Chapter 116
Chapter 116
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: The Sword's Owner
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Anyway, Moyong Cheon headed to Ironclad Heart's forge with a pleased smile. The Moyong Family had more treasured swords than anywhere else. Those treasured swords were given to important figures in the family or awarded as rewards to those who had rendered great service. All of them had been forged by Ironclad Heart.
"I should have them scout a suitable woman for Young-hwan."
If she refused, he planned to force the marriage anyway. Ironclad Heart still owed thirty thousand nyang, so leveraging that would make it simple. Besides, with Moyong Yeong-hwan handling it, there was no room for error.
Moyong Cheon's mood lifted even more. Before he knew it, he was standing before the door leading to Ironclad Heart's forge.
"Already here."
Moyong Cheon pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The rhythmic hammering echoed pleasantly in Moyong Cheon's ears.
"Been well?"
Ironclad Heart's hammering stopped abruptly at the sound of Moyong Cheon's voice.
He hadn't expected Moyong Cheon to show up at a time like this. Gritting his teeth, Ironclad Heart raised his hammer again.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The hammering resumed.
Moyong Cheon smiled faintly and took a step closer to Ironclad Heart. His eyes widened in surprise. Just that one step had brought a sharp sword intent brushing against him.
Ironclad Heart didn't practice martial arts. He couldn't emit such murderous sword intent. Moyong Cheon stared in disbelief toward the source of the intent.
There, on the anvil, was an object fully enduring Ironclad Heart's hammer blows. The sword intent emanated from it. Light gleamed in Moyong Cheon's eyes.
"What's that?"
Ironclad Heart didn't answer.
Moyong Cheon chuckled lightly and continued.
"Looks like you've got your hands on some incredible material. This'll make a truly magnificent sword. Bring it to me the moment it's done."
Excitement colored Moyong Cheon's voice. This was the real deal. Even unfinished, the material radiated such fierce intent—what kind of sword would it become once complete? It would make the Azure Dragon Sword at his waist look downright shabby.
"We'll see then if it's truly worthy to stand beside my own blade."
Ironclad Heart halted his hammering at Moyong Cheon's words. He turned, facing Moyong Cheon squarely, and spoke.
"This sword belongs to someone else."
Moyong Cheon's eyebrows shot up at Ironclad Heart's declaration.
"What?"
"It belongs to the one who provided the material. I'm just helping forge it."
Moyong Cheon let out a scoffing laugh at Ironclad Heart's response.
"Don't worry about that—just focus on making it. I'll handle the rest."
Whoever had commissioned it had chosen well. Perfectly shaping that extraordinary iron into a sword was something only Ironclad Heart could do.
No matter who it was, he was confident he could sweet-talk them. If not, quietly dealing with them would suffice.
Ironclad Heart regarded Moyong Cheon with a grave expression.
"What are you doing? Get back to work."
Ironclad Heart shook his head.
"I'll say it again: I have no intention of giving this sword to you. It doesn't belong to the Moyong Family—it's someone else's."
Moyong Cheon smiled brightly at Ironclad Heart's words.
"Why not save that talk for after you've paid off your debt?"
With that, Moyong Cheon left the forge. He felt truly fortunate.
If he hadn't stopped by today, he might never have even laid eyes on that sword. Moyong Cheon resolved to visit Ironclad Heart's forge more often. Who knew when something like this might happen again?
Once Moyong Cheon was gone, Ironclad Heart scowled. He knew full well the power of Moyong Cheon and the Moyong Family.
His son's friend might find it hard to handle. He might refuse the sword, but Ironclad Heart wanted to give it to him no matter what—the finest blade, forged by his own hands from the magnificent material his son had brought.
In the end, Ironclad Heart lifted his hammer once more.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The hammering filled the forge. For now, all he could do was finish the sword. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "We'll stay five days."
Dan Hyeong-u's unilateral declaration made the group's eyes widen. But they soon nodded in agreement. If Dan Hyeong-u wanted it, that's how it would be. No need to consider anyone else's feelings.
"What do you plan to do for five days?"
Umun Hye sidled up with a playful smile. The men around coughed awkwardly and looked away at her alluring display. But it had no effect on Dan Hyeong-u.
"Wait."
The group tilted their heads at Dan Hyeong-u's reply. Wait for whom?
"Who?"
Umun Hye pressed, but Dan Hyeong-u offered no answer. He wasn't waiting for a person—he was waiting for the date. He'd told them to come back that day.
With Dan Hyeong-u silent, the group felt frustrated but decided not to dwell on it. The answer would come in five days anyway.
Jegal Rin nodded, seeing the group acquiesce. She shared their thoughts. But one thing nagged at her.
This was Shenyang, territory of the Moyong Family. Among the Five Great Families, the Moyong stood out. Home to Azure Dragon Sword Moyong Cheon. A Ten Great Master wielded immense power and influence by mere existence.
And now, the group was squarely within that influence. Jegal Rin didn't like the Moyong Family. Something about them felt off, like they were hiding ulterior motives.
