He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 80
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 80
Episode 80
Is there anyone who dislikes gifts?
Namgung Cheon-gang thought carefully about this, considering both his current and past lives.
Conclusion.
None.
No matter who it was, everyone loved gifts.
Free personal property that you get for nothing.
Who would dislike that?
Moreover, if that gift was a custom-made present created just for you?
You’d go crazy with joy.
Just look.
“Ooooh!”
“The design is killer!”
“The color is insane!”
“The leather texture is alive and breathing!”
Look at those Namman Brothers who are dying of happiness.
They’re hopping around wearing the custom shoes made just as they wanted.
Looking at their faces, they’re like kids who received a birthday cake, a PlayStation, the latest smartphone, and then a 1 million won Google card on top of it all.
These testosterone-filled brothers who would prefer weapons that could crack skulls are grinning from ear to ear after receiving running shoes…
‘Well, I’d be the same way.’
Even a testosterone-filled guy couldn’t resist Nike shoes with Jordan’s signature on them.
Among them, the one who likes it most is definitely Suwang.
“Uhahahaha! Kuhahahaha!”
He’s shouting so loudly that the sky is ringing, jumping up and down.
He’s jumping twice as high as the other Namman Brothers.
“A god has descended into my legs! My ancestors are with me! Uhahahaha!”
How happy must he be to shout that ancestral spirits have descended into his running shoes?
‘The ancestral spirits must be angry.’
Asking why, of all places, they have to dwell in running shoes.
‘Well, anyway, I’m glad they like them.’
Are they only happy about the appearance?
Their hearts have already completely fallen for them.
Ding.
‘Hehe. Just as I thought.’
A message window appeared showing they liked and cherished the gifts?
Then what else could it be?
Martial arts resonance, of course.
The same effect as when I resonated with Hwanggyeon.
Learning divine techniques.
Footwork-type resonance that can be learned from leg-related items.
I thoroughly examined the resonance window, but there wasn’t a single thing related to the Blood Cult.
What about the others?
Same thing.
Most of them were Nanman Beast Palace martial arts.
Ten Thousand Beasts Earth-Shrinking Divine Steps, Leopard Swift Steps, Bear Heavy Steps, and so on.
These were the names of the resonated martial arts.
Whether it was the martial arts names or their effects.
As expected, there wasn’t a single thing related to the Blood Cult.
‘By the way, all the Namman Brothers’ martial arts are animal-based. Well, just hearing the name Nanman Beast Palace, it seems like it would be full of animal-based martial arts.’
Originally, the combat techniques people possess are created according to their environment, right?
If they were created to survive in the jungle, it makes sense that the martial arts names would be animal-based.
‘Moreover, they said the martial arts themselves were largely modeled after animals.’
This is common knowledge you learn from watching 1980s Hong Kong martial arts movies.
Namgung Cheon-gang’s martial arts knowledge was nearly 100% from web novels and Hong Kong movies.
‘The conclusion is that the Namman Brothers right in front of me have no connection to the Blood Cult!’
Bang bang bang.
I should share this happy news with the Namman Brothers too.
‘But first.’
Let me do the martial arts resonance first.
Among the resonated martial arts, Namgung Cheon-gang chose Flying Tiger Ascending Heaven Steps.
Flying Tiger Ascending Heaven Steps.
True to its name of ‘a winged tiger ascending to heaven,’ it was a lightness skill that allowed one to run like a tiger regardless of terrain.
‘The more lightness skills I get, the better for escaping. On the other hand, Tiger King Death Steps is…’
It’s a footwork technique that uses the gait of a king tiger to instantly sever an opponent’s throat.
Geez, what kind of brutal and murderous martial art is this?
Why would someone dreaming of becoming the world’s greatest blacksmith instantly sever opponents’ throats?
I shouldn’t even think about it.
So, after making the best, optimal choice.
“Suwang, Namman Brothers! Wait a moment! Please come over here!”
