Almighty God of War - Chapter 161
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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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161
Over five thousand martial artists were all eyeing the treasures of Pungnimgok, viewing each other as potential enemies.
It was an atmosphere where not even a moment’s carelessness was permitted.
‘This place is a battlefield.’
Guyang Cheongang raised his vigilance to the maximum.
Baek Muok also seemed tense, gripping his sleeve tightly.
They slowly moved toward the middle area.
The surrounding martial artists glanced at them repeatedly.
Their gazes were evaluating.
‘Is that person strong or weak?’
‘Threatening or not?’
Guyang Cheongang ignored their stares and went to find a suitable spot.
It was a position with his back against a rock where he could survey the surroundings.
“Let’s wait here.”
“Yes, Master.”
The two settled into position.
Guyang Cheongang looked toward the valley entrance.
Hum- Hum- Hum-
The mist still writhed mysteriously, and the bracelet continued vibrating without stopping.
[Doctor, martial artists continue to arrive. Current estimated count is five thousand three hundred. And approximately one hundred more are arriving every ten minutes.]
‘Just how many more are going to gather…’
Guyang Cheongang let out a sigh.
If all these people entered Pungnimgok, just imagining what would happen inside was dizzying.
He looked down at his bracelet.
‘But I have to go in too. This thing is leading me.’
The sun began tilting toward the west.
The valley was being filled with more and more people.
As Guyang Cheongang sat in a comfortable position surveying the surroundings, it happened.
“To be in such a place with a child… what an interesting person.”
A cheerful voice mixed with curiosity came from nearby.
Guyang Cheongang turned his head.
A young man was approaching.
About five feet one inch tall, wearing a blue long robe.
His shoulders were narrow for a man, and his waist looked particularly slender.
The long robe was loose and concealed his figure, but overall he had a slim and graceful build.
Above all, his face was extraordinary.
Clear and beautiful features.
His black eyes sparkled, full of curiosity.
His skin was white and smooth like white jade.
His neckline was soft and elegant, and his hands were slender and delicate.
A light of admiration rose in Guyang Cheongang’s eyes.
‘What a peerless beauty.’
Appreciation for beauty is close to human instinct.
[Doctor.]
Akasha’s voice was heard.
‘What?’
[The approaching person is not male. She is female.]
‘What?’
[Based on body temperature distribution, skeletal structure, and hormone analysis, it’s certain. There are traces of cloth wrapped around the chest area to make it flat. She’s a woman disguised as a man.]
Guyang Cheongang hid his surprise and examined the other person again.
The chest area was flat, but there was definitely something unnatural about it.
It looked as if it had been tightly bound with cloth.
Her gait was also manly with big strides, but there was a subtle graceful sway.
A bitter smile appeared at the corner of Guyang Cheongang’s mouth.
Since Jianghu was a rough place, women disguised as men were not uncommon.
The young man approached boldly and gave a cupped fist salute.
“Pleased to meet you for the first time. I am called Jongnoeu.”
A smile appeared on her face, and her voice was clear and cheerful.
She gave the impression of someone naturally bright.
Guyang Cheongang returned the courtesy.
“I am Guyang Cheongang.”
“A good name.”
Jongnoeu’s gaze turned to Baek Muok.
“But who is this child?”
“My disciple.”
“Oh ho, to come to Pungnimgok with a disciple, how bold.”
Jongnoeu looked down at Baek Muok and asked.
“Hello, little one. What’s your name?”
Baek Muok answered bluntly.
“Baek Muok.”
Jongnoeu smiled brightly.
“Muok. As good a name as your master’s.”
Though the atmosphere wasn’t dangerous, Guyang Cheongang didn’t lower his guard.
‘She doesn’t seem like an ordinary person, but why did she approach me? Simple curiosity…?’
Jongnoeu continued asking Baek Muok.
“An ordinary child would have been scared and run away, but aren’t you afraid of those thousands of martial artists?”
“I’m not afraid.”
“Ho ho! Really?”
“Yes. Why should I be afraid when Master is beside me?”
