Chapter 47: The Reforming General
“My brother was dragged there and suffered so much!”
“Hrrrrup.”
“Want more?”
“Yes.”
“Oh my! Truly, the heavens are just. Now I can die without regrets.”
The innkeeper of Jeil Tavern was the older sister of the aunt who had been captured by the mountain bandits while cooking.
“Back then, when my brother was taken, I was so heartbroken. Oh my!”
The innkeeper generously poured out ingredients to make pancakes.
“Innkeeper, what are those bundles over there?”
Jin-tae asked, pointing to the wooden crates piled near the tavern.
“What do you think? Now that my brother has returned, there’s no reason to risk doing business outside the city walls.”
“Ah.”
“I’ll be going back now.”
“To Seoul?”
“No, Mungyeong. Our home is in Mungyeong. My brother and I came up to Paju to visit our son but got caught up in that mess and ended up here in Nova.”
“Ah!”
The innkeeper had run the tavern in the holy city solely to hear news of her brother.
Since everyone passing through to Mount Obong, where the mountain bandits were based, stopped by this holy city.
The tavern’s convenient location along the route had earned her a tidy profit from travelers.
“Are you leaving for good?”
“Not really. I’ll go and come back.”
“Why?”
“When I return, I’ll persuade my family to come back with me. I can’t just leave my son, daughter-in-law, and grandson behind on Earth.”
“Hmm.”
Jin-tae silently ate his soup.
The innkeeper seemed at her wit’s end.
Cheol-du and Jin-tae, no different, stood up after receiving a lukewarm reception.
“This is for the tab from back then.”
“Oh no! Keep it. Saving my brother was repayment enough. I could never settle that debt.”
Cheol-du’s eyes glinted as he spoke.
“Innkeeper. If you return to Nova and have nowhere to go, settle with me.”
“Oh my! Teasing an old auntie like me?”
“I mean if I build a village, you can run your business there.”
“Ah, that’s what you meant!”
The innkeeper’s cheeks flushed as she playfully slapped Cheol-du’s thick arm.
“Oh my! My son’s even seen his grandson, yet here I am acting foolish!”
“Hahaha. So is that a yes?”
“Innie, if I come back, I’ll set up shop in your village.”
“Haha, good. Then accept this payment for the tab.”
“Alright!”
The debt would be repaid through future settlement, and the auntie accepted the generous payment.
The innkeeper’s bustling activity outside the city walls and the hunters’ sidelong glances suggested Cheol-du’s exploits had become the talk of the town.
Sure enough, chaos erupted at the gates upon their return.
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“W-what was your name again?”
“Kang Cheol-du.”
“Ah! Then is this gentleman Kim Jin-tae?”
“Yes.”
“Gasp! Please follow me. We’ve orders to escort you to the government office immediately!”
The gate sergeant treated Cheol-du with reverence.
Naturally, Cheol-du didn’t head straight to the government office.
“I’m going to the workshop first.”
“Huh?”
“Is there a problem?”
“N-no! You may go there first.”
Cheol-du stayed true to his purpose.
Why had he come to New Seoul?
To acquire quality weapons and resupply for his expeditions.
Someone recognized Cheol-du as he passed and rushed out.
“Oh my! General! You’ve finally returned!”
“Hmm?”
“Don’t you remember me? The blacksmith you saved from the mountain bandits!”
“Ah! The blacksmith from back then!”
Cheol-du smiled warmly.
“You look well.”
“Hahaha! All thanks to you, General! What brings you here? Just name it!”
The blacksmith thumped his chest.
“I may not look it, but I’m New Seoul’s finest blacksmith!”
“Hahaha…”
Cheol-du pulled a steel mace from his inventory and handed over the broken pieces.
“Served well until it snapped.”
“…!!”
“See you next time.”
With a pat on the shoulder, Cheol-du walked off, leaving Jang So-cheol collapsing to his knees.
“…Ughhhh!!”
The blacksmith stared at the shattered mace, breathing raggedly.
Was this how Sun-wook felt receiving an empty box?
‘He must be disappointed in my skills…’
How could he have given such shoddy work to a warrior heading to battle?
“…Ughhhh!!”
Jang So-cheol covered his mouth, weeping.
He’d nearly repaid kindness with enmity.
Ah, this shame and guilt—what could he do?
