The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 564
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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 564
Training ended, and a day had passed.
I accomplished nothing during the training to capture the Instructor, occupied entirely with clashing against the Heavenly Sword and grappling.
That day’s training concluded in such a manner.
‘The Instructor was the most flustered.’
Since the two of us fought and ended it ourselves, the Instructor standing nearby was caught off guard. We battled amongst ourselves and concluded it amongst ourselves.
“Tsk.”
I clicked my tongue. Then I lowered the sword I’d been holding.
“Damn it.”
Restless. My entire body tingled. Aftereffects from yesterday. Ah, this is rather taxing.
It differed from ordinary muscle soreness. The backlash from applying the Celestial Demon Divine Art seemed to be arriving now.
I struggled to loosen my sluggish body.
‘My condition isn’t quite right.’
The application of qi. Something felt amiss there. Using martial arts independently posed no problem, but—
‘Something.’
The qi itself.
Spirit energy seemed to be forcibly seeping into the vortex of qi swirling within me. I couldn’t discern whether this was a positive or negative influence.
Originally, if I could simply use spirit energy like releasing breath—
‘After using the Celestial Demon Divine Art—’
Spirit energy appeared to be gradually mixing into my martial arts themselves. Was such a thing even possible?
[Who knows.]
The Celestial Demon expressed uncertainty regarding this matter. Demonic arts were inherently such things, or so it had been said.
‘No.’
More precisely, the very concept of the Celestial Demon Divine Art, not Magi, involved blending spirit energy in its application.
Thus, those capable of using it were exceedingly rare.
‘The concept proceeding through clan inheritance as well.’
The Cheonsal Sect is heavily influenced by heredity, and the Cheonsal Sect is part of karma. Karma is the influence of the soul, after all.
‘The possibility of wielding spirit energy would be considerable.’
Yet that is merely possibility. No matter how significant the hereditary influence—
‘When observing Yoo Yeon, it’s not simply that—’
Though Yoo Yeon excels in martial talent, from the perspective of spirit energy, her aptitude in that domain appears meager.
In any case, if spirit energy must be used to apply the Celestial Demon Divine Art—
‘Then what did he use?’
The Heavenly Sword. What would the Celestial Demon Divine Art he wielded feel like? According to the Celestial Demon, it was half-baked.
[If one cannot influence the soul, the divine art holds no value as divine art.]
Thus, what the Heavenly Sword uses amounts to nothing more than imitation, it was said.
The problem is.
‘So—’
Imitation or otherwise.
‘Where did that bastard even see the Celestial Demon Divine Art?’
Setting aside the talent needed to become a Celestial Demon Candidate—to imitate the Celestial Demon’s Divine Art, I would need to witness it firsthand.
‘But the Celestial Demon is already dead.’
There’s no way he could have seen the Celestial Demon’s Divine Art from someone already deceased.
‘Then where did that man see it?’
It was a mystery.
“Do you know anything about this?”
[How would I know?]
“I suppose not.”
Utterly useless creatures, these beings.
Well, not even creatures, really.
With an indifferent expression, I sheathed my sword at my waist.
After retrieving it, I headed back to my residence. Since I’d come to a place with few people around, I had to take a longer route back.
As I entered the residence—
Boom—!
A loud crash echoed from inside. What was that? Puzzled, I stepped in to find—
“Ugh!”
Dang Cheon-il was rolling across the floor.
“…You keep getting on my nerves.”
Paeng Dojin stood glaring at Dang Cheon-il with an angry face. Ah, I see.
‘A familiar sight.’
Nothing remarkable about it—just the usual situation.
I entered with an impassive expression and asked casually.
“What are you two doing?”
“….”
Both Dang Cheon-il and Paeng Dojin turned to look at me.
Then Dang Cheon-il growled and spoke.
“That bastard…. No, that man keeps ruining the mood, doesn’t he?”
“What did I do?”
