The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 174

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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 174
“What is your purpose?”
Weathered and gaunt.
Along with a cold voice that sinks into the night.
Even the stars seemed to hold their breath in the silence, and the moon that had barely risen was obscured by clouds, its light fading away.
The only light visible within that darkness came from a handful of swords suspended in the void.
Drifting through the air with energy infused within them, they resembled comets.
Whoooosh—
They vibrated faintly as if revealing the caster’s emotions. A single blade of this caliber could lay waste to the entire Hanan region.
This was the Heavenly Supreme Sword.
The power possessed by the Sword Emperor.
The Sword Empress knew this better than anyone.
Recalling this, the Sword Empress moved. She raised her fingers and touched the blade that threatened her neck.
She carefully pushed it away. Remarkably, the sword yielded helplessly to her delicate movement.
Leaving the repelled blade behind, the Sword Empress rose to her feet.
Even then, the sword continued to drift in the void.
“It’s been a long time.”
At the Sword Empress’s words, the Sword Emperor merely gazed at her with an eerie glint in his eyes.
At that attitude, the Sword Empress let out a short laugh and spoke.
“You’re still stingy, aren’t you?”
“You’re wrong.”
He immediately refuted her words.
In that moment.
Shiiing—!!!
A streak of light pierced toward the Sword Empress.
Screech—!!!
The tip of one of the swords the Sword Emperor was controlling lashed out at the Sword Empress.
Yet it never reached her. The blade stopped short before her face as if blocked by an invisible wall.
“It’s not that I’m stingy, but rather that we are not in a position to exchange such trivial pleasantries.”
The resentment in his voice was unmistakable.
The Sword Empress did not respond to this.
The Sword Emperor continued speaking regardless of her silence.
“The fact that you appeared here on your own two feet suggests you no longer fear Shin Chang?”
At the mention of the Alliance Lord, the Sword Empress’s shoulders trembled slightly.
“That cannot be.”
“Then how do you expect me to believe you would set foot in Hanan?”
“But it is true. I fear Shin Chang more than anyone.”
I had not wished to appear before him.
However.
“Circumstances have simply become unavoidable.”
“Ha, a situation?”
The Sword Emperor smiled mockingly. Then he grasped a sword that floated in the sky within his hand.
And then.
Twang.
With a subtle vibration, the wind ceased.
The clouds obscuring the sky parted, and stars poured down.
“What kind of situation would compel you to reveal your face like this?”
“…I couldn’t say.”
The Sword Empress spoke with a smile.
“As you said. We are not the sort to share such things with each other-”
The Sword Empress cut herself off and twisted her body.
Whoooosh–!!!
Wind swept violently past her side.
It was the Sword Emperor’s blade strike.
“…How violent. Still as ever.”
“I won’t listen to nonsense.”
The tip of the Sword Emperor’s blade pointed toward the Sword Empress.
“Why did you come here? Yeo Ryeong-seon.”
Now killing intent wrapped around his voice.
It meant he would not retreat unless she answered.
“…”
Watching the Sword Emperor like that, the Sword Empress took a step forward.
A west wind blew from somewhere.
“I understand your feelings, Sword Emperor. Is it truly alright for you to appear like this now?”
“…”
“It is I who fears Shin Chang, but you are also finding him troublesome right now, are you not?”
“…Ha.”
Hearing her words, the Sword Emperor let out a hollow laugh.
“Yes, I find him troublesome.”
Then he admitted it readily.
However.
“But I am not afraid of him. Do I look like someone who would fear that man?”
Fear was something only the weak felt.
With that meaning, the Sword Emperor raised his momentum.
“…”
The Sword Empress held back a sigh watching him.
At this rate, it truly seemed they would clash.
Because of that, she subtly cast her gaze elsewhere. Far away, she was mindful of her disciple.
‘Really.’
A child who made difficult what could have passed easily.
It contained something so brilliant that I kept it nearby, yet that child had made me uncomfortable about it more than once.
“Sigh.”
Unable to hold back any longer, I let out a breath.
Thump.
The Sword Emperor’s shadow disappeared.
Soon after, a line formed across the sky.
Fallen Heaven’s Single Annihilation.
Just as the Sword Emperor’s blade dance was about to begin, slicing through the heavens—
“Patcheon Gung.”
A sharp sound—!
후우우욱—!!!
At the Sword Empress’s words, the night that had been splitting apart stopped.
Clang.
The Sword Emperor swiftly retrieved his blade and sheathed it at his waist.
The floating sword had already vanished without a trace.
“What are you saying?”
The Sword Emperor asked after withdrawing his energy.
“You heard me clearly.”
“Speak plainly before I slit your throat.”
He placed his hand on his waist as if ready to draw at any moment.
