Almighty God of War - Chapter 155

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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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155

 

Shangguan Wana and Yeom Pung immediately began the task of moving the gold to the Iljo branch.

 

Transporting twenty-five thousand geun of gold secretly yet safely was by no means an easy task.

 

A hundred elite guard warriors from Ten Thousand Gold Mountain Villa were mobilized, and the transport route was changed three times.

 

Shangguan Wana personally commanded the entire process.

 

“Uncle Yeom, if even the slightest suspicious movement occurs during the transport process, report it immediately.”

 

Her voice carried an unusual sharpness.

 

The astronomical sum of six million nyang made even her, with her extraordinary composure, unable to avoid tension.

 

Yeom Pung said.

 

“Trading House Master, the Iljo branch won’t be able to store this amount of money. Eventually we’ll have to transfer it to the main store…”

 

“I’ve already sent an urgent message to the main store. A special escort unit will arrive soon.”

 

Shangguan Wana’s eyes were resolute.

 

“Since Young Master trusted me and entrusted this to me, I must handle this matter perfectly.”

 

Three days passed like that.

 

All the gold was safely stored in the special vault of the Mangeum Exchange Iljo branch.

 

Only then could Shangguan Wana relax her tension and breathe a sigh of relief.

 

Meanwhile, Guyang Cheongang devoted those three days to dealing with Gang Pil.

 

The first meeting between the two took place the day after showing the gold to Shangguan Wana.

 

Going down the stairs leading to the underground stone chamber, Guyang Cheongang asked Akasha.

 

‘How is Gang Pil’s condition?’

 

[On the surface he’s pretending to be calm, but judging by his heart rate and hormone levels, he’s in an extremely tense state. I judge his psychology to be like a powder keg that could explode at any moment.]

 

‘That would be natural. This is the heart of enemy territory, and he doesn’t know when he might be killed.’

 

The two warriors standing guard in front of the iron door saw him and put their fists to their chests and bowed their heads.

 

“Have you come, Instructor?”

 

“You’re working hard. Open the door.”

 

Creeeeak-

 

The heavy iron door opened, revealing the dim interior of the stone chamber.

 

Gang Pil was leaning against the wall with his eyes closed.

 

His internal energy was suppressed, but he wasn’t wearing shackles.

 

This was a strategic move in preparation for future proceedings.

 

Hearing the presence of Guyang Cheongang entering, he slowly opened his eyes.

 

“…You’ve come.”

 

Speaking in a calm voice, Gang Pil looked over Guyang Cheongang as he sat across from him.

 

There was no anger or hatred visible in his eyes.

 

Since there was no way he truly had no emotions, this was proof that he was skilled at controlling his emotions.

 

Gang Pil opened his mouth.

 

“Instructor Jang, there’s one thing I’m curious about…”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Why are you keeping me alive? It would be natural to cut off my head as a trophy of victory, but you’re not doing that, are you?”

 

Guyang Cheongang answered in an indifferent tone.

 

“Brigade Leader Gang’s head has value. I intend to utilize it. That’s why I’m keeping you alive.”

 

A subtle light appeared in Gang Pil’s eyes.

 

“You’re honest.”

 

He crossed his arms and continued speaking.

 

“Whatever value Instructor Jang thinks I have, if you don’t cut off my head now, you’ll greatly regret it in the future.”

 

It was a chilling threat, but Guyang Cheongang’s expression didn’t change.

 

He smiled slightly and responded.

 

“A Brigade Leader Gang like this would have even greater value than I thought.”

 

“You’re a stubborn person.”

 

“Without that, I couldn’t have achieved what I have now.”

 

A moment of silence passed.

 

Gang Pil opened his mouth.

 

“If I return to the Cavalry Alliance, I’ll die. Five hundred Blood Tiger Corps annihilated. Brigade leader captured. Failed to support Baekgyeong Bang. With this much, even ten heads wouldn’t be enough.”

 

“I know.”

 

“And yet you say I have value? What exactly are you thinking?”

 

Guyang Cheongang smiled slightly and responded.

 

“Before answering, let me ask you something first. What was the reason the Cavalry Alliance supported Baekgyeong Bang?”

 

“You don’t seem to be asking without knowing?”

 

“It seems like you received protection fees in exchange for protecting Baekgyeong Bang’s smuggling trade, am I right?”

 

Gang Pil nodded and answered.

 

“You know well.”

 

“How much were the annual protection fees?”

 

Gang Pil answered readily.

