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Chapter 5
Martial Arts:
Namgung Twelve Swords (Mastery), Namgung Clear Wind Steps (Mastery), Namgung Inner Energy Method (Mastery), Namgung Seven Star Fist (Mastery), Namgung Byeokcheol Sword (5/10), Changgung Infinite Sword Art (7/11), Namgung Thunder Steps (5/11), Changgung Infinite Fist Art (7/11)
“…I even learned Changgung Infinite Sword and Fist Arts… without ever studying them.”
Namgung Cheongang frowned.
“I can somehow explain Namgung Byeokcheol Sword…”
Thanks to his father.
But these two?
No excuse.
They were direct family martial arts, not allowed to branch members.
Sure, branch members can learn them—
But only if they achieve great merit and rank.
‘That’s how my father learned them.’
But that only applies to warriors.
‘I’m a blacksmith.’
And his father would never secretly teach such techniques.
He strictly follows family rules.
Which means—
This is bad.
“Damn… at this rate, the execution squad might come for me.”
The Namgung Family’s execution squad.
Infamous.
They once hunted a runaway martial artist for 10 years just for leaking techniques.
Relentless.
Even worse—
That stolen martial art was only a branch-level technique.
‘That’s how seriously they treat martial arts leaks.’
The fear he had before—
Was becoming real.
He imagined his limbs being cut.
“…Shit.”
His face turned pale.
Sure—
If he doesn’t use the martial arts, no one will know.
But in this world?
That’s not always possible.
“Why did I have to learn martial arts now?!”
Why?
WHY?!
“Damn it!”
He knew the reason.
Resonance.
[Someone is extremely satisfied with the famous sword.]
[This is confirmed to be a sword made from your refined steel.]
[Resonance activated.]
[You have learned Changgung Infinite Sword Art.]
[You have learned Changgung Infinite Fist Art.]
“…But I didn’t even make the sword myself!”
He only made the steel.
Other craftsmen forged the sword.
Yet—
It still counted as his creation.
“…This skill is terrifying.”
Its versatility was insane.
“I can’t even make materials freely anymore…”
If he stops making weapons or materials—
No more problems.
But that’s the same as starving.
And doing sloppy work?
Unacceptable.
That would be an insult to blacksmithing.
Better to risk execution.
“I am a blacksmith!”
…
“…Okay, maybe getting hunted isn’t ideal either.”
He sighed.
“I’ll just… hide it.”
Then another thought came.
“Wait… can I learn anything through Resonance?”
Not just martial arts—
He had already learned basic cooking.
“…Does that mean I can even learn inner energy techniques?”
Nah.
Impossible.
Inner energy methods require meditation.
You can’t learn them while fighting.
If you try—
You risk Qi deviation, which can kill you.
So no.
Definitely impossible.
But sometimes—
Confidence betrays you.
[Ding!]
[Namgung Sohye is extremely satisfied with the sword.]
[Resonance activated.]
[Target is a high-level martial artist.]
[Most skills exceed your level.]
[You learn a suitable technique for your growth.]
[You have learned Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art (Incomplete).]
[Inner energy method slot created.]
[Heavenly Thunder Emperor Divine Art registered.]
[Previous inner energy method replaced.]
“…”
God is dead.
He confirmed it.
He can learn inner energy methods.
Resonance was even more broken than he thought.
Which also meant—
He was now in serious danger.
“If evil sect members use my weapons… I’ll learn demonic arts too?! Hahaha…!”
He laughed like he was losing his mind.
Then sighed.
But life didn’t stop.
Time kept moving.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
He continued forging.
Even harder than before—
As if trying to hammer away at his worries.
He was refining high-carbon steel again.
But not ordinary refined steel.
This was new, refined steel—
1.5 times stronger than usual.
Beautiful.
Durable.
With this—
Half of the weapons made would be high-grade.
Occasionally—
Even masterpieces.
Because of this—
He ended up handling most of the steel production alone.
Not by choice.
But by order of Old Man Mak.
“Is it okay to work an 18-year-old like this?!”
…
“Well… the pay is too good to complain.”
He could afford five bottles of premium alcohol a day.
“Maybe that’s why… I can now make seven ingots in half a day.”
More steel—
Means more weapons.
[Resonance activated.]
[You have learned Flying Thunder Sword.]
[Skill proficiency increased.]
More weapons—
Means more martial arts learned.
And recently—
He even learned a secret divine art only allowed to direct family elites.
“…My stomach hurts.”
From stress.
At this rate, he might die from illness before execution.
Ironically—
The divine art calmed his mind.
His previous inner method wasn’t bad.
But compared to this?
“It’s like upgrading from a cheap car to a luxury one.”
The difference was huge.
And with this—
His efficiency skyrocketed.
Even with his tiny internal energy—
He could produce insane results.
If he pushed himself—
He could make 20 ingots a day.
But that would raise suspicion.
And suspicion leads to—
Execution squad.
“…I’ll keep a low profile.”
That’s how he survives.
“Alright… just one more and I’m done.”
Clang! Clang!
[Iron Breath Tempering activated.]
[Internal energy increased.]
Not just martial arts—
His internal energy kept growing.
And that was fine.
Because internal energy can grow naturally.
No one would question it.
“But… how much has it increased?”
He checked.
Internal Energy: 10 / 60
“…Wait. That’s five years’ worth?!”
He had gained five years of energy—
In less than two months.
“That’s like 2.5 years per month…”
This skill was insane.
At this rate—
He could become a top master just from internal energy.
He chuckled.
‘Even then… I’ll still be a blacksmith.’
That’s his dream.
To be the best blacksmith—
Not just the strongest.
Clang! Clang!
Meanwhile—
Cheonpung Escort Agency, run by the Namgung Family—
Was transporting goods.
A large group:
- 1 chief escort
- 2 deputies
- 50 escorts
- 30 workers
83 people total.
Four wagons of goods.
“Training is combat! Namgung!”
They trained even during transport.
Especially since this was the new unit:
Namgung Righteous Sword Division.
Strict.
Disciplined.
“Enemy!!!”
An alert rang out.
Arrows filled the sky.
But—
Before they could land—
Slash!
All arrows were cut down.
Namgung Cheonggi stood at the front.
His sword flashed like lightning.
Then—
The enemies appeared.
Screaming.
Charging.
About 300 meters away.
“Bandits?”
No.
Something was wrong.
Their eyes—
Red.
Their bodies—
Emitting a strange aura.
Their mouths—
Breathing red mist.
“…Blood energy?”
Namgung Cheonggi was shocked.
Blood energy—
The signature of the Blood Cult.
A group that once terrorized the martial world.
And now—
Dozens of them stood before him.
“…Why are they here?!”
No time to think.
“Form the formation!”
“Enemies are blood cultists!”
“Do not be corrupted by their aura!”
His command rang like thunder.
The battle—
Was about to begin.
