He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 33

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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 33

Episode 33

Dongling .

Since ancient times, it has been a place where bronze and iron ore are abundant.

Therefore, those engaged in the mining industry gathered here, eventually forming a county.

That is the origin of Dongling County .

Thirty percent of the bronze and ore exported throughout the eight directions of the Martial Arts World comes from here, so countless trading groups and people come and go from Dongling each year.

However, this time the numbers are extraordinary.

As if all the trading groups that would visit in a year came at once, there’s not even room to set foot.

And that’s not all?

Famous miners from Anhui could be seen, as well as various sects.

The reason so many people gathered was because traces of Star Iron had been discovered.

Mining just one chunk would easily feed a family of four for three years.

The miner’s honor would rise greatly, and trading groups would also secure solid operating funds.

For warriors, it’s an opportunity to obtain a treasured sword , so how could they not gather?

Of course, one might ask what’s so significant about just discovering traces.

But the place where these traces were found is a clan that has been in the mining business in Dongling for a long time.

Moreover, when traces are discovered, there’s about a 70% chance that the real thing is buried there.

It has always been that way.

Therefore, even now, many trading groups, miners, and sects continue to flock to Dongling County.

An unexpected boom in Dongling County.

To participate in this boom.

A trading group bearing the Namgung banner entered late in the evening.

* * *

“Wow. It’s bright even though it’s evening?”

Early evening hours ( : 7 PM).

It’s the time when inns and restaurants light their lamps to do business.

Naturally, places lined with shops would be as bright as broad daylight.

However, he wasn’t talking about the areas lined with shops.

From Dongling County’s gates to where the residential houses are gathered.

Lanterns are strung along, illuminating the black sky.

“Normally, only the shop districts and gates would be brightly lit, but these aren’t normal times, so Dongling County itself has no choice but to be bright.”

“Ah, that’s right. With people coming from everywhere due to the Star Iron discovery, that makes sense. My, Dongling County really struck it rich this time. Just imagine how much money is flowing in and out. It would be perfect if there were only Namgung Family-affiliated inns and restaurants here, wouldn’t it?”

“There are some.”

“Huh? There are?! Woooow!!”

It was a young man who had been letting out soft exclamations at Dongling’s bright evening.

But hearing that there were Namgung-affiliated inns and restaurants, he was both surprised and delighted.

Isn’t the order of surprise reversed?

But why is he so happy about it?

“Is it such a surprising and joyful thing that there are Namgung inns and restaurants?”

“Of course it’s surprising and joyful! I was almost going to sleep on the streets, but if there are Namgung-affiliated inns and restaurants, that means I can spend the night warmly, right?”

“Pardon…? You weren’t surprised that there are inns and restaurants, but surprised that you can sleep?”

“Of course. Ah, you’re not disappointed that I wasn’t surprised by the presence of Namgung businesses in Dongling County, are you?”

“That’s not it, but the part you were surprised about wasn’t what I expected…”

“Hahaha. I can understand that. But it’s the Namgung Family, you know? The greatest martial family not only in Anhui, but in the entire Martial Arts World.”

“That’s right.”

“Such a martial family wouldn’t lack commercial establishments in regions within Anhui. So it’s not surprising that there are Namgung-named commercial establishments in Dongling County, where profitable business can be done.”

“Hmm. You’re absolutely right. I misunderstood. I apologize, Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang.”

The upright-looking man, Namgung Cheonggi, cupped his fists and apologized.

As he said, he had misunderstood the words of the refreshingly handsome young man, Namgung Cheon-gang.

But looking at it openly, his pride in the great Namgung Family is tremendous.

Well, isn’t he also someone who bears the great Namgung surname?

Moreover, he recently rose to a direct lineage position and is the top disciple of Mak Noya, who is respected by blacksmiths throughout the Martial Arts World.

To misunderstand despite knowing this.

What good are open eyes?

They’re no different from closed eyes.

Therefore, he had no choice but to seek forgiveness.

“Oh, it’s fine. These things can happen in life.”

Namgung Cheon-gang waved it off as if it were nothing.

Then he made a deliberately heavy expression and continued speaking.

