Chapter 14
Jianghu Debut! (2)
Before leaving for the Martial Alliance, Namgung Hyuk visited Songhwa Village, a village near the Namgung family estate.
Bang! Bang!
The sound of hammering came from the blacksmith shop. This was Jangga Ironworks, the forge exclusively supplying swords to the Namgung family.
“Excuse me.”
When Namgung Hyuk entered the heat-filled forge, the bronzed-skinned men engrossed in their work looked up. Among them, a giant man with a towel wrapped around his head approached him.
“What business brings you here?”
“I’ve come to make a sword.”
Upon hearing Namgung Hyuk’s purpose, the giant sized him up from head to toe. Then, as if realizing something, his face lit up in surprise.
“Could it be… Namgung Hyuk?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Haha! I had a feeling—it really is you.”
The giant’s words caught the attention of the others, who gathered around. They had heard rumors about an unprecedented winner at the Changgong Martial Contest.
“If we could craft a sword for you, it would be a great honor for Jangga Ironworks.”
Jang Chil-bo, the owner, warmly accepted the commission, showing his respect for Namgung Hyuk.
Namgung Hyuk unfastened the worn sword he had been using for years. It was the iron sword issued uniformly to the Namgung family’s warriors. Having served faithfully since it was first forged, it had reached the end of its lifespan after his Changgong Martial Contest victory.
‘I should replace it… but why do I feel so reluctant?’
In his previous life as Gong Si-woo, hunters only cared about performance, switching weapons frequently. But martial artists were different—they treated their weapons like extensions of themselves and often used them for life. Even with memories of his past life, living as a martial artist in this one made it hard to part with a well-worn sword.
“Fortunately, we have some fine iron in stock.”
Jang Chil-bo returned after a short absence, confidently displaying ore from a box. Even in the heat of the forge, a coolness seemed to emanate from the ore.
“This… is it…?”
“Unfortunately, it’s not the legendary Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron, but it’s extremely cold iron mined from the coldest regions.”
True to its name, the iron radiated cold naturally and was of the highest quality.
Namgung Hyuk asked, “Is it okay to make my sword from such precious iron?”
“Absolutely. The Namgung family will cover the cost, and if it’s a sword for a future hero like you, it’s not a waste at all.”
Jang Chil-bo answered with a hearty laugh. Namgung Hyuk nodded.
‘I don’t crave equipment like in my hunter days, but it’s better to wield a fine sword when I can.’
He had already received the funds needed from Namgung Do-ro, so there was no reason to hesitate.
“Then I leave it in your hands.”
“I’ll forge the finest sword I can.”
With that, he commissioned the sword and left the forge. His next stop was the village outskirts, at the Guanji Shrine. Around the shrine, beggars had built huts, surviving by scavenging from the village.
“Ah, what brings the young dragon of the Namgung family to such a humble place?”
Among them, a shabby-looking man, apparently their leader, scratched at his groin and greeted Namgung Hyuk. Three knots tied to his rope belt indicated he was the deputy of the Beggars’ Sect.
“I have a request for the Beggars’ Sect.”
“Cough! What sort of request?”
The Beggars’ Sect, though poor and weak in combat, had immense numbers and intelligence networks, enabling them to access even the Guipail faction.
“Investigate the death of my father, the Clearstream Swordsman Namgung Cheol.”
Since his encounter with Namgung Bi, Namgung Hyuk had been gathering clues about his father’s death, but information was scarce.
‘Since returning to the main estate with my mother as a baby, his movements have been too mysterious.’
Despite his fame in martial arts, he held no significant position in the family. But Namgung Hyuk remembered his father often leaving for days.
‘If I knew his final mission or who he was with, it would help uncover the truth.’
To get that information, he needed access to confidential family records. Even as the Changgong Martial Contest champion, he had no authority to view them. Hence, he requested the Beggars’ Sect.
“The death of the Clearstream Swordsman… I wasn’t here then, so I’ll need some time to gather information.”
Deputy Hong Jeok-gae replied, snorting. Namgung Hyuk pulled out a pouch of money—savings from his time in the family and travel funds from Namgung Do-ro.
“Will this be enough?”
“Oh yes, plenty!”
Hong Jeok-gae snatched the money, though half had to be returned immediately when he realized the young man’s greed.
By evening, Namgung Hyuk returned to his quarters, where Namgung Hwarin was waiting.
“Hyuk-oppa, is it true you’re going to the Martial Alliance?”
“Yes.”
Since it was no secret, he answered honestly. Hwarin frowned, asking again, “When will you leave?”
“As soon as the sword I commissioned is completed.”
Though he could afford to delay, he wanted to leave the stifling family atmosphere and enter the martial world as soon as possible.
“I wish we could stay together longer…”
“We can’t help it,” Hwarin replied reluctantly. Then, with a resolute look, she said, “I want to go to the Martial Alliance too, with you.”
“What?”
“Why not?”
“I… it’s not that, but…”
He couldn’t say no. Thinking of Hwarin’s father, Namgung Pae-gang, he knew the man would never approve. But Hwarin’s determination would likely overcome any opposition.
“Then I’ll look forward to seeing you at the Martial Alliance.”
“Yes!”
Hwarin finally smiled.
At dawn, Namgung Hyuk prepared a light pack and left his quarters. No one was around, and only Hwarin knew of his journey. With their farewell already done, he walked without regret. At his waist hung the new sword from Jangga Ironworks.
Soon, he reached the ridge, leaving the Namgung estate and seeing the landscape below.
‘Finally, I step into the world I’ve never experienced.’
If he hadn’t recalled his past life or awakened again, it would have been impossible. Grateful for his changed fate, he set off for Muhwan with vigor.
…but
Hoo-hoo.
“…”
After just one day, he got lost. In his previous life, Gong Si-woo had a flaw: a terrible sense of direction. Unfortunately, this flaw carried over.
‘I’ve always lived at the Namgung estate, so no wonder I didn’t know this.’
Though he followed a mountain path, he ended up in a dense, dark forest. In his past life, he could rely on a smartphone; now, he couldn’t.
“Better to camp and continue in the morning than wander blindly at night.”
While surveying his surroundings, he suddenly stopped, sensing a murderous aura directed at him.
‘This…?’
It was a primal, animalistic killing intent.
Roar!
A massive tiger leapt from the trees. Normally, he would have been helpless. But Namgung Hyuk moved with agility, faster than the tiger could reach him.
Hup!
He spun to dodge the fangs and struck the tiger’s flank with a concentrated punch. The force could have killed the tiger instantly.
“Surprised… stepping unknowingly into a tiger’s territory.”
He muttered calmly. Compared to monster attacks in dungeons, this was trivial.
‘Hmm, I barely used three-star internal energy, yet the impact is this strong.’
The Thunderclap Divine Fist he had trained to four-star in the “Room” proved powerful.
Licking his lips, he inspected the dead tiger.
“Can’t just leave it. Let’s see if any parts can fetch money.”
With his dagger, he skillfully skinned and butchered the tiger. His experience as a hunter’s assistant disassembling monsters proved useful.
He salted and roasted the meat over a fire he made.
“Tough, but not bad.”
After eating, he stood and surveyed the forest. He wouldn’t sleep outdoors; instead, he would train until sunrise.
‘On the way to Muhwan, I’ll practice all the martial arts I know from the estate.’
Since they were all advancement techniques, he had time to steadily improve, aiming for the results he desired.
