The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 271

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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 271
A middle-aged man with an angular face and a well-maintained beard.
His serious eyes held a subtle azure glow within them.
His balanced physique and intense presence alone proclaimed him a formidable martial artist.
It wasn’t merely appearance—he was genuinely a powerful martial artist.
One comparable to none other than Gupaibang itself.
Or so the Cheongwol Sect was known to rank even higher.
As the Daeju of Sowoldae, the elite among elites within that very sect.
Should the current Cheongwol Munchu, Wol Seon-geom Cheonseongwha, ever perish unexpectedly.
He would be the most likely successor to become the next Munchu.
According to Cheongwol Sect tradition, this meant one thing.
‘This man is the second-in-command of Cheongwol Sect.’
The Cheongwol Sect is a barbaric organization where power itself determines rank, defying conventional hierarchy.
Being the likely next Munchu in such a place was proof that he was the second strongest in the entire sect.
‘Such a man….’
Came as my escort?
I furrowed my brow upon seeing this middle-aged man who appeared so suddenly.
‘Why him, of all people?’
Why specifically this man?
Moreover.
‘Did he predict I would go to Mount Hua?’
Judging by the timing, he came with Wol Seon-geom, which meant he came confident that I would definitely go to Mount Hua.
‘Sigh.’
That old man Jegal Jin….
‘Did he know I would accept anyway?’
I couldn’t tell what that man was thinking when he arranged all this.
But from the circumstances, it seemed he was confident from the start that I would go.
Only, the Daeju’s expression was decidedly unfavorable.
‘He seems to dislike this quite a bit.’
His expression screamed reluctance at escorting me. It was almost bewildering how transparent his feelings were.
At that moment.
“The duration is until Physician Uiseon is brought from Mount Hua to Hanyang. During that time, the Daeju will be responsible for your protection.”
“…Wait, Munchu.”
“What is it?”
“…Is that really acceptable?”
The renowned Sowoldae Daeju. Not only was he an absolute master, but his reputation throughout the Central Plains was equally lofty.
‘Does Sowoldae have so few matters to attend to?’
He had countless responsibilities. A round trip from Mount Hua to Hanyang would take considerable time.
Given Shin Chang’s condition, we needed to retrieve him quickly regardless, but still, the time involved was substantial.
‘Can he really afford to leave his post vacant?’
Is he in a state where he can afford to leave his position? When I asked about this matter.
“It’s fine.”
Wol Seon-geom answered matter-of-factly. He said it was fine.
Ah, I see….
So it’s fine. Yes….
‘That’s right, the fact that he came this far means.’
Regardless, it means he’s accepted the mission.
‘Mm.’
I nodded my head.
“But… then, Moonju.”
“Speak.”
“…What about the personnel?”
If we end up going to Mount Hua, how would the personnel be arranged?
To my question, Wol Seon-geom spoke.
“Do we need changes?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m asking if a change in personnel is necessary.”
“…Ah… yes.”
I paused to think. What does he mean? It took me a moment to understand.
So his words mean.
“If I say it’s not necessary, we just go as is?”
“If you wish.”
“…Even with the purpose we have?”
We’re a party going to fetch Physician Uiseon for Shin Chang’s treatment. With such a purpose, can I really take whoever I want?
Endless questions arose, but.
“If you judge for yourself that it’s acceptable, then do so.”
“….”
Wol Seon-geom seemed indifferent.
“However, regardless of anything else, traveling with Sochul Daeju is mandatory. Furthermore.”
Wol Seon-geom’s eyes narrowed.
“You understand about the other one as well, don’t you?”
“….”
I pressed my lips shut. Those words clearly referred to the Sword Emperor.
“…I understand.”
“Then that’s settled. Do you need any changes?”
“…I think I’ll need time to consider that part.”
“I’ll give you until midnight.”
“Thank you.”
That was more than enough time.
“…Then, I’ll see you later.”
Just as I was about to step outside after paying my respects.
“Daeju.”
Wol Seon-geom called out to Sochul Daeju.
“Yes, Moonju.”
“Your escort duty begins now. Follow along.”
“…I accept your command.”
Before the words even finished, Daeju fell into step behind me.
‘…Oh dear.’
So it starts now.
I gazed forward while concealing my reluctance.
An awkward companionship with Sochul Daeju had suddenly begun.

* * *
Throughout my journey with Sochul Daeju, I hadn’t exchanged a single word with him.
Not even one word.
No brief greetings or unnecessary conversation—just walking in silence for quite some time.
