Chapter 499
Though spring was in full bloom, the night wind sweeping over the winding waters of Dongting Lake carried a sharp chill.
Jang Taebo was the first to settle himself before the brazier inside Jin Wi-gyeong’s tent, warming his body.
“Ahh, now this is much better.”
Watching him, Jin Wi-gyeong chuckled and handed him a teacup.
“You’ve traveled far. I appreciate the effort.”
“It’s a good thing I happened to be in Henan at the time. If I had been in Shanxi, no matter how much you begged, I wouldn’t have come. Forcing an old man to work like this—is this how you repay loyalty?”
I glanced at Jang Taebo’s intimidating physique and thought to myself,
‘You’re plenty capable of being worked to the bone… Look at that body. If anything, you’re healthier than ever.’
While most people would be losing years off their life from overwork, Jang Taebo would, at worst, suffer minor muscle loss.
Wi Paeng, seemingly having the same thought, sneaked a glance at his own arm before eyeing Jang Taebo’s and spoke up.
“I’ve heard in detail about what happened in Sichuan and Hubei. Since I needed to resolve a matter in Henan as well, I decided to come personally. It turned out to be a well-timed decision.”
Jin Wi-gyeong laughed heartily and clapped Wi Paeng’s shoulder.
“Wi Paeng, you truly are my Zhang Liang!”
“I’m a warrior, my lord.”
“Then I suppose Han Xin would be a better fit.”
“Han Xin was executed in the end.”
“Fine, then Xiao He.”
“Xiao He was a civil servant.”
Jin Wi-gyeong shot Wi Paeng a look as if he wanted to execute him on the spot.
“Ahem. It seems you have quite a bit of resentment built up against me.”
In a typical lord-and-retainer relationship, Wi Paeng would have quickly denied it.
But Wi Paeng was one of the very few people who could openly berate Jin Wi-gyeong.
“Yes, quite a bit. Did you not know?”
“I was aware… but I didn’t expect you to bring it up the moment you arrived.”
“I didn’t come of my own accord. You summoned me. Do you realize you’ve been absent for nearly three months? Even that sect leader came asking about you recently, wondering if something had happened.”
“Ahem!”
Jin Wi-gyeong kept clearing his throat, clearly flustered. He definitely had more than a few things weighing on his conscience.
Wait—did Wi Paeng just say sect leader?
“Hold on. Are you talking about Yi Sowol?”
Wi Paeng shook his head.
“Not ‘Miss Yi Sowol.’ She is now the official sect leader of an established order, Third Young Master.”
“Ah… right.”
Once, the Hangsang Sword Sect had been vying for dominance over Shanxi. But a series of events led to its utter downfall.
Yi Sowol, the last remaining bloodline of the Blood Wolf Sword, had survived thanks to me and pledged loyalty to the Taewon Jin Family.
Even if she was bound to our family as a vassal, she still carried her own name and authority.
It’s been… over a year since I last saw her, huh?
The last time had been when I left with Jeok Cheon-Gang for Nine Flower Mountain.
In martial world time, that was already a year. If I counted real-world time, it was even longer.
I could still clearly recall that day.
‘Miss Yi Sowol.’
‘Just call me Miss Yi.’
‘…What?’
‘I’d prefer to be addressed that way.’
‘Uh, alright then. Miss Yi… I hope everything goes well for you and your sect. May prosperity come to all your endeavors.’
It had been a fairly cordial farewell.
Yi Sowol was a strong-willed woman, as expected from the daughter of a martial family. She had stood firm even when facing the Phoenix’s forces, who had come to destroy her.
By now, if things had gone well, she should have successfully rebuilt the Hangsang Sword Sect.
“So, how is she doing these days?”
Wi Paeng pondered for a moment before responding.
“In some ways, she’s doing well. In others… not so much.”
“Why? Is something wrong?”
