The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 481

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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 481
When one speaks of escort operations, certain images come to mind.
As for me, I don’t possess particularly extensive knowledge on the subject.
I understand the concepts of escort houses and escort masters well enough. Beyond that, I never bothered to learn more.
‘I thought it wouldn’t concern me.’
It wasn’t as though I would ever conduct an escort operation myself, nor had I ever imagined I’d be performing the duties of an escort master.
“Form ranks.”
At the escort master’s command, the personnel position themselves around the carriage. Hands resting on sword hilts, we slowed our pace. I hadn’t realized that escort operations themselves proceeded at such a leisurely speed.
Since we had to move while protecting the cargo, our pace was considerably slower than average. It was slower than I’d anticipated.
‘We’re moving at this speed?’
It’s rather surprising. Is it always like this?
‘I’ve heard they were even more cautious in the past.’
During the era when the Nokrim Bandits held sway, I’d heard the precautions were far more extreme. Alternatively, there were cases where they’d simply pay off the bandits to let them pass unmolested.
‘Better than fighting.’
Paying and moving on was the better option. It could be considered a reasonably rational choice.
‘Now—’
It seems such concerns no longer exist. The Nokrim Bandits have been largely annihilated. An era with fewer such worries. While I hesitate to call it an age of peace, it’s roughly comparable.
‘Of course.’
Considering the Nokrim Bandits that would appear shortly, it wouldn’t be entirely pleasant.
“Halt.”
The escort master, who had been walking steadily, raises his hand. At that signal, everyone stops.
“We camp here.”
At those words, the escort operation paused momentarily. I surveyed the surroundings.
‘Is he using time and terrain to his advantage?’
The hour grows late. If we continued from here, the sun would set. Moreover, the terrain itself was elevated and difficult for horses to traverse.
This meant that while we would find movement difficult, so too would our enemies. It was a sound judgment—perhaps the best one available.
“We’ll make camp here for the night. Patrol the perimeter and establish our positions.”
“Understood.”
As if accustomed to such orders, people scatter throughout the area.
They seemed to be assessing for any potential problems.
Observing this, I turned to the escort master with a question.
“Excuse me, Escort Master. What should we do?”
Nominally, we were martial artists from the Moyong clan, but ultimately the safety of this escort operation fell to this escort master. It was proper to seek his permission.
With that in mind, I posed the question, and he regarded me with a distinctly displeased expression before responding.
“Do as you see fit. We’ll handle matters here, so you needn’t concern yourselves.”
“Ah, understood.”
Look at these people.
This is a completely pointless display of authority, isn’t it?
‘It seems I’ve made a poor impression.’
Seeing them act this way, I can’t help but let out a hollow laugh. But it didn’t matter to me.
‘They tell me to rest easy, but what’s the point.’
Actually, this works in my favor. No work means I’m content. And besides.
‘Now I have the leisure to scout the surroundings.’
I had a legitimate reason to move about rather than sit idle. I distanced myself from the Tabsa members and slipped away. Then.
Whoosh—!!
The moment I sensed no one was watching, I rose into the air.
I moved to what appeared to be the highest point in the forest and surveyed the area.
There was nothing visible. Only the night that had arrived created silence. Seeing that, I channeled my power.
Ssshhh—!!! Light seeped into my blue eyes. I opened my Wol-an and used it to peer further into the distance. There had to be something. With that thought, I thoroughly scanned the surroundings.
That’s when I saw it.
‘There.’
I could make out something. People. Though they maintained considerable distance, their positioning was far too calculated.
They were a group, and they had something in mind.
“The Nokrim Bandits.”
The possibility was certain.
‘What should I do.’
Should I go now and eliminate them preemptively? That was an option. I grasped my sword and pondered briefly, but.
‘Not yet.’
I decided to wait. I didn’t know their plans or what traps they’d set. Acting rashly could create problems.
Whoosh.
I returned to the camp. At this pace, likely.
‘Past noon tomorrow.’
That’s when I’d probably encounter the Nokrim Bandits.
Back at camp, I spoke to Haowen’s people.
“I think we’ll meet them around noon.”
“The Nokrim Bandits, you mean.”
“Yes.”
“…They’re already setting up positions nearby.”
“Seems so.”
They were methodical. I’d expected bandits to be unprepared, but they seemed far more thorough than anticipated.
The numbers too.
‘Fifty?’
At least fifty men. A substantial force to deploy throughout the forest.
Which meant they’d prepared thoroughly.
“Will you inform the other side?”
Should we alert Tabsa? At that question, I shook my head.
“I don’t think that’s necessary.”
Even if I warned them, they probably wouldn’t believe me anyway. It seemed better to let them see it firsthand tomorrow.
‘At this point, I’m genuinely curious.’
What exactly are they transporting in that carriage? Why would these Nokrim Bandits, who live in hiding, emerge with such numbers?