 

“About fifty thousand nyang in silver coins annually.”

 

Since Baekgyeong Bang had fallen, how much the protection fees were was no longer a secret.

 

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes deepened.

 

“That amount would be a significant portion of the Cavalry Alliance’s total revenue.”

 

“…That’s right.”

 

“With the loss of fifty thousand nyang in revenue, plus the military loss of five hundred Blood Tiger Corps being annihilated, the Cavalry Alliance must be quite bitter.”

 

Gang Pil didn’t answer, but the focus in his eyes wavered slightly.

 

Guyang Cheongang continued.

 

“Brigade Leader Gang will be held responsible for losing both revenue source and military strength.”

 

“I’ll pay with my head… Were you perverted enough to want me to confirm this with my own mouth, Instructor Jang?”

 

“Hardly. Hehehe.”

 

Guyang Cheongang chuckled softly and continued.

 

“What if Brigade Leader Gang could bring the Cavalry Alliance benefits that offset those two losses, or even greater profits?”

 

Gang Pil’s eyes changed.

 

“…Specifically?”

 

“The salt distribution rights for Dongryeong Salt Field.”

 

Guyang Cheongang spoke directly.

 

“It would be worth two hundred thousand nyang in silver coins annually. Pure profit would be about one hundred thousand nyang.”

 

“…!”

 

Gang Pil’s eyes widened in surprise.

 

But he soon regained his composure.

 

“Pure profit of one hundred thousand nyang… That’s more than double the profit from Baekgyeong Bang.”

 

“That’s right. And unlike smuggling, it’s legal and stable.”

 

“…”

 

Gang Pil remained silent for a while.

 

If they really secured salt distribution rights worth two hundred thousand nyang, the Cavalry Alliance could reach a situation where losing Baekgyeong Bang wouldn’t matter.

 

Smuggling was dangerous and unstable. But legitimate salt distribution business with Ten Thousand Gold Mountain Villa was stable and sustainable.

 

Guyang Cheongang didn’t rush him.

 

After a moment, Gang Pil opened his mouth.

 

“Why would you hand over such great profits to the Cavalry Alliance?”

 

Guyang Cheongang answered in an indifferent voice.

 

“Because it benefits us too. Ten Thousand Gold Mountain Villa is a place that produces and sells salt. The wider the distribution network, the better. And…”

 

His eyes deepened as he continued.

 

“Because forming a business alliance relationship is more profitable than maintaining an adversarial relationship with the Cavalry Alliance.”

 

“If Ten Thousand Gold Mountain Villa forms a business alliance with the Cavalry Alliance, word will inevitably spread throughout All Under Heaven. When the Orthodox Murim Alliance finds out, the aftermath will be considerable – can you handle it?”

 

Guyang Cheongang chuckled and answered.

 

“It’s not just swords that are blind. Money is blind too. They can be sufficiently persuaded, so the Great Leader need not worry.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“Miss Shangguan wants to put forward Great Leader Gang as a mediator for negotiations with the Gunma Alliance.”

 

“…Mediator?”

 

“That’s right. You can become the channel connecting Ten Thousand Gold Mountain Villa and the Gunma Alliance.”

 

Guyang Cheongang continued with a slight smile.

 

“The Great Leader lost Baekgyeong Bang and the Blood Tiger Corps, but what if you became the one who brought a new revenue source of one hundred thousand nyang annually to the Gunma Alliance?”

 

“…”

 

“Rather than being punished, Great Leader Gang might even receive a reward, don’t you think?”

 

A sneer appeared at the corner of Gang Pil’s mouth.

 

“You’re suggesting we use each other.”

 

“Exactly. Now are you interested?”

 

“I won’t deny it’s an interesting story.”

 

Guyang Cheongang said.

 

“This could be the beginning of a long-term cooperative relationship between Ten Thousand Gold Mountain Villa and the Gunma Alliance. We can trade not just salt but other goods as well. Don’t forget that Ten Thousand Gold Mountain Villa is a merchant house, not a martial house.”

 

Gang Pil slowly nodded his head.

 

‘That’s right. This… has sufficient persuasive power.’

 

He said.

 

“I understand. I’ll accept the role of mediator between the Main Alliance and Ten Thousand Gold Mountain Villa.”

 

A smile appeared at the corner of Guyang Cheongang’s mouth.

 

The next morning, at Guyang Cheongang’s quarters.

 

Shangguan Wana, Yeom Pung, and Jupyo had gathered.

 

Guyang Cheongang told them everything about his conversation with Gang Pil.

