He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 53

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 53

Episode 53

The Blood Cult that threw the Martial Arts World into chaos 30 years ago has appeared.

Dongling County, the central location of it all.

Quite a commotion-worthy event.

But strangely, it’s quiet.

Why?

Because the Beggar’s Sect and Haomun stepped forward to suppress the rumors.

The place where the Blood Cult followers appeared was the arena where the Miner’s Contest was taking place.

Since it was a limited space.

The number of people was also restricted, wasn’t it?

It wouldn’t be difficult for two major forces to step forward and suppress it.

Of course, there weren’t no people who heard what Namgung Cheon-gang shouted at the time.

Many felt that sinister energy firsthand.

But could they not suppress it even so?

When the Beggar’s Sect and Haomun are determined to control information?

“Blood Cult followers my foot. I heard it was the work of guys trying to cause trouble by pretending to be the Blood Cult.”

“The Namgung youth’s shout? That was supposedly to prevent innocent people from being harmed by villains.”

“Think about it. Isn’t mentioning Sima Waidao the only thing that could make all those people leave the arena at once?”

“It was all planned by the Namgung Family.”

“Tsk, damn bastards.”

“They’re doing things even the Heterodox Faction wouldn’t do out of boredom. Where did you say those guys were from?”

Thus, Dongling County remains peaceful.

The problem is Seongcheol.

What happens to that?

“What do you mean what happens. The Namgung Family will take it.”

“I heard the martial prowess of those villain bastards disguised as the Blood Cult was stronger than expected. Well, to cause trouble, you need to have some basic skills.”

“That’s why they felt that eerie energy too. Anyway, since they stopped those guys, it belongs to the Namgung Family no matter what.”

“The Namgung Family’s youth exposed their futile schemes, and together with the Namgung Family, they stopped them, so what choice is there.”

They prevented the disaster that would have been caused by villains disguised as the Blood Cult.

The Namgung Family has clear justification.

So everyone has no choice but to give up their greed for Seongcheol.

Everyone who participated in the competition packed their bags to return.

But what’s this?

“Did you hear?”

“Hear what? If you’re going to talk nonsense, stop it and pack quickly. We need to go back and prepare to mine somewhere else.”

“Actually, it seems we don’t need to return right away.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I heard that the Namgung Family is nullifying everything that happened due to the Miner’s Contest.”

“Nullifying it means… they’re treating taking Seongcheol as if it never happened?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. So, is there really a need to return?”

“Good grief. You must have heard some serious nonsense somewhere. Is the Namgung Family crazy? Who would do good deeds for others when no one’s even complaining?! Stop talking nonsense like the Beggar’s Sect and pack your things!”

The Beggar’s Sect’s nonsense was the truth.

“The Miner’s Contest is declared null and void, and competition will resume with fair mining of Seongcheol first.

Approved by Namgung Cheon”

A letter sent to all mining groups, sects, and martial families participating in the Seongcheol competition.

And an official notice posted in Dongling County’s central square.

It bears the direct seal of the Namgung Family’s master.

It cannot be false.

Who would dare forge the Sword King’s seal even with a hundred lives?

“My goodness! To think Namgung would make such a decision!”

“The Namgung Family was known as a fair martial family, but I never dreamed they would show such virtue even in this case!”

The Namgung Family could probably obtain Seongcheol somehow anyway.

But Seongcheol isn’t worth just a penny or two.

To refuse such an easily obtainable opportunity and show virtue?

While wondering why this is happening, news comes in.

“I heard various rumors, and oh my. Originally, the Miner’s Contest wasn’t for securing Seongcheol, but to catch villains disguised as the Blood Cult?”

It was a trap.

“I heard that many slash-and-burn farming villages disappeared because of those villain bastards. A girl who ‘coincidentally’ survived from those villages ‘happened to’ meet the Namgung Family master and tearfully pleaded for him to resolve her grievance before dying, so the Sword King, who couldn’t overlook this, stepped forward himself.”

An act of chivalry.

If it were just words, maybe not.

Dongling County couldn’t be unaware of the Sword King’s appearance.

