He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 26

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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 26

Episode 26

Before the martial arts competition among the weapon smiths.

Mak Noya had already taken his seat on the judging panel.

Thus began the exam.

“Huh. That crazy bastard!”

Seeing Namgung Cheon-gang’s massive weapon, he was so shocked that refined curses slipped out.

“Uhahahaha!”

He burst into hearty laughter at the refreshing martial prowess that sent opponents flying with each strike.

Afterward, the final exam.

The match against Namgung Seo.

“Tsk tsk. These youngsters are quite something.”

Recovering martial prowess from a fallen realm due to dantian injury was an extremely difficult task.

Of course, natural strength couldn’t be helped.

‘Giant weapons will crush your entire body if used with brute force alone. Unless you have the divine strength of the Hebei Peng Family.’

Moreover, recovering a shattered dantian in a short time was difficult even for divine physicians.

Therefore, obtaining peak-level internal energy before the match was virtually impossible.

Hence, Namgung Seo, who had been at the ‘pinnacle,’ was now facing the match with only ‘third-rate’ level internal energy.

The time he could deploy martial arts was extremely short.

Especially handling giant weapons meant bearing the weight that came with their massive size.

It was natural that even that brief time would be reduced by half, or even more.

However, despite all this.

Namgung Seo’s martial prowess was a sight to behold.

He displayed his unique understanding and intent regarding giant weapons.

It was far superior to the previous matches among the branch family warriors.

‘Impressive, truly impressive.’

However, Mak Noya didn’t think only ‘Namgung Seo’ was impressive.

He had said ‘these youngsters are quite something.’

What did these words mean?

The young man who faced on equal terms with Namgung Seo, who displayed peak-level martial prowess despite his fallen realm.

In other words, ‘Namgung Cheon-gang’s’ martial prowess was also at a quite decent level in Mak Noya’s eyes.

There was no way Mak Noya wouldn’t know Namgung Cheon-gang’s background.

He had also held expectations.

Since he had finally found a child to his liking, he had somewhat anticipated Namgung Cheon-gang’s success.

But to think it would be to this extent.

Seeing the intent that Namgung Seo displayed, he thought it might be difficult.

But it shattered his expectations and made him certain of his previous thoughts.

‘No, rather—’

He had underestimated him.

How could he think the same as before, seeing someone who brought a weapon beyond giant weapons and wielded it like a short weapon?

How could he view the same as before, seeing someone with the judgment to use strength and elasticity without being overwhelmed?

The idea of bringing such a thing to a match and wielding it was extraordinary, and the idea of reducing injuries was also extraordinary.

Both martial arts and blacksmithing ability.

‘I underestimated everything by one level.’

Namgung Seo was no different.

‘I’m getting old, getting old indeed. Tsk tsk.’

It seemed he had dragged it out too long and tried to be too idealistic.

Should he have been stubborn only in moderation?

‘No. That’s not it.’

Because he had high standards and waited so long, someone to his liking had finally appeared.

The problem would be what comes next…

“This isn’t something I should think about alone. Isn’t that right, Family Head?”

Mak Noya stroked his chin and looked to the side.

A seat that had been empty just moments before.

But now it was fully occupied.

Someone whose mere presence filled the entire training hall where the match was taking place.

Sword King Namgung Cheon.

He laughed heartily.

As if he had expected this all along.

“Hahaha. What need is there for words, elder. We can discuss everything together after the awards ceremony. And please lower your speech. If my father knew you were speaking formally to me, he’d beat me to death. Hahaha.”

“The Sword King getting beaten… That’s the most amusing joke I’ve heard in my lifetime. Tsk tsk tsk.”

Taking the joke and laughing together.

However, their eyes don’t look at each other.

Even if one person looked, the other’s eyes wouldn’t leave that one person.

Soon, Mak Noya, who had been looking at the Sword King, finished with a faint smile and turned his head.

Back to the scene where the match was unfolding, where the massive strike was concluding.

To that young man holding the hammer where lightning power had briefly dwelt before disappearing.

‘Boy. You must be quite nervous.’

What could be done?

He had to blame himself for learning such a thing.

Still, well.

He would survive.

Tsk tsk.

Thwaaang!

“Kyaaaah!”

“Aigooo!!”

The match ended, and the victor was decided.

Whether he would have a short life or live long.

Well, we’d know once we opened it up.

Tsk tsk tsk.

* * *

The week-long Direct Lineage Promotion Exam had ended.

After all the matches between merchants and warriors were finished, a platform was quickly erected.

On it, there was an awards ceremony for the successful candidates, led by the Namgung Family’s general manager.

The general manager’s eyes were full of shadows, but strangely his expression was bright.

It seemed the family’s wealth accumulated from this Direct Lineage Promotion Exam was considerable.

“Awards! Awards! Awards!”

Even the voice shouting for awards was bright.

“Woooah!”

“A new direct lineage member has emerged in Namgung!!”

“I thought it would be the Twenty Invincible Swords!!”

The cheers and applause of the audience filling the sky.