 

Shangguan Wana asked cautiously.

 

“Can we trust him?”

 

Guyang Cheongang answered with a bitter smile.

 

“That bastard will betray us someday. He’s waiting for a chance for revenge.”

 

“But he won’t betray us right now, is that it?”

 

Guyang Cheongang nodded and continued.

 

“That’s right. He still needs us. Cooperation with us is essential if he wants to reestablish his position in the Gunma Alliance.”

 

“In any case, we’ve succeeded in buying time.”

 

“Correct, Young Lady. In the meantime, we just need to become stronger. By the time he feels he doesn’t need us, we won’t fear the Gunma Alliance either.”

 

Yeom Pung let out a deep sigh.

 

“You’re truly a frightening person, Young Master Guyang.”

 

Guyang Cheongang smiled silently without a word.

 

The negotiations with the Gunma Alliance proceeded faster than expected.

 

The day after Gang Pil emerged from the stone chamber, he sent an urgent message to the Gunma Alliance.

 

And five days later, a reply arrived.

 

The appointment was set for six days later, and the negotiation location was Dongryeong Salt Field.

 

The appointed day arrived.

 

At exactly five o’clock, more than ten men and women entered Dongryeong Salt Field.

 

Guyang Cheongang, Shangguan Wana, Yeom Pung, Jupyo, and about a hundred warriors from the Jagang Corps greeted them.

 

The figure at the front of the group was a woman wearing black martial robes with a red sash around her waist.

 

Jupyo’s gaze grew heavy.

 

‘Those martial robes…’

 

The woman’s martial robes appeared ordinary at first glance.

 

There were no fancy decorations or conspicuous patterns, but looking closely, the fabric was faded in places.

 

This wasn’t because they were old, but because they had been soaked in blood countless times and washed just as many times, causing the color to fade.

 

Throughout the fabric, traces of mending with stitches were visible.

 

These were traces of repairing marks from being cut by swords and pierced by spears.

 

‘Each part of those martial robes… is proof of battles that crossed between life and death.’

 

The woman’s face was beautiful, but expressionless.

 

That beauty was cold and transparent like a winter lake, making her look like a statue that didn’t know how to make expressions.

 

At her waist hung an old sword.

 

The ordinary scabbard was covered with countless marks from collisions and scratches, and the leather tightly wrapped around the handle had also turned black from years of its owner’s touch, gleaming smoothly.

 

But the aura emanating from that sword was by no means ordinary.

 

Jupyo’s expression unconsciously hardened.

 

‘Tremendous killing intent… just who is she?’

 

Gang Pil, who had been with the group and saw the woman in black martial robes, had his complexion distort.

 

He let out a quiet sigh, stepped forward, and bowed toward the woman.

 

“I greet you, Fourth Disciple.”

 

Fourth Disciple.

 

With those words, the atmosphere in front of the main hall subtly changed.

 

Shangguan Wana’s eyes widened.

 

‘If she’s the Fourth Disciple, then that woman is a disciple of the Gunma Alliance Leader?’

 

She quickly recalled information about the Gunma Alliance in her mind.

 

The Gunma Alliance Leader had four disciples. And among them, only one was a woman.

 

Shangguan Wana’s gaze fixed on the woman.

 

The woman lightly nodded to accept Gang Pil’s greeting, then gave a cupped fist salute toward Shangguan Wana.

 

“I am Gung Seo-ryeon, Blood Battle Corps Leader of the Gunma Alliance.”

 

Jupyo only lightly furrowed his brow upon hearing that name, but Yeom Pung’s complexion became hard as stone.

 

Unlike Jupyo, who had lived at a certain distance from Gangho for decades, his knowledge of Gangho was extensive.

 

He transmitted his voice to Guyang Cheongang.

 

[Gung Seo-ryeon’s alias is Iron Blood Sword Princess, Young Master. She’s called the most belligerent martial arts fanatic among the Gunma Alliance’s four great disciples. The fact that this woman came personally means it’s probably…]

 

Guyang Cheongang continued the thought.

 

[Negotiation might not be the only purpose.]

 

[It seems so…]

 

At that moment, Shangguan Wana spoke with a calm expression, giving a cupped fist salute.

 

“I’m Shangguan Wana of Ten Thousand Gold Mountain Villa. You must have had a hard journey coming from so far away.”

 

Instead of answering, Gung Seo-ryeon only nodded lightly.

 

Her gaze slowly moved toward Guyang Cheongang.

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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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