Almighty God of War - Chapter 153

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

153

 

How much time had passed?

 

The three-colored lotus that had been shining brilliantly above his crown gradually scattered, becoming particles of light that seeped into his body.

 

Guyang Cheongang’s body, which had been floating in midair, also descended to the floor as lightly as a feather.

 

And then he opened his eyes.

 

From his two eyes flowed not the intense light that overwhelmed opponents as before, but a quiet and mysterious divine radiance whose depth was difficult to fathom.

 

He was perfectly aware of all the changes that had just occurred in his body—the process of shedding his mortal shell and his leap to the intermediate level of the Transformation Realm.

 

Because he had watched every single moment clearly without missing anything through his Yang Mind Divine Art.

 

However, despite achieving this incredible accomplishment, his complexion was not particularly bright.

 

He looked at his entire meridian system within his mind’s eye.

 

He could see the Taiji Primordial Qi flowing majestically like a river of light.

 

But at the very end where that brilliant river of light could not reach, the last two major acupoints were shrouded in ominous black mist, creating a vortex of darkness.

 

‘Akasha, analyze those two major acupoints precisely. Something feels off about them.’

 

[The total amount of extreme yin qi condensed inside has definitely weakened, but its nature appears to have mutated. An energy barrier with a different pattern than before has formed and is rejecting my nanobot scans.]

 

‘Rejecting?’

 

[Yes. It’s really strange, just as you said, Doctor.]

 

Guyang Cheongang raised his qi sensitivity and focused on the two major acupoints.

 

Akasha was right.

 

The extreme yin qi crouched inside was cunningly hiding its true nature like a living viper, rejecting not only the nanobots but also the approach of his Taiji Primordial Qi.

 

‘Can you determine the cause?’

 

[I will investigate.]

 

‘You don’t know right now, do you?’

 

[Yes. I need time.]

 

‘It can’t be helped. Look into it.’

 

[Understood, Doctor.]

 

Deep furrows appeared on Guyang Cheongang’s brow.

 

Though he couldn’t understand why this phenomenon had occurred, he instinctively sensed it.

 

That with the current method, he would never be able to eliminate those two major acupoints.

 

Guyang Cheongang lightly waved his hand toward his shed skin scattered on the floor and the foul odor vibrating in the room.

 

The Samadhi True Fire that rose from his fingertips burned away all impurities without a trace.

 

Once the room was purified, he touched his bare face that felt unfamiliar and asked Akasha.

 

‘The human skin mask was destroyed when I surpassed that level, right?’

 

[Yes. It was destroyed because it couldn’t withstand the aura your body emitted during the shedding of your mortal shell.]

 

‘I see. How far has the Diamond Indestructible System construction progressed? Is the facial bio-nanobot conversion complete?’

 

[The first-stage goal of skull and facial cell synchronization is 87% complete. There are no problems with converting your current face to Jang Woomyeong’s appearance.]

 

‘Really? Then change me to Jang Woomyeong.’

 

[Understood.]

 

Along with Akasha’s response, Guyang Cheongang felt the strange sensation of hundreds of millions of microscopic particles rearranging themselves beneath his facial skin.

 

[I will now reconstruct your facial features to match Jang Woomyeong.]

 

A cool sensation spread across his face as his muscles and skin began to move softly.

 

It wasn’t painful, but it was an extremely alien feeling.

 

It was natural, since it was the bizarre experience of his body transforming regardless of his own will.

 

Two weeks after leaving Dongban Island, five sailing ships carrying Guyang Cheongang and the Jagang Corps dropped anchor at the wharf of Dongryeong Salt Field.

 

At the dock, Jupyo and Baek Muok greeted them with expressions mixing relief and joy.

 

“Instructor Jang, I heard the story. You really went through a lot.”

 

“Master, I believed you would return safely!”

 

Guyang Cheongang’s gaze, which had been ruffling Baek Muok’s hair, turned toward the unexpected figures standing behind the child.

 

A mixture of delight and surprise appeared in his eyes.

