Chapter 302
Chapter 302
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 302
Chapter Title: Great Fortune
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Hong Geolgae grinned from ear to ear as he responded to Dang Mujin's question.
"A martial tournament? Ugh, don't even talk about it. How much I wanted to ent—"
At that point, the razor-sharp intuition unique to a peak expert detected danger. The kind of instinct that warned one step further would mean no way back.
Just as one might desperately twist their body in a life-or-death duel to deflect an opponent's sword, Hong Geolgae threw every ounce of effort into twisting his words.
"—er? As if! That doesn't make any sense. Why would I enter a tournament meant for the younger generation?"
It had been a long time since Dang Mujin had seen Hong Geolgae get this serious. He must have been pretty desperate about it.
Yet something subtle tugged at Dang Mujin's thoughts. The tone in Hong Geolgae's voice that assumed he himself wasn't part of the younger generation.
Before he knew it, Hong Geolgae had puffed himself up with empty bravado, convincing himself he wasn't younger generation material.
Dang Mujin shot back.
"Why aren't you younger generation?"
"Why would I be? I'm one of the rare experts in the righteous sects."
"Isn't being unmatched a separate issue from whether you're younger generation? Between a twenty-seven-year-old peak expert and a sixty-year-old first-rate martial artist, which is closer to younger generation? I'd say the former. It's a tournament for younger generation fighters, so no issue at all."
Rather than get dragged into an argument, Hong Geolgae tried to pull Dang Mujin in instead.
"Looks like you want me to enter the tournament, but even as your friend, I can't do that to you. You told everyone in front of that crowd we weren't entering. If I go in, it'll hurt your reputation. The head of the Dang family's reputation, and by extension, the Dang family's itself!"
"No. I don't mind."
Hong Geolgae looked a bit flustered at Dang Mujin's straightforward reply.
"Why wouldn't you mind...? Anyway, let's hear it. Why do I have to enter the tournament?"
"I want to make Nangong Myeong a sword, and since we're already in Wuchang, I thought I'd use some good materials."
"...You're saying you'll make that guy's sword with my prize money?"
Hong Geolgae spoke as if victory was already in the bag. Naturally, no one in the group called him out on it.
Hong Geolgae resisted.
"Why should I earn the money for his sword? The guy who'll wield it should earn it himself. Besides, Nangong Myeong makes good money already. Hell, he doesn't even need to enter the tournament!"
Curious about how Nangong Myeong earned his keep, Yang Physician and Yeom Physician subtly leaned forward, perking up their ears.
True to their lot as physicians who roamed the most dangerous and grueling places, Yang and Yeom weren't exactly well-off.
Dang Mujin gave a simple answer.
"It'd involve theft."
He was set on forging the sword with care, but he didn't want to make it with stolen money. No matter how he thought about it, it felt a bit off.
Besides, even when Nangong Myeong stole, it was just pocket change from others. Stealing the massive sum needed for premium sword materials wasn't his style.
Dang Mujin pressed again.
"Why not? You've said you wanted to try it at least once. Strutting in front of the weaklings—no! Ahem. Showing off your skills in front of everyone and shocking them."
Hong Geolgae looked horrified at Dang Mujin's words, then glanced warily at the two physicians and Seolhwa.
"When did I ever say I wanted that? Besides, it's not even possible in the first place. Remember that guy from earlier...? Un... Un... What was his name?"
"Un Baekgon?"
"Yeah. Remember how he recognized us?"
"He must have wide connections. Most people won't know."
Hong Geolgae scowled.
"If nothing had happened, I might've gone for it. But like I said earlier, you nailed it in front of everyone that we weren't entering."
"So what? Words can be taken back a bit."
"...If I enter now, you'll just look like the weird one. I'd look even worse—like some lunatic who ignored his friend's advice not to enter and went ahead anyway."
The thought that Hong Geolgae, a Beggars' Sect member, cared this much about others' opinions filled Dang Mujin's head.
'This guy didn't used to be like this.'
But he had a point, undeniably.
A peak expert entering a tournament to show off despite his friend's warnings? Could there be anything more pathetic?
Nangong Myeong cut in.
"So, no other way around it?"
In this situation, the most anxious one wasn't Hong Geolgae—it was Nangong Myeong.
