He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 36

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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 36

 

Episode 36

 

Namgung Cheon-gang begins his blacksmith work in earnest.

 

Watching him quietly.

 

One becomes captivated by only this thought.

 

Sublime.

 

Wondrous.

 

‘Good heavens…’

 

‘There’s a reason he became a master craftsman before even reaching adulthood.’

 

His concentration, not turning his gaze to his surroundings, is like an enlightened monk.

 

The path of his powerfully falling hammer is like a swordsman who has held a sword for a hundred years.

 

Clang.

 

Has the sound of hammering ever been this beautiful?

 

It’s like the sound of an imperial court musician playing the zither.

 

How could this not be sublime and wondrous?

 

There’s no need to say they’ll help, and no need to ask for help.

 

The onlookers began moving their bodies to help him of their own accord.

 

The warriors stand guard so no one can approach.

 

The miners help by doing odd jobs.

 

Clang.

 

In front of the hot furnace.

 

The hammering of the small giant standing before that blazing orange fire continues without rest.

 

* * *

 

The head of the Kang Clan Mining Company.

 

Kang Hwi-cheol.

 

‘I too have such eyes. Though our professions differ, developing the skill to recognize talent is similar.’

 

A depth unthinkable for words spoken at that age.

 

Thus, he had been deeply impressed from the start.

 

‘Namgung Cheon-gang.’

 

A genius of the blacksmith world who started forge work at age 12 and immediately rose to master craftsman level.

 

In this direct lineage advancement competition, the first direct descendant of the Namgung Family among blacksmiths in 10 years.

 

Furthermore, the sole disciple of Mak Noya, who receives the respect of all blacksmiths.

 

Though not a blacksmith himself, Mak Noya’s reputation, that name.

 

Blacksmiths and miners are inseparable like thread and needle, so they couldn’t not know it.

 

Therefore, the four characters of Namgung Cheon-gang’s name are also impossible not to know.

 

His sharp insight within bright and light conversation was surprising, making him think he was indeed remarkable.

 

However, when he picked up the hammer, he couldn’t dare evaluate him at the level of ‘remarkable.’

 

That figure contained within the heat of the forge overflowing with orange light.

 

‘To think I’d feel something similar to Mak Noya from that young appearance.’

 

It might be a mistake.

 

However, one thing is certain.

 

In the distant future, he will stand on the path of his master, or perhaps even beyond.

 

‘I want to form a deep connection with that child, no, that person.’

 

He said Namgung.

 

However, not as a Namgung, but he wants to form a deep connection with that person.

 

He thinks it would be good to mine ore for that person’s sake.

 

While Kang Hwi-cheol was thus moved and harboring the desire to continue a connection with Namgung Cheon-gang.

 

Clang!

 

“Whew.”

 

The hammer sound that was like an imperial court musician playing the zither comes to a long conclusion.

 

Then comes the sound of deep breathing.

 

Namgung Cheon-gang, having refreshingly exhaled the breath he had held long, opens his mouth with a clear smile.

 

“One is finished for now.”

 

One of the pickaxes he intended to make.

 

“Please try holding it once.”

 

He hands it directly to Kang Hwi-cheol.

 

“…”

 

Kang Hwi-cheol’s eyes wavered.

 

The pickaxe being handed to him is extraordinary.

 

‘Beautiful.’

 

Saying one fell for a pickaxe was just a metaphorical expression, wasn’t it?

 

But now, it’s sincere.

 

The pickaxe’s curves show not a single flaw.

 

The points at both ends are deadly.

 

The pickaxe’s handle looks like it would fit perfectly in one’s hand just by looking at it.

 

How could such a pickaxe exist?

 

Beauty combined with efficiency.

 

He naturally swallows his dry saliva.

 

Gulp.

 

Wondering if he’s not the only one thinking this way.

 

The same sound of swallowing dry saliva was heard from around him.

 

Looking around, one group was his brothers.

 

The other two were Namgung Sohye and Namgung Cheonggi.

 

Huh?

 

Why are those people here?

 

No, first, that’s not the problem.

 

Let’s hold it.

 

Is now the time to worry about people?

 

Lifting that is the priority.

 

He absolutely can’t bear not holding it.

 

“Th, then. I’ll carefully re, receive it.”

 

Saying so respectfully.

 

With trembling hands.

 

He carefully and gently grasps the pickaxe’s handle.

 

Tingle!

 

‘Gasp!’

 

A thrilling sensation passes through his grip and resonates in his head.

 

It feels like he’s been holding it his entire life.

 

There’s not even awkwardness in the weight.

 

Is this what it would be like to have another arm?

 

And so.

 

Kang Hwi-cheol realized.

