The World’s Greatest is Dead

The World’s Greatest is Dead – Chapter 126

After my conversation with the Poison King ended, I headed for the city in Sichuan that I had visited last time.

Back then, due to an incident involving Murong Yeongsun, I couldn’t properly accomplish my task.

This time, I intended to finish it once and for all.

『If it’s about that task, you mean the last one?』

To Yu Chun-gil’s question, I nodded.

I didn’t speak. Once again, a martial artist from the Tang family followed me, pretending to guide but actually monitoring me.

‘How irritating.’

Given the situation, I understood it to some extent, yet I couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

‘I should finish up quickly and return.’

With that resolve, I headed slowly towards my destination.

The destination was the Murim Alliance Sichuan branch, located in the largest city of the region.

It was the place I had intended to visit last time as well.

The reason was an important letter.

I was both to send and receive one.

‘Who could it be?’

I wondered who had sent me the letter. It was a mystery before, but this time I hoped to find out.

Upon reaching the Murim Alliance, I saw a large building and a high flag bearing the Murim Alliance insignia.

The symbol was familiar. It was the emblem of the place where I had toiled like a dog for the past year.

“Halt.”

As I approached the gate, a martial artist who appeared to be a guard stopped me.

“State your purpose and identity…”

The martial artist trailed off midway, seemingly recognizing the Tang family members trailing behind me.

Or perhaps he recognized the Blue Moon Sect attire I was wearing.

The first possibility seemed more plausible since this was Sichuan, a region under the Tang family’s control.

“My purpose is to check the arrived letter, and my identity is Bang Sung-Yun from the Blue Moon Sect.”

“!”

The martial artist’s eyes widened like saucers at my words.

“… Little Sword Saint…?”

‘Damn it.’

I cursed internally at his astonished remark.

‘Damn rumors just won’t die.’

How far had these rumors spread? From the way this martial artist knew about it, it was likely my story had spread throughout the Sichuan branch.

Forcing a neutral expression, I addressed the martial artist.

“… Yes, I am the one you think.”

“… Ah…”

Upon my confirmation, the martial artist hastily assumed a respectful stance.

“A warrior of the Alliance greets the Small Moon Division member of the Blue Moon Sect…”

I couldn’t help but feel surprised.

‘Wow.’

I had nearly forgotten about this fact; I was indeed part of the Small Moon Division.

‘Right.’

The Blue Moon Sect was almost like a direct subordinate of the Murim Alliance.

Considering the position of the Small Moon Division within it, ‘Even the branch manager couldn’t ignore it.’

Members of the Small Moon Division were destined to become, or already were, representatives of the Blue Moon Sect in the future.

So, it was natural for a warrior of the Murim Alliance to react this way upon seeing me.

‘But it feels awkward.’

The degree of formality he displayed felt strangely uncomfortable.

I had never experienced anything like this before.

Thus, I stood quietly, unable to say much.

“… I will immediately inform the branch. Could you wait for a moment?”

The warrior said urgently, casting a look of mild panic.

“… Ah, yes. Take your time.”

“We will prepare everything shortly.”

The moment my consent was given, he darted inside like the wind.

This seemed like a good omen.

‘Is verifying identity even necessary here?’

He just took my word for it without proper verification.

‘Could this also be the influence from behind?’

The presence of the Tang family members following me likely had an influence, as no one would dare suspect falsehoods with them around.

“Hm.”

Anyway, if things went smoothly, that was a good thing. Thinking so, I waited.

Not long after, the martial artist who had gone in earlier reappeared.

“We will escort you inside.”

I followed him into the Murim Alliance’s Sichuan branch.

* * *

As soon as I entered the Murim Alliance’s interior, surprisingly, the first person I encountered was the Sichuan branch manager.

“I am Baek Dong-Yun, the branch manager of the Sichuan branch.”

He was a middle-aged man with a kind face. He introduced himself as the branch manager and greeted me politely.

“I am Bang Sung-Yun from the Blue Moon Sect. It’s an honor to meet you, senior Thousand Sword.”

The Sichuan branch manager’s eyes widened at my words. He seemed surprised that I recognized him.

‘I did well to remember.’

Just in case, I had memorized the names of the famous individuals of the branch. Among them, the most famous was, of course, the branch manager.

‘Thousand Sword Baek Dong-Yun.’

He was a figure who had been active in the Sichuan branch for a long time and was a renowned master who made significant contributions during the war.

‘I didn’t expect to meet him in person.’

A master like him coming out to personally greet me left quite an impression.

I suddenly realized the prestige of the Blue Moon Sect, especially the Small Moon Division.

“To meet a member of the Small Moon Division—it’s an honor. I heard from my subordinate that you have some business with the alliance…”

“Oh, yes. I heard that a letter for me was entrusted to the alliance.”

Upon hearing my words, the branch manager glanced behind him. The martial artist, who received his gaze, quickly moved.

“I will make sure to retrieve it immediately. It won’t take long… Perhaps, I can offer you some tea while you wait… How does that sound?”

I gave a slightly awkward smile.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have much time. There are people waiting for me.”

As I spoke, I looked at the members of the Tang family who had come with me. The branch manager, seeing this, widened his eyes and nodded.

The man seemed to have figured out the situation merely by observing. As befitting someone who had risen to the position of branch manager, he was quick on the uptake.

