Chapter 404: The Lazy One is Bored (4)
A dazzling white light.
As the old man drew the sword, a pure white light emitted, filling the room. It was a bright light that could blind one, but the old man did not close his eyes.
As the white light gradually subsided, the sword with its white blade was revealed.
The old man's pupils trembled as if there was an earthquake.
A shock.
After staring blankly at the sword for a long time, the old man turned to Wi Yeon-ho with eyes brimming with vitality.
"Where did you get this sword?"
"It belonged to my Master, and he told me to take it."
"…Huh."
The old man shook his head.
"You said you don't use divine artifacts!"
"Well, it's not a very sharp sword, though."
"It's not sharp?"
"Yes. It can't even peel fruit."
"Haha…"
The old man laughed as if in despair. He then raised a finger and lightly brushed against the blade.
"Indeed. It's dull."
"It's not sharp and it's heavy, making it quite bothersome. But I can't throw it away either."
"If you think of throwing it away, then give it to me."
"Uh, but…"
"No, I'll buy it from you. I will match whatever price you want."
"But it's my Master's heirloom. Well, it's a bit ambiguous to call it an heirloom, but I certainly won't sell it."
"I can offer you enough money to buy a whole city."
"Eh…"
Wi Yeon-ho's eyes widened like coins.
"That city is the one I know, right?"
"I'll give you enough money to buy all the land and buildings in Chengdu."
A look of distress spread across Wi Yeon-ho's face.
His Master's heirloom, his Master's heirloom, Baek Mu-han's heirloom…
'But isn't my Master's real heirloom the inner pill that's inside me?'
Was it not his Master who always warned against being attached to external possessions? He might disapprove of being obsessed with a sword like that…
'What am I even thinking right now?'
His Master was someone who had a complete mismatch between words and actions.
While he preached that obsession with appearances was a waste of time, he himself always wore dazzling silk clothes tailored sharply and groomed his beard daily.
He had accumulated enormous wealth, claiming that external possessions bore no meaning.
"It's just empty talk…"
"Hmm?"
"No, never mind."
Wi Yeon-ho waved his hand.
In any case, whenever he thought of his Master, it was impossible to produce a normal reaction.
"Even if you offered enough to buy a country, it's not something I can sell."
"Why not? You could sell it."
"Could you sell your father's memorial tablet for money?"
"…"
Seeing the old man unable to respond, Wi Yeon-ho nodded.
"That's how it is."
"Hmm…"
The old man nodded quietly. It was indeed not something that could be sold under such feelings.
However, the lingering feelings couldn't be ignored.
"I wish to ask you one thing…"
"Yes?"
The old man's face became far more solemn than before. For a moment, the aura he radiated even startled Wi Yeon-ho.
It was not martial power.
It was an aura of mastery not related to martial arts. It was a presence that could only be produced by someone who had dedicated their entire life to one field.
"Are you qualified to possess this sword?"
Faced with the serious question from the old man, Wi Yeon-ho looked quietly at him.
Their gazes clashed, each probing each other.
"No one in this world is more suited to that sword than I am."
"…Is that so?"
A straightforward answer. However, it was a more resolute response because of that.
A faint smile blossomed at the corners of the old man's mouth.
"Very well. I will sharpen the blade for you."
"No, you can't do that."
"Why not?"
"I tried to sharpen it, but… it wouldn't sharpen. Please don't waste your effort."
The old man did not erase his smile.
"Indeed. Sharpening this sword is no ordinary task."
The old man quietly gazed at the sword.
A luminous white light.
To the average person, it might just appear to be a strange sword glowing white. But to the old man, who dealt with metal all his life, it appeared entirely different.
'It has a rebound that is incomprehensible.'
If there were a term for a divine sword, it would be used for such a sword. It was a sword that could shake the old man's long-held values, which were based on creating sharper and stronger weapons.
If a third-rate martial artist wielded this sword, it would be inferior to a kitchen knife found on the street.
If a second-rate martial artist used this sword, it might be capable of cutting through the air, and if a first-rate martial artist used it, it would barely reach the level of an ordinary longsword.
But if an extreme master were to use this sword, it would transform into an unparalleled divine artifact, something that no one in the world could withstand.
Even in its current state, this sword was more than sufficient to be labeled as "absolute."
However…
'There's a sense of incongruity.'
Whether it was always like this or had developed over the years of use, there was a feeling that the final touch to complete this sword was missing.
The desire to perfect this divine artifact began to boil within his chest.
"Not for sale, huh…"
The old man's eyes grew cold.
The moment Wi Yeon-ho saw those eyes, he flinched.
'This old man!'
What arose in the old man's eyes was pure desire. Just as Wi Yeon-ho was about to speak, thinking that he might lose the sword, the old man spoke first.
"In that case, there's nothing to be done. I cannot forcibly take it from you."
The old man thumped the sword down on the table.
'Huh?'
Wi Yeon-ho was surprised by such common sense remarks.
