He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 35

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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 35

Episode 35

“I am Kang Hwi-cheol of the Kang Clan Mining Company. Currently a Middle Mining Division member.”

“Same Kang Clan Mining Company affiliation, Middle Mining Division’s Kang Hwi-un.”

“I am also the same as my elder brothers. Kang Hwi-do.”

Miners from companies that had partnerships with the Namgung Family, gathered at Namgung Cheon-gang’s request.

Twenty people in total.

Among them, those who appeared to be representatives stepped forward, cupped their fists, and politely introduced themselves.

“Nice to meet you. I am Namgung Cheon-gang. I’m sorry for asking you to gather while you were resting.”

“Not at all. Soon, we must mine Seongcheol, so isn’t it proper that we gather to discuss? So please, don’t feel burdened.”

“Thank you for saying that. However, seeing that all three of your names share the character ‘Hwi’, are you perhaps brothers?”

“You observed correctly. I, Kang Hwi-cheol, am the eldest. Kang Hwi-un is the second, and Kang Hwi-do is the third.”

“I thought you three looked alike. So you really are brothers. You all look sturdy and well-built, truly manly.”

Continuing the conversation, they said their family had been in the mining business for generations.

The partnership with Namgung began during the previous family head’s grandfather’s time.

When asked if mining work wasn’t difficult.

“What work in this world isn’t difficult? However, perhaps because our family has continued this for generations, this work suits our nature. If I don’t hold a pickaxe for even one day, my body becomes restless.”

“That’s right. That’s why our eldest brother can’t get married. His ideal type is a woman who resembles a pickaxe, so how can we find one? Hahaha!”

“If there’s someone who resembles a pickaxe, please introduce her to me, Namgung Cheon-gang.”

“These, these guys?”

The eldest was flustered, the second laughed heartily, and the third smiled warmly.

They seemed like brothers with a good relationship.

Also, their pride in their work was tremendous.

Their solid-looking bodies spoke for themselves.

“You’re natural-born miners.”

A smile also bloomed on Namgung Cheon-gang’s face.

They were good people.

And good workers too.

‘Three Middle Mining Division members and seventeen Initial Mining Division members.’

Though called Initial Mining Division, they had practically surpassed beginner level.

In other words, somewhere between intermediate and beginner.

Their physique, muscles, visible scars, and calluses spoke of their experience.

‘That level should have no problem with mining at least.’

A Middle Mining Division miner would be equivalent to a mid-level blacksmith.

At that level, they could run their own forge independently, so their experience and mining skills would certainly be exceptional.

“I heard there are about twenty miners belonging to mining companies, and looking at everyone here now, it seems like everyone came… Is that really okay?”

“It’s fine. Isn’t this about securing Seongcheol? Then everyone must be deployed. Even if not our mining company, there are several other mining companies partnering with Namgung, so you don’t need to worry about other mining operations.”

“That’s right. Rather, just the fact that we can collect Seongcheol is an honor for us miners. How could we refuse this?”

“How fierce it was to obtain the Seongcheol collection commission. Just thinking about that time makes my body tremble.”

The three brothers must have really struggled.

For a moment, they made haggard expressions and hugged their arms, trembling all over.

‘Seeing people with physiques like Ma○seok hyung acting like that creates some cognitive dissonance.’

It must have been that scary.

Well, even in modern times, it’s no joke.

What small and medium enterprises do to win contracts from large corporations is practically like war.

‘Hunter Guilds even engaged in real wars with each other.’

Would the Martial Arts World be any different?

It’s a place that values honor, reputation, and face even more, so it would be worse, not better.

‘Anyway, talking with them, they’re good people. Their skills go without saying. The problem now is equipment.’

When Namgung Cheon-gang looked them over, it wasn’t bad.

“Your pickaxes look decent.”

“Huh? Ah, you mean our pickaxes.”

“Yes. No rough spots either. It seems you maintain them well regularly.”

“Hahaha. Thank you. For miners, pickaxes are like swords to warriors, aren’t they? So we must care for them like lovers.”

“At this rate, he might really marry a pickaxe.”

“Hmm. Wouldn’t it be troublesome if the eldest son of the family acts like this, elder brother?”

