Chapter 214
Chapter 214
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 214
Chapter Title: The Ore-Sensing Blacksmith
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“M-Me?!”
“Yes. You.”
Yang Un-sik's eyes went wide with shock at Hyeok Mulin's words, and he recoiled in horror.
So stunned that he swung his hammer wide and dropped his tongs, he flailed about, trying to gather his wits.
And he wasn't the only one startled by Hyeok Mulin's actions.
Sect Leader Yang Mun-gi and all the blacksmiths in the workshop stared at him in bewilderment.
“What's going on?”
“He came looking for Un-sik?”
“Is that for real? Why?”
“Isn't this some kind of mistake?”
The blacksmiths gazed at Hyeok Mulin with baffled expressions. Meanwhile, they shot sympathetic glances at Yang Un-sik beside him.
Regardless of his lack of skill, everyone acknowledged his hard work.
He was always the first to arrive at the workshop each day and the last to leave, tidying up and locking the doors after everyone else.
Irrespective of him being the sect leader's son, they all recognized his efforts and cheered him on.
Yet despite that support, his skills remained inexplicably stagnant. In simple terms, he had zero talent for blacksmithing.
Even so, he stubbornly refused to give up, clinging to those lumps of iron. Watching him, the blacksmiths couldn't help feeling sorry for him.
But.
'This is the guy.'
Hyeok Mulin was convinced after hearing the sect leader's explanation and observing the reactions around him.
Born as the son of the Silver Iron Sect leader, yet utterly hopeless as a blacksmith.
Just looking at the mangled lump of iron he was working on made it obvious.
The blade was crooked, and the edge was chipped. Who could possibly buy something like that?
He loved iron, but tragically, he had terrible hands for handling it.
However, everyone has some kind of talent.
Yang Un-sik possessed a definite gift in another area.
He was the one who could locate the highest-quality ore mines in the world.
Hyeok Mulin didn't know the exact method, but in his past life, this man had single-handedly opened dozens of mines in the Shin-gang region alone.
'Even that lump of iron right in front of him proves it.'
The iron the other blacksmiths hammered was mostly mid-grade.
But the ore he selected was top-grade, gleaming with a superior luster.
Of course, turning such prime material into garbage was also his handiwork.
And because of his dismal skills, his exceptional eye for ore went largely unnoticed.
“W-Well... you must be tired and seeing things wrong...”
Yang Mun-gi approached Hyeok Mulin cautiously and spoke up.
“If you're looking for a skilled blacksmith, then Master Mok here is the best we have. Not only is he fast, but he forges with the finest precision. He's the pride of our sect...”
“No need for debate. He's the one I came for.”
Hyeok Mulin's resolve didn't waver.
Faced with such firm determination, even Yang Mun-gi had to step back.
As the workshop fell silent, Hyeok Mulin turned to Yang Un-sik.
“I have something to discuss with you.”
The reception room.
This was normally where blacksmiths brought clients to discuss commissions and contract terms.
But now the roles were reversed: Hyeok Mulin had brought the blacksmith here.
Yang Un-sik sipped his tea and stole a glance at Hyeok Mulin from his seat.
'He has this aura of nobility about him...'
He felt different from the high-status clients Yang Un-sik had dealt with before.
Yet this man had inspected the workshop on the sect leader's recommendation and suddenly declared he was looking for him.
No matter how he thought about it, the situation was puzzling. After studying Hyeok Mulin for a moment, Yang Un-sik carefully spoke up.
“May I ask where you're from, esteemed guest?”
Yang Un-sik figured he wouldn't be too surprised by the answer.
After all, he was the son of the Silver Iron Sect leader, one of the top lay sects affiliated with the Southern Iron Sect. He'd encountered plenty of warriors from prestigious clans and sects.
But the reply that came moments later rendered all that experience meaningless.
“The Cult Leader.”
“...Pardon?”
He must have misheard.
Thinking his ears were playing tricks due to fatigue, Yang Un-sik asked again.
“I'm sorry, could you repeat that...?”
“Hyeok Mulin, Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.”
...
......
“...!”
Even with the more detailed explanation, it took Yang Un-sik a deep breath to process it all.
Who in Shin-gang had the guts to joke about something like that?
His entire body tensed as every pore flared wide. He immediately jumped up and prostrated himself on the floor.
“Y-Your humble servant greets the exalted Lord of Ten Thousand Demons!”
To think the man sitting before him was the Cult Leader himself!
Realizing this, his body began to tremble uncontrollably.
However, Hyeok Mulin merely offered a curt response.
“Sit. I'm not here to punish you. I came because I need you.”
“M-Me?”
Yang Un-sik couldn't comprehend it.
What reason could the Cult Leader have for seeking him, the most incompetent member of the Silver Iron Sect?
As Yang Un-sik tilted his head in confusion, he suddenly noticed a change in his own body.
The trembling that had gripped him stopped as if by magic at the Cult Leader's words.
It was only natural to quake in fear during a private audience with the Cult Leader—especially since he had been moments ago. Yet now, he felt calm enough to face him steadily.
Swallowing his surprise at this unexpected change, Yang Un-sik cautiously resumed his seat.
As he waited for the Cult Leader to speak, Hyeok Mulin opened his mouth.
“I hear you have a knack for finding high-quality ore.”
“Yes, that's right.”
“Is there some special reason for that?”
Yang Un-sik fell silent at Hyeok Mulin's question.
It was a secret he'd never shared with anyone—not even his father, the sect leader.
But the man before him was the Cult Leader.
After wrestling with his decision, Yang Un-sik chose to reveal the lifelong secret.
“I can sense the unique energy inherent in ore.”
“Energy, you say.”
Reading a warrior's energy was commonplace, but sensing ore's energy? That was a first.
As Hyeok Mulin regarded him with interest, Yang Un-sik elaborated.
“Yes. Specifically, I feel the warmth based on the ore's quality. The higher the quality, the hotter it feels. The lower, the colder.”
“Hmm.”
Hearing this, Hyeok Mulin understood how he'd earned the title of the world's greatest ore prospector in his past life.
All he had to do was follow the hottest spots to find mines rich in premium ore.
Coming here had been the right choice.
Nodding, Hyeok Mulin looked at him and said,
“I have a job for you.”
Hyeok Mulin explained the current situation and circumstances of the Southern Iron Sect.
Listening quietly, Yang Un-sik nodded in understanding, though he couldn't help a twinge of disappointment.
'Of course. No way they'd hire me as a blacksmith.'
But Yang Un-sik, more than anyone, could objectively assess his own abilities. He quickly accepted it and submitted to the Cult Leader's will.
Still, he hadn't realized the Southern Iron Sect was in such dire straits.
Yang Un-sik had some vague awareness of the sect's plight.
The doubled commissions pouring into the Silver Iron Sect meant other places couldn't handle their workloads.
But if this continued long-term, it wouldn't be good for the Silver Iron Sect either.
After all, they were a lay affiliate of the Southern Iron Sect.
The sect's prosperity would elevate their own status as well.
Then,
“Is it really okay for me to take on something as crucial as scouting new mines?”
From the Cult Leader's words, he realized his role could determine the Southern Iron Sect's future.
The thought hit him like a boulder on his shoulders—he felt an immense weight settle over him.
“I've only ever swung a hammer in the workshop my whole life. I've never even been near a mine...”
As Yang Un-sik mumbled uncertainly, Hyeok Mulin fixed him with a steady gaze.
Hyeok Mulin knew.
It would be fine.
There was no one in Shin-gang—no, the entire world—better at prospecting mines.
But preaching about it wouldn't convince him.
Let him see for himself.
“Follow me.”
“...?”
At Hyeok Mulin's command, Yang Un-sik rose with a puzzled look.
And moments later.
“Uwaaaaaah—!”
He was gripped by the scruff of his neck in Hyeok Mulin's hand, soaring through the air like he was flying.
Hyeok Mulin moved without restraint, carrying him over rugged mountain ranges.
From his memories, the region in Shin-gang with the most mines in his past life was the Central Range.
So, by scouring every mountain and cave there, they were bound to find a few.
Hyeok Mulin dragged him to every peak and cavern in the area.
Exactly three days later.
Ughhh—
Yang Un-sik collapsed on all fours, retching miserably.
The world spun yellow, his head reeled, and his stomach churned until he vomited bile onto the ground.
It was the result of three straight days of relentless travel without even a moment's rest.
'I just... want... to rest...!'
He desperately wanted to scream it out, but he lacked the audacity to say it to the Cult Leader.
So, swallowing his tears, Yang Un-sik faithfully followed Hyeok Mulin's orders.
'Phew, at least it's over.'
Thanks to enduring three days, they'd miraculously covered every mountain and cave in the Central Range.
They'd even found a few mines with rare ores—a solid haul.
But.
Yang Un-sik stole a cautious glance at the Cult Leader in the distance.
“Hm...”
Something felt off.
Despite the gains, the Cult Leader's expression remained impassive.
Hyeok Mulin rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought.
Finally, he spoke slowly.
“No helping it, then.”
They had located several high-quality ore mines.
But the most crucial ones—
The iron deposits essential for the core—were all subpar.
None met the Southern Iron Sect's standards for top-grade material.
Having neatly sorted his thoughts, Hyeok Mulin turned to Yang Un-sik.
“Looks like you've rested enough.”
“Y-Yes.”
“Then let's check one last place.”
Again...?
Yang Un-sik wished someone would knock him out cold, but he could only nod.
Once more, he was clutched in Hyeok Mulin's grip, whipping through the air like a ragdoll in the wind.
And at long last, they arrived at their final destination.
*Cough! Cough!*
Yang Un-sik coughed and rubbed his dusty eyes.
As his senses cleared, he looked straight ahead.
“This place...”
The moment he took in the scene before him, he instantly recognized it.
This was the culprit behind the current crisis.
The Southern Iron Sect's mine—dead as could be.