The World’s Greatest is Dead

Chapter 124 of “The World’s Greatest is Dead”

Sky Filling Flower Rain.

It was the representative martial art of the Tang family, a technique that had elevated their renown as warriors to where it was today.

This cruel and destructive martial art showered countless hidden weapons down like rain.

Moreover, its power was so immense that it was particularly suited for war.

What power could be better suited for warfare than hidden weapons raining down from the sky like rain?

Indeed, thanks to this, the Poison Sovereign made significant contributions in wars.

To the highest echelons of the Demonic Cult, Yu Chun-gil and Jaegal Jin were called the worst of demons.

To the lower-ranking demons who directly faced him in war, there was no more horrifying existence than the warriors of the Tang family, particularly the Poison Sovereign, who was called the pinnacle.

Due to the poison art, food couldn’t be consumed recklessly.

During the war, they also had to be cautious, as they never knew when hidden weapons might pierce their heads.

‘Even if Sky Filling Flower Rain didn’t solve everything.’

It did not change the fact that it became the symbol of the Tang family.

Yes, a symbol.

Something that other families and sects so desperately wanted to possess and hold onto.

A martial art that symbolized the group was extremely important.

The Blue Moon Sword Dance of the Blue Moon Sect was revered alongside the Plum Blossom Sword Art of the Mount Hua Sect as a beautiful and powerful swordsmanship.

The symbolic martial arts of the Nine Great Sects were the same.

This was generally true for the other Five Great Families as well.

Thinking of the Namgung family brought to mind the Imperial Sword Form, a hegemonic martial art.

Symbols were important. They represented the unique identity of a group and, when evaluated for their value, nothing could be more significant.

‘This is likely why the Blue Moon Sect clung so stubbornly to the symbol of the Full Moon.’

Aside from the Blue Moon Sword Dance, the symbolism of the Full Moon itself originated from the existence of the Sword Saint. Since the Sword Saint was currently considered the symbol of the Blue Moon Sect, they had sufficient reason to protect it.

The Tang family was no different.

‘They lack definitive symbols compared to other places.’

While the Iron Workshop existed within the Tang family as its most powerful symbol.

‘Well.’

It was remarkable in terms of craft and weapon creation but difficult to view as a symbol of martial prowess.

Poison art? It was undoubtedly a menacing power but had no appropriate symbolic force.

This was why the Tang family often received ambiguous evaluations.

The other Five Great Families all had martial symbols.

The Tang family was deemed lacking in this aspect.

This perception intensified during the era of the Poison King.

While the Iron Workshop was still in what was called a period of prosperity, the death of the Poison Sovereign had left a significant impact.

Poison King was still evaluated as powerful in martial arts but that was only in terms of individual force and reputation.

Were all the warriors of the Tang family strong…

‘Public opinion states this is their weakest era so far.’

Excluding Poison King, the family wasn’t particularly strong.

Among the Five Great Families, it was considered the weakest alongside the Jaegal family.

That was the current evaluation of the Tang family.

‘Especially considering the Jaegal family never rose to power through military force…’

The claim of being the weakest was concentrated on the Tang family.

‘It is actually the case.’

An evaluation that postulated that following the death of the Poison Sovereign, the family had been progressively declining.

A martial family that clung solely to the Iron Workshop.

Such was the evaluation of the Tang family.

Most likely.

‘All these factors are probably accelerating Poison King’s impatience.’

Such was my conjecture.

Perhaps due to this impatience, the Poison King clung to the symbol of Sky Filling Flower Rain, a vestige of the past.

While I was mulling over these thoughts.

“… Young master Bang.”

The Poison King called my name as he stood up.

At that moment.

*Screech—!!!*

“!”

I had to stiffen my whole body due to the immense aura emanating from Poison King.

*Rattle-!*

All the furniture in the family head’s room trembled. Everything was affected by Poison King’s intense aura.

Especially me, directly receiving the aura, felt like I would go insane.

‘It’s maddening.’

My bones resonated.

Just this aura alone was enough for that.

This was.

‘An absolute master…’

The Five Kings, who made their names known combining both fame and martial prowess in the Central Plains.

The five most influential martial artists were bestowed with the title of “king” and given epithets.

The Sword King of the Namgung family.

The Blade King of the Peng family.

The Poison King of the Tang family.

The War King of Xian.

And the White King of Liaoning.

In terms of their levels of mastery, they were unmatched.

Based on their accomplishments, the titles were well deserved.

People called these five individuals the “Five Kings of Murim”.

With the disappearance of Broken Heaven Palace, they were seen as the finest masters, destined to ascend to the highest plane in the future.

One among them, the Poison King, was undoubtedly a supreme master.

The aura he emitted was something that I, a mere First-rate martial artist, could not hope to withstand.

But, I clenched my fists tightly and endured it.

“I believe you to be a remarkable individual.”

The Poison King said to me with a murderous gaze. I forced a smile at his words.

“Thank you for thinking so highly of me.”

“… Given your position, I assume you understand the implications of your earlier statement. Am I correct?”

*Crack-!!!*

*Clang-!*

The teacup shook and eventually shattered.

I was startled. To create such an effect merely by releasing energy was astounding.

It was impressive, but also…

‘That could be directed at me.’

Knowing that my body could similarly shatter like the teacup heightened my tension.

This was the Poison King’s warning.

Speak correctly.

Otherwise, you might end up like that teacup.

Such was the warning.

“Yes, I am aware. But I still believe it needs to be said.”

“How did you know?”

The Poison King’s eyes and aura were as sharp as ever, as he questioned how I knew about Sky Filling Flower Rain Art’s whereabouts.

However, he did not intensify his pressure. He maintained it at a level where I could still speak, matching my capability.

