The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 277

—————
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 277
Yeo Hyeok, the Second Disciple of Hwasan.
At exactly twenty years old, he stood at the very edge of what could be called the later generation of disciples.
Before Yoo Yeon appeared, he had earned renown as a tremendous genius when a great plum blossom tree of Hwasan manifested, and he remained a celebrated figure even now.
Time has not changed this assessment significantly.
At the tail end of the later generation, he was entering his prime as a true martial artist, and he was formidable.
Though he might not be called an absolute master, he was undeniably treated as a skilled expert.
‘His epithet must be….’
Maehwa Ilgeom.
Yes, that must be it.
Maehwa Ilgeom Yeo Hyeok.
The epithet of that arrogant man, who carried the subtle yet rich fragrance of plum blossoms, was certainly that.
[…Ah, how interesting.]
Yoo Cheon-gil showed interest upon seeing Yeo Hyeok’s arrival.
[In any case, that old fool has always had an eye for talent…. So that’s the little brat he once proudly showed me.]
Yoo Cheon-gil seemed to have seen Yeo Hyeok before.
Given the timeline, he must have seen him when the boy was still quite young.
[The child has grown this much? Heh heh….]
Yoo Cheon-gil’s eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke.
[At the very least, he’s someone who will rise to become the sect leader.]
“…!”
A remarkable assessment had been rendered. A man destined to become at least the sect leader of Hwasan.
One could hardly imagine a more valuable evaluation than that….
[If not for that young girl, it would certainly be assured.]
“….”
Attached to Yeo Hyeok’s evaluation was none other than Yoo Yeon.
The woman regarded as the foremost of the later generation and the current pride of Hwasan.
Yoo Cheon-gil seemed to share this view, valuing Yoo Yeon more highly than Yeo Hyeok.
However.
[If only that child didn’t have that flaw.]
“….”
The flaw in Yoo Yeon that Yoo Cheon-gil had pointed out.
Whether troubled by it, Yoo Cheon-gil chuckled softly and spoke.
‘Hmm.’
I narrowed my eyes slightly. Now I had to recall what Yeo Hyeok had just said.
‘The leader of the group.’
He had said that while looking at me. The moment I heard it, I turned my gaze slightly.
It was toward where the Sochul Daeju stood, beyond the Sword Emperor.
If the leader is to be determined now, shouldn’t it be that gentleman?
“Isn’t it Wol-hyeop?”
Yeo Hyeok mentioned my alias and called me directly.
At those words, Sochul Daeju regarded me with quiet eyes.
‘Ah, this is troublesome.’
It seemed I was the one responsible for this entire group.
‘…Wol Seon-geom, this man?’
I thought that since he’d assigned Sochul Daeju to me, I’d be handling the full responsibility, but was I really just tasked with protection alone?
‘If that were the case, he should have assigned a senior or Cheonhye-in instead.’
Considering the distribution and positions within Sowoldae, I was merely the youngest, so why was I the one in charge?
It was absurd, but I had no time to dwell on it.
“…I am Bangseong-yeon of Sowoldae. It is an honor to meet you, Maehwa Ilgeom.”
I offered proper courtesy first. At this, Yeo Hyeok regarded me with an enigmatic gaze.
“What an honor to meet such a distinguished person. I am Yeo Hyeok, Second Disciple of Hwasan Sect.”
He offered a light handshake. A weighty energy emanated from his rough palm.
“I had only heard rumors, but it seems the rumors were not entirely false. It is refreshing to meet you in person.”
As always, the beginning of conversation is nothing but empty pleasantries.
“Not at all. I am equally honored to meet the one who will lead Hwasan into the future.”
“Ahahaha.”
“Hahaha.”
We forced out strained laughter, and gauging the atmosphere, I asked him.
“…But what brings you to this place?”
“Ah, we were conducting a search through the night when we noticed a light and came upon you.”
“A search? Here, you say?”
This place lay between Shaanxi and Henan.
To be precise, it shouldn’t be within Hwasan’s sphere of activity, should it?
“…Why would you come all the way out here…?”
Why would Hwasan’s people venture this far?
