The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

As Yi-gang was just smiling, the Immortal Divine Sword looked suddenly sullen.

Before he could erupt in anger or exclaim, “I’ve misjudged this person!” Yi-gang spoke.

‘Of course, it’s a joke.’

「You, you rascal!」

There was no reason for Yi-gang to melt the Shooting Star Fang.

The one known as the Immortal Divine Sword’s Shooting Star Fang, was hung in the Council of Elders. The one Yi-gang had was undoubtedly the original, so the other must be a counterfeit.

How he managed to hide it for so long was a mystery. No one ever thought that Yi-gang’s old, worn-out sword was the meteorite sword.

There was no reason to melt it.

Go Chil led Yi-gang past a furnace and an anvil.

They arrived at a small room. If one had to label it, it could be called a parlor.

As Yi-gang took his seat, Go Chil quietly asked, “Do you know the procedure?”

“I just have to choose a sword myself?”

“That’s right.”

Not just the Young Clan Head, but every martial artist of the Baek Clan chose their first sword from the Firelight Forge. Being young and away from the clan, Yi-gang simply hadn’t had that opportunity yet.

“Bring it over.”

“Then please wait a moment.”

Go Chil bowed slightly and left for a while.

The Immortal Divine Sword asked Yi-gang, 「Choose a sword yourself? What does that mean?」

‘It’s tradition. The sword is a companion to the swordsman. We pick our own swords.’

「What kind of tradition is that?」

‘I heard it was a tradition established by our ancestors.’

「I’ve never heard of it.」

Yi-gang looked taken aback. It was a tradition that caused much dissatisfaction within the clan. It was also the reason why the blacksmiths at Firelight Forge became more arrogant.

How much would a young and inexperienced member of the Baek Clan know about choosing a sword? It was very challenging to select the best sword in this hot environment.

Of course, the sword that Yi-gang would receive was made of cold iron, so the quality was somewhat guaranteed.

‘Well, I don’t really need the cold iron sword, so I guess I can just choose casually.’

That’s what Yi-gang thought. He had another important task to do at Firelight Forge. To Yi-gang, who possessed the Shooting Star Fang, the cold iron sword was just an added bonus.

“Young Master.”

Go Chil returned. He brought a weapon display stand, accompanied by apprentice blacksmiths.

There were ten swords hanging on the display stand.

“These are made by first-class blacksmiths. All are crafted from cold iron.”

“Wow.”

Yi-gang couldn’t help but admire.

Even if he didn’t really need a sword, seeing them in person piqued his interest.

The swords, shimmering with the brilliant silver characteristic of cold iron, were truly worthy of the term ‘treasured sword.’

Their beautiful curves, simple elegance, and sharp blades…

‘To be honest, they seem even better than the Shooting Star Fang.’

「You… foolish boy!」

The Immortal Divine Sword was furious, but Yi-gang was sincere.

Compared to the rusty Shooting Star Fang, these cold iron swords were stunningly beautiful. So much so that choosing just one seemed difficult.

“Take your time to choose.”

Then, Yi-gang began to inspect the cold iron swords.

Truth be told, there wasn’t much he could discern by merely looking. He would tap the blades lightly or examine their decorations.

“Heh, be careful. You might cut a finger. These blades are very sharp,” Go Chil said with a smile.

It was a cocky attitude, but Yi-gang simply continued to quietly inspect the swords.

The blacksmiths might not have seen, but beside him, the Immortal Divine Sword was also inspecting the swords.

Even though a significant amount of time had passed, Yi-gang simply continued what he was doing in silence.

“Yawn…”

Go Chil inadvertently let out a yawn. The Baek’s swordsmen always took such a long time inspecting swords.

In the end, they’d often choose ordinary swords that weren’t particularly exceptional.

Yi-gang would likely be no different. Go Chil, with his pride as a first-class blacksmith, thought so.

‘Expertise is something only swordsmen who’ve dedicated their lives to the craft have. No matter how long a young one looks, how much can he really understand?’

Moreover, wasn’t Yi-gang the one who had been driven out due to bad rumors, only to return later? He probably became the Young Clan Head only because the Clan Head and Ha-jun fell.

