The World’s Greatest is Dead

『Uh… Oh. Right.』

Poison Sovereign’s reaction seemed slightly bewildered.

『… What should we do about that guy.』

Yu Chun-gil sighed deeply and even shook his head.

Seeing their reactions, it was my turn to feel dumbfounded.

‘… No, not just anything, but Shaolin’s Great Pill. Are you going to refuse it?’

Shaolin’s Great Pill was one of the highest-grade elixirs in the current Central Plains.

It was something you could never buy with money. On rare occasions, you might see it at martial arts tournaments organized by the Murim Alliance.

If you sold it…

‘You could make enough money to live off for life.’

You wouldn’t have to worry about money until you died.

Of course.

‘… If it doesn’t get noticed by the Poison King.’

If it got noticed by the Tang family, who knew what they would do with it, so I had to be cautious.

What if I didn’t sell it and decided to take it?

‘… It would indeed be impressive.’

There was a reason why martial artists incessantly sang praises of Shaolin’s Great Pill.

It’s a waste to consume it in this worthless body of mine, but whether I sell it or take it, it was an incredible opportunity.

“Well then, elder. I will listen carefully, so could you tell me slowly what I should do for you?”

『… Uh… Oh…』

Seeing my reaction, Poison Sovereign made a peculiar expression and looked at Yu Chun-gil.

『… Is he always like this?』

『It’s a bit embarrassing right now… Don’t talk to me.』

Yu Chun-gil avoided looking directly, as if embarrassed.

Seeing this, Poison Sovereign chuckled quietly.

『He said he wouldn’t take a disciple even if he died, but he found someone just like him after death.』

『Who said he’s my disciple?』

Yu Chun-gil spoke with a frown, showing irritation.

『A situation forced me, really forced me to use him. I wouldn’t have even looked at him otherwise.』

“Elder. I’m listening, you know that…?”

『He’s stubborn, doesn’t listen to anything, yet he brags unnecessarily…』

“I’m listening, old man.”

『Sigh…』

As Yu Chun-gil ceaselessly badmouthed, Poison Sovereign chuckled watching him.

Then he turned his eyes towards my disgusted face again.

『Boy.』

“Yes, respectable Elder.”

『Enough with the flattery.』

“Ah, should I?”

『… Look, can you do me a favor?』

“I’ll think about it after hearing what it is.”

If it’s a difficult request, Shaolin’s Great Pill or not, I couldn’t fulfill it.

With that intention, Poison Sovereign nodded and added more words.

『I know that you will be entering the Secret Vault. My request is to bring an item from there.』

“An item…?”

『Yes.』

“What kind of item?”

『A sword.』

“A sword?”

I frowned at his words.

A sword…?

“You want me to bring out a sword from the Secret Vault?”

『That’s right.』

『… Indeed.』

Receiving his confirmation, I stroked my chin thoughtfully.

‘A sword from the Secret Vault.’

It didn’t seem like a difficult condition to fulfill. If doing that could get me Shaolin’s Great Pill.

‘Indeed, it’s a good condition.’

The problem is.

“How can I bring it out?”

The issue was the Secret Vault belonging to Poison Sovereign.

I didn’t know what might be inside, and taking something out recklessly was impossible.

Moreover, a sword?

There’s no way the Poison King would allow that.

However,

『Don’t worry. There are ways.』

Poison Sovereign replied to my doubts with a calm expression.

『Boy, what you have to do is simply pick it up and walk out; it’s as simple as that.』

“But you give Shaolin’s Great Pill for doing such a simple task?”

『Yes.』

『…』

Poison Sovereign seemed truly serious, which only deepened my suspicion.

‘Why?’

Why would he?

Why would bringing a sword give me Shaolin’s Great Pill, what sword is it?

“Hmm…”

I felt conflicted.

Then, I shifted my gaze towards Yu Chun-gil.

The old man was resting his chin on his hand, staring at me with a blank face.

As if.

-Let’s see what you decide.

He spoke as if he wanted to hear my decision.

‘…Damned old man.’

Would it hurt to help a little? He always acted like this at times like this.

“Sigh.”

I sighed and spoke to Poison Sovereign.

“…Let’s give it a try.”

Though there was much to think about, I made a decision for now.

It was somewhat amusing.

‘…It’ll work out somehow.’

Instead of overthinking, I decided that even if something went wrong, that old man like an evil spirit would handle it.

It was a decision full of a ‘come what may’ attitude.

* * *

After hearing my answer, Poison Sovereign disappeared.

Leaving behind just a word of thanks. I stayed behind with Yu Chun-gil, and we started talking.

In the middle of discussing various things.

『You asked the girl to make a sword for you?』

He reacted more to my encounter with Tang Yelan than the repair of Poison Sovereign’s saber or the Full Moon.

“Yes.”

『So, did she say she would do it?』

“Yes, she said she would.”

When I mentioned that I even begged her to do it, Yu Chun-gil’s expression soured.

What’s with him? Why that sour face?

『… Damn, what a filthy world.』

“…What are you talking about?”

『I should have gotten rid of all those smug-faced bastards.』

“For someone who saved the world, you have quite the ruthless tone.”

It was genuinely chilling.

Yu Chun-gil spoke curtly.

『Then, what are you going to do with the Cold Iron Sword?』

“Cold Iron Sword… Ah.”

I had briefly forgotten. Before coming to Sichuan, Yu Chun-gil had promised me the Cold Iron Sword as a reward for an old bet from his snack storage.

“Hey, that has nothing to do with this.”

Who knows when Tang Yelan would make the sword, and there’s no need to use everything she made for me.

‘No matter what, it can’t be better than the Cold Iron Sword.’

