Almighty God of War - Chapter 169
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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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169
[Instead, it greatly increases resistance to cold energy. It strengthens the body’s temperature regulation ability, grants immunity to cold poison, and allows one to maintain life even in extreme cold.]
‘Then this is….’
[It is presumed to be meant to help pass through Absolute Ice Valley. If Hongnyeom-ro was a trial of fire, then Absolute Ice Valley will be a trial of ice. And these spirit pills are the key to enduring that trial.]
Guyang Cheongang nodded.
‘So it means we can’t pass through by giving up resistance like in Hongnyeom-ro.’
[I share the same thoughts as you, Doctor. Hongnyeom-ro could be passed by stopping internal energy resistance, but Absolute Ice Valley is the opposite. You must actively resist and endure to pass through. And these spirit pills are meant to aid that resistance.]
‘The one who created this gate isn’t a complete psychopath, it seems.’
[I agree. The person who designed this gate gave trials, but also provided methods to overcome them. Enlightenment for Hongnyeom-ro, spirit pills for Absolute Ice Valley. It’s harsh but fair testing.]
Guyang Cheongang looked at the spirit pills once more.
These were preparations for the next trial, both the designer’s consideration and challenge.
‘Then those who didn’t receive these spirit pills….’
[Passing through Absolute Ice Valley will be extremely difficult. Not impossible, but survival probability drops significantly.]
Guyang Cheongang slowly turned around.
About forty martial artists who didn’t receive spirit pills stood there.
Their expressions were complex, mixed with regret, jealousy, and resignation.
Guyang Cheongang hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“I have something to tell you all about these spirit pills.”
Gun-ung’s gazes turned to him in unison.
Guyang Cheongang pointed to the jade boxes and continued.
“I received partial training in medical arts from the Divine Physician of Life and Death. Thanks to that, I learned how to identify medicinal herbs and spirit pills, and I was able to determine the effects of these spirit pills.”
Gun-ung’s expressions changed.
Guyang Cheongang continued speaking.
“These spirit pills… unlike what you might expect, have no effect on improving internal energy.”
A moment of silence passed, then the hall became as noisy as a market floor.
“What did you say?”
“They don’t improve internal energy?”
“Then what use are they!”
Bewildered expressions also appeared on the faces of those qualified to receive the spirit pills.
Guyang Cheongang raised his hand to calm Gun-ung and continued.
“Instead, these spirit pills greatly increase resistance to cold energy. They maintain body temperature, block cold poison, and allow one to maintain life even in extreme cold.”
Gun-ung’s expressions began to change.
Guyang Cheongang pointed to the stone gate on the opposite side of the cliff.
“‘Absolute Ice Valley’ is written above that gate. As Hero Mok said, if Hongnyeom-ro was a trial of fire, then Absolute Ice Valley will be a trial of ice.”
Gun-ung looked at the stone gate in unison.
Guyang Cheongang continued in a calm voice.
“In my opinion, those who don’t take these spirit pills will die without being able to pass through Absolute Ice Valley. You can’t pass through by stopping internal energy like in Hongnyeom-ro. Rather, you must actively resist and endure, which would be impossible without these spirit pills.”
Silence filled the valley.
The faces of the forty or so people who didn’t receive spirit pills turned pale.
“Then we… can’t enter Absolute Ice Valley?”
“We risked our lives to pass through Hongnyeom-ro, and this is the end?”
Some sat down with despairing expressions, while others trembled with anger and clenched their fists.
Jegal Ryong sighed and said.
“Hoho, it seems the ancient master wanted only ten people to advance to the next gate. He might have thought only ten deserved to survive….”
O Gwangnyeo smirked.
“Harsh but clear criteria. I like it.”
A renowned Gangho master cried out in anguish.
“This is unfair! We also risked our lives to pass through Hongnyeom-ro! Why don’t we even get a chance!”
Guyang Cheongang looked at him and said calmly.
