Almighty God of War - Chapter 182

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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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182

Guyang Cheongang lifted his sleeve to calmly wipe away the thin streak of blood at the corner of his mouth.

Though he had suffered internal injuries that twisted his organs, the energy of the Transcendent Impermanence Divine Art had already begun healing his damaged meridians.

He took out a Dragon Nourishing Pill that glowed with brilliant light from his bosom, swallowed it, then spoke to Neungnam Gwang.

“Anyone listening would think you had actually lost to me, Senior.”

His tone carried not mockery, but genuine respect for the peerless master who had pushed him to his limits.

Neungnam Gwang let out a deep sigh, then sat down heavily on the ground with a thud.

The majestic bearing of a conqueror that had seemed to press down on the earth was nowhere to be seen, and as he sat leaning against the campfire light, a deep loneliness from long years surrounded him thickly.

“Enough. Your qualifications have been sufficiently proven, so you may camp here for the night.”

Guyang Cheongang straightened his disheveled robes and bowed respectfully with a cupped fist salute once more.

“I am grateful for your consideration, Elder Neung.”

He sat properly across from Neungnam Gwang.

Then he turned his head to look toward the other side of the forest.

Baek Muok, who had retreated to avoid the shockwaves, was slowly walking out into the clearing covered in dust.

Though the boy’s clothes were torn and soiled with dirt, there was not a trace of hesitation in his steps toward Guyang Cheongang.

The moment Baek Muok’s gaze, sitting beside his master, touched the faint bloodstain remaining at the corner of his mouth, the boy’s eyes turned coldly.

Swooooosh—

The humid night air around the clearing seemed to instantly transform into sharp ice fragments, creating an illusion.

The killing intent emanating from Baek Muok’s body was thin as thread, but its density was condensed beyond imagination.

It became a blade that flew without hesitation, aimed at Neungnam Gwang’s throat.

Neungnam Gwang felt an eerie sensation that made every hair on his body stand on end in that instant.

Even he, a master who dominated all under heaven, could not prevent the instinctive chills that ran down his spine before the fundamental killing intent that burst from the depths of the young boy’s soul.

Only after Baek Muok glared at Neungnam Gwang as if he would tear him apart at any moment did he finally turn his head toward Guyang Cheongang.

“Master, are you alright?”

“My qi and blood merely fluctuated for a moment, so do not worry.”

Even at his master’s calm answer, the boy’s killing intent did not easily subside.

Neungnam Gwang watched this strange scene and swallowed a hollow laugh as if finding it absurd.

“A brat born with the energy of the Heavenly Killing Star… Quite fitting as the disciple of such an arrogant fellow.”

Instead of responding to Neungnam Gwang’s words, Guyang Cheongang lightly waved his hand toward the broken branches scattered more than ten zhang away.

Whoosh—!

The branches, drawn by the invisible force of telekinesis, flew through the air and stacked neatly in the center of the clearing.

Then, as he lightly flicked his finger, Samadhi True Fire that bloomed in midair transferred to the firewood.

His movements were as natural as flowing water, unbelievable for someone who had just engaged in a life-and-death battle moments before.

Crackle, crack—

The flames that began burning again cast flickering shadows over the faces of the three people.

In the deepening night, only the sound of burning firewood filled the silence in the forest clearing.

Neungnam Gwang looked at Guyang Cheongang’s smooth jawline illuminated by the campfire light with strange eyes and suddenly asked.

“You, how old are you this year?”

His voice carried intense curiosity instead of murderous competitive spirit.

Guyang Cheongang answered calmly while keeping his gaze fixed on the campfire.

“Twenty.”

At that short answer, Neungnam Gwang’s complexion twisted with indescribable shock and astonishment.

“…You’re lying, right?”

“It’s true.”

Instead of answering, Neungnam Gwang threw his head back and let out a roaring sigh toward the night sky.

“Heaven has gone mad. Truly mad…!”

A faint smile crossed Guyang Cheongang’s lips.

“Is this your first time seeing a genius?”

“Genius? I’ve seen many. I heard that word so much in my youth that my ears nearly got callused. But… I’ve never in my life heard of someone reaching the intermediate level of Transformation Realm at twenty.”

“Since you’ve seen it with your own eyes rather than hearing it from others, Senior’s perspective must have broadened considerably.”

“I’m going crazy. Really going insane…”

Neungnam Gwang held his head in his hands and shook it back and forth.

In his eyes was clear confusion as the common sense of martial studies he had built up over a lifetime crumbled entirely.

