The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 64

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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 064
When Sichuan came up, there was one thing my father had mentioned to me long ago.
It wasn’t so much a general comment as it was, precisely speaking, a warning.
‘My son.’
‘Yes, Father.’
‘Should you ever find yourself traveling to Sichuan, you must always conduct yourself with the utmost caution.’
For a man who spent his days daydreaming about women, his expression was unusually grave.
‘Why is that?’
‘Because Sichuan is an extraordinarily dangerous place.’
‘Come now. Where in this land isn’t dangerous?’
Sword-wielders are everywhere. People get cut down at the slightest provocation.
In this wretched world, what place could possibly be safe?
Thinking such thoughts, I swallowed a mouthful of withered side dishes.
‘Sichuan is a place where one must be especially careful, even among all such places.’
Seeing my indifference, my father continued his warning.
It wasn’t as though I was actually going to Sichuan—I’d merely asked what kind of place it was. Why was he reacting so intensely?
Only then did I pause and listen more attentively.
‘Since ancient times, it has been a gathering ground for heterodox sects. The Alliance brought order to it in the past, and it has become relatively stable… but the old ways still linger there.’
I’d heard of it before. Some heretical sect—the Vile Heaven Sect or something—had established itself in Sichuan and ruled it like a fiefdom.
But one day the Martial Arts Alliance intervened, and after a fierce battle, they drove them out of Sichuan.
‘What doesn’t disappear with the passage of time surely exists. Especially if it’s something wicked.’
‘You mean such things remain in Sichuan?’
‘Indeed. Particularly since the Vile Heaven Sect vanished, the clan that grew in power—the orthodox faction—is equally dangerous.’
‘A clan, you say… Could it be…’
‘The Dang Clan of Sichuan.’
The Dang Clan of Sichuan.
A family with roots in Sichuan that wielded considerable influence.
Their defining characteristic was their exceptional mastery of metalwork.
But in reality, they possessed a far more renowned and dangerous trait.
-The Dang Clan deals in poison and hidden weapons.
Behind the saying that the finest blades in the Central Plains are forged by the Dang Clan lay another truth:
Every poison that exists in the Central Plains can be found within the Dang Clan.
Be wary of their goodwill.
Examine carefully any food they offer you.
And be on guard against their smiles and their outstretched hands.
I couldn’t quite understand why he viewed an orthodox faction with such suspicion.
Yet even I had to admit the Dang Clan seemed somewhat dangerous.
‘Though it’s unlikely to happen, should you ever encounter someone from the Dang Clan, you must keep your wits about you.’
‘Where would I meet someone from the Dang Clan? I’m stuck in this backwater village every day.’
‘Well, there’s no harm in worrying ahead of time. Your father takes such care for you, after all…’
‘Yes, of course that would never happen, but if I do happen to meet the Dang Clan, I’ll keep an eye out. If I see them, that is.’
Going to Sichuan was already absurd enough, but meeting the Dang Clan there? It was ridiculous.
Back then, I had laughed it off, certain such a thing would never occur.
“…I’ve actually come here.”
I found myself frowning as I gazed upon the massive gate before me.
The Sichuan Dang Clan.
Such were the characters inscribed upon the gate standing before me.

* * *
One of the five great martial families of the realm.
A clan known as the hegemon of Sichuan.
‘…I never imagined I would actually come here.’
I had predicted we would have no connection until death.
Yet here I stood, having arrived with my own two feet at a place I could never have imagined visiting.
As I gazed quietly at the main gate, Cheon Euijin approached and spoke to me.
“Are you well?”
“Yes. Well enough.”
Truthfully, I was not well. I had lost count of how many days I had spent in that carriage.
No matter how skillfully Chugong drove, there were clear limits to what the journey could bear.
Moreover, an unsettling incident had occurred along the way, which had only hastened our arrival.
I glanced down at my hands.
“….”
A faint tremor and heaviness still lingered within me.
I knew this was not merely the aftermath of arduous travel.
I clenched my fist and forced myself to ignore it.
I had to arrive exhausted from the journey.
‘And yet even this alone is so draining.’
I found myself regarding Cheon Euijin and Do-hyeong with an expression of disgust.
‘How are these two not exhausted…?’
Throughout the entire journey, those two had insisted on training.
They had continued wielding their blades even while reducing their sleep.
Which meant they were getting less than two hours of rest per day.
‘And they did this without missing a single day.’
They were truly mad individuals.
“…Why do you look like that?”
“It’s nothing. I was just thinking you were insane… no, rather, truly remarkable.”
“Pardon?”
“In any case, should we simply wait here like this?”
I spoke while looking ahead. We had arrived and been waiting for some time now, yet no one had come.
Perhaps our message had arrived late? Though that seemed unlikely.
‘Are they trying to engage in a battle of auras?’
I narrowed my eyes slightly as I gazed at the Sichuan Dang Clan.
If this aura clash continues from the start, it’s going to be exhausting.
‘Should I just knock on the door?’
Just as I was about to raise my hand and pound away—
Creak—!
The door opened as if they had been waiting.
Several people emerged from the slowly opening door and greeted us.
“My apologies for making you wait.”
The man at the forefront spoke. He appeared to be slightly past twenty years old.
“We are honored to receive the distinguished guests of Cheonwol Gate.”
‘Ah.’
I inwardly admired him as I observed his features.
I thought I knew who he was.
Slightly upturned eyes. Pale skin for a man.
A height just under seven feet, yet with a slender frame.
An impression that seemed somehow cold….
‘A mole near his ear.’
Upon seeing that, I recalled the man’s name.
“I am from the Dang—”
“We are honored to meet the Young Lord of the Clan.”
“…!”
The man hesitated at my words.
“You are Young Lord Dang Jun of the Dang Clan, are you not?”
He nodded with a peculiar expression at my smiling remark.
“…That is correct. I am Dang Jun, the current Young Lord of the Dang Clan.”
Dang Jun.
The man known by the epithet Poison Tiger, the Young Lord of the Dang Clan.
He was said to be a formidable warrior, renowned since childhood.
His distinctive features were so pronounced that he was remarkably easy to remember.
Dang Jun seemed curious about how I had recognized him, but as befitted his position as Young Lord, he immediately composed himself.
At that moment.
“I am Do-hyeong of Cheonwol Gate.”
Do-hyeong stepped forward first to greet Dang Jun, as he was responsible for the current schedule.
“It is a pleasure.”
He bowed respectfully, and Dang Jun’s gaze turned toward us.
“I am Cheon Euijin of Cheonwol Gate.”
Cheon Euijin met his gaze and offered his greeting. At this point, I had no choice.
“I am Bangseong-yeon of Cheonwol Gate.”
“….”
He introduced his name, and Dang Jun’s gaze turned toward me.
The meaning contained in that gaze was singular.
-So it’s you.
The moment he looked at me was but a fleeting instant.
Yet the unmistakable intent behind that glance could not be misunderstood.
‘Damn.’
I managed my expression and forced a smile.
It seemed the Dang Clan already knew my name.
‘Has word spread more than I anticipated?’
The successor of the Sword Saint had appeared.
Such rumors had already begun trickling out from Anhui.
Perhaps Cheonwol Gate had attempted to suppress it, but I knew from the start that suppression was impossible.
‘…Because I made quite the spectacle.’
Dozens had witnessed me defeating Socheongeom of the Namgung Clan.
Would all those people keep their mouths shut? There was no reason for them to, so of course they wouldn’t.
The Martial Arts Alliance had no reason to suppress the rumors either, so word spread in all directions.
‘…If people in the provinces heard about it, then everything’s already out.’
Even in the villages I’d stopped at before coming here, I’d heard whispers about me.
Of course, regardless of such rumors.
‘They probably investigated long ago.’
Judging by the conditions the Dang Clan had requested from Cheonwol Gate, it seemed more accurate to say they sought me out rather than waited for me to arrive.
The successor of the Sword Saint would bring Manwol directly.
That was the condition.
“I shall escort you.”
Do-hyeong withdrew his gaze and spoke with courtesy.
As he turned his back, the servants fell into step in perfect formation.
“Mm.”
I followed them into the Dang Clan residence.
As I took each step, a thought crossed my mind.
‘The scent of iron.’
That was my first impression upon entering the Dang Clan.

* * *
The interior was quite expansive.
The Dang Clan’s reputation as Sichuan’s greatest family and one of the Five Great Houses was no mere exaggeration—the sheer scale and natural beauty of the residence testified to its grandeur.
Even the sections I passed in haste were meticulously decorated.
Pillars erected along the pathway.
Ponds constructed in side gardens and more.
It was evident that every detail had been carefully cultivated.
‘Quite refined.’
Compared to Cheonwol Gate, this place possessed a more sophisticated elegance.
I walked leisurely, savoring each sight as though sightseeing.
After a brief walk, we arrived.
“This is the residence.”
Dang Jun stopped at one of the buildings and instructed the servants.
“You there.”
At Dang Jun’s command, the servants approached and took our belongings.
Since I carried little, I handed them over without hesitation.
All except the wooden coffin in my grasp.
Dang Jun’s gaze lingered on what I held. He seemed to know what it was.
“…Please, this way.”
Dang Jun’s tone had grown quieter than before.
“The Lord of the Clan awaits you.”
Tension surged through me at those words.
‘So it begins.’
Given the reason for my visit, I had anticipated this, naturally.
‘To meet the Lord of one of the Five Great Houses….’
Not just anyone, but the Lord of the Five Great Houses.
Meeting him was no trivial matter for me.
And on my very first day of arrival, no less.
Creak.
Dang Jun entered the residence first. The servants remained motionless.
Was I meant to follow?
I slowly proceeded after him into the interior.
A long and spacious passage.
What struck me as curious was that unlike before, the metallic scent had noticeably diminished, replaced by a subtle floral fragrance drifting through the air.
The place carried a distinctly pleasant aroma.
Finding the sensation agreeable, I inhaled deeply while following Dang Jun.
After a brief walk, a door came into view ahead.
“Lord of the Clan, it is I, Dang Jun. I have brought the guests.”
As Dang Jun reported in a measured voice, a presence immediately made itself known from within the room.
-Enter.
Permission granted, and Dang Jun grasps the door, pulling it open.
Creak.
As the closed door swung open, a man sat at a desk within.
“Welcome.”
A well-dressed middle-aged man. The kind of figure I imagined Dang Jun would become with another decade of age.
Eyes sharpened considerably, and a more robust frame than Dang Jun’s were evident.
I immediately lowered my head.
“I greet the Lord of the Dang Clan.”
The moment the three of us showed our courtesy, the sound of the man rising from his seat reached my ears.
“You’ve traveled far and endured much hardship. I am Dang Gyeong-ak, Lord of the Dang Clan.”
I trembled.
This man was someone who had no need to introduce himself.
The Poison King, Dang Gyeong-ak.
One of the Five Heavenly Kings, called a powerhouse of the current Central Plains.
A master who had risen to an extraordinary position through his mastery of poison and secret techniques.
“It is truly an honor to meet the young talents of Cheonwol Gate. Please, raise your heads.”
Dang Gyeong-ak spoke with a smile playing at his lips. At his words, I forced myself to lift my gaze, but.
‘…Hmm.’
I could not bring myself to meet his eyes.
Was it fear of looking upon Dang Gyeong-ak? That too was true. How could one so easily face one of the Five Heavenly Kings?
But.
‘…This is spinning.’
That was not the only problem.
“You’re all quite handsome, young friends. The future of Cheonwol Gate shines very brightly indeed.”
Dang Gyeong-ak swept his gaze across the three of us as he spoke.
“So I must ask.”
In that moment.
[Who are you?]
Dang Gyeong-ak’s voice and another’s voice overlapped in my ears.
As I listened to the words, I focused on his back.
There was no need to search. The culprit was right there.
“Who is the successor of Elder Yoo?”
[Who is that bastard’s disciple?]
“….”
Clinging to Dang Gyeong-ak’s back was a presence as sinister as they come.
The moment I saw it, I understood with eerie clarity.
‘…What a life.’
This situation too would not proceed smoothly.

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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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