 

‘Ah, this is it. This is a true masterpiece and masterwork.’

 

The masterpieces and masterworks he had seen and held until now were mere trinkets compared to this.

 

Thud.

 

His knees naturally bend.

 

The pickaxe lifted with both hands as if in worship.

 

“Ah. O God. I thank you for bestowing such a treasure upon me.”

 

Praise to God follows.

 

God dwells in Kang Hwi-cheol’s heart.

 

The blacksmith god named Namgung Cheon-gang.

 

The god smiled brightly.

 

* * *

 

‘Oh my, what a surprise.’

 

Why are you suddenly kneeling and praising me?

 

‘Did you like the pickaxe that much?’

 

Well, of course.

 

It’s not just any pickaxe, right?

 

It’s a pickaxe made exclusively for Kang Hwi-cheol, crafted using my new trait ‘Insight’.

 

It probably feels like it fits in his hand like a third arm.

 

‘It’s not like I’m doing business for the first or second time.’

 

I know what I’m doing.

 

‘Come to think of it, there were many people who acted so exaggeratedly in my previous life too. No, wasn’t it most of them?’

 

Thinking deeply about it, it was indeed most of them.

 

That’s how different a perfectly customized weapon is.

 

‘Anyway, it’s confirmed that the trait is being used properly.’

 

Now all that’s left is to make 19 more pickaxes.

 

I should start working right away.

 

“I’m glad you’re satisfied. Then I’ll start working on the remaining 19 pickaxes now.”

 

“I will protect it with my life!”

 

Kang Hwi-cheol took a stance holding the pickaxe reverently, then shouted while standing at attention like a disciplined soldier.

 

“….”

 

Was he a soldier in his previous life?

 

His posture is perfect.

 

It seems like he won’t listen even if I try to stop him.

 

Namgung Cheon-gang just nodded his head.

 

“I, I see.”

 

“Um, Mr. Kang Hwi-cheol. If it’s not too rude, could you lend me the pickaxe for a moment? It’s not for anything else, I just want to try performing a martial art technique once.”

 

“Absolutely not.”

 

“Just, just once!”

 

“Absolutely not.”

 

“….”

 

Lord Namgung Cheonggi.

 

You’re a martial artist, aren’t you?

 

Why are you eyeing a pickaxe?

 

“…I also, for a moment….”

 

A voice that could be faintly heard.

 

It was Namgung Sohye.

 

Because of her dignity as the third daughter of the Namgung Family, she couldn’t speak easily.

 

She was muttering in a voice as small as an ant’s, but I heard it clearly.

 

She too was looking at the pickaxe with eyes no less intense than Namgung Cheonggi’s.

 

“….”

 

Namgung Cheon-gang silently picked up his hammer.

 

Pretending he heard nothing, saw nothing.

 

Like that.

 

Clang, clang, clang!

 

Like that for two days.

 

As a result of forgetting day and night and focusing on crafting with hammer in hand.

 

All 19 personalized pickaxes were completed.

 

“Huuuuh!”

 

“A, a god has dwelt in the pickaxe!”

 

“This is, this is a pickaxe!”

 

The pickaxes I’ve been using until now weren’t pickaxes, they were junk!”

 

“Oh god!”

 

All the miners of the Kang Clan Mining Company holding pickaxes were moved, kneeling and shedding tears of praise.

 

“Oh Namgung Cheon-gang!”

 

The blacksmith god who had finally settled in their hearts.

 

They cry out for Namgung Cheon-gang.

 

“Oh Namgung Cheon-gang!”

 

Namgung Cheonggi and Namgung Sohye carefully joined in and raised their hands.

 

They send looks asking him to make pickaxes for them.

 

“….”

 

I should keep my mouth shut.

 

* * *

 

“…Has there still been no word from the Namgung Family?”

 

“Yes, Father. They say they will maintain neutrality and participate in the same position as other bidders.”

 

“Sigh….”

 

Dong Yeo-hui, the head of the Dong Mining Guild, let out a deep sigh.

 

It was filled with worry.

 

“You’re worried. To think such a thing would happen when ore veins and Seongcheol were discovered in the mountain that has been passed down through our ancestors for generations.”

 

The ore vein that was discovered by chance while trying to move his father’s grave to a sunnier place through feng shui.

 

It’s amazing that it wasn’t discovered until now.

 

Isn’t this kind of thing quite common?

 

It’s not that strange.

 

The problem is that traces of Seongcheol were found inside it.

 

And the Namgung Family.

 

The Namgung Family.

 

The greatest martial arts family in the world, no different from royalty in Anhui.

 

That Namgung Family has entered Dongryang County.

 

Why?

 

To mine Seongcheol.

