He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 73

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

Chapter 73

Episode 73

“I shall gratefully receive today’s teachings, Master.”

“When it’s just the two of us, you can call me dad, Sohye.”

“Father.”

“Dad.”

“Father.”

“Tsk, how stubborn. I wonder who you take after to be so headstrong.”

Namgung Sohye gazed intently at Namgung Cheon.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, sir.”

“How dull. But you’ve grown stronger again overnight. Hehe. That boy. You should rest at night too.”

“After receiving the Sword King’s teachings, every moment brings enlightenment. How could I just let that pass?”

That boy. He certainly speaks well. Just like that child Namgung Cheon-gang. Did you pick up his habits while in Dongryang County? Hehe.”

“…”

“Daughter?”

“Ah. I apologize, Father. I was organizing my enlightenment for a moment.”

“…Yes, yes. But don’t push your body too hard. As they say, ‘Even farming has an end, and enlightenment needs rest.’ Just as there’s an end to farming, rest is necessary even in enlightenment.”

“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Hehe. Good. You’ll do well. By the way, have you heard the news?”

“What news do you speak of…?”

“That boy went to Jamu in Dongyun Forest. That rascal. Leaving without even seeing the Master’s face?”

No matter how much I told him not to think about Dongryang County affairs.

How could he leave without a single greeting?

“I’ll have to scold him properly as soon as he returns.”

“As they say, ‘The Master’s authority comes from the family’s reports, and the family’s safety is protected through reporting.’ This time, Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang was indeed wrong. However, since we received a great gift, please forgive him for that.”

“Hmm. Now that you mention it, we did receive quite a substantial gift.”

He brought back the mine where Seongcheol was discovered in Dongryang County.

Moreover, the Upper Grade Department miners and many other mining groups wanted to work with Namgung.

This alone was considerable merit.

But there was one more thing.

Namgung Cheon’s feet.

And Namgung Sohye’s feet.

Those shoes with beautiful, futuristic curves that resembled the sky.

“Were they called Cloud Merit Shoes? I’ve never seen such footwear in my lifetime. How do these shoes create such a cloud-like feeling? It’s as if I have another pair of feet.”

“I feel the same way. When I wear these, I can feel enlightenment in footwork techniques even more.”

“Exactly. Hehe, what a thing to witness in my old age. To think that a single pair of shoes could enhance one’s understanding of footwork…”

And they were custom-made, wasn’t that what he said?

Even if others wore them, they’d only feel comfort without gaining enlightenment.

Since that boy said it, it must be true.

“Since he gave us such a miraculous item, it would be right to forgive him. No, I should actually reward him.”

“That’s correct. He contributed to my enlightenment, and including the Dongryang County matter, an ordinary reward won’t suffice, Father.”

“I was already considering that point. So I planned to discuss his merits and give rewards when he returned… That rascal. Not even coming to visit. Acting like a child throwing a tantrum because his master was sent away. Tsk.”

“Hehe. Father seems to think about Young Master quite a lot.”

“Well, recently, he’s the first child of that age to make such a memorable impression.”

“I feel the same way, Father.”

“…”

Suddenly.

The atmosphere became quiet.

Namgung Sohye realized her mistake.

“Ah, Father, that’s not what I meant, I didn’t mean anything else, just, I received various favors so I think of him often and lose a little sleep, no—”

“…Sohye.”

“…Yes, yes? Father?”

“Let’s practice lightness skill and footwork today. If you can find this father and even brush against my collar, I won’t go after that boy Namgung Cheon-gang.”

“Pardon?”

“Let’s begin.”

Whoosh!

“Father? Father? No, Dad!”

The wind left behind gives a hollow answer.

* * *

“By the way, little brother, how come your lightness skill seems like it’s from our Beggar’s Sect?”

“Oh my, what dangerous words. I’m from Namgung, big brother.”

“I know, but your footwork looks like techniques from ‘Flowing Clouds and Water.’ Plus I sometimes see moves from the Drunken Eight Immortals Steps.”

“N-no way. You’re mistaken, big brother. I’m telling you again, I’m from Namgung.”

‘What a sharp-eyed big brother!’

As expected, can’t fool the eyes of a supreme warrior, one of the Hundred Great Masters, the Beggar’s Sect’s deputy leader!

He was exactly right.

It was indeed Flowing Clouds and Water.

The Beggar’s Sect’s lightness skill.

In the end, I obtained it, didn’t I?

‘With 100 people, it was impossible not to get it.’

