The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 540

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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 540
A day had passed since Woo Yeongjin’s departure.
It meant the time I’d heard about beforehand had arrived.
There had been various matters to attend to, but none of them posed a problem.
There could be issues, certainly, but they didn’t seem like matters worthy of concern. If there were problems, they’d be on his end.
For me now, they held little significance.
‘Woo Yeongjin will handle things on his own.’
That “on his own” meant my response could come later.
I had gathered personnel inside the inn and was waiting.
Then.
“Forgive the intrusion. I’ve come seeking to meet with esteemed guests. I am Hyeon of the Celestial Demon Sect.”
A figure appeared as the inn door opened. All of them wore matching dark robes.
They were members of the Celestial Demon Sect.
“We greet Jeolma.”
[….]
Jeolma, now wearing his mask again, regarded them.
[Let’s move.
With those brief words, I followed them. My gaze drifted toward the Sword Emperor moving alongside us.
The fact that this old man was the Sword Emperor was likely already known.
What concerned me was something else.
‘What about Gwima?’
Would Gwima, who came with us, be alright? With the Sword Emperor present, Gwima couldn’t move carelessly, and I was curious how he would respond.
‘Well.’
It would work out one way or another. For now, I needed to think about something other than them.

* * *
We departed the Demonic Dragon Cavern with our group and headed toward the Deity Sect. Though it was said to be a region governed by the Deity Sect, the path leading there was extraordinarily long. It was so treacherous that calling it merely “difficult” would be an understatement.
‘…Why would anyone construct a building in such a place?’
At the edge of a mountain range. No matter how I looked at it, the area was nothing but cliffs, yet someone had deliberately created this scenic marvel here.
‘At this scale, isn’t it practically pyramid-level?’
My past life suddenly came to mind. Those bizarre structures humans had supposedly built. Compared to those, the Deity Sect seemed no different at all.
[This place remains unchanged.]
I heard the Celestial Demon muttering.
[Nothing has changed.]
Had more than a decade passed? There was a peculiar longing woven into his voice….
[Despite all those years, nothing has altered. How pathetic. There’s no point in even looking.]
“….”
It wasn’t longing after all—it was irritation. This was the first time I’d heard the Celestial Demon express annoyance in such a manner.
Perhaps there was still some attachment, even so.
‘Of course there would be attachment.’
This was the faction he had once led. It would be stranger if he felt no attachment at all.
In any case, we boarded the carriage heading toward the Deity Sect and traveled in silence.
How much more time had passed? We’d departed in the early dawn, but it was now approaching noon.
“We have arrived.”
A disciple of the Deity Sect announced our arrival. Looking out the window, I could see something. The building that had been distant moments ago was now drawing near.
‘…It’s massive.’
Its scale was extraordinary. It looked as though the entire Martial Arts Alliance headquarters from Hannam had been transplanted here.
However, I noticed various sections appeared damaged and corroded.
‘Is this the aftermath of war?’
I could see repairs and restoration work in progress.
Even after more than a decade, it seemed not everything had been fully repaired.
Upon observing this, the carriage soon came to a halt.
A disciple came and opened the door for us.
As I descended and looked around, I could see the entrance ahead.
‘Is that massive thing the entrance?’
It certainly is large. Excessively large, even. Can that thing actually open?
I slowly approached it.
Then.
A chill ran down my spine—!
“….”
Goosebumps erupted across my skin. I furrowed my brow and stared straight ahead. Someone was there. Was this sudden tension I felt because of that figure?
“…What is this?”
“….”
The others seemed to sense something as well, becoming visibly alert.
My tension rose involuntarily. Maintaining that heightened state, we advanced, and the disciples guiding us immediately knelt upon reaching the entrance.
“We pay our respects to the Pillar of the Demonic Sect.”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Dozens of people knelt simultaneously, paying homage to a single Old Man.
[Haha.]
The Celestial Demon laughed upon witnessing this.
[So that old demon is still alive.]
The being the Celestial Demon called an old demon—I examined the Old Man at those words.
A wrinkled old man with a long scar running along his mouth.
His muscular and taut physique, despite his age, revealed he was a Martial Artist, and the sharp sensation emanating from him felt distinctly alien—like facing a keen blade.
“Well, well.”
The Old Man smiled, and his scar grew more pronounced. A chilling sensation.
Zing.
The moment I felt it, my hand moved to my sword hilt without thinking. I nearly drew it, but barely restrained myself.
“…I heard so many rumors, I grew curious.”
The voice came from beside me. The Old Man had closed the distance in an instant.
“The title of Geomseong’s Predecessor is well-deserved. A monster has birthed a monster. So you are Wol-hyeop?”
“…Who are you?”
The Old Man approached with his hands clasped behind his back. My heart pounded.
“I didn’t expect you to react. I was merely playing a little prank…. Heaven is truly indifferent. To think it bestowed something so peculiar upon the righteous faction. I envy it so. I’d steal it this very moment if I could.”
His words felt genuinely sincere, and my eyes narrowed. Chills ran down my spine. I was contemplating whether to draw the Divine Sword immediately.
Whoosh.
The intense aura that had been pressing down suddenly vanished.
“Merely a jest. How embarrassing that you took offense.”
