The World’s Greatest is Dead

Blue Moon Sect (靑月門)

The sect had an intuitive name that meant “Blue Moon”. While it resided in Henan, unlike the famous orthodox sects known as the Nine Great Sects, its history was not particularly long.

At most, 200 years.

At its broadest, 300 years.

Although its history was considerably shorter compared to other sects, the Blue Moon Sect’s prestige did not correlate with its brief history.

It was a sect that had emerged with the birth of the Murim Alliance. The sect was founded by the first sect leader and the inaugural leader of the Murim Alliance, Blue Moon Sword. This meant that it was essentially a direct affiliate of the Murim Alliance.

As the Murim Alliance’s standing soared to the heavens, so did that of the Blue Moon Sect. The current leader of the Murim Alliance was always one of the strongest or most prestigious individuals of their time.

Since the Murim Alliance’s inception, there had been a total of eighteen leaders. Out of those, eight were warriors from the Blue Moon Sect. This indicated the extent of their influence and power.

Despite the presence of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Families, some people discreetly held the Blue Moon Sect in higher regard. Even if they didn’t openly admit it, within the Murim Alliance, “the Blue Moon Sect was revered as divinity”.

It was a direct affiliate of the Murim Alliance. Moreover, part of their prestige was due to the position held by a previous leader.

Sword Saint Yu Chun-gil.

He was the 13th sect leader of the Blue Moon Sect and a former leader of the Murim Alliance. Furthermore, about forty years ago, he ended the Great Demonic War instigated by the Heavenly Demon, the leader of the Demonic Cult, earning the title of The World’s Greatest.

Although it was reported that he died of an illness about a dozen years ago, he was such a legendary martial artist that even someone like me, who had no interest in Murim, had heard his name.

The place where Yu Chun-gil had served as the sect leader was the Blue Moon Sect.

‘That guy, he’s from the Blue Moon Sect?’

The white-haired young man who had introduced himself as Chun Uijin had me swallowing hard.

Now it all became clear.

‘Why the branch manager was so cautious of him, and why he had such a nervous breakdown.’

It all made sense now.

‘Was it the Namgung Family who was backing him after all?’

If he was from the Blue Moon Sect, that made perfect sense. Even his name, precisely his surname, was significant.

‘If his surname is Chun… isn’t that the same as the current sect leader?’

Moon God Sword Chun Sung-Hwa.

After Sword Saint Yu Chun-gil’s death, the surname of the next sect leader was also Chun. This couldn’t be a coincidence, and I firmly believed it wasn’t.

This meant…

‘Is he a blood relative of the Blue Moon Sect leader?’

Whether he was a direct descendant or a collateral relative, it was certain he had the bloodline. That was why the branch manager was looking at him—no, now the branch manager turned to me.

Despite Chun Uijin’s appearance, the branch manager respectfully clasped his hands and looked at me.

“…What the heck is going on here?”

Barely suppressing my confusion, I asked Chun Uijin.

“… Who did you say I was to whom?”

I was asking again due to the incomprehensible situation created by Chun Uijin’s earlier words.

‘What? The Sword Saint’s disciple?’

What kind of sudden nonsense was this?

Why did the name of a deceased Sword Saint pop up, and what was this talk about disciples?

In response to my words, Chun Uijin momentarily looked at me with an expression of difficulty. He seemed to be eyeing me with a mixture of pity and apprehension.

Then,

“… Excuse me for a moment.”

Slowly, he reached for his sword.

What the hell was this?

At the chilling sensation, I flinched.

The blade was drawn with a swift sound.

“Huh?”

Chun Uijin held the sword straight, reflecting my face on the beautiful blade.

“Why are you showing me this—huh?”

The moment I saw it, I widened my eyes.

I hurriedly rubbed my eyes with my hand.

“What is this?”

My pupils had changed. My eyes, originally dark brown, were now blue for some reason.

