Light Novel: Volume 13 Episode 22
Upon hearing Do Yeonsan’s confident words, Pyo-wol became intrigued.
“You’re carrying on the legacy of the Tang clan?”
“Yes!”
“But the place where the Tang clan existed is far beyond a distance of four thousand li from here. Are you really claiming to have carried on the legacy?”
“Our clan leader is a direct descendant of the Tang clan, so fortunately, we were able to carry and pass on the legacy.”
“Really?”
“Yes! Since the clan leader said so himself, it must be true.”
“Then, is this item also made based on the Tang clan’s legacy?”
“Yes! It was made using the method taught by our clan leader.”
Do Yeonsan nodded.
Pyo-wol carefully observed Do Yeonsan’s face.
Although Do Yeonsan was in his late teens, his eyes looked excessively dreary. Looking into his deep sunken eyes, there was a hint of madness in them.
Do Yeonsan’s appearance reminded Pyo-wol of Tang Sochu.
Pyo-wol had felt and noticed the same thing when he first met Tang Sochu.
The two of them naturally possessed and exhibit that particular madness only geniuses who are deeply immersed in their respective field have.
Pyo-wol asked to Do Yeonsan,
“Can I see more of the items you’ve made?”
“Sure!”
Do Yeonsan brought out several items.
There were sabers, swords, and even daggers of various kinds. But none of them matched the uniqueness of the cow hair needle that Pyo-wol was holding.
It was a well-known fact that the smaller the object, the greater the attention to detail and concentration required. Therefore, most artisans found it more challenging to create small objects.
However, Do Yeonsan was the opposite.
His concentration level seemed to increase when creating small, and lightweight weapons.
Even the way he made the cow hair needle also seemed different from the Tang clan’s vision.
Pyo-wol might not be familiar with the art of forging, but he had spent enough time with Tang Sochu to know the kind and level of quality that could be achieved when the Tang clan’s legacy was fully expressed.
The weapons created by the blacksmiths claiming to have been made with the Tang clan’s vision fell short of Pyo-wol’s expectations. Although they were similar, there was something inexplicably lacking in each of them.
On the other hand, the cow hair needle made by Do Yeonsan was different.
With this level of skill, it was not that far behind Tang Sochu’s.
“I’ll buy the cow hair needle.”
“Really? There are much better items available—”
“This is the only one that meets my standards.”
“Ah!”
Upon Pyo-wol’s words, Do Yeonsan’s face showed a grateful expression.
He felt as if his efforts were being rewarded.
It had been over four years since he entered and joined Cheolsan Workshop. During that time, he worked with iron as instructed by the blacksmiths at Cheolsan Workshop.
Although those blacksmiths taught him the ways of handling iron, boasting about how they were imparting the legacy of the Tang clan, Do Yeonsan wasn’t at all impressed.
The more proficient Do Yeonsan became in handling iron, the more suspicious he became.
The rumored legacy of the Tang clan was not merely at this level.
In the past, the Tang clan’s creations, such as their hidden weapons and poison, were considered to be the best in the world in terms of quality.
On the other hand, while the items created using the vision and techniques taught in this workshop were slightly superior to ordinary goods, they were still far from being overwhelmingly exceptional.
However, Do Yeonsan couldn’t reveal his true feelings when the workshop’s owner and blacksmiths are saying otherwise.
It was hard to find a workshop around Lake Tai that treated its craftsmen as well as the Cheolsan Workshop. Furthermore, even if Do Yeonsan decided to go to another workshop, they probably wouldn’t accept him.
The Cheolsan Workshop, affiliated with the Cheolsan Family, held the greatest influence in the Lake Tai region. Their power was considered to be much stronger than that of any other faction.
It was unlikely that they would allow a craftsman who had learned their vision to join another workshop.
No faction would allow its own vision and legacy to flow outside its walls. Even if the said vision is considered inadequate or inferior.
If Do Yeonsan tried to forcibly leave the Cheolsan Workshop, they would undoubtedly take his life or leave him in a state where he could neither live nor die.
Knowing this, Do Yeonsan concealed his doubts and devoted himself only to the work of handling iron.
Weapons commonly used by martial artists, such as swords and daggers, had predetermined standards and strengths.
No matter how skilled he was, Do Yeonsan had no choice but to meet and adhere to the standards of the Cheolsan Workshop.
On the other hand, small items like cow hair needles were different.
Since there were hardly any craftsmen who made such items in the workshop, there were no predetermined standards.
Thanks to that, he could freely demonstrate his skill.
The cow hair needles that Pyo-wol was holding now were one such item.
“How much is it?”
“T, Three silver coins.”
Do Yeonsan replied in a trembling voice.
Pyo-wol willingly paid him the said amount.
The cow hair needles were worth that much.
‘The materials cost very little. For three pieces of silver, I can make the thing I want.’
Do Yeonsan clenched his fists.
No one knew that he had sold the cow hair needles for three pieces of silver. As long as he deposited the right amount, all the remaining money was his.
“Thank you.”
Do Yeonsan bowed his head in gratitude.
Pyo-wol noticed a small pattern on the sash that wrapped the needles. It was a distinctive pattern of two intersecting circles.
“What is this pattern?”
“Oh that… that’s my mark.”
“Mark?”
“When I become famous, I plan to put that mark on all my items.”
Do Yeonsan replied, blushing as if he was embarrassed.
Renowned craftsmen often leave distinctive traces or marks to prove that they had made the item.
Do Yeonsan also created his own mark following the footsteps of such craftsmen.
“Is that so?”
“Hehe! It’s a pattern that my younger sibling likes. That’s why I also engraved the same pattern on my younger sibling’s necklace.”
“That’s cool.”
“Hehe! I don’t know if it’s truly cool, but my younger sibling likes it.”
Do Yeonsan scratched his head.
“Let me ask you one last thing.”
“Sure! Anything.”
“What’s the name of the owner of the Cheolsan Workshop?”
“The owner shares the same name as the workshop. The owner is Master Tang Cheolsan. 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 puzzled expression.
There wasn’t a single person in the entire region who didn’t know who Tang Cheolsan was.
Since his surname was Tang, he claimed to be a descendant of the Tang clan.
In Sichuan and its surrounding provinces, the Tang clan was feared, but in this place which was thousands of miles away, they were treated as a mysterious sect.
Since this region never had any direct contact with the true Tang clan, they only knew of their good qualities. Tang Cheolsan’s family took advantage of that fact and established themselves here. They emphasized their lineage as the descendants of the Tang clan and dominated the neighborhood’s market.
There wasn’t a person in the Lake Tai area who didn’t know that.
‘This person is an outsider.’
Do Yeonsan immediately realized that Pyo-wol was someone who had come from the outside, but he didn’t find it strange.
Lake Tai’s landscape was unparalleled, and people from all over the world would often come and visit to see it.
It was then.
“Hey! You beggar!”
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