Chapter 233
Chapter 233
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 233
Chapter Title: When the Wind Blows, the Era Moves (2)
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Descending Mount Hua, crossing the Yangtze River that spans Anhui Province east to west, one reaches Tongling.
Tongling had been famous since ancient times as the main source of copper. Not only did it produce vast quantities of copper, but it also yielded high-quality iron ore, attracting renowned artisans and forges to the area.
Weapons crafted in Tongling earned high praise, drawing an endless stream of martial artists and merchants eager to purchase them.
Tongling was always bustling with visitors, but after the war with the Demonic Cult broke out, the number doubled.
War was a monster that devoured resources. With weapons being consumed at an astonishing rate, sects everywhere scrambled to procure more.
Given the circumstances, the forges and workshops of Tongling were enjoying an unexpected boom, letting out gleeful cries. That vibrant energy was reflected on the faces of everyone walking the streets.
While people in other regions cowered under the shadow of war, here folks strode with shoulders back and smiles on their faces.
Three riders passed through Tongling's streets on horseback.
A man in black robes astride a pure black steed without a single stray hair, a boy on a white horse, and finally, a rough-faced man on a yellow horse.
They were Dam Ho's group, freshly departed from Mount Hua.
Bang Jin-bo glanced around and remarked,
“This place feels like another world. Everywhere else is struggling to survive.”
“Where there's shadow, there's light. Some suffer from war, while others reap the benefits. These folks are a perfect example.”
“The world is so unfair.”
“Tell me about it.”
Mok Il-gwang nodded in agreement with Bang Jin-bo's words.
The sights they'd witnessed on their journey here had been utterly devastating.
The world was pure chaos, a perfect fit for the term "turbulent times." Especially after the Martial Alliance's crushing defeat at Sakju, public sentiment had plummeted.
People avoided going out, and upon spotting a martial artist, they fled first and asked questions later. To common folk, martial artists were akin to walking disasters.
“We'll rest here tonight.”
Bang Jin-bo and Mok Il-gwang brightened at Dam Ho's words.
It had already been two straight days of nonstop riding. Their hearts raced ahead, but both man and horse needed rest.
Mok Il-gwang promptly secured rooms at the largest inn nearby. Money was no issue; they'd brought plenty from the mountain stronghold.
With Tongling thriving, even standard rooms were fully booked. Thus, Mok Il-gwang had to shell out extra for deluxe suites.
He slipped the page boy some additional coin, asking him to take special care of their horses.
Once inside the suite, Dam Ho said,
“We leave at dawn tomorrow, so everyone get some solid rest.”
“Brother!”
Bang Jin-bo shot his hand up.
“Speak.”
“Can I step out for a bit?”
“Why?”
“My kitchen knife's worn down to nothing—time for a new one. Since the forges here are famous, I figured I'd pick one up.”
“Can you handle it alone?”
“I'll go with him. I have some scouting to do anyway.”
Mok Il-gwang chimed in just then.
Dam Ho nodded. He trusted Mok Il-gwang.
With permission granted, Mok Il-gwang and Bang Jin-bo hurried out.
The pair headed to Daeheung Street, where Tongling's finest artisans gathered.
The moment they entered Daeheung Street, the acrid scent of molten metal assaulted their noses, accompanied by the resounding clang of hammers that filled their ears.
Merchants haggled fiercely at every weapon shop, the atmosphere electric with excitement. Bang Jin-bo couldn't quite adjust to the street's fervor.
“Whew!”
In the end, Bang Jin-bo let out a sigh.
Mok Il-gwang eyed him and asked,
“What's with the sigh?”
“Just... it feels so unfair somehow.”
“The world was never fair to begin with.”
“Huh?”
“That's life.”
“What do you mean?”
“If the world were fair, bandits like us wouldn't even exist.”
His words lingered heavily.
Sensing the mood darken, Mok Il-gwang forced a grin and said,
“Let's check that place out.”
He pointed to the largest, most ornate forge on Daeheung Street—a spot drawing a huge crowd.
Bang Jin-bo nodded and followed.
A clerk greeted them immediately upon entry.
“Welcome! What can I show you?”
“Got any kitchen knives?”
“Kitchen knives?”
“You know, for cooking.”
The clerk's face crumpled like paper at Bang Jin-bo's response.
“As you can see, we only deal in swords, sabers, and such weapons. No kitchen knives here.”
“What? With all these blades around?”
“We're a weapons forge. Kitchen knives don't pay the bills. Most shops around here are the same.”
“So where can I buy one?”
The clerk pondered Bang Jin-bo's question before replying,
“Try Song Family Forge at the far end of Daeheung Street. The owner might make one.”
“Thank you.”
Bang Jin-bo bowed deeply and stepped out, disappointment etched on his face.
“No kitchen knives at a forge? Even the basics?”
“No helping it. They said it themselves—it's not profitable.”
“Sigh.”
“But they mentioned a place that does, so let's hurry. If we dawdle, even that might be gone.”
“Right!”
Bang Jin-bo picked up his pace with a nod.
His mouth felt dry, like he'd swallowed sand.
Unlike the others, Song Family Forge looked downright shabby—which explained the lack of customers.
“There it is.”
Bang Jin-bo's face lit up as he scanned the interior.
Unlike other shops, Song Family Forge displayed kitchen knives alongside various utensils.
Bang Jin-bo picked up the one at the front. It had caught his eye for some reason.
“Nice.”
He couldn't help but exclaim.
It was clearly the work of a master artisan poured with care.
A bit heavy, but perfectly balanced, with a razor-sharp edge.
Ting!
Flicking the blade with his finger produced a clear, resonant ring that echoed widely.
“Whoa!”
Even Mok Il-gwang was impressed.
He'd inwardly scoffed at the modest forge, but the knife emanated extraordinary quality.
Just then, two elderly men emerged from the back. One appeared to be the forge owner, the other far older.
The second man's face was a map of deep wrinkles, his sagging flesh burying his eyes, making his age impossible to guess. He wore a wide-sleeved robe of roughspun fabric that rustled oddly with every step.
The wrinkled elder glanced at Bang Jin-bo with a smile.
“Looks like you have a customer.”
“Seems so, old timer.”
“What are you standing around for? Get over here—the customer's waiting.”
“If they want it, they'll buy. If not, they won't.”
“Tsk! That's why you're scaring off business. Look at the other forges—booming, aren't they?”
“I'm not long for this world anyway. What's the point of scraping together more coin?”
The blacksmith elder's gruff reply drew a chuckle from the wrinkled one, his gaze fond like a grandfather's.
“What manners...”
“You shouldn't push yourself either, old timer. You're no spring chicken.”
“Every step I take, my joints creak like mad. But what can I do? No one's to take my place, so this old body's got to keep going.”
The wrinkled elder smiled.
Meanwhile, Bang Jin-bo and Mok Il-gwang felt an uncanny aura from the wrinkled elder.
Though in the same forge, he seemed to breathe air from another realm. A strange sense of distance gripped their senses, as if he were beyond reach.
The wrinkled elder approached Bang Jin-bo, who stared blankly.
“Child, what's your name?”
“B-Bang Jin-bo.”
“Jin-bo?”
“Yes!”
“Fine name. Picking that knife means you're in the cooking trade, eh?”
“Y-Yes.”
“That knife.”
“Huh?”
“It's rough-looking, but that fool put his heart into it. Treat it right, and it'll serve you decades.”
“Thank you.”
Bang Jin-bo answered without thinking. Pleased, the elder smiled.
“That knife... mind if I see it?”
“Huh?”
As Bang Jin-bo blinked in confusion, the elder reached out and took the knife.
He lightly caressed the blade with two fingers.
Zing!
The knife sang out instantly.
“K-Knife cry?”
Mok Il-gwang's eyes widened in shock.
The knife Bang Jin-bo held was well-made, no doubt. But as a kitchen tool, its limits were clear—it was built for that purpose alone.
It shouldn't have been capable of a knife cry. Yet a mere touch from the elder elicited one.
‘A... master.’
Tension flickered in Mok Il-gwang's eyes. The blacksmith elder shook his head and said,
“Enough, old timer. You're scaring them.”
“Am I?”
“Sigh!”
At the blacksmith's sigh, the wrinkled elder returned the knife to Bang Jin-bo, who blinked dazedly as he accepted it.
“Use it well.”
“Huh? Yes!”
The elder patted Bang Jin-bo's shoulder before heading out. Just before the door, he turned back to the blacksmith.
“Thank you. You've kept your promise admirably.”
“Old timer!”
“You've suffered long enough. Live the rest of your days for yourself. Our fates end here.”
The blacksmith elder's eyes trembled visibly. The wrinkled elder vanished with a refined smile.
The blacksmith stood frozen, staring at the door in silence.
Regaining his composure, he straightened his clothes and bowed deeply toward the door.
“Old timer! May all your wishes come true.”
His shoulders shook as his forehead touched the floor.
Bang Jin-bo and Mok Il-gwang watched wordlessly.
‘Who the hell is that old man?’
The thought echoed in both their minds. But the heavy atmosphere silenced them.
Finally, the blacksmith rose, a tear glistening at the corner of his eye.
He wiped it away and turned to Bang Jin-bo and Mok Il-gwang.
“That knife... you buying?”
“Yes! Yes!”
“Lucky you. Touched by the tail end of the Wind Moon Emperor.”
“What's that?”
“Five taels.”
“Huh?”
“Five taels of silver for that knife. Pay up if you want it.”
At the blacksmith's words, Bang Jin-bo fumbled five taels from his pouch and handed them over.
The blacksmith snorted and retreated inside. Left alone, Bang Jin-bo and Mok Il-gwang exchanged bewildered glances.
It felt like they'd been possessed.
They wanted to ask more but couldn't muster the nerve. Clutching just the knife, they left.
“What the...?”
Bang Jin-bo stared blankly at the knife in his hand.
A strange heat emanated from his grip.
Wung!
For a moment, he swore he heard a knife cry, like a hallucination.
Bang Jin-bo hugged the knife close and returned to the inn where Dam Ho waited.
That day, Song Family Forge closed its doors, and the blacksmith elder vanished without a trace.