Chapter 18
Chapter 18
18.
Rain and the Man of Steel (1)
Jeonpung and Han Gook suddenly became afraid of Ilyang Prefecture itself.
There was something slightly dim-witted about everyone, and as time passed, that dim-witted carelessness felt strangely terrifying.
When Madam Son didn't say anything, Jeonpung eventually had to step forward and explain the situation.
"There was absolutely no talk of killing. I swear, go up and ask."
Cha Seong-tae asked Madam Son as if he didn't believe it.
"But why did Madam Son come out?"
Madam Son replied with a nonchalant expression.
"I came out for some air. I felt like I was going to suffocate from keeping my mouth shut."
"Shall we let you pass?"
Madam Son nodded.
"Yes."
Only then did Cha Seong-tae clear the way, saying,
"Be careful on your way."
Jeonpung and Han Gook quietly passed through the rabble of Ilyang Prefecture with their mouths firmly shut.
From behind, they heard Cha Seong-tae's voice.
"Let's have another drink next time."
Jeonpung replied,
"No chance."
* * *
Cha Seong-tae asked me, as if worried.
"Is it okay to let them go like that?"
If things were handled according to Cha Seong-tae's ideas, the Black Cat Clan would swarm in within a few days. In the first place, those belonging to the Twelve Divine Generals competed among themselves, joined forces, and turned against each other, so they couldn't pour a lot of effort into such a small town. And the most terrifying man in this area was Daenachal, the master of the Twelve Divine Generals. There was no need to attract Daenachal's attention right now.
Of course, there was no need to explain all this to Cha Seong-tae.
"Those drunkards will find it quite difficult to report. Their fear of being reprimanded will be greater than their desire for revenge against me. Those who go around extorting money are quick to calculate."
"Hmm, I see."
"Now Ilyang Prefecture will be a bit quieter. I'm going back to training."
"Where?"
"Anywhere... Recover all of Luzhu's assets and manage them yourself, and temporarily take over the position of Chief Manager of the Low Filth Sect. Keep in mind that if you embezzle public funds, you will be dismissed from the position of Chief Manager."
Sensing something ominous, Cha Seong-tae asked, trying to extract information.
"What happens if I'm dismissed?"
I said,
"If you're dismissed, it's execution."
Cha Seong-tae's eyes widened.
"If I'm dismissed, it's execution? Is there such a rule?"
"I'm the Sect Leader, aren't I? The Sect Leader makes the rules."
"......"
I patted Cha Seong-tae on the shoulder and congratulated him on his promotion.
"In celebration of becoming Chief Manager, have a celebratory drink."
I poured Third Grade Dukang Wine for Cha Seong-tae. Cha Seong-tae stared at the ceiling before forcing down the drink.
"Ugh, Third Grade."
"Our Chief Manager Cha is capable, so he'll do well. I can trust Chief Manager Cha completely, right?"
"Ah, yes."
"Why is your answer so insincere? Do you want to be dismissed?"
"Ah, no. It's good. I'll work hard. I don't want to die."
"Do well. I'll support you well later, Cha Seong-tae, the First Sword of Ilyang. You'll even get a title like that. Just trust me."
Cha Seong-tae replied in a dejected tone.
"I use a blade."
"Ah, then the First Blade of Ilyang. And don't worry about the Black Cat Clan."
The Twelve Divine Generals who survived later were all kneeling in front of me, getting slapped around. Of course, that wasn't the situation now, so it was necessary to buy some time.
I got up, thinking of going to get some hangover soup.
"Let's work hard."
"Yes, be careful on your way."
Cha Seong-tae sighed and poured himself another cup of Dukang Wine.
"I'll finish this drink."
Suddenly, Cha Seong-tae tasted the bitterness of the Martial World in his mouth. Despite being promoted, an unknown sense of sorrow washed over him. Perhaps it was because his superior was so young.
'Martial World life isn't easy.'
Perhaps it was because his superior's previous job was a Shop Assistant.
* * *
Leaving the House of pleasure, I looked around the scenery of Ilyang Prefecture without much thought. I walked along the street, looking at various shops, and walked again.
People who lived ordinary lives looked at me, and those who had heard the rumors of me killing The Jo Brothers wore surprised expressions.
Whatever happened, I didn't care.
The everyday scenery of ordinary people remained the same, so I intended to continue walking this path.
When I arrived at Chunyang Restaurant, Geum Cheolyong of the Dragon Head Smithy was eating noodles alone.
"Uncle Geum."
Geum Cheolyong nodded and gestured.
"You've already had a drink. I heard you come here often, so I came by. I don't usually set foot near the House of pleasure. It's not because I'm afraid of my wife."
"Of course not."
Jang Deuk-su, the owner of Chunyang Restaurant, asked,
"Shall I make you one?"
"Noodles for me too."
"Alright."
Geum Cheolyong put down his bowl of noodles and said,
"You killed them all. Jo Ilseom, Jo Igyeol, and Jo Sam-pyeong. As promised before, let's talk about the next story."
"Let's do that."
Geum Cheolyong asked, as if worried,
"By the way, won't the Black Cat Clan come swarming in? If that happens, many young people here will die. Do you have a plan?"
