The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 100

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Heavenly Supreme Has Died – Episode 100
-Find the key.
It was the task assigned to Palduyeok.
To find the key sleeping somewhere in Sichuan and return to the main palace.
That was the command the great Palace Master had given to Palduyeok.
I follow the orders entrusted to me.
For Palduyeok, that was everything.
What is the key? Where am I supposed to find it?
I was curious about that, but I didn’t bother asking.
Questions are unnecessary. Since the Palace Master commanded it, I simply obey.
I receive orders and move according to them.
That was the law of the current palace.
Palduyeok, too, performed the task without resistance.
It wasn’t particularly difficult. Finding an entrance near Sichuan.
The palace had said that some household in the area would have the information.
All I had to do was visit every nearby household and gather information.
If there’s no information, kill them.
Keep moving until I obtain the information.
Sichuan was Dang Clan territory, but there were countless ways to divert their attention.
After all, there was nowhere the palace couldn’t reach.
If I used this, anything was possible.
I had heard recently that the Cheonwol Munchu was moving.
But Palduyeok thought that was fine.
After all, the monster of Cheonwol Gate—Wol Seon-geom—cannot move in Hannam.
Knowing that, I thought there would be no major problem.
Trouble arose as soon as I thought that.
Sowoldae.
The elite unit that the monster of Cheonwol Gate commands.
They said a rare group comparable to Huashan’s Plum Blossom Sword Masters had appeared in Sichuan.
Was this a coincidence?
Was it truly coincidence that they began moving in sync with our schedule?
When I heard the report, it did irritate me.
But the report that came soon after allowed me to ease my mind somewhat.
The Lord of the Dang Clan was scheming something.
He had summoned Sowoldae for that purpose, they said.
The problem was that Sowoldae had intervened in our affairs in the meantime.
Moreover.
‘They said that one is among them.’
The one the Palace Master has been subtly watching.
The subject of rumors spreading quietly.
Geomseong’s Predecessor.
The glory of a sect that had already perished and vanished had finally crawled its way back.
I heard he had defeated Namgung Clan’s Socheongeom.
Due to this, rumors were gradually spreading.
‘How truly strange.’
Palduyeok found it peculiar.
Defeated Socheongeom? He’s said to be outstanding among the later generation, but he’s still just a brat.
Even if a mere child without even reaching the Seven Extremes had been defeated, it wouldn’t be worth paying attention to.
The problem was that the one who accomplished this was Geomseong’s Successor who appeared out of nowhere.
Because of that.
‘The Palace Master moved personally.’
Not only did the great master of the Palace move directly, but he issued additional orders.
-Bring Geomseong’s Predecessor before me.
Bring the Predecessor who is in Sichuan.
Beyond finding the ‘key,’ another order had come down.
From the start, the mission itself wasn’t just about the key.
Finding the key was one thing, but the essential objective was to shake the Dang Clan.
I had been preparing considerably for this.
‘Fortune was on my side.’
Palduyeok assessed the situation and judged it wasn’t bad.
Geomseong’s Predecessor appeared?
Sowoldae, which he belongs to, interfered with the Palace’s work?
That could be a problem.
But what was fortunate here was.
‘Everything could be handled at once.’
I knew what Dokuou wanted and why he summoned Sowoldae.
Though it’s questionable whether Sowoldae was actually necessary.
‘He still has lingering attachments, it seems.’
I could tell from the believers within.
That the key was somewhere in the secret vault Dokjon left behind.
That Dokuou was also struggling to open that place.
I knew it all.
How fortunate this was.
‘Everything is converging in one place.’
The key, the Dang Clan’s problems, the Successor the Palace Master cares about.
Everything was converging in one place, so handling it seemed like it would be perfect.
The moment I thought so.
‘We found traces.’
Palduyeok heard news that he had found traces of the entrance he had been searching for.
It was from that moment.
It was the moment I began preparing for the operation at the Dang Clan.
‘This works out well.’
With Palduyeok, dealing with Dokuou, one of the Five Sovereigns of the Heavens, would be far more manageable.
Through my spies’ reports, I already knew when Dokuou would enter Palduyeok.
Since I had no idea how many mechanisms that wicked Dokjon had installed in Palduyeok, I couldn’t bring a large force.
Given the nature of the operation, numbers were important.
‘But if I cut off Dokuou, nothing else matters.’
Once I dealt with Dokuou in Palduyeok, the remaining tasks would be easily resolved.
It wasn’t something I was greatly concerned about.
In reality, it was so.
Once Dokuou was confined in Palduyeok, the enemy’s strength wasn’t that formidable.
I thought I could handle it with ease.
Yet there was a slight complication in the process.
‘That bastard.’
Palduyeok focused his gaze on one person visible before him.
Even as his subordinates fell one by one, Palduyeok kept his eyes fixed on only one person.
Sowoldae, as they called it.
Knowing they frequented Palduyeok with Dokuou, I had long since known they were here.
Strong, just as the rumors said.
They said he rivaled the Plum Blossom Sword Master, and he certainly appeared to be so.
However.
‘That’s only one of them.’
There were three martial artists from the Cheonwol Gate.
