He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 1

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 1

Episode 1

Previous life.

I was an S-rank Blacksmith Hunter.

The end of my life was absurdly brief, lasting only a moment.

Who would have known a gate would appear right above my head?

If there was a next life, I didn’t want to hold a hammer.

Whether it was God’s mischief or fate’s prank.

I picked up the hammer again.

Ah.

This tiresome yet beloved hammering.

Clang clang!

This life is even in the martial arts world.

Human rights are a luxury here.

A world where those with strong martial arts are the law.

Having lived 18 years after reincarnation, I know this well.

Fortunately, the family I reincarnated into is the Namgung Family.

A prestigious sword family and top-tier among the five great orthodox families.

Wow.

Just the name alone overflows with power.

Actually, living as a blacksmith in the martial arts world isn’t easy.

Third-rate thugs take things on credit for no reason,

Evil sect bastards collect taxes without justification,

And if you refuse due to lack of rights, a blade pierces your belly.

Damn, what a shitty world.

However, thanks to the Namgung Family’s backing, there’s no such worry.

Even those who view human lives as less than flies tremble just hearing those four characters ‘Namgung Family.’

Moreover, I learned martial arts too.

I’m about a 24th cousin to the family head, so I didn’t receive special treatment.

These are martial arts I learned in childhood at the Namgung Family’s exclusive academy.

Well, most of the Namgung Family’s direct blacksmiths learn them anyway.

In any case, they were quite useful.

They’re great when hammering.

Clang! Clang!

Still, it wasn’t entirely smooth sailing.

When I, who was expected to become a warrior in our family, said I’d become a blacksmith, my uncle grabbed a club and my father tried to dissuade me.

I experienced firsthand what the phrase “scattered like wind and hail” meant.

Just thinking about that time still makes me break out in cold sweat.

However, I know.

While my martial arts talent is merely ordinary, my blacksmithing ability is outstanding!

After all, I was an S-rank blacksmith in my previous life, so that experience can’t be ignored, right?

Therefore, how could I not do blacksmith work!

‘I didn’t want to do it, but it was destiny.’

Just before my legs were about to break.

After boldly telling my uncle to wait and see, and throwing myself madly into blacksmith work!

At age 12, I was promoted to master craftsman, recognized by Master Jin Hancheol, one of the craftsmen of Cheoneumjeong and my teacher.

Having shown natural talent in blacksmithing, the storm quietly passed after that.

…Come to think of it, my early years in the martial arts world were truly eventful, weren’t they?

“Cheongang, what are you making today?”

Just as I was drifting between memories of my past and present lives while hammering.

My master Jin Hancheol suddenly poked his face forward.

‘Oh, what a surprise. Give me some warning!’

I almost threw my hammer.

Calming my startled heart and looking at my master, his eyes were already on the sword.

He was asking even though he already knew.

Still, he’s my master, so as a disciple I can’t answer rudely.

His martial arts are truly profound – he once caught a tiger with his bare hands.

If I act rudely, my whole body will end up crooked.

My waist bends at a right angle.

“Ah, Master. It’s nothing special, I was making a sword to give to my father.”

Feeling the respectfulness emanating from his disciple’s entire body, Jin Hancheol smiles contentedly.

“Oh ho, I see. I wondered why you were putting so much effort into it – it’s a weapon for Namgung Cheolgeom Danchu.”

“Really, Master. When have I ever worked without putting in effort? Hahaha!”

“No one would dislike weapons you make, but I’m saying this because you’re putting even more effort into it, enough to call it a famous sword.”

“This is all thanks to Master’s teachings.”

“You have a real talent for making your master feel good. Your blacksmithing ability is as outstanding as that talent, heh heh!”

The experience of being an S-rank blacksmith in my previous life is carved into my soul.

Therefore, the things I make are bound to be excellent.

‘The problem is that after properly forging something, I’m bedridden for two days.’

My internal energy is minuscule.

There was a chance to eat elixirs and pump up my internal energy…

‘I gave up and left the Martial Arts Academy midway to become a blacksmith, so that ship has sailed.’

Children aged 10 to 18 belonging to the Namgung Family, whether direct or collateral lineage, receive training at the Martial Arts Academy, ‘Namgung Baekryeon Hall.’

Those who successfully complete Namgung Baekryeon Hall receive a low-grade Blue Purity Pill.

Honestly, it’s called low-grade, but it’s a spiritual medicine that builds up to 5 years’ worth of internal energy.

If it were released to the market?

Third-rate warriors would start fighting with swords in no time.

As expected of the Namgung Family.

To give such things as mere academy graduation gifts.

They’re not a top-tier martial arts family for nothing.

‘If I had known this would happen, I should have just graduated, received one pill, then become a blacksmith.’

But graduating from Baekryeon Hall meant mandatory enrollment in the Martial Arts Order course.

Though I spoke grandly about being ordinary, honestly I just didn’t want to get stabbed ridiculously.

I died before age 50 even in my previous life of a hundred-year era, so I didn’t want my second life to be short too.

