He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 120
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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 120
Episode 120
“Never, never call the Patriarch ‘brother’ again.”
“That…”
“Answer.”
“…Yes.”
“Just in case, let’s write a pledge soon.”
“A man’s word is worth a thousand gold pieces. Moreover, as a man of Namgung, how could I go back on my word, Master! Therefore, please reconsider the written pledge!”
“Since you have such a loose tongue and speak so well, you absolutely must write it.”
“…”
Ah.
The way that can be spoken is not the eternal Way.
I tried to get out of it with cunning, but ended up getting caught instead!
“Anyway, remember the miraculous encounter you had in Namman, and don’t act rashly. From what I can see, Master’s appearance is no ordinary matter. You may become someone important in this martial arts world. Well, you are material for the heavenly forge, so it can’t be denied.”
“I, this disciple just wants to live comfortably as the world’s greatest blacksmith within the walls of the Namgung Family in Anhui Province.”
“It seems that’s already gone wrong, heh heh heh.”
“…”
Namgung Cheon-gang was truly sad that he couldn’t deny it.
“Moreover, there is one predicted event, so you can’t just stay attached to Anhui forever.”
“Pardon?”
“The Master will summon you soon.”
No, why is such a frightening thing happening to me!
“Why? Don’t you like it? But there’s nothing you can do about it. You repaired the divine artifact from Namman, so how could he not want to see you?”
“Pardon?”
“When the Master calls you for a private audience later, you’ll understand. So until then, prepare your heart well, heh heh.”
“Well… sigh, I understand.”
“But the trouble that would have come from the Cheonloe Jaewang Singong has disappeared, so put your mind at ease.”
“That’s truly fortunate. Truly, Master’s grace and Cheongeumjeong’s grace are as vast as the sky.”
“Don’t just speak flowery words, if you know the grace, repay it. Pick up your hammer and make some refining stones.”
“Refining stones?”
“Yes. Shouldn’t we bring the miracle you showed in Namman to the Central Plains as well?”
“That means you need the power of purification.”
“Exactly. Besides Dongryang County, people and weapons related to the Blood Cult are appearing everywhere. Moreover, the blood energy dwelling in the wounds carved everywhere is getting stronger. My delay in the Jeong Alliance matter was because of this.”
“If it was enough to delay Master, there must have been more than expected.”
“Right. So, as a disciple who received grace, shouldn’t you help?”
“Of course, what objection could there be, Master. Even without the grace, as a disciple, as a member of Cheongeumjeong, I must help unconditionally! Please keep the grace safely in your pocket, Master! This disciple will help with all sincerity!”
“Heh heh heh. You rascal, how admirable.”
(`◇´́)🔨: Beep!
“Oh, now that I look, is this little one Baekseol who was reborn from a divine insect to a divine bird through the Patriarch’s power?”
“Yes, that’s right, Master. Isn’t she cute?”
“Hehe. She resembles the North Sea Eagle and is truly adorable. Seeing her holding a hammer, she seems to be saying she wants to help too.”
“Exactly, Master. Baekseol says she’ll lend a hand and work together!”
“Heh heh heh. That little one. I quite like her behavior too. From what I see, it seems you made Baekseol’s hammer for her. Good, let’s work together.”
(`◇´́)🔨: Beep beep! (Thank you, Master!)
“Heh heh heh. Yes, yes. Well then, let’s begin.”
“Yes!”
After a storm-like meeting, master and disciple took up their hammers together.
Then, the beautiful resonance of hammer and steel between master and disciple continued endlessly in the forge.
Clang, clang!
Clang, clang!
* * *
What Mak Noya had mentioned about meeting with the Master.
It was true.
The day after the harmonious refining between master and disciple.
“The Master summons you.”
The summons from the Namgung Family’s Master came immediately.
As a member of Namgung, how could he ignore this?
Namgung Cheon-gang cleaned himself up, changed into clean clothes, and headed to the Namgung Family’s ancestral home.
