I cannot obtain the main weapon I used before. Until then, I need to find a suitable replacement. The key issue was whether Geum Cheol-yong could create it.

In truth, it didn’t matter if he couldn’t.

I didn’t want him to disappear after making just another well-crafted weapon. I wanted him to become a craftsman who pursued something of greater value.

.

.

.

Geum Cheol-yong watched the rain and spoke to me.

“This won’t be easy.”

“That’s right.”

“The hardest part is acquiring such durable iron. If we could get Everlasting Cold Iron, everything would be solved, just like you said. But obtaining it is as difficult as martial artists acquiring Pure Azure Jade.”

“That’s right.”

“But if you’re looking for something heavy as well, we might find it in the black market.”

The black market was a term used for places where experts of the underworld acquired their weapons. Some held auctions, while others crafted and sold weapons. Geum Cheol-yong suggesting the black market meant he was looking for raw materials rather than purchasing a pre-made weapon.

I remained silent.

The process of crafting a weapon was entirely up to Geum Cheol-yong, who had been running the forge for years. It wasn’t my place to interfere.

If Geum Cheol-yong truly managed to craft a weapon that satisfied me, it would be my fortune—and his destiny.

It seemed he had refrained from creating exceptional weapons out of fear of the powerful warriors of Jianghu, but I intended to break that taboo.

If any trouble came to Yongdu Iron Workshop, I would protect it.

Geum Cheol-yong asked me, “Do you have a name in mind?”

I answered without hesitation.

“The weapon’s name is Mad Blade.”

The characters meant madness and blade.

Geum Cheol-yong murmured the name, testing its meaning.
“So, a mad blade, huh? Since you said the shape doesn’t matter, I assume blade simply refers to something that will tear the opponent apart?”

“That’s roughly the meaning.”

“Would it be alright if I made it a straight sword? If you’re not aiming for tricks, a straight sword is best.”

A straight sword was exactly what it sounded like—a blade without any curve.

“A straight sword would be even better. After all, a man moves straight ahead.”

At my unexpected nonsense, Geum Cheol-yong gave me a sharp look before speaking.

“Fine. I’ll make it a straight sword. It will be called Mad Blade, and it will carry my unbreakable resolve.”

I smirked.

“Sounds good.”

Jang Deok-soo, who had been listening quietly, added a comment.

“Mad Blade, huh? That’s a terrifying name.”

Geum Cheol-yong, still envisioning the weapon in his mind, asked, “What’s the deadline?”

“The deadline is not for the client to decide, but the craftsman. A weapon forged in haste won’t be satisfactory. Take as long as you need.”

Though Geum Cheol-yong had never truly been a master craftsman, I intended to treat him as one.

Geum Cheol-yong stroked his chin.
“That makes sense. Finding the materials alone is unpredictable. One day, I’ll call you over and present you with Mad Blade. In that sense…”

“Yes?”

Geum Cheol-yong pointed at his empty bowl.

“You should buy the noodles today. I’ve had another good meal, after all.”

“Do you think it’s fair to mooch off a poor errand boy?”

Geum Cheol-yong gave me a look as if I had just said something ridiculous.

“You’re no errand boy. I don’t even know when that stopped being the case. Today, let’s just say the Lord of Hao Clan is treating us.”

Jang Deok-soo, who was wiping dishes, looked curious.

“Hao Clan? Did Zaha start that?”

I answered.

“Deok-soo hyung.”

“What?”

“You’re in Hao Clan too.”

Jang Deok-soo looked surprised.

“Huh? When did I join?”

“If I know someone, they’re already in.”

“Ah.”

“In that sense, you should always provide free noodles for the clan leader. Understood?”

Jang Deok-soo widened his eyes like a tiger and responded with a serious expression.

“Sir, please don’t do this.”

“……”

The men of Ilyang County were truly difficult to deal with.

With no other choice, I pulled money from my pouch and placed it on the table.

