Almighty God of War - Chapter 172

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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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172

 

Everyone’s gaze turned to Ju Jaryeom in unison, then shifted to Guyang Cheongang.

 

Ju Jaryeom continued speaking.

 

“Seeing Daehaep’s talent and character, I believe you would be of great help to the Martial Alliance. If you join, not only Daehaep but the entire Guyang Family would receive the Martial Alliance’s protection.”

 

The meaning of those words was clear.

 

If he joined the Martial Alliance, no one could touch him recklessly.

 

Whether it be the Gunma Alliance or the Heavenly Death Department.

 

O Gwangnyeo’s face contorted, and Yu Garyang’s eyes grew even colder.

 

If Guyang Cheongang said he would join the Martial Alliance, they would immediately find themselves at a disadvantage.

 

Even excluding Mok Jin, Ju Jaryeom, Jegal Ryong, and Namgung Gyeol all belonged to the Martial Alliance.

 

Three against two.

 

If Guyang Cheongang joined them, it would become four against two.

 

‘Damn it!’

 

O Gwangnyeo cursed inwardly.

 

Yu Garyang also clenched his fists.

 

Cold killing intent emanated from his entire body, but there was nothing he could do.

 

Guyang Cheongang fell into thought for a moment.

 

Everyone held their breath and waited for his answer.

 

O Gwangnyeo and Yu Garyang were tense.

 

‘Damn it… if that bastard says he’ll join the Martial Alliance now…’

 

Expectant light appeared in Jegal Ryong and Namgung Gyeol’s eyes.

 

‘If such a genius enters the Martial Alliance…’

 

Mok Jin inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

 

‘Guyang Daehaep might be able to avoid the danger of death.’

 

Each lost in different thoughts, a brief silence flowed.

 

Guyang Cheongang slowly opened his mouth.

 

“I am grateful for Ju Daehaep’s proposal. However, I find it difficult to give an answer right now.”

 

Ju Jaryeom’s eyes changed.

 

Guyang Cheongang continued.

 

“Joining the Martial Alliance is not just my personal matter, but a matter for the entire Guyang Family. I must consult with my father, the family head, and discuss it with the family elders. So I will give you an answer after we leave Pungnimgok.”

 

Everyone’s expressions changed subtly.

 

O Gwangnyeo and Yu Garyang gritted their teeth.

 

‘Cunning bastard!’

 

They saw through Guyang Cheongang’s intention.

 

Those words meant ‘not right now, but I can join the Martial Alliance anytime if necessary.’

 

If they continued to pressure Guyang Cheongang, he would immediately say he would join the Martial Alliance.

 

Then they would instantly be at a disadvantage.

 

So they could no longer openly pressure Guyang Cheongang.

 

‘That bastard’s scheming is not simple…’

 

O Gwangnyeo glared at Guyang Cheongang while gritting his teeth.

 

A delicate balance had formed.

 

Namgung Gyeol guessed Guyang Cheongang’s true intentions and smiled bitterly.

 

‘Does he… really intend to join the Martial Alliance?’

 

Probably not.

 

Guyang Cheongang had simply used the Martial Alliance as a shield to protect himself.

 

Without giving a definite answer about joining, he left the possibility open, making it so enemies couldn’t touch him carelessly.

 

‘Clever. And… cunning too.’

 

Namgung Gyeol was both impressed and bitter.

 

The Martial Alliance was being used, but they couldn’t complain about it.

 

Rather, they had gained an opportunity to recruit the genius called Guyang Cheongang, so it wasn’t bad.

 

Jegal Ryong also smiled.

 

‘An interesting fellow. Not only is his martial arts outstanding, but his mind works well too.’

 

His evaluation of Guyang Cheongang rose even higher.

 

Just then.

 

Rumble rumble rumble-

 

The valley vibrated with a faint thunderous sound.

 

The time for choice had come again.

 

Mok Jin, who had glanced at the return path, let out a quiet chuckle and spoke.

 

“Heh heh heh, this old man has realized his inadequacy, so I wish to return now.”

 

People’s gazes turned to him.

 

Mok Jin looked back at the stone stele and continued.

 

“Entering Pungdo Gate without comprehending that dharma teaching would be no different from throwing away one’s life. This old man doesn’t want to die yet. And…”

 

He looked alternately at O Gwangnyeo, Yu Garyang, and Ju Jaryeom’s group with a bitter smile.

 

“If I stay here any longer, I’ll be thrown into the middle of a conflict between great powers. This old man doesn’t want to be caught up in such turmoil.”