Among them, the names of the award recipients being called out.

“Monster Strength Black Hammer!”

“Monster Strength Black Hammer!!”

“So cool! So handsome!”

“So big!”

“So robust!”

“So solid!”

“Even at night!”

Among them is Namgung Cheon-gang’s nickname as well.

His name is being shouted louder than the others.

There are some embarrassingly passionate cheers too.

Well, of course.

Didn’t he show unexpected excitement in the unexpected competition between blacksmiths?

The competition of great weapons that stirred men’s hearts was even refreshing to the mind.

The clash of large and mighty weapons gave a thrilling sense of ecstasy, didn’t it?

“Namgung Seo! Namgung Seo!”

“Thunder Heavy Sword Strike!!”

So much so that they even called out the name of someone who failed the competition and saw the path to direct lineage grow distant.

Therefore, it was only natural that Namgung Cheon-gang’s name was louder than the other winners.

And how could Namgung Cheon-gang, who felt and realized through this incident that he had attention-seeking tendencies, just stand still?

He raised his hammer high and responded to the crowd.

“Waaahhh!!”

The cheers grew even louder.

He spun it around and around.

“Waaahhh!!”

“So refreshing!!”

They grew even louder.

He threw it, did a somersault in the air, and caught it.

“Ahhhhh!”

“Monstrous Strength Black Leg Strike!”

“Long live the hammer!”

The people went wild.

“Oh noooo—”

“I messed up!”

They even repeated exactly what Namgung Cheon-gang had said at the end.

“Hey, why are you copying that too!”

The cheers grew louder and louder with each performance he showed.

Namgung Cheon-gang, who had been responding with an even more joyful heart and smiling brightly, scrunched up his face and jumped around.

Laughter erupted with a “Wahahahaha.”

From the general manager, from the audience.

The award ceremony that everyone enjoyed came to an end.

* * *

The successful candidates who received awards.

The birth of new direct lineage members.

As the head of the family, how could he not see them up close?

This was absolutely not something to be settled with just an award ceremony attended by the general manager.

Therefore, the family head personally hands over the official direct lineage certificate stamped with the family head’s official seal.

Successful candidates, private audience with the family head.

Namgung Cheon-gang was no exception either.

His turn was last.

‘Looking at the award ceremony, I was the youngest.’

Is it because I’m the youngest?

‘Confirmed youngest.’

Sigh.

Still, surviving is something, isn’t it?

‘Status window. Check mission.’

There are many people waiting and holding their breath.

Quietly in his mind.

Then, the mission status window appeared clearly before his eyes.

The lifespan timer that had been decreasing in real-time had disappeared.

A ‘completed’ indicator had taken its place.

‘Phew. Now I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.’

I survived.

Every time I looked at it, my liver trembled and my heart felt like it would drop.

Now that I can’t see the lifespan timer, I feel completely relieved.

‘Let me see… what was supposed to disappear has disappeared. Now I just need to receive what I’m supposed to receive, right?’

Reward.

If this were my previous life, it would automatically enter my inventory after mission completion.

Now there’s no inventory.

A martial arts world life with only a status window.

I don’t know how the reward will come.

Though I have some guesses.

‘I’ll have to wait and see to find out.’

After such a long, long time, Namgung Cheon-gang’s turn came.

The Namgung Family Ancestral Home.

Its center.

The Master’s Chamber.

Not just anyone can come here.

Usually only Namgung Cheon resides here.

A place steeped in silence.

However, today it’s bustling.

Since those who passed the direct lineage promotion exam and gained the qualification to rise to direct lineage are coming and going, it can’t help but be noisy.

And today’s finale.

Namgung Cheon-gang, who was to have an interview regarding direct lineage promotion, entered.

“This humble one, Namgung Cheon-gang, has come upon receiving the family head’s summons.”

As soon as he crossed the threshold of the Master’s Chamber, he bowed deeply with courtesy and respect.

“Ho, that fellow.”

At all that overflowing courtesy, a smile naturally formed on Namgung Cheon’s face.

“Rise.”

“I am grateful for the family head’s grace!”

After thorough courtesy, he stood up to see an elegant wooden desk.

The person sitting behind it was naturally the master of Namgung.

The stubborn old man sitting at the table in front of the desk, savoring tea, was Mak Noya, the master of Cheongeumjeong.

Huh? Mak Noya?

“What? Is it strange that I’m here?”

Seeing Namgung Cheon-gang’s eyes widen upon seeing him, Mak Noya asked in a disgruntled voice.

“Yes. No, um… yes?”

‘This is confusing.’

That expression was clearly displayed on the young fellow’s face.

The stubborn elder who had spoken in a disgruntled voice made an amused expression.

“Heh heh. That fellow. It’s amusing how he doesn’t hide his feelings.”

“The meeting to discuss the qualifications of those who passed the direct lineage promotion exam traditionally includes the highest authority of the place the successful candidate belongs to. Therefore, it’s not strange at all that Elder Mak Noya is present.”

Why Mak Noya was present.

