to prepare?”

“Not particularly.”

I went to Guanzhong with Mangnyang. We revealed ourselves in a deserted area and went out for a quick tea. Mangnyang ordered dumplings and said to me,

“Lee Kwang is aware that Red Moon and Green Moon are attending this sparring. To convince the overly suspicious man, we need to explain the situation to some extent.”

“Hmm…”

“Also, he still hasn’t realized that the White Lotus Sect has loosened its shackles. Thus, there’s a good chance he’ll easily fall for a small bait in this matter.”

“Bait?”

“Heh, I have a plan. Just focus on the sparring.”

Seeing Mangnyang‘s smile put me at ease. When he smiles like that, it means he’s completely confident in his plan. Strangely enough, I felt like Mangnyang would be ruthless with Lee Kwang.

“……”

While munching on chicken legs, Mangnyang asked,

“What do you think it takes to make Lee Kwang a comrade?”

I frowned and replied,

“I can’t make him my ally. I’ve just realized that now.”

Lee Kwang would have no concept of camaraderie. He would ruthlessly use and discard anything for his own goals. Even the slightest suspicion would lead him to crush or restrain others with all his might.

If Lee Kwang found himself in a slightly better position, he would have mercilessly pushed aside anyone standing in his way as a Overlord. During my past life, I tried every means to win him over, but I always clashed with him at crucial moments.

As I gritted my teeth recalling that, Mangnyang chuckled softly.

“Of course, I think the same. However, you asked me to make Jin So-cheong your comrade. That was quite a tough task.”

“……?”

“If you can’t win over Lee Kwang, you can’t win over Jin So-cheong… That has been the prerequisite so far. Because they are a community of fate and the closest master-disciple pair in the world.”

“Hmm.”

“Ha ha ha…”

Mangnyang stood up, leaving a peculiar smile behind.

“It’s time to go. We are starting when the sun is at its peak, so we have about a meal’s time left.”

“Understood.”

I realized that Mangnyang must have already concocted some plan. Feeling excited internally, I felt my motivation to win strengthen further. That was probably the effect Mangnyang was aiming for.

As Mangnyang and I entered the main gate of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School, the area felt oddly silent. Usually bustling with people for martial arts training, there were none of the general doors open. Only a few energies could be felt near the large sparring arena set up.

Upon entering the arena, five figures stood before me.

Lee Kwang, Jin So-cheong, and those two obvious masked figures must be Red Moon and Green Moon‘s guards.

All four were practitioners of the Thunder God Lineage I had grown familiar with. Red Moon and Green Moon seemed to have come to observe without their protective forces. I had anticipated their arrival, but the presence of the fifth person surprised me.

“……!!”

As I froze in shock, Mangnyang said,

“No need to be surprised. He is the most objective Objective Witness.”

“I see…”

I composed myself and walked up onto the sparring stage. The objective witness fluttered one of his sleeves and addressed the gathered people.

“With this, all the sparring participants have gathered.”

He then looked at Lee Kwang and said,

“Is this good enough for Three Absolutes?”

“Of course. Let’s begin the sparring right away.”

Lee Kwang accepted the witness’s words with his usual cold demeanor. The witness chuckled lightly and shouted at me and Jin So-cheong, who were standing on the stage.

“Before the official sparring, you two will greet one another! This is the proper etiquette.”

At those words, I stared intently at Jin So-cheong, who stood three paces away. He was already watching me. Although I had sparred against Jin So-cheong hundreds of times, it felt strange to face him as a total stranger for the first time.

Jin So-cheong, with a somewhat stiff expression, looked at me, then relaxed and performed the proper greeting, stating,

“I am Jin So-cheong, the disciple and Grandmaster of the Azure Dragon Martial Arts School.”

I responded again with the etiquette I knew.

“I am So-woong, a disciple of the Thunder God Lineage.”

I had received word from Mangnyang that revealing my association with the Thunder God Lineage was not an issue. After we finished our greetings, the Objective Witness examined our chi, comparing it with an intense focus before saying,

“Good. I’m very pleased to witness the sparring of these young and outstanding warriors! The sparring will proceed under the witness of Wei Zhi-hun, Grandmaster of the Zheng Tian Alliance. I promise to prevent any accidents or deaths in my name.”

