The World’s Greatest is Dead

The Iron Workshop.

It was a place within the Tang family where blacksmiths gathered, and many said, “The Tang family exists because of the Iron Workshop.”

It occupied such an important part of the Tang family.

It couldn’t be helped.

Most of the famed swords forged in the Central Plains were made at the Iron Workshop. Not only swords but also other weapons made by them were difficult to obtain in the Central Plains, no matter how much money one had.

Weapons produced in the Iron Workshop were classified into four grades: Copper, Silver, Gold, and Special. Even the lowest copper grade was highly valued if it was known to be made in the Iron Workshop. The silver grade was called a masterpiece, and the gold grade weapons were considered extraordinary possessions, often used as prizes in special festivals like the Murim Alliance’s Dragon Phoenix Tournament. Beyond that, if a weapon reached the special grade beyond gold, “It was truly called a divine weapon.”

It was said to be a weapon that could only be crafted by reaching heaven.

Thus, they were called divine weapons.

Martial artists diligently trained to hone their skills, yet they often harbored a considerable desire for their weapons. In this manner, weapons made by the Tang family were also a form of certification.

A way to prove one’s worth was holding a weapon of this caliber.

Therefore, weapons made in the Iron Workshop held a sense of admiration among martial artists.

“……Wow.”

In such a situation, I couldn’t help but be amazed at the sight before me.

“I can’t believe I actually got to see this place in my lifetime…”

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Rough sounds continuously struck my ears, and a thick metallic scent filled my nose.

It was different from the scent of fish or the smell of blood.

It was the unique scent of iron. The feeling was overwhelming.

And that wasn’t all.

“Strike harder!”

“Focus! Use your strength properly!”

The space was filled with the smell of iron, sweat, and steam the further one went inside.

These uneasy smells.

However, if someone understood the significance of this place, they could never dislike it.

“……This is the Iron Workshop.”

I had now entered the Iron Workshop.

This place was top-secret even among the Tang family and a place of extreme interest for every martial artist.

It was natural.

For a martial artist, the Iron Workshop was perhaps a dreamland.

“Pour!”

“Keep hammering without a break!”

The place was filled with people with somewhat tanned skin.

Everyone was holding something in their hands, busily working on something.

I didn’t know the details, but I knew it was related to metallurgy.

“Are all these people craftsmen?”

People who had dedicated their lives to crafting weapons.

The reason the Iron Workshop existed and the most crucial element for its maintenance.

They were craftsmen.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Everyone was tirelessly hammering away at something, repeating actions I didn’t quite understand.

“It’s hot.”

I fanned my clothes with my hand. The heat was so intense, sweat began to pour out just from standing still.

“How are the others enduring this?”

I looked around at the other martial artists.

Unlike me, with sweat flowing down the back of my neck, they all seemed strangely fine.

What? Why are they all so fine?

Am I the only one affected by the heat?

Why do they all look so dry?

Unable to understand, I stared blankly at them.

『You can control it with your Qi.』

Yu Chun-gil, who was yawning behind me, explained.

『If you cover your body with a thin layer of Qi to block the heat, it’s bearable.』

“…….”

I squinted at him as I listened.

……Was there such a method? No wonder Chun Uijin and Do Hyung seemed fine next to me…

‘……A thin layer of what?’

Even trying to understand was difficult.

To wrap your body with a thin layer of Qi?

I couldn’t grasp the concept just from hearing it.

So, I simply stood still.

Sweat flowed increasingly more.

『Are you okay? You’ll dry up soon, haha.』

As sweat began pouring like rain, Yu Chun-gil looked at me and said, indeed, I felt like I was going to die.

“But, what choice did I have?”

Right now, pretending to be fine was the best option.

The problem was.

“…Young master Bang? Are you alright?”

Pretending to be fine didn’t actually make me look fine.

The sweat pouring down on me would have seemed strange to anyone.

Thus, Chun Uijin asked me with a look of concern.

“Ah, yes, I’m alright.”

I wasn’t, but I said I was alright anyway.

“But…”

Of course, Chun Uijin didn’t believe me.

It wasn’t just him. Others were also looking at me strangely.

They all seemed to wonder why I wasn’t using my energy.

Feeling this, I swore a hundred times inside.

‘I want to use it too.’

Did they think I wasn’t using it on purpose?

If only I knew how to use it, I would have done so immediately.

Otherwise, I felt like I was going to faint, but I had no choice but to endure.

Should I make some excuse?

After contemplating briefly, I spoke.

“Don’t worry about it. I came to the forge to directly feel its unique heat and passion.”

It was nonsense. Even I would think, ‘What is this crazy guy talking about?’

“……”

Clang- clang… Right after I spoke.

The previously noisy hammering sounds suddenly stopped. And then.

‘What now?’

The surrounding artisans all stared at me.

With quite intense gazes.

What was this uncomfortable silence?

I swallowed dryly without realizing and looked around.

The artisans who had been staring at me started working again, as if they had coordinated this beforehand.

Clang-! Clang, clang! Clang!

As if nothing had happened.

What was this?

I stood still with a stunned expression in this subtle situation.

“A young man who knows how to show respect.”

Someone appeared cutting through the hot air. A white-haired old man, drenched in sweat.

I squinted my eyes as I looked at the old man.

‘… What’s with his body?’

His face made him look quite old, but his body wasn’t like that.

Filled with muscles, he was gripping a hammer as big as my head.

After walking over, the old man stood in front of Tang Gyung-ak.

“I greet the family head.”

The old man bowed his head in respect.