The impression he had of the old man was one of a singular focus. Those who have devoted themselves to one path inevitably have such a personality. But to step back so neatly…
"However, I am also a craftsman. A craftsman has pride, so I cannot let this go as it is."
Of course.
Wi Yeon-ho sighed.
But the following words were something he never expected.
"Give me the opportunity to perfect this sword."
"What?"
With a bewildered reaction, the old man raised his hand and lightly brushed over the sword's surface.
"This is a useless sword."
"…Huh?"
Wi Yeon-ho tilted his head. Hadn't the old man just now looked entranced by the sword? Why was he changing his words now?
It's common for people to downplay an item to lower its price, but he didn't think the old man would do that. A craftsman is not a merchant.
"Why? Is its condition so bad?"
"This is a divine artifact."
"..."
"But it's also just trash that can't be called a sword."
Wi Yeon-ho gave up trying to interpret.
He could only wait for the old man to elaborate.
"This is not a sword made by a craftsman."
"That's likely true."
Because it was made by his Master.
His Master believed that once one reaches the level of martial arts, they can excel without much knowledge of other fields. This sword was a perfect example of that.
"Look. Did any craftsman create a sword like this? That's how extraordinary I am."
"It was made by someone who embellishes their own face."
"Hmm?"
"No, no, it's nothing."
Wi Yeon-ho began to take an interest in the old man's words. The old man's words were aligning with his Master's teachings.
"So you're saying this sword is incomplete?"
"It's not so much incomplete as it is fundamentally flawed from the very beginning."
"…That's a very persuasive statement. I can understand without needing to hear the reasons."
That was what his Master would say.
"This sword is perfect. But it's perfectly imperfect."
"What does that mean?"
"This sword takes on the form of a perfect sword. An ideal sword would be like this. However, a sword holds value only when it is wielded by a person."
Under the old man's powerful aura, Wi Yeon-ho found himself nodding unintentionally.
"True."
"Perfection is always different from reality. This sword may be a fantastic sword seen only in dreams, but a sword from a dream cannot be used in reality. A sword is not just powerful and sharp to be a good sword. A sword is ultimately an extension of the hand. The best sword can be said to be one that fits perfectly like an extension of my own hand."
"Uh…"
Wi Yeon-ho finally asked.
"So what should be done?"
"It's simple."
The old man flicked the tip of the sword with his finger. A clear and resonant sound echoed out.
"If it's wrong, it can be fixed. Leave it to me. I will give this sword a new life."
A hint of doubt crossed Wi Yeon-ho's eyes.
"Forgive my rudeness, but why should I trust you with this matter? You might ruin a perfectly fine sword."
Without a word, the old man sheathed the sword, then threw it towards Wi Yeon-ho.
'Has his pride been hurt?'
He expected the old man to say to leave it if he didn't want it, but the old man's reaction was again contrary to Wi Yeon-ho's expectations.
"Follow me."
The old man stood up abruptly, walking forward without checking if Wi Yeon-ho was following.
"Let's go together."
Wi Yeon-ho also jumped to his feet and began to follow the old man.
He didn't even understand why he was following the old man.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll know when you get there."
"But could you tell me where we're going…?"
The old man slightly frowned.
"You're rather impatient."
"I think it's better than being laid-back. If I handle things quickly, I can get more time to rest."
"Over there."
Paying little attention to Wi Yeon-ho's response, the old man pointed ahead.
"Huh?"
What Wi Yeon-ho saw was a large structure with bright lights streaming out.
"What is that?"
"In your terms, it's a forge. The Tang Clan calls it Longzhao (龙沼)."
"That's a strange name."
"I think so too."
At that moment, some people blocked their path.
"Old man."
Those dressed in the attire of the Tang Clan looked sternly at Wi Yeon-ho.
"As you know, this place is off-limits to outsiders…"
"Get out of the way."
"Old man, this is the clan's rule."
"I got it, so move aside."
"..."
"Or should I speak directly to the Clan Head?"
Upon hearing the term Clan Head, the eyes of the attendants flickered.
"…You may enter. However, we cannot overlook this matter."
"Do as you wish."
The old man waved his hand dismissively. The attendants bowed their heads and stepped back.
'Seems like he's a higher-up than I thought.'
To bring in an outsider while disregarding the clan's prohibitions implied he had almost the strength of the Clan Head.
Wi Yeon-ho pondered about the old man's true identity, but the old man seemed uninterested in his curiosity and strode confidently inside. Wi Yeon-ho felt himself drawn along as he entered the building after the old man.
As soon as he stepped through the wide-open door, a scorching heat hit him.
Wi Yeon-ho took a step back, feeling the heat prickling his face, but the old man walked in without hesitation, as if this was normal. Following him inside, an alternate world unfolded before them.
Furnaces spewing fire.
Furnaces lined up, belching flames, with molten metal flowing like a stream between them.
In front of the furnaces, shirtless men were hammering away, drenched in sweat.
Upon noticing the old man had entered, those working called out in unison, maintaining their stance.
"We greet the old man!"
The booming greeting merged with the heat, sending a tremor through Wi Yeon-ho's chest.