The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 527

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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 527
Regarding Shingang, one must first speak of the Orthodox Sects.
Among them, it is a region designated by the Martial Arts Alliance as forbidden to civilians.
After the war. Especially after the Demonic Sect was defeated and annihilated in that war.
From that point onward, it became a desolate region.
Though the Alliance claims to manage it to some degree, given its particularly barren nature, they do not conduct thorough inspections.
Perhaps that is why we did not know?
‘That the Demonic Sect was reviving.’
That within that region, they had regrouped and the Demonic Sect had been resurrected. Could it be we simply failed to recognize this?
I concluded this must be the reason.
‘Still, it is strange.’
It is peculiar. The Martial Arts Alliance has a branch in Shingang, and there are surely those keeping watch, yet how did they manage to unite their strength so thoroughly?
‘They must have employed some stratagem.’
Or perhaps there is a problem with the Alliance branch in Shingang itself.
Or perhaps something else entirely.
‘I still cannot determine it.’
The reason remained difficult to ascertain. I had never investigated the Demonic Sect so deeply before.
In any case, Shingang itself is a region the Orthodox Sects have designated as forbidden entry.
Without permission, one cannot venture beyond a certain boundary.
From this perspective, Maebo County, where we had just arrived, could be considered the last civilian district before entering Shingang—a place one could traverse without the Alliance’s permission.
“…There is quite a bit of foot traffic here.”
Woon-ryong speaks with wonder. I felt the same.
The population visible upon arrival was greater than I had anticipated.
Could there truly be this many people here?
I wondered if I had misunderstood Shingang. Or perhaps not. Since we had not yet entered Shingang proper, it could be different.
“First, let us seek out the Martial Arts Alliance branch.”
Our priority was to find their local branch and obtain permission to proceed. Since there was an administrative presence, we had to visit them.
I led our group forward. The Alliance branch was easy to find. One simply had to locate the largest building in the area.
We found a building surrounded by tall walls. In the distance, a flag bearing the Alliance’s emblem fluttered in the wind.
As we approached, those blocking the gate turned to look at us.
“What brings you here?”
“We have come from Hanam. We seek permission to pass through Shingang.”
“…From Hanam?”
Seeing the confusion in their eyes, I immediately produced the wooden tablet I had received from Cheon Rijin-an before departure.
“This… this is…!”
The Martial Artist recognized it and started in alarm.
“P-please wait a moment. I shall return shortly.”
He hurried inside, and before half a moment had passed, he emerged with another person.
His urgent haste was evident in his movements.
“…I am Seomdo, Branch Leader of the Martial Arts Alliance’s Maebo County branch…! I am honored to receive those from the main Alliance.”
A man who appears to be past the age of fifty. His realm was….
‘Peak stage?’
A peak-stage martial artist. He seemed to have just surpassed that level.
“I shall show you inside….”
“Thank you.”
After receiving permission, I enter. In the process, I observe Seomdo’s appearance.
‘…Look at this.’
A black aura seeps through. Upon seeing it, my eyes narrowed sharply.
It meant he was affiliated with Patcheon Gung.

* * *
The branch’s condition was reasonably clean. There was nothing to catch on, and nothing particularly visible.
I didn’t even bother checking deliberately. There was no need to.
‘What’s the point when it’s already visible?’
I had already sighed upon seeing Branch Leader Seomdo’s state. That man. He’s already been touched by Patcheon Gung’s power.
‘Right, they’ve been quiet lately.’
Patcheon Gung’s activities had been remarkably sparse. This was right after I confirmed that their Gungju was the Heretic Leader I knew.
It was puzzling what they were doing with no activity.
‘But they were doing something.’
This Maebohyeon. It seems they were doing something in a space full of only questions. When did it start? I have no way of knowing the timing. What matters is simply this.
‘That Patcheon Gung thugs are here.’
I look around the surroundings. I sense multiple auras of Patcheon Gung thugs. Among them, Seomdo possessed the strongest aura.
‘This…’
Does Mee Yeon-hwa know about this? I have a vague understanding of the cooperative relationship between the Demonic Sect and Patcheon Gung. It doesn’t seem like she wouldn’t know.
The problem is.
‘If Patcheon Gung knows that the Demonic Sect requested cooperation with the Martial Arts Alliance,’
There’s the danger that the Demonic Sect could have informed the Alliance about this figure Seomdo being affiliated with Patcheon Gung forces and handed him over.
Patcheon Gung would certainly not overlook this.
‘Yet he reacts as if nothing is amiss.’
It’s one of two things.
Either the information hasn’t leaked yet.
Or this Seomdo only recently joined Patcheon Gung.
That’s all I can discern.
For now, I approach while assessing the situation. Thus guided, I head deeper into the branch.
“I didn’t expect such distinguished guests from Hanam. I received no prior notice.”
“Since it’s a matter of utmost secrecy, a letter couldn’t be sent separately.”
“…Ah, I see.”
Seomdo smiles awkwardly and speaks.
“Allow me to introduce myself once more. I am Branch Leader Seomdo.”
“I am Bangseong-yeon of Sowoldae.”
“…Huh? Could it be Wol-hyeop…?”
“I’m afraid that is indeed how I’m known.”
“This, this is…. To meet the Hero of Hanam and the Martial Arts Alliance’s rising star in such a place…!”
Seomdo burst forth with admiration. I had to smile awkwardly at his reaction.
“I’ve verified your credentials. What you seek is a permit to travel toward Shin-gang, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right. Could I receive authorization to depart as quickly as possible?”
“…That’s the thing.”
Seomdo’s expression grew troubled. Was there some problem?
“…Currently, the only path leading to Shin-gang is blocked.”
“Blocked? What’s the reason?”
“Recently, heretics have been spotted around Maebo County, so we’ve preemptively sealed off the route to Shin-gang.”
“…Heretics?”
Heretics on the path to Shin-gang? The sudden mention of heretics felt suspicious. This was delicate phrasing.
Could there truly be heretics in this remote region? Perhaps, but it seemed unlikely.
‘What possible reason could there be?’
Why would they need to be in such a distant, forsaken place? It made no sense to me. Moreover.
‘The very fact that this man speaks of it is itself the problem.’
A figure already tainted by Patcheon-gung’s influence. I couldn’t trust anything Seomdo said at this point.
“So, we cannot proceed at this time?”
“Ah, no, that’s not it. How could I obstruct the Alliance’s mission? However, a pursuit operation is currently underway… If you could grant me half a day to a full day, I shall issue the permit by tomorrow.”
“A day…. Very well. I understand.”
I nodded in agreement. Seomdo’s expression brightened at my words.
“Thank you for your understanding…!”
“Not at all. Then I shall visit you again at this time tomorrow.”
I bowed respectfully and rose to my feet. There was nothing more to discuss.
“Ah, and could I trouble you for lodging arrangements during my stay?”
“Of course! We’ll prepare accommodations for you at once.”
Seomdo spoke and issued orders to his subordinate. As I listened, I stared intently at Seomdo.
The rippling aura. Even the man he was commanding bore the taint of Patcheon-gung’s influence.
‘This is rather.’
It seemed they were plotting something, so verification had become necessary.

