The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 256

—————
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 256
If one were to speak of the Sword Emperor, people would spill forth countless descriptions.
A wanderer who ascended to the heavens.
In terms of the blade, an existence stronger than the Sword Saint.
A living legend comparable to Sword Saint Yoo Cheon-gil.
And so forth.
The sole being who could stand alongside the name of Sword Saint, adorned with innumerable epithets.
Thus he was called.
Yet among all these descriptions, the sharpest and most crystalline word to express him was singular.
The Heavenly Supreme Blade.
Between heaven and earth, the mightiest swordmaster among all.
The assessments of the Sword Emperor burned with such intensity that none could claim superiority once he drew steel.
When he wielded his blade, the heavens split and mountains crumbled.
An existence who had achieved everything possible through the sword.
That was the Sword Emperor.
During the Jeongma Great War, he had accomplished such extraordinary feats that whispers circulated—perhaps it should have been the Sword Emperor, not Shin Chang, who ascended to League Leader.
Of course.
Such speculation became meaningless once the Sword Emperor vanished without trace.
Not long after the Jeongma Great War concluded, the Sword Emperor disappeared.
Rumors circulated that he had perished during the conflict.
Yet the Celestial Demons uttered nothing on the matter.
Time simply flowed, and the very existence of the Sword Emperor began to fade into obscurity.
As the presence and renown of the Sword Emperor gradually dimmed.
사아아아아아아아—!!!
“What is that…?”
“…The sky is split?”
Amid the ongoing battle, martial artists widened their eyes, gazing upward into the void.
Unlike the chaotic and brutal scene below, the vast expanse of blue sky stretched overhead.
Upon it, an alien line was drawn.
Any swordmaster.
Or any martial artist could not fail to recognize it.
It was a sword mark, discernible by instinct alone.
No matter how immense, how lengthy, how strange—it was unmistakably a sword mark.
The sky had been wounded.
Or rather, the sky had been cleaved by a blade.
Such understanding would be etched into every mind present.
And.
“…The Sword Emperor.”
Kugugugu—!!!
Pacheon Gungju gripped his blade tightly, his gaze fixed upon his opponent.
A one-armed, gaunt old man with a withered frame.
Gripping a worn blade and fixing his gaze upon me—the sight was utterly chilling.
How could such a diminutive figure emanate such a vast and overwhelming presence? It was a situation no one could comprehend.
“…I see. An unexpected variable.”
The Gungju immediately nodded in understanding.
This was indeed an unforeseen variable.
“How is it that you are here?”
Sword Emperor Eui Yang-yeon.
One of the ancient masters who had long since vanished without a trace.
How could he possibly appear here, in Hanam of all places?
Unable to comprehend, I posed the question.
“The child of Bangseong-yeon.”
The Sword Emperor, as if entirely dismissing the Gungju, turned his gaze to Bangseong-yeon and posed his own question.
“Was what you said the truth?”
“Hmm?”
At those words, Bangseong-yeon tilted his head. His expression suggested he didn’t understand what was being asked.
In that moment.
-He asks whether you can truly distinguish the filth of Patcheon Gung. Whether that is the truth.
The words came through a transmission. Hearing them, Bangseong-yeon let out a soft chuckle.
“Indeed, it is so.”
His answer seemed odd, as if these were not his own affairs.
Yet the Sword Emperor appeared indifferent to such matters.
What mattered was that he had confirmed it as truth.
“I see.”
As if satisfied with the answer, the Sword Emperor tightened his grip on his blade.
“Then I must keep you alive.”
The Sword Emperor’s presence intensified.
It was overwhelming. The very ground trembled beneath the aura radiating from his feet.
“Cough…!!”
Baekcheon-in, who lay sprawled on the ground, coughed up blood.
Crushed beneath the oppressive force, his body trembled violently. Seeing this, the Pacheon Gungju tightened his grip.
“Hmm.”
The Pacheon Gungju observed the Gungju as his aura surged, then glanced behind him.
To where Shin Chang lay collapsed.
Would using that fallen Shin Chang prove advantageous?
‘No.’
I was certain. The Sword Emperor would not concern himself with Shin Chang’s life thread. He would simply cleave through both Shin Chang and myself in a single stroke.
And.
‘This is the greater problem.’
Conversely, the Gungju himself had something he must protect.
That Young Master—normally I wouldn’t care what happened to him, but right now his life mattered.
