The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 21

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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 021
Ever since learning Cheon Euijin’s true identity, I’d harbored constant questions about one particular matter.
Why had he come to this place? What possible reason could there be? I still couldn’t comprehend it.
It made sense, though. The Cheonwol Gate was a sect with deep roots in Hannam, wielding tremendous influence.
The monster Yoo Cheon-gil, who had just ended the Blood Calamity, was from that place, and a considerable number of past Martial Alliance leaders had been figures from the Cheonwol Gate.
This spoke to the immense standing of such a force.
Cheon Euijin was a person from such a place.
Moreover, the current sect leader’s son.
No matter how prominent a figure from the Five Great Families or Nine Major Sects might be, Cheon Euijin was someone they couldn’t treat carelessly.
‘Why would he come all the way to Anhui?’
It was incomprehensible. Why had he specifically chosen Anhui? And he’d come to the Martial Alliance branch in Anhui while concealing his identity.
Without some purpose, this made no sense whatsoever.
‘So that was the reason.’
Now, at this moment, I could finally understand his purpose.
The rusty, worn, and shattered sword before my eyes.
If this was truly the Sword Saint’s beloved blade as the old man had said, that was reason enough.
Moreover.
‘Judging by their reactions, most people don’t know he possesses this.’
The Namgung Clan likely didn’t know either. Had they known, Namgung Seong wouldn’t have treated Cheon Euijin in such a manner.
‘Of course, this is purely speculation.’
There was certainly a possibility his attitude wouldn’t have changed even if he’d known.
And for good reason.
‘Namgung Seong already has someone backing him from the shadows.’
Namgung Seong had long since secured a powerful backer—one significant enough that Cheon Euijin wouldn’t catch his eye.
‘In such circumstances, Cheon Euijin came to Anhui.’
If his purpose was this sword, then the clearer reason would be…
‘The need for symbolism.’
The very meaning this sword carried was what he needed.
‘If it’s the Sword Saint’s beloved blade, that says everything.’
Then, what reason would necessitate symbolism here?
Coming this far, I didn’t need to ponder long.
‘…Obviously, it’s for a power struggle.’
This was connected to Namgung Seong’s backer as well. From the situation, it seemed the Cheonwol Gate was currently engaged in a fierce battle over succession.
Just looking at Namgung Seong’s reaction made this clear, and otherwise there’d be no reason for Cheon Euijin to mention the former sect leader.
From this, I could discern the state of the Cheonwol Gate to some extent.
‘It seems to be descending into quite a mess….’
With Cheon Euijin obtaining such symbolism in these circumstances, it was undoubtedly a significant advantage.
Though I hated to admit it, the Sword Saint held profound significance not only for the Cheonwol Gate but for the entire Central Plains.
‘However, the problem here is….’
In Cheon Euijin’s estimation, I am currently….
‘It seemed he had come to Anhui searching for this symbol.’
And now he was trying to hand over the symbol he’d worked so hard to find to me.
So what should I do?
What could I possibly do?
“…That’s correct.”
With things as they were, my answer was already determined.
“Just as the Heavenly Supreme anticipated, I came to Anhui to search for the cherished blade of the great Sword Saint.”
[Great?]
I deliberately ignored the faintly snickering voice in between.
“…As expected….”
At my words, Cheon Euijin nodded repeatedly as if deeply impressed.
As expected, my prediction had been correct.
“…I had wondered why the Bang Disciple wasn’t in Hannam but in Anhui… but it seems you came for the same reason as I did.”
“That’s… correct.”
That wasn’t it at all. I just came to stretch my legs a bit in life. But I didn’t know.
That my life would become so twisted and miserable.
Just as a sigh was about to escape from my frustration.
“Then….”
Cheon Euijin quietly rose and bowed respectfully to me.
Seeing that, I reacted as if startled.
“Heavenly Supreme. Why are you doing this?”
“…It appears I have taken the precious item you were searching for. I apologize.”