As if to show off, many saw him leave through the city gate in broad daylight.

With the Beggar’s Sect and Haomun stepping forward to spread the word again.

It was only a matter of time before the rumors of ‘trap’ and ‘chivalry’ became truth.

“As expected of Namgung!”

“This is why we say Namgung, Namgung!”

“Long live Namgung! Long live the Sword King!!”

“Long live!!”

Regardless of the truth of the rumors.

Righteous chivalry that resolves grievances formed by a girl’s tears.

Benevolence that gives another chance to those who lost their opportunity.

A world of chivalry and virtue.

These two things alone were enough for people to cry out for Namgung.

And so.

As Namgung Cheon-gang thought.

“Namgung! Namgung!”

“Namgung! Namgung!!!”

The Namgung Family won the hearts of Dongling County’s people through tolerance and embrace.

* * *

“Wow. Everything is going exactly as you said, Young Master? Are you perhaps a Zhuge instead of a Namgung?”

“I’m definitely a Namgung. Anyone could do this with a little thought. Honestly, there are probably countless people in the Martial Arts World capable of such thinking.”

“Well, even just counting the Zhuges, there would be hundreds. Of course, only if they ‘could let go.'”

“Once is difficult, but once you start, it becomes possible. For greater gain.”

“That’s what’s difficult. Especially for those who have much.”

I can’t say that’s wrong. But wait, why is Haomun helping us? Our Namgung benefits, but Haomun doesn’t particularly gain anything.”

“I have no choice but to do as ordered from above. Our branch manager seems to really like you, Young Master. If not that, then well, as you said, Young Master, maybe they helped for greater gain.”

“The latter sounds more sincere. Since it’s Haomun.”

“What exactly do you think Haomun is to say such things? We also know righteousness, chivalry, and propriety, you know?”

“Enough to give up Seongcheol?”

“Of course not.”

Hosiu speaks seriously.

“Haomun will profit no matter what happens!”

“Well, it’s much better to help while aiming for profit than having some scheme. There’s no contract more trustworthy than mutual benefit.”

“Exactly. Oh, now that I look at it, Young Master seems closer to our Haomun side rather than Namgung or Zhuge. How about it, any thoughts of switching sides? If you switched, our branch manager would probably create a high position for you by any means necessary.”

“If you had to choose between Haomun and the Namgung Family, which would you pick?”

“The Namgung Family.”

“I should tell Master Hoyeol. That Hosiu is plotting treason. As expected, you can’t trust an assassin. You’re the Blood Cult mastermind, aren’t you?”

“Did someone with the same eyes as me in a past life hold some grudge against you?! I’m not a Blood Cult follower!”

Hosiu jumped around again today.

* * *

Meeting with the Dongryang County Haomun branch chief.

Those related to the Blood Cult?

I asked them to help ensure that not even a single rat could escape.

However, Haomun did more than that.

They evacuated the spectators.

They spread rumors to quell the chaos.

They even helped win over public sentiment.

If a person receives a favor, isn’t it proper to repay it?

As someone belonging to the Orthodox Faction, I must not cast aside this principle.

Therefore, I met with Hosiu and promised to definitely repay the favor.

I wanted to meet the branch chief.

But he was out for a brief moment?

So I settled for Hosiu instead.

Of course, part of the reason for meeting was to resolve the question of ‘why?’

And the answer I heard.

‘For greater profit…’

Didn’t I sell myself to gain Haomun’s help?

‘Well then, seeking greater profit could mean using me even better.’

If they want money, I’ll give them money, but

‘Haomun wouldn’t discuss money when dealing with me, a disciple of Mak Noya.’

Well, they might want money.

But thinking of the Dongryang County branch chief, would they really?

‘The Dongryang County branch chief I saw seemed to understand people’s worth.’

Well, I could be mistaken.

But I’m probably 70% right.

My intuition says so.

‘Well. Whatever it is, I just need to repay them properly.’

After that.

I had a leisurely conversation with Hosiu.

Made him jump around excitedly.

And in the end, I heard him ask ‘Are you confident?’