The moment the Sword Emperor drew his blade, not only would that occur, but unnecessary conflict would erupt.
‘With this body, not yet….’
Fighting the Sword Emperor immediately after facing Shin Chang had its limits.
Having judged as much, the Gungju moved instantly.
투아아아아아아—!!!
An inexplicable grey aura erupted from his body.
Seeing this, the Sword Emperor unleashed a strike.
No sound reached the ears. The aura was severed along with the impact.
Shiiiiick—!!!
The sound of severance spread far behind that moment.
The Sword Emperor narrowed his eyes at the sight.
“You intend to flee.”
The Gungju vanished, and the Sword Emperor’s gaze shifted to pursue him.
The Gungju was already far away, carrying Baekcheon-in.
“Engaging you was not part of my plan.”
“I will not let you escape.”
“It would be better if you did. We both have things we must protect, do we not?”
“….”
The Sword Emperor, about to move, suddenly hesitated.
“My purpose holds no fight with you. However, should you draw your blade, I will do my utmost to kill that child.”
The Gungju stared directly at Bangseong-yeon.
“Hani, this cannot simply pass, can it? I believe you understand.”
Shuuuu—!!
Grey aura enveloped the Gungju’s entire body.
“The time needed to kill that child would be but an instant, and escaping from you is not impossible either. Shall we gamble, Sword Emperor?”
“….”
The Sword Emperor’s face hardened. That moment of hesitation—it was enough.
“Until next time. I’ve obtained what I needed.”
The Gungju moved. As his body grew increasingly translucent, he spoke to Bangseong-yeon.
“Keep the key safe. I’ll come for you soon enough to claim it.”
“This thing?”
At those words, Bangseong-yeon brandished the Divine Sword.
“If you’re coming, come as quickly as possible. Next time, I’ll slice your neck to pieces.”
“…ha….”
At Bangseong-yeon’s words, the Gungju let out a hollow laugh.
“Arrogant bastard.”
With those words left behind, the Gungju vanished.
“Hmm.”
Only after the Gungju disappeared did Bangseong-yeon move.
I approached the fallen Shin Chang ahead.
“Look at the state of him.”
Bangseong-yeon gazed at the mangled Shin Chang, a faint smile playing at his lips.
The wound was deep, and blood flowed from it in a steady stream, dripping relentlessly to the ground.
He was clinging to life by a thread. Seeing this, Bangseong-yeon crouched down and placed his hand upon the man’s body.
“You fool. I’ve told you countless times—fight like that recklessly and you’ll end up like this.”
His murmured words carried a rough reproach beneath them.
Uuuuung.
“Hmm.”
The bleeding wouldn’t stop as he wished. This frail body was reaching its limits.
I’d poured in enough energy to compensate, but it remained woefully insufficient.
So Bangseong-yeon—no, Yoo Cheon-gil—turned to look at the Sword Emperor.
“What are you doing?”
At Bangseong-yeon’s call, the Sword Emperor’s brow furrowed.
“Come help me, would you?”
“…What?”
Was he really being ordered to do something? The Sword Emperor was momentarily flustered.
“You’re a servant now. When your master commands, you come and do it. What are you standing there gawking for?”
“…”
Clang. Without thinking, the Sword Emperor’s hand moved toward his hilt.
“…”
But he released the pressure and approached Shin Chang instead. Then, alongside Bangseong-yeon, he placed his hand upon the man’s body.
Ssssshhhhh—!!!
A different quality of energy enveloped his form. Only then did the flowing blood cease, and the bleeding stopped.
However.
“His organs are completely destroyed.”
Though the bleeding had stopped, the wound remained. His internal organs had been ravaged long ago.
It was a miracle he was even alive.
“This is…what.”
Yoo Cheon-gil rose calmly to his feet. There was nothing more I could do.
If there was anything to be done, it wasn’t by my hand, but…
‘I need to call Physician Uiseon.’
A martial artist’s hands wouldn’t suffice; I needed to summon a physician. The greatest physician at that.
Having reached that conclusion, Yoo Cheon-gil straightened up slightly.
“It’s over.”
I whispered with weary eyes. I was approaching my limit. More precisely, I had already crossed it.
“Haaah…”
Yoo Cheon-gil exhaled.
At the same moment.
“Kugh…!?”
As consciousness returned, Bangseong-yeon dropped to one knee.
“Cough… Huh…?”
With widened eyes, Bangseong-yeon surveyed his surroundings. The Sword Emperor stood watching him with arms crossed.
