Chapter 133
Chapter 133
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 133
Chapter Title: The Blacksmith's Gambit
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After learning metallurgy from Wang Geol, Bu Eun-seol was introduced to the Dangsan Forge through the Hwang Family Forge, who were acquainted with Wang Geol, and joined them as a blacksmith.
This was because he had obtained information that the great master Yeo Hwan-jin was staying at Jangsan Gorge in Dangsan and often visited the local branch there.
The problem was that Dangsan was practically within the sphere of influence of the Jongnam Sect.
Jongnam disciples were swarming everywhere. In short, one rash move could expose his identity and cost him his life before a fight even began.
*I must first hide within their territory and observe their movements.*
After much deliberation, the method Bu Eun-seol chose was to become a blacksmith at the Dangsan Forge.
And this plan had two advantages.
First, the Dangsan Forge had a long-standing business relationship with the Jongnam Sect's martial arts hall.
Therefore, by working here, he could naturally gather information about the Jongnam Sect and the great master.
Second, it provided an opportunity to examine the swords of the Jongnam Sect disciples.
Because they primarily used powerful and fierce sword techniques, the Jongnam disciples frequently had their swords repaired.
And if he could see the signs of damage, he could deduce the forms and variations of the Jongnam Sword Style to some extent.
This was akin to deducing the cause of death from the wounds left on a corpse.
*I should fix this quickly.*
Lost in his examination of the sword, two hours had already passed before he knew it.
Having grasped all the traces on the blade, Bu Eun-seol placed the longsword on the workbench and began to repair it.
* * *
“What is the meaning of this!”
In the exclusive reception room for esteemed guests at the Dangsan Forge.
The loud voice of Yeon Myeong-jin, who had just received his sword from the disguised Bu Eun-seol, echoed through the room.
“Why is the hilt shorter and the guard gone?”
Shaking the scabbard, Yeon Myeong-jin glared at Bu Eun-seol with fiery eyes.
“I told you to repair the sword, not to change its appearance as you please, did I?”
“I did not change its appearance; I removed what was unnecessary.”
“What? Unnecessary?”
As Yeon Myeong-jin flew into a rage and rolled up his sleeves, Yi Bok, standing behind him, wore a sinister smile.
*So it’s come to this.*
Bu Eun-seol might have skilled hands, but he lacks an aesthetic sense and tends to ignore the balance of a weapon's appearance.
*If the head blacksmith finds out, I'll be in trouble too… but you will definitely be thrown out of here.*
Bu Eun-seol said with a deadpan expression.
“Your hands are smaller than those of an average adult. Yet you were using a sword with a longer hilt and a wider guard than most, which must have been even more uncomfortable.”
“W-what?”
“Try using it first. If you are not satisfied, I will restore it to its original state.”
Yeon Myeong-jin's face contorted like a tiger's, but he nodded.
“Fine! Have it your way!”
*Shing.*
The enraged Yeon Myeong-jin drew his sword,
“...!”
and in that moment, his expression froze.
The feel of the hilt, which he had held thousands, tens of thousands of times, had completely changed.
“What… how is this possible?”
Blinking, he couldn't hide his bewildered expression as he looked at Bu Eun-seol.
“I've used this sword for ten years… yet it fits my hand far better than ever before.”
Tilting the sword slightly to examine the blade, Yeon Myeong-jin cocked his head.
“The shape of the sword is the same, but the weight has changed. It's much lighter, as if I'm holding a feather.”
“So, you have no issues with it?”
“What did you say?”
Bu Eun-seol said in a low voice.
“I asked if there is anything uncomfortable about it.”
Normally, he would have taught such an impudent young blacksmith a lesson so severe it would bring him to tears.
But right now, thanks to the newly modified sword, he felt like he was floating on air.
“Uncomfortable… no, not at all.”
“That is a relief. Then I will be going.”
As Bu Eun-seol turned to leave, Yeon Myeong-jin reached out a hand.
“Wait.”
“Is there something else?”
“Could you… perhaps repair other swords besides this one?”