“…”

“You brothers have such good affection for each other. Then, if you’re going to marry anyway, why not marry a better pickaxe? A pickaxe made of wrought iron would somehow be insufficient, wouldn’t it?”

Namgung Cheon-gang smiled at the brothers’ affection and joined in.

Wrought iron is iron between pig iron and soft iron.

It’s a stage where most impurities and carbon have been removed, but it’s softer than steel.

Still, it’s hard, tough, and malleable, making it decent for various tools.

Also, most weapons and tools in the Martial Arts World were manufactured at this pig iron stage, so it was widely used iron.

“You can tell that at a glance?”

When Namgung Cheon-gang quickly scanned and identified the pickaxes’ material, Kang Hwi-cheol asked with surprised eyes.

“Well, I’m familiar with handling iron. Doesn’t Middle Mining Division member Kang Hwi-cheol also recognize what kind of ore it is when you see ore?”

“Yes. You’re exactly right.”

“I just have that kind of eye too. Though our occupations differ, developing the skill to recognize things through accumulated experience is similar.”

“…Those are truly good words.”

“Anyway, most of the equipment you currently have appears to be wrought iron, and as I mentioned earlier, it’s decent. However, you know it’ll be difficult with this equipment for now, don’t you?”

“Hmm.”

Including Kang Hwi-cheol, the other two Kang brothers also groaned and nodded.

They had seen it too.

That renowned miners had gathered here.

If they were Middle Mining Division level, they wouldn’t worry.

The problem was that most of those gathered were Upper Grade Department.

At that level, finding ore veins as well as ore would be as easy as flipping their palms.

Not only that.

Naturally, the equipment they possessed would be top-grade made from Baekryeonjeonggang.

There was already a difference in skill, and there was also a difference in equipment.

“But you’re not going to give up, right?”

As if knowing his worries and thoughts.

The young man in front of him asked.

Kang Hwi-cheol shook his head.

“…Of course not. Though our skills and equipment may be lacking, we received a commission from Namgung, so how could we just give up? Also, thinking of how they trusted us and maintained steady partnerships, we will find at least traces of Seongcheol. No, we must use all our strength to find Seongcheol.”

“I heard that ore like Seongcheol isn’t obtained just because you have good skills and equipment. It’s said to fall to those with mining luck, so there’s nothing to give up on.”

“That’s right. We three brothers have been told many times that we have good mining luck. So please trust us.”

They won’t give up.

Their eyes said so.

The eyes of these brothers, overflowing with pure and intense passion, were truly trustworthy.

“Good. Then I’ll also provide appropriate help.”

“Huh? Ah, could it be!”

What was the reason Namgung Cheon-gang wanted to see them?

Because he said he wanted to see the equipment they had.

Then, providing help didn’t just mean looking at equipment, but ‘crafting’ equipment.

“I’ll completely replace all your equipment with Baekryeonjeonggang. Mining luck is also equipment luck—no, if you have good equipment luck, it’ll happen even more intensely, right? Moreover, though it’s embarrassing to say with my own mouth, I’m Mak Noya’s direct disciple and an upper-level blacksmith. I even earned my direct lineage position with skill and martial arts. Equipment made of Baekryeonjeonggang by someone like me? How could it be ordinary?”

Shake shake.

The three brothers simultaneously shook their heads like that.

Ordinary, what ordinary.

Just looking at his record, it seemed like it could be a family treasure.

I heard that using tools made by Namgung Cheon-gang strangely improves one’s skills, didn’t they?

Of course, it hasn’t been long since then, so I can’t hastily judge if it’s true.

And there’s one more problem.

“Th-thank you so much for offering to help us. However, we don’t have the means to purchase such equipment.”

Money.

Would equipment treated as treasure-grade be a bit expensive?

Just Baekryeonjeonggang curved steel alone has a frightening price.

It would be worth at least a year’s salary.

So even if we want it, we can’t have it.

That young man’s heart must remain just a sentiment.

Still, it’s truly wonderful.

That heart of his, rolling up his sleeves to help.

“Don’t worry about money.”

“Pardon?”

“Our master said to do anything for Seongcheol. So please think of what I make for you as just a gift. There’s only one thing you need to do. Seongcheol. Yes, just do your best to secure that Seongcheol.”

“Is… is that really true?”