* * *
The moment I stepped outside, Paeng Dojin was the one who spoke to me.
“Something’s off. I smell something.”
His wrinkled face twisted with discomfort.
Was this the Cheonmu Jiche’s five senses at work? He seemed to have detected something amiss.
“You didn’t notice?”
“No. I did notice.”
“As expected…!”
Paeng Dojin spoke with evident relief that it wasn’t just him sensing it. I couldn’t fathom why this pleased him so.
“Those bastards are strange. There’s something unsettling and irritating about them.”
“Yes. I sensed it too, so I was thinking of investigating a bit.”
“Do we have the time for this?”
Woon-ryong asked. Time. Our schedule for reaching Shingang wasn’t particularly generous.
“A day or so should be manageable.”
Merely a day at most. I judged it reasonable to spare that much time.
‘And.’
If they had asked for time, it meant they intended to handle something within that window.
‘This is an opportunity of sorts.’
A decent opportunity. That’s what I thought.
After that, a Meng Clan Martial Artist approached and guided me to the lodgings. Clean and orderly quarters.
Not bad. It was more than adequate for a day’s stay.
I unpacked my belongings and loosened my body slightly.
A creaking sensation brushed through me.
‘At this level—’
The Sword Emperor had instructed me not to exert my power until I understood my body’s condition, but so far there seemed to be no strain.
At this level, I could manage it. After making that judgment.
‘Time—’
I waited for the sun to set. After a while passed and evening came, I moved.
As I heightened my energy perception, I felt those positioned around the lodgings. They seemed to be assigned under the guise of protection…but protection? It was laughable.
The heterodox sects were angry, but would we truly need forces deployed for us? They must know our main sect’s disciples are no weaker than them.
‘It makes no sense.’
A succession of illogical circumstances. I launched myself through the window frame. Moving while suppressing my presence. Others failed to detect me.
My destination was not the branch, but elsewhere.
What I sought was empty air. The energy of Patcheon Gung. I had to find where it was concentrated.

* * *
I traversed the rooftops, moving with practiced silence. I sensed no one tracking my presence—whether due to my suppressed aura or the absence of those strong enough to perceive me, I could not say.
I also monitored Mee Yeon-hwa’s movements, but her Magi remained at the lodging.
I continued forward while gathering information.
I soon discovered a location where energy had concentrated. The position was—
‘The path toward Sinkang on the map.’
The direction leading into Sinkang. The energy seemed to gather there. I immediately suppressed my presence further.
I approached slowly, lowering my stance. As I drew near the trees and held my breath, a familiar face and voice reached my ears.
“Damn it. Why did someone come from the main sect?”
It was Seomdo.
“…I haven’t finished the task yet, but what has the Captain done!”
The Captain? Could it be that man I killed?
“According to reports, Wol-hyeop has executed the Captain.”
“Ha…. Incompetent fool. He boasted so much, yet this is what became of him? Pathetic beyond measure. Never mind. He was someone I would have dealt with soon anyway. Haeying. How is the work progressing?”
“…I’ve sent word to the Gungju’s side. As instructed, I have not yet delivered news to those inside Sinkang.”
“Well done. Wait for the right moment. The Jade Stone has not been completed, so we need more time. If we could drag this out another day….”
Seomdo bit at his fingernails, looking troubled.
Jade Stone?
‘What is this Jade Stone?’
Guuuuuuu—!!
Simultaneously with my question, a vibration resonated from afar.
‘Hmm?’
Along with that inexplicable tremor—
Whoooosh—!
My Karma Flame responded. As if it had been waiting all along.

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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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