LIGHTNOVELWORLD The World's Greatest is Dead - Chapter 136
The World’s Greatest is Dead – Chapter 136
The Poison King might have noticed, leaving him uneasy. But this was indeed the truth.
‘If so, is this a threat?’
For six months, you are to instruct Tang Chun-il in the Sky Filling Flower Rain Art.
If that happens, he won’t mention anything regarding my secret.
The current conversation was likely made with that in mind.
“I give you my word,” the Poison King spoke.
“The second will never disrespect Young master Bang or engage in any actions that could be deemed offensive.”
“……”
“Furthermore, for the duration of the six months during which Young master Bang grants us his generosity, should you require the strength of the Tang family for any undertaking, I will endeavor to fulfill it to the best of my ability.”
Those words widened my eyes.
That meant, quite literally, that the Tang family would have my back for at least six months.
Not just the exclusive rights or priorities of the Iron Workshop.
It implied that the Tang family itself would become my strength.
‘… Truly remarkable.’
I couldn’t help but be impressed.
This was admiration for the Poison King’s eloquence and his ability to manipulate the situation.
‘The essence is a threat, yet he’s expressing it brilliantly as a deal.’
If you don’t listen, I can bury you using your secret.
That was the essence of the current conversation.
‘But he’s wrapped it up so well that it’s unnoticeable.’
The Poison King had inserted that essence deeply, while wrapping it in elegance.
It was as if he desperately needed my help and had knelt before me.
‘Exactly.’
He was completely manipulating things so that I felt that way.
Making the previously antagonistic Poison Dragon bow his head to me.
Providing me with the backing I crave, while simultaneously applying pressure to ensure a job well done.
‘Reinforcing mutual leverage.’
Ensuring that neither side forgets that we each hold the reins.
The Poison King was cleverly utilizing all this with his tactics.
A smile involuntarily crept onto my lips.
『Huh? Has this boy gone mad…? Why is he suddenly smiling now?』
My attempt to suppress my laughter drew a strange look from Yu Chun-gil.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
‘It’s been a while.’
A person this adept at playing the game—it had been a while, and I couldn’t help but smile.
I regretted it.
‘I should have done it right from the start.’
I lamented not giving it my all under the pretext of just doing enough.
This man was worth it.
However, ‘Regret is regret.’
Now, I needed to focus on the conversation in front of me.
“What if I do not manage to properly teach the 2nd Young master during the six months?”
While the time frame wasn’t short, what if I failed to adequately impart Sky Filling Flower Rain Art to Tang Chun-il?
To this query, the Poison King responded.
“If that happens, it would mean the 2nd Young master’s talent was lacking, so I wouldn’t place the blame on Young master Bang.”
“That seems a bit odd. There’s the possibility that I might not teach well.”
“Do you intend to?”
His words made me pause for a moment.
After a brief thought, I gave my answer.
“No, I would certainly do my utmost. However, I propose setting a few conditions.”
“Conditions?”
“Yes, since I too have my time and responsibilities, I suggest we set parameters for frequency and duration.”
“… Ho.”
“Wouldn’t that also give the family patriarch more confidence?”
“So, can this be seen as your decision to accept this task?”
“Hmm…”
Nodding slightly, I said, “Let’s discuss things first.”
Thus began a not-so-short dialogue with the Poison King.
* * *
It happened the previous night.
– No matter what, within six months, you must learn it.
Suddenly summoned, Tang Chun-il had been given such instruction by the Poison King.
– Stick close to Bang Sung-Yun and learn the Sky Filling Flower Rain Art.
Of course, this unexpected and seemingly outrageous order was met with resistance from Tang Chun-il.
The thought of serving under such a person for half a year to learn martial arts was entirely unacceptable, and he intended to express his defiance, even against the sect leader.
– Refusal is not an option.
– … Family head!
The Poison King was resolute. Tang Chun-il, at the edge of bursting in anger, heard that there was no right to refuse.
– Second.
With an aura of sharp intensity, the Poison King suppressed Tang Chun-il.
– The only reason your whims are tolerated is because you are my son. Moreover—
*Creaking*—!
Tang Chun-il endured the pain of having his bones crushed.
– You yourself declared you would relinquish the position as Young family head, thus sparing the eldest from conflict. You surely understand that this is why no criticism has come your way.
*Click.*
The Poison King’s hand, which emanated an imposing aura, moved. A drawer opened and a letter slipped out.
It floated in the air of its own accord, as the Poison King used his power to make it rise.
The letter slowly moved and unfolded itself before Tang Chun-il’s eyes.
Tang Chun-il could still not move, so he examined the letter with only his eyes.
-!
After confirming the contents, Tang Chun-il’s body shuddered violently.
-UGH!! Why!
-There is no longer any reason to accommodate your stubbornness.
-…… Family head!
-Until now, I have allowed you to do as you wished. In accordance with our agreement, you have maintained your position and fame as Seven Geniuses, allowing her to live as she desired.
The letter that had been spread open folded itself back and returned to the Poison King.
– But those pathetic actions of yours have jeopardized everything. There’s no need to continue any longer.
-…… That is!
-Are you going to make excuses for your defeat? Second.
-…….
At the Poison King’s words, Tang Chun-il fell silent.
Was there really an excuse for his defeat? He thought about it, yet found nothing to say.
He had been thoroughly defeated by Bang Sung-Yun.
-…….
The Poison King watched Tang Chun-il in silence for a moment before turning his gaze away.
-However, seeing that the child has achieved proper results, I will overlook the matter regarding the Iron Workshop.
-!
Tang Chun-il’s expression changed, a look of surprise overtaking him at the follow-up words.
-However, that’s all. Nothing will change because of it. Especially what is written in this letter.
-…… Leader……that is…….
-So see it through properly.
The Poison King said as he looked back at Tang Chun-il.
-If not, I will proceed as detailed in this letter, second. You too must understand that.
*Ssss……*
The overwhelming aura receded, allowing Tang Chun-il to regain control of his body.
Yet, Tang Chun-il did not move.
-This is my last concession to your demands.
-…….
-Speak up if you’re dissatisfied, or if you don’t want to. Even if you have much on your plate as the Young Master, it is a family matter, so…it would be prudent to inform them……
-I’ll do it……
Tang Chun-il said with clenched fists to the Poison King.
-…… Half a year. I’ll make it happen somehow within that time.
He resolved to achieve it by any means necessary.
Watching Tang Chun-il speak with determination in his eyes, the Poison King soon nodded.
-You may leave.
-Yes.
Tang Chun-il immediately turned around.
His eyes were filled with anger, and the veins beneath his skin protruded, but he restrained himself.
Half a year. By then, something had to be accomplished.
*Crack!*
A stone crumbled beneath Tang Chun-il’s feet as he turned.
In front of the Poison King’s quarters, Tang Chun-il was venting his frustration with a twisted expression.
“…… Damn it.”
*Crack! Stomp!*
He stomped the ground repeatedly while cursing.
This was the only outlet for his wounded pride.
“Damn!”
The arrogant smirk he had seen in the morning still lingered in his mind.
When he had bowed his head to Bang Sung-Yun, the latter had smirked, as if he already knew everything.
Tang Chun-il hated that expression.
‘As if.’
There was an air of omniscience in those eyes and that smirk.
He wanted to trample those arrogant eyes into the dirt.
‘…… Damn brat.’
He stomped on the ground again, but this time with less force than before.
“Sigh…”
He let out a deep breath and recalled his fight with Bang Sung-Yun.
Initially, he had challenged him because he was known as the Sword Saint’s successor.
Later, he challenged him for other reasons.
In the end, they even sparred.
‘…… Damn.’
He lost. Every maneuver was anticipated and ultimately, he was defeated by him.
His pride suffered. It stung more than the time he was bested by that bear-like man from the Peng family.
‘Why?’
Appearance-wise, he had looked weaker than himself. But the moment they fought, he displayed a completely different persona.
Full of openings and seemingly easy to break through, yet none of his attacks landed.
‘Those eyes.’
The eyes that seemed to know everything, filled with arrogance.
Those eyes, deep and ominous blue, seemed to truly understand every move he made.
They moved perfectly in advance, as if they knew exactly where he would strike, dodging or parrying with impressive skill.
Moreover, “What exactly is that reinforced qi…?”
The reinforced qi that had wrapped around the sword and glowed.
Upon seeing it, Tang Chun-il felt a sense of awe.
Was he truly the Sword Saint’s successor?
When Bang Sung-Yun had defeated Young Azure Sword, he had initially thought little of it. After all, what significance lay in merely defeating the Young Azure Sword?
However, “… Did you say he killed the Spear Demon?”
Spear Demon, an expert said to exceed much more than the peak said to have been killed by the Poison Sovereign himself in the past.
The fact that someone who was thought dead had reappeared was strange enough.
“That guy allegedly killed him?”
And he did it alone.
Tang Chun-il had found it hard to believe such an outrageous story.
“… Phew.”
Yet, having experienced it personally, he had to admit, even at the cost of his pride, it could be possible.
After witnessing that sword aura, there seemed to be no reason not to believe it.
The problem was, “… I need to learn Sky Filling Flower Rain Art from him?”
Putting aside the grudge, it was the fact he had to request to learn from Bang Sung-Yun, that despicable fellow.
“How on earth is that possible?”
Sky Filling Flower Rain Art, the Tang family secret technique.
It was strange enough that Bang Sung-Yun was practicing it. Now, he had to learn it from him within half a year?
Truly a ridiculous demand.
What kind of senseless logic was this? Tang Chun-il couldn’t grasp it at all.
“… Damn it.”
However, there were no alternatives.
He had to accomplish it.
By any means necessary.
Only then could he hold onto what he had set out to achieve.
“… Hooo…”
As Tang Chun-il regulated his breathing, suppressing his emotions, he sighed.
*Creak!*
The door to the residence opened and the one he had been waiting for emerged.
A handsome young man with blue eyes clad in a blue robe.
It was Bang Sung-Yun.
“Hmm.”
Humming with satisfaction as if everything appealed to him, he began taking steps forward.
Then, he locked eyes with the waiting Tang Chun-il.
“Oh! Our Chun-il has been waiting for his hyung?”
“…”
*Grit.*
He spouted bothersome words the moment he appeared.
Hyung? Hyuuung?
This guy…?
“I’m older by at least five years.”
He had heard Bang Sung-Yun was not even past the age of twenty.
What, hyung?
Annoyed by the words, Tang Chun-il’s eyes momentarily sharpened, but “Did something get in your eyes? They seem sharp?”
“… No… It’s nothing.”
“Right? It better not be. Hahaha.”
*Tap tap.*
Bang Sung-Yun lightly tapped Tang Chun-il’s shoulder repeatedly.
“Surely, you weren’t glaring daggers at your hyung? Right?”
“… Of course not…”
“Loosen up your mouth a bit?”
“… Yes.”
“Good.”
*Creaaak.*
Should he just abandon it all? He seriously contemplated it.
Wouldn’t it be better just to drop everything and fight him again?
If he challenged him with his current emotions, he was sure he could win.
As he decided and was about to swing his clenched fist, “Then go pack your luggage.”
“… Pardon?”
Bang Sung-Yun’s words left him frozen.
Pack his bags?
“Yes, pack. What are you doing?”
“… What do you mean…”
“Seriously?”
Bang Sung-Yun smiled brightly and said.
“I’m heading back home too. So, you need to go as well.”
“…”
“Pack your bags. We’re leaving tomorrow.”
“…”
Tang Chun-il was twenty-three years old. At that moment, a journey to Henan was suddenly decided.
TL’s Corner:
이공자 (igongja) -〉 second young master
일공자 (il-gongja) -〉 first young master
Tang Gyung-ak refers to Tang Chun-il as 이공자 (igongja), direct translation is second young master. It feels awkward, so I removed the young master and left second instead.
Same with 일공자 (il-gongja). The direct translation is First young master. But it also feels awkward, so I changed it to Eldest and removed young master as well.
But whenever other people are calling them 일공자 (il-gongja) or 이공자 (igongja), I leave it as first young master and second young master as sign of respect.
Also, it is implied that Tang Chung-il and Tang Yun-ak had an agreement about Tang Yelan to let her do what she wants as long as Chung-il keeps his side of the bargain.
But it doesn’t excuse the abuse that he sent to Yelan’s way.