To enjoy a natural lifespan and die naturally in the martial arts world like the Wuzhou Wilderness, I had to choose a safety-oriented life no matter what, so it couldn’t be helped.

‘At least my father somehow obtained even half a pill, so I gained some internal energy, even if minuscule.’

But that’s how human hearts are.

When you don’t have it, you want it; when you have it, you want more.

My father said he’d procure one more elixir if I joined a martial force, but…

Forget it.

This life isn’t bad as it is.

Having chosen a safety-oriented life, how could I, as a man, go back on my word?

A man’s word is worth a thousand gold!

I should just hammer diligently.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Jin Hancheol watched briefly then left.

Even after his master left, Namgung Cheon-gang didn’t stop hammering.

A day passed, until dawn’s light shone the next morning.

From his blacksmith’s forge, the cheerful and powerful sound of hammering echoed.

Clang!

“Huff, huff. Wait, let me rest for a moment.”

Ugh, I’m out of breath.

Only one hammer strike left, but my internal energy is depleted.

Ah, my pitiful mouse-dropping-sized internal energy!

“Oh, the sword aura is tremendous. Even though it’s not completely finished yet, such sword aura. It seems like the dawn light coming through the window cracks is being split!”

Geez, what a surprise!

When did you come again!?

You’re not Hong Gildong or anything.

Why are you so mysteriously elusive?

“You have long since surpassed this master!”

Calming my startled heart once more, I answered politely with a respectful posture.

“As I’ve said before, this is all thanks to Master’s grace.”

“Now I can close my eyes in peace!”

“What nonsense are you talking about when you’ve barely reached sixty? Honestly, you say sixty, but looking at those solid chocolate abs and soccer ball-sized arm muscles, you could easily live to a hundred!”

“Though I’ve known you for several years now, I sometimes don’t understand the strange expressions that pop out. What is chocolate, and what is this soccer ball?”

“Chocolate is like a confection that those Westerners eat, and a soccer ball is like a pig’s bladder that Westerners kick around for fun, Master.”

“I see, you must have heard this from Namgung Cheolgeom Danchu again.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Westerners certainly use fascinating words. The pronunciation is quite difficult too. Tsk tsk.”

Westerners are the foreigners of the martial arts world.

Rather than foreign workers who came to the martial arts world looking for jobs, they’re more like peddlers, I suppose?

For Father, who has extensive experience traveling around the martial arts world, meeting foreign peddlers is an everyday occurrence.

So it wouldn’t be strange for him to know such terms.

I was wondering what to do about the speech patterns from my previous life that unconsciously slip out, but thanks to Father, they pass by easily.

Since I’ve received grace from my father, as his child, I must uphold my duty and practice filial piety.

That filial piety has one final hammer strike remaining.

‘Good. My internal energy has recovered.’

Let’s go!

For my filial piety!

Whoo.

On the inhale, I moved my mouse-dropping-sized internal energy to the hammer.

Haa.

On the exhale, my eyes flashed, and I brought down the hammer concentrated with internal energy like lightning.

Claaang!

A clear bell-like sound announcing that dawn had passed and morning had come echoed throughout the blacksmith’s forge.

The sparks flying from the hammer strike became brilliant light, illuminating all directions.

It was truly the magnificent moment of a famous sword’s birth.

And I awakened.

“…??”

Huh?

* * *

A week had already passed since he returned home after completing his assigned mission.

Namgung Gang did not rest.

Daily renewal and constant preparation for battle.

He must renew himself daily and prepare for war, so how could he rest?

“Whoo.”

Hazy steam rises like heat waves over his finely sculpted muscles.

After morning training that ended only at lunchtime, he vaporized the accumulated sweat with his internal energy.

It was around the time he was regulating his heated body’s breathing.

Someone was caught in his energy sense.

“Cheongang?”

“You’re like a ghost, Father. How do you know so well?”

Seeing his father correctly guess his identity as soon as he entered the training ground, Namgung Cheon-gang clicked his tongue.

Namgung Gang smiled gently.

“If you advance further in martial arts, you’ll naturally learn it.”

“Oh well, it’s fine, Father. I find blacksmithing work more interesting.”

“Haha. Yes, if you find it interesting, that’s enough. Still, it’s such a waste. Your talent is so good, you’d be perfect as the next sect leader if you joined the Namgung Iron Sword Sect.”

Seeing the words full of regret, it seemed like a long story about joining the Martial Arts Order would surely follow.

Wasn’t I choosing a natural life path, using my previous life’s experience to work as a blacksmith?

There’s no reason to change now.

But as a son, directly refusing what Father recommends is truly awkward, and cutting off his words mid-sentence is also awkward for a son.

No matter how close Father and I are, and how well we fulfill the meaning of father-son affection, cutting off his words would be presumptuous.

So, thinking it better to prevent such situations beforehand, Namgung Cheon-gang quickly presented his prepared act of filial piety to his father.

“Hmm? What’s this?”

“It’s a sword for you, Father. Your birthday is in a week. I heard you’ll be going out on another mission then, so I made it in advance.”

