The World’s Greatest is Dead

What was the first thing that came to mind?

The sensation of gripping the sword.

The weighty and slightly rough handle, significantly different from a wooden sword.

And the faint scent of iron.

These were the initial impressions before properly swinging the sword.

I closed my eyes.

Beyond the darkened vision, something peeked through.

It was someone’s back.

Slightly small and thin, unmistakably, it was my own back.

One.

‘It feels bigger.’

Why did my formerly narrow back look so large? Was it because the presence of the one moving my body was immense?

I recalled the moment I stepped forward toward the Young Azure Sword.

I felt the air once more.

Squeeze.

I gripped the sword and took a step.

I focused solely on the sensation.

What was my body like back then?

How much air did I breathe in?

How much strength did I put into my actions?

And how did the energy move within?

I remembered all this and embodied it.

Shiiiiing–

The sword moved. I felt the resistance of the air.

At this moment, I strengthened my footing more than my waist. I paid attention to the angle of my elbows.

‘A bit lighter. And much deeper.’

I exerted force on muscles I hadn’t used before.

I wondered why such complicated actions were necessary for just one thrust, but it didn’t take long to realize.

‘He did it this way.’

Therefore, I merely replicated it.

Boom-!

My foot struck the ground.

‘There’s no part of the body that isn’t used. There are just parts where less strength is applied.’

I recalled the old man’s words as I watched him.

From the soles of the feet to the entire body, the posture of that moment.

Don’t ponder why it must be like this.

‘Just follow.’

Since I remembered and wanted to embody it, I executed it exactly the same.

Shiiiiing—!!!!

I didn’t watch how the moving sword looked.

My closed eyes were for this very reason.

Not to doubt himself. Thus, to carry no hesitation.

Fizzle—!!!

A spark ignited in the dantian.

The Blue Moon Mind Technique, which began to circulate, seemed delicate and ready to break, but it still emitted light.

Where would the flow of energy go?

Even while calculating and following all actions, should I leave the energy as is? There was no time to consider. I had already released the energy from my hands.

Whoosh–!!

The energy that left my hands coursed through my body.

It flowed and flowed, finally wrapping around my hands, and the wrapped energy extended to the sword.

A flash reached the sword’s tip.

What was the name of this martial art?

I didn’t remember. I didn’t need to know.

The energy overlapped the described actions.

Was it about creating a moon with a sword?

That was the only thing I needed to remember.

Swoosh—!!!

The sword cut through the air.

Swish-!

As soon as I finished the action, the energy in my body subsided, spreading heat throughout.

“Huff… Huff…”

Catching my breath, I gently opened my eyes.

As my closed eyes opened, countless gazes poured from all directions, just like before.

There was one difference.

‘They seem surprised.’

Now, their eyes contained astonishment.

Indeed.

‘I must’ve done quite well.’

The imitation seemed to go better than expected.

I wondered if I could master it since it was extremely difficult to utilize.

“It’s easier than I thought?”

It was much easier than I anticipated.

『Hahahahaha—!!!』

Damn it.

I frowned at the sudden laughter that filled the air.

An old man was looking at me, laughing loudly.

‘What’s his problem?’

Why was that evil spirit causing trouble again? I didn’t know, but I didn’t want to get involved right now.

I turned my gaze to the Virtuous Moon Sword.

The handsome middle-aged man was looking at me with his eyes wide open.

“I’ve tried my best, are you satisfied?”

“…….”

No response was heard. Silence followed. After a little while,

“Young master Bang.”

Virtuous Moon Sword asked while looking at me.

“What do you intend to achieve here?”

“Your question doesn’t quite match my inquiry, does it?”

Asking what I want to do instead of if he was satisfied? It was a puzzling question.

However,

“Well, if you’re asking, I’ll answer…”

Since it was Virtuous Moon Sword asking, I answered with the brightest smile I could muster.

“First, I plan to become the Small Moon Division division leader. My master instructed me to become the leader of the Blue Moon Sect.”

“…….”

“I have come here for that purpose.”

With my answer, the atmosphere around turned chilly.

Like the middle of winter, indeed.

* * *

After Bang Sung-Yun left, in the now silent atmosphere, a man spoke to Chun Seonghwa.

“It’s dangerous.”

Chun Seonghwa looked at the man who spoke.

On his desk was a single teacup, now cold.

This implied that he hadn’t taken a sip for a long time after pouring the tea.

“Small Moon Division division leader. What is dangerous?”

“The young friend named Bang Sung-Yun, he is too dangerous to be appearing now.”

