Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Translator: Penny
Episode 37
The Heavenly Craft Workshop was an organization under the Byeongju Hall.
It occupied the very last position among the Manor's departments.
Below the Great Forgemaster, it comprised Excavators who laid the groundwork, Mechanical Artisans who crafted the components for mechanisms, Builders who assembled them, and Earth Vein Readers who discerned the land's energy flow and installed the mechanisms accordingly.
The Great Forgemaster Baekmu, who oversaw all these tasks, once said that mechanisms, alongside Formations, formed the two pillars of the Zhuge Clan's knowledge, representing the pinnacle of engineering.
Is that so? Hmm... I've only ever broken mechanisms. I wouldn't know unless I'd actually studied them.
In any case, they were intricately designed automatic or semi-automatic structures built for specific purposes.
Stepping on the floor triggered hidden iron needles to shoot out, touching something caused the ground to collapse beneath you, boulders to roll down, and formations to activate...
And the origin of all these mechanisms?
Thud, thud, thud!
Pickaxing the ground.
Shovel, shovel, shovel!
Shoveling dirt.
That's where it all began.
When he asked Baekmu if they wouldn't be learning the engineering principles behind designing mechanisms, he chuckled and gave him a look that said, "You?"
Apparently, the design work was done by others.
For someone just starting to learn about mechanisms, the first lesson was to master the art of digging.
"Fuck, talking about engineering like it's some kind of magic..."
When learning formations, he thought it made sense that one needed a foundation in mathematics, mastery of the I Ching, and knowledge of astronomy and geography. But all this talk about mechanisms requiring precise engineering knowledge sounded like complete bullshit.
They called it "Excavation," digging into the earth, but it was just endless, repetitive labor.
This was truly without end.
No wonder that old man, who claimed not to practice cultivation, was in such good shape for his age.
Damn the Zhuge Clan! To think they considered this one of their clan's greatest scholarly pursuits.
"Ha ha ha! That's right, that's right! You're starting to look like a real artisan now! You'll shed that apprentice tag in no time!" Baekmu said with a laugh, watching Zhuge Munhyeon diligently shoveling.
Ten days had passed.
Throughout the digging, Baekmu sat beside him, muttering about soil types and rock formations.
He learned for the first time that some soils were easier to dig than others, that some were riddled with rocks while others crumbled easily, requiring reinforcement or retaining walls.
He also learned to assess soil softness based on the depth and shape of tree roots, as well as their moisture content.
Gravel, sand, loam, clay.
He had always thought it was just "dirt," but there were so many types, each requiring different handling methods.
Thanks to this... his digging skills improved dramatically.
Far more than when he was repairing the Formation in Yanghyeon...
Now, just a few shovelfuls were enough to fill the dirt-carrying stretcher.
Baekmu praised him, saying he'd never seen anyone improve so quickly.
I've always been good at physical tasks. Engineering? What a joke. They could have just said "how to shovel well."
This was the first time in his life he'd received praise that brought him no joy.
Yet he didn't get angry or try to slack off.
He feared that if he displeased Baekmu, whom his father respected, he might be dropped from the Wudang Repair Team.
Ah, the bitterness of life. The Heavenly Demon shoveling dirt? What is this...
He was ruminating on the bitter ironies of life when he heard:
"Munhyeon-ah."
"Yes, Great Forgemaster, Sir."
"You've done excellent work so far. We have enough excavated soil now, so you can stop shoveling."
"Huh?"
Zhuge Munhyeon's eyes widened at Baekmu's words.
No more digging? Then it's time for the real thing...
"Until now, you've been learning how to assess the terrain for installing mechanisms, determining where to dig and where to reinforce."
"Ah... so that's what the digging was for..."
Just like they say, a skilled physician can make medicine even from weeds. Is that what this was about?
He had learned other things besides digging, but he'd mostly let it go in one ear and out the other, so he hadn't fully grasped it.
"Now that you've mastered the basic preparations for installation, it's time to learn about the devices that power the mechanisms."
"Powering devices?"
"The gears. They play the most crucial role in any mechanism."
"I see."
"There are many types of gears. They vary in size and material, ranging from wood and stone to iron. The number of teeth can range from as few as three to as many as hundreds. Gears are the core of any mechanism, and Master Mechanics are the ones who craft them."
He listened intently.
The shoveling had been a test, and now it seemed he was finally going to learn about real mechanisms. The ten days of diligent labor had been worth it.
"Now, these are your tools."
