The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 124

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

The Heavenly Supreme Has Died – Episode 124
Ten Thousand Blossoms of Heavenly Rain.
It was the Dang Clan’s signature martial art, and it would be no exaggeration to say it was the very technique that elevated their reputation as martial artists to such heights.
A brutal and destructive martial art that unleashes countless projectiles like rainfall from the heavens.
Moreover, given the sheer power of this technique, it was particularly suited for warfare.
Projectiles raining down from the sky like a downpour—could there be any force more advantageous in battle?
Indeed, thanks to this technique, Dokjon made tremendous contributions during the wars.
It was said that to the leadership of the Demonic Cult, Yoo Cheon-gil and Jegal Jin were the worst nightmares.
But to the lower-ranking demons who fought directly in those wars, there was no existence more terrifying than the Dang Clan’s martial artists—especially Dokjon, who was called their pinnacle.
Due to the poison technique, they couldn’t consume food carelessly.
During warfare, they never knew when projectiles would pierce their skulls, so they had to remain constantly vigilant even in that regard.
‘Even if Ten Thousand Blossoms of Heavenly Rain didn’t solve everything.’
It remained undeniable that this became the symbol of the Dang Clan.
Yes, a symbol.
This is what other clans and sects so desperately sought to extract and claim.
A martial art that symbolizes a collective is more important than anything else.
The Cheonwol Sect’s Cheonwol Sword Dance, along with Huashan’s Plum Blossom Sword Technique, are established as beautiful and powerful swordplay.
The same applied to the symbolic martial arts of the Nine Sects and One School.
And the symbols of the other Five Great Clans were largely the same.
When one thinks of the Namgung Clan, recalling the Sovereign Sword Form—a tyrannical martial art—is the prime example.
Thus, symbols are crucial. They represent the unique character of a group, and when evaluated as value, they could be the most important thing of all.
‘That must be why the Cheonwol Sect was so obsessed with Manwol’s mastery.’
The symbolism that Manwol herself possessed, beyond just the Cheonwol Sword Dance.
This stemmed from the existence called the Sword Saint, but as long as the Sword Saint was considered the symbol of the current Cheonwol Sect.
There was sufficient reason to protect it.
The Dang Clan was the same.
‘They have fewer symbols compared to other places.’
The Iron Master, the most powerful symbol, did exist within the Dang Clan.
‘But still.’
That was excellence in craftsmanship and weapon forging.
It was difficult to call it a symbol of a martial clan.
The poison technique? That could be seen as a threatening force, but it lacked any quality that could be called a symbol.
This is why the Dang Clan received evaluations of being in an ambiguous position.
A martial symbol that all the other Four Great Clans possessed.
The Dang Clan was being criticized for lacking this.
This became especially pronounced once Dokuou’s generation took over.
The Iron Master is still called a period of prosperity, but Dokjon’s death had massive repercussions.
And while Dokuou is evaluated as strong as a martial artist.
That is merely his individual martial prowess and reputation.
As for whether all the Dang Clan’s martial artists are strong….
‘There’s talk that the current evaluation of the Dang Clan is the weakest in history.’
Excluding Dokuou, it’s not a particularly strong clan.
Among the Five Great Houses, alongside the Jegal Clan, it ranks as the weakest.
That’s the current assessment of the Dang Clan.
‘Even if we consider that the Jegal Clan didn’t rise through martial prowess in the first place….’
I suspected the evaluation of being weakest might be concentrated solely on the Dang Clan.
‘And it actually is.’
Since Dokjon’s death, there’s been talk of gradual decline.
A martial clan with only the Iron Master as its asset.
That was the Dang Clan’s assessment.
Perhaps.
‘Isn’t it such circumstances that are accelerating Dokuou’s impatience?’
That was my conjecture.
Given such impatience exists, isn’t he becoming obsessed with the symbol left behind by the past karma of the Ten Thousand Heavens and Flowers?
While I was thinking such thoughts.
“…Bang Disciple.”
Dokuou calls out to me and rises to his feet.
In that instant.
끼기기긱—!!!
“…!”
I had to stiffen my body against the aura radiating from Dokuou.
Rattle-rattle-rattle-!
Every piece of furniture in the clan head’s chamber trembles. All of it is affected by the energy Dokuou is releasing.
