He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 43

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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 43

 

Episode 43

 

‘Phew, I almost made a complete fool of myself.’

 

I mean, why did you leave words that could be misunderstood?

 

They’re already desperate to catch Blood Cult members.

 

If you mention bloodlines in that situation, wouldn’t they misunderstand?

 

Isn’t that right?

 

I asked with my eyes.

 

The Haomun disciple Hosiu also sent a coldly settled gaze.

 

An apology should be enough, what more?

 

Still sulking.

 

What a narrow-minded person, like his squinting eyes.

 

“I heard that our disciple created a situation that could be misunderstood. Let me take this opportunity to apologize once more. Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang.”

 

Oh my.

 

A pretty person speaks well too.

 

That squint-eyed Haomun disciple should learn from his branch leader.

 

Kind words in, kind words out, you know.

 

Watch and learn, Disciple Hosiu!

 

“Not at all. Given the situation, it was understandable to misunderstand. Let me also take this opportunity to apologize for misunderstanding Master Hosiu.”

 

Hosiu desperately declared that he was a disciple of Haomun.

 

He presented various evidence to prove it was true.

 

Of course, when I said I was still suspicious and asked to be taken to the Dongling County branch leader, the place he led Namgung Cheon-gang and Namgung Kyung to was Jiaoholu.

 

It was one of the most successful pleasure houses in Dongling County.

 

As soon as we entered, as if she had been waiting.

 

There was a seductive beauty standing by.

 

Turns out she was the Haomun branch leader.

 

After that, we had a meeting in a specially prepared space on the top floor of Jiaoholu.

 

In other words, Namgung Cheon-gang was resolving misunderstandings, exchanging apologies, and being treated well.

 

“Is the food to your liking?”

 

“It’s delicious. Really. I’m not just saying that.”

 

“I know. The fact that Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang goes around exploring restaurants is something everyone knows. Especially, that you frequently visit Jingyuelou for egg fried rice is publicly known, isn’t it?”

 

“Wow. You really are from Haomun.”

 

How far is it from Dongling County to Anhui Province?

 

A week by eight-horse carriage.

 

Really far.

 

So, while people from Anhui Province might know, it would be difficult for someone in this distant Dongling County to know my tastes.

 

‘If this were modern times, everyone would know from SNS and various broadcasts. But this isn’t the Martial Arts World like that, right?’

 

Unless it’s a place with expertise in information, there’s no particular reason to know about this distant Dongling County.

 

I’m even more convinced it’s really Haomun.

 

“That I’m right— Huu… No.”

 

“Yes. I understand. I’m sorry. So let’s eat egg fried rice and talk. Come on, being a man and sulking like this.”

 

“…”

 

Hosiu made an indignant expression.

 

Why, what?

 

If you’re frustrated, try a different approach!

 

“Tsk!”

 

“…Wow.”

 

Hosiu was dumbfounded.

 

How can someone be so shameless?

 

Even if you put on a thick face, you really put it on properly.

 

Wow.

 

‘Of course I have to be shameless!’

 

What kind of place is Haomun?

 

Isn’t it an information organization of the Heterodox Faction?

 

In other words, it’s a dark information organization.

 

Try going to such a place with a low posture, saying you made a mistake, misunderstood, so you’re sorry, etc.

 

You’ll get completely fleeced without end.

 

‘Even in my previous life, such things happened all the time, right?’

 

My goodness, I need to keep my wits about me and absolutely not take a submissive stance.

 

Show weakness for a moment and you’ll get fleeced to the bone.

 

‘That fox-like pretty lady is already giving me eye smiles, making my heart flutter.’

 

The branch leader of Dongling County’s Haomun was really a fox-like beautiful person.

 

How should I put it?

 

Like what a nine-tailed fox would look like if it became human?

 

White skin and slightly upturned eyes.

 

Seductive pupils embedded in those eyes and distinct facial features.

 

A slender figure, but strangely strong in sensuality, enough to make anyone fall head over heels if they’re not careful.

 

‘Even just wearing horn-rimmed glasses and jeans, most men would just fall for her.’

 

That’s why I have no choice but to be shameless.

 

And with people like that, you must never give them the first move.

 

‘I received hospitality, but this can’t be considered making the first move.’

 

You could say it’s a warm-up before getting to the real story.

 

‘So, before I completely fall for her, I need to make the first move.’

 

If I take the initiative, I can escape whatever Haomun has prepared.

 

“Here. Have this and cool your anger. I said your face was dark, didn’t I? I also said things that could be misunderstood, and the situation was like that.”