“Surely, we won’t have to kick out existing guests to get rooms, right? I believe that our Namgung would have contacted them first to secure rooms beforehand… but still, I can’t help but worry a little… uh… if not… sigh, what can we do? We’ll have to sleep outdoors…”

Namgung Cheon-gang’s heavy expression becomes a sad one.

Heh.

Namgung Cheonggi let out a hollow laugh.

Then, soon laughing heartily.

“Hahaha. How could that happen? After seven days of outdoor sleeping, it’s about time to wash with warm water and rest comfortably in bedding.”

“Ooh, so you’re saying accommodations are reserved?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Wow! I knew it would be like that! Long live the Namgung Family! I’ll go ahead! I can’t keep the warm bath water waiting!”

Namgung Cheon-gang shouted this and ran off along the road ahead.

Watching his retreating figure, Namgung Cheonggi smiled warmly.

What a bright young man.

He has the magnanimity to immediately forgive even when there are mistakes.

To think such a person is part of Namgung.

How could this not bring joyful laughter?

“He seems full of energy.”

Such feelings of his own.

It seems he wasn’t the only one to feel this way.

Namgung Sohye approached from the side, smiled gently, and casually said so.

“Yes, that’s right. He doesn’t look like someone who has been sleeping outdoors and traveling for seven days.”

“I thought that Cheongeumjeong blacksmiths learn martial arts and movement techniques, so their stamina would be different from other blacksmiths, but I didn’t know they were so remarkable as to run alongside warriors.”

“From what I’ve heard, he has been training alone while working at Cheongeumjeong. As a blacksmith and also as a member of a martial family, he hasn’t forgotten to discipline himself.”

Namgung Sohye nodded.

During the seven days together, was Namgung Cheon-gang’s only strength his physical stamina?

He also showed himself training with the warriors and keeping up quite well.

In other words, as Namgung Cheonggi said, it means he has been training consistently for a certain period.

“Remarkable. I didn’t look down on him, but I can’t say I didn’t have thoughts of ‘Is he really that great?’ I should reflect on this. He is a dignified member of Namgung, a remarkable warrior, and a blacksmith.”

“That’s right. Well, just the fact that he became a foreman at age 12 shows that his abilities and talents are excellent overall.”

Nod.

As if Namgung Sohye was agreeing.

She nodded like that.

Her beautiful face, now upright, had eyes fixed on the path where Namgung Cheon-gang had run.

As if watching each and every step of the remarkable blacksmith—

Huh?

What’s this?

The remarkable blacksmith who had hurriedly run down the path is coming back.

Could it be that he came back because he was worried they weren’t following?

What a caring man—

“Huff, huff. Oh, come to think of it, where is our Namgung inn in Dongling? I, I forgot to ask. Huff, huff… ugh, out of breath, huff, huff…”

“…”

“….”

* * *

“Phew, now I can finally live!”

Seven days of sleeping outdoors.

And traveling.

The fatigue accumulated from all that.

After soaking my body in warm bath water, it all melted away and a refreshing smile naturally bloomed.

“I agree. I definitely feel like I can live now.”

Namgung Sohye, whose fair skin had become even fairer, agreed.

‘Whew. Her beauty is no joke.’

Black hair slightly wet with moisture.

Cheeks tinged with rosy color after washing in warm water.

Her already pretty face was bursting with maddening charm.

At this rate, I might die from heart palpitations.

“The refreshing feeling gained after washing off sweat gives a feeling comparable to the sense of achievement from training. Moreover, the meal eaten at such times is also a delicacy, isn’t it?”

A calm, exemplary voice reached my ears.

Namgung Cheon-gang worried his heart’s pounding might show on his face.

“Very wise words, Master Namgung Cheonggi! Well then, shall we place our order right away!”

He quickly turned his head toward the man who had given the model answer and nodded so vigorously his neck might fall off.

“Hahaha. You must have been very hungry, Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang.”

“I can’t deny it. My stomach is practically stuck to my back.”

Thank goodness the model student is oblivious.

And well, it wasn’t wrong either.

Even though we ate well during the week of traveling, how could it compare to food at an inn?

When I was about to order, Namgung Cheonggi stopped me.

“I’ve already prepared everything.”

“As expected, Master Namgung Cheonggi. You’re exemplary in everything!”

