The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 296

—————
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 296
As the day faded and night descended.
Whoosh—!
In the darkness of a space without a single light, I slowly drew my sword.
Shing—!!
At such a leisurely pace, no flash of light cut through the air.
I was simply focusing on my form and movement.
I swung my blade steadily, without straining my body.
Half a step forward. Aware that my upper body wasn’t bending excessively, I struck upward.
Shing—!
The rising blade stopped at a precise angle.
Without hesitation, I applied the rebound.
As it rose, I used the acceleration contained in the sword to trace a semicircle.
Shing—!!!
The accelerating blade cut through empty space in a straight line.
Clean. The precision and power were entirely different from when I first wielded a sword.
Seeing this, I subtly realized just how much I had grown.
“Haaah—!”
I exhaled and took another step forward.
Thud—!
I drew strength from my feet planted against the ground.
Vibration wrapped around the blade as I struck twice more.
Slash—! Slash slash—!!
I felt the air accelerate. Rather than my breathing quickening, I surrendered my body to the flow.
Just as I was about to trace another semicircle.
Sting—!
“…!”
I stopped my movement at the sharp pain I felt.
“Damn.”
I grabbed my waist and let out a groan. My injured waist throbbed.
“…Tch.”
It wasn’t pain severe enough to kill me, but it made movement inconvenient.
‘So that’s why they said to avoid moving as much as possible.’
Of all places, it was my waist—a naturally vulnerable area even after treatment.
[That’s why I’m saying, why are you pointlessly exerting yourself in the middle of the night?]
Yoo Cheon-gil spoke as if exasperated. I brushed off his words and answered.
“I was just trying to do something.”
Click.
I sheathed the divine sword at my waist and recalled my dilemma.
‘How on earth should I handle this?’
Erasing thoughts from one’s mind.
I remained fixated on that very problem.
How was I supposed to do that?
Just now was a perfect example.
‘Two footsteps.’
In the moment I took a half-step and a full step forward, drawing my blade.
How many calculations had I conceived and computed in those scant instants?
Even through such processes, my mind churned endlessly—so how could I possibly stop thinking?
“Hmm.”
The Sword Emperor was the same, as was Yoo Cheon-gil.
The absolute beings of the Celestial Demon.
If they both spoke in unison like that, then my flaw was indeed real.
Even setting that aside.
‘It’s necessary.’
I felt the necessity myself—something I had learned from my brief clash with Yoo Yeon.
If I kept deliberating over every detail, I would accomplish nothing.
Combat is ultimately a battle of speed.
As one transcends humanity, one enters fights that transcend sound itself.
The countless movements unfolding within that velocity.
If I kept calculating endlessly within those gaps.
‘I won’t endure it.’
The moment would consume me, and I would destroy myself.
So I had been practicing, like the Sword Emperor’s lessons, to erase calculations from my mind.
“Ah, this is brutally difficult.”
It wasn’t as simple as I wished.
I wiped away sweat and bit my lip.
Even when the Sword Emperor offered guidance, absorbing it was far from easy.
When I sought help from Yoo Cheon-gil.
‘Listen to that man’s words for now.’
He said it was better to heed the Sword Emperor’s instruction and offered me no further teaching.
If the Old Man, so eager to instruct me, would say such a thing, then the Sword Emperor must truly be superior in this regard.
“Tsk.”
Nothing was easy.
Whatever it might be.
“…Let’s head back now.”
[Very well.]
I turned away. There were no answers to be found, and soon the moon would rise to its zenith.
My body stiffened at the biting chill I could feel.
It was nearly time for the ghosts to hold their dominion.
There was nothing more to gain by lingering, so I decided to return to the Hwasan Sect for now.
“Are you finished?”
“Yes.”
As I descended, Sochul Daeju greeted me. He must have followed along to provide protection while I trained.
I moved together with him.
If we continued like this, we’d arrive at my residence at just the right time.
Uuuung.
‘Hmm?’
I felt a presence and paused mid-step.
‘What is this?’
I turned my head.
Ssshhhhh—!!
Restless spirits scattered throughout the forest became visible.
They were beings that existed everywhere, so there was nothing unusual about it.
‘They seem to be fleeing?’
