In a remote forest on the outskirts, I waited for the martial artist from Silver Moon sent by Go Wol.
Once the Wind Heaven Sect Leader and I decided to move, there was no one who could keep us under surveillance.
Unless the Illusion King himself made a move, it would take the stealth and lightness arts of someone on par with Uncle Hwi, my father's guard, to track and watch us.
But how common could such a person be?
“As you said, Cult Master, if Elder Seong is a man of deep faith, he must have been forced to step down from his position.”
“His disciple pressured him and drove him out?”
“That's highly likely. He might have desperately opposed the plan to unify The Outlands.”
And now he is missing.
“Do you think So Baek-ta killed Elder Seong?”
I answered honestly.
“That is also a possibility.”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader's gaze turned cold.
“If that's what happened……I will not forgive him.”
I said nothing.
This was a matter between the Wind Heaven Sect Leader and his disciple; it was up to him to decide.
Just then, a man arrived.
The man, who introduced himself as Hwang, said he was Silver Moon’s director for The Outlands.
From his gait alone, I could tell his martial arts and lightness arts were extraordinary.
And yet, he looked ordinary.
This was a characteristic of the martial artists who worked for Silver Moon.
If you mixed them in a crowd, they were so ordinary they would never stand out.
“I have brought the information you requested. The information Elder Seong asked us to look into was about an iron workshop.”
“Where is it?”
Then, an unexpected name came up.
“The New Might Iron Workshop.”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader tilted his head.
“New Might Iron Workshop? Is there such a place?”
The New Might Iron Workshop, a place in The Outlands even the Wind Heaven Sect Leader didn't know about.
“You probably wouldn't know of it, as it hasn't been around for long and isn't very large.”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader nodded at Hwang’s explanation.
He probably assumed that since he didn’t know of it, I wouldn't either, but I knew about the New Might Iron Workshop.
In my life before regression, the New Might Iron Workshop had another name.
The Central Plains’ Number One Iron Workshop.
In the era when Hwa Mugi and the Twelve Zodiac Kings controlled the Martial World, the New Might Iron Workshop was the most famous in the Central Plains.
It was truly the best iron workshop, with hundreds of regional workshops under its command across the Central Plains, supplying weapons and armor to most of the major sects.
They amassed immense wealth selling weapons.
‘So this is where the New Might Iron Workshop began!’
I had thought the New Might Iron Workshop had no connection to Hwa Mugi or the Twelve Zodiac Kings.
But seeing them appear in this situation, it seemed they too were connected to them.
“This is unexpected. I thought Elder Seong would have been looking into the Radiant Sun Sect or the Black Sand Gang.”
In terms of power, one could say the Wind Heaven Sect was the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, the Radiant Sun Sect was the Martial Alliance, and the Black Sand Gang was the Unorthodox Alliance.
So when So Baek-ta spoke of unifying The Outlands, he meant he would attack the Radiant Sun Sect and the Black Sand Gang and bring them to their knees.
It was natural to assume the investigation was related to them, so the Wind Heaven Sect Leader’s confusion was understandable when a never-before-heard-of iron workshop came up.
“Do you happen to know why he asked for an investigation into the New Might Iron Workshop?”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader asked just in case, but the answer was as expected.
“I do not know the reason. Here is the information he took with him.”
“Thank you.”
Hwang left immediately.
Standing there with the Wind Heaven Sect Leader, we shared the documents on the New Might Iron Workshop and read through them.
The information was varied.
It included personal details on everyone from the master craftsman down to the workers, as well as detailed records of how many weapons they produced and how many they supplied to which sects.
There was even a layout of the buildings.
“The disciple’s attempt to start a war must be related to the New Might Iron Workshop. Elder Seong must have realized this and commissioned Silver Moon to investigate.”
“I agree. Elder Seong rushed out after looking at these documents. There must have been something that caught his attention.”
As he read the documents, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader shook his head.
“I absolutely despise numbers.”
A large portion of the data was related to numbers.
How much they produced, how much they earned.
How much they spent.
Then, my eyes caught something strange.
“Look at this. This is the amount of iron they purchased last year. It’s ten times more than the year before.”
“I see.”
“And here is the amount of weaponry they sold last year.”
“They didn't sell nearly as many weapons as the iron they bought. The difference is too great.”
“But this year, they purchased even more iron. They must have had a lot of stock left over.”
“It is certainly suspicious.”
We looked at each other, nodded, and immediately dashed toward the New Might Iron Workshop.
*
Before visiting the New Might Iron Workshop, we bought bamboo hats with veils to cover our faces.
