The World’s Greatest is Dead

The World’s Greatest is Dead – Chapter 145

“Mount Hua is a den of monsters.”

Murong Yeongsun said so.

‘…… A den of monsters?’

It was a chilling statement. The Mount Hua Sect, one of the Taoist sects, was known for its characters with lively and compassionate temperaments.

‘Isn’t calling it a den of monsters an exaggeration?’

It seemed strange to refer to a sect within the Taoist circle as full of monsters.

The more amusing part was,

‘Why are they reacting this way?’

In addition to Murong Yeongsun’s response, Tang Chun-il reacted similarly.

The memory of them shivering at the mere mention of Mount Hua was still vivid.

Especially Tang Chun-il, who could not control his body, even stubbing his pinky toe on a corner.

‘What is this?’

It was clear that there was something unusual going on.

‘What could it possibly be?’

It piqued my curiosity. What could be so detestable to evoke such a reaction?

Beyond mere disgust, there was a subtle fear in their voices as well.

What on earth could they be afraid of?

‘What’s in Mount Hua?’

I tried to recall. I had heard that there is the Plum Blossom Sword, the leader of the sect, and that there are experts with nicknames beyond him.

‘Is the Plum Blossom Sword a monster?’

Based on skill alone, it might be, but still…

‘…… That’s not someone who should be called a monster.’

Considering his kind and compassionate personality and excellent reputation, no one in the Central Plains would dare call the Plum Blossom Sword a monster.

‘Not even that old man.’

If anyone were to be called a monster, it would be Yu Chun-gil, that old fellow, who would fit the title a hundred times more.

『Huh? What are you looking at?』

Yu Chun-gil immediately reacted to my gaze.

『Is there something wrong with your eyes? Boy, are you bad-mouthing me again in your head?』

His perception was unusually sharp.

‘…… If it’s not the Plum Blossom Sword, nor the experts under him… hmm.’

Who else could it be?

I searched my memory again and again.

‘I don’t know much about the Mount Hua Sect.’

Since I hadn’t expected to be involved, I hadn’t studied much about it and knew practically nothing.

As I tried to recall any famous individuals, slowly descending down the ranks…

‘Ah.’

When I reached the very bottom, to the level of recent disciples, someone finally came to mind.

A figure who had once stirred the Central Plains.

And their title was, possibly…

‘Sword…’

*Swish!!!*

I was jolted out of my thoughts, quickly turning my head.

*Fwack!!*

A wooden sword narrowly brushed past my cheek. I quickly planted my feet firmly on the ground.

Pressure surged from my toes throughout my body.

Twisting my waist, I swung my sword forward.

*Whack!!!*

*Whack!*

The wooden sword full of power clashed against my opponent’s sword. With a thump, I found myself being pushed back.

I had lost in the struggle of strength.

“Tch.”

Clicking my tongue, I hastily tried to regain my stance.

*Woosh!!!*

The wooden sword sharply aimed at me as if it wouldn’t wait for me to stabilize.

Focusing, I attempted to track every movement with my Moon Eye.

Rolling my eyes, I observed the path of the wooden sword closely.

‘Two feints. The real attack is diagonally from below.’

Gripping my sword tightly, I twisted slightly.

*Thwack!!*

The opponent’s sword struck, as if it had been waiting, exactly where I intended to defend.

Brute forcing it would only lead to being twisted as before.

With a slight twist, I deflected the attack with the flat side of my sword.

*Thud!!*

The opponent’s sword slid up along the flat side of my sword towards the sky.

Now was the time.

*Hum!!!*

Blue Moon Mind Technique surged through my body.

I executed Moon Wave right then.

As a semicircle formed, the moon unfolded in the air, but…

『Foolish boy.』

With Yu Chun-gil’s lament, my head was about to be struck by the wooden sword.

‘Damn it-!’

*Whack!!*

Just as the wooden sword was about to fall on my forehead, *Stop!*

The sword stopped in its tracks just before contact.

My sword, which held the moon, had also halted before touching the opponent’s waist.

Given the distance of the wooden sword, had it struck, I would undoubtedly have fallen first.

“…… I lost.”

I clicked my tongue regretfully and retracted my sword.

Seeing that, my opponent nodded.

The opponent was Do Hyung.

“It was a good match.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

I had lost again.

I often sparred with Do Hyung, but had never won against him.

‘… This person is seriously strong.’

Being a few years older than me, but still…

‘I’ve reached the peak as well, though.’

Do Hyung’s movements were impeccably sharp.

His actions, sticking to the basics, exuded an overwhelming force.

Being a martial artist from the Small Moon Division, I was aware of Do Hyung having reached the peak as well.