“It’s unfortunate. Even though I’ve met the great hope of the Central Plains, it seems we won’t have the chance to converse much. I hope that next time, we’ll have more time together.”

“Thank you for your kind words. It’s also unfortunate for me that I couldn’t converse more with you.”

『How unfortunate indeed. At least put some effort into sounding sincere.』

Of course, it wasn’t really unfortunate. I had no desire to be held up for some conversation.

‘I can feel eyes on me from all directions.’

I sensed the gazes from all around. The martial artists of the alliance were staring at me as if they found me fascinating.

It was exactly how one must feel like a monkey in a zoo.

Meanwhile, the branch manager seemed eager to say more to me.

Moreover, he wasn’t even trying to hide his feelings, which were clearly reflected in his eyes.

It was quite burdensome.

As I mulled over what to do.

“Branch manager.”

The martial artist who had gone to confirm earlier reappeared. He held a single letter in his hand.

The branch manager seemed slightly annoyed at his subordinate for returning so quickly.

However, it seemed he had nothing to say in front of me.

The branch manager carefully picked up the letter and handed it to me.

“It seems this letter was sent to you, Young master Bang…”

The branch manager, who smiled while handing over the letter, paused momentarily.

He seemed to realize something while looking at the letter.

‘What’s this?’

Why was he reacting like that?

I looked at the branch manager with curiosity.

『Oh?』

Yu Chun-gil, who had been silent, suddenly reacted. He was also looking at the letter.

『This… it’s a letter from the Beggars’ Sect.』

‘Beggars’ Sect?’

Hearing his words, I narrowed my eyes. The Beggars’ Sect was one of the Nine Great Sects, known for having all sorts of rumors and information within the Central Plains.

The issue was.

‘It’s not really a problem, is it?’

This wasn’t particularly meaningful. The Beggars’ Sect was an information-gathering and selling organization.

On top of that, they were also responsible for the delivery and management of letters.

They were renowned for their speed and accuracy.

Although the fact that beggars delivered it might be disconcerting, they were widely trusted for their precision.

‘Come to think of it.’

Only then did I notice the seal on the letter.

‘It is the seal of the Beggars’ Sect.’

I used to see this seal daily when working for the Murim Alliance.

The symbols of the Nine Great Sects were so uniquely distinctive that one couldn’t help but notice them.

However, ‘Something’s different.’

Upon closer inspection, something seemed off.

The color was slightly darker, and there were subtle differences here and there.

Even faint gold lines were interwoven, making it look somewhat different from what I knew.

What is that?

As I stared at the symbols with questioning eyes.

『It’s the Sect Leader’s symbol.』

Yu Chun-gil noticed my confusion and explained.

Only then did my curiosity start to resolve.

‘So, it’s the Sect Leader’s symbol…’

Huh?

“… What…? The Sect Leader!?”

“Yes?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I sometimes have seizures. Don’t mind me.”

“… Seizures?”

I inadvertently shouted in surprise.

As the branch manager reacted to my outburst, I hastily clarified. Although saying it was a seizure made the reaction even stranger, there was no time to worry about that now.

‘The Sect Leader?’

Was Yu Chun-gil referring to the Sect Leader I was thinking of?

‘… The Beggar Sect Leader?’

The highest-ranking figure in the Beggar Sect.

Known as the head of all beggars, a person said to know everything happening in the Central Plains.

The Beggar Sect Leader.

Beating Staff Woo Ah-seok.

‘… Is this the symbol of that person?’

As someone from the Central Plains, there’s no way I wouldn’t recognize him.

Did that famously influential Beggar Sect Leader send me a letter?

Why?

Looking at Yu Chun-gil’s reaction and the branch manager’s face, it seemed to be genuine.

Could it be an impersonation?

‘Which madman would impersonate the Beggar Sect Leader’s symbol?’

The Evil Faction wouldn’t dare mess with this.

The moment anyone impersonated the Beggar Sect Leader’s symbol, all beggars would mobilize.

Therefore, it was unlikely to be an impersonation.

‘… Then why?’

Why did the Beggar Sect Leader send me a letter? I accepted the letter from the branch manager with these thoughts.

‘What could it be?’

What on earth could it be? I couldn’t fathom it.

‘Should I open this…?’

It reeked of danger, and I wasn’t sure if I should open it. Once opened, there might be no turning back.

What to do? After repeatedly contemplating, I finally unfolded the letter.

*Swish.*

The contents came into view as the letter unfolded.

“… Huh?”

Witnessing the contents, I froze on the spot.

There wasn’t much written. Barely a few lines.

The content seemed disproportionately small compared to the letter’s size, but seeing the content and confirming the sender’s name made my body stiffen involuntarily.

『Hey, little brother. How’s life? Seems like you’re doing okay.』
『I suddenly missed you, so I’ll come to visit. By the way, there’s the Dragon Phoenix Tournament soon.』
『Come there.』
『Oh, and let me tell you in advance. If you tell Dad, I’ll kill you?』

Just four lines.

Four lines filled with sudden, random content. Anyone else reading it would have no clue what it meant.

Judging by the content alone, I probably wouldn’t be much different.

However, at the end of the letter, seeing the roughly scribbled sender’s name trying to affirm identity, my expression soured.

The person who sent this letter was, surprisingly.

『Bang Sujin.』

“…”

My one and only sister.

The sister who noticed our dysfunctional home and ran away on her own, that very sister.