Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 411

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 411
“You lot better have everything prepared by the time I arrive!”
“Yes, Master.”
“If even a single detail is off, I’ll singe every hair from your heads in the forge! Do you understand?!”
“Yes, don’t worry yourself.”
Heo Yong-do turned away after entrusting the Managers to his disciples.
There was no smithy like this in the world. To craft just one weapon, he had measured everything—the nature of inner force, hand shape, even bone structure.
“You, come along!”
“Ah, before that, there’s something I’d like to show you. This—”
“I said come along!”
“”
He still wouldn’t listen to anyone.
Heo Yong-do dragged Dokgo Myeong toward the inner depths of the smithy.
He didn’t even walk properly. He snatched the Hyeonchul Heavy Sword and examined it closely as he moved.
“Looks like you’ve clashed with some rather mad individuals.”
Heo Yong-do tapped a particular scar on the Hyeonchul Heavy Sword.
“This scorching here is from a spell technique, right? And this mark—traces of impact with a curved blade… but it’s neither the Wheel nor the Heaven-Earth Fist… Is it the Pole or the Crescent Moon Halberd?”
“Neither, actually.”
“Then it must be the Stone Lance.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened.
Chills ran down my spine.
How could anyone discern the characteristics of opponents from mere blemishes and minute traces?
“But know this—more than half the damage is your fault.”
“What? What do you mean by that, sir?”
Heo Yong-do handed back the Hyeonchul Sword as he spoke.
“Your inner force is far rougher and more volatile than I imagined. The internal pressure combined with external impacts caused this level of damage.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes went wide.
“Then… could it suddenly break one day?”
“Gah! Do you think my masterpiece would break so easily!”
“You’re the one who shoved it away in a corner, yet you call it a masterpiece…”
“Gaaaah!”
For someone his age, his voice was formidable. My ears nearly went deaf for a moment.
“Still, if the impacts keep accumulating… who knows. It might bend or shatter someday.”
“Wait, didn’t you just say it wouldn’t break?”
“In the distant future! Much later! What sword in this world doesn’t eventually break!”
Heo Yong-do had flared up without reason, but inwardly he felt his own words were quite hollow.
‘I forged the Hyeonchul Sword precisely because I hated seeing those fools blame their tools… yet now the Hyeonchul Sword can’t even handle this bastard’s strength.’
A dull ache gnawed at my stomach.
The scratches on the Hyeonchul Sword felt like cracks forming in my own pride.
“Then at least repair it for me.”
“It’s impossible.”
“Why is that?”
“If I use a whetstone, the whetstone will wear down, and if I strike it with a hammer, the hammer will shatter.”
“….”
“Without remelting it, sharpening won’t be easy. That’s precisely what I designed it to be from the start.”
“But still, I’ve been using it just fine? So what are you saying I should do?”
“What else? Use it until it breaks.”
“Ugh….”
Dokgo Myeong stared at the Hyeonchel Sword in disbelief.
The unexpected words left me feeling unsettled.
This was the first Dokgo Family weapon I had ever possessed.
Though it was somewhat excessively heavy, thanks to this blade, how much easier my fights had become, and how many times had my life been spared because of it.
“Krkrkr, perhaps this turned out well after all. A weapon formidable enough to trouble even a troublesome bastard like you… I’ll create my life’s masterpiece for you!”
Heo Yong-do’s eyes gleamed.
It seemed he was taking this flaw in his pride as an opportunity to reach even greater heights.
“Couldn’t you just gather some Hyeonchel and forge me a spare blade as backup?”
“Gaaaaaah!”
“Geez, your voice really is something.”
That’s when it happened.
Kwaaaaaang!
Suddenly, a thunderous explosion echoed from the end of the corridor ahead.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Followed by the sound of hammering so loud it felt like my eardrums would burst.
Heo Yong-do’s expression twisted.
“That madman? I told him to wait quietly, and he can’t even hold back for a moment!”
“What? Who’s this madman you’re talking about?”
“You’ll see when we get there. In a way… that fellow has some connection to you as well.”
Heo Yong-do strode forward and kicked open the door at the end of the corridor.
“Yeo, you bastard! What ridiculous thing are you doing now! Didn’t I tell you to wait a bit!”
Clang! Claaang!
The sound of hammering continued endlessly, even louder than before.
Inside the room, a middle-aged man sat before an anvil.
“You fool!!”
At the resounding voice, the middle-aged man stopped mid-swing of his hammer.
“…You’ve arrived?”
Unlike the gruff Heo Yong-do, his voice was timid and gentle.
As he carefully set down the hammer, Heo Yong-do’s face contorted.
“Arrived is ridiculous. What were you doing again?”
“I was growing bored waiting, so I was conducting a simple experiment.”
