The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 261

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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 261
A gaze looking down from above, blue as the deep sea itself.
Eyes like the vast, dark night sea spread across the night sky.
A man with sharp, cold features and an inexplicable melancholy air about him.
Cheon Seonghwa, the Wol Seon-geom.
The current Moonju of the Cheongwol Sect.
‘…Why is this man here?’
Having such a person suddenly appear behind me was quite disconcerting.
‘No, well.’
It wasn’t entirely strange. The Cheongwol Sect was a direct branch under the Martial Arts Alliance, and if a Righteous Path Conference was being held, it wasn’t far enough to be difficult to reach.
Only.
‘Why is he standing in the back?’
The fact that Cheon Seonghwa was standing on the platform rather than sitting in a chair was peculiar.
Unable to comprehend it, I stood there dumbfounded for a moment.
Thus a brief moment passed.
“…Moonju…? Why are you here…?”
I asked in a bewildered tone, but the answer came not from Cheon Seonghwa, but from Jegal Jin.
“The Cheongwol Moonju came as a guard, not as a participant in the Righteous Path Conference.”
“…A guard?”
“Yes.”
If he said guard.
‘He means as a guard for Cheon Rijin-an.’
The Cheongwol Moonju came personally as a guard for the Scholar Cheon Rijin-an?
“To be precise, it’s until the Righteous Path Conference ends, but in any case, it’s a welcome thing. I thank you once more, Cheongwol Moonju.”
At Jegal Jin’s gratitude, Cheon Seonghwa shook his head slightly.
“I am merely doing what must be done.”
His tone remained low and composed.
After that.
“Wol-hyeop.”
“…!”
Looking at me, Cheon Seonghwa mentions Wol-hyeop. Ugh, how embarrassing. I’m forcibly restraining myself from wanting to hide in a mouse hole right now.
“Good. Well done.”
“…”
Cheon Seonghwa gave a plain response, then withdrew the hand he had placed on my shoulder.
At those words, I scratched my cheek briefly.
It’s difficult to respond. Is it praise? It seems like it might be.
‘Hmm.’
Not knowing how to accept this, I stood there blankly for a moment.
“I wish to ask the Scholar something.”
A voice came from below.
The speaker was Daojieh Peng Wusung, the Lord of the Peng Clan, who had been observing me with keen interest since earlier.
“Waiting any longer doesn’t seem likely to bring more people, so when would you be willing to begin the conference? We have quite a lot to discuss.”
“Hmm.”
At those words, Jegal Jin surveyed the assembly with a measured gaze.
Though several chairs remained empty, I could confirm that a considerable number had gathered.
“Then, let us proceed with the conference.”
Jegal Jin, apparently satisfied with the turnout, addressed the assembly.
With those words, Maeng-won beside him cried out.
-회담을 시작하겠습니다—!!
A resounding voice filled with authority echoed through the hall. The faction leaders seated before us responded to that call.
“First, I wish to extend my gratitude to all the distinguished guests who have attended this conference. Thank you for coming despite your pressing schedules.”
Jegal Jin bowed deeply.
“As you have been informed beforehand, the reason this conference has been convened is the resurgence of the Demonic Cult.”
The Demonic Cult. Those words elicited a palpable reaction from countless individuals present.
Some showed hostility, others vigilance, and still others fear.
“Is that truly the case? The Demonic Cult has truly reappeared?”
An Old Man in the back raised his hand and spoke. Upon hearing the question, Jegal Jin nodded.
“Indeed. Our Alliance has confirmed it directly. Furthermore.”
Jegal Jin paused to collect himself before continuing.
“Our Alliance has already been investigating this matter for several years.”
“What did you say?”
“…You were already conducting an investigation?”
“You already knew about the Demonic Cult’s resurgence?”
“Then why didn’t you inform us!”
If they had anticipated the Demonic Cult’s resurgence, why had they not informed the others?
The assembled leaders reacted harshly to this revelation.
Yet Jegal Jin, observing their response, spoke with unshakeable composure.
“The reason was that we could not trust you.”
“What?”
“…Scholar! What do you mean by—!”
He had boldly declared his distrust of them. His words provoked even greater fury than before.
However.
“What has not yet been disclosed is that our Alliance’s Daeju was identified as a spy and has been replaced.”
“…!”
At Jegal Jin’s follow-up statement, they were forced to fall silent immediately.
