The World’s Greatest is Dead

The World’s Greatest is Dead – Chapter 144

“What… is happening here?”

At my words, the people outside the door flinched.

Though both looked somewhat similar, one could say that one had a chilly appearance while the other appeared cold.

Indeed.

They were quite similar, but I had merely tried out different words to describe them.

‘… That’s not important.’

What mattered at the moment.

“This is my house, you know?”

The issue was that they were fighting on the porch of my house.

“What are you doing here from the crack of dawn?”

Rubbing my sleepy eyes as I spoke, Chun Hye-In was the first to rise.

“Long time no see?”

“… Yes, long time no see.”

Chun Hye-In had the same face as always. Yes, she was pretty, but still dignified, lofty, and the air of arrogance fit her perfectly.

Moonlit Delight. A high-ranking martial artist of the Seven Geniuses, seen for the first time in months.

“Hmm.”

Chun Hye-In greeted me, giving me a sidelong glance. Her deep blue eyes checked me from top to bottom.

“You seem different.”

She quickly drew her conclusion and spoke up.

Hearing that, I had to frown slightly.

‘A sharp person.’

Did she notice the change in my state?

It was understandable since Virtuous Moon Sword noticed, being one of the absolute masters, but…

‘Even Chun Hye-In noticed?’

The fact that Chun Hye-In could notice this meant she was incredibly perceptive.

Even so, being one of the Seven Geniuses, this was a bit much, wasn’t it?

‘She does seem strong, indeed.’

After reaching the peak, the difference between us was clear when I looked at Chun Hye-In.

‘Impressive.’

My eyes narrowed.

I had always known she was an exceptional martial artist.

‘Why is there not a single opening?’

Even as she simply stood still, there was not a single opening.

The way she breathed, the slight movements of her fingertips.

The gaze she cast upon me.

‘Wow…’

Her eyes were watching me, but they were not focused on only me.

Chun Hye-In’s eyes were taking in every move I made.

I could instinctively sense that.

At that moment.

『Hehe…』

Yu Chun-gil, who had appeared at some point, chuckled softly.

『How about it? Do you not see countless things in that slender form?』

“…”

There was no choice but to acknowledge it.

‘This is not easy.’

The immense potential Chun Hye-In possessed was definitely enough for Yu Chun-gil to call her a remarkable talent.

In fact, it reached the point where it seemed almost inadequate to label her as just remarkable.

So…

‘Is it only natural that she noticed my change?’

If she possessed something to that extent, then it seemed possible.

Such thoughts crossed my mind momentarily.

“Indeed…”

Chun Hye-In started to move toward my direction. And then…

“You’ve become a bit more…”

Her fingers reached out toward my hair.

“handsome-”

*Thud!*

Murong Yeongsun, who was in front, grasped her wrist with a fierce look.

“… Oh my.”

Chun Hye-In squinted slightly as she looked at Murong Yeongsun.

“What is this about? Lady Murong?”

“Well.”

Murong Yeongsun smiled at Chun Hye-In’s words.

“You seem to know better, lady Chun.”

*Squeeze.*

“… Hmm…”

Chun Hye-In’s hand, held by Murong Yeongsun, trembled.

This indicated that she was exerting considerable strength.

“A young lady shouldn’t touch a man without permission. It’s uncouth.”

*Twitch.*

Chun Hye-In’s eyebrows twitched slightly at Murong Yeongsun’s words.

“That’s true. I apologize, Young master Bang?”

“… No…”

“Enough apologies. Please leave now. It’s rude for an uninvited guest to stay too long.”

Before I could speak, Murong Yeongsun cut off the conversation.

Upon hearing that, Chun Hye-In chuckled.

“Is that a statement for Lady Murong herself? It doesn’t seem like there’s a different stance? Moreover, if I were to point out…”

Chun Hye-In began and pointed to her clothes, where the Small Moon Division insignia was engraved.

“I am formally affiliated. I heard Lady Murong was here as a ‘guest’ with business at the Blue Moon Sect. Speaking of rudeness… I wonder who the actual uninvited guest is.”

“……”

*Grit!*

‘Ah… She bit hard there.’

A rough sound came from Murong Yeongsun’s mouth.

“Perhaps you don’t know, but Young master Bang and I are not ordinary acquaintances.”

“Oh my. Is that so? Ah, yes – being ex-fiancés is indeed special.”

“… Haha…”

A low laugh escaped Murong Yeongsun upon hearing that.

Uh, this isn’t good.

‘She… seems really angry, doesn’t she?’

Sure enough, Murong Yeongsun’s eyes quivered with suppressed fury.

