The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 295

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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 295
It was a mystery.
‘What was Patcheon-gung after?’
Why had they come to Shanxi? I understood to some degree the reasons behind their invasion and assault on the Martial Arts Alliance.
That was reason enough when I thought about it.
The destruction of the symbol of the Orthodox Sects.
Or perhaps, a fracture.
The Martial Arts Alliance was a position sufficient merely by considering that alone.
If Patcheon-gung desired the fracture itself within the Orthodox Sects, there could be no better choice than this.
Indeed, was that not the case?
‘No matter how much the Martial Arts Alliance and the Open Sects tried to cover their eyes and ears.’
It was no different from hiding the sky with one’s palm—rumors would inevitably spread.
Even if I had succeeded in diverting attention by using myself as a human tool.
‘It was only seventy percent.’
That was being generous.
Seventy percent success. Thirty percent leaked out like escaping breath.
The main sect itself. An assault that occurred during the grand festival known as the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
The disciples fell to death because we could not prevent it.
What had the Martial Arts Alliance done about this?
The past incompetence of the Martial Arts Alliance became all the more apparent.
The gap that began forming after Yoo Cheon-gil’s passing continued to widen.
‘From the very existence of the main sect to the heterodox sects watching for their opportunity.’
If this was not a fracture, then what was it?
The mere appearance of the Demonic Sect and Patcheon-gung would cause trembling with anxiety, but the news that the Martial Arts Alliance itself had been attacked would change public perception.
The belief that peace was maintained because the Martial Arts Alliance existed would shift.
And this.
‘Would lead to movements by the heterodox sects watching for opportunity.’
A natural flow.
The fracture that had emerged would rapidly expand in size.
If Patcheon-gung desired this.
‘It was a success.’
Half a success, one could say.
Yes, so the assault in Henan appeared reasonable when examining the justification.
‘But this part was something I couldn’t quite understand.’
What about Shanxi?
Why had they established a position in this distant land?
That was the mystery.
‘…If I read between the lines of what Yeo Hyeok said.’
The disappearance of the Plum Blossom Sword Masters.
The betrayal of the Maehwa Ilgeom.
Upon hearing that, I recalled a single assumption.
‘There’s something to be gained.’
These men have something to gain from Hwasan—specifically from the Hwasan Sect.
It was only logical.
Otherwise, there would be no reason for them to come this far.
So what could they possibly gain?
‘The conquest of Hwasan?’
No, that didn’t seem right. If it were something so simple, Gwima wouldn’t have revealed himself so openly.
Then.
‘Not Hwasan itself.’
They must desire something that exists within it.
‘It could be an object.’
Or.
‘It could be a person.’
The likelihood of it being a person was high.
Moreover.
‘If the disappearance of the Plum Blossom Sword Masters was the work of those Patcheon-gung thugs….’
Then the probability that they sought a person increased significantly.
Had they merely desired an object, they wouldn’t have acted this way.
‘Who were they searching for.’
Just who could they be trying to find?
Even after placing Maehwa Ilgeom as a spy, they still hadn’t found them?
It was possible they had found them.
‘…But in my assessment, they hadn’t.’
They hadn’t found them.
At least not until last night.
‘Though things might be different now.’
If my assumption was correct, matters would become considerably complicated.
‘The Plum Blossom Sword Masters—people deeply involved with Hwasan more than anyone else—and yet they couldn’t find this person.’
But someone they were certain existed within Hwasan.
When it came down to this, only one name came to mind.
‘Physician Uiseon.’
Physician Uiseon, the Maehwa Ilgeom.
The likelihood that they were searching for him was considerable.
Throughout the entire Central Plains, few could count on one hand those who knew his true identity. Even if they had suspected he was in Hwasan, they would have been unable to discover it.
The problem was.
‘…They would know now.’
What happened last night.
If they had learned that Maehwa Ilgeom had stepped forward to save me….
And.
‘If Gwima isn’t a fool.’
He would have certainly noticed.
Or at least sensed something amiss.
‘Tsk.’
My mind races rapidly.
If the person they’re searching for is truly Physician Uiseon….
‘Why are they looking for him?’
