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Chapter 101. The Entire World is My Home (22)

Having just arrived, he had gone straight to the smithy with Tang Yu-Ryeon, whom he had always had his eye on.

However, the first person he saw other than Tang Yu-Ryeon was Woo-Moon!

Jeong-Woo and Baek Ryeong were shocked for a moment, then rightfully pissed.

“Xiahou Jinxian! Have you gone insane?”

“Xiahou Jinxian! As a fellow member of an Ancient Family, I never thought you’d swear at someone like this! Aren’t you embarrassed? Moreover, to think you dare to talk like this to my uncle, the representative of our family!”

Next, Namgoong Sung stepped in front of Woo-Moon and spoke calmly.

“You’re speaking too harshly to my hyung-nim and the Representative of the Three Great Sword Families.”

Also completely offended, Baekri Yeong-Woon was the next to walk up, although with a hesitating gait unbefitting of the talent of a prestigious family. He stood between Woo-Moon and Xiahou Jinxian.

“How dare you speak so rudely to my hyung-nim?”

Namgoong Sung and Baekri Yeong-Woon were talents that represented the Namgoong and Baekri Families. Considering his status, Xiahou Jinxian had also met them many times in the past and had a particularly bad relationship with Baekri Yeong-Woon, who had a... difficult personality.

In any case, neither was by any means weaker than Xiahou Jinxian in terms of martial arts. Moreover, it was impossible for him to ignore their backgrounds—they were both members of the Eight Great Ancient Families, so their statuses were perfectly comparable to his own.

‘W-what the hell are these bastards on about? That insane bastard is supposed to be the Representative of the Three Great Sword Families? And they call him hyung-nim?!’

From Xiahou Jinxian’s perspective, Woo-Moon was nothing more than some stranger who appeared out of nowhere and destroyed the Inksmoke Gang, preventing him from having any chance to show off his prowess. To make matters worse, Woo-Moon had even used some unscrupulous means during their spar to knock him out!

Moreover, Woo-Moon had even told him that his master had existed before the Three Kingdoms period. Thus, it wasn’t unreasonable for Xiahou Jinxian to think of Woo-Moon as a crazy person. From his perspective, it was more than reasonable.

Xiahou Jinxian sent a voice transmission to one of his juniors in the Xiahou Family.

—What the hell is going on? Just who is that crazy bastard?

The other members of the Xiahou Family knew who Woo-Moon was, as they had all arrived in time to participate in the inauguration ceremony.

—He’s the grandson of the Palm Martial Emperor. He showed up not too long ago and used his grandfather’s reputation to become the representative of not only the Baek Family but also the Three Great Sword Families. Apparently, he’s not even a part of the Baek Family, as his name is Song Woo-Moon, not Baek Woo-Moon.

Their explanation was filled with ridicule against the Baek Family, looking down upon them for having someone not from their family as their representative.

Xiahou Jinxian had also heard rumors about Woo-Moon before. It was just that he never would’ve dreamed that the crazy bastard he knew was the same Woo-Moon from the rumors.

Of course, it makes sense. It has to be someone on the level of the Palm Martial Emperor’s grandson to pull off a trick like that. He must have tricked me back then, too. This dog bastard.’

Still, things were starting to make sense for Xiahou Jinxian.

Now that he knew that there was the great Palm Martial Emperor serving as the halo behind Woo-Moon, he began to sincerely doubt that his loss at that time had been actually due to his skills.

‘No, I have to be reserved because it seems like Namgoong Sung and Baekri Yeong-Woon are both supporting him. Yes, it’s best to stay away from a crazy dog!’

he thought to himself. Then, he cupped his fist and spoke with the utmost courtesy that he could manage as an heir of a prestigious family.

“My name is Xiahou Jinxian of the Xiahou Family. I apologize. I embarrassed myself because he looked similar to someone I used to know. Please forgive my misstep.”

Xiahou Jinxian seemed to want to move on a positive note with his apology.

As for Woo-Moon, he just wanted to hurry up and go make a new sword. Therefore, he calmed down any desire for a new fight and also cupped his fist in return.

“My name is Song Woo-Moon of the Iron Sword Baek Family. It’s fine, Young Hero Xiahou. I was also surprised as you reminded me of a particularly weak person who fainted from a single blow. Hoho, this really must be fate for us to remind each other of a different person. But the person I’m thinking of definitely can’t be you, Young Hero Xiahou. After all, you definitely aren’t that weak, right?”