“I figured it out because of the situation.”

“… Situation?”

“The Sect Leader expressed an inexplicable urgency. To resolve it, he specifically sought me out to open the Poison Sovereign’s secret vault.”

To seek help in opening the secret vault of the Poison Sovereign, something that should not be known to outsiders.

Was that truly the only method available?

No.

‘It means it was that desperate.’

There was no time to seek alternative methods; it was a matter of extreme urgency.

That was my judgment of the Poison King’s situation.

“Why were you so desperate to find that out? I always wondered.”

So, I matched my assumptions to the circumstances.

“I found that since the previous sect leader passed away, no one in the Tang family has used the Sky Filling Flower Rain Art.”

This was unknown information. I had not verified it, but it didn’t matter. I knew the answer.

I just needed to craft a plausible path to reach it.

“Of course, it could also be because there have been no wars significant enough to use Sky Filling Flower Rain Art…”

While opening a loophole to give the Poison King an out, I alleviated his frustration.

“When I thought about what I had, I concluded there was only one answer.”

“What do you have?”

Opening a path then decisively closing it again to muddle his focus.

This was my form of revenge.

“What do you possess?”

“I’ve already told you.”

Revenge for the Poison King who had previously played tricks on me.

‘Let him suffer the same.’

And to get revenge on Yu Chun-gil who always acted without explanation.

『What are you doing? Have you lost your mind?』

Yu Chun-gil kept talking to me, but I ignored him.

“If you want the Sky Filling Flower Rain Art, I can assist you.”

“…”

“You know, my master helped in its initial recovery…”

“!”

When I mentioned Yu Chun-gil, the Poison King’s eyes widened.

Yes, Yu Chun-gil was regarded as a benefactor by the Tang family for a reason.

He assisted in the recovery of Sky Filling Flower Rain Art.

And because of that, he received rewards.

“I learned of Sky Filling Flower Rain Art when I inherited the teachings from my master.”

『This crazy guy!』

“… What? Is that truly the case?”

At my words, Yu Chun-gil recoiled, and the Poison King was so astonished that even his aura faltered.

“Yes. It’s almost as if master had foreseen this situation, for he had conveyed his words in advance.”

『When on earth did I ever say that? What joy could these people possibly find in that?!』

“If I had business at the Tang family, I was contemplating passing on the message… but now seems like the perfect time.”

“…”

The Poison King’s brow furrowed slightly at the words.

That wrinkle was a sign of doubt.

“… Young master Bang.”

“Yes, family head.”

“I’m not certain if what you say is true. If it were true, why would you bring it up only now?”

It had already been a long time since I arrived in Sichuan, and many days had passed since I stayed with the Tang family. Why speak of Sky Filling Flower Rain Art only now? This seemed to baffle the Poison King.

“Aye. Why are you making such a fuss?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his words.

“We both know we’ve been hiding things from each other. We’re not exactly close enough to offer help purely out of goodwill, are we?”

“…”

I didn’t beat around the bush.

We had a transactional relationship, always wary to ensure we wouldn’t incur losses. Over the short period we had spent knowing each other, we both had come to understand this about each other.

Both the Poison King and I knew.

‘He’s a man who won’t act without profit.’

We were that type of people.

The Poison King didn’t deny my words. He only shifted his gaze.

From a hopeful outlook, it transformed into the sharp glint of a merchant eyeing a transaction.

“… Alright. If Young master Bang truly knows about the Sky Filling Flower Rain Art, and you mention this now, it means you seek something, correct?”

“Precisely.”

“Then, before listening, I’ll say this.”

*Snap-!*

“!”

I flinched. The Poison King had drawn a dagger from his hand and thrust it into the table.

Then.

*Ssssss-!*

A noxious odor emanated from the place where the dagger was embedded, gradually turning the surrounding area black.

“If by any chance Young master Bang’s words are false, despite you being a member of the Blue Moon Sect and the Sword Saint’s successor, you will be punished according to the Tang family’s laws.”

My knees trembled. Though I didn’t know what those laws entailed, seeing the table gave me a clear understanding.

‘My body might end up just like that table.’

That thought flashed through my mind.

“Very well.”

I nodded. It was a stake worth risking my life for.

Only by wagering my life would that wretched old man move as I wished.

『You rotten scoundrel…』

Understanding my intentions, a wrinkle formed on Yu Chun-gil’s forehead.

I ignored him.

Ah, the little problem was…

‘That old man’s temper.’

If left to his devices, he could explode and after disregarding my life and everything else.

So, I had to quickly state what I wanted.

“Then conversely, the family head must also give a definitive answer.”

I was steadfast in my certainty.

“Speak.”

“If what I say is correct, and if Sky Filling Flower Rain Art ends up in the hands of the Tang Family head.”

From here on, hearing my conditions, Yu Chun-gil would move for my benefit, I was sure.

That old man was cunning and politically savvy to a chilling extent.

So.

“Grant me, with the name of Poison King Tang Gyung-ak, not to the Blue Moon Sect but personally, the priority trading rights with the Iron Workshop and the exclusive trading rights for lower-tier weaponry.”

Yu Chun-gil would understand the significance of these words.

Thinking this, I spoke.

『What?』

Yu Chun-gil, who had been glaring at me, let out a surprised breath.

『Ha. Hahahahaha-!!』

Soon after, he burst into loud laughter.

After a good laugh, Yu Chun-gil stopped and addressed me.

『You cunning fellow.』

His blazing eyes and twisted lips were terrifying.

『You keep entertaining this old man!』

Despite his fierce gaze.

Amusingly, there was a faint admiration in his eyes similar to the Iron Workshop master had when admiring Tang Yelan.

How annoyingly ironic.