“It’s not unfair. You also participated in the internal energy test, and rankings were determined by skill. That was the rule, and you all agreed to it.”
The master’s mouth closed.
Guyang Cheongang continued.
“But you still have a choice. Take the return path and go back alive. Your internal energy was refined while passing through Hongnyeom-ro. You also obtained the Heavenly Martial True Formula. That alone is a great harvest. Abandon your greed and return.”
Gun-ung looked at each other.
A martial artist stepped forward and asked.
“Hero Guyang, is it really impossible to pass through Absolute Ice Valley without the spirit pills?”
Guyang Cheongang looked directly at him and answered.
“My thoughts could be wrong. But if what the Divine Physician of Life and Death taught me is correct, entering Absolute Ice Valley without spirit pills is suicide. However, it’s difficult to judge regarding Transformation Realm masters.”
The martial artist’s face turned pale.
Another martial artist asked.
“Perhaps… couldn’t we share the spirit pills? Ten pills divided among twenty or thirty people….”
Guyang Cheongang shook his head.
“The spirit pills’ effects only manifest when a certain amount or more is consumed. If shared, no one will survive.”
Despair deepened.
Seol Hyang-yeong approached Guyang Cheongang and said quietly.
“Young Master, we will choose the return path.”
Han Yu and Han Baek also nodded beside her, expressing agreement.
“We feel the same. This seems to be our limit.”
Guyang Cheongang looked at them and said.
“A wise choice.”
Seol Hyang-yeong gave a deep cupped fist salute and continued.
“We will never forget Young Master’s grace. North Sea Ice Palace will always welcome you.”
“Thank you.”
Jongnoeu spoke with a face heavily shadowed by gloom, biting her lips.
“I also… think I should return.”
Guyang Cheongang looked at her.
Jongnoeu lowered her head and continued.
“Thanks to Hero Guyang So… Hero, I was able to pass through Hongnyeom-ro safely. But this seems to be my limit. I didn’t receive a spirit pill either, and entering Absolute Ice Valley would be… reckless.”
“I was about to recommend that Chong Sohyeop return as well.”
Jongnoeu raised her head.
“Have you decided to enter, Hero?”
“That’s right.”
“Isn’t it dangerous to enter the second gate without even a spirit pill?”
Jongnoeu’s eyes held a mixture of regret and worry.
Guyang Cheongang smiled slightly and answered.
“It would be dangerous. But I have reasons I must enter.”
Jongnoeu didn’t try to dissuade him further.
She could read firm resolve in Guyang Cheongang’s eyes.
“Then… I hope you pass through all the gates and return safely.”
Guyang Cheongang also smiled calmly and said.
“Chong Sohyeop, I have a favor to ask.”
“Please speak.”
“When you go outside, please take care of Muok.”
Jongnoeu’s eyes became serious.
“Don’t worry. I will definitely find him and keep him safe.”
“Thank you.”
“Not at all. You saved my life, Hero, so this much is only natural.”
Jongnoeu gave another deep cupped fist salute and turned around.
She walked toward the return path, following behind the Three Individuals of Seol Hyang-yeong.
After taking a few steps, he stopped and turned around, shouting.
“Guyang Daeheop! Please make sure to return alive!”
Guyang Cheongang raised his hand in response.
Jongnoeu bowed his head one last time and disappeared into the stone gate of the return path.
Starting with their declaration, changes began to occur.
Ju Jaryeom spoke to the warriors of the Changcheon Martial Alliance.
“All those belonging to the Martial Alliance who did not receive spirit pills should return. Your mission is to go back alive and report to the Alliance Leader.”
About ten warriors from the Changcheon Martial Alliance headed toward the return path.
Jegal Ryong and the leaders of the Six Great Families, along with O Gwangnyeo and Yu Garyang, also ordered their disciples and subordinates to return.
In an instant, about thirty people moved toward the return path.
