The World’s Greatest is Dead

After Namgung Sung, the Young Azure Sword, had left.

Only Chun Uijin and I remained in the room, which was now enveloped in a somewhat silent atmosphere.

As the serene ambiance persisted, it was Chun Uijin who first broke the silence after some time had passed.

“I’m sorry…”

Upon hearing his apology, I tilted my head quizzically.

“What for?”

When I asked, Chun Uijin gently clenched his fist.

“I put you in such a situation even though you’re still not well…”

Feeling a bit embarrassed by his seemingly guilty confession, I scratched my cheek.

‘It wasn’t really his fault that this situation came to be.’

If anything, it was more my fault. Or rather, that damned old man Yu Chun-gil created this situation.

Damn old man.

“No… it’s fine.”

I replied, trying to hide my emotions as much as possible.

“It just means you were that desperate.”

“…”

When I spoke as if I understood, Chun Uijin’s mouth opened and closed a few times.

“… Thank you.”

Eventually, he uttered his thanks, and I briefly nodded in response.

“Don’t worry about it. After all, the only one who is in trouble is you, Young Master Chun.”

“…”

He had to hide his identity in Anhui, working as a low-ranking member of the Murim Alliance, only to be betrayed by a trusted bodyguard. And by the looks of it, he didn’t seem to have a good relationship with the Namgung family either.

If anyone was struggling, it was him.

“N-no, it’s not.”

Chun Uijin spoke as if it was nothing, but words don’t always reflect the truth.

Thinking about that, I picked up a piece of candy from the plate in front of me and ate it.

Then, he turned to me and asked, “But, Young master Bang, are you alright?”

“Hmm? About what?”

“About rejecting Namgung’s proposal.”

“Rejection?”

Ah, he’s talking about the sponsorship offer.

“Well, it just didn’t feel right.”

Although I said it like that…

‘Of course, it was not alright at all. Damn it…’

My true feelings were completely different from my words.

The thought of it still made my stomach churn.

If I had accepted, my life would have been set.

‘My life…’

All because of that troublesome old man, everything turned into a mess.

I forced myself not to pout and asked Chun Uijin, “But Young Master Chun.”

“Yes?”

“How can you be so certain?”

“Pardon…?”

Chun Uijin looked puzzled by my question.

“I didn’t reject it outright, I refuted it.”

I didn’t say I wouldn’t take the sponsorship; I just refuted being the Sword Saint’s successor.

So why did Chun Uijin interpret it as a rejection?

Oh, of course, it was practically a rejection anyway.

Faced with my question, Chun Uijin replied with a troubled expression.

“Well…”

“Because I said I was the successor?”

It was something uttered by Yu Chun-gil while using my body. It had spread all over the alliance.

Yet…

“You believe that merely based on words?”

“…”

Words alone.

As I mentioned earlier, words are not always the truth.

How did Chun Uijin judge me to be the Sword Saint’s successor with just a few words?

“Or is it because of the Moon Eyes…?”

That bizarre blue color. It felt alien every time I saw my reflection.

“It’s not because of that…”

But Chun Uijin denied it.

If it’s not because of my eyes, then what exactly did he believe in?

I wasn’t sure.

“Then what is it?”

“Even beyond what you’ve said, Gongja, I have seen it.”

Seen it? Seen what?

“When I was very young, I once saw that person—the Sword Saint—unfold a small galaxy before me.”

Chun Uijin’s eyes, as if lost in deep thought, glimmered with nostalgia.

“The moonlight that shone through the sword back then was something that would forever stay in my embrace. But now.”

His eyes turned towards me this time.

“The sword you wielded was the same.”

“Hmm.”

I slightly nodded at his words. However, the question still lingered on.

“Well, isn’t that just something all Blue Moon Sect warriors do?”

The Sword Saint was also a warrior of the Blue Moon Sect.

Since they used the Blue Moon Swordsmanship, wouldn’t they all be similar?

With that thought, I spoke.

“No.”

He firmly denied it.

“No one in the Blue Moon Sect emits a light like his sword did. Only Young master Bang.”

“…”

Of course, it would be like that. It was wielded by the same person, after all.

Though the difference in their inner qi was extremely significant, making it hard to call them the same, it seemed Chun Uijin noticed the subtle differences I didn’t know.

“I am also grateful for the time you enlightened me at night, and for revealing yourself to save me.”

What in the world had I done?

What had I done with this body to evoke such eyes?

Since I couldn’t remember, it wasn’t easy.

“… Yes… well… yes.”

Unable to deny it, I nodded slightly.

I strained my head while taking action.

“So… I have a request for you, Young Master.”

It seemed he was finally getting to the point.

I knew this was the flow he had wanted since yesterday.

The moment I wanted to listen to what Chun Uijin had wanted to say since yesterday.

“… Could you perhaps become the leader of the Blue Moon Sect?”

“Excuse me?”

My head, which had been racing, suddenly cooled off upon hearing the request.

“The leader…?”

“I know it’s a sudden request. And that you’ve been living in hiding…”

“No, that’s not the issue. Why?”

“Pardon?”

