The World’s Greatest is Dead

Night had fallen at the Blue Moon Sect. Inside one of its rather large chambers.

In the quiet atmosphere, Chun Hye-In, seated at a desk, took a sip of tea.

Then, she focused on the letter in front of her.

The room was dark. Really, it was so dark one would wonder how she could see anything.

Nevertheless, her Moon Eyes illuminated the world clearly, and she had no need for a lamp.

After Chun Hye-In finished reading the letter, page by page,

“Is this all of it?”

Her voice was filled with dissatisfaction.

The information was far less than she had expected.

The individual kneeling halfway in front of her room flinched and answered.

“That’s all we received.”

“Hmm…”

She flipped through the letter again, just in case, but nothing had changed.

“There’s just too little information.”

“But…”

“Don’t worry. I’m not blaming you, senior Brother. It’s just that the information is surprisingly scant.”

At Chun Hye-In’s words, the man, 2nd-generation disciple Seom Sung-Gyeong, bit his lip slightly.

He paid close attention to her every attitude and demeanor.

In contrast, Chun Hye-In kept her eyes fixed on the letter, seemingly indifferent to Seom Sung-Gyeong’s reactions.

The letter contained information about the Bang family.

‘Decades ago, it was known as a very prestigious family…’

In fact, it was one of the most renowned families in Liaodong, amassing enormous wealth.

However,

‘They squandered it all on gambling.’

The grandfather, father, and brother were all gamblers.

Instead of just pulling out the pillars of their house, they shattered it completely. The slightly promising sister had even run away.

Now, in this fallen household, both the father and brother were living off women.

‘So the nickname was…’

Chun Hye-In decided to ignore that part, as it was a term she didn’t even want to think about.

In any case, the Bang family had fallen so low it was crawling on the ground.

No longer could it even be called a family.

It was simpler to call it what used to be a prestigious family. That would be more accurate.

It should have been like that.

‘That someone like him could come from a place like that…’

Chun Hye-In grinned broadly, thinking of Bang Sung-Yun’s face.

He had a very handsome face. Perhaps he inherited his looks from his father, who was known for his appearance in that region.

However, despite his good looks, his eyes lacked vitality.

As if…

‘Eyes that have no interest in the world.’

For someone aspiring to the position of Sect Leader, he showed hardly any ambition in his gaze.

Conversations with him would gradually suck you in with a strange atmosphere.

To Chun Hye-In, Bang Sung-Yun was an extremely peculiar individual.

And that wasn’t even all.

‘The disciple of Sword Saint Yu Chun-Gil.’

As she thought about that part, Chun Hye-In furrowed her brows.

‘Strange.’

It was really strange.

How did someone like Bang Sung-Yun spring up from such a wrecked household?

‘No matter how I look at it, it’s odd.’

It was so bizarre that even if it were a lie, it would still seem unusual.

The unexpected fortuitous encounter left by her older sect master in Liaodong.

Bang Sung-Yun suddenly appeared at the Blue Moon Sect after obtaining it.

Everything seemed strange. Not a single thing made sense.

However,

‘His power was real.’

Defeating Young Azure Sword, whom she had intended to control, and being acknowledged by his father, Virtuous Moon Sword, meant it wasn’t a lie.

“Hmmm…”

Although everything he said and did seemed like a lie, his actual abilities were genuine, turning everything into reality.

“He’s a strange person.”

He didn’t seem to possess anything, yet he had been so confident in front of her.

If we had to find something peculiar here.

“Broken engagement history.”

There existed a history of a broken engagement in his past. And it wasn’t just with any obscure family…

“Murong family?”

A prestigious family representing the Liaodong province, one of the Five Great Families.

There was a record of an engagement and subsequent disengagement with a direct descendant of the Murong family.

“If it was a direct descendant of the Murong family… could it be her?”

Imagining the particular figure, Chun Hye-In’s eyebrows fluttered momentarily. It was a person she did not particularly want to recall.

“Looks like the engagement broke off when his family declined.”

The Murong family especially cared about these matters. The Bang family was once a prestigious household, but having lost everything to gambling, the Murong family would have found no reason to accept them. Losing their value, they were promptly discarded.

“Hmm.”

