Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter 217

Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors

It was hard to believe.

I doubted if I had heard wrong, but soon accepted the reality.

The Master of the White Lotus Sect and the Emperor had signed a non-aggression pact!

Destroying the Imperial Palace with the power of the White Lotus Sect was our main plan, but now the foundation was all messed up. The situation was at an almost worst-case scenario.

However, throughout my life, I had faced worse situations than this. I wouldn’t allow my spirit to break down over something like this. I quickly regained my calm and said,

“Please tell me what happened.”

Mangnyang nodded and spoke.

“I have been continually urging the Master of the White Lotus Sect to attack the Imperial Palace. I sent several letters and even went to meet him directly to give my sincere advice. But the Master of the White Lotus Sect always seemed indifferent and said nothing, then suddenly declared that a non-aggression pact had been signed with the Imperial Palace.”

“Yes. Essentially, it indicates that discussions with the Imperial Palace must have occurred some time ago.”

“……”

Did that mean we had already missed our opportunity to intervene?

‘Something doesn’t sit right…’

As I pondered this, Mangnyang spoke again.

“I have two proposals; would you like to hear them?”

“Please go ahead.”

“Firstly, we can give up on immediately toppling the Imperial Palace and focus on strengthening the power of the Bancheon Alliance. You can train your martial arts at Shadowless Gate as you have been. This strategy would involve waiting for the right opportunity to strike the Imperial Palace, anticipating at least 10 years.”

I understood what the first strategy meant: to abandon the quick strike to overthrow the Imperial Palace and instead carve out time purely for improving my own capabilities.

“What’s the second option?”

Mangnyang hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“To maintain the principle of a quick strike, we could take extreme measures right now.”

“Extreme measures?”

“There are two options. One is to go directly to the Master of the White Lotus Sect and inquire about his true intentions for signing the non-aggression pact with the Imperial Palace. The other is to go to the North Pole and unseal the Second Seal of Maku.”

“……”

I thought for a long moment before responding.

“Whichever option I choose, the chance of death is high.”

“Indeed.”

“However, if one of them succeeds, it could yield substantial benefits in my next life.”

Mangnyang sighed as if defeated.

“That’s why I felt compelled to say this, even knowing you might likely die.”

“No. If both succeed, wouldn’t it drastically change the current situation?”

“… What do you wish to do?”

Mangnyang’s voice had slightly lowered, and there was a dark undertone. Until now, he had consistently encouraged me, but now he seemed hesitant to lay out the choices regarding life and death. I reconsidered the options Mangnyang had mentioned.

‘If I approach the Master of the White Lotus Sect and plead with him, could I uncover the real reason behind his non-aggression pact with the Imperial Palace?’

Thinking of the first option, I quickly ruled it out.

The Master of the White Lotus Sect was cunning.

I couldn’t read what he was truly thinking. That’s precisely why we were now in such a difficult position. There was no way that someone like him would reveal his true intentions to someone like me, a stranger making a plea.

Then what would happen if I went to the North Pole and released Maku’s Second Seal?

I couldn’t even begin to imagine how that would play out. The Old Ruler would undoubtedly be waiting, and I had no idea what trials and tribulations he might impose on me. There was a high chance I could be torn apart alive or worse. I had no means of defeating him either, meaning I could only hope he might be somewhat favorably inclined toward me.

While I was lost in thought, I asked,

“If I die, how do you plan to live afterward?”

At my question, Mangnyang’s expression darkened. Yet he quickly regained his composure and replied,

“I would continue to lead the Bancheon Alliance as a subordinate force of the White Lotus Sect and carry on as a Divine Spirit. I would keep a close eye on whether the Imperial Palace commits any atrocities.”

“I see.”

A period of silence lingered.

It was Mangnyang who broke it.

“Baek Woong. Sometimes you feel distant.”

I looked at him blankly as he took a sip from the teacup beside him and continued.

“There are two cases where a person speaks about their death so nonchalantly. One is believing their death isn’t real, and the other is genuinely accepting their mortality.”

“Isn’t that often the case? Many people in this world don’t panic at the thought of dying.”

Mangnyang offered a wry smile.

“All of them simply fail to grasp what death truly is and merely reflect on themselves in a distorted mirror. No matter how bold a man may seem, when faced with death, he hides his weakness. Humans aren’t that strong.”

“But in my memories, you were composed even in front of death.”