He worried the fallout might hit him, or that without the money, he'd end up with a plain iron sword.
Hong Geolgae offered an alternative.
"Dang Mujin, you make good money too. Forge an extra sword and sell it. Even one made from ordinary iron would fetch a fortune."
"No. Who knows whose hands it'd end up in if I sold it like that?"
Dang Mujin had one rule when making swords: he didn't make them for just anyone. It wasn't a rule from the start, but it had naturally become that way.
Dang Mujin lived as a physician, healing people and dispensing medicine. The idea of profiting from tools meant to kill didn't sit right with him.
By the same token, he didn't forge swords carelessly. He only handed them to those he truly approved of.
This won't work, that won't work. As the back-and-forth dragged on, Hong Geolgae said.
"How much money do you have right now? Give me some seed money. I'll multiply it for you."
He meant diving into a gambling den to win big.
It felt a tad shady, but barely acceptable.
"...Hold on a sec."
Dang Mujin emptied his pouch. All that fell out was a single gold coin and a few silvers. Not even enough for boat fare.
The silvers could cover staying at the inn, leaving the one gold coin as spare change.
In that instant, Hong Geolgae's left hand flashed like lightning, snatching the gold coin.
He immediately unleashed his lightness skill.
"I'm off!"
With utter confidence on his face, Hong Geolgae bolted from the inn.
*
'That old man. Ta Elder, was it?'
Dang Mujin racked his memory and headed to the inn where he'd met the material merchant elder. He wanted to track down Ta Elder before Hong Geolgae returned, to check what materials were available and how much they'd cost.
Naturally, the inn had no trace of the elder. Just because he'd been there two years ago didn't mean he still was.
With no choice, Dang Mujin asked around among Wuchang's merchants and soon found someone who knew Ta Elder. Seemed he was fairly well-known.
"Ta Elder? You mean the old guy who loves setting the mood?"
"Mood?"
"Yeah. Ta Elder has this habit of spouting cryptic lines whenever he deals with strangers or martial artists."
"...What kind of cryptic lines?"
"Stuff like, 'Goods should go to those who recognize their value,' or 'We'll meet again someday.'"
Coincidentally, Dang Mujin had heard both. The elder had waxed on about the value of whale whiskers and tendons, and said they'd meet again when parting.
The merchant continued.
"He's a bit eccentric, but a decent fellow if you trade well. Lives alone with no heirs to leave his wealth to, so he's not really into the money side of business. Barely marks up his prices, and gives away stuff that won't sell for next to nothing."
"Ah, I see..."
"Advice: don't haggle. He won't deal with anyone who breaks the vibe by bargaining. Anyway, head that way. That's his place."
Dang Mujin followed the merchant's directions. It was a modest but well-stocked and ornate house.
He didn't barge in, instead approaching quietly and pressing his ear to the door. Sure enough, he sensed someone bustling about inside.
After waiting a moment, Dang Mujin spoke.
"I've come to see Elder Ta. Are you in?"
"Come in."
A fairly dignified, leisurely voice replied.
Dang Mujin cautiously opened the door and entered. Ta Elder greeted him with a meaningful smile.
"Ah, I figured you'd come around sooner or later."
It was quite the dramatic flair. But having just heard about Ta Elder, Dang Mujin couldn't view him with the same innocence as before.
Still, he decided not to provoke the old man unnecessarily.
"I never imagined it'd turn out like this... Just as you said, fate has brought us together again."
"Isn't that the way of the world? So, what brings you to me?"
Dang Mujin had meant to keep it casual but found himself playing along with the mood.
"I need materials to forge a sword. Materials for a legendary blade that will echo through the ages."
Ta Elder smiled in satisfaction.
From that smile, Dang Mujin was certain his words had just saved him at least thirty percent on the material costs.
"Good, you've come to the right place. Take a look around."
Ta Elder opened chests scattered about the room, revealing the materials inside. Even Dang Mujin, with his wide connections, had never seen or heard of many of them.
Minerals were the exception. He recognized those at a glance.
"Impressive collection. This is ink iron, and next to it, cloud iron."
"You've got an eye for it."
"If I were some nobody, I wouldn't have come back to you."
