The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 381

—————
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 381
The struggle for the Lesser Moonju.
That phrase caught my attention first.
‘…What even is that.’
It was the first time I’d heard such a thing. Such a thing existed? I turned my gaze toward Yoo Cheon-gil in bewilderment.
[…Such a thing existed?]
He wore the same expression. It was clear he knew nothing of it either.
Moreover.
‘A struggle for supremacy, and Baek Yeon is the daughter of the Cheon clan…. In other words.’
He hoped to provide aid to Cheonhye-in? Was that the content of his deal with Paewang?
‘Why?’
I couldn’t fathom why Baek Yeon would desire such a thing.
‘…Is that why they were together?’
The sight of Baek Yeon and Cheonhye-in together in Bigo. Witnessing this, I narrowed my eyes. The meaning of the struggle remained unclear, but what mattered was.
‘In any case, Cheonhye-in is woven into Baek Yeon’s objective.’
The fact that Cheonhye-in was connected to his purpose—that was where I focused my attention.
“Because of such matters, you’ll inevitably become entangled in this affair regardless. Are you prepared for that?”
“…Yes.”
The struggle for the Lesser Moonju. Upon hearing that phrase, I narrowed my eyes. I sensed the meaning behind why I couldn’t escape involvement.
‘Regardless of what it is, the moment the word “Lesser Moonju” is involved.’
I have no choice but to become entangled. I acknowledge it.
“I shall handle that matter myself.”
I needed time to investigate. And even if I did, my choice would remain unchanged.
‘Regardless of what the struggle is, for now it’s best to secure Paewang’s favor.’
“Hmm.”
Upon hearing my response, Paewang nodded not long after.
“If you would do so, then I understand. If you succeed, you’re saying I’ll obtain what I desire, yes?”
“…At least, if it’s something I’m aware of.”
“Good. Should what you speak of align with what I desire.”
A grin spread across his face.
“Then I shall grant you what you wish for as well.”
Paewang laughed.

* * *
After my conversation with Paewang concluded, I returned to my quarters before daylight broke. The moment I entered the room, soft azure eyes greeted me.
It was Do-hyeong.
He was in the midst of rising from sleep, as if he had just awakened.
“Where have you been?”
“I’ve been out training, senior.”
“Is that so? Impressive.”
With those words, Do-hyeong said nothing more. Who was calling whom impressive?
‘…Could it be he normally wakes at this hour?’
Judging by how Do-hyeong was always awake before me, it seemed this time of day was indeed when he rose.
How was that even possible?
Even without sleep, surely there were limits.
“Senior.”
“What is it?”
“…Do you normally wake at this hour, senior?”
“Yes.”
Do-hyeong answered with an utterly composed expression.
Wow. He wakes at this hour and trains?
‘That’s insane.’
No matter how passionate one was, I doubted such a thing was possible.
Uuuung.
The Guardian Spirit circulating faintly around Do-hyeong’s body. I watched it for a moment, then asked him as he was about to leave.
“Senior, may I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
“Do you happen to know anything about the Sowoldae succession dispute?”
Thud.
At my question, Do-hyeong, who had been leaving, stopped in his tracks.
Then, opening his eyes wide, he turned to look at me and spoke.
“You don’t know?”
“Pardon?”
“You’re asking if I know about that.”
“Ah, yes.”
I had never heard of it. At least, that was what my memory told me. Upon hearing my answer, Do-hyeong spoke directly to me.
“I see. It seems you haven’t received an explanation.”
“What exactly is it?”
“It’s exactly what the words say.”
Do-hyeong spoke to me as if telling me to think simply.
“A dispute over the position of Sowoldae’s leader. That’s all there is to it.”
“…A dispute over the position of Sowoldae’s leader?”
After hearing the explanation, I looked at Yoo Cheon-gil again.
[…What in the world is he talking about?]
The man’s reaction remained unchanged. The very person who had been Moonju claimed ignorance.
“Has it existed for long?”
“No.”
As expected.
This competition for supremacy was something created not long ago.