He called Suwang and the Namman Brothers.
The beasts, no, Namman Warriors who had been jumping around in their new shoes near the forest edge of Dongyun Forest around Cheonjaeum.
They rushed over at Namgung Cheon-gang’s call.
And before Namgung Cheon-gang could even say anything.
“Namman Warriors know gratitude!”
“Brother Namgung is now our little brother!”
“He’s already Suwang’s little brother. So he’s definitely our little brother.”
“Right, right!”
“Let’s hug him!”
They embraced Namgung Cheon-gang.
One warrior hugged him, then another warrior hugged that warrior.
Like that, nine warriors gathered in a circle and embraced him all together.
Finally.
“Kuhahahaha! Everyone is Suwang’s little brother! Very good!”
Suwang hugged them all.
Crack!!
Kyaaaak!
Namgung Cheon-gang’s bones were crushed again today.
* * *
“Our little brother mustn’t die!”
“Save him!”
“Sorry!”
“It’s Suwang’s fault! For not properly taking care of subordinates who are like little brothers!”
Namgung Cheon-gang ended up at the physician’s.
Well, of course.
Wasn’t he embraced by ten Namman Brothers with maximum muscle density?
It would be strange if the bones of a mere blacksmith who’s only 180cm tall with abs that form the character for ‘king’ and tanned, firm skin remained intact.
‘I’m, I’m lucky they didn’t break…’
Peng Duohui was nothing compared to this!
Thus, with his joints temporarily dislocated, he lay in the medical clinic recovering.
Beside Namgung Cheon-gang, ten Namman Warriors including Suwang are kneeling with tearful expressions.
They know that Namgung Cheon-gang’s bones were dislocated because of them.
How could they not apologize for this?
“Ugh. It’s okay. It’s not that serious. Besides, you brought me to the medical clinic. Let’s forget about it all, brothers.”
“Little brother’s heart is generous!”
“Broader than Suwang’s shoulders!”
“No, bigger than the palace lord’s shoulders!”
“Bigger than the palace!”
The Namman Warriors rejoiced at Namgung Cheon-gang’s magnanimity.
The brothers’ simple-heartedness felt strangely endearing, making his nose tingle.
“But your bones are weak.”
“Our little brother who gave us precious gifts has somewhat weak bones and muscles.”
“Having bones dislocate just from a hug is a bit much.”
“We should probably get him some body strengthening later.”
“Right. Let’s build up more muscle, little brother.”
“….”
Well, really.
You’re doing well giving both the disease and the medicine.
What would a blacksmith do with that much muscle!
Would I wield a bigger hammer!
…Come to think of it, that’s not bad?
Muscle density is important in crafting too.
“…Anyway, since we’re all gathered like this, I’ll say what I was going to say before fainting. Brothers, you have no connection to the Blood Cult.”
“Right. We definitely have no connection.”
“Warriors do not lie.”
When he stated the conclusion, the Namman Warriors each added a word.
Suwang, who had been listening quietly, finally asks.
“It’s as the warriors say. However, to confirm this, you gave us this treasure called Ungonghua. So, did you find out for certain through this Ungonghua, little brother?”
As expected, is it because he’s the leader of a group?
His thinking is different.
He pinpointed the key point exactly.
Namgung Cheon-gang nodded his head.
“Yes, that’s right. It’s as I told you earlier, brother.”
“You mean what you said about being able to tell if someone is connected to the Blood Cult or not if they like and cherish the items you make for them?”
“Yes!”
A firm answer.
Suwang stared intently at Namgung Cheon-gang.
What his little brother had said.
He never thought it would really be true.
Of course, it might not be.
Even that confident answer now could be an act to insist that what he said was true.
‘However―’
No.
Looking at those upright and clear eyes, it’s a face that believes what he said is unmistakably true.
Moreover, just think about the treasure his little brother gave them.
Couldn’t you say it has sufficiently incredible abilities?
‘What was it called, Ungonghua?’
