The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 44

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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 044
Sochul Daeju did not take kindly to Bangseong-yeon.
It bothered him that this man suddenly appeared claiming to be the successor, and it bothered him even more that he aspired to become the next Moonju.
Beyond that, I simply could not warm to the man himself.
‘Those who live by their tongue rather than their blade.’
I harbored a particular disdain for those who bewitch their opponents with honeyed words. And when such a person was a martial artist, my contempt only deepened.
Yet Bangseong-yeon was precisely the type I despised.
A martial artist who lived by his tongue rather than his blade.
Moonju seemed to regard Bangseong-yeon with some favor, but I did not.
‘He is an obstacle.’
This man was nothing but an impediment. I could not believe his claim to be the successor of the previous Moonju.
No matter how clear the evidence, I could not trust him.
‘That person would never leave such a thing behind.’
Deeds over words.
Conviction was proven only through strength.
Geomseong Yoo Cheon-gil was the epitome of a martial artist who proved his existence through his blade. I revered and followed him even more than Moonju Wol Seon-geom.
Yet this disciple who appeared was the complete opposite?
‘I cannot accept this.’
I could not believe it.
Moreover.
‘Cheonhye-in would be far more suited as the next Moonju.’
In my eyes, Cheonhye-in surpassed Bangseong-yeon overwhelmingly in talent, in power, and even in strategy.
Her standing was unquestionable as well.
Already, those within Cheongwol Gate were treating Cheonhye-in as the presumptive next Moonju.
And now this Bangseong-yeon suddenly appears, claiming to be the Geomseong’s successor and vying for the position of Moonju?
I deemed it impossible. The only possibility I could conceive was this:
‘If he truly possessed the power to be called the Geomseong’s successor.’
All strategies would crumble before him.
Brilliant schemes and countless forces would be nothing but the insignificant flutter of an insect’s wings before that descending moon.
His blade was such a thing.
If this supposed successor Bangseong-yeon possessed such power, he could indeed change the game.
‘Impossible.’
In my assessment, there was not the slightest possibility of that.
I could tell from his martial bearing.
Even being generous, Bangseong-yeon was merely a second-rate martial artist.
Setting aside the opening of his Wol-an… it was difficult to see any real power in him.
Of course…
‘The Wol-rang he displayed was certainly remarkable.’
I give credit where it is due. The Wol-rang that Bangseong-yeon unfolded to prove his qualifications was beautiful even in my eyes.
Though I hate to admit it, it was indeed quite similar to the blade the Geomseong wielded.
Just one thing.
‘At best, it’s merely a first-tier technique.’
Walking and running may resemble each other, but they cannot be the same—much less flying.
Such was Sochul Daeju’s assessment.
“Your head. Defend it.”
Watching Bangseong-yeon’s blade descend toward Seom Seong-gyeong, he had to widen his eyes.
Clang!
With a crystalline ring, Seom Seong-gyeong fell to one knee.

* * *
It was night.
Night pouring down from the heavens—so utterly dark that one could not see even an inch ahead.
Thud—!
“Ah….”
Seom Seong-gyeong exhaled a breath. He steadied his wavering vision and lifted his head.
‘Just now….’
What was that just now? His memory was hazy.
What had he been doing?
“…!”
Seom Seong-gyeong, caught in confusion, regained his senses.
‘A martial bout.’
He had been engaged in a martial bout. He immediately assessed the situation.
“…What?”
Upon understanding his circumstances, Seom Seong-gyeong uttered a dazed word. He could not help it.
“What is this. Exactly….”
He was on his knees. Not only was he kneeling on one knee, but his sword lay scattered across the ground.
What had happened? Unable to comprehend, his eyes trembled.
Throb—!
“Ugh!”
Pain shot through his right arm. More precisely, his wrist. Sharp pain radiated from that point.
What is this?
“Come to your senses.”
“…!”
At the voice, Seom Seong-gyeong lifted his head.
“I gave you fair warning beforehand, yet with such dullness, what use are you?”
Bangseong-yeon stood there.
With an expressionless face, he gazed down at Seom Seong-gyeong. Seeing him, Seom Seong-gyeong unconsciously swallowed.
‘Those eyes….’
The eyes of a youth not yet past his twenties were utterly devoid of emotion.
‘…No.’