Wow.

That paragon of proper living.

He takes care of everything perfectly.

My thumb naturally goes up.

“Hahaha. Thank you for the praise. But why are you raising your thumb?”

“Ah. In the Western Regions, it’s an action expressing ‘very cool’ or ‘the best.’ It’s called a ‘thumbs up.'”

“To be able to express it with the action of raising one’s thumb. Quite efficient. They say even a three-year-old has something to teach, and indeed learning knows no race.”

“Well, looking at worldly affairs, there’s nothing you can’t learn.”

“Very wise words.”

While chatting pleasantly, Namgung Cheon-gang surveyed the surroundings and below.

Cheonggung Inn.

Built to provide lodging and meals, this place had the scale of a medium-sized sect’s estate.

It was none other than a place operated by the Namgung Family.

Though the daily lodging and meal costs looked far from cheap, the restaurant was already full.

‘There are probably private rooms for quiet dining, but it’s this kind of bustling atmosphere that gives the taste of human life and makes food delicious.’

Of course, even the private rooms were surely full.

Being Namgung people, they could easily get a private room if they wanted.

Even if not, they could enjoy their meal in the separate building of the estate, which was their reserved independent guest room.

The reason the three of them deliberately chose seats in this crowded place.

It was to gather ‘information.’

Namgung Cheonggi had already mentioned this when they entered Cheonggung Inn.

So, even while chatting pleasantly, both Namgung Cheonggi and Namgung Sohye quietly surveyed their surroundings with their eyes and heads.

“Wow, there are quite a few famous people here.”

“Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang has also spotted the people from Bicheon Sect. Though not comparable to the Five Great Families, it’s still a famous sect in Anhui. Sect Leader Bicheon Kwae is famous as one of the hundred great masters.”

“I can also see people from Pungwi Sect. The sect leader Pungwi Pung Dorang is also one of the hundred great masters and has influence in the Black Demon League. Most of those visible seem to be warriors belonging to the Pungwi Group… Seeing that they sent warriors from their elite martial group, Pungwi Sect also seems serious.”

Namgung Cheonggi and Namgung Sohye mentioned each person who caught their eyes one by one.

They were all famous and renowned in the Martial Arts World, and were martial groups.

It was natural for warriors to notice and mention such people.

“Huh? Oh, those people were there too?”

However, Namgung Cheon-gang answered as if he hadn’t seen them.

“…??”

“…??”

What?

Hasn’t he found them yet?

Ah, right.

There are other famous warriors besides those people.

It seems the order of spotting them was different.

Come to think of it, didn’t we also give different answers from each other?

Well then, who caught his eye first?

Hero Sword Lee Woon-seong?

Flame Spear Hwa Gyeom?

Oh, those people were here too.

Looking around quickly, I saw even more warriors.

Right, he must have seen one of those people.

“That’s not it.”

“Pardon?”

Huh?

Not those people either?

Then who did he see first?

“Master Ip Chun-bae of Quick Shovel Mine Break.”

“Quick Shovel Mine Break?”

“Ip Chun-bae?”

“Yes. Wait a moment. Wow, that person with One Harmony Hundred Curve Scroll is here too? Huh, Master Oh Dae-su of Light Hammer is here too? Wow, all the famous people have come.”

“…??”

“…??”

Who are they?

I have no idea at all.

“Um, Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang?”

“Yes?”

“Who are the people you just mentioned? No matter how much I think, no faces come to mind.”

Namgung Cheonggi asked carefully out of curiosity.

“Huh? No, why don’t you know those people? Just mentioning their names in this industry, everyone knows them? Geez. You’ve all been sloppy with your hammer work.”

Namgung Cheon-gang jumped up.

Namgung Cheonggi answered somewhat awkwardly.

“Well… I’m sorry. I practiced swordwork, not hammer work.”

“Same here, Young Master.”

Namgung Sohye agreed.

“Ah.”

Right.

Come to think of it, we’re in different industries.

As it turned out, each of us had been talking about celebrities only from our respective industries.

“….”

“….”

The three who realized this fact felt embarrassed and awkward, sharing a moment of silence.

“I apologize. Having held a sword my entire life, it seems my view of the world has narrowed.”

