He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 56

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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 56

Episode 56

Hosiu continued to spill information about the Blood Cult.

‘So to summarize…’

Bishops are at minimum peak-level masters.

Archbishops are at the Transcendent realm, and the Cult Leader is at the level of the Five Heavenly Kings.

‘Wow…’

I’m left speechless.

It’s so outrageous that I wonder how such a group even exists.

With this level of power, wouldn’t they have enough force to establish a nation?

‘Really, just as Master Hosiu said, there’s a good reason they threw the Martial Arts World into chaos 30 years ago.’

It would be strange if they couldn’t cause chaos with that level of power.

“So there’s one thing that’s strange.”

Hosiu, who had been talking about their strength, casually threw out those words.

“What’s strange?”

“As I mentioned, it’s about the power of those who appeared in Dongling County. To be specific, it would be that bastard who transformed at the end. He displayed at least Bishop-level power, which doesn’t make sense.”

Isn’t the Blood Cult’s martial arts a demonic technique that grows stronger by absorbing the blood of opponents?

Then it’s possible for their power to increase.

That last bastard definitely grew stronger by devouring his own allies.

“Yes. As you said, Young Master. I did mention that the Blood Cult’s martial arts work that way. However, what’s known and established is that no matter how strong they become, they cannot break free from their own realm.”

“…In other words, if they’re at the peak level, they cannot surpass the peak level.”

“Exactly, Young Lady. They would still display strong power within their achieved realm, but manifesting power beyond their realm didn’t happen at the Follower level. The same goes for the Bishop level. This only occurs at ‘exactly two levels.'”

“Archbishops and the Cult Leader. Isn’t that right, Master Hosiu?”

This time it was Namgung Cheonggi.

“Yes. However, the fact that a Follower manifested such power means—”

The Blood Cult that appeared this time

must certainly possess different power from the Blood Cult of 30 years ago.

“Since our Haomun is also investigating this matter, I can’t tell you exactly what’s happening. Of course, the same would go for the Beggar’s Sect.”

“True, there’s no way the Beggar’s Sect wouldn’t know about this.”

“That’s right. There’s a high possibility they’ve obtained the same information as us. No, they probably already have. And one more thing. According to the information we both know, the Blood Cult hasn’t been very active for 30 years.”

They say it was destroyed.

But would Sima Waidao, who suddenly appeared and caused tremendous chaos, disappear so easily?

‘The blood that stained the Yangtze River is said to still remain clotted in some places, and that evil still exists throughout the Martial Arts World, doesn’t it?’

Both directly and indirectly.

“The direct things are obvious, so we just need to find and fix them. But the indirect things are the problem.”

The hearts of people.

In other words,

that fanaticism established as a religion

is secretly parasitizing among the common people and taking root again.

‘This is why cults, especially fanaticism, are scary. You can’t catch them even when you try.’

It wouldn’t be strange if they erupted again at any time.

That’s what Hosiu was talking about.

“This is the extent of what I can tell you for now. Anything else is classified. Of course, if you pay the price, that’s a different story.”

“Very much like Haomun.”

“However, just the information that’s come out now is quite helpful. Thank you, Master Hosiu.”

Namgung Sohye and Namgung Cheonggi cupped their fists and expressed their gratitude.

“Oh no, not at all. Honestly, this is information the Namgung Family could easily find out and more.”

Hosiu waved his hand dismissively, saying it was nothing.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I learned a lot.”

Namgung Cheon-gang also expressed his gratitude.

The information that came from Hosiu just now.

It was information that shouldn’t be missed.

‘Indeed, an information broker’s perspective is different.’

The insight to take information that everyone knows and deduce what’s different and what might happen in the future.

Not just anyone possesses that, do they?

Now the problem is what to do from the perspective of someone who has heard the information.

‘I need to prepare.’

For any possible situation.

Of course, it’s something that hasn’t even happened yet.

One might say I’m worrying too much.

‘The Righteous Alliance or the Black Demon League will surely handle it appropriately.’

There’s no way the information that Haomun and the Beggar’s Sect know won’t reach the Righteous Alliance and Black Demon League.

‘Though it’s been 30 years, when I think about it again, it’s only been 30 years. So there’s no way the two alliances wouldn’t prepare for the Blood Cult’s reappearance.’

Organizations with national-level power can’t ignore the reappearance of an enemy that could destroy their foundations.

So wouldn’t it be a matter for the large organizations to step forward and handle?

It would be right to say what’s there to worry about.

Moreover, what preparation should a blacksmith within the Namgung Family’s protection make?

But this place is the Martial Arts World.

‘It wouldn’t be strange to be swept away by the Yangtze River waters when anything happens at any time.’

It’s not the time to feel safe just because I’m a blacksmith.

Just thinking about my previous life gives the answer.

There’s no guarantee that danger won’t come just because it’s said to be safe.

‘Rather, the safer I was, the more easily I was exposed to danger.’

Honestly, this incident was like that too.

‘Who would have known the Blood Cult would get involved in rescuing Seongcheol?’

They appeared out of nowhere.

