Chapter 322 Reaper of the Drifting Moon novel
Chapter 322 Reaper of the Drifting Moon novel
Upon hearing confident words from Do Yeonsan, Pyo Wol showed a curious expression.
“You were able to follow the vision of the Tang Clan?”
“Yes!”
“But the city where the Tang Clan was located is more than four thousand li away from here.
Are you sure you really follow their vision?”
“Fortunately, our master is a direct descendant of the Tang Clan, so we were able to follow their vision.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes! Since our master personally stated it, it must be certain.”
“Then, did you make this object using Tang Clan’s vision?”
“Yes! I made it using the method our master taught us.”
Do Yeonsan nodded in agreement.
Pyo Wol closely observed Do Yeonsan’s face. Despite being in his late teens, his gaze seemed excessively melancholic.
In particular, there was a hint of madness in his sunken eyes.
Do Yeonsan’s appearance reminded Pyo Wol of Tang Sochu.
He had the same feeling when he first saw Tang Sochu. The madness of geniuses who were deeply immersed in their field was naturally expressed.
Pyo Wol asked Do Yeonsan, “Can I see more of the things you made?”
“Yes!”
Do Yeonsan brought out several objects – swords, bows, and even daggers of various kinds. However, none of them were as good as the cow hair needles Pyo Wol was holding.
Making small objects originally required more attention to detail and concentration, making it more difficult for most craftsmen.
However, Do Yeonsan was different. He seemed to be more focused when making small, lightweight objects.
His method of making the cow hair needle was different from the Tang Clan’s vision.
Pyo Wol didn’t know much about the art. However, he had spent enough time with Tang Sochu to know what kind of quality items were produced when Tang Clan’s vision was activated.
The weapons in the workshop made with Tang Clan’s visions were not up to his standards.
They were close, but somehow just a little short.
They were similar, but lacked something that he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
In contrast, the cow hair needles made by Do Yeonsan were different. It was of a quality that was not far behind Tang Sochu’’s.
“I’ll buy the cow hair needles.”
“Really? The other products are much better…”
“This is the only thing that meets my standards.”
“Oh!”
Do Yeonsan was touched by Pyo Wol’s words. It felt like his efforts were finally being rewarded.
It had been over four years since he entered the Cheolsan Workshop.
During that time, he had handled iron as taught by the Cheolsan Workshop.
Although the craftsmen who taught him how to handle iron said it was Tang Clan’’s vision, Do Yeonsan was not impressed.
As he became more skilled in working with iron, he began to doubt the rumors he had heard about Tang Clan’s vision.
The items made by Tang Clan, which were once praised for their quality, were considered the best in the world.
In contrast, the items made with the vision taught in this workshop were slightly better than those in the outside world, but not overwhelmingly so.
However, since the workshop owner and craftsmen said so, he could not reveal his true feelings.
It was hard to find a workshop that treated him as well as the Cheolsan Workshop did.
Perhaps even if he went to another workshop, they wouldn’t accept him.
The Iron Mountain Manor, to which the Cheolsan Workshop belonged, was the largest power in the entire Taeho region, and their power was considered to be far stronger than any other sect.
It was unlikely that they would allow a craftsman who had learned their vision to join another workshop.
No faction would allow their vision to flow outside, even if it was a poor one.
If Do Yeonsan tried to leave the Cheolsan Workshop by force, they would surely take his life or leave him half-dead.
“What’s the price?”
“Oh, it’s three silver coins.
Do Yeonsan answered with a trembling voice.
Pyo Wol gladly paid the silver coins.
The cow hair needles were worth that much.
“I didn’t spend much on materials. With three silver coins, I can make the item I want.”
Do Yeonsan clenched his fist.
No one knew that he sold the cow hair needles for only three silver coins. As long as the deposit was made, the rest of the money was his.
“Thank you.”
Do Yeonsan bowed his head in gratitude.
