The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 39
—————
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 039
Whoooosh—!!
To be honest, I never thought it would succeed.
Such was the thought that crossed the Old Man’s mind as he watched the wall transform.
[…Hah….]
The Old Man exhaled sharply, watching the Young Man grasp his sword and breathe heavily.
It was absurd.
‘He actually did what I told him to do…?’
I mentioned it in jest, telling him to try finding it once, and he actually went ahead and did it. It was preposterous.
‘…I could accept the applications of Wol-an up to that point.’
Eyes that perceive truth within darkness.
It was a power that could be used once the Wol-an was awakened and one’s inner strength became accustomed to it.
It did more than simply allow one to see the world brightly—it granted the ability to perceive far more.
But that required one’s inner strength to reach a certain level of cultivation.
Yet.
[What is this fellow.]
That fellow, Bangseong-yeon, had awakened his eyes without the slightest difficulty.
He added rotation to his inner strength and channeled it through his eyes. Speaking of it was simple, but enduring it was another matter entirely.
[How….]
He accomplished what I never even taught him, as if it were nothing.
Honestly, up to that point it was acceptable.
Based on my own standards, it was.
In life, I awakened the Wol-an the moment I mastered inner strength in my body, and I could apply the Wol-an within a fortnight.
Yet.
[What is this fellow.]
Bangseong-yeon was different. He was not like those geniuses with pure martial talent.
[Clearly, he possesses no talent for martial arts.]
It was ambiguous to even call him a genius. His instincts were remarkably dull.
He was slow to grasp how to move, how to seize the flow of momentum. Such insights came to him slowly.
Yet.
‘Once I teach him, he executes it flawlessly.’
Not through abstraction, but when he feels the sensation through possession, he performs it with impeccable precision.
By his own account, since he felt it directly once, he simply memorizes and executes it.
‘What is he talking about.’
The flow of inner strength is so delicate, and the countless possibilities that unfold in that moment are abundant.
He memorizes and implements all of that in a single moment? Even with his body?
It made no sense.
And this time was no exception.
“The passage has opened.”
The wall shifted, revealing an entrance. Bangseong-yeon moved toward it with an expressionless face.
[Boy.]
The Old Man called out to Bangseong-yeon.
“Yes?”
[How did you know?]
“What? Oh.”
Bangseong-yeon, who had been about to answer, let out a soft chuckle as if he’d caught onto something.
“It was obvious, so I simply figured it out.”
[What did you say?]
“You pushed me forward and then pretended not to know. Why the act?”
[…What?]
The Old Man’s brow furrowed at Bangseong-yeon’s words.
What was he talking about?
“The guidance, opening the entrance—you dropped hints one by one, asking me to figure it out myself.”
[….]
He was right. I had indeed urged him to delve deeper into his inner sight, and I had scattered information as if testing his perception.
But that wasn’t what I was asking about now.
[Setting that aside… at the moment you used Wol Rang, that instant.]
“Yes? Yes.”
[Why didn’t you cut through the wall?]
In the moment when the sword infused with energy grazed the wall.
Bangseong-yeon had narrowly passed by without slicing through it.
[Why did you do that?]
The Old Man couldn’t comprehend it.
How could Bangseong-yeon have made such a choice?
Unable to fathom it no matter how much I pondered, I asked.
“Here you go again.”
Bangseong-yeon wore an expression of considerable annoyance as he spoke.
“You must have known all along, so why ask again?”
[….]
It seemed he was under some misunderstanding. Did he think I had orchestrated everything, even that final strike?
I decided not to deny this particular point.
If I agreed, he’d become unbearably arrogant, and that would be most unpleasant.
[…Just answer the question.]
“Hmm.”
At the Old Man’s urging, Bangseong-yeon made an odd expression before finally speaking.
“There are no marks on the wall.”
[What?]
“The blue line is clearly drawn, but there are no other sword marks.”
Bangseong-yeon ran his hand along the wall. Indeed, there were no other traces.
“I understand that energy must be used for something… but there are no marks, and the wall doesn’t seem to regenerate on its own, so that leaves only one possibility.”
The voice continuing the explanation was, as always, measured and calm.
“You must sever the wall with only your energy, without letting your blade touch it.”
[…!]
“That’s correct, isn’t it?”
Bangseong-yeon asked while looking at the Old Man. The Old Man gazed quietly at his eyes before finally nodding.
[…Yes, that’s the answer.]
“What. Were you just checking the answer key?”
Bangseong-yeon chuckled and moved his steps toward the passage.