At that moment, my gaze instinctively turned toward the entrance of Chunyang Restaurant. Geum Cheol-yong and Jang Deok-soo followed my line of sight.

Men were standing in the rain.

Geum Cheol-yong spoke with concern.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“Hm, uninvited guests in the rain. I assume they’re your enemies? I’ve never committed any crimes, so it can’t be me. I don’t even go near brothels.”

Jang Deok-soo’s expression also turned cautious.

“I’d like to help, but if I injure my hands, I can’t run my business.”

Even so, his eyes darted toward the sharpest kitchen knife. If these men stormed into Chunyang Restaurant, the owner was ready to wield a blade himself.

I shook my head.

“Is there any sign that they came looking for me?”

Just then, one of the men outside spoke toward the restaurant.

“Yi Zaha… we know you’re in there. Come out.”

Jang Deok-soo nodded.

“Clan leader, they’re calling for you.”

As my status had suddenly been promoted from customer to clan leader, I glanced at Jang Deok-soo, who responded in a serious tone.

“Be careful.”

Geum Cheol-yong also showed genuine concern.

“Be careful, Clan Leader. My back always aches when it rains… it’s an old condition.”

I loosened the whip at my waist and stood up.

“Leave it to me. These bastards… coming to bother me in the rain.”

As I stepped outside, Geum Cheol-yong turned to Jang Deok-soo.

“Did it sound to you like he was calling us bastards?”

Jang Deok-soo shook his head.

“No.”

“No?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m his hyung. Zaha’s not that kind of guy.”

“In Jianghu, the one with stronger martial arts is the hyung.”

“So, does that mean even you’re Zaha’s little brother?”

“Deok-soo, are you really going to let martial arts decide age gaps of over ten years? Let’s not take it too far.”

“Yes.”

***

I stepped outside and looked at the rats standing in the rain.

Only one of them carried the aura of a true expert. A bald man wrapped head to toe in a rainproof cloak, revealing only his sharp eyes.

As expected, the lone bald man in the rainproof cloak spoke first.

“That scrawny bastard?”

The other men answered in unison.

“Yes.”

The cloaked man’s gaze was filled with pure killing intent as he looked at me.

“These men say you dared to kill Neung Ji-seok of the Black Lotus Guard. Is that true?”

I tilted my head.

“Neung Ji-seok… sounds familiar.”

Of course, I knew exactly who he was—the man who had died by my hand near Zaha Inn.

Scanning the rats around him, I recognized several familiar faces. They were warriors from Siwharu. That meant they were subordinates of Jo Sam-pyeong.

I asked the cloaked man, “So, is the bald man standing in the rain Neung Ji-seok’s senior brother?”

“I am Wi Seon-u of the Black Lotus Guard.”

The moment I heard his name, a certain title came to mind.

‘Wi Seon-u… that means he’s one of the Twin Phantom Blades.’

What a twist of fate.

Back in my days as Lord of Hao Clan, the Twin Phantom Blades had attacked me—and died for it.

Wi Seon-u and Gu Yang-su were brothers-in-arms known as the Twin Phantom Blades. I only now realized they were originally from the Black Lotus Guard. Perhaps their bond with the group hadn’t been strong, and they had eventually left.

One night, when a great dispute erupted over Jang Bo-do, the Twin Phantom Blades had slaughtered forty or fifty top warriors from both the righteous and demonic factions.

Of course, in my past life, I had killed the Twin Phantom Blades myself. The treasure Jang Bo-do pointed to had ended up in my hands as well.

Wi Seon-u pulled off his rainproof cloak, revealing his face.

The man I had once killed was now standing before me, glaring with young, piercing eyes.

Naturally, I didn’t rule out the possibility that Gu Yang-su was hiding nearby.

Holding my whip, I spoke.

“The Siwharu lackeys should go back inside. Unless you want to get caught up in this and die.”

Wi Seon-u was so fixated on killing me that he didn’t even glance at the underlings. The Siwharu thugs hesitated, then withdrew to a safe distance. They were eager to see how this fight would unfold.

