Almighty God of War - Chapter 126

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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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126

 

When they emerged from the damp entrance of Soul Loss Valley, the piercing sunlight and fresh scent of soil penetrated deep into Guyang Cheongang’s lungs.

 

Instead of the bloody stench and dust that had tormented their noses for over half a day, breathing the air of the living world finally seemed to release their tension.

 

The sun was already hanging high in the sky.

 

Guyang Cheongang suppressed the fatigue he felt throughout his body as he walked.

 

The bloody battle with the Necromantic Demon Lord and the rampage of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians had greatly depleted his stamina.

 

Fortunately, thanks to absorbing the fifth major acupoint, his body was actually in better condition than before.

 

The three people found the horses they had tied up in front of Ghost Valley Village, mounted them, and began riding south in silence.

 

Clop-clop- Clop-clop-

 

The three people who entrusted their bodies to the horses’ movement remained silent.

 

Each had much to think about.

 

Guyang Cheongang was reflecting on his martial arts, the bloody battle with the Necromantic Demon Lord, and the changes in the Nine Yin Severed Meridians.

 

‘It seems I’ll be able to resolve the remaining four major acupoints soon.’

 

Although he had let the Necromantic Demon Lord escape, discovering the possibility of early treatment for the Nine Yin Severed Meridians was a great gain.

 

At the same time, his curiosity about the Necromantic Demon Lord and the Necromantic Blood Cult’s purpose deepened.

 

The situation in Jianghu was far more complex and dangerous than he had thought.

 

Hanjo was organizing in his mind the content he would report to the Imperial Court.

 

This incident was not simply the work of bandits, but a conspiracy involving a massive demonic sect that had been active during the Great War of Orthodox and Demonic.

 

It was difficult to predict how the Emperor would react.

 

Pung Socheong was also calculating the impact this incident would have on Jianghu.

 

The revival of the Necromantic Blood Cult would certainly be a great shock to all orthodox sects. Haomun would also need to prepare countermeasures.

 

In the evening, the group arrived at a small village about a hundred li away from Soul Loss Valley and sought out an inn.

 

Pung Socheong looked around at the darkness with an uneasy expression and asked Guyang Cheongang.

 

“Couldn’t they attack us?”

 

“I don’t think we need to worry too much. In a situation where Master Hwayang is pursuing them, they wouldn’t try to do something that could get their tail caught.”

 

At his confident words, Pung Socheong and Hanjo felt relieved.

 

The group rented an entire separate building from the inn owner.

 

It was safer than mixing with other guests, and above all, they could converse freely.

 

For now, they decided to rest in their respective rooms.

 

Everyone was exhausted from the intense battle and tension.

 

In the room of the separate building, Guyang Cheongang opened his eyes after practicing the Transcendent Impermanence Divine Art’s energy circulation and breath control for half a hour.

 

His fatigue had completely disappeared.

 

The internal energy absorbed from the Necromantic Demon Lord and the extreme yin energy of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians had stabilized, harmonizing with his original true energy.

 

In his dantian, massive internal energy incomparable to before surged like a deep blue sea.

 

‘Akasha, analyze my current internal energy level.’

 

[Internal energy level analysis complete. Currently at the level of three jiazi, one hundred eighty years. Increased by forty years compared to the previous one hundred forty years, approximately 28% increase.]

 

Hearing Akasha’s report, Guyang Cheongang realized his own transformation.

 

An increase of forty years’ worth of internal energy was considerable progress.

 

[This is the result of the combined effects of absorbing the fifth major acupoint of Nine Yin Severed Meridians and purifying absorption of the Necromantic Demon Lord’s internal energy. Particularly, the yin energy of Nine Yin Severed Meridians offsetting the necromantic demonic energy and converting it into pure true energy was of great help.]

 

However, he wasn’t satisfied.

 

‘That bastard’s bones were harder than black iron. Even my Gale Flash Technique and Gale Nine Capture Hand with all my might couldn’t deal him a fatal blow. I confirmed that the Supreme Sword works on him, but with this level of skill… I can’t be confident of certain victory when I meet him again.’

 

Though he had grown stronger, his martial arts were still insufficient, the changes in Nine Yin Severed Meridians, the Dark Current conspiracy leading to the Necromantic Blood Cult, and even worries about his family clan and family…

 

Guyang Cheongang’s mind was as complex as a tangled ball of yarn.

 

‘What exactly is the identity of the Dark Current?’

