Chapter 75: Goe Mountain Iron Family
Kwak Jeong hung his head low, as if he'd committed some grave sin.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"I should have persuaded them better..."
Yesterday's image had taken a slight hit, so today I needed to build it back up.
"Persuasion, you say."
I stared at Kwak Jeong steadily and spoke.
"Once you've decided to become my disciple, remember this well. Don't be the one doing the persuading—be the one they listen to."
"How?"
"Simple. Become so strong that no one dares speak to you at all."
"...!"
Leaving Kwak Jeong behind with his face full of admiration, I approached the gates of the Goe Mountain Iron Family.
Goe Mountain.
True to its name meaning "strange mountain," the Iron Family had built their living quarters right along the mountainside—an odd choice, but not odd enough to earn that "strange" moniker on its own.
[To build all this out of metal... they're definitely insane.]
Every structure in the Goe Mountain Iron Family was made of metal. The long encircling walls, the floors, walls, roofs—everything was metal. Even the chairs and beds.
Honestly, this body—Sado Hwan's—was prime concept-chaser material, but the Iron Family weren't just chasing a concept; they'd been devoured by it. If my madness was fake, theirs was the real deal.
Anyway, the gatekeepers who recognized my face were swallowing hard repeatedly. Another peculiar thing was their attire.
No shirts. Upper bodies completely bare. The Ten Thousand Great Mountains, stronghold of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, were generally cold. Winters brought absurd blizzards. And yet they wandered around shirtless.
The reason? None worth mentioning. They had their excuses, sure, but nothing convincing. Just their custom, I suppose.
That was the Goe Mountain Iron Family.
"We greet the head of the Sado Family."
The two gatekeepers bowed before me. I nodded slightly in response.
"And those beside you... could it be?"
"This is Kwak Jeong, young master of the Nine Yin Kwak Family."
"...Hup! Understood!"
One of the gatekeepers dashed inside.
One good thing about the cult was this etiquette, or whatever you called it. Gatekeepers didn't pull that "do you know where you are?" nonsense to start trouble.
In the cult's hierarchy, acting stiff-necked like that often got your head lopped off—and no one batted an eye.
'Of course, it would've been different at the Red Dragon Revolution Family.'
If we'd gone to the Red Dragon Revolution Family, we'd probably get a "Are you Sado Hwan?" treatment. They were steeped in chosen-people ideology; even a lowly gatekeeper acted "arrogant" by this world's standards.
Anyway, the escort proceeded smoothly.
"We'll take you to the reception hall."
I followed the gatekeeper to the reception hall.
Reception halls were usually ornate and comfortable for guests—small ponds with koi fish were standard.
The Iron Family was different.
Theirs was a stark metal building. Chairs, tables—all metal, cold enough to numb your ass.
"Will the Iron Family head meet with us?"
Kwak Jeong asked with a worried look.
"Who knows."
I was skeptical myself.
[The young master will probably come out instead.]
The Goe Mountain Iron Family was peculiar in many ways.
Normally, in the Six Demonic Families—or any cult organization—the leader was the strongest fighter.
But not the Iron Family.
They taught hammer work before martial arts to crawling toddlers. The head was the best blacksmith.
That led to their odd situation: the current head was from the previous generation by rank. By pure seniority, he was a generation above the current Six Families heads.
[Even the young master isn't someone to dismiss.]
'I know.'
Cheol So Pyeong, young master of the Goe Mountain Iron Family.
Despite being same-generation as other family heads, he held the young master title—and he was their sole Super Peak master.
Six Families with just one Super Peak got Sado-level treatment. Weak in martial arts, easy to ignore.
But no one ignored the Iron Family.
'The family that makes treasure artifacts.'
Blacksmiths through and through. Not just weapons or armor—their true value was crafting treasure artifacts.
Treasure artifacts.
Man-made items inducing supernatural phenomena. Pa Cheon's Pa Cheon Sword was one; the Black Ox Needle was another.
Thus, their position was crucial. Even a talentless guy like me could pass as a master with one.
Anyway, young master Cheol So Pyeong was a Super Peak expert, armored head to toe in treasure artifacts.
Imagine Sa Wol swinging the Pa Cheon Sword or flicking the Black Ox Needle—terrifying.
"Ugh. This tea tastes so weird."
"Iron Family tea is famous for its metallic tang. It's not bad for you. It actually supplements the metal element of the five phases—good for your Kwak family hollow constitution."