‘It seems I can’t quite reach him.’

The fight with Do Hyung always ended in a constant cycle of near misses.

“He is strong.”

It was amazing.

“Why isn’t someone this strong well-known?”

Do Hyung, considering his age, was at a post-peak level. Just entering the Small Moon Division at his age clearly marked him as a genius.

“At that level, isn’t he stronger than Tang Chun-il?”

It seemed he was even stronger than Tang Chun-il, who was around the same age as Do Hyung.

“Why wasn’t he chosen for the Seven Geniuses?”

It was puzzling that he hadn’t been included in the Seven Geniuses.

“Is it because he’s weaker than Chun Hye-In?”

Could it be that he wasn’t included among the Seven Geniuses because he was weaker than Moonlit Delight Chun Hye-In? That seemed to be the only reason to consider if one had to guess.

“Since one of the Seven Geniuses already came from the Blue Moon Sect.”

If another Seven Geniuses emerged from the Blue Moon Sect, it could cause a stir.

“There are already people gossiping about the Blue Moon Sect receiving special treatment.”

It was Yu Chun-Gil’s sect, after all. The Murim Alliance saw it as a foundational place, and it received various benefits compared to other sects or families.

“Even if it’s not strange, public opinion is something to consider.”

Considering this, maybe that’s why Do Hyung wasn’t widely recognized.

That’s one way to think about it.

“Not sure.”

Was that really the case? Maybe not.

*Click.*

I sorted the wooden swords I’d used and simultaneously removed the sandbags tied to my hands and feet.

*Thud! Thud!*

They were unbearably heavy. Once the strain was released, my body finally felt lighter.

Silently observing this, Do Hyung spoke to me.

“Bang Sung-Yun.”

“Yes, senior.”

“Why did you fight without removing them?”

“Sorry?”

Do Hyung pointed to the sandbags.

“Ah, I thought it might be more helpful this way.”

“….”

Do Hyung looked dissatisfied.

Did Do Hyung want me to remove them for the match? That could be, but…

“Well, you didn’t remove yours either, senior.”

Amusingly, Do Hyung also wore iron weights on his limbs. Those seemed even heavier.

“…”

Do Hyung, perhaps at a loss for words, cleared his throat after being reminded. Judging by his reaction, he also forgot he was wearing weights.

Knowing Do Hyung for a few months revealed he was surprisingly a bit scatterbrained.

“Then.”

“Yes?”

“That’s settled, but why didn’t you use it?”

“Use what?”

“….”

“Oh… do you mean the sword aura?”

Do Hyung nodded. It seemed he was asking why I didn’t use the Radiant Moon Annihilation technique.

“I didn’t think it was necessary in a spar.”

“….”

Do Hyung clearly showed disappointment. Was he hoping to see it?

Or perhaps…

“Are you curious about it?”

“…”

Was he curious about the Radiant Moon Annihilation technique? Do Hyung flinched at the question.

It seemed like that was the case.

“Well…”

There was one thing I realized. Everyone in the Small Moon Division learned the Blue Moon Sword Dance, most of them awakened with the Moon Eye.

‘But what they use is different from what I use.’

As could be seen from Do Hyung and the other members of Blue Moon Sect’s use of swords, the techniques I used were different.

Seemingly similar but different.

There were distinct fine differences, clearer than one might assume.

‘Just from Moon Wave alone, it’s clear.’

The Blue Moon Sword Dance itself was a delicate and beautiful art. Most techniques were light, graceful, and gentle, reflecting the rising moon.

‘But mine isn’t like that.’

What I wielded was raw and sharp. Not a delicate sword that might crumble at a touch.

‘It feels like it could smash anything.’

No hesitation before the rising moon as if nothing could block it.

The tenacity that seemed capable of breaking everything.

That was the sword Yu Chun-gil taught me.

‘And I’m the only one who uses it.’

It seemed I was the only one in the entire Blue Moon Sect wielding such swordsmanship.

That’s probably why…

‘Others are likely curious.’

Since my lineage of sword skills came from Yu Chun-gil, it probably caused other members of the Blue Moon Sect to gaze at me curiously at times.

“Can’t you use it, senior?”

It was a sincere question.

Brightness Moon Slash was indeed part of sword technique. Being part of the first motion, second motion, and the third motion, I thought Do Hyung might be able to use it if I wished.

“…?”

Do Hyung stared at me with a look seemingly asking what nonsense was being said.

“Why do you look at me like that?”

Why was he looking at me that way? While I wondered…

『… Child.』

Yu Chun-gil spoke to me with a troubled voice.

『The third motion you use, it never existed, to begin with.』

“…. Huh?”

Upon hearing those words, I furrowed my brow.

