He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 132

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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 132

Episode 132

“We looked around the entire village starting from the village entrance, didn’t we?”

Namgung Jia, holding a bowl of spicy chicken stew, casually brought up the topic.

Namgung Cheon-gang, Namgung Sohye, and the Namgung Jeonggeom Dan members sitting in a circle around the huge pot under the bonfire looked at her.

“I looked around a bit more, and they seem to have even less energy than before. It really seems like the influence of Sammi Village’s ley lines being devoured by blood energy is significant.”

“That’s right. As the Second Young Lady said, it was worse than before.”

“Even when we talked to them, they either trembled or spoke incoherently.”

“At this rate, it’ll completely become a ghost village.”

The three members of the Namgung Jeonggeom Dan who had surveyed the village while keeping watch with Namgung Jia also agreed.

Ley lines are the energy of the earth.

When they become contaminated, the soil dies, including everything planted in the ground.

Naturally, it also affects the animals that live on the land.

Since the ley lines contaminated with blood energy were nearby, it was natural for the people of Sammi Village to be lethargic.

“I heard that this Sammi Village was the most recent place where a blacksmith disappeared, so other places must be worse.”

Namgung Cheon-gang had already heard that Sammi Village wasn’t the only place where blacksmiths had disappeared.

Well, places where they disappeared much earlier would naturally be far more serious.

“If it’s more serious than this… other villages might not even be places where people can live, Young Master.”

“Exactly, Lady Namgung Sohye. Well, we can’t just leave things as they are.”

“That’s right. Setting aside being part of the Namgung Family, as human beings, we cannot just stand by and watch people being contaminated by Sima Waidao’s power.”

Namgung Sohye’s eyes grew strong with determination to somehow uproot Sima Waidao’s power and help the people.

Seeing her clench both fists, it seemed she had already made up her mind.

“Truly admirable. You’re indeed worthy of being the Third Young Lady of the Namgung Family.”

Namgung Cheon-gang smiled gently and praised her genuine concern for people.

That smile caught her eye so perfectly.

‘I’ve fallen for him.’

Ah.

Why did this thought suddenly come to mind?

Strangely, her face turned red.

What if he notices?

“Th-that’s, ah, not true. Any-anyone from the Namgung Family would do the sa-same thing…”

She stammered and bowed her head deeply.

“…??”

Namgung Cheon-gang looked puzzled.

Before he could ask if she had caught a cold.

Clap.

“Well then, now the question is how to help them, isn’t it?”

Namgung Jia smiled brightly and clapped her hands as she spoke.

Namgung Cheon-gang’s gaze naturally turned to Namgung Jia.

They returned to the main topic.

Namgung Cheon-gang, who had an answer for the current situation, raised his hand.

“I have something in mind.”

“What is it, younger brother?”

The Namgung Jeonggeom Dan also listened attentively.

“This.”

Namgung Cheon-gang picked up a soup bowl.

“…?”

“…??”

Everyone was puzzled by the soup bowl he showed them out of nowhere.

A soup bowl?

What’s with the soup bowl?

Was he planning to hit their heads with it to make them come to their senses and regain their energy?

Or maybe use it to hit Sima Waidao’s head?

“I don’t know what you’re all thinking, but it’s not that.”

“Then what is it, Young Master?”

Namgung Sohye, who had regained her composure, asked.

“What’s the best thing for regaining energy? Food, of course.”

“Ah!”

Namgung Sohye understood from Namgung Cheon-gang’s answer.

“Nutritious food!”

“Correct, Lady Sohye!”

There’s a saying that food is medicine.

It means that depending on the need, you can nourish yourself with food rather than medicine and acupuncture.

This was exactly what Namgung Cheon-gang was talking about.

“Certainly, nutritious food could help them regain their energy. But is it possible?”

Namgung Jia also knew about regaining energy through nutritious food.

But what was the reason the people of Sammi Village lacked energy?

Wasn’t it because of the blood energy dwelling in the ley lines?

“Ordinary nutritious food wouldn’t work, would it? Are you planning to cook a spiritual beast?”

Namgung Jia’s eyes naturally turned toward Baekseol.

“Chirp, chirp chirp!”

Baekseol was horrified and hid behind Namgung Cheon-gang.

“Wh-what are you saying, sister! How could you say such things and look at our Baekseol with such eyes!”

Namgung Cheon-gang hid Baekseol and cried out in shock.

“Ah, no, no! Not Baekseol, but other spiritual beasts! Since they’re the same species, I unconsciously…”

Namgung Jia hurriedly tried to make excuses.

“Bad sister.”

Namgung Sohye quietly said a word, thinking this was her chance.

“…!?”

“…I’ll keep Baekseol away from you for a while, sister.”

Namgung Cheon-gang said firmly.

‘No, that can’t happen!’

How could she live without seeing Baekseol’s adorable fluffiness!

For Namgung Jia, who had completely fallen for Baekseol during the journey to Galbok, this was like a bolt from the blue.

‘Ah, that’s right! I’m the Vice-Captain of the Cheoncheon Sword Division, aren’t I?’

