Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Translator: Penny
Episode 36
Martial Armory
This was essentially the Zhuge Clan's treasure vault.
Following his father's instructions to receive training in mechanisms from the Great Forgemaster, he had arrived before dawn.
Of course, Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwipyeong were with him as well.
Their grumbling about being summoned so early irritated him.
These fools have clearly never heard the saying, "The early bird catches the worm." And what's so early about this? A true martial artist should rise at the first hour of the day (3 AM), breathe in the crisp morning air, and refine their Internal Power. These brats, who've barely accomplished anything, are already slacking off just because they've returned home...
He barely restrained himself from grabbing them by the hair and dragging them here.
Why would a surprise gift be a surprise if it weren't unexpected?
"Martial Armory?"
"Gasp!"
"No way!"
"What's this?"
Their faces, startled by the sight of the signboard, were quite a sight to behold.
"Munhyeon, what are you doing here so early?"
"What do you think? Seeing the weapons you're using makes my heart ache. How can future pillars of the Zhuge Clan use anything less than Hundred-Refined Steel?"
"We're going to be pillars of the Main Clan...?"
"Of course."
I'll make sure of it. After testing them out, I found their talents somewhat lacking, but they're still serviceable. Of course, there's plenty that needs fixing...
"The Patriarch has already approved this."
"He approved it?"
"Yes. After annihilating the Honyeon Faction, recruiting the Beggar Disciple, and transforming the Minor Heavenly Star Art into a Peerless Divine Art, why wouldn't he?"
"But that's all your achievement..." Zhuge Munho muttered, his face creased in a frown. He seemed genuinely sorry for taking credit for his accomplishments.
That brat... He's grown up well. Back then, he was just a snotty kid who bullied others, clinging to his noble status. Well, he was quite diligent during his training. Not as talented as me, of course, but with his innate gift for hard work, he's bound to achieve his goals.
"Are we strangers? Aren't we blood brothers? Good things are meant to be shared."
"M-Munhyeon..."
His earnest expression nearly brought Munho to tears.
That's all I needed to know. What else could I do? Since you guys can't get stronger overnight, at least I can arm you with decent weapons to help you out...
"You're permitted to enter the First and Second Halls. Go in and choose whatever you like," he said.
"The First and Second Halls?"
"Yes. But it's best to skip the First Hall and go straight to the Second. After all, a weapon is like a warrior's alter ego—the more history it carries, the better."
"Ah..."
They floundered in their overwhelming excitement.
As Zhuge Munhyeon had said, the Martial Armory was divided into three sections.
The First Hall contained weapons that had been refined by Great Master Craftsmen to near-Divine Weapon status. The Second Hall housed true Divine Weapons, each with historical significance—items labeled with descriptions like "formerly wielded by..."
Thus, they bypassed the First Hall entirely.
A weapon without history was essentially untested.
Still, to someone like him, who had lived as the Cult Master of the Demonic Cult, it would be no different from a farming tool.
As Zhuge Munhyeon approached, the guard warriors, already under the Patriarch's orders, disengaged the mechanisms.
Grrr...
With a metallic groan, the massive iron gate split open like a cracked shell, revealing the corridor beyond.
"Alright, let's go in."
"Yeah!"
Zhuge Munhyeon bypassed the First Hall and headed straight for the Second Hall.
A vast chamber meticulously organized with weapons.
"Wow..."
Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwipyeong stood frozen at the entrance, their faces awash with awe.
How long will they just keep being amazed?
"What are you doing? Just staring?"
"Huh?"
"You can't understand a weapon just by looking at it. You have to hold it to truly know it."
"C-can I touch it?"
"Of course."
Just touch it? You can smell it and even taste it if you want.
"Thank you, Munhyeon."
"I'm truly grateful."
"I think I misunderstood you. I always thought you were just a brat who spoke casually to our Elder Brother and had no manners whatsoever... Mmph! Mmph!"
Overwhelmed with emotion, Zhuge Pyeong blurted out his true feelings before being silenced by his brothers.
He nearly lost his temper and struck him.
You should be thanking your brothers.