 

Namgung Cheon-gang placed a piece of dongpo pork on Hosiu’s plate.

 

“Our pretty branch leader, don’t just sit there, have a piece too. As you know, I frequent good restaurants, right? The dongpo pork here is really good. You must have it daily, but this is the first time I’m giving it to you, so it’ll taste even better.”

 

Five pieces of dongpo pork on the branch leader’s plate.

 

Hosiu sent a look asking why he only got one piece when he was the one who wronged me, while the branch leader got five pieces, but I ignored it.

 

“Oh my, thank you. As you said, I do eat it often, but you’re the first to serve it to me. I’ll enjoy it. Young Master~”

 

“Hehe. I don’t give it to just anyone. I only give it to people I can have good conversations with.”

 

“Hoho. Then I must be someone you can have good conversations with.”

 

“Of course. By the way, the soundproofing here is good, right?”

 

“Yes. Very good. So no matter what sounds are made here, no one can hear them. Even if naughty sounds thunder out, it’s fine.”

 

“Aha, that’s very good. The maids won’t come in either, right?”

 

“Of course not. The top floor is a place where only I can have private meetings, so without your order, no one will enter.”

 

“Oh. Then if I ask you to dismiss any guards or hidden people?”

 

“Oh my? There wouldn’t be such people. This is a hospitality setting, so how could there be scary people? Here, there’s only you, Young Master, my sect’s disciple, and the Vice-Leader of Namgung Jeonggeom Dan, no one else.”

 

“Aha?”

 

Oh dear.

 

Who does this branch leader take me for, some naive fool?

 

Why wouldn’t there be people secretly hiding when meeting an information organization’s branch leader?

 

‘I may look young, but inside I’m someone who’s been through it all.’

 

Well, anyway, even if I told them to withdraw, they probably wouldn’t.

 

“Namgung Kyung, could you lend me your ear for a moment?”

 

“…??”

 

Namgung Cheon-gang whispered to Namgung Kyung.

 

Soon Namgung Kyung’s eyes widened, then seeing Namgung Cheon-gang nod, he nodded the same way.

 

After that, Namgung Kyung sent a telepathic message to the branch leader.

 

-Blood Cult.

 

“…!?”

 

The branch manager’s eyes widened.

 

What did that mean?

 

Looking at Namgung Kyung.

 

Soon, upon receiving Namgung Kyung’s second telepathic message that the one who told him to send that telepathic message was Namgung Cheon-gang, he looked at Namgung Cheon-gang.

 

“Hosiu-nim’s matter is precisely because of that. What does this mean?”

 

Namgung Cheon-gang, who had stood up to place dongpo pork on the branch manager’s plate.

 

Speaking calmly, he slowly sat back down in his place.

 

Then he placed one finger on the table and continued speaking.

 

“‘That thing’ is here in Dongling County, isn’t it?”

 

“….”

 

“So when I heard the word ‘bloodline’ from Hosiu-nim, I couldn’t help but misunderstand. Phew, it’s truly shocking even thinking about it again.”

 

“….”

 

No words came.

 

However, Hoyeol’s widened eyes hadn’t returned to normal.

 

“Now, we can quietly talk among ourselves, can’t we?”

 

Namgung Cheon-gang smiled leisurely.

 

It seemed he had definitely gained the upper hand.

 

* * *

 

Trickle.

 

The top floor of Jiaoholu.

 

A place where only Jiaoholu’s owner, the special-grade courtesan ‘Hoyeol,’ and her guests could come.

 

Currently, Hoyeol was receiving guests there.

 

Two people from Namgung.

 

And one of her own people.

 

A total of four people including Hoyeol.

 

However, none of them were making noise.

 

A quiet silence had settled over the place.

 

Only the sound of tea being poured into teacups could be heard.

 

The one pouring the tea was also from Namgung.

 

Normally, Hoyeol would have poured it herself.

 

But she had heard an unexpectedly shocking story.

 

Thanks to that, she had lost the ‘upper hand’ she should have gained through wrongful means and remained still.

 

“Indeed, a cup of tea after a meal is perfect. The aroma is nice too.”

 

The one who had casually dropped the shocking words.

 

He drank his tea as if nothing had happened.

 

“Sincere, no, it must be the truth.”

 

Looking at that person from Namgung, Namgung Cheon-gang, Hoyeol’s tightly closed lips opened.

 

It wasn’t asking about the truth of the shocking words, but an answer acknowledging their sincerity.

 

“Oh, you believe me?”

 

Since she believed so easily, Namgung Cheon-gang was surprised and asked back.

