Almighty God of War - Chapter 157

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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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157

 

People held their breath as they watched the Training Ground.

 

The dust slowly cleared.

 

And at the sight that was revealed, the eyes of those watching grew twice as large.

 

Guyang Cheongang and Gung Seo-ryeon stood facing each other at a distance of three zhang, just like at the beginning.

 

A pit two zhang in diameter and one척 deep could be seen dug in front of Guyang Cheongang.

 

Standing right at the edge of the pit, at the boundary line, he remained in his original position with not a single fold of his clothes disturbed.

 

Guyang Cheongang spoke in a calm tone.

 

“The title Iron Blood Sword Maiden is not in vain. Now it’s my turn.”

 

Gung Seo-ryeon raised her sword again.

 

An opponent who remained relaxed even after blocking her Thunder Strike Heaven Fall unleashed with full power.

 

‘I cannot win.’

 

But she could not meekly admit defeat.

 

The pride of the Gunma Alliance’s Blood Battle Unit Leader would not allow it.

 

Guyang Cheongang moved.

 

Whiiiiik-!

 

His body movement became blurred.

 

Gung Seo-ryeon’s eyes widened.

 

‘Fast!’

 

No, this wasn’t just fast.

 

She had considerable skill in Light Body Technique as well as swordsmanship.

 

Guyang Cheongang’s movement was so fast that comparison with her own Divine Movement Technique, which she was confident in, was meaningless.

 

The moment she thought he had moved, he was already reaching right in front of her nose.

 

The Phantom Shadowless Divine Method, which could be utilized for both Divine Movement Technique and Movement Technique, was being displayed.

 

Gritting her teeth, Gung Seo-ryeon swung her sword with all her Twelve Stars power.

 

Shiit-!

 

Sword light shot up to the sky as a defensive barrier of Sword Energy like an iron wall unfolded.

 

But Guyang Cheongang did not dodge the sword.

 

Instead, he gently reached out his hand toward the sword as if catching a dragonfly’s wing.

 

Thunk-!

 

A dull sound rang out as the sword light disappeared without a trace and everything stopped.

 

Guyang Cheongang was lightly holding Gung Seo-ryeon’s blade with just two fingers – his index and middle finger.

 

It was an extremely natural and composed movement.

 

Empty Hand Seizing White Blade.

 

The most perfect form of technique among the Supreme Techniques of gathering sharp weapons with bare hands.

 

But what was manifested was something known to be suicidal when performed against a master’s sword like Gung Seo-ryeon’s.

 

“…!”

 

Shock appeared on the faces of everyone surrounding the Courtyard.

 

Gang Pil and the Gunma Alliance warriors were speechless.

 

To so lightly catch the Iron Blood Sword Maiden’s sword like that.

 

The Training Ground fell into deathly silence.

 

Gung Seo-ryeon’s complexion turned pale as wax.

 

She poured all her body’s Internal Energy to pull out her sword.

 

But the sword didn’t even budge, as if caught in giant iron tongs.

 

‘This person is….’

 

The opponent’s Internal Energy was like the sea, and her Internal Energy was powerless like a single drop of water before it.

 

It was an overwhelming defeat, the first she had experienced since learning Martial Arts.

 

Gung Seo-ryeon slowly raised her head to look at Guyang Cheongang.

 

In his eyes there was no mockery, no arrogance.

 

They were only quiet like a deep lake.

 

A trembling voice leaked out between her clenched lips.

 

“…I have lost.”

 

Those words broke the silence of the night.

 

Guyang Cheongang released the blade he was holding and stepped back, saying:

 

“It was excellent Martial Arts, Unit Leader Gung.”

 

Gung Seo-ryeon slowly sheathed her sword and bowed her head.

 

“…Thank you for the teaching.”

 

Her voice was still cold, but there was a subtle tremor mixed within it.

 

Guyang Cheongang smiled and said:

 

“Now let’s go stamp the contract.”

 

The group that returned to the Main Hall took their seats around the Table again.

 

Shangguan Wana spread out the two copies of the contract she had prepared again.

 

Gung Seo-ryeon picked up the Brush without hesitation and signed the contract. Then she took out her personal seal and stamped it.

 

Thud.

