Chapter 13 (2)
Chapter 13 (2)
Entering the blacksmith shop that the [Haomun] had arranged for me, I could feel a pleasant, scorching heat.
The level of heat, the organization of tools, the bellows and furnace tuned to personal habits.
"Good blacksmith shop. I can feel the traces of a skilled blacksmith."
"Hmph, to be able to feel that, you're at least not some greenhorn."
At the deep voice coming from behind, I instinctively frowned and looked back.
There, I could see a bald old man with his head shaved clean.
The wrinkles and rough skin showed the wear and tear of time.
"Who are you, old man?"
"Old man? You little shit! I am the owner of this blacksmith shop!"
Hearing that, I could understand why he was here.
"It's one of two things. Either help me, or watch to make sure I don't ruin things with my amateur skills."
"Both. You're quick-witted."
"Tsk. A blacksmith with less skill than me helping would just be a hindrance."
"What did you say?"
The face of the old blacksmith twisted at my words, which were based solely on accurate facts.
However, this body, with its sad destiny of being able to speak only the truth, did not care about the old man's appearance.
"If you're not going to help, I'll kick you out. And the metal I'm going to use is something others shouldn't know about, so I'll do the work of making the molten iron myself. Keep that in mind."
"Puh-ha! You arrogant little brat! Fine, let's see just how good you are!"
The old blacksmith, burning even more at my comment.
I don't know how good his skills are, but since I provoked him like this, he should at least be useful as an assistant.
I started by taking out my basic blacksmithing tools, like the hammer I had made specifically for myself, from my bag and began heating up the furnace.
A few days later.
'The [Dokgo Clan]...! Why are they...?'
As [Sim Eun-nang] tracked the route where the kidnapped women were being moved, she became certain that the mastermind behind this incident was the [Dokgo Clan], which could be called the strongest clan in the [Murim].
Among all the clans and sects that have set foot in the [Murim], which one could be called the strongest?
In the past, if you knew even a little bit about martial arts, the [Shaolin Temple] would come up first, but now, the [Shaolin Temple] and the [Dokgo Clan] have split the power between them.
This is thanks to the descendants who learned the martial arts of [Dokgo Murin], who was called by the arrogant title of [Martial Emperor] in the past, constantly improving and developing those martial arts.
General sects or clans value the past and tradition, so if someone with innovative concepts tries to overhaul their martial arts, those with conservative ideas push back, saying they are defiling the achievements of their ancestors.
However, the descendants who inherited the philosophy of [Dokgo Murin], who always pursued endless development, were able to constantly improve and refine the [Martial Emperor]'s martial arts, securing the position of the strongest.
Of course, if you consider a single entity, the [Demonic Cult] is the strongest, but honestly, it's a stretch to call the [Demonic Cult] a sect or a clan; they are more like a small religious state.
The [Dokgo Clan] exists between the righteous and the evil, and if they were to join either the Righteous Faction or the Evil Faction, they would be a dangerous existence that could disrupt the balance of power.
For such a [Dokgo Clan] to organize a human trafficking ring to kidnap women?
'What should I do? Should I report it to my superiors? But since I've been attacking the human trafficking ring in [Agyang] in the name of the [Haomun], the [Dokgo Clan] must know about this too.'
For now, she was the only one who knew this important fact.
However, if she reported it to the higher-ups, the entire [Haomun] would find out, and there was no telling what the [Dokgo Clan] might do.
There was even a possibility that they might try to destroy the [Haomun] itself.
Knock-knock-
"Come in."
"Young Lady."
"What is it?"
Just then, a member of the [Haomun] quietly visited her office.
"Someone has come from the [Dokgo Clan]. They say they have something to negotiate with the person in charge of the [Haomun] [Agyang] branch..."
What was bound to happen, happened.
Even faster than expected.
"Please guide them to where I am. I will meet them personally."
"Yes, understood. Then."