Seom Seong-gyeong, who had been quietly observing Bangseong-yeon, reconsidered his thoughts.
It wasn’t that he felt no emotion at all.
‘…Rather, only one emotion stands out far too clearly.’
Disappointment.
A bitter disappointment was etched into Bangseong-yeon’s eyes.
“How much of my precious time must I spend on this? Or is this where it ends?”
Thud. Bangseong-yeon kicked the sword of Seom Seong-gyeong who stood before him. Clang! The blade clattered to the ground at his feet.
“I have no time. If you won’t pick it up, then end this.”
“….”
At Bangseong-yeon’s words, Seom Seong-gyeong glanced toward a certain place. There stood Cheonhye-in.
Cheonhye-in was watching Bangseong-yeon with startled eyes, just like everyone else.
Yet she did not even spare a glance toward Seom Seong-gyeong.
“Ugh….”
Seeing this, Seom Seong-gyeong gritted his teeth and grasped his sword.
He rose to his feet. Even then, Bangseong-yeon’s gaze remained heavy.
“Hmm.”
Bangseong-yeon spoke softly upon witnessing Seom Seong-gyeong’s reaction.
“Your resolve is utterly pathetic. Can your sword only be wielded while watching someone else’s expression? Well, your blade was certainly light enough.”
Crunch-!
At Bangseong-yeon’s words, Seom Seong-gyeong ground his teeth hard.
“…What would you know to speak such….”
“Do not open your mouth.”
Hearing those words, his lips sealed shut. Seom Seong-gyeong’s eyes widened.
Without realizing it, he had truly closed his mouth.
“Whatever you spit out will be nothing but excuses, and if you continue, it becomes sordid. Decide now—will you take up your sword or not?”
“….”
Seom Seong-gyeong contorted his expression and raised his sword.
His arms still trembled.
Seeing this, Bangseong-yeon spoke in a leisurely voice.
“Come.”
Hearing the command, Seom Seong-gyeong stepped forward.
Even then, he could not understand why he was following that man’s orders.
For Seom Seong-gyeong now, such things were unimportant.
What mattered was.
‘Damn it.’
The azure eyes of Cheonhye-in, who had begun to gaze upon him.
Whoosh-!!
The blade cleaved through the air. Though Seom Seong-gyeong was caught off guard, he was nonetheless a skilled martial artist who had entered Sowoldae and a swordsman of distinction.
His sword moved swiftly and true.
Slash-! Whoosh slash-!
A fundamental sword technique approaching the root of the art itself.
Honed over more than a decade, it was sharp yet crystalline in its clarity.
The blade even carried the distinctive azure aura unique to the Cheonwol Heart Method.
“Hgh!”
Seom Seong-gyeong poured force into his breathing as he drew lines with his sword.
The smoothly flowing sword path revealed his level of mastery.
To any observer, it was swordplay carved with meticulous precision.
“It doesn’t land….”
“How is he so perfectly avoiding it…?”
“The senior’s blade hasn’t even grazed his collar…?”
Their gazes were fixed not on Seom Seong-gyeong, but on Bangseong-yeon.
Certainly, Seom Seong-gyeong’s sword was impressive enough to draw admiration.
Yet ultimately, a blade that failed to touch its opponent was meaningless.
The continuous azure lines continued to miss Bangseong-yeon entirely.
‘Damn it-!’
Seom Seong-gyeong cursed and moved his sword with renewed intensity.
How could he not land even once?
It was merely a hair’s breadth away.
Bangseong-yeon evaded every line of Seom Seong-gyeong’s sword with the slightest of movements.
“Your emotion has infected your blade. As a result, unnecessary force has entered your lower body.”
A voice reached his ears.
“You swing the sword with your right arm while tensing your left shoulder for what purpose? Does tensing there actually improve things?”
“Your knee loses its strength as you step forward, so your sword path cannot come straight. You should have directed the force meant for your left side to your knee instead.”
He continued offering unsolicited advice as if dissatisfied.
At those words, Seom Seong-gyeong felt he might lose his mind.
‘Please shut up.’
I wish that pedantic mouth would close.
What was more infuriating.
‘Why am I following what he says?’
I kept correcting my stance based on his words.
And worse.
‘…He’s right.’
Bangseong-yeon’s criticisms pinpointed problems I didn’t even know I had.
