The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 213

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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 213
If I were to describe today’s weather, I would call it truly clear.
Since it’s the depths of winter, the somewhat cold temperature is unavoidable, but even accounting for that, the sky was unusually bright and cheerful—the kind of day that lifted one’s spirits.
A day that anyone would agree was clear and beautiful.
쿠르르르르릉—!! 쿠르릉–!!
Yet on this clear day, thunder echoed across the sky.
That wasn’t all.
Crackle-crackle-!!! Crackle-!!
As if to prove the source of the sound was indeed thunder, the crackling of lightning could be heard as well.
What kind of absurd situation was this? Bewildered, I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh as I looked at the source of the thunder before me.
Rumble.
A handsome young man was clad in lightning.
Yes, clad. He wore the rough, tingling lightning like his own garment.
‘How peculiar.’
So such a form could be created. It truly resembled lightning.
Yes, resembling is not the same as being identical.
That was.
[Merely the manifestation of inner energy.]
‘The manifestation of inner energy.’
Borrowing Yoo Cheon-gil’s words, that was what it was.
For a martial artist, inner cultivation is the foundation, the starting point, or the very root.
Depending on which inner cultivation one masters and which breathing technique one trains one’s body with, the manifestation of inner energy takes its form.
How the inner energy of Huashan resembles plum blossoms.
And how the inner cultivation and energy of the Cheongwol Sect imitate the moon—these principles originate from such foundations.
The form of lightning before me.
The manifestation applied through thunder and lightning energy was nothing less than the embodiment of the Namgung Clan’s lightning nature.
Crackle-crackle.
Why was the appearance of the lightning energy wrapped around his body so densely aggressive?
Watching Naelyong’s form, I found myself swallowing hard without realizing it.
‘It’s definitely different.’
A world of difference compared to when I faced Woon-ryong.
His aggressive energy and the lightning energy that Namgung Cheon emanated were entirely different in both quantity and quality.
Moreover.
‘I didn’t even see him activate it.’
The moment he drew his blade, the lightning energy burst forth. Against Woon-ryong, I at least managed to prevent him from executing his sword technique.
But this.
‘It’s too fast, far too fast.’
A sword clan based on swift strikes.
The Namgung Clan was the place that pursued speed above all else, seeking the fastest blade of anyone.
And as if to prove this, Naelyong’s sword was truly like lightning itself.
‘Socheongeom isn’t even worth comparing.’
That man did emit lightning qi, but such shallow energy was hardly deserving of the name.
‘This is the real thing.’
As if to demonstrate what true lightning qi truly was, Naelyong displayed it with his entire being.
[Tsk tsk.]
Yoo Cheon-gil suddenly clicked his tongue.
[Whether it’s that Peng Clan bastard or this one, those damned fellows certainly produced remarkable descendants.]
It was obvious whom he was thinking of.
Yoo Cheon-gil must have been recalling his former comrades.
And what this meant was:
‘Naelyong is just as formidable as Heuk Taedo.’
That monstrous man and the handsome one before me were equals.
As I was contorting my expression with that thought,
“Socheongeom.”
He called out to me.
“Do you know what I mean?”
“What do you mean?”
“I respect the Sword Saint.”
“….”
[This bastard.]
I ignored Yoo Cheon-gil’s interjection and focused only on Naelyong. So what was he getting at?
How many martial artists in the current Central Plains didn’t respect the Sword Saint?
Had I not met that old man like this, I certainly would have respected him too.
A hero of the era.
A superhuman without equal in history.
The greatest of all ages and the supreme under heaven.
He possessed titles that were rarely granted.
But then.
“That’s precisely why I didn’t favor you so much.”
I had to tilt my head at his following words.
Didn’t favor? Yet Naelyong’s attitude toward me had been completely the opposite?
Confused, I looked at him, and Naelyong smiled as he spoke.
“I hoped that the predecessor of that great Sword Saint would not be weak.”
“Hmm.”
I’d heard something similar before. It resembled what Sochul Daeju of the Cheongwol Sect had said.
“So you disliked me because I appeared weak? Is that what you’re saying?”
It was reasonable enough that I tried not to dwell on it.
“It wasn’t that I disliked you. Moreover, I think differently now.”
“Hmm?”
Now he thinks differently? So it wasn’t disappointment that made him dislike me?
An unexpected answer.
