Almighty God of War - Chapter 167

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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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167

 

At a moment when silence was flowing, Mokjin Han Cheonsinsu stepped forward.

 

With his white hair and beard, he was the oldest among those in the hall and a renowned master with high prestige in Gangho.

 

As he slowly walked toward the altar, everyone’s gaze focused on him.

 

Mokjin stopped in front of the stone stele, his eyes deepening.

 

The stone stele was white and smooth like white jade, with characters densely carved on its surface.

 

At the very top, four large characters were carved.

 

Heavenly Martial True Formula .

 

Heavenly martial arts, the true secret.

 

Below that, incantations extending to a thousand characters continued, but Mokjin’s gaze fixed on several lines carved between the title and the incantations.

 

.

 

The wise shall obtain a fragment, the foolish shall return empty-handed.

 

Those with wisdom will gain that one piece, while the dull will return with empty hands.

 

.

 

Only those favored by heaven can obtain the complete truth.

 

Only those who receive heaven’s mandate can obtain the complete true transmission.

 

Mokjin savored those characters one by one.

 

‘Those with wisdom will obtain a fragment…’

 

It meant that if one had talent and wisdom, they could comprehend part of the Heavenly Martial True Formula.

 

‘The foolish return empty-handed…’

 

It meant that those without talent or understanding would gain nothing and return.

 

‘Only those who receive heaven’s mandate can obtain the complete transmission…’

 

But the complete Heavenly Martial True Formula, all its secrets, could only be obtained by those chosen by heaven, those born with heavenly fortune.

 

A bitter smile appeared on Mokjin’s lips.

 

‘Those who receive heaven’s mandate…’

 

There was no author’s signature.

 

Mokjin shifted his gaze to the incantations written below.

 

.

 

The primordial limitless gives birth to the supreme ultimate, the supreme ultimate divides into yin and yang, one qi.

 

.

 

Yin and yang transform into the five elements in reverse, the five elements destroy the cycle of life and death…

 

Mokjin closed his eyes and recited the incantations in a low voice, but his complexion changed.

 

The characters carved on the stone stele were each the size of an adult’s fist, so the Gun-ung who hadn’t approached closely had no problem reading them.

 

Naturally, Jegal Ryong also closed his eyes and memorized the incantations.

 

“The primordial limitless gives birth to the supreme ultimate, the supreme ultimate divides into yin and…”

 

But soon his face hardened with bewilderment.

 

When he closed his eyes, the characters he had just memorized became blurry and he couldn’t remember them.

 

Before he could count to ten, all the incantations were forgotten, and not a single character came to mind again.

 

It felt as if his mind had been completely emptied.

 

Jegal Ryong’s complexion changed as he hurriedly opened his eyes.

 

The characters on the stone stele appeared clearly visible again.

 

‘What is this…’

 

He tried once more, but the result was the same.

 

The moment he closed his eyes, all the characters disappeared, and he couldn’t remember anything.

 

For him, a genius of his generation, this was something he had never experienced in his lifetime.

 

Ju Jaryeom and the others were in no different situation.

 

O Gwangnyeo shouted with a voice filled with rage.

 

“We can’t memorize the incantations! This is fucking ridiculous!”

 

Mokjin spoke with a sorrowful expression.

 

“It seems to be a restriction created by the ancient master who made this place. That person apparently doesn’t want those who enter the valley to take the incantations outside when they return.”

 

“Then what are we supposed to do!”

 

“There’s no choice. We can only study the incantations while looking at the stone stele.”

 

Ju Jaryeom shook his head and muttered.

 

“To learn incantations of over a thousand characters without being able to memorize them, only by looking at the stone stele…”

 

Namgung Gyeol also sighed.

 

“We don’t know how long it will take, but we only have two days…”

 

The atmosphere became gloomy.

 

But only one person remained calm.

 

It was Guyang Cheongang.

 

He quietly stood in front of the stone stele.

 

‘Akasha, analyze these incantations.’

 

[Already in progress, Doctor.]

 

‘What about the memorization restriction?’

 

[It doesn’t work on me. A special energy that only affects human brains is emanating from the stone stele. However, my database is not affected.]

