He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 15

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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 15

Episode 15

Her entire body was covered in black stealth clothing.

Judging by the curves, a woman.

She prostrated herself before Namgung Cheon and waited for his response.

“Rise, Cheonying. If you keep kneeling like that, I’ll have no one to converse with. Haha.”

“If it is your command, I shall obey.”

Cheonying stood up.

The only thing visible from her outfit that covered her entire body were her eyes.

Their color seemed to contain the sky itself, truly clear and elegant.

Even hidden swords would be laid bare before those eyes.

“No matter when I see them, they are truly beautiful eyes, Cheonying.”

“You praise me too highly.”

“How is the elder doing?”

“He is in good health. Honestly, I cannot even understand why he gave me this position.”

“Hahaha. The elder must have his reasons for everything. In any case, it is truly a blessing for the martial arts world and the Namgung family. To have such excellent young people who will lead the next generation.”

“Compared to the family head, I am but a drop of blood from a bird’s foot.”

“Hey now. Isn’t that obvious? We’re of different generations.”

“The family head appears to be of our same generation.”

“What? Hahaha! Cheonying. You speak as well as that child from Cheongeumjeong. Hahaha!”

Cheonying apologized saying she was sorry and bowed her head.

Namgung Cheon, who had burst into pleasant laughter, waved his hand dismissively.

“What, apologizing for something like this. Anyway, since we’re on the topic, what do you think? In your eyes too, wasn’t he quite a pure child?”

“…It’s not that he lacks ambition, but he didn’t seem like someone who would deceive or harm others to get by. Rather, he appeared to be a person of chivalry, morality, and conscience.”

“Hoho. As expected, your eyes are never wrong. That means he’s also quite good at making excuses.”

“If you command it, I will take care of it.”

The words about eliminating him came out easily.

However, Namgung Cheon shook his head, saying there was no need for that.

“No, it’s fine. According to the information Namgung Ok brought, we can’t say the child stole and learned the Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art.”

“Indeed, the Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art is the Namgung Family’s absolute divine art that you personally safeguard, so without your permission, no one can see it or learn it.”

“Ah. Now that I think about it, that’s right.”

The Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art was directly managed by Namgung Cheon.

In other words, to see and learn the Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art, one would have to overcome the wall that is Namgung Cheon.

Virtually impossible.

‘Wait, now that I think about it, that boy?’

Besides the Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art, I had a strong feeling he had learned various other divine techniques.

Namgung Cheon patted Namgung Cheon-gang’s shoulder to check what divine arts and mental cultivation methods he had learned.

It was an almost instantaneous short moment, but his realm approaching the transcendent boundary made such an impossible thing possible.

‘I can sense the energy of various mental cultivation methods, but it’s not complicated enough to cause qi deviation. Rather, should I say that when a superior divine art emerges, it harmonizes accordingly?’

From what I heard and investigated.

What the child from Cheongeumjeong learned was only the Clear Wind Mental Method, a very basic mental cultivation method that even the Cheongeumjeong blacksmiths learn.

However, if I can sense the energy of various mental cultivation methods, it also means he achieved transformation on his own.

The transformation of mental cultivation methods creates such paths.

Naturally, there was no way Namgung Cheon wouldn’t know this.

“Huh. Thinking about it this way, the child’s excuse could indeed be the truth.”

Right.

Then it makes sense.

“My goodness. As I’ve aged, I’ve become suspicious and nearly gave an innocent child a hard time. Hahaha!”

Knowing the truth, I feel like my mind has been completely cleared.

Something like a refreshing feeling I haven’t experienced in a very long time.

“All paths lead to one, all paths lead to one. Hahaha. Yes, that was right.”

His enlightenment made him unable to stop laughing.

At the same time, Namgung Cheon’s energy grew stronger.

An energy so clear and bright that just breathing it in lifted one’s spirits spread out from Namgung Cheon like exploding flower petals.

‘…!?’

Cheonying, who was watching right beside him, felt that energy without any filter.

‘Could it be!’

Has he ascended to a new realm!?

He gained enlightenment in that brief moment!

Cheonying quickly stood guard.

Soon, the clear energy that had been bursting out like flower petals disappeared.

To the extent that it felt like an illusion.

Cheonying prostrated herself.

“I congratulate you, family head.”

Namgung Cheon smiled gently.