“Moonju said he would hold it once every ten years. Next year marks exactly that ten-year cycle.”
“…A competition held every ten years, then.”
[Hah.]
Yoo Cheon-gil exhaled sharply upon hearing this.
[He’s created something rather trivial.]
His following words were filled with dissatisfaction. His bewilderment was equally apparent.
“What’s the purpose of holding it…?”
“What do you mean, purpose?”
Do-hyeong tilted his head at my question as if confused.
“It’s a competition. They fight one another.”
“…Fight? Without any conditions? Everyone?”
“Of course not.”
“Then what?”
“The condition is those who have opened the Wol-an.”
“Ah.”
Those who have opened Wol-an. In other words.
‘Are they saying those from Sowoldae?’
Not all who open Wol-an belong to Sowoldae, but typically those who achieve the opening become part of it.
‘All those who have opened Wol-an.’
If this is called the Junior Moonju competition….
“Then the victor becomes Junior Moonju, correct?”
“Yes.”
The title’s meaning aligns with that understanding. But then….
“Wouldn’t that make them the next Moonju?”
“That’s different.”
“That’s different?”
“Yes. One can become Moonju even now. If they challenge the current Moonju and emerge victorious.”
“….”
That much is true.
The condition of being Cheonwol Moonju meant being the strongest within the current Cheonwol Sect.
To claim that position, one could challenge for it at any time.
Indeed.
“Then what’s the point of becoming Junior Moonju?”
The reason for going through the trouble of holding a Junior Moonju competition to obtain that title.
When I asked about that.
“There is precisely one thing.”
“One thing, you say…?”
“If one were to obtain the position of Vice Sect Leader-”
Before Do-hyeong could finish speaking, I gazed out the window.
The dawn had not yet arrived, and the moon still hung in the sky beyond the glass.
“One would gain access to the Lunar Palace.”
“The Lunar Palace? What is that…?”
[Insane.]
Before I could even ask what that was, Yoo Cheon-gil’s eyes widened in reaction.
[Ha. This is absurd.]
His voice was filled with fury. Watching Yoo Cheon-gil, I scratched my cheek.
“I see. I understand….”
“May I take my leave now?”
“Yes. Until we meet again.”
And so Do-hyeong departed to continue his training.
Only after being left alone with Yoo Cheon-gil did I ask him.
“What is this situation?”
What was this talk of Vice Sect Leader, and what was this succession contest? Unable to comprehend, I posed the question.
[Cheonseongwha. That arrogant fool has started something ridiculous. Vice Sect Leader? It’s laughable.]
“This did not occur when the Old Man was alive?”
[Why would there be need for such things? If one desires the Sect Leader’s seat, one takes it by severing heads—such is the law of Cheonwol Sect.]
“….”
Not merely a challenge, but severing heads?
[To ascend to the Sect Leader’s position means precisely that. The challenger draws their blade with life and death at stake. The defeated perish.]
It was a matter of brutal finality.
[Well, by regulation, when a Sect Leader dies of natural causes, such martial contests are held to select the next leader. But has there ever been a Sect Leader who died naturally?]
All of them must have perished at the hands of challengers.
[And now, a Vice Sect Leader? This is absurd. Not only did he create such a thing… but he’s opened the Lunar Palace?]
“…What exactly is this Lunar Palace that warrants such a reaction?”
Lunar Palace. When that word emerged, Yoo Cheon-gil’s reaction was far too intense.
It was as though Wol Seon-geom had crossed a line.
[It is a space only the Sect Leader may enter. Moreover, it is where the Moon Traces left behind by all previous Sect Leaders remain.]
“…Ah. So that is why?”
A private chamber for Sect Leaders. That was understandable enough, but Moon Traces? It was a term I had never heard before.
[One seeks to obtain the refinement of energy and the secret techniques of Cheonwol Sect… though such things would hardly be necessary for you.]
“Why not for me?”
[The secret techniques contained within? My own surpass such trivial matters.]
“…Ah, yes.”
His tone overflowed with confidence.
