Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter 271

Heavenly Realm

As I arrived in front of the Han Clan, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. The Han Clan had almost no gatekeepers; instead, the Food Guests often took up the role of guards. In the past, I had run into First-Class Experts called the Heonwon Sect here, leading to all sorts of quarrels. Of course, if there were guards present, I would have to face them.

“Who are you?”

Just as expected, someone blocked my path. It was Heon Ang, the youngest of the Heonwon Sect, a man with a sturdy build and prominent features who had previously obstructed me. Just by looking at his Giant Knife, it was clear he was a Martial Artist.

I politely bowed and said,

“I’ve come to become a Food Guest of the Han Clan.”

“A kid like you?”

He chuckled heartily.

“Ha, just go train for a few more years and come back when you’re bigger.”

I couldn’t help but smirk. In the past, my overflowing internal energy had raised his wariness significantly, but this time, I was able to control my energy with intent without even using martial arts, making me seem less intimidating. However, it felt strange to show off my overwhelming internal strength all at once, so I suggested to him,

“If that’s the case, how about we share just three seconds? If I can defeat you within that time, I would at least qualify to be a Food Guest, right?”

Heon Ang’s face hardened ominously.

“Kid, don’t say such things to a Martial Artist recklessly. Back off while I’m still being nice.”

“I too am a Martial Artist, so I take responsibility for my words and actions. Will you accept?”

“Sure. Let’s see if you can back that up.”

swoosh

Annoyed, he drew his Giant Knife. I was also aware that the Food Guests of the Han Clan were hiding nearby, watching the whole exchange. That was why I intentionally provoked him.

“Then.”

clang!

I started with a standard cut using the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique for the first second, but in that single clash, Heon Ang almost lost grip of his weapon and stumbled. During that first second, I lightly swept his abdomen with the Thunder Shadow Palm, and by the third second, I overpowered him and knocked him down.

boom

On the floor, he lay flat, unable to move, wearing a look of complete bewilderment.

“……?!”

He must have barely managed to block my initial strike due to its speed, and after that, he likely couldn’t comprehend what unfolded. Did he realize I had suppressed his meridian points with the Thunder Shadow Palm? I had anticipated it, but the skill disparity was so great that I couldn’t help but chuckle as I put my sword back in its sheath.

“You asked for it, and I’ve delivered. Now it’s your turn to uphold your end.”

whoosh

At that moment, sounds of movement emerged. The hidden Food Guests of the Han Clan revealed themselves, numbering about six. This included the remaining three from the Heonwon Sect, along with several other top-notch First-Class Experts.

One of them spoke with a stern expression,

“You’ve reached an impressive level at such a young age. Where do you hail from?”

“I am Baek Woong. I came while training as a martial artist, hoping to become a Food Guest of the Han Clan.”

He bit down on his lip before pulling out his weapon.

“The skill to defeat our youngest is truly remarkable. However, our pride in the Heonwon Sect won’t allow us to step back easily. How about you take on all three of us?”

“Very well.”

swoosh

It seemed to be the other three members of the Heonwon Sect, surrounding me in the formation known as the Three Talismans. Each one of them was a reputable First-Class Expert, and almost nobody could handle being encircled like this in the Jianghu. However, rather than feeling tense, I felt strangely indifferent.

‘This will be simple…’

Moments later, with a squeak, the Heonwon Sect attacked simultaneously. Their martial arts executed in a peculiar, swirling motion seemed to contain a mysterious trajectory. Since I had encountered such techniques before from Jang Ryong, I could easily evade them while keeping my wits about me.

I didn’t even need the Secret Technique: the Thunder Shadow Palm alone was sufficient to break through their attacks. I dodged their combined assault leisurely for about ten seconds, and upon their hesitation, I hurled a Finger Technique to subdue them.

thud!

“Ugh!”

It happened in an instant. The two struck by the Finger Technique trembled and dropped their weapons, while the third managed to block it by observing the trajectory, but the pressure was too strong, causing his blade to shatter and fly against the wall. I stood there firmly and said,

“Further effort seems unnecessary.”

“……”

The man with the broken blade opened his mouth but found no words. He simply lowered his head in defeat.

“Even with a mouth, I have nothing to say. We’ve lost…”

The other Food Guests, watching nearby, looked astonished. The Heonwon Sect was quite famous in the Jianghu, after all. But for me, this was just a given, so I felt no sense of excitement as I spoke.

“Then I suppose that means I can become a Food Guest.”

At that moment,

“Of course! Please follow me.”

Around the main gate, about a dozen Food Guests poured out. Leading them was Han Jin-seong, the Young Master of the Han Clan, a remarkably handsome man with exceptional abilities.

‘And also a Master of the Fire Spirit Sect.’

I had met him several times before, so I was well aware of his identity. As Han Jin-seong stepped forth, I thought my plan was coming to fruition and responded,

“What process must I go through to become a Food Guest?”