“Haha, being composed just means hiding one’s fear. It’s merely a choice of those who have sharpened their mental strength to escape from mental torment.”

Mangnyang pointed at me with the Ohwa Chilgeumsun.

“But you are neither. You comprehend death but approach acceptance on a different dimension than ordinary humans. It’s hard to say that it is understandable; it’s rather…”

“Rather?”

“You seem to be familiar with it.”

“……”

I had no rebuttal.

“I can’t view death that way…”

As if lamenting, Mangnyang suddenly brought forth a wine bottle and poured me a drink. It was probably Juyeop Cheong. As the clear liquid swirled, Mangnyang said,

“Empty that cup and then respond.”

Isn’t that a response unsuitable for a sober mind?

Certainly, if I engaged in a prolonged conflict, the chances of defeating the Imperial Palace would dwindle. If Wraiths were produced and Demons flooded the Imperial Palace, victory would be impossible. Unless the Master of the White Lotus Sect became enraged and razed the Imperial Palace, it wouldn’t be feasible.

However, to adopt the strategy of immediate resolution, I would have to choose a path with an extremely high risk of death right now. It was also a gamble with no guarantee of success. Thus, Mangnyang’s consideration made complete sense.

I raised the wine cup and downed it in one go. Then I marveled,

“This wine is good!”

Mangnyang smiled slyly.

“Hehe, this is my secret Juyeop Cheong. It’s been hidden away very well.”

“Next time, I’ll insist you bring it out.”

“Then I’ll hide it even deeper.”

“What was that?”

Both Mangnyang and I exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

After laughing like this for a while, the laughter eventually subsided. I looked at Mangnyang with determination in my eyes and said,

“I’m going to unseal Maku right now.”

Having made up my mind,

Even if it meant dying at the hands of the Old Ruler, I would still take a chance with Maku’s power.

“I hope it goes well.”

“I have one concern.”

“What is it?”

“If I become too strong thanks to Maku, what if your master, Master Jeomang, tries to seal me?”

In response to my teasing question, Mangnyang answered in disbelief,

“My master often jokes about such things, but he truly is a fearsome being. Even if one were to become a deity, I’d recommend not clashing with him. It’s better just to run away.”

“In that case, I should.”

I still remembered Dalgi’s scream. Dalgi had been obliterated by Hannibal, and it was clear that wasn’t just due to Hannibal’s strength but the divine favor of things surrounding me. If a being of Demon King caliber like Dalgi feared that favor, Master Jeomang was indeed an astounding being.

“Be sure to relay my message to Miho.”

“Understood.”

I couldn’t go see Miho. Miho was extraordinarily adept at reading human psychology, so if I went over and uttered a few words, she would instantly discern my thoughts. She would surely try her utmost to prevent me from dying in a dangerous situation, which would be the worst-case scenario for her.

Whoosh!

As soon as the conversation ended, I focused my energy and moved toward the North Pole. Just like before, the endless expanse of ice and snow awaited me, where the sun never set all day. Standing on the land, I slowly drew out the Seven Luminaries known as Maku.

Maku shone with such clarity and strength that it hardly looked like a relic from thousands of years ago. Only because it had been unsealed once before was part of its power now available. Just this much had already vastly amplified Mangnyang’s magical talent.

‘If I could fully tap into Maku’s power…’

Although I jokingly said earlier it might turn me into a deity, it wouldn’t be impossible to become a being on the level of a Great Immortal. The Seven Luminaries indeed had that level of potential.

“……”

I swallowed hard and poured my sword intent into Maku, drawing a long gash across my wrist. Acquainted with the human body, I knew how to make a cut that would cause significant bleeding without damaging the tendons and bones.

Shwoosh!!!

Blood erupted forth, staining the blade of Maku crimson. I quickly controlled my energy to stem the bleeding. Satisfied that I had sufficiently fed Maku with my blood, I raised Maku and plunged it deeply into the ground of the North Pole.

‘This is the method to release the Second Seal of Maku!’

……

For a long time, nothing happened.

But suddenly, something truly bizarre occurred.

Wooohhhhh—

“No…!!”

From the Maku embedded in the ground, a soft rainbow light began to appear, and I suddenly witnessed a complete change in the sky. The previously bright sunlit sky was instantly shrouded in an ominous darkness that filled the void, as if the clouds were hurriedly scuttling far away.

