The World’s Greatest is Dead

The World’s Greatest is Dead – Chapter 137

“It is complete.”

A voice could be heard in the cold temperature. With the words of the Iron Workshop’s master, I looked at what was in front of me.

A massive sword. It was the Full Moon sword that Yu Chun-gil had used.

“The blade was rusty, so I ground it down, and since the core state wasn’t too bad, I added a few more touches in restoration.”

I listened to the explanation and pretended to inspect it thoroughly.

‘… Even if I look, I wouldn’t know what I was looking at.’

When he had mentioned temporary restoration, I had thought it was completely repaired because it seemed intact.

Even now, there didn’t seem to be much difference.

『They’ve done well. The workmanship isn’t bad.』

Yu Chun-gil, who was examining the sword closely, chuckled and said.

“It appears to be well done.”

I echoed his words exactly.

『The hue of the blade is in good condition too.』

“The condition of the blade is good.”

『When you hammered it out, did you manage to adjust well? The durability and strength seem appropriate.』

“… The durability and strength appear to be quite good.”

By moderating my words to some extent, I noticed a subtle change in the Iron Workshop master’s expression.

“You have a good eye.”

Seeing the corners of his mouth lift, it seemed my words had pleased him.

“Listen.”

“Oh, yes.”

I carefully grasped the handle after hearing him.

I tried to lift it with one hand.

*Zap.*

‘Ow.’

I felt a sharp pain in my right arm, so I gingerly held it with both hands.

This damn sword.

‘How on earth did he lift this with one hand?’

Even at a lower rank than now.

Yu Chun-gil had certainly wielded this sword with one hand in my body and fought.

‘… It seems impossible.’

Even at the peak now, it seemed impossible. Of course, my right arm wasn’t fully healed yet, so that could be why. But even so, it seemed excessively strange.

“Hmm.”

I lifted the broadsword and examined it from various angles.

『Try invoking your qi.』

Listening to Yu Chun-gil’s words, I let my energy flow.

*Whoooosh!!*

“!”

As the sword qi seeped into the Full Moon, the Iron Workshop master’s eyes widened.

“… Oh…”

The same went for me. The amount of energy the Full Moon absorbed exceeded brilliance and reached a magnificent level.

‘Is this why they say to use a good sword?’

It applied to the Divine Sword and the Full Moon as well.

The level at which they held energy was extraordinary. Didn’t they say that a craftsman doesn’t blame their tools?

‘That’s all nonsense.’

With something this good, why would you not blame your tools?

I lightly examined the Full Moon and then set it down again.

“…… It’s good… really.”

These were words from my heart.

“…… Hahaha.”

Hearing this, the Iron Workshop master chuckled.

“I’m glad you like it. Oh, and.”

He spoke and pulled something from his jacket and handed it to me.

What is this?

Receiving it, I felt a cold sensation in my hands.

‘… It looks like a protector.’

It appeared to be a makeshift wrist protector at first glance.

“Workshop Master. What is this…?”

Curiously, I looked at it, and the Iron Workshop master casually explained.

“It’s nothing special, just something I roughly made with the remaining metal.”

“Oh, I see. Not special… the remaining metal?”

Did I mishear? It seemed he said he made it from the metal.

“I made it with what was left.”

“… No, even if it’s leftover…”

Even as a powder, metal is precious, so how much was used to make a protector?

“Why give this to me…?”

“Half a sign of welcome, half a token of gratitude.”

“Huh?”

“The welcome is directed toward the great swordsman, and the gratitude is toward you, so just accept it without concern.”

“I’m not sure what you’re thanking me for, though…?”

The Iron Workshop master chuckled at my confusion.

“You allowed me to see something good, didn’t you?”

He said this while pointing to my waist with his hand. There hung the Divine Sword Tang Yelan had made for me.

“What was unsettled inside me feels a bit clearer. So just take it.”

“……”

I didn’t say anything in response to his words.

‘So that’s what it’s about.’

The gratitude seemed to be because I had allowed Tang Yelan to make a sword.

“I have something to ask.”

“Speak.”

“Why is everyone in this household so incapable of being straightforward?”

“…..”

The Iron Workshop master’s eyes grew large at my words. Then he laughed out loud.

“Hahahaha! Right, that’s generally how it is.”

“… It wasn’t meant to be a joke, though.”

“Embarrassingly enough, it’s true.”

“……”

With a chuckle, the hearty laughter from the Iron Workshop master ceased soon after.

“That could be why he feels more gratitude toward you. Whether it’s me or the Tang family head, for instance.”

“…… Huh?”

I frowned at his words.

“The Tang family head seems like someone who would never do that, though.”

“Who knows.”

The Iron Workshop master laughed again at my confident words.

“That’s uncertain.”