The first to break the silence and apologize was Namgung Cheonggi.

“To fail to consider Namgung Cheon-gang and speak only from my own perspective. I have no words to excuse myself even with ten mouths.”

He is the head of a martial organization.

Also, the person responsible for operating Cheonpung Biaoju.

Therefore, he should not have a biased perspective, should he not?

Yet, he spoke of a world only he knew and took it for granted.

Shameful.

Disgraceful.

“This is unworthy of a guild master. I will immediately report this matter to the Master and step down from my position. I will reflect and strive to be worthy of responsibility in the future.”

Thus, he bowed his head.

He offered his position and apologized.

“Therefore, Third Miss. Please dismiss me first—”

“Namgung Cheonggi. You’re being excessive.”

Namgung Sohye spoke with a deliberately serious voice.

“I also made a mistake. Yes, I too viewed things with bias. Then, should I speak to Father about stepping down from my position?”

“That’s not—!”

“If that’s not the case, please retract what you just said. If you think I won’t be punished because I’m family of the Namgung Family’s master, please retract that as well. The master of Namgung is fair to all who commit wrongdoing. Namgung Cheonggi, you cannot be unaware of this.”

“…”

“Anyone can make mistakes. Mistakes can be corrected and learned from. The Namgung Cheonggi I know is certainly capable of that. Also, Namgung Cheon-gang would not be disappointed by such a thing.”

Namgung Sohye stopped speaking.

Then she turned her head toward Namgung Cheon-gang.

“If by any chance you are disappointed, I will bow my head and apologize.”

She bowed her head.

“I too viewed things with bias. I’m sorry, Namgung Cheon-gang. Please forgive me.”

Namgung Cheon-gang felt like he was going crazy.

Why are these people acting like this?

He didn’t understand why they were playing drums, janggu, and even gongs all at once.

He didn’t mind at all.

People can misjudge others, so what’s the big deal?

‘Ah, these honest warriors.’

Good people, all good people.

They weren’t trying to escape the current situation by burdening him.

He could deeply feel that they truly realized their mistake and were sincerely bowing their heads.

Just thinking about the past week they spent together was enough to know the answer.

Hadn’t they not ignored him, stayed with him, and tried to take care of him even more?

Despite their positions as guild master, family of the head, and Third Miss, they were as friendly as neighborhood brothers and friends.

‘I understand they’re trying not to burden me, but this is another kind of burden.’

What if the moment of reproach came again if things became quiet?

“Oh no, not at all. I too viewed things with bias, so please all raise your heads. And rather than bias, since we work in different fields, isn’t it natural that we might see things differently?”

Namgung Cheon-gang waved his hands frantically as if startled.

“And as you said, we can learn from each other. So please don’t burden me like this. At this rate, the burden will eat away at my lifespan before I even get to see the Seongcheol. So please, everyone raise your heads and straighten your backs with confidence.”

He mixed humor with sincerity to lighten the atmosphere that had almost become stiff.

“…Thank you, Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang. I will not forget this kindness.”

“Thank you, Namgung Cheon-gang. I too will not forget this kindness.”

“Now, let’s gather the information we know. Rather, if we know famous people from our respective fields, we can understand how great the forces seeking the Seongcheol are, can’t we?”

The stiff faces of the two who felt guilty relaxed.

And they nodded at Namgung Cheon-gang’s following words.

They also felt that he truly didn’t think much of the previous situation.

A kind person.

Someone with a warm heart.

Just as Namgung Cheon-gang thought of the two people, they thought the same of him.

In the slowly warming atmosphere again.

The information each knew was shared.

Then a sudden curiosity arose.

“But Anhui can be considered Namgung’s territory, right? Heterodox sects, warriors, and countless other sects and warriors are coming to obtain the Seongcheol, but is it okay not to stop them?”

Namgung could be said to have the power to thoroughly block and control this entire area to monopolize the Seongcheol.

So, when there’s an easy way, why make things complicated?

This was Namgung Cheon-gang’s curiosity about this matter.

Namgung Sohye smiled gently and answered.

“Yes. We don’t stop them.”

Why?

“Because Namgung belongs to the Orthodox Faction.”

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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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