The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 457
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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 457
She is not human. I affirmed the assessment of Hoyeon.
I could also acknowledge that Gungwi’s intuition was sharp. In fact, she seemed to be exactly that way.
Separate from simply possessing ghost sight or divine sight like I do.
‘Sensing the soul vessel as a spirit is a different matter entirely.’
Perhaps a more instinctive reaction. If there exists a realm of talent that people speak of, I believe that is the talent of a shaman.
One could argue that I have no right to evaluate the talents of a Celestial Demon figure.
‘But I am always confident in this regard.’
Regardless of other matters, I overflow with confidence in this domain. I would not fall short anywhere, unless it were Baek Manager or Grandmother.
I reconfirmed this upon arriving in the Central Plains.
‘These shamans in this place.’
Were nothing but quacks who knew nothing.
At least, that was my assessment.
From such a perspective, the existence called Gungwi was.
‘Fairly.’
Decent, in her own way. That was my judgment. Even now, it holds true.
‘She recognizes it.’
She immediately grasped the strange aura surrounding Hoyeon. I valued that highly.
That’s right. Hoyeon’s abnormality cannot be perceived by ordinary sight.
My recognition of her abnormality was the catalyst that allowed me to become entangled with Hao Wen.
‘I corrected that chronic issue and received some assistance from Hao Wen.’
In many respects.
“…What on earth is the identity of that woman?”
“You can tell if you look.”
Why ask again.
“You can tell? That’s nonsense.”
Gungwi furrowed her brow and asked.
“I have never seen a spirit vessel so violently shaken and leaking away like that. If she were human, such a thing would be impossible. She is no different from a walking corpse. How is she even alive?”
Walking corpse. That word was precise.
‘Hoyeon’s vessel is shattered.’
The vessel where her soul should rest properly was crushed and broken. It had been that way since I first saw her.
If that were the case, her soul would leak away and she should have already died. How could a body without a spirit remain alive?
Hoyeon’s body had already lost its center, and she should have met death long ago because of it.
“How is she alive, you ask? Her soul is sealed shut so it cannot escape.”
“…Is such a thing possible?”
As the presence of others diminished, I switched back to formal speech.
Gungwi reacted with surprise.
“It is a difficult task, but not impossible.”
“Are you saying you did it?”
“Of course. Otherwise….”
That frightening woman has no reason to make so many concessions to me.
“I won’t be able to walk this street peacefully, will I?”
It’s hardly worth saying that Hao Wen rules here—this is their territory.
Though Yeolyeong and the Moyong clan claim dominion, there existed an influence that operated beneath the surface, and this area was not one that the Martial Arts Alliance or other sects easily approached.
“…A martial artist from an orthodox sect and the current hope of the Martial Arts Alliance walks these streets?”
“When you put it that way, it does sound quite impressive.”
Though there’s nothing particularly special about it.
“You’re a strange one. Your master, no matter what, never entangled himself with heterodox sects.”
“Is that so?”
Would Yoo Cheon-gil have been like that? Recalling his temperament, it didn’t seem likely.
Or perhaps not. Did he kill all heterodox sect members wherever he went? Oh, that possibility is quite high as well.
In truth, it matters little to me. Whatever that man did—what concern is it of mine?
“I don’t particularly favor heterodox sects either. It’s simply.”
If I had to give a reason.
“One must use whatever can be used.”
“….”
“Clinging to needless pride only multiplies the ways one can die.”
“Hmm.”
Gungwi regarded me with an expression of surprise.
“…You’re better in this regard than that one.”
Was that praise? I didn’t particularly respond to her words. I glanced briefly at Gungwi and continued walking.
“You’re returning immediately, then?”
“No. I intend to look around Hyeon a bit.”
“Hyeon?”
“Yes. I wanted to see the market before leaving.”
“…The market?”
Gungwi’s expression grew strange. It was the look of someone questioning why a blood relative of the Moyong clan would concern herself with such things.