My first assumption is that something has gone wrong with Pacheon Gungju’s body. There’s a strong possibility that complications arose from the previous battle with Shin Chang.
‘The timing doesn’t match.’
The timing of when they set up their encampment and launched their operation doesn’t align with when Pacheon Gungju engaged in combat, so I dismiss this theory.
Then.
‘Perhaps Physician Uiseon himself is needed at this very moment.’
Patcheon-gung requires a physician of Uiseon’s caliber. This suggests someone has been gravely wounded.
And.
‘There exists someone of sufficient importance to warrant such measures.’
The conclusion is singular.
They need Physician Uiseon.
‘And there’s no telling what lengths these men will go to achieve it.’
Moreover.
‘I find myself trapped within that very dangerous abyss.’
Yet….
‘There is something they don’t know.’
I narrowed my eyes.
I understand they need Physician Uiseon, but even if they find him, there remains one catastrophic problem.
‘They won’t know.’
And that is.
‘…that Maehwa Ilgeom’s lifespan is nearly exhausted.’
That Seongheon will die very soon.

* * *
After quickly making up my mind, I moved forward with Yeo Hyeok.
Beyond the investigation itself, I needed to see Jang Moonin again immediately.
“I am disciple Yeo Hyeok. I’ve come with Bang Disciple from the Cheongwol Sect. May we enter?”
A large building at the heart of Hwasan Sect. I arrived there with Yeo Hyeok.
Sochul Daeju was also behind us at this time.
Creak—!
The moment permission was granted, the door swung open and the interior came into view.
Whoosh—!
A fresh floral fragrance spread distinctly throughout. Inside, I could see Seongheon along with other elderly men.
‘The Elders.’
Hwasan’s Elders.
“Please, come in.”
Seongheon, seated at the head position, spoke, and at his words, the Elders’ gazes turned toward me.
‘The Maehua Daeju isn’t here.’
Several empty seats—those appeared to be the positions of the Elders currently absent.
“I apologize for summoning someone who is unwell to come here.”
“Not at all. Please don’t concern yourself.”
“Both of you may sit in the seats in front.”
“I appreciate your courtesy.”
I pulled up a seat and sat down beside Sochul Daeju.
“The reason I’ve called you here is nothing complicated.”
Seongheon spoke to me with a faint smile.
“I wish to hear about both the investigation conducted without Hwasan’s permission and the friction with Gwima.”
“….”
Here it comes.
I made that expression.
“Is it true that the Cheongwol Sect ordered the investigation of Hwasan Sect?”
At Seongheon’s question, I paused my breathing for a moment.
“To be precise, it was an order from the Martial Arts Alliance.”
“…From the Martial Arts Alliance?”
The Elders murmured amongst themselves. I took in their appearances at a glance and their reactions and….
‘Their energy.’
I examined the energy that would be within their bodies.
“How could the Martial Arts Alliance order an investigation of Hwasan Sect?”
One of the Elders asked me.
“Rather than there being a problem with Hwasan Sect itself… as you’ve likely heard, it was a matter concerning Patcheon Gung.”
The investigation wasn’t about Hwasan Sect, but about Patcheon Gung in Shanxi. That was the meaning of my words.
Whether they would accept this explanation or not, I couldn’t say.
“Patcheon Gung, you say. Those ruffians who caused trouble in Henan, correct?”
“They’ve established a foothold in Shanxi as well?”
“…Surely not.”
A single incident surfaced in their minds. Something that had occurred recently….
‘The disappearance case.’
The reason the Plum Blossom Sword Masters vanished. Recalling this, it seemed they were connecting it to Patcheon-gung.
I didn’t pretend to know. If I had, it would inevitably reveal that Yeo Hyeok had told me.
“Yes. I came to Shanxi to investigate after hearing intelligence that Patcheon-gung intended to undertake something upon entering the region. Regarding this matter, I believe the Jang Moonin received a separate letter from the Scholar.”
“That’s correct.”
Seongheon acknowledged it. Whatever Jegal Jin had sent him, it wouldn’t be resolved merely by the pretext of bringing Yoo Yeon.
