Almighty God of War - Chapter 135

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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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135

 

Guyang Cheongang took out the Ten Thousand Year Warm Jade Laughing Buddha he had obtained from the Crown Prince.

 

The gentle energy flowing from the jade tickled his fingertips.

 

It was an item he hadn’t had the leisure to examine closely due to the frantically busy days he had been spending.

 

However, Akasha had already analyzed the method to unlock the secret hidden in the jade statue.

 

Though it was a slightly different pattern from the jade statue he had obtained before, considering her abilities, that much was not a problem at all.

 

Guyang Cheongang pressed specific parts of the jade statue in sequence according to Akasha’s guidance.

 

Warm light flowed from the jade and a hologram video appeared in midair.

 

After the video that lasted for a moment disappeared, the jade statue transformed into a warm stone that would never emit light again.

 

[Doctor, as expected, it’s the other half of the incantations.]

 

Akasha’s voice was heard.

 

Guyang Cheongang quietly closed his eyes and reflected on the incantations he had just seen in his mind.

 

Thanks to his experience of deeply researching the foundation while creating the Transcendent Impermanence Divine Art, it didn’t take long to understand.

 

‘Finally…’

 

In his mental world, two small universes that had been split in two appeared.

 

As the will of the Dual Mind Divine Art guided the two worlds, they began to be drawn toward each other as if they had been one from the beginning.

 

A magnificent scene unfolded where the sun that had been split in half formed one complete light at some point, and the planets found their pairs to draw perfect orbits.

 

Guyang Cheongang added the principles of the Transcendent Impermanence Divine Art to the center of the harmony being formed.

 

Then, the solar system that had just become one no longer remained in the small world.

 

It expanded at the speed of light and was reborn as the Milky Way embracing hundreds of millions of stars, soon expanding into an infinite universe where even the concepts of time and space became meaningless.

 

Guyang Cheongang felt all stars pulsing with one breath and all energies singing in perfect balance at the center of that infinity.

 

And he finally realized that the yin-yang dual energy of the Transcendent Impermanence Divine Art had reached perfect harmony.

 

He named this new incantation the Yin-Yang Harmony Formula.

 

The new ‘Yin-Yang Harmony Formula’ transformed the Transcendent Impermanence Divine Art to another dimension.

 

Combined with the Absorption Formula, it was no longer at the level of ‘borrowing’ nature’s energy.

 

His body itself seemed to have become the core of a massive vortex that absorbed all the energy in the world.

 

With one qi circulation, spiritual energy more than five times greater than before poured into his inner self.

 

Even while sleeping, the qi circulation system worked tirelessly to make the sea of his internal energy deeper and wider.

 

He seemed to have become a living ‘black hole.’

 

Just by breathing, the surrounding energy was drawn to him, and just by standing still, the earth’s vital energy seeped in from beneath his feet.

 

An existence that grew stronger endlessly and eternally.

 

He even began to think that he might be becoming a monster that had transcended the category of human.

 

After obtaining the Yin-Yang Harmony Formula, Guyang Cheongang’s atmosphere completely changed.

 

Even to Baek Muok, who received his teachings every morning and evening, he felt like a person from another world.

 

“Master…”

 

One evening, Baek Muok, who had come to Guyang Cheongang’s room because he had something curious to ask, cautiously called out to him.

 

Guyang Cheongang, sitting in lotus position, did not answer.

 

Baek Muok tilted his head.

 

Guyang Cheongang would always open his eyes immediately whenever he was called, even during energy circulation and breath control.

 

There had never been a case like this before.

 

As the boy approached and looked closely, he could see subtle vibrations occurring throughout Guyang Cheongang’s entire body.

 

Beads of sweat had formed on his forehead, and his face alternated between turning bright red and then pale blue.

 

‘What’s happening?’

 

Baek Muok stayed by his master’s side with a worried heart.

 

Though he didn’t know it, a hellish ordeal was unfolding within Guyang Cheongang’s inner self.

 

The Transcendent Impermanence Divine Art, deepened further by the Yin-Yang Harmony Formula, was testing him.

 

Burning heat swept through his entire body, followed by bone-piercing cold energy that struck him.

 

On top of that, the remaining major acupoints of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians were writhing.