“You rascal….”

When did he grow up so much?

How touching.

Namgung Gang slowly examined the sword he received from his son, treating it like a treasure.

The sky-blue scabbard had the Namgung Family name elegantly engraved on it.

The calligraphy was masterful, making it a work of art in itself.

The inlay work and finishing were also excellent.

He had long known that his son made excellent weapons….

But this was the first time he’d seen something so extraordinary, starting from the scabbard.

‘Then just how excellent must the sword inside the scabbard be?’

Namgung Gang grasped the sword’s handle with anticipation and slowly drew it.

Shing.

The smooth sound of the blade being drawn moved his hearing, and the sharp sword aura that emerged to cut through light dazzled his eyes.

The moment he saw the sword, only two words came to mind.

Famous sword.

This word truly suited this sword.

“…Truly a magnificent sword.”

“You raised your son well, Father.”

“Hehe, yes, yes. Having a son like you, I’m truly grateful to heaven.”

“Huhu. That’s what I should say, Father. And please use it well. Nothing makes a blacksmith’s son happier than seeing his father use it well.”

“Yes, that’s right. Nothing compares to that. I really must use it well. Hahaha! It’s been so long since I’ve felt this good. You haven’t forgotten about having dinner with your mother at Chungpung Guesthouse tonight, have you?”

“Of course, forgetting that would make me an unfilial son!”

“Huhu. Yes, yes. Today, this father is in a very good mood, so order whatever you want at Chungpung Guesthouse! Let’s have a bottle of Cheonghongju, no, as much as you want!”

“Gasp, Ch-Cheonghongju?!”

Namgung Cheon-gang’s eyes became as big as lanterns. Well, it’s Cheonghongju after all!

What is Cheonghongju!

Isn’t it Chungpung Guesthouse’s signature liquor, named because the red-colored alcohol has a taste as clear as the blue sky!

After tasting it once and being moved by its flavor, I made food knives for all of Chungpung Guesthouse’s cooks and gave tips to all the servers.

Valuable things deserve proper treatment!

I’d like to drink it every day if I could….

But it’s expensive.

With a blacksmith’s salary, it’s hard to even drink one bottle a day.

‘I don’t get a monthly salary; I earn money through commissions.’

But today, Father, in his great mood, declared unlimited refills of the hard-to-afford Cheonghongju!

“Father! I love you!”

Namgung Cheon-gang shouted with sincere emotion and then rushed to embrace Namgung Gang.

* * *

“Cheonghongju, no, the time we agreed to meet with our parents at Chungpung Guesthouse was during the hour of sul, right?”

Though it’s starting to roll off my tongue more naturally, the time concepts of the Martial Arts World era are still difficult to speak.

Why they go to such trouble to say 8 PM in such a fancy way is beyond my understanding.

Then again, isn’t the Martial Arts World still in an era before time concepts were established in the Roman style?

It made sense that they would have their own time concepts.

If I became someone at the level of a leader of the Jeongpa Alliance, I could probably change time concepts and such.

But it’s too big a dream for a blacksmith whose martial arts skills are barely at the third-rate level.

I should just be satisfied knowing it by myself.

“Anyway, there’s about an hour left until 8 PM, so let’s examine this awakening.”

Awakening.

Who would have thought that concept of becoming a Hunter, which was only used on 21st century Earth, would apply in the Martial Arts World, a completely different world.

“Status window.”

When I quietly recited “status window,” it appeared with a ‘ding,’

A blue window filled with text that made the unbelievable awakening feel like genuine reality.

“Wow. It was real.”

Fine, let’s say my previous life was what it was. But suddenly awakening too?

Why? Just why?

Wasn’t I particularly dissatisfied with my 18 years of Martial Arts World life?

Even if there was something, it would only be not being able to enjoy the benefits of 21st century advanced technology, but that’s impossible given the historical setting, so it can be ignored.

Well, no matter how much I rack my brain, it’s natural that I can’t find an answer about the cause of this awakening.

Then again, would an answer come from doing this?

What’s the point of me knowing in the first place.

‘Even the constellation bastards from my previous life didn’t know how the ‘system’ existed.’

Constellations.

Patrons called gods who give skills, items, and quests to Hunters.

If even such gods don’t know, how could a mere human understand?

I have to accept and embrace it.

‘Though I can’t know the reason, awakening itself isn’t a bad thing.’

Rather, it’s something I should welcome with both hands raised.

The blacksmith-related abilities I examined are not just marvelous but sacred.

Just looking at the abilities, I can do blacksmith work much better than now and then some.

With this, as a blacksmith, I might be able to aim for the top position in the world?

For example…

“A blacksmith who surpasses Gan Jiang and Mo Ye, and creates Divine Weapons that exceed the Yitian Sword and Doluodao.”

Wow.

Just thinking about it is thrilling.

Well, as a Martial Arts World man and blacksmith, it’s worth having such grand dreams.

Just because I was S-rank in my previous life doesn’t mean I can’t become the best in the Martial Arts World, right?

Right?

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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