However, five or six people still hesitated and stood in place.
Most of them were renowned masters.
They were independent experts who belonged to no faction, having entered Pungnimgok of their own will and able to choose based on their own judgment.
Jegal Ryong looked at them and said.
“Everyone, I do not recommend entering Absolute Ice Valley without spirit pills. It would be wise to trust Guyang Daeheop’s words.”
A white-haired old man known in Gangho as the Iron Blood Blade Lord spoke up.
“I appreciate Jegal Daeheop’s advice, but having come this far, I cannot give up. I have trained in martial arts my entire life, but I have been feeling my limitations. Absolute Ice Valley might be the opportunity to break through those limits.”
The other renowned masters nodded in agreement.
Guyang Cheongang did not try to dissuade them.
It was each person’s choice, and he had merely informed them of the truth.
Mok Jin sighed and said.
“Stubborn people indeed. But that stubbornness is what brought you this far, so I cannot say anything against it.”
Eventually, those heading to the return path gathered in front of the stone gate.
About thirty people.
Seol Hyang-yeong looked back at Guyang Cheongang one last time and said.
“Young Master, I pray you pass through safely.”
“Young Lady Seol, please return safely as well.”
Seol Hyang-yeong and the three individuals entered the stone gate of the return path.
Following them, other martial artists entered one by one.
A mysterious light flowed from within the stone gate, and their figures disappeared into it.
When the last person disappeared, the stone gate slowly closed.
Thud-
With a heavy, dull sound, the gate closed completely.
Now only sixteen people remained in the valley.
Ten who received spirit pills.
Five renowned masters.
And Guyang Cheongang.
Jegal Ryong looked around and said.
“Now it’s just us.”
O Gwangnyeo grinned.
“A suitable number. Too many would just get in the way.”
Yu Garyang said nothing and simply stared at the stone gate of Absolute Ice Valley.
Mok Jin approached Guyang Cheongang and asked.
“Guyang Daeheop, you gave up the spirit pill but still plan to enter Absolute Ice Valley?”
“Yes.”
“Won’t it be dangerous?”
“It will be dangerous. But I must enter.”
Guyang Cheongang’s hand unconsciously caressed the bracelet.
The place the bracelet pointed to was beyond that gate.
Mok Jin nodded.
“I understand. Then let’s go together.”
The sixteen masters slowly walked toward the stone gate of Absolute Ice Valley.
Guyang Cheongang also followed behind them, unconsciously caressing the bracelet.
As they drew closer to the stone gate, the vibration grew stronger once again.
‘It’s still reacting. That means there’s something beyond that gate.’
[Doctor.]
Akasha’s voice was heard.
‘What?’
[There has been a change in the bracelet.]
‘A change?’
Guyang Cheongang lifted the bracelet and examined it closely.
His eyes widened.
Something that hadn’t been there before had appeared on the bracelet’s surface.
Seven small holes surrounded the bracelet, and one of them contained a transparent red bead reminiscent of lava.
‘When did this happen…’
[I cannot determine the exact timing. When there was commotion around the altar over the spirit pill distribution issue, neither you nor I were focused on the bracelet. The change is presumed to have occurred during that time.]
Guyang Cheongang examined the red bead closely.
It was about the size of a thumbnail, glowing transparently like a jewel, and something was writhing inside it.
‘What else is surprising?’
[An unimaginable amount of heat is condensed within this bead. It feels as if the white flames of Hongnyeom-ro have been compressed and trapped inside.]
Guyang Cheongang’s gaze deepened.
‘The white flames of Hongnyeom-ro?’
[Yes. The temperature inside the bead is so high it cannot be measured. But strangely, no heat leaks to the outside. It is perfectly sealed.]
‘Then this… was obtained while passing through Hongnyeom-ro?’
[That is the presumption. It appears the bracelet absorbed the flame energy of Hongnyeom-ro and condensed it into a bead.]
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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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