The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 31

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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 031
It took several days to travel from the Anhui Branch to Hannam.
During that time, I sacrificed sleep to complete the Old Man’s assignments, and simultaneously, I racked my brains constantly.
There was only one reason.
‘I need an excuse.’
Once I arrived in Hannam, I would inevitably face a certain situation.
I had to fabricate an answer to the question of how I became the successor to the Sword Saint.
It was obvious. I couldn’t simply claim I could see ghosts with confidence, and besides….
‘One of them might be involved.’
The incident entangled with Yoo Cheon-gil’s death—that cursed old man.
At this point, I didn’t even know who was behind it.
Furthermore.
‘Whoever leaked information to Cheon Euijin.’
The one who spread word that Yoo Cheon-gil’s beloved sword was in Hannam.
‘There’s a high probability that person is among them.’
If that were the case, I had to treat everyone here as potential enemies.
‘I don’t know who my allies are. I’m not even certain I have any allies to begin with.’
In such a situation, my words had to be carefully limited.
What should I do? The solution was simple.
‘Lie from beginning to end.’
If I couldn’t trust them, stepping forward like this was the right call anyway.
I spent day and night crafting this story with the Old Man.
So what was this fabricated tale?
“…You discovered a scripture inside a dungeon?”
“That’s correct.”
In situations like this, it was best not to overcomplicate things—stick to the most common story.
“When I was young, I fell off a cliff. Inside that cliff where I fell, there was a dungeon.”
“And… he left something there?”
“Exactly that.”
It was a tale heard everywhere. Discovering traces of a previous master while facing death.
Inheriting their will and martial arts to become their successor.
It was absurd, but no story worked better than this one.
However.
“That’s nonsense.”
One of the elderly men present furrowed his brow and spoke to me.
“How could traces of the previous Sect Leader be discovered in Yeolyeong? It’s unbelievable.”
It was a fair point and a reasonable suspicion. He was right—it made no sense that his traces would be in Yeolyeong, but….
“Then, does it make sense that this sword was discovered in Anhui?”
I had something to say as well.
Since this “Small Moon” had suddenly appeared in Anhui, no matter how implausible my story was, it couldn’t be dismissed outright.
Along with this.
‘Four.’
I examined those around me for anyone whose reaction seemed off.
I identified those who showed even the slightest irregularities—averting their eyes, clearing their throats nervously.
“Setting aside the matter of attitude, if Wol Seon-geom was discovered in Anhui, then traces of the previous Sect Leader might remain in Yeolyeong as well? You’re attempting to obscure the situation by treating them as separate issues. The important point is, Bang Disciple, your argument simply doesn’t hold water.”
I gazed quietly at the Old Man before asking.
“May I ask your name?”
“…What?”
At my question, the Old Man shook his beard uncomfortably.
“I apologize if I’ve offended you, but I don’t know your title or name, so I thought I’d ask first. I’m sorry if that displeased you.”
“…Hmm. I’m Mun Seong-seok from the Mun Clan. I serve as an elder….”
“Ah, so you’re the Cheon Yeong-do Geom senior. I apologize for not recognizing such an esteemed senior. My sincere apologies.”
“Hmm….”
At my words, the corners of the Old Man’s mouth lifted slightly. He seemed pleased to be recognized.
‘Of course I’d recognize him. I memorized all the names even if I didn’t know the faces.’
Before departing, I had committed to memory the names and titles of all the high-ranking officials of Cheongwol Gate, including the elder positions.
“Then, what is the reason for Elder Mun’s disbelief?”
Perhaps because I had recognized him, the Cheon Yeong-do Geom’s voice seemed somewhat more generous.
“The primary reason is, as I mentioned before, that it was discovered in Yeolyeong, which has no connection whatsoever to the previous Sect Leader. The second reason is….”
The Cheon Yeong-do Geom hesitated briefly before continuing.
“That person would never leave something like this behind, given his nature.”
At his words, those around us nodded in agreement.
“I see….”
His statement was convincing enough that even I found myself momentarily persuaded. The old man didn’t seem like the type to leave such things behind.
[…For some reason, this feels rather bitter?]
Before the perceptive Demon could grow angry, I quickly spoke.
“If the elder sees it that way, then it’s certainly possible. Since I’ve never met him, I cannot speak to his nature, but….”
There was one significant gap in that statement.
“I inherited his legacy.”
“How could you….”
“The inner energy in my eyes and body is the proof.”
“….”
The Cheon Yeong-do Geom fell silent at my words.
Yoo Cheon-gil had no connection to Yeolyeong? Yoo Cheon-gil’s nature?
Even if everyone refused to believe it, questioning each point one by one.
There was ultimately only one thing I could say.
“The book contained everything he left behind. The process for learning Cheongwol Heart Energy and even the martial techniques that could be executed using it. Everything was written there.”
“Hmph.”
“Such a….”
Whether they believed it or not, my body was the evidence.
If it came to this, I simply had to push forward regardless.
I saw it and learned it. Are you not watching me?
Are you saying my Moon Eye is fake?
The moment I spoke with such intent, everyone around me fell silent.
Then.
“Do it.”
One person who had remained quiet until now spoke—Cheonseongwha, the current Sect Master of the Mun Clan.
He regarded me with his characteristically cold gaze and asked.
“Where is that scripture now?”
So where exactly is the scripture I discovered?