“This forge has many blacksmiths.”
“No, I mean you.”
Clearing his throat, he said in a low voice.
“I've entrusted my sword to the blacksmiths of the Dangsan Forge many times, but you seem to be the best at repairing them.”
In that instant, a small glint appeared in Bu Eun-seol's eyes.
*It worked.*
The opportunity to examine swords bearing the marks of the Jongnam Sword Style to his heart's content had finally been created.
However, seizing the opportunity too eagerly could arouse suspicion. So, feigning annoyance, he looked at Yi Bok and said.
“I am not the one who decides the workload.”
“Indeed, truly a master craftsman.”
Yeon Myeong-jin nodded with satisfaction and said to Yi Bok.
“If it's alright, would you entrust all the sword repairs for our martial hall to this man?”
“To him, sir? That is...”
When Yi Bok made a troubled face, Yeon Myeong-jin grinned and said.
“Not just my sword, but the swords of the other masters as well.”
In that moment, Yi Bok's eyes widened.
The masters of the Jongnam Sect's Dangsan Martial Hall were all high-ranking experts from the main sect. To be entrusted with all of their swords?
It was tantamount to becoming the exclusive smith for the Jongnam Martial Hall that dominated Dangsan… The reputation of the Dangsan Forge would soar to the heavens.
“O-of course, sir.”
Yi Bok calmed his pounding heart and clasped his hands together.
“If you entrust this to us, we will do our utmost. Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. I should be thanking you.”
Yeon Myeong-jin glanced at Bu Eun-seol, then nodded and said.
“I'll be in your care from now on.”
Some time later.
Across from the main workshop where weapons were forged at the Dangsan Forge, a new, smaller smithy was built.
It was Bu Eun-seol's personal forge, dedicated exclusively to repairing swords from the Jongnam Sect.
Under his touch, even an ordinary iron sword became as sharp as a treasured blade, its density and balance perfected.
As praise from the masters of the Jongnam Martial Hall, who held sway over the Dangsan area, continued to pour in, even the main Jongnam Sect headquarters heard the rumors and began sending their swords one by one.
The swords of the experts from the main sect held the very essence of the Three Great Sword Styles. This was something that even Bu Eun-seol, who had planned everything, had not anticipated.
Late at night.
Alone in his forge, Bu Eun-seol was sorting the swords placed in the weapon rack built into the side of his workbench.
“Traces of the Ten Thousand Heavens Ancestor technique from the Drunken Rain Sword.”
“This is the Scattering Flowers, Shadowless technique from the Whirling Wind Sword.”
Bu Eun-seol was separating the swords that bore marks of techniques he had already analyzed from those with new, unseen traces.
*Clank.*
Having finally finished sorting the swords, Bu Eun-seol dusted off his hands and moved to a workbench where paper, an inkstick, and a brush were laid out.
*Scribble, scribble.*
He then began to meticulously record the damaged parts of the swords, the variations in their techniques, and the anticipated movements.
However, for traces that were faint or difficult to see with the naked eye, he would pick up the sword and swing it himself, or even clash it against another damaged blade.
*The Jongnam Sect's swordsmanship conceals its gentleness with ferocity, and its subtlety with sharpness.*
Holding a broken sword, Bu Eun-seol swung it lightly.
The blade of the longsword cutting through the air began to spin rapidly.
The sword, firmly fixed to its hilt, was astonishingly spinning round and round like a pinwheel.
*This spinning technique, which can be called the foundation of the Jongnam Sword Style, causes the blade to twist significantly.*
It was a different cause of destruction than his own Mu-sang-cheon-ryu, which shattered swords with its overwhelming power.
*Adding rotational force is likely intended to increase power while restraining the intent to kill.*
Twisting the sword in the air to make it spin again, Bu Eun-seol suddenly unleashed a murderous aura from his entire body.
He had amplified his killing intent using the principles of Neung-hyeong-eo-geom.
*Vrrrr. Fwoosh-fwoosh-fwoosh!*
The sword form, once as gentle as a spring breeze, abruptly transformed into a deadly technique brimming with killing intent.