Wi Seon-u asked, “Brat, why did you kill Neung Ji-seok?”

I answered briefly.

“For the crime of burning down my house.”

Wi Seon-u chuckled.

“Well, that’s a reason worth killing for. Too bad for you—you’ll die for it too.”

“Do things in life ever go the way you want? I doubt even your hair obeys you.”

A vein bulged on Wi Seon-u’s forehead.

“I’ll rip your damn mouth apart first.”

At that moment, lightning flashed.

As our faces were illuminated for a brief instant, both of us smirked.

Wi Seon-u gripped his twin ringed blades and took a stance. He was stronger when fighting alongside Gu Yang-su, using their synchronized attacks.

Unfortunately for them, I knew their swordplay inside and out.

Not just the Twin Phantom Blades—many of the top warriors of the Martial Alliance had clashed with me. The stronger they were, the more likely I had encountered them before.

Now, I had the power of the Golden Nine Wanderer Art, forged through the Heavenly Pearl, combined with my past life's experience.

For me, this was just another amusement on a rainy day.

“Wi Seon-u, you’re cutting your own life short. If not for meeting me, you could have lived to an old age. What a shame.”

Though I spoke of fate from my past life, there was no way for Wi Seon-u to understand. He scoffed.

“Crazy bastard.”

“Sharp observation.”

The rain grew heavier.

Swoooosh!

Wi Seon-u kicked up puddles as he lunged at me. I cracked my whip, and he slid along the wet ground to dodge it. In an instant, he closed the distance, slashing with his twin blades.

He knew exactly how to kill an opponent wielding a whip.

He had no intention of keeping his distance.

In response, I sidestepped, securing an angle where I could strike effectively with my whip.

We moved in a circular motion, vying for control of the fight. Rain drenched us as we tested each other’s movements.

I deliberately stomped on puddles, sending splashes of water into Wi Seon-u’s path. He swiftly swung his swords, using the broad sides to deflect the water.

My strategy was simple: maintain a delicate balance of tension.

That way, Gu Yang-su—who was likely waiting nearby—would be forced to reveal himself.

For that reason, I stayed on the defensive.

Three consecutive flashes of lightning illuminated the sky, followed by distant thunder.

Suddenly, the sound of squelching footsteps approached, and Cha Seong-tae arrived, gripping a straight sword.

The moment he appeared, I warned him.

“Hold back. He’s a master.”

“Yes.”

Cha Seong-tae responded curtly and removed his eyepatch. The heavy rain was impairing his vision.

While blocking Wi Seon-u’s attacks, /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ I gave Cha Seong-tae another warning.

“There’s another one nearby. Stay alert.”

Cha Seong-tae flinched and tightened his grip on his sword, scanning the downpour.

“I understand.”

A moment later, he spoke again.

“I only see Siwharu’s lackeys.”

Before he even finished speaking, a black shape spun through the air, cutting through the rain.

“Huh?”

Twin blades spread outward, revealing Gu Yang-su’s darkened, grim face as he landed beside Wi Seon-u.

Cha Seong-tae cursed in shock.

“Holy shit, there was another one.”

Seeing Gu Yang-su’s face after so long, I couldn’t help but grin.

“Heh.”

With both of the Twin Phantom Blades here, there was no need to hold back.

I immediately infused my whip with flame energy.

The whip, already moving like an unpredictable serpent in the rain, now glowed with a faint red hue.

Gu Yang-su issued a short warning.

“Senior brother, he’s hiding his true strength. Be careful.”

“Understood.”

Wi Seon-u and Gu Yang-su split to my left and right, each wielding their twin blades. After gauging my power, they decided to draw the fight out.

Their strategy was clear.

A whip had a slower retrieval speed compared to other weapons. Their plan was for one of them to entangle my whip with both swords while the other struck from behind.

I saw right through their thinking.

And so, I prepared for battle in the waterlogged streets.