The World’s Greatest is Dead

The World’s Greatest is Dead – Chapter 116

The garden was well-maintained. The lake was beautifully adorned.

Carp inhabited that lake. The flowers along the path seemed to have been personally planted, their vibrant colors brightening the surroundings.

It appeared to be a truly picturesque place, but the place I visited had some aspects that were slightly different from my expectations.

The surroundings were bright and exuded a vibe similar to the owner’s personality.

‘Why is the residence so shabby?’

However, the building where people actually lived felt somewhat different from the surrounding atmosphere.

‘The place where I stay seems better.’

The guest quarters provided for me looked much more luxurious. While it could be said they gave the best building to the guest, ‘Still, it’s the residence of a direct bloodline.’

The place I came to was where a direct bloodline was supposed to reside.

The guest quarters may be better, but the difference shouldn’t be this extreme.

‘Even if it’s not great, it’s a hundred times better than my house.’

Considering the great prestige of the Tang family, it was a bit strange.

I noticed this as I entered the entrance.

At that moment, “Stop right there.”

A martial artist guarding the entrance blocked me.

I addressed him as I looked at him.

“I am Bang Sung-Yun from the Blue Moon Sect. I’ve come to meet Tang Yelan.”

“!”

The martial artist’s eyes widened upon hearing my introduction.

“Little Sword Saint……?”

His muttered words sounded unusually loud. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have heard it, but my improved state allowed me to.

“Yes. That’s me……”

I ignored the title that I would never grow accustomed to. The martial artist, recognizing me, displayed a moment of surprise but still didn’t move aside.

“Currently, Young lady Tang is not accepting visitors.”

His tone subtly grew more respectful.

As expected……the power of a name is supreme……?

“I know, but it’s a special circumstance.”

“I’ll say it again, this is per the orders of the family head……”

“That’s why I have permission.”

I interrupted the martial artist’s words and pulled out an item from my sleeve.

“Huff!”

The martial artist’s eyes widened like saucers.

A green seal.

He seemed to know what it signified.

This was something the Poison King had given to me.

He had foreseen situations like this and prepared it for me in advance.

Judging by his reaction, it certainly was a helpful item.

“I have the family head’s permission. Can I go in?”

“… I, I will escort you.”

I nodded at the now extremely respectful martial artist’s reaction.

However…

‘Something feels excessively courteous.’

Though his reaction seemed somewhat excessive, I decided not to dwell on it.

That was the problem.

At that moment, I should have paid more attention to that reaction than anything else.

* * *

I was guided into Tang Yelan’s residence.

As I had noticed before, it was eerily quiet.

It was well-maintained, yet distinctly lacking in signs of life.

‘It’s not at the level of an abandoned house, but the vibe is just like that.’

It was a space devoid of vitality.

This suggested one simple thing.

‘It seems Tang Yelan doesn’t stay here much either.’

Even though it was her residence, she probably didn’t sleep here.

That was my guess.

“This is Young lady Tang’s residence.”

“Thank you.”

After the martial artist finished guiding me, he left. I slowly reached for the door.

*Knock, knock.*

After knocking a few times, I sensed movement inside.

I heard shuffling sounds.

-… Who is it?

Though her voice was thin and weary, she was surely Tang Yelan.

“It’s me, Bang Sung-Yun.”

-!!

The movement inside grew more pronounced.

It was evident she was flustered.

-Young master Bang…? How did you come here…?

“I had some matters to discuss, so I sought permission from the family head. I have a favor to ask, could I see your face?”

-J-Just a moment, please. It won’t take long!

Her urgent tone made me take a step back.

As she said she would come out, I chose to wait.

A moment passed.

*Screech-!*

The door opened, revealing Tang Yelan.

She looked not much different from usual.

The only noticeable difference was the fatigue reflected in the dark circles under her eyes, presumably from a lack of sleep.

“Oh, hello.”

“Yes. Good morning.”

