The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 248

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Heavenly Supreme Has Died – Episode 248
Screech.
A flash of light erupted, followed by sound in its wake.
A moment of brilliance and noise. And then.
Thud.
Someone’s head tumbled to the ground, rolling away, while the headless body fell lifelessly after it.
Splurt.
Blood poured from the severed corpse, the crimson stream slowly soaking into the lifeless white garments.
“What—!!!”
Belated reactions exploded from all around.
Shing— Shing—!!
Blades drawn from every direction, all pointing at a single figure.
The sword tips were aimed at Baekwang, the Lord of the Moyong Clan and one of the Five Heavenly Kings.
“Baekwang! What is the meaning of this sudden act!”
“…Could it be that even the Moyong Clan Leader was a spy for the heterodox sects?”
“…The Nine Dragons’ Daeju… felled in a single strike…”
Not only the Daeju nearby, but the martial artists of the Martial Arts Alliance raised their guard.
Their momentum surged as if ready to clash with Baekwang at any moment.
Yet even amid this chaos, Baekwang sheathed his blade and gazed only at me.
Not a shred of hesitation. At the mere mention of a wish, Baekwang had killed a man without pause.
Gulp.
I swallowed hard, confirming what I had witnessed.
‘…He actually did it.’
Honestly, I was only half certain, but seeing it unfold like this left me astounded.
‘Remember this.’
A conversation with Baekwang from years ago.
‘As you wish, I shall keep secret what you have done for me. Yet even that cannot fully express my gratitude.’
It was around the time I had resolved a matter concerning Muyong Youngsoon.
A situation where I had nearly perished, and only Baekwang and I knew of it.
‘However, I cannot simply let this pass without acknowledgment. I cannot offer the Moyong Clan assistance, as that is not what you desire…’
Then Baekwang had extended three fingers and spoken to me.
‘From this day forward, I shall grant you three wishes.’
‘Three wishes…?’
Lying bedridden and groaning, I heard Baekwang speak those words clearly.
‘Yes, wishes. Whatever you desire, I shall stake my name, my honor, and my daughter to fulfill them without fail.’
‘…Ha…’
Hearing those words, I could not help but laugh.
‘How could you know what I would wish for?’
Did this man fear nothing in the world? How could he speak of granting any wish without hesitation?
Enough. Such things are unnecessary. I meant to refuse.
‘I’m not sure what you’d even ask for.’
Baekwang responded to me with unwavering resolve.
‘It doesn’t matter. Whatever it is, I will grant it.’
‘….’
Faced with such steadfast, weighty conviction, I found myself unable to speak.
But since he was offering, I immediately used one of my wishes right then.
I asked him to help me without Muyong Youngsoon knowing, should I ever disappear.
Because Baekwang granted that wish, I was able to come to Anhui comfortably.
“…I should have asked him to prevent Muyong Youngsoon from coming to me instead.”
Because I phrased my wish poorly, things became somewhat complicated.
Though that’s not particularly important now.
‘…Sigh….’
I wiped the cold sweat from my brow as I stared at Daeju’s corpse sprawled on the ground.
Regardless of it being a surprise attack, the opponent was an absolute master.
A superhuman who had long surpassed the peak realm.
Yet with a single sword strike, Baekwang severed his neck and killed him.
The title of Five Kings of All Under Heaven was proving to be no mere name.
“Baekwang…!”
“Say something!!”
“….”
No words came. As if to prove our agreement was genuine, Baekwang honored my request regardless of the circumstances.
“…Damn it….”
Unable to bear Baekwang’s silence any longer, the martial artists began surrounding Cheon Rijin-an, attempting to engage Baekwang in combat.
“그만—!!!”
Cheon Rijin-an’s thunderous voice commanded the assembly with absolute authority.
Despite his gaunt frame appearing fragile, an enormous voice erupted from his body.
“Everyone, stand down.”
“Y-yes, Strategist…. As you command.”
As the martial artists hesitated at Cheon Rijin-an’s words, he turned his gaze toward me.
It was chilling. The moment our eyes met, a cold shiver ran down my spine.
This man truly had almost no weaknesses?
“You need to explain this in detail.”
“….”
“What was your intention?”
I steadied my breathing internally. This was a critical moment.
I had acted knowing Cheon Rijin-an would respond this way. Rather than immediately executing Baekwang and me, he would first seek to understand the contradictions in the situation.
My prediction proved correct, as Cheon Rijin-an stared at me intently.
“I don’t know how Baekwang came to honor your words. While we could overlook that since this isn’t the time to quibble over details, you must explain the current situation clearly. How did you kill Daeju?”
“If I said I didn’t kill him, you wouldn’t accept that, would you?”
“I’m not in the mood for word games.”
Of course, I had no intention of playing word games either. This was merely a matter of buying time.
A fleeting moment of breath. That’s what I was after.
“As I mentioned before, my Mentor passed along information, and I’ve already been investigating Patcheon Gung and the Demonic Sect.”
“….”
Cheon Rijin-an offered no response. It was a signal to continue.
“During that process, the inner technique my Mentor taught me proved invaluable.”
“Invaluable? You’re referring to the Cheongwol inner technique.”
“That’s correct, but… what I’ve learned is not merely the standard Cheongwol inner technique.”
Not merely the standard Cheongwol inner technique. At those words, Do-hyeong and Cheon Euijin reacted subtly.
“Mine, sir, is a martial technique modified by the Sword Saint Yoo Cheon-gil himself.”
“…Modified?”
“Yes. It is an entirely different power infused with his intentions and convictions.”
Sling.
I drew my blade. At that, the martial artists’ auras turned toward me.
