The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 236

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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 236
The man who introduced himself as Hyeong Yeong-hwa appeared to be in his forties, and despite being a martial artist, he carried a bit more weight than typical for his profession.
He wore a friendly smile and introduced himself as belonging to the Guard Corps.
‘The Guard Corps, you say.’
One person came to mind immediately.
‘Isn’t that where that man was stationed?’
The man who guarded Cheon Euijin. Was his name Poongyoung? He was the one from the Guard Corps who was assigned to Cheon Euijin.
Whether it was because such a man came from the Guard Corps, or for some other reason.
‘What is that.’
I had to suppress a sharp intake of breath as I noticed something clinging to Hyeong Yeong-hwa’s back.
Without looking directly, I maintained the most indifferent expression possible while observing its aura from the corner of my eye.
‘A demon?’
No.
Its appearance was too opaque to be called a demon. Something as hazy as mist could safely be considered a mere spirit.
The problem was.
‘It possesses such a grotesque malice, yet its form is unclear?’
Its lingering attachment was so faded that only a bare conviction remained.
Entities with blurred forms typically felt like that.
‘Yet it carries such a dense aura.’
Despite its indistinct form, the aura was far too thick.
I’d never seen anything like it before.
‘What on earth is this.’
I glanced around the room with a questioning expression, trying to naturally direct my gaze toward Yoo Cheon-gil.
Our eyes met at that movement, and Yoo Cheon-gil
[Hmm?]
simply tilted his head as he looked at me.
‘He doesn’t sense anything.’
He couldn’t see it. From his reaction, it was clear that thing was invisible to him.
Which meant.
‘It’s not a simple spirit.’
That entity was not a spirit, and for some reason, only I could see it.
‘It’s not a spirit, yet my eyes are detecting it.’
What could this mean.
I still didn’t know.
“Ah, please have a seat.”
Hyeong Yeong-hwa gestured forward. I pulled out a chair and sat down.
“Haha. Do you need any tea?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“I see. Haha. Please don’t be too nervous. This isn’t an interrogation.”
“….”
That wasn’t why I was tense, though.
My gaze remained fixed behind Hyeong Yeong-hwa while I maintained a smile on my face.
“You must be exhausted from just finishing your martial bout. I apologize for summoning you like this.”
“Not at all. May I ask what matter brought me here?”
I already knew the reason. It was predictable, but I asked anyway.
“It’s nothing special, but I’ve brought you here to inquire about Namgung Seong.”
As expected. I’d anticipated this.
“You’re asking me?”
Contrary to my thoughts, I widened my eyes and asked, feigning surprise while observing the form of the energy.
The undulating presence moved something that resembled limbs, appearing to embrace Hyeong Yeong-hwa’s body.
“Ah, yes. The Socheongeom…”
“Just call me Bangseong-yeon.”
“Then, when Bang Disciple was active at the Martial Arts Alliance’s Anhui branch…”
“Yes.”
A story from several months past was unfolding.
Right, several months had already passed since then.
“It’s said there was some friction between you and Socheongeom Namgung Seong at that time.”
“Not friction exactly. We simply had a martial bout.”
“For something so simple…”
A document before Hyeong Yeong-hwa fluttered. He read it as if confirming something, then spoke to me again.
“The records indicate the process and outcome were rather violent? It’s written that you struck Namgung Seong’s vital points immediately after the bout ended.”
“There was an incident.”
It was an anecdote about how I’d been infuriated seeing Namgung Seong and had tried to destroy his groin. Because of that, fearing the Namgung clan might come after me, I’d fled to the Cheongwol Sect like a coward.
The problem was.
“I don’t see how that relates to the current incident.”
I was questioning what connection the current situation involving Namgung Seong had with the investigation I was now undergoing.
My face was scrunched up in clear discomfort as I spoke.
Then.
“Aha… I apologize for the displeasure.”
Hyeong Yeong-hwa hastily waved both hands as he spoke.
“Because of the incidents Namgung Seong caused, we’re currently investigating all related matters. Among them, this was the incident with the greatest repercussions this year, so we had no choice but to summon you.”
“If that’s the case, I understand. However, it seems I’ve come here less as a witness and more as someone being interrogated. Am I also a suspect?”
“Ah no! That couldn’t be further from the truth! How could we ever suspect Geomseong’s Predecessor… That was never our intention.”
He spoke urgently, his words pouring out as if absolutely denying it.
“Is that so?”
“Yes, absolutely! Let me reiterate—this is merely an investigative inquiry with a few questions.”
“I understand.”
I’d probed slightly, wondering if he was trying to engage in some kind of power struggle, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
‘Then what is that?’
The energy embracing Hyeong Yeong-hwa remained unchanged.
If there was a difference.
‘Is it looking at me?’
It kept nodding its head repeatedly in my direction.
I couldn’t see its eyes. I could only sense that the part where a face should be seemed to be doing so.
‘What is its intention? What is its true nature?’
I couldn’t tell. If it were a Demon, I would have known immediately upon seeing it.
That aura was something else entirely….
‘It seems like an evil spirit, though.’
Yet it felt distinctly different from the oppressive sensation I’d felt from Baekcheon-in.
The aura emanating from the Demon and Baekcheon-in carried a certain naturalness to it.
It would be absurd to call an evil spirit’s presence natural, but in comparison, that’s what it was.
This one, on the other hand.
‘Artificial, perhaps?’
Something about it felt contrived and unnatural.
It gave the impression of something crudely fashioned by someone’s hand.
Why did it feel that way?
I couldn’t say. I simply felt it.
No.
‘I can see it.’
That’s what it looked like.
Ssshhh.
As I gazed upon the aura, my eyes naturally tensed.
Even though I hadn’t deliberately focused my Wol-an, it happened of its own accord.
‘It’s ominous.’
Deeply ominous. Unlike the friendly smile it wore.
That aura alone threw everything into disarray.
“If I may… would it be alright to ask a few more questions?”
Hyeong Yeong-hwa spoke again.
“Yes.”
I decided to focus on the investigation first.

