How to Live as a Mage in the Murim World

Chapter 13 – Episode 4: Lovesickness (2)

Despite his quick judgment, Im Jun-gyu spotted him first.

“Damn it! Perfect timing! Come here and help me explain!”

‘Son of a…!’

Zhuge Hyeonmong smoothly retraced his steps and walked toward Im Jun-gyu.

“What’s going on? And is that…?”

He eyed the great ax Im Jun-gyu was holding.

It resembled the great axe that Ma Jin-gwang had made.

Come to think of it, he vaguely remembered telling Im Jun-gyu to simply make a great axe resembling the one he lost after Im Jun-gyu kept fussing about it at that time.

It was just a passing comment without much thought, but it seemed Im Jun-gyu had actually taken it seriously.

“Is that the axe from before?”

“I had it made just as you suggested. But no! This isn’t the great axe I want!”

“Since when did you become some perfectionist craftsman? It looks identical to me.

“You wouldn’t understand because you’re not a martial artist. You have to hold it to know. That touch, that exquisite weight… that feeling of it moving like an extension of your body!”

“Yes, yes, I’m not a martial artist, so I wouldn’t get it. So, what’s the problem?”

There was really nothing to feel insulted about since he truly wasn’t a martial artist.

But that response seemed to deflate Im Jun-gyu’s excitement.  It takes two to tango.

“Sigh. Forget it.”

With those words, Im Jun-gyu slung the great axe over his shoulder and trudged away.

The blacksmith sighed in relief.

“Phew, thank you. He’s finally gone.”

“He was giving you a hard time?”

“You have no idea. He came barging in, demanding me to make a great axe, and then nitpicking every little detail. He went on and on about the weight distribution, the sharpness of the blade, how it should feel light when swung but have a satisfying heft…”

“Haha…”

“Since he’s the Chief Im’s son, I couldn’t exactly tell him to get lost. Anyway, after I went through all the trouble of making it, he just held it once and then launched another tirade of complaint, which almost drove me nuts.”

The blacksmith shook his head exasperatedly.

Zhuge Hyeonmong inwardly clicked his tongue.

He knew Im Jun-gyu had been acting strange lately, but he didn’t realize it was this bad.

“You have my sympathy.”

“Yeah, thanks for sorting him out. You’re from the Great Dragon Escort Agency too, right… the scholar guy? What brings you here?”

“Ah, I actually came to place a commission as well.”

“Oh? What would that be?”

Zhuge Hyeonmong pulled out a bundle containing some component pieces and showed them to the blacksmith.

“What’s this? Looks like rusty pieces of metal.”

“Yes. It’s broken, and I’d like you to make an exact replica. The weight must be exactly half a catty, and the proportions of bronze should be at least six to one. The rest of the metal should be similarly proportioned and when completed, it should have a subtle shine with a mirror-smooth surface finish. When you shape it, please follow the design I drew exactly, with zero tolerance for error. And…”

“Boys! See the customer out!”

The blacksmith immediately called for his workers after hearing the explanation.

‘The hell is wrong with these people?’

First Im Jun-gyu, and now this Zhuge fellow—he might look refined, but he clearly wasn’t right in the head.

The faint glint of madness that occasionally surfaced in his eyes as he spoke was so palpable it was terrifying.

“W-wait, sir, why…?”

“I’m seriously considering cutting ties with the Great Dragon Escort Agency.”

“Wait, could it be…?”

Zhuge Hyeonmong tilted his head.

“Is this… something you cannot forge?”

Zhuge Hyeonmong’s innocent question was enough to wound the pride of the experienced blacksmith.

“Boys! Bring me one of the well-sharpened swords!”

“Hm. For now, take this.”

Zhuge Hyeonmong held out ten silver taels that he had prepared as the commission fee.

“Money’s not the issue!”

“Consider it a consultation fee.”

“…Ahem, hmm.”

Ten silver taels was quite a sum, but right now Zhuge Hyeonmong was more interested in satisfying his curiosity than money.

“Why can’t it be done?”

“There are too many reasons why not. The exact weight requirement is one thing, and you’re asking for the shape to be reproduced without the slightest deviation and zero tolerance at that? On top of that, the material isn’t even clearly specified, no blacksmith would take on a job like this.”

“Is there really no one?”

“Well… maybe the metallurgists of the Sichuan Tang Family could do it.”

“The Sichuan Tang family, you say?”

“Their hidden weapons are known for being precisely crafted without a single millimeter of error. That level of craftsmanship is rare. But they only pick up their hammers for members of their own family.”

Zhuge Hyeonmong nodded. He had anticipated this.

This was somewhat expected when he heard the mention of the Sichuan Tang family.

Even though he wasn’t a martial artist, even Zhuge Hyeonmong knew about the Sichuan Tang Family’s exclusive nature.

“Perhaps the head of the Iron Flame Gang could make it too.”

“The Iron Flame Gang?”

(The Hangul used in the raw is this 철화방, notice the three last characters? Those are read as bang, the same bang as in the Gae Bang or usually translated as the Beggar Gang)

“Yes. It’s a sect formed by blacksmiths. Have you heard of them?”

