Chapter 360
Chapter 360
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 369
Chapter Title: Persuading the Iron Divine Sect
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“……So, you’re asking us to use the iron from your family’s mines to mass-produce standard weapons? Steadily?”
At Ban Hojoong’s question, Namgung Hyuk nodded.
“You catch on quick. Wasn’t that easy to explain?”
“…….”
“The iron from Shandong Province is said to rival the best in the Central Plains. Good weapons come from good materials, right? Of course, the skill of all you master smiths here is the most important part.”
Namgung Hyuk continued in a calm voice.
He wore a light smile, but it wasn’t playful—it overflowed with composure.
Ban Hojoong let out a low “Hm.”
‘……Is this really the same mischievous Mad Dragon?’
Ban Hojoong’s expression turned ambiguous at the seemingly changed demeanor.
But soon, he shook his head firmly with a resolute voice.
“I appreciate the offer. But I don’t think our sect can accept it.”
Ban Hojoong had worried how the Mad Dragon might react to a refusal, but surprisingly, Namgung Hyuk remained composed.
If anything, the smile on his lips deepened.
Namgung Hyuk asked quietly.
“Why not?”
Ban Hojoong replied.
“Using the iron mines is a fine proposal. But doesn’t that mean we’d have to produce goods in large quantities?”
“Not much difference.”
“That doesn’t align with our sect.”
“We do mass-produce, don’t we?”
When Namgung Hyuk countered, Ban Hojoong readily nodded.
“True. But only the bare minimum.”
“And that’s for the Righteous Heaven Alliance and Wudang Sect?”
“That’s right.”
“Then why not expand a bit this time?”
“We’re content maintaining that minimum. Our deliveries to the Righteous Heaven Alliance and Wudang are limited in quantity as well.”
“Couldn’t the Iron Divine Sect grow even bigger with this opportunity? Built on those fine iron mines.”
“Hoo! That’s exactly what doesn’t fit our sect. What do you think our sect is?”
Ban Hojoong straightened his posture and looked at Namgung Hyuk.
It was the dignity befitting a sect leader and master smith.
An aura emanated from him that ordinary folk couldn’t easily approach.
Iron-hard resolve and unyielding will radiated from the man.
Namgung Hyuk answered simply.
“A place that forges famed swords.”
“Correct. Our sect forges famed swords coveted by the world. That’s how we’ve lived, and how we’ll continue to live. Every smith here shares one goal.”
“Forging famed swords?”
“Indeed. They pour their lives into it, infusing their very souls.”
“Hm.”
“We do the minimum production for the Iron Divine Sect’s livelihood, but that goes to the Righteous Heaven Alliance and Wudang Sect.”
His voice was firm and powerful.
Those watching held their breath at how resolute Ban Hojoong sounded.
Behind Namgung Hyuk, Pang Joonghyuk let out a low groan.
It was the same reason the Hebei Pang Family had been rejected before.
‘Good materials and support won’t sway them.’
The Iron Divine Sect’s smiths were artisans of the highest order, and the sect embodied that spirit.
They’d rather forge one famed sword than a hundred cheap standards.
Breaking their stubbornness and dedication wouldn’t be easy.
‘No wonder they’re called master artisans.’
Without shattering that artisan spirit, no deal would happen.
‘……What now?’
What offer could he make?
No—how could he persuade them?
Anyone else would’ve already clicked their tongue and shaken their head, but Namgung Hyuk sat at the negotiation table.
A sense of expectation rose that he’d somehow produce results.
Namgung Hyuk, who had listened quietly to Ban Hojoong, nodded.
He said,
“Then that won’t work.”
……Hey, man. You’re giving up that easily?!
Pang Joonghyuk looked at Namgung Hyuk in bewilderment.
Namgung Ryong and the others flinched too.
Even the resolute Ban Hojoong blinked in surprise as he stared at Namgung Hyuk.
“……You mean that?”
“Yes. Forcing what doesn’t work is just being unreasonable.”
“Hmm!”
Ban Hojoong narrowed his eyes at Namgung Hyuk.
