The World’s Greatest is Dead

“The Sword Saint’s successor…?”

“The Sword Saint, you say?”

The third-generation disciples were abuzz with excitement. In the Blue Moon Sect, the significance of the Sword Saint was immense.

He was the one who ended the Great Demonic War, the greatest person in the world, both ancient and modern.

An unprecedented martial artist in the history of the Blue Moon Sect, and perhaps in the entire history of the Murim.

Sword Saint Yu Chun-Gil.

Although it had been nearly ten years since his passing, neither the Blue Moon Sect nor the current Central Plains had forgotten him.

Such was the greatness of this martial artist.

“The Sword Saint’s successor…?”

Their reactions grew fervent as someone suddenly mentioned being a disciple of the Sword Saint.

It was natural.

Yu Chun-Gil had never taken a disciple in his lifetime.

While he had served as both the leader of the Murim Alliance and the leader of the Blue Moon Sect, he never had a direct disciple.

That was why.

“That person is his disciple? How can that be…?”

“Now that you mention it.”

One young man looked at me with a sudden realization, his eyes widening in shock.

“Those eyes… Those are the Moon Eyes.”

“Gasp…!”

Blue-tinted eyes. He seemed to have noticed that I had the Moon Eyes.

The third-generation disciples seemed unable to grasp the current situation properly.

However, there was a difference.

‘The second-generation disciples seem to have known.’

The second-generation disciples who came in with the Chun siblings. They already seemed to know who I was.

That would explain their reactions.

The massive man in front of me, Hong Kyung, had eyes that were trembling uncontrollably. Looking into his eyes, I asked.

“Are you hard of hearing? Or… is my voice too soft for you?”

Tilting my head slightly, I continued.

“Second-generation disciple Hong Kyung.”

“Y-yes-!”

Hong Kyung answered loudly, surprising even himself, as if he hadn’t expected his own voice to be so loud.

“I’ll ask again. Did you not understand my words?”

“N-no…. it’s just that…”

“No?”

“…!”

Taking a step forward, Hong Kyung staggered backward.

I had seized the atmosphere. I just needed to push through.

I looked around. The second-generation disciples who met my gaze flinched, one after another. Smiling slightly, I said,

“What a mess. For the representative noble family of Henan to have such poor discipline. If my Master saw this, he would weep tears of blood.”

『You brat, using the dead like that is quite something.』

Yu Chun-Gil chuckled while picking his nose, though I doubted he would shed tears of blood.

“Just how much lower do you plan to drag the honor of the main sect?”

As soon as my expression hardened, a response came.

They were debating what to do.

They were wavering.

Even if they had enough reason, it would still be difficult to suddenly treat me as an elder of the sect.

That was exactly what I was aiming for.

I needed to push forward while I had the upper hand—

“I’m sorry.”

I turned my head.

“I apologize for my disrespect to Master Uncle.”

Thud.

Chun Hye-In knelt and bowed her head.

“The second-generation disciple, Chun Hye-In. I greet my master uncle.”

“…”

Confirming that, I narrowed my eyes.

‘Look at this?’

There was not an ounce of hesitation. Chun Hye-In immediately stood up from her chair and knelt before me.

Seeing that, the other second-generation disciples all followed suit and knelt before me as well.

Even the third-generation disciples, noticing the situation, followed their actions.

In an instant, everyone in the dining hall was kneeling before me. Confirming this, I glared at the crown of Chun Hye-In’s head.

‘Smart.’

Her action, devoid of hesitation, disrupted the flow.

I could have clearly established my justification, but with Chun Hye-In’s actions, that couldn’t happen.

‘She must have intended this.’

That woman surely knew what she was doing.

It was extremely troublesome. Given the situation, I had to change my approach.

“……Please, rise.”

Swwff.

At my softly spoken words, everyone stood up.

Amusingly, a slight heat rose within me at that sight.

Was this the true taste of power? Such a childish thought crossed my mind.

“Although there was a breach of etiquette, given the circumstances, I will not nitpick.”

I switched my tone back to formal speech. It wasn’t wise to continue speaking down to them and cause unnecessary trouble.

“I hope this doesn’t happen again next time we meet.”

I tried to create an excuse to walk away smoothly.

But then.

“Master uncle.”

Chun Hye-In called out to me. Glancing back, she still had her head bowed, her face hidden.

“Although I greet you in accordance with the rules, I have a concern.”

“What is it?”

“It hasn’t been long since we became acquainted with you as our master uncle… I am worried that some disciples might question your qualifications.”

“Qualifications?”

“Yes, qualifications.”

I tilted my head slightly at her words.

“What qualifications are you talking about?”

“The qualifications to call us your disciples. Those kinds of qualifications.”

“Haha.”

I burst into laughter at Chun Hye-In’s words. In other words,

“Are you questioning whether someone like me deserves to be called your elder?”

“It was merely a concern. If it displeased you… I apologize.”

Apologize, my foot. She was clearly provoking me.

Even though the reason was sufficient, she was essentially asking if I had the strength to be called the master uncle. Chun Hye-In was pretending to be courteous while questioning me.

I could feel the eyes around me, filled with agreement.

Suppressing the bitter feeling inside, I recalled,

‘Other sects seem to value such things highly.’

