Chapter 2 – Where Are You Going to Do What

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read more at Nineheavens.org

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Chapter 2 – Where Are You Going to Do What?

A pavilion within White Peak Sword Sect.

A middle-aged man dressed in martial attire – white fabric embroidered with a simplified mountain crest pattern – exclaimed with delight.

"Is it really true?!"

"Yes, Chief Supervisor. I could hardly believe it myself when I saw it."

The middle-aged man called Chief Supervisor heard the young disciple's words and let a faint smile play at his lips.

"What a relief. The Young Sect Master has finally awakened…"

Was this not joyful news after a full six months?

At that moment, the young disciple's expression changed as he finished reporting the matter regarding Eul Sa-jeok and placed the poison pill on the desk.

Immediately after, the middle-aged man's eyes sharpened fiercely.

"This is the evidence, you say?"

"That's right. For now, we've given young master Eul emergency treatment, then sealed his pressure points and locked him in an empty storage room."

"Young master, my foot – that traitor! Hmph, how despicable…"

"The Young Sect Master has commanded that his punishment be clearly decided within the day."

The middle-aged man nodded, rose to his feet, and said,

"Search his quarters as well. There might be something else… I will go quickly to see the Young Sect Master."

"Yes, understood."

With that, the middle-aged man straightened his appearance with an expression of mixed emotions and stepped out of the pavilion.

* * *

White Peak Sword Sect, with its history and tradition spanning over a hundred years, was one of the premier orthodox prestigious sects in Hunan Province.

However, it had been declining for the past thirty years and eventually fell to become a martial school in name only.

The only legacy remaining now was merely faded glory.

Even so, the current Sect Master Sagong Woon did not despair and worked tirelessly to cultivate his martial arts in order to revive his sect.

As a result, by the time he reached his forties, he rose to become one of the renowned swordsmen in the region and earned the title White Gate Sword Gentleman.

To the disciples, he was like a ray of light in the darkness.

After the long period of stagnation, he was a rare talent finally produced by their sect.

But.

One day, he set out alone for meditative training and encountered a mysterious killer, only to depart from this world.

Thus White Peak Sword Sect fell into a pit of despair.

To make matters worse, not long after that incident, Cheol Ryu-heun – the first direct disciple who had been inheriting Sagong Woon's martial arts – suddenly became a vegetative person.

'And yet… I never expected my soul to be resurrected by borrowing that body.'

The Divine Martial Sword, having suddenly become the Young Sect Master Cheol Ryu-heun, quietly gazed at his reflection in a mirror on one side of the inner chamber.

Quite a tall stature with features as fine as a painting… no matter how he looked, it was a wondrous situation.

An unbelievable miracle of reincarnation.

Though he had quickly grasped reality due to the memories forcibly injected into his mind earlier, the questions lingering in his heart remained unsolved.

Why on earth had such an impossible thing happened?

He had never earnestly prayed to the heavens and earth to be reborn as a human…

For now, facing the current situation and living as a human itself was not particularly difficult.

All the sensations, experiences, and memories that the body's original owner possessed had already been imprinted upon him.

Moreover, he had indirectly experienced what human life was like over a thousand years, passing through the hands of various absolute masters.

To be confused and unable to distinguish right from wrong at this point would be stranger.

However.

Even so, this was a human body he was using for the first time, and he felt peculiar that everything seemed so unnaturally natural.

Though he was told that everything in the previous mind had transferred wholly to him, shouldn't he at least feel some sense of disconnect?

'How strange. It's as if I was once a human before…'

Anyway, the adjustment was complete.

Now was simply the time to organize his thoughts calmly.

Cheol Ryu-heun soon sat on the bed, chin propped in his hand, and reflected on what had happened before his reincarnation.

At the time, Sagong Woon had gone to a nearby valley to meditate with nature as his companion, only to lose his life pathetically to some wanderer.

And it took only a few exchanges before the outcome was decided.

'He was one who hid extraordinary ability behind an ordinary appearance. But even setting Sagong Woon aside, to have destroyed even me…'

The starting point of all mysteries lay right there.

In truth, Sagong Woon had happened to acquire the Divine Martial Sword – himself – over a decade ago, but had been completely unaware that it was the legendary divine weapon, the greatest and strongest in history.

The reason was simple.

His personal cultivation had not reached a level high enough to awaken and use the divine powers latent within the Divine Martial Sword.