After numerous verifications, he finally reached the Namgung Family Master’s chamber.
Upon seeing Namgung’s Sky, Sword King Namgung Cheon.
“Namgung Cheon-gang, eldest grandson of Namgung Gang, leader of the Namgung Family’s Iron Blood Corps, pays respects to the Master who is the Sky of the Namgung Family.”
He bowed humbly and with respect.
“Hohoho. There’s no need to bow so formally. Come, sit in front of me.”
Namgung Cheon smiled gently, accepted the bow, and invited him to sit and talk.
“Thank you, Master.”
Namgung Cheon-gang bowed humbly once more and carefully sat in the chair prepared in the Master’s chamber.
“There, you rascal. Being so stiff. Well, it is before the Master, so it wouldn’t be entirely comfortable.”
You’re absolutely right, Master.
In military terms, it’s like a private sitting before a division commander.
In corporate terms, it’s like a low-level employee sitting before the chairman.
The tension can’t help but be great!
I mustn’t make mistakes!
Raise the tension, tense up those buttocks and stay alert.
“To have a gentle conversation, we need to relieve the tension first. Would you like a cup of tea from this old man?”
“It would be an honor for the family, Master!”
“You’re certainly bright, hahaha.”
Namgung Cheon burst into clear laughter and rose from his seat.
It was to brew tea personally.
Good heavens!
Not a maid, but the CEO himself getting up to brew tea personally!
As a company employee, how could I just sit still!
“M-Master! This worthless one will brew the tea! Please, please take your seat…”
“Stay still.”
Namgung Cheon, with a smiling face, gestured with his right hand for him to remain seated.
Namgung Cheon-gang immediately sat up straight.
‘Good heavens, it was just a simple hand gesture, but he put energy into it!’
It wasn’t obedience, but pressure from internal energy.
As he sat rigidly, sweating profusely and only able to roll his eyes.
Namgung Cheon placed the tea he had personally brewed in front of Namgung Cheon-gang.
“Drink.”
Only then did the pressure release.
“I-I will drink it gratefully, Master.”
With a trembling voice, he gave thanks.
Seeing Namgung Cheon savoring his tea, Namgung Cheon-gang finally picked up his cup.
One sip, two sips.
He couldn’t tell if the heat was going down his throat or up his nostrils.
‘But seeing that my chest feels warm, it must be going to my heart.’
It was difficult and tense.
‘If he would just say something, this tension and difficulty would disappear…’
After savoring the tea, he wasn’t opening his mouth.
Naturally, the Master’s Chamber sank into heavy silence.
‘I, I can’t even swallow my dry saliva.’
The sound of swallowing might be like thunder.
If the Master glances at me because of that sound, my heart might stop.
‘Ah.’
Should I have served the tea myself after all?
‘Perhaps, suppressing me with internal energy was a test.’
A test to see if I could break through it and show how much I could respect my elders.
But I just sat there like a stone Buddha.
‘You cannot join us.’
I could vividly hear the voice of a cooking show judge from my previous life.
But do I really need to be this scared?
Maybe the Master is just maintaining his dignity as a clan head.
However, there is a reason!
To be scared!
Why?
Because Namgung Cheon-gang had his life threatened here before.
Moreover, having witnessed Namgung Cheon’s power directly, it’s inevitable that fear would creep up.
Is my past life experience the problem?
I’m about to die right now!
‘Ah, no? Come to think of it, there’s no reason I’d die, right?’
I had long realized that the misunderstanding I faced here was orchestrated by the Master and my teacher.
Also, hadn’t the misunderstanding about ‘learning the Cheonloe Jaewang Singong’ been clearly resolved when I became the timber of Cheonjang, successor of Cheongeumjang, and obtained the Myriad Artifacts Returning to the Origin Technique?
Besides, with what Namgung Cheon-gang has accomplished, I can’t just be called a mere private or entry-level employee.
I’m a capable soldier and employee who led successful exclusive business deals with foreign companies and created new business ventures!
I should rightfully receive awards!