 

Clear red ink was imprinted on the contract.

 

Shangguan Wana also wrote her name and stamped her seal.

 

“With this, the salt distribution contract between Dongryeong Salt Field and Gunma Alliance has been officially concluded.”

 

Gung Seo-ryeon nodded and looked at Guyang Cheongang, asking:

 

“Will you accept my challenge again someday?”

 

A faint smile appeared on Guyang Cheongang’s face.

 

“Gladly.”

 

Gung Seo-ryeon rose from her seat, made a respectful Cupped Fist Salute, and walked outside.

 

Gang Pil followed her out.

 

Since the contract had been concluded, no one stopped him.

 

Gung Seo-ryeon paused for a moment and looked up at the sky.

 

The full moon was coloring Dongryeong Salt Field in silver.

 

“Next time I won’t end it like today. For that to happen… I’ll need to become stronger.”

 

Her voice contained not the frustration of defeat, but burning passion toward a new goal.

 

After the Gunma Alliance group left, only the Dongryeong Salt Field people remained in the Main Hall.

 

Shangguan Wana looked at the contract on the Table with Gung Seo-ryeon’s clear signature and seal, and let out a long sigh.

 

“Haah… It’s finally over.”

 

She looked at Guyang Cheongang with gentle eyes and continued:

 

“Young Master Guyang, you really worked hard.”

 

Yeom Pung nodded and added:

 

“The Iron Blood Sword Maiden demanding a Martial Duel was truly unexpected. If not for Young Master, we would have been in real trouble.”

 

Jupyo said nothing, but pride was evident in his eyes.

 

Guyang Cheongang responded with a calm expression:

 

“Hearing such praise right to my face is awkward. I merely responded as necessary.”

 

A moment of silence passed. But the atmosphere was bright.

 

It was natural since their worries had been resolved all at once.

 

Guyang Cheongang continued:

 

“Being able to feel the foundation of a great Gangho sect through the fight with the Iron Blood Sword Maiden could also be called a gain.”

 

Shangguan Wana tilted her head and asked:

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“The Iron Blood Sword Maiden is a woman not yet thirty. Yet her Martial Arts had reached the upper level of transcendent mastery. She seemed to have considerable practical experience as well.”

 

Jupyo nodded and said:

 

“I understand what Young Master is trying to say. Certainly, disciples of great sects have remarkably fast Martial Arts progress compared to their age.”

 

Yeom Pung chimed in.

 

“They undergo body cleansing rituals when they’re born, consume spirit medicine like regular meals, and begin training in divine arts at age three. That’s why powerful young warriors like the Iron Blood Sword Maiden are constantly produced.”

 

Jupyo said.

 

“The secret heart methods and divine arts of major sects accumulate internal energy at least three times faster than those of ordinary Gangho. The divine arts of places like the Nine Sects and One Alliance, Six Great Families, or the Demonic Cult are said to be seven to ten times faster… From the start, Murim is a place where it’s difficult for a dragon to emerge from a small stream…”

 

Guyang Cheongang smiled and picked up the conversation.

 

“Elder Master, there’s no need to feel regretful since I’ve restored the lost heart method secrets of our Main Family Estate.”

 

“Young Master’s birth is truly a blessing for our Main Family Estate.”

 

“Anyway, the Iron Blood Sword Maiden received quite a stimulus from me this time, so when we meet next, she might have already crossed the threshold of the Transformation Realm.”

 

Yeom Pung spoke with a fed-up expression.

 

“Surely her progress couldn’t be that fast?”

 

“Well, there’s me, isn’t there.”

 

“Young Master is a rare genius in Murim history, so it’s possible for you… Her qualities are certainly extraordinary, but they can’t compare to yours, Young Master.”

 

After smiling awkwardly for a moment, Guyang Cheongang’s expression became serious.

 

He looked directly at Shangguan Wana and said.

 

“Now that Dongryeong Salt Field has stabilized, I’m thinking of leaving this place.”

 

Shangguan Wana’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.

 

“Young Master… are you planning to go there because of the Four Seas Trading Company Master’s invitation?”

 

“No. Meeting him is not urgent.”

 

“Then…?”

 

“I’m planning to return to the Guyang Family Estate.”

 

“Ah!”

 

Guyang Cheongang smiled and said.

 

“It’s time for our Main Family Estate to emerge from Maternal Grandfather’s shade.”

 

Knowing the Guyang Family Estate’s circumstances well, Shangguan Wana instinctively knew she couldn’t dissuade him.

 

Guyang Cheongang said.

 

“Young Lady, I have one favor to ask of you.”

 

“If it’s something I can do, I’ll do whatever it is.”

 

“It’s nothing that grand. I’d like you to manage all of our family’s assets from now on.”

 

“Assets?”

 

“Yes. Please manage our Main Family Estate’s profits from Young Lady’s business and the profits from Heo Gajang’s spirit pill sales.”

 

“I understand. Since it’s work our family has always done, it’s not difficult at all. Though keeping all those gold ingots piled up in the mansion would be dangerous.”

 

Shangguan Wana then asked in a careful tone.

 

“When are you planning to leave?”

 

“Tomorrow morning. There’s a saying that long nights bring many dreams.”

 

“Ah… that’s right.”

 

Jupyo swallowed dryly and asked.

 

“Young Master, this old man would like to accompany you…”

 

Guyang Cheongang answered with a light smile.

 

“You know that’s not possible. Elder Master must stay here and train the Jagang Corps.”

 

“Sigh… I just feel regretful that I can’t serve Young Master by your side.”

 

“When our Main Family Estate’s flag flies in Gangho in the future, Elder Master will stand at the very front. So there’s no need to feel regretful already.”

 

Jupyo’s eyes became intense.

 

“I’ll be praying with purified water for that day to come quickly.”

 

“Until then, please train the Jagang Corps even stronger.”

 

“This old man… will absolutely not disappoint Young Master.”

 

“I believe in you as well.”

 

That night.

 

Guyang Cheongang headed to the quarters where the Jagang Corps warriors stayed.

 

When he opened the door, over three hundred warriors including Jang Cheol-un, Mong Ji-hye, and Jin Yu-han were lined up in the courtyard.

 

They had apparently already heard the news, as they all wore serious expressions.

 

Guyang Cheongang stood before them.

 

“As you’ve all heard, tomorrow morning I return to the Guyang Family Estate.”

 

“…”

 

The warriors remained silent. Their eyes were filled with regret.

 

Guyang Cheongang slowly looked around at them.

 

“The time I’ve spent with you wasn’t very long. But during that short time, you truly followed me well.”

 

Jang Cheol-un stepped forward.

 

“Training Leader, can’t we come with you?”

 

Guyang Cheongang shook his head.

 

“You must remain here.”

 

“But…”

 

“Jang Cheol-un.”

 

Guyang Cheongang’s voice lowered.

 

“You are now the backbone of Dongryeong Salt Field. Without the Jagang Corps, who would protect this place?”

 

He placed his hand on Jang Cheol-un’s shoulder.

 

“And you still have work left to do.”

 

“What is that?”

 

“Becoming stronger.”

 

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes sharpened.

 

“Right now, a third of you haven’t reached first-rate and remain at second-rate.”

 

The warriors’ faces hardened.

 

“We’re ashamed, Training Leader.”

 

Mong Ji-hye bowed her head.

 

“No.”

 

Guyang Cheongang waved his hand.

 

“There’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’re already doing well enough. The enemies our Main Family Estate must face going forward aren’t just Golden Tower Manor. Great powers like the Five Hegemons Under Heaven and Nine Great Sects will take notice of our Main Family Estate’s reconstruction.”

 

The warriors’ eyes wavered.

 

“So you must become stronger than now. At minimum, everyone must reach first-rate, and those with rapid progress should aim for the pinnacle.”

 

Jin Yu-han clenched his fist tightly.

 

“Training Leader, we… will work hard!”

 

Guyang Cheongang smiled.

 

“You can do it. So…”

 

He raised his voice.

 

“Until we meet again, train diligently! When I return, I’ll personally check which of you has grown the most!”

 

“Yes!”

 

The Three Hundred Warriors’ battle cry pierced the night sky.

 

Guyang Cheongang looked at them and muttered to himself.

 

‘I’ll be looking forward to it. And now it’s time for me to advance to the next stage as well.’

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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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