The World’s Greatest is Dead

The World’s Greatest is Dead – Chapter 153

After conversing with the Small Moon Division Leader, I stepped outside. I hadn’t delved deeper into the conversation with him.

“Since the situation was already at hand anyway.”

Whether it was a perception about me, a discussion on the “Radiant Moon Annihilation” that I was carrying, or both, it wasn’t important. What was crucial was, “The Small Moon Division Leader was shaken.”

That stubborn and rigid-looking man had, at least slightly, wavered because of my words. That was what mattered to me. “Not bad at all.”

This wasn’t a poor result. I thought about what was next. “Maybe once or twice more should suffice.”

Having shaken him once, manipulating his mind to draw him in my direction wouldn’t be too difficult. In fact, it was a method I had frequently employed in my previous life.

“Although I suffered significantly because of it, and honestly, I’d prefer not to utilize it too much…”

Still, using it when possible seemed right. No, even if I preferred not to use it, right now, I had to. It wasn’t the time to be picky.

While firming up my resolve and continuing to walk, 『The Sword Saint is a mountain to overcome.』

“…….”

A raspy voice came from above.

『The Sword Saint’s name doesn’t weigh heavily on me.』

“……. Excuse me?”

『It’s just a mountain to overcome anyway, so what’s so heavy about that… chuckle chuckle.』

“…… Grandpa?”

Looking over at the old man who had spoken those words, I saw him smirking at me with a wide grin.

『Oh, such impressive words indeed.』

“…… Damn it.”

I furrowed my brow, realizing this old man’s character meant he’d likely tease me for days.

『Ah, I never dreamed you’d think that way.』

“Did you really think I was thinking that?”

Thoughts my foot.

“What about the Sword Saint’s name being light at all?”

It was heavy enough to crush me. If it had a physical weight, I’d have been smothered to death a long time ago.

“Or maybe I’m already being smothered.”

It wouldn’t be strange if I were gasping under the weight.

Having the Sword Saint’s name as light? What nonsense. It was nothing less than heavy.

“How could it possibly be light?”

Being the World’s Greatest and the greatest ever, being at the top among these countless martial artists—how could anyone dare say that’s easy?

“I said it myself, but it really is an absurd remark.”

Did it become just another path to pass through in life? Even saying it, I felt incredulous.

“What madness.”

I was already amazed I could utter such words without faltering.

“Thanks to that, I managed to come out alive.”

Pretending to be confident, I endured uttering words that didn’t fit my mouth. I managed to return safely, overcoming the anxiety that the Small Moon Division Leader might draw his sword at any moment.

I thought this was the right answer, but…

“…… Well?”

Honestly, it was hard to know for sure.

“Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue inwardly as I walked. Meanwhile, I recalled something I needed to ask Yu Chun-gil.

“I need to ask about yesterday.”

Thinking about inquiring regarding the duel and the dreams I’d had, I opened my mouth to speak to Yu Chun-gil, “Hey, grandpa—”

『Quiet. Someone’s coming ahead.』

“……”

Yu Chun-gil’s words made me promptly close my mouth. Someone coming? I stopped walking and looked straight ahead. As he said, I saw someone approaching.

A woman with a graceful stride and hair flowing in the wind, adorned with prominent white skin that matched her features—Murong Yeongsun.

“You were here.”

She spotted me and gave a slight laugh. “…… Ah, right.”

I had momentarily forgotten, but she was here too. I remembered that Murong Yeongsun had come to the Blue Moon Sect along with us.

“I’ve been searching for quite a while.”

“……. Me, you mean?”

“Yes, of course. Who else would I be looking for here other than Young master Bang?”

“…… Ah, yes.”

The words had a mesmerizing effect.

With a sigh, Bang Sung-Yun looked at Murong Yeongsun and asked, “Young lady Murong.”

“Yes?”

“…… Why are you here exactly?”

“Why? Shouldn’t I be here?”

“Generally, no.”

This was the Blue Moon Sect, not just any place. It was not somewhere an outsider could linger without a reason.

But Murong Yeongsun had subtly slipped into the Blue Moon Sect and had stayed for several days, which was anything but ordinary.

Recalling this, I asked her again, and she raised the corners of her mouth slightly.

“Don’t worry. It’s not like I’m a fool who’d stay here without a reason. Besides, the Sect Leader would never allow it.”

“…… Then?”

“If you’re mistaken in thinking I’m here because of Young master Bang, rest assured that’s not the case.”

Oh? Wasn’t that the case?

I’d naturally assumed it was.

As I frowned and nodded, Yu Chun-gil chuckled and said to me,

『Young one. You have quite a false sense of importance. It’s good to have confidence, but being conceited looks rather foolish.』

‘……’

I tried to ignore this taunting from the old man, even though it slightly annoyed me this time.

“…… Then why are you here?”

If it wasn’t because of me, what reason could Murong Yeongsun have to be at the Blue Moon Sect?

With curiosity, I asked, and Murong Yeongsun, with a mysterious expression, replied.

“Is there any reason I must tell Young master Bang about it?”

“…… That…… is true.”

If it was a personal matter, there’d be no reason for her to tell me.

I nodded in understanding, ready to let it go.

“Curious?”

Murong Yeongsun inquired.

“Not really?”

Honestly, I wasn’t very curious.

So, I was about to say it wasn’t necessary for her to explain, but then she began speaking as if she hadn’t heard me.

“If I tell you, will you do me a favor instead?”

Murong Yeongsun continued speaking on her own.

“No, I said I wasn’t curious! There’s no need to tell me. If you have a favor, even more so-”

“I came to the Blue Moon Sect as the acting family head. The Murong family has a request.”

