He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 142

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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 142

Episode 142

The publicly known Hyeolyogyo is ordinary.

Spreading doctrine, praying for blessings, checking fortune, and so on.

Exactly like an ordinary civilian religious group.

No matter how much you dig, nothing comes out.

Muyong isn’t a fool either.

Wouldn’t they have taken care of it long ago?

They obtained evidence of collusion with Hyeorin-gak, who tried to kidnap the precious daughter of the family.

However, nothing that could serve as evidence was discovered.

‘Of course, that’s just publicly.’

Originally, such civilian religious groups always have very complicated affairs hidden within.

Even in modern times, if you look at cult-like places, the outside appears fine but the inside is rotten to the core.

Would the Martial Arts World be any different?

So, they deployed a tiger’s den infiltration operation to enter the hidden cave rather than the openly accessible main gate.

To infiltrate the darkness of Hyeolyogyo, whose vigilance had become as strong as a cat with raised fur among the families and sects belonging to the Martial Arts World, including Muyong.

An operation that only Namgung Cheon-gang and his party could carry out.

Moreover, these bastards had already been working on him.

If you still think they’re just an ordinary civilian religious group on the surface after all this, that would be foolish.

Anyway, what remained now was finding a way to enter that cave full of rotten flesh.

Fortunately, Namgung Cheon-gang learned this easily.

The one who told him was Namgung Jia.

The source was a captured Blood Cult Follower.

“How did you do it?”

“Do you want to know, Younger Brother?”

When Namgung Cheon-gang asked curiously, Namgung Jia smiled brightly.

“No.”

Feeling somehow chilled, Namgung Cheon-gang shook his head vigorously.

“You thought well, Younger Brother. Sometimes in this world, there are things you don’t need to know.”

“That’s right. There’s no need to know. Hahaha, ah, anyway, where did you say the contact point was?”

Mijoongsan.

It’s a mountain located at the midpoint among the tail villages.

Three days away from there is Hoinsan, where Hyeolyogyo’s main temple is located.

A mountain with legends of foxes becoming human, it was a place many people visited to see the scenery even without Hyeolyogyo, as the scenic views were beautiful.

“I didn’t know the Blacksmith kidnappers were so close by.”

“It’s darkest under the lamp, Sohye. Well then, shall we divide the personnel now?”

Those who would enter the tiger’s den and those who would wait outside for signals to catch the tiger.

The people entering the tiger’s den would be Namgung Cheon-gang, Hosiu, Cheonying, and Baekseol.

Namgung Sohye, Namgung Jia, and Namgung Jeonggeom Dan were excluded.

Their faces were widely known.

Even if they were captured as blacksmiths, not a single person would be fooled.

They had no choice but to become tiger hunters.

Therefore, Namgung Sohye, Jia, and Namgung Jeonggeom Dan were scheduled to go to Muyong.

The more hunters entering through the secret door of the cave that would soon open wide, the better.

“…I pray for your good fortune, Master.”

Just before parting.

Namgung Sohye sent a gaze full of worry and prayed for their safety.

She looked back several times until they disappeared into the distance.

Toward them, toward Namgung Sohye, Namgung Cheon-gang waved his hand widely, telling her not to worry.

“She seems unable to take her steps away because she’s worried about us entering the tiger’s den. What a kind-hearted person, Baekseol-a?”

“Piii.”

Namgung Sohye and her party had now completely disappeared beyond the horizon.

Only then did Namgung Cheon-gang lower his hand and speak casually.

Baekseol nodded in agreement.

“…”

Hosiu.

‘It seems like there’s only one person Samgong Nyeom is looking at and worrying about…’

Being from Hao-mun, he immediately guessed, but.

‘Let’s stay quiet.’

He kept his mouth shut.

What’s the point of stirring up trouble?

He’d be the only one suffering.

“Yes. She’s truly a warm-hearted person.”

At times like this, it’s best to just agree and nod.

“Well then, let’s start preparing. Since the contact is in two days, we have a lot to do. We need to make bulletproof undergarments, and there are other things to make too.”

“Bulletproof undergarments?”