Go Chil, who spent his days confined to Firelight Forge and was unaware of the world’s happenings, always viewed Yi-gang in a negative light.

Then, Yi-gang finally stood up.

“Ah, have you finally made a choice?”

“Go Chil.”

Go Chil stiffened momentarily. All Yi-gang did was softly call his name, but an involuntary chill ran down his spine.

Without a word, Yi-gang picked up one of the swords. Then, with a surprisingly fluid motion, he pointed the sword at Go Chil.

“This was made by Firelight Forge?”

“Th-that’s correct.”

Yi-gang said, coldly, “So you’ve brought such subpar products…”

Go Chil’s face turned pale instantly.

“You must be trying to belittle me and my clan.”

“No, no, that’s not it at all.”

“Then why are the swords you brought, claiming them to be cold iron swords, so inferior?”

Go Chil was greatly flustered.

However, Yi-gang wasn’t making unreasonable claims. It was because the Immortal Divine Sword, which inspected the swords alongside him, was furiously reacting.

「These bastards mixed in inferior metal with the swords! They definitely pilfered the cold iron.」

He had lived with swords for hundreds of years and had established Firelight Forge. His ability to discern the quality of a sword surpassed even that of regular blacksmiths.

「Cut them down and make them pay for their sins, Yi-gang!」

With the rampaging Immortal Divine Sword beside him, there was no way Yi-gang wouldn’t notice the flaws in the swords.

“None of the ten swords have even half the cold iron content. Only this one barely reaches half.”

“Uh, umm…”

Yi-gang, having perfectly diagnosed the state of the swords, stood tall as blacksmith Go Chil kneeled in front of him.

Of course, Yi-gang was merely echoing what the Immortal Divine Sword said.

“Y-young Master… It seems there’s been a misunderstanding.”

“Are you saying I’m wrong?”

“That’s… not what I’m saying, but…”

Blacksmiths traditionally had strong pride, but Go Chil was sweating profusely.

Somehow, Yi-gang had perfectly discerned the composition ratios of cold iron and steel.

Moreover, with the sharp tip of a sword pointing at him, it was only natural for him to feel his soul being drained.

“Then,”

“Ever since the time of the previous Clan Head, we were instructed to reduce the cold iron content in the swords. We never intended to deceive you.”

“…”

Yi-gang remained silent for a moment before glancing at the Immortal Divine Sword.

“In the past, we made swords using pure cold iron. But now, the swords presented to the Young Clan Head are made by mixing cold iron in a range of more than 30% but less than 50%. Currently, only the Clan Head and the Red Dragon Corps Commander use pure cold iron swords.”

This was news to him.

When Yi-gang looked reproachfully at the Immortal Divine Sword, it stammered in its reply, 「Cold iron is a bit expensive… But it wasn’t like this in the past.」

Due to the meteoric iron, it hadn’t considered this, but cold iron was equally precious. It’s not possible to retrieve all the used cold iron, so it seemed they rarely made pure cold iron swords.

Go Chil was still bowing his head, unaware, but Yi-gang was in quite a predicament.

‘In any case… a sword with only half cold iron is still a treasured sword, right?’

「That might be the case, but it’s not something the descendant should be greedy about.」

‘Then, there’s no need to specifically acquire a cold iron sword,’ Yi-gang thought to himself.

After all, his visit to Firelight Forge wasn’t to choose a sword on the orders of the Council of Elders.

He quietly examined the sword he held.

“Who made this sword?”

“I did,” Go Chil replied.

He too was a blacksmith of the first class. However, he wasn’t at the level of the top-class blacksmiths, including the Lord of Firelight Forge, who could handle meteoric iron.

「When mixing cold iron with steel, the issue is the inconsistency in the sword’s strength. Of course, it’s better than ordinary swords, but it seems the maker’s skills are not exceptional… Wait, right there.」

Yi-gang’s finger, which was tracing the sword body, stopped at one point.

Peekingly, Go Chil raised his head to look at Yi-gang.

「In front of the descendant, the challenges will unfold. We cannot lose momentum.」

Yi-gang was aware of it too.

“Stand up.”

“Ye-yes.”