Having never experienced such a drastic meteorological phenomenon before, I was shocked, but after a moment, I realized what was happening.

‘Night is coming…!!’

What was known as the Polar Day is where the sun remains visible for an entire day in the polar region. And as Mangnyang had stated, the Polar Day was supposed to last for months. Yet out of nowhere, daylight had abruptly ended, and night had arrived.

The surprise didn’t end there.

As the cosmos was painted by the night sky, a divine light started to emanate from the center. The light, embroidered in a heavenly dimension, appeared to resemble a dazzlingly bright dawn glowing with seven colors. It was a breathtaking spectacle that I had never seen before, making it impossible for me to tear my eyes away.

After a moment, something began to emerge from that luminous aura.

Kuuhhhh…

A gigantic ‘something’ seemed to claw its way out of reality! The moment I saw it, I recognized that it was an immensely dangerous existence, and I soon caught a glimpse of its true form.

Emerging from the veil of bright colors, a horrifying beast appeared, possessing the wings of a colossal insect and dozens of eyes on its body. Though its tentacles were not visible, its structure resisted comprehension as something from the human realm, its size towering three times that of a man.

‘Is that the Ancient Beast…?’

Boom.

The Ancient Beast landed before me and uttered something in a grotesque language.

[ #&(@(@Cursed&$… @&!Time@&!#& Why are you @&#^!? Abnormal@&%^&#. ]

I could hardly understand it. I felt I understood a small part, yet I couldn’t interpret the rest. Either way, communication seemed impossible, so I stood still, observing the monstrosity. Suddenly, the beast grotesquely opened its mouth, revealing something wriggling inside.

Kukweeeeeek

BANG!

After a deafening sound, a strange beam shot out from the beast’s mouth, creating a pathway in the air.

Swish swish

It waved its forelegs as if urging me to step through. That pathway seemed like the mystical power of the Wormhole, connecting two spaces. And what awaited at the end of that tunnel was likely…

I gritted my teeth.

‘Dammit. What else can I do but die?’

As I took a step into the pathway, the surrounding scenery shifted abruptly. The enchanting night landscape vanished, and I was engulfed by an empty expanse of void. The ground beneath me felt nonexistent, and everything shone white all around.

Where is this?

As I scanned my surroundings, I heard a voice. It sounded like human speech, but it was evident that the essence of the words came from that grotesque language.

[ Have you come to fulfill the contract? ]

Suwaaaa

I shivered at the sight of a being that appeared from the void.

‘How terrifying…!!’

A distorted, disorder-defying, grotesque giant skeleton!

I could scarcely describe its shape. Just as it was with Dalgi, I dimly recognized it was a skeleton giant, but identifying its exact features proved nearly impossible. Likely, due to their unique ability that hinders lower-tier beings from being perceived, just like it had been with Dalgi.

Right before my eyes was the Old Ruler and the One Who Walks in the Wind!

This was the second encounter I had with the Old Ruler since the night I witnessed him in the Dark Abyss. To be exact, I had felt a bizarre presence before in the Imperial Palace, but that was an indirect contact. The presence radiated an overwhelming power that set off alarm bells within my body.

This was a being of an entirely different tier.

Humans could never stand against such an existence.

I could sense that strongly, the One Who Walks in the Wind was displaying an enormous presence.

As I froze, unable to respond, the One Who Walks in the Wind said,

[ How strange. Why do you possess no powers? ]

“What?”

What was this nonsensical statement?

But before I could inquire, the One Who Walks in the Wind continued speaking slowly.

[ My name is Itaka. I shall release the Seven Luminaries. ]

BANG!

Light suddenly burst forth, and Itaka’s form was forcibly absorbed into the blade of the Seven Luminaries. It seemed like the very soul of the terrifying skeleton giant was merging with Maku. I stared in shock as the scenario unfolded, but Itaka’s soul retained its immense size for quite some time.

When I finally regained my senses, I found myself sprawled on the ground beneath the dark night sky of the North Pole. In one hand, I was holding the Seven Luminaries. I quickly sprang up and swung Maku, but it felt far less powerful than I anticipated.

“Is it really a release of the Second Seal…?”

It seemed the release had indeed occurred, but I couldn’t ascertain its strength. Moreover, I had no idea what abilities had manifested as a result.

‘Eh, as long as I’m alive, that’s what matters.’