If he was going to back down so easily, why propose negotiations and say all that?
‘What in the world……?’
Namgung Hyuk took a sip of tea, then set the cup down with a clack.
And quietly said,
“Then let me make a different proposal.”
“A different one?”
“How about passing on the Iron Divine Sect’s techniques?”
“That’s even more impossible! Hand over our secrets?!”
Ban Hojoong cried out in alarm.
Pang Joonghyuk, Namgung Ryong, and the others looked at Namgung Hyuk in shock.
Asking to pass on smithing secrets was no different from demanding a sect’s martial manuals!
But Namgung Hyuk’s expression didn’t waver.
He said,
“Ah, poor choice of words.”
“……Hm?”
“I meant exchanges with artisans from Anhui, Hebei, Shandong, Sichuan, and Liaodong Provinces.”
“……?!”
Ban Hojoong’s eyes widened.
Exchanges with artisans from Anhui, Hebei, Shandong, Sichuan, and Liaodong?
The Iron Divine Sect’s smiths erupted in protest.
“That’s absurd! Would artisans actually move for that?”
“Of course! It’s not mutual exchange—it’s us handing over our techniques one-way!”
“Sect Leader, this won’t do. Passing on artisans’ techniques? No way…….”
Ban Hojoong waved them off as they protested.
The smiths flinched.
Ban Hojoong furrowed his brow and looked at Namgung Hyuk.
“You think that’s feasible?”
“Why not?”
“What would we gain from such exchanges?”
A fierce light gleamed in Namgung Hyuk’s eyes.
Ban Hojoong swallowed dryly at the uncanny sensation.
“The Iron Divine Sect’s techniques are unparalleled. A place that forges famed swords, renowned for them. All good…….”
“…….”
“But aren’t those techniques ultimately stagnant?”
“What nonsense!”
Thud!
Ban Hojoong shot to his feet and bellowed. Regardless of whether the other was a warrior, he couldn’t tolerate anyone belittling the Iron Divine Sect’s techniques.
Namgung Hyuk spoke lightly.
“Forging famed swords is great. But it just means the Iron Divine Sect can make more of them.”
“What do you mean?”
“Can’t other forges make famed swords?”
“W-Well…….”
“Others make famed swords too. Are their skills inferior? No. The Iron Divine Sect is superior, sure, but not by heaven-and-earth margins. A single sheet of paper—or ten. That’s the difference.”
At those words, Ban Hojoong flinched.
The other artisans clenched their jaws.
He wasn’t wrong.
Could other smiths not forge swords worthy of the famed blade rank?
They could.
They forged famed swords too.
It was just that among famed swords, the Iron Divine Sect’s ranked highest.
They weren’t incapable.
This held immense significance.
That was exactly Namgung Hyuk’s point.
He said quietly.
From some point, his presence had sunk like gazing into deep ocean depths.
Everyone fell silent, holding their breath to listen to his steady exhalations.
“The Iron Divine Sect is unparalleled. But for how long?”
“…….”
“The Demonic Blood Cataclysm took so much. Not just lives, but spirit herbs dried up too.”
Countless things vanished in the ten years of war.
Dozens of sects rose and fell daily.
Sects drowned in blood, rebuilt, then crumbled again.
“But here’s the funny part. Do you know when arts and martial concepts advanced the most?”
“…….”
“It was right then.”
They fought tooth and nail every day.
Killing and dying daily, progress was inevitable.
They banded together to survive, grew stronger united.
No holds barred to accelerate that strength.
“If you’re weak, band together. Pool your heads. No mass-producing standards? I guarantee…….”
Gulp.
People swallowed unwittingly.
Namgung Hyuk smirked.
“Someday, those standard goods will surpass what the Iron Divine Sect calls famed swords.”
“That’s ridiculous…….”
“You can’t ignore experience. Standards will become experience. And one day, they’ll forge this demon blade’s sheath, refine this demon blade itself. So why not do it?”
Ban Hojoong groaned, eyeing the demon sword at Namgung Hyuk’s waist.