“It’s convenient, that’s all.”
Where was there time to quibble over such matters when the clan was crumbling? I had to accomplish what I could while I was here.
* * *
“Oh! Who is this!”
“Isn’t this our Bang Disciple!”
“My goodness, Young Master Seong-yeon!”
“I heard you had returned…!!”
Every time I walked through Hyeon, voices called out. Amid those greeting me warmly, I smiled awkwardly and spoke.
“Could you give me just a few of these?”
“Ah yes! If our Young Master asks, I must give everything! How many?”
“…If you give me all of them, it will be too much, sir. Please give me a reasonable amount.”
“Take this too. I’ll give it to you for free.”
“Ah, please stop loading me up. I don’t have that many hands.”
I hadn’t even made a full round, yet things had piled up considerably. And I hadn’t even bought much.
“…Ugh…”
Gungwi behind me was drooling. She was carrying things too—items I couldn’t manage myself.
“…Heavy… it’s heavy.”
“…See, sir? Even Baek is struggling.”
“Baek? Is that young girl someone you keep with you, Young Master?”
“Keep with me…? She’s roughly my attendant.”
“Ah. An attendant.”
He smiled at those words.
“She’s cute. And here I thought our Young Master was doing good deeds again.”
“That’s not it.”
“It’s not? How many children has the Young Master raised and fed in this land?”
“What do you mean several? There aren’t any.”
What nonsense was this? When had I ever done such a thing?
“You’ll be visiting the academy too, won’t you? The children would be so pleased.”
“…I suppose I’ll stop by.”
“Really? Then take this too. While you’re there, give some to the children—it would be nice.”
“Ah! Stop!”
More things were piled on. At this rate, I truly wouldn’t be able to see ahead.
‘I should have just done half a round.’
I’d meant to buy only what I needed, but it had gotten tangled up. Only when my vision was completely obscured could I finally stop shopping.
“…Ugh… ugh.”
Gungwi was staggering. She truly had no strength. If she were a Celestial Demon, she should manage something, but this was ridiculous—like a paper doll.
“Why must I…carry this…!”
“Because you have hands. Can’t you see both my hands are full?”
Still, she groaned and did as I asked. Her whining was a bit noisy, that’s all.
Dragging the muttering Gungwi along, I headed somewhere.
Mannyeon Academy.
It was in front of a building with such a sign.
“Who is…?”
The figure ahead moved to step forward upon seeing us approach.
“Ah! Young Master Bang!”
Upon recognizing me, his eyes widened.
“Is it truly you, Young Master Bang?”
“…Chu Hyeong. Let me handle this first.”
“Right away!”
The man I called Chu Hyeong hurried over and took Baek’s luggage from his hands.
“Phew…”
Only then did Baek—no, Gungwi—collapse onto a seat.
“I heard you had returned, but I never expected you to arrive so suddenly.”
“I had business in Hyeon. How have you been?”
“…Well, thanks to you, Young Master Bang, I’ve been managing well.”
“Don’t mention it. You’re just taking care of yourself.”
“Will you come inside? The children will be delighted.”
“…I’ll just show my face and leave.”
At my words, Chu Hyeong’s eyes glistened with emotion as he opened the door. We stepped through the entrance of the Mannyeon School.
“Children! See who has come!”
At Chu Hyeong’s loud call, the children inside turned their gazes toward us.
“Ah!”
“Brother Seongyeon?”
“Big brother!”
The children, who appeared to be in their early teens, stopped what they were doing and approached me.
There were fewer than twenty of them, but more than ten.
“You’ve come back?”
“Wow, it’s brother!”
Their excited faces already drained me of energy.
“Children, give me some space. I’m exhausted.”
“Yes.”
They obeyed immediately, creating distance.
“Have you all been well?”
“Yes!”
Their chorus sounded like birds resonating in harmony.
“Your faces look healthy. You’ve been eating well, haven’t you?”
Their response was equally loud.
