Reincarnated Sword Ghost

Sword Ghost of the Previous Life

The sunlight softly scattered over the layers of blossoms that bloomed on the branches.

As warmth rode on the wind, the once-frozen ground revealed a deep brown hue.

Spring was truly here.

The central stone path of the Heavenly Martial Hall was bustling with warriors coming and going on their missions.

It was a scene often seen.

However, today felt a little different.

There was a certain excitement etched on some faces.

These were the warriors who had just completed their full five years safely.

Each of them gathered with their companions, deeply engaged in discussions about their future paths.

”I’ll return to my clan’s estate. My father is waiting anxiously for me. I left the house in anonymity, but now I return as a hero of the Heavenly Martial Hall—no doubt the local martial halls are on edge.”

”I’ve decided to rely on the Bukwang Security Bureau. I plan to teach the armed escorts there and rest for a while. It’s been a tiring five years, so I deserve a break.”

”So you plan to just sit back and earn money in comfort, huh?”

And on one side of that stone path stood Jo Gwang alone.

On his pitch-black martial uniform, three stripes of gold thread were large and bright.

Those passing by looked at him with admiration.

”Hm-hmm.”

Jo Gwang couldn’t quite hold back his twitching lips. Even after experiencing the Great Demon–Orthodox War, he’d only had two stripes.

It was only recently that he finally earned his third.

Of course, even earning two stripes upon entering the Heavenly Martial Hall was enough to make a name anywhere.

However, significant and minor wars in recent years had made promotions comparatively easier.

Perhaps because of that.

There were rumors that those who survived missions like Blood Cult exterminations and the Great Demon–Orthodox War had been promoted a bit too quickly.

Naturally, such rumors were blatant slander, but as one of the subjects, Jo Gwang couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable.

At last, on the brink of graduation, he’d earned his third stripe. He simply couldn’t help feeling happy.

”Ah, over here!”

Finally, Jo Gwang raised his hand and waved cheerfully. It was toward a woman approaching him.

Her fair skin was adorned with delicate, beautiful features.

When she smiled smoothly at Jo Gwang, even those passing by were momentarily stunned by her beauty.

She was Tang Yerin.

She, too, wore three stripes of gold thread on her left arm.

Though it didn’t take long for her to progress from two to three stripes, she never managed to break through the wall of four stripes.

It was still more than enough to make her name known.

Everyone spoke in unison that the Tang Clan’s second daughter possessed tremendous martial prowess.

At some point, her renown for martial skills even eclipsed her beauty.

”Where’s Young hero Baek?”

”Ah, he’s just coming over there.”

At the direction Jo Gwang pointed, a dignified young man, standing at a distance, suddenly took a stride and appeared right before them.

It was an exquisite movement technique. In a blink, he cut through the crowd to arrive.

”Tsk tsk, you’re the last one.”

”Two stripes and no manners.”

”I’m three stripes now!”

Baek Il-gang clicked his tongue as he saw Jo Gwang’s left arm.

”Is the Heavenly Martial Hall in decline, then?”

”W-what?!”

Tang Yerin lifted her lips in a subtle smile as soon as she saw the two bickering upon meeting.

Though it could have gotten tiresome by now, they were still the same. It had become an endearing sight.

”Shall we go?”

Only after Tang Yerin spoke did the two stop quarreling.

Soon, the three of them walked side by side along the wide central stone path of the Heavenly Martial Hall.

People passing by glanced at them.

Hardly anyone in the Hall didn’t know who they were—they succeeded in every assignment, after all.

Seeing them graduate safely made them objects of envy.

They walked toward the center of the Hall.

Finally, they arrived at a small estate located deep within the hall.

It used to be the residence of a four-stripe warrior and now served as the office of the Heavenly Martial Hall’s fifth Corps Leader.

They stopped at the door.

Creak.

The door opened and a man stepped out.

It was Yu Jeong-un.

He wasn’t wearing the blue uniform of the Hall’s Corps Leader, nor the black uniforms of regular warriors.

He wore a simple, pale-blue garment.

At his left waist hung the black sword, with Dragon Sky attached just below.

Even with two swords at his waist, he didn’t look silly at all.

If anything, he looked like a mysterious swordsman.

Seeing this, Jo Gwang hesitated and spoke.

”Why are you dressed like that?”

”There’s no reason for me to wear the uniform anymore.”

”Even so...”

Jo Gwang looked almost regretful as he let his eyes sag. Well, except for Jeong-un, everyone else was wearing their proper martial uniforms.

That was Hall tradition.

Graduates left wearing their uniforms and only changed after reaching their next destination.

It was both a symbol that they had survived five years of life-and-death missions and signaled their return to roaming the martial world free from any ties.

”It’s fine. Young Hero Yu hardly needs a uniform to prove his identity. Those two swords are enough.”

”Well, you’re right...”

At Baek Il-gang’s words, Jo Gwang nodded, but still licked his lips regretfully.