“Hey.”

Was she not hearing me? She blurted out family matters, causing me to be taken aback.

Was she crazy?

‘Acting family head?’

The fact that Murong Yeongsun visited the Blue Moon Sect as the acting family head meant a significant matter was at hand.

A direct descendant carrying out family matters with the family head’s name?

That meant.

‘It’s a situation where the head of the family must come, but unfortunately, they cannot.’

In other words, it suggested that the Murong family’s head, the King of Silk, was in a somewhat uncomfortable situation.

In summary, the Murong family had a significant matter to request of the Blue Moon Sect.

‘Meanwhile, something has happened to the family head, preventing him from acting.’

Thus, Murong Yeongsun came to request the matter from the Blue Moon Sect herself, which in a word was.

‘A top-secret matter I shouldn’t hear.’

There was no benefit to knowing about this at all.

As I understood up to this point and frowned, Murong Yeongsun laughed and said.

“Do you understand now?”

“……”

That sly fox.

I realized it from her expression. She knew I would draw these conclusions from her words and said them deliberately.

“What is this about……?”

“Well, actually, today I didn’t come for the matter. It was something to fulfill before heading to Sichuan.”

“…… What?”

“I dropped by to ask for a favor while searching for Young master Bang last time.”

Rustle.

Murong Yeongsun took out a letter and rustled it in her hand.

“……”

Looking at the letter, it bore an emblem printed with a blue line. It was none other than the direct seal of the Blue Moon Sect Leader.

“Fortunately, the favor was well handled. I’m just on my way back from meeting.”

“……”

“Oh, I’ll have to return to the family tomorrow.”

“Oh.”

That was a surprisingly agreeable thing to hear. As I reacted with delight, her delicate forehead creased.

“What’s with your reaction?”

“Aha. I unintentionally expressed sincere admiration……”

“…… This is absolutely ridiculous.”

*Tsk!*

Murong Yeongsun clicked her tongue. Then she said, “Anyway, given the situation, please do me this favor.”

“What kind of nonsense request is this?”

“What do you mean?”

“…… Why is the conversation heading in that direction? Why should I grant your favor?”

“You agreed to help if I satisfied your curiosity, didn’t you?”

“…… But I said I wasn’t curious, didn’t I? Who started babbling unilaterally?”

“Why nitpick over such trivial matters……?”

“…… Are you insane?”

How could she be so shameless?

A helpless laugh escaped at her unabashed boldness.

“Anyway. I have a place to go, so come with me. I’m asking a favor here. Please, just do it. We’ll be back by tomorrow, isn’t that something you can grant?”

“No, what I’m saying is-”

“If you don’t agree, I’ll tell the family head you agreed to everything.”

“Are you crazy?”

If she said that, I’d be in an awkward position. Knowing Murong’s head, that man wouldn’t go as far as to pick on me unnecessarily.

‘…… There’s a risk of getting involved in troublesome matters.’

Very troublesome matters, indeed.

“If you bring that up, won’t Young lady Murong be in trouble, too?”

Saying the secret was revealed would cause problems for Murong Yeongsun as much as it would for me.

I pointed it out directly, but she replied, “I’ll just get scolded a bit, right? You know?”

“…….”

Her brazen and confident reply left me speechless.

The fact that she was right was all the more infuriating.

‘…… Even if hell freezes over, that man won’t get angry at her.’

That man cherishes his only daughter very much. It was unimaginable for him to get mad at Murong Yeongsun.

If anything, he might vent any anger for her onto me instead.

‘Damn it.’

I was close to sighing. Why was she acting out like this all of a sudden? I was already busy, with the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament and everything going on—it felt like a disaster had landed on my doorstep.

Moreover, it was such a fine day; it made absolutely no sense why she was doing this… unless?

‘…… Today? Wait.’

A thought dawned upon me, and I squinted my eyes.

Come to think of it, today is…?

“…… Ah.”

I remembered something I’d temporarily forgotten.

“Can you come with me for a short while? It won’t take long-”

“Let’s go.”

“I wasn’t going to ask twice……… Huh?”

Upon hearing my response, Murong Yeongsun wore a momentary blank expression.

“Really……?”

“Yes. I said let’s go. So let’s go.”

“Do you even know where?”

“…… If it’s somewhere strange, I’ll flee?”

“Now? Right now?”

“Yes.”

Hearing my sudden agreement, Murong Yeongsun beamed.

I had noticed from long ago that despite her cold impression, her smile was brighter than it appeared.

“Wait here. I’ll be ready in a moment.”

“Why prepare? We can go right away-”

“Wait. If you run away, I’ll yank out your kneecaps next time.”

“…… I’ll be here.”

Murong Yeongsun left those fierce words and dashed away.

Once Murong Yeongsun vanished, Yu Chun-gil, who had been floating above, watching, commented,

『That’s unexpected.』

“What is, sir?”

『I thought you’d never get involved with that young lady. Yet, you’re willing to go along with such absurdity.』

“…….”

True enough.

I hadn’t intended to indulge in her nonsense.

It’s just…

“…… I remembered something I had forgotten.”

『Something you had forgotten?』

“Yes. That girl wouldn’t normally act so unreasonably.”

Under usual circumstances, she would have likely made half-hearted threats and given up.

But today, her behavior had been strange.

‘It was because of today.’

The issue was precisely with today.

Today was…

‘It was the memorial day of Lady Jin.’

The day marking the passing of Lady Jin, mother of Murong Yeongsun and wife of White King.

Additionally…

‘It’s also Murong Yeongsun’s birthday.’

It was also the birthday of Murong Yeongsun, that particular day.