Chapter 102
102
A short while later, I was sitting at a table covered in iron filings, being served tea.
"Here, here, drink up. It's old tea, but I can't not offer hospitality to a guest."
"Thank you, Master Jin."
"Master, my foot. Just call me Craftsman."
"Yes, Craftsman Jin."
As I politely replied and grasped the teacup, the old man laughed heartily and stroked his beard.
"Hahaha, to meet someone from the Tang Clan again before I die of old age. It's a day to commemorate."
"I'm not a blood relative, just a servant attending to the Young Master…"
"Either way, you're part of the Tang Clan household. I learned a little from a Tang elder, so I'm practically family with you, Miss."
It doesn't feel like it at all.
Surprisingly, the old man was someone who had received the Tang Clan's grace.
In his youth, he had worked in the Murim Alliance's iron workshop, carrying charcoal to be put into the furnace.
The old man's voice was filled with joy as he revealed that a Tang Clan elder had taught him the proper work of a craftsman.
So, he considered himself practically part of the Tang Clan family.
"How long has it been since I told this story…? Who would believe an old codger living in this remote mountain village if he talked about the Murim Alliance or the Tang Clan? They'd think, 'Has that old man gone senile?'"
"Ahaha, is that so."
I don't really believe it either.
The Tang Clan's metallurgy should be under airtight control, right?
Which eccentric elder would teach the work of a craftsman to an outsider?
If the Tang Clan Master Craftsman in the iron workshop found out, who would be thrown into an uproar even if a single item was missing.
Forcing an awkward agreement, I lowered my voice and whispered.
"Um, Elder. It's best not to talk about the Tang Clan anywhere else. Technology leaks are a sensitive issue."
"Oh, my, look at my mind. The Tang elder said that too. I forgot that my head would fly off."
There are things you can forget, but how can you forget something that puts your head on the line, old man?
Chuckling, the old man sipped his tea and asked.
"Does the Miss know the Tang elder? He had sharp eyes like this, and his tone was curt."
He seemed to hope that I knew his benefactor.
I couldn't bring myself to say that all Tang Clan people were like that, so I slowly shook my head.
"The Tang Clan Master Craftsman don't come out of the iron workshop often. I don't really know."
"So, they still don't leave the iron workshop all day. Haha. That's just like him. I hope he's doing well."
This old man only hears what he wants to hear. I said I don't know who he is.
Despite my flimsy excuse of being a servant attending to the Young Master, the old man didn't suspect me at all.
He was just busy reminiscing about his memories.
"When the Tang elder was working, no one was allowed to enter the iron workshop. But he tried to teach me anything that wasn't a Tang Clan Esoteric Skill. He always emphasized that people need skills to make a living."
"He was a good person."
"He had a good voice too. I can still vividly hear him shouting that my wrist would break if I held the hammer like that."
The old man's face was filled with longing as he chuckled.
"I wanted to become a Tang Clan Master Craftsman like him…"
He seemed to admire the nameless Tang Clan Master Craftsman.
As I smiled silently, the old man, composing himself, asked.
"But what brings the Tang Clan Young Master all the way to this remote Anhui? And after finding all the swords. Does the Tang Clan handle swords these days?"
"The Young Master is contemplating how to counter swordsmanship with the main family's Martial Arts Technique. He said he wanted to try using a sword himself and told me to buy a suitable one."
"He has a deep interest in martial arts. The Tang Clan's future is bright."
The old man, believing my roughly made-up excuse, nodded. Watching his expression, I cautiously brought up the topic.
"So, would you sell this sword to our Young Master?"
"I will."
"Please don't, think again… Huh?"
"Take it to the Miss's Young Master. It would be put to more meaningful use there than being buried in this backwater."
The old man replied readily. He seemed to have completely forgotten that he wouldn't sell it even for a thousand gold. Surprised by the unbelievable answer, I smiled brightly and asked again.
"Really? You'll sell it?"
"In the first place, it's an item entrusted by the Tang elder, so it's only right to give it to a direct descendant of the Tang Clan if they're looking for it, right? He said to give it to a suitable owner when one appeared, and it seems the owner has finally appeared."
"Thank you, Elder! The Young Master will be delighted too."
I grabbed the old man's wrinkled hands and shook them up and down.
Ugh, that elder of the family, whoever he is. I'll use it gratefully. This damn family, finally, a day when it's helpful.
The old man chuckled at my fuss and stood up.
"I don't have a proper scabbard, is that alright? I'll wrap it in cloth for you."
"Of course, it's alright!"
The old man soon brought a clean cotton cloth and wrapped the sword around it. It was meticulous work, but…
"Um, Elder. Do you perhaps have a basket or something to put it in? It seems too conspicuous like this."
It looked excessively suspicious.
Anyone can tell it's a sword. Everyone will stare if I carry something like this around.
Seeing my troubled expression, the old man took out a long basket from somewhere and pushed the sword into it.
"Will this do?"
"Yes. Thank you."