"I-isn't this the Silver Dragon Spear?"
"You're right, it is."
The inscription stated that it had been used by Elder Zhuge Hwiyun, who had served a century ago.
Its defining feature was the dragon scale pattern intricately engraved along the spear shaft, though the blade itself was made of ordinary steel.
"Ah! The Jade Cudgel!"
"Tch, the Seven Star Bow..."
"Ah..."
While the others were mesmerized by merely gazing at the treasures, Zhuge Munhyeon remained indifferent.
What's so impressive about these inferior artifacts? Just an engraved spear, a cudgel with jade accents, and a bow that shimmers with seven colors. What kind of secret treasures are these? A true spear should be the Divine Dragon Spear forged from black gold, a sword should be Gan Jiang or Mo Ye, and a bow should be at least the Phoenix Bow.
Nothing caught his eye.
"Everyone, choose the most useful items. Don't hesitate to pick something good just because you're intimidated."
"Yes!" the four replied in unison.
He felt a sense of satisfaction. This must be the joy of sharing.
"Hmm, now that I think about it, I should probably pick a weapon for myself too..."
Even the most skilled masters benefit from using superior weapons. In a clash between equals, the quality of the weapon often determines the victor.
This held true even for those who had attained the Aura realm.
That's why the appearance of Divine Weapons and Wondrous Artifacts in the Martial World always triggered bloody conflicts as factions scrambled to claim them.
"Keep an eye on things. I'm going to check out the Third Hall."
"What?"
"Th-Third Hall?"
"You said we couldn't go there!"
The four turned their heads sharply, their eyes widening in surprise.
"I never said you couldn't."
"..."
This is the difference between you and me. You're only allowed in the First and Second Halls, but I naturally belong in the Third Hall. Compare apples to apples.
"Pick something good. This is your only chance."
Zhuge Munhyeon strode away, the four watching his retreating figure with envious eyes.
The Third Hall of the Martial Armory was completely different from the first two.
For one thing, there weren't many items.
But...
"This is definitely the Third Hall, right?"
They had expected mostly duds, but the weapons looked surprisingly impressive. It was clear why the Patriarch wouldn't allow the others access.
No matter how fine a weapon, it was no better than scrap metal in the wrong hands. Carrying equipment beyond one's skill level was a surefire way to meet a violent end.
First was a sword named "Flower Butterfly."
Its luster was striking.
"Is this Profound Iron?"
While not as rare as Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron, considered the pinnacle of minerals, Profound Iron was still a rare find.
Even in the Demonic Cult's Secret Vaults, which overflowed with treasures plundered from across the land, items crafted from Profound Iron ranked among the finest.
The sword's edge alone seemed capable of inflicting wounds, making it no exaggeration to call it a legendary blade.
Yet...
"It's a fine sword, but the name..."
Flower Butterfly? And why is the hilt, which appears to be made from White Snake skin, so ostentatiously ornate? Too bad. If it had been a bit more modest, I would have taken it.
Zhuge Munhyeon smacked his lips and shifted his gaze to the next weapon.
Shadowless Dart, Wind Demon Wheel... Drunken Immortal Saber?
They really had everything here.
Even a sword that looked like it belonged to some beggar.
Just as he was about to give up searching for a suitable weapon and wander out of the Third Hall, he spotted something.
"What's this?"
It was labeled "Road-Picked Cudgel."
Just a plain iron cudgel.
More precisely, an octagonal iron cudgel.
The name "Road-Picked" meant it had been found on the street.
"Seriously...?"
He couldn't help but feel bewildered.
How could they store something like a cudgel picked up off the street in the Martial Armory's Third Hall?
He shook his head and tried to walk past it, but his eyes kept drifting back to it.
Upon closer inspection, the octagonal staff was densely covered with patterns unlike any he had ever seen. The crawling caterpillar-like shapes resembled writing, yet also seemed to be something else entirely.
"Hmm, strange. I didn't know there were characters like this, not even in Sanskrit."
He found it difficult to tear his gaze away.
It felt as if the staff was urgently pleading, "Take me with you on your path to Ascension!"
A mere iron staff, yet...