“Young Master Chun. Weren’t you planning to become the head?”

“Pardon…?”

Chun Uijin’s reaction made me realize I had misunderstood.

Oh, this wasn’t it.

Realizing I had thought wrong, I rubbed my nose awkwardly.

“… I thought you were asking for help to become the leader yourself.”

Chun Uijin widened his eyes in surprise at my words.

“… Ah…”

He then continued with a somewhat sunken expression.

“I did consider making such a request at first.”

He seemed to be smiling, yet somewhere it felt like he was crying.

“… I realized I don’t have the capacity or the worth to obtain it out of sheer desire. Rather, it’s more fitting for you, who inherited his sword, to take that place.”

“…”

Was he sincere? I stared at Chun Uijin, but unfortunately, I didn’t know how to read minds by looking into eyes.

“… Yes…”

Did he have another intention? It didn’t feel that way.

It simply bothered me.

Seeing my expression, he seemed to think otherwise and spoke.

“I understand… I know Young master Bang wants to live in hiding. That is probably because you are aware of the state of the Blue Moon Sect.”

No, I have no idea.

‘State of the Blue Moon Sect?’

What could this mean?

Without answering, I kept my ears open.

“That’s why… I know that I can’t be greedy in the current situation.”

“Hmm.”

“… If she becomes the head of the Blue Moon Sect as things stand…”

“Hey, stop right there.”

I cut off Chun Uijin’s words.

“… Hold on a second. I have a lot to process, so let’s leave the rest for later.”

Though his words seemed important, I had to stop. I couldn’t handle it all now.

“Well, it’s different from what I thought, but… I guess you could see it as me getting a bit more comfortable.”

“Young Master, what do you mean by that…”

“I’ll do it. Be the head.”

“…!”

Chun Uijin’s eyes widened as big as saucers upon hearing my response.

Yes, I had to do it. Become the head.

There was no other choice.

‘He said I’ll die if I don’t.’

I had to do it because of that old man.

As detestable as it was.

‘What’s a country bumpkin from a ruined house hoping to achieve?’

It was still ridiculous, but there was no choice.

I had aspired for success, but this wasn’t the way I wanted to achieve it.

“… Oh, it’s not particularly because of Young Master Chun, so don’t give me that look.”

With those words, I waved my hand and stood up.

“… If that’s all you have to say, I’ll leave first. My whole body still aches.”

“Ah…!”

As they were about to leave through the door, Chun Uijin quickly spoke up.

“Then… should I send another letter to Gongja Namgung?”

“What? Why would we… to him?”

Chun Uijin answered the question laced with doubt.

“But… if you wish to become the sect leader, the strength of Namgung family would certainly help. Although… they may not have been fond of me…”

“Ah, if it’s about that, it’s fine.”

He wondered what he meant.

Without listening any further, he turned his head away.

“There’s no need to call for them.”

“Pardon?”

Indeed, there was no need to summon Namgung again.

‘We’ll meet again soon anyway.’

They were bound to meet Namgung once more.

Maybe as early as tomorrow.

* * *

『Did you have a good trip?』

When I returned to my room, Yu Chun-gil, who was lying on my bed, greeted me.

Seeing that, I grimaced.

“…Grandpa. I told you not to lie there.”

At some point, my address had changed from ‘Elder’ to ‘Grandpa.’

There was no way I could respect him, so this was the least form of resistance I could offer.

Yu Chun-gil didn’t seem to mind the title much though…

『An old man wants to lie down a bit, you’re so stingy.』

“You’ve already died, so shut up. A ghost lying there brings bad luck. Get up.”

『Tsk… fine.』

In the end, Yu Chun-gil got up, and I had to shake the bedding vigorously.

Lying in the same place where a ghost had lay would surely cause sleep paralysis.

This old man’s presence was especially strong, so it would be more intense.

As I fervently shook the bedding, Yu Chun-gil picked my nose and spoke to me.

『Did you have a good talk?』

“Yes. I covered most of it.”

I left out the part about ‘following orders.’

『How was he, the young Namgung sword?』

Yu Chun-gill immediately asked about Namgung, but

I didn’t have much to say on that subject.

“He really looked like an audacious brat.”

『… Is that all?』

“Yes. He was annoyingly handsome too.”

It had been a while since I saw someone as handsome as my own father.

Even if his family fell apart, he wouldn’t starve.

‘He could probably live off seducing women.’

Seeing how my father lived like that, I thought that guy could do it too.

『Tsk tsk, is all you noticed his face?』

“Well, how much can you tell from a few conversations? He seemed like someone who could think on his feet.”

There were a few moments when I felt dizzy talking to him.

He was skilled in politics and talk, with a few snakes slithering inside his mind.

『Talking skillfully and pretending to be smart isn’t much different from you, is it?』

“Grandpa, your words are harsh. Where else could you find such a clean youth as I?”

『As the saying goes, even madness is a disease.』

“Is that why you died… just kidding, just kidding.”

Unintentionally, I had to apologize at the fierce glare. That old man had a scary look.

『Enough with the jokes. Did you see anything besides the face?』

“What do you mean?”