Seeing this, Tang Gyung-ak also bowed his head.

The head of the family bowed his head.

I calculated in my mind as I witnessed this.

‘Someone who the Tang Family Head would show such respect to within the Tang family.’

And we were at the forge.

Connecting the dots, I identified the old man.

“I am-”

Before the old man could introduce himself, I stepped forward to speak.

“I greet the Master of the Forge.”

“Hmm?”

The old man looked at me as I spoke first.

“You are Master Tang Jichul, right?”

The old man’s identity was the Master of the Forge.

The Master of the Forge essentially had real authority over the forge.

Besides the three special-grade swords made by the Poison Sovereign

He also crafted the special-grade sword used by the head of the Wudang Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects.

‘… It’s not an exaggeration to say that all current golden-grade weapons are made by him.’

He was almost the only remaining artisan who could craft special-grade weapons after the Poison Sovereign’s death.

The current Master of the Forge was Tang Jichul.

“Oh-ho.”

Tang Jichul looked at me with interest.

“It seems you know of me.”

“How could someone who uses swords not know you?”

To be honest, I didn’t know until a while ago, but I had memorized the important figures here before coming to the Tang family.

“Hohoho. Is that so.”

Did my effort pay off? Tang Jichul laughed with satisfaction.

Then he opened his sharp eyes and looked at me as he asked, “Are you the one they say is Brother Yu’s disciple?”

“… That’s right.”

Brother Yu, it was a new term to me.

『This guy has aged a lot too.』

Yu Chun-gil smacked his lips in regret, as if he truly knew Tang Jichul.

“Really… I see.”

Tang Jichul nodded at my words. Seeing that, I felt a peculiar sensation.

‘Does he trust me?’

Usually, people would look at me wondering why someone like me inherited the Sword Saint’s legacy, but Tang Jichul did not seem that way.

It struck me as somewhat surprising.

While I found this fascinating, I heard Tang Jichul speak as he turned around.

“Then, follow me. Oh.”

He continued as he turned back to speak.

“Only the young man follow me; the rest of you can take in the sights around here.”

He pointed at Chun Uijin and Do Hyung with his finger.

Just as Chun Uijin and Do Hyung were about to react simultaneously.

“We need to discuss the repair of Full Moon and matters concerning the Sword Saint, so I ask for your understanding.”

Tang Jichul added. Hearing his words, the two stopped in their tracks.

It was indeed a reason hard to refuse.

Now that I had come this far, there was only one thing I could say to them.

“… I’ll be back soon.”

After stating that I would return shortly, I followed Tang Jichul who was leading the way.

After walking a bit, we arrived at a large door within the ironworks. Tang Jichul stood before the door, grabbed the handle, and opened it with force.

Creak-!!

A loud noise accompanied the opening of the door.

An intense cold air emanated from the slightly ajar door.

Once the door was fully opened, Tang Jichul and Tang Gyun-ak stepped inside.

I followed them inside shortly after.

‘… Phew.’

As soon as I entered, I let out a sigh of relief.

I had been sweating profusely, but the interior was quite cold, much to my relief.

While feeling relieved, I examined the surroundings with my eyes.

‘What kind of place is this?’

What is this place? Unlike the ironworks that had been emitting immense heat until just now, it was freezing cold here.

Moreover, ‘That’s Full Moon.’

At the center of the cold room stood a table, and atop it was a broken sword, the cherished weapon of Yu Chun-gil.

Full Moon lay upon the table.

‘Why is it placed here?’

What was the reason for placing it here under the pretext of repairing it?

As I quietly observed it.

“Master, is Cold Iron enough?”

Tang Jichul asked Tang Gyun-ak.

“Yes.”

“Then it will take ten days at the shortest, fifteen at the longest.”

Tang Jichul replied nonchalantly as he approached Full Moon.

Hearing that, I was reminded of a fact I had forgotten.

‘Right, it was made with Cold Iron.’

It was Cold Iron, an incomparable material to ordinary iron.

Considering Full Moon was made with Cold Iron, it would naturally require Cold Iron for repairs as well.

‘Agreeing to repair it under such circumstances?’

Thinking so, it seemed incredible.

Cold Iron, which could no longer be bought with money.

‘Even if the Blue Moon Sect paid for it…’

I wondered how much they paid, thinking it wouldn’t be much.

It was also intriguing that they took on such a request.

As I grasped this and kept watching Full Moon quietly.

“Young master Bang.”

Tang Gyun-ak called out to me.

“The Tang Family is planning to start the repair of Full Moon as per Blue Moon Sect’s request.”

“Yes, I understand.”

It was something I had already heard and wasn’t a topic worth deeply pondering.

Because.

“I also have a request to make to Young master Bang, apart from this.”

I knew that Tang Gyun-ak had something else to discuss with me.

The previous statement was just a setup to get to the main topic.

“You have a request for me?”

Feigning ignorance, I responded, and then.

“This is a request not for a member of the Blue Moon Sect but for the Sword Saint’s successor.”

Tang Gyun-ak said to me with his characteristic expressionless face.

“We have a request concerning the records of the former master. Additionally.”

“…”

I wasn’t too surprised.

I had somewhat expected this.

However, “If you accept and fulfill the request, we will give you a special grade weapon stored within the records.”

“… What?”

I was dumbstruck by the following proposal. To offer a special grade weapon as a reward for fulfilling the request?

Just hearing it gave me chills.

“Huh.”

I immediately spoke to Tang Gyun-ak.

“No.”

“… Then, the request… Huh?”

The atmosphere in the cold room grew even colder following my response.