At those words, I narrowed my eyes slightly. What was he talking about?
‘Does he think he came and snatched it away?’
I had been grinding away at the Martial Alliance for a year, and Cheon Euijin had only recently arrived, so from his perspective, it must have seemed that way.
‘I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, but this guy is more naive than I expected.’
It was strange that he would apologize so readily like this.
If it were me, I would have just taken it and played dumb rather than apologize.
[Well done.]
…What? I don’t think I said that out loud just now?
“There’s no need for that. I was unable to find it, but thanks to the Heavenly Supreme, I was able to find it.”
“…But.”
“I’m telling you again, there’s no need to worry about it. I’m really fine with it.”
“….”
When I spoke with sincerity that I was fine, Cheon Euijin bit his lip with a strange expression.
“…Then, Bang Disciple.”
“Yes.”
“If it’s possible, would you be willing to accept this heirloom?”
“….”
At Cheon Euijin’s words, this time it was my turn to fall silent.
For the record, this was intentional silence. I had already anticipated that Cheon Euijin would bring up those words.
“…What do you mean? I found this sword, so why would you…?”
I asked innocently, as if I understood nothing.
“…This is no ordinary blade—it is the beloved sword of the Sword Saint. Surely it would be proper to pass it to his successor, would it not?”
Cheon Euijin spoke with a bitter smile.
I could discern a faint trace of regret in that smile.
“Heavenly Supreme.”
“However, I ask but one thing of you.”
Cheon Euijin, his expression grave, continued.
“…In exchange for accepting this, please promise me you will become the Sect Leader of Cheonwol Gate.”
“….”
At those words, I furrowed my brow.
“…Sect Leader. I was curious about this before as well, but why do you so desperately wish for me to become the Sect Leader?”
“….”
“You could do it yourself if you wished, could you not?”
Wasn’t that why you came all this way? You’ve even obtained what you desired, so why not simply do it yourself….
‘Why do you keep insisting that I do this?’
Unable to comprehend, I asked.
But.
“….”
Cheon Euijin merely hardened his expression and offered no further answer.
The meaning of that gesture was singular.
Will you do it or not—that was what he meant.
“Hmm….”
In truth, I had only one choice before me.
I reached out toward the sword. Just as I was about to grasp the hilt.
“Ah, Heavenly Supreme.”
I called out to Cheon Euijin.
“Yes…?”
“I’m not exactly a substitute either, but would it be acceptable if I made one request of you?”
“What…?”
“Ah, do not worry.”
With a soft sound, I grasped the hilt.
“It should not be a difficult request for you.”

* * *
I stepped outside carrying the wooden case. Dawn still lingered in the sky.
“…Ugh….”
I trudged forward with labored steps. The case was heavier than I’d anticipated, making it quite burdensome.
[Tsk tsk…. A man can’t even lift one thing like this.]
“…This… is… heavier… than I thought…?”
Since Cheon Euijin had lifted it so effortlessly, I’d assumed it would be light, but it was beyond my expectations.
Why was this old, worn-out sword so impossibly heavy?
A wooden case shouldn’t be this heavy, but something felt off.
“This is driving me crazy….”
Sweat dripped down my face. As I barely managed to carry it forward, the old man continued clicking his tongue.
[Good grief, what a weakling.]
“No, I’m telling you it’s really heavy…?”
[If you can’t even lift something made of Hanchul, what’s the point?]
“Hanchul or whatever, it’s genuinely heavy….”
My body went rigid mid-sentence. Had I misheard…?
“…Old Man.”
[What is it?]
“What did you say it was made of…?”
[Hm?]
The old man’s expression turned confused.
[I said Hanchul.]
“…Hanchul? This old, ugly antique…?”
[Yes, made from eternal Hanchul directly procured from the North Sea.]
“This old, ugly antique…?”
[…Why are you repeating yourself?]
Why? Because I was utterly flabbergasted.
‘Hanchul? And eternal Hanchul at that?’