 

The Empress’s cold gaze and the terrible Death Spirit Blood Divine Ritual he had witnessed underground in Soul Loss Valley flashed through his mind.

 

They were bastards who manipulated the Imperial Court like chess pieces and used tens of thousands of living people as sacrifices.

 

Though it was called the Emperor’s commission, if he got more deeply involved in this case, he couldn’t even guess how far it would lead.

 

That wasn’t the only problem.

 

The confidence he had gained from improving the Seven Types Martial Arts at Yeom Estate was shattered to pieces before the Necromantic Demon Lord’s overwhelming martial arts.

 

His confidence had been nothing more than the arrogant delusion of a fool who didn’t properly know Gangho.

 

‘There are too many monsters in Gangho.’

 

Not only the Necromantic Demon Lord, but also the momentum when Sword Saint Master Hwayang shook space with a single Palm Resonance.

 

With his current abilities, he couldn’t guarantee victory against anyone.

 

‘Now that I’ve confirmed that true energy effectively suppresses the extreme yin energy of Nine Yin Severed Meridians, what I should prioritize most is…’

 

Clenching his fists, he let out a quiet sigh and looked outside the window.

 

The moon floating in the night sky felt particularly cold.

 

‘I can’t stay like this. I can’t protect my family, my companions, or even myself. I must become stronger. Everything else is secondary.’

 

The martial arts he had improved at Yeom Estate were certainly powerful, but still insufficient before true masters.

 

The Emperor’s commission and the salt business were important, but the prerequisite for everything was overwhelming power.

 

He had to become stronger.

 

The tangled ball of yarn unraveled and finally one path became clear.

 

The conclusion was reached.

 

Guyang Cheongang awakened from his deep contemplation.

 

Having organized his thoughts, he called for Hanjo from the next room.

 

To him who entered with his usual expressionless face, Guyang Cheongang spoke.

 

“Adjutant Han, as soon as dawn breaks tomorrow, go to the Imperial Palace to have an audience with His Majesty and convey my intentions.”

 

“What words should I relay?”

 

“Please tell him that I will temporarily suspend His Majesty’s commission.”

 

Hanjo’s brow twitched slightly in surprise.

 

Guyang Cheongang continued.

 

“Adjutant Han, didn’t you also experience it underground in Soul Loss Valley? The Dark Current’s power is formidable. Tracking them with our current strength would be tantamount to suicide.”

 

Recalling the terrible power of the Necromantic Demon Lord and the jiangshi, a low groan escaped from Hanjo.

 

He had no choice but to acknowledge Guyang Cheongang’s words.

 

“Though I’m sorry to His Majesty, carrying out the mission with our current incomplete power could rather ruin the great undertaking. We need time to build the strength to prevent greater threats and completely uproot the Dark Current. Please tell him this is the best choice for His Majesty’s sake.”

 

It wasn’t a declaration of suspension, but a bold proposal for a deal with the Emperor, requesting time with the guarantee of more certain success.

 

Hanjo asked.

 

“This time to build strength… how long do you think it will take, Young Master?”

 

“At most, it won’t exceed three years.”

 

Hanjo was momentarily speechless.

 

He barely managed to swallow the question ‘Is that possible within three years?’

 

The statement about facing a Transformation Realm master like the Necromantic Demon Lord within three years was an empty boast that no martial artist would believe.

 

However, having directly witnessed his martial prowess and strategy, Hanjo dared not doubt that possibility.

 

He knew that the man before him was someone who couldn’t be measured by common sense.

 

Guyang Cheongang continued speaking.

 

“The Azure Heaven Martial Alliance is also tracking them, so those three years won’t be a complete void.”

 

“Are you planning to cooperate with the Martial Alliance after completing your martial arts?”

 

“We’ll have to see when the time comes, but to face the Dark Current, wouldn’t I be able to join hands with anyone, not just the Martial Alliance?”

 

“Understood. I will relay this exactly to His Majesty.”

 

Hanjo bowed respectfully and left the room.

 

Left alone, Guyang Cheongang’s eyes sank deeply.

 

‘Three years…’

 

He had deliberately given Hanjo a generous timeframe.

 

He knew that premature expectations bred wariness, and growth beyond common sense would only invite unnecessary suspicion.

 

But his time with Akasha flowed differently from ordinary people.

 

‘One year. Within that time, I’ll obtain the power to overwhelm everything.’

 

It was right then.

 

A subtle energy caught Guyang Cheongang’s senses.

 

It was an energy that seemed familiar yet strange.

