He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 129

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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 129

Episode 129

Do you know?

That humans are creatures of perseverance who rise eight times after falling seven.

It means that with confidence in one’s abilities, one can rise eight times even after falling seven times.

Why am I saying this, you ask?

‘I, Namgung Cheon-gang, will shed the disgrace of being unable to cook.’

That’s right.

Because Namgung Cheon-gang was challenging cooking once again with the spirit of perseverance!

Just thinking about the Namman Brothers who told him not to cook because he was bad at it made his anger rise.

Was he really that bad at cooking?

No!

‘It’s discrimination born from not knowing that the Namman Brothers, except for Gyarong and Yahwel, have strange tastes!’

The bitter truth he came to realize because the Namman Beast Palace people ate deliciously.

‘If I were just someone who casually enjoyed food, I would have let it slide!’

But no.

This was no different from telling someone who was a food connoisseur, a restaurant explorer, and serious about food that ‘your taste buds are weird.’

Moreover, Namgung Cheon-gang was quite good at cooking and enjoyed doing it, often showing it to his family.

‘You can’t cook!’ was bound to be a huge wound.

For him, it was the kind of memory that would make him kick his blankets even after a lifetime.

So, Namgung Cheon-gang was cooking.

“I’ll do it.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll do it. From now on, continuously. While we’re camping outdoors.”

By voluntarily taking responsibility for the dinner of those traveling to Galbok, he aimed to heal the persistent feverish memories and wounds that wouldn’t fade.

“I’ll show you the true skills of a Cheongeumjang cook!”

He’s a blacksmith.

“For the best cook in the martial arts world!”

“Squeak!”

Namgung Cheon-gang’s dream was to be the best blacksmith in the martial arts world who lived comfortably, eating and living well.

Thud-thud-thud-thud!

Instead of a hammer, divine inspiration possessed his kitchen knife.

“Aaaaah!”

* * *

The total number of Namgung Family members moving to help the Muyong Family in Galbok reached 200.

Including the long journey, there were even 5 carts loaded with various supplies to be used at their destination, so there were many workers too.

Still, most of them were warriors of at least first-rate level or higher.

With the military strength of a medium-sized martial arts sect, messing with them would be insane.

Even when they came to camp leisurely on flat ground under the night sky, watching stars and moon, bandits would wisely avert their eyes and avoid them.

Of course, hunger comes regardless of military strength, so meal times must be observed.

If it were camping for 4-5 people, they could even care about taste, but outdoor cooking for nearly 200 people prioritized filling hunger and nutrition over flavor.

Most of the Namgung Family forces moving to Galbok were already accustomed to outdoor camping, so they knew this well.

So they didn’t have much expectation when they saw the dinner being prepared – thin broth with a few pieces of meat and radish.

But after slurping it down, huh?

“…!!?”

“Why is this so delicious?”

“It’s amazing!”

“Such cooking outdoors where there’s not even an inn!”

“Incredible!”

It was more delicious than expected?

Those rumored to have picky tastes, those who ate anything well, and even those originally assigned to cook today.

After taking a sip of the prepared soup dish, they couldn’t help but admire it.

There’s a saying that delicious food is a messenger of happiness.

Addicted to happiness, all 200 people smiled brightly.

The center of the smiles.

Where there was a huge pot hung on a middle support over the campfire.

Today’s cook, Namgung Cheon-gang, smiled contentedly as he watched the place where happiness had spread.

“It’s delicious, right!”

“Yes!”

“You want to eat more, right!”

“Yes!!”

“Eat more!”

“Waaaah!”

When he shouted and asked, the baby bird-like responses made his contented smile even deeper.

“How did you create such a broth flavor!?”

“It’s really delicious!”

“The texture of the meat and radish is alive!”

Just from hearing people’s excitement, he could tell it wasn’t fake courtesy conscious of the cook’s efforts.

‘Yes, this is it! I was right after all!’

The fever disappeared at the voices of those shouting while eating the prepared food together deliciously.

‘It was Gyarong who was wrong!’

The wounds he received from the Namman Brothers who said his cooking was wrong began to heal.

“It’s amazing!”

‘Ahhh.’