In other words.
‘I, I have nothing to be ashamed of, right!?’
That’s right, exactly.
Thinking this way makes me feel a bit more at ease.
So the silence doesn’t feel just heavy anymore.
It’s like peaceful quiet, where someone is momentarily lost in thought, not knowing what to say.
Furthermore, the Master’s face isn’t entirely frightening either.
Like a warm neighbor uncle filled with gentleness and peace—
“There was a fellow who said he’d make a sword related to Seongcheol.”
Huh?
“But he’s been quiet for half a year. Just took all the Seongcheol and left.”
Ah.
“Of course, as the saying goes ‘serving one’s teacher is a disciple’s duty,’ making something for one’s teacher first is natural as a disciple. If he hadn’t followed this, he should have been scolded instead. But what about the clan head?”
“…”
“Come to think of it, I heard you made all the miners’ pickaxes from Seongcheol… even for those who weren’t Namgung people. Well, most of them have contracts with Namgung now, but back then?”
“…That”
“Thinking about it, yes, you did make Ungongwha.”
Y, yes, that’s right?
I made Ungongwha with sincere heart, Master—
“But it seems Seongcheol swords took priority. Moreover, what was it called? Preference crafting? I heard you did it for the Namman brothers first? Hmm, yes, they’re blood allies after all. But what about us, who are family bound by blood thicker than blood allies?”
“…”
“Where did the dignity of the Namgung Family’s clan head go?”
Oh my.
I’m screwed.
* * *
“Please kill meeeee—”
Namgung Cheon-gang prostrated himself flat and tried to perform formal prostration of guilt like a subject confessing to a king, breathing deeply with sincere heart.
“Really?”
Namgung Cheon’s eyes flashed.
“…N, no sir. I’m sorry, Master.”
Namgung Cheon-gang quickly got up from his position, wanting to live.
“…”
“…”
Between the two people.
“…Peep.”
Baekseol shook her head and passed by.
Then she looked at the window as if gazing at distant mountains.
She now showed enlightenment regarding Namgung Cheon-gang’s behavior.
“Hmm.”
Namgung Cheon looked at Baekseol with interest.
“I heard that Sinchung became a divine bird. Truly a mysterious existence. She’s definitely a divine beast, but seems to be an existence of an even higher dimension. Since this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, treat her with importance.”
“I will engrave the Master’s words in my bones and accept them.”
“Thank you for saying so. Now, let’s stop the jokes here. Sit back down. I have important matters to discuss.”
“Yes, yes sir!”
If I joke around one more time, my soul might get thrashed, Master.
‘Moreover, since I’ve done so many wrong things, I can’t even accept jokes as jokes…’
I had forgotten about the Seongcheol sword.
I should definitely make it for him right after today’s meeting ends.
‘Even if it’s a joke now, next time might not be a joke…’
It wasn’t time to feel relieved that the life threat from Cheonloe Jaewang Singong was over.
“The tea has gotten cold.”
“Ah, I’ll go brew fresh tea.”
“No, it’s fine. Cold tea has its own excellence too. Moreover, the tea isn’t important—talking with you, Namgung Cheon-gang, is more important.”
“As the Master, you can call me anytime to talk. So please call me without hesitation. I’ll always be on standby.”
“Even when you’re in Namman or Dongryang County?”
“…I, I’ll do my best to rush over.”
“Hahaha! I’m joking. But since you say you’d come, I’m pleased that you’re truly a man of Namgung. Therefore, I’ll speak to the Finance Supervisor.”
“Pardon? You’ll speak to the Finance Supervisor about me, sir?”
What’s this?
A career change?
M, Master?
I like being a blacksmith!
I’ll bring talent to the Finance Department separately.
There’s someone called Aeso!
Namgung Cheon-gang decisively sold out Aeso.
“That’s right. The Finance Supervisor has been holding a grudge about the Seongcheol matter anyway. For making Seongcheol products for the miners as you pleased.”