The spirits appeared to be moving as if running from something.
‘What is it.’
Was there something here? It was quite unusual for spirits to react that way.
Puzzled, I turned on my heel.
“…Master?”
“Wait a moment.”
Leaving the bewildered Sochul Daeju behind, I headed in the direction the spirits were fleeing.
What could possibly cause such a reaction?
Normally, if something seemed suspicious, I would never approach it.
‘The feeling is different.’
It wasn’t born of malice. That’s why I was going to investigate.
What could be causing this sensation?
Walking slowly while sensing this presence.
Whoosh.
“Ah.”
A fragrance brushed past my nose.
Or rather, should I call it a fragrance? It was more like an aura than a scent.
An aura I always felt when at the Hwasan Sect.
‘Plum blossoms.’
The aura of plum blossoms.
It emanated from the direction the spirits were fleeing.
As the fragrance grew stronger, I drew closer and closer to its source.
Whoosh—! Slash slash!!
I heard the sound of a sword moving.
Only after hearing that sound did I stop.
It came into view.
Far in the distance.
Beyond the trees and grass, where the moonlight cast its gentle glow.
Whoosh—!!
Someone was wielding a sword.
A slender line flowed with grace.
The movements resembled a dance, and as she moved with the current, wind stirred.
Mingled within that breeze was the fragrance of plum blossoms.
One who wielded a sword with such beauty.
I knew that face well.
‘Yoo Yeon.’
The First Disciple.
Geombong Yoo Yeon.
She was performing her sword dance in the heart of the forest.
‘…Ah.’
I held my breath. Beautiful.
Her appearance was beyond words, but it wasn’t merely her outward form.
‘The movements….’
The spirit contained within those movements.
The spirit that expressed her talent was woven into every single motion.
The otherworldly aura emanating from that spirit was driving away all the spectral entities in the vicinity.
‘It’s breathtaking.’
Watching her, admiration naturally arose.
Yoo Yeon’s form was indeed like that.
[Hmm.]
Yoo Cheon-gil also watched her intently.
[…No matter how many times I see it, it’s remarkable. How is such a thing even possible.]
A question tinged with admiration. Was Yoo Cheon-gil also bewildered by Yoo Yeon’s existence?
Was she a genius to that degree?
Well.
‘Tuan, was it?’
The eye that perceives the flow of combat.
Yoo Cheon-gil himself didn’t possess it, and as a master, he had created a different perspective—yet Yoo Yeon possessed such a gift naturally.
In other words, she was an extraordinarily talented individual.
Indeed, it was so.
‘My gaze has already been stolen.’
What could be contained within a sword swung through empty air?
Yet I found myself entranced, watching without realizing it.
And so I continued to observe her quietly.
“…I believe you should stop watching, sir.”
Sochul Daeju spoke as if in warning.
Only then did I realize it.
‘Ah, that’s right.’
I had forgotten—one must never carelessly observe another’s cultivation.
There was nothing more discourteous in this place, yet I had committed such a blunder without thinking.
So I hastily tried to turn my head away.
“….”
But it was already too late.
Yoo Yeon had stopped her sword and was staring directly at me.
“…Uh. Hello?”
I offered a greeting, but Yoo Yeon gave no response. She simply stared at me intently.
‘What do I do.’
Was she angry? If so, I had nothing to say in my defense.
“It’s just… I wasn’t trying to watch on purpose.”
“….”
“I was just returning from my own cultivation when… I happened to see you by chance.”
With no response forthcoming, my tongue grew loose.
What I was spouting as an excuse was far too pathetic.
“Haha…. I’m sorry.”
So I simply cut myself short and apologized instead.
It seemed like the right answer.
Then.
Thud.
Yoo Yeon began walking toward me.
Still holding her sword.
‘…What is this.’
Her expressionless face made it impossible to discern her thoughts.
Why wouldn’t she put the sword away?
Surely not.
‘Is she going to cut me with that?’
That would be rather problematic, wouldn’t it? I made a mistake, but isn’t this excessive?
As countless thoughts flashed through my mind, Yoo Yeon was already standing before me.
Panicking at the thought that she might actually slash me, I was preparing a response when—
Whoosh.
“Yelp!”
