The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 365
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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 365
The Five Kings of All Under Heaven.
Masters of prestigious sects wielding tremendous influence across the Central Plains. Among them, five individuals who have demonstrated exceptional prominence in their respective domains are given this title.
Since this ranking is determined not merely by martial prowess but by actual influence, there certainly exist martial artists stronger than the Five Kings.
Even among the Celestial Demons alone, there are those who surpass the Five Kings.
Yet considering my current strength at this moment, the position of the forces I command, and the influence I hold in the Central Plains as perceived by all.
These five are selected based on such comprehensive assessment as the Five Kings.
Given that three of them are Lords of the Five Great Clans, it was evident that truly formidable individuals had been chosen.
Furthermore, this could be interpreted differently.
‘The remaining two kings possess influence comparable to the Lords of the Five Great Clans.’
Baekwang of the Moyong Clan, Muyong Hyeok.
Dokuou of the Sichuan Dang Clan, Dang Gyeong-ak.
Sword King of the Namgung Clan, Namgung Myeong.
The remaining two kings, excluding these three.
One was a figure with influence in multiple domains—someone who, from my perspective, felt oddly uncomfortable—but was currently irrelevant to the matter at hand.
The other was the present problem.
Paewang Muk Yeok-seong.
A figure from the Taeseong Muk Clan in the Xi’an region, reigning as an absolute authority over that territory.
His defining characteristic was his fist technique built upon devastating, weighty strikes—his punches were said to shake heaven and earth.
What was remarkable was the basis of his influence that secured his position as a king.
The reason was deceptively simple, yet worthy of respect as a martial artist.
‘…Simply because he was strong.’
Strength alone.
Paewang Muk Yeok-seong’s reign as a king stemmed from nothing more than that.
Overwhelming power.
He had achieved a level comparable to the Celestial Demons themselves.
‘A man who ceaselessly challenged stronger opponents to perfect his martial arts.’
Like the Celestial Demons, he had repeatedly engaged in countless martial contests to demonstrate his strength.
Simultaneously.
‘He achieved great feats in war as well.’
What Paewang accomplished during the Demonic War was no less than what the Celestial Demons achieved.
He killed two of those called the Eight Demons, for instance.
And wounding the Celestial Demon who had matched Yoo Cheon-gil in that era was itself a legendary tale.
A martial artist second only to the Celestial Demons, and simultaneously a hero of the Demonic War.
Paewang Muk Yeok-seong’s influence stemmed entirely from his power.
‘…Yet they ask me to bring him as my replacement?’
Bring Muk Yeok-seong as a substitute for me? The absurdity of it drew an involuntary laugh.
Suppressing my emotions, I questioned Jegal Jin.
“Paewang was not nominated as a candidate because he himself did not wish it, correct?”
“That is correct.”
Paewang possessed the qualifications to become a candidate for League Leader, yet he had never ascended to that position.
The reason was as I mentioned before.
‘Because he himself did not desire it.’
Mukyeok-seong had not wished to become a candidate. There was no other reason beyond that.
“But what changes if I bring him here?”
“That depends entirely on what you do with him, does it not?”
“…What does that even…? No, does bringing a substitute actually solve anything? If I refuse, then that’s the end of it, isn’t it?”
“Of course, whether you proceed or not is ultimately determined by your will.”
“Yes.”
“But would the Cheongwol Sect truly desire that?”
“…”
At the mention of the Cheongwol Sect, my eyes narrowed.
Simultaneously, Jegal Jin withdrew a letter and handed it to me. Upon examining it, I recognized the familiar seal drawn upon it.
It was the seal of the Cheongwol Sect. Only the Cheongwol Munchu could use this seal.
“It appears Wol Seon-geom’s intentions differ from what we assumed.”
I accepted the letter and unfolded it. Its contents, as Jegal Jin had suggested, instructed me to do my utmost as a candidate.
[Ha ha.]
Upon reading this, Yoo Cheon-gil laughed. Multiple emotions were woven into that laughter.
[You’re doing amusing things.]
The intentions of Wol Seon-geom and Jegal Jin were painfully obvious.
“…So it came as an order?”
The meaning was unmistakable—to fulfill my duties as a candidate.
This was tantamount to a command issued by the Cheongwol Munchu.
‘…Does Wol Seon-geom wish for me to step forward as a League Leader candidate?’
It was a mystery.
‘Why not himself?’
By all logical reasoning, Wol Seon-geom would be the superior choice. Why must I be the one to step forward?
Currently, Wol Seon-geom’s position as Cheongwol Munchu was scarcely different from that of the Five Heavenly Kings.
If Wol Seon-geom desired it.
‘He could not only become a candidate, but perhaps even the League Leader itself.’
He was skilled enough to distinguish himself among the formidable candidates, so it was only natural.
‘Yet he does not step forward himself and wishes for me to do so…’
Why was that?
As I pondered this bewilderment.
“That is precisely why I am telling you this.”
Jegal Jin continued.
“If you truly refuse, then I will bring someone else. I need only find someone with the justification and power to defy the League Leader’s words.”
“You mean Paewang.”
“Yes.”
“So you’re telling me to go all the way to Seo-an and bring him here?”
Must I traverse that distant path again? I absolutely do not wish to go.
As I thought this, I spoke aloud.
“There is no need. Paewang is not in Xi’an right now….”
Jegal Jin taps the table with his fan, speaking deliberately.
“He is coming directly to Henan. Moreover, he is heading toward the Cheongwol Sect.”
“What?”
…Paewang is coming to the Cheongwol Sect?
“Why…?”
“Who knows. According to the reports I’ve heard, that’s the case, but I don’t know the reason. However.”