 

“I can’t say completely, but I believe about 8 out of 10.”

 

“You believe me?”

 

“I’d say I believe based on 3 parts your overflowing confidence, 3 parts the Sword King’s blood relative’s actions, and 2 parts Namgung’s behavior.”

 

“My goodness….”

 

Namgung Cheon-gang was genuinely surprised.

 

What that branch manager just said.

 

He couldn’t help but know she was referring to Namgung Sohye’s and Namgung Cheonggi’s matters.

 

‘I think I understand why every martial arts novel ranks Haowen and the Beggar’s Sect as top intelligence organizations in the Martial Arts World.’

 

He had thought about it, but seeing it firsthand was different.

 

He felt it more keenly.

 

“Please don’t misunderstand. Haowen’s work is gathering information. So naturally, we record the movements of families and people considered important in the Martial Arts World. Of course, I only learned now that it was related to the Blood Cult.”

 

Even all those hiding had been caught.

 

Though Hosiu was present, as if it didn’t matter.

 

Hoyeol mentioned the Blood Cult.

 

Since this situation arose from Namgung Cheon-gang’s misunderstanding of Hosiu as a Blood Cult follower, there was no need to hide it.

 

Or perhaps, if that wasn’t the case.

 

“You trust Hosiu-nim.”

 

“Of course. He’s my faithful subordinate. I was the one who had him approach you after receiving the Dong Mining House job.”

 

“With so many people from Namgung around, why specifically me?”

 

“Should I say it was because you were the easiest to approach among the three people seen in Dongling County? The others were like impenetrable fortresses.”

 

“I am an easy man. Hahaha. Of course, only for righteous causes.”

 

“I thought so. Hohoho. Thanks to that, the Dong Mining House matter was resolved so easily that it was confusing. Who would have known you’d approach first?”

 

“Hosiu-nim’s efforts were wasted then. Hahaha!”

 

The atmosphere in the place where silence had settled became a bit brighter.

 

As if nothing had happened.

 

However, the stories coming out weren’t about nothing happening.

 

“Then you must also know what our Samgong Nyeom discussed at the Dong Mining House.”

 

“Yes. A new request came from the Dong Mining House. They said they would meet and talk with government officials, asking us to help things go smoothly. I heard you’re going to change the mining rights auction competition.”

 

“That’s right. It’s not a secret anyway, so anyone would know.”

 

“Don’t worry. I’ll make it easy for you. This level of work is entirely possible without having to investigate government people. Just a little eye-smile and it’ll be done quickly.”

 

“Very reassuring. It seems we did well coming to Haowen. I feel good hearing that our Samgong Nyeom did excellent work, and it feels good to have gained a reliable business partner too.”

 

Each story seemed like something that should be kept secret.

 

But as if it were ordinary conversation.

 

The two people shared it, and the two people listened quietly.

 

Namgung Cheon-gang gradually brought that conversation to an end.

 

“Things are going so well, but we shouldn’t be the only ones benefiting.”

 

“Oh my, what do you mean?”

 

Hoyeol pretended not to know and smiled with her eyes.

 

Namgung Cheon-gang, as if it were nothing.

 

Smiled gently and said.

 

“I’ll give you a usage right for me. As you know, I’m Mak Noya’s sole disciple and a blacksmith who became a master craftsman at 12, right? Couldn’t Haowen utilize such a person somehow?”

 

An unexpected story.

 

“Young master, what are you?!”

 

Namgung Kyung, who was listening, was surprised, and Hoyeol, who was also listening, seemed a bit surprised as her eyes widened slightly.

 

Hosiu’s mouth dropped open.

 

An unexpected conclusion.

 

The silence that had disappeared returned again.

 

This time, it was Hoyeol who broke the silence.

 

“…That’s certainly considerable value. It’s not bad for us… Why are you so easily offering yourself?”

 

Pure curiosity arising from this being a first-time situation.

 

Namgung Cheon-gang answered as if it were nothing special.

 

“It’s about finding and catching Blood Cult followers, isn’t it? Paying with just myself is cheap.”

 

“…!?”

 

Another unexpected answer.

 

Everyone was surprised.

 

Rather, Namgung Cheon-gang was puzzled.

 

“Why are you so surprised? It’s something anyone can do.”

 

“…This work, you mean?”

 

“Of course. It’s beneficial in many ways. Besides, isn’t it something you have to do if you want to live well in the Martial Arts World?”

 

“….”

 

“Since we’re on the topic anyway, I have something to say. Since we’re doing this, would you like to join us? Of course, this isn’t an offer we make to just anyone.”

 

Wink.

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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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