The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 488
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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 488
When I think of Baek Manager, there’s only one way to describe him: a madman.
Born as if destined to hunt demons, he possessed the conviction to exterminate every evil spirit in existence.
Only ghosts.
A figure obsessed with slaying spirits, indifferent to humans as though they were nothing.
When I first joined that cursed company, there was only one thing everyone told me.
‘Don’t get involved with Baek Manager.’
They warned that the moment you became entangled with that madman, you were finished. Yet despite such warnings, I was assigned directly under him.
The madman had taken a liking to me and requested it personally. Because of that, I found myself claimed by him while receiving wistful glances from my peers.
“Welcome. Are you the youngest?”
The moment we arrived, he had a cigarette in his mouth and was holding some kind of club.
Seeing that, I swallowed hard. The place was infested with demons.
And what’s more.
‘They look crushed.’
Forms that appeared to have been struck and pulverized. I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
What is this? It’s terrifying.
Could demons really be beaten like that? No matter how much blood was inscribed on the club, it didn’t make sense.
“You can see their condition clearly, it seems?”
“…Yes?”
“Usually, if they’re in this state, others can’t see them.”
Chuckle.
Baek Manager laughed and stamped out the cigarette he’d been holding. It certainly appeared that way. The demons were undergoing exorcism, nearly vanishing before complete annihilation.
“You have good eyes. I chose well after all.”
“…”
“Let’s do our best going forward, shall we?”
It was the sound of hell opening.
I’m not exaggerating. From that day on, it truly was hell.
How many times did I get dragged around by Baek Manager.
How many deities did I kill.
Later, when the time came to save the world, I really wanted to wring his neck.
But what could I do? It was karma.
I learned much from him, and in the end, he even saved my life.
If I were to find parents, it would be my Grandmother. If I were to find a master, it would have been him.
“Remember one thing.”
Before he died, Baek Manager told me this.
“Humans and deities are ultimately the same—beings you cannot trust.”
“But humans are somewhat better. They’re the ones who can receive salvation.”
It wasn’t funny. Coming from someone betrayed by humans and killed by deities, it felt hollow.
“Endure. And persevere.”
Baek Manager laughed.
“And stay strong.”
Those were his final words.
* * *
“…That thing.”
Seeing the blood talisman, Baek Manager came to mind. The method he had employed was strikingly similar. It wouldn’t be entirely accurate to call them identical, and there were differences, but they were far too alike.
“It looks incredibly ominous.”
The Branch Leader spoke. He was right. It didn’t merely look ominous—it was ominous.
In reality, it was. From the very moment the blood talisman was affixed to that location, something felt wrong. The fact that even I, who had crafted the talisman to be satisfactory, could see it attached like this was a grave problem in itself.
‘Even though it’s sealed like that.’
Death essence was subtly leaking out. The aura of death was faintly emanating from that jar.
I hadn’t noticed it while it was secured for transport, but now that it was being dragged on the cart, it became apparent.
‘This damnable energy.’
What in the world was contained within? And despite being confined like this, it still seeps out? This was absurdity incarnate.
My brow furrowed involuntarily. Seeing this, the Branch Leader asked.
“What is it? Our prince. Do you know what that is?”
“…I’m not sure.”
How could I possibly know? The fact that I didn’t understand made it all the more problematic. That the Northern Sea Gungju possessed such a thing, and that the Heavenly Supreme was sending it as a gift—none of it made sense.
Have they lost their minds? Do they know what that is?
‘The Heavenly Supreme.’
What could her purpose be? Has that old woman lost her faculties?
As I stared at the jar, the members of the highest merchant house carried it from the cart into the chamber.
Watching this unfold, I found myself unable to move. Normally, I would have simply remained at a distance.
‘Now that I’ve witnessed this.’
I cannot leave. Having seen this, there was nowhere I could go.
* * *
“The item has arrived.”
Go Munjin spoke while observing the arrived item. Muyong Youngsoon nodded in agreement.
It was a peculiar urn covered entirely in talismans.
‘…This is.’
Upon seeing it, Muyong Youngsoon’s brow furrowed.
This was the first time she had properly examined the item herself.
The Clan Leader Baekwang had ordered her not to look at it either.
Something about looking at it made her stomach churn.
Her mood seemed to naturally deteriorate.
What could this possibly be to warrant such secrecy? Even she could not comprehend it.
“Well then-”
The Merchant Leader Go Munjin, overcoming such unease, spoke to Muyong Youngsoon.
“Please send this item to the Northern Sea. That is what you’re asking, correct?”
“Yes. The name of the item will be given by the Muyong Clan. And this….”
“Must be delivered directly to the Northern Sea Palace….”
“Yes.”
“I have heard your words, but this is quite a difficult matter. The nature of the item itself is concerning. The Northern Sea Palace… is simply not a place one can enter and exit freely.”
“Are you saying this is impossible?”
“Nearly so.”
The Merchant Leader expressed his reluctance. However.
“But.”
As if to say there is not entirely no method, Go Munjin spoke to Muyong Youngsoon.
“If we receive direct assistance from the Martial Arts Alliance, it may be different.”
“The Martial Arts Alliance?”
