Almighty God of War - Chapter 162

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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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162

 

As his words ended, silence flowed.

 

A moment later.

 

Thud, thud, thud.

 

Over three thousand Gun-ung sat down on the spot with dejected expressions.

 

They had given up on entering the valley. But they did not turn away.

 

‘If by any chance someone comes out alive, I want to see them.’

 

‘There might be a chance to plunder what they obtained.’

 

Each person’s calculations tangled complexly in their minds.

 

Guyang Cheongang looked at them and muttered inwardly.

 

‘Still over three thousand refuse to give up… Even the fear of death cannot suppress the desire to obtain treasure.’

 

Just then.

 

Rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble—

 

With a thunderous roar, Cheonbo Mountain shook as if struck by an earthquake.

 

All eyes turned toward the valley entrance.

 

The mist began to grow hazy.

 

The fog covering the valley writhed like a living creature, then slowly began to split left and right.

 

Rumble rumble rumble CRASH!

 

Just as thunder-like sounds seemed to echo endlessly, the mist completely disappeared.

 

And at the sight that was revealed, everyone held their breath.

 

The appearance of the valley entrance was majestic.

 

A massive stone gate thirty zhang high and twenty zhang wide stood tall.

 

On both sides of the wide-open gate stood enormous stone statues.

 

On the left was a dragon, on the right a phoenix. They were carved so exquisitely that they seemed ready to come alive and move at any moment.

 

Above the stone gate, something was carved in ancient characters.

 

These were characters from the ancient era that even Guyang Cheongang could not decipher.

 

And beyond the stone gate, pitch-black darkness gaped open.

 

It was darkness that seemed ready to mercilessly devour anyone who entered, like the mouth of a giant beast.

 

“The gate has opened!”

 

The Gun-ung stirred.

 

Even those who had given up on entering the valley rose to their feet again in a rush.

 

Greed had swallowed their fear.

 

Guyang Cheongang looked at the stone gate.

 

Throb! Throb! Throb!

 

The bracelet grew hot as if burning.

 

‘Since I’m going to enter, stop urging me so much.’

 

He turned to look at Baek Muok.

 

“Muok, you wait for me here.”

 

“I want to stay by Master’s side.”

 

Guyang Cheongang shook his head and spoke in a firm tone.

 

“There’s no telling what dangers lurk inside. I might not be able to protect you. So stay here.”

 

Knowing well from experience that once Guyang Cheongang set his mind on something it could not be changed, a dejected expression appeared on Baek Muok’s face.

 

“I understand…”

 

As Guyang Cheongang began to move, the Six Great Families, Changcheon Martial Alliance, Gunma Alliance, Cheonsa Bu, and Gangho’s Renowned Masters all began to move.

 

Over three thousand martial artists surged like waves toward the open stone gate of the valley.

 

The same light burned in all their eyes.

 

It was the desire to survive by all means and claim the ancient treasures.

 

At the front, Namgung Gyeol, Ju Jaryeom, and a middle-aged scholar with refined features holding Hak Ikson walked toward the stone gate.

 

The middle-aged scholar was a figure from Jegal Sega.

 

The elegant dignity emanating from his white traditional robe and the Hak Ikson in his hand.

 

He was Jegal Ryong, known as the Divine Calculator Ghost Strategist, a key figure of Jegal Sega who was not inferior to Namgung Gyeol or Ju Jaryeom.

 

Known as a master of mechanical formations, he was someone who could display the greatest ability in places like Pungnimgok.

 

Standing before the stone gate, Jegal Ryong unfolded his Hak Ikson and spoke.

 

“The formation has opened, but the mechanisms have not stopped.”

 

His voice reached the warriors of Changcheon Martial Alliance and the Six Great Families.

 

“Step exactly where I step and follow. Absolutely do not touch anything.”

 

Jegal Ryong pointed at the stone gate with his Hak Ikson.

 

“Any problems that arise from not following these instructions will have to be answered for with your own lives.”

 

It was a cold warning.

 

“Understood.”

 

The warriors of Changcheon Martial Alliance and the Six Great Families nodded with tense expressions.

 

The groups from Gunma Alliance and Cheonsa Bu also sensed the atmosphere and quietly organized their formations.

 

They too acknowledged Jegal Ryong’s abilities.

 

A long line formed.

 

Over a thousand martial artists lined up in single file.

 

Guyang Cheongang was at the very end.

 

Jegal Ryong stepped inside the stone gate.

 

Namgung Gyeol and Ju Jaryeom followed behind him.

 

The Six Great Families, Changcheon Martial Alliance, and Gangho’s Renowned Masters entered the darkness in order.

 

Gunma Alliance, Cheonsa Bu, and ordinary martial artists also passed through the stone gate with tense faces.

 

The moment he crossed the stone gate, Guyang Cheongang’s eyes widened.

 

When viewed from the entrance, beyond the stone gate had been dark as pitch, but upon entering, the environment completely changed.

 

This place was filled with bright light.

 

A wide passage paved with blue stone stretched out, and gardens with rare and exotic plants in full bloom were arranged on all sides.

 

The gardens were filled with flowers of colors that seemed impossible to exist in the world—red, blue, purple, and gold.

 

Fragrant scents drifted between heaven and earth.

 

Taking a breath of the air made his mind feel clear.

 

‘This place is truly a separate heaven and earth.’

 

Guyang Cheongang was amazed, but did not lower his guard.

 

‘The more beautiful something is, the more dangerous it tends to be.’

 

Jegal Ryong’s voice came from ahead.

 

“Three steps left, two steps right, five steps straight.”

 

He walked while precisely pointing out spots on the ground.

 

The others followed, stepping exactly in his footsteps.

 

About an hour had passed like this.

 

Someone shouted from behind.

 

“It’s thousand-year He Shou Wu!”

 

“That’s ten-thousand-year jade mushroom!”

 

“There’s Azure Stone Essence too!”

 

The Gun-ung began to stir.

 

Spirit medicines were growing throughout the garden.

 

And not ordinary spirit medicines, but legendary spirit medicines that those without fate could never see once in their lifetime.

 

Those who had shouted first could not contain themselves and launched their body movements.

 

“It’s mine!”

 

“Get out of the way!”

 

Dozens of warriors leaped toward the spirit medicines.

 

Jegal Ryong looked back at them and spoke coldly.

 

“Foolish ones.”

 

At that moment.

 

Shiiiiiiik!

 

Dozens of steel spears shot up from the ground like lightning.

 

Thud! Thwack! Squelch!

 

“Aaaahhh!”

 

“Kraaahhh!”

 

Screams erupted.

 

Those who had launched their bodies toward the spirit medicine were all pierced by spears without exception.

 

Their bodies hung suspended in midair, convulsing as thick blood scent filled the air and red blood flowed down to the ground.

 

After a moment, the steel spears disappeared back into the ground.

 

Thump, thump, thump.

 

The corpses, drained of life’s breath, fell carelessly to the ground.

 

“Kugh!”

 

“S-such a thing!”

 

The faces of Gun-ung who witnessed the gruesome scene turned pale.

 

Guyang Cheongang lightly frowned.

 

‘I expected there would be traps, but even at this entrance, it’s to this extent…’

 

The dead were all ordinary warriors who didn’t belong to any faction.

 

Greed had gotten the better of them, and they lacked experience.

 

On the other hand, the Changcheon Martial Alliance, the Six Great Families, the Gunma Alliance, Cheonsa Bu, and the renowned masters of Gangho didn’t move a muscle.

 

They not only had clear command structures but were rich in Gangho experience, and having cultivated immovable hearts for a long time, their minds weren’t easily shaken.

 

Jegal Ryong moved forward again.

 

“I warn you once more. Those who value their lives, do not stray from the path!”

 

The Gimun Daejin stretched on for over ten li.

 

The passage extended endlessly, and the gardens on both sides became increasingly magnificent.

 

Golden-glowing spirit mushrooms, silver-sparkling divine herbs, flame trees that seemed to burn red.

 

After passing about halfway through the path, not a single person showed greed even when treasures appeared close by.

 

This was because they had witnessed dozens of warriors who coveted spirit medicine die miserably in the meantime.

 

Some were pierced by spears that shot up from the ground, others were struck by poison needles that sprang from the spirit medicine.

 

The forms of trap activation were varied, but the results were the same.

 

Those who showed greed died without exception.

 

People followed behind Jegal Ryong without looking elsewhere.

 

Jegal Ryong made not a single mistake.

