🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 9
For a peak-level martial artist—
Checking someone’s internal energy isn’t difficult.
For someone at Cheongang’s level?
It’s effortless.
So—
After hearing his bold claim—
Namgung Ok personally checked his internal energy.
A moment later—
She let go of his wrist.
Her face showed surprise.
“…Such pure internal energy.”
“And the amount is quite high for his level.”
“If he really used all of it—”
“Even basic Namgung Twelve Swords could produce power similar to Flying Thunder Sword.”
“…Wait.”
“That would require at least ten years of internal energy.”
“Does that mean… my nephew is already at high-tier third-rate level?”
“Yes,” Namgung Ok confirmed.
“He has reached that level.”
“…!”
Namgung Ho stared at Cheongang in shock.
Namgung Baek said nothing—
Because he trusted her judgment.
“Hahaha! Congratulations!”
Namgung Ho laughed proudly.
“You’ve grown this much already!”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“Even as a blacksmith, I didn’t neglect my training.”
…That was a lie.
He just hammered metal.
And gained internal energy.
‘How am I supposed to explain that?’
Better to stay quiet.
But—
Namgung Baek spoke again.
“Increasing internal energy is one thing.”
“But learning martial arts is another.”
“You’ve only taken one elixir before.”
“So how did your internal energy increase?”
‘Of course you’d ask that…’
Still—
He was prepared.
“While working at the forge… it increased gradually.”
“…What?”
“Yes.”
“At Cheongeum Workshop, blacksmiths train using internal energy.”
“So while focusing on my work, it naturally grew.”
Namgung Ok nodded.
“That’s plausible.”
“Blacksmiths do use internal energy.”
“And his energy has strong fire attributes.”
“Also—he became a high-level craftsman before age 15.”
“He’s a genius.”
“So it makes sense his energy grew.”
“…Everything leads back to one source,” Namgung Baek muttered.
Finally—
He accepted it.
“So the questioning is over?”
Namgung Ho asked.
“Yes,” said Namgung Ok.
“Sorry for calling you in like this.”
“There was an urgent matter.”
“No problem.”
“I’m honored to help.”
She smiled.
“You’re quite interesting.”
“And kind-hearted.”
‘Wow… she’s beautiful.’
She didn’t look her age at all.
But he held back.
Calling her “noona” would get him killed by his uncle.
Then—
He thought of Moyong Sohwa again.
‘Women in this world are all ridiculously good-looking…’
‘Is internal energy good for skincare too?’
Then—
Another thought came.
‘What was that urgent matter?’
He considered asking—
But stopped.
‘Not my problem.’
He was exhausted.
‘Time to go home and sleep.’
Later
After he left—
The three remained.
“His internal energy is incredibly pure,” said Namgung Ok.
“Haha! That’s my nephew!”
Namgung Ho grinned proudly.
“But still…”
Namgung Baek frowned.
“It’s hard to believe he shattered an assassin’s sword.”
Namgung Ok replied calmly.
“He likely saw something we couldn’t.”
“A blacksmith sees differently.”
“…Hmm.”
Namgung Baek nodded.
“So he’s not a suspect anymore?”
“Yes,” she confirmed.
Namgung Ho relaxed.
“Of course we had to check.”
“He broke the sword of an elite assassin.”
“Yes,” she said.
“Please don’t take offense.”
“Not at all.”
Namgung Baek added:
“I no longer doubt him.”
“He’s simply talented.”
They bickered lightly.
Old friends.
Then—
Namgung Ok looked toward the door.
‘…But still.’
His energy—
Was too pure.
Too strong.
‘Almost like… something beyond fire energy.’
She frowned slightly.
‘I should report this to the family head.’
Meanwhile
The next day—
Cheongang’s life returned to normal.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Refining steel.
“Refined steel! My beautiful steel!”
He smiled at his work.
His skill improved.
His internal energy grew.
“Soon I can make 20 a day.”
Thanks to awakening—
And another ability:
A divine technique he learned through Resonance.
Even without actively using it—
It boosted him.
‘That one… I must hide.’
If discovered—
It would be far worse than just stealing martial arts.
He remembered how nervous he was during inspection.
“…Wait.”
‘Did they really not notice?’
He thought—
But dismissed it.
“Whatever. It worked out.”
He picked up his hammer again.
Knock knock.
Someone knocked.
“Excuse me. I’m looking for Namgung Cheongang.”
A familiar voice.
He opened the door.
“…You?”
Moyong Sohwa stood there.
“Ah, you’re here.”
“Ah—you’re the one who reported me—”
“…Pardon?”
He quickly covered his mouth.
‘That was close.’
He bowed politely.
“Welcome.”
“…I feel like you were about to insult me.”
“You’re imagining things.”
“…Am I?”
“Yes.”
Silence.
Awkward.