 

The two people who met his gaze were Shangguan Wana, the thousand gold of Ten Thousand Gold Mountain Villa and the actual owner of Dongryeong Salt Field, and her adoptive uncle Yeom Pung.

 

Having left the cleanup to Jang Cheol-un, Guyang Cheongang sat facing them in Jupyo’s office.

 

Shangguan Wana looked at him and bowed her head.

 

“I have received an unpayable debt of gratitude from Young Master Guyang.”

 

Her voice was calm, but it contained undeniable reverence.

 

She continued speaking.

 

“If not for you, Young Master, I would not exist as I am now.”

 

This was by no means an exaggeration.

 

In Guyang Cheongang’s form, he had helped her establish a business foundation with the sales rights for Yang Dragon Pills and Yin Dragon Pills, and as Hahou Gang’s mask, he had helped her obtain salt licenses while enduring all kinds of hardships that nearly cost her life twice.

 

And this time, under Jang Woomyeong’s name, he had consecutively annihilated the Ronin Group and Baekgyeong Bang.

 

Thanks to this, she, who was known to have him under her command, had even gained a reputation in Gangho that could not be called light.

 

Guyang Cheongang smiled and said.

 

“We simply gave and received what we needed from each other, so there’s no need to feel burdened.”

 

This wasn’t modesty but sincerity.

 

Without her, the reconstruction of the Guyang Family Estate would have required much more time and anguish.

 

From the beginning, they weren’t in a relationship where one unilaterally bestowed favors, but allies who had staked their futures on each other, and that remained the same now.

 

Guyang Cheongang looked at Shangguan Wana and Yeom Pung and continued speaking.

 

“By annihilating the Ronin Group and Blood Tiger Corps, we’ve made the Heavenly Death Department and Horse Alliance uncomfortable. Do you know anything about their movements?”

 

Yeom Pung put down his teacup and answered.

 

“We looked into the Heavenly Death Department, but haven’t yet discovered any signs of them planning particularly hostile acts against us.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

Guyang Cheongang let out a low murmur and asked.

 

“Do you know what position the Ronin Group held within the Heavenly Death Department?”

 

“The Ronin Group was under the Heavenly Death Department, but it wasn’t an organization under direct control.”

 

Yeom Pung paused briefly, seeming to think as if searching for the right expression, then continued.

 

“The Ronin Group was just one of many small and medium sects taking shelter under the giant umbrella called the Heavenly Death Department. They paid tribute, but it was a nominal subordinate relationship.”

 

Shangguan Wana added.

 

“Moreover, they were paid to do work and failed. It would look strange for the Heavenly Death Department to step forward to avenge them.”

 

Her eyes as she continued speaking were as deep as a lake.

 

“When great forces of Murim move, justification is important. That’s the same even for heretical sects. Because they’re not individuals.”

 

Yeom Pung interjected with a cautious expression.

 

“Young Master Guyang, their actions are originally dark and secretive, so you mustn’t be careless in your vigilance. You never know when or how they might draw their swords.”

 

Guyang Cheongang nodded with a smile.

 

“The Heavenly Death Department is a force occupying one seat among the Five Hegemons of All Under Heaven. Being careless in vigilance is impossible.”

 

Shangguan Wana asked carefully.

 

“I heard that in this battle you annihilated the Horse Alliance’s Blood Tiger Corps and captured Corps Leader Gang Pil. Is this true?”

 

“It’s true.”

 

At Guyang Cheongang’s answer, the air in the room changed subtly.

 

Shangguan Wana and Yeom Pung looked at each other.

 

The Horse Alliance was one of the Five Hegemons of All Under Heaven.

 

Completely destroying their elite unit and capturing a corps leader had meaning beyond a simple victory.

 

Shangguan Wana asked.

 

“Could you tell us how you plan to deal with him?”

 

Guyang Cheongang put down his teacup and said.

 

“I won’t kill him. But I also have no intention of just releasing him.”

 

Shangguan Wana and Yeom Pung listened silently.