"As expected of Master...!"
Thanks to his intelligence nerf (?), Kwak Jeong grimaced but kept drinking.
As we waited a bit,
Dr-r-rk—!
The metal sliding door burst open roughly, revealing a shirtless giant of a man.
His body bulged with ferocious muscles. His bronze bald head gleamed unusually bright, contrasting with his dazzling white teeth.
[And he's neatly trimmed his beard amid all that.]
He boomed with laughter.
"Hahaha! Who might this be? If it isn't the new head of the Sado Family!"
There was that clichéd phrase about a voice like "boiling a train boiler." This guy sounded like he'd boiled an airplane engine.
[That's the Goe Mountain Iron Family's young master.]
This bald giant was Cheol So Pyeong, young master of the Goe Mountain Iron Family.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Sado Hwan, head of the Sado Family."
"The pleasure's mine. To meet the rising star shaking up the cult these days. And this is...?"
Cheol So Pyeong glanced at Sa Wol, trailing off.
"My direct guard, Sa Wol."
"I see. No wonder her presence stands out."
Sa Wol gave a slight bow at his words.
Cheol So Pyeong seemed as magnanimous as his voice. Most ignored guards like they were air.
"And this must be the young master of the Nine Yin Kwak Family, from the reports."
"F-First time meeting you! I'm Kwak Jeong, young master of the Nine Yin Kwak Family!"
"Hahaha! No need to be so formal between fellow young masters. Sit comfortably, make yourselves at home."
With that, Cheol So Pyeong plopped into his chair like a sack of iron.
[Not an easy one.]
I nodded inwardly at Pa Cheon's words.
He acted all boisterous and hearty, but he was sizing us up.
Especially those countless accessories contrasting his bare torso. Bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and more—draped all over.
'All treasure artifacts.'
Each one could turn a fight; he had at least five. No one to underestimate.
But.
This was the cult.
Act hesitant or respectful because they were formidable, and they'd look down on you.
Being looked down on in the cult was as good as defeat. Even if I was here to beg.
Especially at the Iron Family.
So I began my performance.
"Sorry for dropping in unannounced."
"...".
The words themselves were polite. No prior appointment, no regular exchanges.
But the attitude.
A faint crack appeared in Cheol So Pyeong's smiling face. My tone was clearly a superior greeting an inferior.
He was young master, but by rank, same generation as former Sado head Sado Mu Yeol. A Super Peak expert, ranked 19th in the cult—above me.
Cheol So Pyeong didn't play the gracious host.
"Well, no matter. We're used to troublesome guests."
"I came because there's something we need to discuss."
"And you speak like it's already yours?"
I sipped the metallic tea slowly before continuing.
"I want the Goe Mountain Iron Family's seal."
"...For the Six Families gathering, then."
Cheol So Pyeong knew the tradition.
"Bringing the Kwak young master means you've already got the Nine Yin Kwak Family's support?"
"Kwak Jeong has become my disciple."
"Ho, a disciple. Quite the deep bond."
That was my aim. Marry into Gates strategy!
Show Kwak Jeong to the Iron Family, say Sado is tight with Kwak, snag their seal. Use it to get Kwak's seal.
A few words, two Six Families approvals.
Of course, it didn't go smoothly. Cheol So Pyeong shook his head.
"But that's not for me to decide."
"Naturally."
"...What?"
"A family seal is handled only by the head. Not something a mere young master like you can decide."
Kwak Jeong's jaw dropped at my provocative words. It sounded less like a request, more like picking a fight.
[...Did you mess up for once?]
'No way.'
I'm a Murim Returner veteran. I knew exactly who young master Cheol So Pyeong was.
"Ha, hahaha! Hahahaha!"
Suddenly, Cheol So Pyeong burst into laughter.
"A man with true masculine spirit! Indeed, a real man stands tall anywhere, anytime!"
He slammed the table like he loved it. Problem was, handprints dented the metal table.
"Fine. Sado head, as you say, a mere young master like me can't issue the family seal. But I can escort you to my father. However."
Cheol So Pyeong gripped the table with both hands. With a crunch, it dented under his fingers.
"Whether you get his permission... that's on you. I'm just curious if that boldness holds up before him."
I feigned nonchalance, setting down my teacup.
"Just lead the way. I'm in a hurry."
"...Let's see how long you last. Follow me."
Cheol So Pyeong led me deeper into the Iron Family.
Pretending to Be the Heavenly Demon