Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 150

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 150

 

Clang! Clang! Clang!

 

The sound of hammering iron grows louder as one heads toward the center of the village.

 

Usually, the mixed sounds of striking metal would cause irritation, but strangely, it brings peace to the mind.

 

Clang-!

 

Though there was probably no deliberate order to the hammering, the sounds coming from various places harmonized clearly and resonantly like striking an iron bell.

 

“How strange. When heard from afar, it was nothing but chaos…”

 

Mujin couldn’t hide his bewilderment and tilted his head.

 

“…They’re reading the iron.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“They strike where they need to strike, so that’s the sound it makes. Like how sword paths drawn toward their destined places look like dance movements.”

 

“Ah… In the end, it’s All Streams Return to Source, isn’t it? Amitabha Buddha.”

 

Mujin exclaimed as if he had gained great enlightenment.

 

As expected of a Taoist.

 

Why speak so grandly about it?

 

But even though I explained it poorly, he understood it perfectly.

 

All Streams Return to Source.

 

All flows eventually return to one fundamental source.

 

It’s mainly what elderly transcendents babble to look impressive.

 

I partially agree.

 

Martial arts are ultimately created to bring down opponents most effectively.

 

How can flesh be carved away well? How can bones be broken better? How can one gain more advantage over the opponent?

 

Through such contemplation, swords, sabers, spears… and various other weapons were created.

 

But in the end, one focuses on the use of the physical body.

 

Then observers exclaim “How can such movements be possible!” while victims become so natural and swift they can’t even feel themselves dying as they think “When did…”

 

Perhaps blacksmithing is the same.

 

By striking iron day after day, one naturally learns where to strike and where not to strike.

 

It would be natural for even carelessly swung hammers to produce good sounds.

 

“If that iron were a person, the blacksmiths of this craft bang would have to be considered skilled martial artists who have already surpassed peak level.”

 

“Indeed.”

 

Mujin nodded repeatedly.

 

“Still, don’t suddenly achieve enlightenment.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Thinking about how you suddenly achieved enlightenment on the street back then still annoys me.”

 

“…”

 

At Zhuge Munhyeon’s words, Mujin scratched his head awkwardly.

 

And Tang Munqing, who had been listening to their conversation, suppressed a smile.

 

But inwardly, he felt pleased.

 

Recognition.

 

It’s because of the attitude of considering someone’s actions right and respecting their abilities.

 

Usually, those in high positions tend to look down on those below them, and those of high status tend to regard those beneath them as lowly.

 

Scholar-farmer-craftsman-merchant.

 

These were the words that became the standard for nobility and lowliness.

 

Among the talents people are born with, the highest is a scholar’s talent and the lowest is a merchant’s talent.

 

In martial families, martial arts often comes before scholarship, but generally craftsmanship is considered lowly.

 

So they often look down on it.

 

Even in the Tang Family, which prioritizes ability, they subtly follow the distinction of scholar-farmer-craftsman-merchant.

 

Because high positions are generally occupied by martial artist bastards.

 

How much more so would a craftsman appear human to the Zhuge who debate being number one under heaven through scholarship, and to Taoist bastards who stay in the mountains seeking to achieve the Way through martial arts?

 

Even young bastards would often treat elderly craftsmen with disrespect.

 

But recognition…

 

The words praising him highly, calling it All Streams Return to Source and peak level, didn’t seem to be just words meant to make him feel good.

 

“Ahem! It’s over there.”

 

The place Tang Munqing headed toward with vigorous steps was the blacksmith shop at the center of the craft village.

 

His workshop.

 

With only pillars and no walls, the wind should blow through well, yet it was full of heat.

 

It was because of the furnace where charcoal burned fiercely, spewing out red-hot heat.

 

It was the largest one he had seen since entering the village.

 

The craftsmen, perhaps not even noticing that their owner had returned, concentrated on the metal they were making and continuously hammered away.

 

Even as thick drops of sweat poured down, soaking them completely, they didn’t stop moving their bronze-colored muscles.

 

“I told them not to stop during work no matter who comes, so it’s a bit noisy. Please understand.”

 

“It’s fine. The sound of metal sounds like mother’s pipa performance, so it’s not uncomfortable.”

 

“Hmph! Your words…”

 

…are quite pretty.

 

Tang Munqing, swallowing those trailing words, grumbled as if trying not to reveal his feelings.