The Old Man quietly watched his departing figure.
‘How curious.’
It truly was remarkable.
‘A human I cannot comprehend. How extraordinary.’
In my previous life, this had never happened even once.
* * *
We ventured further through the entrance. Thud—! Hearing the sound and looking back, the open entrance had already closed shut.
“How will we get out when the time comes…?”
[Don’t worry about it. There are ways.]
To my anxious question, the Old Man said not to concern myself.
‘Why is he like that?’
Looking at the Old Man’s expression, I felt puzzled.
Something about his face seemed off.
‘Did I not answer correctly?’
I had clearly answered as he wanted, yet his expression seemed displeased.
Ah, perhaps.
‘He doesn’t want to give me the sword…?’
He said he would give me something better than the Silent Iron Sword if I solved the problem, but was that expression because he didn’t want to give it?
‘It’s entirely possible.’
Considering his nature, it was certainly feasible.
‘Even in death, he won’t let go of his greed.’
Why would he covet another’s Silent Iron Sword? I couldn’t understand it.
After walking a bit further, another door came into view. I grasped it and pulled it open.
Creak—!
The rusted door caught slightly, but with a bit of force, it opened smoothly.
I entered directly inside.
The second warehouse. The moment I saw it, my eyes widened.
“…This is.”
[Tsk tsk.]
Yoo Cheon-gil observes the state and holds back a smile.
[Fortunately, this place remains intact.]
“….”
The warehouse was narrower than the first space, but it appeared to contain quite a lot of things.
They didn’t seem to be valuable items… most of it looked like junk.
“…There’s another Yeon Sect member here too?”
So I looked at Yoo Cheon-gil with suspicion.
It really looked like a warehouse—how could there be a Yeon Sect member here?
[His suspicious gaze is quite unwelcome.]
“No, there doesn’t seem to be any Yeon Sect member in this space. What is this anyway?”
I picked up an object rolling beneath my feet.
“What is this… an armband you wear on your wrist… ugh—! Dust.”
The moment I lifted it, dust came pouring down relentlessly. What kind of thing did he bring in here?
[Ah, that. I took it from Paewang a while back.]
“…What?”
Who?
My body stiffened slightly at his words.
“Who…?”
[There’s someone called Paewang. He doesn’t talk much, but he’s a stubborn fellow.]
“….”
That’s not what I was asking.
Does he think I don’t know who Paewang really is?
‘Paewang… he’s the tyrant of the Western Region.’
Paewang Muk Yeok-seong.
He was an absolute ruler of the Western Region and one of the current Five Great Kings of the Realm.
“…Why is that Paewang’s possession here?”
[I just told you. I took it.]
“But why?”
[It’s a hobby of mine.]
“A hobby…?”
[Yes, a hobby.]
What kind of hobby would lead to something like this being here? I stared at him with a bewildered expression.
[What? If you want it, I’ll give it to you.]
“….”
At Yoo Cheon-gil’s words, I had to pause for a moment.
If he asked whether I wanted it, I certainly did.
‘It’s not just anything—it’s Paewang’s armband.’
There was a possibility it was an extraordinary item, and even if it wasn’t, I could sell it or put it to good use.
“…That’s fine.”
I quietly set the armband back down on the floor.
[Why? Your eyes showed you wanted it.]
“I mentioned it before, didn’t I?”
I exhaled a sigh and spoke.
“…You must never carelessly touch the possessions of the dead.”
Items left behind by the deceased had to be handled with utmost care. If the karma lingering there attached itself to me, that would be a problem.
[Heh, just moments ago you were praising Youngsoon and the Obsidian Sword, and now you’re backing away?]
“That was something she intended to give me, so I accepted it. I’ve already paid the proper price, so it’s fine.”
[Then what about this? I intended to give you this as well.]
“Don’t lie.”
I cut her off with a firm voice.
“You never intended to give it.”
[Hehehe….]
At my words, Yoo Cheon-gil’s expression showed she’d been caught red-handed.
Right, that damned Demon never intended to give anything in the first place. She was just testing me.
[Your perception is sharp, I’ll give you that.]
“Thank you for the compliment. Stop playing games now… and just give me the real Yeon Sect. We can’t afford to waste more time.”
[Hmm.]
Yoo Cheon-gil exhales as if reluctant. I couldn’t understand why she kept playing tricks since arriving here.
“Hurry.”
[It’s over there.]
Finally, at my urging, Yoo Cheon-gil points with her hand. It was a box wedged among the antiques.
It was much smaller than the one in the first room.