As if entranced, Zhuge Munhyeon gripped the octagonal staff. It felt like destiny.
Whoosh!
...The same light.
Uuuung!
...Though it didn't emit any wailing sounds, the way it settled comfortably in his hand felt surprisingly good.
"I've never seen a material like this before."
Zhuge Munhyeon tilted his head in confusion, then suddenly channeled a surge of Internal Energy into the staff.
Nothing happened.
"Oh?"
Could this truly be an artifact worthy of being stored in the Third Hall?
Normally, even the most exceptional weapons would tremble slightly when infused with Internal Energy. But this staff absorbed his power completely, like a bottomless ocean.
It was as if the staff were saying, "That's not enough to satisfy me."
"Then let's see..."
Zhuge Munhyeon grinned and began to draw upon his full Internal Energy.
Sword Qi bloomed, flowing with unnatural smoothness and grace.
"Huh..."
This was utterly baffling.
Even after channeling all his Internal Energy, the staff didn't even tremble slightly?
And this was just a staff he'd picked up off the road?
Just to be sure, he also channeled Internal Energy into the Flower Butterfly Sword, which he'd initially dismissed because he didn't like the name.
Wooong!
The sword blade trembled violently, its resonance spreading like wildfire.
"This is the normal reaction, after all."
He tested the club again, but it remained utterly unresponsive, smoothly emitting Sword Qi.
Even the Blood Soul, forged from Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron by the Great Master Craftsman during his peak as the Heavenly Demon, had never reacted like this.
"Well, I'll be... Feeling competitive against a mere club? That's a first."
What to do?
He needed a sword, not a club...
"Hmm..."
So what? A true master can cut through diamond with a blade of grass. The club felt good in his hand. Upon closer inspection, the patterns flowing across its surface resembled both rippling water and the Milky Way, which he found quite pleasing. Just you wait, you insolent club. I'll make you tremble and resonate with my Internal Energy, just like you should.
"From now on, your name will be... Silver River."
The river in the sky, the Milky Way.
It was a newly chosen name, but it wasn't bad.
It even suited the Minor Heavenly Star Art he had mastered.
As Zhuge Munhyeon left the Third Hall, an octagonal iron club was tucked into the back of his waist.
"Did you all choose?"
"Yeah!"
"Then let's go."
"Huh? What about you?"
"Me? There wasn't anything particularly useful, so I just grabbed whatever."
"..."
Grinning, he showed off his weapon to the other four, who were clutching their own choices protectively.
What's that...? Do they even keep stuff like that in the Third Hall? If he was just going to take an iron club, he should have given up his chance to go to the Third Hall.
Gwan Hwipyeong whispered, his expression incredulous.
But then...
Crack!...
"Silver River," now with a new master, danced fluidly, like the Milky Way flowing across the sky.
Above Gwan Hwipyeong's head...
The impact felt solid, as if he had chosen well.
After leaving the Martial Armory, Zhuge Munhyeon gave the four disciples time to practice and familiarize themselves with their new weapons before heading to Byeongju Hall.
As promised to his father, he was to join the Heavenly Craft Workshop, a subordinate organization of Byeongju Hall, to study mechanisms.
Great Forgemaster Baekmu.
The seventy-year-old elder was said to be quite renowned within the Zhuge Clan.
Though his exceptional skills had earned him the clan's recognition, he had refused the position of Elder in his youth and later declined the seat among the Elders, insisting he preferred to remain in the background.
Mechanisms alone!
This was the sole pursuit to which he had dedicated his entire life.
His father had repeatedly emphasized the importance of showing utmost respect, describing him as the most revered figure in the clan after the Patriarch.
Does he still work out? His physique is remarkably well-maintained for his age. Those arm muscles...
"Hmm, I've heard from the Hall Master that you've agreed to participate in the Wudang Sect's Secret Cave Restoration?"
"Yes."
"Hmm, you'll need to study diligently then."
"If you'll teach me, I'll give it my all."
As Zhuge Munhyeon bowed his head with fervent sincerity, the elder smiled kindly and asked, "Are you any good at digging?"
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny