He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 16

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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 16

Episode 16

“That’s how it originally was.”

What?

“The direct lineage advancement exam is truly an important test for the branch family members. So before you came, we left it to the apprentices.”

“….”

Come to think of it, high school seniors taking the college entrance exam aren’t asked to do anything else.

Those exam students are invincible at that time.

It was completely understandable.

And if that’s how it originally was, well, what could I do.

“To be honest, I’d like to leave it to the apprentices, but when we have a master-level blacksmith, why would we need to do that? Besides, several people specifically requested you.”

“Me?”

“That’s right. After you made that kitchen knife for the Namgung Family’s cook the other day, many people are waiting for your craftsmanship.”

“Huh? That was almost a month ago, wasn’t it? Then the commission requests should have piled up by now?”

“We didn’t send you any other commissions until you finished making the New Baekryeonjeonggang and had enough ingots stockpiled. Other blacksmiths handled all the commissions that were meant for you.”

“…You mean, the New Baekryeonjeonggang ingots are currently?”

“Sufficiently stockpiled. Of course, we’ll need more soon, but there’s enough to last until the exam. It’s thanks to you working so diligently. Who would have known you could make New Baekryeonjeonggang so quickly and perfectly? You’re truly an amazing blacksmith!”

Despite the supervisor’s praise, Namgung Cheon-gang felt depressed.

To think that doing good work would lead to taking on all the miscellaneous tasks.

Who knew the military saying “don’t work too well” would apply in the martial arts world too!

‘Sigh, I’m dying from frustration, really dying.’

Moreover, didn’t he say that the blacksmiths participating in the direct lineage advancement exam took care of the designated commissions while he was making New Baekryeonjeonggang?

Repaying kindness is human nature.

Kindness must be repaid, as this is the proper way of people.

“I have no choice. Everyone isn’t just playing around, and if they’re busy with exams, I should help.”

“Oh, ohhh!! A-are you serious?”

“Yes. I’ve already received their kindness, so how could I ignore it? Relationships of favor and grudges are important in the martial arts world. If I’ve received a favor, repaying it is both chivalry and righteousness, and the Way, isn’t it?”

“Exactly! That’s what it means to be a martial artist and a member of the Namgung Family!”

“Please give me the commissions. I’ll start right away.”

I won’t be able to explore restaurants for a while.

Namgung Cheon-gang consoled his disappointed heart inwardly.

Well, I’ll earn double the usual money, so that’s some consolation.

“Ohhh! Thank you! As expected of Namgung Cheon-gang! Come to think of it, aren’t you taking the direct lineage advancement exam?”

“If I take it too, wouldn’t all the Cheongeumjeong Blacksmiths be resting? And I’m still lacking to become direct lineage, plus I don’t have much ambition for it.”

“You saying you lack skill. Well, that’s the funniest joke I’ve heard lately, hahaha!”

“Then, should I take the exam too?”

Instead of an answer, what came back was a mountain of commission papers.

“….”

Looking at the commission papers stacked to the ceiling, Namgung Cheon-gang trembled.

Ah, this is a bit much.

He was about to ask for time to reconsider….

“…When did he leave?”

The Cheongeumjeong supervisor had long since disappeared after throwing the commission papers.

“….”

Right.

What’s the point of regretting now.

It’s already happened.

I have to solve it.

“What should I start with.”

There were so many that even sorting them would take time.

“Time is precious. I’ll skip the sorting.”

He randomly picked one up.

“Hmm. A commission from Cheonggeung Clothing Store.”

Cheonggeung Clothing Store.

The most famous clothing store in Anhui Province, with a Namgung Family direct lineage member as its representative.

Wow, just how serious were they to postpone even this commission?

Can this kind of thing really be postponed?

“The direct lineage advancement exam candidates really are like martial arts world high school seniors taking college entrance exams, that’s right.”

Namgung Cheon-gang clicked his tongue and checked the commission details.

“A commission to make 100 needle sets.”

Needles are basically divided into large, medium, and small.

They’re subdivided more specifically from these three categories, but generally don’t deviate from this framework.

Any decent blacksmith could make them.

However, this is a Cheongeumjeong commission!

They need to be sturdy and sharp enough to be used as hidden weapons at minimum.

“I’ll use New Baekryeonjeonggang generously for the materials.”

Namgung Cheon-gang picked up his hammer.

And even at this moment, he didn’t know.

The enormous trial that would befall him because of this work!

Clang! Clang!

“Needles~ needles~ Baekryeonjeonggang needles~ how sturdy they are~”

Clang! Clang!

* * *

“Oh? The sewing tools we ordered from Cheongeumjeong have already arrived?”

Surprise appeared on the elegant and graceful face of Namgung Cheonggi, the owner of Cheonggeung Clothing Store.

Well, the 100 sewing tool sets ordered two days ago had arrived.

She thought it would take a while.

“Yes, Madam. They arrived this morning.”

At the maid’s words, Namgung Cheonggi immediately went to where the sewing tools were placed.

