The Return of the Legendary Golden-Handed Blacksmith - Chapter 223

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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 223
Episode 223.
250 million Gold.
It was a sum large enough to astonish even Jin-woo, who had earned substantial wealth before.
“I spent quite a lot buying the Manshang Workshop, but this doesn’t just recover that—it’s brought in even more.”
Enough Gold had arrived to purchase two or three more Manshang Workshops.
“The commission is 10 percent.”
Since the auction total had exceeded a hundred million, the commission fee was considerable.
After paying 25 million Gold in commission, Jin-woo received 225 million Gold.
“Money aside, what I like most is that there are people willing to pay this much for my equipment.”
The value placed on his gear continued rising steadily.
“This auction would make decent content too.”
Jin-woo recorded a brief video and sent a message to Dongwoo.
-Let’s think about auction house content as well.
Jin-woo had already built a narrative presence not only at the Asian Auction House but also at the European Union Auction House.
‘There’s still one place left.’
One auction house remained, incomparably larger than those in other regions.
There was a reason why Essel, a skilled blacksmith, hadn’t gone there and remained at the European Union Auction House instead.
He couldn’t compete there.
In a place gripped so thoroughly by such vast scale and skilled smiths, one could sell equipment but could never carve a name into history.
And so users could only wait in anticipation.
The American Auction House, swarming with brilliant craftsmen.
Though it bore the name American Auction House, it was where all users not affiliated with the European Union Auction House or Asian Auction House gathered.
‘Ranks 1 and 2 don’t use the auction house, they said.’
Starlight and Inclassic supposedly didn’t use the auction house.
“It would be nice if they were drawn out.”
Whether his entry stimulated them or not didn’t matter to Jin-woo.
“Since I’ve started this, I’ll see it through to the end.”
Having received bids, Jin-woo inspected the Manshang Workshop.
Since the crafting equipment for the Lava Giant brought by the Realize Guild arrived, Jin-woo had been purchasing necessary fixtures by touring the Chanran Workshop.
“I brought quite a lot of flasks from the Alchemy Workshop.”
A massive jar for mass-producing potions sat in one corner as well.
“Now it finally looks like a proper workshop.”
Jin-woo recalled the workshops he’d visited.
‘Fortunately, they sponsored quite generously.’
When they had no more to exchange, they’d sponsored equipment instead.
“They’re good people. I can’t just keep receiving—I should share more experience through exchange.”
Though he wasn’t sure if they’d appreciate it, Jin-woo decided to visit again when time permitted.
“Not alone this time.”
It would be good to visit with Free, who would actually run the Manshang Workshop.
Thus they arranged the sponsored fixtures throughout the workshop.
“Not bad.”
Now only the essential equipment remained.
“The forge.”
To properly complete the workshop, a much better forge than the Summoned Workshop’s was needed.
“I can’t just leave the Summoned Workshop’s forge here.”
The Summoned Workshop was a mobile workshop. To use it anywhere, one had to maintain constant balance.
Jin-woo sought out Oson.
Oson Workshop.
Clang! Clang!
The Oson Workshop, filled with the sound of hammering, was always crowded with customers whenever Jin-woo visited.
He passed through them and headed deeper inside.
There was Oson, gripping his hammer with a serious expression.
“Master Oson.”
“Jin-woo! Have you decorated the workshop well?”
Oson greeted Jin-woo warmly.
“Yes, I’m furnishing it well thanks to you.”
The Oson Workshop had also provided fixtures—one of the work tables was crafted directly by Oson Workshop.
“Hmm! As you know, image is crucial for a workshop. Beyond that, there’s something else that matters—apprentices. Even if not apprentices, you need staff to handle miscellaneous work in a workshop.”
Hamilton watched Oson smile with warmth from behind.
“So he was this kind a person.”
In the blacksmith’s world, it seemed skill truly was everything.
“That craftsmanship—he even crafts his smiles…….”
Hamilton marveled to Jin-woo.
“He’s the epitome of a blacksmith. The very model.”
Oson maintained his warmth as he spoke to Jin-woo.
“If you need it, I can introduce you. I have some skilled friends—sharp instincts and a good grasp of all aspects of workshop operations.”
