The World’s Greatest is Dead

Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix.

The first time I heard about her was, naturally, from Murong Yungsun and Poison Dragon.

It was the moment when I casually brought up the topic of Mount Hua.

Their reactions were unusual, and that was the first thing that caught my attention.

‘What did they say?’

I still remembered what they said at the time when I inquired about their reaction.

‘A monster lives in Mount Hua.’

That statement was so puzzling.

How could a monster dwell in the center of Taoism, at the place where the Plum Blossom First Sword, one of the Heaven Beyond Heaven, was the sect leader?

Despite the oddity of the statement, I let it pass at that time.

Then, when I obtained a second piece of information, I realized the reason she was called a monster.

This wasn’t evident from her alias, but rather from a title.

‘The Greatest of the Next-Generation Disciples.’

Among the next-generation disciples spread throughout the Central Plains, she was an outstanding existence.

Considering that there were geniuses who were now called the Seven Geniuses, having the name “Greatest” attached to her was an incredible feat.

Moreover, there were many other descriptions attached to her besides the Greatest of the Next-Generation Disciples.

– The last and youngest of the Seven Geniuses.

– A new history for Mount Hua.

– Genius Slayer.

– The Monster of Mount Hua.

– The Greatest of the Next-Generation Disciples.

And finally,

– The Future World’s Greatest.

The words that adorned the end of these descriptions was “World’s Greatest”.

The previous World’s Greatest was Sword Saint Yu Chun-gil.

Even one of the Seven Geniuses from Blue Moon Sect, praised as the greatest genius after him, never received such a title.

‘And… there was a lot of information, yet there wasn’t much.’

The information from the Beggar Sect that Virtuous Moon Sword provided.

It was filled with numerous stories about the Seven Geniuses.

Although it was something not usually obtained, I had asked for something deep.

‘Nevertheless.’

There wasn’t much information about that woman named Yu Yun.

At most, it was her physical features.

A woman with a mole on her nose bridge and almost no expression.

And,

‘She can’t speak.’

I heard she was born unable to speak, but seeing her in person left me speechless.

‘She’s damn pretty.’

First of all, she was beautiful.

Though her eyes were slightly droopy and her face appeared sluggish.

The mole on her nose and her dark eyes were unearthly attractive.

Even though I had gotten used to Murong Yungsun’s beauty, hers was impressive.

Moreover,

‘What is this aura?’

When Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix appeared behind Black Greatsword, the atmosphere in the inn chilled significantly.

Look, you couldn’t even hear a sound inside.

Within this atmosphere lay a clear sense of fear.

‘They are scared.’

All the warriors present were afraid of this small, delicate woman.

The reason was beyond me, but I could guess.

‘It must be because of that.’

A few years ago, at the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.

It was the martial arts competition Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix first participated in, and she emerged victorious.

At the age of fifteen.

That day, she became known as the last of the Seven Geniuses and received the alias Sword Phoenix.

The issue here was,

‘She didn’t just win.’

Half of her opponents were defeated with a single strike.

The then Seven Genius members, Black Greatsword and Wudang’s Cloud Dragon, couldn’t even touch her clothes and ended up losing.

An overwhelming skill.

The fierce difference in skills unfathomable among the next-generation disciples left the observers astounded.

That’s why she earned the title “Genius Slayer”.

To anyone,

‘Facing her would lead to despair.’

An overwhelming gap in talent reaching the heavens.

All bow down before the talent that even surpasses a Celestial Bodily Talent.

‘What was it? Ah, perhaps…’

Such an overwhelming victory was the first since Yu Chun-gil.

Recalling all of this, I looked at Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix.

“……”

She entered the inn expressionlessly, surveying her surroundings.

Calmly and slowly.

As she glanced around the inn, her gaze coincidentally lingered on the positions of the Seven Geniuses.

『Ha ha ha ha ha… This doesn’t make any sense…』

Yu Chun-gil kept laughing as he looked at Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix.

『What is that?』

It was a tone implying even the mighty Yu Chun-gil couldn’t understand.

『What did the Plum Blossom First Sword raise?』

Strange as it sounded, he left it be.

‘Is it enough to cause such a reaction?’

Just at the sight, such a reaction was evoked.

『When I first saw Peng Family’s brat, I craved a match, but this one is in a different league. Truly a pity.』

Tsk, tsk, tsk. The sound of his tongue clicking was incessant.

『Had our idiot been even half of that, I wouldn’t have to worry like this.』

“……?”

I glared at Yu Chun-gil hearing that.

Surely, he wasn’t referring to me when mentioning an idiot? If so, this old man truly lacked conscience.

『What are you glaring at, you fool? Look forward.』

“……”

Yu Chun-gil nonchalantly responded, as if it didn’t matter.

Damn it.

Frowning, I looked again at Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix –

‘Whoa, crazy-!’

Shouting, I stepped back. In the blink of an eye, Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix had appeared right in front of me.

Startled, I jumped back.

“What, what is it?”

“……”

Even at my words, she silently stared at me.

“What is it?”

I asked again, but no response came.

What’s this? Why isn’t she speaking –

‘Oh.’

Ah, right, she couldn’t speak. Remembering this, I awkwardly scratched the back of my head.

I closed my mouth and looked silently at her.

She stared at me with expressionless eyes, then moved her hand slightly.

Her thin, white finger pointed at none other than her own long robe.

“Hmm?”

Why was she pointing at that? I narrowed my eyes and looked.

What is it?

It seemed like an expensive long robe. A white, fur-lined long robe. Wearing just that in winter wouldn’t be cold.

『Oh?』

Yu Chun-gil, seeing it, spoke in surprise.

『Ho ho, that thing…』

He seemed to recognize it.

『No, you know, the item that was entrusted to Mount Hua.』

An item entrusted to Mount Hua? Ah.

