He Became the Genius Blacksmith of the Namgung Family - Chapter 9

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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 9

Episode 9

For a supreme master, confirming an opponent’s internal energy is not a particularly difficult task.

Someone who’s barely at the third-rate level?

It’s as easy as lying down and eating rice cakes.

Therefore, at Namgung Cheon-gang’s shameless claim that it wasn’t the Thunder Sword technique but an attack filled with internal energy, Namgung Ok personally checked his internal cultivation.

A moment later.

Her face was filled with surprise as she removed her hand from Namgung Cheon-gang’s wrist.

“Huh. Such pure internal energy… Moreover, the amount of internal energy is considerable compared to his known level. Certainly, if he puts all this internal energy into it, he could produce the power of the Thunder Sword technique with just the forms of the Namgung Twelve Swords.”

“To use the forms of the Namgung Twelve Swords like the Thunder Sword technique by infusing internal energy, you’d need at least 10 years’ worth of internal cultivation… Don’t tell me my nephew has now reached the upper third-rate level?”

“That’s right, Ho. Currently, this child Namgung Cheon-gang has reached the upper third-rate level.”

“Huh.”

Namgung Ok’s declaration.

Namgung Ho looked at Namgung Cheon-gang with surprised eyes.

‘Among the three people here including myself and Namgung Baek, Namgung Ok has the greatest expertise in handling internal energy. If so, then it must be true.’

Knowing this, Namgung Baek also said nothing.

Namgung Ho looked at Namgung Cheon-gang with proud eyes and laughed heartily.

“Hahaha! Cheon-gang, congratulations! To think you’ve reached the upper third-rate level! It seems you haven’t neglected training in martial arts even while living as a blacksmith!”

“Yes, Uncle. Even though I belong to Cheongeumjeong, I’m still a child of a martial family and a warrior who learned the martial arts of the Namgung Family. I’ve been learning bit by bit whenever I had spare time.”

That never happened.

I worked hard with the hammer.

Then my internal energy increased.

‘How can I explain this?’

If I said that, they’d think I’d gone insane and I wouldn’t even be able to use the family connection.

I have to swallow it.

“While it’s congratulatory that your level has increased, learning martial arts and increasing internal energy are different matters. As far as I know, you haven’t taken any elixirs other than the Purification Pills given by Namgung Cheolgeom Danchu. Can you explain the reason for your increased internal energy?”

‘As expected, Director Namgung Baek. You don’t miss the details!’

Suspicion that doesn’t fade even after Namgung Ok’s verification.

Sharp insight.

It’s frightening.

Indeed, being a kind stickler isn’t something just anyone can do.

However, I anticipated this too!

“Working at Cheongeumjeong, it strangely increased bit by bit.”

“Hmm? It increased while doing blacksmith work?”

“Yes. You might not know, but becoming a blacksmith at Cheongeumjeong involves three stages in total. One of them is learning martial arts and internal energy cultivation methods. Since I’m also a blacksmith at Cheongeumjeong, I don’t deviate from this framework. So, by using internal energy cultivation methods to concentrate while doing blacksmith work, it naturally increased.”

“It’s widely known that blacksmiths at Cheongeumjeong use internal energy to craft items. Therefore, the claim that internal energy increased through refining also makes sense. This child’s internal energy has a strong fire energy. Moreover, he became a master-level blacksmith before reaching the age of learning (15 years old), right? And a master of Cheongeumjeong at that. He’s a genius. If he’s truly devoted to his main profession, it’s reasonable for his internal energy to increase.”

“Hmm. So it’s a case of all streams returning to the source.”

Namgung Ok’s subsequent defense went beyond plausibility to include factual evidence.

Only then did Namgung Baek understand, crossing his arms and nodding.

It was an expression that he wouldn’t be suspicious anymore.

“So, is the interrogation of my nephew finished?”

As Namgung Baek’s mood relaxed, Namgung Ho carefully asked.

Namgung Ok nodded.

“Yes. It’s finished. Oh, I’m sorry for interrogating you when I said I wouldn’t. Normally there wouldn’t be a need to call you, but I called you here because a somewhat urgent situation has arisen, so please understand.”

“Not at all. It’s perfectly reasonable to be suspicious, so please don’t worry about it. It’s rather an honor to be able to help the deputy leader of the Namgung Surveillance Agency.”

“Hoho. It’s the first time I’ve heard someone say they’re helping with an interrogation. You’re truly as interesting and kind-hearted as the rumors say.”