 

Jegal Ryong nodded and said.

 

“Knowing when to retreat is also a virtue of a master.”

 

Mok Jin gave a cupped fist salute toward Guyang Cheongang.

 

“Guyang Daehaep, I sincerely hope you pass through safely. I’ll be looking forward to meeting again outside.”

 

“Thank you, Mok Daehaep. Please travel safely.”

 

Mok Jin walked toward the glowing return path.

 

The white-haired old man didn’t look back, and his retreating figure showed no lingering attachment or regret.

 

The stone gate opened and light poured out, and Mok Jin’s form disappeared into it.

 

Thud-

 

The gate closed.

 

Now only six people remained.

 

A troubled expression appeared on Namgung Gyeol’s face.

 

He remained silent for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth.

 

“I will also return.”

 

Ju Jaryeom looked at him with sunken eyes and asked.

 

“May I hear your reason?”

 

Namgung Gyeol looked at Pungdo Gate’s stone entrance with regretful eyes and answered.

 

“Our family’s losses have already been considerable. We lost seven warriors while passing through Hongnyeom-ro and Absolute Ice Valley. If I were to die here, the main family would lose one Transformation Realm master…”

 

Ju Jaryeom nodded as if he understood.

 

That was precisely why the Martial Alliance and the Six Great Families hadn’t sent their family heads or supreme masters to Pungnimgok.

 

They couldn’t entrust their faction’s fate to legend, and had to prepare for any contingency.

 

Namgung Gyeol looked at Jegal Ryong and asked.

 

“What about you, Jegal Daehaep?”

 

Jegal Ryong looked at the stone stele and answered.

 

“I will remain.”

 

“Because of the dharma teaching?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

Jegal Ryong’s eyes deepened.

 

“I haven’t completely deciphered it yet. I’ve grasped the core, but the detailed parts aren’t clear. Even if I don’t enter Pungdo Gate, I want to completely decode the stone stele’s dharma teaching before returning.”

 

Namgung Gyeol nodded.

 

“I understand. Then be careful.”

 

“You too, Namgung Daehaep, return safely.”

 

Namgung Gyeol gave a cupped fist salute toward Guyang Cheongang.

 

“Guyang Daehaep, I hope to meet again outside Pungnimgok. I’ll treat you to a drink then.”

 

“I understand.”

 

Namgung Gyeol walked toward the return path.

 

The stone gate opened, and he disappeared into the light.

 

Bang-

 

The door closed.

 

Now only five remained.

 

Guyang Cheongang, Jegal Ryong, Ju Jaryeom, O Gwangnyeo, and Yu Garyang.

 

Ju Jaryeom looked straight at Guyang Cheongang and asked.

 

“Hero Guyang, has your mind still not changed?”

 

Those words were not a simple question.

 

It was telling him to choose.

 

Ju Jaryeom’s gaze was serious, and within it lay a warning.

 

Once Mok Jin, Ju Jaryeom, and Namgung Gyeol returned, only Guyang Cheongang and Jegal Ryong would remain.

 

Assuming O Gwangnyeo and Yu Garyang were enemies, it would be two against two.

 

However, in terms of martial arts alone, Jegal Ryong was a step behind O Gwangnyeo and Yu Garyang.

 

He had only recently reached the Transformation Realm, and being someone specialized in intellect, he lacked combat experience.

 

Moreover, it was uncertain whether he would even help Guyang Cheongang.

 

Jegal Ryong belonged to the Murim Alliance, but had no connection with Guyang Cheongang and no reason to risk his life.

 

In the end, Guyang Cheongang would have to face both O Gwangnyeo and Yu Garyang alone.

 

Ju Jaryeom’s proposal was clear.

 

‘Say you’ll join the Murim Alliance now. Then I’ll remain and protect you.’

 

But if that happened, Guyang Cheongang would be bound to the Murim Alliance.

 

Silence flowed.

 

O Gwangnyeo and Yu Garyang glared at Guyang Cheongang.

 

Expectation lurked in their eyes.

 

‘Brat, refuse it. Refuse that Ju bastard’s proposal.’

 

Then Ju Jaryeom would leave, and they would be able to kill Guyang Cheongang.

 

Jegal Ryong’s gaze toward Guyang Cheongang became complex.

 

‘I wonder what choice that fellow will make?’

 

A faint smile appeared at the corners of Guyang Cheongang’s mouth beneath his bamboo hat.

