The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 166

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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 166
The Main Alliance headquarters in Hanan.
Though situated slightly away from the center, it was the most populous area.
Even after the Jeongma Tournament concluded, the heterodox sects remained intact, and danger persisted everywhere.
Still, that was the reality.
Because of this, the orthodox sects—those who pursued righteousness and integrity—established branches of the Martial Arts Alliance in each region, providing support to the local clans governing those areas or forging agreements to protect people from the heterodox sects, while simultaneously.
Receiving backing from merchant guilds and other organizations under the guise of maintaining peace and safety.
Multiple facets existed in this arrangement.
Amidst these interconnected relationships.
The place called the central hub was none other than the Main headquarters.
The origin and standard of all Martial Arts Alliance branches.
It stood alongside Shaolin of the Gupaibang and the Cheongwol Sect in protecting Hanan.
“Identity confirmed. You may enter.”
The gatekeeper returned the letter of passage and spoke.
Creeeeak—!! The fortress gate swung open in sync with his words.
I proceeded through the widening gap.
Upon stepping through the entrance, an astounding sight greeted my eyes.
‘Wow.’
My eyes widened immediately.
‘This is incredibly vast…?’
The headquarters of the Cheongwol Sect and the representative hall of Yeolyeong were large, but this was on an entirely different scale.
Truly befitting the representative headquarters of the Central Plains—both the population and the atmosphere felt different.
‘Even the quality of the buildings differs.’
The construction felt refined, and it simply exuded the essence of a great metropolis.
‘Compared to what I saw in my past life, it’s not lacking in the slightest.’
A well-developed urban center itself. I proceeded slowly, taking in the remarkable scenery.
I was still riding in the carriage.
Perhaps that was why.
“That emblem is….”
“The Cheongwol Sect? That’s the Cheongwol Sect’s emblem.”
“Huh. So the rumors were true?”
Voices drifted through the closed window. My ears perked up.
“What rumors are you referring to?”
“Well, you know. I heard the Cheongwol Sect is also participating in this Dragon-Phoenix Conference.”
“What? The Cheongwol Sect?”
At the surprised tone, I let out a sigh. The rumors had spread quite extensively. I hadn’t expected word to reach here already.
‘How troublesome.’
I wondered how it had spread, but rumors were always like that—they leaked through even the smallest cracks.
As I reminded myself of this and clicked my tongue in disapproval.
“Then, is he also in that carriage?”
“If that’s the case… could it be?”
“You know, that person.”
“The Protagonist.”
I flinched.
At the familiar epithet, my eyes snapped open. Simultaneously, every gaze inside the carriage turned toward me.
I deliberately avoided their stares, pretending ignorance.
‘Damn it.’
I never expected them to discuss me even here. As I tried to hide my bewilderment and steady my breathing.
“The hero of the Four Heavens?”
What?
‘…What is this?’
There’s something strange attached to the front.
“Well, if the Cheongwol Sect participates, naturally he would appear.”
“…Huh. I heard he even tramples the Seven Prodigies beneath his feet, so we can finally verify the rumors?”
“But that can’t be right, can it? How remarkable are the current Seven Prodigies… For someone who suddenly appeared to become like that.”
“Hey, you fool. Suddenly appeared? He’s not just anyone who appeared—he’s the Predecessor of the Sword Saint himself.”
“That’s right. If he’s the predecessor of Yoo Cheon-gil, then it’s entirely possible.”
[Mm-hmm.]
At the many mentions, Yoo Cheon-gil nods with evident satisfaction.
“It was such a sorrowful thing when Yoo Cheon-gil passed away… hearing that his predecessor has appeared, how thrilling it is.”
“And I heard all seven of the Prodigies are attending this time.”
“What? Where did you hear that?”
“Well, I have some connections with the Gae Clan. There are ways to know these things.”
“Huh… All seven of the Prodigies attending?”
I open my eyes wide in surprise. This part shocked me too.
‘All seven are coming?’
This was unexpected.
Since the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was a festival for the later generations, their attendance wasn’t strange.
‘But full attendance has never happened before.’
Just last year, two of them didn’t attend, and in fact, since the birth of the Seven Prodigies, they’ve never all participated in the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
Cheonhye-in alone couldn’t attend due to her sect affiliation.