Indeed.

Having the Grandmaster of the Zheng Tian Alliance as the objective witness for the sparring of the Thunder God Lineage disciples is a significant honor! He can be considered the most powerful and objective witness in the current martial world. However, I was surprised to see such a prominent figure attending, even as an outsider and not from the Thunder God Lineage.

‘ Surely, with Wei Zhi-hun here, Lee Kwang can’t misbehave recklessly.’

Wei Zhi-hun’s martial skills rival those of Lee Kwang. In fact, Lee Kwang himself has said that Wei Zhi-hun’s skills are on par with his. So, as long as Wei Zhi-hun serves as the witness, Lee Kwang won’t be able to bully anyone. Furthermore, Wei Zhi-hun knows the ins and outs of both the Thunder God Lineage and Lee Kwang, so deception is not an option.

If this was Mangnyang‘s choice for an objective witness, it couldn’t be better!

I could concentrate solely on sparring without fearing Lee Kwang‘s tricks. Feeling gratitude toward Mangnyang, I calmly readied my sword.

“Start!”

With Wei Zhi-hun’s shout, I and Jin So-cheong gradually narrowed the distance between us, gathering momentum. I found myself standing directly against Jin So-cheong now; I could finally see his prowess up close.

‘So soft…’

It might seem a strange description in this tense moment, but it was entirely true. When experts compare energies, they seek each other’s gaps. This is when the intangible barrier is felt, often referred to as a Barrier among experts. An expert can block, avoid, or deflect any attacks that enter their barrier’s range.

The impression of Jin So-cheong’s barrier felt like something soft to interact with. While not fully complete, it flowed with extreme fluidity, evading my senses. I could clearly feel the wisdom of the Sword Demon at that moment.

[ If you don’t fight to kill, you will be utterly defeated.]

Got it loud and clear.

In truth, up until now, I had a slight arrogance thinking that with my overwhelming internal energy and physical ability, I would easily win against Jin So-cheong. So it’s true that I once had the naive idea that I could just knock him down after gauging his skills in the early training phases. I even worried about acting too forcefully and accidentally killing Jin So-cheong out of a mistake.

But now I could clearly understand.

This ‘soft’ feeling indicated that Jin So-cheong could freely handle his intentions! He could maneuver his offensive and defensive movements flexibly, so there was no need for him to remain rigid.

In short, the current Jin So-cheong was an expert so formidable that even if I went all out, it would be doubtful that I could land a solid blow, let alone kill him!

Thus, there was only one approach.

Whoosh!

A surge of internal energy erupted throughout my body. It felt as if a fierce storm was brewing from a single point, overflowing with a tremendous aura. As the powerful Thunder Essence spread around me, Jin So-cheong showed a considerable expression of surprise, and he wasn’t the only one; Lee Kwang and even Red Moon and Green Moon watching nearby were taken aback.

“No way!!”

“Is he that strong…?”

I had no time to savor their reactions. Harnessing my heightened internal energy, I immediately unleashed Thunder Roar with no hesitation. I focused all my strength as if I was about to smash a massive rock down on Jin So-cheong.

Kwaaaang!!

It happened in an instant. An explosive ripple swept forward at supersonic speed, making a tremendous shockwave fill the arena. The ground on one side of the sparring area collapsed, sending huge chunks of earth flying into the air like debris caught in an explosion, as storm-like momentum soared up. Amidst that chaotic scene, I stretched one second longer, ultimately seeing the anticipated sight.

‘ Just as I thought!’

He blocked it!

Jin So-cheong’s spear precisely intercepted my blade!

In that moment, I felt like I entered a state of extreme mental clarity, as though time had frozen. In reality, the moment was far too short to have any conversation at all. Yet, I felt as if Jin So-cheong was communicating with me through intent.

[ So-woong, you can also use Thunder Roar.]

Crackling!

The ripples of reality finally spread. Jin So-cheong’s body was surrounded by static, the energy of thunder filling him completely.

The moment I attacked him with my maximum force, he also unleashed Thunder Roar in response to my strike! The force was so evenly matched that I could only push his body back by three paces, unable to advance further.

Boom!

The second blow collided mid-air. When I struck with the initial forms of Ten Thousand Success Sword Techniques, he deflected it using his spear art. The series of exchanges occurred in the blink of an eye, yet the top-tier experts in the arena were watching each of our moves closely.