Just seeing the smiles twinkling like stars in the night sky on their faces made him feel full!

“Among all the dishes I’ve eaten while camping, I haven’t seen anything better than this. Younger brother, what’s the name of this dish!”

Namgung Cheonggi, who was already emptying his fourth bowl in admiration of the broth’s taste, asked with reverence.

“It’s beef radish soup, brother! A nutritious dish made with beef, radish, green onions, garlic, and a bit of seasoning.”

“My goodness. To make such an excellent nutritious dish using just a few ingredients! You truly are a cook who creates nutritious dishes as naturally as breathing!”

“Hahaha! Thank you for the compliment! I’ll strive harder for cooking in the future!”

Namgung Cheon-gang and Namgung Cheonggi got along really well, just like Namgung Jia.

Slurp.

“Um, but isn’t Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang a blacksmith?”

A remark casually thrown by Namgung Sohye while taking a sip of beef radish soup.

“Ah.”

Right.

‘I’m a blacksmith, aren’t I?’

Namgung Cheon-gang finally regained his identity.

The hell with being the best cook in the martial arts world.

* * *

Even though he found his identity, he had already consistently said he would cook during the journey to Galbok.

What could he do?

He had to continue.

It would be strange to not do it after saying he would.

Sigh.

“Your cooking is so delicious that I forgot you were a blacksmith too. Sorry, younger brother.”

Namgung Cheon-gang was holding a soup bowl and sighing as he found a seat, which was next to Namgung Cheonggi.

When Namgung Cheon-gang sat beside him, Namgung Cheonggi apologized awkwardly.

He seemed sorry for mistaking him for a cook.

Namgung Cheon-gang waved his hands saying it was fine.

“It’s okay, brother. I was mistaken too. If you enjoyed eating it, that alone is enough for me to be grateful.”

“I’m not just saying this, it really is delicious, younger brother. Honestly, if I didn’t know you were a blacksmith, I would have really mistaken you for a chef.”

“Oh my, brother, really. This younger brother is floating on air.”

“I also agree with Master Namgung Cheonggi’s words. I had no idea you could cook this well, Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang.”

Namgung Sohye, who was sitting next to Namgung Cheonggi, also joined in.

Even though he waved his hands in denial, his face was full of happy smiles blooming with joy.

“Oh my, no. Anyone can do this. Oh my, oh my.”

Even though he was aware he was a blacksmith, hearing that he cooked well seemed to make him feel really good no matter how many times he heard it.

‘As expected, we Namgung people really know our food.’

But why was Namman like that?

Namman, Namgung, only one character different.

Was it environmental influence?

‘No, right? Come to think of it, the brothers and sisters at Yasu Palace were all fine, weren’t they?’

The strange ones were Gyarong, Yahwel, and the warriors who had traveled and explored the jungle together.

‘Someday I should invite the brothers to Namgung and travel the Martial Arts World together with the Namgung people.’

While he was resolving to fully convey the pain of being ostracized.

“That’s right. Our younger brother, your cooking is really the best, isn’t it?”

Before he knew it, Namgung Jia quietly sat down next to Namgung Cheon-gang.

“Oh my, sister. Please come over! You said the cooking suits your taste, so this younger brother really doesn’t know what to do with himself. Hahaha!”

“Hohoho. I don’t have such a picky palate. Of course, I won’t eat anything that tastes bad, but this seems like something I could eat over and over again. Someone is so lucky. Having someone who cooks well in their heart~”

“Huh?”

Namgung Cheon-gang, who had been happily greeting Namgung Jia as she sat next to him, was puzzled by her following words.

Having someone who cooks well in their heart?

Was she talking about an acquaintance?

“By any chance, is there someone among your acquaintances who is marrying a chef?”

“Huh?”

“Wow. That person must surely enjoy each and every day. Wouldn’t they make every morning joyful with new dishes every day? Isn’t that right, brother, Namgung Sohye?”

“As younger brother says, if you marry someone who cooks well, you’d have no choice but to look forward to every mealtime.”

“…”

Namgung Cheonggi nodded in agreement with Namgung Cheon-gang’s words.

Namgung Sohye hung her head low.

“Huh? Sohye, is something wrong?”

She suddenly hung her head low.

