전생검신 86권 1화

When I ran into the Master of the White Lotus Sect, a whirlwind of mixed emotions surged within me.

‘Is this anger?’

To be honest, saying I felt no anger would be a lie. After all, the Master of the White Lotus had stomped on Zhuge Sa’s head and smashed it right in front of me. However, considering that Zhuge Sa had already evaded with the Soul Exchange Technique, it made the whole situation feel a bit ambiguous for me to be that furious.

So, while my anger was less than I expected, two much stronger emotions were bubbling up toward the Master of the White Lotus: excitement and curiosity.

But then again, showing those feelings too overtly would just give the Master, whose alliance was still uncertain, a reason to doubt me. Having met him hundreds of times over countless rebirths, I was well aware of this, so I chose my words carefully.

[‘No way,’ it sounds like you guessed my identity back then.]

If the Master of the White Lotus was telling the truth, it meant he had suspected I was Baek Woong right from our first encounter when I handled Zhuge Sa’s soul.

In response to my remark, the Master of the White Lotus replied.

[I wasn’t entirely sure. You looked so different than the last time I remembered you. However, given the circumstances, I had a strong sense you might be that person.]

[That’s not a very solid basis.]

[If we’re talking proof, I do have something. It’s the crack in the soul just clumsily attached to that body of yours. I felt your soul and body were not one and the same.]

I glanced down at my own body, and as I reflected on myself, I could vaguely sense a crack indicating my soul and body weren’t entirely aligned.

‘So, you did notice that?’

But I couldn’t wrap my head around it and was flabbergasted.

[That crack is so faint that even I, having perfected the Soul Exchange Technique, couldn’t see it unless I looked carefully. Are you saying you caught that in such a brief moment?]

[I always thought I’d eventually have to fight Zhuge Sa, so I secretly studied countermeasures against the Soul Exchange Technique. Plus, I felt the pulse of the soul during our skirmish, which made my senses peak. That’s why it felt off to me.]

[…….]

The Master of the White Lotus was indeed a monstrous figure. Even now, I could clearly sense that he was a matching presence for the final black curtain of the Martial Arts World. His exquisite calculations and cautious demeanor couldn’t be evaluated through sheer strength alone.

At that moment, Miho, who had been quietly watching from the side, interjected gruffly.

“So what’s the plan? You’ve boldly entered Mangnyang’s village without a care… Do you seriously think you can avoid being squashed like a bug here, no matter how strong you are?”

Miho was right. We hadn’t left the village yet, so we were still under the direct influence of Mangnyang’s powers, in a sort of otherworldly realm. If Mangnyang so wished, no matter how powerful the Master of the White Lotus had become, he could be obliterated with ease.

The Master of the White Lotus calmly responded.

[Mangnyang is not the kind of being who would directly interfere in the petty squabbles of insignificant folks like us; especially, he won’t violate the Law of Cause and Effect. He’s not exactly on my side, but he’s not on yours either. As long as we don’t even think about picking a fight, there will be no danger to me.]

“You sure talk a good game….”

Miho pouted her lips, but she didn’t have any rebuttal. That meant the Master’s words were not unfounded. Then the Sword Demon spoke.

“Master of the White Lotus. If you don’t intend to fight, then why are you here? Speak your purpose.”

[That’s exactly what I came to discuss.]

With a few steps forward, the Master of the White Lotus leaned in to examine me more closely. He studied me with keen interest and then spoke.

[Baek Woong. What has transpired during your time? Relate any happenings to me.]

As I stared directly at the Master of the White Lotus, I replied.

[I’d love to, but I can’t use the Obsidian right now.]

[You can’t use the Obsidian?]

[And another thing… you’ve killed Zhuge Sa, regardless of circumstances. While Zhuge Sa’s soul remains intact, by the world’s standards, it was indeed a murder. How can I trust you with my story so easily?]

[……]

As I regarded him warily, the Master of the White Lotus paused for a moment before speaking.

[Didn’t Zhuge Sa tell you why we fought?]