Namgung Cheon answered on his behalf.

Only then did Namgung Cheon-gang understand why Mak Noya was there.

Who would have known such a tradition existed?

He didn’t know.

Well, since this was his first time passing the direct lineage promotion exam, it was natural not to know.

‘Wait, but why didn’t anyone tell me about this?’

…Ah, right.

I didn’t ask.

I was busy staying and eating at the blacksmith’s forge.

My family members were all busy with their own positions too.

Even my mother works at the Namgung Family’s second-class restaurant, so it’s hard to see her face.

It was understandable that I wouldn’t know.

“Come closer. Before we discuss direct lineage qualifications, let us have a pleasant conversation first.”

Namgung Cheon said with a gentle smile.

When the head of the family calls, how could a family member not listen?

Thinking this was also part of tradition, Namgung Cheon-gang quickly approached.

Afterward, a warm conversation ensued.

“Ho ho. Muktan Life-Saving Mace, what a grand name. How did you make this? Ah, yes. You said you made it because you didn’t want to cause casualties in the competition? Haha! My, what an excellent idea!”

“Hehe. Using Muktan School for elasticity wasn’t all, was it? Since it includes counter-elasticity that uses the opponent’s force, you could say it expanded the range of elasticity from defense to offense.”

“Leading deadly force to life while simultaneously bringing out both offense and defense at once. This is talent.”

“Hehe. That’s right. It’s talent, family head. Hehe.”

‘Hehe, this is quite embarrassing.’

Who are these people whose mere names make villains tremble and the Heterodox Faction prostrate themselves?

The Sword King Namgung Cheon and Cheongeumjeong’s Mak Noya.

When two such giants of the Martial Arts World praise me with one body and one heart, I can’t help but feel embarrassed.

Hehe, a foolish laugh naturally comes out.

After grateful words like “not at all,” “oh my,” and “thank you,” I feel shy and awkward, naturally scratching the back of my head.

Scratch scratch.

Hehe.

“Oh my, did you know about and use counter-elasticity? As I was doing it, I thought, ‘ah, this might work,’ so I used counter-elasticity. When the weapons coated with Muktan liquid hit each other, they bounced nicely. If one side had a sharpened blade, it would have been difficult. Of course, if there was internal energy, I’m not sure.”

“Any Namgung warrior would know that weapons can achieve offense and defense. Moreover, Namgung martial arts excel at switching between offense and defense while simultaneously incorporating both – an absolute martial art! In other words, rather than talent, it’s because Namgung martial arts are excellent. Hehe.”

I can’t say it’s entirely because I’m great.

Would it be proper to act that way in front of elders?

Acting like that in this Central Plains Martial Arts World that values etiquette would be perfect for earning the label ‘senseless brat.’

At times like this, saying ‘it’s not because I’m great’ but ‘because the family is great’ is what pleases the elders.

How old am I including my previous life?

This is the art of living that flows from experience – getting two more rice cakes when you could get just one, isn’t it?

“What? Haha! This fellow. You really speak well. If you fell in water, only your mouth would float.”

“Hehe. Did the family head think so too? My goodness. You share the same mind as this old man. Hehehe.”

Look.

The sight of the two elders being delighted to death.

Huhu.

Good.

It’s going as expected.

Mission-related rewards.

Surely, there must be a give-and-take relationship.

Then, who would be the target of that give-and-take relationship?

Naturally, the family head who provides the rewards.

Or Mak Noya.

In the Direct Lineage Promotion Exam, aren’t those two the only ones deeply related to rewards?

So, if I speak this well, isn’t it natural to receive two rice cakes?

Now, if I wait, two rice cakes will drop right into my hands.

All that’s left to wait for is anticipating what kind of rice cakes they’ll give me!

“Haha. Since it’s a weapon that converts death to life and has both offense and defense, naturally its weight wouldn’t be ordinary. Seeing you swing it around like a short weapon, your physical strength seems as remarkable as your eloquence.”

“Oh no, that’s not it. Working at Cheongeumjeong naturally increases physical strength, so anyone can lift it with effort.”

“Yes, yes. You’re right. Making the impossible possible through effort is the karma gained by those who pour their souls into it. Of course. You’re right. So, learning ‘Cheonryejeowang Sinkong’ is also your karma of making the impossible possible, isn’t it?”

“Of course. My karma—”

Huh?

Wait a minute.

What did the family head just say?

Something about Cheonrye what-not?

No way.

That can’t be.

“The flow of energy you showed when switching between offense and defense. Though it was momentary, the lightning energy shown at the end. It perfectly resembled the flow and power of the Namgung Family’s divine art, Cheonryejeowang Sinkong. Ah, of course, I could be mistaken. Though I am the head of the Namgung Family and called the Sword King despite my inadequacies, this body grows old with time, so I might misread the flow of energy. Isn’t that so? Haha!”

“…Ha… haha…”

The Namgung Family head laughed heartily.

The Namgung Family child felt like crying as his limbs seemed to turn to tatters.

Ah.

My life.

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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