“Yes. You could say it’s a Blacksmith’s unique preparation for unexpected situations.”

“If Master is preparing it, there must be a reason for everything. I understand. I’ll do my best to help. Oh right, may I take care of some business first? It’s time for my regular report.”

“Why ask about such things? Go ahead and come back.”

“Thank you, Master!”

Bulletproof undergarments for Hosiu.

Preparations for other things he had in mind.

After finishing everything in one night and taking a brief rest.

Namgung Cheon-gang’s party headed toward Hoinsan.

* * *

Midnight when the moon hangs in the center.

Fog settles on Hoinsan.

A place with legends of foxes becoming human.

So is it a mysterious phenomenon caused by great secrets?

No.

It’s just a common natural phenomenon.

Like unchanging seasons, such phenomena appear at specific times and environmental conditions.

Originally, Hoinsan is just an ordinary mountain aside from the legends.

The flora and fauna that grow there are also common.

Ordinary people often climb it for exercise.

There’s nothing special about it.

But how many people would climb a mountain at midnight?

Unless you’re an herb gatherer seeking herbs that have absorbed moonlight essence, there’s rarely any reason to climb.

Moreover, when fog sets in, even a neighborhood hill becomes as dangerous as a thousand-foot cliff.

On such days, even experienced herb gatherers avoid it, and animals don’t bother hunting either.

Certainly, that should be the case.

“…”

There are three people heading toward the middle of the mountain, cutting through the fog.

Two are tall, and one is as small as a 5-year-old child.

One has a slender build and is covered head to toe in red robes.

Their identity is unknown.

Under the moonlight, the red color deepens, making it seem filled with blood.

The other is similar in height to the one in red robes.

The clothes they wear are a proper harmony of blue and brown.

The overall appearance resembles work clothes worn by blacksmiths.

His physique was sturdy from hard labor and long training, and he was refreshingly handsome.

If there was a flaw, it was his hazy, unfocused eyes as if he were entranced by something.

The last remaining one, small like a 5-year-old child, was covered head to toe in black cloth, just like the one in red robes who had covered his entire body.

What was revealed were clear and beautiful eyes.

Compared to the others, his mouth protruded slightly.

He seemed excited with each step.

“Beep beep!”

He even made quite cute crying sounds.

“Hey there, Baekseol you rascal. Stop crying!”

Upon hearing the beeping cries, the man in red robes with only his eyes showing scolded him.

And with hazy, unfocused eyes, he kicked the butt of the person walking in front of him.

Thud.

“Why is this one so slow! Can’t you walk faster!”

He threatened even the person who had fallen from being kicked in the butt.

“….”

The person in blacksmith clothes slowly got up.

Soon, like a poorly oiled door, his head turned with a creak as he glared at the one who had kicked him.

“Master Hosiu.”

“…Yes.”

“Do you have some grudge against me?”

It was cold.

His voice became a dagger, stabbing at the heart of the man in red robes.

They were none other than Namgung Cheon-gang and Hosiu.

And Baekseol.

At the cold voice that stabbed his heart, Hosiu quickly bowed his waist several times.

Bow, bow.

“S-sorry. I was trying to act like a worse person and… I got too immersed without realizing it…”

“What does getting too immersed have to do with kicking my butt? Be honest. If you admit you have a grudge, I’ll forgive everything.”

“Ab-absolutely not! What am I to have a grudge against Master! This is enemy territory, so to deceive them very seriously, properly, and thoroughly, it’s a strategy, yes, a strategy!”

This was the path toward the meeting place to enter the tiger’s den.

From Namgung Cheon-gang’s perspective, who was going well until suddenly getting kicked in the butt and having his face planted in the dirt, it was infuriating.

But thinking about it, Hosiu’s words weren’t wrong.

To deceive the enemy, he had to play the villain role thoroughly, so it was no different from giving his all in a passionate performance.

“Look at my face. Aren’t I feeling too sorry for kicking you? Honestly, if it weren’t for the situation, my heart would hurt too much, Master!”

Indeed, Hosiu’s face clearly showed his troubled feelings about kicking Namgung Cheon-gang.