Pyo Wol noticed a small pattern on the ribbon tied around the cow hair needles. It was a
unique pattern where two circles intersected.
“What’s this pattern?”
“Oh… that’s my mark.”
“Your mark?”
“When I become famous, I’ll put that mark on all my creations.”
Do Yeonsan blushed as he answered, feeling embarrassed.
Sometimes, famous artisans left unique marks or symbols on their creations to prove that they were their own.
Do Yeonsan had made his own mark, following in the footsteps of those artisans.
“Really?”
“Hehe! My little sister likes this pattern, so I engraved the same pattern on her necklace too.”
“That’s cool.”
“Hehe! I don’t know if it’s cool, but my sister likes it.”
Do Yeonsan scratched his head.
“One last question.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“What’s the name of the owner of the Cheolsan Workshop?”
“It’s the same as the workshop’s name. It’s Tang Cheolsan Daehyeop. He’s a direct descendant of the Tang Clan.”
“A direct descendant of the Tang Clan? I see.”
Pyo Wol nodded.
Do Yeonsan looked at Pyo Wol with a curious expression.
There wasn’t a person in the entire region who didn’t know who Tang Cheolsan was.
His family name was “Tang,” and he claimed to be a descendant of the Tang Clan.
In Sichuan and the surrounding provinces, the Tangs were feared, but thousands of miles away, they were treated as a mysterious sect.
Since there was no chance of encountering Tang Clan directly, only the positive aspects were highlighted, and the Tang Cheolsan’s family took advantage of this to establish themselves in this place.
They also emphasized their descent from Tang Clan to dominate the nearby business.
There was no one in the Taeho area who didn’t know about this fact.
“He’s a foreigner.”
With just one glance, Do Yeonsan knew that Pyo Wol was someone who came from outside. However, he didn’t find it strange.
The scenery of Taeho was known throughout the country, and people from all over came to see it.
And then, suddenly, a fierce voice came from inside. “Hey, you beggar!”
Do Yeonsan instinctively answered, “Yes!”
“What are you doing here? Where’s my sword?”
A man in his early twenties came out of the workshop, his eyes slanted and his thin lips resembling a sparrow’s beak.
Snap!
The man slapped Do Yeonsan’s cheek.
The blow was so hard that Do Yeonsan’s body shook. His lip burst open, bleeding, and his cheek swelled up in an instant.
“Where’s my sword, you bastard!”
“It’s on the bedstead in my room.”
“Why are you putting it there? I told you to bring it to me.”
“I definitely told you to put it there then…….”
“You son of a bitch, are you saying I lied to you?”
“No, I think I was mistaken.”
Do Yeonsan shook his head hastily.
“I brought you a beggar, fed you, taught you skills, and you can’t do a single thing…….”
“I’ll work harder, Master!”
“Forget it, you brat! Move!”
The man hit Do Yeonsan’s shoulder and went back inside, completely ignoring the guest Pyo Wol and acting like an uncivilized person.
Swish!
After he disappeared completely, Do Yeonsan wiped the blood from his mouth.
His sleeve was stained with red blood.
He was still dizzy from the shock, but Do Yeonsan tried to smile.
“I’m sorry you had to see me like that in front of the guest.”
“He seems to be quite high-ranking.”
“His name is master Tang Ik-gi, and he is the director of Iron Mountain Manor.”
“The owner’s son?”
“Yes! He’s unruly, but not a bad person.”
Do Yeonsan tried to defend himself, but his eyes were cold, contrary to his words.
***
Pyo Wol left Cheolsan Workshop and returned to the inn.
On the streets where darkness had descended, one by one, red lanterns lit up.
The shops that had been open during the day were now closed, and the signs and customers had been replaced by lanterns and passersby.
As night fell, more people came out onto the streets.
The so-called “Colorful Village,” an area famous for local soju, was right nearby. The Taeho area was just as famous for its local soju..