Just looking at the personnel involved made that clear.
‘The moment Sochul Daeju is involved, the matter is already settled.’
It made no sense for someone of such caliber to simply tag along.
“You entrusted such a matter to someone like you?”
A stern-looking Elder among them directed a question at me.
His name was clearly—
“Yes, that’s correct, Elder Sungchung.”
“….”
Knowing his name, the old man’s eyes widened.
“…How could you possibly—”
Be entrusted with this, a young man like you. The Elder closed his mouth before finishing.
Wol-hyeop. The weight behind that alias proved helpful.
Not just my outward appearance, but my capabilities were equally formidable.
The hero who saved Hanan.
The one who slew the Sword Demon.
The alias Wol-hyeop, earned through such deeds, allowed me to overcome many such obstacles.
The current situation was precisely that.
“I apologize for not informing you in advance. It was necessary for the investigation.”
“May I ask the reason?”
Why the investigation proceeded without Hwasan’s cooperation.
There was only one answer to explain this.
“It was due to the danger of a mole.”
“…!”
“What did you—!”
The Elders bristled at my words.
“A mole?! Do you know where you are!”
“Jang Moonin. Will you truly remain silent after hearing such a statement?”
Upon mentioning the possibility of a mole within Hwasan, they erupted in fury.
Fortunately, Seongheon merely observed me with clear, piercing eyes throughout.
“Do you have grounds for such a judgment?”
“I have grounds, but more than that——”
I met Seongheon’s gaze clearly and spoke.
“I believe Jang Moonin and the Elders present here have already been aware of this matter.”
There’s no way you didn’t know.
Not knowing until the situation reached this point? That was utterly absurd.
‘Even human stupidity has its limits.’
There exists a threshold. How could you not see something so obvious?
‘You must have pretended not to know.’
There’s no other explanation.
That’s what I believed.
“Hmm.”
Seongheon exhaled softly.
The Elders’ reactions were similar. Their words had dried up.
Taking in their reactions, I continued speaking.
“Ordinarily, I would have completed the investigation and reported my findings first… but the appearance of Gwima was beyond my expectations.”
“….”
Everyone froze at the mention of Gwima.
“He proved far more formidable than anticipated. Now that he’s involved, it seems impossible to proceed without Hwasan’s assistance.”
“…Hwasan’s assistance?”
Having proceeded independently and now asking for help—their reactions were decidedly unfavorable.
But what choice was there?
“The enemy’s reach has already extended far deeper. According to my investigation, there are considerable traitors within Hwasan. Perhaps even—”
I looked around the room as I spoke.
“—among those present here.”
“This bastard…!”
“How dare you speak such nonsense—!”
The Elders bristled. What was amusing was that those who reacted indignantly were not the traitors, but rather—
‘Those old men sitting with composed expressions.’
Whether they were hiding their anxiety or simply maintaining their composure, those were the ones who were traitors.
“Enough.”
Seongheon spoke quietly.
“Jang Moonin…!”
“How could you…!”
“Be seated. The conversation is not yet finished.”
“….”
His presence was weighty. Despite his injuries, his existence commanded authority.
Especially for someone carrying such grave wounds.
“Bang Disciple. Or rather, Wol-hyeop.”
“Yes, Jang Moonin.”
“What do you seek?”
“…Are you offering to assist with the investigation?”
“I cannot give you a definitive answer yet. I cannot know whether I can trust you or not. Therefore…”
Seongheon spoke to me with a measured breath.
“I wish for you to clearly state what it is you intend to do.”
Only then could he make his choice.
At those words, I narrowed my eyes and spoke.
‘Excellent.’
This was precisely the situation I had hoped for.
I hadn’t expected the Elders to be present, though.
‘In fact, this is even better.’
Their watchful eyes would serve as my proof and validation.
Do you know what gives prey the highest chance of survival when beasts circle to devour it?
I spoke while observing those who made no effort to hide their discomfort.
“I wish to conduct a reinvestigation in cooperation with the Maehua Daeju.”
“…!”
Not fleeing, but stepping into enemy territory.
Presenting myself as prey that could be consumed at any moment.
It was the best method available to me now.

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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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