Almighty God of War - Chapter 25

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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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025

In contrast to Bamboo Forest Manor, Hwa Family Trading House exuded a splendid and luxurious atmosphere.

It was located in the manor district of Namchang Western Main Road, about twenty li west of the Guyang Family Estate.

In scale alone, it was easily three times the size of Bamboo Forest Manor, and befitting Nanchang’s premier medicinal herb merchant, the entire manor was filled with rich herbal fragrances.

Through the large main gate, carriages loaded with medicinal herbs and merchants carrying packs constantly came and went.

The manor lord’s office.

Here sat Hwa Family Trading House lord Hwa Seokdae and a middle-aged man with refined features who had placed an extraordinary blade across his knees.

The middle-aged man’s identity was one of the Hubei Ten Great Blade Masters and master of Panryong Sword Gate, the Coiling Dragon Blade Master Jin Mun.

He was also Hwa Doryeong’s master, and despite his refined appearance, he was known as someone with strong martial arts, deep cunning, and a sinister nature.

Hwa Seokdae spoke with an irritated expression.

“Damn it! That old man Heo Ilbi still hasn’t made a peep.”

A day had passed since Hwa Doryeong’s kidnapping attempt was thwarted, but with no reaction from Bamboo Forest Manor, Hwa Seokdae was showing signs of impatience.

However, Jin Mun leisurely tilted his teacup and smiled.

“Manor Lord, there’s no need to be impatient. Heo Ilbi is an extremely cautious man by nature. The fact that he’s not moving means his mind has become complicated over this incident.”

“But we can’t wait forever, can we?”

“Of course not. That’s why we need to cast some bait.”

Jin Mun’s eyes flashed coldly like a snake as he continued.

“We’ll spread rumors to force him to move. ‘Heo Ilbi of Bamboo Forest Manor is a coward who hides because he fears Hwa Family Trading House, even though his daughter was insulted by a scoundrel.’ How could someone who values honor like his life endure that?”

Hwa Seokdae frowned as if he didn’t like the idea.

“If such rumors spread, Ryeong’s reputation will become the worst, and it will also damage our Hwa Family Trading House’s reputation.”

Jin Mun shook his head.

“Ryeong’s reputation is already at rock bottom with nowhere left to fall. And the slight damage to Hwa Family Trading House’s reputation is nothing compared to the enormous profits we’ll gain from swallowing Bamboo Forest Manor. In fact, the bigger the rumors get, the more they’ll provoke Heo Ilbi’s anger, which works in our favor.”

“Works in our favor? What do you mean?”

Jin Mun continued with a chilling look in his eyes.

“When the rumors spread and the matter escalates, Manor Lord, you should step forward personally and say, ‘My son Hwa Doryeong committed this foolish act out of love for Miss Heo Choryeong, so Hwa Family Trading House will take full responsibility.’ Then propose a marriage between the two families as proof of that responsibility.”

He paused briefly, then added with a cold smile.

“Along with offering one hundred thousand nyang in silver coins as an apology gift.”

Hwa Seokdae’s eyes widened.

“One hundred thousand nyang? Are you in your right mind?”

One hundred thousand nyang in silver was equivalent to ten thousand seok of rice.

“Of course, you’re only saying that. There won’t actually be any need to give such a large sum.”

Jin Mun calmed Hwa Seokdae and continued.

“Heo Ilbi will absolutely never accept that proposal. To him, it would be tantamount to an insult. He’ll be furious and demand we hand over Ryeong.”

“Given his temperament, he’d do that and more.”

“That’s when you propose a duel to him, Manor Lord. Say, ‘A father must take responsibility for his child’s sins. If I lose this duel, I’ll leave Doryeong’s punishment to you.'”

Hwa Seokdae asked with lingering anxiety.

“But what if Heo Ilbi refuses even that duel?”

“There’s another piece of bait for just such a case.”

Jin Mun’s voice grew even lower as he continued.

“Manor Lord, you know, don’t you? That Bamboo Forest Manor has recently been secretly purchasing large quantities of medicinal herbs.”

“I know. I was thinking it strange that they, who aren’t herb merchants, would buy such large quantities.”

