He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 31
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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 31
Episode 31
“A warrior whose talent ascends, one who has not learned martial arts becomes a warrior, and moreover, a blacksmith who can fully contain a warrior’s experience in their weapons. ‘Mak Noya,’ what did we call such a person?”
“They are called ‘Heavenly Craftsman ‘ because they are sent from heaven, Master.”
“Correct. You’re truly clever. Finding the makings of such a Heavenly Craftsman and guiding them on the right path to stabilize the world—that is the purpose of our ‘Cheongeumjeong ‘ and this master’s wish.”
“I will definitely help fulfill Master’s wish!”
“Haha. Yes, you’re certainly capable of that. However, don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t work out. Just as I formed a bond with you, who knows if you might raise the makings of a Heavenly Craftsman by forming a bond with someone else. Therefore—”
Live your own life.
Fate will come when it’s meant to.
So don’t be too obsessed.
Just as I met you.
They too will meet you.
* * *
Due to insufficient talent, I was destined to remain at the level of a Great Craftsman.
Thus, unable to fulfill my master’s dream and the sect’s wish, I feared I would leave this world with eternal regret carved into this land.
An orphaned body.
A life where hunger, contempt, and violence were daily occurrences, without even hope.
The connection I met in such a hellish existence.
My benefactor who recognized my meager talent, put a hammer in my hands, and allowed me to rise to the undeserved position of Great Craftsman.
Therefore, his dream became my dream, and the sect’s wish naturally became my wish.
So I wandered the Martial Arts World for 30 years.
However, far from finding someone to fulfill that wish, I accumulated countless bad connections who coveted my meager talent.
Though I wasn’t incapable of protecting myself, it’s difficult for an ‘individual’ to overcome a group.
Even wanting to establish a smithy, thinking of those bad connections made it impossible to do easily.
In such circumstances, the Namgung family extended their hand.
One of the greatest martial families in the Martial Arts World extended their hand, ignoring even the disadvantages they might gain from taking in this old body.
“Mak Noya. You might be able to fulfill the long-held dream of my Namgung family. Therefore, let’s work together. It benefits me, and it benefits you as well.”
Not a hand extended without conditions, but one extended for mutual benefit.
Yes.
Rather, because I could see right through their intentions, there was no more trustworthy hand than this.
Moreover, what is the Namgung family?
One of the greatest martial families in the Martial Arts World.
How could I not take that hand?
Thus, I formed a connection with the previous generation head of the Namgung family, sheltered myself under their protection, prevented even bad connections from approaching, and searched for a ‘disciple.’
I thought that a place that first implemented the principle of not discriminating based on social status when recruiting talent would be much better for meeting talented individuals than wandering aimlessly.
Under the name of the sect called Cheongeumjeong, I nurtured blacksmiths for a future smithy dedicated solely to the Namgung family.
Thus I searched for a disciple, for ‘the makings of a Heavenly Craftsman.’
And so, 10 years passed.
I had seen his talent early on, and during the direct lineage competition, I became certain.
This one.
Just as my master saw in me.
I too saw that this one would fulfill my master’s wish, the sect’s long-cherished desire, and the Namgung family’s dream.
Yes.
I believed so.
I believed, but.
“To think he’d be this foolish! I’ve been deceived! This thief! Liar! Deceiver!!”
To think he couldn’t memorize a single verse of the divine technique!
This damn bastard!
And what does he say then?
That he can learn divine techniques by watching them?
Suppressing my anger.
I was about to show him.
“If it’s not too rude, could Master wield the weapon I made and use the power of divine techniques to display martial arts?”
What?
“That’s the condition for me to learn by watching.”
What?
“Ah, and you just need to like and cherish it. You know, right? My blacksmithing ability. Master will be satisfied. You’ll like and cherish it, won’t you?”
“…”
Master.
Are you watching from heaven?
The child I chose as the successor of Cheongeumjeong seems to be insane.
What should we do with our sect?
Should we dissolve it?
If lightning strikes from a clear sky, I’ll dissolve it.
The sky was perfectly clear.
* * *
“Sigh…”
I can’t help but sigh.
No matter how I think about it, I wonder if this is right.
In a situation where I wouldn’t believe it even if someone said he had the qualities of a Grand Master, what?
He can learn martial arts by watching?
And he says just watching won’t do.
He says I must hold a weapon he made and use martial arts or divine techniques.