He wondered if there was something wrong with her body.

Huh? Her face was red?

“Seeing that your face has turned red, don’t you have a cold?”

Namgung Cheon-gang asked worriedly and stood up from his seat.

If she really had a cold, it would be serious, so he wanted to check directly.

But suddenly, Namgung Sohye jumped up.

“That… no, it’s not. I’ll just go check the perimeter, check the perimeter for a moment.”

Then she said this urgently and hurriedly moved away from the spot.

“She doesn’t have a cold, does she?”

Watching Namgung Sohye who had suddenly jumped up and disappeared, Namgung Cheon-gang looked at Namgung Cheonggi worriedly and asked.

“Looking at the lightness skill she displayed when she disappeared, it appears to be Cheonroe Shinbo, the ascending martial art of Namgung Naepo. I can’t tell the technique, but seeing that there wasn’t a single disturbance in her steps, it’s probably not a cold.”

“Ah. Then she must have been in front of the campfire for too long. Her face was red.”

“That’s probably right. Even though a warrior constantly protects their body with internal energy, if you’re by a fire for a long time, it still turns red the same way.”

“It flows gently, so it’s different from when you’re performing martial arts, right?”

“That’s right! As expected, younger brother’s insight is extraordinary. Hahaha!”

“Oh my, you’re praising me again, hehehe!”

“…”

Namgung Jia had subtly approached to tease her younger brother and also test Namgung Cheon-gang’s feelings for her younger brother.

But what?

Something about martial arts, something about being close to fire, what was all that?

It was absurd.

They were talking like hitting a tiger’s flank.

With a glimmer of hope, Namgung Jia asked.

“Um… have either of you ever been in love?”

“I, Namgung Cheonggi, have devoted my soul to Namgung’s martial arts and sword, Lady. Therefore, I will have no romantic connections with women for the time being.”

“I too have devoted my soul to the hammer and Namgung, sister. Like brother Namgung Cheonggi, I won’t have any romantic connections with women for the time being.”

“…Not the future, the past.”

“…The soup seems really delicious, younger brother.”

“Shall I give you another bowl?”

“There isn’t any.”

“…”

“…”

Both Namgung Cheonggi and Namgung Cheon-gang maintained silence.

“…”

They were all hopeless.

This was something where you’d need at least some sense to even perform a ritual.

What could she say with kids who had no romantic sense whatsoever.

My poor younger brother.

I tried to help make her first love come true.

I’m sorry.

No, was it actually better this way?

“…Right, it’s probably better to have none. It’s much more desirable than just meeting anyone calling it fate.”

“That, that’s right. Fate isn’t something that’s forced. It comes when you wait for it. Ha, hahaha! That’s right, isn’t it younger brother?”

“…”

“Younger brother? Are you crying?”

“No, no. Some ash just got in my eyes for a moment.”

Namgung Cheon-gang had been single from his previous life until now.

* * *

Whether he was single from previous life to current life.

Whether he was talking about kicking a tiger’s flank because he didn’t understand women’s hearts.

Whether the sister was sighing because she was dumbfounded and couldn’t help her younger brother, or whether the younger brother was embarrassed not knowing if his sister’s words were right or wrong.

Anyway, the 200 people including everyone eventually entered Galbok, their destination, as time passed.

The destination for the majority was Bokju City, a small city near Muisan below Galbok City, the center of Galbok.

The destination for the minority was Sammi Village near Hoda Mountain, which was three days away by carriage from there.

The section where they would finally have to part ways had come.

“Brother! I’ll come visit you when I finish my work!”

“Alright, younger brother! Don’t get hurt!”

Namgung Cheon-gang and Namgung Cheonggi had different business to attend to.

One person was going to repair Namgung’s divine weapon and also to find the missing blacksmith at his master’s request.

The other person was going as a representative of Namgung’s forces under the pretext of supporting Muyong.

They had no choice but to separate.

After exchanging farewells like this, the small group departing consisted of Namgung Cheon-gang, Namgung Sohye, five members of Namgung Jeonggeomdan, the hidden Cheonying, and lastly—

“Huh? Sister, are you going too?”

“Of course. I have to go, who else would go~”

It was Namgung Jia.

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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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