The World’s Greatest is Dead

The World’s Greatest is Dead – Chapter 121

The Seven Geniuses.

In Central Plains, it was a term for picking the most distinguished representatives among the younger generation.

These individuals were not only proof of the generational shift that would lead Central Plains in the coming decades but also indicators of how much attention the current younger generation were receiving regarding their future and present potential.

Interest in the younger generation has always been high. However, the attention they were receiving now was exceptionally explosive.

Of course, why wouldn’t it be?

“It was the beginning of a generational shift.”

It was the era of storms.

It had been quite some time since the war with the Demonic Cult ended. The heroes who made achievements during that time were gradually disappearing into history.

The Poison Sovereign, the supreme master of poison arts and the nightmare of the war, had died. The Sword Emperor, hailed as the World’s Greatest swordsman, had concealed his existence. The Bow Ghost had retreated to his land of the North Sea, announcing that he would not appear again.

Apart from these, all of the Heaven Beyond Heaven had either disappeared or were spending their remaining lives in their own clans.

The biggest reason was more significant than just these.

The death of the Sword Saint.

The World’s Greatest had died, leading to a major upheaval. The position of the World’s Greatest, left vacant after his death, was now the question of who would take it.

Some argued that the Sword Emperor, who was still alive, had taken the supreme position, but he had also vanished. People speculated amongst the living Heaven Beyond Heaven who would claim the title, but it was never concluded.

They wouldn’t fight amongst themselves. They had too much to lose. Many eyes and mouths were watching their every move, and they knew this better than anyone, so they chose not to engage in such trivial pursuits.

That was the reason.

Though not from Heaven Beyond Heaven, there were those expected to ascend to that throne in the future. The seven geniuses, recognized even among the immensely talented younger generation—the Seven Geniuses.

Naturally, a lot of curiosity was directed toward them.

Since the Heaven Beyond Heaven did not move, the vacant position of the World’s Greatest led people to speculate that perhaps in the next generation, or the one after that, one of the Seven Geniuses would fill that spot.

The interest in them was incredibly high.

Who was the strongest of the younger generation? This interest in naming the strongest among the younger generation was quite deep, and among them, all but one…

“The Poison Dragon was considered not that strong.”

Ranked lower among the Seven Geniuses, the evaluations were harsh despite calling him the reincarnation of the Poison Sovereign.

It was somewhat predictable.

“His performance in the last Dragon-Phoenix Tournament was poor.”

Once every five years, the Murim Alliance held a martial arts competition exclusively for the younger generation. This event gathered nearly a hundred youngsters from the generation in a bizarre festival of fights.

In that competition, the Poison Dragon…

“Was utterly defeated by another of the Seven Geniuses.”

Who was it again? I had studied about the Poison Dragon. Probably…

“It was the Black Greatsword of the Peng Family.”

The Black Greatsword was a younger generation, a direct bloodline from Hebei’s Five Great Families, the Peng Family. The Poison Dragon had lost to him.

It wasn’t just a regular loss, either.

“He was defeated very miserably.”

He couldn’t even put up a proper fight and was almost beaten in a single strike.

With such a poor showing, it was impossible to avoid harsh evaluations from the public.

Nonetheless…

“Even so, being one of the Seven Geniuses is significant.”

This did not mean the Poison Dragon wasn’t a genius or proof that he was weak. Look right now.

“A forceful aura rising while gripping a dagger so fiercely.”

It made me shudder.

“Oh.”

I involuntarily almost rubbed my arm. Though I didn’t, goosebumps likely formed.

“Did I provoke him unnecessarily?”

I had berated him angrily, but looking at him now, I regretted it a little.

However…

“Insulting family crosses the line.”

Regret was regret, but I couldn’t just let him slide. His words couldn’t be overlooked.

“Insulting my father?”

No matter how worthless and shameful it was to call him father, and no matter how much I wanted to abandon him…

“Only I can insult him.”

No one else should easily mention him. I drew the sword strapped to my waist.

Seeing this, Tang Chun-il curled his lips.

“… Ha…”

His smile clearly showed ridicule.

“Little Sword Saint, Little Sword Saint. Do you really think that since others talk you up, you’ve become something?”

“…”

I didn’t answer, just tilting my head slightly, signaling him to continue rambling.

“I heard you killed a master of the Evil Faction with one stroke. I don’t believe it. At most, it must be a minor grunt.”

“Why do you think that?”

“You can never be a master. Your gaze, your stance, everything…”

“What’s so funny, punk? And who are you to judge that?”

It made sense, but intensely irritated me. Probably because the speaker was odious.

“No matter what tricks you have used, you can’t fool my eyes.”

*Whish-!*

The dagger made a twisting motion and then aimed its edge at me.

Sneering, he spoke to me.

“Seems like you wanted me to be intimidated by rumors, but how unfortunate. I am not someone who would be affected by such things-”

“Ah, your face is really ugly, so don’t make that expression.”

“……”

I couldn’t help but interrupt. I usually try to hold back, but this was too much.

Was it my imagination? For a brief moment, he looked like he was hurt.

『…… Wouldn’t someone with a face like his feel hurt if you insulted them?』

Yu Chun-gil pointed out my fault. Hearing it, I gave an embarrassed smile.

“Sorry. That was a bit harsh.”

“You son of a… mocking me again…?”

“No, I wasn’t mocking you. This time I genuinely meant to apologize…”

“You think less of me because of what happened with that woman yesterday.”

“Ah, so you do know you got beaten up? Even you must think it was pretty disgraceful, right?”

“You son of a-!!”

Interrupted again and again, Tang Chun-Il roared in anger.

At his voice, I secretly swallowed nervously.

I could even feel a murderous aura.

“Alright. I promise you right here that by any means necessary.”

Tang Chun-Il declared with flashing eyes.

“I will kill you for sure!!”

With a burst of energy, he charged at me.

Watching him, I licked my lips slightly and raised my sword.

‘Can I do this?’

The opponent was one of the Seven Geniuses.

Could I really handle this? Amid concerns and doubts.

『Shall I help?』

Yu Chun-gil asked in a subtle voice.

Shaking my head, I rejected his offer.

It hadn’t been long since he possessed me.

The duration wasn’t that long either.

Besides, ‘I want to try it myself.’

I wanted to experience this. I was curious about how far I, as myself, could go without Yu Chun-gil’s help.

‘Moreover.’

Even if it wasn’t for that.

‘I somehow feel like I can win.’

I was confident that I could defeat him.

I was overflowing with such confidence.

* * *

While Tang Chun-Il was clashing with Bang Sung-Yun, unleashing his energy.

Tang Yelan watched nervously.

‘What on earth is happening all of a sudden……?’

She had come here right after completing his sword, only to see her orabeoni and Bang Sung-Yun looking like they were about to fight.

Especially, the aura Tang Chun-Il was exuding was unusual.

If left alone, Bang Sung-Yun might get hurt.

Just as she was thinking that, Tang Yelan was about to step in.

“Stop.”

“!”

Someone grabbed her shoulder, forcing her to halt.

Surprised, Tang Yelan turned around, and there stood an unbelievably beautiful woman looking calmly at her.

“Why interfere when it’s just getting good?”

“…… Young lady Murong……”

The person holding her shoulder was none other than Murong Yeongsun.

“They are giving you a good show. Why not just watch? It might be fun.”

Her slight smile almost made Tang Yelan’s heart flutter, despite both of them being women.

It’s amazing how someone can smile so beautifully. As these thoughts passed through her mind.

“…… Are you seriously just going to watch this?”

Tang Yelan widened her eyes at Murong Yeongsun’s words.

“It’s dangerous… Given my orabeoni’s current state, who knows what he might do.”

Having experienced Tang Chun-Il’s temper.

In his current state, he could cause a huge trouble.

So, it was necessary to stop him before anything major happened.

“Are you worried?”

Despite hearing this, Murong Yeongsun remained indifferent.

Feeling baffled by Murong Yeongsun’s attitude, Tang Yelan asked.

“Isn’t it obvious…? Aren’t you worried, young lady Murong?”

“Not particularly. Young lady Tang, are you worried about Young master Bang? Or are you concerned about the Young master Poison Dragon?”

“…… Obviously.”

Even though she was worried about Young master Bang, Tang Yelan couldn’t voice her concern.

Because somehow it felt embarrassing.

Seeing her reaction, Murong Yeongsun chuckled.

“Well, that’s a relief.”

“…… What…… is?”

What was she relieved about? Actually, her sincere expression puzzled Tang Yelan even more.

“Judging by your reaction, Young lady Tang, it seems you still have a long way to go. A very, very long way.”

“What do you mean……? What is far off?”

“Young lady Tang, listen carefully.”

Murong Yeongsun said, still holding her smile.