Eating fresh fish dishes from Taeho and enjoying drinks with the prostitutes was a must-do for any lustful patron, and today there were already plenty of them gathered in the Taeho area looking for a good time.
“Hehehe! Let’s go to the Sea of Roses today. The new prostitute there is so amazing.”
“Sea of Roses? I’d rather go to the West Garden. That’s the true number one in Taeho.”
Those who were feeling a little tipsy were shouting out which establishment they thought was the best.
These were the kind of people who were wandering around the streets.
A city where people were drunk on alcohol and women.
That was where he was.
In the midst of it all, Pyo Wol seemed to be the only one walking sober without getting drunk.
Pyo Wol didn’t even glance anywhere else, and headed straight for the inn he had chosen for his stay.
The name of the inn he chose was Taeho First Pavillion (太湖第一館).
With a view of Taeho Lake just outside the window, it was a popular inn among many intoxicated guests.
Taeho First Pavillion was also bustling with drunken guests.
There were no empty seats on the first floor.
‘Should I join a table?’
As he thought about it, the innkeeper approached him with quick steps.
“Did you have a good time?”
The innkeeper smiled innocently as he looked at Pyo Wol.
He had a great memory, so he knew that Pyo Wol was staying here. No, even if his memory was not good, it was impossible not to remember a man with such a striking appearance.
Pyo Wol was indeed the owner of an eye-catching appearance.
“If there are no empty seats, please go up to the second floor.”
“Is there a seat on the second floor?”
“The second floor is for reserved guests only, but we make exceptions for guests staying at our inn. You could say it’s a sort of privilege.”
“I’m relieved. Then I’ll go up to the second floor.”
“Oh! There’s an important gathering of guests on the second floor today, so try not to look in that direction if possible.”
“What kind of gathering is it?”
“It’s a gathering of young martial artists from around the area. I don’t know why they’re gathering. Hehe!”
The innkeeper smiled as if it were a delightful thought.
Although he was currently working at the inn, the innkeeper also had ambitions to learn martial arts and gain recognition from others someday. For him, the gathering of well-known martial artists in the area was an attractive spectacle.
It was a rare opportunity to see famous martial artists from the Kangho area all at once, so the innkeeper’s excitement was at its peak.
While the innkeeper was excited, it was not a particularly thrilling event for Pyo Wol.
He had met enough famous martial artists in the Kangho to be fed up with them. He had no expectations for them.
the innkeeper suddenly clapped and spoke.
“Oh! If you’re going to eat on the second floor, you must try our premium dishes. Since we accept fewer guests, we have to maintain the price.”
“I got it. Bring me a decent dish.”
“What about alcohol?”
“I don’t need it.”
“Then, the steamed fish we caught today should be suitable. I’ll place the order in the kitchen, so go upstairs first.”
The innkeeper grinned and ran to the kitchen.
His friendly and energetic personality made it seem like he could succeed in any other job as well.
Pyo Wol went up to the second floor of the inn.
Several tables were arranged by the window with the best view, seemingly prepared for the gathering later that day.
Pyo Wol chose a seat farthest away from where the gathering would take place.
There were a few more people on the second floor besides Pyo Wol.
They glanced at Pyo Wol for a moment and lost interest as he sat down in a spot unrelated to the gathering.
Like the innkeeper, they seemed to have come here to watch the gathering of martial artists as well. The gathering of martial artists in this area was a major point of interest.
Pyo Wol sat down and looked at the street scene.
People staggering under the red lanterns appeared somewhat out of place. Pyo Wol couldn’t imagine what it would feel like to live so freely intoxicated.
Just then,
“It’s been a while since I’ve come to the city, and it feels great. Is it true that the liquor here is so delicious?”
“You definitely won’t be disappointed. Of all the drinks I’ve had, this place is the best.”
“Hehe! If you vouch for it, then it must be certain. I’m looking forward to it.”
With noisy chatter, two people came up to the second floor.