The World’s Greatest is Dead

“Hoo-ah.”

I let out a deep sigh as I stepped outside. The air outside was significantly cooler compared to being inside the Iron Workshop.

Inside, it felt like I was going to die.

‘It was truly a maddening heat.’

The temperature was so high that it became tough to breathe just by walking.

Still, the very end of the interior was somewhat cooler, which was nice, but on the way back, it was even more grueling.

‘Maybe it was tougher because I came from a cold place.’

I used my hand to fan my face. The wind blowing against me was quite refreshing.

As I enjoyed the breeze, someone approached me.

It was Do Hyung and Chun Uijin.

“Has the conversation ended?”

“Ah, yes. Just now.”

“Were you all right?”

Chun Uijin asked with a worried expression.

“Ah, yes, well… There was no issue at all.”

I responded nonchalantly. Given that we were in the Tang family’s territory, it was no wonder Chun Uijin looked doubtful.

“Really, there was no issue at all.”

To be honest, there was an issue, but it wasn’t something worth mentioning.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t something I could discuss with Chun Uijin and Do Hyung.

I recalled the conversation with the Tang family head and swallowed a sigh.

‘…He was a truly obnoxious man.’

It was a grueling mental battle, one I did not wish to repeat.

Yes, calling it a battle was accurate.

Who would have thought I would engage in such a fierce verbal duel with the Poison King?

They attacked and defended without any concession.

And in the end, ‘I achieved my goal.’

I obtained a satisfactory result. Actually, not just satisfactory…

‘It was excellent.’

Even though I thought the outcome was pretty decent.

『… You lunatic.』

Yu Chun-gil’s voice echoed from the air.

『You kept accusing me of being unreliable, of trying to fleece the Tang family, spouting all sorts of nonsense. Yet, you were far worse.』

I pretended not to hear. Even though I did hear, I acted as if my ears were blocked, making Yu Chun-gil click my tongue.

『Did you see that Tang bastard’s face? He looked more rot each passing moment. That part was quite enjoyable, though.』

Yu Chun-gil’s words almost made me nod in agreement.

Seeing the Poison King’s expression deteriorate indeed brought some satisfaction.

‘I originally intended to do it moderately.’

However, that man tried to pull a trick on me first.

Once I realized that, ignoring it didn’t seem right.

So, I retaliated head-on.

‘I am indeed a crazy bastard.’

Who else would dare engage in a verbal dispute with the Poison King right in front of him?

Even though I had the justification, it was an irrational act.

Afterwards, I found it hard to believe it myself.

『Be honest. Didn’t you enjoy it a bit, too?』

Yu Chun-gil asked with a mischievous smile. I, of course, didn’t answer this time either, knowing it was an unnecessary question.

‘Enjoyment, my ass.’

I wasn’t a pervert who found pleasure in such things.

At least I thought I wasn’t.

I only thought it was alright since the outcome was good.

It was something I would rather not do again, if possible.

‘…I barely survived.’

It was a conversation where I put my life on the line.

Even though the Tang family practiced justice, there were limits.

It was surprising that despite pushing them that far, the Poison King let me leave unscathed.

It was fortunate that I came back unharmed.

The fact that I could return in such good condition meant…

‘It means they see me as significantly important.’

No matter how much I crossed the line, there existed a reason to keep me alive.

“Hmm.”

I wondered what that reason could be. Why were they leaving me be like this?

‘It’s related to opening the vault.’

To be precise, it’s not me but the Sword Saint’s successor that was related.

Something must have linked the two together for sure.

‘What could it be?’

The curiosity gnawed at me.

‘I’ll find out eventually anyway.’

I would soon figure out the truth naturally.

I accepted the Poison King’s condition in the end.

The Poison King said he would prepare everything within a few days.

I had no idea why it took days to get ready to open the vault.

I suspected it might involve something strange.

『Don’t worry.』

Yu Chun-gil, knowing my concern, said calmly.

『There won’t be much to it. Just eat, sleep, and do nothing while waiting.』

Yu Chun-gil seemed to have a good idea of what was coming, explaining it to me in crude terms, oddly making me feel reassured.

Finding solace in that crazy old man’s words struck me as oddly humorous.

“…In any case, did you two have a good look around?”

“Look around?”

“Since you were in the Iron Workshop, did you see anything interesting?”

“Ah.”

Upon hearing this, Chun Uijin responded brightly.

“We saw it. It was the first time I saw so many silver-grade swords.”

Chun Uijin spoke excitedly, while Do Hyung remained expressionless, though there was a slight hint of excitement.

‘Silver grade, huh.’

That level was considered a famous sword. Did such swords fill the Iron Workshop?

Things were so hectic that I didn’t get to see that himself.

It didn’t really matter. He wasn’t particularly interested in the armaments.

Stretching slightly to shake off the fatigue, I spoke.

“He said the repairs for the Full Moon would begin soon, and it would take at least a few days… What should we do in the meantime?”

Although I asked, no answer came.

Thinking I might not have heard, I added more words.

“Senior?”

“Hmm?”

As I called out to Do Hyung, only then did the man look at me.

What was that look?

“I was asking what we should do now.”

“Oh.”

At my words, Do Hyung’s expression was finally altered. Had he really not realized he was the one being spoken to?

‘This guy…’

He seemed to keep forgetting he was the one in charge.

“Senior…?”

“Hmm.”

What should we do? Do Hyung began to ponder it then.

Why was he only thinking about it now?

Seeing that he couldn’t come up with an answer, I sighed and spoke up.

“If there’s nothing particular to do, should we train instead?”

“Good idea.”

Do Hyung immediately nodded at my suggestion.

Hearing the word “training”, Chun Uijin’s eyes also sparkled.

From what I could see, neither of them seemed in their right mind.

Was there really anything to be that happy about training…?

Anyway, “Then, first, shall we move…”

“May I join you?”

Just as I was about to lead them away, someone cut in.

I turned my head at the soft voice.

Seeing the owner of the voice, I frowned.

“Miss Tang?”

“Hello.”

“…”

It was Tang Yelan, whom I had met the previous night and this morning.

I tilted my head, looking at her, who had suddenly appeared.

‘What’s this about?’

It was surprising she showed up so unexpectedly, but her face seemed even more peculiar.

Her body and hair were drenched as if she had just been sweating.

With hair plastered to her cheeks and a tired expression, she looked somewhat alluring, but aside from that; “Have you been crying?”

“What?”

I looked into her eyes and asked. Tang Yelan widened her eyes at my question.

“Oh, no? I haven’t been crying.”

Tang Yelan smiled awkwardly.

Staring at her for a moment, I nodded.

“I see. I must have been mistaken.”

It was evident something had happened, but she denied it, so I decided to move on.

Whatever it was, if it was worth crying over, it would definitely be troublesome.

I wanted no part in it.

“By the way, you said you wanted to join us?”

“Since you mentioned training, I was actually about to head out for some training myself, so I thought it would be nice to go together.”

She approached me with a bright smile. Her quick steps seemed to reflect her character.

But then.

“Ah.”

Tang Yelan suddenly stopped as she got closer.

What now?

Wondering why she stopped, I watched her when she gave an embarrassed smile and said.

“Sorry… I’m a bit sweaty right now and might smell a bit.”

With that, she took a step back.

Her shy yet somehow endearing behavior made her feel closer in a way.

But anyway.

“I’m sorry to say this, but there might be too many issues with training together.”

She was a direct descendant of the Tang family. We were from the Blue Moon Sect. As our martial arts differed, training together posed several problems.

Moreover, “The training room isn’t that spacious either.”

Although they had a designated training room, it wasn’t particularly large.

It would be a bit tight for even three people to train there.

Upon mentioning this, Tang Yelan suddenly clapped her hands.

“Then I can let you use our clan’s training hall.”

“What?”

“It’s spacious, and if training together is an issue, we could have a friendly spar.”

“What’s this about…”

“A spar?”

“A spar?”

I was about to refuse her absurd suggestion but stopped as Chun Uijin and Do Hyung reacted differently.

“…”

Seeing them, I swept my hand over my face.

How could these crazy people react that way to a spar? It was ridiculous.

What to do with them now?

As I pondered for a moment.