“The League Leader, who currently enables access to the Northern Sea Palace, would directly communicate with the Northern Sea Palace themselves. All we can do is go to the Northern Sea and receive or deliver the entrusted item, but if they engage in direct communication, that would be another matter.”
“…Then.”
To those words, Muyong Youngsoon replied with a slight bite of her lip.
“You’re saying we must receive the Alliance’s assistance to deliver this to the Northern Sea Palace.”
She would have to show that ominous item to the Martial Arts Alliance and obtain permission to send it to the Northern Sea Palace.
In other words.
‘That’s a no.’
It meant this was an unreasonable request. Muyong Youngsoon swallowed dryly. This was something no one could possibly accomplish.
“Or perhaps, is there no way to directly inform the Northern Sea Palace that this item exists? We understand this item is being sent by us, but it is something they desire.”
“Hmm-”
Go Munjin gazed at the urn.
“Something the Northern Sea Palace desires-”
“I don’t know the details, but that is what I’ve heard.”
“You naturally cannot disclose information regarding who is delivering this.”
“Correct. The Muyong Clan Leader has also kept this confidential.”
“Hmm.”
Go Munjin nods at my words.
“It certainly seems to be no ordinary item. I’ve also heard that you encountered considerable trouble on your way here.”
“That is….”
“It means that interested parties are after it. Which only confirms that this object holds significant value.”
“….”
The item’s worth had increased. Despite being a marked item under the direct care of the Muyong Clan, it was attacked nonetheless. Furthermore.
“Though Wol-hyeop stepped in to stop them, I heard the unknown master’s level was quite formidable.”
The incident where Bangseong-yeon had intervened to block the attack. Recalling how I had eliminated that absolute master, this item’s value was.
“At least in the current situation, it stands at a considerably high value. Would you not agree?”
“I’m uncertain what the Merchant Leader wishes to convey. Are you hoping to adjust the payment for sending it to the Northern Sea?”
“That matter aside, the risk has certainly increased. Moreover.”
Go Munjin smoothly produces something. It was a letter.
“I said it was nearly impossible, not that sending the item to the Northern Sea is impossible—so I thought we might discuss this matter further.”
“…This is—”
Muyong Youngsoon’s eyes narrow as she examines the letter. Its contents detailed future transaction records between the Auju Merchant Guild and the Muyong Clan, including ratio adjustments and various conditions to elevate the Auju Merchant Guild’s standing.
It appears sparse yet meticulous. Seeing this, I can only suppress an inward laugh.
‘What a terrifying old man.’
It’s absurd. Writing such detailed contents couldn’t have been prepared in a short span of time.
This means he began preparations the moment he heard news of the incident.
He had assessed the marked item’s value and prepared to seize the advantage. In that very moment.
Now I understand why Father cautioned me to be wary of this man.
This old man was dangerous.
Extremely so.
* * *
‘Is everything alright?’
I cannot see what’s happening inside. I tried expanding my Gigam, but it’s the same. A barrier has already been erected, preventing me from confirming anything.
I could forcibly break through if I wanted to. But if I do, those who’ve erected the barrier will sense my Gigam.
That’s why I haven’t been able to check carelessly.
“Your Highness. What exactly are you doing? You said you had no interest and would just leave.”
“…I was planning to, but something came up.”
“What is it? Do you know what that object is?”
“I don’t. But it bothers me. My intuition says so.”
“Ha ha—”
The Branch Leader laughs as if exasperated, shrugging her shoulders. Her reaction didn’t matter. Once I’ve become fixated on that object, there’s nothing I can do about it.
I had to keep watching. Just as I was thinking that.
“Hm?”
I turned my gaze away from the room and looked in the opposite direction. I feel something far away. What is it? An enormous aura. It seems they have no intention of concealing it—fierce and dense. Tyrannical Path. That was the kind of energy that suited such a description perfectly.
Clang.
Without realizing it, I gripped my sword.
“Hm? Your Highness, why are you—”
The Branch Leader stops mid-sentence. Even a martial artist of not particularly high caliber could feel such a vast aura. But that’s not all.
“What is happening!”
“What is this energy!”
All the martial artists stationed on the upper floors rush out. They all seem to have felt it. Tension hangs heavy in the air.
‘An absolute master.’
It’s similar to the aura I felt when observing Honwondo. It meant an energy of that same level. Could it be someone from Patcheon Gung?
‘No. It’s not that kind of energy.’
It’s refined. The energy bursting out roughly is sharp, yet its essence is clean and orderly. It’s the same aura possessed by those of the righteous path.
What is this? Why is it so intense? What is falling to cause this? My breath catches.
In the moment I was deliberating whether to draw my sword.
Kwaaaaa—!!!!!
The energy bursting from afar finally crashes to the ground. Dust rises up. As my vision is obscured, I open my Wol-an.
I cleared away what was blocking me and assessed the interior. That’s when it happened.
“Huh.”
I feel a familiar aura. It’s more intense than usual, but it’s definitely the aura of someone I know.
Hwaaak—!!!!
The dust vanishes in an instant. Rising up and my vision clears. There—
“…Lord of the Clan?”
The Clan Leader of the Muyong family and one of the Five Kings of the Heavens.
Baekwang was rising to his feet, his eyes blazing.
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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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