Episode 302: Great Fortune
At Dang Mujin’s question, Hong Geolgae responded with a wide grin.
“A martial arts tournament? Oh, don’t even get me started. I’ve been dying to join…”
But just as he was about to continue, his instincts as a top-tier martial artist kicked in, sensing danger. It was the kind of intuition that told him if he took one more step, there’d be no turning back.
Just as he would desperately twist his body to deflect an opponent’s sword in a life-or-death duel, Hong Geolgae twisted his words with all his might.
”…Why would I? That’s ridiculous. Why would I enter a tournament meant for the younger generation?”
Dang Mujin hadn’t seen Hong Geolgae this serious in a long time. It seemed he was quite desperate.
Yet, something about Hong Geolgae’s tone caught Dang Mujin’s attention. The way he insisted he wasn’t part of the younger generation.
Somehow, Hong Geolgae had convinced himself he wasn’t one of them.
Dang Mujin asked again, “Why do you think you’re not part of the younger generation?”
“Why would I be? I’m one of the few masters in the orthodox martial world.”
“Skill and age are separate matters, aren’t they? Between a twenty-seven-year-old top-tier master and a sixty-year-old first-rate warrior, who do you think is closer to the younger generation? I’d say the former. There’s no issue with you entering a tournament meant for the younger generation.”
Instead of getting caught up in an argument, Hong Geolgae decided to draw Dang Mujin into his reasoning.
“Seems like you want me to join the tournament, but as your friend, I can’t do that. You told everyone we wouldn’t participate. If I join, it’ll damage your reputation, and by extension, the reputation of your family.”
“I don’t mind,” Dang Mujin replied plainly.
Hong Geolgae looked a bit dizzy at that response.
“How can you not mind… No, let me ask you this. Why should I join the tournament?”
“I want to make a sword for Namgung Myung, and since we’re here in Wuchang, I thought I’d use some good materials.”
”…You want to use my prize money to make him a sword?”
Hong Geolgae spoke as if winning was a foregone conclusion, and no one in the group contradicted him.
He protested, “Why should I earn the money for his sword? He should earn it himself. Besides, Namgung Myung makes good money, doesn’t he? He doesn’t even need to enter the tournament!”
Curious about how Namgung Myung made his money, the two doctors, Yang and Yeom, leaned in, ears perked.
As doctors who roamed the most dangerous and challenging places, Yang and Yeom weren’t exactly well-off.
Dang Mujin answered simply, “It’s bad luck.”
He was determined to make the sword, but he didn’t want to use ill-gotten gains. It just didn’t sit right with him.
Besides, even if Namgung Myung did steal, it was usually just small amounts. He wasn’t the type to steal a fortune for rare sword materials.
Dang Mujin asked again, “Why are you so against it? You said you wanted to do something like this once, to show off your skills and surprise everyone.”
Hong Geolgae, startled by Dang Mujin’s words, glanced at the two doctors and Seolhwa.
“When did I ever say that? Besides, it’s not even possible. Remember that guy… what was his name?”
“Eon Baek-gon?”
“Yeah, him. Remember how he recognized us?”
“He must have a wide network. Most people won’t know.”
Hong Geolgae frowned.
“If nothing had happened, maybe I would have considered it. But as I said, you already told everyone we wouldn’t enter the tournament.”
“So what? You can change your mind.”
”…If I enter the tournament now, you’ll look like a fool, and I’ll look even worse. Like a lunatic who insisted on joining despite his friend’s advice.”
Dang Mujin realized that Hong Geolgae, despite being part of the Beggars’ Sect, cared about others’ opinions.
‘He didn’t use to be like this.’
But he had a point.
A top-tier master entering a tournament just to show off, despite his friend’s advice? It would be disgraceful.
Namgung Myung interjected, “So, is there no other solution?”
In this situation, Namgung Myung was the most anxious. He worried about getting caught in the crossfire or ending up with a plain iron sword if they couldn’t gather the funds.
Hong Geolgae suggested an alternative.
“Dang Mujin, you make good money too. Why not make another sword and sell it? Even a plain iron sword from you would fetch a high price.”
“No. Who knows whose hands it might end up in?”
Dang Mujin had a rule when it came to making swords: he didn’t make them for just anyone. It wasn’t a rule he set from the start, but it naturally became one over time.