“If you converse with me, I’ll explain everything calmly. It shouldn’t take more than an hour, so do not worry.”

I gazed at Han Jin-seong thoughtfully and said,

“If it’s just a chat with you, will that really be all that’s needed?”

“Haha, absolutely!”

“That’s not going to be the case.”

“Hmm…?”

I sent a message to Han Jin-seong.

[I am Baek Woong of the Thunder God Lineage! I have something urgent to discuss with Han Baek-ryeong, the protector of the Fire Spirit Sect.]

“……”

Han Jin-seong’s expression didn’t change. He seemed to fully control his emotions, but internally he must have been conflicted, as he pondered my words for quite a while before finally responding.

“You’re quite the esteemed guest. Then, of course, I shall escort you further inside.”

Thus, I followed Han Jin-seong deeper into the peaceful courtyard. There, I spotted a black-haired beauty standing by a pond with a small bridge.

With her ebony hair, elegant attire, and snow-white skin, she was none other than Han Baek-ryeong, the third Dharma Protector of the White Lotus Sect and the top master of the Fire Spirit Sect.

Knowing this, I decided to approach her in a slightly different manner this time. Once she turned to face me, I bowed and said,

“It’s an honor to meet you, the Dharma Protector Han Baek-ryeong, as a disciple of the Thunder God Lineage, Baek Woong.”

Han Baek-ryeong regarded me quietly. After a moment, she spoke,

“You’ve achieved an impressive level at such a young age. Is it true that the Thunder God Lineage still has the potential to nurture talents like you?”

“I had the help of my mentor and some fortunate opportunities.”

“Hmm… What kind of fortunate opportunity?”

“I am a disciple of Dokgo Seong and have come at the instruction of my master.”

At that, Han Baek-ryeong’s expression changed significantly. She looked more startled than angry.

“What? Dokgo Seong?”

“Yes.”

“That guy is still alive?”

“Indeed. He is currently focusing on his swordsmanship development in the Dragon King’s Valley.”

“Hmm…”

Han Baek-ryeong turned her gaze to the pond.

“If it’s Dokgo Seong, he might well be able to raise a disciple like you. He was practically the strongest in the Thunder God Lineage, second only to Lee Cheong-un.”

“Forgive my curiosity, but what relationship do you share with my master?”

“My master and I were once close friends. The same goes for Lee Cheong-un. Our ties were not bad. But suddenly, Dokgo Seong went into reclusion, and a few years later the Thunder God Lineage was purged, making their whereabouts a mystery and straining our friendship.”

“I see.”

Han Baek-ryeong observed me with keen, curious eyes.

“Seems that Dokgo Seong truly cares for you. I never thought he would ask me for help…”

“……”

“Fine. If you’re Dokgo Seong’s disciple, then I’m willing to give you a lesson. You shall stay at the Han Clan from today onward.”

“Thank you.”

I thought to myself that this was going well. Just in case she didn’t believe me, it seemed she had dropped a lot of suspicions given my mention of Dokgo Seong.

click

At that moment, Han Baek-ryeong used her telekinesis to pull dual swords from a corner of the courtyard and aimed them at me.

“Since we’re talking about it, I should see your skills.”

As expected, here it comes.

I glanced around the courtyard and said,

“I can’t promise I won’t break anything.”

Han Baek-ryeong chuckled.

“Who would have thought the Thunder God Lineage would be so cocky! Don’t worry; I’ll take care of that.”

“Please allow me to.”

I drew my sword and took my stance. Naturally, it would be pointless to hold back against a Dharma Protector, so I began to release the suppressed internal energy flowing through my channels. As my vast energy surged, Han Baek-ryeong’s expression turned intrigued.

‘I’ve never seen Han Baek-ryeong’s true skills in my life.’

Though I had fought her many times, those encounters hadn’t truly counted since she had often taken it easy on me. After all, Han Baek-ryeong was a legendary Dharma Protector on par with the unbeatable Yu Yong-bi, so if we were to fight seriously, I had no chance of winning. That fact remained unchanged now.

But having just sparred with Lee Kwang, I felt invigorated. I believed I had reached a level comparable to powerful fighters I could never have dreamed of before, and the desire to surpass them surged within me.

Today, I wanted to witness Han Baek-ryeong’s true strength.

“Ha!”

With a vigorous shout, I charged forward. I applied my skills to unleash the Cutting Blade technique in a flash, attempting to slice through space itself. There was no stronger burst of energy I could choose for my initial strike.

In that brief moment, Han Baek-ryeong stood tall, showing no concern for the chaos unfolding. Just as it seemed like her form would vanish, her sword formed twelve streaks of light that twisted and danced in the air.

clang!

With a shock, my Cutting Blade was knocked off course. Han Baek-ryeong’s sword, like a massive weapon, created a distinct path through my attack, effectively forming a river of sword light amidst the gaps in my movements.

‘Blocked!’

I intended to use my will to seize control starting from my Cutting Blade, but that initial maneuver was entirely thwarted. Han Baek-ryeong’s sword path completely obstructed mine, while her sword light shot out from the ground, encroaching upon the space I could maneuver in.

crash

Steel clashed aggressively, erupting sparks. It felt like the moments I had fought against Lee Kwang or Jin So-cheong, testing our strengths. But unlike those fights, a chilling dread coursed through me, compelling me to tighten my lips.

‘What kind of sword realm is this?!’

It was a dreadful intuition, unlike mere pressure or force, halting my movements. Like prey caught in a spider’s web, I felt as if my every motion was being scrutinized by my opponent. Whether this was instinct or mere anxiety was unclear, heightening the suspicion to the extreme.

Secret Technique

Spirit Sword

Han Baek-ryeong’s bare hands, infused with sword spirit, pierced through space.

It was astounding. Han Baek-ryeong was able to control her soul so effortlessly, allowing her to sense everything around her without relying on sight. She could reach wherever her will turned without needing to think. My desperate sword strike transformed into a shadow, ensnared by the twenty-five paths that her bare hands directed.

But wait, where had my other sword gone?

As I pondered, an intense pain radiated from my waist.

“Ugh!!”

In barely an instant, I used my Defensive Technique to block the Spirit Sword that had swiftly come my way, but I still couldn’t avoid the blow. As I quickly applied pressure to my wound and rolled to my feet, I saw Han Baek-ryeong control the Spirit Sword with her fingers.

swoosh

boom!

As the sound of a string snapping echoed, a burst of energy erupted. The Spirit Sword continued to chase after me relentlessly, leaving me no time to react as I gathered my intent to counter. Each time the Spirit Sword struck, it felt like a vice tightening around my throat.

‘What… what is this… this terrifying attack power?!’

I had faced the Spirit Sword many times under my master, the Sword Demon, and while it had once seemed impossible to counter when I was first learning about intent, over time, I learned to defend against it. Though the Sword Demon’s techniques had strengthened significantly, his internal energy had its limits, leading to the Spirit Sword not being inherently terrifying. It merely meant that the special techniques utilizing the Spirit Sword had significantly grown stronger.

But Han Baek-ryeong’s Spirit Sword was on an entirely different level. Each one of her strikes was comparable to the ruthless ultimates from a top Martial Artist and was several times heavier and more painful. Typically, even those claiming to be supreme experts in the Jianghu would be blown away by a single hit. I had never faced an attack with such terrifying power before.

Shortly thereafter, Han Baek-ryeong halted her assault and drew her sword back. Then she remarked,

“Your inner strength is formidable. You’re holding up well. I could finish this easily, but that would be dull.”

“What…?”

“Now try to block this.”

Han Baek-ryeong shifted her stance. As if crossing an inner sword and outer sword, a monstrous surge of energy erupted from her blade. That searing energy resembled the most alive flame I had ever witnessed in my life.

If this continued, I would surely die!

‘Thunder Heart!’

In an instant, I unleashed my Thunder Heart, amplifying my strength to its maximum. Thanks to this, I barely managed to perceive the incoming sword strike she unleashed.

Fire Spirit Flow

Secret Technique

Limitless Dragon King Slash

BOOM!

My entire body trembled. It was impressive that I read the trajectory of the Limitless Dragon King Slash accurately, but the sheer force was too immense, shattering my Defensive Technique entirely, causing my sword to fly away into the sky. As expected of a Dharma Protector.

‘Ugh… stronger than Lee Kwang’s Thunder Strike…!!’

Momentarily feeling as if gravity had flipped, I struggled to regain my footing just as my senses sharpened for the follow-up attack. Watching the black-haired beauty’s movements flow gracefully like a goddess performing a celestial dance, I saw her energy returning to its potent state.

“Long Fang.”

Once again, Han Baek-ryeong readied the Limitless Dragon King Slash. Bewilderment flooded me.

A continuous attack?!

Regardless of being a Dharma Protector, how is she going to perform two consecutive intent techniques…?

But disregarding my astonishment, yet another lethal move from the Dharma Protector came flying at me.

Fire Spirit Flow

Secret Technique

Limitless Dragon King Slash

BOOM!

“AAAAAHHHHH!!”

I screamed as I was sent flying, crashing hard onto the ground.

Could it be… I couldn’t endure even a hundred breaths?

As my consciousness gradually faded, I felt blood gushing from all parts of my body. I heard Han Baek-ryeong calling out in alarm,

“No way, I was just playing around, and you can’t hold up like this?!”

“……”

Could it be… I’m really going to die like this?

I coughed up blood and dragged myself across the ground, refusing to die so easily. Desperately, I shifted all my internal energy to healing and quickly tried to revitalize myself. Just as my consciousness blurred, I heard Han Jin-seong calling out as he held my body,

“Master! The only one who can save him now is the Medicine King of the Five Great Sages!”

“Fetch him!”

And then my consciousness went blank.