 

‘That’s fortunate.’

 

[There are a total of one thousand and twenty-seven characters written on the stone stele, with each character containing multiple layers of meaning. The flow of context is also quite different from typical martial arts incantations. And… it seems these incantations are only a part of the complete formula, not the whole.]

 

‘A part?’

 

[Yes. Judging by how the flow is blatantly cut off at the final incantation, it’s certain. I can’t guarantee how long it will take.]

 

‘The personality of whoever created this place is truly twisted… How long do you think the interpretation will take?’

 

[The incantations are only a fragment, and they’re ambiguous with too many abstract parts, making it difficult to calculate the required time.]

 

Guyang Cheongang clicked his tongue and said.

 

‘I understand. Take your time.’

 

While the others struggled to memorize the incantations, he sat in lotus position and entered meditation.

 

A strange light flickered in Jegal Ryong’s eyes as he watched him.

 

‘Memorization shouldn’t work, yet he’s sitting with his eyes closed? Hard to understand. Is that person not interested in the Heavenly Martial True Formula?’

 

Meanwhile, time passed.

 

One moment, two moments… one hour… two hours…

 

The Gun-ung sitting in front of the stone stele, absorbed in meditation, were immersed in the profundity of the Heavenly Martial True Formula.

 

Each character of the incantations contained infinite depth, revealing new meanings the more they read, and the more they understood, the deeper they fell into greater bewilderment.

 

How much time had passed?

 

Rumble rumble rumble—

 

A faint thunder sound echoed throughout the valley.

 

The ground vibrated slightly, the air trembled, and the characters on the stone stele emitted a mysterious light.

 

The people sitting in front of the stone stele were startled and rose from their seats.

 

“What’s happening?”

 

“Is it an earthquake?”

 

People looked around in confusion.

 

Rumble rumble rumble—

 

The vibration continued but didn’t intensify.

 

Repeating at regular intervals, it seemed to be announcing something.

 

Someone among the Gun-ung pointed beyond the stone stele and shouted.

 

“Look at that!”

 

Everyone’s gaze turned in that direction.

 

Two stone gates standing side by side on the cliff beyond the stone stele.

 

The characters carved above the gates reading “Return Path” and “Absolute Ice Valley” were gradually growing brighter.

 

Silver-white light pulsed as if alive, calling to the Gun-ung.

 

Namgung Gyeol muttered.

 

“This… does it mean the given two days are almost up?”

 

Ju Jaryeom nodded.

 

“It seems so. This must be a signal that we can no longer remain here.”

 

Tension appeared on people’s faces.

 

They had not understood even a fraction of the Heavenly Martial True Formula.

 

The deeper they delved into the formula, the more difficult it became to gauge its depth.

 

But Pungnimgok was not going to give them any more time.

 

Mok Jin rose from his seat with a deep sigh.

 

“Huuu…”

 

The white-haired old man looked tired, but his eyes remained clear.

 

“Everyone, let this old man say a word.”

 

The Gun-ung looked at him.

 

“The Return Path seems to be the way to escape this place and return outside, while Absolute Ice Valley appears to be the path to the Second Gate.”

 

Though everyone already knew this fact, it carried different weight coming from Mok Jin’s mouth.

 

“You have all experienced enough of how treacherous Hongnyeom-ro was.”

 

Mok Jin’s continuing voice sank heavily.

 

“This old man believes that Absolute Ice Valley will be worse, not better. After the trial of fire comes the trial of ice. If Hongnyeom-ro was so harsh, Absolute Ice Valley will be even more so.”

 

O Gwangnyeo interjected with a smirk.

 

“Are you trying to frighten us, Great Hero Mok Jin?”

 

Mok Jin shook his head.

 

“I’m not trying to frighten anyone. I’m stating reality.”

 

He slowly looked around at the Gun-ung and continued.

 

“Those who lack confidence would be wise to be satisfied with having seen the Heavenly Martial True Formula and choose the Return Path.”

 

The Gun-ung’s gazes became complicated.

 

Mok Jin’s dilemma was everyone’s dilemma.