I glanced behind him. Not only Yeo Hyeok, but numerous figures in similar attire were positioned throughout the area.
I recognized them immediately.
‘The Maehwa Ilgeom.’
These were Hwasan’s elite forces.
Maehwa Ilgeom.
Like the Shaman’s Taeguk Geomsu or the Cheongwol Sect’s Sowoldae.
The representative martial forces of each sect and clan.
Among them, they ranked among the three most formidable.
In group combat, the Taeguk Geomsu excels.
In individual duels, Sowoldae is considered superior.
‘Yet there is a saying that the Maehwa Ilgeom are the ones who truly shine on the battlefield.’
They say the Maehwa Ilgeom combines all the advantages of those two forces.
They wielded the most beautiful swordsmanship in the Central Plains while engaging opponents with unparalleled speed and precision.
Hwasan’s masters stood before me.
“Ah, I was just on my way here after receiving orders from Jang Moonin. I had hoped to meet with you all.”
“Us?”
…How?
‘The letter should have arrived by now?’
If the Martial Arts Alliance had sent a dispatch to Hwasan, it should have arrived there by this point in time.
Moreover, if they had sent their people immediately upon sending the letter, we absolutely could not be meeting them at this location.
Coming to welcome us? I found Yeo Hyeok’s words difficult to believe.
“I require a more detailed explanation.”
At my words, Yeo Hyeok’s expression becomes somewhat troubled.
“We also came under orders from Jang Moonin….”
“Are you saying Jang Moonin instructed you to come welcome us?”
“That is correct. He said that distinguished guests would be arriving from the Martial Arts Alliance, and we were to escort them.”
“….”
I cannot comprehend this…. Yet it was clear that the person before me was from Hwasan.
‘How could he have known?’
The letter should not have arrived yet. How did Maehwa Ilgeom possibly know to send these people?
Just as I was about to rack my brain over this incomprehensible situation.
“Ah.”
Yeo Hyeok’s eyes widen as he catches sight of someone.
“…Younger Sister.”
At those words, I turned to look behind me. There was Yoo Yeon descending from the carriage.
Yoo Yeon’s eyes widened slightly as she saw Yeo Hyeok.
“I trust you have been well.”
Yeo Hyeok spoke to her with proper courtesy.
“….”
Yoo Yeon nods her head.
‘…Younger Sister.’
Hearing that form of address, I had to make a peculiar expression.
Though Yoo Yeon was ten years younger in age, she was Jang Moonin’s direct first disciple while Yeo Hyeok was a second-generation disciple, making her his senior in rank.
“Jang Moonin has been quite concerned. I trust nothing troublesome has occurred?”
“….”
Yoo Yeon nods her head once more.
“That is a relief.”
Yeo Hyeok smiles warmly at those words. Though maintaining proper courtesy, his demeanor was as if addressing a younger sister.
“Well then, first…we would like to escort you distinguished guests ahead…if that is acceptable?”
Yeo Hyeok finished his light greeting and spoke to me.
Escort us. That suits me fine.
‘It’s good that we can travel comfortably.’
But there was something else I needed to address first.
I glanced at Yoo Cheon-gil. The old man, understanding the meaning in my gaze, lets out a quiet chuckle.
Then he pointed somewhere with his hand.
[It’s above that tree over there.]
The moment I saw it, I pointed to the same location for Yeo Hyeok to see.
“Before that, there seems to be something we need to address first.”
“Pardon?”
As Yeo Hyeok’s eyes widened at my sudden action, I spoke while meeting his gaze.
“I am the current director of Sowoldae’s Seomseo expedition.”
“I’m aware.”
“Then wouldn’t it be proper for the directors to have a conversation with each other?”
“What do you…?”
Yeo Hyeok’s eyes showed incomprehension. Or rather, they were pretending not to understand.
So I spoke.
“The person over there. Shouldn’t we have a word with them? It seems the director of your group is that person.”
“…!!”
Yeo Hyeok’s eyes widened like lanterns upon hearing my words.
Simultaneously, not only the Maehwa swordsmen behind him but also my companions immediately placed their hands on their sword hilts and looked toward the direction I indicated.
Someone was there.
