Almighty God of War - Chapter 160

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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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160

 

Akasha continued speaking.

 

[There are indeed masters and sects that experienced rapid growth after visiting Pungnimgok.]

 

‘Hmm….’

 

[Even at that time, their specific names were not revealed. However, every time Pungnimgok opens every hundred years, a peculiar pattern repeats.]

 

‘Pattern?’

 

[Yes. Unknown figures suddenly rose to become supreme masters. And third-rate sects became regional overlords within ten years. Though not many cases.]

 

‘What evidence is there that they visited Pungnimgok?’

 

[There’s no direct evidence. They never revealed that they had been to Pungnimgok. But several people witnessed them entering Pungnimgok. It’s speculation based on that.]

 

‘That would be enough to ignite the fire of desire in people’s hearts.’

 

[Exactly. And the reason this speculation is convincing is because the timing is too clear.]

 

Akasha’s voice gained strength as she continued.

 

[One hundred years ago, two hundred years ago, three hundred years ago… the cases I mentioned repeatedly occurred right after Pungnimgok opened each time.]

 

‘It would be hard to consider it coincidence.’

 

[That’s right. The timing is too coincidental. That’s why Gangho also calls Pungnimgok ‘the place that changes fate.’]

 

Guyang Cheongang looked outside the window.

 

Voices of Murim people could be heard from all over the village.

 

Their eyes were filled with desire.

 

Dreams of obtaining Divine Weapon Aura and becoming a peerless master.

 

Ambitions of obtaining secret manuals of divine techniques and raising their sect.

 

Yearning to change their own fate.

 

[But Doctor.]

 

‘Yes?’

 

[Pungnimgok is a very dangerous place. It’s said that less than one percent of those who enter come out alive.]

 

A bitter smile crossed Guyang Cheongang’s lips.

 

‘They still go. That’s what human desire is like.’

 

The next morning.

 

Guyang Cheongang and Baek Muok set out on the road again.

 

The official road had become even more congested.

 

Far more Murim people than the day before were moving in the same direction.

 

“Master, there are too many people.”

 

Baek Muok said.

 

“Yes. They’re all heading to the same place.”

 

Guyang Cheongang surveyed the Murim people.

 

Most were men, but occasionally women could be seen, and their ages varied widely.

 

From their atmosphere and attire, warriors belonging to orthodox, unorthodox, and demonic factions were mixed together.

 

Normally they would have drawn swords against each other, but now a strange peace was maintained.

 

‘There seems to be an implicit agreement not to fight each other until Pungnimgok opens.’

 

As midnight deepened.

 

The official road was completely filled with Murim people.

 

It was difficult to even estimate how many there were.

 

It looked like at least two to three thousand people.

 

‘At this level… it’s almost like a Murim tournament.’

 

Guyang Cheongang clicked his tongue inwardly.

 

With no village in sight, they had no choice but to sleep outdoors.

 

Another day passed.

 

When the sun rose to its zenith, a massive mountain appeared before Guyang Cheongang.

 

A gigantic mountain range with peaks shrouded in clouds.

 

“…!”

 

Baek Muok’s eyes widened as he held his breath.

 

“Is that… Cheonbo Mountain?”

 

“It seems so.”

 

Guyang Cheongang was also momentarily speechless at the magnificent sight.

 

The mountain was larger than imagination.

 

The highest peak rose above the clouds, making the summit invisible.

 

The mountain range stretched endlessly left and right, with dense forests covering the entire mountain.

 

‘Inside there… Pungnimgok is supposed to be.’

 

Buzz- Buzz- Buzz-

 

The bracelet vibrated strongly again.

 

This time, unlike before, he could even feel subtle heat from the bracelet.

 

‘Does this mean we’re almost there….’

 

[Doctor, I’m detecting a powerful energy reaction somewhere in that mountain range.]

 

‘Energy reaction?’

 

[Yes. It’s a very unique wavelength. It feels like a massive barrier.]

 

‘It must be the energy of the mystical formation protecting Pungnimgok.’

 

Guyang Cheongang looked at Cheonbo Mountain.

 

The faces of Murim people boldly entering the mountain showed a mixture of tension and anticipation.

 

Guyang Cheongang lightly gripped the handle of the Supreme Sword and said.

 

“Muok, we’re going in too.”