 

As if he had memorized a map of this place, he accurately found the safe path.

 

“Seven steps to the right.”

 

“Three steps to the left, stop. Proceed straight again after five breaths.”

 

“Step on the fourth row of blue stones ahead.”

 

His instructions were clear, and people followed them.

 

Thanks to this, they were able to pass through the Gimun Daejin without further casualties.

 

Guyang Cheongang looked at Jegal Ryong’s back with genuine admiration.

 

‘Impressive. That person is truly a master of formation techniques.’

 

[Doctor is no less capable.]

 

‘That’s because you help me, but that person doesn’t have an existence like you.’

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Buzz! Buzz!

 

The bracelet vibrated again.

 

Now the vibration was regular like a heartbeat.

 

‘Is it telling me to go deeper?’

 

When they completely emerged from the Gimun Daejin, a new scene unfolded before them.

 

A mountain peak that seemed to pierce the sky blocked their way.

 

Rather than a peak, it was more like a massive wall.

 

This was because vertically carved cliffs extended endlessly.

 

Below that peak was an enormously large stone gate.

 

Twenty zhang high, ten zhang wide.

 

From the red stone gate, hot energy like heated iron was pouring out.

 

Jegal Ryong, who had stopped, looked up above the stone gate.

 

Three characters were carved into the stone wall.

 

Hongnyeom-ro .

 

The characters were carved five chi deep, and glowing red light flowed from within them.

 

Ju Jaryeom muttered quietly.

 

“Hongnyeom-ro… Does it mean the Path of Fire?”

 

Namgung Gyeol looked at the stone gate and said.

 

“This seems to be the first gate of the Seven Great Gates.”

 

Tension flowed among Gun-ung.

 

Over a hundred people had died just from the Gimun Daejin.

 

Now that the real gates were beginning, it was natural to feel tense.

 

Guyang Cheongang looked at the stone gate.

 

From beyond the red door, he felt hot heat as if standing before a giant brazier.

 

Jegal Ryong spread his fan and said.

 

“From here begins the real test. Prepare yourselves.”

 

The moment his words ended.

 

Ruuuuuumble-

 

The earth vibrated and the three characters ‘Hongnyeom-ro’ carved above the stone gate blazed with glowing light as if made of fire.

 

Rummmmmble-

 

With a thunderous sound, the massive stone gate moved on its own and slowly split apart left and right.

 

Even Jegal Ryong, the most skilled in formation techniques among those present, seemed tense as he gulped down dry saliva.

 

The door had opened even though no one had touched it.

 

Red light leaked through the crack of the opening stone gate.

 

At first it was faint like a thin line, but as the door opened, the light grew increasingly intense.

 

Whoooosh!

 

Finally the stone gate opened completely, and crimson flames like a fire dragon’s breath poured out from within.

 

It was strange flames that writhed like living creatures, mixed with red and gold colors.

 

Kraaaaaahhh-

 

The flames clawed through the air with a roar as terrifying heat rushed toward them.

 

The martial artists standing in the front row frowned and stepped back.

 

Just from the door opening, their skin stung and their lips dried up completely.

 

“Kugh!”

 

“What is this!”

 

Gun-ung was bewildered.

 

The scene revealed beyond the stone gate was a grand spectacle.

 

An endlessly stretching red passage.

 

The floor, walls, and ceiling were all covered in fire.

 

Flames surged like waves, filling the path completely.

 

Hongnyeom-ro.

 

The Path of Fire.

 

They had to pass through there to reach the next gate.

 

Jegal Ryong covered his face with his fan and muttered.

 

“As expected, it won’t be easy.”

 

Ju Jaryeom stared into the stone gate and said.

 

“You’re going to pass through that? Do you think you can survive?”

 

Namgung Gyeol spoke with a hardened expression.

 

“It seems to be the will of the predecessor who created this place that one must take risks to obtain precious things.”

 

Guyang Cheongang looked at Hongnyeom-ro.

 

Thrum! Thrum! Thrum!

 

The bracelet vibrated frantically.

 

But this time, rather than being hot, it actually became cold.

 

At the same time, the heat of the flames pouring out weakened.

 

It was as if it was saying to not be afraid and enter inside, that it would help him.

 

A bitter smile appeared on Guyang Cheongang’s lips.

 

‘Are you telling me to never give up?’

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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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