The group's current strength could fend off the Moyong Family, but it might cause a major disturbance. If that escalated, it could shake the entire martial world. That's how much sway the Moyong Family held.
Jegal Rin chuckled to herself at the thought. Were they ordinary folk? Unnecessary worry.
With Sword King and Sword Demon alone, the Moyong Family couldn't touch them—not to mention Tang Ho-gwan. And Dan Hyeong-u was there.
'Though he's the biggest concern, really.'
Dan Hyeong-u was too strong. If he smashed the Moyong Family here, it would expose him to the world.
'Not that it matters...'
If Dan Hyeong-u was revealed, it wouldn't be a huge issue. She'd once told the group he must stay hidden to avoid being used, but that was only half-true. Other emotions had colored her words.
Either way, her task was clear: wait quietly for five days. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Master of the Sword
The Moyong Family's prestige was formidable, backed by immense power. To maintain it, family members toiled daily, sweating through their efforts.
Warriors immersed themselves in training, while administrators directed servants and maids efficiently to keep the family running smoothly.
But like any group, some excelled while others slacked. Some were diligent, others wastrels.
Moyong Deok was one such wastrel.
His talent was exceptional, allowing him to master impressive martial arts. But it became poison, plunging him into the swamp of arrogance.
Arrogance's fruits were bitter. While his siblings honed their skills through grueling training, he veered down another path.
"Oh? That stunning in beauty, you say?"
"Exactly. I saw her once at New Moon Inn and nearly stopped breathing on the spot."
"Ho, that good?"
"And four more with almost equal beauty."
Moyong Deok's eyes gleamed lecherously.
"Ho, tempting."
"Right? With your status, they'll be all over you. Hurry before someone else claims them."
The man egging Moyong Deok on was a recent friend, Chae Sang-hu. A disciple from a notable Liaoning sect, somewhat known locally.
The problem was his endless troublemaking had made his sect practically disown him.
He hadn't known Moyong Deok long. Less a friend, more clinging to the Moyong Family behind him.
But Moyong Deok adored Chae Sang-hu for knowing exactly what he craved.
What had him abandoning even training? Women.
"New Moon Inn, right?"
"Yeah. Let's go."
Moyong Deok rose with a sleazy grin. Chae Sang-hu eagerly led him to New Moon Inn.
Not close from Moyong Family grounds, but irrelevant for martial artists like them. They deployed swift movement techniques and arrived in moments.
"Staying here, right?"
"Yep."
Chae Sang-hu entered first, Moyong Deok following. Seats were sparse, but no beautiful women in sight.
Chae Sang-hu deftly summoned a waiter.
"Where are those lovely ladies?"
A few coins passed from Chae Sang-hu's hand to the waiter's, drawing a beaming smile.
"Still in the rear garden, sir. They'll come for meals soon enough."
"Ho, rear garden, eh?"
Chae Sang-hu and Moyong Deok waited eagerly. Soon, as predicted, stunning women appeared.
Moyong Deok conceded Chae Sang-hu's words were true. All breathtaking, one heart-stopping.
But they vanished upstairs in a flash.
"Heh, helping us out."
Nothing stopped Moyong Deok from the second floor. The Moyong Family dominated Shenyang's commerce.
Moyong Deok and Chae Sang-hu bolted up the stairs, faces alight with anticipation. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "From now on, have meals brought to the rear garden. This up-and-down to the second floor is a hassle."
Umun Hye grumbled, but Sword King shook his head firmly.
"The flavor of food eaten while gazing out from this spot is incomparable. You want me to give that up? No."
Umun Hye pouted but said no more. If Sword King enjoyed it, no reason to stop him. A bit of annoyance and fleeting lecherous stares were tolerable.
"Hm? Someone's coming up to the second floor?"
The first day had a few on the second floor, but none since. Curiosity piqued, Umun Hye glanced at the two men.
Interest faded quickly; she poked at her food.
Moyong Deok and Chae Sang-hu had trembled at Umun Hye's gaze moments ago. Already lustful, her seductive look nearly set them off.
"Definitely into me."
Moyong Deok muttered, sensing something in her glance. He approached Umun Hye with confident strides and politely cupped his fists.
"I'm Moyong Deok. I'd love to chat with you, so I humbly intrude."
He'd planned bolder, but their numbers tempered him.
Even to Moyong Deok, Spirit Master and Tang Ho-gwan looked strong. Of course, he couldn't gauge Sword King or Sword Demon's true caliber.
Umun Hye stared at him incredulously.
"Me?"
"Yes. If it's no bother, may I join and converse with these heroes? My treat, of course."
Umun Hye frowned slightly at his words. Even that was beautiful; Moyong Deok gawked blankly.
"Thanks, but no."
Moyong Deok snapped to at her refusal.
"Haha, no need for that. The four seas are one, no? I'm Moyong Family. No need to be wary. Hahaha!"
His feigned hearty laugh deepened Umun Hye's frown.
"I said no—why persist?"
Umun Hye shot him a glare, then turned to Sword King.
"See?"
Sword King rose at her words. His aura surged with him.
Moyong Deok instinctively stepped back from the overwhelming presence.