The World’s Greatest is Dead

Several days had passed since moving from the Anhui branch to Henan.

In between, I had spent sleepless nights working on the Elder’s assignments, while racking my brains.

There was only one reason.

‘I need an excuse.’

The situation I would inevitably face when I arrived in Henan.

I had to come up with a plausible explanation for how I became the Sword Saint’s successor.

It was a given. I couldn’t exactly boast about seeing ghosts, and besides…

‘One of them could very well be here.’

The incident tied to the death of Yu Chun-gil, that damned old man.

At this point, I had no idea who was behind it.

Additionally,

‘The person who leaked information to Chun Uijin.’

The one who spread the word that Yu Chun-gil’s precious sword was in Henan.

‘There’s a high chance that person is among them.’

Given that possibility, everyone here had to be considered an enemy.

‘I don’t know who’s an ally. I can’t be sure there’s anyone I can trust.’

In such a situation, the words I could speak were limited.

What to do? The solution was simple.

‘From beginning to end, tell one big lie.’

If I couldn’t trust anyone, this was the way forward.

I had spent nights and days concocting a story with that old man.

So, what story did we come up with?

“… You found a manual inside a cave?”

“That’s correct.”

In times like this, it’s best to go with the most common story rather than complicate things.

“When I was young, I once fell off a cliff. Inside that cliff, there was a cave.”

“In that place… you’re saying there was something left behind by him?”

“That’s right.”

It’s a common tale everywhere. Finding traces of a previous master when facing a life-or-death situation.

The story of inheriting the master’s legacy and skills and becoming his successor.

Far-fetched, but this kind of tale was always accepted well.

However,

“Ridiculous.”

One of the elderly people nearby frowned and spoke to me.

“How could you have found traces of the previous Sect Leader in Liaodong? It’s unbelievable.”

It was a reasonable doubt. Indeed, the idea that the elder’s traces were in Liaodong made no sense, but…

“So, is the discovery of that Full Moon sword in Anhui a plausible story?”

I had a counterpoint.

The discovery of the Full Moon sword had been sudden and unexplained. My story might be unbelievable, but it couldn’t simply be dismissed.

Additionally,

‘Four.’

I observed those around me, noting anyone with an unusual reaction. Those who shifted their gaze or cleared their throats nervously, even subtle giveaways.

“The sword might be one thing. So, because Full Moon was found in Anhui, there could be traces of the previous Sect Leader in Liaodong too? You’re trying to confuse the issue. The important point is, Young master Bang, that your story simply doesn’t make sense.”

I stared at the elderly man who had spoken and asked,

“What’s your name, sir?”

“… What?”

Annoyed by my question, he twitched his beard.

“No, I just wanted to address you properly but didn’t know your title or name, so I asked first. I apologize if I offended you.”

“… Hmph. I am Sung Seok from the Mun family. I serve as an Elder…”

“Ah, you are the senior known as the Heavenly Shadow Blade. I apologize for not recognizing such a distinguished senior.”

“Hmph…”

At my words, the corners of the old man’s mouth slightly lifted. It seemed he felt pleased to be recognized.

‘Of course, I recognized him. Even if I didn’t know his face, I memorized everyone’s names.’

Before setting out, I memorized the names and nicknames of all the high-ranking members, including the Elders, of the Blue Moon Sect.

“Then, elder Mun, what is the reason for your disbelief?”

Perhaps because I recognized him, the voice of the Heavenly Shadow Blade sounded somewhat lenient.

“The main reason, as I mentioned earlier, is that it was found in a place completely unconnected to the former Sect Leader. The second is…”

The Heavenly Shadow Blade hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“It’s because his personality would never have allowed him to leave such a thing.”

At his words, those around him nodded in agreement.

“Oh…”

It was convincingly persuasive, even to me. That old man didn’t seem like someone who would leave such a thing behind.

『I somehow feel really irritated, though?』

Before the quick-witted evil spirit could get angry, I quickly spoke.

“If the Elder believes so, that may indeed be the case. Having never met him, I wouldn’t know about that…”

There was one very large flaw in this statement.

“I am his successor.”

“How can you prove that…”

“The Blue Moon Mind Technique in my eyes and body is the proof.”

“…”

The Heavenly Shadow Blade fell silent at my words.

Yu Chun-gil had no relation to the manual? His personality?

Even if they mentioned each one and were all skeptical, I had one thing to say.

“The manual contained everything he left behind. It described the process for mastering the Blue Moon Mind Technique and all the martial arts stances derived from it. Everything was written down.”

“Oh.”

“That’s…”

What if they didn’t believe me? No matter how skeptical they were, the proof was in my body.

If it came to this, I would push it through, even if by force.

I’ve read it, learned it, and it’s evident in what you see now.

Are you saying my Moon Eyes are fake?

With that intention, I spoke, and everyone around fell silent.

At that moment.

“Then.”

The one who had been quiet until now, the current Sect Leader, known as the Virtuous Moon Sword, Chun Seonghwa, spoke.

He looked at me with his characteristic cold eyes and asked.

“Where is that manual now?”

Where was that manual I discovered?

I had already prepared my answer.