Meanwhile, Sochul Daeju remained composed. He seemed surprised that I had noticed, but he already knew who was there.
“Heh….”
Yeo Hyeok let out a sigh.
“How did you…”
How could I have known? He tried to react with surprise, but—
“That’s not really the important part, is it?”
I spoke to him with a distorted expression.
Watching while concealing one’s presence was, strictly speaking, something that should be judged as harboring hostile intent.
“….”
Upon hearing my words, Yeo Hyeok’s expression became troubled.
At that moment.
“Ah, my apologies.”
Thud.
Someone landed lightly before me and appeared.
An elderly man with white hair, similarly dressed in white martial robes.
“I merely intended to observe discreetly… but I’ve committed a rudeness.”
He was a kind-looking old man. From his appearance and aura, I could immediately discern his identity.
He was a figure of such magnitude that it was impossible not to recognize him.
“…Are you Maehua Daeju?”
“Kekekeke. How delightful that you recognize this humble old man. Yes, I am Maehua Daeju.”
Maehua Daeju Seongpung.
An absolute master of Hwasan and a martial artist representing Hwasan alongside Maehwa Ilgeom.
“I never expected you to notice. I was curious since they spoke so highly of you as Geomseong’s Predecessor… you are indeed remarkable.”
“….”
“Sochul Daeju. Have you acquired a fine blade?”
Seongpung spoke while looking at Sochul Daeju.
At those words, Sochul Daeju said nothing in response.
He merely kept his hand resting quietly upon his sword hilt.
A hair’s breadth from conflict. Once I realized what had been hidden, the situation was no longer favorable.
“Hehe… I apologize once more. I truly intended only to observe from the shadows and then emerge to explain myself. But I’ve made quite the embarrassing impression.”
“…Why is that, sir?”
“I was curious. About you.”
“About me?”
“Yes.”
I was curious and watching you in secret, he was saying.
Well then.
‘That gaze Yoo Cheon-gil felt back then must have been this old man.’
The warning that someone was watching me—the culprit was Maehua Daeju.
“Then, what are your impressions from observing?”
I spoke while deliberately maintaining composure. Then—
“Well, I’m still not quite sure. Impressive enough to leave me uncertain.”
“…I appreciate the compliment.”
“I apologize again. I am Seongpung, the leader of the group you saw. Would you overlook this foolish old man’s prank?”
I hesitated for a moment. Considering what to do, but since he said he’d only been watching and apologized three times, it seemed right for both of us to move past this.
“…I accept your apology.”
“Aha, thank you.”
Seongpung let out a warm, genuine laugh.
“Since I’ve committed such an improper act, from now on we shall serve you with utmost sincerity. Would that be acceptable?”
“…Ah.”
At those words, my eyes widened.
Before a moment could pass, I stopped my widened eyes and spoke.
“Yes. I would be most grateful.”
This was the point where I needed to head toward Shaanxi. The assistance of Hwasan Sect would not be unwelcome during that journey.
“Thank you for accepting. Since time is not particularly pressing, we could spend the night here and depart tomorrow. What does our leader think?”
“I agree with Daeju’s words as well.”
“Then we shall depart at sunrise.”
“Yes. Understood.”
“We shall also handle the night watch, so rest well.”
“…I appreciate your consideration.”
I bowed my head and showed proper courtesy.
At my gesture, Seongpung grinned widely and turned away. He moved toward Yeo Hyeok, when I felt a presence beside me.
It was Yoo Yeon.
She examined me briefly, then began to approach where the Maehua disciples were gathered.
Of course, her original place was Hwasan, and since she belonged to the Hwasan Sect, it made sense for her to go there.
Grip.
“…?”
I seized her wrist, still keeping my head bowed.
‘…This is troubling.’
Yoo Yeon reacted with confusion, but seeing her response, I couldn’t speak.
I couldn’t easily lift my head.
If I raised my face, my expression would be exposed.
‘Why is this?’
I was bewildered. And with good reason.
‘Why.’
From this old man called Maehua Daeju.
‘I’m sensing traces of Patcheon Gung?’
Because something that shouldn’t be visible was appearing before my eyes.

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