The sight of Beggar’s Sect members crying while wearing Cloud Merit Shoes.

Then, the words they shouted as they rushed out.

‘We’ll call you big brother!’

‘Beggars never forget kindness!’

‘Wahhh! My legs are now million-gold legs!’

‘We’ll secretly gather information for you!’

‘We’ll go to Haomun and brag about this!’

It’s still vivid before my eyes, and I can still hear it in my ears.

The last two were a bit…

‘Anyway, I should make one for Sir Siu and Sir Hoyeol too.’

Wasn’t Haomun the first information organization I formed ties with?

I’m too busy to visit them, but still, we have a prior connection.

It would be disappointing if I didn’t take care of them.

‘Well, that’s that for now.’

Right now, it’s about the present.

I need to figure out how to escape Hwanggyeon’s suspicious gaze first!

‘If I had resonated with lightness skills from Namgung Jeonggeomdan, I wouldn’t have this worry.’

No, what are these people doing?

The resonance isn’t happening?

Not just Namgung Jeonggeomdan.

Namgung Cheolhyeon Dan is also completely silent!

‘Geez, really!’

But what can I do?

I have no choice but to use Beggar’s Sect lightness skills to run!

‘Of course, since he received Cloud Merit Shoes, he probably won’t be too angry.’

Still, leaking martial arts from other sects is a big deal in the Martial Arts World.

Especially the Drunken Eight Immortals Steps?

A high-level Beggar’s Sect technique.

Imagine if someone you became sworn brothers with learned this.

It would be extremely disappointing, and then some.

‘I can’t be disappointed. How could I miss out on connections at the level of the Five Great Families or higher!’

Come on, think, Namgung Cheon-gang!

Think of a way to get out of this situation!

Just as he was frantically racking his brain.

Ding!

‘Ah!’

They say even when the sky falls, there’s a hole to escape through!

That moment is right now.

‘Gongmyeong! Gongmyeong!’

Selection, condition confirmation.

Conditions, absolutely correct.

Learned without hesitation.

Thunder God Steps!

Namgung Cheon-gang immediately deployed the Thunder God Steps.

“Oh my, hyung-nim. Look at this. How is this the same as Beggar’s Sect martial arts?”

Swish.

Swish!

Namgung Cheon-gang’s dazzling and lightning-fast footwork.

“You’re right. It’s different from Flowing Water Steps or Drunken Eight Immortals Steps. Sorry, younger brother. I think I was mistaken.”

“It’s understandable. We’ve been running to arrive in two days. We’re almost there too. Since you’re focused only on lightness techniques, it’s possible to be confused. And that’s not all, is it? Hyung-nim gave me the Drunken Immortal Pill last night. I think its effects were incorporated into my footwork, creating a form of Drunken Immortal Steps.”

Once his mouth opened.

Excuses flowed out smoothly.

“That’s right, our younger brother did take the Drunken Immortal Pill!”

Indeed!

He did eat it.

‘How delicious it was.’

Honestly, it tasted bitter.

But it was good for the body.

His internal energy increased by a whole jiazi!

Previously, when he reached the peak level, his internal energy had jumped up significantly.

Now?

One jiazi from the Drunken Immortal Pill.

Fifteen years from breathing techniques.

‘Ah. Just looking at it makes me happy with this status window.’

To freely give away treasures that increase internal energy by a whole jiazi.

‘Becoming sworn brothers with Hwanggyeon hyung-nim, whatever it is, it all comes back as profit!’

Come on, I can’t disappoint such a hyung-nim.

I must absolutely protect hyung-nim’s feelings!

“Anyway, sorry for misunderstanding. Oh, and I wasn’t trying to be disappointed about martial arts being leaked, but if you happened to learn it, I was going to help you do it better, so don’t misunderstand.”

“Ah.”

“If you need more lightness techniques or footwork, just tell me. I’ll teach you. The Five Great Families’ lightness techniques are good, but nothing beats our Beggar’s Sect for long-distance travel. Since you’ve even taken the Drunken Immortal Pill, I can’t consider you an outsider, right?”

Ah…

Our hyung-nim who readily offers to teach Beggar’s Sect martial arts.

‘I misunderstood that pure heart.’

Perhaps, among close people, martial arts leakage is okay?

‘If it’s a younger brother, teaching lightness techniques should be fine. Of course, if it were other guys, I would have cracked their heads with my staff.’

Why would you leak martial arts.

If caught, you should beat them to a pulp.

‘Hyung-nim’s heart is truly like the ocean. This younger brother didn’t know that and just misunderstood. What kind of person am I really!’

‘With a younger brother who can endlessly produce artifacts, maintaining a long relationship, martial arts are nothing much. Master would understand too.’

Thus, misunderstanding each other, they worked their feet diligently.

* * *

Dongyun Forest.

Cheonjaeum.

This is precisely the village under Namgung Family’s jurisdiction that raises silkworms.

At the entrance of that village.

Namgung Cheon-gang and Hwanggyeon entered.

“It really took two days.”

“Oh my, have I been living deceived, younger brother? I’m Hwanggyeon, one of the Eight Outstanding Dogs of the Beggar’s Sect.”

“As expected of hyung-nim!”

Thumbs up.

“The younger brother who followed is amazing too, right?”

Hwanggyeon also gave a thumbs up.

He didn’t teach it.

However, Beggar’s Sect.

He knew Western Region terminology well?

‘Who would have known that thumbs up was actually a good sign?’

The Western Region culture in the martial arts world seems surprisingly similar to modern times.

“Hey. Hyung-nim carried me halfway. Without hyung-nim, it would have taken a full week.”

“Oh ho, this was also possible because younger brother made the Cloud-Treading Shoes. Originally, I would have to run without rest to barely make it.”

But we rested, didn’t we?

“Because we had the Cloud-Treading Shoes!”

“Oh my, younger brother is making me too proud. With hyung-nim’s excellent lightness technique, my Cloud-Treading Shoes must feel like flying.”

“Oh my, hyung is making me too proud. Because younger brother’s Cloud-Treading Shoes are excellent, the Beggar’s Sect lightness technique reached a higher level, right?”

Hyung-nim and younger brother making each other proud while laughing heartily.

Meanwhile.

One of the vigilante members guarding the village entrance approached.

Blue martial uniform with the character “Namgung” embroidered on the right chest.

A Namgung Family warrior.

“This is a silkworm village under Namgung Family management. Please state your affilia—”

While trying to ask the affiliation of the two men making noise at the village entrance.

“Oh, aren’t you Young Master Namgung Cheon-gang?”

He recognized Namgung Cheon-gang and greeted him.

“Huh? Do you know me?”

“Of course, I saw you during the Direct Lineage Promotion Exam, and several times when you were working at Cheongeumjeong. I heard news that you were coming to Cheonjaeum. But who is the person next to you? Please come in.”

“Oh my, nice to meet you. I’m just this beggar!”

Unlike Namgung Cheon-gang.

Hwanggyeon approached with a sly voice.

Then he showed the knots tied at his waist.

“Ah. You’re from the Beggar’s Sect. Seeing three knots, are you a branch leader?”

“Yes, yes. That’s right. I’m Hwang, the branch leader of the nearby Beggar’s Sect branch currently collaborating with Namgung.”

‘Wow, look at our hyung-nim’s hand movements.’

With flashy hand movements, he turned eight knots into three.

This is what they mean by hands being faster than eyes.

‘Even skilled pickpockets would cry and leave?’

I already understood why he’s hiding his identity.

‘If his real identity is revealed, it would cause a big commotion and make it inconvenient to move around.’

Just think about the next Beggar’s Sect leader appearing.

The surroundings would be in chaos.

To move around safely, it’s right to hide one’s identity.

‘That’s why even the king hides his identity during civilian inspections. Besides, there were many such people in my previous life too, so it’s easy to understand.’

So, even before Hwanggyeon could give a signal.

Namgung Cheon-gang could nod his head, saying he understood the reason for hiding.

‘Wow, his understanding is no joke either, younger brother.’

Is he really 18?

“Please come in. Namgung Yeong has been waiting for Namgung Cheon-gang.”

Meanwhile, entry was permitted.

Soon, saying he would guide them, a Namgung Family warrior led the way.

* * *

The place they were guided to following the warrior was the largest pavilion in the village.

The main gate opened.

As a fragrant pine scent spread, a woman with a cute squirrel-like appearance walked out.

Slowly, a shadow covered Namgung Cheon-gang.

Blankly, at the shadow.

At the approaching woman.

Namgung Cheon-gang stared.

The woman who had suddenly stood tall right in front of him.

The squirrel-like woman standing with her back to the sunlight bowed her shoulders and head.

‘I, I’m not one to be outdone anywhere either.’

18 years old.

Nearly 180cm tall.

Pleased that he seemed better looking than in his previous life.

But the woman before his eyes was….

Solid muscles conveyed through the gaps in her clothing.