“…Ugh.”

What could he do?

It wasn’t intentional, but a strategy to better deceive the other party.

He had to endure and let it pass.

Namgung Cheon-gang deeply swallowed his groan.

“…Still, don’t overdo it. At least give me a signal if you’re going to kick me.”

“I got so into my passionate acting that I forgot. From now on, I’ll give you a signal! Really, sincerely, definitely sorry, Master!”

They hadn’t entered enemy territory yet.

If they acted so openly revealing their identities like this, wouldn’t their carefully laid plans become completely ruined?

Fortunately, it was fine.

If there were enemies, the hidden Cheonying would have informed them through telepathy.

Since it was quiet, it meant there was no particular danger.

Moreover, Namgung Cheon-gang’s divine technique naturally spread wide to find hidden people.

He had also checked periodically with his insight.

Since it was still safe, he could get up abruptly and voice his complaints about suddenly being kicked in the butt.

“I understand. Anyway, let’s get back to our passionate acting now.”

“Yes!”

“Baekseol, no more beeping from now on. Shh.”

“Beep!”

Namgung Cheon-gang returned to his vacant gaze, and Hosiu returned to being a Blood Cult follower who had kidnapped a blacksmith.

Baekseol kept his mouth tightly shut.

Soon, when the fog grew thicker.

A figure in the distance was approaching the two people and one Divine Beast.

Jingle.

The one approaching while shaking a bell was wearing the same outfit as Hosiu.

Namgung Cheon-gang quickly recognized who it was.

The manager who would be at the meeting place, as told by the Blood Cult follower who had suffered terrible things from Namgung Jia.

‘That person is—’

Thwack.

Thud.

“Stupid blacksmith. Your limbs are fine but your walking is disgustingly slow. Tsk. What use is getting such a guy.”

Hosiu looked at the manager, kicked Namgung Cheon-gang, and spoke in a tone of disdain.

“….”

Namgung Cheon-gang clenched both hands tightly while lying face-down in the mud.

That was definitely on purpose.

Trembling.

* * *

“Is there a need to treat him so harshly?”

The approaching manager looked at the fallen Namgung Cheon-gang and Hosiu and asked in a calm voice.

“Of course. We’re already on the verge of revealing the cult’s great achievement because of those Muyong bastards, and we moved to get just this one guy, so isn’t it annoying?”

“When you put it that way, I understand. What are mere blacksmiths that we should have to step forward? Tsk. But who are you?”

“You don’t know me, who belongs to the same cult?”

“I can definitely tell you’re different from the person who usually comes to this place. What happened to our cult member who used to come?”

The manager’s calm eyes glowed red.

Like a well-sharpened blade.

Not just his gaze, but the manager’s aura had changed too.

An aura ready to charge at any moment.

‘This… we’ve been found out, haven’t we?’

Namgung Cheon-gang, who had been maintaining vacant eyes, was startled.

Looking at the atmosphere, it seemed that way.

Indeed, entering a tiger’s den wasn’t going to be easy.

‘Then it’s Plan 2!’

When entering a tiger’s den, how could they have only one plan?

Just in case, they had prepared a second plan too.

‘Capture the manager and interrogate him to find out where the cave entrance is!’

Just as he was about to signal Cheonying to attack together and execute that second plan.

[-I’ll handle this. Please trust me.]

Hosiu sent a telepathic message.

At the same time, he spoke to the manager.

“What happened… Are you curious? Well, there’s nothing to hide. I quietly sent him back. For the cult’s sake.”

“…For the cult’s sake? Ha, you’re talking nonsense because you’re afraid your identity will be exposed—”

“As far as I know, a manager-level would be a ‘Grade 4 Evangelist’ level. But a mere Grade 4 Evangelist is questioning me, a Grade 3?”

“G-Grade 3!?”

A surprised voice.

Wavering eyes.

“Are you really a 3rd rank?”

The voice that had been sharp with wariness just moments ago disappeared.

He asked carefully with a voice tinged with bewilderment.

Hosiu silently threw a silver medallion in front of the Manager.