After a moment, Neungnam Gwang suddenly raised his head.

Deep in his eyes burned an indescribable pure madness for martial arts.

“Who is your master? What kind of monster raised you?”

Guyang Cheongang’s answer was concise once again.

“There is none.”

Neungnam Gwang’s expression turned menacing.

In Gangho Murim, the bond between master and disciple is valued more than life itself.

“Denying one’s master is the grave sin of deceiving one’s teacher and destroying one’s ancestors.”

“I cannot forcibly create someone who doesn’t exist.”

Neungnam Gwang’s pupils trembled.

An unthinkable suspicion crossed his mind.

“You’re saying you’re self-taught?”

“That’s correct.”

Neungnam Gwang’s mouth fell open as he instinctively realized those words were true.

He swallowed and asked.

“…Those strange sword forms you displayed just now were ones this old man had never seen before. You must have coincidentally obtained and learned secret manuals left by ancient masters, right?”

“No. They are supreme techniques I created myself based on my family’s martial arts.”

“…!”

Neungnam Gwang was swept up in shock as if heaven and earth had turned upside down.

Not only had he reached Transformation Realm at the tender age of twenty, but he had also established his own martial studies system by himself.

Neungnam Gwang, who had been looking at Guyang Cheongang with an expression of disbelief, soon burst into hollow laughter.

“Ha… hahaha… You monster-like fellow. You are… a monster wearing human skin.”

Guyang Cheongang made no reply and simply tossed a branch into the burning flames.

After a moment of silence, Guyang Cheongang asked Neungnam Gwang, who wore a dazed expression.

“Did you come because of the treasure I obtained from Pungnimgok?”

Neungnam Gwang snorted and spoke decisively.

“Pungnimgok? Hmph, I have no interest in such external objects. When I’m already struggling to complete one martial art, would I have the leisure to covet scraps left by others?”

“Then why exactly did you come?”

“I came because I was curious about the martial prowess of the one who closed the final door of Pungnimgok and emerged.”

It was an answer that proved the rumors about him being a madman obsessed with martial arts were by no means false.

“Your curiosity must be satisfied now.”

“Hardly.”

“Pardon?”

“After exchanging moves with you, I’ve become even more curious about you.”

“I’m sorry, but I must decline a man’s interest.”

At the light joke, Neungnam Gwang burst into hollow laughter.

“Hehehe, rest assured. I too am a man who loves beautiful women.”

“How truly fortunate.”

Neungnam Gwang’s gaze lingered on Baek Muok sitting beside Guyang Cheongang.

“That kid, is he your disciple?”

“That’s correct.”

“Do you know what kind of existence that child will become in the future when you took him in?”

“It will be different from what you’re thinking, Senior.”

“I acknowledge your abilities are remarkable, but don’t be arrogant. The affairs of the world don’t always flow according to your will.”

“I don’t know about other worldly affairs, but I will take responsibility for Muok’s future. That’s why I took him in.”

Guyang Cheongang finished speaking, took off his outer robe to spread on the ground, and laid Baek Muok down. Then he sat in lotus position beside him and quietly closed his eyes.

It was a clear indication that he would decline any further conversation.

Neungnam Gwang looked at the young and youthful master with eyes mixed with strange emotions, then pillowed his head on his arms and sprawled out on the ground.

Shortly after, thunderous snoring like the bellowing of an ox began to echo through the quiet clearing.

The next morning.

Clop-clop- Clop-clop-

Guyang Cheongang was leisurely leaving the forest path on his black horse with Baek Muok seated in front of him.

The internal injuries he had sustained in yesterday’s fierce battle with Neungnam Gwang had already disappeared without a trace.

It was the result of the Dragon Nourishing Pill’s miraculous effects combined with the wondrous self-healing power of the Transcendent Impermanence Divine Art.

Whoooosh-!

At that moment, a massive shadow appeared alongside the black horse.

It was Neungnam Gwang.

He was leisurely crossing through the forest with a swaggering gait, but his stride was so wide and mystical that he didn’t fall behind the running black horse’s speed at all.

Guyang Cheongang glanced to the side and asked.

“Elder, shouldn’t you be going now?”

“Going where?”

“To where you originally belong.”

Neungnam Gwang replied with an indifferent expression.

“I have nowhere to go.”

“From what I heard, you said all under heaven is your home and wherever you lay down becomes your resting place, but that doesn’t seem like something someone like you would say.”

“Saying all under heaven is your home is the same as saying you don’t have even a single room to return to.”