[I heard it was about different methods of saving the world. Zhuge Sa insisted on waiting for me while you were all set on saving the world your own way…]

[That’s not an inaccurate explanation.]

[Master of the White Lotus, what exact method were you planning to use?]

At my question, the Master of the White Lotus appeared intrigued.

[Ah, so Zhuge Sa didn’t share that tidbit. Well, he could’ve been concerned it would put him at a disadvantage.]

[Dammit… Just spill it. What kind of conflict led to you killing Zhuge Sa?]

[It’s simple. The reason was clear: you had no idea when you’d return… so I planned to borrow the strength of the Three Sovereigns to create a new parallel world and move humanity there.]

[……?!]

Wait, what?

Why are the Three Sovereigns involved in this?

At this moment, Miho sighed, as though she had expected this.

“I knew something like this would come up.”

I gawked at Miho’s reaction.

[Miho? You knew about this?]

“Yeah. You seemed too busy, so I thought I’d let you know calmly once things settled down. In fact, the Master of the White Lotus even tried to sway me.”

[……!!]

“But I turned him down. I thought it was wiser to wait until you returned….”

I stood there, momentarily stunned, before snapped back to reality.

[…… Master of the White Lotus. Why are you going through with such a plan?]

[As Zhuge Sa stated, I intended to save humanity my way. Since finding Tsukuyomi seems impossible, the calamity of “night” will worsen in the coming years, beyond what humanity can endure. I simply sought to evacuate humanity to safety before that happened.]

I found some logic in the Master of the White Lotus’s plan. Collaborating with divine beings made sense for such a grand scheme to relocate humans to another dimensional parallel world, especially if the Three Sovereigns, the deities of order, were in a position to cooperate. However, something felt off, so I pressed him further.

[Hmm. But somehow, that alone doesn’t justify a deadly brawl with Zhuge Sa. Are you hiding something from me?]

[Heh, what I’ve been hiding is Zhuge Sa.]

The words that left the Master of the White Lotus’s mouth, glimmering with intent, truly confused me.

[Zhuge Sa claimed that if you couldn’t return, humanity wouldn’t be evacuated; instead, they would need to be sacrificed for you, offering their lives to pass the Law of Cause and Effect onto you. There could be all sorts of ways to do that.]

[What… what?!]

[Zhuge Sa argued that humanity, as a “resource,” couldn’t easily be abandoned. Naturally, this is self-explanatory from the perspective of the demon path, so I could understand where he was coming from.]

[I can’t believe this!!]

[Why can’t you believe it? Do you think I came all this way to carry out a pitiful lie, with Zhuge Sa currently in a dormant state by expending considerable power, knowing that his flimsy deception would be exposed the moment he awakens?]

[……]

It couldn’t be!

It dawned on me that I had no reason to doubt the Master of the White Lotus’s words. At least, he was someone who knew the dignity of being a great evil, meaning he had no reason to be deceitful when coming here.

As I was left speechless, the Sword Demon added.

“I can’t trust your words for another reason.”

[What reason is that, Sword Demon?]

“You are entangled in evil, just like Zhuge Sa, and you understand the principle of that. You wouldn’t hesitate to resort to human sacrifice either, so your willingness to toil with the Three Sovereigns to protect humanity’s lives feels off. You’re not the sort that values human lives and suffering this highly.”

[Hmm.]

While listening to the Sword Demon, I began to come back to my senses.

‘Yeah, that’s right. The original Master of the White Lotus would’ve backed Zhuge Sa’s stance to use humanity as resources rather than haphazardly piecing together a plan to save them. This kind of opposition feels too bizarre.’

Wasn’t it more likely that the Master of the White Lotus and Zhuge Sa were on the same side, clashing against other allies?

Considering the Master of the White Lotus’s usual tendencies, I found it perplexing, and when I met his gaze with suspicious eyes, he spoke.

[In fact, that’s partly why I intentionally entered Mangnyang’s village.]

[What do you mean by that?]

[Don’t you find the Three Sovereigns suspect?]

[……?]

As I looked bewildered, the Master of the White Lotus continued slowly.

