The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 267

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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 267
When it comes to memories of my mother, I must confess I do not possess many.
All I held were the impressions that she was beautiful and that she possessed a gentle nature.
I remember little and know even less. That was the extent of what I knew.
I only recently discovered that my mother’s surname was Jegal, and that she was not a branch family member but a direct bloodline of the Jegal clan.
I know nothing. Regarding my mother, ignorance was all I possessed.
Therefore.
“….”
The same would likely hold true for the man before me.
‘…Jegal Hyeong-yeon.’
I observed the middle-aged man. He resembled Jegal Jin, yet possessed a somewhat gentler countenance.
A benevolent temperament emanated from him, and his dignified bearing reflected his noble standing—
[Ah, so it’s that snot-nosed brat. My, how you’ve grown. Tsk, tsk, tsk.]
…I was attempting to sense this, but that fellow’s presence altered my impression somewhat.
In any case.
‘…The Younger Master of the Jegal clan.’
This man was the current Younger Master of the Jegal household.
Since Jegal Jin continued to serve as Scholar of the Martial Arts Alliance even in his later years, he had not relinquished his position as Lord of the Clan.
Consequently, Jegal Hyeong-yeon remained in the position of Younger Master rather than Lord of the Clan.
Furthermore.
‘A renowned formation master.’
The Jegal clan was fundamentally skilled in formations and strategy rather than martial arts.
Among them, Jegal Hyeong-yeon was renowned as an exceptional formation master.
When Jegal Jin was called the God of War and distinguished himself during the Jeongma Great War,
Jegal Hyeong-yeon too was known to have deployed formations at a young age, confronting the Marin.
‘From my perspective, he was simply an exceptional formation master.’
The fact that such a man was my maternal uncle struck me as rather peculiar.
‘…Of course, I cannot say whether he views it the same way.’
While he was my maternal uncle by relation, it was merely a formal connection.
Truly, a simple relationship.
As I was thinking thus.
“…Indeed….”
Jegal Hyeong-yeon spoke to me with a subtle gaze.
“You bear a resemblance….”
His words, spoken softly, carried profound resonance.
Upon hearing this, I narrowed my eyes slightly.
A resemblance to whom? From his tone and inflection, I could already anticipate the answer.
“Is that so? I was not aware I resembled my mother so closely.”
“….”
Upon directly mentioning my mother, Jegal Hyeong-yeon’s expression shifted.
“Oh dear. I suppose I’ve been rather obvious about it.”
“You’ve been appropriately subtle. I simply happen to be quite perceptive by nature.”
“Hahahaha—….”
Jegal Hyeong-yeon laughs at my words.
There was something distinctly hollow in that laughter.
“So then.”
I asked, observing him.
“What brings you to seek me out?”
I couldn’t help but wonder why Jegal Hyeong-yeon had come to find me, so I voiced the question.
“I came because I had something to ask Wol-hyeop.”
“Please, speak freely.”
“Ah, is that acceptable?”
“Yes.”
After all, he was my maternal uncle and a senior of considerable standing—there was no need for such formality.
“First, I am Young Master Yeong-hyeon of the Jegal Clan. It seems this is our first proper introduction.”
“I am Bangseong-yeon of the Cheongwol Sect.”
A man who remained as Young Master despite having passed the age of forty.
He had achieved mastery as a formation master, and despite the title of Young Master, he had proven his capabilities as a proxy clan leader.
‘His alias is likely.’
Chuseon Jicheon.
A formation that twists worldly perception to create deception and anomalous phenomena.
A capable formation master who even handles martial artists with ease using such techniques.
That was precisely Jegal Hyeong-yeon of Chuseon Jicheon.
“I came because I have a few matters I wished to ask you about.”
“Yes.”
Such a man had sought me out. What could his purpose be?
As I narrowed my eyes slightly, observing Jegal Hyeong-yeon.
“…First, I must apologize for my delayed greeting despite knowing the situation. I’m sorry. I was unaware that my younger brother had fathered a child.”
“…No. There was truly no need for an apology.”
He claimed not to have known. Whether this was truth or falsehood, I couldn’t say, but if it were genuine.
‘Then those who know of this.’
Jegal Jin, Dokuou, and my father.
Perhaps only those three.
At least, that was my immediate assessment.
However.
‘Could that truly be the case?’
I did not believe his words.