I had already prepared an answer for this as well.
“I memorized it all and burned it to ash in accordance with my master’s final wishes.”
“…What did you say!?”
“You burned something so precious!?”
The reaction to my having destroyed it was truly fierce. Before, they had raged because they couldn’t believe me, but now they were angry for an entirely different reason.
“No, what were you thinking burning something so valuable….”
“I find that incomprehensible.”
The heated atmosphere instantly calmed at Cheonseongwha’s interjection.
“Incomprehensible and difficult to believe.”
I met his gaze, his tone firm yet composed.
His eyes were also fixed upon me.
Wow, this was deeply unsettling.
‘I feel like I’m going to vomit.’
Just being watched made cold sweat break out. What was this pressure? It gradually seized my body, and I felt as though I couldn’t breathe.
[You let your guard slip into the void. Get your mind together.]
Only then did I realize it at the Old Man’s words.
Ah, so this was the pressure that masters radiate.
Could anything be this unpleasant and suffocating?
I could vividly feel his intent to suppress me by any means necessary.
‘Damn it.’
I widened my eyes and endured. I couldn’t collapse here.
Forcing myself again and again, I clung to my consciousness and held firm.
[Heh heh. This madman.]
Yoo Cheon-gil laughed as if in disbelief.
[You’re withstanding this through sheer willpower? That’s not something I could do.]
What couldn’t I endure?
I felt like I was dying, but I managed to hold on reasonably well.
“…What is it you find unbelievable?”
As I steadied my trembling voice and spoke, a flicker of interest crossed Cheonseongwha’s eyes.
At that moment, I felt my body ease slightly.
“If it only survives in written records, that merely means you’ve deciphered a few passages.”
“That is correct.”
“Were the passages and explanations contained within them, by chance, meticulous?”
An unexpected question. Yet I did not hesitate in my response.
“No. It was a complete mess. I’ve never seen anything so utterly chaotic before.”
[…This bastard…?]
Yoo Cheon-gil made an irritated grinding sound, but fortunately the reaction was acceptable.
A glimmer of belief seemed to have entered his words.
‘…If he can relate to the word “mess,” how on earth has this old man survived?’
Bewilderment crept in, but that wasn’t what mattered now.
“Then it would be fair to interpret that you not only mastered the profound technique from those chaotic passages, but also opened the Lunar Eye?”
Ah.
Only after hearing Wol Seon-geom’s words did I understand what troubled this man.
[Tsk tsk.]
The old man laughed in an irritating manner. His mood was quite foul.
The reason for such laughter was simple.
‘I guessed correctly.’
My assumption had proven true. That’s what it meant.
In fact, this was something Yoo Cheon-gil had anticipated, and furthermore.
“…What exactly is the problem with that?”
Yoo Cheon-gil had also provided a solution for this.
The issue was.
“It is something that should not easily be possible.”
Whether that proposed solution would actually work remained uncertain.
Doubt sprouted and anxiety rose from disbelief, but since we had already agreed, it was too late for second thoughts.
I recalled it.
‘It’s nothing. Just make the most bewildered expression you can.’
The plan I had coordinated with Yoo Cheon-gil.
‘…A bewildered expression?’
‘Yes, as if you have no idea what nonsense he’s spouting. That kind of expression.’
‘What does that even mean?’
‘You know, that expression you’re good at making. You’ve got that vibe naturally, so just lean into it.’
‘Isn’t that an insult? I think you just insulted me.’
The words were strange somehow, but sincerity shone in Yoo Cheon-gil’s eyes.
So I decided to try it.
With the most bewildered expression I could muster.
“Pardon?”
I spoke while looking at Wol Seon-geom.
“…Why can’t you do it? Can’t you do it, Lord Mun?”
The atmosphere shifted abruptly at my words.
I couldn’t hear a single word. It felt as though I was holding my very breath.
After an uncomfortably long silence stretched on.
“Ha.”
Wol Seon-geom suddenly burst into laughter.
“Hahahaha-!”
And quite loudly at that.
“Haha…. Hahahaha–!!”
‘This is insane, he’s lost it.’
Am I going to die like this? It wasn’t normal laughter. The tension kept mounting.
‘What do I do?’
Did I provoke his anger? I can’t die like this—is there any escape route? I was cautiously checking for one when.
“…Haha…. I see. Then that would be possible.”
What does he mean by that? I really wanted to ask, but I was too terrified to open my mouth.
Then.
“So… then Bang Disciple….”
“Yes, yes?”
Wol Seon-geom asked me.
“If you’re so confident, could you prove it?”
“Yes?”
Suddenly? I thought he’d probe further, but instead he’s demanding proof outright.
I was momentarily flustered, but I hadn’t left myself without an answer.
“I’m not certain what proof you seek, but….”
I steadied my breathing and met Wol Seon-geom’s gaze as I spoke.
“If you wish it, I’m ready.”
A smile formed at the corners of Wol Seon-geom’s mouth as he looked at me.
What I felt from that smile was an inexplicable unease.
Though that laughter was unsettling, I wasn’t particularly worried.
Because.
‘I have the Demon on my side.’
Disagreeable as her nature was, I had methods I could employ in this regard. So even facing such a situation, I could afford not to worry.
[Huh?]
However.
[I’m not going to help you.]
‘…What?’
I hadn’t anticipated this.

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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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