『The ones following the young Namgung sword.』

“Ah…”

I nodded at Yu Chun-gil’s words.

“Yes. I saw them.”

It was so vivid, how could I not?

Especially since it had been a while.

‘How many years has it been?’

Since I saw someone carrying around that many malevolent spirits.

‘It makes my skin crawl.’

Even thinking about it caused my mouth to dry up. I had to exert all my energy not to look at them.

Why were malevolent spirits called malevolent spirits?

When resentment and evil energy conglomerate, ghosts become malevolent spirits.

Their obsession was indescribable, and once they realized that I could see them, ‘My remaining life would be hell again just like before.’

Just thinking about it made me want to vomit.

“…Phew…”

Wiping my cold sweat, I heaved a sigh.

Returning to my room, the tension eased, and my hands began to tremble.

『It seems like their house hasn’t changed, even from before.』

“From before?”

As I hid my trembling hands, Yu Chun-gil spoke flatly.

『There was someone called the Thunder Sword… always acting tough. I got so annoyed during a conversation that I beat him up and cast him aside. That guy looked just like him. I really didn’t like him.』

“…”

Of course, they looked alike.

‘…The Thunder Sword was the head of Namgung a few generations ago, wasn’t he?’

He said he had defeated the Namgung Clan Leader and disposed of him.

Was such a fierce speech even possible?

Because it was uttered by him, it felt more real and thus scarier.

“……So.”

I asked Yu Chun-gil, as if to change the subject.

“What should I do now?”

I had done as Yu Chun-gil instructed.

Namgung Sung would come looking for me, and that guy would challenge me, so I had to handle it appropriately.

Yu Chun-gil had told me that, and I followed it thoroughly.

『Thoroughly, my foot. Don’t you remember the nonsense you spouted at the end?』

“That was because the situation was too obvious to bear.”

『What was so obvious about it?』

Please tell someone not to act presumptuously. That was what I had said to Namgung Sung.

There was something behind Namgung Sung. It was a statement based on that judgment.

“Even a dog or cow could understand just from gathering information, how could I pretend not to know?”

『You’ve got quite an impressive ability to turn most of the people in the world into dogs or cows.』

“……Alright. So what should I do now?”

『This rascal’s way of speaking is becoming……?』

Yu Chun-gil, who was about to spit out more words, finally shut his mouth.

He seemed to have realized that further talking was meaningless.

『……Alright. That’s enough about this; tell me about Young Azure Sword.』

“What are you talking about?”

『That kid. Is his name well known in the Central Plains?』

“Yes. It’s quite well known.”

Not just widespread, but very broadly and thickly disseminated.

The man who was assured the position of minor clan head of the Namgung Clan, Young Azure Sword Namgung Sung.

Was he twenty-two or twenty-three years old?

I didn’t know that detail, but Namgung Sung was quite a famous figure among the younger generation under thirty.

‘He was evaluated to be just below the level of the Seven Geniuses.’

Commonly called the Seven Geniuses.

There were seven people selected in the Central Plains who were believed to hold responsibility for the future.

Geniuses among geniuses.

The Seven Geniuses were those in such positions, and Young Azure Sword was considered comparable to them among the younger generation.

『The Seven Geniuses…….』

After hearing my words, Yu Chun-gil thought for a moment before speaking.

『The Central Plains, even over time, remains genuinely passionate about its ranking games.』

Exactly.

This place really loved those sorts of things.

The Seven Geniuses, the Hundred Great Masters, the Five Kings of the World – they loved to assign numbers.

And during all that,

‘That old man said he had reached the peak.’

The World’s Greatest.

The Sword Saint, Yu Chun-gil, nodded his head suddenly.

『Yes, it’s fitting.』

His blue-glowing eyes sparkled slightly.

『Let’s do this.』

“……What?”

I asked out of unease.

『What do you think?』

Yu Chun-gil smiled and spoke to me.

『Breaking the Young Azure Sword. Let’s give it a shot.』

“What?”

I felt it was nonsensical.

“Suddenly? What are you breaking……?”

Why break a perfectly fine person? And Namgung Clan’s Gongja, no less.

Feeling dumbfounded, I asked, but Yu Chun-gil didn’t even listen to my words.

『Then, send the letter as planned. It probably hasn’t left yet.』

“No…….”

『Oh, hurry before you miss the time…….』

“I’ve already sent the letter.”

『What?』

Yu Chun-gil stiffened slightly at my reply.

『……When?』

“I had someone send it before I came into the room.”

『Why……? I hadn’t instructed you yet.』

Why, you say.

“I thought it was about time to send it.”

『…….』

After hearing my answer, Yu Chun-gil paused briefly.

『Heh heh.』

He laughed more brightly than before.

『Kid.』

“Yes?”

『I’ve liked you from the moment I first saw you.』

“That’s really something I hate to hear.”

It was genuine.

I shook my head in displeasure and opened the drawer beside me.

As the drawer opened, something inside rolled out.

A blue orb.

This was something I took from the Mountain Sky Demon.

It was also something that Namgung Sung was likely searching for desperately at this moment.