Chapter 154

In a big city, it’s only natural to find at least one Iron Street hanging around.

After leaving our carriage at the tavern, I set out again to ask for directions to Iron Street.

But then, something felt off.

“I just realized no one came out to greet us?”

I wasn’t expecting much, but it felt kinda empty without the usual warm welcome.

When lost, asking someone who knows is the way to go, and luckily, we had a muscular beast in our party who tended to answer questions even when not asked.

“At the Horseback Inn, there aren’t really any orthodox powers to speak of, Sister.”

“Oh? Why’s that?”

“First off, this is a city used mainly as a government stronghold. In places where the officials hold sway, orthodox sects are usually rare.”

In cities controlled by the government, local families cannot take root.

In fact, families that used to be deeply rooted often end up being pushed out.

Moreover, orthodox sects are essentially rogue fighters who don’t follow government orders.

It’s been even more so since the Great Master Mucheondae era.

The government only calls upon the power of the martial world when they have dirty work or shameful tasks to handle, which orthodox fighters would refuse to get involved with.

On the other hand, the heterodox fighters, with no pride whatsoever (courtesy of Je-gal Lee-hyun’s description), actively seek to curry favor with officials.

What’s more, since their usual activities are sleazy and unjust, they often end up running errands for the government.

So in cities tightly controlled by the government, orthodox sects start to dwindle while heterodox ones flourish.

“Isn’t that risky? If there are only heterodox fighters hanging around.”

“True, the southeastern part of the Central Plain, where the Sado Sect has a strong influence, tends to have such issues, but at least in Hanan, no heterodox fighter dares to touch an orthodox warrior.”

Je-gal Lee-hyun smiled wryly.

It was because the city’s location wasn’t very favorable.

To the north lay the Shaolin and the Doghouse, to the south were the Je-gal Family, to the east were the Namgung Clan, and to the west stood the Wudang Sect.

If heterodox fighters tried to flex their muscles trusting in the government, they’d find themselves crushed by a coalition of orthodox powers from all directions.

“So, any attempts they make would just amount to ignoring us as if we were nobody, right, Sister?”

“Hmpf.”

Once we arrived at Iron Street, Tang Nan-ah led the way for the group.

Qing knew nothing about Iron Street, and even Je-gal Lee-hyun, who loved to chatter, wasn’t an expert in the field.

But Tang Nan-ah wasn’t exactly the most reliable guide.

“Hey, there, disciple. Who’s the best herbalist in this city?”

Right off the bat, starting with informal speech was something a notorious wicked lady, Heavenly Flower, would do.

When she was with Qing, she acted all cutesy like a Chihuahua, but she was really a noble girl used to getting her way.

The poor disciple was completely mesmerized by her dazzling beauty, ignoring her sudden rudeness.

“Uh… Ignore what I just said?”

“N-No, not at all! But an herbalist? What kind of herbalist only makes herbal medicine for a living?”

“…?”

There aren’t many herbalists that specialize only in making herbal medicine.

In a household that doubles as a clinic like the Tang Family, they might have an herbalist in the family making them, but the disciple’s claim about herbalists selling only herbal medicine was absurd.

If there was a famous herbalist, doctors from all over would come to buy it, but asking if there was one in a local tavern would surely get a laugh.

“So, how do the local herbalists prepare their medicines?”

“They just spread it thinly and long, I guess?”

Tang Nan-ah scowled.

To say you could just spread it thinly to call it herbal medicine was a foul remark that no herbalist could let slide.

“What kind of nonsense is that? Anyway, so who’s the best craftsman in town?”

“Well, that would be Elder Ban, but he…”

The disciple tried to say something, but Tang Nan-ah, already out of patience, immediately shouted.

“Quit rambling! Where do we go?”

“Just go straight and take the second alley…”

The disciple explained the way.

Surprisingly, it appeared Iron Street was quite developed, leading to a pretty complicated route.

But surprisingly, Tang Nan-ah nodded with a look that said she fully understood.

“Je-gal bro? You got that, right?”

“Of course, Sister Tang.”

“Then let’s go.”

Qing nodded at the scene, pondering.

People usually should leave things they can’t do to others, right?

Even if they seemed like quacks, doctors were still doctors, so they must have some smarts.

Je-gal Lee-hyun displayed the traits of a muscular genius, perfectly memorizing the complicated directions after just one hearing, leading the party like a pro.

Finally, we reached the famed Elder Ban’s Iron Tavern, and Qing asked.

“Um… Je-gal, is this the right place?”

The building looked like it hadn’t been used in a long time.

The unique open area typical of iron taverns was already overtaken by vibrant weeds, rising up to our ankles.

Considering it was early spring and the cherry blossoms hadn’t bloomed yet, it was clear no one had managed it.

“Sister, we did find the right place. Look over there, see? Ban’s Iron Tavern.”

Je-gal Lee-hyun pointed at a sign laying on the ground.

True to iron tavern style, the sign was beautifully engraved with the words “Ban’s Iron Tavern.”

“Just looking at the sign shows the level of craftsmanship. But, why…”

Even if I wasn’t an expert in herbalism, the Je-gal Family’s tavern was one of the prestigious families known for their meticulous craftsmanship in making intricate devices.

Just by glancing at the engraved letters, you could tell the artist was skilled.

“Well, we’ll know once we go in. Hey, is anyone home?”

Qing said this while stepping into the tavern, which resembled an abandoned place.

“What’s going on? Did the shop go under?”

While looking around inside, suddenly—

I locked eyes with an old man glaring quietly from the shadows.

“Eek! Ah, miss, you startled me…”

Qing let out a shrill scream, not exactly ladylike.

But that was only for a moment.

What I’d fear would be something like a ghost or my suddenly appearing master’s solid punch, not just an old man glaring.