‘The probability that he didn’t know is far too low.’
Even Dokuou, who was not of the Jegal Clan but merely an outsider, had grasped the truth to some degree.
That the Young Master of the Jegal Clan was unaware? I could not accept that.
“Please don’t concern yourself with that matter. I only recently learned of it myself. Besides.”
I lowered my voice to a soft murmur.
“It was never a particularly deep connection to begin with. The Scholar also made that same assessment.”
“….”
Even if my mother was a member of the Jegal Clan, that doesn’t entangle me with all of you.
Moreover, Cheon Rijin-an shares the same view—I drew that line carefully through my words.
And then.
“…The Lord of the Clan also thinks the same way… Do you really believe that?”
Jegal Hyeong-yeon smiled faintly as he spoke. Hm?
‘What is this?’
That question? Then Jegal Jin’s thoughts differ from mine?
“It’s nothing. That was merely a slip of my tongue—pay it no mind.”
“….”
He plants doubt then tells me not to worry about it. This is absurd.
“Understood. Then… what brings the Younger Master to seek me out?”
“…Hmm.”
At my question, Jegal Hyeong-yeon fell suddenly silent. He seemed unable to speak readily.
Moreover.
‘His gaze.’
He kept glancing furtively toward the medical tent behind him.
Observing this, I made my judgment.
‘I see.’
I understood why he sought me out.
“Have no fear.”
“…Hm?”
At my sudden words, Jegal Hyeong-yeon expressed his confusion.
Seeing his reaction, I spoke.
“My relationship with the Young Master of the Peng Clan is merely personal. I have no intention of lending my strength to the Peng Clan at this moment.”
“…!”
At my words, Jegal Hyeong-yeon’s eyes widened like lanterns.
“…You.”
Jegal Hyeong-yeon, who had been stammering, suddenly closed his mouth.
“…How did you know?”
He asked me in carefully measured words.
Hearing this, I smiled slightly.
“There’s nothing mysterious about it.”
The reason Jegal Hyeong-yeon sought me out.
It was simply.
“In the current situation, the only reason the Younger Master would move is because of the Peng Clan.”
The Lord of the Peng Clan. Dojol.
He would have been the problem.
“…Could you explain the reasoning in greater depth?”
Was a deeper explanation truly necessary? I didn’t fully understand his intent, but I could provide one if needed.
“The League Leader’s condition is not good. This was also mentioned during the talks.”
While the specifics of how dire his state was remained classified, by this point some information was circulating.
When moving public opinion to discuss League Leader candidates and select a new one, Shin Chang’s absence had become the central issue.
The problem was.
“One of the strongest candidates here is Dojol.”
Those who might rise to League Leader after Shin Chang.
If I were to name the strongest candidates, there were four.
The Sect Leader of Gupaibang. Maehwa Ilgeom, who had been discussed alongside Shin Chang, was one of them.
‘Wol Seon-geom as well.’
Wol Seon-geom, the absolute master of the current Cheongwol Sect, seemed more than qualified to be considered for the League Leader position.
The other candidates were the Clan Leaders of the Five Great Families. Among them were those particularly favorable to the Martial Arts Alliance or renowned for their prestige.
Namely, the Sword King and Dojol.
The Dokuou’s standing had weakened somewhat due to the recent Sacheon attack.
The Baekwang, by my estimation, would never assume a position like League Leader even if it meant death.
As for Jegal Hyeong-yeon, he was neither a Clan Leader, and like Jegal Jin, he was a formation master and thus could not become League Leader.
So with the Sword King and Dojol being the candidates mentioned…
‘The Sword King is impossible.’
With rumors circulating that the Nangung Clan was entangled with the Demonic Sect, the Nangung Clan could no longer ascend to the League Leader position.
That left.
‘Only Dojol.’
From the Five Great Families, Dojol.
From the Cheongwol Sect, Wol Seon-geom.
Besides them, the Celestial Demon Maehwa Ilgeom and…
‘Based on the circumstances…’
By my calculations.
‘The Shaman’s Sect Leader also has a high probability of stepping forward.’
This was merely speculation, but I included her as a candidate.
So there were four.
If selecting the next League Leader, there were four who would be mentioned as candidates.
‘Among these four, Dojol has the highest probability.’
If I were to pick from these four, the Peng Clan Leader would most likely become the next League Leader.