Woo-Moon drove a stake into Xiahou Jinxian’s heart with every word. However, Xiahou Jinxian had no choice but to hold himself back, as he had been the first one to break courtesy, calling Woo-Moon a crazy bastard.

As a vein throbbed on his forehead, Xiahou Jinxian laughed through his teeth.

“Hahaha. Thank you for your concern, but don’t worry, I’m quite sturdy and I can take a hit,” Xiahou Jinxian said. He then stealthily took a look at the Poisonous Blood Flower Tang Yu-Ryeon, just to be surprised once again.

‘What sort of shit is this? Why are you looking at Woo-Moon with such interest?’

Possibly because he had been the Wind Sword Squadron Captain for so long and done so many missions in the outside world, compared to the talents of the other Eight Great Ancient Families, Xiahou Jinxian was more brusque in both temperament and words.

He was truly resentful of heaven’s bias, as he had no choice but to admit that his appearance was inferior to Woo-Moon’s. Seeing Tang Yu-Ryeon looking at Woo-Moon with interest, his entitled rage seemed to almost exude from his eyes.

“Now, Young Lady Tang, Let’s go get you a new sword.”

“Oh, that’s right, Young Hero Xiahou.”

Fortunately, Tang Yu-Ryeon’s interest in Woo-Moon seemed to go only so far, as she easily took her eyes off and followed Xiahou Jinxian further into the smithy.

As Xiahou Jinxian perused the swords for one to buy for Tang Yu-Ryeon, he also kept an eye on Woo-Moon.

“I asked you what brought you here. Are you going to buy a weapon?” the smith bluntly asked. However, Woo-Moon just shook his head.

“No. Although I need a sword, I don’t want to buy it. If you would let me borrow your forge, I’d like to forge it myself.”

The smith could have never expected Woo-Moon’s response—no, this was the first time he had ever heard someone ask such a request while working at the smithy of the Justice Coalition. He just couldn’t believe his ears.

It was the same for the talents of the Three Great Sword Families who followed Woo-Moon, as well as the secretly paying attention Xiahou Jinxian and Tang Yu-Ryeon.

“Wow, hyung-nim, are you serious right now?”

“Uncle! Do you really plan on forging it yourself?”

Xiahou Jinxian snorted.

‘Hmpf, crazy bastard. As expected, a crazy bastard is always a crazy bastard. What? Forge your sword yourself? Does he think smithing is a joke or something? You insane lunatic.’

Everyone had the same type of reaction to Woo-Moon. The smith’s expression furrowed as if he thought that Woo-Moon was looking down on him and the blacksmith trade.

“While I heard you were a young master of the Iron Sword Baek Family, did you really think that smithing is easy? Stop talking nonsense and just pick a sword.”

“I wasn’t joking. I really meant it. I would like to forge a sword. I humbly request to use your forge.”

As Woo-Moon pressed his request, the smith began to think that Xiahou Jinxian’s earlier characterization of Woo-Moon as a crazy bastard was correct.

“Hmpf, what a strange young master. Fine, just wait. I’m going to go talk to the head smith.”

The smith went further into the smithy and returned after some time with a stout man in his late fifties.

“This is him, head smith.”

Go Jin-Cheong was the leader of the Justice Coalition’s smithy. He was a smith of such caliber that if he were to claim he was the second-best smith in the Central Plains, it would be difficult for anyone to declare themselves first.

He looked over at Woo-Moon, and the moment his gaze fell on the young man, Woo-Moon suddenly felt as if his entire being had been pierced through by a sharp spike.

‘Isn’t this the same feeling as when an Absolute Master looks down upon you? How interesting. But, he definitely hasn’t learned any martial arts, so...how?’

As Woo-Moon inwardly admired him, Go Jin-Cheong began to speak.

“So you’re the one who wants to forge his sword himself?’

“Yes. I have some experience in forging.”

“It’ll be twenty taels for the materials and tools to rent. But if you end up having to buy a sword because you couldn’t forge one properly, you’ll have to pay an extra hundred silver taels. With that said, do you still want to try?”

It was no different from him just telling Woo-Moon to give up.

In total, there was a large sum of money, a hundred and twenty silver taels, at stake, and knowing that he didn’t have that much money, Jeong-Woo and Baek Ryeong assumed that he would refuse.

“Understood. For now, here are twenty taels.”

Woo-Moon’s answer was not only in agreement, but also extremely nonchalant, shocking everyone. Go Jin-Cheong took a second surprised look at Woo-Moon while Xiahou Jinxian sneered.