“…”
Our eyes met.
What’s going on?
Bangseong-yeon’s eyes rolled about frantically.

* * *
When I came to, the Sword Emperor was right before me.
‘What is this?’
I couldn’t grasp the situation. I clearly remembered Yoo Cheon-gil seizing control of my body before I lost consciousness.
After that, I blacked out and now I’ve awakened.
‘I can’t remember anything from when he possessed me.’
Normally, I could sense everything Yoo Cheon-gil did while controlling my body.
This possession felt different somehow. I couldn’t recall anything at all.
‘The… Sword Emperor…’
I could also see Shin Chang collapsed in front of me.
What is all this?
This place…
‘Isn’t this near the martial arena?’
The surroundings were devastated, but not so much that I couldn’t recognize the location.
Why is it like this?
Could it be…
‘…Did the Old Man do this?’
I wondered if Yoo Cheon-gil had done it.
‘No, that can’t be right.’
I thought it couldn’t be. Even if it’s my body, how could he—
찌리리리릿—!!!
“Ugh!?”
Thud—!
I crashed down hard on my knees. Searing pain shot through my body, making me stagger.
“Cough…”
The agony was unbearable. What is this?
‘What… what did he… what did he do…?’
What had he done with my body that it hurt this much?
“Aahhh…”
I couldn’t suppress the groans escaping my lips.
And besides.
‘…What’s with the Sword Emperor?’
Why is the Sword Emperor standing beside me? And isn’t he glaring at me with sword in hand?
“Huff… huff…”
I steadied my breathing. I had no idea what was happening.
‘Has it been resolved…?’
Since Yoo Cheon-gil had borrowed my body, perhaps something had been settled.
That hope began to rise within me.
As long as the situation was resolved somehow, it would be fine…
끼이이이이이이이—-!!!!
“…!”
At the sound I heard—no, the sensation I felt—I lifted my head sharply.
“…Damn it.”
Resolved my ass.
Watching what gathered at the center of the sky, my face twisted.
‘…Insane.’
That revolting aura I’d felt earlier.
Its epicenter appeared to be here.
‘What the hell is that?’
A spiraling black ring materialized in the sky.
Tremendous malevolent energy poured forth from that ring, and furthermore—
‘Demons are converging.’
The demons existing throughout the Hanan region were responding and gathering there.
꺄아아아아아—!!!
끼아하하하하하—!!!
Uhhh!! Hehehehe–!!
Resentment and rage. Murderous intent.
All manner of vicious energy converged at a single point.
“…”
Witnessing this, I pushed myself fully upright.
‘…We’re screwed?’
Demons of that magnitude converging at a single point meant—
The danger of a calamity deity being born.
If they continued clustering like this, there was no telling what kind of entity would emerge.
‘What on earth…?’
What exactly was that ring? How could it possibly gather demons like this?
I had no idea.
I couldn’t possibly know.
‘…Sigh.’
The moment I saw it, I realized what I had to do.
‘So I have to do this nonsense again after all.’
One of the things I’d sworn never to do again in this lifetime.
There was no choice given the circumstances.
Before I could even gather my wits.
Whoosh.
I stretched both arms toward the sky.
“What are you doing right now…”
The Sword Emperor spoke with bewilderment as he watched me.
“Please be quiet for a moment. I need to concentrate.”
“…”
I cut off the Sword Emperor’s words. Even the fear I’d felt toward him had vanished.
“Shhhhh.”
I exhaled and focused on my heart. Sharpening every nerve, I gently touched the loop I’d carefully wound and secured within it.
Then.
Kyaaaaaaaa…?
Kiiiii…?
The Demons’ gazes instantly turned toward me.
Seeing that, I spoke.
“What are you waiting for.”
I lifted the corners of my mouth in a smile.
“If you’ve seen me, come at me.”
Perhaps offended by those words.
사아아아아아—!!!
Every Demon from all directions rushed toward me at once.
Crack—! Crackle——!!
They bared their fangs and tore into my body.
I felt no pain. Only my soul ached slightly.
I couldn’t tell how many Demons had rushed at me.
An uncountable number burrowed in.
By the time no more Demons were visible beyond my sight.
Click.
I locked the loop in my heart again.
“Phew.”
And then.
Gurrrrrrgh——!!!
I devoured every Demon within my body.
Thump.
In an instant, I’d consumed countless Demons.
“…”
I closed my eyes.
Now I needed to concentrate.

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