That one required both hands to hold, whereas this one I could lift easily with a single hand.
‘This one is actually real, right…?’
With an uneasy heart, I grabbed the box and tried to open it—
Click.
“…Damn it.”
It wouldn’t open. The sensation felt strangely familiar.
Just in case, I circulated my inner energy and applied force.
Creak.
Sure enough, the box responded.
“…I have to ask, is this also a creation of the Dang Clan?”
[Oh…. So you’re finally developing an eye for these things. Yes, this is also one of the remarkable masterpieces….]
“I don’t need to hear the rest.”
[Ptui.]
“….”
It was a childishly petty response.
Whatever. As long as it opens, that’s all that matters.
“Phew….”
As the box opened halfway, an incredible fragrance wafted from within.
It was incomparable to when I’d opened the empty box.
And so the box opened completely.
“…Hah….”
I couldn’t help but exhale sharply upon seeing what lay inside.
A Spirit Elixir.
I was certain of it. There was no other way it could emit such a crystalline, pristine fragrance.
What was peculiar.
‘It’s blue.’
The Spirit Elixir was blue for some reason.
[Fortunately, that one remained.]
Judging by Yoo Cheon-gil’s reaction, this was indeed what he’d been searching for.
“…This is….”
[Swallow it quickly. The longer time passes beyond a single cycle, the more its efficacy… You’ve already swallowed it.]
Before Yoo Cheon-gil could finish speaking, I seized it and placed it in my mouth, swallowing it whole.
“You told me to eat it.”
[Even so… Most people would at least suspect whether it’s dangerous before consuming it.]
“If you’re going to keep spouting nonsense even after coming this far, I’d rather just eat it and die.”
[…Quite the specimen.]
I meant it sincerely. If Yoo Cheon-gil had come this far only to do something treacherous, it would be better to simply consume it and perish.
Besides.
‘I can tell just from the scent.’
Though I’d never seen a Grand Restoration Elixir or a Purple Essence Elixir before, I could recognize that this was an extraordinary Spirit Elixir.
[Sit in lotus position.]
Before he’d even finished speaking, I settled onto the ground and assumed the proper posture.
Anyway.
“What kind of Spirit Elixir is this? By its appearance, could it be the Shaman’s Nine Dragon Elixir?”
It was less valuable than what was called a Divine Elixir, yet it was a precious Spirit Elixir that shamans refined.
And it supposedly bore a blue hue. Could this be it?
‘Even if it’s not Grand Restoration grade, a Nine Dragon Elixir would be more than enough.’
I was in no position to be choosy. Simply being able to consume it was a blessing.
With that thought, I prepared to circulate my energy.
[Ah, that.]
The Old Man spoke to me while picking his nose.
[It’s a Cheonwol Elixir.]
“A Cheonwol Elixir?”
I’d never heard of such a name in my life.
Did such a Spirit Elixir even exist?
[A Spirit Elixir that only the Gate Master of Cheonwol Gate has been permitted to consume, generation after generation.]
“…Pardon?”
The additional explanation was strange.
…Only the Gate Master could consume it?
[Long ago, the next Gate Master’s portion was stolen and hidden away. Never thought it would be used like this. Quite fortunate, isn’t it?]
“…What?”
Stealing and hiding it? Especially if it belonged to the next Gate Master.
‘Shouldn’t Wol Seon-geom have eaten it?’
I widened my eyes and shouted.
“Why are you telling me this now? You should have said something before I ate it!”
[I forgot to mention it. No, and the audacity of this bastard to get angry after happily devouring it himself.]
“If I’d heard that first, I would have given it some thought!”
[As if that would have made a difference… Ah, there’s one more thing I forgot.]
“…What is it?”
The shock of what I just heard was already overwhelming, and there’s more?
I asked, my voice trembling with anxiety.
[In a moment, the energy will explode from your body. If you can’t endure it, you will die.]
“What?”
[If you die, it becomes troublesome for me too, so I trust you will survive.]
“No, you crazy old bastard, what kind of insane—!”
Boom—!
“…!”
A massive tremor erupted through my body.
I immediately clamped my mouth shut and gripped my chest.
[Tsk tsk.]
I heard Yoo Cheon-gil’s laughter.
[I promise you, just endure it. If you simply endure it.]
Boom—! Boom boom—!
Tremendous shocks erupted from my body in succession, as if something were shattering.
[A new world will open before you.]
Whoooosh—!
With Yoo Cheon-gil’s final words, my consciousness spiraled away beyond the explosion.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————