Chun Hye-In tapped the letter she was holding and set it aside neatly.

“There’s no real point in reading more.”

That was the extent of the information. At best, it listed Bang Sung-Yun’s hobbies or favorite foods and detailed the fall of his family.

Indeed, there was nothing particularly noteworthy. Even recognizing this…

“… Something.”

There was indeed something missing, too much missing.

It was puzzling how so little information could exist.

Chun Hye-In decided not to ponder too deeply on this point.

What’s more important now was something else rather than this.

“So, as you said, Young master Bang not only sensed Sa-Hyung’s presence but also…”

Chun Hye-In’s Moon Eyes turned toward the back of the library.

“…sensed Senior Brother’s presence as well, right?”

In response to Chun Hye-In’s words, a pair of eyes flickered in the darkness.

『Yes.』

A heavy voice resonated throughout the room.

“Is there a possibility it was a mistake?”

『No. He pinpointed it correctly.』

The person added as if recalling that moment.

『It was definitely a warning.』

“A warning?”

『Yes, a warning.』

Those eerie blue eyes and the resolute gaze conveying that whatever they did, it was meaningless.

How could he have been so confident?

『He’s quite bold for someone not even in his twenties.』

The person reminisced about his varied impressions of Bang Sung-Yun. As those thoughts lingered, another figure started to overlap in his mind.

『They’re so alike.』

The muttered words made Chun Hye-In’s eyelids twitch slightly.

“That’s something I’ve been hearing quite often recently.”

From his father, Virtuous Moon Sword, and even the person standing before her, everyone seemed to recall someone when looking at Bang Sung-Yun. It was, of course, the Sword Saint, whom Bang Sung-Yun claimed as his master.

However,

“I don’t quite understand it.”

Chun Hye-In couldn’t grasp these assertions.

“Is it really to that extent?”

It was intriguing. There was indeed a distinct quality, a glimpse of extraordinariness that set him apart from others. Nevertheless,

“Comparing him to the Elder is too much, isn’t it?”

Saying that Bang Sung-Yun resembled the Sword Saint seemed excessive.

Especially given…

“As far as I can see, his power is disappointing.”

Chun Hye-In found Bang Sung-Yun exceedingly weak. She suspected at one point he might be hiding his strength, but…

“Seeing him at the dining hall, that wasn’t the case.”

After sitting near him to confirm, it was evident.

He was, at best, a second-rate level.

Given his modest level, it was surprising he had opened his Moon Eyes.

“There must be something in the secret techniques left by the Elder.”

Yu Chun-gil’s very existence made such things possible.

Even she had no choice but to acknowledge it.

“But…”

‘If you are truly deserving to witness it.’

Recalling the words spoken to her by someone who dared to think they were something before her, Chun Hye-In smiled once again. Seom Sung-Gyeong shuddered slightly in response. It was clear that whenever she smiled like that, something was bound to happen.

“Oh… This is truly entertaining.”

How could someone be so bold without backing or power?

Did he honestly believe he could rely solely on the Sword Saint to act so brashly?

If that was the case, it was a bit disappointing.

‘Unless the Sword Saint was right beside him, it would be meaningless.’

She didn’t think he seemed unaware of this.

But then,

‘Does he truly have a hidden plan?’

Thinking of Bang Sung-Yun, Chun Hye-In continued to laugh.

“Nice.”

She then nodded as if something occurred to her. The solution was simple.

If you don’t know, find out.

And so, she looked at Seom Sung-Gyeong before speaking.

“Senior brother.”

“Huh…?”

“Can you do me a favor?”

“…”

A favor. At those words, Seom Sung-Gyeong gulped and clenched his eyes shut. It was well-known that rejecting her “request” was not an option.

* * *

The next day arrived.

I had to rest all day due to consuming some Blue Moon Pill or something.

“Ugh, I feel so stiff…”

My body hurt terribly, probably from the coarse energy, and I had severe muscle pain. I spent the entire day lying down because of it.

To be honest, I was happy.

I hadn’t had a proper rest in a long time, so it felt even more precious.

『What did you do that made you so exhausted?』

“Isn’t it too harsh to say I did nothing?”

I felt like I did a lot, yet here you are still criticizing me.

It was unbelievable.

