The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 122
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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 122
Night descended.
A world charred black.
As if true night had arrived, my vision darkened.
An impenetrable darkness materialized before Dang Cheon-il’s eyes.
It was a world of relentless blackness.
I lowered my blade, yet how did night come to pass?
I cannot comprehend it.
Dang Cheon-il stood rigid, gazing into the night. All around was black and dark—nothing could be seen.
Witnessing such darkness, Dang Cheon-il suddenly understood.
‘Ah.’
This was not merely night.
This was.
‘The Demon’s Eye Lantern?’
What unfolded before me was a lantern mimicking night—the Demon’s Eye Lantern.
Bangseong-yeon’s single blade had created night.
Yet that was merely another name for it.
Was I dying?
To such an insignificant fool?
In such a pathetic manner?
It was an incomprehensible reality.
Recalling this, Dang Cheon-il let out a hollow laugh.
In that moment, beneath the fundamental emotion of fearing death itself.
There surfaced the absurdly vivid face of someone.
The face of my sister, who possessed an unusually gentle appearance for a member of the Dang Clan.
As I gradually accepted the night that slowly approached.
A glimmer.
‘What?’
Something gleamed before Dang Cheon-il’s eyes.
The night where nothing could be seen.
Yet within it, something slowly began to emit light.
Multiple points of light shining gradually, suspended in the darkness like stars.
And something growing larger, glowing azure, resembled the moon.
It was an anomalous phenomenon.
Witnessing this, Dang Cheon-il thought.
Beautiful.
The light made me think so without my own awareness.
What could this be? What is it that shines with such radiance?
As Dang Cheon-il gazed quietly at the light.
“What the hell is this madman doing?”
A voice rang out.
In that instant.
Whoooosh—!
The darkness that had shrouded Dang Cheon-il dispersed.
All shadow vanished, and what remained before my eyes were the stars and moon floating in the sky.
No.
At first I thought that’s what they were, but as my mind cleared, I could discern their true nature.
They were not stars and moon.
This was.
‘…Sword Aura….’
The sword aura blooming from Bangseong-yeon’s blade.
Its brilliance was so dazzling that it resembled stars and moon.
The sword positioned before me.
Bangseong-yeon held his blade mere inches from my forehead.
Its message was unmistakable.
“You’re smiling? Your tastes are rather strange, aren’t they?”
“….”
I had lost.
I, who stood as one of the Seven Swords.
I had been defeated by Bangseong-yeon.
Realizing this, I unconsciously erased the smile that had been playing across my face.
Dang Cheon-il, recalling that, quickly erased the smile that had unconsciously formed on his face.
* * *
I won.
‘I won.’
I defeated them.
I bested the genius known as one of the Seven Prodigies in combat.
And it wasn’t with Yoo Cheon-gil’s assistance either.
‘With my own hands.’
I had captured Dok-ryong Dang Cheon-il with my own strength.
At that fact, heat surged up my spine.
A tingling sensation seemed to race along my backbone and rise all the way to my head.
‘Ha.’
I let out a silent laugh.
What could I even call this?
Even if the match wasn’t entirely fair, and while Dang Cheon-il didn’t know my techniques whereas I knew his, it still didn’t change anything.
‘I defeated one of the Seven Prodigies.’
That exhilaration didn’t fade away.
Among all the Late-stage martial artists currently existing in the Central Plains, the seven most exceptional ones.
I had toppled one of them.
Just a few months ago, I was nothing but a third-rate martial artist with no prospects.
Yet now I had reached the level of defeating one of the Seven Prodigies.
Even I found it astonishing to contemplate.
Whoosh—!
I retrieved my blade, spun it once, and shook it through the air.
The compressed sword energy dispersed. Observing this, I checked my dantian.
‘…That was close.’
It was completely empty. Even after consuming the Great Restoration Pill, my reserves had grown incomparably larger than before.
I had used my energy once during cultivation and once during this match, and now my reserves were utterly depleted.
‘If the match had lasted just a bit longer, I would have lost.’
Had the duel continued even slightly longer, my energy would have been exhausted, and I would have ultimately fallen to Dang Cheon-il.
This victory was truly miraculous.
Then.
[Chuckle, chuckle, chuckle.]
Yoo Cheon-gil, who hadn’t spoken a single word during the match, laughed the moment it ended.
He was looking at me with his characteristic rough laugh.
[That was quite the performance. There are more than a few shortcomings, but it was worth watching.]
After I worked so hard, the evaluation felt rather dismissive.
Yet somehow, the word “good” from him struck my ears differently.
I had only ever heard him say “not bad,” but this time it was something different.
[Chuckle, chuckle— Your expression looks pleased. So, how do you feel?]
“….”
How am I feeling? Well…
“…Not bad, actually.”
