He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 57

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

Chapter 57

Episode 57

“If it’s a request from Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang, I must fulfill anything. Especially if it concerns martial arts training, I’ll help you even more.”

Namgung Cheonggi readily agreed.

“You said the martial arts you wish to learn are footwork and lightness skills. May I ask why you want to learn those two specifically?”

A pure question without any ulterior motive.

“So I can run away well when I encounter dangerous bastards like Sima Waidao.”

Cheongang answered readily.

A confident answer without a moment’s hesitation.

Huh.

A warrior of the Namgung Family running away from enemies?

What kind of nonsense is this!

Any Namgung Family warrior hearing this might fly into a rage.

But Namgung Cheonggi smiled brightly.

“Excellent. Yes, you absolutely should do that. I was actually planning to teach Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang those two skills primarily anyway.”

“Wow. To think my heart and Master Namgung Cheonggi’s are in sync! This is what they call telepathy.”

“Hahaha. I’m grateful you say that. Also, seeing how you first know what you need and ask to be taught shows your excellent self-awareness.”

He praised him again.

This raised a curiosity.

“Um, but weren’t you disappointed that I want to learn martial arts to run away?”

When Namgung Cheongang asked,

“Let me ask Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang in return. Are you a warrior?”

Namgung Cheonggi asked back instead.

Namgung Cheongang shook his head.

“No. I’m a blacksmith.”

“Yes. That’s right. You’re a blacksmith. So, unless there are special circumstances like this time, there’s no need to fight against villains like Sima Waidao, is there?”

Is a blacksmith a warrior?

Wielding a hammer to smash villains’ heads?

That can’t be right.

A blacksmith’s ability isn’t for killing people.

A blacksmith’s ability benefits people.

As Namgung Cheongang understands.

Namgung Cheonggi also knows well.

Namgung Cheonggi’s heart that understands a blacksmith’s true role.

Namgung Cheongang also smiled brightly.

Truly an enlightened warrior indeed.

“Right?”

“So, when danger threatens your safety, running away to preserve yourself is correct. Moreover, this is the same not only in Namgung but also in other sects and martial families. The safety of those with skills comes first.”

“Huh? Aren’t craftsmen looked down upon in the martial arts world?”

“No, what kind of terrible thing is that to say?”

Namgung Cheonggi made an expression of genuine bewilderment.

This made Namgung Cheongang flustered.

Huh?

Did I get it wrong?

An era centered on martial power.

I thought non-violent professions like craftsmen would be looked down upon.

“That wouldn’t happen, would it? Those with the skills to make the weapons and tools we use have tremendous value just by their existence alone. Therefore, any sect or martial family with common sense treats craftsmen as the highest priority, even above warriors.”

It wasn’t like that.

‘Come to think of it, even in my past life, craftsmen were historically well-treated, right?’

The treatment of craftsmen in the hellish peninsula.

In previous eras too.

And in the Awakener era too.

Nothing had particularly improved.

I must have gotten too used to that.

‘So I had such biased thinking.’

How frightening ingrained common sense can be.

Let me reflect, Namgung Cheongang.

“That’s also why I tried to step down from my position as trade guild leader after hearing Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang’s words in Dongling County the other day.”

The leader of Namgung Jeonggeomdan.

Moreover, the title of trade guild leader.

“For someone with such titles, and who spoke of those deserving respect, to not know their names and aliases was truly shameful.”

Certainly, given Namgung Cheonggi’s position,

He shouldn’t be ignorant of master-level craftsmen.

But still, does he need to know them all?

“Oh come on, it’s fine not to know. I don’t know the aliases or names of warriors either.”

Even he, a master-level blacksmith, was no different.

If you grabbed any famous warrior and asked who they were, would you get an answer?

You wouldn’t.

I can confidently say ‘Who?’ without shame.

‘I don’t even know all the names of the hundred great masters. How would I know the names of random warriors?’

Look at my past life too.

Top ten in the country.

Or world-class masters.

Unless they’re at that level, people don’t really know their names.

You only look them up and remember them when you have connections or relevance, right?

The martial arts world wouldn’t be any different.

Just look them up when they become relevant.

Namgung Cheongang explained this well to Namgung Cheonggi.

“…Indeed, Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang’s virtue of understanding people is truly broad. This Namgung Cheonggi is grateful to learn from Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang each time, and I will engrave this kindness in my bones and repay this grass-tying favor.”

Our Master Namgung Cheonggi.

He’s really a good person.

But sometimes he’s so excessive it’s burdensome.

I can barely say a word.

‘But if I don’t accept his feelings, he’ll be disappointed.’

Then I should accept them right now.

“Oh my, don’t engrave it painfully in your bones, just release it right now. Through footwork and lightness skill training.”

“Hahaha! That’s right. Come to think of it, this was where Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang asked to be taught martial arts. Yes. Good. I’ll teach you even more properly.”