Baekmu presented him with a razor-sharp saw, a chisel sharp enough to cleave a man's skull, hammers of varying sizes, and... a plane?
"Why these?" he asked, tilting his head in confusion.
Baekmu grinned broadly and tossed him a thick log. "Cut and shape it."
From that day forward, he became a gear-carving carpenter.
His martial arts skills, rooted in meticulous precision, improved by leaps and bounds.
But is this for real? Digging ditches followed by carpentry? Still! I've already started, so I can't give up now! Giving up means defeat.
He didn't mind losing at mental tasks, but he refused to experience defeat in physical endeavors.
After ten more days of repetitive sawing, carving, and filing, Baekmu gazed approvingly at the neatly stacked piles of gears and declared he was ready to move on to advanced training.
Advanced training in digging ditches?
It involved mastering the optimal angle for the shovel to penetrate the ground, and learning how to efficiently distribute force through his legs, waist, and arms to dig tirelessly all day without fatigue.
...Should I just kill them all?
After enduring a month of merely dreaming about committing the unprecedented massacre of the Byeongju Hall, the news he'd been waiting for finally arrived.
"Munhyeon."
"Huh? Mungi?"
Yeo Mungi had come to see him.
"How's it going?"
"Going? Fucking hell, really."
All he'd gained was digging skills and a sun-tanned, bronze complexion.
I used to be as fair as jade... I'd squandered the good genes I inherited from my mother.
"Anyway, what brings you here?"
"What do you mean? I'm here to take you back."
"What?"
"You're being dispatched to the Wudang Sect."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. Baekmu seems to have been singing your praises. He said he hasn't seen anyone like you in ages, that you were born to be a master craftsman. He even went to the Patriarch himself to beg for you to be assigned to the Heavenly Craft Workshop."
"...Oh, is that so?"
It was strange to hear praise from someone who usually only nagged.
But knowing he'd been recognized made the resentment he'd been harboring slowly dissipate.
He was glad he endured.
I almost killed... Ahem.
"Anyway, the Hall Master ordered me to bring you here."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Heh heh heh."
A month of effort had finally paid off.
Even though his father had given some strange reason for his actions, he wouldn't be able to come up with any more excuses now.
"Oh, by the way, I'm coming with you this time too."
"What? You know about mechanical engineering too?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
"Huh?"
"Formation and Mechanisms are the basics for Byeongju Hall Scholars."
"Ah... So, could it be that the designs...?"
"Of course the Byeongju Hall Scholars handle them."
"Huh?"
A sudden doubt arose.
If Byeongju Hall Scholars designed Mechanisms, what exactly had he been doing all this time? Could he have just... learned design instead?
"Mungi."
"What?"
"Did you ever work at the Heavenly Craft Workshop to learn the trade before studying design?"
"No, I'm a Scholar, remember?"
"..."
"Why would we learn that when we have a Great Forgemaster?"
Come to think of it, it was the same when they set up the Formation at the Yanghyeon Branch. The Formation Master only gave instructions based on the blueprints. The one who did all the digging... was him.
Hmm... Ahem... Damn it! Just you wait! From now on, I'm only being filial to my Mother! Agh! This is so frustrating! How am I supposed to resolve this anger?
Just then, a suitable target came to mind.
And that day, wails echoed through the training grounds.
It's all for your own good! At least I'm not making you dig!
"Munhyeon, do you really have to go?"
"Ah, well..."
On the day he was to depart for Wudang, his mother asked with a furrowed brow, her reluctance to let him go palpable.
In times like these, he knew what to say.
"It's an order from the Patriarch."
"But who knows what might happen again? You suffered so much in the Honyeon Faction..."
It was difficult to argue with a mother's instinctive concern for her child's safety.
"Come on, what could possibly go wrong? It's Wudang, not some dangerous place. We're just repairing the Secret Cave—it'll be fine."
"Even so..."
"Don't worry too much. Munho and Gwan Hwipyeong are coming with me."
He was about to say something reassuring when his mother's expression suddenly stiffened.
"Munhyeon."
"Yes?"
"Why do you address your elder brothers so casually?"
"..."
"You should call them 'Elder Brother.'"
"Ah, well, it's just that..."
"I've been meaning to say this for a while. There are proper ways for siblings to behave. This mother regrets not being able to give you more brothers and sisters..."
Oh no, here we go again.
Now that she'd found a reason to nag, she'd be at it for hours.
"I'm sorry. I'll call them 'Elder Brother' from now on."
"You promise?"