Seeing this, Cheon Rijin-an raised his hand to stop them.
Shiiing!!
I channeled my energy and unfolded the Bright Moon Sword Light.
All eyes converged on the brightened sword energy.
“This is a sword energy that cannot be produced through the inner techniques taught in the Cheongwol Sect. The same applies to the martial techniques I’ve been using until now.”
“….”
“I believe this aspect is something the Strategist would necessarily understand if he knows of my Mentor’s martial techniques. Am I wrong?”
[Ha.]
At my words, Yoo Cheon-gil, who had been listening quietly, let out a dry laugh.
[So you’re going to sell me out. Cunning brat.]
‘What choice do I have?’
Selling out the Old Man was a problem? At this point, I could sell far worse.
Pah!
I dispelled the manifested Bright Moon Sword Light.
Seeing this, Cheon Rijin-an spoke to me.
“So what? What does that change?”
From the way he spoke, it seemed Cheon Rijin-an had already accepted that my martial techniques were modified or evolved versions.
With this settled, the explanation became simpler.
“My martial techniques were created in advance by my Mentor to counter the Demonic Sect and Patcheon Gung. And this Wol-an that I’ve manifested is no exception.”
[What are you talking about? When did I ever?]
I ignored Yoo Cheon-gil’s protest.
I covered my eyes with my hand and spoke.
“My eyes can distinguish between the martial artists of Patcheon Gung and the Demonic Sect.”
“What?”
“What did you say?”
At my words, those gathered all around reacted. And then.
“Hahahaha–!!”
Heuk Taedo laughed roughly upon hearing my words.
“So you really could see something after all–!”
His reaction showed newfound understanding, and I nodded inwardly at the sight.
Thank goodness.
Thanks to Heuk Taedo, my actions gained more justification.
The problem was.
“So? The Nine Dragons Daeju was a member of Patcheon Gung?”
“That’s what it appeared to be. Since I couldn’t predict how he might react if I explained the situation, I urgently requested Baekwang’s assistance first.”
“Was this matter agreed upon beforehand between you two?”
Cheon Rijin-an asked, looking toward Baekwang.
At his words, Baekwang shook his head.
“No.”
“So you simply beheaded the Daeju based solely on that child’s word?”
“There were circumstances.”
Baekwang deflected the conversation toward the matter of the wish token.
“So it wasn’t an agreed-upon matter.”
Cheon Rijin-an looked at me again.
“Even if your words are true, do you have evidence to prove it?”
“I don’t. Because it’s simply what I can see.”
“Then you’re saying there’s nothing that would make me trust you?”
“Circumstantially, that’s correct. However, I swear upon my Mentor’s honor that I haven’t spoken falsehoods. Wasn’t it I who informed you about the Demonic Cult?”
I reminded him that it was I who provided the information about the Baek family’s connection to the Demonic Cult.
“But you know well enough that can’t simply be overlooked, don’t you?”
As expected, it was an argument that wouldn’t gain traction.
However.
“Moreover, the fact that neither you nor I have time to determine the truth right now—you’re well aware of that, aren’t you, Strategist?”
I spoke with that meaning—you don’t have time either—and Cheon Rijin-an’s brow furrowed.
“Are you attempting to threaten me in this situation?”
“No. I’m simply suggesting efficiency. Whether you believe me or not, neither you nor I have the luxury of time to deliberate.”
“….”
“If you believe me, I can provide substantial assistance. If you don’t… well, it’s troublesome for me too, but there’s nothing to be done.”
“What will you do if I don’t believe you?”
“I’m not sure. It doesn’t seem like there’s a way to survive otherwise… I’d rather not be captured. I suppose I’ll have to do my best to become a fugitive.”
“Ha…. You’ll flee so boldly?”
“If I simply remain captured here, it’s a dog’s death.”
“….”
Cheon Rijin-an’s wrinkles deepened. He seemed to be struggling with a decision he hadn’t yet made.
‘Is there no other way?’
Dragging this out further would only create more problems. Besides, I had no idea how safe this place truly was.
‘…Yoo Cheon-gil told me to trust Shin Chang.’
Honestly, I couldn’t trust him completely. That damnable aura I felt from Gungju continued to give me a headache.
Something felt off. My misfortune whispered to me that I couldn’t just leave this alone. That’s why I came here instead of going elsewhere.
“Hani, please make your choice.”
“Ha…. What an audacious bastard.”
Cheon Rijin-an smiled. That thin smile of his was quite sharp.
[Oh, that old man’s angry.]
I could tell without him saying anything, but he was even confirming it for me.
“Did you really think I would accept you so lightly when you come at me with such shamelessness?”
“I didn’t expect it. But there’s something to be said for having a grandson, isn’t there?”
“As I said before. I won’t entertain pointless wordplay.”
“Understood.”
This won’t work anymore. I never thought mere words would resolve this.
‘There’s no choice.’
I decided to play my prepared hand. Just as I was about to put force into my words.
“Why don’t you just listen to him for a moment?”
Thud.
Someone appeared and landed in the center of the gathered people.
“I’ll take responsibility for it. What do you say?”
At the moment her graceful voice drew everyone’s attention.
“…You?”
Cheon Rijin-an’s eyes widened as he looked at the woman who had appeared.
The woman smiled brightly at his surprise.
“It’s been a long time. Brother Jegal?”
As she spoke with a smile, the martial artists around her widened their eyes.
‘…What?’
I too had to flinch upon seeing the woman.
The woman who appeared was none other than one of the Celestial Demons who had vanished without a trace.
The woman called the hope and object of respect for all female warriors.
‘The Sword Empress…?’
She was the Sword Empress who had trained my cursed sister, Banrowhwandong.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————