The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 279

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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 279
Hwasan, located in Hwayin County, Shaanxi Province.
The martial sect there is none other than Hwasan Sect.
One of the ten powers known as Gupaibang.
If the Five Great Families formed the orthodox sects and were called prestigious clans, then Gupaibang could be considered to hold an equal position with them.
And even if that weren’t the case.
‘It’s one of the places treated as heroes after the Jeongma Great War.’
It was a sect that directly participated in the Jeongma Great War alongside the Shaolin and the Shaman Sect, accumulating considerable fame and achievements.
The current sect leader, Maehwa Ilgeom, was called the Celestial Demon and became a war hero.
The disciples under him also risked their lives to save the Central Plains, which is why they were treated far more highly than Songshan, another Gupaibang sect in the same Shaanxi region.
As a sword sect, if one were to speak of the characteristics of their martial arts.
‘They are more elegant, more beautiful.’
They were widely praised as possessing the most beautiful swordplay in the Central Plains.
As swordsmen, they dreamed of plum blossoms.
Since they pursued swordplay that embodied the gentle flutter of petals, their sword techniques were nothing short of beautiful.
‘Perhaps that’s why.’
If there was something I felt upon arriving in Hwayin County for the first time.
‘The streets are beautiful.’
I found the streets themselves beautiful. The well-organized roads were certainly part of it.
“Look here, please!”
“We’ve got some quality goods today, you know?”
The merchants in the shops greeted people with lively expressions.
“Ahahaha!”
“Hey! You’ll fall if you run!”
Watching children dart about cheerfully among them, the corners of my mouth kept trying to rise.
Then one of the running children, apparently not watching where they were going, suddenly came bounding forward.
Thud!
“Oof!”
The child collided with Yeo Hyeok, who was walking ahead, and tumbled to the ground.
“Oh!”
The child’s mother, witnessing this, rushed over in alarm.
“Yerin! Oh my… I’m so sorry…”
“Sniff…”
The little girl whimpered, her nose hurting. Seeing this, Yeo Hyeok knelt down.
“Are you alright? You must have been quite startled.”
He offered a gentle smile and helped the fallen child to her feet.
“Sniff…”
“No, sir… our child made a mistake, and I don’t know what to do…”
The mother recognized Yeo Hyeok and became flustered, unsure of what to do.
“Please, apologize quickly…!”
“It’s quite alright. Children can be unpredictable, can’t they? I’m truly unaffected.”
Yeo Hyeok stroked the young girl’s hair and rose to his feet again.
Reassured by his demeanor, the child stopped her whimpering.
“You’re a good child. Now, since your mother is worried, you must be more careful from now on, yes?”
“…Yes….”
The child’s face flushed as she returned to her mother.
“Ah, I apologize for the delay. Please, do proceed.”
With the situation resolved, Yeo Hyeok turned to us and spoke.
‘He has a good temperament.’
It didn’t seem like an act at all.
“Not at all. These things happen.”
I gave a perfunctory response while surveying my surroundings.
I felt their gazes upon me.
The people filling the street were all staring in our direction.
“They’re Daoists.”
“…Every time I see them, they have such an impressive presence, don’t they?”
“As expected of Hwasan….”
Perhaps because this was Hwahyeon County, the gazes directed at Hwasan were particularly intense.
Everyone’s eyes were filled with reverence and respect.
It seemed they understood well the importance and standing of Hwasan in this place.
Yet amidst all this.
‘What is this?’
I sensed an odd gaze directed specifically at me.
What could it be? I wondered where this stare was coming from.
“Excuse me, brother.”
“Hmm?”
Someone approached my side—a young boy who appeared to be around six or seven years old.
“What is it?”
“Are you perhaps Wol-hyeop?”
“…What?”
My eyes narrowed. I never expected to hear that name from a child of all people.
“It’s you, isn’t it? You’re Wol-hyeop, right?”