『Why not go?』

Yu Chun-gil spoke to me.

『You have nothing else to do, and there’s no harm in going, right?』

“…”

He was right. There was no real problem in going, but…

‘I have an uneasy feeling seeing how that old man reacted.’

It wasn’t anything else; the most concerning was Yu Chun-gil’s reaction.

That slightly excited face while pretending to be indifferent, asking me to go seemed particularly irksome.

‘Was he planning something again?’

When that damned old man had that look on his face, something was bound to happen.

Just when I was pondering if I really needed to go.

“… Youn maste…”

Tang Yelan spoke to me from a few steps away.

“Yes?”

“Can we go together?”

Perhaps noticing my hesitation, Tang Yelan repeated her request.

So, I asked.

“… Why?”

Why was she insisting on going with me?

She slightly smiled and responded.

“Because I want to get close. I’m bored, and this must be ‘destiny’, right?”

“…”

As reasons go, it was far too unconvincing.

To get closer, and out of boredom, she wanted to spar together at the training grounds?

This was something Chun Uijin would do.

Moreover, given the nuisance of wedding chatter since yesterday, normally, I would have outright refused.

‘This woman’s eyes are a weapon.’

Seeing Tang Yelan’s eyes prevented the words from coming out easily.

Slightly swollen eyes, subtly wet, even though she claimed she hadn’t cried.

The sorrow radiating from her face, combined with her inherent charm, became a powerful weapon.

Watching her quietly, I mumbled to myself.

I should refuse. I must refuse.

Repeatedly affirming my decision.

“Young master Bang?”

“… Just once?”

“Yes!”

I ended up agreeing without realizing.

Having just fought a battle of nerves with Tang Gyung-ak, perhaps I was too exhausted. It must have influenced me to act out of character.

‘Well, there’s nothing else to do anyway.’

Trying to rationalize the decision alone.

‘I still haven’t fixed this habit.’

I knew all too well why I ended up like this.

Ever since the old days…

‘Please… Please don’t go? I’m begging you…’

I was weak-hearted towards crying people.

Extremely weak.

* * * *

In a corner of Sichuan.

Now, this place could barely be called a part of Sichuan.

Leaving the sparsely populated lands behind, it approached an area bustling with people.

A massive carriage appeared.

“Neigh…!!”

Pulled by three or four horses incomparable to any ordinary ones.

Animals held their breath as the carriage passed by.

The hidden mountain climbers gathering herbs watched the spectacle in wonder. Where could they see such an extravagant carriage?

They gazed in amazement.

Curiosity grew about who might be riding inside.

The carriage, drawing all eyes, moved without rest.

Unhurried, yet with a growing sense of urgency—a reflection of the owner’s sharpened mindset.

The man inside cautiously spoke.

“… Young Lady.”

At his words, the woman looking out the window turned her head.

Her eyes, glimpsing at the man, were exceedingly beautiful.

“Yes.”

Her soft-spoken response startled the man.

Her tone was icy cold.

Experience told him staying quiet was best.

Still, he spoke.

“I think it would be wise to give prior notice.”

He felt compelled to do so this time.

“Why?”

Her tone invited him to continue, and the man shared his thoughts.

“Sichuan being the territory of the Tang family, our sudden visit may not be well-received…”

“And so?”

“It might be prudent to send a small message beforehand…”

He cautiously spoke, throat dry knowing his suggestion was futile.

She likely understood the reasoning.

The most painful part was voicing what she already knew.

“Young Lady…”

“I will not send a message.”

The man closed his eyes tightly at her unwavering response.

“… But…”

“Being clever, he would surely run away. We can apologize to the Tang family later. We could leverage the head of the family if needed.”

Her voice brooked no opposition.

“And who would have known he’d escape to Sichuan after searching Anhui? Isn’t that right, Mu-jeong?”

Her anger was evident, layered within her voice.

“That may be…”

She interrupted, “He really excels at running away, doesn’t he?”

Crack.

A breaking sound was heard.

The man squinted at the source.

The hairpin in her hand had snapped.

“Try running once more.”

With shaking white hands, brimming with fury.

“I will definitely catch him.”

She vowed this countless times.