What kind of crazy talk is this?
I feel like grabbing a hammer and cracking his head open.
‘But this bastard’s eyes are too clear.’
It’s not a joke, but the truth, so please show him quickly—that’s what those clear eyes contained.
Those bright, sparkling eyes are like a clear sky.
How nice it would be if they were even slightly clouded.
Then I could falsely accuse him, saying ‘Looking at your eyes, I can tell you’re lying!’ and beat him.
‘I heard crazy bastards have clear eyes though.’
The successor of Cheongeumjeong I gained in my old age has become a crazy bastard.
‘Should I dissolve it?’
Master.
If you’re telling me to dissolve it, please send lightning from a clear sky.
Please.
‘…Sigh. Fine. Let’s try it.’
Whether I’ve gone senile.
Or whether that bastard’s words are true.
It will soon be revealed.
“By the way, what a truly crude weapon.”
“It’s my masterpiece.”
“Masterpiece my ass. It’s a disaster.”
“Muktan Life-Saving Club! Cover your ears! You mustn’t listen!”
“Shall I crack your head with this club?”
The Muktan Life-Saving Club in Mak Noya’s right hand is aimed at Namgung Cheon-gang.
Since he could really strike down, Namgung Cheon-gang prostrated himself flat.
“Please forgive me in gratitude for Master’s kindness.”
“Geez. That terribly polite crazy disciple.”
The place where Mak Noya and Namgung Cheon-gang are.
This is Mak Noya’s personal training hall located in his forge.
Therefore, no one can approach it carelessly.
Isn’t this the perfect place to fulfill Namgung Cheon-gang’s request?
“Hehe.”
“It’s fine if people think I’m crazy.”
“Well, it would sound crazy to anyone else who heard it.”
“Good that you understand. Now then, shall we begin?”
“Yes. Please do. Oh wait, there’s one more thing I’d like to request.”
“What is it?”
“Please use Cheongeumjeong’s divine martial arts, but if you have any martial techniques, please don’t use those. Instead, please use Namgung’s Namgung Twelve Swords.”
“It’s amazing that I’m listening to such detailed requests for this crazy act.”
When you get old, you go senile, that’s what happens.
Muttering to himself like that.
Mak Noya picked up the Black Charcoal Vitality Restoration Mallet and slowly took the stance to unfold the Namgung Twelve Swords.
‘Oh.’
Seeing that sight, Namgung Cheon-gang couldn’t help but admire it.
A stance without any unnecessary elements.
Just looking at the posture, he was truly a martial artist.
Well, of course.
It’s a one-person transmission blacksmith sect, isn’t it?
He must certainly have martial arts to protect himself, and his level must be high too.
Just seeing someone over 80 traveling across the Martial Arts World alone is answer enough.
While thinking briefly like that.
Mak Noya began to unfold the Namgung Twelve Swords.
1st form, 2nd form, 3rd form, continuing to the final form.
Thud.
The tip of the Black Charcoal Vitality Restoration Mallet in Mak Noya’s hand touches the ground.
Clap clap clap!
Sincere applause.
“Wow! Master, you’re amazing! Master, nice shot!”
“Heh heh. What great thing did I do? But what does that mean?”
“It’s a Western Region term meaning very cool. I learned it from Father.”
“No wonder I felt good, so that’s what it meant. Heh heh. Anyway, did you watch carefully?”
“Yes! You were perfect, weren’t you? It was the most perfect Namgung Twelve Swords I’ve ever seen.”
These weren’t empty flattering words but sincere ones.
Even Namgung Baek, the leader of the Namgung White Lotus Group, probably couldn’t perform such perfect Namgung Twelve Swords.
Adding a bit of praise, maybe at Master’s level?
I’ve never seen it, but that’s how it feels.
“Anyone can do it once they master the basics. Mastered basics make everything flow as one, so keep this in mind.”
“All streams return to the source?”
“Heh heh. Yes. All streams return to the source. It’s a phrase inseparable from our sect’s divine martial arts. Heh heh.”
Ten Thousand Tools Return to Origin Art.
Cheongeumjeong’s divine martial arts.
To interpret its meaning: freely handling tens of thousands of tools and gathering their essence into one.
“It’s certainly similar to all streams returning to the source. In other words, if you learn the divine martial arts, it will be achieved as the meaning suggests?”