 

More precisely, to obtain ‘mining rights’.

 

How could they not know this?

 

He was the one who distributed mining rights everywhere and also handed them to the Namgung Family.

 

“Since the country ordered us to decide how to handle the mining rights, we chose the best option for us, so it can’t be helped.”

 

The discovery of ore veins involves government intervention.

 

After all, ore is an important resource that becomes the core of the national economy.

 

Therefore, it’s customary not to let individuals possess it freely.

 

Of course, that doesn’t mean there’s no guarantee of ownership rights.

 

Four out of ten parts of the ore mined from the mine.

 

The country takes this as tax, but ownership of the rest is guaranteed.

 

At this time, it’s decided whether the mine’s ownership will be held by the ‘discoverer and owner’ or whether ‘mining rights’ will be transferred to ‘others’.

 

The Dong Mining Guild chose the latter.

 

“Yes. We made the best choice we could.”

 

Isn’t the Martial Arts World a place where people fight tooth and nail to gain ownership even when just ordinary mines are discovered?

 

The government and the Martial Arts World have long established the Official-Martial Arts Non-Aggression Pact, recognizing each other’s rights.

 

Therefore, they don’t intervene when it becomes a fight between sects.

 

It doesn’t matter to them who wins.

 

They just need to take four-tenths of the mine’s output.

 

They do mediate, but even that can’t be considered reliable.

 

However, for sects and mining guilds that cannot maintain their mines,

 

it’s wise to sell them off for profit and enter into future mining partnerships.

 

Moreover, this is a place where traces of Seongcheol have been discovered.

 

The competition will surely be beyond description.

 

For the survival of the family, this is a very wise decision.

 

“Furthermore, until the mining rights are sold, we’ll be under government protection, so martial artists can’t interfere, right? Moreover, since they’re currently focused on the mining rights, they won’t pay us much attention. Please don’t worry, Father.”

 

“That’s also true. However, Dong-i, you must understand. As long as we live in the Martial Arts World, we cannot be separated from martial artists.”

 

It may be fine now.

 

But will it be fine in the future too?

 

No.

 

They could harbor resentment from losing the mining rights auction and attack us.

 

Or, if mining goes poorly and Seongcheol isn’t found, they might demand compensation for their losses.

 

That too is part of the Martial Arts World.

 

“Namgung is a true Orthodox Faction that doesn’t rashly resort to force against innocent places. So surely they won’t harbor resentment over this matter. But no place is completely righteous.”

 

Righteous Martial Arts Family.

 

The more prestigious the family, the more they care about face and dignity.

 

If they fail to obtain the Seongcheol mining rights, what they might do to restore their fallen prestige.

 

It’s impossible to predict.

 

“Therefore, we must never look down on Namgung, and we must treat them with the understanding that it’s not us who scattered the auction rights everywhere, but that the government intervened to make it so.”

 

Preparation for crises that may come in the future.

 

This can also prevent retaliation from places that don’t obtain auction rights.

 

If Namgung understands, how could other places not understand and attack us?

 

If they do attack, that would also damage Namgung’s prestige and face.

 

However, Namgung would never stand for that.

 

“But they say they’ll maintain neutrality. Sigh…”

 

This is why I’m worried.

 

Because I don’t know how future events will unfold.

 

Of course, if Namgung wins the mining rights, all these worries would disappear.

 

The problem is, it seems like everyone who entered the auction is determined.

 

Remarkable people have gathered in large numbers and been recruited.

 

Looking at the faces of those gathered, what is this.

 

It’s like a battlefield where the gods of miners have assembled.

 

“Though Namgung is called the greatest martial family under heaven, there are places that don’t fall behind in business. Rather, there are many places more impressive than Namgung, so wouldn’t Namgung also want to have various partnerships? Therefore, since I can’t predict how this matter will turn out at all, how could I not be worried?”

 

Only then does Dong Yeo-hui’s son realize the gravity of the situation.

 

With a pale face, he asks.

 

“Then, then what should we do, Father?”

 

“Even if our mining guild wants to help, the entity selling the mining rights shouldn’t be directly involved. So we’ll have to do it indirectly.”

 

“Indirectly… you mean?”

 

“Yes. I’ve thought of something just in case. If Namgung had accepted the invitation, this wouldn’t have been necessary to execute, but—”

 

Since they say they’ll maintain neutrality, what can we do?

 

We’ll have to use the secret weapon I’ve prepared.

 

What that might be.

 

The son looks at his father with curiosity.

 

Dong Yeo-hui opened his mouth slowly with a stern expression.

 

“We will make contact with Haomun. With their information, we should be able to indirectly help Namgung’s people. Then they’ll remember us, even if just a little.”

—————
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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