“Unlike Geomseong’s Predecessor, you carry yourself with composure. I am Socheongeom. I regard you favorably.”
“…Should I express my gratitude?”
“I would appreciate it.”
“Thank you.”
“Hahahaha. Well, well. Receiving respect while lying down, are we?”
Unlike that man, he possessed a calm demeanor. I focused on his words. Hadn’t he mentioned meeting Yoo Cheon-gil somewhere?
Fortunately, Yoo Cheon-gil resolved this question for me.
[I’ve seen him before. A very long time ago, though.]
“Mm.”
It seemed to be the same story as with Dang Yeeran.
[Back then, he seemed rather unremarkable. Now I realize my eyes were mistaken.]
“…”
I was startled despite myself at this part.
It was somewhat surprising that Yoo Cheon-gil acknowledged his own mistake so casually.
“Hmm.”
In any case.
Surprising or not.
“So you’ve been anticipating a fight with me that much…? Is that what you’re saying?”
“Indeed. How could I not be curious? I’m intrigued by the Sword Saint’s swordsmanship, but your very existence fascinates me as well.”
Whoosh.
Crackle—!!!
Namgung Cheon pointed thunder at me.
“I hope you’ll show me whether you’re worthy of inheriting that name.”
“…Expectations that high are rather burdensome.”
“Aha.”
I heard laughter, but Namgung Cheon was no longer smiling.
“I know you’re not being sincere.”
“…”
But I really am terrified.
Why won’t he believe me?
“Hani, I ask but one thing of you.”
“…What is it?”
“I heard you had dealings with my incompetent younger brother.”
“…”
Certainly, there were dealings between us.
But I wondered why he was bringing this up now.
“So please do not misunderstand.”
“Misunderstand?”
“Indeed.”
Crack-crack-crack!!!!
Lightning began to gather its radiance.
“I hope you don’t mistake that incompetent blade for a Namgung sword. If you do, this match will end far too easily.”
“….”
Hearing those words, I felt the tension within me surge to a boil.
“I have no such thoughts.”
Who did he take me for, a fool?
“I can plainly see that you’re different.”
How could I think them the same while witnessing such overwhelming power?
I had never harbored such thoughts from the beginning.
Socheongeom and Naelyong were different figures.
Their worth and level were entirely distinct.
And to prove this.
‘I’ve prepared thoroughly.’
I had made extensive preparations to face Naelyong.
Whoooosh-!!!
As if pushing back the crackling lightning, light wrapped around my blade as well.
Radiant Moon Sword Technique.
Brilliant moonlight coiled around the blade.
Simultaneously, I focused my eyes with intensity.
Wol-an bloomed, and the world transformed.
Zing-!
Power surged through me properly, and a sharp pain pierced my head as the world became enveloped in azure light.
Moonlit Sword Path.
I entered the world of the blade revealed by the moon.
‘Can I do this?’
Could I truly manage against such a man? The question arose.
False renown. Fabricated talent.
Confidence I had not earned myself.
I felt all of it.
‘What else can I do?’
As always, conversely.
‘I must try.’
I chose to move forward rather than flee from the task before me.
“I’m coming.”
Naelyong spoke as if instructing me.
It wasn’t necessary.
‘I can see it.’
Everything was visible to my eyes anyway.
Crack-!
Within my blue-tinted vision, a single line of light appeared.
Seeing it, I raised my sword.
Crack-crack-crack-!!!
The sound was not what one would call blades clashing.
Sting.
My shoulder was crushed. And I had merely blocked.
‘Testing my strength?’
A contest of raw power would not do. I immediately recognized this and twisted my blade’s flat.
Screech-!!
As my blade twisted, Naelyong’s sword slid away.
But.
Slash-!
“…!”
His blade’s tip, driving straight through, grazed my cheek.
‘Damn.’
Fast. If I hadn’t perceived the sword’s path, I would have been pierced.
I rotated my body. As I spun rapidly, droplets of blood flowing from my cheek scattered into the void.
I channeled sword force into the rotation and took my stance.
Wolrang.
The first form of the Cheongwol Sword Dance bored into Naelyong.
“Hup!”
Naelyong, seeing this, released a sharp cry.
Crackle-crackle-crackle-!!!!
The lightning energy surrounding his body suddenly expanded.
Sting-sting!
As the lightning energy brushed against my skin, it felt as though tiny fragments were tearing through it.
Even feeling this, I did not stop.