The Old Man spoke while looking toward a certain direction. The Sword Emperor stood there.
The Sword Emperor regarded the Old Man with cold eyes. The atmosphere felt as though my heart could be pierced at any moment.
“I heard the news and couldn’t believe it. I never thought you’d still be alive, Sword Emperor.”
“You’re no phantom.”
The Sword Emperor spoke.
“How are you still alive?”
“Hahahaha.”
They seemed to know each other. The Old Man laughed roughly at the Sword Emperor’s words.
“…I lived because I couldn’t die. Thanks to you, that is.”
“Step back. Before I kill you.”
“Interesting words. This child must be precious? A monster’s offspring, perhaps?”
“I don’t repeat myself, Malyeong.”
As the Sword Emperor spoke, he drew forth a broken sword blade. Sword energy began to permeate, and the Demonic Sect disciples kneeling before him suddenly gleamed with fierce eyes.
They reacted as though they would rush forward the moment the Sword Emperor threatened the Old Man.
Seeing this, the Old Man moved once more.
He stepped away from my side and turned toward the sect members.
“Insolent wretches.”
Crack.
“…!”
I suddenly burst the disciple’s head open.
“You bring a distinguished guest here and show such disrespect? Bow your heads.”
At the old man’s words, the disciples immediately prostrated themselves. They seemed utterly indifferent to the corpse.
The old man called Malyeong brushed the blood from his hands and spoke.
“My apologies for the rudeness. These children adore me so, and this unfortunate incident resulted from their enthusiasm. I hope you can understand.”
“Pointless theatrics.”
Was this meant as a threat? Or perhaps a display of dominance? The old man Malyeong’s actions were somewhat difficult to comprehend.
“Why are you doing this when you should be locked away in solitary confinement? Do you wish to die by my hand again?”
“Not at all. I harbor no intentions toward the righteous sect’s precious disciples. I simply came to confirm whether you had truly arrived.”
“Is that so? Now that you’ve confirmed it, shall we have a bout?”
“Ehehehe….”
Malyeong chuckled softly.
“While I would not refuse such an opportunity, regrettably it cannot be. I too hold certain responsibilities. I came merely to pay my respects, so this shall suffice.”
Malyeong turned and walked away, then slowly approached me.
“Your name was Wol-hyeop, was it not?”
“Yes.”
“I am Guan, an Elder of the Divine Sect. A pleasure to meet you.”
An Elder of the Divine Sect. A true pillar of the Divine Sect, distinct from Palma and different still from the Celestial Demon.
He was someone I knew little about.
Whoosh.
The hand he extended toward me for a handshake was drenched in the blood of the man he had just killed. Guan smiled sheepishly at the sight.
“Ah, how careless of me. Allow me to use my other hand….”
I grasped his bloodstained hand before he could finish speaking.
“I am Bangseong-yeon of the Cheongwol Sect. It is an honor to meet you, Elder of the Divine Sect.”
“…Oh?”
An attitude of indifference toward the blood. At this, Guan’s gaze shifted.
I had worried whether he might try to transmit some energy, but I sensed nothing of the sort.
“Truly fascinating…. The rumors of your desirability were sincere. A child like you should have belonged to our Divine Sect. Ah, I heard you had dealings with a child of the Woo clan?”
“Ah, yes. That is true.”
“How was the Woo clan’s prodigy?”
“Prodigy?”
That word struck me. I tilted my head as if in thought.
“Aha…. Your reaction is quite vivid.”
“No, I was simply thinking for a moment…. He was decent enough. Probably.”
“Hahaha.”
At the mention of Woo Yeongjin, the Elder laughed roughly.
“…I thought he was a reasonably capable child. It’s surprising to hear you assess him so modestly. Was he truly only that much?”
“No. He was genuinely not bad at all.”
Dang Cheon-il was simply the stronger one. Judging by Woo Yeongjin’s momentum and level, I thought he was at a decent standard.
Though that’s merely what I think.
“Is that so?”
The Elder’s expression shifted subtly at my response. Was something bothering him?
“I merely wish to say that even if the boy is talented, he’s not someone to showcase with pride, so I hope you won’t end up disappointed.”
“I understand.”
Was he telling me not to judge the Demonic Sect’s level by Woo Yeongjin alone? Well, I’d need to see more to know for certain. I only just learned of the existence of the Deity’s Disciples. If I had to set a standard, wouldn’t it be the Young Master?
‘If that man’s level goes higher.’
It’s a slightly unsettling thought, but I don’t think the likelihood is great. If that were the case, Woo Yeongjin wouldn’t have been so reckless.
‘They said there’s an Elder backing Woo Ga.’
This old man didn’t seem to be the one. His tone and demeanor suggested otherwise.
‘For now, I should focus on other matters rather than the Disciples.’
The Elder. The figure who introduced himself as an Elder of the Deity Sect.
Leaving this old man, who seemed acquainted with the Sword Emperor, behind.
‘The person I need to meet is also called an Elder.’
Another Elder existing within the Deity Sect. I need to find him.
“Now that introductions are complete, shall we head inside? We’ve prepared quite a grand welcome.”
“…I’m grateful for your consideration.”
I release my hand. Surprisingly, not a single drop of blood clung to my palm.
The same held true for the old man’s hand. It was nowhere to be seen, as if it had evaporated.
If I had evaporated it with my power, there would be some sensation. How could this be?
‘What is this?’
As I felt this sense of incongruity.
끼이이이이익—!!!
The massive gate opens.
The Celestial Demon Sect. The place I’d only heard tales of. The land of defeated remnants where the Celestial Demon had perished and vanished.
It was time to enter the den of the Marins.

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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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