The number of warriors employed by the Yukga Ironworks was considerable.

It was not just that the number was large. Considering the fame and scale of the Yukga Ironworks, the level of the warriors was also unusual.

Because even the gatekeeper with sharp eyes guarding the main gate seemed to be at least at the first-rate level.

“What brings you here?”

When three people who looked like martial artists appeared, the gatekeeper blocked them with a wary gaze.

The people who could enter the Yukga Ironworks were fixed. The craftsmen who worked there, and the workers of the merchant group who were in charge of transporting goods.

Rather, most martial artists could not enter the ironworks.

Because they ordered and received weapons through the merchant group in charge of distribution.

It was a very unusual case to visit the ironworks directly.

The gatekeeper thought carefully.

‘Was there anyone scheduled to visit today?’

According to his memory, there was not.

In short, these people were not scheduled guests.

‘Except for one, they’re too young.’

The gatekeeper’s eyes became sharp.

Two of them were definitely young. A pair that looked good together, as if they were lovers. And the other one had a quite murderous face. Because the one-eyed face was full of scars, making it difficult to even make eye contact.

‘This doesn’t look easy.’

The gatekeeper raised his guard even more.

Sometimes, martial artists who did not know better would come and order weapons, and when they were rejected, they would cause a scene.

At those times, the hired warriors would solve it, but the gatekeeper did not have the confidence to beat all three of them right now. He didn’t know about the young pair, but he was reluctant to face that murderous face.

“I came to have a weapon repaired.”

“A repair, you say?”

The gatekeeper’s gaze flickered downwards.

He saw a broken sword at the young man’s waist.

“That’s right.”

“I’m sorry, but the Yukga Ironworks can only repair weapons that were made at the ironworks. By any chance, is the weapon you purchased from the ironworks before?”

At that, the young man’s expression changed strangely.

The gatekeeper had a hunch.

‘It’s not.’

How could such a shabby piece of junk have been made here?

It seemed like a young martial artist who had come after hearing a rumor, so the gatekeeper decided to send him back.

At that time, Cheon Mubaeck’s voice cut in.

“It’s not a weapon made here, but it has been serviced here several times.”

It has been serviced here before? The gatekeeper was cautious. Because it was tiring to get involved with martial artists. So he asked once more.

“…Yes? By any chance, what is your name?”

“Cheon Mubaeck of Henan.”

“Cheon Mubaeck…”

It was a somewhat familiar name. The name lingered in his mind, not unfamiliar.

Has he been here before? It’s a name I’ve heard at least once.

The gatekeeper, who had been thinking so carefully, his eyes suddenly widened and he shouted as if he were screaming.

“Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero! Are you Young Master Cheon, Cheon Mubaeck, the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero?”

“That’s right.”

“Th-this. P-please wait a moment. I-I’ll inform them inside.”

* * *

Cheon Mubaeck was able to enter the Yukga Ironworks.

Even if he did not have a reservation, it was difficult for even the Yukga Ironworks to ignore the fame of the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero.

Even so, the craftsmen’s attitude was not pleased.

A craftsman who was full of a tired look came out and said.

“I heard you came to have a weapon repaired. I have never taken care of the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero’s weapon…”

The craftsman’s expression showed that he did not care much about the fame of the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero.

Cheon Mubaeck smiled.

‘It’s no different from the old days.’

It was a middle-aged man with a somehow familiar face. He was not a person he knew in his memory. To be precise, he was similar to a face he knew.

He was either a direct blood descendant of the Yukga, or at least had inherited the bloodline.

Cheon Mubaeck slowly took out the Iron God Ancient Sword.

“This is…!”

The craftsman’s face, who had been looking at the Iron God Ancient Sword, changed completely.

The craftsman, who had been looking down at the sword for a long time, looked at Cheon Mubaeck with surprised eyes.

“Th-this is the Azure Sky Sword God’s Iron God Ancient Sword. Why do you have this? The grand head of the Zhuge family definitely had it?”

“I received it from him.”

“…You received it?”

The craftsman tilted his head with a face that was hard to understand, and then his expression gradually contorted in astonishment.

“Could it be…”

As the trembling gaze was transmitted, Cheon Mubaeck just kept his silence.

The craftsman let out a sound of ‘huh…’ as if air were escaping, rubbed his eyes, and said in a serious tone.

It was a serious attitude, different from the previous indifferent reaction.

“Then the grand head must have heard. This Iron God Ancient Sword is impossible even with the capabilities of the Yukga Ironworks. Not only is it made of meteorite iron, but although we have meteorite iron, it has exceeded the level where we can melt and mix the metal.”

