Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: The Reincarnated Master Smith
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About ten years into the future.
A master blacksmith of unbelievable skill appears, said to be the reincarnation of the legendary craftsman from the Spring and Autumn Warring States period, Guya-ja.
His name is Hwan Yaja Baek Cheol.
The timid young man standing before Yang-hui right now.
'In my past life, he looked all rugged and weathered from going through every hardship imaginable.'
But now? Pure innocence personified.
Or maybe timid is more accurate.
'How many people know that someone like this is hiding insane talent?'
Hwan Yaja Baek Cheol starts out at the Black Wolf Escort Bureau, suffering endlessly in the clutches of the unorthodox for long years before being rescued by the Namgung Clan purely by chance.
In repayment for that grace, the sword he forges and presents after ten years of effort is the divine blade, Changcheon.
The Changcheon Divine Sword, which will one day become the treasured blade of the Namgung Clan head.
'The Changcheon Divine Sword. A divine weapon said to boldly contain the heavens themselves.'
A true divine weapon is, quite literally, an artifact imbued with the power of gods, capable of wielding supernatural abilities.
To create such a thing, the creator himself must be anything but ordinary.
Hwan Yaja Baek Cheol is more than worthy of being called a divine craftsman—a godsmith—one who forges divine weapons.
His innate talent reaches the heavens themselves, assuming it's properly honed.
'And that Baek Cheol has fallen into our hands.'
Well, not quite in our hands yet.
But if he couldn't sweet-talk a household servant into joining in this situation, he never would've earned the title of Best Sword Among Wanderers in his past life.
"Brother Baek. I'm Baek Yang-hui from the Baek Clan Manor in Ak-an County. I heard about the Black Wolf Escort Bureau's atrocities and came to rescue those suffering. You no longer need to stay trapped here—rest easy."
Yang-hui continued smoothly, dispelling Baek Cheol's doubts and answering his questions.
At the same time, he led him around, gathering his belongings and scouting other artisans who might fit well back home.
"Oh, Brother Baek. Do you have any other family or loved ones? I'll rescue them no matter where they are."
Baek Cheol mumbled hesitantly.
"Well... my father..."
"Your father is alive. Where is he?"
"At the Black Wolf Escort Bureau... as a hostage..."
"Ah, no need to worry. We've already rescued everyone from their main base."
Baek Cheol's face lit up at the answer.
Looks like he's filial. Noted. Gotta remember that to build some goodwill later.
"This way, please."
Yang-hui led Baek Cheol and the others back to the Black Wolf Escort Bureau's main base.
Just then, Jeon Gal-seon and the warriors had subdued the last remnants, posting notices on the walls.
It declared that since the Black Wolf Escort Bureau had been wiped out, the long-suffering victims could take their belongings and go.
'A shame, but what can you do? When you've framed it as an act of justice and righteousness, you can't exactly loot everything.'
Truth be told, it wasn't that big a loss.
He'd snagged the real prize—Baek Cheol—and anyway, whenever he raided unorthodox scum under the pretext of righteousness, he made a habit of leaving about half behind.
"Uncle. We've rescued everyone suffering from the Black Wolf Escort Bureau's evil."
"Well done. Feels great to loosen up after so long."
And sure enough, Jeon Gal-seon's face was the picture of refreshment.
"So, what do we do with the rescued folk? No real connections in Gangseo to make this easy."
"Don't worry. I've already spoken with Father—anyone without a place to go will come back to the manor first."
"Is that so? Thoughtful as always, haha."
And so, the Black Wolf Escort Bureau—the Baek Clan's hostile neighbor and the dominant force in Muju—vanished overnight.
A perfect borrow-a-knife-to-kill ploy, with the tiger lending its own stripes.
'Nothing beats using someone else's hands to pick your nose, as they say.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ With all business concluded, Jeon Gal-seon escorted Yang-hui and the rescued back to Baek Clan Manor, exchanged brief greetings, and returned to his own clan.