Therefore, it was fully understandable that he died because his achievements were insufficient compared to the wanderer's overwhelming martial prowess.

But.

It was utterly incomprehensible that he himself had been shattered, separate from his owner's martial prowess.

He had faced all manner of weapons throughout the long ages.

He had clashed countless times with divine weapons such as Demonic Swords, Spirit Swords, and Phantom Swords.

Yet not once had cracks or scratches appeared.

His durability as a Divine Martial Sword was more solid than any divine weapon, and his divine power overwhelmed all forces in the world.

This was the first time he had experienced destruction and annihilation simultaneously.

'Indeed, it is an incomprehensible matter.'

Surely there couldn't possibly exist a Divine Martial Sword that surpassed himself…

In any case, whether he was broken due to the wanderer's terrifying martial power or because that sword was special remained unclear.

'Or perhaps it could be both.'

That naturally connected to yet another question.

-They called you a Divine Martial Sword unprecedented in history, but you are nothing special.

He had definitely said that.

That man's voice still remained vivid in his mind.

How had the wanderer known in advance about his true nature, which no one in this era knew?

Regardless, setting aside the great mystery, the reincarnation had at least given him an opportunity to avenge his defeat.

His goal in life – not as a Divine Martial Sword but as a human – was simply decided.

'I will definitely find him and get my revenge!'

Yes, this was purely my revenge, not for the dead Sagong Woon.

Everything else was outside his interest.

He had already watched human lives to the point of tedium over a thousand years.

Just because he had become a person instead of a sword didn't mean that life would be new or curious.

His only thought was that he had to recover his trampled pride – he who had reigned as the supreme sovereign of all weapons under heaven.

Along with the thought that if he could not repay the debt of humiliation somehow, this new life would be as good as a failure…

Well, at present there were no clues to deduce the wanderer's identity or whereabouts.

The wanderer's appearance was that of a commonly seen roaming swordsman.

A shabby gray traveling cloak, a bamboo hat pulled down so his face couldn't be seen, and a four-foot sword without any decoration.

Even recalling that appearance again, the only impressive thing was his superb martial power that had easily toyed with Sagong Woon and even shattered the Divine Martial Sword himself.

'If only I had properly seen his face at that time…'

Ruminating ended here.

Continuing to recall would only waste mental energy for nothing.

Having come to live as Cheol Ryu-heun, the top priority for achieving his goal of revenge was to rapidly strengthen his martial prowess.

Finding the wanderer would take considerable time anyway, but the process of advancing his martial prowess must not be delayed.

Originally, Cheol Ryu-heun's aptitude was far from that of a genius or prodigy.

In other words, he was the type who compensated for lack of talent through effort.

Given that, using only orthodox training methods – when would he ever become strong, and when could he ever get his revenge?

'I must rise to the level of a supreme master in a short time so that I can act immediately once I find him.'

If he could not do that, the reincarnation itself would be meaningless.

Along with his life goal, he also set his martial goal.

The Heavenly Demon, the Sword Emperor, the Evil Emperor, the Martial Immortal, the Blood God.

Among his past owners, these were the only Five who had spiritually communicated with him – five of the strongest in martial world history.

Since he had no way of knowing the wanderer's exact martial prowess, he needed to become at least comparable to those five to have any chance.

The Divine Martial Sword smiled.

No.

A smile formed at Cheol Ryu-heun's lips.

'I have plenty of clever plans.'

Yes, the next move had already been calculated.

In truth, the body's aptitude was no problem at all.

Why?

Because Cheol Ryu-heun was no longer the Cheol Ryu-heun of before.

Though the vessel was the same, what was contained within had changed.

The martial knowledge that he, as the Divine Martial Sword, possessed was of the highest level of this era – nay, the highest level of all time.

The secret cultivation formulas of unparalleled martial arts naturally learned while spending lifetimes with the greatest masters of each era, countless practical combat experiences, training methods for reaching the ultimate realm of martial arts – all of it was in his mind.

He even knew all the locations where various fortuitous encounters were secretly arranged, so all he needed to do was properly open the first floodgate of martial advancement.

Ultimately, he needed to become strong enough to shatter that man's sword and cut off his head.

That would be perfect revenge.

Suddenly, an intense light swirled in Cheol Ryu-heun's eyes.

'Let's go there first and reconstruct this body!'

The plan was made.

All that remained was execution.

At that moment, the sound of someone rushing over from outside the door was heard.

Tap, tap, tap, tap…!