In fact, Jeong-un had performed his Corps Leader duties until just yesterday.

Not only did he assign missions to new warriors, but he also undertook them himself.

Sometimes he’d handle confidential missions with the Blue Scale Corps Leader, Yeom Baek.

There were some tasks only Corps Leaders could manage.

Walking shoulder to shoulder with someone who’d once been his superior felt odd.

For some reason, though, these days Yeom Baek seemed even more wary of Jeong-un.

After fulfilling all three remaining years, he decided to graduate.

Just earlier, he’d paid his respects to the Hall Lord, Zhang Mun-gi, and the Chief Strategist, Zhuge Cheon-woo, before leaving.

He left his folded uniform on his bedding before stepping out of his estate.

Baek Il-gang spoke.

”Let’s go.”

The four of them headed for the main gate of the Hall.

Just like when they first entered, the Heavenly Martial Hall did not hold any particular graduation ceremony.

Typical of a group that disdained empty formalities.

The only difference from any other day was that the main gate would be thrown wide open.

Just as they’d entered through it, now they would exit through it.

As they walked along the main road, Jeong-un spoke up.

”So, have you all decided what you’ll do?”

”As for me, I’ll return to my hometown. I’m planning to establish a martial hall bearing my name there. I’ve already lined up a merchant guild to provide solid financial backing. Plenty of places have already sent letters offering chests full of silver coins for the right to use my name. I had a hard time picking, there were so many!”

Jo Gwang answered immediately, as if waiting for the question.

Perhaps he was already imagining the imposing main gate and the nameboard. His face was alight with joy.

Jeong-un smiled and turned to Tang Yerin walking alongside him.

She smiled and said, ”I’ll be returning to my clan.”

Her reply was brief.

She was, after all, the precious daughter of the Sichuan Tang Clan.

Given her status, she had no other options.

”I learned and experienced so much here. I’m sure it’ll be a great help to my clan. There are already so many things I want to do.”

”I see.”

Jeong-un nodded in agreement. Indeed, she was a remarkable martial artist. Whatever she chose, she would no doubt succeed.

Then Baek Il-gang suddenly chimed in with a bright smile.

”Aren’t you going to ask me?”

”I trust you’ll do well, whatever it is.”

Jeong-un replied with a return smile, glancing at the gold stripes on Baek Il-gang’s left arm.

During his fifth year, Baek Il-gang had become a four-stripe warrior. He was already gifted, especially with a unique combat sense.

He seized opportunities with moves his opponents never saw coming—even Jeong-un learned from him on missions.

He was set to succeed Jeong-un as Corps Leader.

All his duties had already been handed over.

Though he grumbled about the unexpected workload, he learned quickly. He had natural talent, after all.

”If there’s something I can’t figure out, I’ll send a letter. If a white hawk arrives, you’ll know it’s from me.”

”You’re not going to ask the Blue Scale Corps Leader for help?”

”... That’s a bit awkward for me.”

At this, Jeong-un chuckled.

Thinking of Baek Il-gang working alongside Yeom Baek as an equal made him suppress laughter.

’I wonder which of them finds it more awkward.’

Soon, Tang Yerin asked,

”And you, young hero Yu, have you decided where you’re going?”

Everyone looked at Jeong-un with curiosity. They’d asked before, but every time he’d just said he wasn’t sure yet.

Jeong-un replied, ”I plan to travel the jianghu.”

”The jianghu?”

Tang Yerin widened her eyes in surprise, and Jo Gwang hurriedly interjected,

”Didn’t you travel all over the place during your missions? It’s hard to imagine anywhere your feet haven’t touched!”

It was true.

As a Heavenly Martial Hall warrior, especially Jeong-un, he had roamed every corner of the Central Plains due to the endless chaos erupting everywhere.

Since the Hall couldn’t afford to pick and choose missions by region, they only sent those who were efficient and reliable.

Jeong-un replied, ”That was as a Hall warrior. Now I want to see the world as Yu Jeong-un. In fact, I came here straight after leaving my clan’s house.”

”If it were you, the big sects would welcome you as an elder. It’s a pity for them.”

Jeong-un just smiled quietly.

Baek Il-gang scolded Jo Gwang for assuming everyone was like himself, but Jeong-un didn’t hold it against him.

Everyone just had different wishes. There’s no right or wrong in that.

As long as you pursued your goal with effort and found satisfaction, that was enough.

’It’s surprising how different everyone’s path is.’

Even after spending five years together, his companions’ paths would now diverge. After today, they might never see each other again.

It couldn’t be helped.

Everyone came from different places, so naturally they returned to different destinations.

The Central Plains was vast enough to combine several countries and still have space.

Scattered so far, no one could say when fate would bring them together again.

Such was true of any group. Meetings always end in partings. They consoled themselves, hoping this was not a final farewell.

Before they knew it, they had reached the front gate of the Hall.

Suddenly, Jeong-un came to a stop.

”...?”

His companions looked at him perplexed.

He gazed at their faces one by one, then slowly spoke.

”Thank you, all of you.”

They each widened their eyes in surprise, then exchanged grins and spoke in turn.

”You’ll have us crying, now.”

”You’re speaking as if we’ll never meet again. That’s just sad.”

”I’ll still be here, so drop by anytime if you’re bored. I may not compete with you by sword, but I can certainly drink with you.”

And so, they stepped outside the gate together.

Outside the gate, a massive crowd left no room to move. People had swarmed from everywhere to retrieve their graduating warriors.

The first to part was Jo Gwang.

Apparently, he wasn’t lying about a merchant guild waiting; a dazzling, splendid procession spotted him and immediately hurried over.

”I’m off! Jiangxi Province, Xuzhou Prefecture. I’ll set up a magnificent martial hall there—a name so loud you’ll hear it across the region! Promise you’ll stop by if you pass through, all right? Don’t forget!”

Face flushed, he offered quick farewells and hurried off, glancing back several times.

”Then I’d best be going, too.”

Baek Il-gang looked between Jeong-un and Tang Yerin with a less-than-thrilled expression.

”This may be the end for you, but for me, today is a new beginning. There’s already a mountain of work ahead.”

”You’ll be busy.”

”If I knew it’d be like this, I’d have refused in the first place.”

He shook his head, then waved his hand lightly and turned back inside the Heavenly Martial Hall.

From afar, Jeong-un thought he saw him yawning.

Jeong-un watched for a moment with a faint smile, then turned his head again.

Tang Yerin grinned and said,

”Well, I should go too. My clan’s people are waiting to greet me.”

”I’d like to see you again.”

”You know where my clan home is, right? You must visit.”

”Of course. I’ll be sure to pay my respects.”

They exchanged a brief glance. Then Tang Yerin turned lightly and disappeared among the group dressed in green robes.

Just then, murmurs rose around Jeong-un.

”Look, that’s the Heaven-defying Lone Sword. Looks like he’s really graduating today...”

”Ah, what era are you from? He’s not the Heaven-defying Lone Sword anymore! Now he’s called the Sword God, don’t you know? He really is the incarnation of the sword!”

”Still, I wonder why he’s standing alone. Every sect in the world must be itching to invite him as an honored guest.”

”Maybe he hasn’t chosen a destination yet? Should I go talk to him?”

”Don’t talk nonsense. Get a grip.”

’......’

Jeong-un gave a wry smile and set off slowly.

Now, he intended to travel the jianghu as a swordsman, not as a Heavenly Martial Hall warrior.

’There’s so much I don’t know.’

And so much to do. He muttered.

He had formed countless connections across the land. He planned to visit them one by one.

Faces already came to mind.

’Who first...’

With a smile, Jeong-un blended into the crowd.

People recognized him and naturally stepped aside to let him pass.

Though their eyes were full of awe, somehow struck by his presence, no one dared approach.

Still, there were so many people that it took him quite a while to make his way through.

But he couldn’t just use his lightness skill to leap over everyone’s heads in such a crowd.

It was only when he finally reached a deserted street that—

”...?”

Suddenly, a ki wave approached from not far off—coming straight toward him.

Puzzled, he turned his head, and saw a familiar woman’s face.

It was Tang Yerin.

”Um, I changed my mind.”

”...?”

”I’ll come, too. Roaming the jianghu.”

”What?”

Startled, Jeong-un stared at her, and Tang Yerin shrugged and went on.

”My elder brother will do fine leading the Tang Clan, so do they really need me? What would a grown woman do, returning home? Just get married, lose her name, and be locked up. What’s the point?”

”What about your clan?”

”I just told them to wait and slipped away.”

She looked excited.

As Jeong-un stared in surprise, Tang Yerin glanced around, poked his arm lightly, and asked,

”So, aren’t you going?”

”... Let’s go.”

They walked side by side, until Jeong-un suddenly asked,

”By the way, can you not change a nickname once you get one?”

”Nickname?”

Tang Yerin blinked, caught off guard, and answered,

”Well, it’s just what the gossipers give you. And you already have several. Is there a name you want to be called?”

”Hmm...”

Jeong-un hesitated for a moment, glanced at the sky, then spoke slowly.

”How about Sword Ghost?”

”Sword Ghost?”

Tang Yerin tilted her head unknowingly, and Jeong-un burst into laughter.

A gentle spring breeze full of warmth blew from afar.

It lingered for a moment, left a ticklish emotion, and quietly passed by.

It really was the perfect day for a new beginning.

Once again, a new journey into the jianghu.

〈Sword Ghost of the Previous Life, the End〉

-------------= Clacky’s Corner -------------=

End it ended just like that...

This one is my favorite novel so far...

The premise is simple and straightforward...

And I love it...

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】