Namgung Ok smiled brightly.

‘This lady. When she smiles, her beauty sparkles. Who would see that person as being in her mid-40s? She’d outshine most early teen celebrities.’

I’d like to ask if I could call her sister.

If I did that, my uncle would probably really break my leg.

I have to endure it.

I somehow avoided it at age 10.

I can’t have my leg broken now.

‘Come to think of it, that loose-lipped woman from the Muyong Family was also quite beautiful, wasn’t she?’

And it’s not just the loose-lipped woman from the Muyong Family.

Most female warriors are quite attractive.

There’s no need to go far.

If you gathered just the female warriors of the Namgung Family, you could easily hold an idol audition.

‘Does internal energy also act as air conditioning while preventing skin aging and having excellent beauty effects?’

Such internal energy cultivation methods.

Why didn’t they spread in modern times?

They make life righteous.

Then another question arose.

‘Namgung Ok definitely said a somewhat urgent situation had arisen…’

From my previous life’s perspective, she’d be like a younger sister, but if someone’s pretty and handsome, they’re a sister or brother.

‘Hmm. Should I ask?’

After pondering, I decided against it.

‘Never mind. If it’s a somewhat urgent situation that requires these three to step forward and investigate, it’s not something I can step in and solve.’

Besides, I’m too lazy to get involved in troublesome matters.

‘It’s best to just go home and sleep! I’ve already experienced too many things today.’

Meeting a Blood Cult assassin, saving a woman from the Muyong Family, being interrogated, using my brain to escape.

Ah.

My mental strength.

It’s rapidly depleting.

Moreover, now that the tension has completely lifted, my body is suddenly becoming very tired.

‘Let’s hurry home, wash up, and sleep.’

Bed, I want to see my bed!

* * *

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen such pure internal energy.”

“Haha! It’s not because he’s my nephew, but there really isn’t anyone as clean as that kid!”

“The story about him breaking the mask of an assassin who fought evenly with the Muyong Family’s daughter by filling it with internal energy is still hard to believe.”

“As I mentioned earlier, he’s a child who became a master-level blacksmith at Cheongeumjeong before reaching the age of learning. Mak Noya said there’s never been anyone who became a master at Cheongeumjeong at that age. Therefore, he must have eyes that can see what we cannot see. He didn’t necessarily need to fill it with a lot of internal energy.”

“Are you saying that Namgung Cheon-gang saw something we couldn’t see and targeted that gap to break it with internal energy?”

“That’s right. Namgung Baek, you said it yourself, didn’t you? All streams return to the source. Warriors have warrior’s eyes, and blacksmiths have blacksmith’s eyes.”

“Hmm.”

Namgung Baek listened to Namgung Ok’s words, thought deeply, and then nodded.

“What a meticulous fellow. Just a moment ago you seemed to agree with my nephew’s words, but now you’re being suspicious again. What’s your intention? This is why rumors spread that you’re ruthless at Baekryeon-dang.”

“It doesn’t matter. This is the job given to me. If it’s for the Namgung Family, it would be an honor even if my flowing blood froze.”

“What’s the point of talking to this rigid fellow? Anyway, my nephew is definitely excluded from the list of suspects, right?”

“Yes. If he has that kind of internal energy, then he’s definitely unrelated to the matter we received a report about recently. Since this is the Inspection Bureau’s work, don’t take it too personally, Ho.”

Since his nephew was summoned and tormented by two stubborn middle-aged people, it was natural for an uncle to feel hurt.

Namgung Ok soothed those feelings.

Namgung Ho waved his hands dismissively and answered.

“Hurt feelings? What for? When they say a blacksmith broke the swords of elite assassins from Salmun under Hyeorin-gak, we had no choice but to verify it. It’s not like I don’t understand the Inspection Bureau’s work. It’s fine.”

“Thank you, Ho. Baek, don’t suspect him anymore either. He’s definitely not involved.”

“I’ve already erased him from my mind, Ok. As you said, becoming a craftsman at that age means the child is on the right path. Moreover, if his martial arts level has also increased, it’s natural to gain corresponding abilities when you rise in any field.”

“Oh my. The stubborn fellow is suddenly praising my nephew? Your personality really changes from moment to moment.”

“It’s my heart.”

Namgung Baek and Namgung Ho bickering with each other.

Watching the two of them, Namgung Ok smiled gently.

The three were fellow disciples from Namgung Baekryeon Hall in their childhood.