Even upon reaching our destination, I spoke nothing to him.
‘This is suffocating.’
It’s been a long time since I’ve endured such oppressive silence. And on top of that.
‘At this rate, he’ll bore a hole through the back of my head.’
The way Daeju was looking at me was deeply uncomfortable.
I could feel him staring at my back as though he might pierce right through it.
‘Why not just say something already.’
What’s the point of just staring without speaking?
‘He could at least ask about the Gwangwol Seomgyeong…’
The Gwangwol Seomgyeong. We had spoken of it when I was leaving the Cheongwol Sect.
It was the day I discovered that he had suppressed rumors about me and orchestrated schemes behind the scenes.
It was a conversation we had shared then.
I will teach you the Gwangwol Seomgyeong.
So stand by my side.
That was roughly the gist of our exchange.
‘This is our first meeting since then.’
After that, I departed immediately for Hannam to prepare for the Yongbong Gathering, and this is my first encounter with Sochul Daeju since.
So what he would ask was obvious.
‘Why did you disappear without teaching me the Gwangwol Seomgyeong.’
Well, that was the Moonju’s command, so I had sufficient justification.
And then.
‘Teach me.’
If he said that, things would become somewhat problematic.
‘Is it even possible.’
I glanced sideways at Yoo Cheon-gil. The Old Man, reading my gaze, let out a soft chuckle.
[It couldn’t possibly work. The Radiant Moon Heart Sutra is impossible to master unless one first learns a transformed inner technique.]
As expected. Then, if I were to transform the inner technique that Daeju currently possesses?
[How would you even attempt such a thing? One misstep and you’d either fall into demonic possession or lose everything you’ve cultivated.]
This path is equally impossible, it seems.
Reconstructing one’s inner technique is simply absurd.
It’s nearly impossible, naturally. And if someone were to attempt it normally.
‘One would empty their entire cultivation and refill it anew.’
The method involved draining one’s accumulated inner strength completely and rebuilding from the very beginning.
Applying this to Sochul Daeju would be impossible.
To put it plainly.
‘I cannot teach the Radiant Moon Heart Sutra…?’
I had to admit I’d reached something close to the worst possible scenario.
‘Hmm.’
If I were to be asked, what should I do?
I struggled to devise a solution.
Actually, I had already begun formulating approaches the moment Sochul Daeju appeared.
As a result, I had conceived three or four possible strategies.
Among these, the ones that might actually work.
‘Two of them.’
Only two—half of them. Nothing else would be effective.
The problem was.
‘Both of these strategies require Sochul Daeju to initiate the conversation first.’
Without any response from him, these methods were useless.
So for now, I simply ignored him and continued walking.
‘…When will he ask?’
By my expectations, he should have asked already.
Yet Sochul Daeju showed no reaction whatsoever, only staring at the back of my head.
And so we finally reached our destination.
‘He’ll ask eventually.’
Ignoring Daeju for now, I opened the door to our destination.
Creak—!
As I stepped inside, those within turned their eyes toward me in surprise.
“What is…?”
“…Huh.”
Inside were none other than Wol Muhui, Cheonhye-in, and Dok-ryong.
“…Oh?”
Looking at the two of them, or more precisely at Cheonhye-in, I furrowed my brow.
“Why is the Young Lady of the Cheon Clan here?”
“…Is it strange to have a martial artist in a training chamber?”
“Well, not exactly.”
This training hall was part of the quarters where we’d been staying. I’d heard Dok-ryong was here, so I made the effort to find him.
‘Why are those two together?’
I hadn’t expected to find them sparring. It was certainly an unusual pairing.
“I simply had some free time, so we were having a friendly match.”
Cheonhye-in retrieved her sword as she spoke, her tone suggesting she couldn’t be bothered with explanations.
“By the way, I heard the Moonju had arrived… hmm?”
Cheonhye-in’s eyes narrowed mid-sentence. She must have noticed Sochul Daeju standing behind me.
“…Daeju?”
“…”
At Cheonhye-in’s words, Sochul Daeju turned his head quietly.
“…Why?”
“It’s a long story. Ask the Moonju when you see him next time?”
“…”
Cheonhye-in’s expression showed she didn’t understand at all, but after hearing my response, she seemed to refrain from pressing the Daeju further.
“Come to think of it, shouldn’t you be going to see the Moonju?”
After all, his daughter and son had met with trouble, yet Wol Seon-geom remained at the manor.