Perhaps from hanging around Hyun-gong so long, flattery flowed naturally from Dang Mujin's lips.
It sounded like self-aggrandizement, but subtly elevated Ta Elder's status too.
"Hmm."
Ta Elder smiled contentedly. Dang Mujin guessed the prices had just dropped a bit more.
As he browsed and pondered—cloud iron or ink iron?
Cloud iron was easy to grasp: superior to regular iron in every way, save for being harder to work.
Ink iron, however, was in a league of its own, with distinct traits. Far harder and more beautiful than regular iron, but nearly twice as heavy.
The issue was whether that weight would suit Nangong Myeong.
'The Nangong sword style favors heavy swords, so maybe it's fine?'
'No. Assuming heavy swords need heavy blades is too simplistic.'
'Should I go back and ask Nangong Myeong?'
'Yeah, that's best.'
Dang Mujin was about to voice his decision when he sensed an ominous vibe.
Saying something like "Let me check with my friend first" would surely sour things.
'Better play it safe. Cloud iron guarantees no complaints.'
As he settled on cloud iron and opened his mouth, Dang Mujin caught a glint of anticipation in the elder's eyes.
'What the hell is he expecting?'
Cloud iron? Ink iron? No, it wasn't that.
In two breaths, Dang Mujin sorted his thoughts and threw a small gamble.
"Elder."
"Yes?"
"You're testing me right now."
"Testing you?"
A sly smile crept across the elder's lips. Nailed it.
Dang Mujin lowered his voice to a deep, resonant tone.
"I know ink iron and cloud iron are precious too. But someone of your stature wouldn't have just those, would you?"
Ta Elder's body trembled faintly with delight. Definitely nailed it.
Dang Mujin stepped closer and asked.
"What exactly are you hiding?"
"Heh, what insight. It's like heaven itself chose you..."
The elder sighed dramatically, then cleared away the cloud and ink iron.
Lifting the chest's false bottom revealed a pale, chilly gleaming ingot about fist-sized.
"Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron."
"Hmm."
Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron forms over eons absorbing chill from potent yin spiritual herbs. Far rarer than ink or even cloud iron.
Dang Mujin reached out and touched it. Indeed, unlike regular iron, it held a subtle coldness.
But coolly assessing it, this wasn't quite Ten Thousand Year caliber.
'This is just plain cold iron.'
Still, Dang Mujin wasn't so tactless as to say it outright. That would kill the deal.
Besides, even if not true Ten Thousand Year, cold iron was still top-tier rare.
'...Should've just asked for cloud iron.'
A twinge of regret hit him, but he showed none as he said to the elder.
"Meeting a noble soul lets me see noble treasures. Elder, what price must I pay to claim this Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron and forge the world's greatest sword?"
Dang Mujin spoke with utmost sincerity.
He expected one of two replies.
First: "At last, it finds its master—take it."
Second: "Fulfill one simple request, and it's yours."
But Ta Elder replied plainly.
"Bring gold of equal weight, and it's yours."
Dang Mujin stared at him. It didn't feel like a moment for material demands.
Yet Ta Elder showed no sign of backing down.
'...Well, cold iron draws buyers, so giving it free would be a waste. Gold of equal weight is a bargain, though.'
The thought "Have Nangong Myeong steal the cold or cloud iron?" flitted through his mind.
But Dang Mujin shelved that—for now.
Betraying nothing, he nodded calmly.
"My thanks for your generosity. I'll return soon to pay for the Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron."
He strode confidently toward the entrance.
As Dang Mujin stepped out, he caught Ta Elder's faint mutter.
"...We'll meet again soon."
Unlike before, Dang Mujin took it as obvious small talk and returned to the inn.
*
Dang Mujin lounged idly at the inn with the group.
Once Hong Geolgae brought plenty of gold, they'd head straight to Ta Elder. If he skimped, just send him back for more.
As they killed time, familiar footsteps approached. Hong Geolgae's presence.
But his steps were off—like dragging feet.
'...What happened?'
When Hong Geolgae finally appeared, his face was one of utter panic—the first Dang Mujin had ever seen.
"What? Something wrong? No gambling den open? Or was the table too small to win big?"
To Dang Mujin's questions, Hong Geolgae replied in bewilderment.
"No. I lost everything."