“Wha-what brings you here, Young master Bang…?”

“Ah, it’s nothing else.”

I got straight to the point, as there was no need to waste time.

I took out an item wrapped in cloth from my bosom and showed it to Tang Yelan.

“Could you make me a sword?”

“… What?”

Tang Yelan looked at me with a blank expression.

* * *

I entered the room. The place was old, but the interior was much better than I had expected.

Of course, it still lacked any signs of life.

“This… I don’t have much to offer.”

Tang Yelan poured a cup of tea on the table.

“No, it’s fine. I’m grateful for anything, especially since I came unannounced.”

I smiled slightly and took the teacup.

As I took a sip, I looked up.

‘Wondered where he was, and he’s here.’

Above Tang Yelan, I saw Poison Sovereign staring at me.

I had wondered where he’d gone, but it seemed he was clinging to Tang Yelan.

‘… How creepy.’

His glaring eyes were the same.

Or maybe, they seemed even sharper?

‘I’m here because of a request, so why is he looking at me like that?’

It wasn’t like I wanted to come here voluntarily.

They’d asked me to come, so it was absurd.

I tried to ignore him and drank the tea.

“That… what you asked earlier.”

Tang Yelan spoke to me.

“Oh, I meant it as is. Remember what you said last time?”

It was a conversation we had at the Iron Workshop before.

I had asked her to make me a sword, and she had agreed, though uncertain when it would be.

“… Suddenly?”

Her confused expression made sense, considering it was out of the blue today.

Even I would be taken aback.

But, “Yes.”

I replied nonchalantly.

“I would like you to make me a sword.”

“… What is this about?”

Without answering, I unwrapped the cloth in front of her.

When it was unveiled, “What is this?”

Tang Yelan tilted her head, puzzled by the revealed item.

The item was the divine sword known as the Heavenly Demon’s Sword, or rather, its remnants.

The handle and guard remained, with the shattered blade barely attached, no longer worthy of being called a sword.

“I don’t want a new sword… rather, I was hoping you could repair this.”

“Repair…?”

It was a repair in name only. In reality, it required a level of craftsmanship akin to making a new sword.

Still, it was indeed a repair.

Tang Yelan slowly reached for the hilt.

“May I touch it?”

At her question, I glanced upwards.

Poison Sovereign nodded his head.

“Yes. Go ahead.”

With his permission, she grabbed the hilt and carefully inspected it.

She closely examined the remains of the blade.

“!”

Suddenly, she reacted strongly.

“… Is this… Black Iron Sword?”

“… What?”

I looked back at Poison Sovereign.

『Yes, it is Black Iron.』

“Yes, it is.”

‘So, it was Black Iron. I couldn’t have known just from seeing it.’

“The sword may be damaged, but it’s extraordinary. It could be a high-grade weapon at the very least. Where did you get such a sword…?”

I wasn’t particularly surprised by the “high-grade” mention.

‘It was said to be the sword of the Heavenly Demon, after all.’

It was only natural that the sword used by Heavenly Demon was extraordinary.

However, ‘Can she repair it?’

Even if Poison Sovereign and Yu Chun-gil recommended her, it was uncertain if she could handle it.

“It’s my master’s keepsake.”

“… Oh….”

She froze at the mention of Yu Chun-gil.

It was a convenient excuse.

“My master’s last wish was to repair the sword. Since you mentioned it before, I thought I’d come see you… is it possible?”

Tang Yelan’s eyes fluttered for a moment. Then, “This… is impossible.”

She quickly dismissed the idea.

I looked at her quietly.

“Why? Is it too difficult to repair?”

“It’s not that the repair is impossible… The biggest problem is the material.”

“You mean Black Iron?”

“Yes, our family does have black iron, but I can’t use it without permission-”

“Ah, I spoke with the head of your family about this.”

“Pardon…?”

“He said it doesn’t matter what materials we use.”

“What… really?”

Her expression indicated she still couldn’t comprehend.