“…No. Even if I were, what of it?”
“Wow! It’s really Wol-hyeop!”
“Hey, keep your voice down.”
The boy suddenly shouted loudly, startling me. And worse still.
“Wol-hyeop, you say?”
“Is that young man truly the legendary Wol-hyeop…?”
“Now that you mention it, his attire….”
“It’s not merely the attire. Look at his eyes.”
“Huh… their eyes really are blue, aren’t they…?”
“And their hair is white.”
“So the rumors were true after all…”
‘This is troublesome.’
As soon as the child spoke, whispers reached my ears.
Even though we were quite far from Henan, word of my existence had apparently spread even here.
‘Not that it matters.’
Honestly, I was rather conspicuous.
The robes of Sowoldae were distinctive enough, but the white hair and blue eyes were equally problematic.
“Yet so young, just as they say.”
“This young and they saved Henan? They say he’s the Sword Saint’s Predecessor… they certainly resemble their master.”
‘…I don’t resemble them at all.’
I almost flared up without thinking. Who were they comparing me to?
My mood soured considerably, but I managed to restrain myself.
Meanwhile, those who noticed my arrival began creeping closer.
What is this?
Just as I noticed people approaching as if they’d discovered something fascinating.
“It seems we should move a bit faster, sir.”
Yeo Hyeok spoke with a troubled expression.
“…Yes. I agree.”
I concurred. Staying here would only invite complications.
“Please make way. We’re in a hurry and cannot linger.”
The Maehwa Ilgeom swordsmen formed a protective passage, and I quickly led the group through.
In that moment.
‘Damn it.’
I had to frown discreetly at the crowd gathering around us.
‘…They’re here.’
It was something I’d sensed upon entering Hwayinxian.
This place. It appeared beautiful and vibrant on the surface.
‘But hidden within that facade, they definitely exist.’
Among the ordinary people, members of Patcheon Gung were concealed.
People watching me with curiosity.
Figures gazing respectfully at the Maehwa Ilgeom swordsmen.
Among these innocent people, there were those who should not be seen.
And seeing them, I became certain.
‘Something is happening.’
It seemed something was occurring at Hwasan.

* * *
To reach Hwasan, I had to climb a towering mountain. The ascent was anything but peaceful.
“Ugh.”
My legs trembled with exhaustion. Despite my training, climbing this mountain was utterly draining.
‘How are they all fine?’
The Maehwa sword masters appeared unaffected. Even Yoo Yeon, for that matter.
Perhaps they were accustomed to ascending and descending this mountain daily?
‘Sigh.’
I carefully controlled my ragged breathing to hide my exhaustion and continued climbing the stone steps.
“We’ve arrived.”
Yeo Hyeok spoke the words I had been longing to hear.
A massive gate came into view. And beyond that—
‘…the fragrance.’
Despite the absence of visible flowers, a distinct floral scent permeated the air.
“Ah, Daeju…!”
As I approached the gate, the guard stationed there recognized Seongpung.
“You’ve all worked hard.”
“Welcome back, sir.”
“Good. I’ve brought distinguished guests. Inform Jang Moonin at once.”
“Yes…!”
“Please, come inside.”
At those words, the martial artist entered Hwasan’s interior, and the gate swung open.
Creeeeak—!
Watching the gate open wide, I scratched my cheek.
‘At last….’
I had finally arrived at this distant Hwasan.
[It’s unchanged.]
As I stepped inside, Yoo Cheon-gil spoke.
[Still dull and unremarkable.]
It didn’t seem like high praise.
Agreeing with that assessment as I entered, I found nothing particularly striking.
‘…it’s quite serene.’
Vast and tranquil.
Hwasan’s interior was remarkably quiet, emanating a sense of calm composure.
Then.
“Yeo Hyeok.”
“Yes, Daeju.”
Seongpung called out to Yeo Hyeok and spoke.
“I shall meet with Jang Moonin. For now, please guide our distinguished guests.”
