Fist Demon of Mount Hua ( Novel ) - Chapter 233
Chapter 233 – When the Wind Blows, the Era Moves (2)
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If you cross the Yangtze River that runs east to west through Anhui Province after descending Mount Huang, you’ll reach Tongling.
Tongling has long been famous as a major source of copper. Not only was it known for copper, but it also produced high-quality iron, which led to many renowned craftsmen and workshops settling there.
The weapons made in Tongling were highly regarded, drawing a constant stream of martial artists and merchants seeking to purchase them.
While Tongling was typically busy with visitors, the number of people doubled after the war with the Demonic Cult broke out.
War was a monster that devoured resources. With the enormous consumption of weapons, many martial arts sects were desperately seeking arms.
As a result, the forges and workshops in Tongling were experiencing an unexpected boom. This atmosphere was clearly reflected in the faces of people walking the streets.
Unlike people from other regions who were subdued by the war, the locals here walked with their shoulders held high and smiles on their faces.
Three people were riding horses through these streets of Tongling.
A man in black clothes riding a pure black horse, a young boy on a white horse, and lastly, a rugged-faced man on a yellow horse.
They were Dam-ho’s group who had left Mount Huang.
Bang Jin-bo looked around and said, “This place seems like a different world. Everywhere else is struggling to survive.”
“Where there’s shade, there’s also sunlight. While some suffer from war, others benefit from it. The people here are such a case.”
“The world is truly absurd.”
“Indeed it is.”
Muk Il-gwang nodded in agreement with Bang Jin-bo.
The sights they had seen on their way here were truly devastating.
The world was in chaos, fitting for the term ‘era of turmoil.’ Particularly after the Murim Alliance’s major defeat in Shouzhou, public sentiment had rapidly cooled.
People avoided going out and fled at the sight of martial artists. To ordinary people, martial artists had become like harbingers of disaster.
“We’ll rest here today.”
Bang Jin-bo and Muk Il-gwang brightened at Dam-ho’s words.
They had been riding for two days straight without rest. Though they were in a hurry, both people and horses needed rest.
Muk Il-gwang immediately secured rooms at the largest inn in the area. Money wasn’t an issue as they had brought plenty from the mountain stronghold.
With all of Tongling prospering, regular rooms were sold out. Thus, Muk Il-gwang had to pay extra for special rooms.
Muk Il-gwang gave additional money to the servant, asking for special care of their horses.
After entering the special room, Dam-ho said, “We’ll depart early tomorrow morning, so get plenty of rest.”
“Brother!”
Bang Jin-bo raised his hand high.
“Speak.”
“Can I go out for a while?”
“Why?”
“My sword is worn out and needs replacing. Since this place is famous for its forges, I’d like to get one now.”
“Can you go alone?”
“I’ll go with him. I have something to look into as well.”
Muk Il-gwang stepped forward at the right moment.
Dam-ho nodded. He could trust Muk Il-gwang.
With permission granted, Muk Il-gwang and Bang Jin-bo hurried outside.
The two headed to Daheung Street, known for its concentration of skilled craftsmen in Tongling.
As soon as they entered Daheung Street, the smell of burning metal assaulted their nostrils, and the powerful sound of hammering filled their ears.
The atmosphere was highly charged with merchants haggling at every weapons workshop. Bang Jin-bo couldn’t quite adjust to the street’s atmosphere.
“Sigh!”
Finally, Bang Jin-bo let out a sigh.
Muk Il-gwang looked at him and said, “Why the sigh?”
“Just… something feels unfair…”
“The world is inherently unfair.”
“What?”
“That’s just how the world is.”
“What do you mean?”
“If the world were fair, outlaws like us wouldn’t exist.”
His words left a lasting impression.
Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Muk Il-gwang forced a smile and said, “Let’s go in there.”
The place he pointed to was the largest and most luxurious workshop in Daheung Street. Naturally, it was crowded with people.
Bang Jin-bo nodded and followed Muk Il-gwang.
As soon as they entered, a clerk came to greet them.
“Welcome. What can I show you?”
“Do you have any kitchen knives?”
“Kitchen knives?”
“Yes, knives used in the kitchen.”
The clerk’s face crumpled like paper at Bang Jin-bo’s response.
“As you can see, our workshop only sells weapons like swords and blades. We don’t deal with kitchen knives.”
“What? But you have so many blades.”
“We’re primarily a weapons workshop. Making kitchen knives isn’t profitable. Most workshops around here are probably the same.”
“Then where can I buy a kitchen knife?”
After thinking for a moment, the clerk finally spoke.
“Try Song Family Workshop at the very end of Daheung Street. The owner there might make them.”
“Thank you.”
Bang Jin-bo bowed and left. His face was full of disappointment.
“No kitchen knives in a workshop. That’s the most basic thing.”
“Can’t be helped. Like they said, it’s not profitable.”
“Sigh!”
“Come on, let’s hurry since we know where they make them. We might not even find those if we’re late.”
“Yes!”
Bang Jin-bo moved along with his response.
His mouth felt rough, as if he’d swallowed sand.
Unlike other workshops, the Song Family Workshop was quite shabby. Perhaps because of this, there were hardly any customers.
“There they are.”
A bright smile spread across Bang Jin-bo’s face as he surveyed the workshop.
Unlike other workshops, Song Family Workshop displayed various kitchen tools, including kitchen knives.