* * *
“Thank you for your assistance. Please take care on your way out.”
“Not at all. You’ve worked hard as well, investigator.”
The investigation concluded, and I walked straight back outside. The whole process had taken perhaps half an hour.
The content, as I’d mentioned before, concerned everything about Namgung Seong.
How we’d come to meet, what we’d discussed.
How we’d ended up in a martial contest, and what happened afterward.
What his condition was like when I encountered him.
I’d recounted all of this in as much detail as possible.
Of course.
‘Except for a few things.’
I’d given an account of Namgung Seong while omitting anything that could harm me.
They’d likely already completed their investigation anyway.
This process was merely to verify how much my account aligned with their findings.
‘Hmm.’
Something felt increasingly twisted about this situation.
Why had things suddenly spiraled like this?
‘What on earth is happening?’
What was unfolding? Why had Namgung Seong suddenly lost control like that?
‘I can’t make sense of it.’
Every development felt peculiar.
And.
‘It was ominous.’
Deeply ominous—like that aura clinging to Hyeong Yeong-hwa.
‘It’s neither a demon nor a vengeful spirit…’
If it’s neither, why couldn’t Yoo Cheon-gil see it?
‘My divine eye seems to catch it.’
Then Yoo Cheon-gil should be able to see it too.
Something was wrong.
Then.
“Where do you intend to go now?”
The moment I stepped outside the Martial Arts Alliance, Daeju appeared beside me and asked.
When had he shown up?
“…Ah, I have no particular schedule, so I’ll return to the inn.”
Tomorrow would be the semifinals.
The semifinals had already arrived, and since both the semifinals and finals would be held on the same day, tomorrow was essentially the tournament’s final day.
To prepare for that, managing my fatigue today was the right approach.
“I see.”
Daeju nodded without any particular reaction, and as I watched, I began to turn toward the inn when.
Clang.
Suddenly, something felt off at my waist.
‘Ah, that’s right.’
I was carrying an additional sword at my hip—the divine blade wrapped in cloth.
I’d brought it along since I was told to keep it with me just in case, but having two swords made it more cumbersome than expected.
‘Nothing’s even happened yet. Do I really need to carry it around?’
Just as that thought crossed my mind.
[From now on, carry it with you at all times if you can.]
Yoo Cheon-gil spoke to me directly.
‘Hmm.’
I didn’t fully understand, but since it was merely cumbersome and nothing more, I’d just have to carry it.
With that thought, I stepped onto the street. I was heading back to the inn.
“It’s Socheongeom.”
Voices reached me from around.
“Socheongeom…? My goodness, is it really him?”
“He’s as handsome as the rumors say.”
“Wow… Socheongeom…”
“…”
People all around reacted as if they recognized me.
‘This is awkward.’
I scratched the back of my head sheepishly. After participating in a few martial tournaments, the number of people who recognized me had grown noticeably.
‘Should I have worn a mask?’
My face was already distinctive enough.
Setting aside my inherited resemblance to my father and my naturally refined features, the real problem was my Wol-an eyes.
It seemed that was what made me even more recognizable.
“I enjoyed watching your matches!”
“You were magnificent!”
“Ah. Yes, thank you…”
I quickened my pace while returning their greetings.
Once one person recognized me, it felt like the entire street knew who I was.
This wasn’t good. I needed to get to the inn quickly.
With that intention, I picked up my pace.
“You’re amazing!”
“Quite the handsome fellow, aren’t you!”
“Ah, yes, yes. Thank you… thank you… Huh?”
As I continued forward while speaking.
A crowd appeared ahead of me.
‘What?’
My body stiffened slightly as I looked at them. At first glance, they seemed like just a group of people gathering.
‘That’s…’
Something emanated from those approaching me.
‘That’s what I saw earlier.’
It was the cluster of energy that had been clinging to Hyeong Yeong-hwa’s body.
An artificial aura composed of malevolent force. It was attached to each person, approaching me from that direction.
Seeing it, my eyes widened.
‘Why is that…’
attached to them? I was widening my eyes in surprise when—
[Avert your gaze.]
Yoo Cheon-gil spoke gravely. The moment I heard him, I shifted my vision away.
And I acted as naturally as possible.
“Thank you.”
I repeated my greeting and moved past the group.
Shortly after passing them without incident, once the distance between us had widened.
“Phew…”
I exhaled softly.
Cold sweat beaded across my back from an inexplicable tension.
‘What was that?’
What were those men just now? Why were they wearing the same energy that Hyeong Yeong-hwa possessed?
How were they wandering through Hanan County draped in such ominous auras?
As I rolled my eyes in confusion—
[Those men just now.]
Yoo Cheon-gil drew closer and spoke.
[They’re from Patcheon Gung.]
“…!”
My eyes widened as wide as lanterns at those words.
What did he say?
‘Patcheon Gung?’
Those men I encountered in Sacheon?
At that, I immediately turned my head back. They were already out of sight.
The problem was.
‘Then that energy…’
That malevolent aura all those Patcheon Gung men possessed.
If all those carrying that energy were from Patcheon Gung—
‘Then what Hyeong Yeong-hwa had…’
The fact that Hyeong Yeong-hwa, who claimed to be an investigator for the Alliance, possessed the same energy.
I focused on that detail.
‘Could it be?’
A chilling thought crossed my mind.
That subtle, enigmatic aura—
‘…Does everyone bearing that energy belong to Patcheon Gung?’
It seemed to be a marker identifying those from Patcheon Gung.

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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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