“Why haven’t you visited sooner!”
“I’ve been quite busy.”
“You’re always busy…”
“That’s true. Every day was hectic.”
I thought I was losing my mind.
“You didn’t even send a letter…”
The young girl spoke with a pouty expression. Seeing that, I chuckled softly and stroked her hair.
“Yeonhwa has grown so much.”
“That’s right. I’ve grown a lot. I think I’m even ready to marry my older brother now.”
“I’ll have to pass on that. You need to grow a bit more first.”
“…Tsk.”
“…Who taught you to click your tongue like that?”
“Chu Hyeong.”
“I’ll have a word with Chu Hyeong later.”
“Eek!”
Chu Hyeong, standing behind me, flinched in alarm. Even that reaction was amusing.
Yes, she’s already entering her adolescence.
“Please take what I brought to the kitchen. I also bought some snacks, so distribute them among the children.”
“Won’t you visit the Headmaster?”
“Later. Today I just came to see their faces.”
“I understand. Then, this young girl as well?”
He spoke while looking at Gungwi. Seeing that, I shook my head.
“No. She’s just an attendant.”
“…Ah, I see.”
Chu Hyeong nodded in understanding.
“I’m leaving now, everyone.”
“Huh? Already? Why?”
“Don’t go! You just arrived!”
“I’ll come again. Probably tomorrow.”
Leaving those who were reluctant behind, I stepped outside. The children tried to hold me back, but fortunately they didn’t grab at my sleeves.
After all, they knew I wouldn’t be caught.
* * *
“That’s done.”
After leaving the academy, I felt a gaze upon me. It was Gungwi.
“What are you looking at?”
“What are those children?”
“Nothing special.”
Just that.
“The result of my meddling.”
Meddling.
That’s all it was.
“Meddling?”
“They came about because I meddle in things unnecessarily.”
“For something like that, those children certainly have remarkably pure souls.”
“…Ah. So you can see that?”
The purity of their souls.
The children’s spirits were unusually clean. It couldn’t be otherwise.
‘Because their parents carried away their karma.’
Children who had lost their parents.
Yet their parents had wrapped around them one last time as they departed.
Whether by another’s hand or by nature’s will.
And there were those who abandoned their own souls for their children, blessing them as they left.
‘It wasn’t really meddling—it was closer to my own greed.’
When I kept such souls nearby or offered them help, the karma accumulated within me would wash away bit by bit.
That’s why. Simply because of that.
‘As I gradually helped them.’
An academy came into being before I knew it.
Well, it wasn’t so much that I invested money…
‘It was more that the Moyong clan helped.’
The Moyong clan had provided assistance. It was essentially an orphanage that gathered and raised children with nowhere to go.
“…The more I see, the stranger you are. You don’t seem like the type, yet what do you keep doing?”
“I simply did it for my own satisfaction.”
That was all. Truly.
“Besides, the Moyong clan handles the management, and I merely show my face occasionally.”
Yes, I simply appear now and then, gather up children with nowhere to go, and leave them there.
“Someone else bears the responsibility.”
“Yes, and I bear that responsibility.”
“So that’s why… I’m grateful… Wait.”
That voice wasn’t Gungwi’s. At the sudden interruption, I swallowed hard.
‘Ah.’
I turned around. Seeing the figure standing there, I tensed immediately.
‘That’s right.’
“That is…”
Gungwi narrowed her eyes as she looked at the woman.
“You.”
The woman spoke as she looked at me and Gungwi, her face absolutely furious.
That’s right. Coming to Yeolyeong meant I would encounter her again.
‘I completely forgot.’
I had utterly forgotten about it.
“Your complexion looks rather pale?”
The woman grinned wickedly as she watched my panicked expression. It was a chilling smile.
“Do you really want to die?”
The woman approached with a menacing laugh—my former fiancée and the precious jewel of the Moyong clan.
Looking at Muyong Youngsoon, I found myself taking a step backward.
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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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