As the trembling Go Chil rose, Yi-gang handed him the cold iron sword. Without understanding why, Go Chil accepted the sword.

“It seems to be an unsatisfactory sword.”

“In that case… perhaps another sword?”

“Aren’t you also a first-class blacksmith? Moreover, you said that this sword used the most cold iron.”

Yi-gang then drew Shooting Star Fang.

Screech—

The rusted sword body was drawn out roughly. Thinking Yi-gang intended to cut him, Go Chil’s face paled.

“It might be better to sharpen the sword I have.”

Although the blade was dull, it was still sharp enough to cut a person.

Stunned, Go Chil replied, “That sword is…”

“Hold your sword horizontally.”

“Surely not, Young Master.”

Go Chil understood what Yi-gang was planning to do.

It was a showy act that arrogant swordsmen often performed: clashing two swords against each other to test their strength.

If the blades hit each other perpendicularly, one of the two weaker blades would surely break.

“This is still a proper cold iron sword. You might get hurt if you’re not careful…”

“I said, do it.”

Swallowing hard, Go Chil set his expression.

He had realized that refusal was not an option. Moreover, his pride had been hurt.

The sword held by Yi-gang was one he had made himself. He couldn’t allow a sword made of cold iron to be cut by some rusted blade.

“I’ve already told you.”

Holding his sword horizontally, Go Chil prepared as Yi-gang raised the rusted sword.

However, the stance was unfamiliar to him.

‘Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique…? No, I’ve never seen that pose before.’

Even though he wasn’t a martial artist, Go Chil knew what the Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique looked like. Yet, the sword technique displayed by Yi-gang was something he had never witnessed.

“Call the Firelight Forge Chief to sharpen my sword.”

“…!”

At Yi-gang’s words, Go Chil’s eyes widened in disbelief.

To call the Firelight Forge Chief just to sharpen a sword was an act not even the Clan Head would consider. Such a boastful statement was unbecoming even for a young master aspiring to be the Young Clan Head.

However, when the sword held up by Yi-gang began to vibrate, Go Chil found himself unable to speak.

Humming.

The afterimage seen on Yi-gang’s sword wasn’t a trick of the eyes. He had heard that Yi-gang was physically weak and his martial arts were subpar. How could this be…?

“Ha.”

And then, in the moment when the dispersing afterimages all converged onto the rusted blade—

It felt as if the thread connecting the heavens and the sword had been severed, and Yi-gang’s sword abruptly descended—

Towards the cold iron sword held by Go Chil.

“What? What nonsense are you spouting?!” Exclaimed Firelight Forge Chief Dae Kyung-rok with a voice tinged with the metallic sound of rage.

The depth of the wrinkles etched into his face mirrored his well-honed skills as a swordsmith. Dae Kyung-rok, the Firelight Forge Chief, was a master artisan.

Although he was adept at handling meteoric iron, he was also famous for being eccentric, never forging swords for those he didn’t like.

Even if the person in question belonged to the Baek Clan, it made no difference to him. His extraordinary talent was so esteemed that even the clan tolerated such behavior.

Yet, now, an apprentice blacksmith had rushed to him, babbling something preposterous.

“Young Master Yi-gang has summoned me?”

“Yes. He said to come to the reception room immediately…”

While that could be seen as the typical arrogance of a direct descendant, the reason given was absurd.

“He’s not satisfied with the cold iron sword and refuses to accept it? Fine, that’s his preference…”

“But…”

“And instead, he wants me to personally sharpen his own sword?”

Crash!

Dae Kyung-rok forcefully set down the hammer he was holding.

Then he approached the apprentice, grabbed him by the collar and effortlessly lifted him off the ground with one hand.

“Alright then. Take me to him!”

He seemed so furious it was as if flames might burst from his mouth.

The apprentice blacksmith was worried that the infuriated Firelight Forge Chief might strike down Baek Yi-gang.

Even Dae Kyung-rok, who was briskly leaving the room, harbored such fears. He was concerned about how he would react upon seeing the clueless young master, especially if he couldn’t control his anger.

That was the case just moments ago.

However, when Dae Kyung-rok opened the door to the reception room, he was met with a sight he had not anticipated.

Go Chil, who seemed to have lost strength in his legs, sat slumped.

