He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 79

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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 79

Episode 79

“Making footwear for us ultimately means giving us a gift.”

“You can think of it that way.”

“That sentiment is truly appreciated. Though it seems crazy, and I wondered if you were the one with hot blood for such nonsensical talk.”

“….”

“But I doubt footwear can capture a warrior’s heart!”

A warrior’s heart isn’t like a reed.

To be swayed by a single pair of shoes.

Maybe if they saw magnificent beast hide, but there’s no reason to be moved by mere footwear.

Suwang was confident of this.

As if he had expected this.

Seeing Suwang’s words and resolute face, Namgung Cheon-gang nodded.

Then.

“Hwang— Brother, just a moment.”

He calls for Hwanggyeon.

“Hm?”

Hwanggyeon hurried over at Namgung Cheon-gang’s call.

“Now, would you take a look at our Brother Hwang’s feet, Lord Suwang?”

“…??”

Why would he want me to look at a beggar’s feet?

Though puzzled, he does as asked for now.

Huh?

Wait?

What is that?

Something incredibly luxurious, stylish, and resilient catches his eye.

‘On a Beggar’s Sect member’s feet?’

Not straw sandals?

Beggar’s Sect wears straw sandals.

Isn’t that common knowledge?

“Hmm, ahem, ahem.”

Hwanggyeon straightens his foot wearing the footwear, turns it sideways to show it off.

And shows off to his heart’s content.

Though no one asked him to.

He’s bragging on his own.

‘What a sensible guy, our brother.’

As expected of Beggar’s Sect’s Palgulgae.

The next leader of Beggar’s Sect!

His intuition is a hundred dan.

“Ooh!”

“The footwear is magnificent!”

“Is this footwear or art!”

Along with Suwang, even the Namman Brothers come rushing over to look.

Tap tap tap.

Hwanggyeon performs footwork.

‘Oh my, look at our Brother Hwanggyeon’s footwork.’

Tap tap tap tap, tap tap tap!

Proper Drunken Eight Immortals Steps.

“Not bad, right?”

Namgung Cheon-gang casually asked Suwang, who was mesmerized by Hwanggyeon’s flashy footwork.

Suwang nodded.

“That’s it.”

“Hm?”

“The footwear I’ll make for you. Called Cloud-Walking Shoes.”

Named so because wearing them makes you feel like you’re strolling on clouds!

“…!!?”

“Please look forward to it. Cloud-Walking Shoes made just for the Namman Brothers!”

The footwear was too magnificent to refuse.

* * *

Honestly, I know.

If I suddenly said that by wearing shoes I made, getting excited, and using internal energy extensively, we could tell if there’s a connection between the Blood Cult and the traitor, they’d look at me like I’m crazy.

But it’s the truth, isn’t it?

That’s how Gongmyeong’s ability works.

‘Moreover, I didn’t just randomly think of shoes.’

Right.

This is all planned.

It’s not an item that came to mind impulsively while thinking of Gongmyeong.

Then why Cloud-Walking Shoes?

‘Weapons could take a lot of time.’

Looking at the Namman Brothers’ bone structure with Insight, each seemed to use different weapons.

I could make them, but there’s only a month left to complete the mission, right?

To achieve Gongmyeong with about 10 Namman Brothers in this short time, it had to be a product I could make quickly.

That was precisely Cloud-Walking Shoes.

‘Also, there are other reasons for this.’

I’ll talk about that later.

So, what kind of Cloud-Walking Shoes would satisfy these brothers?

‘They need to be specialized Cloud-Walking Shoes for jungle and mountain terrain.’

Even in modern times, athletic shoes are divided according to their intended use.

Running, walking, hiking, etc.

Being divided by purpose ultimately means there are differences in the materials used in production and the manufacturing process.

‘If you wear beach running shoes for mountain climbing or jungle exploration, your legs will be completely ruined.’

Brother Hwanggyeon’s Beggar’s Sect are beggars who run on flat ground, so running shoes would suit them.

But our Namman Brothers’ main residence is the jungle.

In other words, they need jungle-customized Cloud-Walking Shoes to be satisfied.

‘So they need to be jungle boots or approach shoes, or something in between to be satisfied.’

Jungle Boots are literally shoes designed to be worn in tropical rainforests or humid jungle areas.

Approach Shoes are footwear that’s a hybrid between hiking boots and climbing shoes.

‘Both have good durability and the advantage of being able to move quickly through rough terrain.’

