The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 285

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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 285
I evaded the attack. The moment I narrowly slipped past it, my eyes widened.
“What are you doing?”
A sudden barrage of strikes. Had I been even slightly slower, I would have been wounded.
I narrow my eyes and question Yoo Yeon, but—
Whoosh—!!
Instead of an answer, her blade comes flying at me again.
Zing—!
Sensation surges from my core.
Heat flares in my vision.
Through Wol Seon-geom’s path, Wol-an’s power manifests of its own accord.
Crack—!
I evade Yoo Yeon’s blade once more. In that instant—
‘Huh.’
The pathways Wol-an reveals have grown terrifyingly numerous.
‘How many are there?’
How many possibilities exist? I’ve never seen so many before.
And yet—
‘Not a single one stands out.’
The most probable path should shine brighter or appear thicker than the others.
But there is nothing like that.
‘They’re all uniform?’
Can they truly appear so consistent and identical?
I’m utterly bewildered.
That confusion costs me. My momentary hesitation delays my perception.
Smack—!
By the time I realize what’s happening, Yoo Yeon is already upon me.
Her kick strikes my chest directly, and my body is sent flying backward.
Crash—!!
“Ugh!”
Crackle—!!!
I’m driven back and burst through the residence wall, forced to roll across the ground with all my strength.
After tumbling twice, I attempt to rise—
Chill—!
Something registers in my senses.
I lift my gaze.
‘What is it?’
I try to see what’s coming at me—
But it’s too late.
Whoosh.
“….”
Yoo Yeon’s blade was already pressed against my throat.
[Tsk, tsk….]
As Yoo Cheon-gil clicked his tongue, the light dimmed.
Yoo Yeon, who had blocked out the sun, stood before me, looking down at me.
“…What are you doing?”
What was happening right now?
Unable to comprehend, I asked Yoo Yeon.
“….”
Of course, I received no answer. Not long after, Seongheon answered on her behalf.
“Long ago, I made a wager with your Mentor.”
“…A wager?”
“You’ve never heard of it?”
“….”
I’d never heard of any such thing.
I glanced sideways at Yoo Cheon-gil with my eyes.
[…A wager?]
Even that old man seemed clueless—
[Ah.]
‘…Good grief.’
He clapped his hands lightly, as if just remembering now. Was he insane?
What kind of wager had he made?
‘He made such a bet but never told me?’
And he even forgot about it? I was losing my mind.
“…What kind of wager is this?”
I ignored Yoo Cheon-gil and asked Seongheon.
“Nothing major. Child, it was something we said when we exchanged our divine techniques with each other.”
“…You made a wager back then?”
We swapped and forgot about it, this old fool.
[…Ahem.]
He seemed to have realized something, continuously clearing his throat. Was that crazy Demon really serious?
“Yes.”
“What….”
“If we each raised disciples in the future, we would have them spar, and the winner would take everything.”
“….”
“That was the wager we made.”
“…I see.”
I was speechless. The terms of the wager were utterly childish and absurd.
Making disciples fight each other so the victor could claim all the spoils?
What kind of ridiculous bet was this?
Is this real? Are you seriously saying this is real?
I fixed Yoo Cheon-gil with that gaze.
[…Hehehehe….]
He was trying to brush it off with laughter. That’s basically a yes, damn it.
‘What kind of ridiculous nonsense is this?’
I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t even laugh.
“…So I’ve lost then?”
“Not quite.”
Seongheon laughed.
“This was merely a tasteless prank on my part. It seemed you didn’t know about it…. But even if you had.”
Slurp.
Seongheon took a sip of tea.
“Yoo Cheon-gil. I didn’t think that friend would remember this.”
“….”
[….]
The accuracy was astounding.
“Whether you believe such a wager existed or not, I cannot say. But it was something we actually said.”
“…I’m hearing this for the first time, but I believe you.”
“Is that so? That’s fortunate.”
Seongheon set down his tea and spoke to me.