“This…”

Just as she was about to release her built-up anger…

“Young Master. You seem to have caught a cold…”

Someone stepped into my house behind them, speaking out.

The person was Poison Dragon, Tang Chun-il.

Appearing with a tired expression, he froze upon seeing the situation.

“… What is going on…?”

What on earth is happening here?

Tang Chun-il rolled his eyes, trying to comprehend the situation.

Watching him, I sighed.

‘He shows up so quickly.’

Since I had asked him to wake me up in the morning, it seemed Tang Chun-il came to fulfill that request.

But what was the point if he woke up later than I did?

‘Tsk.’

Normally, I would have said something.

“Well, you’re here.”

“Pardon……?”

At that moment, I was actually thankful.

“Judging by your presence, I understand you both came to see me for some reason…… But unfortunately, I have a prior engagement.”

Pointing at Tang Chun-il, the eyes of the two people shifted towards him.

“No……. That.”

As Tang Chun-il was about to challenge the notion of a prior engagement, I shot him a piercing glare.

“…….”

Receiving my gaze, Tang Chun-il tightly shut his mouth.

Fortunately, he seemed quick to catch on.

“So. You should come back later.”

I gestured towards Chun Hye-In.

“Later?”

Chun Hye-In narrowed her eyes on my words.

“Yes. Later.”

“And Young lady Murong?”

“That one…… I have some business to attend to.”

“!”

The comment implied that Murong Yeongsun could stay, while Chun Hye-In should leave.

Because of this, Chun Hye-In’s brows furrowed noticeably.

“Ha……. After not seeing each other for so long, you act so dishearteningly?”

“It’s not as if we accommodate each other to that extent, don’t we?”

What nonsense.

“If you have something to discuss with me, let’s arrange another time. I just got up not too long ago, so I’m still a bit disoriented.”

“…….”

My words meant to encourage her to leave were met with Chun Hye-In’s piercing glare.

‘Wow.’

Her gaze was sharp. Although she usually laughed and smiled, she wasn’t this intense.

‘She certainly looks like the daughter of the Virtuous Moon Sword.’

When glared at properly, her gaze was viciously deadly.

Even if it was just for an instant.

“That’s a shame.”

Chun Hye-In, as if it had all been a mirage till just now, swiftly reverted to her original expression.

“It was rather important……. But I have no choice, I guess.”

Showing no hint of remorse, Chun Hye-In left.

As soon as she disappeared from my quarters, I could finally release the sigh I’d been holding back.

“Phew…….”

I wondered what she truly came for?

‘Even after months, she’s still just as difficult.’

I had seen her before heading to Sichuan, realizing how tough she truly was.

Seeing her again after a while proved she hadn’t changed a bit.

At least I could send her away; that was a huge relief.

And so, “What’s your business here?”

I asked Murong Yeongsun, who had remained silent.

Unexpectedly, Murong Yeongsun wore a slightly surprised expression as she looked at me.

“…… What’s with that look?”

“…… Why did you tell me to stay?”

“Huh?”

“You sent that brat…… I mean, Young lady Chun away, so why am I the one you’re keeping?”

“Why, you ask? I told you. I have something to discuss.”

“…….”

Murong Yeongsun furrowed her brows at my words.

“Was that true?”

“Would it have been false?”

Initially, I wanted to send both away, but the reason I kept Murong Yeongsun was quite literal.

“I wanted to ask something.”

I did have something to ask.

Ah, to be exact.

“I could ask either of you, but it seemed you might be more forthcoming.”

Whether it was Chun Hye-In or Murong Yeongsun.

I could’ve addressed it to either, but between the fearsome Chun Hye-In and Murong Yeongsun, I chose the latter.

“So that means…….”

Upon hearing my explanation, Murong Yeongsun looked at me and spoke.

“You prefer me over Young lady Chun?”

“…… I didn’t say that exactly-”

“Alright then. I’ll listen. So, what do you want to ask?”

“Wait, what do you mean you’ll ‘listen’? Why would you listen?”

Who does she think she is to listen to me?

It seemed nonsensical, but I decided to let it pass for now.

“Before asking, I first asked you, remember? What did you come here for?”

“I forgot.”

“What?”

“I said, I forgot.”

“What are you even saying? You came to ask something and then forgot?”

“People can forget. Do you think everyone is like you?”

“No……”

Not everyone is like me, but Murong Yeongsun wasn’t any ordinary person either.

Knowing her intelligence and cunning, it was hard to believe she simply forgot.

Despite wanting to call her out on her unbelievable statement, I wasn’t in the mood, feeling slightly uneasy already.

‘Perhaps because of the dream, I feel restless inside.’

I couldn’t remember the dream itself.