“A little bit.”

The blacksmith nodded.

“The Iron Flame Gang is a martial arts sect of blacksmiths. Their work might look rough on the outside, but they’re more meticulous than anyone else, and the durability of their work is unmatched. However, you won’t be able to meet them now. The current leader got into a conflict with the Sima Noble Family and hid in the mountains after a falling out with the family, practically living as a bandit.”

“How did that happen?”

“It was the Sima Noble Family’s greed. The Sima Noble Family has been eyeing the Iron Flame Gang for a long time, and they finally pulled some unreasonable stunts, which made the Iron Flame Gang’s leader furious. He smashed everything up and ran off into the mountains, saying he didn’t want anything to do with the Jianghu… Tsk tsk. What a waste.”

“I heard they lean toward neutrality. Is that true?”

“They tend to be a bit impulsive and prone to misunderstandings due to their stubborn temper… but if I had to say, they’re not really on the Unorthodox Faction’s side. The problem lies with the Sima Noble Family.”

Zhuge Hyeonmong nodded.

Sima Noble Family’s wealth and influence positioned them as a dominant force among martial factions. Turning the public opinion of the Iron Flame Gang is as easy as flipping a palm for them.

“Anyone else?”

“None!”

The blacksmith spat the words and thrust the silver back into Zhuge Hyeonmong’s hands.

“I haven’t been much help. Take this back. It’ll be the same wherever you go. So don’t waste your time running around.”

“Thank you.”

Zhuge Hyeonmong was disappointed.

There was no reason for him to lie when he put it that way.

After returning home, Zhuge Hyeonmong decided to postpone this matter.

‘There’s no way around it.’

Although magic could do various things, it couldn’t perform blacksmith work, no matter what.

Perhaps it might be possible when his level increased later, but it was impossible now.

Zhuge Hyeonmong decided to focus more on studying magic, which he hadn’t been able to do while disassembling the incense burner.

The recent battle had given him a new perspective.

‘I need to secure a means of survival.’

In his dreams, Laurent had annihilated enemies using devastating spells.

But he couldn’t do that here. Not to mention that there was no need or reason to do anything so flashy.

But regardless, he needed to prepare himself.

‘Should I focus on enhancing physical abilities, or on increasing mana…’

“Hey, Zhuge Xianmeng, you home?”

“…”

He put down his brush and got up.

There was a hesitant figure holding a great ax in his courtyard.

He opened the door and spoke immediately.

“There’s no way.”

“W-wait, really? You didn’t even hear my question…”

“It’s obvious. You’re going to ask if there’s a way to get that great axe back or find something of similar quality. There isn’t.”

“But, but surely you might have a way!”

‘I literally just said there isn’t.’ He sighed.

“That great axe is probably in the possession of the Iron Flame Gang’s leader now, how are we supposed to get it back? Moreover, that great axe was made by the leader himself and I recently heard that the only other blacksmith who could replicate it is from the Sichuan Tang Family.”

Im Jun-gyu hung his head and left.

‘Finally.’

Zhuge Hyeonmong picked up his brush again and tried to slowly organize his thoughts.

“Looks like what I need to prioritize is…”

“Hyeonmong, are you there?”

“Yes.”

Between Mansu last time and today, unwanted visitors were coming too frequently. At this rate, he might set up the Bewildering Maze Formation around his house. Zhuge Hyeonmong.

Im Chung stood with worry carved into every line of his face.

“Sorry to bother you. It’s about my son. He hasn’t been himself since our last trip.”

“If it’s about the great axe, there’s nothing we can do. Surely, you don’t actually want him to become Ma Jin-gwang’s disciple?”

“Of course not.”

“Is it because of his… questionable reputation and his sect’s disposition?”

“That’s part of it. He’s a known bandit. Having my son as his disciple would damage the Great Dragon Escort Agency’s reputation. Moreover, since my son has studied under the Qingcheng Sect, if he became Ma Jin-gwang’s disciple, the Qingcheng Sect wouldn’t stay quiet either.”

“Then there’s no choice but to give up.”

“Isn’t there any way?”

“While saving some face? None.”

“I’m sure you would be able to find a way.”

“I’m just someone born with the surname of Zhuge. That’s all.”

Im Chung nodded at those words.

Even he recognized the unreasonable nature of his request.

“I understand. Sorry for disturbing you.”

Seeing Im Chung’s shoulders slumped, Zhuge Hyeonmong’s heart softened. For all his faults, Im Chung had always shown him kindness

“Sigh. I’ll think about possible solutions. But don’t expect too much.”

“Thank you.”

After Im Chung left, Zhuge Hyeonmong returned to his room, but it was hard to concentrate.

He found himself unconsciously thinking about the request he’d been asked to help with.

‘A way to get the great axe while saving face, huh.’

Actually, it wasn’t completely impossible.

But it required several improbable conditions.

Conditions that were almost impossible to meet.

But they were also essential elements for realizing the method Zhuge Hyeonmong had in mind.

After thinking about it for a while, Zhuge Hyeonmong shook his head and went to bed.

And that night, Zhuge Hyeonmong had a dream again after a long time.

It was a dream of Allen.