The Dragon Fang Spear of the White Night. 

As long as you had eyes, you could see how great of a spear it was at once. 

In addition, this smith was a skilled blacksmith who could handle black iron. How could he not recognize the value of this spear? His eyes shook harder than ever before. 

“That’s right. You’ve got a better spear.” His voice trembled, as did his shoulders. He understood why Woon-seong didn’t need his spear. 

“Right. So I’m trying to make something new.”

At the words of the youth, the smith wryly shook his head. But he immediately perked up. The youth had said he would melt the spear, the black iron. As a blacksmith, he still had a chance to show off his skills! “What are you planning to make?”

“Throwing knives and pauldrons,” Woon-seong replied briefly. [1]

If you have the soul of a blacksmith, you’ll want to make a weapon that can prove your worth no matter what.

Woon-seong smiled faintly as he saw the smith thinking of working with the black iron, then looked at his new spear. He didn’t know where this spear originated, but it was definitely a top tier weapon. Unfortunately, Gong Ya-ja was not skilled enough to make such weapons. That was why he had first bowed his head upon seeing the White Night Spear; the value of the two could not be compared. Of course, this did not mean the black iron spear was of poor quality. The White Night Spear was just far superior. 

This wasn’t so bad either. Although it was just throwing knives and pauldrons, it fueled Gong Ya-ja’s will as a blacksmith seeing that he had another chance. 

You can make something quite useful.

Just as a swordsman did not learn swordsmanship alone, a spearman did not only learn spearmanship. Those of Murim needed a variety of skills to cope with various situations. Spear users needed to figure out how to deal with enemies that penetrated through their range, either too far or too close. 

However, apart from the need for throwing knives, it was a little surprising that the youth had chosen pauldrons, which did not seem to help in combat. 

Except, one of Woon-seong’s recent experiences had become a great inspiration.

Woon-seong huffed lightly to himself, Rushing forward and hitting the enemy with your shoulders can cause more damage than you think.

The battle with Dal Mu-ji had come to mind. 

In a fight, the smallest gap in movement could become the turning point. What would a spearman do if the opponent narrowed the distance? Wait until they were one foot into their grave? In such a situation, he could only stab or be stabbed.

Woon-seong smiled, thinking of how convenient the pauldrons would be for attack and defense. 

At that time, the Gong Ya-ja had gone inside and walked back out. He held a small wooden box in his hand. “Oh, you haven’t told me when you expect these to be finished, right?”

Woon-seong shook his head and answered, “I will come find you during the next full moon.”

The smith nodded and held out the wooden box. Woon-seong opened it and found a few throwing knives, a belt, and some shoulder plates. 

“If you need them, you can use these as substitutes before I have completed the throwing knives and pauldrons,” explained the smith. 

“Thank you.” 

Woon-seong put the leather belt around his waist. There were a total of ten holes, just enough space to fit the knives he had just been given. He adjusted the fit and soon smiled with satisfaction. That should do it. Even while wielding a spear, the belt could be easily adjusted for optimal use with his left hand. 

Next were the shoulder plates. They were designed to be worn on the left shoulder and sort of looked like a stack of metal, but they weren’t so bad either. 

After putting them all on, Woon-seong grabbed his spear again. 

“Dragon Fang Spear of the White Night.”

Weng!

The spear began to tremble. 

At the same time, energy flowed out of his body. Black-colored ‘intimidation qi’ spread out and scattered. Woon-seong’s eyes were now glowing gold. He looked like a predator looking at prey. 

“Hehe.” 

The moment that the spear began to tremble, Woon-seong had already started to swing his spear. 

Shh. Shh. 

He had decided to try the Art of Six Seals and Destruction. 

The spear of the demonic god who erased the night in six steps. When you learned the sixth verse, you could even destroy the Heavens. 

Bzz-

Eh?

As Woon-seong began the movements though, the spear shook as if it had reacted to something. It started to control its own vibrations, completely in line with the motions of the youth.

‘Rain of Star Destruction’

‘Black Night of the Fourth Moon’

‘Divine Wind of the Past’

There was more to go, but he had to end it there. 

Those were three of the movements from the Art of Six Seals and Destruction. Woon-seong was powerful, but he would not be able to use the latter three moves until he increased his qi. Since he couldn’t finish the art, he could only practice other things. 

A torrent of energy began to flock around, creating a huge vortex that shrouded the area. The youth’s arm was pulled taut like a bowstring before being released in one fluid movement. The strike was like a dragon, plowing the land until the earthworms came out. This was the move that had beat the Blade Ogre of the Green Mountain! 

Khh-Kuang!

The spear blasted forward as power erupted from Woon-seong’s hands, groaning. The spear slammed into the ground as sand and dust billowed into the air. 

“Huff, huff.”

Woon-seong was panting and trembling, hands sore. He had not been able to properly control his energy, so that one move had used up almost everything. It had been a few days where he was stuck like this. 

Just as expected, it’s difficult to make a tiered martial art into one… [2]

My breathing and invoking of my qi when I use the skill. Those two should be the problem…or are there three? The excessive amount of qi also seems wrong…

Improvements would require a lot of trial and error. But since he knew where the problems lay, he only needed to work hard. 

But if I can use it properly, it will become a hidden trump card.

Woon-seong had not yet named this skill, as that could wait until after it was complete. 

He felt that the pain in his arm had eased a little so he pulled the spear from the ground. Strapping it to his back, he pulled out three throwing knives. 

Shh.

These knives, which left the hands of the youth, flew in a straight line and hit a tree. 

Pak-pak-pak.

This was not a skill, but no craftsmanship was without art. This could be seen in the way the knives were all evenly spaced apart.

Woon-seong recovered the three knives he had just thrown and pulled out four this time. 

Since he had to hold his spear with his right hand, the number of knives he could use at one time was limited to four. 

The knives flew like a thunderbolt and lodged into the ground some distance away, forming the shape of a cross in the four cardinal directions. 

‘Lightning stitching throwing knives’. Looks like I can still use them. 

This skill allowed him to throw knives like a lightning god of the Heavens punishing the sinners, each knife faster than a lightning strike. This was actually something he was formerly known for, second only to his spear arts. However, it was not as powerful as it used to be, as he had not practiced in a long time. 

Plus, he would not be satisfied with just reaching his old level. Not only spearmanship, but his other skills, had to surpass that of his former self in order to infiltrate the heart of his enemies. 

No, I have to even surpass the level of my master.

Woon-seong aimed at two things and once again scattered the knives. 

Fababababat-

He gradually got back into his old rhythm. The knives that had been sprayed in all directions were recovered as he tidied up.

Shh-

Woon-seong grabbed his spear and once again, collected the knives. 

I’m quite satisfied today.

Several clues about the skill that killed the Blade Ogre of the Green Mountain had been grasped. He had re-familiarized himself with using the knives and spear at the same time. His only complaint was…

I wish my skill with throwing knives was a little bit better…

The sun was setting over the mountains as he looked up. The red glow was bleeding into the sky. 

I may be a bit late, but I can still arrive before sunset.

Woon-seong flew into the air and became like a bird, disappearing into the forest. In his place, he left only the violent traces of intense training. 

[1] pauldrons are shoulder armor

[2] he’s trying to make the Art of Six Seals and Destruction, which has 6 tiers/movements, combine with the Divine Spear of the Ending Night