Yoo Yeon moved. Contrary to my startled flinch, she was examining the collar of my clothing around my waist.
“…What?”
“….”
With an indifferent gaze, she looked this way and that. Then she gazed up at me directly.
“…Why?”
“….”
Just as I was about to ask but knew I wouldn’t get an answer, I moved the sword I hadn’t drawn and wrote something on the ground.
[Are you alright?]
That’s what was written.
“…Yes.”
I wondered what she was looking at—was it my wound?
“Yeah, yes. I’m fine. Really.”
She nodded.
Reassured by my words, Yoo Yeon nodded her head.
“…And I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to look.”
At my apology, Yoo Yeon tilted her head in confusion. The sword moved again, writing on the ground.
[Sorry about what?]
She clearly had no idea what I was apologizing for.
“I saw you training. I’m sorry about that.”
“….”
At my words, Yoo Yeon fell into thought. A brief span of time passed, short enough to count on one’s fingers.
She nodded.
That was all—just a nod. Did that mean it was fine…?
She didn’t seem particularly bothered.
“…Right. Thank you.”
Since she accepted my apology, I was relieved.
“….”
“….”
Silence fell between us.
It was awkward beyond measure. Should I just leave as is?
I considered it, but I couldn’t do that.
‘Still, it feels wrong to just leave when I’m in the wrong.’
A person should have some sense of propriety—this wasn’t it.
So I asked something anyway.
“Do you always train at this hour?”
She nodded.
“Ah. I see.”
“….”
“….”
This is frustrating.
This is rough.
‘How am I supposed to talk to someone who can’t speak?’
I’d never had a conversation like this before. Not originally.
‘I thought she could talk…?’
Back when I knew Yoo Yeon as a man, she seemed to speak quite readily.
I have no idea why she’s become mute now.
I didn’t ask, sensing there was something weighing on her mind.
‘This is the first time we’ve talked for this long.’
After we reunited at the Yongbong Gathering.
And up until now.
We’d spent time together, but we’d never really had much of a conversation.
There were things I wanted to know, certainly.
‘…What should I even ask?’
Why she had lived as a man under the name Hong Daecheon.
Why she was suddenly here at Hwasan as Yoo Yeon now.
What had happened in that process.
Why she couldn’t speak.
It would be easy if I could just ask about those things.
‘…But should I?’
Knowing these were uncomfortable questions for her, I couldn’t bring myself to ask.
So the conversation simply died.
“….”
“….”
After sitting in silence for a while, I finally couldn’t hold back anymore and spoke.
“Well, keep training hard. I’ll head out first.”
“….”
Yoo Yeon’s eyes widened at my words.
It seemed like she had something to say.
“….”
But after a moment of hesitation, she simply nodded.
What had she been about to say?
I considered asking, but didn’t.
There was no need to press her about something she chose not to share.
“I’m going. See you next time. Let’s go, Daeju.”
“Ah, yes…. No, um. Yes.”
I spoke to Sochul Daeju, who stood at a distance, and turned my back.
I left Yoo Yeon behind and headed toward Hwasan.
As I was leaving her, I realized somewhat belatedly that there was one thing I should have asked.
“Ah, that’s right.”
I should have asked about that.
‘Why she couldn’t kill.’
How had Yoo Yeon been so helpless on that complex battlefield?
She couldn’t bring herself to kill.
I had thought that was why she couldn’t exert her full strength, unlike during the martial contest.
So I had considered asking about that at least.
“I couldn’t even ask about this.”
I scratched my cheek.
It wasn’t something I needed to worry about greatly.
There must be some reason for it.
Just as I was about to move on with that simple thought.
[It’s quite remarkable. Every time I see it, it’s remarkable.]
Yoo Cheon-gil spoke in a calm tone. It was a continuation of what he’d said before. Was Yoo Yeon’s talent truly that impressive?
‘If he’s reacting like that, he must be quite interested.’
So I listened to this with intrigue.
[To contain the Heavenly Killing Aura and yet not take a life… I wonder what that man did to this young girl. Hmm….]
I stopped dead.
I halted my steps at Yoo Cheon-gil’s words.
“…What? What killing aura?”
There was something strange mixed into his words.

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