 

Dan Ganghwa’s pipa performance.

 

How could that beautiful sound be compared to the sound of striking metal, but expressing it that way couldn’t help but make him feel good.

 

‘I heard he holds quite a significant position in the Zhuge Family… A bastard who lacks nothing in martial arts, scholarship, or guqin skills… They say birds of a feather flock together, and seeing how he’s close with the Wudang Taoist, his character doesn’t seem bad either.’

 

His appearance had changed quite a lot.

 

From a pale and weak bastard who only studied scholarship to someone who might be suitable as a grandson-in-law…

 

“Ahem!”

 

Tang Munqing, whose thoughts had unconsciously gone that far, coughed forcefully and said.

 

“Geumseok.”

 

“Yes, Bang Leader.”

 

“Go and bring all the materials from the warehouse, sorted by type.”

 

“Yes.”

 

While he went to get the materials, Tang Munqing said.

 

“Would you show me your staff again?”

 

“Here it is.”

 

When he took out the Silver Cold Staff and held it forward, Tang Mun-cheong examined it even more carefully than before.

 

“I am neither a sculptor nor a scholar, so I cannot tell what the inscriptions carved on the octagonal surface mean.”

 

“….”

 

“However, as a craftsman, I can tell you about the material.”

 

“Please speak.”

 

“I saw earlier that you seem to have some knowledge – do you also know the methods blacksmiths use to analyze the material of objects?”

 

“It would be difficult to match the wisdom of the Bang Leader or the craftsmen of the workshop, but I can answer the basics.”

 

“Try it.”

 

“I understand that the material is judged through color and luster, weight, sound, and magnetism.”

 

“Hmm, you’ve learned quite well. Did the Zhuge Family also have such craftsmen?”

 

“That’s….”

 

There weren’t any.

 

The Zhuge Family doesn’t raise craftsmen as excellent as the Tang Family.

 

All of this was wisdom picked up from his previous life.

 

Divine Craftsman Yong-cheol.

 

He was a craftsman that his subordinates had scoured All Under Heaven to bring (?) because they wanted to make and offer a sword worthy of the Heavenly Demon.

 

Crazy bastards, doing things I never even asked for….

 

And what was the point of bringing his entire family along?

 

Since the method of bringing him was very much in the Demonic Sect style, his first impression when facing him was… eyes blazing with killing intent. He stubbornly insisted they should rather cut his throat, giving the subordinates quite a hard time.

 

In any case, he couldn’t ignore the loyalty of the subordinates who had brought him, and since he wasn’t a martial artist, there was no way to force him, so he treated even his family preciously.

 

After drinking alcohol a few times and showing sincerity by saying he could take his time making it, the man voluntarily made and offered a sword.

 

That sword made from the expensive Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron, Jeol-yeong (Shadow Severing).

 

It could even cut shadows… it was truly a magnificent sword.

 

He too said it was the greatest masterpiece he had made in his lifetime.

 

It was indeed impressive.

 

Even without infusing internal energy, it could cut through iron like tofu.

 

However, it didn’t suit him.

 

Since the creator’s character is embedded within their efforts, should I say it became a virtuous sword that even erased killing intent?

 

It would have been perfect for use in the Taoist Sect or Buddhist Sect.

 

Since it was something made over nearly ten years, he couldn’t bear to refuse it, so he just carried it at his waist.

 

When he needed to use something, he would steal and use other people’s swords.

 

Then all sorts of rumors spread – that he was someone who became Number One Under Heaven without even using his beloved weapon, that chaos would break out if he drew his sword….

 

All kinds of rumors ran rampant.

 

He simply didn’t use it because it didn’t suit the name of Heavenly Demon.

 

But he just left it alone.

 

Sometimes saying nothing at all helps one’s reputation more.

 

Ah, wait!

 

Come to think of it, I heard the Demonic Sect is kidnapping craftsmen and sculptors… is it because of the new Sect Leader? To make and offer a beloved weapon like they did for him?

 

That might be it.

 

“…Confucius, are you not waiting for an answer?”

 

“Ah….”

 

His contemplation had been long.

 

Since he wasn’t saying anything, it seemed everyone was just staring at his face.

 

“You could just say you read it in a book. Why? Did that seem too lacking? Amitabha, you could just tell the truth as usual.”

 

Mujin said while shaking his head.