 

“Yes, Master.”

 

The two joined the procession of Murim people and entered Cheonbo Mountain.

 

The dense forest swallowed them.

 

Sunlight filtered thinly through the trees that blocked the sky.

 

The air was different.

 

In the cold, humid forest, some mysterious energy seemed to flow.

 

‘This place is not ordinary.’

 

Guyang Cheongang’s senses sharpened.

 

Buzz- Buzz- Buzz-

 

The bracelet was still vibrating.

 

It seemed to whisper ‘deeper, deeper.’

 

Thus the two followed behind the Murim people, entering deep into Cheonbo Mountain.

 

Steep cliffs rose as if to pierce the sky, and waterfalls poured down between the sheer rock faces.

 

Dangerous paths continued where a single misstep would send one plummeting into the abyss.

 

Cheonbo Mountain was treacherous but simultaneously beautiful.

 

Clouds flowed around the mountainside, and wildflowers blooming between the strange rocks emitted colorful light.

 

Ancient trees that looked easily over a thousand years old blocked the sky, and bird songs and water sounds echoed softly between them.

 

‘Truly… a magnificent view.’

 

Guyang Cheongang admired the scenery as he climbed the mountain path.

 

But there was no leisure to enjoy that beauty.

 

The deeper they went into the mountain, the more the atmosphere among the Murim people changed.

 

At first, they maintained a certain distance while being wary of each other.

 

There was something like an implicit non-aggression pact.

 

But as they got closer to Pungnimgok, that tension gradually intensified.

 

“Get out of the way.”

 

“You get out of the way.”

 

Disputes frequently arose on the narrow mountain paths.

 

Each time, Guyang Cheongang took Baek Muok’s hand and detoured around them.

 

“Master.”

 

Baek Muok turned around and said.

 

“Those people… it looks like they’re going to fight.”

 

“No.”

 

Guyang Cheongang shook his head.

 

“They won’t fight. Not yet.”

 

“Why not?”

 

“Because it would be a loss to waste their strength before Pungnimgok opens. But once they enter Pungnimgok, the story will be different. That’s when a real war will break out.”

 

Baek Muok nodded and looked forward again.

 

Another day passed like that.

 

Around noon.

 

Guyang Cheongang’s group stopped at the end of a slope that wound around the mountainside, deep within Cheonbo Mountain.

 

“…!”

 

Baek Muok held his breath.

 

The scene spread before them was overwhelmingly magnificent.

 

A massive valley entrance.

 

No, it was too large to be called an entrance.

 

It was like a gigantic crevice where the entire mountain had been split apart.

 

And pure white mist covered the entire valley.

 

The swirling clouds that flowed like living creatures were clearly extraordinary at first glance.

 

Because of this, the exact shape of the entrance couldn’t be discerned, and the interior was even more invisible.

 

However, Guyang Cheongang could sense that something tremendous lay beyond that mist.

 

Baek Muok asked.

 

“Master, is that Pungnimgok?”

 

“It seems so.”

 

Guyang Cheongang also answered with a tense expression.

 

Buzz- Buzz- Buzz-!

 

The bracelet vibrated frantically.

 

Guyang Cheongang looked down at the bracelet.

 

‘At this level, there’s definitely something real inside there.’

 

[Doctor, I’m detecting immeasurable levels of energy from that mist. This is an artificially created barrier.]

 

‘A mystical formation, you mean.’

 

[Correct. And it’s extremely powerful. Even with my capabilities, it’s difficult to analyze its structure.]

 

‘Hmm….’

 

Guyang Cheongang slowly lowered his gaze.

 

In front of the valley entrance, a wide basin spread out.

 

And it was packed with people.

 

At a glance, there appeared to be well over five thousand people.

 

And that number was continuing to grow even at this very moment.

 

Guyang Cheongang looked down at the basin and observed the arrangement of the martial artists.

 

‘Quite a crowd has gathered. But those people… they’re clearly divided by hierarchy.’

 

Closest to the valley entrance, a group in splendid attire had positioned themselves.

 

Since lower disciples were holding flags, identifying them wasn’t difficult.

 

The hundred or so swordsmen holding swords and wearing blue robes were from Namgung Sega, and beside them, those in red battle robes with large fists lined up were from Hwangbo Sega.