“Buy up all those herbs yourself, Manor Lord. There’s no need to hide it. Rather, buy them up on a large scale while simultaneously blocking all of Bamboo Forest Manor’s purchasing routes. Heo Ilbi will investigate, and he’ll discover that our Hwa Family Trading House has been hoarding the herbs. That’s when you propose the duel again.”

Jin Mun’s eyes flashed.

“Tell him that if you lose the duel, you’ll not only hand over Young Master Hwa Doryeong’s punishment, but also transfer all the purchased medicinal herbs to Bamboo Forest Manor. Heo Ilbi will never be able to refuse a proposal that involves his own practical interests.”

Hwa Seokdae was impressed by Jin Mun’s scheme.

“Indeed, Gate Master possesses excellent strategies.”

“Manor Lord, you just need to prepare the dueling ground. I, Jin Mun, will personally deal with Heo Ilbi and crush him so thoroughly that he can never rise again.”

Jin Mun’s voice carried absolute confidence.

The story about Guyang Cheongang that he had heard from Hwa Doryeong came to mind, but he immediately dismissed it.

‘Once Heo Ilbi falls, the young girl and sickly boy won’t be a problem.’

He smiled inwardly as he thought of his lord, that person from Hubei Province.

All of this was merely a small stepping stone for that person’s grand plan.

After pondering briefly, Hwa Seokdae reached his conclusion.

“Good. I’ll do as Gate Master Jin suggests.”

Following Jin Mun’s scheme, it seemed only a matter of time before they could seize not only Bamboo Forest Manor but all of Nanchang’s commercial rights.

Hwa Seokdae had no doubt that he was walking a path toward greater wealth and power.

* * *

Chang’an, Shaanxi Province.

In the central district where all the wealth and power of All Under Heaven gathered, stood Golden Tower Manor, one of the Five Great Merchant Families of All Under Heaven.

Built on tens of thousands of pyeong of vast land, Golden Tower Manor was like a massive city in itself.

Smoothly polished bluestone roads crossed through the manor’s center, with tall pavilions and towers extending endlessly on both sides.

The wind flowing along the bluestone roads brushed against the tiles of the antique buildings, creating low resonant sounds, while sunlight reflected off the stone floors, emitting a subtle radiance.

A middle-aged man walked leisurely along that path.

Wearing a black robe, he was Chae Munseong, head of Golden Tower Manor’s secret intelligence organization ‘Spider’s Web.’

After a while, Chae Munseong arrived at the Inner Palace located in the deepest part of the manor.

This was Dong Hyeondo’s personal space, a forbidden zone that no one could enter without his permission.

The interior of the Inner Palace seemed to have gathered all the world’s wealth in one place.

The floor was laid with mirror-clear obsidian, and the finest quality agarwood incense of incalculable value floated in the air.

Each piece of furniture was a work of art made from rare wood, and landscape paintings by the era’s greatest artists hung on the walls.

At the center, a man was leisurely drinking tea.

A man with graying hair and a well-groomed beard, with a benevolent and gentle appearance.

However, the gaze visible beyond the teacup he held was as cold as ice.

He was the lord of Golden Tower Manor, Dong Hyeondo.

As always, Chae Munseong felt an appropriate tension as he bowed.

“Begin your report.”

At Dong Hyeondo’s quiet but deeply resonant words, Chae Munseong began to speak.

“Manor Lord, Guyang Cheongang has been staying at Bamboo Forest Manor for nearly a month now. Aside from occasionally touring downtown Nanchang with Heo Ilbi’s daughter Heo Choryeong, he remains secluded in the separate building.”

Dong Hyeondo set down his teacup and asked.

“He’s staying in Nanchang too long. Is it because of his illness, or is there some other reason?”

“His health seems to have temporarily improved, allowing him to travel, but he doesn’t appear to be overexerting himself. I believe his condition may have worsened again, keeping him confined to Bamboo Forest Manor.”

“Indeed, Nine Yin Severed Meridians is a punishment from heaven. It’s an incurable disease that cannot be completely healed unless he meets Divine Physician Hwata.”

Dong Hyeondo murmured quietly, then continued in an indifferent tone.

“That child must eventually die. Only then can Cheongi become the family head and the plan be completed.”

Chae Munseong bowed his head and said.