Upon returning, Yang-hui immediately requested a meeting with the clan elders.
To report the gains from raiding the Black Wolf... er, performing an act of righteousness.
"Fifty thousand nyang in goods, and twenty-one people rescued. Four are artisans, twelve are children."
"To work people so harshly they have nowhere left to go... Truly vile scum. Great work, Young Master Hui!"
Affection dripped from the chief steward's face as he spoke.
Not from the righteousness, surely. More like the fifty thousand nyang?
'Chief Steward's turning downright transparent these days.'
Still, it was a good look. Far better than the past life, where fiscal holes had him fretting endlessly.
With that thought, he continued.
"How about we let the artisans find their own paths, but take all the children as household servants, Father?"
"Good idea. Orphans with nowhere to go—giving them money and kicking them out won't end well."
They also decided to accept any artisans who wished to stay with the Baek Clan Manor.
Baek Cheol and his father were among them.
"Really? Even after offering generous severance, some want to stay?"
"Yes, Father. They say they want to repay the grace."
Baek Mu-ryang smiled warmly.
A man steeped in justice and righteousness, he couldn't possibly dislike those eager to return the favor after receiving silver.
"Excellent. We're not short on means—let's take them all."
'Perfect. Baek Cheol's in as a servant now.'
His talent hasn't blossomed yet, but it's the real deal.
It'll show itself with some testing over time, so this setup should hold for now.
'Alright, onto the next item...'
The meeting continued without pause as Yang-hui pondered.
The next agenda was the Tang Clan's sub-branch installation.
"We agreed to lend part of the outer estates for the Tang Clan's sub-branch. Their people should arrive in about a month."
"I've prepared the halls ahead. Three buildings should suffice."
'Things are progressing steadily.'
A swell of pride. Just a year and a half ago, Baek Clan Manor fit the "third-rate martial family" label like a glove.
And now? Revitalized like this already.
'Too early for satisfaction. Long road ahead.'
Straight and bright path ahead. Plenty left to prepare for the sprint.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Brother, is it really true?"
On the road from Sichuan to Gangseo Province's Baek Clan Manor.
Dang Gun wore an exasperated look.
His sister Dang Yeon's question was the fifth time already.
"Yes, really. Baek Clan Manor is where a young dragon—no, a hidden prodigy—is growing."
Dang Yeon, a year younger than Dang Gun, grinned mischievously.
She fiddled with metal shards, tossing and catching them casually.
"Careful. Drop one from the horse, and it'll be a hassle if the ones behind trample it."
"Oh, Brother. I've been playing with hidden weapons instead of toys since I was three—think I'd mess up?"
Dang Yeon smiled brightly and continued.
"Sounds fun. Never thought I'd hear Brother acknowledge a prodigy—especially one younger than you."
Dang Yeon had never seen a peer who outshone Dang Gun since birth.
Let alone someone even younger drawing such praise.
Her curiosity was only natural.
"Keep that curiosity in check. No testing him out."
"I'm not some mischievous kid anymore, Brother."
"Yeah, yeah."
The Tang siblings kept chatting after that.
Endless journey—gossip was the cure for boredom.
And they had plenty to talk about.
"Still, we need gifts for the Baek Clan. Tough choice."
"Aren't we the ones getting an outer estate and protection from Baek Clan Manor? Do we really need gifts?"
"Fair point, but... I want to treat them with full propriety."
Dang Yeon pondered, then clapped her hands.
"They already got the spirit pills. How about gifting swords to the direct lineage members?"
"Hm?"
Dang Gun recalled a few months back.
The Baek servants—and even the clan head—wore terribly subpar swords.
"Great idea. Our Tang forging techniques don't bow to anyone. They'll love it."
Just as poison and medicine go hand in hand, hidden weapons pair with master forging.
Superior smiths are essential for crafting small, precise concealed arms.
"Fits perfectly with expanding influence via forges and clinics for the sub-branch."
"Right? If the regional overlord Baek Mu-ryang wields our swords, it's free advertising."
