The World’s Greatest is Dead - Chapter 73

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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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The Heavenly Supreme Has Died – Episode 073
Cheogang.
A place where the blacksmiths within the Dang Clan gathered, and many spoke of it as such:
‘The current Dang Clan exists because of Cheogang.’
It was a place that occupied such an important position within the clan.
There was no way around it.
It would be no exaggeration to say that the majority of renowned blades crafted in the current Central Plains were forged in Cheogang.
Not only swords, but the weapons they created were things that could not be easily obtained in the current Central Plains, even with money.
Weapons crafted in Cheogang were divided into four grades: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Divine.
Even the lowest Bronze grade alone would fetch a high price if it was known to be made in Cheogang.
Silver grade weapons were called renowned blades.
Gold grade weapons were used as prizes in special festivals like the Dragon Phoenix Gathering held by the Martial Arts Alliance, reaching a level where they could no longer be obtained with money.
And beyond that, if one went past Gold grade to reach Divine grade—
‘They were said to be called divine artifacts.’
Weapons that could only be forged by touching the heavens themselves.
Thus they were called divine artifacts, or so I had heard.
Martial artists endlessly trained with fervor to cultivate themselves.
Yet even amid such training, their desire for better weapons remained strong.
And thus, weapons made by the Dang Clan served as a kind of proof.
Proof that I am capable of wielding weapons of this caliber.
Therefore, the weapons and armor forged in Cheogang could be seen as an object of longing for martial artists.
“…Wow.”
In such circumstances, I couldn’t help but gasp at the sight before me.
“I never thought I’d actually come to a place like this in my lifetime…”
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Harsh metallic sounds rang out in succession, and a thick, acrid smell filled my nostrils.
It was different from the smell of fish or blood.
The distinctive scent that emanated from iron—that sensation filled the air completely.
And that was not all.
“Strike harder!”
“Focus! Use your strength properly!”
The space was filled not only with the scent of iron but also with the smell of sweat and steam as one ventured deeper inside.
Indescribable unpleasant odors.
Yet if one understood the purpose of this space, one could never bring themselves to complain about it.
‘…This is Cheogang.’
I was now inside Cheogang.
It was a place treated with considerable secrecy even within the Dang Clan, and a place that drew extreme interest from all martial artists.
Naturally so.
For any martial artist, Cheogang would perhaps be a place of dreams.
“Pour!”
“Keep hammering without pause!”
The place was filled with people whose skin had darkened from the heat.
Each of them held something in their hands.
They were busy using those tools to accomplish their work.
Though I didn’t know the details, I understood this was related to metallurgy.
‘Are all of these people master craftsmen?’
Those who had devoted their lives to crafting weapons.
The reason Cheogang existed and the most vital people who kept it running.
They were artisans.
Clang—! Clang clang!
Everyone was ceaselessly striking something with their hammers.
Even when not doing that, I could see them repeating actions I didn’t quite understand.
‘It’s so hot.’
I fanned myself with my clothes. The heat was so intense that sweat poured out even while standing still.
‘How are the others even enduring this?’
I turned my gaze to observe the martial artists around me.
Unlike me, with sweat streaming down the back of my neck, they all looked oddly unaffected.
What’s going on? Why do they look so fine?
Am I the only one sensitive to heat?
Why do they all look so dry?
Unable to understand, I stared at them quietly.
[They’re controlling it with their inner energy.]
Yoo Cheon-gil, who had been following behind me with a yawn, spoke.
[If you layer your inner energy thinly over your body to block out the heat, it becomes bearable enough.]
“….”
I narrowed my eyes as I listened to the explanation.
…There was such a method? No wonder Cheon Euijin and Do-hyeong, who were beside me, looked perfectly fine….
‘…Spread it thin how?’
Even if I tried, I wouldn’t know how.
Layer my inner energy thinly over my body, they said.
Just hearing the words, I couldn’t quite grasp the feeling.
So I simply stayed still.
The sweat kept pouring out more and more.
[You alright? You’re gonna dry up and die soon, hehehehe.]
When sweat began falling like rain, that’s what Yoo Cheon-gil said while looking at me.
Right. I really am dying here.
‘But what else can I do?’
For now, enduring while pretending to be fine was the best I could manage.