We decided to visit as customers.
“It’s larger than I thought.”
“According to the documents, they bought the land around the workshop last year and expanded.”
Countless carts loaded with goods were coming and going, and the sounds of hammering steel and working bellows filled the air from all directions.
A guide greeted us.
“How may I help you?”
“I came to buy a sword.”
“There are many kinds of swords.”
“A high-quality one.”
“Please follow me.”
The man led us somewhere.
As I followed him, I surveyed our surroundings.
The good thing about visiting as a customer was that I could look around openly.
In every building, muscular, bare-chested men were frantically busy forging weapons.
At a glance, there was nothing suspicious.
It looked like a completely ordinary iron workshop.
When we entered the place the man led us to, we found various swords on display.
“Please take your time to look around.”
After examining the swords, I asked the man.
“Do you have anything better than these?”
“We have the highest quality products, but they are very expensive.”
“Let’s see them.”
“Please wait a moment.”
A short while later, it was not the same guide, but a muscular young man who entered.
“I am Ho Gyeong.”
Ho Gyeong.
This person was also in the information we received from Silver Moon.
Since the master craftsman rarely showed his face outside, it was this Ho Gyeong who effectively ran the iron workshop.
The reason I came as a customer was also because I wanted to meet him.
“You wish to see our finest products?”
He opened a box he brought with him and handed me a sword.
I drew the sword and examined it.
While not a famed or treasured sword, among ordinary swords, it was exceptionally well-made.
“Give me twelve of these.”
“Twelve of them?”
Ho Gyeong was startled.
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader standing next to me also looked at me in surprise.
—You’re not really buying them, are you?
—I am.
We’ve come a long way and worked hard, so I’ll buy one for each of the guards.
—Use your own money!
—Of course.
Seeing a potential big customer, Ho Gyeong asked cautiously.
“May I ask where you are from?”
I flicked the veil hanging in front of my bamboo hat with my hand.
It was a sign that I did not wish to reveal my identity.
“My apologies. I was rude, as it seems to be your first time doing business with our workshop.”
As someone who dealt with many martial artists, Ho Gyeong’s words and actions were very polite.
“Someone recommended you.”
“Who might that be?”
“Elder Seong of the Wind Heaven Sect.”
I carefully observed Ho Gyeong's expression when Elder Seong was mentioned.
“Ah, I see. He is a very fine man.”
He showed no reaction at all.
I got the feeling that, at the very least, Ho Gyeong had nothing to do with Elder Seong’s disappearance.
Could it be he hadn't disappeared? It would be a relief if he had gone into hiding voluntarily.
“Then you’ll be taking the swords with you directly.”
“That’s right.”
“Understood. Please wait a moment.”
Ho Gyeong went inside to prepare the swords.
I left the Wind Heaven Sect Leader there and quickly stepped outside.
The information from Silver Moon included a layout of the buildings here, so I moved without hesitation.
I encountered people along the way, but they did not notice me.
My Dark Shadow Step, which had reached Great Mastery, made them blind to my presence and guided me deep into the iron workshop.
I weaved through the buildings.
I used Swift Step, Dark Shadow Step, and Flickering Step.
In the most remote corner stood a large building.
The sound of metal came from within.
I could feel martial artists hiding in the vicinity.
Judging by the tight security, it seemed to be the place where the master craftsman forged his swords.
This alone showed it was no ordinary iron workshop.
Could they detect my Dark Shadow Step at Great Mastery?
I didn’t test it today.
It wasn't the master craftsman I was looking for.
I was searching for the iron they had purchased.
All that iron had to be stored somewhere, but no matter where I looked, I couldn't find where it was kept.
‘Did they secretly forge everything and send it somewhere else?’
But the scale of the iron workshop was too small for that.
Then, I saw a vacant lot overgrown with weeds.
It was the land they had purchased last year, according to Silver Moon’s documents.
They had bought it while actively planning something.
Why would they leave it neglected like this?
I simultaneously emitted dozens of strands of energy to survey the area, checking if anyone was hiding there.
Just then, I felt something from the ground of the lot.
At first, I thought it was a person in hiding, but it wasn't.
All my energy focused on that spot.
*
“The swords are ready.”
Ho Gyeong brought twelve swords, neatly wrapped in leather and placed in a long leather pouch.
Only the Wind Heaven Sect Leader was in the room.
“Where has the other gentleman gone?”
“He felt a bit stuffy and went out for some air.”
“I will go and bring him.”
As Ho Gyeong was about to go outside, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader spoke.
“First, let’s settle the payment for the swords.”
