Chapter 70
Episode 70
The Purple Mist Sword Saint
'That man just...'
'...What did he just say?'
For a moment, everyone in the hall was left speechless.
It was as if they had witnessed something incomprehensible—a scene so shocking that it left them utterly stunned.
"Please... please, take me—"
"H-Hey, Lord Blacksmith! What are you doing?"
"Pull yourself together, Lord Blacksmith!"
"Let go of me! Let go! I must become the Divine Craftsman's disciple!"
Beyond abandoning all dignity, Dong Cheon-rip seemed half out of his mind.
But honestly, he had every reason to be.
The more one knows, the more one sees.
The weapon Se-woon had forged was not something that could be dismissed as just another divine artifact.
'This is impossible! That... that's a masterpiece crafted by a god!'
The moment he saw the sword Se-woon had forged in the smithy, Dong Cheon-rip trembled as if struck by lightning.
It was the work of a master who had reached the pinnacle—a realm he had dreamed of his entire life as a blacksmith but had never even glimpsed.
"Divine Craftsman...!"
"No, Lord Blacksmith! That boy is young enough to be your grandson! Get a hold of yourself!"
"I said move!"
Despite the others trying to restrain him, the Blacksmith Lord remained frantic, repeating his plea to be taken as a disciple.
Age and status meant nothing to him now.
If he could receive the teachings of a Divine Craftsman, Dong Cheon-rip would throw away all the wealth and honor he had accumulated—even his position as the Martial Alliance's Grand Elder—without hesitation.
The Azure Dragon Hall descended into chaos, as if it might collapse from the commotion.
'...Wait, why does that bastard look so calm?'
'Hah, it's like he's been through this kind of nonsense before.'
Meanwhile, Se-woon, the very cause of this uproar, stood perfectly serene.
He gazed at the wailing Grand Elder Dong Cheon-rip with an utterly indifferent expression.
Most of the elders could only stare in disbelief, exhaling sharply.
'What the hell is this madness?!'
But at this moment, the one whose expression twisted the most was none other than Hwangbo Geon.
The Hwangbo Clan, once mocked as the Namgung Clan's lapdogs, had endured humiliation for years before finally crushing the Tang Clan and rising to become one of the Seven Great Families.
Because of that, the Hwangbo Clan had always been the most vigilant—and contemptuous—toward the Tang Clan.
Though the Tang Clan had fallen into obscurity long ago, leaving no one to remember that the Hwangbo Clan had once been beneath them...
Still, Hwangbo Geon and his entire clan harbored a lingering fear—
What if the Sichuan Tang Clan had hidden reserves of power they had yet to reveal?
'Damn it! What the hell is Namgung Myeong doing?! He should be tearing that bastard down for using underhanded tricks!'
Hwangbo Geon gnashed his teeth, silently cursing Namgung Myeong for his inaction.
But deep down, he knew.
No one could dismiss Se-woon's power and divine artifacts as mere trickery.
The reason was simple.
Whoosh.
The soft breeze still brushing against their skin carried a profound, pure energy.
Rather than deceiving anyone, the divine artifact's wind was elevating the energy of everyone it touched, amplifying their strength.
This was no fraud—it was an energy so divine it could be called the breath of immortals.
And then—
Se-woon tilted his head and spoke words that sent another shockwave through the hall.
"But why is there only this one?"
"......??"
What did he mean by that?
Only this one?
Don't tell me...?
"...What are you talking about?"
"There should have been one more, right?"
"Y-You mean there's another divine artifact?!"
Good heavens!
Everyone gasped in astonishment.
But the real bombshell hadn't even been dropped yet.
"Y-You forged two divine artifacts in less than half a day?!"
"Yes. Though, to be precise, I only 'guided' the creation of the other one, so I can't take full credit."
"?!?!"
Gurgle—gurgle—
"Lord Blacksmith! Lord Blacksmith! Agh, wake up, Lord Blacksmith!"
The moment Se-woon finished speaking, the Blacksmith Lord's eyes rolled back, foam bubbled at his mouth, and he collapsed on the spot.
The revelation was that staggering.
Not only had Se-woon forged a divine artifact himself—but with just a single lesson, he had enabled another blacksmith to create one as well.
If such a feat were truly possible, then the Sichuan Tang Clan—no, Tang Se-woon himself—would rise to an unimaginable level of prestige in the martial world.
Rumors had long circulated that the Age of Enlightenment was fading.
The Unorthodox Factions had become obsessed with hoarding more magical tools and superior divine artifacts.
Meanwhile, the Orthodox Factions, under Sword Emperor Yoo Jin-hak's principle of upholding martial purity, had lagged behind in such pursuits.
But now, the Orthodox Factions could produce divine artifacts of this caliber?
That meant...
'This... this lunatic...'
'...Might actually become the Divine Craftsman of this era?!'
Se-woon had the potential to surpass even the Blacksmith Lord and the White Cat Craftsman of the Bai Miao Forge—
To ascend as the undisputed Divine Craftsman of the current age.
"What are you doing?! Go confirm it at the smithy now!"
"Y-Yes, sir!"