Knowing the Sword Emperor’s nature well, I understood that his words were sincere above all else.
Whether Shin Chang interfered or not, he wouldn’t care.
He might even seek confrontation with Shin Chang instead.
That was the kind of person the Sword Emperor was.
It was only strange that he moved this way with his presence suppressed.
‘Even though I know the reason.’
Holding back the sigh that threatened to follow, I spoke.
“Patcheon Gung is scheming something in Hanan.”
“…Now?”
“That’s right.”
At the Sword Empress’s words, the Sword Emperor’s brow furrowed.
“We’ve obtained intelligence. They plan to strike in accordance with the Dragon Phoenix Assembly schedule.”
“…Haha.”
The Sword Emperor let out a laugh.
Hearing it, the Sword Empress’s hair trembled slightly. The killing intent contained in his voice was far too thick.
“Does Shin Chang know of this as well?”
He didn’t suspect deception. It didn’t seem to surprise him. That was the kind of person the Sword Emperor was.
“No.”
“Do you intend to tell him?”
“I don’t.”
“I see.”
The metallic scrape of steel.
The blade that had been partially drawn slid fully back into its sheath.
“I’d cut you down on the spot, but since you’ve brought useful information, I’ll let it slide.”
The Sword Emperor spoke and immediately turned his back.
The Sword Empress watched him and asked.
“…Sword Emperor.”
He didn’t stop his steps at her question.
“I know you’re also pursuing Patcheon Gung. However.”
At the mention of Patcheon Gung, the Sword Emperor’s footsteps halted for a moment.
“If your reason is revenge, then you should stop—”
“One word.”
The Sword Emperor turned his head and glared at the Sword Empress.
“Say one more word, and I’ll really kill you.”
“…”
“Not you, but that woman far away.”
“…!”
At those words, the Sword Empress broke into a cold sweat.
She had barely concealed her presence with supreme effort, yet the Sword Emperor had already seen through it.
What is this?
‘How is this possible?’
Has he grown even stronger since the war?
“If you don’t want your disciple’s head brought to you, keep your mouth shut, Yeo Ryeong-seon.”
“…”
This was not the time to ponder questions.
The Sword Empress closed her mouth at the Sword Emperor’s warning.
Once he confirmed her silence, the Sword Emperor dispersed like mist from that place.
“…Haah…”
She exhaled the breath she’d been holding.
‘…Why?’
Why was the Sword Emperor here?
Only after he vanished did the question occur to me. The Sword Emperor should certainly—
‘Be in Shin Chang.’
The original headquarters where the Demonic Sect once stood.
He should be operating from that place.
‘What is this?’
Why was the Sword Emperor here?
The Sword Empress furrowed her brow and gazed at a distant building.
‘Could it be.’
The one conversing with her disciple.
I recalled a certain young man.
And then I realized it.
“…Wol Seon-geom.”
The Sword Empress, thinking of the current Cheonwol Munchu, bit her lip as she spoke.
“He’s trying to do something pointless.”
As always.
Major incidents had a habit of erupting from that sect.
It seemed this time would be no different.

* * *
“…Sister?”
I asked, seeing the face that had appeared right before me. The woman let out a soft laugh upon hearing my words.
A face that resembled her father—striking and refined.
Her beauty was so vivid that even compared to my brother, she showed no inferiority.
The family’s characteristic gentle eye corners remained, but the expression she wore was so fierce that any impression of kindness vanished entirely.
This woman was my sister, whom I hadn’t seen in years.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
My sister, Bang Seo-jin, smiled brightly as she spoke.
A while? Was that what she called it?
“It’s been disgustingly long, that’s for sure.”
At least several years.
Time had passed without so much as a glimpse of her face.
“…You haven’t changed much, Sister.”
Bang Seo-jin before she ran away and Bang Seo-jin now didn’t seem all that different.
That’s why I recognized her immediately.
Of course, she had matured considerably with age, but the essence of who she was remained unchanged.
However.
“…Where did you suddenly pop out from?”
Why was she appearing here so unexpectedly?
I was genuinely startled.
“What? Weren’t you looking for me?”
Bang Seo-jin smiled brightly in response to my question.
I had been looking, certainly. But I hadn’t expected her to appear like this, and honestly, I would have preferred if she’d remained hidden until the end.
“Your body’s grown bigger, but our little brother is still a child, it seems? Still chasing after your sister every night like you used to.”
“…What nonsense is that?”
When did I ever do that?
“Why? You used to follow me around crying that you were scared.”
I don’t remember that at all.
It wasn’t a lie—it was the truth. What she was saying.
‘It must have been before I recovered my past life’s memories.’
A long time ago, in the distant past.
“That’s enough about my snot-nosed days… What brings you here?”
I asked why Bang Seo-jin had suddenly appeared.
“That’s what I wanted to ask you.”
Bang Seo-jin replied matter-of-factly.
“What have you done to spread our brother’s name everywhere?”
“…”
“Isn’t that right? Our Little Sword Saint, Bang Seong-yeon?”
“No…”
“I really had no idea our brother would become so remarkable.”
Cold sweat dripped down my face at her amused questioning.
Then.
[Hmm.]
Yoo Cheon-gil was observing Bang Seo-jin with evident interest.
His eyes gleamed with intrigue.
‘What do I do.’
I couldn’t think of a proper response. How was I supposed to explain this?
As I pondered that moment.
“That’s enough.”
Bang Seo-jin stepped back slightly as she spoke.
Then she approached the window.
“I’ll hear the rest later.”
“…Pardon?”
“I’ll come again tomorrow. Have your explanation ready by then.”
“You’re leaving?”
“Of course. Aren’t you going to sleep?”
“…No, I was going to sleep.”
“I just came to see your face for a moment. Your sister is quite busy, so I can’t stay long.”
“…”
If she was busy, why did she suddenly break in at this hour?
Moreover.
“Sister.”
“Hmm?”
I stopped Bang Seo-jin as she was leaving.
“Why did you tell me to see you at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering…?”
Bang Seo-jin had told me this back in Sichuan.
That I should come to the Dragon Phoenix Gathering. She had said that.
“Weren’t you planning to participate yourself?”
I didn’t know what method she would use, but I had wondered if Bang Seo-jin was also planning to participate in the Dragon Phoenix Gathering.
“What are you talking about?”
Bang Seo-jin looked at me as if I’d just spouted complete nonsense.
“Why would I go there?”
“You won’t?”
“It’s not that I won’t—I can’t.”
“Pardon?”
“Can’t you see this?”
As she spoke, Bang Seo-jin pointed to her clothing.
What couldn’t I see…?
“Huh?”
I squinted as I examined her garments.
That…
“…The Martial Arts Alliance…?”
What Bang Seo-jin wore was, surprisingly, the uniform of the Martial Arts Alliance.
Moreover.
‘That’s a headquarters uniform.’
Not the standard robes worn by ordinary members at branch offices, but the elite garments bestowed only upon those serving at the main headquarters.
The fact that Bang Seo-jin wore such attire meant…
“…Sister, did you get employed by the Martial Arts Alliance?”
“Employed? Your word choice is still strange, little brother.”
Bang Seo-jin let out a soft laugh, then placed her foot back on the windowsill.
“Anyway, since that’s how it is, let’s talk details tomorrow. Will you come visit?”
“No. There’s no need to—”
Whoosh!
Without even hearing me finish, Bang Seo-jin threw herself out the window.
Fast.
Her speed of departure was extraordinary.
“…What…?”
I could only stare blankly as my sister vanished like a gust of wind, having arrived like lightning.
Did she really just come to say hello…?
Feeling bewildered, the night passed in that manner.

* * *
Chirp, chirp.
An unfamiliar sound reached my ears. The birdsong heralding morning and the light assaulting my eyes became apparent.
It was morning.
I felt the arrival of dawn.
‘…Ugh. I want to sleep more.’
My mind had awakened, yet my eyes remained shut, reluctant to open.
I was experiencing another ordinary morning like any other.
[Hey.]
A sound I didn’t wish to hear reached me.
[Hey. Get up.]
“….”
Yoo Cheon-gil kept speaking, attempting to rouse me.
[Wake up already. Come on.]
Usually, such words were meant to urge me toward training. Ignoring him would have been easier, but—
[No, I’m telling you to get up! Get up! This is urgent!]
Yoo Cheon-gil was being unusually persistent today. Just a bit more sleep would have been perfect.
[Get up–!!]
“Ugh!”
Unable to endure the piercing cry in my ears, I forced my upper body upright.
“Damn it! Why are you screaming like that….”
The moment I glared at Yoo Cheon-gil with wide eyes.
“…Huh…?”
Before me stood something massive like a wall.
Looking closer, it wasn’t a wall but a person.
What is this?
I thought it might be Yoo Cheon-gil, but he was floating in mid-air.
Then… what is this?
I slowly lifted my head.
A face that required looking up quite far to see.
“…Huh…?”
Upon confirming the Giant looking down at me, my body froze in place.
Luxuriant white hair.
An eye patch covering one eye.
An old man regarding me with a gleaming gaze.
The Celestial Demon—said to be closest to the Heavenly Supreme in the current Central Plains.
Shin Chang, Jeok Ho-myeong.
He was looking down at me.
“Ah.”
Witnessing that, I understood.
“A nightmare, then?”
It seemed I was still dreaming.
There was no other way to make sense of this situation.

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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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