“Worrying… No, worrying about Young master Bang in this situation itself is wrong.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s not necessary to worry about him.”

Was Worrying about Bang Sung-Yun a mistake?

It was an unbelievable statement.

“You……”

Before she could ask if Murong Yeongsun wasn’t worried about Bang Sung-Yun being in trouble.

“Shall I tell you something?”

Once again Tang Yelan was interrupted.

“Young master Bang.”

Murong Yeongsun’s eyes were filled with conviction.

“Never fights a battle he can’t win.”

The certainty was overwhelming.

* * *

*Swish-! Clang-!!*

The dagger thrust forward sharply.

I blocked it by raising my sword.

Sparks flew as the blade scraped against it.

Feeling the heavy recoil, I twisted my wrist.

*Crack-!!*

The dagger thrust in not just once but several times.

As if it knew I would block it.

The flow resembled a snake’s movements.

The speed was so fast that if one wasn’t careful, it would look like several daggers attacking at once.

‘Tsk.’

*Clang-! Clang, clang-!*

I barely managed to block the attack. I blocked it and marveled internally.

‘Did I just block that?’

In the past, I wouldn’t have been able to react at such speed.

Now, not only could I see it, but I could also block it.

After deflecting the dagger, “Huff.”

I twisted my waist and swung my sword. Sword qi erupted explosively from the blade.

The first form of the Blue Moon Sword Dance. Moon Wave.

I swung my sword sharply, as if drawing a crescent moon.

*Swoosh-!!!*

Although the sword flashed and slashed at the enemy,

‘Damn.’

What I cut was only an afterimage.

The enemy had long disappeared from that spot.

I rolled my eyes to detect the presence.

*Zip-!*

I sensed it. From the left.

Even after identifying it, I moved my sword to the right.

*Thunk-!*

“Hah.”

I blocked the attack with my sword.

The owner of the dagger, Poison Dragon, narrowed his eyes.

“How did you know?”

He asked while we were still facing each other.

Why was he so amazed that his decoy was detected?

The answer to that was simple.

“How did I know? You clearly wouldn’t come that obviously.”

The truth was that Tang Chun-il wasn’t stupid.

He had gone to the trouble of hiding himself, making such an obvious decoy was nonsense.

“…… You’re quick-witted.”

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, I like it.”

*Creeeak-! *

The Poison Dragon put more strength into the dagger.

“So much that I want to kill you.”

“–!”

I turned my head.

*Swoosh-!*

Something grazed my chin and shot into the air.

*Thunk-!*

What flew got embedded in the ceiling. It was a dagger.

*Wooong-!!*

In the brief moment as my head lifted and my focus scattered, I felt a rough energy from Tang Chun-il’s direction.

I quickly turned my gaze downward.

Where did he go?

The enemy was not visible. His presence? That too couldn’t be felt.

This was.

‘That.’

It was the martial art of the Tang family known for hiding one’s presence to the extreme.

It was what he had showcased during the sparring match with Tang Yelan.

‘Impressive.’

I really couldn’t see him. In broad daylight in the training ground with no obstacles to hide behind.

Could someone be this invisible?

Twisting my head here and there, I tried to locate Poison Dragon.

“Where are you looking?”

Surprisingly, the voice came from behind me.

When I turned my head, I saw Tang Chun-il’s eyes glimmering.

“It’s the end, vermin.”

Along with his eyes, the dagger in his hand also shimmered.

The Seven Sorrows Severance of the Tang Family.

Using the dagger, Poison Dragon executed the Tang family’s technique.

The dagger drove towards my vital points. If it continued like this, it would be serious trouble.

But, *Clang-!*

“!!”

‘That’s only if it hits.’

The attack did not succeed.

I deflected it with my sword.

“How did-!”

Seeing his attack fail, he reacted.

While I observed his reaction, he spoke.

“Where were you looking?”

Where was I looking?

“I saw everything.”

I had seen it all.

Moon Eye showed me more than I expected, and I had captured it all.

Pretending not to see was unexpectedly difficult, but thankfully, because of it.

‘He created an opening.’

Now is the time. This is the moment to strike.

*Fwoosh–!!!*

Light infused the sword.

A light so intense, it seemed to pierce through everything.

The 3rd Form. Radiant Moon’s Annihilation.

And then.

‘The second form.’

Night Moon.

The radiance-draped sword blossomed into the night.

And the sword so forged, *Swoosh-!* cleft Poison Dragon’s world into two.