At Neungnam Gwang’s snake-like sophistry, Guyang Cheongang let out a small sigh and asked directly.

“What exactly are you thinking?”

Only then did Neungnam Gwang grin and speak.

“This old man has been stuck in place, blocked by the wall of intermediate Transformation Realm for over forty years now.”

“And so?”

Neungnam Gwang’s eyes instantly became serious.

“During those long years, I’ve tried every kind of hardship. I’ve repeatedly gone into seclusion for cultivation like eating meals, traveled all under heaven fighting life-and-death battles with renowned masters. I’ve searched famous mountains and great rivers, consuming countless spirit medicines.”

A deep bitter smile appeared on his face as he continued speaking.

“I met several who had reached the advanced level and sought their teachings, but I always had to return empty-handed. Even now, after forty years have passed, this old man still hasn’t found the breakthrough for that one final step.”

Neungnam Gwang turned his head to look directly into Guyang Cheongang’s eyes.

Then Guyang Cheongang frowned slightly and asked.

“What does that have to do with following me?”

“I felt it yesterday while facing you. That you could become the key to open the door to the advanced level for this old man.”

“Pardon?”

“Uhahahaha!”

Neungnam Gwang burst into hearty laughter that seemed to shake the forest.

“If this old man’s eyes aren’t mistaken, you will definitely break through the intermediate level within ten years… no, five years and step onto the heights of the advanced level. I intend to stay by your side and watch that entire process without missing a single detail.”

Guyang Cheongang read Neungnam Gwang’s blatant intentions and swallowed a hollow laugh.

‘This fellow… he wants to make me into a living secret manual.’

A master who has reached the Transformation Realm observing the process of another’s realm advancement from close range.

That becomes ‘living enlightenment’ more precious than hundreds of legendary secret manuals for a martial artist stuck in stagnation.

This man obsessed with martial arts seemed to plan on finding clues to break through his own blocked meridians by indirectly experiencing the moment when Guyang Cheongang gained enlightenment of the advanced Transformation Realm.

Guyang Cheongang asked with a mischievous smile on his lips.

“What if I refuse?”

Instantly, bewilderment he had never experienced in his life appeared on Neungnam Gwang’s face.

Because he had no memory of having his proposals rejected in Gangho over the past several decades.

“…Uh, hmm. Then what should I do? Should I follow by force?”

Neungnam Gwang, who had been muttering, stopped walking and looked up at the black horse.

Guyang Cheongang also pulled the reins to stop his horse.

After a moment of silence, the playfulness completely disappeared from Neungnam Gwang’s eyes.

What filled that place instead was the intense will of a martial artist bordering on madness.

“Until you reach the advanced realm, you can use me like your household servant.”

Guyang Cheongang’s pupils trembled slightly.

Neungnam Gwang’s reputation in Gangho reached the heavens, and with his martial arts, he was more than qualified to become the founder of a sect.

Such a man had declared he would stay by his side, calling himself a ‘household servant.’

This proved how deep his martial thirst was, and how absolute his expectations for Guyang Cheongang were.

Guyang Cheongang fell into thought on his black horse.

‘Not bad at all. Neungnam Gwang is a peerless master rarely seen in Gangho. If he stays with the family, there would be no more reliable foundation for raising the family estate. Above all, he is a living witness who has endured forty years before the massive wall called advanced Transformation Realm. I too would gain enormously from his failures and experiences.’

After a moment, Guyang Cheongang spoke.

“Please take back those words. Using someone like you, elder, as a household servant would go against propriety.”

Neungnam Gwang’s complexion immediately became dejected.

“So you’re refusing after all?”

“No. I wish to welcome you, elder, as a retainer of our Guyang Family Estate. Please stay comfortably for as long as you wish, but when you want to leave, you may depart without regrets at any time.”

At Guyang Cheongang’s refreshingly straightforward handling, Neungnam Gwang’s face immediately brightened.

He burst into low chuckling laughter as if satisfied.

“Hehehehe! Thank you. A retainer… that’s not bad. I quite like it!”

In Gangho’s Murim, a family welcoming a master as a retainer was never a light matter.

An existence that maintains independent status while receiving the family’s support.

But it also meant becoming the strongest shield and sword that would gladly draw their blade when the family faced crisis.

Guyang Cheongang looked at the large man and gripped the reins.

“Then let’s go, elder.”

“Yes! Let’s go!”

With Neungnam Gwang’s spirited reply, the black horse’s hoofbeats began to ring out cheerfully through the forest path once again.

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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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