“…Ughhh… I swear I’ll forge a steel mace worthy of the General!”
Tears streamed as he bowed toward Cheol-du’s retreating figure.
‘Even if it costs my life, I’ll repay this debt!’
This blacksmith would hone his skills to the utmost.
Cheol-du walked on, indifferent to the bowing behind him.
The crowded streets buzzed with whispers.
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“That’s the guy who rescued people from bandits!”
“Called a general—must be from the command.”
“Heard from Mr. Kim he’s a famous hired killer.”
“Young but impressive.”
“Look at his bearing—clearly a merchant.”
“Jang Ho-cheol died by his hands?”
“Bastard deserved it.”
“Must be a top ranker.”
“Rumors say he’s foreign.”
“Kinda looks it.”
Among the murmuring crowd, Kim Jin-tae’s shoulders hunched up.
“Problem with your chin?”
“Huh? Damn, no.”
Jin-tae lowered his reflexively raised chin.
Cheol-du soon reached Yeong-ho Workshop, trailed by Jin-tae and the gatekeeping sergeant.
Dong-su, manning the counter, startled at Cheol-du’s entrance.
“Oh! General!”
“Why does everyone call me ‘General’?”
Dong-su fumbled for words.
“The rescued captives started it… We just followed.”
“Is the owner here?”
“Yes!”
They entered the forge. Choi Yeong-ho handed his hammer to an apprentice and headed to the backyard.
“Follow me.”
“Hahaha.”
Anticipation bubbled.
Choi Yeong-ho fetched an axe from the warehouse.
“Ooh!”
Cheol-du tested the blade.
Not razor-sharp, but serviceable. With its heft, it could split thin armor.
“No handle, though.”
“You’ll need to choose one.”
Choi Yeong-ho brought out lumber.
“Our finest wood. But…”
“Speak.”
“The axe head’s too good for this rotten handle.”
“Fetch better wood.”
“Haha, use this.”
Cheol-du produced a wooden staff.
“Hmm?”
Choi Yeong-ho examined it, even tasting the wood.
“Ugh, damn!”
Cheol-du cursed reflexively, but the blacksmith didn’t care.
Slurp
After chewing, he nodded.
“My appraisal skill can’t identify this top-tier material.”
“Hoo.”
Cheol-du lowered his raised hand—he’d almost slapped a craftsman.
“It’s an orc’s magic staff.”
“Ugh! Why’d you tell me now?!”
No wonder it reeked of orc.
“Make it into a handle.”
“But the magic might fade!”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Hmm.”
The staff was too long, but Choi Yeong-ho pondered.
“Got any metal?”
“Obviously.”
Cheol-du dumped a mountain of scrap metal into the courtyard.
Clang!
“…Did you raid an orc village instead of Mount Obong?”
“Oh!”
A master’s insight indeed.
Cheol-du held up three fingers.
“Make three.”
“…!!”
Even a master smith needed time with steel.
Weapons break—better to have spares.
“Payment’s the leftover metal.”
“Hahaha, deal.”
Choi Yeong-ho mimicked Cheol-du’s laugh.
Jin-tae and the sergeant stood baffled.
“Just… go with it.”
“Haha. To the government office now?”
“Need to sell other loot.”
“Ha, please—just visit the office first!”
The sergeant looked ready to cry.
A savior appeared at the workshop wall.
“Cheol-du! Jin-tae! The office buys junk—let’s go!”
“Loyalty! Captain Choi Jun-seop!”
“Yes, yes. I’ll handle things here.”
“Understood! Loyalty!”
The sergeant scurried off.
Captain Choi Jun-seop grinned at Cheol-du.
“So good to see you again!”
“Casual with your elders?”
“Huh? I’m 31!”
Swoosh
Cheol-du’s thick palm rose.
“…Elder.”
“Haha, yes.”
Captain Choi’s face tightened—he’d baited Cheol-du’s competitive streak.
“Major Lee’s at the office.”
“Major Lee?”
“The strongest in the command.”
“Ah!”
“How does she compare to Jang Ho-cheol?”
“She’d win easily.”
“Against two Jang Ho-cheols?”
“Might struggle—worth 1.5 of him.”
Cheol-du stroked his chin.
“Weaklings don’t interest me.”
“…?”
“I’ve surpassed twenty Jang Ho-cheols.”
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“What nonsense!”