It would depend on how Wol Seon-geom positioned himself, but at least from what I could see now, that was the case.
“Here.”
Jegal Hyeong-yeon identifies the problem.
“If the Peng Clan Leader becomes League Leader, the Jegal Clan could suffer substantial damage. You came here knowing that, didn’t you?”
“…”
Jegal Hyeong-yeon fell silent. It seemed I had struck upon the truth.
If Dojol becomes the League Leader, the Jegal Clan will suffer harm.
The reason for this judgment is simple.
…Because.
‘Dojol despises the Jegal Clan.’
It was not only Dojol—the Peng Clan itself was infamous for their poor relations with the Jegal Clan.
The tales of Doshin and Jegal Jin, the previous clan leaders, were far too well-known.
Beyond that, rumors had long circulated that the Peng Clan had historically rejected and despised the Jegal Clan.
‘In truth, the Jegal Clan’s standing in the Central Plains has only recently improved.’
The Central Plains was a place that worshipped martial prowess and raw power.
In such a place, martial artists had long looked down upon those who studied and cultivated the Jegal methods.
It was Jegal Jin himself who changed this discrimination.
‘Yet the Peng Clan remains trapped in that old framework.’
The Peng Clan had not yet escaped their prejudice against the Jegal Clan.
‘If that happens.’
Should the Peng Clan become the League Leader in this state.
‘The probability of them negatively influencing the Jegal Clan itself is quite high.’
The probability that the Peng Clan Leader, ruling as League Leader, would harm the Jegal Clan?
It was very high indeed.
“That’s what concerns you, isn’t it? There are rumors that Heuk Taedo and I cooperated…so you came to find me, worried I might support the Peng Clan Leader.”
“….”
Jegal Hyeong-yeon became speechless at my words.
Because what I said was true. He must have come because he feared I would join hands with the Peng Clan.
‘I understand.’
I understand the urgency.
The problem, however, is my reputation.
‘Being called Wol-hyeop.’
I had become the most famous disciple in Hanan.
As a result, all eyes were now fixed upon me.
This was the point where my name carried such weight.
In this state.
‘With rumors that I am close to Heuk Taedo.’
Should I happen to support the Peng Clan.
‘The probability of Dojol becoming League Leader would increase.’
A figure supported by the hero of Hanan.
That is roughly how it would be seen.
“If I were to lend my support, it would more rightfully be to our Moonju.”
If Wol Seon-geom stepped forward to become League Leader, that would have better justification.
Making this judgment, I spoke.
“…But no, Wol Seon-geom probably won’t step forward to become League Leader.”
Jegal Hyeong-yeon’s response to my words was negative.
‘Does he know something?’
Wol Seon-geom seemed to know something about me.
I filed this away in my information. I didn’t let it show.
“Since you came here out of concern, I simply provided an answer. I will not take sides with anyone. Furthermore.”
With narrowed eyes, I spoke the rest to Jegal Hyeong-yeon.
“I have no intention of becoming entangled with the Jegal Clan. Regardless of what the Younger Master desires.”
“…!”
Jegal Hyeong-yeon faltered at my words.
“…Ha ha.”
Then Jegal Hyeong-yeon let out a laugh.
What the Younger Master was thinking. He showed such a reaction when I mentioned it.
“…Did you discern all this merely from my visit?”
“I had considerable information, but not all of it was from that. I simply pieced together what was visible.”
What Jegal Hyeong-yeon desired. I had applied information from the letter I once saw at Jegal Jin’s residence.
That problem.
‘The chronic issue of the Jegal Clan that Jegal Jin was troubled by.’
It would still remain.
As for whether I could resolve it….
‘It’s possible.’
It was possible, but I had no desire to involve myself, so I drew a clear line by mentioning this as well.
“…I see.”
Jegal Hyeong-yeon nodded as if he understood.
“I seem to have said something foolish to you earlier.”
“Something foolish?”
“That you resembled my younger brother. I take that back.”
“…What?”
I wondered if I had been too disrespectful, and if that was the reason.
“You are….”
With an expression that had shifted somehow, Jegal Hyeong-yeon spoke to me.
“You seem to bear a striking resemblance to the Lord of the Clan, not that boy.”
“….”
I resembled Jegal Jin.
At those words, my expression crumpled entirely.
Because my mood had become quite foul.

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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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