The problem was.
“…Bang Disciple. Are you alright?”
Pretending to be fine didn’t actually make me look fine at all.
The sweat streaming down my face was clearly suspicious to anyone watching.
So Cheon Euijin asked me with a worried expression.
“Ah, yes, I’m fine.”
I wasn’t fine, but I said I was.
“However…”
Naturally, Cheon Euijin’s disbelief was written all over his face.
It wasn’t just him. Others were looking at me strangely too.
Their gazes clearly questioned why I wasn’t using my energy.
Feeling that, I had to curse a hundred times internally.
‘I want to use it too.’
Who doesn’t want to use it?
If I only knew how, I’d use it right this instant.
It felt like I’d collapse if I didn’t, but there was nothing I could do except endure.
What excuse could I make?
After a brief moment of thought, I opened my mouth.
“Don’t worry about it. Since I came directly to Cheogang, I wanted to experience its unique heat and passion firsthand, so that’s why I’m doing this.”
It was nonsense. Saying I was deliberately inviting hardship on myself—even if I heard it, I would’ve thought that madman was crazy.
“…”
Clang- clang…
Right after I spoke.
The loud hammer sounds that had been ringing out suddenly stopped. And then.
‘What?’
All the craftsmen around me were staring at me.
With quite intense gazes at that.
What is this uncomfortable silence?
Without thinking, I swallowed dryly and looked around.
After watching for a while, the craftsmen suddenly resumed work as if they’d coordinated it.
Clang-! Clang clang! Clang!
It was as if nothing had happened.
What was that about?
I stood there with a dazed expression in this subtle situation.
“The young friend knows how to show respect.”
Someone appeared through the scorching heat.
It was an old man with white hair drenched in sweat.
Seeing such an old man, I narrowed my eyes.
‘…Why does his body look like that?’
By his face alone, he was quite elderly, but his body was not.
His massive frame was packed with muscle, and in his hand he gripped a hammer the size of my head.
The old man then trudged forward and stood before Dang Gyeong-ak.
“I greet the Lord of the Clan.”
I lowered my head and offered a proper bow.
Seeing this, Dang Gyeong-ak also lowered his head and bowed respectfully.
The Lord of the Clan bowed his head in return.
Watching him, I calculated silently in my mind.
‘A figure worthy of receiving proper courtesy even within the Dang Clan.’
And the location where we stood was Cheogang.
Recalling this detail, I discerned the old man’s identity.
“I am—”
Before the old man could introduce himself, I spoke first.
“I greet the Lord of Cheogang.”
“Hmm?”
Having spoken first, the old man turned his gaze toward me.
“You are Elder Dang Jichul, the Lord of Cheogang, are you not?”
The old man’s true identity was none other than the Lord of Cheogang.
Dang Jichul could be considered the true wielder of authority in the current Cheogang.
Beyond the three supreme-grade weapons that Dokjon had crafted,
he was also the craftsman who created the supreme-grade sword used by the current sect leader of Mudang, one of the Nine Sects.
The creator of the Songmun blade.
‘…It would not be an exaggeration to say that nearly all gold-grade weapons are now forged by his hands.’
After Dokjon’s death, he was nearly the sole craftsman with the potential to create supreme-grade weapons.
That craftsman was Dang Jichul, the current Lord of Cheogang.
“Oho.”
Dang Jichul regarded me with evident interest.
“So you know of me.”
“How could one who wields a blade not know of you, Elder?”
To be honest, I had only recently learned of him, but I had made it a point to memorize all the important figures in this place before coming to the Dang Clan.
“Hehehehe. Is that so?”
Perhaps my effort bore fruit, for Dang Jichul chuckled with evident pleasure.
Then, keeping his narrow eyes open, he looked at me and asked.
“Are you the one? The successor of Elder Yoo, as they say?”
“…Yes, that’s correct.”
The phrase “Elder Yoo” was a new term I heard for the first time.
[This old fellow has aged quite a bit.]
Yoo Cheon-gil, observing whether they truly knew each other, clicked his tongue with a hint of regret as he watched Dang Jichul.
“I see. Indeed….”
At my words, Dang Jichul nodded his head. Observing this, I felt a peculiar sensation wash over me.
