The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 123
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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 123
The sun hung high in the sky.
Noon arrived after a hectic and exhausting morning.
Beneath the cloudless, crystalline sky, I found myself buried in the heat within the Iron Forge for a moment.
This was the place Dang Yeeran had used to restore the Divine Blade, and it was said only the Iron Master could enter.
Upon arriving, I picked up a single sheet of paper lying on the ground.
It was a talisman I had written and affixed for Dang Yeeran.
“…Hmm.”
I retrieved the fallen talisman and examined it. It was a blood rune drawn with crimson essence.
The spiritual energy that had been infused within it had already dissipated completely.
Seeing this, I tilted my head slightly.
‘Is it because it’s been so long?’
Normally, there should have been at least three more days of spiritual energy remaining.
Yet less than two days had passed, and the spiritual energy was already exhausted.
As I examined the talisman from various angles with this peculiar sentiment, Yoo Cheon-gil spoke to me with evident curiosity.
[What is that?]
Yoo Cheon-gil asked me with interest.
“It is a Spirit Rune.”
[A Spirit Rune?]
“Yes. To be precise, it is a blood rune, but fundamentally it is a Spirit Rune.”
[…What is its purpose?]
“As for its purpose… it is conventionally described as a connection.”
This was a name my grandmother from my past life had given it, but I had never been fond of it.
Such sentimental terminology never suited its practical application.
Except in this particular case.
“I simply called it the Ghost Thread.”
[Ghost Thread?]
“Yes. When affixed to one’s back, it allows you to hear the voices of nearby ghosts for a very brief moment.”
[What?]
Yoo Cheon-gil’s eyes widened at my words.
“Ah, I mention this just in case, but it cannot be used by just anyone. The conditions are quite particular.”
There were several prerequisite conditions.
First and foremost, how exceptional the spiritual energy of the one who creates the talisman is was most important.
Second in priority was the desperation of the ghost.
Third was the relationship between the one who received the talisman and the ghost.
‘Ordinarily, it does not work unless they are blood relatives.’
Blood connects to blood, binding souls together.
‘It would have been better if that blood had been Dang Yeeran’s.’
Given the circumstances, I could not ask Dang Yeeran for her blood, so I employed a slight deception.
‘I use my own blood to deceive the soul.’
The process was awkward, but it wasn’t something I couldn’t do.
Irritatingly enough, I was quite skilled in this particular field.
[…Blood kinship, then….]
The interest in Yoo Cheon-gil’s eyes faded as he heard the explanation.
The matter of blood kinship seemed to be the problem.
[Did you use that to connect that young girl and Dokjon?]
“I wouldn’t say I connected them. I just stuck my nose where it didn’t belong.”
It must have been nothing more than a fleeting moment.
At most a few words. It would have depended on Dokjon’s desperation, but it wouldn’t have even qualified as a conversation.
“Isn’t that right?”
Crunch!
I crumpled the talisman and turned around. Dokjon stood there.
When I asked if my words were correct, Dokjon simply gazed at me.
Then what he said to me was.
[Thank you.]
An unexpected expression of gratitude. Hearing it, I paused for a moment.
I had to scratch my cheek with an embarrassed expression.
“What are you suddenly saying.”
[Since your generosity soothed my harsh heart, shouldn’t I offer you words I can give?]
“…Ahem.”
[Look at him. Is he embarrassed right now? His expression is pathetic.]
“….”
Hehehehe.
As Yoo Cheon-gil sneered, my rising irritation instantly subsided.
…Should I say it was actually better this way?
Thanks to it, my mood calmed down, which felt helpful.
Then.
Creak.
The door opened and someone entered.
“Hmm.”
It was the Iron Master—a large, muscular old man.
He narrowed his eyes looking at me.
“Greetings.”
“What brings you here.”
“Ah, I had some questions regarding Manwol. I stopped by because I left something here earlier.”
I tucked the crumpled talisman back into my robes. I would need to burn it and dispose of it later.
“Ah yes—Manwol.”
“I was curious about when it could be received.”
“Since it’s a single blade, it will take some time to complete. It should be ready within the next four to five days.”
“…At most five days, then.”
So I’d need to stay here for another five days. That wasn’t particularly pleasant.
‘I wish the job had finished quickly so I could slip away.’
Being forcibly detained here for so long wasn’t something I welcomed.
As I was stroking my chin, lost in these thoughts.
“Is that it?”
The Iron Master spoke to me. That? I wondered what he meant, so I followed his gaze.
He was looking at the sword at my waist.
“Is that the one Yeeran made?”
“Ah. Yes. That’s correct.”
So that’s what he was asking about. I nodded upon hearing his words.
“…Could you show it to me?”
Shing.
At his request, I immediately drew the blade.
It was the same as always. The moment my grip tightened around the handle, that intense sensation wrapped around me.
Mukcheol’s sword blade emerged into the world.
The Iron Master’s eyes widened as wide as lanterns upon seeing it.
“Hm.”
I turned the handle toward him and offered it. The Iron Master accepted the sword and examined it from every angle.
Then.
“…Extraordinary.”
He uttered a sincere exclamation of admiration.
I felt an unexpected sense of relief at those words.
I knew nothing of swords, and even Yoo Cheon-gil was merely a martial artist, so I had doubted whether the blade was truly exceptional.
But hearing it from the Old Man, who was called the finest craftsman in the Central Plains, I found reassurance in his assessment.
“Truly, Yeeran accomplished this?”
“It seems so. Is the sword acceptable?”
“Yes….”
The Iron Master nodded as he spoke.
“At minimum, it’s masterwork grade…. She’s created a treasure.”
Pride gleamed in his weathered, sun-scorched eyes.