‘But they’re all coming now…’
My spine feels slightly chilled.
‘This isn’t good.’
If I end up going to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering because of the current rumors about me, which are already a hot topic due to all seven Prodigies attending.
‘All eyes will be drawn to me.’
Even gazes that shouldn’t be drawn will all converge on me.
“Gulp.”
I swallow and organize my thoughts. What should I do in this situation? As I’m contemplating this.
[What are you worrying about?]
Yoo Cheon-gil spoke to me in a dismissive tone.
[Just beat them all up.]
“….”
It was certainly not a solution that came easily to mind.
Good grief.
‘If that were possible, I wouldn’t be worrying like this.’
If such a thing were feasible, would I be fretting over it?
As I was rolling my eyes in thought, a voice came from beside me.
“The lodging was Wicheon Inn, wasn’t it?”
It was Do-hyeong’s question. Before I could answer, Cheonhye-in spoke up.
“That’s right. It’s always been there. This time too, it seems to be that place.”
‘Wicheon Inn.’
It was the place marked in the letter. The lodging where I would stay throughout the entire Dragon Phoenix Gathering, or so it was said.
The entire inn was rented out, providing rooms to the participants.
‘It’s a place with established connections.’
From what Cheonhye-in said, it seemed to be a place used whenever the Dragon Phoenix Gathering was held.
That meant it was connected to the Martial Arts Alliance.
Perhaps it was a place that provided substantial sponsorship to the Martial Arts Alliance, or one that had made prior arrangements with the higher-ups.
I glanced out the window.
A bustling crowd and murmuring voices.
Perhaps because the carriage was moving slowly, everyone was looking this way.
Their eyes were filled with curiosity and anticipation.
While the Cheongwol Sect’s participation was notable, I knew well why they wore such expressions.
‘It’s because of me.’
Geomseong’s Predecessor is attending.
That damned reason was surely the cause.
‘Sigh.’
A soft breath escaped my lips, turning to mist in the cold air.
Would it be alright? Such worries were beginning to take root.

* * *
We arrived at the inn. Wicheon Inn was quite massive and sprawling—clearly not exaggerating about accommodating all the participants.
It seemed they were using all three connected buildings rather than just one.
“Then I’ll go take care of the carriages.”
“…Thank you for your help.”
Chudong headed toward the stables positioned near the inn.
There would be far more than just one or two carriages arriving, so they’d clearly prepared facilities for that.
With Chudong gone, we entered the inn.
“Pardon me. May I see your letters of introduction?”
The moment we stepped inside, a figure approached us as if accustomed to this routine.
My companions and I handed over our documents.
“…!”
The figure’s eyes widened as he examined the letters.
And I felt his gaze flicker toward me.
I could tell from his eyes alone.
-So this is the Protagonist.
That was exactly the look in his eyes.
“…Ah… ahem.”
He cleared his throat once before continuing.
“…I’ll verify your identities. Four disciples of the Cheongwol Sect and… hmm?”
His gaze shifted to someone else as he was checking.
“Sacheon… Dang Cheon-il Sohyeop from the Dang Clan. Verified… confirmed.”
Why was a member of the Dang Clan here, and moreover, Dok-ryong of all people?
That was the strange look in his eyes. Then.
“Ah…”
He let out a small sound as if he’d realized something.
I wondered what he’d figured out, but I understood. This man.
‘He remembered the rumors.’
There’s a rumor about me—that after I saved Sacheon, his clansman Dok-ryong has been following me as my benefactor.
Because of that rumor, this man seemed to be looking at Dok-ryong with that particular gaze.
Dok-ryong noticed it too and immediately frowned.
“Tsk!”
He only clicked his tongue briefly, offering no further response.
Watching that, I suppressed a laugh.
‘This bastard…’
He’d been dejected since earlier.
The cause was probably his fight with Heuk Taedo.
‘His face is completely swollen.’
The shock of being struck once and sent flying must have been considerable.
His puffed cheeks and grimacing expression looked quite peculiar.
“Ah… yes. We’ve confirmed four of you and one blood relative of the Dang Clan. All five of you may use the top floor. I’ll guide you there at once.”