Bang Jin-bo picked up a kitchen knife displayed at the front and examined it. Something about it caught his eye.
“This is good.”
He couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
It was clearly made by a skilled craftsman who had put his heart into it.
Though slightly heavy, it had good balance and a sharp edge.
Ting!
When he flicked the blade with his finger, a clear metallic sound rang out.
“Ho!”
Even Muk Il-gwang couldn’t hide his admiration.
He had internally underestimated the small workshop, but the craftsmanship of the kitchen knife was extraordinary.
Just then, two elderly men walked out from the back of the workshop. One appeared to be the workshop owner, and the other looked much older.
His face was covered in deep wrinkles, and his eyes were buried in sagging flesh, making it impossible to guess his exact age. He wore a very loose windbreaker that made strange clinking sounds when he moved.
The wrinkled old man glanced at Bang Jin-bo with a smile.
“Looks like you have a customer.”
“So it seems, sir.”
“What are you doing? Why aren’t you rushing to serve the customer?”
“Well, they’ll buy if they want to, and if not, they won’t.”
“Tsk! That’s why your business is dead. Look at the other workshops. Aren’t they all prospering?”
“I’m not far from death anyway, what good would more money do?”
The wrinkled old man chuckled at the blacksmith’s gruff response. His eyes were like those of someone looking at a cute grandson.
“You really have no manners…”
“Sir, you shouldn’t push yourself too hard. You’re not young anymore.”
“My joints already rattle when I move. But what can I do? With no one to take over, even this old body has to keep moving somehow.”
The wrinkled old man smiled.
Meanwhile, Bang Jin-bo and Muk Il-gwang felt something strange about the wrinkled old man.
Though they were in the same workshop, it felt as if the old man existed in a different world, breathing different air. A mysterious feeling and distance that seemed unreachable dominated their senses.
The wrinkled old man walked toward Bang Jin-bo, who stared at him blankly.
The wrinkled old man spoke to Bang Jin-bo.
“Boy, what’s your name?”
“B-Bang Jin-bo.”
“Jin-bo?”
“Yes!”
“Good name. Seeing how you chose that knife, you must be a cook by trade.”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
“That knife.”
“Yes?”
“Though it looks crude, he put his heart into making it. If used well, it’ll easily last several decades.”
“Thank you.”
Bang Jin-bo answered unconsciously. The wrinkled old man smiled, seemingly pleased with his response.
“That knife… may I see it for a moment?”
“Pardon?”
When Bang Jin-bo showed a confused expression, the old man reached out and took the kitchen knife.
The old man gently stroked the blade with two fingers.
Zing!
Suddenly, the knife rang out.
“B-blade resonance?”
Muk Il-gwang’s eyes widened in surprise.
The kitchen knife Bang Jin-bo had been holding was clearly well-made. However, it had clear limitations as a kitchen knife, made specifically for that purpose.
It shouldn’t have been capable of producing blade resonance. Yet it did so with just one touch from the old man.
‘Master…’
A look of tension appeared in Muk Il-gwang’s eyes. The blacksmith shook his head and said,
“Please stop, sir. You’re startling them.”
“Am I?”
“Sigh!”
At the blacksmith’s sigh, the wrinkled old man returned the knife to Bang Jin-bo, who blinked in confusion as he received it.
“Use it well.”
“Huh? Yes!”
The wrinkled old man patted Bang Jin-bo’s shoulder and walked toward the exit. Just before leaving, he turned to look at the blacksmith.
“Thank you. You kept your promise admirably.”
“Sir!”
“You’ve worked hard. Live the rest of your life for yourself now. Our connection ends here.”
The blacksmith’s eyes visibly wavered. The wrinkled old man left behind a noble smile before disappearing.
The blacksmith could only stare blankly at the doorway where the wrinkled old man had vanished.
After a moment, the blacksmith collected himself, straightened his clothes, and made a deep bow toward the door.
“Sir! May you achieve everything you desire.”
The blacksmith’s shoulders trembled as he kept his head to the ground.
Bang Jin-bo and Muk Il-gwang could only watch the scene in silence.
‘Who exactly was that old man?’
This thought occurred to both of them simultaneously. But the heavy atmosphere prevented them from daring to speak.
Finally, the blacksmith stood up. There were slight tears in his eyes.
After wiping his tears, the blacksmith looked at Bang Jin-bo and Muk Il-gwang.
“That knife… are you buying it?”
“Huh? Yes!”
“You’re lucky. To have received the final glimpse of the Wind Moon Emperor.”
“What do you mean?”
“Five taels.”
“Pardon?”
“The knife costs five silver taels. If you want it, pay five taels and take it.”
At the blacksmith’s words, Bang Jin-bo hurriedly took out five silver taels from his pocket and handed them over.
After receiving the silver, the blacksmith snorted and went inside. Left alone suddenly, Bang Jin-bo and Muk Il-gwang looked at each other.
It felt as if they had been bewitched by a ghost.
Though they wanted to ask the blacksmith more questions, they didn’t dare. They had to leave with just the kitchen knife.
“What just…”
Bang Jin-bo stared blankly at the kitchen knife in his hand.
A strange heat emanated from the hand holding the knife.
Woong!
He thought he heard blade resonance, like an auditory hallucination.
Bang Jin-bo returned to the inn where Dam-ho was staying, clutching the knife to his chest.
That day, the Song Family Workshop closed, and the blacksmith vanished without a trace.