He tried to buy time, but the Wind Heaven Sect Leader was inwardly suspicious.
‘Could it be? Did the Young Cult Master calculate even this? That I would buy time while paying.
Yes, that ruthless and greedy Young Cult Master is more than capable of such a thing.
Go Wol, Go Wol.
I’m getting fleeced all the way out here in The Outlands.’
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader paid the price.
He took out the money as slowly as possible, counting and recounting it two, three times.
When the payment was finished and Geom Mugeuk still hadn't returned, Ho Gyeong went outside.
Geom Mugeuk, who had returned at some point, was stretching in front of the building.
“The swords are all ready.”
*
Only after we had put some distance between ourselves and the New Might Iron Workshop did I tell the Wind Heaven Sect Leader the results of my search.
“I found out where that iron is.”
“Where was it?”
“There was a secret workshop underground. They were making weapons there.”
Through energy emission, I had detected a vast underground space beneath the ground, from which I could feel constant, minute vibrations and noises.
“The scale was enormous.”
“So they were preparing for war there.”
War required a vast amount of resources.
But more important than resources in war is not letting the enemy know of your preparations.
So Baek-ta had joined hands with the New Might Iron Workshop to secretly prepare war materials.
No, to be precise, the Illusion King must have connected the two.
“There must be a considerable amount of supplies stockpiled there.”
“What will you do now?”
“I will have to meet So Baek-ta once.”
The moment to face him alone had finally come.
“What do you plan to do?”
“The fact that he revealed his plan to you, Cult Master, means he expected the information would reach me as well."
"In that case, he must have something to say to me. He’s shown one card, so now I need to see what other cards he holds.”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader smiled meaningfully.
He must have been thinking that his disciple had finally met his match.
“Oh, and here is the money for the swords. Please take it.”
“It’s fine. Consider it a gift from me to the young lads.”
“Are you going to regret it again later?”
“I have to be the one to buy them, so I can hold it over your head for a long, long time.”
I gave him the leather pouch containing the swords I was carrying.
“Then please give them yourself. The guards will be truly delighted if they receive them from you, Cult Master. I will go to the Cult Master’s Hall.”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader took the pouch and said.
“While I take the credit, you go and show him the taste of the real front wave of the Yangtze River.”
*
When I entered the Cult Master’s Hall to meet So Baek-ta, he was standing in front of a bronze mirror hanging on the wall, painting a mark on his face.
“Young Cult Master, please wait a moment.”
So Baek-ta greeted me through the bronze mirror.
“Take your time.”
I walked up behind him.
For a moment, I watched as a unique line, one not found anywhere else in the world, was created.
“The Main Sect has three marks. The Sect Mark, which symbolizes our sect; the Heaven Mark, which is for when we go to war; and the Wind Mark, which is drawn upon death."
"The mark I am drawing now is the Heaven Mark, for going to war.”
Indeed, its colors and shape were intense.
The first day I had seen the Sect Mark, and now I was seeing the second, the Heaven Mark.
“What do you think? Would you like to try drawing one?”
“I’ll pass. You must not have heard the rumors about me. I am a pacifist, you see.”
In the bronze mirror, So Baek-ta smiled faintly and looked at me.
“You seem to be quite timid.”
“Isn’t it the timid who start wars?”
So Baek-ta’s hand flinched for a moment before he resumed drawing.
“Be wary of cowards. You never know what they might do.”
I asked him in a calm tone.
“You must have known that if you told the Cult Master, it would reach my ears. Why did you reveal it?”
“Because the Master I remember was not one to speak of the Main Sect’s important affairs to others.”
“The Master would probably say the same. The you that he remembers was not a disciple who would commit such an absurd act.”
He laughed in the bronze mirror.
“What is the real reason you are doing this?”
“I did it to get your permission. After all, if we are to wage war, we need your permission, whether it’s explicit or tacit, don’t we? If we just went ahead, you could use it as a pretext to strike us down. You people are more than capable of that, aren’t you?”
Finally, So Baek-ta completed the Heaven Mark on his face and turned around.
“Please permit our war.”
I could tell from his confident eyes.
Even if permission was denied, he would start the war.
What has made you so excited? What has made you so full of confidence? What has deluded you into thinking the blades of the Main Sect cannot pierce the sandstorms of The Outlands?
“Very well. I shall state our official position.”
To see his hand, I would have to push him hard.
I spoke to him in a tone that was both cold and authoritative.
“The Main Sect does not permit your war.”
An unreadable heat flared in So Baek-ta's eyes.
I threw cold water on that heat.
“So go wash your face and remove it all.”