Among them, only one appeared strong to Palduyeok’s eyes.
I hadn’t heard his name, but he appeared the oldest of the three.
Unlike the other two who looked like pretty boys, he had a manly appearance.
‘He’ll become something great.’
Palduyeok chuckled at the sight.
He was quite formidable.
However he had trained, there were no openings at his age.
His sword strikes held firm power, his stance was flawless, and he showed no hesitation in cutting down his opponents.
Both his body and spirit were well-developed.
If left as is, or if he survived this place.
He would likely become one of the representatives of the Cheonwol Gate before long.
Looking at raw strength, he seemed the best among them.
‘Strangely enough.’
Palduyeok’s gaze drifted to a different person rather than him.
The other two handsome ones.
The white-haired one among them was beyond consideration. His realm was what it was, and he seemed to have talent, but he was still far from blooming.
There was no need to pay attention to him.
So what Palduyeok was truly observing wasn’t that one—it was the last man standing.
‘What is this one?’
Something was off.
His cultivation realm seemed to be around first-rate.
‘His movements are strange.’
For a first-rate master, he moved sluggishly. There was a creaking, disjointed quality to his motions, and something simply didn’t align.
That creaking body seemed as though his cultivation realm and physical form were entirely separate entities.
As if his body couldn’t keep pace with his elevated realm?
It was a flaw commonly seen in those who had rapidly elevated their cultivation.
And he possessed it.
And yet.
‘He handles it with uncanny skill.’
Rather than compensating for his twisted body and using it correctly,
he was expertly wielding his body in its distorted state.
Not attempting to fix it, but making the optimal choice within his current circumstances.
‘His movements are slow and his openings are numerous.’
Certainly, there were many places to exploit.
‘Yet he’s turning even those to his advantage.’
He was using his abundant openings as feints to counter his opponent.
‘Hah.’
Palduyeok exhaled sharply.
‘Bizarre.’
He had never witnessed such a fighting style before.
Where did the deception end and the truth begin?
His scattered breathing had returned to normal the moment he noticed it.
He even feigned tangled footwork to manipulate the situation.
All while blocking attacks aimed at his allies,
and drawing the flow of battle toward himself repeatedly.
If the others were merely martial artists,
then he was a strategist.
A man who could read the currents of battle.
The most essential presence on a battlefield.
In other words.
‘A dangerous man.’
A truly dangerous man.
‘Yes, he was the first to notice as well.’
He was the one who first identified the spy’s condition and moved accordingly.
And he was the one orchestrating the current situation.
Watching this unfold, Palduyeok found himself laughing without realizing it.
‘They call him a successor. Damn, he’s inherited the same nature.’
A monster that transcended imagination itself.
They said he was Geomseong’s Predecessor, but did he even inherit that unique fighting style?
Palduyeok found himself trembling slightly as he recalled the blue-eyed yaksha.
‘…So the Lord of the Clan has taken an interest in him.’
It was certainly true.
That man is dangerous. Palduyeok could sense it the moment he laid eyes on him.
And he’s already like this now.
What would happen if he continued to grow?
If that sharp mind were coupled with overwhelming power dwelling in his body, just as it was with Geomseong, what then?
‘…’
Palduyeok’s gaze turned cold.
His subordinates screamed and collapsed.
Their fighting strength diminished steadily, but it mattered little.
The real elite weren’t here anyway.
‘Hmm.’
Crack. Palduyeok slowly rolled his shoulders.
‘This won’t do.’
He steadied his resolve.
At the same time, Palduyeok’s eyes fixed on Geomseong’s Predecessor.
That man called Bangseong-yeon.
‘If this continues…’
The Lord of the Clan ordered me to bring him back alive.
‘I won’t be able to follow that order.’
It seemed I would have no choice but to disobey his command.

* * *
Thud-thud-thud-!
Stone dust cascades from the shattered wall surface.
The impact sends a gust of wind, and the tremendous sound leaves the surroundings momentarily silent.
“Cough….”
Bangseong-yeon, embedded in the wall, coughs up blood violently.
Blood streams not only from his mouth but also from his head.
“Bang Disciple!”
“Bangseong-yeon!”
Cheon Euijin and Do-hyeong rush to move upon seeing this.
Whoosh-!!
“Ugh!”
But enemies remain, preventing them from advancing.
“Originally, I intended to observe a bit longer.”
Pat-pat.
Palduyeok brushes off his hands casually as he walks toward Bangseong-yeon.
“But it seems that won’t be possible.”
The smile has vanished from Palduyeok’s rough face.
“He irritates me.”
Bangseong-yeon irritates him deeply.
“His gaze, his actions—everything about him displeases me.”
That gaze as if he knows everything.
The movements that act upon such knowledge.
Whatever it is, it all grates on him.
“I need to dispose of him.”
I’ll face punishment for defying the Lord’s orders.
But that’s acceptable.
Palduyeok’s instinct was telling him so.
“Boy. You die here.”
Regardless of anything else, that one must be eliminated.
With that resolve, Palduyeok approaches the unconscious Bangseong-yeon.
Swish!
“Hm?”