“Then, what will you do? Do you intend to draw your sword again for the sake of the wager?”
“Well. I’ll need to think about that for a moment.”
Tap tap.
I gently pushed Yoo Yeon’s sword aside and rose to my feet. I had to brush the dust from rolling across the ground.
“Why? Lacking confidence?”
Seongheon spoke as if trying to provoke me.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t the type to fall for such provocation.
“Yes, I lack confidence. But beyond that.”
And.
“My body isn’t in the best condition right now. Surely you can see that?”
“….”
I had justification on my side.
When I pointed to the physical issues I was facing, Seongheon’s expression stiffened slightly.
“Ah…. You think I cannot see it?”
I scratched my cheek. Simultaneously, I observed his reaction.
Seongheon’s face hardened for a moment, but it was truly brief.
“Hmm, I didn’t know your body was in poor condition. Then, may I assume you won’t fulfill the wager?”
“If I don’t do it, could we perhaps exchange it through peaceful means?”
“That seems difficult. Unfortunately, our disciple has taken a liking to that robe.”
“…So you’re saying I should wear that black robe?”
“If that’s what you wish.”
Hmm, that might not be such a bad idea either.
Both are extraordinary treasures anyway, so why not simply use it?
The moment I thought that.
[Absolutely not! That won’t do!]
The Old Man threw a fit.
[What kind of garment is that, to exchange it for something so trivial!]
‘…Trivial, he says.’
Even though I’d only glimpsed it briefly, it looked like a fine piece to me.
Why would he cling so desperately to that white robe?
[That robe is no ordinary garment. Once you wear it, you’ll understand—it was crafted to harmonize perfectly with the Cyan Moon Heart Technique. We must obtain it by any means necessary.]
A garment that harmonizes most perfectly with the Cyan Moon Heart Technique….
It was strange that Yoo Cheon-gil clung to it so intensely.
‘Yet such a man would wager it as a stake?’
His actions were something I couldn’t comprehend.
Yoo Cheon-gil, noticing the meaning in my gaze, flinched.
Useless old fool, offering no real help.
‘In any case…. It must be obtained by any means.’
A sigh escaped me, but it seemed clear that obtaining it was necessary.
However.
‘I can’t simply take it.’
I’d have to fight Yoo Yeon and win to claim it….
‘Tsk.’
I clicked my tongue softly in frustration.
Then I spoke to Seongheon.
“It doesn’t seem like something I should decide on immediately, so could you grant me some time?”
I needed time.
“Even if I’m willing, as you know, my Mentor would not wish for this.”
“Hmm. Time, you say…. Child, you won’t have much time remaining at Hwasan, will you?”
I laughed inwardly at Seongheon’s words.
His remark carried the implication that he had no intention of accepting Jegal Jin’s will, meaning I would soon have to return to Hannam.
“Yes, I won’t need much time….”
“Very well. Do as you see fit.”
Seongheon nodded, and I bowed respectfully.
“Thank you. Until we meet again.”
As I turned to leave after offering my farewell.
Tug.
“Hm?”
Yoo Yeon grabbed me.
What is it? I turned to look at her in confusion.
“….”
Unable to speak, Yoo Yeon looked at me and her lips moved silently.
“Ah.”
Reading her lips, I couldn’t help but laugh.
Sorry.
My.
Yoo Yeon had clearly said that to me.
“It’s fine. My chest hurts a bit, but this will heal with some salve.”
It didn’t really feel like Yoo Yeon’s fault, and I held no ill will.
After all.
‘The old men are the ones who caused this mess.’
I was merely cleaning up after their blunder.
“See you next time.”
Pat, pat. I tapped Yoo Yeon’s shoulder a few times and moved on.

* * *
“….”
Right after Bangseong-yeon left.
Alone now, Yoo Yeon gazed in the direction he had gone.
It felt like he had struck her chest hard, yet he departed without a care.
Swish.
Yoo Yeon gently touched her own shoulder—the spot where Bangseong-yeon had tapped her a couple of times.
As she lightly brushed that place.