Especially I, who am receiving it directly, felt like I might lose my mind from that aura.
‘This is maddening.’
My bones resonate.
Just from receiving the energy alone, it was like this.
This is.
‘An Absolute Master….’
The Five Kings, who had made their names in the Central Plains by combining fame and martial prowess.
The title of “King” was bestowed as an epithet upon the five most influential martial artists.
The Sword King of the Namgung Clan.
The Dokuou of the Dang Clan.
The Paewang of Xi’an.
The White King of Yeolyeong.
And one more whom people hesitate to mention.
In terms of realm, they lacked nothing.
And seeing the achievements they had accomplished, it was sufficient.
People spoke of these five individuals, calling them the Five Kings of All Under Heaven.
Now that the Heavenly Realm Beyond Heaven has hidden itself, they were the most outstanding masters, and those of whom it was said they lacked nothing to ascend to the Heavenly Realm Beyond Heaven in the future.
Among them, Dokuou was certainly an absolute master.
The aura he exuded toward me was far beyond what I, merely a first-rate martial artist, could withstand.
But.
Crunch.
I clenched my fists and endured through sheer force of will.
“I believe you to be an exceptional individual.”
Dokuou, his gaze cold and murderous, spoke to me. I forced myself to smile at his words.
“I am grateful for your favorable assessment.”
“…Given your position, I trust you understand the weight of what you just said, do you not?”
Crrrack-!!!
Ting-!
The teacup trembled before shattering into pieces.
I was startled. So merely releasing one’s aura could produce such an effect.
That was astonishing, and from another perspective.
‘That same force could be directed at me.’
Just as the teacup shattered, my body could meet the same fate. The tension within me intensified.
This was Dokuou’s warning for that very reason.
Speak truthfully.
Otherwise, you could become like this teacup.
Such was the warning.
“You are correct. I understand, yet I believe this is something I must still say.”
“How did you come to know?”
How did I learn of the Ten Thousand Heavens Flower Rain? Dokuou’s eyes and aura posed the question, unchanged.
Yet it did not intensify further. He maintained it at precisely the level I could endure and speak.
“I came to understand it through the circumstances.”
“…Circumstances?”
“The inexplicable urgency displayed by the Lord of the Clan. The reason he deliberately sought me out for Dokjon’s secret records to resolve it.”
He requested aid from another sect to access Dokjon’s secret records—something that should never be revealed.
Was there truly no other method?
No.
‘It meant he was that desperate.’
Not a time to seek alternatives, but genuine desperation.
I judged that to be Dokuou’s situation.
And so.
“I have always wondered what you sought so desperately.”
Based on that, I pieced together the reason.
“Upon some investigation, I learned that since the previous Lord of the Clan passed away, the Dang Clan has never been seen using the Ten Thousand Heavens Flower Rain.”
This is something I should not know. I have never investigated such information, yet it matters not. I already knew the answer.
I only needed to construct the path leading to it perfectly.
“Of course, it is also true that there has been no war significant enough to warrant using such a martial technique….”
I offered him an escape route by suggesting I hadn’t confirmed it properly, easing Dokuou’s frustration.
“When I think about what I possess, I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s only one answer.”
“…What do you possess?”
By opening a path while simultaneously closing it firmly again, I scattered his thoughts.
This was my own form of revenge.
“What exactly do you mean you possess?”
“Didn’t I tell you already?”
Along with my revenge against Dokuou for fooling me before.
‘Experience it yourself.’
My revenge against Yoo Cheon-gil, who always acted in silence and cleaned up afterward.
[What is this? What are you doing? Have you truly lost your mind?]
Yoo Cheon-gil had been trying to speak to me since earlier, but I continued to ignore him.
“The Ten Thousand Heavens Flower Rain. If that’s what you desire… I believe I could be of assistance.”
“….”
“You know, don’t you? When the Ten Thousand Heavens Flower Rain was first restored… it was none other than my master who provided the assistance.”
“…!”
At the mention of Yoo Cheon-gil, Dokuou’s eyes widened.
Yes, that’s why Yoo Cheon-gil is regarded as a benefactor of the Dang Clan.
Because he helped restore the Ten Thousand Heavens Flower Rain.