Something blocks his path.
“Huff…. Huff….”
A woman with a tense expression and striking beauty.
It was Dang Yeeran.
She stands before Palduyeok, her ragged breathing gradually steadying.
“Ha.”
Palduyeok lets out an amused chuckle at the sight.
“So it’s Dok-hwa.”
Dok-hwa.
The Dang Clan’s precious jewel and, in another sense, a troublesome thorn.
“I have business with you anyway, so why do you insist on blocking my path?”
“….”
Dang Yeeran didn’t speak. She merely tightened her grip on the dagger in her trembling hand.
“…Don’t come any closer.”
The words barely escaped her lips. Like her eyes, they trembled with anxiety.
“Girl. Do you truly believe you can stop me?”
At her pitiful stance, Palduyeok stirred slightly.
He suddenly gathered energy into his palm.
Splurch—!
He slashed his own palm without hesitation.
Blood streamed from the torn flesh.
Witnessing this, Dang Yeeran’s entire body convulsed.
Then.
“Look.”
Palduyeok thrust his blood-soaked palm toward Dang Yeeran.
In that instant.
“Eek…!”
Dang Yeeran stumbled backward abruptly.
Her face drained of all color.
“So the rumors were true—you fear blood.”
“…!”
At Palduyeok’s words, Dang Yeeran bit her lip.
“A martial artist’s child afraid of blood… how pathetic.”
Even as he spoke, Palduyeok advanced toward her.
Dang Yeeran had no choice but to retreat further with each step.
“Hmm.”
Observing her, Palduyeok nodded slightly.
He seemed to be contemplating something as he watched her anxiety.
“She’s certainly beautiful. The rumors don’t lie.”
Not quite a peerless beauty, but undeniably lovely.
“I originally had more business with Dok-ryong among the children… but this works out well.”
Dok-hwa was merely a secondary objective, but now.
“This won’t be bad at all.”
Not bad indeed.
It would serve well to upset Dokuou, and more importantly.
“The Lord will be pleased.”
His master would surely look favorably upon this.
Palduyeok, recalling that thought, stepped forward.
“…Hic…!”
At his approach, Dang Yeeran stumbled backward and fell with a thud.
Her eyes remained fixed on Palduyeok’s blood-stained hands.
“Kekeke.”
Finding Dang Yeeran’s reaction amusing, Palduyeok laughed aloud.
As he continued, about to speak further, Palduyeok suddenly
“Don’t be afraid. I’ll treat you rather well….”
froze upon seeing something, his body going rigid.
His laughter vanished, and his face contorted with shock.
Dang Yeeran, watching him, wondered in fear.
What had he seen to make such an expression?
His gaze wasn’t directed at her.
So she tried to turn and look behind her, following his stare.
Whoosh.
Suddenly, someone’s hand rested upon her crown.
The hand didn’t feel particularly large.
“…Damn, every bone in my body aches.”
At the voice that followed, Dang Yeeran’s head lifted.
“I should have just done this from the start.”
She confirmed the owner of that voice.
“Bang Disciple…?”
The owner was, surprisingly, Bangseong-yeon.
He had somehow risen again and was wiping the blood from his head.
At her call, Bangseong-yeon’s gaze turned toward Dang Yeeran.
Meeting his blue eyes, Dang Yeeran felt her heart sink without her knowing why.
Something was different.
He was the same, yet something was different.
His eyes held far greater weight.
And far greater coldness.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Then.
Bangseong-yeon spoke to Dang Yeeran while stroking her hair.
Hearing those words, she felt reassured for some reason.
“Step aside for a moment.”
Bangseong-yeon said so and walked past Dang Yeeran.
He then approached before Palduyeok.
“…You….”
Palduyeok, facing the risen Bangseong-yeon, furrowed his brow.
“How on earth did you get up?”
Clearly, he had lost consciousness. With wounds like those, he shouldn’t have been able to rise so easily. How did he manage it?
Unable to comprehend, Palduyeok stared at Bangseong-yeon.
‘Huh?’
Palduyeok’s eyes widened as he looked at Bangseong-yeon.
Something about what he was holding seemed strange.
A weapon nearly as large as his own body. From somewhere, he had suddenly drawn a different blade.
“You brat.”
Bangseong-yeon spoke.
“What?”
Palduyeok thought he had misheard.
Brat? Did he just call him a brat?
“Consider yourself fortunate.”
“What are you saying, you—”
The moment Palduyeok raised his voice at Bangseong-yeon.
He could not finish what he wanted to say.
촤아아악—!!!
Suddenly his chest was slashed open, and blood erupted.
“Kugh!?”
Palduyeok’s chest was cleaved, blood spraying forth.
Dripping saliva, Palduyeok gazed at Bangseong-yeon.
Expressionless blue eyes.
The moment he saw them, an inexplicable emotion surged within Palduyeok.
What was this feeling?
As he pondered it briefly, Palduyeok recalled what this emotion was.
Or rather, he must have known all along.
He simply refused to acknowledge it.
“From this moment forth.”
This emotion was none other than.
“I shall show you the blade that cuts the heavens.”
Fear.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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