The gently spinning blade began to whirl ferociously, and a sharp energy poured from the sword that had previously moved along a gentle path.
He had tried transforming the Jongnam Sword Style into a demonic martial art by infusing it with killing intent and domineering power.
*The power may seem greater, but the subtlety vanishes.*
The martial arts of the Orthodox Faction, especially those of the Daoist lineage, are inherently designed to suppress killing intent to an extreme degree.
Therefore, if one tries to forcibly increase its power or turn it into a killing technique, it goes against the original sword intent, actually reducing its subtlety.
*It seems there's a good reason why the martial arts of the Demonic and Orthodox Factions are separate.*
Shaking his head, Bu Eun-seol changed the sword form back to its gentle state mid-motion.
If any other martial artist had seen this, they would have been flabbergasted.
To change the sword intent of a profound sword style passed down through generations is no easy feat, not even for a grandmaster of martial arts.
Yet Bu Eun-seol was executing the sword forms while freely altering their intent.
*Click.*
Sheathing the damaged sword again, Bu Eun-seol gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
*If I had fought without any information, I would have lost every battle. I wouldn't have stood a chance.*
The more he studied the cross-sections of the broken swords, the more Bu Eun-seol had to admire the profundity of the Jongnam Sword Style.
The Nine Sects, One Gang.
The martial arts of the prestigious orthodox sects, which had remained firmly rooted in the martial world for generations, were far more vast and profound than Bu Eun-seol had anticipated.
*A pity. I want to see the Flowing Cloud Sword Style.*
The swords entrusted to the Dangsan Forge all bore traces of only the Whirling Wind Sword Style or the Drunken Rain Sword Style.
There were no traces of the Flowing Cloud Sword Style, said to be the greatest of the Three Great Sword Styles.
This was because once a practitioner reached the level to train in the Flowing Cloud Sword Style, they would have attained a state of mastery where their control over their internal energy and sword forms was so free that their swords no longer broke.
“Hoo.”
Having examined all the traces left on the pile of swords, Bu Eun-seol let out a sigh.
Looking out the window, he saw that dawn was breaking in the distance.
“When I think about it… there's not much difference.”
A wry smile suddenly appeared on Bu Eun-seol's face.
Repairing a damaged sword felt no different from preparing the bodies of martial artists who died away from home.
Preparing a corpse meant stitching up wounds and tidying the body to restore it to how it looked in life.
Repairing a damaged sword, too, involved mending the twisted and broken parts and correcting the shattered balance to restore it to its original form.
In other words, both were about returning something to its original state.
A living being and an object made of steel could not be the same, but to Bu Eun-seol, who had always seen the boundary between life and death as blurry, they felt quite similar.
“Blacksmith Bu. Are you in there?”
Just then, a middle-aged man in brown robes entered the forge, his low voice preceding him. It was the manager, Yi Bok.
As soon as he entered, he placed a large bamboo basket on the workbench.
The basket was filled with snacks, including good, strong-scented liquor, fruits, and rice cakes.
“Working hard late into the night. Have some of this while you work.”
For him, the manager, to bring snacks for a mere blacksmith was truly an exceptional event.
But Bu Eun-seol merely gave a slight nod without a word of thanks.
In the past, Yi Bok would have boiled with rage or shouted at him for such behavior.
But now, Bu Eun-seol had become the treasure of the Dangsan Forge.
If anything, even that arrogant demeanor felt like the mark of a stubborn master craftsman.
“Isn't it difficult? It seems like you've been swamped with work lately.”
“It is fine.”
“How about… you start leaving the repairs to the other blacksmiths in the main workshop?”
When Bu Eun-seol didn't answer, Yi Bok moved closer and spoke in a suggestive tone.
“What I mean is… I was wondering if you might be wanting to start forging swords yourself.”
“Swords…”
Bu Eun-seol's long, dark, sword-like eyebrows twitched and rose.
“Are you asking me to forge swords?”