“…The Daeju was?”
“How could the Daeju possibly….”
Observing the murmuring crowd, Jegal Jin continued without pause.
“Given that spies have appeared even among the upper echelons of our Alliance, I hope you understand why I could not easily disclose this information.”
“….”
The resistance weakened. Watching this, I had to smack my lips inwardly.
‘Impressive….’
The way he conducted the conversation was simple yet meticulous.
‘He deliberately threw out bait first.’
At the beginning, he intentionally threw out something to bite into.
After making them acutely aware that he knew but hadn’t told them.
‘Then he mentions an unavoidably compelling reason.’
It was the simplest and most powerful way to drain a person’s spirit.
If there was a problem here.
“Then let me ask this.”
Because it was such a simple method, there would certainly be those it wouldn’t work on.
“Ultimately, isn’t this proof that the League was incompetent enough to accept a martial artist of Daeju-level as a spy, or incompetent enough to allow betrayal during their activities?”
Dao Jie Peng Wucheng. He asked the question with his arms crossed.
‘…Yes.’
Sharp.
Though his appearance was identical to Heuk Taedo’s, his manner of speech and level of thinking were indeed worthy of being called a clan lord.
“That we’ve reached the current situation from such circumstances only seems to prove that the problems within the current Martial Arts Alliance are severe.”
At Peng Wucheng’s words, the wavering assembly quieted once more.
‘…This is no ordinary person.’
I significantly raised my assessment of Peng Wucheng in my mind.
I had naturally assumed he would be similar to Heuk Taedo’s father—a wild boar of a man.
‘But the feeling is.’line>
Rather than a wild boar, he feels like a fox wearing the form of a bear.
It feels more like a fox in the form of a bear rather than a wild boar.
“Regarding that matter, we are currently in the process of proper verification.”
“Verification? Of what? You mean investigating the cause of the League’s incompetence?”
“No. Not only the current Martial Arts Alliance, but there is much information suggesting that several major clans are also hiding their tails due to the Demonic Cult’s schemes or betrayals. This means it is not a problem limited to the League alone.”
It is not only us. You yourselves may have problems as well.
That was the implication contained in his words.
“No one can say with certainty how far the Demonic Cult’s reach extends.”
“Hmm.”
At Jegal Jin’s words, Peng Wucheng nods his head.
And he maintains silence for a moment. If I had to guess.
‘He seems to be gauging the reactions around him.’
He appears to be sensing how much those around him accepted Jegal Jin’s words.
After a brief pause.
“Very well. I trust the Scholar will explain this matter in greater detail at a later time.”
He shrugs and steps back. Then his eyes brighten as he asks something else.
“I heard that Shin Chang was attacked. Is he doing well at the moment?”
A question about Shin Chang, the current League Leader. Hearing this, Jegal Jin’s eyebrows trembled slightly.
“He is in recovery.”
“If he won’t even attend the conference, it must be a serious wound.”
“He has suffered considerable injuries, but according to the physician, he should recover in due time.”
“That’s merely speculation. If Shin Chang doesn’t wake, the position of League Leader will fall vacant. And if that happens, the situation becomes truly dire.”
A vacant position of Martial Arts Alliance Leader.
If it became vacant during this crisis, it would indeed be problematic, just as Peng Wusung said.
“Lord Peng. What are you trying to say?”
“Nothing major. I simply thought it prudent to consider the next League Leader as a precaution.”
The next League Leader.
At those words, the assembly stirred. If Shin Chang, the Celestial Demon and hero, could not wake….
‘As he says, we would need to elect a new League Leader.’
The position of Martial Arts Alliance Leader cannot remain vacant, so someone else would have to be elevated to the role….
‘The League Leader position isn’t something to be taken lightly.’
The Martial Arts Alliance Leader is always the most influential and powerful figure of the current Central Plains sects.
Not to mention Yoo Cheon-gil, the greatest martial artist of all time who slew the Celestial Demon.
After his passing, Shin Chang ascended to the position precisely because among martial artists of Yoo Cheon-gil’s caliber, only three were still active.
‘Had it not been for him.’
Even someone like Jang Moonin of Mount Hua, but he had declared he would not become League Leader. So Shin Chang was the only candidate.
‘But now?’
If not Shin Chang.
‘Who could do it.’
Most of the Celestial Demons have unclear fates.
The Sword Emperor is officially missing.