Just as I was trying to think positively and move again,

THUD!!

Out of nowhere, something colossal pierced through my body.

“GAAAAAHHHHHH!!!”

I screamed.

The pain was unbearable!

While my body hadn’t been physically penetrated, a massive spiritual force had shot through, annihilating my upper body. It felt like being skewered by a huge stake. The tremendous pain left me shivering uncontrollably.

[ Such evil energy! I shall fend it off with all my strength! ]

Wha… what in the world was that sound?

I found myself utterly dumbfounded by the presence of the divine energy that radiated around me. I then gasped,

“Y-you?!”

The hero from the era of legends, the Great Immortal who had granted me the power of Nine Hawks! That Immortal had suddenly descended upon me!

To my astonishment, the attack currently piercing through my body came from the White Arrow! It was invisible to human eyes, but a dreadful divine attack capable of obliterating any spirit with a single strike had struck me.

The Immortal spoke,

[ Do not worry! I shall save your soul! ]

“W-wait! What do you mean by evil energy?!”

[ The Maku you possess contains the soul of the Old Ruler! I cannot ascertain if my full power will allow me to eradicate him. But I swear my best effort! ]

The soul of the Old Ruler?

In that moment, I realized how everything had fallen into place.

‘Releasing the Second Seal of Maku means that the soul of the Old Ruler, Itaka, has entered the Seven Luminaries! And the Immortal has descended upon me sensing the evil power of Itaka!’

KOOOHHH

“……”

As I gazed up at the crimson flames hovering in the cosmos, I swallowed hard. That enormous fiery bow represented the Great Immortal’s might. It was the same bow that had once shot down the sun.

I raised my voice in an objection.

“Then why didn’t you attack when Itaka revealed himself earlier?!”

[ Because he is far stronger than I am! ]

“……”

That was a bit too blunt, wasn’t it?

Yet the Immortal didn’t seem to mind and continued,

[ Now that the soul of the Old Ruler has been absorbed by Maku, it is the perfect opportunity! If Maku regains its complete power, it will be too late! If you die, the seal on the Seven Luminaries will be reinstated because of your death! Don’t worry; just submit, mortal. ]

Furious, I shouted,

“Who do you think you are to dictate my death?! I can’t die here!”

[ Your soul shall be nurtured in the heavens. ]

“Cough…!”

I realized the gravity of my situation. The Immortal was forcefully possessing my body, summoning the powerful bow and the White Arrow, and firing it at me. This left me completely stranded with no means to escape.

If I took all nine shots from the White Arrow, my chance of survival would be zero. I tried to channel all my energy into Maku for a desperate final stand, but there was likely a special condition required to use the unsealed Maku.

With no other option, I called out in desperation.

“Yeodongbin! Help me!”

Yet Yeodongbin gave no response, and the voice of the Immortal echoed again.

[ The Great Immortal has a higher status than you! Besides, I am eradicating evil! Why would he refuse? ]

“Ugh…!!”

[ Fear not. I will finish this in one strike! ]

BAM!

The second shot of the White Arrow pierced through my head. Just like before, it wasn’t a physical attack but a spiritual one, yet the moment it hit, it felt like my head was being crushed in a hammer. The sheer power of the White Arrow was horrifying.

‘Why… am I not dead…?’

Not dying felt even more frustrating. The sensation was like being trapped in a giant bell, amplifying the ringing vibrations a hundredfold. Without a doubt, even if I faced extreme torture later, I wouldn’t feel pain greater than this.

The Immortal spoke in an apologetic tone.

[ Your mental strength is far too potent, rendering my divine attack ineffective! This should normally eradicate a great demon with a single shot! However, this next strike… ]

“Ugh…”

With the third shot, I was left with barely any strength to respond, and upon passing through the fourth and fifth shot, I felt my mind being swept away in a whirlwind of chaotic sensations. The monstrous pain made it feel like I was gasping for air like a fish out of water.

BAM!

[ Ugh! Not even on the sixth shot? ]

Losing all strength, I could barely mutter.

“… Kill… me…”

[ I will do my utmost! ]

BAM!

BAM!

BAM!

When the ninth shot finally concluded, I felt a wave of calm wash over me.

As my hand slowly fell to the ground, my body felt lighter.

[ You are a hero… ]

The Great Immortal’s final words echoed faintly in my ears.

That marked my fifteenth death.