While memories of it eluded me, typically such an unsettling start indicated a nightmare.

Deciding to forgo challenging her, I proceeded to ask my question directly.

“…… Young lady Murong.”

“Yes, ask anything-”

“How much do you know about the Mount Hua Sect?”

“…….”

“…… Young lady Murong?”

Though she had invited me to ask anything, Murong Yeongsun suddenly froze like a statue.

It was not just that.

“… Why are you doing this?”

*Bang!*

“Ugh!”

Suddenly, a scream was heard from the side, and when he turned to look, Tang Chun-il was crouching, clutching his little toe.

“Argh… ouch…”

“Why is he doing that?”

What kind of sudden performance was this? I looked at him with a puzzled expression.

『He was startled by your words and stubbed his toe on the corner.』

Yu Chun-gil explained.

‘Startled by my words?’

What did I say that was so surprising?

I didn’t think I had said anything startling.

Upon reflection, I felt the same.

At that moment.

“Mount Hua Sect?”

Murong Yeongsun spoke with a rather displeased expression.

“Why is that?”

“It’s not particularly important, I just wanted to know if you know anything.”

“…”

“Why?”

Was it because I asked about the Mount Hua Sect? Murong Yeongsun’s reaction was odd, and especially Tang Chun-il’s appearance was a sight to behold.

“Stay still for a moment!”

After shouting at him to stay still due to his constant flinching, Tang Chun-il finally paused his movements.

‘What on earth is wrong with this guy?’

I clicked my tongue and looked again at Murong Yeongsun.

“Monster.”

Murong Yeongsun said to me.

“Excuse me?”

Monster?

What was that supposed to mean?

“Mount Hua Sect, I mean.”

The voice continued.

“It’s a den of monsters.”

There was an evident look of someone trying to control their fear.

* * *

*Chirp! Chirp chirp!*

The birdsong mixed with the serenity seeping through the cracks of the window merged with the surrounding space, making it even more peaceful.

*Thud thud thud!*

In the midst of such harmony, a watermill was endlessly turning outside.

In the calming scenery.

An old man lying on a well-maintained bed opened his eyes.

“Hmm…”

The old man, whose face was marked with wrinkles, opened his eyes and sat up.

There was somehow a look of nostalgia on his face.

“Heh heh heh…”

Letting out a worn-out laugh, the old man spoke.

“It’s been a long time since I dreamt of that lad…”

Whom did he dream about? The old man chuckled quietly to himself, reminiscing about the dream.

“Would a lad long dead stop by in a dream? Knowing his nature, he wouldn’t have done so.”

The old man’s eyes held a certain conviction.

“He was such a stubborn one. If he was going to die like that, he should have left something behind.”

As he kept speaking, the old man suddenly covered his mouth with his hand.

“Hack! Hack!”

He then let out a rough cough.

As the coughing subsided, the old man looked at his hand, which was now stained with blood.

Seeing this, the old man glanced to his side and spoke.

“It’s fine. You don’t need to move.”

The old man said as much.

To his amazement, the figure next to him stopped moving.

“Don’t tell the elders. They’ll undoubtedly make a fuss.”

“…”

The figure by the old man’s side did not reply to his words.

The old man did not seem to be bothered by the silence.

Instead of speaking, the figure handed the old man a letter.

Receiving it, the old man glanced at the letter with a smile in his eyes.

“So, the time has come, hasn’t it? Heh heh heh…”

The letter bore a light blue seal.

It was the insignia proving it to be from the Murim Alliance.

“Dragon-Phoenix Tournament, eh? Do you wish to participate?”

The figure in front of the old man shook their head at the question.

“Don’t want to go? Why? Didn’t you have a good time last time?”

“…”

“If you’re worried about this old man, don’t be. It’s even more sorrowful if that’s the case.”

“…”

“Go without worry, especially…”

The old man folded the letter and handed it back to the figure.

Just as the figure was about to take the letter.

“This Dragon-Phoenix Tournament might see that child participating.”

“…”

That child.

Hearing the term, the figure’s fingertips stiffened.

Seeing this, the old man added more words.

“Divine Spear. If it’s that friend, they must have made a move. They seem rigid but are sly in these matters.”

“…”

“So, you’ll surely get to see them. Didn’t you mention being curious about them?”

The figure’s gaze drifted from the letter to the old man’s face.

“Little Sword Saint.”

“…”

“The child who is said to be Yu’s successor. Aren’t you curious?”

“…”

“If you are curious, go and see for yourself. Also.”

The old man grinned.

Then.

“Show them that you are the future of Mount Hua and the World’s Greatest to come.”

The figure, having seen that smile.

The eyes of Mount Hua’s monster gleamed.