‘Does he believe me?’
Normally, someone like him would regard me with skepticism—questioning why I would be the successor of the Sword Saint—but Dang Jichul did not seem to do so.
This felt somewhat unexpected.
As I found this curious, Dang Jichul, who had turned around to speak, said:
“Then I shall guide you. Come along.”
Dang Jichul spoke as he turned back.
“Only you young man should follow. The rest of you, feel free to look around the area.”
His finger pointed at Cheon Euijin and Do-hyeong.
The moment Cheon Euijin and Do-hyeong heard this and tried to react simultaneously.
“We have matters concerning Manwol’s repairs and the Elder Geomseong to discuss, so I hope you understand.”
Dang Gyeong-ak added his words. Only after hearing this did the two men stop in their tracks.
It was certainly a reason they couldn’t refuse.
Having come this far, I had only one thing to say to them.
“…Then I’ll be back shortly.”
I said I would return shortly, then followed Dang Jichul who was leading the way.
After walking a short distance, we arrived before a massive gate within Cheogang.
Dang Jichul stood before it and grasped the door handle, pulling it open with all his strength.
Creeeeak—!!
A loud sound echoed as the door opened.
From the slightly opened gap, an incredible chill emanated.
As the door fully opened, Dang Jichul and Dang Gyeong-ak entered inside.
I too stepped into the interior shortly after.
‘…Phew.’
The moment I entered, I exhaled in relief.
I had nearly been drenched in sweat, but the interior was refreshingly cool.
Relieved, I surveyed my surroundings with my eyes.
‘What is this place?’
What purpose did this place serve? Unlike Cheogang, which had been radiating tremendous heat until moments ago, such a cold place existed here.
Moreover.
‘That’s Manwol.’
At the center of the Cryogenic Chamber, a table was elevated, and upon it lay the broken sword—Yoo Cheon-gil’s treasured blade.
Manwol rested there.
‘Why did they place it here?’
What was the reason for deliberately placing it here if they intended to repair it?
As I examined it quietly.
“Lord of the Clan, is one season sufficient?”
Dang Jichul asked Dang Gyeong-ak.
“Yes.”
“Then it will take between ten days at the shortest and half a month at the longest.”
Dang Jichul responded indifferently and approached Manwol.
Hearing this, I recalled a fact I had forgotten.
‘That’s right, it was made from cold iron.’
Cold iron—incomparable to ordinary steel.
Since Manwol was crafted from such precious Cold Iron, it naturally would require Cold Iron for repairs as well.
‘Did he step forward so readily to offer repairs in such circumstances?’
Thinking about it that way, it was truly remarkable.
Cold Iron that could no longer be obtained even with money—such a precious material.
‘Even if Cheonwol Gate covered the payment….’
I wondered how much they could have possibly paid.
What was even more surprising was that he had accepted it as a commission.
As I grasped this and quietly observed Manwol.
“Bang Disciple.”
Dang Gyeong-ak addressed me.
“The Dang Clan plans to begin repairs on Manwol as commissioned by Cheonwol Gate.”
“Yes, I understand.”
It was something I had already heard, and not a matter worth dwelling on deeply.
The reason being.
“However, I have something different to discuss with you, Bang Disciple.”
I already knew that Dang Gyeong-ak had something else to say to me.
His previous words were merely groundwork to lead into the main topic.
“You wish to speak with me?”
I replied as if I didn’t know, and then.
“This is a commission not for a martial artist of Cheonwol Gate, but for the successor of the Sword Saint.”
Dang Gyeong-ak spoke to me with his characteristic expressionless face.
“I have a commission regarding the late Lord of the Clan’s secret vault. Furthermore.”
“….”
I was not particularly surprised.
I had already anticipated something like this would happen.
However.
“Should you accept the commission and resolve it, I will grant you one Special-grade martial artifact from within the vault.”
“…What?”
I had to be utterly shocked by the words that followed. He would give me a Special-grade martial artifact from inside if I resolved the commission?
It was a proposal that made my spine tingle just hearing it.
“Heh.”
So I responded directly to Dang Gyeong-ak.
“I refuse.”
“…Then, the commission…? What?”
At my answer, the already cold atmosphere of the room grew even more frigid.

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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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