The instant Cheol Ryu-heun turned his head drawn by the sound, the lattice door swung open with a bang, and a middle-aged man stepped in.

"Young Sect Master!"

The man with an impression that seemed to exude the dignity of a great person was Hyeop Mu-geuk, the current Chief Supervisor of White Peak Sword Sect.

Thirty-eight years old this year, with the title White Flash Sword Tiger.

He was a mid-level swordsman representing the sect and had been the trusted confidant whom Sect Master Sagong Woon trusted almost like family when he was alive.

He had also treated Cheol Ryu-heun like his own child, never sparing encouragement and advice.

If asked to name the most reliable subordinate right now, it would undoubtedly be Chief Supervisor Hyeop.

"Young Sect Master! This is surely not a dream, is it?"

At the delighted exclamation of Hyeop Mu-geuk, Cheol Ryu-heun replied without much emotion.

"Dream, what dream."

At that, Hyeop Mu-geuk quickly approached the bed.

"How is your condition? Any other strange symptoms perhaps…?"

"I'm fine. Except that my mood soured the moment I opened my eyes."

He meant what had happened with Eul Sa-jeok earlier.

Instantly, Hyeop Mu-geuk's eyes grew heavy and sank.

"Hmm… I just received the report about that. All this time, I thought you had ended up like that because of the great psychological shock from the Sect Master's passing."

"Have you locked up that Eul fellow in the storage?"

"Yes. I'll personally interrogate him later."

"Leave him be."

"Pardon?"

"I plan to break his bones one by one myself again. If it gets too painful, he'll confess everything on his own."

Hearing those words, a peculiar light flashed through Hyeop Mu-geuk's eyes.

'Somehow, the Young Sect Master's demeanor seems…'

Originally, Cheol Ryu-heun's temperament was similar to his master Sagong Woon's – he had never shown rough speech or conduct. But now it felt as if he had become a different person.

The way he had left Eul Sa-jeok in that state was already like that.

Of course, how many people wouldn't be enraged in such a situation? But still, his methods had been too violent.

Cheol Ryu-heun read his thoughts and said,

"It's natural that you find it unfamiliar."

Having hit the mark, Hyeop Mu-geuk showed an embarrassed look.

"My… was it that obvious? I apologize."

"No need to apologize."

"Ah… yes."

"Taking today's events as a turning point, I intend to no longer live as I did before. So you should adapt quickly too, Chief Supervisor Hyeop."

Forget the conduct from before he became vegetative – that was the meaning.

Hyeop Mu-geuk nodded with a solemn expression.

"Understood, Young Sect Master. But there's something I'm quite curious about… How on earth were you able to circulate your energy?"

"I was lucky. Energy had been accumulating unconsciously."

Cheol Ryu-heun gave a vague answer.

If he honestly said it seemed to be an effect of the reincarnation, he would surely be treated as a madman.

"Well, I never…"

"Anyway, thanks to that internal energy, I temporarily strengthened my muscles and meridians to beat up that Eul fellow."

"Pardon? When did you learn that method?"

"I learned it from Master before. It was a kind of secret teaching."

"…"

Since he himself said so, it was difficult for Hyeop Mu-geuk to object.

Meanwhile, Cheol Ryu-heun laughed inwardly.

The essence of strengthening muscles and meridians based on Internal Energy Cultivation was not actually learned from Sagong Woon, but from his very first owner in the distant past.

"Young Sect Master, for now, I think it would be good to promptly hold an inauguration ceremony to re-establish discipline within the sect. I'll prepare it within a few days."

"No, there's something I need to do first."

"What is it?"

"I'll take the position of Sect Master after proving my aptitude. I should at least be on par with Master before everyone will truly follow me."

"But that will take time…"

"It won't take long."

"Pardon?"

"Ten days should be enough."

"…"

Hyeop Mu-geuk's eyes were full of concern for the Young Sect Master.

Ten days? No, does that even make sense? Could this be an aftereffect of the poison?

But Cheol Ryu-heun paid no attention and just continued with what he had to say.

"That's why I plan to go somewhere and undergo Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing first."

At the same time, Hyeop Mu-geuk wore a blank expression.

"W-Where are you going to do what?"

"Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing."

"…"

The supreme enlightenment of shedding all the skin from one's body and completely reconstructing one's skeleton – that was Bone Replacement and Marrow Cleansing…

This was a disaster.

No ordinary problem indeed.

It seemed the Young Sect Master was not in his right mind at the moment.