“Yes. Don’t they say a man’s word is worth a thousand gold? And would our master have said such things as a joke? Or would I lie using my master’s name? His sole disciple? Come on, that’s impossible.”

“Then… then!”

“My words about completely replacing all your equipment. It’s sincere and real. Now, please accept it with joy. Baekryeonjeonggang products made by Mak Noya’s sole disciple.”

Dazzling.

That young man spreading his arms wide, telling them to take what he makes, is so brilliant I can’t open my eyes.

“Ohhh!”

“Lord Namgung Cheon-gang!”

“We… we believe, no, we will serve you!”

The Gang Brothers and 17 miners shed tears and knelt down, preparing to receive the Baekryeonjeonggang equipment.

“…”

“…”

Namgung Sohye and Namgung Cheonggi, who had been quietly watching from the side, didn’t know what to say.

Let’s just keep our mouths tightly shut.

* * *

The items Namgung Cheon-gang makes are excellent.

This has been verified by Mak Noya.

Of course, most of what he’s made so far were mass-produced items.

Even so, they’re flawless like custom-made ones.

But if such a Namgung Cheon-gang seriously makes custom items?

That would be incredible.

‘The only custom items I’ve made so far were the sword I made for Father’s birthday this year, the sword I gave to Uncle, the five swords I presented to the Master, and Namgung Apdo’s ceremonial sword.’

Custom manufacturing.

It means making something that fits perfectly to that person’s body, making them feel like it’s a third hand or foot.

I couldn’t not know about family.

Then what about the Master?

Even if not weapons, there were items he usually used, so I made them based on those.

Moreover, not just for the Master alone, but including the Master’s family.

Namgung Apdo’s was natural too.

After that came the completion of new Baekryeonjeonggang manufacturing.

Even with all this, most were satisfied and fond of them, with improved skills.

Namgung Cheon-gang’s father Namgung Gang, uncle Namgung Ho, and even Namgung Apdo gained abilities beyond skill improvement.

So making custom items again means raising the miners’ abilities by one level each.

‘I can’t not know the rumors that spread about what I made.’

Moreover, now I can make ‘custom items’ even better than back then.

The first essential mission I received.

Passing the Direct Lineage Promotion Exam.

It’s because of the trait I gained after completing that.

Insight into People.

The ability to see through and examine humans.

When I wondered what this was.

‘It was an X-ray scan.’

Not just any X-ray scan, but a cutting-edge X-ray.

When activated?

Internal energy is consumed while I can check all of the opponent’s physical conditions.

A trait I already knew about.

‘It was a blacksmith technique that the me from my previous life learned around level 50.’

It has no use other than checking the opponent’s physical conditions.

‘But there’s no better cheat ability for production-class awakeners.’

Because I can make perfect custom items suited to the individual.

This is how I began to make my name known as an S-rank blacksmith.

The traits that came after made me even more firmly established as an S-rank blacksmith.

So I have no choice but to make custom items more perfectly suited to the opponent than before.

Of course, if I just glance with my eyes and say “this suits you,” it could make both parties awkward.

It would also lack professionalism.

Therefore, Namgung Cheon-gang.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

He thoroughly felt and touched the miners’ bodies with his hands, using ‘Insight into People’ to memorize their physical conditions.

And to appear more professional, he recorded it in documents.

After checking the physical conditions of 20 miners in just one hour (30 minutes).

He acquired a blacksmith’s forge.

It wasn’t difficult.

He just bought it in the Namgung name.

“After changing the name to Cheonggung Jugeom Gak, we began the iron industry in earnest under the Namgung name. So since we came to Dongryang County anyway, the Master ordered us to acquire a blacksmith’s forge.”

Namgung Sohye explained the reason for boldly buying the blacksmith’s forge.

“Ah. Indeed, there was meaning behind everything.”

And here I thought they were showing off Namgung’s power.

‘Now they really seem determined to establish the iron industry properly.’

What about Cheongeumjeong?

The relationship between Namgung and Cheongeumjeong comes to mind again.

‘For now, later.’

Right now, the miners and Seongcheol are more important.

The blacksmith’s forge was prepared, and iron ore was immediately arranged as well.

Then I should start working right away.

Martial Arts World brand fully custom manufacturing.

Let’s begin.

Clang!

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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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