 

“I intend to give the Horse Alliance and him three choices.”

 

Guyang Cheongang extended his fingers one by one as he continued.

 

“First, ransom money. If the Horse Alliance considers their reputation, about one hundred thousand taels of silver would be appropriate. For the life of Gang Pil, a disciple of the Horse Alliance Leader, it’s on the cheap side.”

 

Jupyo held his breath.

 

He was a natural warrior, so he was shocked by the astronomical figure of one hundred thousand nyang.

 

“Second, non-aggression. We will receive a promise that the Gunja League will not engage in any hostile acts against Dongling Salt Works and Ten Thousand Gold Mountain Villa in the future.”

 

Yeom Pung frowned.

 

“That… would be humiliating for the Gunja League. They would never accept it.”

 

“I know. That’s why I prepared a third option.”

 

A cold smile crossed Guyang Cheongang’s lips.

 

A moment of silence passed.

 

Guyang Cheongang turned to look at Jupyo and asked.

 

“Elder Master Ju, where is Gang Pil right now?”

 

“He’s locked up in the underground stone chamber. He seems to have given up any thoughts of escaping.”

 

“Of course. I warned him he’d die if he tried to run.”

 

Guyang Cheongang smiled faintly as he continued.

 

“Gang Pil is the leader of the Blood Tiger Corps. He commanded five hundred elite troops. The fact that such a man gave up resistance and surrendered after witnessing his entire force annihilated in an instant means one of two things.”

 

Yeom Pung spoke in a quiet tone.

 

“Either he’s a coward, or he’s someone who survived to wait for a chance at revenge.”

 

Guyang Cheongang nodded.

 

“Naturally, Gang Pil is the latter. I saw it in his eyes. In that case, we can use two methods.”

 

He held up two fingers.

 

“First, completely break him and turn him into a puppet. This takes a long time, and even if successful, his value decreases.”

 

“What’s the second?”

 

“Present him with a goal other than revenge. For example…”

 

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes gleamed with a cold light as he continued.

 

“Something like an opportunity to rebuild the Blood Tiger Corps.”

 

Jupyo’s eyes widened.

 

“Grand Young Master, surely… you’re not planning to recruit Gang Pil?”

 

Guyang Cheongang shook his head as he answered.

 

“No. Gang Pil is not someone we can trust. However, I think it might be possible to use him.”

 

Shangguan Wana frowned and asked.

 

“Young Master, what do you mean by that?”

 

“Send him back to the Gunja League, but make him move in the direction we want.”

 

“How?”

 

Guyang Cheongang smiled slyly as he answered.

 

“Give Gang Pil a choice. First is to pay a ransom and return to face punishment as a failed commander.”

 

Shangguan Wana’s eyes lit up as she asked.

 

“And the second?”

 

He paused for a moment.

 

“Second, return with something that the Gunja League leader cannot punish him for. If he accepts this, in exchange he will help us.”

 

Shangguan Wana’s eyes widened.

 

“…You’re planning to make Gang Pil a double agent?”

 

“Not quite that far, I simply want to make him our collaborator.”

 

Yeom Pung tilted his head and asked.

 

“A collaborator… How much funding are you planning to provide him, Young Master?”

 

Guyang Cheongang smiled slyly as he replied.

 

“Great Hero Yeom seems to have misunderstood. I have no intention of providing Gang Pil with money or goods.”

 

“Then?”

 

Guyang Cheongang twisted up the corner of his mouth as he continued.

 

“I plan to send him back with negotiation results that benefit the Gunja League in his hands.”

 

Yeom Pung’s expression changed.

 

“You’re going to give him achievements significant enough to cover the loss of the Blood Tiger Corps.”

 

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes gleamed coldly as he replied.

 

“Exactly. What Gang Pil needs right now isn’t tangible compensation, but justification. A plausible justification that although he lost the Blood Tiger Corps, it wasn’t just a loss and he secured even greater gains. Only then can he return without facing punishment and still plot revenge against me.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————