“I memorized everything and burned it as per my master’s dying wish.”

“… What did you say!?”

“Did you just burn such a precious thing!?”

Their reaction to my claim of destroying it was intense. They couldn’t believe it earlier and were angry, but now they were furious for different reasons.

“No, why would you burn something so precious…”

“I can’t understand.”

The aggressive atmosphere calmed instantly at the words of the Virtuous Moon Sword.

“I can’t comprehend it and find it hard to believe.”

I looked at Virtuous Moon Sword with a firm yet indifferent tone.

His eyes also stared back at me.

Wow, this was incredibly overwhelming.

‘I feel like I’m going to throw up.’

Cold sweat started to form just from looking. What was this pressure? It felt like my body was being seized, suffocating me.

『He’s releasing his inner qi. Collect yourself.』

Only then did I realize, thanks to the old man’s words.

So, this was the pressure radiated by an expert.

Could it be any more uncomfortable and heavy?

The determination to dominate the opponent was distinctly palpable.

‘Damn it.’

I glared and endured. I couldn’t collapse here.

Forcing myself, clinging to sanity, I held on.

『Ha ha. This crazy guy.』

Yu Chun-gil let out a laugh as if he couldn’t believe it.

『Enduring this with willpower? Quite impressive.』

Why wouldn’t I be able to endure?

I felt like I was going to die, but somehow, I managed.

“… What is it that you do not believe?”

I steadied my trembling voice and spoke, and a strange light appeared in Virtuous Moon Sword’s eyes.

At that moment, I felt my body relax slightly.

“The fact that it was only recorded in texts means that at best, you discovered some passages.”

“That’s correct.”

“Were the passages and explanations detailed?”

An unexpected question. However, I didn’t hesitate to answer.

“No. They were a complete mess. I’ve never seen anything so messed up.”

『… This brat… ?』

Yu Chun-gil gritted his teeth unpleasantly, but fortunately, his reaction wasn’t bad.

I thought he might have slightly believed my words.

‘… If he could relate to it being a mess, how has this old man lived?’

Though curiosity arose, it wasn’t important right now.

“You mean to say, after seeing those messy writings, you not only mastered the mind technique but also opened your moon eye?”

Ah.

Only after hearing Virtuous Moon Sword’s words did I think I understood what his issue was.

『Heh.』

The old man chuckled unsavorily. It left a very bad taste in my mouth.

There was no doubt why he laughed like that.

‘He got it right.’

He laughed because it validated his guess.

Indeed, this was something Yu Chun-gil had anticipated, moreover.

“… What’s so problematic about it?”

Yu Chun-gil had also provided a solution for this matter.

The problem was.

“Because it’s not something easily achievable.”

Whether that solution would truly work remained uncertain.

Doubt arose, making belief shaky and anxiety surface. But the agreement was already made, and it was too late to rethink.

I recalled.

‘It’s nothing. Just look as bewildered as possible.’

‘It is the plan that both I and Yu Chun-gil have devised.’

‘… A look of disbelief?’

‘That’s right, a look that says you have no idea what kind of nonsense you’re hearing. That kind of expression.’

‘What’s that supposed to be?’

‘You know, the one you often wear. You naturally have that sort of face, so just make use of it.’

‘Is that an insult? It sounds like you’re insulting me right now.’

Although it sounded somewhat strange, Yu Chun-gil’s eyes were earnest.

So, I decided to give it a try. With the most baffled expression I could muster.

“What?”

I said, looking at the Virtuous Moon Sword.

“… Why can’t I do it? Can the Sect Leader not do it?”

The atmosphere changed abruptly at my words. Not a sound was heard; it seemed like everyone was holding their breath.

A long, uncomfortable silence stretched on.

“Ha.”

Suddenly, the Virtuous Moon Sword burst into laughter.

“Hahaha!”

And it was a very loud laugh.

“Haha… hahahaha!”

‘Damn, did I mess up?’

Was I about to get killed? That laughter was anything but normal, and the tension grew.

‘What should I do?’

Did I provoke his anger? I couldn’t afford to die here, so I carefully checked for an escape route. Just then,

“… Hah… I see. If that’s the case, it makes sense.”

What on earth made sense? I wanted to ask, but I couldn’t out of fear.

At that moment,

“So… if that’s the case, Young master Bang.”

“Yes, yes?”

Virtuous Moon Sword asked me.

“If you’re so confident, can you prove it?”

“What?”

Suddenly? I thought he would dig deeper, but out of nowhere, he asked me to prove it.

I was momentarily flustered, but it wasn’t as if I wasn’t prepared to answer.

“I don’t know what kind of proof you want…”

I took a deep breath and met Virtuous Moon Sword’s gaze.

“But if you insist, I will.”

A smile crept onto Virtuous Moon Sword’s lips.

There was an unsettling feeling about that smile, an unease I couldn’t quite shake.

Despite the anxiety that laughter evoked, I wasn’t terribly worried.

Because,

‘I have an evil spirit.’

Though its nature was troublesome, it had methods useful for this kind of situation. That’s why I could manage not to worry too much.

『Hm?』

However,

『I’m not going to help you, you know?』

‘… What?’

I hadn’t foreseen this.