“Thank you, Cheonying. But it’s not complete enlightenment. I’d say I’ve only halfway stepped in. The next realm is truly difficult to ascend to, yet seems to be a mysterious place.”

“Even ascending halfway means you can see what comes next. I believe without doubt that you will soon achieve everything properly.”

“Even if it’s just words, I’m grateful, Cheonying.”

Namgung Cheon’s gentle smile soon turned toward Cheongeumjeong as well.

The incident at Cheonpung Biaoju some time ago, today’s events, and furthermore, the matter he came for with some concern due to the deputy leader of the inspection team’s words.

‘I never knew that coming here would create such an opportunity.’

They say there are things to learn even from children.

Indeed, not one old saying is wrong.

‘Hahaha. It’s truly wonderful that I still have much to learn and much to realize. But now, having received such grace, what should I do?’

In the martial arts world, debts of gratitude are very important.

Moreover, if one is the head of the Namgung Family, shouldn’t that gratitude be repaid even more?

Even though no one is watching, Namgung Cheon has absolutely no intention of letting this pass.

“Hmm. Now that I think about it, isn’t the time for the ‘Direct Line Advancement Examination’ approaching soon?”

“Yes, that’s correct, family head.”

“Is Mak Noya still the one examining those from Cheongeumjeong’s branch families who want to rise to direct line status?”

“Yes.”

“Tsk. Mak Noya really should be a bit gentler. Since he became the Cheongeumjeong examiner, no one from Cheongeumjeong has ever gained direct line status.”

This means there hasn’t been anyone who caught his eye yet, and that he’s keeping his promise with me well.

Although I grumble like this, considering our mutual agreement, it’s right that one should catch his eye.

And perhaps this time, someone might emerge.

‘When that time comes, I can properly give compensation thinking of the grace I received now.’

He awakened his own energy and cultivated a path with only a third-rate mental cultivation method to the extent that even I was mistaken.

‘Someone with truly extraordinary talent. So perhaps…’

He might even be able to resolve my long-cherished wish.

Of course, this might be going too far.

This too is something I’ll only know when the time comes.

‘This Direct Line Advancement contest is truly something to look forward to.’

In any case, if that boy participates in the match, he’ll likely make it quite interesting.

“Hahaha. Strange things happen, and I see such a bright future. It’s been so long since the martial arts world became interesting. Hahaha!”

Namgung Cheon’s footsteps, full of joy, continued long after that.

* * *

Although there was an unexpected visit from the family head, that didn’t change daily life.

Making the New Baekryeonjeonggang, refining it, and taking on commissions that came to Cheongeumjeong.

And in my spare time, exploring restaurants.

“This is happiness.”

Want to film a martial arts daily life vlog?

That’s how peaceful and monotonous it is.

“I thought something big was going to happen.”

When the Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art was discovered, it seemed like it would.

But perhaps the heartfelt lie I told at the time worked properly.

Even after several days, nothing happened.

Enough to be naturally forgotten?

‘Seeing how nothing special happened even after a month, it must have been needless worry.’

If I had to pick what changed during that month of peace, it would be my internal energy reaching 15 years and the Cheongeumjeong blacksmiths looking extremely busy?

Their wariness toward each other had sharpened.

Like high school seniors who are rivals before the college entrance exam.

The blood-drying college entrance exam.

After the Hunter world came to be, ‘Hunter entrance exams’ were created, making it even more fierce.

“…D-damn it. My past life taking entrance exams comes to mind!”

Thinking about Hunter entrance exams makes me short of breath.

Huff, huff!

Forget it, Cheongang!

There are no such entrance exams now!

In a world dozens of centuries behind modern civilization, where people kill at the drop of a hat, and fists are closer than law, right?

There are no such barbaric and murderous entrance exams!

So don’t worry too much!

‘…Come to think of it, entrance exams seem better?’

Upon realizing the harsh reality of the martial arts world, my fear of entrance exams naturally disappeared.

Ah, is this what they call fighting poison with poison?

I gained new enlightenment.

Of course, nothing happened.

“Why did the Cheongeumjeong blacksmiths enter entrance exam senior mode, biting at each other?”

I thought while munching on egg fried rice.

One plate emptied, then became two plates.

I still don’t know.