Anyway,

As soon as I stepped outside, someone was waiting for me.

Of course, it had to be someone from the Blue Moon Sect, but their attire was peculiar.

‘Small Moon Division.’

It was the attire worn by the elite group of the Blue Moon Sect, the Small Moon Division.

“The Small Moon greets the successor of the esteemed one.”

“… Nice to meet you.”

The individual immediately knelt upon seeing me, which was rather overwhelming.

“I am the Fifth Generation Disciple Do Hyung. I have been assigned as your guide. Pleased to meet you.”

He was quite a handsome young man. He seemed about five or six years older than me.

But a Fifth Generation Disciple? He seemed too young to be a Fifth Generation Disciple.

Was there a similar situation to the Chun siblings? I became momentarily curious, but soon dismissed the thought. It wasn’t that important.

“I am Bang Sung-Yun. You weren’t at the dining hall yesterday…is that correct?”

“Yes, I had an assignment outside that day.”

Do Hyung answered my question with an expressionless face.

‘An assignment.’

I heard that unlike regular sect members, the Small Moon Division frequently carried out external missions.

This was common across any sect’s elites.

“I will escort you.”

“Alright.”

With no further conversation needed, I began to follow Do Hyung.

The destination was once again the largest building, known as the Blue Moon Hall.

* * *

“I greet the Sect Leader.”

The Sect Leader was already waiting inside the building.

Upon seeing the Virtuous Moon Sword, he bowed in courtesy.

“Have you had a comfortable night?”

“Yes. It was good.”

This was genuine.

“Glad to hear. However…”

His characteristic blue eyes turned towards me.

“I heard there was a bit of an incident yesterday.”

“……”

I swallowed dryly at his words. It seemed he was referring to the incident at the dining hall.

“…… Yes, well. There was a minor incident.”

I replied with an embarrassed smile, and the Virtuous Moon Sword immediately added more words.

“First of all, I apologize. Due to some events at the main sect, we couldn’t properly take care of you, Young master Bang. This is due to my incapability as the Sect Leader.”

“No need to apologize. I’m sure there must have been a reason.”

I spoke with a smile, focusing my mind. There were events at the main sect; that part was important to remember.

“Thank you for understanding. However…”

The eyes of the Virtuous Moon Sword narrowed slightly as he looked at me.

“There was something about the words you spoke to the second-generation disciple that concerns me.”

“What’s that?”

“I heard you referred to yourself as an ‘Uncle Master.’ Is this correct?”

Ah, that part.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I’m curious as to why you did that.”

“What can I say…?”

I answered as nonchalantly as possible.

“It’s just the truth, isn’t it?”

“……”

Hearing my answer, the Virtuous Moon Sword’s brow furrowed slightly.

“I don’t think it was incorrect, but do you see it differently, Sect Leader?”

“Well, it’s something that could be interpreted differently by others.”

“It could be different. So, how do you see it, Sect Leader?”

I didn’t care about others’ opinions; what mattered was his perspective.

Could he see me as a senior brother? By throwing these words, the Virtuous Moon Sword’s gaze sharpened even more.

‘My, my.’

His gaze was sharp. Just looking at it felt like I was being cut somewhere.

Still, I wasn’t someone to cower at such things.

『Child, your leg is trembling.』

“……”

I straightened my legs with determination.

“You see…”

After a moment of contemplation, a brief silence passed.

“I’m not sure if I can give an answer right now.”

The Virtuous Moon Sword presented a somewhat ambiguous answer.

“However, if it’s what Young master Bang desires, we could treat you as a first-generation disciple.”

The justification was sufficient. As the Sword Saint’s successor, it was entirely possible. It was the reason I caused a ruckus at the dining hall.

However…

“I don’t see the need to go that far. It’s not that important to me.”

“Not important?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, there seems to be something else that’s important…”

“That’s correct.”

What mattered to me wasn’t being a first- or second-generation disciple. While it could be useful, that wasn’t what I needed right now.

“May I ask what that is?”

The Virtuous Moon Sword asked. To his words, I immediately responded.

What I needed right now was…

“Small Moon Division.”

“……!”

“What must I do to join the Small Moon Division?”

The elite group of the Blue Moon Sect.

It was to enlist in the Small Moon Division.