What on earth was going on? As I stood in utter bewilderment,

“… I understand too well your desire to conceal it.”

“Excuse me? Conceal what… what exactly?”

Chun Uijin, who reflected my face with his sword, cautiously opened his mouth.

“Given that danger lurks around, perhaps it’s not the right time.”

“… No, that’s not it.”

“I deeply regret having come here despite knowing you are the benefactor who saved my life.”

“Damn it.”

Despite someone’s earnest attempt to speak, no one seemed to pay attention from all directions.

Is this really a change in attitude, or are they just being roundabout with their criticisms?

It made me wonder to such an extent.

“Please… please, won’t you listen to my words for a moment?”

At his desperate plea, I slightly furrowed my brows.

On one hand, he wasn’t listening to my words at all, and now he wanted me to listen to his story.

It was both ridiculous and curious to see what made him so desperate.

‘Blue Moon Sect, and yet, why did the descendant of the Sect Leader come all the way to Anhui to join the lower ranks of the Murim Alliance?’

It seemed that he came with a purpose.

It appeared he was seeking something from ‘that’ cave.

Recalling this, I spoke.

“… First.”

I felt member Yun – Chun Uijin, and the branch manager, flinch at my words.

Everyone was watching my every move.

It felt suffocating. Bearing with it, I asked.

“What happened to senior Yu?”

“Pardon…?”

Chun Uijin’s face displayed a puzzled expression, possibly due to the unexpected question.

“I am talking about our senior who was stabbed by your bodyguard.”

“…!”

Chun Uijin and my senior.

Yu Hyung-In. Betrayed and ambushed by that bastard, Pungyeon.

What happened to him?

I frowned while asking this.

“I understand you are in a hurry. And that this situation is a mess.”

My irritation was rising.

“But right now, isn’t it more important to inform me about the condition of the person who defended us and got injured by the bodyguard you brought here rather than talking about your situation?”

Rising irritation soon turned into anger.

“Ah… that…”

For some unknown reason, Chun Uijin became extremely flustered at my words.

Was it strange to see me get angry? I had questions, but as Chun Uijin was about to answer, he mumbled for a bit before speaking.

“… I apologize.”

It seemed like he had an excuse but chose to apologize instead.

“Young master Yu is currently assigned to the medical team and is resting.”

“And his condition?”

This time, the medical staff intervened to answer.

“The surgery went well… although a scar will remain, he should be able to move without much difficulty after about half a year of recuperation.”

“… Phew.”

I let out a sigh of relief at the words I heard.

Thank goodness.

It was fortunate that Yu Hyung-In hadn’t died and that the treatment went well.

Indeed, it was all fortunate.

I felt a great burden lifted. Thinking this, I looked up again.

Chun Uijin’s eyes now gleamed with hope, anticipating I would begin speaking.

However, the words I had for him were none other than this.

“Then, please leave for a while. And, if possible, come back tomorrow.”

“… What?”

Everyone was taken aback by the sudden order to leave.

Especially Chun Uijin’s expression was especially a sight to behold.

“It’s not that I’m refusing to speak with you.”

However, this was a necessary measure.

“I need some time to think, so please leave for now.”

I needed to assess the situation and process all the information I had heard.

This order to leave was for that purpose.

Wow…

‘I never imagined I would ever issue an order like this.’

And to the branch manager, no less.

If I told even the squad leader to leave, I’d probably get beaten up severely.

But to ask not just the squad leader but someone way higher in rank than the master to leave?

This might not be too bad…?

“Anyways…”

Asking for time, Chun Uijin seemed shaken but soon spoke up.

“Understood…”

After all, what else could he do? The person involved refused to talk for now.

Moreover,

‘He must be quite desperate.’

I could tell from Chun Uijin’s attitude that he was earnest.

Rather than forcefully pushing his circumstances, he didn’t insist on continuing the conversation.

This could be a matter of temperament, but if Chun Uijin’s backing was from Blue Moon Sect, it was a different story.