It was, after all, the Cold Iron Sword. A sword made from one of the few metals comparable to Cold Iron. No matter how much Tang Yelan put her spirit into her work.

‘…It’s the material that matters.’

Good materials make a good sword. It was an unchanging principle.

『So, your conclusion is to take it all?』

“Wouldn’t it be good to get as much as possible while you can?”

『You’ll burst your belly, you fool.』

“I have a good digestive system, you know.”

『… Huh…』

Yu Chun-gil snorted as if he was speechless.

『So you took that idiot’s word just to get everything?』

I didn’t think deeply about who the idiot was.

“Are you talking about Poison Sovereign?”

Anyway, there was only one person Yu Chun-gil would react like this to.

“No, I had to because he was offering the Shaolin’s Great Pill.”

『Do you even know what’s at stake?』

“There must be something. But I trust Grandpa would do something if things go south.”

『… Ha, your shameless expectations.』

“If it were truly dangerous, wouldn’t you have stopped me?”

He would have warned me if it was somewhere I shouldn’t go or if it was dangerous.

But since he just watched without interfering, that means.

“You’re telling me to try, right?”

『Tsk tsk… It’s just your wishful thinking. I was just too lazy to stop you.』

“Oh, I see, sure.”

True, that made sense too.

I didn’t bother to say anymore.

Anyway, “Whatever happens, it’s worth trying for just one Shaolin’s Great Pill.”

If only I could get the Shaolin’s Great Pill.

It would be worth a try.

Thinking that way, I said.

『Why do you think it’s just one?』

“…What?”

Yu Chun-gil spoke, seemingly unsurprised.

『Didn’t I tell you before? There’s a lot to gain from the Tang family. It can’t just be a sword.』

“…”

『Would you be satisfied with just one Shaolin’s Great Pill? Tsk tsk, you lack ambition.』

“…Ha.”

I couldn’t help but smile.

“Didn’t you just warn me about my greed bursting my belly?”

『And didn’t you say you had a good digestive system? What? Are you chickening out?』

“No way, not at all.”

Looking into Yu Chun-gil’s blue eyes, I smiled.

“I always accept favors when they’re given.”

『That’s quite an agreeable disposition.』

“Hehehe.”

『Kekeke!』

In the small room illuminated by a single lamp, greedy laughter echoed.

It might have been the best time since I had met the old man.

* * *

Days passed.

The date mentioned by the Poison King had arrived.

Time sure flew by quickly.

“……Oh…….”

Emerging outside, I shrugged off my exhaustion.

I hadn’t slept well for several nights, making things worse.

“Feels like I’m gonna die.”

Rolling my stiff shoulders, I frowned.

Repeating the same training for several days had worn my body out.

‘Ah, I should’ve just done it moderately.’

I ended up in this state by pushing myself unnecessarily.

This is why people shouldn’t overdo things.

‘……I got too excited about the Great Pill.’

Feeling things were going well, I had crossed the line a bit.

Thanks to that, I was now feeling muscle pains all over my body.

“Oof.”

Forcing myself to endure the pain, I walked out. A person was already waiting outside the door as I emerged.

Noticing this, I lightly licked my lips.

I began to feel slightly tense as I realized the moment had come.

Spotting me, the man at the forefront spoke.

“I am Mun Geuk-Yun from the Poison Shadows Division.”

“I am Bang Sung-Yun.”

“We are here on the orders of the master. I will be guiding you.”

The individuals greeted me with the proper courtesy.

I nodded at them.

“Yes. Please take care of me.”

“Excuse me for a moment.”

With those words, my vision was obscured.

My view was blocked with something like a blindfold.

I wasn’t surprised, having been informed about it in advance.

“We will now move.”

I was led slowly.

It felt as though we had walked until the scene changed.

We repeatedly climbed and descended, occasionally going up and down stairs unexpectedly.

It seemed like we were taking a winding path, but I wondered how far they had to go.

As I pondered that question.

“We have arrived.”

The awaited words were heard, and my vision cleared up again.

‘Here…’

Several lamps illuminated the space.

The floor was rough stone, and walls of stone enclosed the entire area.

Looking back, I saw a dark entrance. That must have been the way they came in.

‘……A bit eerie.’

By now, it seemed like a place where they could kill me without anyone noticing.

‘……Where exactly is this?’

I thought I couldn’t be sure of the location because of the blindfold.

『Just below the master’s office.』

“…….”

Yu Chun-Gil responded matter-of-factly.

『Why make it so complicated? They could just come straightforwardly……. The Tang family really is strange, aren’t they?』

『Tsk tsk.』

Ignoring Yu Chun-Gil’s constant clicking of his tongue, I shifted my gaze again.

Opposite the entrance, someone was standing near what appeared to be a blocked-off wall, looking at me.

It was the head of the Tang family, the Poison King, Tang Gyung-ak.

“You’ve arrived.”

“Master Tang.”

“We apologize for the inconvenience caused for security.”

“It’s nothing.”

I smiled awkwardly at the Poison King’s apology.

……He already knew where they were anyway.

Greeting the Poison King politely, I glanced around.

There were only a few people present.

Including the Poison King, there were seven?

Four people wore face masks, making it impossible to discern their gender or age.

Only the faces of the Poison King and the remaining two individuals were visible.

The expressions of the two were quite peculiar.

They appeared completely clueless about why they were there.

Then.

“……Young master Bang?”

One of the two, Chun Uijin, called out to me in surprise.

If that was Chun Uijin, it was obvious who the other person was.

“Bang Sung-Yun.”

Hearing the young man’s voice, he smiled at me.

He was a warrior of the Small Moon Division who had come to Sichuan with me.

My direct senior.

“How did this… happen?”

In this mission, he would be my lucky charm, Do Hyung.