 

The scholars in pristine white clothing holding feather fans were from Jegal Sega, while the blade wielders in lustrous black martial robes with great swords on their backs were from Habuk Paeng-ga.

 

Those in purple clothing with green leather gloves were from Sachen Dang-ga, and those in silver clothing carrying various weapons were definitely from Moyong Sega.

 

Only they possessed such diverse mystical weapons in all under heaven.

 

‘It’s not strange that the Six Great Families have united, but….’

 

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes changed subtly as he shifted his gaze to the side.

 

Next to the Six Great Families’ group stood about two hundred masters wearing white robes with the Changcheon Martial Alliance emblem clearly emblazoned on their chests.

 

Intense divine light blazed in the eyes of the middle-aged warrior leading them, and the other warriors all possessed extraordinary presence.

 

‘Why are they keeping distance from the Changcheon Martial Alliance warriors?’

 

The Six Great Families belonged to the Changcheon Martial Alliance.

 

There was definitely a reason they were camping separately despite being under the same banner.

 

‘Are there factions within the Martial Alliance, or is it a difference of opinion regarding this matter… But I don’t see the Nine Sects and One Association.’

 

A few beggars appeared to be warriors from the Beggar’s Sect, but no one who could be presumed to be disciples of the Nine Great Sects was visible.

 

‘They say that even though they belong to the Martial Alliance, they live distanced from worldly affairs, and that seems to be true.’

 

As Guyang Cheongang’s gaze moved again, a group with a completely different atmosphere appeared.

 

About two hundred warriors in black clothing with red sashes around their waists, holding flags bearing “Gunma Jijeon.”

 

Their eyes were sharp like wild beasts, and killing intent subtly flowed from their bodies.

 

‘The Gunma Alliance has come too….’

 

Guyang Cheongang slowly scanned among them.

 

He looked to see if Gung Seo-ryeon was there, but her figure was nowhere to be seen.

 

Then another group caught his eye.

 

About a hundred warriors dressed in gray robes, and the aura they emanated was gloomy and ruthless, giving off an atmosphere like grim reapers.

 

‘Those must be Cheonsa Bu.’

 

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes intensified beneath his pressed bamboo hat.

 

Neither righteous nor demonic, those who had built independent power while controlling the Evil Path Martial World.

 

They were also the force suspected to be behind the Imperial Palace incident.

 

And finally, he saw a peculiar group.

 

Though they had no affiliation, it was a gathering of renowned masters famous in Gangho.

 

Aged masters, retired peak warriors, and supreme masters who had wandered Gangho alone were mixed together, and though they numbered only about a hundred, their presence was more intense than any other group.

 

Guyang Cheongang’s gaze turned to a place far from the valley entrance.

 

There, warriors of low reputation and martial artists from small and medium sects were densely gathered.

 

It was the largest group, appearing to number about four thousand, but they couldn’t step forward and were pushed back.

 

It was because of the massive forces blocking their way, and they dared not compete with them for position.

 

‘The law of the jungle is clearly displayed.’

 

Guyang Cheongang smiled bitterly.

 

This was Murim.

 

A world where those with power occupied the good positions, and the weak were pushed back.

 

Though they proclaimed chivalry and justice, in reality it was a place ruled by power and force.

 

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes sank deep like an abyss.

 

‘I don’t see anyone who appears to be from the Demonic Cult. Are they hiding among the crowd… or did they not come….’

 

Baek Muok carefully asked him.

 

“Master, where should we go?”

 

Guyang Cheongang thought for a moment.

 

He had no intention of joining the Six Great Families, the Changcheon Martial Alliance group, or the renowned masters of Gangho.

 

He wasn’t even sure if he had such reputation, and even if he did, he had no desire to join them.

 

The Gunma Alliance and Cheonsa Bu were naturally out of consideration.

 

‘Then….’

 

Guyang Cheongang’s gaze turned toward the middle of the basin.

 

A place that was neither a major force nor completely in the back.

 

Where mid-level forces and warriors were gathered.

 

“Let’s go there.”

 

“Yes, Master.”

 

The two descended into the basin.

 

The moment he set foot in the basin, Guyang Cheongang felt all the hair on his body stand on end.

 

The tension and murderous atmosphere filling the entire basin felt like it was penetrating his skin.

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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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