Black Corporation: Joseon [EN]: Chapter 762

762. Encounter (7)

As the standoff continued, each side intently watching the other, the squad leader made a decision.

“Survey team, pack up your gear.”

“Yes, sir!”

Having given the order to the survey team, the squad leader then addressed the soldiers with rifles.

“If those natives try any funny business, put a hole in their heads.”

“Yes, sir!”

Listening to the resolute reply of the riflemen, the squad leader stepped forward, carefully observing the native warriors facing him.

“Hmm…”

While the squad leader examined the armament of the native warriors, Putan, on the opposite side, scrutinized the attire and weapons of his opponent.

As they sized each other up, both fell into similar contemplation.

‘If something breaks out, dealing with the ones in front of me should be manageable… The problem is, they’re not the only ones here.’

The squad leader was certain that other natives were lying in ambush within the jungle, and Putan was wary of the Challenger-level battle line [referring to the squad’s advanced combat capabilities].

In the end, both men came to the same conclusion simultaneously.

‘We retreat for now!’

The decision of the two men was correct.

Captain Kim Taek-gil, upon seeing the appearance of the native warriors, immediately began disembarking support troops, and new warriors were gathering from within the jungle as well.

“It would be impolite to just leave…”

The squad leader slowly drew the dagger he carried at his waist. Raising the dagger to chest height, he twirled it once with a flourish. Gripping it with the handle facing Putan, the squad leader offered the dagger to Putan with a small smile.

Seeing the squad leader’s smile, Putan cautiously accepted the offered dagger and ordered his men.

“Retreat.”

Thus, both sides began to withdraw simultaneously.

To avoid showing their backs to the enemy, and to prevent the other side from misjudging their intentions, both sides retreated backward.

* * *

Putan, having returned to the edge of the jungle where they had started, watched the small boat carrying the foreigners return to the larger ship.

The small boat carrying the foreigners looked exactly like the ship they had arrived on, and it seemed much more useful than the boats they used.

“Hoo…”

Only after confirming that the foreigners had completely retreated from the beach did Putan finally let out a sigh of relief.

Having regained his composure, Putan was then able to examine the dagger in his hand.

“Huh…”

Putan, upon inspecting the dagger given to him by the foreigner, exclaimed in admiration.

The dagger, with a blade length from wrist to elbow, boasted a beautiful ripple pattern, and its edge gleamed in the light.

“What is this…”

Putan couldn’t close his gaping mouth as he looked at the beautiful ripple-patterned blade.

The dagger that the squad leader had given to Putan was an Imperial-made dagger, imitating Damascus steel [a type of steel known for its distinctive patterns and durability].

* * *

As trade with Europe and the Middle East expanded, various European goods entered the Empire—then known as Joseon [the historical Korean kingdom from 1392 to 1897]. Among them, the most popular were swords made of Damascus steel.

When swords made of Damascus steel first arrived, renowned martial families rushed to purchase them.

This was due to their contradictory characteristics of being both strong and flexible, as well as the sharpness of the blade being maintained for a long time.

Of course, there was the problem that the shape of the sword did not suit traditional swordsmanship, but for many martial families, this was not a major issue.

“After all, the sword is just for show, and the bow is everything!”

Later, as high-quality steel was mass-produced through the efforts of Sejong [likely referring to King Sejong the Great of Joseon], Hyang, and the artisans of Area 51 [a fictional or metaphorical location for advanced research and development], the sales of swords made of Damascus steel began to falter.

And, at some point, swords made of Damascus steel became expensive luxury items.

This was because high-carbon steels, with the same or even better quality than Damascus steel, began to be mass-produced, and swords made from these materials were released into the market at much lower prices.

However, families with some reputation steadily purchased swords made of Damascus steel.

“No matter how good the swords churned out by factories are, can they ever match the beauty and strength of this ripple sword (波紋劍) [Bamon-geom in Korean, literally ‘wave pattern sword’]—named for its unique ripple pattern?”

It was only natural that renowned sword artisans were enraged by the rumor that the upper class insisted on Damascus steel while saying such things.

“Oh, really? Then I’ll make an even more magnificent ripple sword than that fancy Western ripple sword and show you!”

That’s what they resolved, but the method of making Damascus steel was a secret art among secret arts. Naturally, discovering the method was not an easy task.

And this is where Hyang stepped in.

Hyang moved upon hearing the rumor that even the artisans of Area 51 had stepped up to the challenge of creating a ripple sword.

“It wouldn’t be me if I missed out on something like this!”

Simultaneously with his words, Hyang approached the artisans and casually dropped a hint.

“I’ve heard the rumors, and I’ve been thinking…”

At Hyang’s words, the artisans of Area 51 perked up and rose from their seats.

“We are all ears!”

Looking at the artisans staring at him with sparkling eyes, Hyang continued.

“I believe that in making Damascus steel, the secret art is important, but the materials are also important. However, to make Damascus steel, iron from somewhere in India is essential, but we don’t have that, do we?”

“That’s right!”

“If so, I think we need our own secret art using the iron materials we have. So, what I’ve been thinking is this: stack several types of steel pieces like layers of rice cake and weld them together before forging, or put iron beads and iron powder in a crucible and heat it…”

As he explained the methods that had spread through the internet in the 21st century, and that Hyang himself had actually tried, the artisans slapped their knees.