Despite the massive alliances keeping watch.

Then that means their secrecy is beyond words.

Moreover, they said they might have become even stronger.

To survive when a storm hits, I need to do something.

‘Especially since it seems like I’ll keep getting entangled strangely.’

Like the intuition I had earlier that I’d probably keep wandering around the Martial Arts World.

That kind of feeling that suddenly comes.

‘There are things that bother me too. Anyway, I need to prepare for anything.’

It wasn’t just Namgung Cheon-gang thinking this way.

Namgung Cheonggi and Namgung Sohye felt the same.

Their faces were quite heavy.

As the atmosphere grew heavy, Hosiu also became quiet.

The tone he casually brought up just to lighten the mood

made everyone fall into deep thoughts they hadn’t expected.

* * *

The danger that might come in the future.

What’s the best way to survive that storm?

‘First, I need a solid and safe barrier.’

Is there such a barrier?

There is.

‘The Namgung Family is like a vibranium barrier.’

Namgung Family forever, after a long time!

‘The barrier is secured.’

Then what should I do now?

‘I need to become stronger.’

What good is just having a fence around me?

If I remain weak, I’ll just end up getting stabbed, pierced, or crushed.

Besides, isn’t my life being threatened right now?

‘That thing called Awakening unlocked abilities called skills.’

But now there’s even the Blood Cult on top of that?

This isn’t just a storm, it’s a hurricane.

Can I even avoid it?

‘Whew. To properly survive, I definitely need to become much stronger.’

What methods are there for a blacksmith to become stronger?

‘Equipment power, of course.’

Incredible gear crafted with hammer and tongs.

Then I can handle both damage dealing and tanking all by myself.

‘But it won’t work without enchantments.’

In other words?

It means I need to acquire such abilities in the Martial Arts World too.

‘I don’t have them right now, but seeing how additional abilities keep appearing, I’m sure I’ll get them someday.’

When that time comes, I’ll be able to properly show off equipment power.

But is this even possible?

An ability that lets you handle both damage dealing and tanking alone.

I’d be able to go on a martial arts rampage and then some.

But when I think about it carefully, it actually makes sense.

‘Come to think of it, there’s an even more unreasonable ability.’

Resonance.

I give someone a tool I made.

Then their mastered special martial arts get applied to my body.

‘In my previous life, I would’ve learned all the S-rank Hunter abilities and become an overpowered character going on solo rampages.’

‘An all-master S-rank blacksmith going on rampages.’

That’s a web novel title right there.

It’s truly a cheat-level trait.

‘There’s another cheat trait called Iron Breath Tempering.’

Internal energy accumulates when I refine materials.

What kind of ability is this?

Of course, the increase rate is subtle, between 0.01 and 0.1.

But where else can you find this?

Internal energy accumulating without elixirs.

‘Moreover, the amount of internal energy gained through Iron Breath Tempering varies depending on the mineral grade, right?’

This is something I learned while making the Curved Steel with Seongcheol this time.

‘If Baekryeonjeonggang was between 0.01 and 0.1, Seongcheol was between 0.1 and 0.5.’

Nearly five times more.

Thanks to that, my internal energy accumulated rapidly.

Behold this ecstatic amount of internal energy!

‘Heh. I’ll soon fill up to 60.’

What will happen when I reach 60?

My realm will advance.

Anyone can see this looks exactly like a realm advancement condition, right?

I’ll find out soon enough when I hit level 1.

Anyway, I have these two cheat traits, but no enchantments?

‘That can’t be right.’

I’m sure I’ll learn them soon.

‘But thinking about enchantments I don’t have yet is premature. I’ll set that aside for now. I need to think of ways to become stronger immediately.’

Enhancement through Resonance and Iron Breath Tempering.

‘This would be the best method.’

But can I do it right now?

I don’t even have a forge.

Both Resonance and Iron Breath Tempering require prerequisites to become overpowered.

Without prerequisites, they’re just pretty but useless.

‘There’s no need to be impatient. I just need to arrive in Anhui Province, refine like crazy, and create weapons to meet the conditions for becoming stronger.’

It’ll take at least a week to arrive.

Namgung Cheon-gang didn’t want to just waste that time.

So naturally, he was thinking of ways to ‘become stronger.’

Then, what methods are there to become stronger here?

‘One thing comes to mind.’

Physical and mental training.

Not bad at all.

Warriors also continuously train their essence, energy, and spirit.

Because that’s how they become stronger.

But is this limited only to warriors?

Can’t blacksmiths do it too?

‘Actually, training is essential especially for skilled craftsmen.’

Hammering iron for a day, or even several days.

It’s work that consumes tremendous mental strength and stamina.

A true blacksmith should train their essence, energy, and spirit just like a true warrior.

Namgung Cheon-gang had executed this well.

Including his previous life, up until now.

He had trained his body without missing a single day.

Even in Dongling County?

Of course.

He trained whenever he had spare time, properly building up his essence, energy, and spirit.

If he hadn’t, forget the Black Coal Life-Saving Mace, he would have had trouble even lifting a mace.