 

It definitely wasn’t killing intent, but it felt like something was calling to him.

 

‘This energy… I feel like I’ve sensed it somewhere before?’

 

Guyang Cheongang hesitated for a moment.

 

It could be a dangerous situation. But that energy had a strange intimacy, like an old friend calling out.

 

‘Let me check it out first.’

 

Guyang Cheongang deployed the Phantom Shadowless Divine Method and left the room.

 

Though Hanjo and Pung Socheong were supreme masters, they wouldn’t notice his departure.

 

Kicking off from the inn’s rooftop and melting into the night’s veil, he deployed the Phantom Shadowless Divine Method toward the southwest of the Imperial Capital, following where the energy led.

 

The village rooftops quickly passed beneath his feet.

 

Had he run about ten li?

 

A wild mountain peacefully sleeping under the moonlight revealed itself.

 

Though the mountain, about two hundred zhang high, was thick with trees large and small, mysteriously not a single breeze stirred, wrapping it in complete silence.

 

Guyang Cheongang entered the wild mountain without hesitation.

 

Reaching the summit, a clearing about ten zhang wide appeared before him.

 

But Guyang Cheongang knew.

 

The being that had called him was here.

 

As expected, someone was sitting on a rock at one side of the clearing.

 

Since moonlight illuminated their back, he couldn’t see their face.

 

But a mysterious atmosphere emanated from that figure.

 

As Guyang Cheongang took a step closer, that person slowly turned their head.

 

“…Elder Brother Cheon?”

 

A surprised voice flowed from Guyang Cheongang’s mouth.

 

The man looking at him with a grin was the mysterious man Cheon Ungi whom he had met several months ago while coming to the Imperial Capital.

 

Cheon Ungi smiled and said.

 

“It’s been a while, Xiahou Young Master.”

 

“Was this something Elder Brother Cheon orchestrated?”

 

Guyang Cheongang’s question was out of the blue, but his voice was filled with certainty.

 

Cheon Ungi blinked his eyes as if finding it interesting and asked back.

 

“What did I orchestrate?”

 

“Placing the iron plaque with the tailless snake tattoo in the hands of the Ghost Valley Village Chief.”

 

Guyang Cheongang thought he saw Cheon Ungi’s eyes waver minutely for just an instant.

 

It seemed like a very small ripple had formed and disappeared in his pupils that were always calm like an abyss…

 

‘Was it my imagination?’

 

He couldn’t be certain, but it felt like he had glimpsed a crack in him for the first time.

 

Cheon Ungi soon regained his composure and smacked his lips as he asked.

 

“Haha, that’s an interesting imagination. Why do you think I did that?”

 

“The very premise that the Necromantic Blood Cult, which annihilated Ghost Valley Village, would have their divine object stolen by someone who doesn’t even know martial arts was too sloppy. Such a thing couldn’t have happened unless someone intentionally placed the iron plaque in his hands.”

 

“That’s a valid opinion. But isn’t it too much of a leap to say that I was the one who did it?”

 

Guyang Cheongang readily nodded his head, agreeing with Cheon Ungi’s opinion.

 

“It is a leap.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

Rather, Cheon Ungi’s gaze deepened at his composure.

 

“But I’m certain of it.”

 

“What’s your basis?”

 

“This entire scheme could only be devised by someone who accurately understood my personality and abilities. And until now, Elder Brother Cheon, you are the only one who has looked into me so deeply.”

 

Guyang Cheongang grinned and continued speaking.

 

“I had been suspicious since I heard about the iron plaque from Hanjo. It seemed like someone wanted me to get involved in this incident.”

 

Cheon Ungi took a sip of alcohol from his gourd bottle as if finding it interesting and said.

 

“Ho, continue.”

 

“You lured me to Soul Loss Valley by releasing demonic energy that only I could sense in Ghost Valley Village, and threw me clues that only I could solve. So wouldn’t it be natural to think that all of this was aimed at me from the beginning?”

 

Guyang Cheongang grinned and continued speaking.

 

“It was definitely something orchestrated by someone who knows about me.”

 

“And that’s me?”

 

“That’s right. The person who set up the scheme would surely appear before me someday to reveal their purpose. And the one who has appeared before me now is Elder Brother Cheon.”

 

A moment of silence flowed.

 

Cheon Ungi, who had set down his gourd bottle on the rock, clapped vigorously.

 

Clap clap clap clap-

 

His face showed genuine admiration.

 

“You’re a genius, aren’t you?”

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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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