As Enforcement Hall Chief So Mun-gyeong barked at his subordinate, the man scrambled out of the Azure Dragon Hall in a panic.
Meanwhile, Se-woon turned to Peng Tae-san, who was still clutching his sword in bewilderment.
"Clan Leader Peng."
"Hm? What is it?"
Se-woon bowed respectfully.
"Though it was under the Alliance Leader's orders, I formally apologize for recklessly handling your clan's property."
"A-Apologize? For what?"
"To be honest, it's hardly worthy of being called a divine artifact. It's not much as compensation, but if you wish, I'd be happy to take a look at your weapon in the near future."
"Thank you!"
Peng Tae-san accepted without thinking, then coughed awkwardly.
Though he had to maintain neutrality while Se-woon's case was under review, he couldn't help himself.
How could he refuse when the man who had transformed a mere practice sword into a transcendent weapon offered to examine his beloved blade?
Peng Tae-san was a martial artist who revered strength above all.
The words had slipped out before he could stop them.
'...The skill to forge divine artifacts.'
At that moment, Namgung Myeong's gaze toward Se-woon also shifted.
Like a serpent eyeing its prey, he studied Se-woon intently.
Then, his lips moved imperceptibly.
Simultaneously, Hwangbo Geon, who had been frozen in shock, suddenly jolted.
"D-Don't be fooled, everyone!!"
"!!"
He shouted abruptly, startling the entire hall.
As the elders blinked in confusion, Hwangbo Geon pressed on.
"It's true! That brat possesses extraordinary blacksmithing skills! But we must not forget—he attacked a member of the Martial Alliance!"
"......!"
The atmosphere, which had been tilting in Se-woon's favor, shifted once more.
Hwangbo Geon's sudden aggression had one reason:
[Hwangbo Geon, repeat after me.]
Namgung Myeong had secretly transmitted these words to him.
His intentions were clear—
By framing Se-woon for assaulting a Mount Hua Sect disciple, they could brand him a criminal and keep him imprisoned within the Alliance.
Not to return him to the Sichuan Tang Clan, but to force him to serve the Martial Alliance like a slave for life.
'And then, under the guise of 'rescuing' him, we'll bring him into the Namgung Clan's fold.'
Namgung Myeong's eyes gleamed darkly.
"We must detain him again and thoroughly investigate why he attacked an Alliance member—!"
Just as Hwangbo Geon was loudly echoing these words—
Creak.
The doors of the Azure Dragon Hall swung open once more.
The elders assumed it was the Enforcement Hall warrior returning with the second divine artifact.
But—
"—!!"
"...!"
The figure who entered was the last person they expected.
"Wh-What?!"
"M-Daoist Master Myeong-il!"
It was the leader of the Mount Hua Sect—one of the Ten Great Masters, the Purple Mist Sword Saint, Daoist Master Myeong-il.
The man who had rushed to the Heavenly Medical Pavilion in a frenzy to check on his fallen disciple.
The Sword Saint who, alongside Namgung Myeong, was known as one of the Twin Blades guarding the Martial Alliance.
And now—he stood at the entrance of the Azure Dragon Hall.
"......."
Ignoring the reactions around him, Daoist Master Myeong-il remained silent.
He simply stood there, his cold gaze fixed on one person—
Tang Se-woon, standing at the center of the hall.
'...This is bad!'
A chill ran down Jegal Hoon's spine.
When describing Daoist Master Myeong-il, one phrase never failed to come up—
Slay Evil Without Hesitation.
Even with a blade at his throat, he would never compromise with wickedness.
Evil seen was evil slain—without hesitation.
That was Daoist Master Myeong-il in a nutshell.
But after taking Do Ye-cheon as his disciple, his temperament had famously softened overnight into one of kindness and mercy...
Whoosh!
Yet now, Daoist Master Myeong-il had reverted entirely to his former self—
The terror of the martial world during his prime.
It seemed something grave must have happened to Do Ye-cheon at the medical pavilion.
"You...!"
"W-Wait! Calm down, Daoist Master Myeong-il!"
Jegal Hoon shouted, rushing forward to stop him—
Whoosh!
But the difference in martial prowess was overwhelming.
In an instant, Daoist Master Myeong-il closed the distance to Se-woon.
'Yes, this is it!!'
Hwangbo Geon clenched his fists, inwardly cheering.
Daoist Master Myeong-il treated his disciple like his own son—there was no way he would hold back now.
He would cut that brat down without a second thought.
And with that, all of Hwangbo Geon's worries would vanish.
Now—which part would fly off first?
An arm? A leg?
Or perhaps his dantian?
Hwangbo Geon's eyes sparkled with anticipation—
And then, it happened.
Thud!
"?!"
But in a way that defied all expectations.
Daoist Master Myeong-il did not draw his sword.
He launched no attack against the man who had harmed his disciple.
Instead—
He suddenly pulled Se-woon into a crushing embrace.
"Kgh... Thank you. Thank you... Truly, thank you."
First, the Blacksmith Lord had knelt before him.
Now, the leader of the Mount Hua Sect was hugging him tightly, tears streaming down his face.
"?!?!"
What in the world was happening now?
Hwangbo Geon and the other elders could only stare in shock and horror.