Apparently, this sect was not entirely the same.

Indeed, when selecting a Sect Leader, it seemed they chose the strongest person, indicating that this was not a typical sect.

‘She really resembles someone.’

Claiming a poetic and emotional stance with the Blue Moon symbol, yet being crudely violent.

“If you are curious about my qualifications, I can show them to you anytime.”

I forced a smile, putting strength into my lips.

“But.”

Locking eyes with Chun Hye-In, I felt a subtle provocation emanate from her.

“That is, if you have the qualifications to see them.”

I spat out my words and walked away.

Throughout my departure, sharp gazes pierced my back.

* * *

Right after Bang Sung-Yun stepped outside, the stiff atmosphere remained. No one could utter a word.

Everyone was watching for clues. They were all wary of just one person.

Especially Chun Uijin. He was nervously glancing at his sister.

Gulp.

He swallowed hard. His throat was so dry, it felt parched.

Then.

“Ha……”

Chun Hye-In chuckled. Everyone around her shuddered at the sound.

“Hahaha–!”

Chun Hye-In laughed loudly at whatever she found amusing. Her eyes even teared up from laughter.

“Ah… Really…”

After laughing for a while, Chun Hye-In’s smile vanished instantly.

“Interesting… Quite intriguing.”

Her eyes briefly glinted coldly. Seeing this, Chun Uijin bit his lip in silence.

It was dangerous.

Whenever his sister had that look, someone inevitably ended up ruined.

And it was always a brutal downfall.

* * *

“Damn, damn.”

As soon as I exited the restaurant, I swore. I couldn’t help myself.

“She’s terrifying.”

Coming here just for a meal turned out to be a mistake. I might as well have gone without eating.

『Ha, what a funny guy.』

Yu Chun-gil watched me and let out a dry laugh.

『You act all tough and mighty, but look how you change as soon as you’re out.』

“What did you expect me to do in there, grovel?”

Pretend to have nothing when you have something.

Pretend to have something when you have nothing.

These were ironclad rules when dealing with people.

Especially in that situation.

『So, what changes when you pretend?』

“Well.”

What would change? I wasn’t sure yet. But,

“Let’s see from now on.”

I was sure something would change.

That’s why I had intentionally provoked Chun Hye-In in the dining hall.

『Hmm.』

Yu Chun-gil seemed to not fully understand but said nothing more.

I was always like that. As if to say, “Do whatever you want.”

‘The more I see, the more ridiculous it is.’

I couldn’t understand why Yu Chun-gil acted so dismissively, given who had kept me going.

‘I swear I’ll get rid of him someday.’

It was my earnest wish.

“…Anyway, can I ask you something else?”

『What?』

“Grandpa, can you beat Young lady Chun?”

『Hmm?』

Taken by surprise, Yu Chun-gil responded curiously.

“I thought it would be good to know.”

He felt it was necessary to understand.

It seemed that something would happen soon.

『Hmm.』

In response to my question, Yu Chun-gil pondered for a moment.

『A month.』

He brought up a time period unexpectedly.

“A month?”

『Yes, around that long to avoid possessing.』

I understood it at that point. He had mentioned last time that one needs to avoid possession to extend the duration.

It seemed that the duration was about a month.

“……A whole month?”

『Indeed, your body is so frail that it needs about a month.』

“What? It took Young Azure Sword less time to recover, why does it need a full month for me?”

『Hahaha.』

Yu Chun-gil laughed as he spoke.

『Don’t compare that half-baked guy from the Namgung family with a real expert.』

His words were firm.

‘……Is there that much of a difference?’

No matter how skilled she was.

Was the final level of Young Azure Sword incomparable to Moonlit Delight?

‘This could be a problem.’

There was a lack of solutions for unforeseen circumstances.

It seemed something would happen soon, and a solution was needed beforehand.

“……Hmm.”

If this didn’t work, another method had to be thought of. While considering this.

『Well, it’s not that there’s no way at all.』

I perked up at Yu Chun-gil’s words.

“Is there something?”

I asked expectantly.

『It’s just impossible with your current level. However, if you raise yourself up, the story changes.』

His following words immediately let me down.

“……If it was that easy, I wouldn’t be living like this.”

Did he think gaining strength was as easy as eating?

“Unless one consumes some spiritual elixir or something. Do you take me for a fool?”

These were things money couldn’t buy.

“Unless I raid some famous family’s secret vault…….”

『I have a secret stash I made in my lifetime. There might be some spiritual elixirs there.』

“My respected Elder, I’ve always believed in you without doubt.”

『……』

“Indeed, Elder, you always had a plan, didn’t you? Truly respectable.”

『……How can you be so brazen and honest at the same time?』

“I get that a lot.”

『It’s not a compliment.』

“Let’s go. Even if the end of the world is hell, I am ready to walk it with you.”

No matter what harsh trials awaited, they could be overcome.

“Spiritual elixirs… No, with you, Elder.”

『You… did you just say spiritual elixirs.』

“Let’s go quickly. They might cool down.”

『Spiritual elixirs cooling down? Calm down. You’re losing your mind.』

Yu Chun-gil was saying something.

But at that moment, I couldn’t hear him.

My spiritual elixirs were waiting for me.

TL’s Corner:
Fake it till you make it.