The World’s Greatest is Dead

Black Greatsword, Peng Dojin.

Twenty-four years of age.

A warrior of the Peng Family, possessing an impressive physique well over seven feet tall and solidly built.

One of the Seven Geniuses, colloquially known as.

‘The Future of the Peng Family.’

Or.

‘The Heavenly Martial Body.’

This was how the world described the current Peng Dojin.

A body born to become a warrior.

His overwhelming physical abilities and the unique martial arts of the Peng Family he employed.

Those who witnessed the Peng Family’s blade techniques unfold in Black Greatsword’s hands often believed, without a doubt, that he would one day surpass the Blade God.

‘Heavenly Martial Body.’

I had only heard the rumors; I didn’t truly know what it felt like.

‘… It’s certainly impressive.’

Facing Black Greatsword in person, I could see that with such a body, there was nothing he couldn’t do.

‘Solid.’

The immediate impression was that of sheer enormity and solidity.

Would a sword even pierce it if stabbed?

He seemed like a human-shaped rock.

“Hmm.”

As I pondered this, I glanced at Tang Chun-il, who was sprawled on the ground.

He had fainted, with his eyes rolled back. The already fearsome-looking man appeared grotesque in his current state.

But aside from that—

“… In one blow?”

He was also one of the Seven Geniuses.

Even though Tang Chun-il was hailed as the reincarnation of the Poison Sovereign in the Tang Family and held high expectations.

Just one strike.

Despite using his unique martial arts, he was knocked out by a single punch from Black Greatsword.

‘… This is unexpected.’

I was at a loss for words.

I didn’t expect such a difference even among fellow Seven Geniuses.

Moreover, the problem was.

‘Why is he looking for me?’

The fact that my name came out of his mouth.

Little Sword Saint, Bang Sung-Yun.

The title didn’t quite stick, and I wasn’t particularly fond of my name.

Hearing it caused me to frown deeply.

‘He has business with me.’

Black Greatsword obviously had some matter to discuss with me.

That was why he boldly stopped the carriage.

‘Why?’

I couldn’t fathom the reason. Why on earth would Black Greatsword be seeking me?

I couldn’t understand.

“Tsk.”

Even if I didn’t know the reason, I had to act.

Given his approach, I would eventually have to respond.

Just as I was about to stand up, thinking about this—

“Stay put.”

Do Hyung put pressure on my shoulder.

“We don’t know his intentions. Wait and see.”

With those words, Do Hyung stepped out of the carriage.

“Ugh, I really don’t want to get involved with that man. Tsk.”

Chun Hye-In muttered irritably as she followed Do Hyung outside.

Thus, only Chun Uijin and I remained in the carriage.

“Oh.”

Soon, Black Greatsword’s voice was heard.

I listened in on the conversation.

* * *

Seeing those alighting from the carriage, Peng Dojin’s eyes glimmered with interest.

He watched intently. The first to step out was a young man of a similar age to himself.

“Is it him?”

It could be. It was evident at a glance.

“Strong.”

Strong. Unlike the weakling from the Tang Family who had rushed at him, this one was strong.

He was sure of it.

Peng Dojin had always had a sixth sense.

Whether it was due to his extraordinary physique known as the Heavenly Martial Body.

Or simply because his instincts were exceptional, he didn’t know. But Peng Dojin’s intuition was beyond imagination.

If he thought something would happen, it almost invariably did.

It was so sharp that he had been waiting for them for three days, thinking he would meet them on this road.

Behold. They indeed appeared.

He was confident.

Recalling this, he looked at his opponent.

A handsome young man with sharp features.

Was this Bang Sung-Yun? Peng Dojin tilted his head as he gazed.

Another person stepped out soon after. His eyes widened at the sight of them.

“Hahaha! Who do we have here!”

He burst into laughter. It was a familiar face.

“Moonlit Delight!”

Moonlit Delight Chun Hye-In.

Unlike the weakling from the Tang Family, she was the real deal.

Laughing at a being similar to himself, unlike those unworthy of attention, made Chun Hye-In scowl.

“… Black Greatsword. What are you doing here?”

“As expected! I knew you’d come. I heard the Blue Moon Sect was attending the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament, so of course, you’d be here!”