Of course, it was partly because the guy had some strange misconceptions about me.

‘Even so, it meant he had high expectations of me.’

Ultimately, it meant that I had the upper hand in our position.

Afterward, Chun Uijin led the branch manager and the others outside the room.

By observing the order in which they exited, I could gauge that Chun Uijin ranked higher in status than the branch manager.

This was useful information.

I stored each piece of information in my mind, and then,

“Well, then.”

Once everyone had disappeared, I turned my head towards the window.

Sunlight streamed through the window.

Someone had been standing there, watching me for a while.

No, to be precise… it was not someone, but a ghost.

“…Could you explain what’s going on now?”

『Chuckles.』

At my question, the ghost with blue eyes chuckled.

* * *

In the branch manager’s office located in Anhui.

A sly-looking man faced a middle-aged man there.

“I don’t understand.”

The sly-looking man, Jin Kyungchan, the second squad leader of the group, spoke to the branch manager.

“Suddenly, you say member Bang is the Sword Saint’s successor?”

The branch manager, renowned Military Blade Chun Wung, sighed at his incredulous attitude.

“I’ve explained it all, squad leader Jin.”

“But it’s hard to believe so easily…”

“Will the truth change just because you don’t believe it?”

“I heard that even he himself is denying it… but still…”

“Tsk.”

The branch manager clicked his tongue briefly, as if frustrated.

Only then did Jin Kyungchan close his mouth.

“Bang Sung-Yun… If anyone saw Young master Bang’s eyes, they would believe it.”

“…Eyes, you say?”

“Moon Eyes (月眼).”

“…!”

Jin Kyungchan gasped at the branch manager’s words.

“Young master Bang has awakened the Moon Eyes.”

“Such a thing!”

Jin Kyungchan couldn’t help but be astonished.

‘To think he had awakened the Moon Eyes?’

Jin Kyungchan swallowed his breath as he learned the truth.

Moon Eyes was the martial art of the Blue Moon Sect.

It was a phenomenon that occurred when one elevated the Blue Moon Sect’s Blue Moon Mind Technique to a certain level, causing the pupils to transform into a blue hue in resonance with the Cultivation Technique.

Moreover, not everyone achieved this transformation.

Out of hundreds, only about ten people, at most, in the Blue Moon Sect could achieve it.

Furthermore, it wasn’t just about the eyes turning blue.

Moon Eyes were a form of certification.

The Blue Moon Mind Technique, known as a divine skill of the Blue Moon Sect.

It indicated that one’s martial arts and physical abilities were in perfect harmony, and it also meant that the person would one day become a master recorded in history.

All the leaders of the Blue Moon Sect who became the leader of the Murim Alliance had awakened the Moon Eyes.

The Sword Saint Yu Chun-gil was the same, and even the current sect leader who succeeded him had them.

‘… Even those competing for the position of the next young leader possess Moon Eyes.’

Especially Chun Uijin’s sister, who was the most promising candidate for the young leader’s position—she, too, had awakened the Moon Eyes.

Given the situation, “Would you believe Young master Bang’s words in such a situation?”

“… Even so, it’s hard to trust so easily.”

“You…!”

“For the past year. We’ve had Young master Bang with us for a year.”

He was dissatisfied.

No, it was beyond dissatisfaction; it was completely inadequate.

That was Jin Kyungchan’s impression of Bang Sung-Yun.

He understood why he had brought the recommendation letter, but his skills were nonexistent, and he couldn’t even complete a morning jog properly.

Jin Kyungchan couldn’t understand how he got in and had even complained to the branch manager.

He had questioned why they had received such an incompetent person.

Every time, the branch manager had smiled wryly, wondering if he had made a mistake himself.

And now he said that he had hidden his true identity?

Jin Kyungchan couldn’t believe it.

If it were Yu Hyung-In instead.

Yes, he could believe it if it were that guy from the Blue Moon Sect.

But Bang Sung-Yun? It was absurd.