When he said he’d cast her out from the Iron Master’s forge if she failed, his eyes had been so terrifying.
But now—the eyes of a grandfather gazing upon his granddaughter. Yes.
They bore a striking resemblance to the eyes Dokjon held when he looked at Dang Yeeran.
* * *
I left the Iron Master’s residence and headed directly to where the Dang Clan Head would be.
“Forgive my intrusion.”
As I stepped inside, Dokuou was already seated, waiting for me.
Since I had requested permission to visit this morning, the meeting came without difficulty.
“Greetings.”
Dokuou regarded me at my salutation.
“Welcome. I heard there was quite an incident this morning.”
At his abrupt remark, I had to bite my tongue inwardly.
He was referring to the martial contest I had with Dang Cheon-il.
‘News travels fast indeed.’
There seemed to be few witnesses, yet somehow he had already heard of it.
“…Yes. There was a matter that arose.”
“Is that so?”
Dokuou nodded at my response.
“…”
“…”
And with that, the conversation ended.
Dokuou, as if proving his earlier words, neither blamed me nor asked further questions.
-Regardless of what happens, I will not intervene unless it involves killing.
Whether I beat Dok-ryong or not, he would pay it no mind.
“And I also heard that the sword has been completed.”
“Ah. Yes. That’s correct.”
Just as I had shown the divine blade to the Iron Master, I now displayed it to Dokuou.
Dokuou’s eyes widened slightly upon seeing the sword.
“It is a sword made by Lady Dang.”
To be precise, while I had repaired it, when I recalled that I had completely remade the blade itself, it felt awkward to call it merely a repair.
“…”
Dokuou gazed quietly at the Mukcheol blade.
What expression was that? He appeared expressionless, yet emotion clearly seeped through.
“The Iron Master said it would be at least a supreme-grade sword.”
“…I see.”
After a moment of silence, Dokuou turned his gaze away.
‘Really.’
Was that all?
Why were these people all so unable to be forthright?
Was the Dang surname the problem?
Perhaps it was.
With a soft ring, I sheathed the blade I had drawn.
Then I continued speaking to Dokuou.
“Since I’ve completed the sword… as I mentioned before, I’ll exclude one blade from the conditions.”
This was a part I hadn’t told Dang Yeeran about.
Since I had to use Mukcheol, I needed to forfeit a portion of the compensation I should receive from Dokuou.
That forfeiture was specifically regarding one top-tier blade I should have received.
‘In the end, it wasn’t a loss, so it’s fine.’
I gave up one sword and obtained another in return.
That part is more than satisfactory.
‘But is this right?’
Honestly, doubts linger.
They told me to use it, so I use it, but can I really use this?
‘I’m a righteous faction member myself, after all.’
The Demonic Cult, which had waged war against the righteous factions in the past.
The Celestial Demon, who was called the leader of that Demonic Cult.
This divine blade was what he wielded.
I still question whether I should be using this.
‘…And the person who permitted me to use it is problematic too.’
Yoo Cheon-gil, the Sword Saint, called the hero and legend of the current righteous faction.
Such an old man told me to use the Celestial Demon’s sword.
‘This is absurd.’
The successor of the Sword Saint using the Celestial Demon’s blade—if the world knew, they would be scandalized.
Moreover.
‘Why did she engrave this on the blade?’
On the dark-colored blade was clearly inscribed the characters “Sword Saint.”
It seemed Dang Yeeran had done it.
‘Heh.’
An indescribable emotion washed over me.
‘Is this even allowed…?’
Can I really do this?
Can I use this sword? Doubts persist, but the answer remains the same.
‘I should use it, what else?’
It’s a top-tier blade, nothing less. Where else would I use something like this? So what if the Celestial Demon used it?
‘Besides, no one who knows will ever find out anyway.’
Since it’s been remade almost from scratch, no one will know.
I consoled myself with that thought.
I had to do it that way.
Now wasn’t the time to let my mind waver—I needed to stay focused and continue the conversation.
“Anyway.”
I brought up the words as if to shift the topic. Dokuou’s eyebrows twitched slightly at this.
He likely already knew what I was about to say.
“I think I need to tell you something I couldn’t mention last time. Would that be acceptable?” “I’m listening.”
I had much to discuss with Dokuou.
Matters concerning Pacheongung, the items I needed to obtain through Biggo, and everything he had declared he would give as compensation.
I intended to mention each one and extract them all.
I would obtain everything without exception. Before leaving the Dang Clan, I was determined to receive everything owed to me.
‘But first.’
I redirected my thoughts inwardly, and with them, I turned my head as well.
A glance.
[Hm?]
When I cast my gaze toward Yoo Cheon-gil beside me, the old man’s expression shifted to bewilderment.
His eyes questioned why I was looking at him.
Seeing that, I broke into a grin.
[…What’s with that smile?]
Yoo Cheon-gil reacted subtly to my smile.
It was the first time I had seen the old man look uneasy.
Had he grasped the intent behind my smile? Yoo Cheon-gil’s expression was truly a sight to behold.
[Hey now. Why are you smiling?]
The old man pressed the question urgently, but I ignored him.
“It’s nothing in particular, Lord of the Clan.”
“Speak.”
“I ask merely out of curiosity.”
I spoke while meeting Dokuou’s gaze.
“Is what you seek the Myriad Heavens Flower Rain?”
[What!?]
At the mention of the Myriad Heavens Flower Rain, Dokuou’s eyes transformed.
Yoo Cheon-gil then looked at me as though I were a madman.
His gaze was truly electrifying.
‘How’s that, old man.’
I had grown tired of him tormenting me day after day.
“If that is the case, I believe I may be of some assistance to you.”
Now it seemed I could turn the tables and torment the old man in return.
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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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