“Ah! Such a method exists!”

This is how the Imperial ripple sword was born into the world.

Thanks to the excellent quality of the Imperial steel used as the raw material, the Imperial ripple sword boasted a quality that was on par with or even surpassed swords made using Damascus steel.

Moreover, since the price was cheaper than Damascus products, at some point, the European and Middle Eastern sword markets were dominated by the Empire.

It wasn’t just because of the ripple sword alone. Swords using just one type of high-carbon steel also boasted superior performance compared to most European or Middle Eastern swords, which made it possible.

Thanks to this, rumors began to circulate in various cities, including Alexandria.

-Even a simple iron sword made by the Empire is superior to a poorly made Damascus sword if it has a flower pattern stamped on it!

-I heard that an Imperial iron sword cut a Damascus sword in two!

As the situation became like this, products made of Damascus steel quickly began to be pushed out of the market.

And, taking advantage of this opportunity, people sent by Hyang approached the artisans who made Damascus steel.

“I admit that the swords you make are great. But isn’t it true that you need iron from a specific place to make that steel? What if that iron isn’t available? Won’t that vein eventually dry up? Then, how about applying that secret art to other iron materials? Why don’t you come with me to the Land of Flowers [a poetic name for the Empire/Joseon]?”

Some artisans headed to the ‘Land of Flowers’ at the persuasion of Hyang’s people.

The artisans who arrived in Hanseong [the historical capital of Joseon, now Seoul] became affiliated with Area 51 and began to contribute to the development of steelmaking technology.

“Aren’t you giving them too much preferential treatment?”

To the criticism of the ministers at the time, Hyang immediately replied.

“Iron will be used in more and more places in the future. The more it is used, the more types of iron with various properties will be needed. That’s why they are needed.”

“Wouldn’t it be possible if we gave our Joseon artisans a little more time?”

“There is a place to use them right now. It’s the place where long rifles and cannons are made.”

“Yes?”

As the ministers, who didn’t understand immediately, blinked, Sejong slapped his knee.

“That’s right! The barrel of the cannon and the barrel of the long rifle must withstand the force of the exploding gunpowder. But we can’t just make them thicker! Naturally, we need strong yet tough iron, and their secret art would make that possible!”

At Sejong’s words, Hyang bowed his head and replied.

“That is correct.”

In this way, the Empire’s smelting technology advanced by one step, and cannons and firearms became even more formidable.

* * *

Putan reported the situation to the Eagle Warrior [a high-ranking warrior in Aztec society] who had followed him.

“They are foreigners.”

“Are they the foreigners from the north?”

At this time, the Aztec Empire was secretly exchanging with the natives of the north—presumed to be the Florida peninsula.

At the Eagle Warrior’s question, Putan immediately shook his head.

“No, they are not.”

Looking at the Challenger-level battle line, the Eagle Warrior looked at the dagger in Putan’s hand.

“What is that?”

“It was given by the foreigner. I intend to present it to the Tlatoani [the ruler or emperor of the Aztec Empire].”

At Putan’s words that he would present it to the Tlatoani, the emperor of the Aztec Empire, the Eagle Warrior lightly smacked his lips and stepped back.

“That would be better. Let’s go back then.”

* * *

After passing through the jungle for several days, Putan’s group arrived in the capital, Tenochtitlan [the capital city of the Aztec Empire], and was able to have an audience with the Tlatoani immediately.

Following the law, Putan’s group took off their sandals from the entrance of the capital and entered the palace barefoot, and immediately paid their respects upon seeing the Tlatoani.

The Tlatoani of the time, Montezuma I [the fifth Aztec emperor, who ruled from 1440 to 1469], responded with an arrogant gesture and opened his mouth.

“So, you met the foreigners?”

“That is correct. This is what they handed over, and I wish to present it to the Tlatoani.”

“Bring it here.”

At Montezuma I’s command, the attendant next to him received the sword from Putan and handed it to Montezuma I.

“Hoo~. Heo!”

Montezuma I, examining the ripple-patterned dagger from various angles, repeatedly exclaimed in admiration.

Looking at the sharply shining blade, Montezuma I swung the sword at the jaguar skin hanging on one side.

Swoosh!

Seeing the dagger cut through the leather in one stroke, Montezuma I looked at the dagger again with surprised eyes.

Seeing the dagger still intact without a single chip, Montezuma I murmured in a trembling voice.

“Amazing… Looking at the shine and color, it’s similar to silver, but it’s not silver…”

As they exchanged with the natives of the north, metallurgy was introduced to the Aztecs.

Thanks to this, they were able to process bronze, gold, and silver to make various things.

However, with their current level of technology, they were only able to make ceremonial instruments and ornaments.

But what Montezuma I held in his hand now was not gold or silver, but a completely new metal.

Clang!

Montezuma I, who struck the sword down on the stone throne right next to him, turned pale.

“It’s intact… Just what kind of people are they!”

Montezuma I’s face was filled with worry.

‘Why at a time like this! Why!’

This was because the situation in the Aztec was not good at all.