It seemed odd that he wasn’t going to check on his two children.
“I was just about to head out.”
Cheonhye-in wiped the sweat from her brow as she spoke.
“…Tsk.”
She had to go, but her expression was far from pleased.
“Dok-ryong.”
“…Yes?”
Cheonhye-in called out to Dok-ryong. At her voice, he flinched in response.
Seeing his reaction, Cheonhye-in seemed about to say something.
“…No, never mind. I’ll be back soon.”
She swallowed her words and moved forward, offering a respectful bow to the Daeju as she passed.
After Cheonhye-in disappeared, I immediately turned to Dok-ryong and asked.
“Hey.”
“Yes? Yes.”
“Got any stamina left?”
“…Stamina, you mean?”
“Yeah. How’s your body?”
“My body is fine.”
Dok-ryong had sustained injuries from his match with Heuk Taedo, but it seemed he’d recovered enough to move around now.
As expected of a martial artist—his recovery was swift.
“Good, then…”
Satisfied, I spoke to Dok-ryong.
“Let’s have a lesson.”
“….”
The Manceon Hwau lesson I hadn’t been able to conduct until now. I had intended to attempt it today.

* * *
Crack-crack-crack–!!
A barrage of hidden blades scattered and embedded themselves into the wall. Numerous blades struck with violent force, and amid the faintly rising dust, Dok-ryong gazed at his own hands as if bewildered.
“…This.”
Did I truly unleash this with my own hands? Dok-ryong spoke as though he couldn’t believe it.
“What are you gawking at, you fool.”
I let out an exasperated sigh at the sight of him.
The Manceon Hwau had succeeded. But only half of it.
“…No, you performed it perfectly on the martial stage, so why can’t you do it again?”
“….”
Unlike before when he couldn’t grasp it at all, he had certainly improved.
“It was flawless back then.”
It was worlds apart from the Manceon Hwau I had used against Heuk Taedo.
Now it merely felt crude.
“What is this.”
Why is he like this? I questioned him in confusion.
“…I don’t know either?”
Dok-ryong offered only a rather foolish response.
“You don’t know?”
What is he saying?
“If you don’t know, who would? Just do it like you did back then.”
“…That’s.”
Dok-ryong answered my words awkwardly.
“I can’t remember….”
“…What did you say?”
“All the memories from that time have disappeared….”
“…No…. Huh?”
I had to wear a dumbfounded expression at his answer.
Surely not.
‘He has no memory because he entered a state of oblivion?’
Dok-ryong, who had entered a state of oblivion while facing Heuk Taedo.
So his memories from that time had completely vanished?
And that’s why the Manceon Hwau became only half-formed?
“This is driving me mad.”
He succeeded perfectly, only to lose all memory of it.
If this is the case….
“…I won’t be able to finish the lesson.”
I had intended to handle this moderately and send him away, but that plan fell through.
I had hoped to avoid bringing Dok-ryong with me to Mount Hua if possible.
‘But now I’ll have to take him along.’
Due to my contract with the Dang Clan, I couldn’t abandon Dok-ryong and leave.
“Tsk.”
Was there truly no way around this? I narrowed my eyes.
“Look here…”
First, I thought showing him the method again might make a difference, so I unleashed Manceon Hwau.
Grasping a handful of flying daggers in my palm.
Whoosh—!!
I released them lightly with a single hand.
My wager slipped slightly as the flying daggers swept across the ground and walls.
In that instant.
Whoooosh—!
‘Hm?’
The Cheongwol Heart Technique activated of its own accord.
Uuuuung—!!! Flaaaaaah—!!
Light wrapped around my body.
Watching that state, I furrowed my brow.
Light coiling around my body, the sensation of my body lifting weightlessly.
‘…Why is this suddenly…’
Wol Cheon activated without my intention.
As I stood bewildered by this technique wrapping around me unbidden without my casting it.
Boom—!
“Hah…”
A loud sound accompanied by the sound of ragged breathing.
What is this?
I turned my gaze.
“Daeju…?”
Sochul Daeju. He was kneeling on the ground, looking at me.
Both his hands covering his mouth.
“Hah… Hah hah…”
“…Why are you like this?”
“It was real… truly real… truly…”
“Yes?”
Why was this man suddenly acting like this? Puzzled, I approached him.
“It’s truly beautiful…”
Sochul Daeju looked at me and spoke thus.
“What do you mean…?”
At those words, my body stiffened and I stared at him.
It was a rather unsettling tone and manner of speech.

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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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