If this continued, this was no longer a test….
‘It’s become a teaching match.’
Moreover, it wasn’t I who was teaching Bangseong-yeon.
It was Bangseong-yeon who was teaching me in this instructional match.
Crunch-!
As my pride began to be crushed, I clenched my fists.
I hadn’t stepped forward risking the Sochul Daeju’s disfavor just to experience this.
If I returned like this, I had no way of knowing what my brother-in-law would do.
He might seize upon my secret and expose it.
‘That cannot happen.’
It was something that could not be allowed to occur.
‘…By any means necessary.’
I had to claim victory in this martial contest.
With that resolve, I drew forth all my strength.
I swung my right arm and lowered my stance.
Bangseong-yeon’s eyes twitched ever so slightly at the sight.
I swung my sword once more.
The Cheonwol sword energy cleaved through the air, aimed at Bangseong-yeon’s shoulder.
Just as he was about to respond again.
‘Now.’
I twisted my sword path.
A feint. I had intended to bait him into carelessness, and he had taken the bait.
Or so I thought.
“Tsk.”
A soft clicking sound. I was too focused on my sword’s tip to hear it.
화아아아아—!!!
The energy wrapped around my blade intensified. The slightly twisted waist and the surging power made it clear what I was attempting.
“Hah—!”
“Senior brother…. Surely not.”
“In a martial contest, even that…?”
Everyone held their breath.
Powerful energy poured forth like waves.
I ignited my eyes with fierce determination and swung with all my might.
‘It will connect.’
This will definitely connect.
Cheonwol Sword Dance.
First Form. Crescent Moon.
A brilliant azure crescent rose from my blade—
“Fool.”
Clang—!
“…What?”
Fragments scattered.
The forming crescent shattered and dispersed in all directions.
I stared at my sword with vacant eyes.
My stance had long since collapsed, and my extended arm was knocked back, leaving my chest completely exposed.
That was when.
“Truly pathetic.”
For some reason, his voice was filled with fury.
Bangseong-yeon moved, his brow furrowed as he spoke.
The blade was drawn.
It was the same as before.
후으으으—!!!
Energy infused the blade. Seeing that energy, Seom Seong-gyeong thought to himself.
‘Dark….’
In an instant, the entire world before his eyes felt painted in darkness.
Night.
That’s what he recalled.
Ah, so this was the sight I witnessed just before I collapsed.
Only then did Seom Seong-gyeong understand.
The blade approached Seom Seong-gyeong.
It descended in a straight line.
Cheonwol Sword Dance.
Second Form.
Night Moon.
Night unfolded.
The energy was not actually dark.
This too was the energy of Cheonwol Heart Method.
If there was a difference from his own.
‘It was clear and azure.’
Far more radiant and beautiful.
‘…Ah.’
What he had thought was night was himself, whose gaze had been stolen by Bangseong-yeon’s approaching blade.
Because only that was visible, the rest of the world appeared entirely dark.
‘This is….’
The blade drew ever closer.
And with it, his vision darkened like the night.
In that darkness, only one thing became visible.
‘The moon.’
Bangseong-yeon’s blade approaching like the moon.
Just before Bangseong-yeon’s blade touched Seom Seong-gyeong’s neck.
Thud.
The blade, which had suddenly slowed, made contact with Seom Seong-gyeong’s neck.
Blood trickled from the lightly cut skin.
That was all.
“….”
At the blade that did not cut deeper, Seom Seong-gyeong’s legs lost all strength.
Thump—! Seom Seong-gyeong collapsed to the ground.
“Hah… gasp… hah…”
My breathing grew ragged as death loomed before me.
Cold sweat drenched my entire body.
“How can the moon rise in a place without night?”
At Bangseong-yeon’s words, Seom Seong-gyeong looked up at him.
“Your blade holds nothing that could bear the moon.”
Eyes devoid of interest.
Meeting those blue eyes, Seom Seong-gyeong trembled violently.
Seeing this, Bangseong-yeon simply turned his body to face Moonju.
“Must I continue with this?”
At the utterly bored tone, Sochul Daeju hesitated before speaking.
“…Bangseong-yeon… victory.”
At Sochul Daeju’s words, no one in the venue reacted.
They merely stared at Bangseong-yeon with expressions of shock.

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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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