“Guyang Cheongang will die from Nine Yin Severed Meridians. As a precaution, I’ve already taken all measures to prevent the unfortunate incident of Divine Physician Hwata meeting Guyang Baek.”

Dong Hyeondo nodded and asked.

“What about the Ten Thousand Year Jade Bed? Has there been any sign that the child has discovered something?”

“So far, no special movements related to that have been detected.”

Chae Munseong continued in a cautious tone.

“Could you tell me what Guyang Cheongang should be looking for in the jade bed? If I knew that, the watchers’ focus would improve.”

Dong Hyeondo’s answer was simple and clear.

“You don’t need to know.”

“Understood.”

Chae Munseong immediately dropped his inquiry.

Dong Hyeondo allowed his subordinates to freely voice any opinions, but the line was clear.

When he cut off conversation like that, it was the line, and crossing it required being prepared for death.

“What about Yeonhwa?”

Dong Hyeondo’s voice carried no emotion whatsoever when mentioning Dong Yeonhwa, his own daughter.

“Your daughter has not neglected her periodic reports. There are no particular abnormalities.”

Dong Hyeondo nodded as if satisfied.

He set down his teacup and spoke in a calm tone.

“Monitor Guyang Baek and Guyang Cheongang thoroughly. You must not miss even the slightest change, not even a single hair. And if there’s anything even slightly suspicious, report it immediately.”

“Yes, Manor Lord!”

Even after Chae Munseong withdrew, Dong Hyeondo continued gazing out the window for some time.

‘There’s definitely a piece of the treasure map at the Guyang Family Estate. And Guyang Baek knows where it is.’

Flames flickered and blazed in the depths of his eyes.

‘Son-in-law, you struggle desperately to hide it, but unfortunately, time is on my side. The Guyang Family could collapse at any moment, but the main villa is eternal.’

Dong Hyeondo’s time flowed together with his family clan.

* * *

In the deep night past midnight, the separate building of Bamboo Forest Manor was shrouded in silence.

In the darkened room, Guyang Cheongang had just finished his energy circulation and breath control practice of the Transcendent Impermanence Divine Art.

Since completing his constant qi circulation system, his internal energy was slowly but steadily deepening.

“Whew…”

Just as Guyang Cheongang was about to open his eyes after letting out a long breath.

Thud-

A faint sound of something heavy collapsing from outside pierced his ears.

‘What was that?’

An animal perhaps? Or maybe something just fell in the wind.

If Elder Hwang had been there, he would have already moved to investigate, but he wasn’t at Bamboo Forest Manor right now.

He had left his post to monitor the people coming and going from Hwaga Trading House.

Guyang Cheongang rose from his position and went outside.

He cautiously approached the area near the wall.

Below the wall where bamboo shadows fell, an old man lay collapsed, covered in blood.

The old man’s eyes were hazy, but he seemed not to have lost consciousness yet, looking at Guyang Cheongang with wary eyes.

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes sparkled as their gazes met.

Snow-white hair and a long white beard reaching down to his chest.

Despite his shabby hemp robe and his face and chest front being stained entirely with red blood, the old man’s appearance was worthy of being called sage-like and transcendent.

The old man smiled bitterly and spoke with difficulty.

“In my haste while being pursued… I have committed a great discourtesy. Please pretend you haven’t seen me. If those chasing me were to spot you… you too would not escape mortal danger…”

His words came in broken fragments, completely lacking strength.

Guyang Cheongang approached with a calm expression at his words and knelt on one knee.

“Elder, your condition appears serious. Please at least allow me to check your pulse.”

He naturally brought his fingertips to the old man’s wrist.

The moment his hand touched the old man, Akasha’s voice rang through his mind.

[Doctor, the subject’s condition is extremely critical. Powerful and foreign yin cold energy has penetrated near his heart meridian and is rapidly eroding his life force. This is not a simple external injury.]

‘As I thought, he’s no ordinary person.’

Guyang Cheongang was inwardly surprised but maintained his composure outwardly.

The old man spoke again.

“Don’t worry about me… Those pursuing me… are very dangerous people. So hurry back to your room and lock the door.”

Even in this situation, he was a person who worried about others before himself.

Guyang Cheongang no longer hesitated and made up his mind.

‘He seems like a good person, I can’t just leave him to die. I think I might be able to heal internal injuries caused by yin cold energy…’

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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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