I quickly remembered Yu Chun-gil’s words. Yes, there was such a thing.

An item symbolizing him, which he originally intended to give to me.

However,

‘Instead, it was exchanged with Mount Hua for something else, leading to a black cloak.’

Only a black, fur-lined cloak was in the inventory before.

‘So, that’s it?’

This meant the long robe worn by Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix was the item Yu Chun-gil had been searching for.

This implies,

‘Is she giving it since she brought it?’

Assuming that intention, I looked at her, but she simply kept pointing at her long robe.

As if telling me to just take it.

“……”

Finding it curious, yet with no reason to refuse, I slyly reached for it.

Just as my extended hand was about to touch the long robe.

『Child.』

Yu Chun-gil spoke.

『Step back.』

“!”

Following his words, I stopped midway and withdrew my body.

At that moment.

Swish.

I heard a sound near my ear and caught a faint scent on my nose.

‘A floral scent?’

Unlike the sweet smell, what happened was downright lethal.

A wind blew. Where did it come from? I glanced around.

‘Oh?’

Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix stood before me, holding a sword.

It seemed she had already struck once.

Could it be?

‘Did she attempt to strike?’

Did she draw the sword intending to cut me?

Would that have been the outcome if I hadn’t stepped back?

‘What?’

I hadn’t even seen her draw the sword.

Leaving that aside, did she try to strike me? Out of nowhere?

Before I could swallow my astonishment at the absurd situation.

Clang-!

Swish-!

Next to me, Chun Uijin and Do Hyung simultaneously drew their swords.

They immediately launched their blades toward Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix.

Despite these two beams of light homing in on her, her eyes remained tranquil.

Finally, as the blades reached her,

Thump-!!

“!”

“Ugh!?”

The two swords were sent flying through the air.

Do Hyung and Chun Uijin’s swords left their grips, soaring skyward.

What happened?

『I’m impressed.』

While I struggled to understand, Yu Chun-gil lauded with an intrigued look.

『Where did they find such a raw gem?…』

Apparently, this old man didn’t realize it wasn’t time to be impressed.

Clang.

The flying swords fell to the ground.

Chun Uijin and Do Hyung viewed Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix with shocking eyes.

Immediately afterward, Unfazed, Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix gazed at me once more.

Our eyes met.

Clang.

She slid her sword back into the sheath on her waist.

Bleak and silent.

That was the current atmosphere.

Meanwhile,

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha—!!!”

A loud laughter erupted from Black Greatsword.

“Ha ha ha. This is quite amusing, isn’t it? How did that happen? Sword Phoenix, isn’t your greeting too intense?”

Thumping forward loudly, he approached Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix, his massive hand trying to touch her shoulder.

However,

“… Oh, my.”

Plum Blossom Sword Phoenix silently stared at Black Greatsword, making him withdraw his hand in surprise.

“If you don’t like it, you don’t like it, why try to cut someone. I understand now.”

He backed off slightly, apparently perceiving something from her gaze.

“It’s fascinating. How seldom they act so fiercely.”

He chuckled.

“What does it mean… Does it suggest interest? Or perhaps a warning?”

‘Wow, this is bad.’

Listening to Black Greatsword, I felt uneasy. I had this urge to shut him up immediately.

“Does the Greatest of the Next-Generation Disciples mean that the Little Sword Saint isn’t the best?”

One alarming thought after another, this giant let slip these words.

What the…?

I tensed up, horrified.

As expected.

“What? Little Sword Saint?”

“He’s the Little Sword Saint?”

“Does that mean that weak-looking guy is the Little Sword Saint?”

“… Not that manly one next to him?”

The gazes of all the warriors in the inn fell upon me.

Many had initially assumed it was Do Hyung, but upon hearing Black Greatsword’s words, they seemed to realize.

“If the Little Sword Saint is him, he must…”

“Didn’t they say even the Seven Geniuses couldn’t reach him?”

“But looking at him, he doesn’t seem the sort… to have such strength.”

“If this is true, what’s with the Sword Phoenix’s reaction?”

The growing noise spoke of questions and curiosity as they stared at us.

‘This got annoying.’

This was bad. I was bound to attract attention, but not like this.

‘Now I’m entangled with the entire Seven Geniuses, not just the Sword Phoenix.’

Rumors about me were more exaggerated than anticipated.

Of all times, Black Greatsword had spouted nonsense, worsening the situation.

Moreover,

‘That bastard did it on purpose.’

Seeing Black Greatsword’s grin, I understood.

He intended to create this situation with his words.

‘Cunning bastard despite his bulk.’

I thought he was merely a brute, but it turns out he had some brains.

‘Tsk.’

I clicked my tongue, frowning.

“……”

Sword Phoenix, who had been silently observing me, suddenly turned her back.

The cloak of the Sword Saint swayed gently as she did and then…

Tap. Tap.

She walked out of the inn.

“Hey. Aren’t you going to eat? Aren’t you hungry?”

Black Greatsword spoke to her, but no answer came.

“Hmm. Not amusing. Attendant! Take the order here!!”

Leaving the situation in chaos, he casually sat at the table.

And it wasn’t just any table.

“… Why here?”

Black Greatsword suddenly seated himself beside me.

Though I spoke to him in disbelief,

“Huh? Why? What’s the problem?”

“You’re asking what’s the problem…?”

“After two meetings, we’re friends. Don’t friends eat together? Sit down. Oh, why are the tables all broken? Attendant!!! Bring food and another table!!”

“……”

No words could describe his brazen attitude.

My head was pounding profusely.

Drawn stares notwithstanding, it felt like the very first day was a disaster.

‘Ah… really.’

I wanted to quit everything and simply go home.

Such thoughts arose outrageously in my mind.