With a sword art that swept through like a swarm of bees, I delivered a powerful blow, but it did nothing against Jin So-cheong, who soared gracefully in the air. I landed, glancing at my opponent with newfound determination.

‘How about this?’

Paat!

The third strike unfolded with the Thunder God Lineage’s secret technique, Thousand Cuts and Ten Thousand Slaughters. Emerging from my hands, it shot forth with pinpoint accuracy and thunderous flames, unleashing hundreds of slashes aimed directly at Jin So-cheong. He visibly flinched at the prominent threat, realizing what was coming.

But then Jin So-cheong grinned, reveling in the challenge he had embraced.

Clang!

“……!!”

With relentless determination, I swung my sword non-stop, my teeth clenched. Astonishingly, upon witnessing my Thousand Cuts and Ten Thousand Slaughters, Jin So-cheong effortlessly switched to the spear technique and unleashed his own Thousand Cuts and Ten Thousand Slaughters! I felt like I had been struck in the head with a heavy blow, utterly stunned at the thought that he could even replicate such a technique with a spear!

Ka-clang, ka-clang, ka-ka-kang!

With the sound of our weapons colliding nearly two hundred times, the surrounding area felt like an explosive battlefield, as if fireworks had erupted one after another. I utilized every skill at my disposal to showcase dazzling martial arts, while Jin So-cheong matched me blow for blow, effortlessly deflecting or dodging every strike.

“Excellent!”

Jin So-cheong accelerated his focus again, reaching a mental state as he spoke to me.

[ Now, let me show you my attack.]

Shriek—

The spear spun violently through the air. I could see the rotation in slow motion.

At first, I thought this attack was excruciatingly slow. I couldn’t believe that such a sluggish assault could come from Jin So-cheong. However, I soon realized that I recognized this particular attack from somewhere.

‘This is…!!’

The very duel where Jin So-cheong had ripped off the arms of the Gold Commander!

This was the bizarre spear technique I had seen back then!

I instinctively recalled that moment, evolving my consciousness to desperately observe Jin So-cheong’s technique. I suddenly understood. The sluggish rotation of his spear was, in fact, an illusion caused by its terrifying speed condensing into a single flowing movement.

I knew what kind of attack it was.

Lan!

An archetype of the three basic techniques known as Lan Naxial, I remembered watching Jin So-cheong perform just a few Lan techniques, leading to Gold Commander losing his arm. Back then, my level was too low, and I didn’t realize the power behind Jin So-cheong’s Lan. I simply found it intriguing.

But now everything clicked.

Jin So-cheong did not rely on special ultimate techniques like me. Though the Celestial Thunder Spear was far more flamboyant and powerful, he had practically forsaken its lethal techniques altogether. Instead, he practiced Lan Naxial every chance he got. I knew him so well after witnessing him train for decades.

He harnessed the fundamentals as ultimate techniques, turning simple moves into his strongest attacks!

The Lan he unleashed boasted an incredible range, formidable pulling strength, and immense piercing power, all at once, constituting the deadliest of ultimate techniques!

“Grrr!”

Grimacing, I racked my brain for a counter. I resolved to engage in rotation against the astonishing rotational force of Lan. My sword now harnessed maximum internal energy as the forces of Demon Sword and Heavenly Aurora Sword converged, creating a jarring clash of energies.

Kaaki—kiing!

In that brief moment, the collision produced a staggering rotational force. If it weren’t for the application of techniques left over from the mastery of Zhang Sanfeng, I would have had no means to counter Lan!

‘ Please…!!’

Boom boom boom—!!

In the next instant, a thunderous series of clashes erupted, as our assaults collided again. Both Jin So-cheong and I were propelled backward by the intense recoil, somersaulting in the air to regain our balance.

“Whoa…”

Jin So-cheong appeared genuinely astonished that he hadn’t been able to finish me off with this attack. His eyes widened in apparent delight.

“Haha!”

As I prepared for what would come next, I was shocked when I realized Jin So-cheong wasn’t landing but was flying toward me using Divine Ascension! Facing Jin So-cheong firsthand felt like battling a raging deity come to life, and I could hardly believe the sheer intensity of our confrontation!