“Why?”

At Chun Seonghwa’s question, the Small Moon Division division leader frowned slightly. It was because he knew that Chun Seonghwa was not asking out of ignorance.

“At this point, the competition for the Small Moon Division captaincy has already begun….”

As far as he knew, there were four contenders. Four candidates vying for the position of Small Moon Division division leader within the Blue Moon Sect.

“To emerge late in such a situation is to be like a sudden storm.”

“Indeed.”

Chun Seonghwa agreed.

An untimely storm. That description was spot on.

“For someone like him to mention the Small Moon Division captaincy, it certainly means…”

“How does that become a problem?”

“Sect Leader…?”

The Small Moon Division division leader showed signs of confusion at Chun Seonghwa’s words.

“Someone who is qualified has shown his will. Why is that a problem?”

The conditions to become the Small Moon Division division leader in the Blue Moon Sect were strict.

One needed to be a seer of the Moon Eye and capable of performing the Blue Moon Mind Technique.

Bang Sung-Yun met those conditions.

“Didn’t you see? That strike back then. Did it not impress you?”

“…….”

The division leader couldn’t say anything to Chun Seonghwa’s words.

He had no choice.

“To not acknowledge that sword, though it had remnants of instability, would be dishonorable.”

It was dazzling.

Anyone trained in the Blue Moon Mind Technique and technique, or any swordsman, would have to acknowledge it.

Moreover,

“I saw the former Sect Leader in him.”

“……Such…!”

“Can you deny it? I cannot.”

“…….”

“The face of the young man who asked me why he couldn’t learn from the secret manual. The gaze that looked at me then, and the vague sensations I felt. It was just like the Elder.”

“……Are you saying. Young master Bang is indeed the Sword Saint’s successor?”

“No.”

Chun Seonghwa’s answer was resolute.

“There are still many strange things to be certain. However, it cannot be denied either.”

It was the utilization and swordsmanship energy that only the Sword Saint from the Blue Moon Sect could achieve.

It was hard to call anyone but Bang Sung-Yun as the Sword Saint’s successor after he successfully demonstrated his abilities.

The only thing lacking was absolute certainty; the justifications were more than sufficient, overflowing even.

Because it wasn’t absolute certainty, he could only do what little he could.

“In that case, do you plan to lend your support to Bang Sung-Yun, sect leader?”

“Ha ha.”

Chun Seonghwa burst into laughter at the Small Moon Division’ division leader’s words.

“No way.”

His voice was dripping with disbelief.

“As I said before, I have no intention of lending my support to anyone.”

“Then, why…?”

“It’s just. I don’t understand.”

Chun Seonghwa added, as he fiddled with the teacup before him.

“Bang Sung-Yun has enough qualifications. Whether he appeared late or suddenly surged ahead, it doesn’t matter. The position isn’t confirmed anyway.”

“But…”

“Small Moon Division’ division leader, I know you have high expectations for your daughter.”

“…!”

Chun Seonghwa’s words made the Small Moon Division’ division leader fall silent.

“That’s why I’m letting this conversation slide for now.”

Creak.

Rattle.

The tea in the cup trembled, and the window frame shook.

“But I won’t tolerate crossing the line any further.”

“…”

The sinister warning made the Small Moon Division’ division leader immediately kneel on one knee.

“… I apologize. I overstepped.”

Watching the bowed head of the Small Moon Division’ division leader, Chun Seonghwa turned his gaze away.

Just like that, the pressure vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

“This won’t happen twice.”

“… I understand.”

“And if you are worried about your daughter, it’s even more crucial to have Bang Sung-Yun by her side.”

“… What…?”

“If you put similar entities together, won’t it ignite a bigger flame?”

“…!”

The Small Moon Division’ division leader swallowed dryly at Chun Seonghwa’s words.

Chun Seonghwa’s gaze was so cold as he spoke, layered with hidden intentions.

After speaking, Chun Seonghwa seemed to fall into contemplation for some reason.

“I wonder what he’s thinking about”, thought the Small Moon Division’ division leader, but she dared not ask.

Time passed quietly afterward.

“Yes, that will do.”

Suddenly, Chun Seonghwa nodded as if something had come to mind.

“Small Moon Division’ division leader.”

“… Yes, Sect Leader.”

“Send a letter to the Tang Clan.”

“The Tang Clan?”

At the mention of the Tang Clan out of nowhere, the leader was confused.

“… Don’t tell me…?”

Realizing something, the Small Moon Division’ division leader froze. Chun Seonghwa looked at her and spoke.