And there was certainly compensation received in return.
“When I accepted what my master left behind in the past, I also heard some words regarding the Ten Thousand Heavens Flower Rain.”
[This crazy bastard, look at him?]
“…What? Is that truly the truth?”
At my words, Yoo Cheon-gil was startled, and Dokuou’s energy, which he had been releasing, scattered in surprise.
“Yes. It seems my master foresaw this crisis, as he conveyed his message to me in advance.”
[When exactly did I say that? What good would that do for those bastards—!]
“I was thinking of conveying his message if I had the chance to visit the Dang Clan… but I believe now is precisely the right time.”
“….”
Dokuou’s brow furrowed slightly as he listened.
That wrinkle was confusion.
“…Bang Disciple.”
“Yes, Lord of the Clan.”
“I’m not sure if that’s truly the truth. But if it is, why are you speaking of it only now?”
It had been quite some time since I arrived in Sichuan.
And several days had already passed since staying at the Dang Clan, yet I was only now speaking of the Ten Thousand Heavens Flower Rain.
Dokuou seemed puzzled by this.
“Come now. Why are you like this?”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his words.
“Since we both have things we’re hiding, it wouldn’t be purely helpful to assist when we weren’t exactly on good terms, would it?”
“….”
I stated it directly without any roundabout.
A relationship built on transaction.
We had gauged each other’s intentions and grasped every scheme to avoid mutual loss.
What could be felt even in brief conversations, sustained over these past days, had brought us to a point where we understood each other to some degree.
Dokuou already knew, and I knew as well.
‘A man who wouldn’t move without profit.’
We were that type of people.
At my words, Dokuou didn’t deny it. He simply shifted his gaze.
From a gaze that had glimpsed vague hope, to the sharp eyes of a merchant conducting business.
“…Very well. If Bang Disciple truly knows something about the Ten Thousand Flower Rain, then mentioning it now means you desire something, doesn’t it?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then, before I hear what that is, I’ll speak first from this moment.”
Crack—!
“…!”
I flinched. A hidden blade had appeared in Dokuou’s hand, and he drove it straight into the table.
And then.
Ssssshhhhh—!
A foul stench emanated from where the blade was embedded, gradually staining the surroundings black.
“Should Bang Disciple’s words prove false, regardless of your status as a member of Cheonwol Sect or successor to the Sword Saint, I will administer punishment according to the Dang Clan’s laws.”
My legs trembled. I didn’t know what the Dang Clan’s laws entailed, but looking at the table, I understood.
‘Next time, my body might become that table.’
Such a thought brushed through my mind.
“I accept.”
I nodded. One had to stake their life for this.
Only by wagering my life would that damned old man move according to my will.
[That rotten bastard….]
Yoo Cheon-gil’s forehead wrinkled as he grasped my intention.
I ignored it.
Ah, if there was one small problem….
‘Given that old man’s temperament.’
If left as is, he might explode and disregard my life and everything else.
So I had to speak quickly about what I needed to say.
“Then in return, the Lord of the Clan must also give me a definite answer.”
I was certain of this.
“Speak.”
“If my words are true and, accordingly, I can place the Ten Thousand Flower Rain into the hands of the Dang Clan Head.”
From now on, after hearing the conditions I propose, that old man would move for me.
That old man is sharp.
Cunning to a chilling degree and unmatched in political maneuvering.
So.
“I ask that you grant me—in the name of Dokuou Dang Gyeong-ak—the exclusive right of first refusal on iron and the monopoly on trading lower-grade martial weapons. Not to the Cheonwol Sect, but to me.”
If it were Yoo Cheon-gil, he would grasp the meaning behind these words.
Having spoken with that conviction.
[Huh?]
Yoo Cheon-gil, who had been glaring at me, suddenly exhaled sharply.
[Ha. Hahahahahaha—!!]
Not long after, he burst into loud laughter.
After laughing for a while, Yoo Cheon-gil stopped and spoke to me.
[You cunning bastard.]
His gleaming eyes and split grin were terrifying beyond measure.
[You keep amusing this old man—!]
In that expression he wore.
Oddly enough, there lay a faint sense of pride—the same way the Iron Master gazed upon Dang Yeeran.
Infuriatingly so.

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