“Do you resent him?”
“….”
Her mentor spoke to her.
Hearing this, Yoo Yeon shook her head.
“The old men’s stubborn foolishness is hardly worth resenting over.”
Again, Yoo Yeon shook her head.
Seeing this, Seongheon chuckled softly.
Such a good child.
And.
‘A child who will shine brighter than anyone.’
She would shine more brilliantly than anyone he had ever witnessed.
While observing such a Yoo Yeon.
Sting.
“…!”
Seongheon’s brow furrowed as he clutched his chest.
“Hm.”
As he exhaled softly, Yoo Yeon was startled and hurried over.
Seongheon held up his palm to Yoo Yeon. It was a gesture telling her not to come closer.
“It’s fine. I was merely startled for a moment.”
“….”
“I suppose I need to rest a bit.”
After speaking, Seongheon slowly regulated his breathing.
‘…Exhale.’
I know it well.
That I don’t have much time remaining.
‘…Jin. I apologize to you.’
I have no room to spare time on anything else.
The moment I saw that child—Yoo Cheon-gil’s disciple—I knew.
‘An unusual physique.’
I would need to touch directly to be certain, but even from observation alone, I sensed something was amiss with their condition.
Furthermore.
‘They seemed to already know.’
The child’s reaction suggested they were already aware of their own body’s state.
‘Is that why?’
The matter in Hannam as well.
And seeking me out.
It seemed there was something connecting all of this.
‘Cheon-gil.’
Did he leave something behind?
‘…Heh, heh, heh.’
He asked me to keep it secret until the end.
‘I’m sorry.’
Even if I knew the secret, nothing would change.
I simply have no time now.
‘I don’t even have enough time to spare for that child.’
Even if I gave more and entrusted more, it would not be enough.
‘I’m sorry.’
I must be greedy.
That apology was for that.

* * *
After leaving Seongheon’s residence, I walked forward, belatedly soothing my aching chest.
My expression had grown rigid.
[Does it hurt?]
Yoo Cheon-gil speaks to me.
I ignored him.
[The young girl seemed to have held back when she struck you. Does it really hurt that much?]
It wasn’t my chest that ached.
I was simply irritated.
Yes, now that I think about it, that’s right. I was thoroughly irritated.
Was it because Yoo Cheon-gil didn’t mention the wager?
That was certainly part of it.
‘I never had such expectations of that old man anyway.’
Without expectations, there is no disappointment.
The real reason for my irritation was something else entirely.
[Didn’t I tell you?]
Yoo Cheon-gil speaks to me.
[You always think far too much.]
“….”
I stopped walking upon hearing that.
[It’s hitting home now, isn’t it?]
I couldn’t respond.
Because his words struck true.
‘Back then.’
When Yoo Yeon made her surprise attack.
‘If I hadn’t hesitated then.’
If I had moved my body on instinct alone, I likely wouldn’t have appeared so helpless in my defeat.
My body had grown sluggish from overthinking.
As a result, I lost in the most pathetic manner possible.
I felt an oddly intense irritation at that fact.
Toward myself.
[That’s why I told you.]
Yoo Cheon-gil approaches me and speaks.
[To gain what you can from the Sword Emperor. That he was the right one.]
“….”
[It’s good to see you’ve felt the necessity. Remember this well.]
His intangible hand pokes my chest.
[The competitive spirit and sense of defeat you’re feeling right now.]
The spirit’s hand doesn’t touch my skin.
Yet his words pierce my heart far too easily.
[That will become your driving force from now on.]
Yoo Cheon-gil laughed.
I frowned at the word competitive spirit—it didn’t sit right with me.
It was so unlike me.
Yet it had taken root within me, strangely persistent.
‘…Is this what it means to be a martial artist?’
As my cultivation advanced and I witnessed more, perhaps I had begun to think this way of myself.
An emotion I had never harbored in my entire life now found its place within me.
‘I want to win.’
I did not wish to lose.
I wanted to win.
Truly.

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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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