The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 293

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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 293
I cleaned up the porridge. I considered checking whether poison was mixed in, but I had no desire to take such a reckless risk.
‘I even debated whether to apprehend that man Tae-myeong right away.’
I weighed two options: should I pretend to notice him immediately and capture him, or…
‘Should I let it pass as if I knew nothing?’
After a brief moment of deliberation, the answer came to me.
‘For now, I’ll let it pass.’
I couldn’t pretend to know right now. After all, I hadn’t properly verified whether poison was present or not.
The method to verify?
It was simple.
Creak—
First, I opened the door and stepped outside. As I emerged,
“…Huh?”
That man Tae-myeong’s eyes widened upon seeing me. I smiled at the sight of him.
“Oh, you haven’t left yet.”
“…Ah, yes… I was… just about to go to my quarters.”
His eyes trembled. Seeing that, I became even more certain.
‘He was waiting.’
He must have been waiting for me to consume the poison. And he probably intended to check on me once I collapsed.
‘He’s panicked because I came out so suddenly like this.’
Someone who should have died or lost consciousness appearing perfectly fine like this would certainly unsettle him greatly.
“That…”
That man Tae-myeong struggled to conceal his emotions. He seemed rather skilled at hiding them. If I hadn’t been able to sense his aura, I wouldn’t have detected anything amiss.
“…Have you finished your meal? It seems I brought it out just moments ago.”
“Ah… the rice.”
I smiled awkwardly and spoke to him.
“I intended to eat it originally, but perhaps due to my illness, I simply had no appetite. I apologize that I couldn’t finish it.”
“Ah, I see. Still, if possible, eating something would aid your recovery.”
“I appreciate the advice, but I’ll eat next time.”
“…Understood.”
“Should I leave the food as is?”
“Ah, yes. I’ll clear it away shortly.”
Tae-myeong quickly entered my room. Then he brought out the porridge. His gaze fixed on it. He confirmed that I hadn’t eaten any of it.
“I apologize for wasting what you so kindly prepared.”
“…No, such things happen.”
Tae-myeong left with a slightly stiffened expression. Watching him, my own expression hardened as well.
‘What exactly is that aura?’
It’s useful that I can sense the aura of Patcheon Gung, but I still can’t identify the nature of that aura.
An unpleasant instrument of malice. Yet compared to the aura of the evil spirits I know, it’s somehow artificial and strange.
That’s the kind of aura it is.
The fact that even the Three Disciples possessed that aura.
It meant their influence was spreading across a considerably wide range.
How on earth had they managed it?
What had they done to shake even the bonds of the sect—bonds far stickier than those of the three great families?
That was what puzzled me.
Moreover.
What were they scheming?
I needed to discover what they were doing within Hwasan.
To accomplish that…
The simplest method.
I would have to plunge directly into enemy territory.
To set foot personally in their camp.
That was what I had chosen to do.