“Seeing how you grasp and understand the meaning, you’re certainly clever, but I have no idea why you can’t properly recite even one verse of the divine martial arts. What kind of brain do you have… no, never mind. Since you said you can observe anyway, whether you memorize the verses or not isn’t immediately necessary. So, have you learned it?”
“No.”
“…??”
Namgung Cheon-gang was very confident.
So Mak Noya was flustered.
He was at a loss for words.
Did he mishear?
Looking at his expression, he seems quite innocent.
Maybe he did mishear?
“It seems Master doesn’t particularly like the Black Charcoal Vitality Restoration Mallet.”
Huh?
“I couldn’t learn it because I don’t like it or have affection for it.”
“What?”
Is this sensible or nonsense?
“…So, what’s the conclusion?”
“I couldn’t learn it.”
“You couldn’t learn it?”
“Yes.”
“…But why do you look so cheerful?”
“Isn’t being positive better than being gloomy? And I was moved by Master’s perfect martial arts forms, so naturally a bright smile comes out, doesn’t it— Hiiiiek!!”
Crash!!
Namgung Cheon-gang stopped mid-sentence and quickly threw his body to the side with a deflating scream.
Because Mak Noya suddenly struck down with the Black Charcoal Vitality Restoration Mallet.
He put so much force into it.
With a heavy boom, cracks appeared in the spot where it struck.
Wow.
He really put a lot of internal energy into that.
Even a wooden sword becomes a lethal weapon when struck with plenty of internal energy.
Let alone the Black Charcoal Vitality Restoration Mallet?
Need I say more.
It would be a tomato juice festival!
“Wh-what are you doing, Master!! Are you planning to turn your disciple into toma— I mean, tomato juice?! I almost died!!”
“Die! Die, you bastard!”
Curses burst out.
Crash!
The Black Charcoal Vitality Restoration Mallet also strikes down wildly.
“Aaaaah!!”
Namgung Cheon-gang screamed in terror and dodged desperately.
“What? You couldn’t learn it because you don’t have affection for it? You couldn’t learn it because you don’t like it? You damn brat!! Die!”
Crash!!
“If you die, I’ll like you!! How dare you deceive your master!! No, don’t even call me master! My disciple became tomato juice as of today!!”
Crash!!
Make excuses?
You have to be able to do it first!
Look at Mak Noya’s eyes.
They’re bright red.
He’s in a state of extreme fury.
What words would get through?
If you don’t want to become tomato juice, running away is the best option right now.
“Master! Today I shall offer tomato sacrifice for our sect!”
“Someone save me!!”
Crash!! Bang!!
* * *
“Huff, huff…”
“Haah, haah…”
“Huff… just one hit, huff, huff… let’s just take one hit. Hm? If you take just one hit, I’ll overlook the fact that you were lying.”
“Gasp, no, im-impossible, gasp, gasp… If I take that one hit, this disciple will be on an express train to the afterlife, no, an eight-horse carriage to the underworld.”
“Going to the afterlife once isn’t so bad, is it? Go take a quick look for your master and come back to tell me what it’s like.”
“Don’t say such ridiculous things, Master!”
“Wasn’t it you who said ridiculous things, you bastard!!”
Whoosh!
The Black Charcoal Life-Saving Mallet came flying through the air.
“Hiiiik!”
Namgung Cheon-gang, who had been breathing roughly, let out a shrill scream and threw himself flat on the ground.
Thoom!
The Black Charcoal Life-Saving Mallet passed over his head.
And then came the heavy rumbling sound.
When he got up to look, one wall of the blacksmith’s forge had completely collapsed.
“…”
Wow.
Our master who’s over 80.
His strength is absolutely incredible.
Come to think of it, just moments ago, hadn’t he been wielding it with one hand while performing the Namgung Twelve Swords?
And he’d been chasing his disciple around for half an hour, striking down at him.
His stamina is also ridiculous.
Indeed, there’s a reason why they say to be careful of children, old people, and women in the Martial Arts World.
The problem is that this strength is directed at his one and only disciple!
“Are, are you really planning to kill me, Master!?”
“Huff, huff…”
Looking at those bloodshot eyes, he was serious.
‘But why! What did I do wrong!’
Of course, it’s not that I can’t understand Mak Noya’s position.
He asked me to wield a weapon and use divine arts to perform the Namgung Twelve Swords, so I did, but there was no change in his disciple whatsoever.
The disciple who had carelessly said he could learn martial arts by watching was smiling brightly and saying ‘I couldn’t learn it,’ so naturally the master would be dumbfounded.
‘But it’s the truth, isn’t it?’
That’s just how the Resonance ability works, what can I do about it.
‘I can’t show him my status window to prove my heart isn’t lying.’
My insides are burning, burning!
But I can’t just stay still.
If I’m not careful, he really might show me my ‘insides.’
Master is holding a real sword.
Where did that even come from!?
No, the origin of the real sword isn’t what’s important.
My master is gripping the sword tightly and approaching to see what my insides look like.
Shing.
Blue sword energy has formed as well.
He’s serious.
Oh my, goodness, damn!
If I’m not careful, I’ll be split in half.
Being split in half isn’t in my life plans!
“Ma, Master, wait a moment! Please calm down for a moment and listen to what I have to say!”
“Let me see your insides first.”
“No, I’m really not lying! I told you I’d learn it if you show me!”
“Once I split open your insides, I’ll be able to tell whether it’s a lie or not.”
“I told you! You have to like and cherish the weapon!”
“Once you’re split open, I’ll personally cherish and preserve your weapon.”
“Please believe me! I’ll learn it right away! Look into my eyes and see my sincerity! Please think of how I’ve been working at Cheongeumjeong all this time!”
“Die!”
“Hiiiik!”
Before he knew it, Mak Noya had approached right next to Namgung Cheon-gang.
He raised his sword with sword energy high and his eyes flashed.
Namgung Cheon-gang screamed and crouched down, covering his head.
The thought of dodging?
Impossible.
He was right there, and if he tried to dodge, he’d die even more painfully.
Ah.
My previous life full of sorrow.
So this is how it ends.
However, even after time passed, nothing happened.
Puzzled, he slowly raised his head.
Oh my goodness.
He saw his master with goblin-like eyes.
However, this time Namgung Cheon-gang didn’t dodge.
That it wasn’t a lie.
That he was sincere.
Without wavering.
He looked at Mak Noya.
“…”
“…”
The two master and disciple looked at each other silently for a moment.
“…Phew.”
The first to speak among the master and disciple was the master.
“I don’t know if I’ve gone crazy or if I’ve properly gone senile.”
If not that, then I still believe in this guy.
Looking at those innocent, clear, and honest eyes, I want to try believing.
Well.
As that guy said.
Just the blacksmith work he’s done at Cheongeumjeong so far is worth giving him several chances.
I know that.
Yet the reason I was so angry.
After 60 years of waiting, I thought a guy had appeared who could fulfill my master’s wish, but it was the sense of betrayal from thinking ‘maybe not?’
And the reason I want to believe again.
“As you said, that hammer. I don’t particularly like it.”
Because it was as Namgung Cheon-gang said.
Because I didn’t cherish and like it.
“It consumes both strength and internal energy. On top of that, the physical burden is also terrible. Of course, speaking for myself, it’s excellent as a weapon. The balance is perfectly maintained, and the intended purpose was clear. In terms of destructive power alone, there’s nothing more bizarre and magnificent than this. However—”
“This is made for me, so Master cannot like and cherish it. Because it’s not a weapon made only for Master.”
“…Yes, that’s right. Knowing that, did you ask me to like and cherish a weapon made only for you?”
“I seem to have forgotten the essence in my momentary greed to quickly learn divine arts, Master. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”
“…Tsk.”
Clang.
Mak Noya put down his sword.
He clicked his tongue at his disciple, who was sighing in relief at being alive, and continued speaking.
“Then, make a weapon that I find appealing. If that weapon truly appeals to me as you say, it will surely work as you claim.”
“Of course that’s—”
“The deadline is 60 days. If you exceed the deadline, even if the weapon is good, I will take your life. Of course, if you can’t do it within the deadline, I will also take your life. And I will also offer my own life.”
“…What?”
“This is your sin for deceiving your master, and my sin for being senile and blind, deceiving my master’s wish. If it’s too difficult and you’re lying, tell me now. Then—”
You will live.
And I will die.
Mak Noya’s calm voice continued.
Ding.
Namgung Cheon-gang did not look at the status window that appeared before his eyes.
He looked at his master’s face, who believed in his disciple and conveyed his sincere feelings.
“…60 days, right? Please wait for me. I will definitely master the divine technique.”
At that confident face, the old master smiled faintly.
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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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