* * *

I left the Iron Workshop holding the Full Moon. Carrying the box out, I glimpsed the gently hued sky.

‘I have received the Full Moon…’

With the Poison King’s permission, I had received the Full Moon from the Iron Workshop master. This meant that the important matters at the Tang family were concluded.

‘With this, I can really leave tomorrow.’

I had informed Do Hyung and Chun Uijin, so it seemed I could truly get ready to depart.

‘Am I really going back?’

Finally, I could return to Henan.

‘It seems like home even though I only stayed for a few days.’

Though just as uncomfortable as any place, it strangely felt like I was returning home.

I recalled that and spoke while looking next to me.

“Hey. Did you pack all your stuff?”

“…….”

In response to my question, Tang Chun-il, who was next to me, flinched.

“…… Yes… I’m all prepared.”

“Really? Thanks for your hard work. As expected of a genius, you’re quick about it, huh?”

“……”

Tang Chun-il’s expression crumpled. Seeing this, I stifled a laugh.

I don’t know why he amuses me so much.

‘Overall, the outcome was satisfactory.’

I had gained much within the Tang family.

Frankly, there was nothing to call a loss, and I had only gained.

‘… Even a lot.’

From the Great Rejuvenation Pill to the Divine Sword and other top-tier armaments, even temporarily having the Tang family as my backing.

Furthermore, I had reached the pinnacle.

‘… I think I was second-rate just when I was starting out.’

What kind of madman would become a peak martial artist within a year from a third-rate novice?

Even I found it hard to believe.

It was still astonishing that I was at the peak level.

‘Now what’s left is.’

I needed to consider how to use the Great Rejuvenation Pill I had acquired from the Tang family.

‘I should also organize the matters I need to report to the Blue Moon Sect upon returning.’

This part could be done while departing.

Considering there were many things to attend to, I had to make sure the reporting was thorough without any mistakes.

Oh, more specifically, it was important I did it without any harm coming to me.

“How do you feel? We’re going to Henan, doesn’t it make you excited?”

“……”

“Answer.”

“… I’m excited.”

“I don’t feel any excitement. From your expression, it’s obvious you don’t want to go. You should learn some acting.”

I patted Tang Chun-il’s shoulder.

As a result, his expression grew even more distorted.

It seemed this guy was terrible at lying.

‘He’s barely suppressing his temper.’

He could have exploded right away, yet seeing him hold back was fascinating.

“Hey.”

“Yes…”

“Can I ask you something?”

“… You may.”

“You, I’m talking about you.”

I spoke while looking at Tang Chun-il, who wasn’t looking at me.

“Why are you doing all of this for Young lady Tang?”

“!”

Tang Chun-il’s gaze turned to me upon hearing my words.

“What!”

“It’s you, isn’t it?”

I ignored his shocked reaction and continued speaking.

“The fact that Young lady Tang can stay at the Iron Workshop. The fact you’re suppressing what your family says.”

“…”

“That’s all your doing, right?”

Tang Chun-il fell silent. His face was full of shock and astonishment.

I struggled to hold back my laughter. As mentioned earlier, this guy was truly a terrible liar.

“How… how did you…”

“What do you mean, how?”

These were things one could deduce just by understanding what was happening.

‘I was curious about why he kept reacting in such a strange way.’

At first, I thought it was just disdain.

But as time passed, it became stranger.

What Tang Chun-il showed towards Tang Yelan wasn’t disgust or contempt.

It was anger, and also faint concern.

‘Especially.’

The last incident.

After losing in the duel, the attitude and words Tang Chun-il showed towards Tang Yelan made it even more evident.

Moreover, “I was a little curious how Young lady Tang could stay at the Iron Workshop all this time.”

Tang Yelan had not forged a sword despite staying at the Iron Workshop for nearly ten years.

Despite achieving nothing, she continued to remain there.

‘No matter how close the bloodline is. No, because it’s a close bloodline.’

I couldn’t see it any other way.

Staying at the Iron Workshop, which symbolizes the direct line of the Tang family, without any achievements.

And yet, she was not removed but maintained there.

Moreover, ‘She wasn’t even used for any other political purpose.’

For the political use of a noble family’s child.

An engagement would obviously be used for expanding influence, but Tang Yelan said she wasn’t engaged.

‘… Though that nearly entangled me.’

I managed to escape that, so I’ll overlook it.

“The Tang Family head is not someone who would just let this pass…”

It was hard to believe it was just because of a daughter’s stubbornness.

The Poison King I saw wasn’t someone who would let this slide.

Then, “There must have been some event to let it pass.”

And if you ask what that event might be.

“I thought perhaps you had something to do with it.”

“… Just from that?”

“Just from that? These are significant things.”

The best was the Poison King’s reactions, but there wasn’t any need to mention them.