But still.
“Then why do you seem displeased?”
If he possessed a more formidable power than the Wol Scar or whatever else, there seemed no reason for him to take offense at it.
I found myself wondering what could possibly warrant such displeasure.
[Because it is necessary, before it is a matter of discipline.]
“What do you mean?”
[The Wol Scar is necessary for the completion of your Cheonwol Heart Technique.]
“Hm?”
What in the world was he talking about?
“Necessary for completion?”
[Tsk…. I intended for you to obtain it gradually, but that fool from the Cheon clan has done something ridiculous. There’s no helping it now.]
Yoo Cheon-gil spoke with his eyes gleaming.
[Sect Master. You have no choice but to ascend to that insignificant position.]
“…What?”
At Yoo Cheon-gil’s confident words, I let out a dumbfounded sound.

* * *
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Bathed in moonlight, the foremost figure of the Cheonwol Sect.
Wol Seon-geom Cheonseongwha tapped his desk with his fingertips. His face remained expressionless as he continued the same tapping motion, and it seemed to have gone on for quite some time.
Whether from prolonged repetition or the force behind it, small holes the size of his index fingertip were visible across the desk surface.
Despite the marks already present, he continued tapping, again and again.
Though his face bore no expression, his demeanor betrayed a hint of impatience.
Then.
“Have you been waiting long?”
Someone entered Wol Seon-geom’s chamber naturally. It was Paewang.
As he spoke to Wol Seon-geom, the latter’s gaze turned toward him.
“I have not been waiting.”
“Is that so? A pity.”
Paewang, unbothered by Wol Seon-geom’s words, seated himself before him.
“What brings you here?”
Wol Seon-geom asked.
“I didn’t come for any particular business, but rather to offer my thanks.”
“For what?”
“I know you have been considerate enough to allow me to remain in this place.”
“….”
“Without your permission from the start, I could never have set foot in the Cheonwol Sect. Is that not so?”
Wol Seon-geom did not refute Paewang’s words.
Since it was neither affirmation nor denial, Paewang had to infer the answer himself.
“I do not believe there is anything that transpires in this place that escapes your notice.”
Once again, no answer came.
“So I’ll offer my thanks. And my advance gratitude for what’s to come.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“Is that so? Then I hope you’ll continue not understanding.”
Kekeke. Paewang laughed, his gaze sweeping over him internally.
‘In any case.’
They said the Cheonwol Sect’s Moonju had always been a position where only monsters ascended. The previous Moonju was needless to say.
‘The current Moonju as well….’
It was ambiguous whether he could even be compared to the Sword Saint, but it was certain he was no trivial existence.
That’s why I was curious.
“Who do you think will come after you?”
“….”
At that question, light flickered in Wol Seon-geom’s eyes.
The meaning of the words was essentially asking who he thought would be the one to kill him.
“I’ve never given it thought.”
“Why? There’s still plenty of time before anyone could, isn’t there?”
“No.”
Wol Seon-geom shook his head at the suggestion that it was too distant a concern.
“Time is irrelevant.”
“Then?”
“No one will ever defeat me anyway.”
“….”
At those words, the corners of Paewang’s mouth rose.
It was arrogant and presumptuous, but coming from Wol Seon-geom’s lips, it carried weight.
“Amusing. Yes, that was a pointless question.”
That’s how martial artists should be, after all.
Satisfied, Paewang rose to his feet.
“I came only to offer thanks and seek permission. The night grows late and my purpose is conveyed, so I’ll take my leave.”
“I don’t understand what thanks or permission you speak of.”
“That’s fine. I’d prefer you continue not understanding. Until next time then. Oh.”
Paewang turned back as he was about to leave the room.
“That young pup who was called the Sword Saint’s Predecessor—he’s quite useful.”
With that message delivered, Paewang vanished.
“….”
Left alone, Wol Seon-geom gazed out the window once more. His expression unchanged from before.
And as he watched the moon, Wol Seon-geom gave a subtle nod.
As if.
Paewang’s words were correct.

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