Plus, she was the Second Young Lady of the Namgung Family.

She’d use her authority to crush her younger brother’s declaration!

“…”

But she didn’t really feel like doing that.

She felt like the piercing stares watching her would become even sharper, so she dismissed the idea.

‘That Sohye might think this is her chance and say something even worse than “bad sister.”‘

Sigh.

What could she do?

She brought it on herself.

For now, she’d have to keep her mouth shut.

Later, she’d have to coax and appease Baekseol with something delicious.

Thus, Namgung Jia fell into a gloomy silence for a while.

“Now, everyone take a breath to pretend we didn’t hear about cooking spiritual beasts, and let’s start over. Whew.”

Namgung Cheon-gang took a breath and exhaled.

“Phew.”

Then Namgung Sohye and the Namgung Jeonggeom Dan regulated their breathing and exhaled.

The sound of a spiritual beast eating a child was treated as if it never happened.

Only then did Baekseol feel relieved.

Phew.

Watching Baekseol sigh in relief, Namgung Cheon-gang couldn’t help but smile as he stroked Baekseol’s head and spoke.

“That said, Sister Namgung Jia’s words aren’t entirely wrong. With Baekseol’s help, we can purify blood qi.”

“Baekseol has that kind of power, Young Master?”

“Yes, Lady Sohye. Look over there.”

Namgung Cheon-gang pointed toward the kitchen.

“Hmm~ Hmm~”

The village chief, Samgo, was humming while boiling potatoes.

There was no trace of his previous frail appearance – he looked completely vibrant.

As if he had taken several doses of medicinal tonic.

“That’s right! Come to think of it, the elder has regained his vitality!”

“That’s right. He became so lively after eating Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang’s cooking.”

“Certainly, this time Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang’s cooking wasn’t just about evoking the taste of home. How should I put it? It was beyond nutritious food, more like spiritual medicine? No, wait! My internal energy actually increased!?”

“Gasp!”

“To only realize this now!”

All members of the Namgung Jeonggeom Dan were shocked.

When they checked after their comrade’s exclamation, their internal energy had indeed increased.

Namgung Sohye also hurriedly checked, and oh my, goodness gracious.

‘It’s, it’s true! My internal energy has increased!’

Very slightly, but it had still increased.

Moreover, the accumulated impurities in her body seemed to have been automatically purified.

At the peak level, such things would disappear naturally through breathing exercises or after a night’s sleep.

However, for first-rate level or below, it would have quite significant effects on meridian purification.

‘This happened from eating food?’

How could such a thing be possible!

‘Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang could create spiritual medicine!?’

She turned to look at Namgung Cheon-gang in shock.

“It’s not me. It’s Baekseol’s help. As I mentioned just now.”

“Ah! So that’s what you meant when you said Baekseol could help restore vitality!”

“Yes!”

“Really, Baekseol is! No, Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang who knows this! What kind of abilities do you possess to perform such miracles!”

Amazing.

Unbelievable.

Namgung Sohye looked at Namgung Cheon-gang and Baekseol with eyes filled with respect and awe.

Huh?

But why does his expression look like that?

“Ha, haha. Baek, Baekseol is a divine bird, so she has such abilities. Ha, haha. Right, Baekseol-a?”

“Chirp!”

He’s laughing awkwardly, as if hiding something.

It looks like he’s even breaking out in cold sweat.

‘No, right? Perhaps he used his own internal energy to create nutritious food like spiritual medicine together with Baekseol.’

That’s right.

He must have sacrificed himself to show everyone that people poisoned by blood qi could be cured.

The incident in Dongryang County and the rumors he’d heard.

Moreover, even on the way to Galbok, didn’t he volunteer to handle everyone’s meals?

The same here in Sammi Village.

As soon as he saw the frail elder, he was the first to rush over and support him.

He grieved together when seeing the blood soil filled with blood qi, and smiled to comfort that sorrow.

How could one not understand this?

‘As expected, Young Master is…’

The Namgung Cheon-gang that Namgung Sohye knew was still amazing.

Namgung Sohye’s eyes grew warm.

“…??”

The third young lady’s gaze toward him suddenly became warm.

‘I don’t know why, but anyway, I’m glad that went well.’

How could he tell them he made food with water that Baekseol had vomited?

He had eaten it himself to prevent any potential misunderstandings.

But perceptive people could quickly catch on, so not even one source of misunderstanding could arise.

‘Especially Lady Namgung Sohye and Lady Namgung Jia must never find out.’

Though they were getting along well, who were these people?

They were the bloodline of the Namgung Family’s master.

They were the Sword King’s blood relatives.

What if they found out he cooked and served food made with water vomited by a divine beast?

The long-absent limb severing would return saying “Long time no see?”

‘Right now… I absolutely must hide it.’

For his life, risking his life!

Then Namgung Cheon-gang made a move for more certain concealment.

“Of course, I wouldn’t make vitality-restoring nutritious food with just Baekseol’s power alone. To restore the vitality of everyone in Sammi Village, I will also help.”

“You mean with cooking!”

One warrior from the Namgung Jeonggeom Dan raised her hand high and shouted.