As the [Haomun] member disappeared to guide the person from the [Dokgo Clan], [Sim Eun-nang] stroked her chest and took a deep breath.
A while later, [Sim Eun-nang], who came face-to-face with a scholar in his 30s from the [Dokgo Clan], ordered everyone to withdraw as she wanted to be alone.
The scholar from the [Dokgo Clan] stabbed straight to the point in a situation where he would normally have to introduce himself.
"It seems you haven't reported this to your superiors."
'So they already knew everything coming here.'
"...Yes. I am curious why the [Dokgo Clan] did such a thing, but I don't want to make a big deal out of it for no reason."
"That is a good judgment. If you had reported it to your superiors, the ones coming here would not be a scholar like me who knows no martial arts, but the warriors of the [Dokgo Clan] with swords."
"......"
The scholar, who smiled leisurely, took out a promissory note from his chest and placed it in front of her.
"The [Dokgo Clan] always retaliates when attacked, but we are not a self-righteous gang of thugs like the Evil Sect."
'Right, you're not the Evil Sect, you're power-wielders who subtly pressure you with force.'
"We also suffered damage, but we acknowledge that you suffered a lot of damage as well, and we find that regrettable. So, I will make a proposal that is beneficial to both sides. If you destroy all the information you have and destroy all the documents obtained from the human trafficking ring's headquarters in front of me, reasonable compensation will be provided."
And then the scholar handed over the promissory note from his chest.
Seeing the amount on the promissory note, [Sim Eun-nang] let out a sigh.
She realized that the [Dokgo Clan] was insisting on ending it at this level, as gently as possible.
It meant that they, too, did not want to be involved in unnecessary gossip over such matters.
'There must be an important fact beyond this kidnapping that I don't know about, but I can't make the [Dokgo Clan] a public enemy of the [Murim] over a problem of this magnitude. And the [Haomun] would end up being punished by the [Dokgo Clan].'
As mentioned before, the [Haomun] only has large numbers, but few experts.
And if the [Dokgo Clan] retaliates without thinking about the aftermath, they could wipe out the [Haomun].
That is why she had no choice but to take this money and keep her mouth shut.
"I understand. Follow me."
In the end, she destroyed all the materials in front of the scholar, and seeing that, the scholar smiled satisfactorily and left, saying he would report it well to his superiors.
He was a scholar who hadn't learned a single martial art and didn't even have a bodyguard, but he was able to pressure [Sim Eun-nang] with a leisurely smile throughout, knowing what would happen to the [Haomun] if he died.
'...Is this really okay...?'
Since she could feel the atmosphere that the [Dokgo Clan] didn't want to make a fuss about this either, they wouldn't do anything troublesome like assassinating her in the middle of the night.
In other words, it means there is something important about this kidnapping case, but the [Haomun]'s power was not enough to uncover that something, nor was it enough to protect the information.
"Young Lady."
"Hoo... What is it?"
[Sim Eun-nang], who had been completely exhausted after spending a short time with the scholar, answered the [Haomun] member who had come to inform her of something in a distracted manner.
"That man named [Jin Cheon], he said he was done with his business and demanded the information he wanted. He's preparing to leave right away."
"Give him the documents we organized earlier."
"Yes. And for some reason, the blacksmith of the shop you arranged, [Mak No-gong], has requested a conversation with you, Young Lady."
"Why?"
Is he trying to claim repair costs because [Jin Cheon] broke something in the blacksmith shop?
No.
If it were a problem like that, there would be no reason to meet.
"I don't know exactly, but he looked extremely urgent. When I asked for the reason, he said he had to tell you, Young Lady..."
"Bring him in."
"Yes."
Whatever the problem was, she, who was already exhausted from the [Dokgo Clan] affair, wanted to hear a story that would change her mood, even if just a little.
Not long after, [Mak No-gong], the owner of the blacksmith shop she had arranged, appeared with an excited look.
"What is the matter..."
"Young Lady! That young brat, what on earth is his identity!"
"...Yes?"