“That’s…….”
“A lack of mass-production knowledge, right? You tried but kept failing. Even your standards have to meet a certain level for the Iron Divine Sect. Right?”
He struck at the core.
No—choked the breath from it.
‘……This young man sees how far?’
It wasn’t just his brutish nature and astonishing martial arts that stunned.
What was this insight?
Penetrating every situation at a glance—could someone so young possess it?
These were things unattainable without experience.
And he saw even what experience missed……
“Techniques grow with use. Plenty of references—books and famed swords abound as samples. Accumulated experience refines into true skill.”
“…….”
“Well, if properly passed on, that is. Martial arts and such don’t seem to have fared well.”
A voice laced with subtle bitterness and mockery.
Namgung Hyuk grinned.
“So, bottom line: let’s grow together. Learn more techniques, leave more behind in better conditions.”
All true.
Every word rang true.
Yet……
“……Wouldn’t that work? Then why need our Iron Divine Sect?”
“Too late.”
“Hm?”
“Why take the long way when there’s a shortcut? With superiors leading, ten years shrinks to half—or a quarter.”
Silence blanketed the hall.
Smiths who’d meant to protest now alternated glances between Ban Hojoong and Namgung Hyuk, mouths shut. Ban Hojoong sank into deep thought, silent.
Pang Joonghyuk and Dang Myeongok’s eyes widened.
‘……What’s this?’
‘Sharing…… sharing techniques so casually?’
‘Insane, this…….’
Radical.
The word said it all.
Everything Namgung Hyuk proposed was pure radicalism.
He smiled.
“We did it before. No reason not to now.”
“Before?”
“Well, that’s what they say about wartime.”
“…….”
“So, will you?”
Namgung Hyuk wiped his smile and stared at Ban Hojoong.
Ban Hojoong asked.
“……What of the artisans? Which ones will you bring?”
Namgung Hyuk grinned.
“Don’t you see the people here?”
“……?”
“Swords from the Namgung family, sabers from the Hebei Pang family, hidden weapons from the Sichuan Dang family. And others.”
Huangbo Choong flinched but quieted under Namgung Hyuk’s gaze.
“These are our family heads’ bloodlines. One word from us does it. We’ll handle persuading the artisans.”
Namgung Hyuk turned, flashing white teeth at Pang Joonghyuk, Dang Myeongok, and Huangbo Choong.
“You’re in, right?”
……Yeah, we are.
Of course.
You think we’d get off easy if we refused?
And we’d do it anyway—no need to glare.
Passing this up makes us idiots.
Ban Hojoong said quietly.
“……What of the Nine Great Sects? They won’t stand by while the Five Great Families act.”
“Scared of maggots, skip the soy paste?”
Hah.
Calling the Nine Great Sects maggots.
Namgung Hyuk chuckled slyly.
“And who are we? Family. Righteous Heaven Alliance family.”
“Those family members would…….”
“Hey, families grow fighting too. Right?”
Namgung Hyuk whipped his head to Pang Joonghyuk, Huangbo Choong, and Dang Myeongok.
Uh, yeah.
“……Ha, haha. Of course, families grow through fights.”
“Hierarchy needs sorting too.”
“……Y-Yes. Status too. Ha, haha.”
Well trained, huh?
Namgung Hyuk turned back to Ban Hojoong, satisfied.
“Don’t worry about that. So, deal?”
Ban Hojoong let out a hollow laugh.
‘Who calls this guy Mad Dragon?’
Heavenly Dragon or Divine Dragon fits better.
“Fine. Let’s do it.”
Namgung Hyuk clenched his fist and extended a hand toward the head table.
“Hey, get the seal.”
“…….”
“Let’s draw up a contract.”
“Con……tract?”
Namgung Hyuk smiled slyly.
“Everything needs to be certain, after all.”
……Ah, this is the Mad Dragon.
Yeah.
‘Feels like we’re being roped in somehow.’
Ban Hojoong couldn’t shake the feeling of sinking into inescapable quicksand as he gazed at the smiling Namgung Hyuk.