[Tsukuyomi is the nominal Black Moon, the executor of dark affairs. In the past, he was the one who incited the Great Flood, and now he has become the source of the calamity of “night.” Yet, while Tsukuyomi runs rampant, the Three Sovereigns, who once commanded him, have remained silent, refusing to respond to any summoning or calls.]

The Master of the White Lotus then glanced toward Miho.

[Miho, who was just a mere tail, borrowed the strength of her past companions and actually engaged the true body of the moon deity, absorbing that power. It’s something that used to catch Nüwa’s attention. Have you not noticed how Baek Woong has been quite sensitive to the affairs of the moon deity and Miho whenever he has reincarnated? Yet Nüwa has shown no reaction, remaining silent… do you remember that?]

“…….”

Miho stayed silent. As I looked at her eight tails, it clicked—this was why Miho was so powerful… she had absorbed the moon deity’s strength and claimed it as her own.

The Master of the White Lotus continued.

[Based on Baek Woong’s past life memories, it’s unprecedented that the Three Sovereigns would let such a disaster unfold without closely monitoring their representative. It feels odd.]

“What’s your point?”

[They are plotting something. I felt a need to approach them directly to uncover their scheme. Isn’t it said you must enter the tiger’s den to catch the tiger? Even if it doesn’t go well extracting information about the Three Sovereigns, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to protect humanity’s safety.]

The Sword Demon nodded, as if he understood.

“….Hmm. So that’s why you intentionally entered Mangnyang’s village, fearing the Three Sovereigns might be keeping an eye on you. Here, it wouldn’t even matter if the Three Sovereigns were watching you.”

[Exactly… I felt it was crucial to uncover the Three Sovereigns’ plot before Baek Woong’s return.]

“Now it makes sense.”

[However, Zhuge Sa perceived even that approach as dangerous. He likely thought I would be used by the Three Sovereigns. He came to convince me to retreat from this matter even now.]

“And you rejected Zhuge Sa’s persuasion and ended up killing him.”

[Correct.]

…….

For a moment, an awkward silence enveloped the room. Regardless of understanding the Master of the White Lotus’s intentions and acquiring much information, the fact remained that he had killed Zhuge Sa. Continuing to trust a comrade who had killed another comrade is clearly troubling.

Then, Mangnyang, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

“Both your thoughts and Zhuge Sa’s are valid. However, I believe my Uncle is more correct.”

[Why’s that?]

“The Three Sovereigns are not to be underestimated. Even though you are one of the strongest current beings among humanity and can floor average lesser deities, to them, you are but a rookie. You might just end up being used by them until they toss you aside.”

[That’s something you wouldn’t know until you try. Besides, the Three Sovereigns probably trust me to some extent already. Look at this.]

With a swift motion, the Master of the White Lotus raised his hand, and briefly, white flames flared from his palm.

Whooooooo…!!

“……!!”

“Hmm.”

[…….]

Though the white flames weren’t particularly large, an instant tension gripped the room. It was due to the immense concentration of power emanating from those flames. In this gathering of strong beings, everyone felt the magnitude of that power in vivid detail.

That was a mass of pure divine power.

A fire capable of incinerating even a Demon King.

With a low murmur, Mangnyang spoke.

“The authority of Yan Emperor Shennong…!! You don’t mean to say he granted that power to you!”

[Isn’t this sufficient evidence of my trustworthiness? Surely you’re clever enough to know what it means that Shennong has bestowed flames upon me.]

“……”

[Without this, I would not have survived the conflict with Zhuge Sa.]

Once he said that, the Master of the White Lotus clenched his fist, extinguishing the white flames before adding.

[Baek Woong. Regardless of what you think of me now, I am your comrade. As a fellow comrade, I wish to carry on with my plan to approach the Three Sovereigns and gather information. Today, I came to discuss that with you.]

[Hmm…….]

[Outwardly, it’s fine for us to appear as foes through the clash of Luoyang Lord and Nanjing Lord. I assure you I will not betray you.]

I began to grasp the Master of the White Lotus’s intentions. From the beginning, he hadn’t meant to betray me; he was merely headstrong about executing his reckless plan to approach the Three Sovereigns. Even with his bold entry into this village of Mangnyang, it demonstrated a degree of sincerity.

After pondering for a bit, I asked.

[Wait, do you mean to say those three divine beings who obstructed me back then were also minions of the Three Sovereigns?]

[Indeed. They had come in as my escorts and observers. They might not be familiar to the human realm, but they’re recognized powerhouses across the universe.]

[…….]

[Baek Woong. Isn’t it time for you to share your story with me?]

Feeling that the Master of the White Lotus’s explication had merit, I started to speak.

[Well, during my time…]

I succinctly shared the key points about my experiences. After about a set time, the Master of the White Lotus interjected.

[Then it appears that going forward, we’ll need to seek faith from not only the humans of Nanjing but also those in Luoyang.]

[That’s the only way to swiftly gain the Law of Cause and Effect.]

[Yet, it’s a dispute involving factions from the celestial realm, so without a justifiable reason, it won’t be easy to get through the gates of Luoyang. How about this?]

[Do you have a plan?]

[In the future, gather strength and surround Luoyang.]

With arms crossed, the Master of the White Lotus continued.

[I won’t lift a finger from here on out.]

[……?]

What is he talking about?

I felt puzzled and couldn’t quite comprehend the Master of the White Lotus’s words when Mangnyang let out a chuckle.

“Besides Luoyang and Nanjing, there are castles built at those crucial points. By strengthening each of those smaller cities and the remaining factions, you can ensure they yield to your control, even extending to the Western Regions under your influence. Then, when you leverage overwhelming power, you’ll have enough reason to demand Luoyang’s surrender, and they would likely comply.”

[That’s right. If you provide me justification, I can help you however you desire at any time. But first, you need to handle Tsukuyomi.]

“Hoho! It’s technically unfair to negotiate with the leader of the enemy like this…”

Mangnyang laughed as though he found it absurd. Honestly, at this rate, it felt like I had already unified the world.

Then the Master of the White Lotus said in a cold voice.

[However, you can’t expect them to surrender all at once. The powers of the celestial realm and the Three Sovereigns will likely pressure me to take stronger actions against you. I will seize that opportunity to grow even stronger and infiltrate the ranks of the Three Sovereigns.]

“Hmm… Are you confident? As Zhuge Sa said, that’s an incredibly risky gamble.”

[Well… The truth is, I’m doing this precisely because there’s no feasible solution for the current situation. Right now, the only ones aware of anything concerning Tsukuyomi are the Three Sovereigns.]

With those words, the Master of the White Lotus then asked.

[Baek Woong. Soon, Zhuge Sa will awaken. Can you ask him this question for me?]

[What question?]

[What exactly is this ‘Demiurge’ he mentioned…?]

[……? Got it.]

Demiurge?

I was perplexed, but nonetheless nodded in agreement with the Master of the White Lotus’s request.

Seemingly satisfied with my response, the Master of the White Lotus began to turn and gradually vanished into the mist.

[For the sake of a convincing performance, I won’t be able to treat you all leniently when I encounter you as foes. I hope you adjust to the situation on your own… it’s in your hands.]

Sssshhhh

As the Master of the White Lotus faded from view, the Sword Demon sighed as if he were exasperated.

“I never expected it to end this way. The presence of Baek Woong is truly something else…”

[Huh? What do you mean by that?]

“None of us knew what the Master of the White Lotus was thinking, and we feared we might potentially have to fight for our lives. But now, noticing how he is submitting without resistance the moment he recognizes your return… it really drives home the point that being a Reborn Person is impressive.”

[…….]

Is it that remarkable?

I thought I was just chatting.

As I stood there in a daze, Mangnyang spoke up.

“Baek Woong. May I make a suggestion?”

[What is it?]

“Let’s leave here together; I have a place to take you.”

[Where to?]

“Dongyoung.”

From Mangnyang’s follow-up, I had a hunch that I would be viewing a different aspect of this world.

“That’s where the fallen Dongyoung’s Three Great Gods and Susanoo are.”