What that meant.

There’s no way I wouldn’t know.

‘He’s asking if I’m confident I can beat the miners in the Seongcheol mining contest that’s back to square one, what else could it be.’

When I returned to the lodging.

“Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang. Will you be alright? It’s not that I don’t trust you, but we cannot ignore craftsmen from different fields.”

“That’s right. When I checked the information about the Upper Grade Department members that Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang told us about earlier, they were all remarkable people. Moreover, most of them didn’t participate in the miner’s contest, so their strength remains intact, which is truly worrying.”

Namgung Sohye and Namgung Cheonggi greeted me with worried looks and voices.

Their concern.

It’s not just doubt about whether I can compete with the miners.

Though I wasn’t wounded in the battle with the Blood Cult followers.

Internal injuries cannot be ignored.

They’re worried about my body.

And they’re also worried about the losses Namgung Cheon-gang might suffer because of it.

‘Attributing all the achievements related to the Blood Cult to Namgung was truly admirable wisdom. However, I heard there would be great disadvantages if we fail to obtain Seongcheol. How can you be so self-sacrificing for righteousness?’

Since the one who devoted his body for Namgung doesn’t care for his own body.

Well then, how could Namgung Sohye not worry about him?

As if knowing or not knowing Namgung Sohye and Namgung Cheonggi’s concerns.

Namgung Cheon-gang’s face was filled only with a confident smile.

“Don’t worry. Would I thoughtlessly suffer losses for nothing? That won’t happen. That’s why I replaced all the pickaxes of the Kang Clan Mining Company miners we collaborated with, didn’t I?”

“Didn’t you also replace the pickaxes of other mining groups?”

“What would be the point of that? That’s all part of the plan too.”

“…Part of the plan?”

“Yes. Well, this is hard to explain, but anyway, there’s something like that.”

‘How can I tell them it was a plan to gain advanced-level mining abilities through resonance?’

They’re already worried.

Just try telling them.

They’d think I’m talking nonsense because my internal injuries from fighting the Blood Cult followers have worsened.

‘Even more than before.’

Moreover, now that the battle with the Blood Cult followers is over.

It’s different from back then, isn’t it?

‘Back then, I only gained advanced miner abilities through resonance.’

But now?

‘I gained traits by completing a special mission!’

A special mission that appeared after I learned of the Blood Cult’s presence.

‘The traits I received as rewards weren’t just one, but two!’

Namgung’s Sky.

The appearance of Sword King Namgung Cheon.

When he pressed down the Blood Cult follower with just one finger.

The special mission was completed.

‘Honestly, I thought the special mission would only be half successful if a third party caught them instead of me.’

Huh?

It’s fine even if the Sword King does it?

Well, it didn’t say it was a solo mission.

And how could a blacksmith who just barely reached second-rate catch a Blood Cult follower who had transformed like a berserker?

That would be impossible.

‘I rode the bus quite comfortably. Master.’

So what are the two traits I received?

‘Let’s exclude Reduction for now. This is also incredibly efficient, but…’

For finding Seongcheol, ‘Metal Detection’ was far more efficient than Reduction.

Why?

It’s a mineral detection ability!

‘When activated, it shoots out X-ray-like beams like Insight, showing where ores are located.’

Even behind walls, underground.

Finding hidden places!

It does consume some internal energy.

But this is fine too.

I have the gift the Master gave me.

‘When heaven helps me find Seongcheol, how could I fail to find it?’

So I’m not confident.

Not confident that I’ll fail to find Seongcheol!

“Anyway, I deeply feel that fate has come to me, so you don’t need to worry. I’ll soon find Seongcheol and return in glory. Eunhahaha!”

Namgung Cheon-gang put both hands on his hips, puffed out his chest, and laughed loudly.

Truly a confident appearance.

It even contained the spirit of a general.

Namgung Sohye and Namgung Cheonggi found themselves nodding without realizing it.

‘As expected of Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang. He already anticipated this far.’

‘Truly, that foresight is so remarkable it’s almost frightening!’

The misunderstanding deepened further.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————