 

‘I can’t… give up at this level.’

 

The memory of the Crown Prince’s surgery came to his mind.

 

The experience of that moment when he had generated thread-like sword energy became the source of inspiration that completely shook his philosophy of martial arts.

 

Guyang Cheongang intuitively realized that the thread-like sword energy was the result of compressing the essence of internal energy.

 

And when he advanced the Transcendent Impermanence Divine Art one step further with the incantation formula obtained from the Ten Thousand Year Warm Jade, he became able to realize that inspiration.

 

The sensation of that moment when he created thread-like sword energy had opened the path to the Transformation Realm for him.

 

‘Just a little more…’

 

A storm erupted in Guyang Cheongang’s dantian.

 

Yin and yang energies swirled as if competing with each other, and something new was trying to be born at their center.

 

“Ugh…”

 

A groan of unbearable pain leaked out.

 

Baek Muok jumped up in surprise.

 

“Master! Are you alright?”

 

But Guyang Cheongang did not open his eyes.

 

Instead, an invisible energy began to swirl around him.

 

The candle flickered despite there being no wind, and the tea cup on the table shook as if it might fall over.

 

‘This is… something different.’

 

Baek Muok instinctively stepped back.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

The surroundings fell into silence as Guyang Cheongang opened his eyes.

 

Lightning-like divine light poured out from his pupils.

 

“Hoo…”

 

Guyang Cheongang let out a long breath as he exhaled deeply.

 

Though the divine light disappeared from his eyes and his movements were natural, there was somehow a different weight to them than before.

 

“Master, are you alright?”

 

Baek Muok asked worriedly.

 

Guyang Cheongang smiled and nodded his head.

 

“I’m fine. In fact, I’m much better than before.”

 

He turned his head to look at the night sky outside the window.

 

The stars were shining unusually bright.

 

‘Transformation Realm… I’ve taken another step forward.’

 

Common knowledge of the Murim flashed through Guyang Cheongang’s mind.

 

Great sects and prestigious family houses possessed secret heart methods passed down for hundreds of years.

 

The difference between those who learned them and those who didn’t was as vast as heaven and earth.

 

What ordinary warriors took ten years to accumulate in internal energy, they could complete in just one or two years.

 

That’s why geniuses with one cycle of internal energy appeared in their twenties, and supreme masters exceeding two cycles emerged in their forties.

 

But even for them, reaching the Transformation Realm was different.

 

No matter how excellent their secret arts, the Transformation Realm was impossible without personal enlightenment and experience.

 

That’s why even in such great sects and prestigious family houses, Transformation Realm masters were so rare that only one or two might appear every few decades.

 

“Master.”

 

At Baek Muok’s call, Guyang Cheongang turned his head.

 

“Will I someday be able to reach the same realm as you, Master?”

 

Guyang Cheongang looked into the boy’s eyes.

 

In Baek Muok’s eyes burned something beyond simple curiosity.

 

Longing. And dangerous ambition.

 

Guyang Cheongang smiled gently and answered.

 

“With your talent, it’s certainly possible. But don’t forget that power must be used correctly.”

 

“I’ll keep that in mind, Master.”

 

Baek Muok nodded, but deep in his eyes, something dark still writhed.

 

Guyang Cheongang didn’t miss it.

 

He realized anew how dangerous it was to teach someone born with the Heaven-Killing Star.

 

But he couldn’t give up.

 

Guiding this child correctly was a responsibility he had voluntarily taken upon himself.

 

Different flames burned in the hearts of the master and disciple.

 

One was the flame of responsibility, the other was the flame of longing for power.

 

About a month later, one day.

 

The morning weather was clear.

 

Today was the day Jupyo would personally instruct the Self-Strengthening Pills warriors.

 

Guyang Cheongang was watching from one side of the training ground.

 

Baek Muok was immersed in cultivating the Transcendent Heart Method in the training room, while escorts from Geonam Escort Agency stood guard at the outer watchtower.

 

Geonam Escort Agency was a company specializing in escort services, boasting nearly a hundred years of history.

 

The skill of the escorts they sent was trustworthy.

 

After ordering the warriors to practice independently, Jupyo approached Guyang Cheongang and sat beside him.