 

Should they advance or return?

 

Should they be greedy or satisfied?

 

Should they risk their lives or choose safety?

 

Then someone asked with a snort.

 

“Hmph! The Heavenly Martial True Formula may be open to all, but there are only ten pills. What shall we do about those?”

 

Mok Jin responded with a calm expression.

 

“There are ten pills, and we number over fifty. If we fight over them here and now, few will survive.”

 

“Does Great Hero Mok have a way to handle this without complaints?”

 

The Head of the Heavenly Sect asked in a gloomy voice.

 

His face was hidden beneath a deeply pulled gray hood, but his cold voice carried terrifying internal energy.

 

Mok Jin looked in his direction and answered.

 

“How about we draw lots to determine the owners of the treasures? Since there are only ten items, ten owners will be decided. Those who aren’t selected can decide for themselves whether to return or enter Absolute Ice Valley. What do you think of this old man’s opinion?”

 

The hall instantly stirred.

 

Guyang Cheongang frowned.

 

‘Akasha, what’s the current power structure within the valley?’

 

[Ten from the Murim Alliance, thirteen from the Six Great Families, four Renowned Masters – grouping them together makes twenty-seven total. The Gunma Alliance has twelve, the Heavenly Death Department has eleven. And Doctor’s group has five. The ordinary warriors were all wiped out in Hongnyeom-ro.]

 

Jegal Ryong and Ju Jaryeom exchanged glances.

 

From the righteous faction’s perspective, it wasn’t a bad proposal.

 

Adding the two forces and the renowned masters of Gangho, they had the largest numbers.

 

With larger numbers, naturally the possibility of having more winners would increase.

 

On the other hand, the Gunma Alliance and Heavenly Death Department couldn’t be pleased with Mok Jin’s proposal.

 

O Gwangnyeo burst into derisive laughter and spoke.

 

“Kahahaha, what a ridiculously absurd proposal. A lottery? Leave it to luck? One-Armed Divine Hand, have you lost your mind from reaching the age of smearing dung on walls?”

 

Mok Jin’s face hardened.

 

“Then are you insisting we hold a deadly treasure battle where we kill each other?”

 

O Gwangnyeo smirked.

 

“That’s a method I quite like. The strong claiming treasures is a long-standing tradition of Gangho.”

 

The Head of the Heavenly Sect agreed.

 

“Those words are correct. This department also cannot accept a lottery. It’s right to determine the owners of treasures through skill.”

 

Tension escalated and the atmosphere turned menacing.

 

Seureureureu-

 

The sound of weapons being drawn could be heard from various places.

 

Guyang Cheongang quietly observed the scene.

 

‘In the end, agreement will be impossible.’

 

[That’s correct. It’s difficult for factions with conflicting interests to find common ground. The possibility of armed conflict is high.]

 

Then Jegal Ryong stepped forward.

 

Holding Hak Ikson, he looked alternately at O Gwangnyeo and the Head of the Heavenly Sect and said.

 

“Both of your words have merit. A lottery is fair, but it ignores the strong. However, if we fight with force, we’ll all suffer great losses.”

 

O Gwangnyeo narrowed his eyes and asked.

 

“So?”

 

“I’m proposing a different method. Determining rank through internal energy, not force.”

 

“Through internal energy?”

 

“That’s right. Leaving palm prints on the cliff using pure internal energy. We can decide the ten people based on the order of depth.”

 

Jegal Ryong continued.

 

“Unique martial arts cannot be used. We compete using only pure internal energy. Anyone using irregular methods will be disqualified. This way, we can determine the strong without armed conflict, don’t you think?”

 

Mok Jin nodded.

 

“It’s a good method. An internal energy test would be fair, and the strong would also be recognized.”

 

“I agree.”

 

Everyone seemed to agree, but O Gwangnyeo looked reluctant.

 

“Hmm… competing with internal energy alone…”

 

The Gunma Alliance’s martial arts were specialized for combat.

 

So it was common for them to defeat opponents with techniques even when their internal energy was weak.

 

Therefore, an internal energy contest was not particularly welcome.

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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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