I exhaled wearily as I spoke, and Yoo Cheon-gil burst into hearty laughter.
-Hahahahaha.
Ugh, so loud.
I covered my ears and scrunched my face in displeasure.
“Bang Disciple-!”
“Hmm?”
Someone called out to me and came running. Surprisingly, it was Dang Yeeran.
“…What is it?”
When did she get here?
I hadn’t noticed because I was so focused on the situation. Moreover, behind Dang Yeeran stood Muyong Youngsoon, leaning against the wall and watching me.
‘…Her eyes look angry?’
Her unusually displeased expression caught my attention.
She always looked somewhat crude, but today was especially so. Why was she staring at me like that?
‘Ah.’
It didn’t take long for me to realize the reason.
‘I said I’d go but didn’t.’
After eating and asking Dang Yeeran for a favor, I had said I’d visit her that very day to talk.
But I never went to see Muyong Youngsoon.
I watched Dang Yeeran repair her sword until nightfall came.
Once night arrived, I fell asleep immediately, claiming I needed to resolve the Illusion.
As a result, I had completely forgotten my promise with Muyong Youngsoon.
‘So that’s why those eyes.’
That’s why she wore such a murderous gaze.
Gulp.
I swallowed dryly. Should I just pretend to faint? I considered it briefly, but I knew it was pointless.
‘…She won’t fall for it.’
That sharp-witted woman wouldn’t be fooled by such a thing. So my only option was…
‘I should ignore her.’
I would simply ignore her.
I had to ignore her first and see what happened.
“Young Master, are you alright…?”
“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”
Dang Yeeran approached me with concern and asked.
But shouldn’t she be worried about Dang Cheon-il instead of me?
He was her older brother after all, yet Dang Yeeran showed him no interest whatsoever.
“Are you really alright…? Is there anywhere you’re injured-”
“No, there isn’t. I’m fine.”
She was getting too close, so I held her back.
I blocked it with my hand, and only then did Dang Yeeran widen her eyes and hesitate.
She seemed to realize she had come far too close.
Then.
“…What are you doing?”
The gaze she had been directing at me finally turned toward Dang Cheon-il.
But her eyes were quite different.
“Older brother. Whether yesterday or today, what exactly are you doing being so rude to the Dang Clan’s guest?”
Dang Yeeran looked at Dang Cheon-il with intensity in her eyes.
That gaze felt rather sharp.
Moreover.
“How long… exactly how long will you keep doing this?”
Her voice was laden with frustration and sorrow.
“I know it’s because of me. I know you’re venting because you don’t like me. But what did I do so wrong…? What is it that displeases you so much that you make me look so pathetic?”
Her reddened eyes were expressive.
Dang Cheon-il, receiving Dang Yeeran’s gaze, looked at her.
His slumped body showed no strength.
“…Is it really so displeasing that I’m trying to become a blacksmith instead of a martial artist-”
“How amusing, showing mercy beyond your station.”
Dang Cheon-il cut off Dang Yeeran’s words. Hearing that, she frowned.
“What did you say…?”
As Dang Yeeran glared, Dang Cheon-il staggered to his feet.
“You asked if I dislike it?”
Dang Cheon-il glared at Dang Yeeran.
“I dislike it. The sight of you, blood of the Dang Clan, trying to flee from your calling. I dislike it so much I could kill you.”
“That’s-! I….”
“And the fact that the reason is because of me is so repulsive I could vomit.”
“…!”
Dang Yeeran, who was about to protest, closed her mouth at Dang Cheon-il’s words.
Her face showed she had been struck where it hurt.
At that reaction, Dang Cheon-il twisted his face.
“Am I really so laughable to you?”
“…Older brother. That’s not it….”
“Made you look pathetic?”
Pfft.
Dang Cheon-il laughed. It was a hollow laugh.
“Who? Me making you? Or you making me…?”
“….”
Dang Yeeran could not answer. Dang Cheon-il, watching her, moved.
Smack-!
He struck Dang Yeeran’s shoulder as he passed by her standing form.
“Wretched woman.”
I muttered the curse under my breath and walked away.
The way she staggered out made it seem like she’d collapse any moment.
“….”
Watching her leave, a thought crossed my mind.
‘…That bastard. Just leaving like that?’
We had fought, yet somehow I felt disrespected.
* * *
Once the situation had settled somewhat, I returned from the Training Hall to my residence.
Throb.
‘Ugh.’
The pain coursing through my body made me frown involuntarily.
My body ached considerably. Was it the backlash from the fight?
‘I didn’t think I used my body that recklessly.’
It hurt more than I expected.
I had sparred with Cheon Euijin often enough, but I’d never felt anything like this before.
Was it because I used Sword Force, or perhaps.
‘Because I fought someone at a higher realm than me.’