 

“Elder Master, there’s something I’m curious about.”

 

Guyang Cheongang spoke up.

 

“Please speak, Grand Young Master.”

 

“I think Golden Tower Manor is being too quiet. I feel this situation is actually more ominous. What do you think?”

 

Jupyo smiled leisurely and answered.

 

“There’s nothing to worry about. Who doesn’t know that His Majesty is personally showing interest in this business? As long as the Emperor’s eyes remain on this place, Golden Tower Manor won’t be able to move recklessly either.”

 

“I hope that’s the case.”

 

Guyang Cheongang smiled and nodded, but inwardly he didn’t agree with Jupyo’s optimism.

 

Jupyo was a natural warrior who didn’t properly understand how cunning the schemes and machinations of the upper world could be.

 

Guyang Cheongang too had originally been a scientist, so he was also distant from such conspiracies.

 

However, his political instincts had become quite sharp after experiencing all sorts of incidents for over a year in this world.

 

Akasha’s analytical abilities had also been a great help.

 

He was certain that Dong Hyeondo wouldn’t just sit still.

 

The situation of the past month organized itself in Guyang Cheongang’s mind.

 

It had been barely a month and a half since Dongryeong Salt Field’s salt began full-scale sales.

 

But thanks to its pure white quality without any foreign substances mixed in and the shocking condition of half the existing selling price, Dongryeong Salt Field’s salt was already shaking the entire economy of the Eastern Continent.

 

Quantity, quality, and even price.

 

There was no company that could compete with Dongryeong Salt Field.

 

Small-scale salt fields were being driven to the brink of bankruptcy, and even the large salt fields operated by Golden Tower Manor were showing visible damage.

 

At this rate, it was clear as day that Golden Tower Manor would suffer massive losses in the salt industry before a year passed.

 

Guyang Cheongang knew well that Dong Hyeondo wasn’t the type to just watch such a situation unfold.

 

‘Golden Tower Manor won’t come forward directly.’

 

Akasha’s voice rang in Guyang Cheongang’s head.

 

[A direct confrontation with the Emperor would be burdensome even for Golden Tower Manor.]

 

‘Then what method will they use?’

 

[I think there are two methods. One is to hide Golden Tower Manor’s name and attack indirectly. The other is…]

 

‘To incite other forces that have suffered losses?’

 

[Exactly, Doctor.]

 

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes turned coldly sharp.

 

‘They wouldn’t be talking about legitimate salt merchants… illegal salt traders?’

 

[That’s highly likely.]

 

Illegal salt traders.

 

Guyang Cheongang frowned.

 

Though he hadn’t experienced them directly yet, the history of Gangho recorded just how brutal the illegal salt traders were.

 

Their way was to completely uproot any force that interfered with their business, regardless of how large that force might be.

 

From newborn babies to elderly people facing death, no one could be an exception before their cruelty.

 

Guyang Cheongang looked toward the watchtower and muttered.

 

“The escort agency’s escorts might… not be enough.”

 

Jupyo turned his head and asked.

 

“What did you say?”

 

“Oh, it’s nothing. But Elder Master.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Have you heard anything about the movements of illegal salt traders by any chance?”

 

Jupyo’s expression instantly hardened.

 

“Illegal salt traders… Grand Young Master, why are you suddenly mentioning that ominous name?”

 

“It might just be unfounded worry, but I have a feeling their blades might be pointed toward us. I think it would be good to prepare in advance.”

 

Instead of answering, Jupyo stared at Guyang Cheongang for a moment with eyes deeply lined with wrinkles.

 

In the young Grand Young Master’s eyes was a light closer to certainty than hasty speculation.

 

Jupyo smacked his lips and nodded his head.

 

“I’ve already told the Chief Escort Leaders of Geonam and Iljo Escort Agency to keep a careful watch on the movements of the secret salt merchants.”

 

As expected, Jupyo was truly a veteran of Gangho.

 

Guyang Cheongang gazed at the warriors sweating in the training ground and murmured quietly.

 

“Making the Self-Strengthening Corps into a useful blade seems like it will become a more urgent matter than I thought.”

 

The wind blowing from the distant sea felt unusually cold.

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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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