One day. Two days.
Ten days. A month.
The thousands-of-li journey from Sichuan to Gangseo neared its end.
In other words, they'd arrived in Gangseo Province—Ak-an County, home to Baek Clan Manor.
"Ah, Yeon. See that?"
"Yes, Brother."
Baek Clan Manor sat at the heart of Ak-an County.
Opposite the main gate—facing the rear, toward Sichuan.
A plaque hung there.
[Great Tang Clan Sub-Branch]
"They even prepared the plaque in advance."
"One thing's clear: Baek Clan Manor sincerely welcomes us."
The Tang siblings felt a shared pride.
How long had they endured scorn as heretics wielding poison and hidden weapons—arts bordering on sorcery in the eyes of the orthodox?
It wasn't exaggeration to say they'd never been well-received since founding their sect.
This kind of welcome? Any Tang couldn't help but feel fondness.
"Brother, we should instruct them to show their true skills."
"Same thought. No need for divine swords, but ones worthy of being called treasures."
Before knocking on the main gate, they sent a runner ahead.
Proper etiquette for a large group of warriors.
Moments later, a warrior arrived with the runner, approaching the Tang clansmen.
"Welcome! I'm Gwak Mun, commander of the Baek Clan's Discipline Hall. This way, please."
Passing the plaqued gate, Baek servants stood in formation, with Baek Mu-ryang at the center.
Dang Gun dismounted at once, offering a formal fist-and-palm salute.
"It's been too long, Clan Head."
Baek Mu-ryang returned the courtesy, deferring to the younger clan heir's status.
"Delighted to see you, Young Clan Leader. Haha."
As warm greetings flowed, fostering a cordial atmosphere—
Dang Gun suddenly widened his eyes.
"No!"
"What's wrong, Young Clan Leader?"
"Th-that sword. I don't recognize it...!"
"Ah, you've noticed. One of our manor smiths forged it."
Baek Mu-ryang beamed, slowly drawing the blade from its sheath.
'First time seeing Father this thrilled—and bragging about it.'
Of course. A sword appraiser's best friend is his beloved blade.
And the sword Baek Cheol had forged as a token of gratitude was exquisite enough to enchant Baek Mu-ryang.
Moreover.
Even to Dang Gun, young leader of the Tang Clan—whose forging rivaled the world's best—it was an astonishing treasure sword.
"Wh-which master smith forged such a treasure?"
Among the lined-up Baek servants, someone hesitantly raised a hand.
"Uh... me...?"
The mumbling voice belonged to Baek Cheol. Dang Gun's eyes bulged.
He alternated stares between the drawn blade and Baek Cheol.
'That exquisite treasure—from someone that young...!'
Young relative to Dang Gun, at least—still older, but young nonetheless.
Forging mastery arguably demanded even more years than martial arts.
"Forgive my impertinence, but how did you create such a treasure?"
"W-well..."
As eyes focused on him, Baek Cheol broke into a nervous sweat, floundering.
"Just... worked hard..."
"Hard work" didn't cut it.
Who doesn't work hard?
Effort is universal.
But producing superior results? That's for the elite few.
Thus, Dang Gun could only assume.
"I see. Honed your skills sharpening swords from childhood, I take it. With the Baek surname, you're one of us—truly impressive."
Baek Cheol's flustered expression deepened.
"N-no... My Baek surname was granted by the lady of the house to my father... Not the same as Baek Clan Manor... And I've only been forging for a month..."
"A month? You've had this sword for just one month?"
"Y-yes..."
The shocked Dang Gun forgot even the strict etiquette of his youth, blurting out.
"How?"
"Well... Young Master told me to..."
Baek Clan's young master. No need to ask who.
"Brother Hui! What happened?!"
Yang-hui met Dang Gun's pressing gaze with a satisfied smile.
'Perfect. He took the bait.'
Knew a proud Tang forgemaster would bite.
Yang-hui recalled the past month since bringing Baek Cheol on as a servant.