Almighty God of War - Chapter 21

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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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021

The next day, Guyang Cheongang toured Nanchang city for several days under Heo Choryeong’s guidance. However, his true purpose lay elsewhere.

While observing Nanchang’s bustling markets and prosperous streets, he was carefully assessing the potential of the business he had conceived together with Akasha.

That evening, judging that all preparations were complete, he sought out Heo Ilbi and requested a private audience.

In the quiet tea room.

Guyang Cheongang bowed deeply.

“Uncle, I sincerely thank you for the care you’ve shown me these past few days.”

“Haha, what need is there for such formalities between family members? Speak comfortably.”

Though Heo Ilbi smiled warmly as he spoke, he immediately noticed that Guyang Cheongang’s eyes were different from usual.

“You have something to say to this uncle, don’t you?”

“Yes, Uncle. Though it may be presumptuous, I have a proposal to make.”

“A proposal? What might that be?”

Guyang Cheongang continued without the slightest hesitation.

“I would like you to invest in me.”

Heo Ilbi momentarily doubted his own ears.

He was about to drink his tea but set down the cup and asked back with a bewildered expression.

“Haha, invest… Gang-a, you even know such terms used by Gangho merchants. But what are you planning to do that you speak of investment to this uncle?”

“Please listen and then judge.”

“I’m curious what gives you such confidence to be so self-assured. Very well, let me hear what you’re proposing.”

His voice contained pure curiosity and interest rather than reproach.

Guyang Cheongang answered calmly.

“In an old medical text called the Heavenly Secret Blood Medicine Manual that I happened to obtain in Nanchang, there was a principle for combining medicinal energies in a completely different way than before. I want to interpret this in my own way and try making a new type of Nourishing Pills that help qi and blood circulation and boost vitality.”

Now understanding the meaning of Guyang Cheongang’s ‘investment’ proposal, Heo Ilbi burst into hollow laughter.

“Haha, so that’s why you spoke of investment. You, who have never properly learned medical arts, want to create new elixirs. Gang-a, your boldness is truly remarkable. But can you be certain that the Nourishing Pills you want to make based on one medical text will be proper?”

To Heo Ilbi’s doubtful question, Guyang Cheongang answered with unwavering eyes.

“The principles contained in the medical text are truly profound, and if I can properly implement them, I’m confident I can succeed in manufacturing Nourishing Pills.”

He paused briefly before continuing.

“This will also greatly help in researching my illness, and if successful, the commercial value will be beyond imagination, which is why I dared to speak of investment.”

Heo Ilbi’s gaze deepened.

‘Heavenly Secret Blood Medicine Manual…’

Though it was a name he’d never heard before, he couldn’t ignore the extraordinary intelligence and confidence in his nephew’s eyes.

He became curious about what this sickly genius was plotting.

“An interesting story indeed. Good. Trusting in your boldness and talent, this uncle will consider himself deceived and invest once. So how much do you need?”

A faint smile appeared on Guyang Cheongang’s face.

“First, please support me with just ten nyang of silver for the cost of medicinal materials to make prototypes. And since the process of handling and aging the medicines must be kept strictly secret, I need a quiet place where no one enters.”

Heo Ilbi laughed heartily and nodded.

“Ten nyang… isn’t that too little?”

“It’s just the beginning.”

“Good. That much is no problem. Don’t worry about the location either. Our Bamboo Forest Manor has an alchemy room. It’s mainly used to make things like wound healing medicine needed by the family. It happens to be empty after finishing winter medicinal preparations a few days ago, so you can use that place. If I give orders, no one will disturb you.”

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes widened at the unexpected words.

Not just an ordinary room, but an alchemy room equipped with all facilities for handling medicinal materials.

This was like adding wings to his plan.

‘According to Akasha’s simulation, the potential market value of one Dragon Nourishing Pill is at least five nyang of silver and at most well over twenty nyang. A ten nyang investment is practically pocket change.’

He felt that his plan was proceeding smoothly from the very first step.

“I will not forget Uncle’s kindness. I will repay you several times the amount you invested.”

Heo Ilbi waved his hand dismissively and just smiled contentedly.

To him, one of Nanchang’s leading wealthy merchants, ten nyang of silver was not a large sum.

Rather, watching what Guyang Cheongang, his friend’s son and the so-called sickly genius, would do was far more interesting.

Having secured Heo Ilbi’s full support, Guyang Cheongang immediately shut himself in the Bamboo Forest Manor’s alchemy room.

The alchemy room, located deep in the Green Bamboo Forest of the back garden, was a perfect space that allowed no external interference whatsoever.

For three days and nights, the fire in the alchemy room never went out.

Inside, a truly wondrous scene was unfolding.

Guyang Cheongang placed his hand beneath the blazing pill furnace.

Then, cool and pure Pure Yin Energy, completely opposite to the brazier’s heat, rose up to precisely control the temperature inside the pill furnace.

In his mind, complex figures directed by Akasha constantly flowed.

And invisible nanobots detected minute changes in the medicinal materials, informing him of the optimal moments.

It was an alchemy process no one could imagine, combining ancient secret arts with future science.

Three days later, the pill furnace’s fire went out and Guyang Cheongang took out ten prototypes.

Five ordinary Dragon Nourishing Pills of transparent amber color and five premium Dragon Nourishing Pills with a brilliant golden glow were completed.

The ordinary ones cost half a nyang of silver in materials, while the premium ones cost one nyang of silver in materials.

The ordinary Dragon Nourishing Pills were planned to be supplied cheaply with only core effects using minimal materials.

This was bait to quickly spread the reputation of the spirit pills throughout all of Gangho.

Guyang Cheongang’s gaze turned to the premium Dragon Nourishing Pills.

