He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 70

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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 70

Episode 70

“Ugh, I didn’t know measuring foot size would take a whole hour, ugh…”

What kind of foot odor was so overwhelming?

I fainted for about a chonggak (roughly 7 minutes), then got up and fainted again.

Even though I had stuffed cotton balls in both nostrils just in case!

So when Namgung Cheon-gang regained consciousness again, he boiled water with musk (soap) and made Hwanggyeon wash his feet.

Only after blocking his mouth as well could he finally measure the foot size.

“My head is still spinning… Really. I think it was a great decision to leave measuring the other Beggar’s Sect members’ feet to hyung-nim.”

Otherwise, I might have been the first in the Martial Arts World to reach death’s door from foot odor…

“…”

Just thinking about it is dizzying.

The thought brings back the foot odor piercing my nostrils.

“Ugh… Let’s forget with work, forget!”

Currently, Hwanggyeon is not here.

He went out to select 100 Beggar’s Sect members who would receive free shoes.

“Hmph!”

After blowing out the cotton balls stuffed in both nostrils with wind.

Namgung Cheon-gang approached the workbench.

“Let’s see…”

He had already made a template on iron plate based on Hwanggyeon’s foot measurements.

He placed it on leather and cut it to size with scritch-scratch sounds.

Martial Arts World footwear is generally based on leather.

Then, they make a form that wraps the entire foot with cloth and stitch it.

And that’s it.

“Making shoes is really simple, isn’t it?”

So it’s uncomfortable.

Foot fatigue builds up constantly.

Getting injured is countless.

It makes you wonder why anyone would wear such things.

“Well, what choice do they have? It’s a world without sneakers.”

It’s an era where no one even thinks to make something similar.

Just sturdy leather shoes could make you a renowned maker.

“Not anymore.”

The benefits of being a reincarnator work here too!

“I shall bring a storm of sneakers to the Martial Arts World!”

Of course, there’s no rubber which would be the main material for making soles.

“But there’s a similar substitute, you see.”

Namely, Muktan School adhesive!

“Hehe, I never thought I’d use the main material of the rubber hammer I considered during the Direct Lineage Promotion Exam because I didn’t want to turn people into tomatoes.”

No, rather, did I think of this too late?

“Well, I wasn’t thinking about making shoes.”

At least I thought of it now.

“Right, right.”

Consoling himself this way.

Namgung Cheon-gang made about 6 pieces of leather in foot-size shapes.

Setting aside 3 each, he then began stitching.

Pop pop pop.

His stitching skills are extraordinary.

Like the martial arts of a peak warrior.

This is one of the world’s greatest clothing techniques – Namgung Cheonggi’s advanced garment crafting ability!

Indeed, it couldn’t help but be extraordinary like a peak warrior’s martial arts.

“Martial Arts World footwear prioritizes foot protection over comfort, so they often make do with one thick piece of leather.”

How could this be proper?

“It’s not. It’s not.”

But they say it’s fine.

Because they train internal and external energy.

My goodness, martial artists.

“What about warriors lacking in internal and external energy training? That’s why, for proper protection, it’s better to weave together multiple pieces of basic sole leather.”

I didn’t weave 3 pieces together for nothing.

“Good, the basic knots are done.”

It doesn’t break even when tapped.

Well, I did infuse internal energy into the thread for stitching leather and packed it in tightly.

It would be strange if it broke.

“If Muktan School adhesive is applied on top of this?”

The durability of the footwear increases even more.

Is that all?

The comfort is also on a different level from existing ones.

“Well, I should finish the remaining work first before adding the Muktan School adhesive.”

What that is, you ask.

It’s making the entire shoe.

I only made the sole; the upper part doesn’t exist yet.

What I’m about to do now is exactly that.

“I matched hyung-nim’s instep width with the sole. The foot height was about this much, right?”

“The heel width was about this much, should I cover the ankle? Hmm. Since the shoes he originally wore didn’t cover the ankle, regular sneaker level should be fine.”

Based on the measured width and height, he stitches and trims the leather.

Namgung Cheon-gang’s hands move dazzlingly.

Stray thoughts disappeared instantly.

He focuses solely on crafting.

His eyes don’t waver like an eagle eyeing prey.

His hands show not an inch of error.

Like embracing the wind, fast and accurate.

A peak warrior’s basic martial arts becomes true mastery.

Blue lightning flickers in his eyes and throughout his body, his muscles growing firm.

A state of selfless absorption entered at some point.

The naturally emerging power of the Myriad Artifacts Returning to the Origin Technique.

An ability not to harm people, but to benefit them.

Unfolds without restraint.

Half a sikgyeong (30 minutes) later.

“Good. Complete! The first birth of Namgung Cheon-gang’s integrated Martial Arts World sneakers!”

It wasn’t complete selfless absorption, but half selfless absorption.

He awakened simultaneously with the completion of the footwear.

In the awakened Namgung Cheon-gang’s hands was a one-piece black shoe.

Shaped similar to sneakers without ankle coverage.

Even for skilled clothing craftsmen, making footwear takes at least three days.

However, Namgung Cheon-gang made one in just half a sikgyeong (30 minutes).

Truly an impossible feat!

However, the power of the Myriad Artifacts Returning to the Origin Technique and awakening made the impossible possible.

“Hehe. Whoever made this, really. Good color, good shape. Even if I brought it as is, hyung-nim would probably faint from surprise.”

Delighted, pleased, and cherishing it, he’d probably jump around like a child wearing new shoes.

It’s clear as day.

“But it’s not over yet!”

There are still 3 more tasks to do.

One is, as I mentioned, applying Muktan School coating for convenience.

Another is customized work for ‘Beggar’s Sect warriors.’

And the last one is the finishing touch.

“Should I start right away?”

Namgung Cheon-gang got up from his seat and approached the forge directly.

The Baekryeonjeonggang already placed on the anvil welcomes Namgung Cheon-gang.

“It’s heated to a red glow, perfect for hammering.”

He grips the Baekryeonjeonggang with tongs and strikes it with the hammer.

Clang! Clang!

The clear sound of hammering echoed throughout the blacksmith’s forge.

Clang, clang!

Time passed, and the Baekryeonjeonggang spread out smooth and wide like leather.

He cuts it with iron shears (metal-cutting scissors).

Snip, snip.

Though it seemed like rough cutting, the resulting shapes were uniform and consistent.

He picked up one piece of the cut Baekryeonjeonggang plate with tongs.

After examining it from various angles, he soon placed it on the cylindrical anvil.

Then he hammered it again.

Clang! Clang!

He hammered back and forth to create curves.

Then he lifted it to examine again.

“This should be good enough.”

Afterward, he put it in cooling water to remove the remaining heat.

Then he held it against the front of the shoes he had made.

It fit perfectly, as if custom-made.

Next, he drilled holes at regular intervals along the line of the iron plate he had made.

He held it against the front of the shoes again and began binding them together.

After finishing, he tapped it lightly.

He also tested it on the ground.

Clang, clang!

“The metal resonance sounds just right too.”

He made the heel similarly and checked the finish again.

Clang, clang!

“Good!”

Perfect.

“When I checked with Insight, I noticed that brother’s toes and heels showed much more wear compared to other warriors.”

Beggar’s Sect members are beggars, but also warriors.

What does it mean when such a person’s feet show heavy use of toes and heels?

“What else could it be? It means the Beggar’s Sect has martial arts particularly excellent in leg techniques compared to other sects.”

Would this only apply to Hwanggyeon?

Surely other Beggar’s Sect members would be similar.

“Even if I don’t know the advanced martial arts, the foundation that forms the basis of those advanced techniques is the same.”

I learned martial arts at the Namgung Family for 10 years.

Plus, I have the principles of martial arts learned through Gongmyeong in my head.

There’s no way I wouldn’t know.

Such a warrior has iron plates on the front and back of his shoes?

“It could become a hidden trump card.”

This is exactly Namgung Cheon-gang’s work exclusively for Beggar’s Sect warriors!

Tuning exclusively for the Beggar’s Sect!

“Wow, amazing, Namgung Cheon-gang! This is what romance is!”

Romance that only crafting specialists can enjoy!

Fantastic.

I’m getting chills.

‘As expected, making things is the most fun for me!’

That’s why I dream of becoming the world’s greatest blacksmith.

“Now, the tuning is finished.”

Two things remain now.

The second task for pursuing comfort!

“I need to apply Muktan coating. Even if it doesn’t have the elasticity of rubber from my previous life, having even slight elasticity is better than nothing.”

And am I only applying Muktan coating?

I plan to apply it thickly, let it dry well, then carve grooves too.

Athletic shoe soles are carved out.

Why?

To reduce friction with the ground and decrease fatigue in feet and legs.

If released without refinement, your legs would be ruined.

Naturally, there’s no such thing in martial arts shoes,

“But it’s essential for Namgung Cheon-gang’s first martial arts athletic shoes.”

Of course, of course.

Namgung Cheon-gang evenly applied Muktan coating to the shoe soles.

Thickly and well.

Swish, swish swish!

Then, he quickly dried it with internal energy.

He put two fingers together and flicked to check the elasticity.

Twang!

“I can feel the rubber-like elasticity, very good!”

Indeed, once you do it once, the second time is really easy.

Then he picked up a carving knife and carved the Muktan coating on the sole.

Scrape, scrape.

“Not too deep. Just right.”

The pattern?

Like ordinary athletic shoe soles.

Like flowing waves.

Scrape, scrape.

Scrape, scrape.

Concentrating again this time.

Using internal energy.

Though I call it a rubber substitute, Muktan liquid is harder than rubber.

Well, it won’t carve easily just by cutting with a leather knife.

Internal energy is essential.

Strength and flexible hand movements are also essential.

Well, that doesn’t apply to Namgung Cheon-gang though.

Scrape, scrape.

So, did another half-hour or so pass?

“Phew. It’s finished.”

Sole work completed.

Namgung Cheon-gang checked the sole.

He could see very smooth and beautifully carved wave patterns.

“Whoever carved this, they did a really good job.”

A pleased smile naturally bloomed on his face.

Was it just the grooves that were well carved?

The shape of the footwear he made was also satisfying.

“Looking at it again, it’s really stylishly well-made.”

I didn’t expect it to come out looking like real sneakers, what’s this?

“Let me see… are there any unfinished parts or rough edges?”

He examined it from all angles.

Nothing.

It was clean.

“Then, what work remains now?”

Only the breath infusion was left.

“Well then, let me try applying some breath after Master’s Left Hand Seongcheol Technique.”

Crack.

Namgung Cheon-gang loosens his neck and wrists.

He also rotates his waist.

Stretches his knees.

Rotates his ankles too.

“Whew, concentrating so hard made my whole body tired. Let me loosen my muscles for a moment.”

Heave, heave.

“Good. That’s enough.”

I should start right away.

There’s no special action for breath infusion.

Instead, there are things that need to be done.

First, checking the surroundings.

“No one’s around, right?”

Swoosh, swoosh.

He examines the blacksmith’s forge.

Quietly opens the door to check outside too.

No one’s there.

Hwanggyeon still has a long way to go before arriving.

The Beggar’s Sect selecting 100 people would also take time.

“Are there any assassins hiding? If so, please answer.”

“…”

Silence.

Even when he deployed the Myriad Artifacts Returning to the Origin Technique and used his insight, no one was there.

“Good, confirmation complete.”

Creak.

Thud.

He closes the door and locks it with the latch.

Then Namgung Cheon-gang approaches the footwear he made again.

“The first condition is met.”

Honestly, calling it a condition is a bit much.

It’s not like it only activates when no one’s around.

He’s just checking because he’s worried someone might call it sorcery if they saw.

“Imagine if it became known that a Namgung Family member, and Mak Noya’s disciple at that, uses sorcery.”

Ugh.

The aftermath would be a headache.

“Phew, then.”

Namgung Cheon-gang raises both hands to embrace the footwear.

“Breath infusion activate.”

Both hands emit a brilliant two-colored radiance, then surround the footwear.

Soon.

Ding!

And appearing.

A status message window explaining another explanation in the ability description.

There are two of them.

One of them is ‘Ascending Breath’.

An ability that elevates the level of martial arts.

“Simply put, it’s an enchant like skill lv+1.”

However, there are restrictions.

It must be martial arts that Namgung Cheon-gang has ‘learned’.

Whether through Gongmyeong or whatever.

“Therefore, it’s completely useless for Brother Hwanggyeon.”

Why would I give Hwanggyeon, who uses Gaebangdo, an item that enhances Namgung Family martial arts?

It’s like giving intelligence gear to a thief, or strength gear to a mage.

‘…Come to think of it, that seems fine? After all, thieves just need bandages anyway, and mages are more overpowered as strength builds, right?’

Still, Namgung martial arts for the Beggar’s Sect is a bit…

‘As a Namgung Family warrior, my conscience pricks me.’

Then, what to choose here?

Ability Breath.

“Ability Breath can enhance ‘abilities’ regardless of martial arts, mastery level, sect, or martial family! Alright, let’s go with Ability Breath!”

Ding.

“Well I’ll be.”

Seeing breath infusion for the second time.

“It’s an enchant that lets you select and raise ability stats and martial arts levels.”

Even my previous life’s S-rank blacksmith enchants weren’t like this.

“Really, no matter how many times I see it, it’s an impossible ability.”

—————
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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