The Manager swallowed dry saliva and carefully picked up the silver medallion that had fallen before him.

The front side with a fox drawing.

And the back side inscribed with 3rd rank.

“Th-this is!”

The Manager was even more startled than before, then immediately prostrated himself.

“This lowly one committed a mortal sin by failing to recognize a 3rd rank Elder.”

The voice no longer held surprise or bewilderment.

Now it was filled with fear and terror, as if his life hung by a thread.

His posture suggested he had made a grave mistake against someone far beyond his station to handle.

Hosiu made an expression of interest.

“Hmm. You do have good eyes though. Seeing how you immediately knew who I was upon seeing the silver medallion.”

“How could I not recognize the silver medallion that’s only given to those who have supported Hyeolyogyo from the Hoyogyo era until now! That would be worthy of death!”

“Oh? You know even that? For a 4th rank, you know quite a lot. That means you too must be someone who’s been here since the Hoyogyo era.”

“Y-yes. Like you, Elder, I am a believer who pledged myself to blood, accepted the New Heaven, and gained new power.”

“…Excellent. Very excellent. But are you going to keep lying there? The work for the sect is urgent every moment.”

“N-no. I’ll move right away.”

The prostrated Manager immediately stood up.

Then he respectfully handed the picked-up silver medallion back to Hosiu.

While doing so, he raised his head and glanced very briefly at his eyes.

Hosiu’s crescent moon-shaped, red-glowing eyes were looking down at him.

It felt like the night itself had casually opened its eyes to look.

The Manager quickly lowered his head.

From the blood-tinged gaze, he became greatly convinced that Hosiu was in a position above him, and at an unbelievably high one at that.

“C-carefully, please follow carefully.”

“I’ll handle myself, so you just go ahead.”

“Ah, understood.”

The Manager turned and walked away.

“But may I ask why an Elder like yourself personally came out to do such menial work?”

Though greatly convinced, one last lingering doubt.

A stubborn will that remained alive even after seeing those crescent moon eyes.

Snicker.

At that transparent doubt, Hosiu burst into laughter.

“Do you know who this guy is?”

Thud.

Hosiu kicked Namgung Cheon-gang again as he stood up and walked.

Thump.

Watching him fall, he continued speaking.

“Mak Noya’s top disciple. Namgung Cheon-gang. Isn’t this alone sufficient reason for me to step forward? He’s too important a figure to entrust to mere 5th rank managers.”

“…!?”

“What? Doesn’t seem right? If it doesn’t seem right, then believe that. And.”

Swoosh.

He grabbed the Manager’s shoulder with his hand.

Crack.

A chilling bone sound echoed through the mist.

Pain that made him want to scream surged up.

“Don’t scream.”

But the one gripping his shoulder wouldn’t allow it.

“And don’t ask about what I know.”

He also wouldn’t allow any more questions.

“I’ve shown mercy three times so far.”

The incident of glaring at him.

The incident of revealing his identity.

And the incident of casting doubt once again.

“Since I’m active outside and have hypocritical generosity, I’ll speak one last time.”

Up to the crescent moon eyes had been forgiveness.

“Will there be a next time?”

He hadn’t contained all the terror.

“Think carefully with that dull head of yours.”

An indifferent voice devoid of any emotion, as if speaking to a roadside insect.

The terror that hadn’t been contained in the forgiveness.

It rose up to fill his heart.

It clearly conveyed that there would be no next time for him.

The Manager, whose entire body was soaked in sweat and whose clothes had become damp.

“S-spare me…”

Could think of nothing but pleading to be spared.

“If you want to live, walk.”

To survive, the Manager focused on what he could do.

Never again would he harbor even a doubt.

Only toward the Tiger’s Den Entrance that no one knew about.

Watching the back of such a Manager.

Watching Namgung Cheon-gang who had somehow stood up and was following.

Hosiu’s eyes curved like a crescent moon once again.

I did well, right?

He was about to send that telepathic message.

[-Again, seriously?]

Namgung Cheon-gang’s telepathic message came first.

“…”

A voice devoid of any emotion.

Hosiu’s wavering gaze.

Ah.

I’m screwed.

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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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