She was a woman with a fresh appearance.

Namgung Cheon-gang shook his head no.

“No. I will help by utilizing my main profession.”

“Weren’t you a cook?”

“…?”

“…??”

“Ah. That’s right. Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang is a blacksmith!?”

A voice full of realization in a place full of question marks.

It was Namgung Sohye.

Having handled cooking instead of blacksmith work for the past few days, even Namgung Sohye had briefly forgotten Namgung Cheon-gang’s profession.

‘Ah!’

‘That’s right!’

‘He was Elder Mak Noya’s disciple, wasn’t he?’

‘A shareholder of Ungongwha!’

At Namgung Sohye’s enlightened exclamation, everyone finally remembered Namgung Cheon-gang’s main profession.

But why did they mistake him for a cook?

It seemed to be because the food was too delicious.

Well, it made sense to mistake him since he wouldn’t be doing blacksmith work by taking out a portable forge during travel.

“…”

“…”

Everyone said they realized it.

But in the end, it was true that they had forgotten Namgung Cheon-gang’s main profession.

Because of this, silence descended over the bonfire in the courtyard.

An awkward silence where no one knew what to do with themselves.

* * *

There was a brief misunderstanding, but it was quickly resolved.

The important thing wasn’t the awkward silence born from misunderstanding, but ‘how to treat blood qi.’

Namgung Cheon-gang said he would help Baekseol with his main profession.

When Namgung Sohye carefully asked how he would help, Namgung Cheon-gang answered confidently.

“I’ll make a cauldron. A huge cooking cauldron.”

‘Huh?’

‘A cauldron?’

‘Suddenly?’

‘What? Is he planning to switch from blacksmith to chef?’

Once again, the suspicion arose that he wasn’t a blacksmith but a chef.

When everyone had such doubts.

“Ah!”

Only Namgung Sohye was different.

“Making a huge cooking cauldron… could it be that you mean to make a medicinal cauldron?”

“Exactly right, Lady Namgung Sohye.”

“If done well, we could achieve the best effects with optimal efficiency, couldn’t we?”

“That is also exactly correct. Heh, as expected of Lady Namgung Sohye. How well you understand my heart! Such excellent insight! You are the best!”

“Hehe. I only learned it all from Young Master.”

The two fine young people laugh heartily while talking about things only they understand.

The five members of Jeonggeom Dan are bewildered, not knowing what they’re talking about, but only Namgung Jia, who had been maintaining silence, shows an interested expression.

‘Hmm, I don’t know what they’re talking about, but I’ll understand if I just watch. Considering what happened in Dongryang County, there must be things only those two know.’

But still, that, that.

To smile so brightly in front of a man of the same age.

Really, she can’t say it’s not the case.

Ah, what will become of an 18-year-old girl’s first love.

How heart-pounding it is.

“Then, is there nothing we can help with, Young Master?”

Whether her sister’s heart was pounding like war drums on a battlefield or not.

Namgung Sohye, who had been laughing heartily and talking about things only they knew, asks subtly.

“Having only Young Master take on the burden again troubles me as a member of the Namgung Clan, as a warrior who wishes to help people, and also as one who has received grace. Moreover, if many people work together, wouldn’t difficult tasks that one person would struggle with be finished quickly? Therefore, please do not refuse my request, Young Master.”

In case Namgung Cheon-gang might say it’s fine and that he’ll do it alone so please wait.

Namgung Sohye made the first move.

When someone asks to help like this, one can’t very well refuse.

“Well then, if there are any large birds that could be used for nutritious food nearby, or any strong prey with lots of meat, could I ask you to hunt some?”

“Would that be alright, Young Master? Just looking at the people of Sammi Village, they have no energy from exposure to blood energy… wouldn’t other animals be affected as well…?”

“Even if they’re contaminated, it should be fine if you’re with Baekseol.”

“That means you’re telling us to hunt together with Baekseol.”

“Yes. That’s right. If you’re with Baekseol, you’ll understand what I’m talking about now.”

‘Since Baekseol’s silk also has purifying power, it should work if they tie up and catch prey with the silk. I should tell Baekseol to help with hunting using silk instead of water cannons.’

That way, he could prevent the limb severance that would come again.

“Understood. If Young Master says so, there must be a reason.”

“Ah, and I have a separate request for Lady Sohye, Sister, and the brothers and sisters of Jeonggeom Dan.”

“What kind of request?”

“Do you mean us?”

“Me?”

“Yes! It’s nothing major, but starting tomorrow when I’m making the cauldron, could each of you entrust me with your swords? I want to sharpen the blades and check if there are any rough spots, just in case.”

Blood energy, Blood Soil, and blacksmith kidnapping, furthermore assassins were involved in this place.

There were more than enough reasons for anything to happen.

‘Each person is said to be worth a hundred enemies…’

And another person is said to be worth a thousand.

‘But accidents come without warning, right? So I need to prepare in advance and raise our combat power even more.’

How?

‘Making party members’ equipment stronger is a blacksmith’s specialty!’

I’ll properly show what it means to fight with a hammer!

—————
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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