‘Next was Tang Chun-il’s attitude and how Tang Yelan treated him.’

The term love and hate suits it perfectly.

Even if Tang Chun-il crossed the line with Tang Yelan and lashed out.

Tang Yelan only reacted crestfallen and didn’t get angry.

Though I was surprised when she abruptly beat Tang Chun-il like a mouse, she was indeed stronger than him.

When Yu Chun-gil’s words were proven a reality.

‘Then why does she act so pathetically?’

The question sprouted.

By gathering the preceding situations and fitting the pieces together.

‘Tang Yelan has a reason she usually doesn’t get angry at Tang Chun-il.’

That was the conclusion I reached. So what was that reason?

It could be found in Tang Chun-il’s last remark.

‘At that time, Tang Chun-il’s words were…’

Close to resentment.

‘He said he hated that she endured for his sake.’

What was being endured? I didn’t know. I wasn’t interested until that point.

But, ‘From my feeling… roughly.’

I guessed it had something to do with Tang Yelan’s decision to stop seriously practicing martial arts and Tang Chun-il.

That was all there was to it.

And because Tang Chun-il knew that as well.

‘Isn’t that why he’s acting this way?’

Truly a convoluted story between siblings.

‘When I said the Tang family couldn’t be straightforward, I meant things like this.’

Each member was the same way.

An incredibly intriguing family, without a doubt.

Ah, of course.

‘It doesn’t justify his obnoxious behavior, though.’

Regardless of any situation, Tang Chun-il’s intolerable personality remained unchanged.

“…”

He didn’t say anything in response to my words.

Only the expression of having hit a sore point revealed my words were accurate.

“So, isn’t the reason you bow to me partly because of this? What do you think?”

I looked at Tang Chun-il with an insinuating gaze. He avoided my eyes.

“… Do I have to say it?”

“No, you don’t have to.”

I wasn’t curious to that extent anyway.

For me, ‘I’m satisfied as long as I can tease and use him.’

Curious about how much of my words he would listen to. That was all I wondered.

A relationship with Tang Yelan? A bitter brother and sister story?

Honestly, I wasn’t much interested in it.

Merely, ‘Tang Chun-il considers Tang Yelan more important than I expected.’

Even if it meant compromising his pride to some extent.

‘That’s all I need.’

For a human, something more important than pride can become a leash.

For Tang Chun-il, Tang Yelan was the leash.

For me, that was enough.

『… Look at that expression. It’s the expression of someone who found an amusing toy.』

I wiped away the smile at Yu Chun-gil’s words.

‘A toy, you say.’

I gained an important friend.

That’s genuinely how I felt.

* * *

A day passed.

From the morning, people bustled amidst a hectic schedule.

Everyone from the Tang family was moving, loading their luggage onto carriages. Watching from a distance, I nodded lightly.

‘… Hmm…’

I was loading the Blue Moon Sect’s luggage for the return to Henan.

Seeing that, I started to feel it.

‘We’re really leaving now.’

At last, I’m able to return.

Though not long by calculation, the journey to Sichuan felt especially long, and it was coming to an end.

‘I’m relieved.’

I was genuinely relieved.

‘I didn’t want to be held here any longer.’

I thought I might be caught up for a few more days. Especially since the Poison King was attacked, leading to spending time under surveillance.

I thought I’d only be released once things settled to some extent.

‘… Thanks to Sky Filling Flower Rain, things went smoothly.’

My mention of revealing Sky Filling Flower Rain to the Poison Dragon made the return to Henan easier.

The Poison King gave me some semblance of consideration.

“Hmm.”

Among those carrying luggage far away, one particularly fierce-looking guy stood out.

Tang Chun-il was moving luggage alongside the servants, his face filled with dissatisfaction, yet he worked silently. The servants seemed more concerned about his mood.

Naturally, I was the one who had assigned him this task.

“… What on earth is going on here…?”

Chun Uijin expressed confusion over the fact that Tang Chun-il, the lone Poison Dragon of the world, was carrying luggage.

“Don’t worry about it. He claims to enjoy it.”

“… Excuse me?”

“It’s just one of those things.”

I waved my hand dismissively.

“Oh, did you hear that he would be accompanying us?”

“… Yes, I heard, but…”

“That’s how it turned out.”

Tang Chun-il was going to Henan with us. This fact did not seem to please Chun Uijin.

It probably had something to do with Tang Chun-il’s past actions.

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep him on a tight leash.”

“A leash, you say?”

“Yes, a leash.”

I planned to bind him tightly, ensuring he wouldn’t cause any trouble.

‘Is my senior still talking with the Poison King?’

It seemed that Do Hyung was wrapping up a conversation with the Poison King, and most of the luggage had been loaded.