I pushed forward relentlessly, trying to drive my blade through.
But a line appeared before my eyes. Was this Naelyong’s counterattack?
I succeeded in perceiving it.
“Lightning Line.”
Crack-!
Thud!
“…!!”
Naelyong’s blade pierced through my chest in an instant.
The sharp tip of his sword drove in as if to skewer me completely.
“Ugh!”
I spat blood and was sent flying backward.
Using my feet to brace against the ground, I barely managed to reduce my momentum.
“Haah.”
I glanced down in alarm.
My sword was protecting my chest.
The moment I saw Naelyong’s sword path, I abandoned my Wolrang technique and altered my trajectory.
It was a fleeting instant. I wavered between continuing my offense or switching to defense, but I followed my instincts.
Had I not, the match would have ended.
‘How is he so fast?’
I had extended my sword first, yet Naelyong’s blade reached me far sooner.
It was a terrifying speed.
“Hah.”
I exhaled as I barely managed to block it.
“Socheongeom.”
I heard Naelyong’s voice.
When I lifted my head, Naelyong stood at a distance, gazing at me.
“Is that all?”
“….”
“Then I’m disappointed.”
Whoosh.
Whoosh.
Naelyong spoke while casually spinning his sword.
Hearing that, I let out a slight laugh.
“Ah.”
Normally, I would have coasted through this point.
But damn it, Dang Cheon-il kept creeping into my thoughts.
I was irritated that his needless diligence had put me in this position.
‘Rot.’
He’s making me do things that don’t suit me.
With such thoughts, I spoke to Namgung Cheon.
“That can’t be.”
I raised my sword.
I still had much to show.

* * *
The tension gradually intensified as the moment unfolded.
Naelyong, said to be of the upper echelon among the Seven Prodigies, and this new Sword Saint who could place even those Seven Prodigies beneath him.
The match between Socheongeom, Geomseong’s Predecessor, had begun.
All spectators watched them with rapt attention.
Naelyong then enveloped himself in a martial technique that took the form of lightning.
When he unleashed the Namgung Clan’s Thunder Armor, everyone gasped in admiration.
The fact that he wielded the Namgung Clan’s secret technique at such a young age was remarkable in itself.
His use of Thunder Armor from the very start signified that Naelyong intended to fight with all his might.
As if to prove it, their brief exchanges were fierce.
Thrusting the blade forward.
Deflecting the strike.
Counterattacking.
Counterattacking again.
Though they displayed what might seem like ordinary exchanges, those moments were unusually brief.
The Namgung Clan’s swift swordplay was faster than that.
“Why does Socheongeom seem somewhat slow?”
“He appears to be struggling just to defend… I wonder if he’s alright.”
The spectators cast doubtful glances. His responses seemed peculiar compared to his renowned reputation.
“They said he surpassed the Seven Prodigies, but it doesn’t seem to be at that level, does it?”
“Indeed. I felt it during his match with Woon-ryong as well. He’s strong, but… somewhat questionable.”
Doubt took root.
Was Socheongeom truly a Disciple who surpassed the Seven Prodigies?
“His face is certainly handsome though.”
“Indeed. His face could easily pass as one of the Seven Prodigies. Hahaha.”
Mockery began to follow the doubt.
Perhaps he could advance on his looks alone, regardless of his actual skill.
The moment a man uttered such words.
Crash—!
“Huh!? What…!”
A sound of something shattering came from beside him.
The man looked in shock to see the ground crushed beneath something.
And upon it rested the delicate foot of a woman.
“Oh my, I apologize.”
Though she wore a veil, her voice sounded refined and gentle.
She spoke to the man.
“I was killing an insect.”
“I… beg your pardon?”
“A disgusting insect kept making noise, so it was bothering me. I’m truly sorry.”
“…”
The man fell silent at her strangely menacing words.
For some reason, he felt that uttering even one more word would lead to disaster.
With the space finally quieted, the woman withdrew her foot and clicked her tongue.
“Tsk.”
How dare he speak such nonsense.
Irritation surged, but I held it back to this extent.
Because I was not alone right now.
“What is your assessment?”
Muyong Youngsoon glanced subtly to the side as she asked.
“Father.”
The man seated beside her responded to Muyong Youngsoon’s question.
The Lord of the Moyong Clan.
Baekwang Muyong Hyeok stared intently at Bangseong-yeon on the arena instead of answering.

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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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