Not anyone else’s request, but Young Master Namgung Cheongang’s request.

How could he refuse this?

‘So, I was planning to teach with full enthusiasm from the beginning. But now—’

I’ll teach with my soul.

Namgung Cheonggi’s eyes blazed.

‘I feel like I pressed some strange switch…’

Namgung Cheonggi’s blazing eyes.

My body trembles involuntarily.

Did I say something wrong?

No, whatever.

It’s already spilled milk.

‘They say “drink all the spilled water and gain enlightenment from drinking water.” Even if it’s spilled water, if I drink it and gain enlightenment, that’s enough!’

I really have lived in the martial arts world for quite a while.

Even difficult expressions come out smoothly.

Namgung Cheon-gang felt strangely pleased with himself.

Do you only drink to gain enlightenment?

You have to put it into action!

“Then, shall I demonstrate the footwork and lightness skills I’ve learned here?”

“That’s good too, but there’s an even better method. From what I can see, Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang wants to learn ways to survive on the journey home, correct?”

“Exactly.”

“There are various ways to train footwork and lightness skills, but for Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang to immediately achieve what you desire, this one method would be the best.”

“What would that be?”

“Real combat-like sparring.”

“Real combat-like sparring… I’d certainly gain tremendous experience.”

“Sometimes when I see Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang understand meanings instantly like this, you seem less like a youth before reaching twenty and more like a seasoned veteran of the Martial Arts World. Hahaha!”

“Ha, hahaha… Th, that can’t be. A, anyway, does real combat-like sparring mean I’ll spar with Master Namgung Cheonggi?”

“Unfortunately, no. Of course, sparring with me would be sufficient to gain experience. But for proper growth, it’s much better to train with someone of similar skill level.”

“Mutual cultivation among peers, you mean.”

“Yes. Exactly. Also, from a teaching standpoint, I can observe more clearly.”

“Then you’re saying I’ll spar with a second-rate warrior from the Namgung Jeonggeomdan?”

“That’s also not the case.”

“Then with whom?”

Master Hosiu?

Eh, that’s a bit much.

‘How do you beat someone with narrow eyes?’

They get stronger when they open their eyes.

Isn’t that common knowledge about narrow-eyed people?

Yet the reason he could act boldly toward Hosiu.

Namgung Cheon-gang firmly trusted the Namgung Family.

His safe sanctuary.

Namgung Family forever, really.

“Actually, there’s someone who asked me to help with training before Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang. From what I can see, you two have similar skill levels, so training with that person would be the best method.”

And so began the real combat-like sparring.

Namgung Cheon-gang looked at his opponent and caused an earthquake in his pupils.

“Excuse me, Master Namgung Cheonggi?”

“Yes, Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang. Please speak.”

“Are you certain that I’m… on the same level as that person?”

“Yes. Considering the realm achieved and internal energy, measuring this way and that… Yes. I’m certain you’re quite similar.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“With that person?”

“Yes.”

Namgung Cheon-gang looked at his opponent with dimming eyes.

“Please take care of me, Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang.”

A voice beautiful like rolling jade beads.

A beautiful girl resembling a proud cat.

Namgung Sohye politely took a fighting stance and smiled faintly.

Tss-tss-tssk.

She drew upon the Cheonloe Jaewang Singong.

Lightning energy emerged and tore up the ground.

Clearly a peak-level realm by anyone’s standards.

“…”

Since when did the common sense of the Martial Arts World change to consider peak and second-rate as the same level?

Master Namgung Cheonggi? Please give me an answer? Please? I’m begging you!

* * *

“Master Namgung Cheonggi. I humbly report that I know the difference between second-rate and peak realms is like the difference between earth and sky.”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

“Also, I humbly report that Lady Namgung Sohye is at the peak level, while I am second-rate. Aren’t we clearly divided by the aforementioned difference between sky and earth? Could it be that ‘same level’ means the opposite of what I know?”

“No. As far as I know, if ‘same level’ means ‘equal,’ it still has that meaning.”

“Then I humbly report that this situation of training with Lady Namgung Sohye as equals is quite unreasonable.”

Namgung Cheon-gang.

Seriously and powerfully.

Yet solemnly.

Expressed his grievance.

Anyone who heard and saw this.

Ah, that’s truly unfair, they’d think.

“I acknowledge that.”

Behold.

Namgung Cheonggi’s nod.

Truly a fair and just warrior.

Didn’t he immediately recognize the unreasonableness?

Now he’ll surely fix this and provide a proper training partner!

“However, you’re still the same level.”

Ah, right.

Wasn’t Master Namgung Cheonggi the one who created this situation?

To think he’d use his reputation for fairness to trap me!

No, exactly where are peak and second-rate considered the same level!

Is it because he’s fair that everyone looks equal to him, or what!