‘As I recall, except for the direct lineage promotion exam that the Namgung Family holds once every three years, there’s no way they’d show that level of passion—’

Ah?

‘This is it!?’

The direct lineage promotion exam!

* * *

The direct lineage promotion exam.

Literally an exam held once every three years where one can be promoted to ‘direct lineage’ status.

The minimum qualification to participate in this exam.

Branch family members aged 18 or older but under 50.

Among them, those whose achievements have been recognized to some degree.

To explain those achievements precisely.

For martial artists, at least second-rate level.

For those in commerce, at least senior level or above, core positions.

‘In company terms, you could say assistant manager or team leader level.’

The exam broadly covers two fields for evaluation: martial arts and commerce.

The examiners are naturally direct lineage members related to those professions.

Martial artists and craftsmen whose nicknames and names are known in the martial arts world.

In other words, it was extremely difficult since one had to take the exam purely on their own abilities without any tricks.

Still, the reward of becoming ‘direct lineage’ from branch family was sweeter than any other reward.

Therefore, branch family members who met the conditions risked their lives for this exam held every three years.

“If it’s the direct lineage promotion exam, it makes sense people would become entrance exam seniors.”

Munch munch.

Let me see…

When did the history of this direct lineage promotion exam begin?

Was it an exam created by the predecessor’s predecessor of the current head of the Namgung Family?

‘Right. That’s correct. At the time, it was said no other family did such a thing.’

Since the results were unknown.

It was also something that received contempt from many martial families, questioning whether there was any need to provide such opportunities to branch families.

However, what happened as a result of that?

The Namgung Family cultivated tremendous talents and gained the foundation to stand tall as the greatest martial family in the martial arts world.

Now, many martial families are following suit.

It was history that anyone belonging to the Namgung Family couldn’t help but know.

‘The current family head, who continues the wisdom of the Namgung Family’s predecessor’s predecessor or the predecessor’s predecessor’s predecessor, is truly an enlightened intellectual. How could they think of such things in this era?’

Knowing the cause of current events, the naturally recalled history of the Namgung Family made me let out deep admiration.

Indeed, being first place isn’t just made randomly?

Different thinking from others, the action power to execute those thoughts, and the charisma to lead.

It’s the process of creating first place regardless of the era.

‘Well, that said, it’s not like I’ll be taking the exam.’

It would be nice to become direct lineage.

‘But then I’d have a lot more work to do!’

To be reborn as the world’s greatest blacksmith, which I’ve come to dream of for longevity, isn’t there a mountain of work to do?

‘Well, if I became direct lineage, I could somehow smooth over learning direct lineage-related martial arts.’

But what’s the point of becoming direct lineage?

The moment I become direct lineage, wouldn’t I become the youngest in the family?

I’m also 18 years old.

Perfect age to be the youngest, right?

What is the youngest in this era?

Someone who takes on all the miscellaneous tasks.

If it’s commerce-related direct lineage, the work to do could be enormous.

Is that all?

The sense of responsibility becomes heavy too.

I’d have to properly practice the noblesse oblige of the martial arts world.

In other words, becoming direct lineage would obviously bury me in enormous work and responsibilities.

Martial arts?

Would I have time to learn?

‘Rather, becoming direct lineage might bring the pale reaper’s scythe closer!’

Having to live with the anxiety of severed limbs and destroyed dantian every hour, how could I handle that?

I’d get mental illness.

It’s better to enjoy life leisurely with healthy mental state like this, taking steps toward being the world’s greatest.

It’s already thin ice.

Phew.

‘Work hard, everyone. I’ll cheer you on!’

Namgung Cheon-gang mentally cheered for everyone preparing for the direct lineage promotion exam while deliciously eating egg fried rice.

Concluding it was completely unrelated to himself.

But what’s this?

“Uh, so… most of the Master Blacksmiths of Cheongeumjeong entered exam preparation, so Cheongeumjeong’s production requests piled up like a mountain?”

“That’s right. Except for you alone, everyone has no spare time!”

The next day.

Cheongeumjeong’s general manager came to find Namgung Cheon-gang, begging him to please take on the piled-up requests.

For Namgung Cheon-gang, who had already finished his work in the morning and was leisurely preparing for another restaurant tour, it was a bolt from the blue.

“No, what’s with the Cheongeumjeong Blacksmiths!? Were they always like this?!”

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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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