As a doctor who healed people and made medicine, the idea of making weapons for profit didn’t sit well with him.
For the same reason, he didn’t make swords lightly. He only gave them to those he deemed worthy.
With both options off the table, the conversation went in circles until Hong Geolgae spoke up.
“How much money do you have right now? Give me some seed money, and I’ll multiply it.”
He was suggesting gambling to earn the money.
It felt a bit risky, but it seemed like a borderline acceptable solution.
”…Wait a moment.”
Dang Mujin emptied his pouch. Out fell a small gold coin and a few silver ones. Not even enough for a boat fare.
If the silver was for staying at the inn, the only spare money was the gold coin.
In a flash, Hong Geolgae’s left hand snatched the gold coin.
He immediately used his movement technique.
“I’ll be back!”
With a confident expression, Hong Geolgae dashed out of the inn.
‘That old man. Wasn’t his name Tae?’
Dang Mujin retraced his steps to the inn where he had met the old materials dealer. He planned to find Tae before Hong Geolgae returned, to check what materials were available and how much they would cost.
But, of course, the old man wasn’t at the inn. Just because he was there two years ago didn’t mean he would still be there now.
With no other choice, Dang Mujin decided to ask around among the merchants in Wuchang, and it wasn’t long before he found someone who knew Tae. Apparently, he was quite well-known.
“Tae? You mean the old man who loves setting the mood?”
“Setting the mood?”
“Yeah. Tae has this habit of telling meaningful stories whenever he deals with strangers or martial artists.”
”…What kind of meaningful stories?”
“Things like ‘A thing must go to someone who knows its value,’ or ‘We’ll meet again someday.’”
Coincidentally, Dang Mujin had heard both lines before. He’d heard about the value of items while looking at whale whiskers and tendons, and the parting words about meeting again someday.
The merchant continued, “He’s a bit eccentric, but if you deal with him right, he’s a decent guy. He lives alone, with no family to inherit his wealth, so he doesn’t care much about money. He barely adds any profit when selling, and if something seems hard to sell, he practically gives it away.”
“Ah, I see…”
“Here’s a tip: don’t try to haggle. Tae doesn’t deal with people who break the mood by haggling. Anyway, head over to that house. That’s where Tae lives.”
Following the merchant’s directions, Dang Mujin found a modest yet elegantly decorated house.
He didn’t enter right away but approached and pressed his ear to the door. Sure enough, he heard someone bustling about inside.
After a moment, Dang Mujin called out, “I’m here to see Elder Tae. Are you in?”
“Come in.”
A dignified and relaxed voice answered.
As Dang Mujin cautiously opened the door and stepped inside, Tae greeted him with a knowing smile.
“Ah, I thought it was about time you’d come.”
The atmosphere was quite convincing. But having just heard about Tae’s reputation, Dang Mujin couldn’t view him with the same pure admiration as before.
Still, he decided not to provoke the old man.
“I didn’t expect this, but as you said, fate has brought us together again.”
“That’s the way of the world, isn’t it? So, what brings you to me?”
Dang Mujin, trying to match the mood, replied, “I need materials to forge a sword. A sword that will be remembered throughout the ages.”
Tae’s smile widened with satisfaction.
From that smile, Dang Mujin was sure he’d just saved at least thirty percent on the material costs.
“Well, you’ve come to the right place. Take a look around.”
Tae opened various chests around the room, revealing a treasure trove of materials. Even with his extensive connections, Dang Mujin saw items he’d never heard of or seen before.
Except for the minerals. Those, Dang Mujin could identify quickly.
“You have quite the collection. This is black iron, and next to it is cloud iron, I believe.”
“Indeed, you have a keen eye.”
“If I were just anyone, I wouldn’t have come back to you, Elder.”
Perhaps from spending so much time with Hyeon Gong, Dang Mujin found himself naturally flattering Tae.
It was a compliment that seemed to elevate himself while subtly raising Tae’s status.
“Hmm.”
Old Man Tae wore a satisfied smile, and Dang Mujin could tell that the price had been negotiated down a bit more.
As he mulled over the situation, Dang Mujin pondered his options: Uncheol or Mukcheol.
Uncheol was an advanced form of ordinary iron, superior in every way except for its difficulty to work with. Mukcheol, on the other hand, was a different beast entirely—much harder and more beautiful than regular iron, but nearly twice as heavy.