“What did you do?! Sitting around all day with that constipated expression is driving me insane. Are you going to keep that up? You lost to the Heavenly Sword—is that really eating at you so much?”
“I didn’t lose!”
Kwaaang—! A surge of pressure erupted from Paeng Dojin’s body.
“I didn’t lose. In the first place….”
Paeng Dojin’s words trailed off as he clenched his teeth with a grinding sound.
“I never even fought him.”
“Hm?”
At those words, I tilted my head in confusion.
“You never fought him?”
“That’s right.”
The expression of frustration on his face was striking. What did he mean by never fighting at all?
“Forget it. What’s there to say?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. There’s nothing more to discuss, so why are you so worked up? You clearly lost….”
His words trailed off because Paeng Dojin grabbed his chair as if to hurl it.
Then he set it down without throwing it.
“…Tch.”
He ground his teeth and stood up. What’s gotten into him?
“What is it.”
“…I don’t know either. Ugh, it hurts….”
Dang Cheon-il struggled to his feet, his body swaying.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m not alright….”
He certainly looked it.
From being pummeled by the Heavenly Sword yesterday, there wasn’t a single unblemished spot on Dang Cheon-il’s body.
Woon-ryong seemed to have recovered somewhat after a few days, but this one would take longer to fully heal.
“Damn it. If I meet that bastard again, I’ll beat him senseless.”
“Beat him? You’d just get beaten worse.”
“…That’s not true. I was simply caught off guard back then.”
“Off guard my ass.”
No conscience whatsoever. The Heavenly Sword’s realm was far beyond Dang Cheon-il’s.
It was a gulf he could never overcome.
‘Which is precisely why it’s so strange.’
Yet when the Heavenly Sword fought me, something felt off—as if he wasn’t fighting at full capacity.
He did employ the Celestial Demon Divine Art and other martial techniques.
‘But still-‘
Still, that was all.
He never used his secret art. What could his secret art be?
‘Why didn’t he use it?’
Whether mimicking the Celestial Demon Divine Art or something else, even if one employs such techniques, one ultimately needs the power of one’s true self.
At least, that’s what I believed.
‘He continues to refrain from using it.’
There had to be a reason.
“Anyway, get some proper rest today.”
“…Yes.”
There’s no training today. That’s why I’d already finished my morning cultivation.
Leaving Dang Cheon-il behind, I glanced toward the room Paeng Dojin had entered. What was wrong with him?
‘Should I start looking into it?’
I was too busy with my own affairs to care—yet seeing him like this was oddly irritating.
‘Well, for now-‘
That could wait.
With that thought, I spotted the person I’d been waiting for. Not long after, someone descended the staircase.
“You came?”
“….”
Yoo Yeon nodded. I had plans with her today.
* * *
I stepped outside and walked through the Current Location. People bustled about, and I felt their gazes piercing through the crowd.
Since I’d put a veil on Yoo Yeon, I figured the attention was directed at me.
Whispers reached my ears.
Something about being Yoo Cheon-gil’s Jeonin, or a figure of Jeongpa—I thought the stares were drawn for those reasons.
“…Why is he so handsome?”
“How can someone’s features be that delicate?”
“…What is that?”
‘Ah.’
They were staring because I was handsome. Right, I often forgot that I was good-looking.
It was partly because I’d rarely leveraged this face in my favor.
As I walked carefully with that thought, I encountered someone waiting for us in the alley ahead.
“….”
The moment I saw him, his expression twisted—it was Woo Yeongjin.
“…Why do you keep summoning me?”
“It’s been a while.”
“I saw you yesterday. What do you mean by a while…. Tch.”
As he spoke, Woo Yeongjin clenched his teeth. I laughed awkwardly at the sight. Today was a somewhat apologetic situation, after all.
Yesterday I’d suggested we deal with the Instructor together, but that didn’t work out. I’d only ended up grappling with Gyemun before it all fell apart.
My plans had gone awry because of the information the Heavenly Sword provided, and as a result, Woo Yeongjin hadn’t gotten what he was supposed to gain.
That’s why he was looking at me with dissatisfaction.
“I’ll help you properly next time. Cut me some slack today, will you?”
“…Damn it.”
We were still in a cooperative relationship. Looking at Woo Yeongjin, I could tell there was still more he could extract from me.
“Sigh.”
Woo Yeongjin exhaled a short breath and spoke to me.
“What do you need this time?”
“Ah, would you come with me to the Blacksmith?”
“…The Blacksmith?”
“Yes.”
I gestured with my hand toward Yoo Yeon’s waist, where a sword hung.
“I need to get the sword repaired.”
“…?”
Woo Yeongjin’s expression crumpled.
* * *
Clang—! Clang—! Clang—!
A space filled with the resonant sound of metal striking metal.
The air shimmered with oppressive heat. In temperatures that made breathing difficult, the place we’d found was a blacksmith in the current location.
“It’s been a while.”
“Young Master Woo! What brings you here…?”
“I have a job I’d like to ask your help with.”
The moment Woo Yeongjin appeared, the craftsmen at the blacksmith came forward to greet him. As expected.
This man was from an influential family in Singang, so I figured we could use that connection.
“A job, you say?”
“…Draw it out.”
At Woo Yeongjin’s words, Yoo Yeon unsheathed her sword and showed it.
“…You’ve been using this all this time?”
The blacksmith was horrified at the sight of Yoo Yeon’s blade.
The edge had completely dulled, leaving the sword in terrible condition. I was equally shocked.
‘…Was it this bad?’
I’d simply brought her here when she mentioned her sword needed repairs.
It was worse than I’d thought. At this point, calling it a sword rather than a blunt instrument wouldn’t be far off.
It looked more suited for bludgeoning than for cutting.
“Hmm…”
The master craftsman let out a heavy sigh.
“…Looking at this, I’d say it’s better to buy a new sword rather than repair it. Is it a renowned blade?”
Yoo Yeon shook her head. Fortunately, it wasn’t an expensive sword. It seemed to be one of the standard blades issued by Hwasan.
“The quality of the steel looks decent enough, but…this level of damage would be difficult to repair. Unless you’re dealing with a master craftsman of the highest caliber, it would be more practical to simply purchase a new one rather than entrust such a blade to repairs.”
From a cost-benefit perspective, that made sense. I agreed as well.
“Right, if it’s not an important sword, just buy a new one.”
“…”
Yoo Yeon nodded. We decided to abandon the repair and get a new blade entirely.
“Take your pick.”
It seemed they sold swords here as well. The blacksmith led us to a place where numerous blades were displayed in rows.
Yoo Yeon looked around the area where the swords were kept.
“Pick one. This friend will buy it for you.”
“What?”
Woo Yeongjin’s eyes widened at my jest. It was a joke. Half of one, anyway.
In any case, since Yoo Yeon was also a swordswoman, she showed interest in selecting a blade, examining various options. She ventured deeper and deeper into the shop.
Then.
Buzz.
‘Hm?’
Suddenly, I felt a vibration from my waist. The Celestial Demon Heavenly Sword.
It suddenly emitted a sword cry.
I quickly grabbed it and stopped the vibration.
‘What’s going on? Why is she doing this?’
Why had she suddenly stopped? I was puzzled by her behavior.
She came to an abrupt halt.
Yoo Yeon stopped at a particular spot.
[Hmm.]
At the same moment, the Celestial Demon reacted.
With a metallic scrape, Yoo Yeon pulled a single blade from the pile of swords. It appeared to be an ordinary, worn weapon.
But.
[…Why is that sword here?]
The Celestial Demon seemed to recognize this blade.
Uuuuoooong—!!
The Heavenly Sword resonated in harmony with it.
Something.
‘…She’s picked up something unusual.’
It didn’t seem to be an ordinary sword after all.
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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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