I don’t know exactly how strong Dang Cheon-il is, but I know he’s stronger than me.
This victory was merely a stroke of luck.
But.
‘Still, I won.’
The corners of my mouth kept trying to rise, so I forced them down with my hand.
I was still elated at having defeated Cheon-il.
I was trying hard to suppress it so my expression wouldn’t betray me.
[…Tsk tsk tsk… What a pathetic fellow….]
Yoo Cheon-gil had already seen through me, watching with a look of disdain.
I deliberately ignored him and focused harder on controlling my expression.
I had to right now.
Because the person in front of me looked particularly displeased.
Dang Yeeran, who had sought me out since morning, had a notably poor expression, likely due to what had just happened.
She seemed lost in thought, and her face bore an air of profound sadness and frustration.
Should I ask her why? The thought crossed my mind, but I decided against it.
I believed it was courteous to remain silent unless the other person spoke first.
And besides.
‘I don’t particularly want to get involved.’
Whatever her circumstances were, I saw no need to entangle myself in them.
“Lady Dang. What is this?”
So I simply turned my gaze elsewhere.
I pointed at the cloth-wrapped object on the table with my hand and asked. Hearing my words, Dang Yeeran snapped back to attention.
“Ah…!”
She quickly unwrapped the cloth with her hands.
“Oh?”
As the cloth fell away, I let out a gasp of admiration at what lay beneath.
[…Hmm.]
Yoo Cheon-gil felt the same way. He gazed at the revealed blade and released a quiet breath.
A black sword blade.
From the hilt and crossguard I had provided, a new blade had been forged.
The moment I saw it, every hair on my arms stood on end.
Chills ran down my spine. That was the impression it gave just from looking at it.
“…It’s complete… I’ve completed it, Master.”
Dang Yeeran spoke with a proud expression.
What she had brought was the sword I had entrusted to her.
[…The Celestial Demon Divine Blade.]
The Celestial Demon Divine Blade.
It was the divine blade that the Celestial Demon had once wielded.
True to its name as a divine blade, just looking at the edge made it seem like it would cut through anything.
‘Was it made properly?’
I didn’t know enough to judge whether this was done well.
Based on Dang Yeeran’s reaction, it seemed to have turned out well….
But without certainty, I glanced sideways at Yoo Cheon-gil.
Watching the old man nod his head, I understood.
‘It turned out well.’
Yoo Cheon-gil gazed at the divine blade with eyes wide in astonishment.
I could tell from those eyes. Dang Yeeran had completed it properly.
“…You’ve worked hard.”
“Does it… please you…?”
Dang Yeeran asked in a worried voice. I nodded at her words.
“Yes. I’m truly pleased with it. Indeed, I made the right choice in asking you.”
“Ah-!”
At my affirmation, Dang Yeeran released the reaction she had been holding back.
She smiled with relief, and that smile seemed unusually radiant.
“Thank goodness… thank goodness… truly, thank goodness….”
“Lady Dang…? Lady Dang!”
Dang Yeeran, mid-sentence, suddenly collapsed.
Startled by the sight, I rushed over.
[Don’t worry. She’s simply fallen asleep from exhaustion.]
“….”
Those words were true. Dang Yeeran was sleeping soundly.
[She must have been quite focused. She didn’t even notice until her energy was completely depleted. Truly a remarkable child.]
I agreed. She is a remarkable person.
That’s why she can imbue her soul into a blade at this age.
After laying the collapsed Dang Yeeran down gently.
I turned my gaze back to the sword.
A blade black as pitch. A handle the color of ink.
Its austere appearance and the overwhelming presence emanating from the sword made me tense.
[Try grasping it once.]
I was already wanting to touch it anyway. Yoo Cheon-gil spoke to me first.
I didn’t refuse.
I carefully grasped the handle.
Then.
Zzzzzzzt–!!!
“…!!”
Goosebumps erupted across my hand.
As if electricity surged through me, my entire body tensed with force.
“…What is this.”
It clung perfectly to my hand.
As if something had been applied to the handle, the sensation of it wrapping around my palm felt strange.
So as I gazed at the sword in wonder.
[Hahahaha-!]
Suddenly Yoo Cheon-gil burst into loud laughter.
[…Just as I thought, it’s you.]
“…What do you mean?”
[That picky bastard chose you immediately. I didn’t expect this, but it’s actually better. Far better than if it had rejected you.]
“Huh…?”
[Handle it well. It’s an unprecedented masterwork blade. From now on, this will be your companion weapon.]
“…?”
After hearing Yoo Cheon-gil’s words, I had to stand there dumbfounded for a moment. And as that moment passed.
My sword?
My companion weapon…?
“Wait, what!?”
I belatedly came to my senses and asked back.
Without meaning to, I had to cry out.
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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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