“Thank you, Master Oson. But that’s not necessary. I’ve already hired someone.”
“You’ve already hired someone?”
Oson’s expression turned puzzled.
“To hire so quickly—did you know them beforehand?”
“No, I didn’t know them.”
It wasn’t someone he’d known before, and technically not even a person.
“Well, your eye is beyond question. Congratulations anyway! Then your workshop will be officially operational. What name did you settle on?”
“Manshang Workshop.”
“Manshang, is it… Excellent! So you’ve come today because you need my help? What can I do for you?”
“Today it’s something else.”
Jin-woo got straight to the point.
“Didn’t you say there’s a Temple to the Guardian Deity of Flame and Craftsmanship in this capital?”
“Yes, I’ve heard it was once at the center of Avalon.”
Oson, too, had only heard the account.
He’d never actually seen the temple.
“Could you perhaps know its exact location?”
“Hmm!”
Oson’s expression grew troubled.
“The location is lost, so I’m not certain either.”
“I see.”
“However.”
Oson stepped inside briefly.
He returned with a parchment.
“I know someone who might know the location. My master, in fact.”
Oson spoke thus as he handed the parchment to Jin-woo.
Ding!
-You have received a Quest!
* Quest: The Grand Master of the Royal Palace
Rank: ???
Description: Once, the Flam Continent was home to the Three Great Blacksmiths. Rupema, who represented the Avalon Kingdom, has now retired and serves as Grand Master at the Royal Palace. Seek out Rupema and inquire about the Temple of the Guardian Deity of Flame and Craftsmanship!
Constraint: Failure if you cannot meet Rupema
Reward: Legend of the Guardian Deity of Flame and Craftsmanship
“The Three Great Blacksmiths of the Flam Continent. Divine Hand Rupema Chain. Now retired and serving as master at the Royal Palace, but once he was the preeminent blacksmith commanding the continent.”
The Flam Continent had been home to three blacksmiths known as the Great Three.
These three were the honorable title for the blacksmiths representing each kingdom.
“The representative blacksmith of each kingdom. My master was the representative blacksmith of our Avalon Kingdom.”
‘Why is the difficulty like this?’
The rank didn’t appear.
‘Is it difficult just to meet him?’
It was merely meeting Oson’s master, yet the difficulty was extraordinarily high. The absence of a visible rank meant at minimum SSR+ rank.
‘The reward is the Legend of the Guardian Deity of Flame and Craftsmanship.’
The main objective of this quest seemed to be hearing the story of the Guardian Deity of Flame and Craftsmanship, long forgotten with time, and finding the temple.
‘I’m looking forward to this.’
Combined with the high difficulty, the prospect of meeting a blacksmith who had represented a kingdom was quite thrilling.
‘Even if he’s retired, his skill hasn’t gone anywhere.’
Oson handed over another parchment.
“It’s my letter of introduction. Take this to the Royal Palace.”
Ding!
-Your Quest has been updated!
-Seek out the Patron of the Guardian Deity of Flame and Craftsmanship!
“Rupema, my master, is also a patron of the Guardian Deity of Flame and Craftsmanship. My master might know about it. At least better than I would.”
‘Is it connected to the quest to find the temple of the Guardian Deity of Flame and Craftsmanship?’
Jin-woo was quite excited by the high difficulty.
‘If he was once among the greatest blacksmiths on the continent…’
He surely possessed remarkable skill.
“Thank you. I’ll pay my respects properly.”
After Jin-woo left.
Oson gazed toward the Royal Palace.
“Master, your inadequate student sends a new student.”
Rupema could surely manage it.
“I trust you, Master.”
* * *
The Royal Palace.
Before the Royal Palace stood numerous guards maintaining their posts with strict discipline.
Even the slightest suspicious movement here meant direct passage to prison, so it was a place users generally avoided.
Of course, that didn’t mean there were no mad users.
Since there were always those who did what they were told not to do, dozens were thrown into jail daily.
“Another one today.”
Users forming parties nearby and those resting in the plaza clicked their tongues watching a user climb toward the Royal Palace.
“No matter how many times they’re told not to, they keep trying.”
“What can you do? They want to go to prison.”
A user approaching the palace steps encountered a guard.
The common pattern here was either breaking through or causing a disturbance and ending up in jail.
“Another one going in.”
“Already five just this morning.”
The user approached the guard.
Here, it branched into two paths.
Breaking through or causing a disturbance.
“Huh?”
But this user was different. After speaking with the guard, he showed something.
“What?”
“The guard is escorting him politely?”
“…What’s going on?”
The guard was escorting the user with courtesy.
“Who is that person?”
“The guard is escorting him like that?”
“That strict guard, of all people…….”
That user drawing attention, Jin-woo, entered the Royal Palace under the guard’s escort.
“You must be a formal disciple of Master Oson. Welcome!”
“He doesn’t take disciples often. To think he’d take a foreign student…”
“Come this way! I’ll inform Master Rupema that you’ve come to meet him. This way, please!”
‘He’s more impressive than I thought.’
It made sense that he was the representative workshop master of Chanran.
Entering the Royal Palace, Jin-woo proceeded with the palace guide to the Royal Smithy.
“Welcome, Master Jin-woo.”
The palace guide introduced himself briefly while explaining about Rupema, whom Jin-woo sought.
“Master Rupema has stepped back from the front lines. He now serves as an advisor. We also call him the Grand Master.”
Rupema currently served as an advisor to the Royal Palace blacksmiths.
“He’s already over one hundred years old, yet remains quite vigorous. Not long ago, he even personally forged a sword and presented it to His Majesty.”
The palace guide explained that while Rupema’s skill remained active-duty level, he’d stepped back due to physical limitations.
‘The Royal Palace blacksmiths must all be quite skilled themselves.’
In other words, Rupema was the master of masters.
‘Oson is Rupema’s disciple too. This person must have a discerning eye.’
Jin-woo felt quite hopeful.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
A place brimming with heat.
“Welcome to the Royal Smithy.”
Ding!
-You have achieved an Achievement!
-You have achieved the Achievement [Royal Smithy].
The Royal Smithy.
For a blacksmith, this place held special meaning.
‘The Royal Smithy isn’t a place just anyone can enter.’
Even during the Eternal Sunshine days, Jin-woo had to undergo multiple verifications to enter the Royal Smithy.
‘The kingdom war was enjoyable too.’
As the Royal Palace exclusive blacksmith, Jin-woo had been at the center of the great inter-kingdom war.
It was probably then that his name had spread widely.
‘Though that’s all in the past now.’
Jin-woo entered the Royal Smithy.
Clang!
Intense heat and over a dozen forges.
And a dozen massive blacksmiths were visible.
“These are the exclusive blacksmiths of our Avalon Kingdom.”
Even as Jin-woo and the palace guide entered, their concentration remained unbroken.
“Recently, with the sudden emergence of towers and diplomatic tensions with other kingdoms, they continue crafting equipment.”
The palace guide gestured to Jin-woo.
“Master Rupema is in the inner chamber.”
“Thank you.”
“Yes. If you need anything, please infuse mana into this orb! I’ll come running.”
After the guide left.
Jin-woo first observed the blacksmiths’ crafting.
Clang! Clang!
‘Excellent Hammering technique.’
It proved why they had become Royal Palace exclusive blacksmiths.
Whoosh.
The flames in the roaring forge captured Jin-woo’s gaze.
‘What’s this?’
Those flames. They weren’t ordinary fire. They burned far deeper than what he’d seen in Oson’s workshop.
‘It’s the same flame.’
Though it was the flame bestowed by the Guardian Deity of Flame and Craftsmanship, it burned far more fiercely than Oson’s workshop flames.
Jin-woo observed their crafting for a moment. Normally, if the palace guide brought a guest, it was protocol to immediately verify who that guest was.
But this was a different place.
Wasn’t this the Royal Smithy, where pride-driven blacksmiths gathered?
‘Words aren’t necessary.’
Jin-woo didn’t address them.
Instead, he approached an empty workstation.
“Fine materials.”
And excellent flames too.
Whoosh.
“Let me pay my respects.”
Jin-woo brought his hammer down.
And in that instant.
The Royal Palace blacksmiths, who had deliberately ignored Jin-woo until now, were drawn in by the sound of his Hammering.

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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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