“If you’re asking about the sect, the reconstruction is complete. Under her leadership, it is growing rapidly, and the number of disciples is steadily increasing.”
“Oh?”
“Even Hangsang Tiger Cheol Mu-baek, an old friend of her late father, has come out of seclusion to assist the sect.”
“Ohh.”
Then everything seemed to be going well.
I tilted my head in confusion, and Wi Paeng narrowed his eyes.
“Third Young Master, forgive me for asking, but… have you not kept in touch with her at all?”
“Kept in touch? What do you mean?”
“…Forget it. I’ll pretend I didn’t ask.”
Something about the atmosphere felt off.
I glanced at Jang Taebo, who clicked his tongue in annoyance.
…Wait. Could it be?
No way.
But what if…?
As my thoughts spiraled, Jin Wi-gyeong’s voice rescued me from my confusion.
“It’s good to hear that the sect leader is doing well. By the way, what of my second son? I haven’t seen him in months.”
Wi Paeng let out a sigh before replying.
“He’s the same as ever. He sustains himself solely on fasting pills in the training hall and hasn’t taken a single step outside.”
“Mu-gyeong… what are you trying to accomplish?”
Jin Wi-gyeong’s concern wasn’t unfounded.
Before I had left for Nine Flower Mountain, Jin Mu-gyeong had lost to Cheongpung in a duel.
Since that day, he had locked himself in the training hall, refusing to be seen.
Even now, a year later—during the time of the Stellar Grand Banquet and the rise of Dark Heaven—he remained in seclusion.
So, he’s really sticking to that vow of his.
Once, the martial world had hailed Jin Mu-gyeong as a prodigy of the ages.
Even the direct disciples of the Nine Great Sects—who received the finest martial arts, elixirs, and teachings—couldn’t compare to him.
Despite being from a fallen borderland martial family, he had climbed to the top purely through skill, rising to the forefront of the Ten Phoenix Dragons.
And then he met Cheongpung.
For Jin Mu-gyeong, Cheongpung’s existence must have been both a massive shock and a source of motivation.
The fact that he had continued his closed-door training for over a year was proof of that.
He’s definitely going to achieve something. No doubt about it.
Jin Mu-gyeong was an undeniable genius.
He had no guidance from the Sword Saint, nor did he receive the finest elixirs or techniques.
And yet, through sheer talent alone, he had reached this level.
When he finally emerged, I couldn’t even begin to predict what kind of monster he would have become.
The problem is… when the hell is he coming out?
Surely he wouldn’t wait until he was an old man.
If he manages to survive on nothing but fasting pills until then, I’ll genuinely respect him and even call him hyungnim.
Honestly, the fact that he’s lasted an entire year eating those flavorless things is impressive enough. Even the Wudang Daoists sneak in some jerky during their meditation retreats instead of relying solely on fasting pills.
Even the most hardcore vegetarians would flip a grill over at a barbecue restaurant, but after just one bite of a fasting pill, they’d be begging for pork belly.
As I was lost in my absurd train of thought, the conversation shifted toward Jang Taebo.
“Anyway, Young Lord, would you kindly explain why you summoned this old man?”
Jang Taebo grumbled, and Jin Wi-gyeong nonchalantly dropped a bombshell.
“Iron Weapon Corps. What do you think?”
“I don’t recall any such organization existing within the Taewon Jin Family.”
“Of course not. It was only established a few days ago.”
Jang Taebo’s brows furrowed.
“That name sounds familiar. Brings back memories of the Iron Cavalry Hall from my past.”
“I named it with you in mind. Chief of the Iron Weapon Corps—has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
Jang Taebo sighed.
“I left the Iron Cavalry Hall a long time ago, Young Lord.”
“Then isn’t it about time you returned?”
“I’m too old and weary to even lift a hammer.”
Jin Wi-gyeong stared at Jang Taebo’s absurdly muscular arms before speaking.
“Little brother.”