These mystical boots.
At first, he wondered what boots could tell him.
But after wearing these, it’s no joke.
Along with the feeling of his martial arts level rising, his whole body overflows with vitality.
Is that all?
When running through the jungle, there was no feeling of getting stuck in mud.
When climbing trees?
It’s easier than before.
He could climb smoothly even without internal energy, but now?
‘I feel like I’ve become a wild beast.’
As if revealing the power of the divine arts he had learned, just like that.
Is it only his that’s like this?
All the warriors are the same.
And what about how comfortable it feels, as if placing feet on clouds.
Would someone who could make such things and throw them away without hesitation not have any strange abilities?
So, he should believe.
If he doesn’t believe?
Wouldn’t that rather be a loss for them?
They’d become connected to the Blood Cult.
‘Wait!’
Could it be that little brother Namgung―!
A thought flashing through his mind like lightning!
‘…Did he think of this to let us know we have no connection to the Blood Cult!?’
Come to think of it, that’s possible.
‘We deceived Miss Namgung Yeong. It’s quite likely that the Namgung family wouldn’t believe our words.’
So, the incident that happened here, and furthermore the Blood Cult that was revealed as the main culprit of that incident.
It would be believable to say they’re connected to those things.
‘But little brother Namgung believed us and planned this to clear our grievances!’
Giving them treasures?
It’s to visually show the world that his words are correct.
Of course, if you think just a little deeper, it’s nonsensical.
After all, they’re meeting for the first time.
What would make him believe and help them?
But his heart had already completely fallen for the free mystical boots.
On top of this, in a situation where it wouldn’t be strange to be connected to the Blood Cult, he definitively stated they weren’t connected.
So, how could he not mistake that Namgung Cheon-gang was sacrificing for their sake?
The Nike gift that became a Jordan sign was enough to make the other party misunderstand.
“…How is such a thing possible?”
Still being the leader of a military unit.
Suwang asked one last time.
Whether his thoughts and feelings were correct.
Namgung Cheon-gang, hearing this.
Tilted his head.
‘What, does he still not believe?’
Naturally, he doesn’t know Suwang’s thoughts.
He just thinks that Suwang doesn’t believe what he said, ‘If they like and cherish it, I can tell.’
‘He’s more suspicious than I thought.’
Well, come to think of it, it’s amazing that other people have believed me so far.
Even though I showed evidence, it was only once or twice.
‘Suwang brother’s attitude is normal.’
But should I back down because of that?
Even though it’s the truth, I’ve already come this far.
I can’t say it’s a lie, can I?
Then what should I say to make them believe me?
Explain my abilities?
Nah.
I’d be lucky if they don’t fold me in half.
‘I don’t think I need to say much.’
Actually, talking too much would make them more suspicious.
So, short and sweet, with sincerity.
What should I say?
Ah, that’s it!
“I just believe in myself.”
So, I said this.
“You believe in yourself?”
“In the martial arts world, if you don’t believe in yourself (your abilities), who can you believe? So, I believe. In myself.”
“I see. Because you believe in yourself, you were able to do such things.”
“Of course!”
“So, we should believe as well.”
“Uh, well, that’s right, isn’t it?”
You’re the ones who will acknowledge me, so it would be strange if you didn’t believe, right?
“…I see.”
If you don’t believe in yourself, how can you believe in others.
Once.
A teaching from a high monk I heard in the martial arts world.
That teaching suddenly comes to mind.
Suwang closed his eyes.
Then slowly opened them.
Tiger eyes filled with goodwill turned toward his companion.
“I truly believe.”
So, Suwang spoke sincerely.
“You are Namman’s benefactor, friend, and true younger brother.”
He reinforced what he had said before.
He gave the Black Moon Bear’s hide, then reached into the black tiger hide he was now wearing and pulled something out.
A black plaque with a palace drawn on the front and “Suwang” engraved on the back.
He handed it to Namgung Cheon-gang.