“Since he showed something impressive, I thought we’d give a gift in return.”

In the darkness, Chun Seonghwa’s blue eyes curved into a crescent shape.

It was a distinctly sinister look.

* * *

“Oh my, it’s freezing.”

I rubbed my arms as an unexpected chill shot through me.

“… This feels like some crap is about to go down somewhere.”

The feeling was ominous to the extreme. Because of this chilling premonition, I shivered.

‘I hope nothing happens, please.’

I prayed fervently.

In the past, my ominous premonitions had often come true—damn it.

“Damn it.”

While trying to calm my nerves and still rubbing my arms…

『… What are you doing?』

Yu Chun-gil looked at me with a strange expression.

“It’s just really cold.”

『It doesn’t seem like cold weather.』

“Sometimes when I get these crappy feelings, I get cold.”

『Humph, are you possessed by a spirit?』

“Well…”

I’d never seen a god, but maybe I was possessed.

If I were possessed, wouldn’t that explain why my life has been a mess through my past and current lives?

It was absurdly frustrating. I was about to say it but instead made a clicking sound with my tongue and said nothing.

“It doesn’t really matter to Grandpa, does it?”

『Hahaha…』

Yu Chun-gil burst out laughing at my attitude.

“Just ignore it.”

『Are you still sulking?』

“Who said I was sulking? I’m not.”

『You say you’re not, but your face looks like a rotten cucumber.』

“What a disgusting example.”

Rotten cucumber? What kind of absurd comment was that?

Feeling annoyed, I clicked my tongue repeatedly, and Yu Chun-gil scratched his cheek, speaking again.

『Didn’t I tell you there was a reason? You’re so petty.』

“What?”

Petty? Petty? His provocation made me furrow my brows.

“If you had a reason, you should have said it beforehand. You push me and then say that?”

『Did I know you were suddenly going to reveal it? I thought you had more sense.』

“When did I have time to think in that situation? It was already too late even if I acted immediately!”

It happened right when I needed to prove my existence to the Virtuous Moon Sword. Yu Chun-gil had refused to help me.

That left me seething with anger against that evil spirit.

“Why do I have to suffer like this? Are you mocking me?”

『Everything turned out well, didn’t it? I had faith all along.』

“Sure, you did.”

『… Your face looks really awful. How can someone scrunch up their face so grotesquely?』

“Forget it.”

『Sorry.』

Yu Chun-gil apologized quickly, probably realizing he went too far.

Of course, that didn’t suffice to calm me down.

I continued to grind my teeth in frustration.

『By the way, young one.』

“What now?”

The old man spoke to me again.

『Can I ask you something?』

“Do you think it’s alright?”

『Why did you let your qi flow when you unfolded the Moon Wave?』

“So, you didn’t even expect me to give permission in the first place?”

What was the point of asking if I minded him asking? The audacity was appalling. I thought about ignoring him but the question caught my interest.

“…What do you mean?”

『You followed all the moves from start to finish, but why didn’t you control your energy?』

“… Ah.”

I understood.

When I performed the sword dance earlier, I mimicked the movements but let the energy flow freely.

It seemed Yu Chun-gil was pointing that out.

“Wasn’t it alright? It seemed to unfold well.”

『As I just said, it’s out of pure curiosity. Given your peculiar temperament, I suppose you had your reasons.』

“…”

The word “peculiar” irked me, but I ignored it.

Why did I do that? To be honest, it wasn’t anything significant.

“You said it yourself, Grandpa.”

『What did I say?』

“That the moon is not meant to be lit but to rise on its own.”

『…!』

“So I just let it be. Let it flow naturally. Didn’t it seem right?”

‘The moon just rises on its own.’

It was something the old man said while demonstrating the technique. I remembered that, so I deliberately let it be.

『Hahaha…』

The old man looked at me, seemingly lost for words.

Was it a wrong decision? I started to feel slightly anxious.

『Impressive.』

The old man casually complimented me.

“…Hmm…”

Hearing that, I scratched the tip of my nose. I felt good even though it wasn’t a big deal.

‘Yeah, I did well.’

In my opinion, it wasn’t bad at all.

At least, that’s what I thought at that moment.

But later, I heard there were only two beings in Yu Chun-gil’s life whom he had ever found impressive.

One was me.

And the last one was…

The Heavenly Demon.

That was the value of his compliment.

TL’s Corner:

Well, the move you learned in 7 days, took him 3 months to properly do. So that is pretty damn impressive.