‘So that crazy bastard really wants to waste his money because of his pride!’

Baek Ryeong suddenly turned, eyes blazing, and glared at Woo-Moon.

“Uncle dear, I seem to remember that we’ve been through so much struggle because you didn’t have any money. May I kindly ask then, where did that money COME FROM?!”

“Huh? Oh, I picked this up on the street yesterday.”

Baek Ryeong scolded him again.

“Uncle! Be serious!”

Ignoring her, Woo-Moon handed Go Jin-Cheong the money.

“Where should I go?”

“Man Bo! Lend this young master your forge for a little while.”

“Huh? Why me?!”

“Are you talking back to me?”

“Cough, cough! N-never. Young master, please come this way.”

As Woo-Moon followed Man Bo to where he indicated, the assistant who aided the smiths ran over and handed the materials almost as if he were throwing them at him. He glared at Woo-Moon, thinking that Woo-Moon was looking down on the smithy he dreamed of working at.

However, Woo-Moon paid him no mind. He removed his top, revealing his well-toned, muscular upper body, and started working the bellows.

“Oh my.”

Baek Ryeong was flustered once again, and the eyes of the ladies present couldn’t help but dart across Woo-Moon’s body.

Woosh!

Hot flames erupted from the forge.

The smiths looked on in surprise as Woo-Moon continued to stoke the flames skillfully.

‘Oh? He isn’t doing that bad.’

Go Jin-Cheong nodded slightly.

As Woo-Moon continued to work the bellows and heat the iron, the surprise of the smiths continued to grow.

‘That’s... that’s not just some basic technique.’

On the other hand, this wasn’t the case for the talents. Although they knew that Woo-Moon was more skilled than they had initially thought, that was just the extent of their surprise. As they didn’t know much about smithing, none of them had grasped the magnitude of Woo-Moon’s skills.

Clang! Clang!

The smiths were shocked once again as Woo-Moon finally started hammering.

Instantly, all the nearby smiths gathered around Woo-Moon and observed carefully. It was only then that the talents realized something was unusual.

“Huh?”

“Is he actually forging properly right now?”

As Woo-Moon seemed to demonstrate an unexpected ability, Jeong-Woo and Baek Ryeong were taken aback, while a smile appeared on Namgoong Sung’s lips without him even realizing it.

‘W-what’s with that crazy bastard?’

On the other hand, Xiahou Jinxian could no longer pretend to be uninterested. He stopped perusing the swords and openly stared at Woo-Moon. Of course, the same was true for the other talents of the Xiahou Family and Tang Yu-Ryeon.

Woo-Moon plunged the billet into the forge, drew it out and struck it again and again, only stopping after dozens of blows.

He inspected the billet as the sword was taking shape before immediately putting the blade back into the forge and stoking the flames again.

It was time to repeat the process all over again.

‘I’ve warmed up properly. Now that I remembered the feeling, let’s forge properly!’

Woo-Moon formed a solid mental image of the sword he wanted as he began to converse with the iron.

Clang! Clang! Clang!!

His hammer moved continuously, humming a strange rhythm.

Baek Ryeong followed Woo-Moon’s movements with a blank expression as if she had been possessed by something. Her little face bobbed frantically in tempo with the hammer.

“Wow...!”

Before they knew it, Woo-Moon’s upper body was glistening with sweat. As someone with incredible cultivation, he wasn’t sweating because of the heat. Instead, the sweat naturally exuded from his body as he entered a state of extreme concentration.

The rhythm of Woo-Moon’s hammering seemed almost seductive; soon, the heads of both the talents and the smiths began to bob up and down like Baek Ryeong’s.

Clang!!

Go Jin-Cheong clenched his fist, and writhing muscles and tendons protruded from his massive forearm.

‘Unbelievable! He really is amazing. Although his actual hammering technique isn’t anything to write home about, the soul of his sword speaks to him and calls out with every blow. The sword soul is lighting the path ahead! Just how did he...’

It was only recently that Go Jin-Cheong himself could feel the soul of the metal in his hands and use it to guide his forging. Thus, he couldn’t help but be surprised to see the young Woo-Moon communing with the soul of the metal as well.

A sword soul was unique—it wasn’t something only a smith could feel during the forging process. Rather, anyone who was familiar enough with a sword to be chosen by it could feel it. Of course...that was only in theory. How many ever reached that level of familiarity?

In other words, Woo-Moon had a much greater advantage over others in communing with a sword soul as he wasn’t only a talented smith but also a talented swordsman.