Namgung Cheon-gang received it reflexively and looked up with a curious expression about what it was.
“It’s a plaque of the Nanman Beast Palace made from Namman black stone. A gift given only to friends of the Nanman Beast Palace. I give this to ‘younger brother Namgung Cheon-gang.'”
Suwang answered with a gentle smile.
‘Wow…’
A tiger smiling gently is incredibly cool.
Namgung Cheon-gang’s eyes were treated to this new discovery.
“If you come to the Nanman Beast Palace with that, everyone will welcome you like we do, younger brother.”
‘It’s obviously an incredibly valuable item.’
The Namman warriors showed surprised expressions seeing the black plaque Suwang was giving.
‘Just looking at those brothers’ faces, how could I not know?’
Moreover, they soon understood Suwang’s intention and nodded.
They also smiled.
Anyone could see they were confirming Suwang’s words were true.
If you can’t tell by looking, why do you have eyes?
‘And it would be rude to refuse something like this.’
When the tiger and bear brothers are smiling and giving it without hesitation, how could I refuse?
‘As expected, I can’t resist custom sneakers.’
They even give such gifts without hesitation.
‘I did well!’
It’s not a misunderstanding, but it is a misunderstanding.
“I’ll gratefully accept it, brother.”
“No, we’re more grateful, younger brother. And if you need anything, just call. I don’t know about others, but for younger brother Namgung, this Suwang will roll up his sleeves and step forward!”
“Me too!”
“This Garyung will help too!”
“Just say anything!”
Oh my, our brothers.
You’re so full of affection.
I captured the hearts of ten macho brothers with custom shoes.
‘It was worth it.’
Just looking at those brothers, even ten Blood Cults wouldn’t be scary.
“Hahaha. I appreciate the sentiment. But please stop trying to hug me.”
The Namman warriors stopped abruptly.
They clicked their tongues in disappointment.
Who are you trying to break the back of!
No matter how much you like it, enough with the hugging!
“And there’s one thing I’d like to ask.”
“Ask anything! I’ll tell you everything except the palace’s secrets!”
How specific.
You’re being specific.
“Yes! We don’t just like them, we like them very much!”
“They’re treasures for life!”
“These could become treasures of the palace!”
“If we bring them to the Nanman Beast Palace, everyone will be envious!”
Oho.
Is that so?
“Then, would that palace traitor you’re looking for, Suwang brother’s uncle, like these too?”
“…Hmm. He would definitely like them. No, he’d certainly like them. He might like them even more than us. He always loved material things.”
“Aha!”
Well then, things should go smoothly.
“Then, do you also know what kind of custom, I mean, what kind of preferences he has?”
“Why are you curious about the traitor’s preferences, younger brother?”
“It’s nothing major, but brothers, could you come a bit closer…”
“…???”
Suwang and the Namman warriors looked puzzled as they gathered around Namgung Cheon-gang.
Huddled together like that, whispering.
Soon.
Exclamations like ‘Huh!?’ and ‘Oh!’ burst from the brothers’ mouths.
Then, Suwang suddenly stood up.
His face was flushed with excitement.
As if he had heard the truth.
“Younger brother is a genius!”
“Right! Younger brother is a genius!”
“Is younger brother a god! Is younger brother a god!?”
Following Suwang, the Namman warriors raised their heads.
With the same expression of having heard the truth, they praised Namgung Cheon-gang.
“Hehehe. Hey, calling me a genius. How embarrassing.”
“Hehe. Oh, a genius? How embarrassing.”
Namgung Cheon-gang, praised by his 10 brothers, shyly scratched the bridge of his nose.
“Now then. Operation ‘Oh my, I absolutely must buy this!’ begins!”
“Hoooo!!!”
Our Namman Brothers.
They’ve all become soccer players.
‘The 10 Honaheudo Brothers are going. Let’s see if you can’t come out and just stay hidden, Traitor.’
Hehehehe!
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————