Hanchul was incomparable to ordinary iron. It was rare beyond measure, and only a limited number of craftsmen could forge weapons from it. A sword made of Hanchul was the lifelong dream of any swordmaster.
‘…And among Hanchul, eternal Hanchul at that.’
A sword forged from eternal Hanchul, the rarest of all Hanchul?
‘…Should I just sell this and run?’
If I sold just this one sword, I could live comfortably for the rest of my life….
Knowing this, desire suddenly bloomed within me.
[Stop entertaining useless thoughts and just carry it.]
The old man chided me as if he’d already read my mind.
[You know full well you can’t sell it anyway, so quit daydreaming.]
“….”
Hearing those words, my face twisted in frustration.
He was right. This sword cannot be sold. Not only because it’s eternal Hanchul, but….
‘If I sell it, it won’t take long before word spreads that it was Yoo Cheon-gil’s possession.’
Then things would get terribly complicated.
It’s no ordinary blade, so trouble would erupt from all directions.
‘Then I’d be caught up in it immediately.’
The consequences would reach me as well, the one who sold the sword.
Once I’d accepted the blade, selling it was never an option.
“…Damn it.”
What a shame. Such a terrible shame. I felt tears welling up from the regret.
[…Sigh.]
The Old Man sighed watching me like that, and I reluctantly picked up the wooden box and moved forward.
As I continued walking in silence.
[By the way.]
The Old Man spoke to me from behind.
[Why aren’t you asking?]
“….”
His voice was subtle and full of mischief. I ignored it and kept walking.
Then.
[You should have already noticed something odd. Why aren’t you asking?]
Now he appeared directly in front of me and asked outright.
Damn it… I thought I could just brush past this, but it seemed he wouldn’t let me off so easily.
‘Rot.’
I cursed inwardly before speaking to the Old Man.
“…What do you mean? I know nothing.”
[Really? I doubt that….]
“I don’t know how highly you regard me, Old Man….”
[If you guess what I’m asking, I’ll give you a silver-steel wine bottle. A very fine one at that.]
“…Why is this sword in Anhui?”
[Kekeke.]
Damn. I couldn’t help but ask. I wanted to pretend I didn’t know….
‘Tempting me with silver-steel? How underhanded.’
But it was too much money to refuse.
“Sigh….”
I exhaled differently than before. I set down the wooden box I’d been carrying and looked at the Old Man.
Yes, since it’s come to this, I might as well ask everything.
“Old Man.”
[Yes.]
“That antique you call your cherished blade.”
[Its name is Manwol.]
For an antique, it certainly had a magnificent name.
“Right. Manwol. Why was it buried in Anhui?”
A corner of the dungeon that no one should have known about. How had it ended up there?
The Old Man had probably been hoping I would ask about this from the start.
And yet.
‘Please, anything but that.’
I had to pray now, anticipating what the Old Man would say next.
‘…Please, please, anything but that.’
I pleaded desperately, over and over. Out of six possible answers, I just needed him to avoid that one.
But.
[The thing is.]
Yoo Cheon-gil spoke in a casual tone, as if he already knew how I would react.
[I don’t know either.]
“Damn it.”
I cursed the moment I heard it. The Old Man burst into delighted laughter at my response.
[Kahahaha-!!]
He clutched his belly, laughing as if it were the funniest thing he’d ever heard.
Ignoring his amusement, I had to grab my own forehead in frustration.
‘I begged so hard, and you won’t help me with just this one thing? Are you insane?’
I said I only needed to avoid one out of six possibilities, yet somehow I’d managed to hit exactly that one.
That his ailment was in Anhui, and he had no idea why.
‘I was hoping it would be anything but that.’
The Old Man said he didn’t know exactly how he had died.
Moreover, it wasn’t natural causes as was commonly believed, but death at the hands of another.
And the fact that this ailment had been hidden away in Anhui without the Old Man’s knowledge meant.
‘…Someone connected to the Old Man’s death must have done this.’
In short, I was completely screwed.

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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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