“What remarkable faith.”
Jongnoeu stood up and said to Guyang Cheongang.
“You have a wonderful disciple.”
Guyang Cheongang smiled silently.
Standing up, Jongnoeu looked at the bamboo hat he was wearing and said.
“But Young Hero Guyang, you’re covering your face. Is there some reason?”
Guyang Cheongang answered calmly.
“Nothing special. I just find it comfortable.”
Jongnoeu nodded.
“Well, preferences should be respected.”
Guyang Cheongang asked.
“Why did Young Hero Jong come here?”
Jongnoeu smiled brightly.
“I came to find treasure. Isn’t that obvious?”
“Did you come alone?”
“That’s right. I find being alone comfortable.”
Jongnoeu plopped down next to Guyang Cheongang.
“May I wait here with you?”
“This isn’t my house.”
It meant do as you please.
“Thank you.”
Jongnoeu looked toward the valley entrance and asked.
“When do you think it will open?”
“That would be up to the valley’s Qimen Formation.”
“A foolish question with a wise answer. Anyway, I’m incredibly excited. After all, isn’t this a grand event that opens only once every hundred years?”
Jongnoeu’s voice was as cheerful as an excited child.
She turned her head to look straight at Guyang Cheongang and asked.
“Do you happen to know Medical Arts?”
It was a sudden question.
Guyang Cheongang shook his head.
“I don’t know much about it.”
“That’s fortunate.”
“What do you mean?”
“It means you’re not my competitor.”
“Are you a physician?”
Jongnoeu nodded and answered.
“That’s right. I came here after hearing rumors that there are medical texts containing ancient secrets.”
Guyang Cheongang looked at Jongnoeu again.
For a physician, the depth of Internal Energy felt from her body was considerable.
‘It seems she’s crossed the threshold of the pinnacle…’
Jongnoeu continued speaking.
“What did Young Hero Guyang come here to obtain?”
Guyang Cheongang fidgeted with the bracelet on his wrist and replied.
“Well, I’m not exactly sure myself.”
“Oh ho, an interesting answer.”
Jongnoeu laughed as if amused.
A moment of silence passed.
Jongnoeu looked up at the sky and said.
“By the way, while Earth is on the verge of a bloody rain, the weather here is annoyingly good.”
Guyang Cheongang chuckled softly.
Jongnoeu looked at him and continued.
“Since we’ve met good people on a good day, this is also a blessing. Young Hero Guyang, how about we cooperate?”
“Cooperate?”
“Yes. Wouldn’t two be better than one?”
Guyang Cheongang thought for a moment before answering.
“Let’s decide based on the situation.”
“Hmm… A disappointing answer. Then I’ll have to look for other companions.”
Jongnoeu stood up and turned her back, continuing to speak.
“Then let’s meet again inside, Young Hero Guyang.”
Baek Muok, who had been watching her retreating figure, said.
“Master, that person is a woman.”
“How did you know?”
“Her voice, and the way she walks isn’t that of a man.”
Guyang Cheongang smiled and nodded.
“Right, you’re correct. She’s a woman disguised as a man.”
Baek Muok’s eyes widened.
“I knew Master would know too. But why is she wearing men’s clothes?”
“It’s dangerous for a woman to travel Gangho alone. So she disguised herself as a man.”
Guyang Cheongang looked at Jongnoeu’s retreating figure.
Her blue long robe fluttered in the wind, briefly revealing her slender and elegant waistline.
‘Jongnoeu… Who exactly is she?’
Guyang Cheongang etched that name in his heart.
She was certainly no ordinary person.
The western sky was being dyed with red sunset colors.
Orange, purple, and red mixed together, enveloping the peaks of Cheonbo Mountain.
But in contrast to that beauty, the shadows cast by the peaks were growing increasingly thick.
The valley began to slowly sink into darkness.
It was then.
From among the Namgung Sega group, a man stepped forward.
He was a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his mid-fifties.
His appearance with gray-streaked hair swept back was dignified, and an extraordinary aura flowed from the three-foot long sword held in his left hand.