No matter how much he was a modern reincarnator educated on the importance of morality.

This unreasonableness was absolutely unbearable.

Just as he was about to protest for a different judge who made such an unfair ruling.

“Of course, as I said earlier, if we’re talking about internal energy and achieved realm, Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang is right that comparing with Samgong Nyeom would be absurd.”

Wow.

Someone who knows says this?

Tell me.

What did I do wrong to Master Namgung Cheonggi!

There must be something I did wrong for this to happen!

“However, in terms of ‘efficiency,’ ‘understanding,’ and ‘experience,’ I believe Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang surpasses Samgong Nyeom.”

“Efficiency, understanding, and experience?”

“Yes. I mentioned earlier that your comprehension is like that of a seasoned veteran, but honestly speaking, your understanding and experience of martial arts also matches that of a seasoned veteran of the Martial Arts World.”

“Uh, hmm.”

“I don’t know why this is possible. But thinking with this dull mind of mine, Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang’s comprehension seems to be at genius level. Enough to overwhelm Samgong Nyeom’s realm.”

To be misunderstood as a genius because of past life experience.

How embarrassing.

How awkward.

‘But it feels good. Hmm, hmm, ahem.’

He couldn’t reveal his past life experience.

Moreover, his past life was in a way his own ability too.

It was right to accept being called a genius.

He had intended to strongly object to the unfairness of the judgment.

But when praised like this, he couldn’t help it.

He had to let it slide.

Praise makes even Namgung Cheon-gang dance.

But that didn’t mean he could just let it slide.

There was one major issue that needed to be addressed.

“I’m grateful for the praise. But, um, you’re not going to train at the level you’ve already achieved, right?”

“Yes. Not immediately. At first, I’ll adjust my training to match Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang’s level.”

If she said “at first,” that meant she’d raise her level later.

He’d let that slide for now.

What mattered was the present.

Namgung Cheon-gang respectfully pointed at Namgung Sohye with both hands.

“Um, I don’t think you’re Samgong Nyeom?”

“Huh? Me?”

Namgung Sohye was startled.

Namgung Cheon-gang nodded.

“Yes.”

Why?

The reason came immediately.

“Well, the lightning energy around your entire body is no joke right now.”

Crackle, crackle-snap.

Lightning energy rippling around the cat-like beautiful girl.

“If I’ve done something wrong, I’ll kneel down and beg for forgiveness immediately. If you’ve mistaken me for a Blood Cult Follower, I’ll strongly assert that I am indeed from the Namgung Family.”

A confident declaration.

Knees ready to bend.

Only then did Namgung Sohye realize she had been channeling her divine art.

“…S-sorry. I got excited without realizing it and…”

The lightning energy abruptly disappeared.

Her waist bent in a bow.

‘How could I make such a mistake!’

She knew.

Why this had happened.

‘The thought that I might be able to properly confirm what happened before by training with Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang disrupted my composure.’

She couldn’t bring herself to lift her head.

Embarrassed in every way.

‘He must be disappointed, right?’

He might be looking at her with cold, disappointed eyes.

So she didn’t have the courage to look at him.

“Oh no, not at all. People can make mistakes in life. I make mistakes every day, you know? So please don’t blame yourself too much. We’re human, so we make mistakes, and we also grow from those mistakes, don’t we? Hahaha!”

Ah.

What a truly generous heart he has.

Moreover, his words meant to comfort her were extraordinary.

‘We’re human, so we make mistakes, and we also grow from those mistakes, don’t we?’

Don’t be ashamed of honest mistakes – failure is the mother of success.

If you don’t feel ashamed of mistakes, they eventually lead you to the path of success.

‘Every single word he speaks contains the wisdom of sages.’

How perfectly the phrase “accomplished in both literary and martial arts” suited him.

He was truly someone with much to learn from.

‘Namgung Cheonggi said that in terms of experience, efficiency, and comprehension, he’s at the level of a seasoned veteran master.’

He wasn’t even thirty years old yet.

Yet his reputation in the Martial Arts World had grown for being fair and just.

Such a person wouldn’t speak nonsense.

Moreover, wasn’t his martial arts level also two stages higher than hers?

Not to mention his experience.

‘Then, won’t this sparring session also be something I can learn much from?’

That outstanding insight and literary accomplishment.

It was overwhelming to try to keep up.

But she would definitely keep up in martial arts at least.

Namgung Sohye’s misunderstanding kept growing.

‘Why is she staring at me so intensely?’

Or was it not staring?

Was she glaring at him?

Oh dear.

Lightning energy was sparking from her eyes.

‘She is glaring. Ugh.’

Did I really do something wrong?

Should I just run over and prostrate myself in apology?

“Well then. Let’s have a sparring match using only techniques. We’ll start with the Namgung Twelve Swords first.”

And so the two began their training with their misunderstandings deepening.

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