"Stick a few dry branches in too. It's better to look like you're carrying firewood."
The old man, giving advice, brought a handful of twigs. I stuck the twigs out of the basket so they protruded, then tied the opening.
The shape of the scabbard bulging out was still a concern, but it was much better than a bundle of cloth that anyone could tell was a sword.
"Elder, the payment…"
"What payment? It's an item entrusted by the Tang elder anyway. When you return to the Tang Clan, give him my regards. Tell him Jin has set up an iron workshop in Anhui."
The old man cut me off, waving his hand as if to say, what are you talking about?
I'm sorry, Elder. I can't deliver them…
My conscience pricked, and I couldn't bring myself to say I would. I subtly changed the subject.
"It's best to be sure about everything. If it's an item entrusted by the Tang Clan's elder, it doesn't seem like an amount I can settle on my own, so please put it on the account of Tang Woon, the Young Master of the Tang Clan. I'll make a rubbing of his identity plaque for you."
If it's Dang-un, he'll realize it's the message I left. He's not someone who would reveal my location, so I can trust him.
"Well, it's a matter for the superiors to decide, so the Miss can't just take it as she pleases. If that puts your mind at ease, then do so."
"Thank you for understanding, Elder."
I bowed my head and took out Dang-un's identity plaque, handing it to the old man.
"Oh my, to make a plaque out of this precious plum blossom jade. It seems the Tang Clan's wealth is truly enormous."
He received the plaque with trembling hands, as if the identity plaque of a direct descendant of the Tang Clan was burdensome.
Watching the old man carefully make a rubbing, I subtly asked.
"By the way… Why did the Tang elder entrust the sword to you?"
"He hid it because he said he'd be cursed by the family for a hundred years if it was known that he had obtained Cloud Iron and made a sword. He said Hidden Weapons are too small to be fun to forge."
"…Ah."
Yep. I see. That elder is definitely eccentric.
I became curious about the identity of the Tang Clan Master Craftsman who made the Cloud Iron Sword.
The old man, wiping Dang-un's identity plaque clean and returning it to me, smiled brightly.
"To touch the identity plaque of a direct descendant of the Tang Clan! This old man has one more thing to brag about."
I hurriedly opened my mouth at the statement that seemed like it would cause a big problem if I didn't keep him quiet.
"Um, Elder. Could you please keep today's events a secret?"
"Why is that?"
"Well, the Tang Clan researching swordsmanship is a matter of pride, so I hope it doesn't leak out. That's why the Young Master sent me on this errand."
"Ah, I see! This old man was short-sighted. Don't worry. I'll keep it a secret until I'm in my coffin."
The old man nodded with a solemn face. He was a person who readily agreed in many ways.
"Thank you for understanding, Elder."
"Understanding, my foot. It's only natural. The Young Master must be waiting. Go quickly."
"Yes. Oh, Elder. The blades of the iron swords in the box were all rusted, is it alright to leave them like that?"
As I slung the basket over my shoulder and asked, the old man replied as if it was nothing.
"That's how you keep the flies away."
"Pardon?"
"Agricultural tools are one thing, but even if a country bumpkin like me makes weapons well, it only invites harm. If rumors spread that the swords I make are terrible, I can live quietly, so I left them like that."
"Ah, I see."
I nodded in admiration at his wise measure. He seemed to value his connection with the Tang Clan, but he didn't seem to want to get deeply involved with the Martial Arts World.
"Then I'll be going now."
"Take care."
Leaving the iron workshop, I started walking towards the market. A joyful song naturally escaped my lips at the pleasure of obtaining a good item.
A sword made of Cloud Iron, no less. What a stroke of luck.
Yeon-ryang will be happy, right?
\ \ *
I bought a bag of medicinal herbs to make Gu Chong Hwan, and also bought Yeon-ryang's clothes and fabric.
Even though I chose the widest and largest clothes among the pre-made ones at the fabric store, it seemed like I would have to add a lot of fabric.
The pants would probably be more than a span too short… Yeon-ryang will sew them himself, I guess.
While muttering to myself and leaving the market, I saw my reflection in a hand mirror in front of a stall selling accessories.
With a basket on my shoulder and a bag of medicinal herbs and a large bundle of fabric, I looked like a mountain village girl who had come to the market to buy daily necessities.
…With such a perfect disguise, no one will suspect me.
Clicking my tongue and turning around, a large carriage slowly passed by me.
The carriage had a flag embroidered with cloud patterns, the symbol of the Namgung Family.
I followed the carriage's rear view with my eyes as if possessed.
The carriage, which had gone about three lengths, stopped in front of a two-story building, and a man who had run out of the building opened the carriage door.
At the same time, a child jumped out of the carriage.
The clothes, made of sky-blue silk with clouds embroidered in blue thread, were a familiar sight.
The face of a boy in my memories overlapped with the profile that was revealed for a moment.
Blinking blankly, I unknowingly muttered.
"Young Patriarch?"