“It’s impossible?”

“That’s right. The Iron God Ancient Sword is not a simple famous sword. The will contained in the sword has become clear over hundreds of years. Even if we melt and remake such a sword, it will only result in breaking and killing the sword. I’m sorry, but it’s impossible at our ironworks.”

“I would like to meet Master Yuk Seok.”

In an instant, the craftsman’s face trembled slightly.

Yuk Seok.

The former head of the Yukga Ironworks, and the number one craftsman who had been active during the Righteous-Demonic War.

And he was also the craftsman’s father.

The craftsman sighed deeply and shook his head.

“My father has retired. He doesn’t even have the strength to swing a hammer. Even if my father were in his prime, it would be impossible. If the blade were just damaged, it would be possible, but since it’s broken in half like this…”

“First, please deliver this letter to Master Yuk Seok. And show him this too.”

“This is…?”

“It’s the Sword Empress’s letter.”

“…!”

But the craftsman’s trembling gaze was not on the letter.

Although it was the Sword Empress’s letter, what was more surprising now was the dark-colored metal that came into view.

It was as black as if it had absorbed all the ink in the world.

The craftsman’s pupils, who had recognized what it was, trembled.

“It’s black meteorite iron. Please show it to Master Yuk Seok.”

“W-wait a moment!”

The craftsman, with his eyes turned upside down, jumped up and went inside.

“Things are going better than I thought.”

“That’s right.”

At Zhuge Seola’s words, Cheon Mubaeck also nodded his head slightly.

“Even if my dad came here, if he didn’t have a reservation, he would just have a cup of tea and go back.”

Zhuge Seola clicked her tongue and looked at Cheon Mubaeck.

Her gaze was full of admiration.

In fact, Zhuge Seola, who had been worried when he had said he would just go to the Yukga Ironworks, was newly impressed.

“What kind of brat! What kind of brat has such a precious thing!”

Soon, the Yukga Ironworks became noisy. The craftsmen who were working at their respective places stood up one by one and bowed their heads.

Well, they had no choice.

Because the one who had appeared was the retired legendary master, Yuk Seok.

A faint smile appeared on Cheon Mubaeck’s lips as he looked at Yuk Seok, who was approaching with an excited face.

‘Well. That old man, he’s living a long and healthy life.’

What? He doesn’t have the strength to hold a hammer?

It was a ridiculous story. Wasn’t he a monster who had smashed the heads of the demons who had invaded the ironworks with the hammer he was holding in his prime?

Unlike what the craftsman had said, Yuk Seok still looked healthy.

Although his physique had certainly shrunk compared to his younger days, and his arm muscles had also become weak, his sharp eyes were still the same.

Yuk Seok, who had stopped in front of Cheon Mubaeck, asked with a rough gaze.

“Are you the brat called the Heavenly Dragon Sword Hero? The Sword Empress gave you the black meteorite iron and sent you to me?”

Yuk Seok said so abruptly to Cheon Mubaeck.

Cheon Mubaeck answered leisurely.

“That’s right. She said that if it’s black meteorite iron, it would be possible to repair the Iron God Ancient Sword.”

“How can this be? Not only did Zhuge Seon, that guy, give you the Iron God Ancient Sword, but the Sword Empress also gave you the black meteorite iron? Could it be that you…”

Yuk Seok looked at Cheon Mubaeck with a meaningful gaze.

And suddenly, his body trembled.

A ripple occurred on Yuk Seok’s proud face. His eyes trembled violently.

‘Azure Sky Sword God…!’

That person’s gaze was like that.

At that time, in those days.

The sight of him coming out of nowhere and shouting to give him a good weapon because the martial artists were dying overlapped.

Although he had said firmly that he could not give a weapon to just anyone, as it was the pride of a craftsman.

At that time, he had seen the Azure Sky Sword God’s gaze. His expression. The cold scolding that was as sharp as a blade pierced his entire body.

‘Your trivial craftsman’s spirit is not more valuable than the lives of the martial artists who are fighting with me!’

‘Choose! Give me the weapon, or give me your life!’

The gaze that had glared at him as if to kill him while scolding.

Yuk Seok’s body trembled.

‘The owner of the Iron God Ancient Sword, then a descendant of the Azure Sky Sword God…!’

Yuk Seok opened his dry mouth.

“Show me the sword.”

Yuk Seok examined the Iron God Ancient Sword closely. It was still a mess, just as he had seen before.