A towering height that even the gate had to bow to let through.

She looked like she could fold a bear in half.

‘…Ah! She must be from the Hebei Peng Family.’

She must be Peng Duohui’s younger sister.

“I’m Namgung Yeong. I heard from sister Cheonggi. Thank you so much for coming like this.”

She wasn’t.

She was from the Namgung Family.

Whoooosh!

As she greeted with a cupped fist salute.

Wind arose.

‘Hyung-nim.’

‘Hm?’

‘You said first-rate, right?’

How is that person first-rate?

She’s transcendent.

* * *

Though he was surprised.

That was only momentary.

Afterward, Namgung Cheon-gang,

“You know that Cheonjaeum is entirely a village that raises silkworms, right?”

“Yes! I heard from sister Namgung Cheonggi!”

“Oh my, you call her sister?”

“Yes! She went from being my master to my sister, Namgung Yeong!”

“And master too? Our sister wouldn’t do that for just anyone… She must have really taken a liking to you, young master.”

“Oh please, I’m lacking but she looked upon me favorably. Our sister has such a broad heart, you know.”

“Mm… well, yes. Then, would you call me sister too? If my sister said so, you’re a sufficiently verified younger brother.”

“Huh, you’re an older sister!? Your skin is so good, and you look so young I thought you were younger!”

“Hohoho! You’re really good at making people feel good. Please take care of me, younger brother.”

“Please take care of me, sister! But to accept me as a younger brother like this. Indeed, your heart is as healthy as your robust physique! Hahaha!”

“Really, you have such a way with words. Hohoho!”

He treated Namgung Yeong as if she were a sister he hadn’t seen in a long time.

You can’t spit on a smiling face.

Namgung Yeong laughed heartily at such gentle Namgung Cheon-gang’s sociability.

Perhaps feeling jealous.

“Hey, don’t just play around as sworn siblings, can’t I join in the conversation too, younger brother?”

Hwanggyeon hurriedly attached himself to the side.

“Oh my, hyung-nim. I’m sorry. The conversation with sister Namgung Yeong was so enjoyable I forgot for a moment. Come, come over here. Let’s carefully listen to our wonderful sister’s explanation!”

“Hohoho. Yes, please come. I’ll explain it well for you.”

Chatter chatter.

The good atmosphere continued.

The explanation about Cheonjaeum came out in such an atmosphere.

Both the explainer and listeners were happy and excited.

“The entire village structure consists mostly of Jamsagak (silkworm houses where thread is extracted). Of course, not all Jamsagak are the same.”

It varied according to the years of the silkworms that produced the thread.

“5-year Jamsagak, 10-year Jamsagak. Like that.”

“Ah. So you manage thread that professionally, sister.”

“Yes. That’s right. Also, the thread managed that way is moved here, to Changcheon Jikgak. This too is divided into different weaving halls by years.”

“There was a reason this place is the largest.”

“That’s right. Since this is where thread from all the Jamsagak in the village is brought to weave silk.”

“So, sister Namgung Cheonggi’s request was to solve the problem with the looms here in this Changcheon Jikgak. Furthermore, because sister Namgung Yeong’s loom has the biggest problem, right?”

“Yes?”

“Sister is the owner of the Baeknyeon Jamsasa loom. Right?”

Namgung Yeong’s eyes widened.

Because it was the correct answer.

“How did you know?”

So, curious, she asked,

“May I hold your hand for a moment?”

“Of course.”

“Then excuse me, sister.”

When permission was given, Namgung Cheon-gang gently took Namgung Yeong’s hand.

“Sister’s hands have calluses but are quite delicate. And long, and slender.”

Opening her palm, he examined that hand.

“Looking at the calluses, they’re a warrior’s hands, but the length, the width between the fingers.”

He pointed to each one with his own fingers.

Finally,

“Furthermore, looking at the calluses and scars on the entire hand rather than just the palm….”

Looking proudly at the calluses embedded everywhere,

Stroking as if touching a masterpiece.

“These can be called the hands of a ‘weaver’ more passionate about martial crafting. And not an ordinary weaver, but one who has reached the level of a master craftsman, like sister Namgung Cheonggi. Right, sister?”

He looked at Namgung Yeong with those clear eyes that captured the sky and smiled.

At this, there was only one action Namgung Yeong could take.

Nothing but nodding with a surprised expression.

“Correct, that’s correct….”

“As I thought, right? Then, shall we go see sister’s loom now? A craftsman’s time is worth a thousand gold. We can’t make you waste more of that time.”

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