“You couldn’t even wait that short moment?”
Dokgo Myeong cautiously followed Heo Yong-do inside, his eyes sweeping across the surroundings.
‘So Baek’s Iron Workshop has a place like this.’
Unlike Heo Yong-do’s workspace, which was cluttered with all manner of things, this area was organized with an almost obsessive cleanliness.
Only around the furnace and anvil—where sparks and metal shards inevitably flew during work—remained soiled.
Even then, the middle-aged man immediately began sweeping with a broom while muttering as if chanting a prayer.
“Ah, that’s right. Our judgment was indeed correct, sir. We tested a new compound on the iron net’s core, and it showed a reaction far closer to metal than to any creature byproduct. This time, if we refine the processing more precisely….”
“We’ll handle that later. I’ve brought that one we discussed before.”
“That one, you say?”
The middle-aged man’s half-closed eyes finally turned toward Dokgo Myeong.
“W-wait! Could it be!”
He cried out in surprise.
Heo Yong-do grinned and turned to look at Dokgo Myeong.
“Come now, introduce yourself. This one is a descendant of Gi-wang Yeo Cheon-wi and the sole legitimate heir remaining of the Yeo clan in this generation. Now you understand why I said we had a connection, don’t you?”
This time, it was Dokgo Myeong’s turn to be astonished.
“You!”
Immediately after, the middle-aged man vaulted over the anvil and rushed toward Dokgo Myeong.
* * *
A moment later.
“Heavens! It’s true! Truly remarkable. However did you come by such a thing….”
The middle-aged man kneaded the Dragon Scale Robe like dough, examining it carefully before belatedly coming to his senses.
“Ah, forgive my rudeness.”
“….”
“But if you don’t mind, could I examine it just a bit more? Only a little….”
Dokgo Myeong let out a sigh, now half-resigned to his fate.
‘Are all craftsmen like this?’
He had seemed normal at first glance, yet he was an eccentric no less peculiar than Heo Yong-do.
Only after considerable time had passed did the middle-aged man finally offer a greeting.
“Oh my, forgive my scattered mind. My name is Yeo Geum-do. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“I am Myeong-i of the Dokgo Family. The honor is mine.”
“Dokgo Myeong, Dokgo Myeong… I feel as though I’ve heard that name somewhere… Heh, my apologies. My ears are rather dull to worldly news.”
Yeo Geum-do scratched behind his ear and shrugged his shoulders.
When Dokgo Myeong glanced at Heo Yong-do, the latter explained.
“I went through considerable trouble to find and bring him here because of you. Show some gratitude!”
“Me?”
“This man is necessary if I’m to craft something befitting you and your managers. Though I hate to admit it, in certain respects his craftsmanship surpasses even mine.”
“I’m hardly at that level… heh heh.”
“Tsk! For a man of your age, you’re far too timid.”
Heo Yong-do continued with a displeased expression.
“Despite appearances, his ability to discern materials, to imbue weapons with qi and infuse them with spiritual essence—those two skills alone border on divine technique.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s right. Among all of you, only that one can handle the byproducts I entrusted to you perfectly.”
Yeo Geum-do smiled with an embarrassed expression.
“Heh, surely it’s not that impressive. You’re just being kind to me.”
“Enough. Since you’re here, let me see it once. Let’s hear what this one thinks of it.”
“Ah, is that what you meant? That was his work?”
“Do I need to explain again?”
“Ah, yes, yes… I’m, I’m sorry…”
Yeo Geum-do, his spirit dampened, led Dokgo Myeong somewhere.
Yeo Geum-do continued hesitantly.
“Well, it’s not a finished product yet. You could say it’s a prototype, and there’s still a long way to go… Ah, I thought I was almost done, but the elder said there’s still quite a bit left…”
“It’s too soft for this one to wield. Seeing it today, it’s still far from adequate.”
“Is it that much of a problem?”
“It should be the kind that cracks solid Hyeonchel from within.”
“I see…”
As they conversed and followed Yeo Geum-do’s guidance deeper into the smithy.
Uuuuung!
Suddenly, the Cheonoe Yeongdan reacted.
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened.
‘What is this…?’
Ssssssht!
From a corner of the smithy, an ominous aura he could never forget washed over him, sending chills down his spine.
Gwisucheolmang.
The same feeling he had when facing that creature made his back grow cold.
“That’s it.”
Yeo Geum-do pointed straight ahead.
Soon, Dokgo Myeong discovered a sword standing against the wall, wrapped tightly with a golden rope adorned with talismans.
Ziiing!
Could it be resonating with the Cheonoe Yeongdan?
As Dokgo Myeong approached, a shallow vibration suddenly rang out.
“Hmm, resonance? Even without true energy touching it, the sword is singing…”
Dokgo Myeong examined the sword closely.
The dark blade came into view. It wasn’t merely black—it was a pitch-black hue that seemed to absorb all light in the world.
“Could it be…?”
“You’ve figured it out. That’s right. It’s a byproduct of the Iron Net.”
“You used only that?”
“That’s absurd. I reinforced the inside with Mukgang Hyeonchel through forge-welding to secure both hardness and elasticity.”
Dokgo Myeong swallowed dryly.
“May I touch it?”
“Rather, channel your inner force into it and test it once.”
“Then…”
Yeo Geum-do suddenly spoke up.
“Ah, be careful—if you drain too much inner force, it will explode.”
“What? What do you mean? Explode?”
“The scales’ refinement is still incomplete. If you absorb inner force recklessly, cracks will form and it will shatter. Be careful.”
“….”
Dokgo Myeong’s expression grew uncertain, and he slowly reached out his hand.
Tap.
The moment I grasped the blade, my eyes widened.
—Grrrrrrrrgh.
The water serpent was looking down at me.
Gwisucheolmang.
That massive creature, which had been spewing forth vicious poison and murderous intent, was now gazing at me calmly.
“Hey!”
“What are you doing?!”
I blinked several times.
‘What was that just now?’
Had I been dreaming with my eyes open?
I swallowed dryly and looked down at the blade in my hand.
It had a pleasant weight to it. Not quite as heavy as a Hyeonchul Heavy Blade, but it felt like it would match two ordinary iron swords.
‘This is a sword?’
It wasn’t the sensation of fitting snugly in my palm or my arm extending.
The blade seemed to cling to my hand of its own accord. More than that, it had connected to the meridians and qi within my body through my palm.
‘What?’
Tzzzzzzzt!
The moment I absorbed inner force, the blade emitted a strange vibration.
Then, in an instant.
Crack!
A long fissure ran across the blade, and metal fragments scattered.
Heo Yong-do grimaced.
“Damn it, what kind of inner force is this?”
Yeo Geum-do also closed his mouth regretfully.
“Could the ratio with Hyeonchul be the problem?”
“That’s why I refined it with Mookgang Hyeonchul instead of plain Hyeonchul. The lamination was definitely done correctly!”
“Then it must be a refinement issue after all. And you possess inner force far rougher than we imagined.”
Heo Yong-do sighed and asked.
“How was it?”
I swallowed dryly and asked.
“What exactly did you make?”
“I attempted to forge the mightiest weapon under heaven.”
I stared at the blade, now marred with cracks like tree roots running through its body.
“So when will it be completed?”
“Do you like it?”
“I’m not sure. But…”
This is no ordinary blade.
Even in its incomplete state, it possessed such power—I couldn’t fathom what kind of overwhelming force it would unleash once finished.
“I must have this.”
Greed flashed across Dokgo Myeong’s eyes.
Regardless of anything else, I couldn’t bear to let this slip away. I was practically desperate to grip the completed sword in my hands right now.
“Hmm, judging by your reaction, it seems we’ve got the direction right…”
“Seeing how it’s already resonating with you, there might be no need to hold back.”
“We could even push it to the point where that one can’t handle it.”
“That could become dangerous.”
“No need to worry about that one!”
Heo Yong-do and Yeo Geum-do continued their whispered conversation between themselves.
Soon Yeo Geum-do spoke.
“I can’t say when it’ll be finished. But I’ll let you know when we reach the final stages. We’ll need you then anyway.”
“You need me?”
“We’ll probably need some of your blood.”
Dokgo Myeong’s expression stiffened slightly, as if something felt off.
‘Is this really a divine blade we’re making? Not some cursed sword that devours people?’
Heo Yong-do added further.
“Additionally, we might need that Hyeonchul Heavy Sword you use. Hyeonchul has become scarce in the markets these days.”
“Anything else?”
“Well, there’s plenty we need. I can’t even estimate the cost… But I intend to pour everything into creating a masterwork for the ages.”
Dokgo Myeong set the sword upright again and spoke.
“Spend tens of millions if you must. Tell me everything you need.”
“Huh?”
“Actually, would you consider partnering with our Dharma Protector Division this time? We’ll provide generous support. In exchange, just please complete this.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes blazed with fervent intensity.
Heo Yong-do and Yeo Geum-do appeared momentarily taken aback, hesitating visibly.
But there was no way around it.
‘What else can we do after seeing something like that?’
Dokgo Myeong’s gaze turned back toward the black blade.
Uuuuung!
It felt as though the sword itself was calling to him.
‘Whether it’s a divine blade or a cursed one, I’m not sure.’
In this incomplete sword, Dokgo Myeong felt an intense desire unlike anything he’d experienced before.
I had no choice but to admit that my heart had already been stolen by that thing.

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