 

“Read it in a book? Then you learned forging techniques from books?”

 

“That happened often. Not these days, but he used to be someone who read many books.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Haven’t you heard the rumors? About the Zhuge Family’s Ten Thousand Books Pavilion, the place where all the books under heaven are stored.”

 

“I have heard the rumors.”

 

“He read so many books that he even knew the habits of bandits he’d never met before.”

 

“Ha! His scholarly enthusiasm must have been remarkable.”

 

“Indeed it was.”

 

“….”

 

Now there was no need for him to step forward and make excuses. Mujin had explained everything on his own.

 

Rather, it had higher credibility, and thanks to that, he had become someone who learned forging techniques from books too.

 

“Wisdom gained from books. That can indeed be called very Zhuge-like.”

 

“Yes, well.”

 

It was a somewhat reluctant answer, but sometimes it’s better to say nothing.

 

Divine Craftsman Yongcheol.

 

He was a figure who had been the supreme master in the blacksmithing world.

 

How could he say he heard it from someone who had been dead for quite some time?

 

“However, what books say and reality will be different.”

 

“That would be so.”

 

“The method for identifying the material of objects includes what you mentioned, but it’s also possible to predict based on whether the object was cast or forged.”

 

“….”

 

“Also, melting it or dropping acid on it to check for changes can be considered another method.”

 

“I wouldn’t want the object to be damaged though?”

 

“Ha ha! I have no intention of doing that either. I was just saying such methods exist.”

 

Around that time, someone called Geumseok brought various materials from the workshop and laid them out.

 

“Now, look. These are the materials used when crafting weapons at the Main House.”

 

“…!”

 

He couldn’t help but show a surprised expression.

 

To think there were this many varieties.

 

Then, Tang Munqing wore a satisfied smile and opened a box with a somewhat boastful expression.

 

This subtle cold energy….

 

“Looking at your expression, it seems you recognize it. That’s right, it’s Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron.”

 

“…Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron?”

 

They really were wealthy.

 

Even though it was stored in a box, to think they had casually stored in their warehouse a metal that was worth dozens of times its weight in gold per geun.

 

But when the box behind it was opened, he was even more amazed, his mouth falling wide open.

 

A mineral the size of a fist that emitted bright light.

 

“And this is the most important item our Craft Bang keeps in storage.”

 

“What kind…?”

 

“First time seeing it? Well, you can’t recognize it just from learning through books. It’s Heavenly Thunder Stone. It’s so precious that it can’t even be compared to Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron, so even the Main House only has this much.”

 

Words wouldn’t come out.

 

Called Heavenly Thunder Stone because it falls from the sky like lightning, it’s also known by another name: meteoric iron.

 

Said to hold the most precious value among minerals, it’s far more valuable than even spirit beasts’ Inner Cores.

 

Even he was seeing it in person for the first time.

 

Even if discovered through repeated strokes of heavenly fortune, cases where iron components are mixed in are extremely rare.

 

The quantity is so small that even the Imperial Palace’s Secret Treasury, which is said to have collected all the world’s treasures, might barely have enough for a Short Sword.

 

But then.

 

“I’m wondering if perhaps your Staff might be made from Heavenly Thunder Stone.”

 

“…?”

 

Huh? What did he say?

 

For a moment, his mind went blank.

 

His gaze naturally turned toward the Silver Cold Staff, and worried someone might steal it, he instinctively gripped it tightly with his hand.

 

“Um… then you’re saying this is meteoric iron?”

 

“I’d need to investigate a bit more to know for sure, but that seems like the most likely possibility. Looking at how the luster is duller compared to white copper. Anyway, that’s amazing. If it really is meteoric iron, then its value is…”

 

At Tang Munqing’s words, Zhuge Munhyeon quietly pulled the Silver Cold Staff closer to himself and gripped it even tighter.

 

He gulped down his saliva.

 

Silver Cold Staff, you were that kind of guy?

 

You should have told me earlier.

 

Even though he was someone who didn’t pay much attention to weapons, he now felt sorry for having handled the Silver Cold Staff carelessly all this time.

 

Not only had he hit Gwan Hwiping and Mujin’s heads with such a precious item… he had even beaten enemies to death with it.

 

I was bestowing grace upon them.

 

Anywhere they go, they could boast ‘I was hit by meteoric iron,’ or ‘I died after being struck by meteoric iron.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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