* * *
Dawn. I resumed the mountain trek. The night watch rotations had been manageable enough, but these cursed bandits had to stop us midway. Ah, this was something I’d only experienced back at the Martial Arts Alliance—it had been ages since I felt this way.
Perhaps because my cultivation had advanced, I didn’t feel fatigue from such trivial matters, but the dull irritation that settled over me was something I disliked.
“From here on, we enter the midpoint. Stay focused.”
Though I issued the warning, I could see everyone had grown somewhat lax. When I asked about it, they said this was how it always felt around the halfway mark.
Perhaps it was because we’d entered a stable checkpoint?
As I was sensing this.
Whoooosh.
‘…They’ve arrived.’
The air had changed.
This faintly seeping killing intent made breathing slightly difficult.
I wondered when they would notice. Just as I was thinking that.
“…Stop…”
Tabsa spoke in an altered voice.
“…Who are you?”
He directed sharp eyes forward as he spoke. At his words, the grass rustled.
“Kekekeke.”
Several figures emerged afterward.
“Greetings.”
“Reveal your identity.”
Shring. A sword was drawn. Tabsa asked with a tense expression. To anyone’s eyes, these were clearly not allies.
“Ah, how unfortunate. I came to greet you, but I didn’t expect such an aggressive response.”
“We are conducting the procession of the Moyong clan. Surely you understand what we’re attempting here?”
He pointed to the Moyong clan flag embedded in the carriage. It was a procession of one of the Five Great Clans. That alone should have been enough to impose pressure.
“Then you know well. Is there anyone in the Central Plains who doesn’t recognize that flag?”
Clang. The man gripping the axe spoke without fear.
“If there’s anything to fear, it should be you fearing us, shouldn’t it?”
“…These bastards…!”
“We are the supreme descendants of Nolrimdo. If you hand over everything you have, we’ll at least spare your lives.”
“…Nolrimdo!”
At those words, Tabsa and those on the mountain trek widened their eyes. The Nolrimdo, long since vanished, was speaking of itself.
That alone was cause for shock.
“…The Nolrimdo haven’t been active in ages, have they? Why now?”
“We’ve rested so long that we’ve grown restless. We thought we might emerge again from now on. What do you think?”
Boom.
A massive axe. It was directed at Tabsa.
“Will you become the sacrifice for our new beginning?”
“You bastard…!!”
Keeeeng—!!! Sword energy permeates the blade. Fighting spirit blazed across Tabsa’s face.
“Prepare for battle!”
“Ah, I was hoping to keep this peaceful… but it seems cooperation isn’t in the cards.”
At the man’s words, the forest stirs. Whoooosh—! All the Nokrim Bandits positioned in formation emerged at once.
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock at the considerable number of them.
‘Hmm.’
I watched them with an odd sense of foreboding. The numbers matched what I’d assessed yesterday.
‘Something.’
The feeling was strange. An uneasy sensation crept over me.
“Everyone, protect the merchandise!”
With the Tabsa’s command, the battle erupted.
Crash—!!!
An axe flies in. Seeing it, the Tabsa hastily swings his blade. Clang—! The Tabsa staggers under the Nokrim Bandit’s assault. Sword energies collide, sparks erupting.
‘Where.’
I scan the surroundings amid the chaos of battle.
Crackle.
Not quite reaching the level of Wol Cheon, I simply wrapped myself in inner energy and slightly increased my body’s speed. I advanced toward them as is.
Slash—!
“Ugh!?”
I methodically dealt with the Nokrim Bandits one by one. To avoid drawing attention, I only offered assistance at appropriate moments.
As I repeated this, the battle quickly tilted in our favor. The Tabsa members, sensing an unexpectedly easy victory, grew heated with momentum.
“Push them back!”
“Kill them!”
The Nokrim Bandits’ panic became visible.
“What’s this? What’s their level…!”
Their bewilderment was plain to see. In that opening, my gaze fixed on one figure among the Nokrim Bandits.
‘It’s about time he made his move.’
The man watching from the corner.
“Tsk.”
He clicks his tongue and swings an enormous blunt weapon.
Boom—!!! He smashes it into the ground. With a tremendous crash, the earth trembles. Everyone freezes at the vibration.
“Idiots. I thought you could handle this yourselves, yet you can’t even manage that.”
“Ugh… B-Bujori…”
The Nokrim Bandits panicked, and fear surged in our group’s eyes. For good reason.
“Inner… inner force…”
“A master…!”
Solid inner force radiated from the weapon wielded by the man called Bujori.
He had transcended the peak.
He was at what the Central Plains called a master’s threshold.
“W-why is a peak master here…!”
“Damn it… this can’t be happening…!”
“Ha.”
At the frightened voice, a smile spreads across Bujori’s face.
“These pathetic orthodox sect dogs. They’ve always thought themselves the masters of the world. Such arrogance.”
“Damn it…!”
One of the Tabsa members moves urgently. Not toward where the valuables are. Rather, toward where Muyong Youngsoon is.
“Moryong Sojeo! You must evacuate first…!”
At his words, Muyong Youngsoon emerges from the carriage. Her attire has changed considerably from before.
She wears martial robes instead of fine silk, prepared for battle. A white sword hangs at her waist.
“Moryong Sojeo…?”
“I was delayed preparing.”
Clang. As she grasps the sword, my eyes widen.
“I am the eldest daughter of the Moyong clan, responsible for this escort mission. May I have the honor of your name?”
Muyong Youngsoon speaks with an unwavering voice.
At those words, Bujori grins widely.
“Ah. So you are the famous Yeolyeong Jeil-mi. You are indeed as beautiful as the rumors suggest.”
“Thank you for the compliment. I have introduced myself. Might I learn your name?”
“My name? I’m happy to tell you. I am-”
That was when it happened.
Shudder-!
‘What is this?’
Goosebumps erupt across my entire body. Something is coming.
“The one who leads the Nolrimdo’s Bujori.”
Crunch.
“…What?”
“What?”
Words fail us. A blunt object has crashed down from nowhere, crushing Bujori’s upper body.
“Kuhahahaha-!!!”
A tremendous laugh echoes across the mountain.
Boom-!!!
Crash-!!!
A massive object materializes from the air and collides with the ground. The impact is incomparable to when the club crushed the earth before.
Whoosh-!!!
Scattering sand and dust, something speaks.
“Good. Very good. I’m glad I came.”
Swish.
As the dust clears, the owner of the voice reveals himself.
A giant with a frame larger than anyone I’ve ever seen.
“Listen here, woman.”
And then.
“From now on, you belong to me.”
He was a true master—incomparable to that fool Bujori who had been spouting nonsense just moments before.

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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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