Since Namman Warriors are also martial artists, they’ll definitely use them for martial arts too.

In other words, either of these would definitely make the Namman Brothers happy.

Still, if I had to choose.

‘Jungle boots.’

Specifically military boots.

‘Since our Namman Brothers have the physique and appearance of tough guys, military boots are the best choice.’

There’s nothing better for jungle tribes.

Now what’s needed?

Materials to make jungle Cloud-Walking Shoes for our Namman Brothers.

As for where to make them, I can use the blacksmith’s forge at Cheonjaeum.

There was a village for the Jaeum people, and a blacksmith’s forge.

‘Since there’s a dedicated blacksmith to solve fundamental problems, it would be strange if there wasn’t a forge, right?’

The problem that has arisen is the workload that the exclusive blacksmith can’t handle alone.

On top of that, there’s a problem with the Baeknyeon Jamsagi Jeoso?

Well, the Namgung Family has no choice but to request support from the main house.

‘I wonder if there’s any Muktan Bridge material.’

When I checked, there was enough to make at least 50 pairs?

This much should be sufficient.

‘As for leather…’

Leather, which is the basic material for cloud-walking shoes.

I could use silk fabric woven with silkworm thread and leather like before, but…

‘Somehow, I want to make them in a different form rather than the basic type.’

Moreover, the cloud-walking shoes I’m making are ‘jungle cloud-walking shoes.’

They need to be sturdier than ordinary cloud-walking shoes.

‘I’ll layer the silk fabric woven with silkworm thread in two layers, then layer leather on top to make the main body.’

This is the technique I used when making cloud-walking shoes for the Namgung Iron Sword Sect and Namgung Jeonggeom Dan.

‘So I can make them more easily.’

They might be less convenient than the Beggar’s Sect ones, but their durability will be better.

Honestly, even just this would work well enough in the jungle.

Since the durability of silkworm fabric is considerable.

‘Still, I want to make them a bit differently.’

You know, there’s that feeling.

Since the environment has changed, the desire to make items suited to it.

‘Is this something only blacksmiths have?’

Well, probably.

“Then, shall I put more heart into it?”

That heart I’m putting in isn’t anything special.

Anyway, if I’m thinking of making a different type of cloud-walking shoes?

‘Suited to the jungle, suited to the jungle Namman brothers!’

Therefore.

“I’ll do jungle-specific customization.”

The brothers who were already mesmerized by Brother Hwanggyeon’s showing off.

Customization.

So, to express it in martial arts terms, preference crafting?

Anyway, if I tell them I’ll do that preference crafting for them?

Their eyes will roll back.

“—So, I came to ask about this, Lord Suwang.”

“…So to summarize, you’re making cloud-walking shoes just for us, and you’ll also make the appearance of those cloud-walking shoes in forms that please us?”

“Yes! The shape will be the same, but the patterns decorating the exterior will be different. So, could each of the Namman brothers tell me what patterns you like and what leather you want? I’ll make them incorporating as much as possible.”

“…Is that Namgung brother a Buddha?”

“Pardon?”

“How can you help so readily?”

The reason for making cloud-walking shoes.

He had forgotten.

It was an impossible story anyway.

He just thought it was a joke.

But, aside from making them, he says he’ll make them in the form they want.

Of course, it’s free.

Since there’s been no talk of money.

So he can’t understand it.

As he said, aren’t they the ones who caused the problem with Namgung’s Cheonjaeum?

When it wouldn’t be enough to shift all responsibility for this onto them, he’s giving gifts?

Something that would put even Buddha to shame?

So how can this be understood?

“I told you. It’s to catch them quickly together, and also to confirm whether you brothers are involved. I’m just doing what I do best to confirm that matter.”

“…I see.”

Namgung Cheon-gang answered sincerely.

Suwang didn’t accept it sincerely.

Just.

“I should understand it as winning our hearts through virtue.”

“Pardon?”

“They say the Martial Arts World values gratitude and grudges? We Namman are the same. No, we’re stronger. If we receive kindness, we repay it until death. If we gain resentment, we’ll chase even to hell. Therefore, your kindness. We Namman will never forget it.”

“No, that…”

No.

Whatever I say, those firm tiger eyes won’t change.

It’s better to let him believe as he wants.

“And since you asked for help, I’ll help to the end, and I’ll also resolve the damage done to Namgung to the end. Finally, Namgung youth, I declare you my brother! I declare this as I, Suwang of the Nanman Beast Palace, and swear it with blood!”

“Uh…”

“Brother!”