At the location, 100 sewing tool sets were indeed neatly arranged.

Still surprised, she picked one up and opened it to find exactly what was ordered.

“…The detailed order of 3 tailoring needles and 3 embroidery needles is correct too.”

Even if it’s Cheongeumjeong, can they come this quickly?

Especially during this time period.

Could this be shoddy work?

Let me check the needle’s strength.

She infused internal energy and checked the needle’s strength.

Namgung Cheonggi was a direct lineage member of the Namgung Family.

Therefore, she had learned superior martial arts.

Moreover, she was at a level where she could easily manipulate internal energy.

Checking would be quick.

Oh my?

Look at this?

The needle absorbs internal energy.

Thanks to that, its strength became stronger and its sharpness increased.

At this level, it could even sew unprocessed leather.

No, to exaggerate a little, it seems like it could pierce the defenses of a martial artist who learned external arts or protected their body with internal energy.

There’s no bending either.

Isn’t this level like a hidden weapon made with utmost care?

I asked for sewing needles, but what on earth did they make!?

Her surprised face was now colored with admiration.

“That… is amazing. The 100 sewing tools made in two days aren’t just high in completion quality. If we compare them to swords, you could say they’re truly masterpieces.”

Perhaps because the needles are so exquisite.

I want to start making clothes right away.

Inspiration is also flowing freely.

“Who on earth made these?”

Finding out wasn’t difficult.

The creator’s name was written on the commission confirmation form that came with the 100 sewing tools.

【Namgung Cheon-gang】

That name with a seal stamped strongly in red ink.

‘It’s the name of a branch family member I’ve been hearing about lately. The rumors were quite good. But did this child really make these?’

Namgung Cheonggi couldn’t contain her curiosity and quietly investigated.

Since they were residing in the same city and the same family, it didn’t take long to find out.

She confirmed that the creator was indeed ‘Namgung Cheon-gang.’

And she learned a new fact as well.

“He’s not interested in the exam?”

Since she learned this from Cheongeumjeong’s general manager, it was reliable information.

Moreover, he hadn’t only taken on Cheonggeung Clothing Store’s commission.

In line with the ‘direct lineage promotion’ exam, he had taken on all the ‘explosively increased commissions.’

“Hohohoho! My, this is quite an interesting and precious child. Hohoho!”

A branch family member who doesn’t even snort at an exam that everyone else desperately rushes toward.

How could this not be interesting?

At the same time, she felt somewhat regretful.

“I’m curious what this child who makes even small items into masterpieces would create if he took the direct lineage promotion exam. It’s disappointing that I can’t see that. Moreover…”

No one had passed from Cheongeumjeong in nearly 10 years.

If that child Namgung Cheon-gang took the exam, perhaps someone might emerge in this generation.

How disappointing.

Such skill.

But if he dislikes positions of authority, what can be done?

‘Well, there’s still time left for registration.’

She would simply engrave Namgung Cheon-gang’s name in her memory through this incident and focus on her original work.

“Now that I’ve obtained excellent tools, I should get to work. It would be wonderful if someone emerged in the clothing field too. I envy Mak Noya.”

Behind a bitter smile, Namgung Cheonggi called the maids and ordered them to distribute the crafted sewing tools to the master tailors at Cheonggeung Clothing Store.

At the same time, she also took one sewing tool for herself.

“Since the desire to work is welling up after so long, I suppose I should give it a try. Hohoho.”

Humming, she entered her workshop.

However, this wasn’t something happening only at Cheonggeung Clothing Store.

It happened every other day.

At fabric stores bearing the Namgung Family name.

“Gasp! How can scissors for cutting cloth be so beautiful and elegant!”

“The scissors! The scissors are absorbing my internal energy! They’re cutting the fabric smoothly in exactly the direction I want!”

“This is a treasure!”

At butcher shops.

“Gasp! It even cuts through bones!?”

“It didn’t just cut! It cut through even the impurities in the bones cleanly, like cutting meat!”

“Ah. Is this what a true butcher’s knife is?”

At inns and restaurants and so on!

“Woooooooh!”

“The head chef, the head chef has gained enlightenment!”

Thus, a tsunami of admiration occurring everywhere closely related to daily life!

“This is a treasure!”

“Who is the creator who made this!?”

“Who was it that accepted commissions during this period and made these!”

“It’s Namgung Cheon-gang!”

“Ooh! That child from Cheongeumjeong!?”

“Huh. I had my eye on that child, but to think he’d cause such a stir! And what a tremendously good kind of stir!”

“Soon, a new craftsman will be born in Cheongeumjeong, a direct member of the Namgung Family!”

Namgung Cheon-gang’s reputation spread widely.

Ding ding ding!

Countless status message windows rising up.

It was like a skylark flying right next to his ear and screeching “Chyaaaaaack!”

Startled, Namgung Cheon-gang opened his eyes wide while holding his hammer, then paused at the last message.

“…?”

Death 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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