“Understood. Please follow me.”
Yeo Hyeok relayed the message to our group.
Hearing this, I naturally began to follow along.
“Well then, let’s go.”
“…Pardon?”
Seongpung called out to me.
Go? Right now?
“Since we’ve arrived, shouldn’t we pay our respects to Jang Moonin? Ah, Yoo Yeon, you come along as well.”
“….”
Yoo Yeon nodded in acknowledgment.
‘Ah, that’s right.’
I realized it anew. I had forgotten.
‘…I was the one responsible for this Hwasan trip.’
I was the one in charge of this damnable schedule.
Suppressing my discomfort, I followed Seongpung.

* * *
After walking roughly half a quarter of an hour, we arrived at a location.
It was a building that was notably smaller and tucked away compared to the other structures.
Why did it look so shabby? I was puzzled when—
“This is where Jang Moonin resides.”
“Pardon?”
Seongpung offered an explanation, and upon hearing it, my eyes widened.
“…Jang Moonin lives here?”
“That’s right.”
“In this small place?”
“That’s correct.”
“…Why?”
I couldn’t comprehend it. Why would Jang Moonin be in the smallest and most dilapidated place?
“Jang Moonin wished to dwell in the lowest place alongside his disciples. This is a reflection of that principle.”
“…Ah, I see.”
So he lives in that small dwelling?
…I understand the sentiment, but—
[What nonsense. What’s the point of such foolishness?]
“….”
Yoo Cheon-gil spoke his mind freely. Yes, that was exactly how I felt.
I wondered if it was truly necessary to go to such lengths.
[That stubborn fool’s nature hasn’t changed with the years. Tsk, tsk, tsk….]
Yoo Cheon-gil spoke as though Hwasan’s Jang Moonin had always been this way.
Seongpung, disregarding my reaction, approached the dwelling and spoke carefully.
“Jang Moonin.”
At that call, I sense movement from within the chamber.
-Come in.
Creak. Hearing the voice, Seongpung opens the door to the quarters.
A waft of fragrance billows forth.
‘…Hmm.’
The exquisite scent bursting from within brushes past the tip of my nose.
It was the most intense fragrance I had ever encountered at Hwasan.
Setting aside the lingering aroma, I now turn my gaze to the figure before me.
A small chamber and a table—upon it sits an old man.
“Thank you for coming.”
The old man radiates an extraordinarily benevolent presence.
Save for a small mole upon his cheek, he appears unremarkable—a man of no particular distinction.
This old man speaks to me.
“I am Seongheon, Sect Leader of Hwasan.”
“….”
Maehwa Ilgeom.
A martial artist of the Celestial Demon.
‘Physician Uiseon….’
The old man I must persuade and bring to Henan was standing right there.
“…I am Bangseong-yeon of the Cheongwol Sect. It is an honor to meet the Sect Leader of Hwasan.”
Speaking with utmost courtesy, Seongheon smiles.
“I have heard much of you. To finally meet this renowned comet is quite remarkable.”
“…That is not so.”
“And to learn you are the disciple of an old friend makes this all the more delightful.”
This is the first time I have heard anyone refer to Yoo Cheon-gil as an old friend.
“Welcome to Hwasan. I hope you will rest comfortably during your stay.”
“…Thank you for your kindness.”
I bow my head in response.
Even as I do, my mind races with countless thoughts.
At last, I have met Maehwa Ilgeom.
Originally, I was meant to persuade this old man and bring him to Henan.
For Shin Chang’s treatment as well.
‘I would need to ask his favor for my own body too.’
Above all, this is the moment when Physician Uiseon is most needed.
‘This is ruined.’
I bite my lip inwardly as I observe the old man’s condition.
And for good reason.
‘This old man is practically a walking corpse.’
Maehwa Ilgeom Seongheon before me was dying.
He looked as though he might collapse at any moment, perhaps even tomorrow.

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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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