But Yuk Seok clearly noticed the change.

‘The sword is breathing.’

It was different from before.

The cold sensation felt from the surface of the sword.

This sword was breathing. This metal was absorbing and exhaling the surrounding oxygen.

‘It means it has found its owner.’

A sword with a will.

A will that was created when a famous sword made by a master was assimilated with the user’s mental strength.

That’s why it could not be repaired or touched.

But Yuk Seok was greedy. He had wanted to handle this sword properly himself.

That was the greed of a craftsman, and his lifelong wish.

He could not do everything in the world as he wished. No metal could fix the will contained in this sword. He could not touch it.

But.

‘If it’s black meteorite iron…’

Yuk Seok’s trembling gaze landed on the black meteorite iron.

With that much, it would be more than enough. Yuk Seok swallowed dryly.

“I’ll do it. One month. In one month, I’ll fix it with all my strength.”

Yuk Seok’s eyes blazed.

The craftsman’s spirit of Yuk Seok, who had been waiting for his death, was revived.

“Then, how much will the price be?”

Yuk Seok snorted as if it were out of the question.

“A price? Hah! I don’t need it. How can I ask for a price when I’m handling black meteorite iron? I won’t accept that kind of wealth even if you give it to me. Because I have enough gold that won’t decrease even if I spend it lavishly for the rest of my life.”

At that, exclamations came from the crowd.

Even Neung-heo, who was pessimistic and cold-headed in all matters, was so impressed by the pure craftsman’s spirit that his mouth was agape.

Yuk Seok was inwardly satisfied with the gazes he felt from here and there.

But at Cheon Mubaeck’s following words, his body stiffened for a moment.

“Oh, is that so? Then while you’re at it, please make me a small dagger with the rest.”

“…”

Yuk Seok’s mouth was agape. Whether he was looking at him with a dumbfounded gaze or not, Cheon Mubaeck continued to speak calmly.

“When will I ever get to make something with such a precious metal? As expected, a master is different. To not care about wealth and to have only a pure desire. Wow.”

“…”

“Then I’ll assume you’ll make me a dagger too.”

“…Hah.”

He was at a loss for words. Only a hollow laugh came out.

“Then I’ll come back in a month.”

No, I didn’t even agree to it?

But Yuk Seok knew. Since he had already said it, how could he take it back?

‘No, but still. He’s using it like this? That shamelessness is just…’

Somehow…

‘Did the Azure Sky Sword God have a child without my knowledge?’

The shamelessness was the same.

Like the Azure Sky Sword God.

* * *

A month was not as long as he had expected.

Cheon Mubaeck was also a person who understood well how much time it took when craftsmen put their effort into it.

In the first place, the reason why he had sought out the Yukga Ironworks first was because he had planned to leave the Iron God Ancient Sword and solve the matter of the sacred object.

A month was enough.

“The work here is done, so let’s go right away.”

“Where is it? The place that Jongri Hong mentioned.”

“You didn’t know, uncle?”

When Zhuge Seola asked with wide eyes, Neung-heo’s face contorted strangely for a moment. Neung-heo glared at Cheon Mubaeck.

“No. You didn’t tell me, but you told Young Lady Zhuge? This is disappointing. We’ve been together for several years.”

“I didn’t tell her.”

Zhuge Seola cut in with a smile. Perhaps because she felt pleasure at Neung-heo’s disappointed appearance, her expression was full of a bright smile.

“I just guessed. Young Master, the place you’re going to is Qufu, right?”

Cheon Mubaeck slowly nodded his head.

Zhuge Seola’s guess was correct.

Qufu.

The reason why Zhuge Seola had guessed so was perhaps natural.

Because when Cheon Mubaeck had asked her to go to Shandong with him, he had asked her if she was also proficient in Confucianism.

If you connect Shandong and Confucianism, only one place comes out.

The birthplace of the Great Accomplished, Most Sage, King of Culture.

The place where his descendants resided.

“…You mean Qufu, where Confucius was born?”

Neung-heo’s voice trembled slightly.

Cheon Mubaeck nodded his head, thinking that the trembling was because he had not expected to go to Qufu.

Well.

He had not thought of it himself.

Why would the sacred object that Jongri Hong had mentioned be in Qufu, which was no different from the holy land of Confucianism?

But when he had read the fragment of emotion that had appeared on Jongri Hong’s face, it was an unmistakable truth.

“Yes. Qufu, to be precise, to the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu.”

To the place where the direct descendants of Confucius were.

(End of Chapter)

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep