The World’s Greatest is Dead

The World’s Greatest is Dead – Chapter 129

When was it again?

I remembered wearing thick clothes, so it must have been winter.

But then again, it might not have been.

At that time, I had just accepted the breakup with the Murong family, and because of that, in the Bang family…

『Hey, hey, wait a minute!』

“… Hm?”

Just as I was about to recollect those memories, Yu Chun-gil hurriedly stopped me.

『There’s no need for such detailed explanations, just summarize it in three sentences.』

“… What?”

『I don’t want to hear it in detail.』

“But…”

I was about to explain everything, but what kind of nonsense was this?

I stared at Yu Chun-gil in disbelief, but he truly seemed annoyed.

“… There’s nothing much to summarize anyway. It’s just a simple story.”

I scratched my cheek as I spoke.

“I just got involved due to lingering concerns about parents and grew tired of it.”

Murong Yeongsun’s mother had turned into a ghost due to unresolved attachments and stayed by Yeongsun’s side.

The Murong family was a place with many enemies, and it seemed Yeongsun got involved in some trouble because of it.

I hadn’t long since regained my past life memories, and I got caught up in those events.

That was when I resolved to live without unnecessary meddling.

『Is that the reason that girl is suspicious?』

By suspicion, he must have meant the part where she asked what I was looking at.

“… Roughly so.”

It was the aftermath of that incident.

『Is there anything to be concerned about?』

“… So far, no.”

It was something I could dismiss. After all, they weren’t certain either.

‘That was truly a mistake.’

I still considered it the biggest mistake of this life.

How could it not be a mistake?

Back then, there was a huge commotion in Yoryong.

‘… It made me resolve on how to live in this life.’

I decided not to get involved in trivial matters concerning ghosts.

That was my mindset before meeting Yu Chun-gil.

“Heh.”

I sniffled and moved forward.

“Ah, I guess I can’t train today.”

There were many things I needed to do, including practicing with the Divine Sword.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t do any of them.

*Tap, tap.* I touched the hilt of the sword tied to my waist and sighed.

“Ah.”

Then I remembered something I had forgotten.

Now that I thought about it, there was something I needed to ask.

“So, is it really okay for me to use this Divine Sword…?”

『Hm?』

Yu Chun-gil looked at me with a puzzled expression at my question.

『What are you talking about?』

“I mean, it’s the sword of a demonic person… Is it really okay for me to use it?”

『Ha ha.』

Upon hearing my words, Yu Chun-gil chuckled with narrowed eyes.

『You’re a funny guy. Just because a demonic person wielded it, doesn’t mean the sword itself is evil, does it?』

“Technically, that’s true, but… there’s still public perception.”

Rumors were already spreading that I was the Sword Saint’s successor.

If it were to be known that I repaired and used the sword left by the Heavenly Demon…

‘The Blue Moon Sect would undoubtedly rise up against it.’

They were a renowned sect that produced the Sword Saint.

They might try to kill me for it.

‘And if I said Yu Chun-gil told me to use it…’

Who’d believe that?

More likely, they’d take it as insulting their deceased master and treat me even harsher, so I couldn’t see the Divine Sword in a wholly positive light.

Considering this, I brought up the matter to Yu Chun-gil.

『You won’t get caught. Don’t worry about it.』

Yu Chun-gil spoke nonchalantly, picking his nose.

“But you never know.”

『Ehhh?』

“Well…”

『For goodness sake.』

Yu Chun-gil, appearing unable to bear my concern any longer, flicked a booger off his hand and spoke.

『Most of those who knew about the sword fell in the war at the hands of the Heavenly Demon, and even if someone survived, they’d pretend not to know.』

“… What? Why would they do that?”

Feigning ignorance about recognizing the Heavenly Demon’s sword? It didn’t make sense to me.

Why would they pretend not to know? I asked, unable to comprehend.

『Out of embarrassment, they’d keep their mouths shut.』

He chuckled mysteriously.

‘Embarrassment?’

『Ah, of course. They just won’t say anything. People who recognize it might cause trouble, so if it seems like that, I will tell you.』

“…… In the end, you’re saying not to get caught, right?”

『It’s not exactly about not getting caught… Hmm… There’s no benefit in showing it to people who might know it…?』

“That’s basically what you’re saying.”

『No, it’s different. There are probably less than five people in the entire Central Plains who could recognize a repaired sword. It’s just a waste of time to worry about it.』

“Hmmm….”

Should I consider myself fortunate?

Getting this excellent sword and not being able to use it would have been frustrating, but fortunately, it seemed like I didn’t have to worry about that—『Ah, but if you get caught by that Sword Emperor guy, you could die. So be careful about that.』

“…….”

I sighed inwardly as soon as I heard that.

Of course.

“…… What the hell.”

I swore involuntarily.

The implication was clear.

He said there were less than five people who could recognize it, and one of them was nearby.

* * *

Someone once said that even tigers come when you talk about them.

“Oh my, the Young master is here.”

“…….”

As soon as I returned to my place, the person I least wanted to see greeted me.

Currently known as Chu Dong, he was actually the coachman and also the Sword Emperor, Ouyang Yun.

“…… Have you come, elder Chu?”

“Oh, my apologies. A horse caused some trouble recently, so I had to step out.”

“Not at all. I thought you might have your reasons.”

To be honest, I had been curious since he hadn’t shown up for some time.

To be precise, the Sword Emperor had disappeared as soon as we arrived at the Tang family.

‘…… What is that?’

I secretly lowered my gaze as I looked at him.

‘…… How many people did he kill?’

A strong stench of death emanated from the Sword Emperor.

It didn’t seem like a ghost or an evil spirit had clung to him, but there was a smell that wouldn’t disappear unless time passed.

‘At least dozens.’

Even with a conservative estimate, it would be dozens.

On a large scale, it could be in the hundreds.

‘…… Isn’t he insane?’

Cold sweat trickled down my back.

The number was absurd because…

‘It should dissipate after just a few days.’

The mark of death doesn’t linger long; it usually fades within three days.

The fact that it was still so vivid meant…

‘He killed that many people recently.’

What on earth had the Sword Emperor done?

What had he been involved in to come back with such an overwhelming aura of fear?

While I contemplated his image with trepidation…

“Young master?”

Chu Dong called out to me. His words snapped me back to my senses.

“Ah, yes. Elder, did you say something? I was a bit tired and didn’t catch it.”

Hearing that, Chu Dong smiled benevolently.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just curious if you had been well while we couldn’t see each other.”

“…… Oh. Yes, indeed. I’ve been well taken care of by the Tang family, both physically and emotionally.”

“Hahaha, that’s a relief.”

“Hahaha.”

As we chatted, I subtly hid the sword at my waist.

“Well then, I’ll be preparing for departure.”

“Yes, understood.”

Thankfully, Chu Dong moved toward the stables.

As I bid him farewell with proper manners, my eyes quickly darted to his back.

‘…… This is chilling.’

To have a scent of death this intense; I rarely saw this even in my past life.

Well, considering this world was far more dangerous than my previous one, it could make sense, but…

‘…… Even so.’

One thing was clear: I must not get entangled with him.

‘What on earth is the Sword Emperor?’

Why did he come in the first place?

‘I initially thought he came to protect us.’

Sending only three people in this circumstance made no sense.

I thought the Blue Moon Sect Leader had employed the Sword Emperor as a guard, but…

‘He didn’t show up when we most needed him.’

Even in critical moments, the Sword Emperor was nowhere to be seen.

He had been gone for days on end, only to appear now suddenly.

‘His purpose wasn’t to protect us.’

There seemed to be another reason behind his actions.

‘Sssss…’

What could it be? What was it that this monster was doing, going so far as to disguise himself as a horse carriage coachman?

That question remained a mystery.

“…… Don’t mind.”

It was too dangerous and chilling to delve any deeper.

My instincts warned me so as I stared at the Sword Emperor.

“Sigh.”

Just as I exhaled a deep breath and barely managed to regain my composure, someone entered from the direction the Sword Emperor had exited.

“Excuse me.”

It seemed to be a servant of the Tang family.

As soon as I saw him, I understood what he had come for.

‘Faster than I thought.’

This was a sign.

“The Family Head of the Tang requests your presence.”

This was evidence that the Poison King had finished his deliberation.

* * *

I turned my steps and headed back to the dwelling of the Poison King.

“Meeting again so soon!”

I remarked.

In terms of time, only a few hours had passed.

I thought the Poison King would take at least a day to mull things over, but he had summoned me much sooner than expected.

“Have you made your decision?”

“Yes,” he nodded in response, “Originally, I planned to call you the next day, but I thought it would be better for you if we concluded our discussion as quickly as possible.”

“I am grateful for your consideration.”

He was right. From my perspective, it was better to get this over with as soon as possible.

“You mentioned earlier about giving you preferential trading rights for the Iron Workshop and exclusive trading rights for lower-quality weapons?”

“Yes.”

Even as I nodded, I wondered if I should phrase things differently.

‘He will turn this down anyway.’

Even if I staked everything on it, he was bound to reject it.

Unless the Poison King was insane, there was no way he would accept this offer.

“I will accept.”

“Of course, as expected. Then let’s discuss the other… What? What did you say?”

I looked at the Poison King dumbfounded as the words left my mouth.

What did he just…?

“… What did you say just now?”

“I said I would accept the terms.”

“… Why?”

“…?”

The Poison King frowned at my reaction.

“Is it not to your liking?”

“… No, it’s not that. I’m just wondering why you would accept.”

“Is this not what you wanted, Young master Bang?”

“Well, yes, but…”

No matter how I looked at it, this wasn’t something he should agree to.

This would essentially mean giving up more than half of the Tang family’s trade sources.

Agreeing to this?

All because of the Sky Filling Flower Rain?

‘Well, it’s not just any rain.’

Even so, it didn’t make sense. No matter how I reevaluated the situation in my mind, it was impossible.

Unless the Poison King had lost his mind, this should never happen.

And yet, he agreed?

As I stared at the Poison King in disbelief, he finally spoke again.

“But there is a condition.”

‘… Phew.’

I could finally breathe a sigh of relief at his words, knowing there was more to it.

Of course, there was a catch. It was slightly relieving, but still— ‘…wait, it’s an addition, not a reduction of terms?’

It still didn’t change the fact that something was off.

Regardless of what condition he added, the Tang family would be at a loss.

‘What kind of grand condition could it be?’

What kind of term would make him willing to accept this?

My curiosity piqued, I listened closely to the Poison King’s words.

“Young master Bang.”

“Yes, family Head.”

“I heard you recently broke off an engagement with the Murong family.”

“… Yes, that’s correct.”

Why was that being brought up now?

I frowned, feeling uncomfortable.

“So then, how about getting engaged to the Tang family this time?”

“… What?”

“Engagement with my daughter; that is my additional condition.”

The Poison King said this while looking at me.

I was so stunned that my tongue could barely move.

My mind felt numb.

And so—”What kind of nonsense is this?”

I couldn’t hold back.

TL’s Corner:
I saw the additional contidion miles ahead.