“Ah…”
Although the Dongryang County matter was resolved thanks to Namgung Cheon-gang,
strictly speaking, the Seongcheol from Dongryang County doesn’t belong to Namgung Cheon-gang personally.
It belongs to the Namgung Family.
Therefore, to use it, one should have permission from the Finance Department.
Since he used it freely, and quite a large amount personally, the Finance Supervisor had no choice but to hold a grudge.
It wasn’t a career change recommendation, but actually a career change recommendation would have been better.
‘I, I’ve unknowingly made enemies everywhere.’
The disaster he brought upon himself shows no sign of diminishing.
How absurd.
However, did that mean he should just walk into the tiger’s den?
Even if you enter a tiger’s den, you can survive if you keep your wits about you.
Stay alert, you must create a way to survive.
How?
Spill everything!
Namgung Cheon-gang put on a deliberately serious expression and slowly opened his mouth with a grave voice.
“The greatest help in securing Seongcheol and rooting out the Blood Cult Followers in Dongling County came from the miners and mining groups who were with us at the time. Therefore.”
One must repay kindness received, for it is the way of humanity.
“If one receives kindness, repaying it is surely human duty. I believe the Namgung Family has more than enough ability to repay this kindness to them with Seongcheol.”
However, acting on impulse without proper reporting.
“Since my heart acted first and I provided Seongcheol without any report, this is naturally a sin, so if you punish me for this crime, I will gladly accept it.”
Having finished speaking, Namgung Cheon-gang prostrated himself flat.
Silence descended upon the Master’s Chamber once again.
However, it wasn’t heavy and frightening like before.
Warmth, and deep impression.
Such a silence where these emotions could be deeply felt…
“Really, shall I report it that way?”
‘…It wasn’t?!’
At Namgung Cheon’s whisper-like voice from above his head, Namgung Cheon-gang trembled while still prostrated.
“…”
“…”
After a brief silence.
“…If, if you bestow your grace, I will engrave it in my bones and soul, Master.”
“Even in crisis, you speak well. Yes, yes. This is what makes you yourself. Truly consistent and good. Uhahahaha!”
What could be so amusing.
Namgung Cheon laughed heartily, even slapping his knees.
Then he personally helped Namgung Cheon-gang up and seated him.
Looking at Namgung Cheon-gang’s face colored with bewilderment, he spoke with a face full of laughter.
“Don’t worry. Honestly, it’s been quite a while since the Seongcheol incident, so it’s difficult to use that as an excuse.”
“Ha, haha. Ye, yes, Master.”
After half a year passes, it’s something that would be forgotten, ri, right.
Ha, hahaha…
“Moreover, considering all the work you’ve done, our finances have only increased, never decreased. Just the Namman and Ungongwha business alone earned three years’ worth of Namgung’s budget, to the point where the Finance Supervisor said to give you a reward, hahahaha!”
“…”
It seems the Master of the Namgung Family enjoys playing with family members’ lifelines.
Trembling.
“Your fists are trembling, my boy. If you did well, you would have thrown a punch.”
“How could such a thing happen, hahaha!”
Even if it could, I shouldn’t do it.
‘If I don’t want to die…’
How could an S-rank beat an SSS-rank?
“You, rascal. An old man played with a young one, and now you’re sulking. Tsk, in my time, when the Master played such pranks, we were happy and considered it an honor.”
“It, it is an honor. Of course! Absolutely!”
…The Martial Arts World is definitely a world of old-fashioned thinking.
“Enough. Prostrating and receiving bows. So, I’d like to receive more of these bows.”
“Pardon?”
“I heard about the Nanman Beast Palace incident. And I truly pondered it greatly. However, when you think about it, there’s nothing that needs to be hidden. Furthermore, if you’re the one who can fix it, it must be shown. Besides, it’s not entirely unrelated.”
“What do you mean…?”
“The Yasung County Chief. There’s a divine artifact and treasure of the Namgung Family that’s exactly the same as that. Naturally, it’s also broken. Would you like to take a look?”
…What?
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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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