[Sim Eun-nang] felt absurd at [Mak No-gong] suddenly asking for [Jin Cheon]'s identity.
However, her expression was filled with absurdity at the explanation that followed.
"What on earth is his identity to have such absurd skills! How can such a young brat... no, how can he surpass my master who was the Imperial Palace's blacksmith!? I heard vaguely that there was a legendary realm called [Rejuvenation] among [Murim] people, is he perhaps an old man who has reached that realm!?"
"What did you say?"
[Sim Eun-nang] had an absurd expression, wondering what kind of situation this was.
"So... you mean that young man named [Jin Cheon] has skills superior to your master, [Mak No-gong]?"
"Yes! On top of that, I don't know where he got it, but he handled the [Black Iron] that even my master couldn't handle properly with such ease! No matter how great a master you learn techniques from, it takes decades of time to understand the nature of iron and feel it, but that brat ignored that common sense! What is that brat's identity?! No, can you let me meet him just once?"
[Mak No-gong] begged to be allowed to meet [Jin Cheon] just once, and [Sim Eun-nang] started to feel dizzy from the continuous shocks.
-If you knew my skills, they would try to take me to the Imperial Palace?-
-No, I'm telling you, they really would take you to the Imperial Palace?-
"Was that true?"
The [Mak No-gong] in front of her was a real expert who had honed his skills under a blacksmith who had worked in the Imperial Palace in the past.
It was no wonder she was dumbfounded that such an expert was begging like this to meet him just once.
[Sim Eun-nang] felt that [Jin Cheon]'s value was greater than she thought and belatedly told them to call him, but it was said that he had already received the documents and left [Agyang] quickly.
'The [Dokgo Clan] doing suspicious things, the current [Central Plains Murim] where the boundary between the Righteous Faction and the Evil Faction has blurred due to the [Shadowless Divine Thief]'s treasure map, and a young, rising expert with outstanding talent.'
She could feel it.
The signs that a new wave was about to rise in this [Murim].
She didn't know what would happen because of that wave, but one thing was certain: she had to prepare for the future, starting now.
'Something is about to happen in the [Murim].'
Huuuaaam~~
Ah, sleepy...
I'm sleepy because I've been hammering without rest for several days...
I melted the [Heavenly Demon Divine Sword] and made gauntlets, and suddenly my craftsmanship spirit kicked in, so I hammered without eating or resting.
After finishing the gauntlets, I came to my senses late and quickly ran away from [Agyang] like I was fleeing, predicting that the old blacksmith who recognized my skills would bother me.
I got the information I wanted for female hunting, so I couldn't stay there forever.
Having moved a suitable distance away, I first checked the information the [Haomun] gave me.
The quality of the information is pretty good, isn't it?
What I wanted was just the name, age, and affiliated sect, but this document even had human relationships and general recent status written down.
If I had tried to buy this much information from the beginning, it would have easily exceeded 10 to 20 gold in gold bars.
Of course, it's information you can find out if you ask others, but if the scale is the entire [Central Plains Murim], it's a different story.
It's pretty good information, so if there's anything I can help with later, I'll help.
[Sim Eun-nang], you've chosen a good connection.
I started the process of selecting a female I felt 'This is it!' while carefully turning the [Women Martial Artists Name Dictionary], which was made into a thick book for easy management, page by page.
I read it carefully, turning about 30 pages like that, but...
Umm... There's no bitch that turns me on yet.
Should I say that all the information is just average for now?
Like a mass-produced type that diligently trains, diligently builds a reputation, and follows the ordinary [Murim] course?
The female that this body will dominate shouldn't be such a mass-produced type.
But something unique... huh?
At that moment, the description of a female that caught my eye entered my view.
-Name: [Cheon Hye-un]
-Age: 48
-Sect: [Cheonsan Sect] (Lineage cut off due to retirement)
-Human Relationships: Husband (Sick), Son (Deceased)
-----------Recent Status-------------
20 years ago, she obtained the name [Eun-bong] of the [Five Dragons and Three Peaks] for 4 consecutive years.
She received courtship from countless men due to her outstanding talent and kind, thoughtful personality.
Her twin sword technique, having received internal energy and martial arts from the previous sect leader of the [Cheonsan Sect], a single-lineage sect, was evaluated by her contemporaries as being able to rival the position of the [Sword Empress] [Seo Yu-ran].
However, shockingly, she fell in love with a white-faced scholar who had no name, washed her hands of the [Murim], and cut ties with it.
The health of the white-faced scholar, who was basically weak, was inherited by their son, and he died of illness about 3 years ago.
Due to that shock, [Cheon Hye-un]'s husband's health deteriorated rapidly, and he is currently in the middle of a battle with illness, going back and forth between life and death.
She is running around for her husband's nursing and treatment.
----------------------------
Uh, wait. What?
Can rival the position of the [Sword Empress] [Seo Yu-ran]?
-After I first went out into the [Kangho], there was a friend I made for the first time. And there was also a junior who had the talent to catch up with me.-
-The junior's talent for sword technique had the power to make me feel a sense of defeat for a moment. However, she suddenly took a white-faced scholar as her husband and left, washing her hands of the [Murim], so that talent was trapped in darkness forever.-
It's this bitch.
The junior the [Sword Empress] mentioned is this bitch!
Outstanding talent?
The blank period will be long, but this body can train her!
Besides, her face will naturally be pretty, so there's no need to worry about her appearance!
How can I be so sure when I haven't even seen her face?
Isn't it obvious!
It says 'Eun-bong of the [Five Dragons and Three Peaks] 20 years ago' right here!
Originally, in the [Murim] world, women who get into things like this are all pretty!
This is common sense, beyond a cliché!
By the way, the [Five Dragons and Three Peaks] is a fixed title made up of late-rising talents with outstanding talent in the Righteous Faction [Murim], and it is said that the members change every year.
But the fact that she held it for 4 years shows that her skills are that outstanding.
On top of that, she has outstanding talent, but she married a white-faced scholar and even washed her hands of the [Murim] (a [Murim] retirement method of washing hands after inserting a bowl of clean water and three incense sticks)!
It means she loves her husband enough to throw that away, even though she has talent and a solid path as a [Murim] person was laid out!
In other words, if I take that beloved husband's health hostage and threaten her...!
Age?
Heh, in martial arts and fantasy, age is just a decoration, isn't it?
In martial arts, if your martial arts are strong, and in fantasy, if your mana is strong, 40s and 50s beat 20s in appearance!
Besides, the process of an older woman submitting to a young man with her cock is the best!
Furthermore, I had vowed before, 'I will train a female expert with excellent skills and make her teach me.'
This bitch is the female expert who fits that vow best.
Of course, she retired too early, but they say she's from the [Cheonsan Sect], a single-lineage sect.
On top of that, she said she received internal energy and martial arts from the previous sect leader.
In other words, her body might be sluggish, but it means her knowledge and techniques in her head are outstanding!
If I feel she's not good, that's fine too.
Because then it's enough to make her a female to satisfy my sexual desire as a dedicated sex slave.
The location is... a village about 20 days south of [Agyang].
Naturally, if I go at my speed as a [Murim] person, it will only take about 2 to 3 days.
I, who had been moving along the road and wherever my feet took me until now, started moving with a purpose based on the [Women Martial Artists Name Dictionary] I obtained through the [Haomun].
I'll emphasize it several times, but the primary goal is completing the harem!
I don't know how many I'll gather, but shouldn't it be at least 7 to 8?
It's better if there are more than that.
Raising the harem members gathered like that and destroying the [Heaven-Breaking Association] is clean!
I decided to get [Cheon Hye-un] as my first slave and headed south using light-foot martial arts.
There might be a main story of uncovering and breaking the [Heaven-Breaking Association]'s conspiracy, but the others will figure that out on their own, right?