“Even if his eyes are blue, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are Moon Eyes, does it?”

“Squad leader Jin, are you suggesting that Young master Bang used some kind of trickery?”

“That’s something we need to investigate on our end now…”

“That-!”

“…!”

The branch manager’s shout caused Lord Jin to flinch.

The tingling sensation of inner qi resonated throughout the room.

“Could it be that a person who holds the title of a squad leader cannot even read a report properly? It should be clearly written there.”

“…”

The branch manager roared in fury, but Lord Jin’s expression remained unchanged.

A report? He had read it thoroughly.

‘Dong Baek-woo has died, and the squad leader has also perished.’

The survivors were Yu Hyung-In, Chun Uijin, and Bang Sung-Yun.

The Mountain Sky Demon had gathered the bodies of Namgung Family’s martial artists in the cave, planning to continue luring and killing others, though the reason remained unclear.

It was said that Chun Uijin’s guard also participated in the massacre and had intended to kill everyone in the cave. The reason for this was also unclear.

The critical point was that Bang Sung-Yun had stopped these two martial artists in their tracks.

‘… Killed two peak martial artists? And did it alone?’

Especially the state of the guard when the reinforcements arrived was a sight to behold.

Not a single bone in his body was intact, and his face was so beaten up that it was nearly impossible to recognize his original appearance.

In short, he had been beaten to death. He had beaten a peak-level martial artist to death.

‘That’s absurd.’

How could Jin Kyungchan believe such a thing?

‘Bang Sung-Yun is a third-rate martial artist.’

He had seen and felt it for himself. Had he really concealed himself with such extreme acting and only now revealed his true self? And then, emerged to take down two peak martial artists? Furthermore…

‘The Sword Saint’s successor…?’

There were too many unbelievable aspects. As he mulled over this, Jin Kyungchan spoke to the branch manager.

“Branch Manager, no matter how I look at this, something’s amiss. So…”

At that moment.

Plop.

The branch manager tossed something to Jin Kyungchan.

“… What’s this?”

“It’s Young master Bang’s recommendation letter.”

“Why mention this suddenly?”

Why was he giving this to him now?

Jin Kyungchan carefully received what was tossed to him.

The branch manager continued speaking.

“I was always curious.”

As he listened, Jin Kyungchan unfolded the letter.

“I had my suspicions too. But in the end, hasn’t it come to this?”

“What do you mean… Oh…?”

Lord Jin, who was about to voice his confusion, froze after unfolding the letter.

The letter recommended Bang Sung-Yun to the Murim Alliance. It was somewhat formal and written in a style most commonly used. The issue lay with the recommender’s name at the end of the letter.

Jaegal Jin.

“This is…”

Seeing the name, squad leader Jin was at a loss for words. Seeing the surname, it was evident that he was from the Jaegal family, one of the Five Great Families.

Moreover…

“Have you ever heard of him writing a letter of recommendation for anyone?”

The current head of the Jaegal family. The strategist known as the eyes and ears of Sword Saint Yu Chun-Gil.

Jaegal Jin with the moniker ‘Thousand-Mile Eagle Eye’.

He was the one who recommended Bang Sung-Yun.

* * *

While a startling situation unfolded in the branch manager’s office, Bang Sung-Yun was equally surprised, much like Jin Kyungchan.

“… So… what you’re saying, elder…”

His facial muscles refused to move properly.

Struggling to compose himself, Bang Sung-Yun spoke.

“You forcibly taught me inner martial arts. If I want to live, I have to listen to you and learn martial arts. Is that what you mean?”

The old man chuckled at his words.

『Hahaha! After explaining for so long, it’s astonishing how you managed to condense it into just that sentence.』

“…”

『You truly are a clever lad.』

Seeing the old man laughing uproariously, Bang Sung-Yun cautiously asked.

“Elder.”

『Yes?』

“Are you perhaps out of your mind?”

He couldn’t hold it in.