 

He looked straight at Ju Jaryeom and answered calmly.

 

“I’m grateful for Hero Ju’s concern, but my choice remains unchanged. I said I would answer about joining the Murim Alliance after leaving Pungnimgok, and I will keep that promise.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

“I’ll see you outside.”

 

Guyang Cheongang’s voice was calm but firm.

 

Ju Jaryeom stared at him for a moment, then let out a sigh.

 

“Very well. I’ll respect Hero’s choice.”

 

He turned around without regret and walked toward the return path.

 

The stone gate opened, and he disappeared into the light.

 

Bang-

 

The door closed.

 

Now only four remained.

 

Guyang Cheongang, Jegal Ryong, O Gwangnyeo, and Yu Garyang.

 

The valley became quiet, but it was the silence before the storm.

 

O Gwangnyeo slowly walked toward Guyang Cheongang.

 

“Hah, so you remained after all.”

 

Yu Garyang also moved.

 

The two leisurely surrounded Guyang Cheongang from both sides.

 

Jegal Ryong sat in front of the stone stele, watching the three men face off.

 

He had no intention of intervening.

 

‘The current political situation of All Under Heaven’s Murim is…’

 

Jegal Ryong organized his thoughts internally.

 

The Five Supremes of All Under Heaven were competing while maintaining a delicate balance, and thanks to that, Murim was maintaining a stable state.

 

If any one side became overwhelmingly strong, war could break out, but with power distributed as it was now, peace was maintained.

 

The Six Great Families had a solid foundation within that structure.

 

Namgung Sega, Jegal Sega, Peng Family, Tang Family, Moyong Sega, Hwangbo Sega.

 

Each wielded absolute influence in their respective domains, checking each other while maintaining balance.

 

But what if the Guyang Family Estate rose again?

 

‘Would it become the Seven Great Families?’

 

Jegal Ryong’s gaze became complex.

 

The Guyang Family Estate had been one of the Ten Great Families until before the Great War of Orthodox and Demonic, with influence worthy of being called the hegemon of Jiangxi Province.

 

But it had fallen during the war and was now a forgotten name.

 

If such a family soared again?

 

The existing balance could break and the Six Great Families’ influence could weaken.

 

A new competitor would be emerging, after all.

 

‘That’s… not a situation we want.’

 

Jegal Ryong honestly admitted it.

 

Thinking of his family’s interests, it was better for the Guyang Family Estate to remain in decline as it was now.

 

They had to prevent it from rising again.

 

As an individual, he felt attracted to the mysterious young master named Guyang Cheongang.

 

He had reached the Transformation Realm at a young age, awakened the secrets of Hongnyeom-ro, and even comprehended the stone stele’s teachings.

 

He was wise, calm, and strong.

 

He wanted to have many conversations with him and become friends.

 

But as a member of the Jegal Family Estate, he felt no need to intervene.

 

No, he must not intervene.

 

If Guyang Cheongang died, the Guyang Family Estate would lose its chance to rise again.

 

That would be advantageous for the Six Great Families.

 

Naturally, it would also be advantageous for the Jegal Family Estate.

 

‘It’s cold-hearted, but… this is reality.’

 

Jegal Ryong smiled bitterly.

 

Gangho was not beautiful.

 

They proclaimed righteousness and chivalrous spirit, but those words only applied to Wandering Warriors.

 

Powers and Family Estates moved for profit and authority.

 

The family’s survival was more important than personal feelings, and cold calculations took priority over friendship.

 

Perhaps, even if not actively, he could be said to have secretly hoped for such a situation to arise.

 

The situation where Ju Jaryeom and Namgung Gyeol left, leaving only O Gwangnyeo and Yu Garyang.

 

Where he would stand by and let them deal with Guyang Cheongang.

 

That way, his hands would be clean.

 

He wouldn’t have directly killed Guyang Cheongang, merely not helped him.

 

Jegal Ryong sighed.

 

It was an utterly cold-hearted decision, but for the sake of his family, he could make such a choice.

 

No, he had to.

 

Even while he was lost in thought, O Gwangnyeo and Yu Garyang’s killing intent was rapidly intensifying.

 

A red sword aura over a foot long burst from O Gwangnyeo’s sword, and gray hand energy swirled from Yu Garyang’s hands.

 

Terrifying killing intent poured from both men, filling the valley.

 

Guyang Cheongang quietly clasped his hands behind his back and watched the two with calm eyes.

 

The tension in the valley instantly reached its peak.

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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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