"Absolutely! I'll always call them 'Elder Brother.' I mean it!"
"Hmph, very well. I suppose I have to trust my son."
Having barely managed to steer the conversation away from the previous topic, Zhuge Munhyeon quickly changed the subject, just in case.
"Oh, by the way, I was thinking of stopping by my maternal grandfather's house in Danggangu on the way."
"Your maternal grandfather's house?"
"Yes. It's been a while since I last saw him."
"That's true, but..."
Using his maternal grandfather as an excuse seemed to soften his mother's demeanor slightly.
"His Gwan is coming up soon, so it might be good to see him once before then. Don't worry too much. This is just an apprenticeship assignment again, so I won't have to endure any great hardships."
"You said the same thing last time."
"Well..."
Munhyeon was left speechless, a sheepish expression spreading across his face at her accurate observation.
My mother is so sharp.
"Haa, alright. What trouble could possibly arise on a trip to Wudang? Since you're visiting your maternal grandfather too, I won't stop you."
"Yes, Mother. I'll be sure to send your regards."
"That rascal..."
Baek Suhyeon smiled bitterly and nodded.
"I'll be back soon."
Zhuge Munhyeon bowed deeply and darted into the procession heading for Wudang.
He didn't want to linger and risk causing her any further worry.
"Alright, let's set off!"
"Yes, sir!"
At the command of Great Forgemaster Baekmu, the leader of this Maintenance Team, the procession began to move.
Though large in scale, its composition was entirely different from the Yanghyeon Branch's.
Two Byeongju Hall Scholars to theoretically examine the mechanisms, and thirty Forgemasters.
No guards were needed.
The northern region was under the jurisdiction of the Wudang Sect, so there was no threat from the Heretical Factions. Even in the fragmented Martial World, no one dared to cause trouble within Wudang's territory.
Except for four.
Zhuge Munhyeon approached Zhuge Munho and Gwan Hwipyeong, who were accompanying him with minimal guards as per his insistence.
"From now on, I'll call you 'Elder Brother'."
"Huh?"
"I'll call you that, so get used to it."
"..."
Easy for you to say. At least he didn't add 'fucking' or 'damned' before it. But if I'm his elder brother, why is he speaking so informally? And it's not enough to just call me that. Treat me like one too.
"Oh, did you put on the Iron Weights?"
"Yeah."
Zhuge Munho nodded in response to Zhuge Munhyeon's question, while Gwan Hwipyeong grimaced.
Can't you see I'm walking? Ugh, even talking is exhausting. Damn, my arms and legs feel like they're about to fall off. How are we supposed to walk all the way to Wudang?
He heard their grumbling and knew they were doing it on purpose, but after hearing it so often, he'd grown used to it and simply ignored them.
You guys, this is all part of your training.
When the procession to Wudang was being organized, Zhuge Munhyeon made a special request to Jeokun, the Third Cohort Leader of the Black Tiger Corps, whom he'd become acquainted with, to include them in the group.
Fortunately, Jeokun readily agreed.
After all, even if they stayed at the Main Clan, there wouldn't be a war breaking out, so they'd have nothing to do but train.
Naturally, he couldn't leave them behind.
While the diligent Zhuge Munho would certainly stay on task, Gwan Hwipyeong would undoubtedly slack off.
"Munhyeon-ah."
"What?"
"But do we really need to come along?"
Zhuge Pyeong voiced the group's discontent as their representative.
"Are you asking the obvious?"
"No, it's just... we're going to Wudang, right? It's not like we need escorts, and even the escort warriors are all young..."
"Are you saying you're old?"
"That's not it. We're just... different..."
Zhuge Pyeong trailed off, his face twisting into a frown as he pursed his lips.
He must feel slighted, I thought. I heard his standing in the Black Tiger Corps soared after the Honyeon Faction incident. Still, he's forgotten his tadpole days. Tsk, tsk.
"Anyway, since there's no escort duty, why are you making us come along?"
"Because there's work to be done there."
"Work?"
"Exactly."
"What kind of work requires all four of us? The Cohort Leader didn't say anything about it."
Of course he didn't. From now on, your duty as escort warriors will be...
"Digging with shovels."
"Huh?"
"Shoveling."
Zhuge Munhyeon grinned brightly at the four of them.
I learned something from experience: even warriors are good at shoveling. It's called Internal Energy Shoveling. I've even prepared special iron shovels that won't break easily, thanks to the Internal Energy infusion. Most importantly, why should I suffer alone?
📝 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