The World’s Greatest is Dead

The World’s Greatest is Dead – Chapter 135

I had just woken up with a mess of tousled hair and eyes heavy with fatigue. My body, creaking with lingering muscle pain, hadn’t fully recovered yet; each time I got up, my right arm throbbed. However, apart from that, I managed to slightly lift my upper body effortlessly, as if I had reached my peak.

“Wow…”

I quietly let out an exclamation, finding myself speechless at the sight before me. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand, wondering if I was dreaming. The scene was just that unreal.

“… What did you say?!”

I asked in a still-drowsy voice. The young man kneeling in front of me responded.

“… From now on…”

“From now on?”

“… We will serve… serve you….”

“Serve me?”

“… I am Tang Chun-il, from the Tang family.”

A grinding sound could be heard from somewhere. The clenched fist was so tight that the veins on his hand bulged, and his face, red with something more akin to wrath than embarrassment, was close to exploding. Yet, the young man, Tang Chun-il, barely held back and spoke to me.

“… I will serve you with utmost sincerity…. Please… take care of me….”

“Hah…”

I let out a hollow laugh at Tang Chun-il’s words.

『Hahaha! Hahahahaha—!!』

Despite my hollow laugh, Yu Chun-gil was busy laughing hysterically. Holding his stomach, he was rolling around, clearly finding the situation extremely amusing.

『Hahaha… Hahahahaha… Hahahahaha–!!!』

His laugh was indeed quite loud. I frowned, annoyed by the noise, and looked at Tang Chun-il.

“Your attitude is quite different from the last time, isn’t it?”

“…”

“Are you feeling better now? Well, I didn’t hit you that hard.”

“Grr…”

As I embedded sarcasm into my voice, a rough sound escaped Tang Chun-il’s mouth. Yet again, the sound was all that came. Tang Chun-il showed no excessive reactions. He was holding back. One could see that he was enduring with all his might.

“Young master Tang.”

“… Yes…”

“Are we talking formally now? You seemed casual the last time.”

“…”

“Shouldn’t you answer?”

“… No… Young master can continue to speak casually…”

“If you insist.”

“…”

“Chun-il, you look upset. Why? Feeling down?”

*Sputter!*

The immediate change in tone and casual speech elicited quite a reaction. I found it highly entertaining, like witnessing an intriguing spectacle first thing in the morning. I felt a sense of comfort, seeing Tang Chun-il this way, yet complex emotions brewed beneath the surface.

‘… Tch.’

Despite my outward laughter, my inner feelings were intensely complicated. How could they not be?

‘… The Poison King is seriously something.’

Why was Tang Chun-il visiting and acting this way out of the blue early in the morning? Although one might find it puzzling, I had experienced such situations countless times in my previous life. As soon as I saw the situation, I understood why this was happening.

‘That cunning old man.’

This was the Poison King’s doing. The insolent and temperamental Poison Dragon suddenly adopting a humble attitude, and showing up at the break of dawn to create such an awkward situation—all of it.

‘Planning to use me like this?’

The Poison King’s clear intent was to secure the Sky Filling Flower Rain Art from me.

‘Wow.’

An involuntary exclamation escaped me. It was unavoidable since I hadn’t considered this possibility.

‘I didn’t think…’

That the Poison King would go as far as using his own son. Who would have expected that? Even if there had been someone capable of such predictions, I myself certainly hadn’t imagined it. I had never thought the Poison King would be so obsessed with the Sky Filling Flower Rain as to use his own child.

Realizing this, I bit my lip secretly without Tang Chun-il noticing.

『Sometimes I feel.』

Yu Chun-gil, having stopped laughing, began speaking to me.

『For someone who has lived through this harsh world, you have oddly naive parts.』

He clicked his tongue.

『It’s puzzling whether you underestimated the Poison King or saw the world too simplistically.』

“…”

I didn’t argue. Also, if I were to answer Yu Chun-gil’s query,

‘I underestimated him.’

I indeed underestimated the Poison King and had been too complacent.

‘It was something I could have anticipated.’

It was entirely plausible to add such a scenario to my calculations, yet I didn’t. The aftermath of skipping over it with an incredulous belief was what I now faced.

‘Tch.’

As I barely regained my composure, I looked at the Poison Dragon.

It seemed as if Tang Chun-Il couldn’t take his eyes off something precious left on the ground.

“So, even if it’s just a formality, why are you doing this?”

*Creak.* I asked while stretching my body slightly.

In truth, there was no need to ask since I already knew the intent.

But it was something necessary for Tang Chun-Il.

He must have prepared to explain it to me.

“… Well… moving forward, I will be serving the esteemed Young master as a benefactor of the Tang family.”

“Ah, our Chun-Il wants to serve me? Even though there are attendants, the great blood relative himself?”

“…”

Tang Chun-Il provided no response to my words.

It seemed he also found it incomprehensible.

‘It’s almost as if he was forced into this.’

Was the Poison King’s influence that strong?

‘Considering his behavior, he wouldn’t move easily no matter how much the Poison King ordered to.’

I remembered the banquet held by the Poison King and what the Poison Dragon did there.

Seeing how readily he initiated a quarrel in front of everyone, it indicated he wasn’t entirely subservient to the Poison King.

‘For him to be this submissive now.’

It meant he was significantly compromised or had been cornered.

‘What weakness does he have?’

Recent incidents involving Tang Chun-Il were mainly about fighting with me.

Could that have been enough to compromise him?

‘It might be enough for a scolding.’

But was it something severe enough to make him bow his head?

‘Hmmm.’

There had to be something. It dawned on me.

“So, our Chun-Il has decided to serve me?”

“… That’s right.”

“Until when?”

“…”

Tang Chun-Il remained silent at my question.

“How long do you plan to serve me?”

“… That is…”

“No need to answer.”

Even though I had asked, I decided not to listen to the answer. Tang Chun-Il seemed momentarily confused by my attitude.

What’s the point of asking how long? The answer was obvious anyway.

“Until you have fully mastered the Sky Filling Flower Rain from me, right?”

“!”

Tang Chun-Il flinched as if the answer hit home.

It seemed to be correct.

“Tch.”

Clicking my tongue, I stood up completely.

“Well then, let’s go and meet the Tang Family head, shall we?”

There was nothing more to discuss with this guy. I had had my fun, so it was time to get to the main point.

“… Right now…?”

“Yes.”

Tang Chun-Il seemed even more flustered at the idea of heading to see the Tang family head straight away.

It seemed he hadn’t expected this sudden morning visit.

I hadn’t given any prior notice either. They were just going.

Normally, such a thing wouldn’t be feasible.

“It’s fine. Let’s go.”

But it didn’t matter.

Anyway, ‘The Poison King is expecting me.’

That family head was the most eager to see me.

* * *

“Have you come?”

As soon as I entered the room, the Poison King greeted me. Despite the sudden visit, the Poison King did not show the slightest sign of surprise.

Moreover, there were already two cups of tea set on the prepared table.

One cup belonged to the Poison King.

The other was mine.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

“Unfortunately, it wasn’t a peaceful night.”

At my casual polite greeting, the Poison King shook his head.

Then he showed me something he held in his hand; it was a dagger.

“All the tangled thoughts in my head were disturbing my practice.”

“… Hahaha…”

In other words, he had spent the night training in the Sky Filling Flower Rain.

“Despite reciting all night and moving around trying to grasp the meaning left by Young master Bang, I didn’t gain much.”

“… Still, didn’t you do quite well from the beginning?”

At my words, the Poison King looked at me sternly.

His gaze clearly conveyed the message, ‘Are you seriously saying that now?’

“Hmm…”

Right after I had handed over the secret technique, the Poison King had read it and attempted the Sky Filling Flower Rain.

At first glance, it seemed to be going well. The dagger extended straight up, beautifully spreading across the sky, matching the name Sky Filling Flower Rain.

‘… The problem came after I used mine.’

The Sky Filling Flower Rain unleashed by the Poison King was overshadowed by my subsequent usage of it.

The difference in power.

If the Poison King’s execution of the technique was like a drizzle, then—

What I employed had a difference close to what is called a downpour.

It must have been at that moment.

‘The Poison King’s eyes changed.’

The Poison King had been mesmerized by the Sky Filling Flower Rain Art I employed.

And then, the intense desire that began to sprout within him.

I understood everything.

It was so clear that I couldn’t help but grasp it.

“…… Hoo.”

I let out a short sigh.

I had some thoughts in mind when I came here. But seeing the Poison King, it all felt meaningless.

It had taken just a few conversations to realize.

This man wouldn’t fall for any shallow tricks.

“What do you expect me to do?”

So, going straight to the point was the right approach.

“What do you desire by attaching the Young master to me?”

“I reckon that Young master Bang Sung-Yun would already know my intention.”

‘You know what my intention is.’

I smacked my lips awkwardly at the Poison King’s words.

“How did you manage to cajole Young master Tang? I didn’t think he would ever be like this.”

“He listens to his father’s words better than he looks.”

“…… Ah. Is that so?”

A laugh escaped me at the absurdity. It wasn’t a very convincing statement.

“So, what’s the reason you attached the Young master to me? You must know that the relationship between us isn’t in a good place, family head.”

It wasn’t just bad. On my end, I could tolerate it, but Poison Dragon seemed to regard me as a nemesis for some reason.

‘It’s not just because of the competition between the Poison Sovereign and the Sword Saint.’

His hostility towards me was more explicit than that.

Although, I couldn’t understand the reason.

“That’s precisely why I did so.”

“…… What do you mean?”

“There is no better way than making an arrogant child bow his head.”

“……”

I almost failed to manage my expression at his calm statement.

Not only did he nonchalantly label his own child as arrogant, but he also unhesitatingly judged that making him bow to me would feed positively into his emotions.

‘…… Truly an incredible man.’

His force was one thing, but his shrewd mind made him quite a formidable opponent.

“So, what are you trying to gain from me with this?”

“Sky Filling Flower Rain Art.”

Without hesitation, the Poison King replied.

He, like me, seemed to have no intention of hiding anything.

“I want to obtain that from Bang Sung-Yun.”

“…… Obtain it? But I’ve already given it to you.”

I frowned as I spoke, recalling how I had spent the night making a manual and handed it over. What more did he want?

The Poison King pulled out the book from his pocket.

It was the book I had given him.

“Indeed. I don’t doubt this book.”

“Then?”

“But I think you have a faster method.”

“As I said last time, that was merely a coincidence.”

“Coincidence…”

The Poison King didn’t seem to believe me.

His eyes asked if it was possible to unfold that technique by chance.

‘Frustrating.’

It didn’t feel good. Indeed, it wasn’t entirely a coincidence, but it was as close to one as possible.

Moreover, “…… Even if you attach the Young master to me, I can’t teach him properly. I don’t understand Sky Filling Flower Rain Art well.”

“Is that so?”

“…… Yes. I mean it.”

“No matter.”

“What?”

The Poison King spoke as if my words didn’t matter, sipping his tea slowly.

“All I wish is that Bang Sung-Yun gives as much as possible to that child.”

“…… Ah, I see.”

What the Poison King was saying right now was.

“You don’t believe me at all, do you?”

He didn’t believe I didn’t know how to use Sky Filling Flower Rain Art.

This man, really.

“I’m really telling you, I don’t kn—”

“Just half a year.”

“…… What?”

“If you give that child everything you know for exactly half a year, I’ll also put a stone in my mouth.”

“…… What do you mean? A stone?”

“Secrets are supposed to be heavy, right? Whatever they may be.”

“!”

While speaking, the Poison King’s gaze drifted towards my dantian.

I quickly grasped the meaning behind that gaze.

‘Damn it.’

That was a warning.

The Poison King had mentioned the presence of Tang Family’s qi in my body.

And for reasons unknown, that qi was not exploding but circulating well.

‘As expected, he figured it out.’

What I had feared became a reality. The Poison King had realized that the Tang Family’s qi was flowing through my body.