I fully understood Geum Cheolyong's concerns. In my past life, this man was the one who most strongly opposed paying tribute.
"They won't come right away. And even if they do, if a fight breaks out, it's something I did alone, so others will be fine."
Geum Cheolyong tilted his head and asked,
"Can you handle it alone?"
"Yes."
Geum Cheolyong shook his head.
"It's hard to believe such bravado. Do you have a master, or did you meet a hidden hermit?"
"Think as you please. Anyway, it will be difficult to believe what I will do in the future."
"That's strange. Well, a Shop Assistant from Purple Glow Inn killed all of The Jo Brothers one day, so it's hard to believe. Is there anything I can support you with in the future?"
"There is, but I don't know if Uncle Geum can do it."
Geum Cheolyong laughed and replied,
"We distrust each other like this. But at least tell me. Those guys you usually considered eyesores are gone, so I should do that much without any conditions."
I pondered for a moment about what kind of work to entrust to Geum Cheolyong for the time being, then opened my mouth.
"I think the most difficult Weaponry to make in the world is one that is very light when held in the hand, yet sharper than anything else. What do you think, Uncle Geum?"
"That's usually the case with famous swords. Blades are a bit different. They need to have a certain weight to match the blade techniques. Experts who combine external and Inner energy tend to prefer heavy blades. Well, I've heard that at a higher level, Weaponry is no longer needed. But that's too unrealistic."
"Has the Dragon Head Smithy ever made anything that could be called a famous sword or a treasured blade?"
"Of course not."
"Is there a reason?"
Geum Cheolyong answered clearly,
"The conclusive excuse is that it's not profitable. If rumors spread that we made a famous sword, who would buy it? An expert worthy of a famous sword would buy it. If that expert is a well-known figure in the Black Cat Clan? Or if the Twelve Divine Generals heard the rumors? I doubt we could get a fair price. Maybe we'd be lucky if they just took the sword and didn't kill everyone in the Iron Squad."
"Hmm."
That was a valid point.
"But let's say we were lucky and got a fair price. What would happen after that?"
"The person who bought the sword's rivals or other Black Cat Clan experts would come and threaten us to make another good sword."
"You know it well. Building a reputation by making good Weaponry is something that connects you to truly terrifying people. You're more likely to build bad relationships than good ones. Most people in the world know that if a famous sword suddenly appears in the Martial World, people will kill each other to possess it."
"So you deliberately stopped being interested in famous swords? That sounds like a cowardly excuse."
"There are various ways of life. Some people want fame, and some people value survival. Our Dragon Head Smithy is quite old, but we've lasted a long time because we made and sold decent Weaponry. We're just trying to make a living, so what's so great about that fame?"
Geum Cheolyong smiled and asked Jang Deuk-su,
"Isn't that right, Deuk-su?"
Jang Deuk-su nodded and replied,
"That's right, Elder."
Geum Cheolyong tapped the empty noodle bowl with his finger and said,
"Look at Deuk-su's cooking skills. The restaurant is shabby, but Deuk-su's cooking skills are the best in Ilyang Prefecture. But let's say Deuk-su became a cook for a famous clan. If the clan gets caught up in a conflict and is destroyed, then Deuk-su will die too. He'll die because of his excellent cooking skills. That kind of thing happens frequently in the Iron Squad."
I nodded at Geum Cheolyong's words.
"I understand. Anyway, the Weaponry I want is..."
"As I said, famous swords..."
"It's not a sword. And I'm not asking you to make a famous sword or a masterpiece. Just listen."
"Tell me."
I took a sip of the broth and continued,
"I don't need a sharp Weaponry. It doesn't need to be light either."
Geum Cheolyong replied,
"Then it's not a masterpiece."
"That's right."
"Then what exactly are you asking me to make?"
I replied,
"I'm giving up on sharpness. Weight doesn't matter either. The Weaponry I want is one that will never break, bend, or be defeated by anything."
Geum Cheolyong crossed his arms as if he would listen carefully, and I continued.
"For example, I don't mind carrying around a whole piece of Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron. That's why I'm giving up on sharpness and weight. This isn't a request to make a masterpiece. It's just something that can't be easily cut by any famous sword, something that is rough and crude but is the epitome of hardness itself. In the end, what I want is something like the Ruyi Jingu Bang that the Great Sage Equaling Heaven used."
While listening to my words, Geum Cheolyong narrowed his brow.
"Something like the Ruyi Jingu Bang?"
"That's what I mean. Whether it's a staff, a club, or a spear, I don't even care about its shape. I only want it to be hard."
"What are you going to do with it?"
"Training. It's training to become a man of steel myself."
I couldn't bring up the words "steel turtle" in this atmosphere.
For a moment, Geum Cheolyong, Jang Deuk-su, and I didn't say anything. Geum Cheolyong was lost in thought, and Jang Deuk-su kept his mouth shut for a long time as if not to disturb him.
After a long time, Jang Deuk-su looked outside and said,
"It's raining."
The three of us silently watched the heavy rain pouring down for a while.
The gazes of the restaurant owner, the Shop Assistant, and the man who lived by touching iron every day lingered on the rain for a long time.
In moments like these, conversation wasn't really necessary.
I also forgot about the Martial World for a moment and watched the pouring rain.