Even as they aged, they maintained their friendship.

Of course, they distinguished between official and personal matters.

Now that official business was over, this was a private situation.

Just like those days.

Their bickering suited them perfectly.

Namgung Ok watched the two bickering like they were back studying at Namgung Baekryeon Hall, then quietly gazed at the door through which Namgung Cheon-gang had left.

‘I didn’t tell those two, but…’

The energy that boy possessed was so clear and strong that calling it pure would be insufficient.

‘Moreover, that power.’

Even though Cheongeumjeong had stronger heat than other forges, the energy he possessed was something beyond mere fire energy.

How should I put it.

Should I call it a strong energy that could even burn fire energy itself?

‘As far as I know, there’s only one type of energy like this…’

That would be too much of a worry.

However, the movement of energy flowing through his meridians was definitely—

‘…I should report this to the family head first. If nothing else, this is the first time I’ve seen someone with such pure energy other than the family head’s relatives.’

The Inspection Bureau’s work wasn’t finished yet.

* * *

After meeting an assassin from the Three Great Killer Sects of the martial world and saving a daughter of the Muyong Family.

And going to the Namgung Inspection Bureau, which he thought he’d never visit in his lifetime.

Even after experiencing all these extraordinary events, Namgung Cheon-gang’s next day was always the same.

Going to work.

Refining Divine Baekryeon Steel.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

“Baekryeon! Steel! This angelic steel!”

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Indeed, nothing beats Les Misérables songs for steel tempering.

Clang! Claang! Clang!

“Today too, my Divine Baekryeon Steel is beautiful.”

Looking at the completed Baekryeon Steel brought a natural smile to his face.

Was only the Baekryeon Steel beautiful?

Thanks to the Iron Breathing trait, just refining increased his internal energy steadily.

As his internal energy increased steadily, his crafting speed got faster and faster!

“Soon I’ll be making 20 a day.”

Long live awakening!

‘Of course, awakening aside…’

There was one more ability that allowed his refining efficiency to rise even further, wasn’t there?

A divine technique he had somehow learned through resonance not long ago.

That thing that provided power subtly like a passive ability even without actively using it.

Thinking about it again, it was a frightening matter.

‘Whatever else happens, I really need to hide that.’

That went beyond the level of stealing and learning martial arts.

That’s why his heart was pounding like it would burst when Deputy Commander Namgung Ok of the Inspection Team checked his pulse.

I’m really fortunate it wasn’t discovered.

But thinking about it now, I wonder if it really wasn’t discovered.

“A supreme martial artist, and a Deputy Commander of the Inspection Team at that, wouldn’t misread a pulse…”

Hmm.

He put down the Baekryeon Steel for a moment and pondered…

But no particular conclusion came to mind.

“Forget it. What’s the point of worrying? It worked out well, so that’s good. I’m just glad I didn’t get into troublesome situations.”

He didn’t have the energy to worry about it.

He was busy spending time to become the dragon’s head as a blacksmith and to become an absolute master to escape the danger of the Assassination Squad.

For that day, he had to work hard with his hammer today too.

The road ahead was truly long.

Sigh.

“Nothing changes from grumbling, right? Let’s pick up the hammer.”

Just as he picked up his hammer again to refine the Divine Baekryeon Steel.

Knock knock.

The sound of polite door knocking could be heard.

“Excuse me. I came looking for Namgung Cheon-gang, as I was told he was here.”

A beautiful voice followed.

‘Ah, this voice!’

It was familiar to his ears.

With a hopeful heart, he carefully opened the door and saw a familiar face.

“Ah. You really are here.”

A healthy, idol-like beauty.

“Ah, you’re the bad person who reported me—”

“Pardon?”

His inner thoughts tried to burst out as soon as he saw her.

He quickly raised both hands to cover his mouth.

‘Whew. That was almost a disaster.’

Seeing her fight the Blood Cult assassin, she looked quite fierce.

What if those martial arts were aimed at him?

He was confident.

Confident he’d be down in one hit.

Worried that his barely suppressed inner thoughts might slip out.

Namgung Cheon-gang pulled himself together, cupped his fists, and greeted her.

“You’re a martial artist from the Muyong Family who came looking for me. Nice to meet you.”

“It seemed like you were about to curse at me…”

“It’s your imagination.”

“My imagination, I see.”

“Yes. Your imagination.”

“…”

“…”

Reading the mood, are we?

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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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