As I was looking into this, I caught sight of Tang Chun-il’s leash from afar.

No, Tang Yelan was running toward us.

Tang Chun-il stopped in his tracks.

“Ah, Young lady Tang.”

“… I heard you’re leaving.”

“Yes, plans changed rather abruptly.”

“… Isn’t it too sudden?”

“I’ve stayed longer than intended.”

Honestly, I had wanted to leave earlier but was unable to do so.

“Thank you for the sword. I will cherish it forever.”

“… Ah….”

“Hmm?”

Tang Yelan seemed to have rushed over; her hair was unkempt. Seeing this, I reached out to help tidy it up.

Startled, Tang Yelan straightened her hair herself.

“Did you just get up?”

“… Ah, yes…yes….”

“It is kind of early.”

It wasn’t fully daylight yet.

“I thought it was too early to say goodbye, so I was planning to leave quietly. I’m glad to see you.”

“….”

“I enjoyed my time here, Young lady Tang.”

“… You really are leaving.”

“Indeed.”

Tang Yelan pursed her lips as if she wanted to say something.

“This isn’t my home, after all.”

“….”

So, I stopped her.

Tang Yelan hesitated for a moment after hearing my words, then composed herself.

I wondered briefly what she wanted to say but dismissed the thought.

It probably wasn’t anything I wanted to hear, regardless of what it was.

“Young lady Tang.”

“Yes…”

“Perhaps, you don’t plan to pursue the martial path?”

“… Pardon?”

Tang Yelan was flustered by the sudden question.

“… Do you wish for me to pursue martial arts?”

“No, it’s not that. Just….”

“….”

“I just asked because it seemed a bit wasteful. You don’t have to think about it.”

Possessing enough talent to lightly overpower someone like Tang Chun-il.

It seemed a bit wasteful for her to not bloom this skill and focus solely on simple hobbies.

That’s why I asked, knowing she obviously had her reasons for not pursuing it.

“… I’ll think about it.”

Tang Yelan responded with a thoughtful expression.

“… Will we meet again next time?”

“Um….”

Next time, huh.

I wonder.

Will we have a chance to meet again?

“If I come to Sichuan again, we might meet.”

Otherwise, there likely wouldn’t be another opportunity.

I spoke with sincere intentions.

“… I see.”

Tang Yelan nodded with a slightly crestfallen expression in response.

‘Now that I look at it.’

She resembled her brother.

It’s hard to miss the truth on a face like that.

You can’t help but notice her feelings, so prominently displayed.

‘I guess not.’

I had to pretend not to notice.

It was extravagant to deeply engage with emotions I couldn’t reciprocate.

“… Until next time, let’s definitely meet again. I will come visit.”

“Yes, that sounds good.”

I thought it was a casual invitation to have a meal together.

There was no real reason for a direct lady of the Tang family, who wouldn’t even pursue the martial path, to come visit me.

– Everything is ready!”

A voice called out. Hearing this, I turned to Tang Yelan.

“It seems it’s all set.”

The carriage was ready. It was finally time to leave.

Hearing this, Tang Yelan fiddled with her hands.

“… Have a safe journey.”

“Yes. I hope Young lady Tang stays well.”

I meant it sincerely.

She appeared to be a rare, normal person among the prominent families, so I genuinely hoped she would do well.

Without hesitation, I turned away and walked toward the carriage.

Even though I felt her gaze, I ignored it.

Approaching the front of the carriage, I found Do Hyung had already arrived.

“Senior. Have you arrived?”

“Yes.”

Do Hyung nodded and handed me a letter.

“The Tang family head wanted me to pass this to you. He apologizes for being too busy to see you off.”

“Ah.”

Couldn’t see me off, huh.

‘Did something come up?’

I had thought he would come to see me one last time because of the Sky Filling Flower Rain.

It seemed he had an urgent matter to attend to.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’

Whatever the issue, it didn’t concern me.

I accepted the letter and boarded the carriage.

Tang Yelan seemed to be watching me through the window, so I intentionally chose a seat away from it.

‘Let’s take a breather for now.’

I closed my eyes as if exhausted.

I was too worn out to think any further. I needed a short break, at least.

With this realization, I took deep breaths until the carriage began to move.

‘… It really wasn’t easy.’

It had been an arduous schedule.

Perhaps I could get some rest as we traveled.

And, ‘… Will I finally be free of the attention?’

Being called the Little Sword Saint and whatnot, I was mentally fatigued from how much unnecessary attention I had received in Sichuan.

Maybe leaving would bring some relief.

I hoped for a more peaceful time moving forward.

But I didn’t know.

I didn’t realize the actions I took would have unexpected, extreme impacts and that rumors born in Central Plains could expand both deeply and widely, exponentially.

At that moment, I had no idea.