‘As for the Sword Empress….’
As everyone knew, she couldn’t step forward to become League Leader due to the Banro Hwandong incident.
‘And the other figures.’
Most had left the martial world to live quietly, so if a new League Leader were chosen now… it would likely be.
‘…Ah.’
Thinking it through, I understood. The reason Peng Wusung brought up such a matter.
‘His intentions are more transparent than I thought.’
If the Celestial Demons cannot continue the League Leader position.
‘Then the next tier.’
Martial artists currently in their prime.
The Five Heavenly Kings, or those comparable to them, would become candidates.
‘He wants to become League Leader himself.’
Among them, Dojol was quite a strong candidate.
Though not among the Five Heavenly Kings, he was a master comparable to them and the Lord of one of the Five Great Clans.
If a new League Leader were to be chosen now, he would be the natural choice.
‘That’s why he mentioned it.’
Bringing up Shin Chang’s condition and the new League Leader was all calculated.
‘He’s laying the groundwork in advance.’
This gathering place now held only those with the strongest influence within the orthodox sects.
He was attempting to establish his presence in such a space.
‘Quite the cunning fox.’
Unlike Heuk Taedo, this man was weak.
He merely resembled him—a completely different person.
Perhaps Jegal Jin sensed these raw emotions, for he spoke with a slightly creased expression.
“That too is a matter that would only arise if the current League Leader’s condition becomes certain. This doesn’t seem to be the time to discuss such things.”
“That is also a fair point. I shall exercise restraint.”
Restraint was laughable. He’d already said everything he intended to say and simply withdrew his hand.
The conversation continued after that.
Each statement led to another, then another.
It was merely a repetition of Jegal Jin’s defensive rebuttals and attempts to convince.
What was remarkable.
‘Doesn’t he grow weary?’
Throughout this exchange, Jegal Jin blocked every statement without the slightest wavering.
Cleanly and precisely.
After remaining in such a state for some time.
—Whoosh.
This time, the figure seated in the position of the Five Great Clans raised his hand.
It was not Peng Wusung.
‘…Baekwang?’
It was Baekwang, the Lord of the Moyong Clan.
“You may speak.”
The moment Jegal Jin granted permission, Baekwang suddenly fixed his gaze upon me.
Then he said.
“Is it true that Wol-hyeop slew the Sword Demon?”
‘What…?’
His somewhat abrupt words caught me off guard.
So sudden…?
The moment the Sword Demon was mentioned, all eyes turned toward me once more.
This pressure was suffocating.
I kept my mouth shut and tried my best to appear composed.
“Indeed.”
Jegal Jin spoke.
“The Sword Demon was eliminated by Wol-hyeop.”
“…The Sword Demon, truly slain by that young man?”
“He appears even younger than our own son?”
“…Though he is said to be Geomseong’s Predecessor….”
The Sword Demon’s reputation was far from insignificant.
He had once been called a master comparable to the Sword Emperor and Doshin, so this was only natural.
In that situation, Peng Wusung, the current Lord of the Peng Clan and son of Doshin, looks at me with a smile.
A repulsive expression identical to Heuk Taedo’s.
What is with this man now?
“Many witnessed it clearly. The Sword Demon’s head being severed by Wol-hyeop’s hand.”
Jegal Jin offers his assurance once more, as if it were no lie.
Until now, his answers had been ambiguous, but this much felt like truth.
‘…Tsk.’
I clicked my tongue at that.
‘…You intend to use me even here?’
His intention is painfully obvious.
A brief respite while using me to shift the flow of conversation.
The moment I began to sense Jegal Jin’s true intent.
Crash—!!!
“Huh?”
“What?”
The entrance to the conference hall suddenly burst open violently.
At the loud noise, not only my gaze but everyone’s eyes turned toward it.
There stood.
“…Cheon Rijin-an…!”
A middle-aged man with a handsome face I seemed to recognize was stomping into the conference hall.
“How dare you…! How dare you disrespect the Namgung Clan!”
A figure who appeared with an enraged expression, disrupting the atmosphere.
Jegal Jin’s brow furrowed at the sight of him.
“Sword King.”
Upon mentioning the man’s identity, I too recognized the figure.
‘Ah, so it’s him.’
One of the Five Heavenly Kings, and master of one of the Five Great Clans like Dojol and Baekwang.
Namgung Myeong, the Thunder Saint Sword King.

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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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