He planned to gain the interest of big shots through a very small quantity of premium Dragon Nourishing Pills.

Guyang Cheongang first gave one premium Dragon Nourishing Pill to Heo Ilbi, asking him to ‘try this new Nourishing Pill that supplements yang energy and vitality as a test.’

And he distributed the ordinary Dragon Nourishing Pills to several loyal male servants with families, saying they were ‘medicine effective for enhancing yang energy.’

Of course, this was after safety had been perfectly confirmed through tens of thousands of Akasha’s simulations.

The next day, as soon as dawn broke, Heo Ilbi came directly to find Guyang Cheongang at the separate building with an excited face.

His usual dignified and gentle appearance was nowhere to be seen, and his eyes were shining like a boy who had obtained some great fortune.

It was an unexpected situation, so Guyang Cheongang was inwardly flustered.

“Gang-a! That Nourishing Pill you gave me! What on earth did you make it with!”

Heo Ilbi grabbed Guyang Cheongang’s shoulders and shouted.

“I only took one pill last night… haha, energy as if I’d become twenty years younger enveloped my entire body! All night… ah, anyway! Yet the next morning, how could my body feel so light as if it could fly and my mind so clear!”

He coughed briefly and chose his words, but couldn’t hide his excitement.

“When I looked in the mirror this morning, without my knowing, even the fine wrinkles around my eyes had faded and my complexion had completely returned. Your aunt scolded me, asking what I’d eaten to torment her like this.”

“Ah… yes…”

Guyang Cheongang had no words to reply and just smacked his lips.

“Gang-a, this isn’t something that can be called a Nourishing Pill – it’s a treasure. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a miraculous elixir of rejuvenation that reverses time!”

A miraculous effect that went beyond simple energy recovery to restore the body’s fundamental vitality and even return youthful appearance.

If even Heo Ilbi, a peak master, couldn’t control his emotions to this extent, the value of the Dragon Nourishing Pills was already proven.

He declared without asking or questioning further.

“This business – I will invest in it completely. No matter how much funding it takes!”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

A smile also appeared on Guyang Cheongang’s face.

And he confidently presented his conditions.

A division of roles where he would have full authority over manufacturing and technology, while Heo Ilbi would be responsible for capital and distribution networks.

And the profit distribution structure was that he would take seventy percent of the net profits.

Heo Ilbi showed a surprised expression for a moment, but soon laughed heartily and accepted all conditions.

“Good! I like your boldness! Let’s do that!”

After the contract was concluded, Heo Ilbi composed his joy and asked.

“But Gang-a, there’s one thing that concerns me. Is it alright to exclude Golden Tower Manor from this tremendous business?”

A tone of worry crept into his continuing voice.

“Your maternal grandfather Master Dong is someone who controls one-fifth of the world’s commercial rights. If he learns that Bamboo Forest Manor has monopolized this business, won’t he become greatly angry and pressure Brother Guyang?”

Heo Ilbi’s concern was valid.

“That’s why I want Bamboo Forest Manor to be the place that created the Dragon Nourishing Pills.”

“Hmm… that would probably be better. In any case, we must be careful. Master Dong is no ordinary person.”

“I’m well aware of that.”

Heo Ilbi nodded, realizing that Guyang Cheongang had no intention of saying more.

“If that is your will, this uncle will do his utmost to help you.”

He continued with a complicated expression.

“To be honest, Gang-a. For the past dozen years, watching your father suffer so much by my side while I could do nothing to help him always felt like having a stone lodged in my chest.”

“Father surely knows Uncle’s heart well.”

“Elder Brother… he would know…”

Heo Ilbi continued in a self-deprecating tone.

“Our Bamboo Forest Manor may be first in Nanchang, but compared to Golden Tower Manor, one of the Five Great Tycoons Under Heaven, the difference is like the bright moon and a firefly. If I had openly tried to help the Guyang Family Estate, your maternal grandfather would have bankrupted Bamboo Forest Manor.”

“Hmm…”

“He has more than enough power to do so. Even so, I tried to provide operating funds for the Guyang Family Estate, but your father refused to the very end.”

At his confession-like words, Guyang Cheongang once again realized the deep friendship between his father and Heo Ilbi.

And also how enormous a wall Dong Hyeondo was.

Heo Ilbi savored his tea for a moment, lost in thought, then looked at Guyang Cheongang with serious eyes.

“Gang-a, after talking with you today, it seems this uncle has only seen you as a child. I merely thought you were pitiable for being sickly, never imagining you were hiding such tremendous ability behind that frailty.”

Guyang Cheongang wore a puzzled expression.

“What do you mean by that…”

“For you, who never formally learned Medical Arts, to derive such innovative ideas from a single old book and conceive it as a business venture – that’s something beyond the realm of simple talent.”

“You praise me too highly.”

“That’s not so. Elder Brother struggled for decades to revive the family clan, but was always blocked by the enormous wall that is Dong Hyeondo, unable to fulfill his ambitions. Yet instead of trying to break through that wall head-on, aren’t you seeking a detour that no one else thought of?”

Heo Ilbi’s eyes blazed intensely.

“As I said earlier, this uncle will help you even if it means risking everything I have. So if you need anything, don’t hesitate to speak up.”

Heo Ilbi rose from his seat with a satisfied smile.

“If we can distribute these ‘Dragon Nourishing Pills’ well, conservatively speaking, we could easily earn several thousand nyang of silver coins per year. That would be more than enough to revive your declining family clan.”

Several thousand nyang of silver coins.

For the current Guyang Family Estate, it was truly an enormous fortune.

However, Guyang Cheongang only responded with a faint smile.

The value of the Dragon Nourishing Pills that Heo Ilbi saw was merely the tip of the iceberg.

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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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