“Um, excuse me, sir? You alright? Why are you staring like that? You gave me quite a scare.”

“Now you’re calling in girls too! Get lost! I’d rather die than make weapons for you scoundrels!”

The old man barked with a serious look.

“Oh? I came here not for weapons, but to get herbal medicine.”

“Ha! Isn’t medicine just a weapon in another form?”

“No, not that medicine. I mean the kind that goes into the body—like the needles used by herbalists. You know what I mean? Has your old age muddled your mind?”

His expression shifted to one of awkwardness.

“You’re here for herbal medicine? Not to ask for a sword?”

“Yes, I already have a sword. Why would I use another one when I have the one my master gave me?”

Qing tapped the sword she had at her side.

Only then did the old man look embarrassed.

“Ahem. Alright, you’re here for herbal medicine… It’s been ages since I had a visitor…”

“Ah, just a second. I’m not the one buying it.”

At that, Tang Nan-ah shoved her broken needle forward.

Seeing the broken needle, the blacksmith, Elder Ban, let out a deep sigh.

“Oh dear, how did you break such a precious needle? It’s undoubtedly a rare artifact from this era.”

“Is there a chance you can fix it?”

Elder Ban examined the broken end carefully.

“Tsk, tsk. Just how much strength did you use to break this exquisite needle? They say it is indeed a divine item, but it seems the master’s skills couldn’t match its quality.”

“What? What’s this old man droning on about?”

“Fortunately, since the break is clean, it shouldn’t be hard to reattach.”

Tang Nan-ah’s face turned bright red.

“What does this old fool know? What kind of muscle can withstand a needle—it’s easier to stick it to a rock than to deal with this.”

“Ah, did you catch a cold, miss? I’m rambling too much.”

“Humph.”

Tang Nan-ah snorted in response.

“So, where’s the other half?”

“Er… um…”

Tang Nan-ah looked at Qing.

“So, by the way, old man, don’t you have those little tweezers used for making needles? I need to pull something out lodged in me…”

The broken needle was embedded in Qing’s shoulder, just the tip sticking out. It was impossible to take it out without the right tool.

It was too short to hold with fingers since the sticking-out part was no bigger than a grain of rice, and it was too slippery to grasp with nails since it was metal, plus it didn’t provide enough grip to pull out.

Besides, with regular tweezers, you couldn’t even get a proper grip on such a thin needle.

Fortunately, the old man had a pair of iron tweezers among his collected tools from running the iron tavern for years.

“So then, you want me to pull it out?”

“If you pull it out and it’s snapped in half, I’ll make sure you regret it. I’d shout that the herbalist from the Tang Family is a quack at the martial arts competition’s closing remarks.”

“Ugh.”

At that, Tang Nan-ah’s movements became stiff.

Qing narrowed her eyes.

“What? You can’t be serious about it though, right?”

“It’s all your fault, Qing. Since your muscles are as compressed as a rock, if the needle twists under the pressure…”

“Yeah, it’s all my fault, totally my fault.”

“Well, anyway. Ah, over there!”

“Huh? What? What’s that?”

Suddenly, I felt something slip out.

A sigh of relief followed behind it.

“Phew, it came out safely.”

“You baited me into relaxing, that was sly…”

“I can’t believe how you handle your words.”

Tang Nan-ah chuckled and smacked Qing on the back.

Then Elder Ban started fussing about needing to stoke the fire again.

Honestly, there was nothing interesting for Qing, who knew nothing about running an iron tavern, to see.

“By the way, is Elder Ban related to Ban Chi? Could you be his descendant?”

“Oh! Sister! You know Ban Chi? He’s without a doubt the greatest blacksmith throughout history!”

“Um, yeah…”

Qing felt a strange sensation as she swallowed the compliment she was used to giving.

Is this kid actually from the Central Plain?

Is this the true essence of timeless name-dropping?

“Actually, the iron trade is laborious and hard, yet it doesn’t bring in substantial income, and usually, it’s the children that inherit it. But, if a smith wants to marry, it’s tough unless they gather some wealth…”

So, it’s common for blacksmiths to take in orphans and pass down their skills.

Of course, for skill training costs, most often they would provide only basic living arrangements, treating them more like servants than apprentices.

Some unscrupulous craftsmen would work them like slaves until they fell apart and then toss them out.

“That’s why there are many people with the surname Ban among blacksmiths. It means they aim to emulate the greatest craftsman.”

“Hmpf.”

“Oh, when we mention Ban Chi, I cannot help but talk about that beautiful love and the Magic Flute. The Magic Flute would refer to the legendary flute made of everlasting steel that has now disappeared…”

Qing reached out her hand sideways.

At that moment, Gyeon Pohee produced the Magic Flute from somewhere and handed it to her.

Thanks to Choi Riyong finishing the transfer, she managed to get it quickly.

“Je-gal. This is the legendary Magic Flute that has completely vanished.”

“…It really is everlasting steel, isn’t it? Is it the real deal?”

Je-gal’s Iron Tavern was famous.

And Je-gal Lee-hyun had knowledge of everything his family did.

He could instantly tell the dull blue luster typical of everlasting steel just from a glance.

“So, is this a fake?”

“No way, such a treasure…”

With that, Qing successfully managed to temporarily seal the incessant terror that was Je-gal Lee-hyun’s relentless search for answers in his hands.

However, the peace that came with the long-awaited visit didn’t last long.

“What’s this, old man? Who gave you the right to light a fire?”

“I told you to close up shop for good, didn’t I?”

“Who’s around? What moronic fellows would dare break the law of the Namyeon Sect…”

Thanks to a group of ruffians barging in, the misdeeds were confirmed, and Qing couldn’t help but smile brightly.

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