‘I can just continue physical training as I have been. I was wondering if there was more to learn, so during the journey from Dongling County, I asked Master Namgung Cheonggi to teach me physical training methods…’

Instead, Namgung Cheonggi learned from me.

He asked how I knew such an excellent training method.

‘Well, modern training methods aren’t just reckless training methods. They’re training designed to use the body more efficiently.’

Burpees, squats, push-ups, and so on.

They were superior to any training method in the Martial Arts World.

Even if similar, the efficiency and injury risk were different.

I taught him well, and Namgung Cheonggi used them quite effectively.

Though there were sounds of agony from the Namgung Jeonggeomdan for several days…

‘Ah, anyway, the training methods are fine. These days I’m doing deadlifts, snatches, farmer’s walks, and such with the Black Coal Life-Saving Mace.’

Training to properly wield heavy weapons, you could say.

Then what training method do I need right now?

‘Development of martial arts.’

That great ability that protects my body in this perilous Martial Arts World.

‘The warriors’ unique abilities like Awakening skills and traits!’

Skills would be superior in versatility.

However, in terms of efficiency and capability, martial arts are far superior.

Especially the efficiency of internal energy cultivation methods and divine arts is beyond words.

‘This itself just turns a person into a Hunter with an awakened status window.’

Martial arts are also good when doing blacksmith work.

I’m already seeing the efficiency.

Think about when you didn’t have awakening abilities.

You reached the upper level just with knowledge from your previous life and the internal energy cultivation methods you learned, right?

What more needs to be said.

‘Good. Right now, training to develop the martial arts I’ve learned is the best option.’

Then which martial arts should I develop?

The strongest among the martial arts I’ve currently learned, the Changgung Muae Sword Technique?

Or perhaps the Changgung Muae Fist Technique?

‘No, that’s not it.’

I am a blacksmith.

Not a warrior.

‘If I were going to live as a warrior, I would have already made full use of my resonance ability to learn all martial arts and lived that way.’

But I still live as a blacksmith.

I hold a hammer.

Blacksmith work is the most fun.

My dream of becoming the world’s greatest blacksmith in the martial arts world remains the same.

The sparring I’ve done so far?

Wasn’t that also done with my life on the line?

If my life wasn’t at stake, I wouldn’t have even left Anhui Province.

So why would I specifically train in attack-specialized martial arts?

‘If needed, I can think about this later after enchantment appears.’

Now is not the time.

Then what do I need?

‘I should think about what’s most necessary for a blacksmith.’

Internal energy cultivation methods?

I’ve already learned two of the world’s greatest divine arts, what more do I need.

Though I haven’t advanced to the next level yet.

Even with just 1-star, I’m seeing maximum efficiency.

That said, I don’t feel like learning other divine arts either.

Namgung Cheon-gang hoped his limbs and meridians would be happy now.

‘This is also a pass.’

Eliminating this and that, what remains are 2 things.

Footwork techniques, and lightness skills.

‘Yes, this is it.’

What does being strong mean?

Is destroying opponents the only way to be strong?

No!

Surviving is what makes you strong!

‘Getting older. That being proof of strength isn’t said for nothing.’

You have to survive to do blacksmith work.

And increase internal energy through iron breathing.

And learn martial arts through resonance.

‘Setting all that aside, what’s a blacksmith doing going out front to fight? I’m not even a true all-master blacksmith.’

No, would even an all-master blacksmith bother stepping forward?

‘Unless it’s about personal danger, family danger, or obtaining materials, they wouldn’t step forward.’

Even if they do step forward, they need proper equipment buffs.

Just run away, survive, plan for the future, and get revenge with equipment buffs!

Blacksmiths have their own way of fighting!

Of course, I could just learn footwork or lightness skills through resonance too, but

‘Strangely, these won’t be learned.’

Complete silence since Namgung Naepo.

‘Well, I’m not a craftsman who makes shoes either.’

I’m a blacksmith who makes weapons and tools, right?

Rather, it’s strange that I learned ascending lightness skills or footwork through resonance.

Did anyone attach the sword I made to their feet and use lightness skills?

‘…Come to think of it, there probably isn’t anyone in Namgung who would do such crazy things. Fine. Either way, it’s good that I learned them. Anyway, I’ve decided. Starting with footwork and lightness skill training!’

Now how?

By training alone?

‘No, there’s something even better.’

As they say, seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times.

And they say reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling.

The words of ancient sages that there’s no experience better than actual combat.

And now isn’t this a good situation to accumulate that experience.

There are warriors everywhere.

Second-rate and first-rate warriors who have more experience using martial arts than myself.

Even peak-level ones.

Very diverse.

‘How can I pass up this double enhancement event that’s laid out the stage for getting stronger?’

I have to do it right away.

Running 24 hours full, and even using vacation days for more!

Therefore, Namgung Cheon-gang.

Used all his vacation days to find one person and make a request.

“Namgung Cheonggi! Please help my double enhancement event, no, help my footwork and lightness skills become more solid!”

None other than Namgung Cheonggi.

Where else could I find such a teacher right now?

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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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