I listened to the figure’s words and moved accordingly.

* * *
The top floor of the inn. The atmosphere was distinctly different.
A considerably refined ambiance wafted through the air continuously.
This intensified progressively with each floor we ascended.
‘They’ve divided it by rank?’
It appeared the inn had indeed stratified its floors by tier.
The letter of recommendation we received bore the gold rank—the highest grade available.
It was only natural. If the Cheongwol Sect hadn’t received gold, that would have been the true anomaly.
Perhaps that’s why we were guided to the very top floor.
Below this, there were perhaps two more floors with similar atmospheres.
“Here we are.”
“Thank you.”
We were shown to our rooms. Each of us received a private chamber.
I left my luggage haphazardly and didn’t bother organizing it properly.
“Shall we go eat?”
I said this to Do-hyeong, who had emerged from his room next to mine.
Meal times were fixed, and since the last seating was approaching, we’d agreed to dine together.
Dok-ryong had refused to eat, so we left him behind. From his condition, it seemed he wouldn’t eat tomorrow either.
‘It doesn’t matter.’
It wasn’t my concern if he chose not to eat.
So we all descended together.
‘Hmm.’
I felt gazes upon me once again.
The dining hall was in the adjacent building, and as we headed there, many people had gathered.
Looking at them, I could discern the truth.
‘They’re all martial artists.’
Every single person present was a martial artist. Not one exception.
Perhaps because it was a space where martial artists gathered, the atmosphere felt unusually tense.
Those who weren’t looking at us.
Those who were watching.
Those pretending not to notice while observing.
Three categories existed, but I understood well.
‘They’re all looking.’
Regardless, they were all watching this place. I could feel it clearly.
“The Cheongwol Sect.”
“Sowoldae.”
“…Isn’t that Wol Muhui? So it was true.”
“Then….”
My gaze sweeps quickly across the space behind the rumbling noise.
I confirm Cheonhye-in and immediately look toward the group.
It seemed I was checking Cheon Euijin, Do-hyeong, and myself.
The reason was.
‘They’re looking for me.’
The Protagonist within this place.
Those were eyes searching for me.
Understanding that, I simply descended the stairs.
I walked down slowly and confirmed the empty dining table.
The moment they saw us coming down, someone rushed toward us.
It appeared to be the Waitress.
“I’ll show you to your seats…!”
I was guided to the dining table and sat down.
Since it was just a matter of filling my stomach adequately, I ordered only simple food and sat there blankly.
“…Ah, I’m exhausted….”
Fatigue washed over me. Most of it was mental exhaustion.
Because of that, my brow naturally furrowed.
The gazes boring into me and what lay ahead both contributed to it.
‘I should just eat and rest today.’
Really, just fill my stomach and rest.
That was all I wanted.
As I waited, the food arrived.
Even then, we didn’t exchange a single word.
Everyone was exhausted, but more than that, we were all naturally taciturn.
The dishes were laid out.
I was hungry.
‘Finally, I can eat.’
I had been so preoccupied with concerns that I’d lost my appetite and hadn’t eaten properly.
Now I was ravenous enough to eat anything without complaint.
Just as I was about to grab the food that had been served.
“You…!”
Someone’s voice rang out. I paid no attention.
It surely wasn’t directed at me.
That’s what I thought.
“At last we meet.”
The voice came from somewhere closer than before.
Crash—!!
“Huh?”
The chopsticks I was holding flew from my grasp from the impact.
The same went for the food, naturally.
Someone had seized my hand.
“You madman.”
Heat flared in my eyes like fire. I was already struggling to survive.
“What kind of bas—! Huh?”
I was about to curse and wrench free when—
I caught sight of the face of whoever had grabbed my arm.
Wait.
I knew this face.
“You?”
An arrogant expression twisted across his features—eyes, nose, mouth all scrunched up.
Even the glint of murderous intent flickering in his pupils.
And.
The sinister aura creeping behind his back.
Confirming that, I spoke his identity aloud.
“You perverted bastard. No, wait….”
The name was unmistakable.
“Namgung Seong?”
Socheongeom Namgung Seong.
The late-stage cultivator who had let Yoo Cheon-gil borrow my body to beat me to pieces back in Anhui.

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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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