The man opened his mouth to speak.
“I am Namgung Gyeol of Namgung Sega.”
His voice, filled with Internal Energy, echoed throughout the entire valley.
Surprised exclamations flowed from among the assembled heroes.
“Changcheon Sword Namgung Gyeol!”
He was the younger brother of the current head of Namgung Sega and one of the top five supreme masters of Namgung Sega.
Namgung Gyeol slowly looked around his surroundings.
“The reason everyone has gathered here is one thing. To obtain the treasures of Pungnimgok.”
The assembled heroes quietly listened.
“Namgung Sega is the family estate closest to Pungnimgok. We have observed this place for generations and accumulated much information.”
Namgung Gyeol paused briefly and looked toward the valley entrance.
“We wish to share that information with all of you.”
People’s eyes sparkled.
Namgung Sega was a great family estate located very close to Pungnimgok.
Thanks to this, they were also the only family that could conduct continuous investigations.
Information they possessed would be trustworthy.
Namgung Gyeol opened his mouth.
“In Pungnimgok lies the legacy of a great sect that was active in the ancient Murim era, in those days called the unknown age.”
Stirring arose among the assembled heroes.
“Divine weapons, supreme secret manuals, spirit medicines, and treasures beyond our imagination are there.”
The flames of desire blazed in people’s eyes.
But Namgung Gyeol’s next words were cold.
“However, to obtain them, you must risk your lives.”
His following voice sank heavily.
“To reach where the legacy lies, you must pass through countless deadly trials. Even when the Qimen Formation opens, its lethality never disappears.”
The expressions of the assembled heroes hardened.
“If you step wrong, you’ll be pierced by spears shooting up from the ground. If you touch the wrong grass, poison needles will rain down.”
Namgung Gyeol raised one hand.
“But that is only the beginning. Even after passing through the formation, seven trials await you.”
The Seven Great Trials.
When those words came out, the atmosphere became even heavier.
“Those with weak martial arts will die without even passing the first trial. Those with weak mental strength will go mad in the middle. Those with bad luck will collapse before the final trial.”
Namgung Gyeol’s eyes grew cold.
“A hundred years ago, seven thousand people entered Pungnimgok. But less than three hundred survived to come out.”
“Gasp!”
“Only three hundred!”
Shock burst out from among the assembled heroes.
It meant that not even one in twenty survived.
When Namgung Gyeol closed his mouth, a middle-aged man who had been emanating intense energy from the front of the Changcheon Martial Alliance group stepped forward.
Tall in stature with a robust build.
With a black beard grown a full ja long, his dignified appearance marked him as the owner of fists twice the size of others.
The middle-aged man cupped his fists and spoke.
“I am Ju Jaryeom, the World-Opening Divine Fist, master of Bongongdang under the Changcheon Martial Alliance.”
“World-Opening Divine Fist!”
Exclamations of surprise burst forth from among the assembled heroes.
The Changcheon Martial Alliance was a massive coalition comprising the Nine Sects and One Gang, the Six Great Families, and countless other secular martial sects.
Among them, Bongongdang was where the renowned masters who wandered Gangho gathered—the peerless experts called the Twenty-Eight Stellar Lodges of the Heavenly River.
And Ju Jaryeom was the master of that Bongongdang, a peerless expert who had reached the upper levels of the transcendent realm.
Ju Jaryeom slowly looked around at the assembled heroes.
“Namgung Daehaep’s words are accurate. I too have received the same information from the Namgung Family.”
He continued with eyes blazing like spitting flames.
“I’ll speak frankly. Even I cannot be certain I could survive the Seven Great Gates of Pungnimgok.”
“What did you say!”
“Even the master of Bongongdang!”
Expressions of shock and despair appeared on the faces of the assembled heroes.
If Ju Jaryeom, a transcendent expert, could not guarantee his survival, then nine out of ten martial artists present would surely die.
Ju Jaryeom continued speaking.
“I have no intention of stopping those who are confident from entering the valley. However, if you value your life, I advise you to turn back.”
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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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