The real question was whether the weight of the iron would be beneficial for Namgung Myung.
“The Namgung family uses heavy swords, so maybe a heavier blade would be fine?”
“No, that’s too simplistic. Just because they use heavy swords doesn’t mean it has to be overly weighty.”
“Should I go back and ask Namgung Myung?”
“Yes, that’s probably the best course of action.”
Just as Dang Mujin was about to suggest this to the old man, he sensed a shift in the atmosphere.
Mentioning something like, “I need to consult with my friend,” would likely not go over well.
“In situations like this, it’s best to play it safe. If I go with Uncheol, at least I won’t hear any complaints.”
As he resolved to ask for Uncheol, he noticed a subtle expectation in the old man’s eyes.
“What is he hoping for?”
Uncheol? Mukcheol? No, it wasn’t that kind of expectation.
In just two breaths, Dang Mujin made his decision and took a gamble.
“Sir.”
“What is it?”
“You’re testing me, aren’t you?”
“A test, you say?”
A knowing smile crept across the old man’s lips. He had hit the mark.
Dang Mujin lowered his voice, speaking in a deep, resonant tone.
“I understand that both Mukcheol and Uncheol are valuable materials. But surely, someone of your stature wouldn’t only have those two.”
Old Man Tae trembled with excitement. He had guessed correctly.
Dang Mujin stepped closer and asked, “What are you hiding?”
“Ah, such keen intuition. Could it be that the heavens have blessed you?”
The old man sighed dramatically, then removed the Uncheol and Mukcheol from the box. Beneath them lay a cool, white metal, about the size of a fist.
“This is Manryeon Hancheol.”
“Hmm.”
Manryeon Hancheol is a rare mineral, formed over centuries in the presence of a powerful yin energy. It’s far more precious than Mukcheol or Uncheol.
Dang Mujin reached out to touch the metal. It was indeed imbued with a subtle chill, unlike ordinary iron.
But to be honest, it didn’t quite live up to the name Manryeon Hancheol.
“This feels more like just Hancheol.”
However, Dang Mujin was wise enough not to voice his thoughts. Doing so would surely ruin the deal.
Even if it wasn’t as extraordinary as Manryeon Hancheol, Hancheol was still a rare and valuable material.
”…I should’ve just asked for Uncheol.”
Though he felt a twinge of regret, he maintained his composure and addressed the old man.
“It’s an honor to see such a rare item. Sir, what must I offer to obtain this Manryeon Hancheol and forge the finest sword in the land?”
Dang Mujin spoke with utmost seriousness, hoping for one of two responses.
The first: “The Manryeon Hancheol has found its owner. Take it.”
The second: “Do me a small favor, and it’s yours.”
But Old Man Tae replied plainly, “Bring me the same weight in gold, and it’s yours.”
Dang Mujin stared at the old man. It didn’t seem like a situation where material compensation was necessary.
Yet, the old man showed no intention of retracting his words.
”…I suppose Hancheol is too valuable to give away for free. And asking for the same weight in gold is quite reasonable.”
For a fleeting moment, the thought of having Namgung Myung steal the Hancheol or Uncheol crossed his mind.
But Dang Mujin decided against such methods, at least for now.
Without betraying his thoughts, he nodded calmly.
“Thank you for your generosity. I’ll return soon to pay for the Manryeon Hancheol.”
With confidence, Dang Mujin headed for the door.
As he was about to leave, he heard Old Man Tae mutter softly, “We’ll meet again soon.”
Unlike before, Dang Mujin took it as a given and returned to the inn.
Dang Mujin spent his time idly at the inn with his companions.
He planned to visit Old Man Tae as soon as Hong Geolgae returned with enough gold. If he brought too little, he could simply send him back for more.
While they lounged around, he sensed familiar footsteps approaching. It was Hong Geolgae.
But something was off about his steps, as if he were dragging his feet.
”…What’s going on?”
When Hong Geolgae finally appeared, he looked utterly flustered—a look Dang Mujin had never seen before.
“What happened? Did the gambling den not open? Or was the pot too small to win big?”
In response to Dang Mujin’s questions, Hong Geolgae replied with a bewildered expression.
“No, I lost it all.”