“I asked why you’re here?”

“Finally, I get to face you. My heart’s racing.”

“… I mean, can someone just… sigh…”

Trailing off, Chun Hye-In sighed in frustration.

“Talking to you really is pointless.”

“Hmm? We’ve been having a conversation, haven’t we?”

“Sorry, but this isn’t what I’d call a converstation.”

“Then what is a conversation? With swords? I’d love that.”

Creak.

Peng Dojin spoke as he drew his sword.

It was a massive black weapon boasting a formidable size.

Seeing this, Chun Hye-In murmured under her breath.

“Black Iron Saber… Is that what you’ve received?”

“Indeed. My father gave it to me as a gift for my last birthday.”

“So, the Peng Family Head has finally chosen you as the next head.”

The Black Iron Saber was a cherished weapon used by the previous family head, the Blade God.

Even if it weren’t that, it was a saber used by the Peng Family heads for generations.

The fact that Peng Dojin had inherited it meant only one thing.

He was to be the next head of the Peng Family.

It clearly implied this.

Crrr.

Aura emanated from Peng Dojin. It matched the fierce vigor of his impressive physique gripping the sword.

As he aimed his aura toward the carriage—

Swish-!

Buzz—!!!

Peng Dojin’s aura was sliced through with a flash.

“Oh?”

Watching this, Peng Dojin widened his eyes in growing interest.

“We are disciples of the Great Blue Moon Sect.”

A deep and resolute voice followed.

“We are on our way to business at the Murim Alliance, acting in accordance with the proper conduct of the orthodox sects. Interfering with us is equivalent to declaring yourself an enemy of the Murim Alliance and the Blue Moon Sect. Is that acceptable to you?”

Sssss.

A sharp sword qi radiated outward.

It was electrifying. Peng Dojin’s lips curled into a fierce smile at the sensation.

“Your words sound scholarly, yet your aura is rather violent. I like it.”

Whoosh.

His sword cut through the air. With a heavy rush of wind, the tip of the saber aimed at the young man.

“And what if you do consider me an enemy?”

“…”

Silence ensued.

The young man’s blue eyes flashed.

“I’ll cut.”

The distant blade instantly dug toward Peng Dojin.

Seeing this, the dark pupils in Peng Dojin’s eyes glowed.

“A good answer.”

The Black Iron Saber sliced through the air.

Boom-!!

Sword and saber clashed in the air.

Blue aura and dark aura mixed to create waves of energy.

Rumble—!!

A deafening boom erupted from the pressure, and the two men distanced themselves after the first exchange.

The young man with blue eyes, Do Hyung, spun his sword once, readying his stance.

He sought to prepare for a proper sword strike.

“You.”

Peng Dojin spoke, not erasing his smile.

“You’re strong. I like you.”

The curiosity and fighting spirit blooming in his eyes were so intense that it was questionable how they could be so fierce.

“What is your name?”

“…”

Peng Dojin’s question made Do Hyung frown.

He briefly glanced toward the Blue Moon Sect’s carriage and then.

“I’m Bang Sung-Yun.”

He uttered his junior’s name.

Hearing this, Peng Dojin laughed even more vigorously.

“Hahahahaha—!!!”

Was it joy at meeting the person he’d been searching for? As Do Hyung was about to narrow his eyes at this—

“You’re a poor liar.”

“!”

Peng Dojin commented with a straight face.

“You’re not the Little Sword Saint.”

That too was a certainty.

Peng Dojin’s voice and his eyes showed no signs of doubt.

“Right?”

Do Hyung was at a loss for words at that resolute certainty.

“I like you, but you’re not the one I’m looking for. Come out. You’re in there, aren’t you?”

Peng Dojin’s gaze shifted to the carriage.

Despite his words, the carriage remained silent.

Seeing this, Peng Dojin readied his sword once more.

“If you won’t come out, that’s fine by me. I’ll just make you come out.”

Boom.

The ground beneath Peng Dojin’s feet cracked like a spider web.

In response, Do Hyung strengthened his grip on his sword once more.

“This is why I didn’t want to get involved with that man.”

With a seductive voice, light flashed before his eyes.