What does this mean?

『The Radiant Moon Annihilation Technique is not my creation; originally, it was something else.』

‘…….’

I lightly clenched and unclenched my hand.

It was to cool down the cold sweat that had formed.

‘…… So.’

Does this mean that the Radiant Moon Annihilation Technique was a martial art created by Yu Chun-gil?

‘It’s not something altered like the Moon Wave or Night Moon, either.’

He directly invented it?

‘Oh.’

Then, did it feel as if I was mocking him for not being able to use it now? Understanding Do Hyung’s expression became easier with that realization.

“No… that’s not it.”

I tried hastily to throw out words, but no suitable excuse came to mind.

“…….”

“…….”

An awkward silence passed between us. Scratching the back of my head in embarrassment, I spoke.

“I will let you know… if the opportunity arises next time.”

“!”

At my words, Do Hyung’s eyes widened. A faint hint of joy, rarely seen, seemed to seep into his changed expression.

* * *

After ending the duel with Do Hyung and freshening up, I moved.

It was just past noon.

The sun was high in the sky on an unusually bright day.

While walking, I spoke to Yu Chun-gil.

“I blurted it out for now, but can I really tell him…?”

Was it okay to share the Radiant Moon Annihilation Technique with Do Hyung?

It was permission concerning the words I had just uttered during our previous conversation.

『You are seeking permission after already saying it?』

“…… Well, if it’s not okay, I’ll manage somehow.”

『Hmm.』

Yu Chun-gil floated lightly in the air, picking his nose.

『I don’t particularly mind.』

His casual response was unexpected. How could he be so calm about allowing someone else to learn a martial art he created?

Was it because Do Hyung was also a martial artist of the Blue Moon Sect?

While I looked at him with curiosity, Yu Chun-gil’s words gave a different insight.

『He wouldn’t be able to learn it anyway.』

“Pardon?”

What was he talking about? Can’t learn it, no matter the circumstances?

With a tone cooler than usual, Yu Chun-gil addressed me.

『He won’t be able to learn it. Nor does he have the qualification or talent.』

“…… What?”

Given Do Hyung’s level, he seemed to possess both talent and qualification, yet Yu Chun-gil was firm.

『Boy, you ought to understand just how formidable the power you’re learning truly is.』

“…… I have some idea.”

『Tsk tsk… With your limited talent, you wouldn’t reach it. It’s something you could barely acquire with the help of this great Yu Chun-gil.』

“…….”

Although true, that statement was quite infuriating.

What should I do with his remarkable self-esteem?

『I won’t stop you from sharing it with others, but know it’s ultimately futile. Oh.』

While speaking, Yu Chun-gil suddenly altered his stance.

『The Sect Leader’s daughter, that girl might manage.』

He was referring to Chun Hye-In.

Just like before, Yu Chun-gil appeared to think highly of Chun Hye-In.

『And perhaps, her brother could as well. Though it would be difficult for now.』

“Hmm?”

Was he referring to Chun Uijin?

‘That’s unexpected.’

Do Hyung couldn’t, but Chun Hye-In could.

And Chun Uijin was also a possibility.

Did this mean Yu Chun-gil evaluated Chun Uijin’s talent highly?

‘According to that line of thinking…’

Indeed, Chun Uijin did possess remarkable talent.

To have reached first-rate at that age was extraordinary talent, but still.

‘Compared to Do Hyung…’

It was somewhat ambiguous considering Do Hyung had likely reached the peak.

Chun Uijin hadn’t even entered the Small Moon Division.

‘Yet Yu Chun-gil rates him thus.’

It seemed to imply there was something different about him.

『In any case, you handle that on your own. Don’t you need to prepare soon?』

“Ah, yes.”

Yu Chun-gil’s words snapped me back to reality.

While talking and walking, I had already reached my destination.

‘Let’s do it.’

Nodding, I steeled my resolve.

I needed to recall why I had come here since lunchtime.

‘It’s time to act.’

What I aimed to accomplish by coming to the Blue Moon Sect.

‘To establish a solid backing.’

To prepare for assuming the position of young sect leader, I needed to gather my forces.

The first stop was to enlist someone who would support me becoming the young sect leader.

* * *

“What… did you say?”

A man with blue eyes asked.

I reiterated the words I had spoken earlier.

“I guess I need to become the young sect leader; could you help me?”

At my casual and smiling delivery of those words, the man’s expression twisted.

He seemed utterly baffled by it.

And understandably so.

“…… You came to me to say that?”

The person I was speaking to was none other than the Blue Moon Sect’s second-in-command.

It was Small Moon Division Leader Baek Yu-Chun, who had openly declared his dislike for me.