By this point, it was obvious why Jang Taebo had been brought here.
Since I had already caught on to Jin Wi-gyeong’s intent, I casually tapped the Baekyeom on my back, letting it fall to the ground with a heavy thud.
THUNK!
“Oh no! I dropped my divine-grade spear, forged from the legendary Millennium Cold Iron! Who could have possibly crafted such a weapon…?”
Jang Taebo glared at me like he was about to rip me apart.
“Cut it out.”
“What? I wasn’t even talking about you, Elder.”
“You think I don’t know what you’re implying?”
“What are you saying? You don’t even have the strength to lift a hammer, remember?”
“…You damn brat.”
Jang Taebo let out a deep sigh that could’ve sunk the earth itself, then turned to Jin Wi-gyeong.
“Is this why you’ve been so generous to me all this time?”
“Of course not. I simply wished to show appreciation for the master blacksmith who crafted my dear younger brother’s weapon.”
“Then allow me to give you my answer.”
“I’m listening.”
“My answer is no. That is the only response this old man can give. Even if you put a blade to my neck, it won’t change.”
I raised my hand.
“What about my spear?”
“Shut up before I take it back and snap it in half.”
“Millennium Cold Iron—famously unbreakable.”
“…Why the hell did I ever make a weapon for a bastard like you?”
“Just accept the position already. Didn’t you receive quite a bit of assistance from us?”
“I’ll pay back the favors with money. Do you think I’d go through such hell at my age?”
“Seriously, you won’t do it?”
“What are you going to do if I refuse?”
“Then at least name your conditions. I’ll do my best to meet them.”
“Conditions?”
A sly grin spread across Jang Taebo’s face.
“Do you remember this time last year? I’ll give you the same conditions as back then.”
“If you mean those conditions… Don’t tell me—”
“Bring me an elixir of immortality, refined green stone, a dragon’s claw, or a dragon pearl. Any one of those will do.”
Ding!
– [Emergency Quest: “Like That’s Gonna Happen” has been generated!]
– [Quest Objective: Obtain at least one of the items Jang Taebo mentioned.]
THUD! CRASH!
I shot to my feet and shouted,
“Where the hell am I supposed to find those?! A dragon? Seriously?!”
“Whether it’s a dragon or a lesser serpent, just bring me something. If you can’t, then sit down and be quiet.”
Ding!
– [Quest Objective Updated: Obtain a Lesser Dragon’s Claw.]
I checked the system notification and nodded.
“Okay, here you go.”
“What? What is this?”
“A Lesser Dragon’s Claw. You asked for it, didn’t you?”
“…What?”
Jang Taebo’s pupils quaked.
This man was once one of the three greatest blacksmiths in the world, the former head of the Iron Cavalry Hall, and the leader of the most elite weaponsmiths in the land.
His expression, as he stared at the claw, was a mix of disbelief, shock, and awe at witnessing something beyond comprehension.
“A… A Lesser Dragon’s Claw? Is this real?”
“Judging by the size, do you think it’s mine?”
“But… But where did you get this?”
“I killed one.”
“…What?”
“I also have its bones and scales, if you’re interested.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
“If you don’t believe me, you can go see for yourself when the sun rises. Even Master Wi here has only heard about it through letters. Why don’t you both come and check it out?”
Ding!
– [Emergency Quest: “Like That’s Gonna Happen” has been successfully completed!]
– [Quest Reward: The Taewon Jin Family has recruited “Jang Taebo!”]
– [Achievement Unlocked: “Wow, He Actually Got It.”]
A cheerful system notification rang out as Jin Wi-gyeong affectionately patted Jang Taebo’s shoulder.
“Looking forward to working with you, Chief of the Iron Weapon Corps.”
Jang Taebo, now officially enlisted as the Taewon Jin Family’s exclusive blacksmith—or more accurately, its permanent blacksmith—stared blankly ahead, his eyes void of life.