Yi-gang, catching his breath, stood upright.

And unmistakably rolling on the floor, broken in half, was the cold iron sword—the very sword Go Chil had been proudly boasting about for its fine craftsmanship.

“Firelight Forge Chief.”

It was Yi-gang who addressed Dae Kyung-rok, who had lost his words and was wide-eyed.

“Ye-yes…”

The earlier thought of “Let’s see if he dares to talk like that in front of me” had completely slipped from his mind.

“I wasn’t satisfied with the sword prepared by Firelight Forge, so I called you, thinking it would be better just to have my own sword sharpened.”

“Ah.”

Just as he was recalling the reason for his anger—

Yi-gang took the sword he had been given, and the Firelight Forge Chief’s eyes widened.

“What…”

It’s just a rusty sword. Yet, was he saying that with this rusty sword, he had cut the cold iron sword?

Turning to Go Chil, the latter vigorously nodded in affirmation.

“It seems that only Firelight Forge Chief can tend to this sword.”

“What do you mean by that…”

Having handled meteoric iron multiple times, Dae Kyung-rok felt a sudden sense of familiarity.

Unlike the cold iron, which shone silver and radiated coldness, meteoric iron had few distinctive external features. Its main characteristic was that it’s heavier than ordinary iron.

He took out a small engraving tool from his waist, trembling. Its tip was embedded with diamond, enabling it to engrave even on cold iron.

Go Chil, who had been sitting on the floor, hastily inquired, “Forge Chief… Could it be, is that sword what I have been thinking of?”

He had seen the cold iron sword being cut in half by the rusty blade. He had realized that Yi-gang’s sword was no ordinary sword.

“Keep quiet for a moment, young one. I’m trying to check it myself.”

Dae Kyung-rok took the engraving tool and applied it to the rusty blade that Yi-gang had handed over.

Clang! Clang!

Normally, even for a cold iron sword, it would have definitely been scratched. However, only a bit of rust was shed. Not a single mark was left on the blade.

Dae Kyung-rok’s hands trembled as he held Yi-gang’s sword.

“Gasp, gasp!”

He made such a suffocating sound.

“This… This… This is pure meteoric iron…!”

And as soon as those words left his mouth, Go Chil, who was trying to stand up, collapsed with a thud.

Even Dae Kyung-rok looked as if he were about to foam at the mouth, causing an internal shock in Yi-gang. The reaction was more than he had expected.

“How… How is this possible?! The Shooting Star Fang at the Council of Elders wasn’t even pure meteoric iron.”

“That’s because it wasn’t the Shooting Star Fang.”

“What do you mean…? Then, could this be…”

Yi-gang knelt down and took back the Shooting Star Fang Dae Kyung-rok was holding.

“This is the real Shooting Star Fang. The very sword used by the Immortal Divine Sword.”

“How did this come to be…”

“Can you remove its rust and restore it to its original form?”

Yi-gang did not offer a proper explanation.

However, Dae Kyung-rok suddenly got up and bowed deeply.

“If you grant me the opportunity, I will definitely do it!”

Now, in stark contrast to his demeanor earlier, he was the epitome of humility.

Although he couldn’t quite understand the situation, in front of him was the genuine original Shooting Star Fang. It was a sword made of even purer meteoric iron than the one at the Council of Elders.

And now, the opportunity to restore it was given to Dae Kyung-rok. For a blacksmith, it was an opportunity too precious to pass up.

“However, there’s a condition.”

“Whatever it is, please tell me!”

“I will discuss it with Elder Baek Do-yeom.”

The real decision-maker in Firelight Forgeju was Elder Baek Do-yeom. And Dae Kyung-rok, too, was loyal to him.

Ideally, upon realizing this fact, he should have informed Baek Do-yeom right away.

“I understand, Young Master. Go Chil, halt all other tasks and intensify the furnace’s heat.”

“Chief…!”

“Just the two of us will enter, and everyone else will stand by throughout the night. Can you assist? The heat to melt meteoric iron is incredibly intense.”

“It’s an honor!”

Only those who had sold their souls to the flames were gathered at Firelight Forge.

Yi-gang cracked a subtle smile.