Before the light flashed, Peng Dojin’s arm was already in motion.

He lifted his saber to defend on the left.

Clang-!

The Black Iron Saber blocked a sword thrust.

“Moonlit Delight!”

The force of the attack pushed Peng Dojin back.

It was a formidable power from such a seemingly fragile body.

“You’re still as crude as always.”

“Haha! Are you planning to fight me too? I welcome it!”

“Sigh…”

Chun Hye-In lowered her sword languidly.

“I have no intention of getting into a fight, but I must uphold my position.”

“Position? Why, do you have to protect the Little Sword Saint?”

As he spoke, Peng Dojin smirked.

“They say he’s amazing, yet here he is getting protected inside. That’s a bit disappointing.”

“Protected?”

At Peng Dojin’s words, Chun Hye-In tilted her head.

The usual trace of laughter had vanished from her face.

“Don’t be mistaken. Does it look like I’m protecting him?”

“Are you saying you’re not?”

“No.”

Chun Hye-In swept her hair aside as she spoke to Peng Dojin.

“He’s not someone I can protect or otherwise. How can the weak protect the strong?”

“… Huh?”

Peng Dojin’s eyes widened at Chun Hye-In’s words.

The weak?

“Is that so?”

Those words made Peng Dojin’s heart race.

Chun Hye-In was one of the few people Peng Dojin acknowledged among the next-generation geniuses.

She could very well be considered his rival.

Arrogant and possessing the skills to back that arrogance with confidence.

“And such a Moonlit Delight speaks this way?”

Referring to herself as weak and the Little Sword Saint as strong.

Thud-!

Those words sent Peng Dojin’s heart into a frenzy.

How could it be?

“Interesting. Now I definitely want to see.”

He couldn’t hold back any longer.

He had to see, no matter what.

Whuuuuush–!!

The Black Iron Saber was enveloped in aura.

“Tsk.”

“……”

Both Chun Hye-In and Do Hyung braced themselves at the same time.

Peng Dojin was about to charge. It was undeniable.

As they prepared for the impending battle, ready to raise their aura.

Click.

At that moment, a sound came from the carriage, and the door opened.

Peng Dojin’s gaze naturally turned in that direction.

A foot emerged from the carriage first.

Slowly.

Very slowly, the toes touched the ground.

And at that moment.

Whooooooooosh–!!!

“!!!”

Peng Dojin’s body went rigid.

“What…?”

He let out a sharp breath.

Peng Dojin’s eyes quivered. Something descended.

The figure was a young man, looking somewhat youthful.

He seemed to barely be in his early twenties if at all.

Compared to the man named Do Hyung, he was much shorter.

Meaning, he had a rather small build.

His body, too, was lean, not showing much muscle.

While remarkably handsome, his perpetually tired-looking eyes and irritated expression detracted from it.

His eyebrows furrowed in annoyance, his eyes gleaming with blue light.

And the uniform that marked him as a member of the Small Moon Division within the Blue Moon Sect, which only the elite could enter.

He didn’t seem extraordinary at first glance.

But.

“What is that…?”

Peng Dojin found himself unable to comprehend the young man.

“What on earth is that?”

Trembling.

The hand holding the saber shook.

Who was this person who stepped out of the carriage?

“Human?”

He looked human, but he wasn’t human.

Peng Dojin could feel it.

The distant and overwhelming presence that seemed to loom behind the young man.

The shadow seemed to engulf the entire mountain in the backdrop.

“Sigh.”

A sigh resonated.

A sound so small it should have been, but it echoed within Peng Dojin’s ears.

“… What in the world… Huh?”

The young man squinting as he looked at Peng Dojin.

And as he did, the massive shadow behind him moved in tandem.

Growing larger.

“… Growing… growing ever larger.”

The shadow grew so immense that it touched the sky.

That incredible presence looked down at Peng Dojin from above.

“What is this?”

『What is this?』

Was it an illusion?

A coarse and deep voice overlapped the youthful one.

“You.”

『You.』

“… Can you see this?”

『Can you see it?』

The shadow with blue eyes smiled.

The overwhelming presence caused Peng Dojin’s face to turn ashen.