Tsk.
Jegal Jin smiles. His cold impression made me flinch the moment I saw it.
“It seems like a good opportunity for you.”
“….”
A good opportunity?
It was a difficult statement to comprehend.
* * *
After finishing my conversation with Jegal Jin, I stepped outside.
Gwima was waiting outside.
The moment I emerged, Gwima began walking beside me and slightly behind, following my pace.
I glanced at him and sent a telepathic message.
-May I ask you something?
-Please, ask whatever you wish.
At my words, Gwima’s eyes sparkle with eagerness.
Ignoring his burdensome gaze, I asked what I had wanted to know.
-I heard that the Demonic Sect requested a gathering with the Orthodox Sects this time.
-….
At my words, Gwima’s expression suddenly changes.
-A gathering, you say.
-Yes.
It had been roughly a month since I heard this news.
-The timing is said to be two months from now. At that time, the Young Master of the Demonic Sect will appear directly and hold discussions for the gathering with the Orthodox Sects. What do you think his intentions might be?
-….
The Young Master.
Baekcheon-il. That man will appear directly in Henan again.
Upon hearing this, I could not fathom his intentions at all.
‘What scheme is he attempting?’
I cannot discern what he is thinking or what he desires.
‘To willingly infiltrate enemy territory on his own feet.’
And he is even announcing it beforehand.
‘So he’s that confident, then.’
Does this man possess both the confidence and strength to come directly into the heart of the Martial Arts Alliance and survive? Or perhaps.
‘He has some other stratagem.’
He may have prepared a hidden trump card.
No, surely that must be it. He couldn’t have made such a choice otherwise.
That’s why.
‘Gwima would know, wouldn’t he?’
With that thought, I posed the question to Gwima.
-…Would it be acceptable if I took some time to think before answering?
Gwima spoke to me with an expression of deep contemplation.
-Yes, please do so.
-Thank you so much for your consideration.
Gwima bowed his head respectfully to me.
‘So even Gwima doesn’t know.’
He appeared not to understand the intention.
‘Yet Gwima was said to have served as Scholar when the Celestial Demon was alive.’
So this Young Master hadn’t shared the information even with Gwima.
‘Did he not trust Gwima from the start?’
I tilted my head. I was curious what he was thinking, but…
‘…In any case.’
There was a destination I needed to head toward beyond this.
* * *
“Master.”
Upon arriving at my destination, Sochul Daeju greeted me with proper courtesy.
“Had you called, I would have come. Why have you traveled such a distance?”
“…What distance? It’s right next door.”
That burdensome attitude was still difficult to bear. I truly couldn’t understand how it had come to this.
“Today isn’t a training day either. How is it that…”
“Ah, it seems I need to make a brief return to the Cheongwol Sect.”
“To the main sect, you mean?”
“Yes. Please make preparations. It looks like I need to depart today.”
“…Understood.”
Sochul Daeju rose without complaint.
“Let us depart.”
“Yes.”
One month at the main league.
Now, after ending this waiting period that felt like no rest at all, it was time to return to the Cheongwol Sect.
* * *
As the sun began to set, I gathered everyone together.
If we were going to the Cheongwol Sect, we had to go as one group anyway.
“Are we finally leaving?”
Cheonhye-in, whose expression had grown noticeably duller than before, posed the question.
“Have you been waiting long?”
When I turned her question back on her, Cheonhye-in answered with an incredulous look.
“…Isn’t that obvious? I’ve been stuck here for a month because of you.”
“…”
She had a point.
“…Then you should have returned to the main sect first.”
“How could I return to the main sect and leave the mission commander behind?”
“…”
That was also a fair argument. I laughed awkwardly.
“…Just think of it as a vacation I took.”
“It was a vacation. While others were busy, you spent your days idling away.”
There was a sharp edge to her words.
“You even became a League Leader candidate. You must be pleased?”
“…Does it look like I am?”
At my words, Cheonhye-in let out a soft laugh.
“Normally that would be the case…but it doesn’t seem like it for you.”
“Tsk…”
Her words were undoubtedly cutting deep.
“Just get in the carriage for now.”
“Fine, fine.”
Cheonhye-in promptly climbed into the carriage.
Following her, Cheon Euijin and Do-hyeong approached.
“A League Leader candidate… You truly are remarkable.”
Cheon Euijin spoke with sparkling eyes. Seeing that, I scratched my cheek.
News of my elevation to League Leader candidate had only spread four days ago.
“…It’s all just for show anyway.”
“No, sir. The Bang Disciple I saw was more than qualified to be a candidate…! I don’t think anything could be more honorable than this.”
What version of Bangseong-yeon had he seen? It certainly didn’t seem to be me…?
As I stared at Cheon Euijin in bewilderment, Do-hyeong patted my shoulder.
“Congratulations.”
“…Thank… you.”
Anyone watching would think I’d already become the League Leader. It was utterly pathetic.
“Get in. We don’t have much time.”
Sochul Daeju spoke to the group as if rescuing me.
Only then did Do-hyeong and Cheon Euijin board the carriage.
For the record, it was the Sword Emperor and Dang Cheon-il who handled the horses this time as well.
“…Why again….”
I dismissed his grumbling lightly.
And then.
Thud.
At the familiar footsteps, I turned around.
“Ah, you’re here?”
“….”
At my words, the woman Yoo Yeon nodded her head.
Yoo Yeon, who had followed me to Hanan, had to accompany us on this Cheongwol Sect schedule as well.
There was only one reason.
‘I need to return the black robe.’
It was to give back the black robe that had originally belonged to Hwasan.
After all the members boarded the carriage, the carriage heading toward the Cheongwol Sect began to move.
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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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