Suwang embraces him tightly.

Crack.

“Kyaaaah!”

Namgung Cheon-gang recalled the first day he met Peng Duohui.

* * *

“This is black panther leather! Make my shoes with this!”

“Shoes, no! Cloud-walking shoes! Please get it right! I request this black bear leather! Something bear-like would be good!”

“I request this yellow leopard leather!”

“I—”

After saying I’d do preference crafting.

The Namman brothers all rushed to the blacksmith’s forge and told me their desired preferences.

At the same time, they each brought armfuls of materials and left.

“Wow… how is everything high-grade or better…”

Leather is something you can only get by meeting good beasts, right?

No.

From butchering to tanning.

There’s a lot of work to be done to get quality leather.

So, there are specialists in leather collection too, aren’t there?

But all the leather the Namman brothers brought is high-grade?

This means the Namman brothers’ skills are no joke.

‘They haven’t butchered and skinned just once or twice.’

From this, it seems Namman has active self-sufficiency.

“Especially, the most impressive person among these brothers is probably Brother Suwang?”

The bear leather that was on Suwang’s shoulders.

“I didn’t know he was actually wearing leather like a cloak, but…”

Everything else aside, it’s an insane item.

What kind of performance is this?

“The Baeknyeon silkworm silk I checked before wasn’t even this good.”

If the Baeknyeon silkworm silk back then was an A-grade material item, this is an S-grade material item.

With this, I’m making low-performance cloud-walking shoes?

“I should quit being a blacksmith.”

I should stick my head in the furnace instead of on a plate!

“When I have the materials, what’s the point if I don’t make them as a blacksmith? Let’s see—”

Rolling his neck, rolling his shoulders, rolling his wrists.

Crack crack crack.

“Shall we begin?”

From now on, it’s hammer time.

* * *

The Namman Brothers’ exclusive Ungonghwa crafting process.

It’s similar to before.

If there’s a difference, it’s that he added an extra layer of leather for the sole and overall lines.

Before adding another layer to the sole here.

He inserted iron reinforcement from the heel to the middle.

The jungle floor is so moist it’s soggy.

If shoes for such places are ordinary, legs get tired easily.

So, to prevent legs from getting tired easily, he made them support body weight.

That’s exactly what shank insertion work is.

Namgung Cheon-gang expressed that shank work in martial arts style.

After that, he covered the sole with leather again, and covered the overall lines with leather too.

The first leather was silkworm silk.

Then again, he covered it with the leather the Namman Brothers gave him and worked.

Making it even sturdier by utilizing the characteristics of the jungle, a region with special properties.

At the same time, as promised—

‘This is work for preference processing!’

Work that requires various processes of drawing, carving, and engraving designs considering preferences.

However, Namgung Cheon-gang didn’t need this process right now.

‘The pattern of the leather the brothers gave me is naturally custom, so additional work would actually ruin it.’

It’s better to preserve the grain of the leather pattern as is.

“Well, this itself is difficult work.”

Exactly right.

There’s no work as difficult as preserving leather patterns as they are.

There must be no margin of error, and one wrong move creates a pattern that’s neither here nor there.

In other words, one must have excellent ability to see and calculate visually.

Naturally, Namgung Cheon-gang was excellent at this ability too.

Chak chak chak, and then, cheok cheok cheok.

As if he made Ungonghwa from leather stripped alive as is.

A perfectly complete ‘beast pattern preference-processed Ungonghwa’ was finished.

“Huhuhuh. Even I think it’s insanely well-made.”

Is it finished now?

Not yet!

“The highlight of jungle boots remains.”

Sole work.

Carving ‘grooves’ like before?

As if.

Wearing groove-plate Ungonghwa in the soggy jungle?

Then all the work done so far would be completely wasted.

Then, what should be done?

“I need to embed spikes.”

So they can run like on flat ground even in mud.

So the beast-like Namman Brothers can move even more like beasts.

“And so they can properly attack like beasts too.”

Huhuh.

I can see it, I can see it.

The sight of the Namman Brothers who will be delighted receiving this.

That moment when beasts become gentle.

When that time comes.

When that moment arrives—

“I’ll become beast tamer Namgung Cheon-gang. Kuhuhuhuh!”

Having useless fantasies.

He lit fire in the furnace.

Melted Baekryeonjeonggang.

Made spikes that would become thorns.

Then began carefully embedding them stitch by stitch into the bottom.

“Ah, it stings!”

Ouch, it hurts!

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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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