But it was the truth.

‘Just in case, I had asked.’

When I mentioned that Yu Chun-gil’s relics needed repairs, I was told any material would be fine.

Could the Poison King not have foreseen the use of black iron or cold iron?

I believed he did.

He must have allowed it knowingly.

‘It’s odd to be allowed to use black iron just by asking.’

Perhaps it was major for me to mention the Murong family?

Since it was allowed, I planned to benefit from it, though it felt slightly unsettling.

“The materials should be possible. Is that alright now?”

“Uh, no… Even so, repairing high-grade weaponry is beyond my current skill level.”

“You mean you can’t do it, not that it’s impossible.”

“My skills are one thing, but being entrusted with the Sword Saint’s relic is another…”

“What do you mean ‘someone like me’?”

“Pardon?”

“Regardless of your standing, I assessed that you could be trusted. I felt more uneasy about leaving it with other craftsmen.”

“…..”

It was almost laughable.

In reality, if entrusted to other craftsmen, especially those in the Iron Workshop, it would have been safer and more perfectly completed.

Honestly, I didn’t understand why the task was being given to Tang Yelan.

‘What is his plan?’

I couldn’t fathom Poison Sovereign’s intentions.

I didn’t understand why he wanted to restore the Heavenly Demon’s Sword or why he wanted his own granddaughter to handle it.

Even if I didn’t understand, but…

‘Since there’s something I need.’

With something to gain, I had to comply.

“So, I’d like you to take on this task, Young lady Tang.”

“…..”

As I spoke, Tang Yelan’s gaze wavered.

She was coming around. I sensed it and decided to push further.

I had to press the issue now.

“If it’s because of what happened yesterday, you don’t have to worry. I already discussed it with the head of your family as well.”

Though she was being punished, she was allowed to work on the sword.

It was a firm agreement with the Poison King. His unusual generosity had made it possible.

“So, Young lady Tang, please…”

“Young master Bang.”

“Yes?”

“… I have something to ask you.”

“Go ahead. I’ll listen.”

What did she want to ask? If it was work-related, I had already prepared for all possible questions.

“Why didn’t you ask anything about what happened yesterday…?”

“……?”

This was an unexpected question.

“Yesterday?”

“Yes.”

“What about yesterday…?”

“You know… what happened with my orabeoni.”

“Oh.”

Then I understood.

It seemed she was referring to her thrashing of Poison Dragon last night.

Her words implied, ‘Are you not curious that I defeated Poison Dragon?’

Tang Yelan was known to be weaker than Poison Dragon.

Thus, Poison Dragon, not Poison Flower, had been included in the Seven Geniuses.

Yet Tang Yelan had defeated Poison Dragon easily.

By rights, it was something to be suspicious about.

‘… Since I already knew.’

I had heard about it from Yu Chun-gil a while ago.

While others were reacting with shock and awe…

“I had an inkling.”

“… Excuse me? You knew?”

“Yes.”

Though it wasn’t of my own volition.

“I may not know why you were concealing your skills, Young lady Tang, but I assumed you had your reasons.”

“…..”

“Even if you were hiding it, I didn’t think it was for any malicious reason. You, Young lady Tang, are not that type of person.”

“… Ah…”

“Does that answer your question?”

Tang Yelan stared at me blankly for a moment.

Was it that strange not to ask?

Or was my hastily prepared answer odd?

Thinking I shouldn’t let her refuse, I added,

“Any issues that arise during the repair, I’ll make sure to…”

“I’ll do it.”

“Excuse me?”

“The sword… this. I’ll handle the repair.”

There was determination in Tang Yelan’s eyes.

For some reason, those eyes were…

“I’ll make it work, somehow.”

Just as fierce and intense as when she had thrashed Poison Dragon last night.

Watching, Poison Sovereign subtly smiled.

As I observed his smile, I thought, ‘… Wow.’

His smile was terrifyingly sinister.