* * *
My abdomen still throbbed with discomfort as I made my way to my destination.
“Welcome, welcome.”
An old man with a benevolent expression greeted me. The one before me was none other than the Maehua Daeju.
He was the second-in-command of the current Hwasan Sect and the leader of the Plum Blossom Sword Masters.
“Greetings. I apologize for arriving so suddenly.”
“Nonsense. Had I known you would come, I would have gone to you instead. My apologies.”
“How could I possibly trouble you, Senior? It was only right that I come.”
“Aha. I thought so before as well, but your manners are truly impeccable.”
Hahaha.
We exchanged laughter, easing the atmosphere as we took our seats.
Since I had sent word of my arrival beforehand, tea was already laid out on the table.
“It’s plum tea, made from plums we cultivate directly here in Hwasan. It tastes quite good.”
“Such a precious gift… I shall enjoy it gratefully.”
Slurp.
I drank without hesitation. Though one might worry, given that I had poisoned the porridge earlier.
There would be no poison here.
I was certain he had not poisoned the tea.
The reason was simple.
Sochul Daeju had come with me. He would not attempt to harm me in his presence.
“The taste is truly exquisite… I can feel the care you’ve put into making it.”
“Aha. So your palate is as refined as your martial prowess? To appreciate such subtlety.”
“I’ve always been rather fond of tea.”
“Is that so? Then when I return to my residence, I shall prepare some for you to take with you.”
“Aha. I would be most grateful for that.”
The atmosphere was pleasant and gentle. We were both making efforts to keep it that way.
Of course.
‘Though our true intentions may differ.’
The blade advances. I had concealed my sword beneath soft words wrapped in cotton.
“Your body is well, I trust? I heard you suffered considerable injuries…”
“I’m fine. Perfectly sound. It’s thanks to Hwasan’s consideration.”
My blunt words opened a door for him to step through.
I had given him an opening—would Maehua Daeju truly take it?
“Consideration, you say? That’s rather unfortunate. If I’m being frank, Wol-hyeop, you weren’t working for our benefit at all, were you?”
The question cuts through like a blade as Maehua Daeju presses forward.
“I hear that you were investigating those wicked individuals hiding within Hwasan—from Patcheon Gung, no less?”
Maehua Daeju moistens his lips with plum blossom tea as he poses the question.
“…My. It seems you’ve already heard, then.”
I know Yeo Hyeok must have spoken of it, but I feigned ignorance for now.
“How shameful. Had I known even a little, I would have offered my assistance.”
“Not at all. Since we were conducting this matter in strict secrecy, there’s no reason you should have known.”
“You mean this was an order from Cheonwol Munchu?”
“To be precise, it was something Cheon Rijin-an mentioned… though one could say it amounts to the same thing.”
Strictly speaking, it was Jegal Jin’s matter. Though he hadn’t issued a direct command, either.
“A force that shook Hanan extending its reach all the way to Shenxi where Hwasan stands…”
“You didn’t know of this?”
“I did not. Had I known, I would not have left those bastards alone.”
Kuguguung.
Killing intent shakes the room. Anyone watching would have thought he was truly enraged.
Kugugugeuk. As the turbulent energy settles somewhat, Maehwa Ilgeom steadies his breathing and speaks to me.
“My apologies. I forgot myself in my emotions, with a patient present.”
“Not at all. Your feelings were perfectly understandable.”
“…Thank you for seeing it that way. Well then…”
Maehua Daeju draws slightly closer to me.
“There is one thing that puzzles me, however.”
“What might that be?”
“I understand you undertook this investigation in strict secrecy. But why was Yeo Hyeok there of all people…?”
“Ah.”
Why Yeo Hyeok and no one else? I smiled as I answered his question.
“Because he seemed like the most trustworthy person.”
At my answer, Maehua Daeju’s brow stiffens briefly. It was only a fleeting reaction, but I didn’t miss it.
He seemed to have grasped the meaning behind my words.
That I trusted Yeo Hyeok most.
In other words.
‘I cannot trust the others.’
That I do not have faith in the rest of Hwasan.
In other words.
‘I am certain that there is a mole within Hwasan.’
That was what it meant.
“It seems you are entertaining rather dangerous thoughts.”
The Maehua Daeju, understanding my implication, showed visible discomfort.
“My apologies. However, I believed that during an investigation, one must consider all possible scenarios. Of course….”
One unforeseen variable.
“I had not anticipated the existence of Gwima.”
“…Gwima, you say…. Truly Gwima. That demon lord was indeed the one?”
“I have not seen him myself, so I cannot be certain, but according to our Sochul Daeju, it was confirmed.”
“…I see…. So that Gwima was alive.”
Did he not know?
Judging by the Maehua Daeju’s reaction, it was possible.
‘No, that cannot be.’
Considering that old demon was quite the actor, it was more likely he knew all along.
“Then, Wol-hyeop.”
“Yes, Daeju.”
“What is your reason for seeking me out at this juncture?”
Unable to trust anyone except Yeo Hyeok, I questioned why he had come to me now.
Hearing this, I steadied my breathing.
‘Now begins the crucial part.’
This was the pivotal moment. From here on, this was essentially the center of my entire plan.
All the minor discussions before this had been leading to this very point.
I hardened my expression, dropping the faint smile that had been on my face.
“As you have heard, Gwima has appeared.”
“I am aware.”
“Because of this…it seems our own strength alone will not be sufficient for the investigation.”
“And so?”
“Therefore, I have come to seek your assistance with the Plum Blossom Sword Masters from this point forward.”
“Hmm….”
“Though my words come late, I wonder if you would be willing to lend us your aid.”
“….”
The Maehua Daeju began to feign deep contemplation.
In the silence that fell, I awaited his response. After a brief pause.
“…What sort of assistance do you speak of?”
The Maehua Daeju asked reluctantly, as if he could not refuse.
Hearing this, I expressed relief and spoke to the old man.
“Phew. It is nothing else, but…the greatest concern is the matter of the mole.”
“…A mole?”
At my words, the Maehua Daeju’s pupils flickered.
“A mole? You’re suggesting there’s someone within the Hwasan Sect engaging in treachery?”
His tone dripped with displeasure. Not only his voice, but a fierce aura rippled faintly from his body.
“How can you speak such nonsense.”
“Please calm yourself, Daeju.”
I steadied him and continued swiftly.
“The circumstances demand it. You know as well as I do—for Patcheon Gung to operate in Shanxi, it would be impossible without intelligence from within the Hwasan Sect.”
“But—!”
“Even the Martial Arts Alliance, which spans all of Henan, fell victim to this. To hope Hwasan remains untouched is dangerously naive.”
I spoke to him with unwavering conviction.
“As one of the absolute masters of this era, the Maehua Daeju surely cannot be ignorant of this. You’re not simply turning a blind eye because they are Hwasan’s own disciples, are you?”
“…Huh.”
The Maehua Daeju faltered.
‘Impressive.’
I marveled at it inwardly.
‘This old man is quite skilled.’
Had I lacked composure, I would have nearly been deceived.
His acting was that convincing.
“To protect Hwasan, you must maintain a broader perspective.”
“…If there is a mole even within Hwasan, how can I trust you from another sect?”
A fair point. We should be suspected—why would you trust us?
I answered without hesitation.
“Don’t trust me.”
“…What?”
“Of course, you need not trust me either.”
There is no need for you to trust me.
“I am no different.”
I don’t trust you either. Naturally, you need not trust me.
“The choice has always been yours alone, Daeju.”
Trust is a matter of one’s own choosing.
If there is a problem—
‘After all, you don’t trust me anyway.’
When you yourself are the mole, who trusts whom?
I moved smoothly.
“However.”
I withdrew a letter I had prepared and handed it to him.
“I merely hope this will aid in your decision, Daeju.”
“….”
The Maehua Daeju took the letter with a questioning expression and unfolded it.
In that instant.
“…What!?”
The Maehua Daeju’s eyes widened to the size of a lamp as he examined the letter.
“…What is this?”
The contents of the letter were straightforward.
“These are the names of those I’ve confirmed as conspirators and those I suspect, based on my investigation thus far.”
A list of names that appeared to be traitors.
Several of the Three Disciples. Several of the Second Disciples. Several of the First Disciples.
I had filled it with those I had truly confirmed, and it was a genuine letter that even included that man Tae-myeong.
One thing.
‘You are not among them.’
I had written the letter excluding only the Daeju.
‘Now.’
This was.
‘How will you respond?’
A trap I had prepared for the old demon.

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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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