Almighty God of War - Chapter 32

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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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032

The next afternoon.

Bamboo Forest Trading House was still in a festive mood from their overwhelming victory in the martial duel against Hwa Family Trading House.

However, an inexplicable tension hung in the air around Manor Lord Heo Ilbi’s study.

Heo Ilbi looked at Guyang Cheongang, who sat facing him alone, with complex eyes filled with reverence.

This meeting had been arranged at Guyang Cheongang’s request.

“You said you have something important to discuss?”

“Yes, Uncle.”

“When you say something is important, my heart starts racing first these days. Well then, speak.”

“Uncle, the Dragon Nourishing Pills are precious treasures that can establish both the Guyang Family and the Heo Family on solid ground. However, with the current method, production is only possible when I am present.”

Heo Ilbi listened intently as Guyang Cheongang showed signs of wanting to discuss the secret manufacturing method of the Dragon Nourishing Pills.

All this time, he had been incredibly curious but couldn’t bring himself to ask.

No matter how much he was a business partner funding the spirit pill production and his nephew-in-law, asking about manufacturing secrets would have been improper.

Guyang Cheongang continued speaking.

“Manufacturing Dragon Nourishing Pills requires a specific function. Until now, I’ve been able to substitute that function with the martial arts I’ve learned. It will be possible for some time in the future as well. However, this type of production is not a sustainable method.”

“Hmm… Is it because production becomes impossible without you?”

“That’s correct.”

“We need to find a way to make production possible even when you’re absent.”

“I’ve already found it.”

Heo Ilbi’s eyes widened.

“Already?”

“Yes.”

Guyang Cheongang nodded and continued speaking.

“To make that method a reality, we need one precious treasure.”

“What is it?”

“Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade.”

Deep furrows appeared on Heo Ilbi’s brow.

“Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade?”

“That’s right.”

“You’re saying that if we have that, Dragon Nourishing Pill production will be possible even when you’re absent?”

“Yes.”

“I trust you, but… do you know how difficult Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade is to obtain? There are far more people who don’t believe it actually exists than those who do. And I’ve only heard stories about such a thing existing my entire life, but never seen it.”

“I’m well aware it’s difficult to obtain. But we must find it. To ensure the sustainability of Dragon Nourishing Pill production, we have no choice.”

“Hmm…”

“I must leave this place soon and return to the Family Estate. If we can’t find a method to manufacture Dragon Nourishing Pills during my absence by then, production will have to be suspended.”

Guyang Cheongang continued in a calm tone.

“I plan to have Dragon Nourishing Pills produced at both the Main Family Estate and Bamboo Forest Trading House. To create a sustainable foundation where both families can share enormous profits together, we absolutely must obtain Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade. Uncle, please find it for us.”

Heo Ilbi swallowed hard.

He was thrilled that Guyang Cheongang’s plan went beyond simply making money, looking toward the joint prosperity and future of both families.

‘This child… beyond curing his illness and raising his family, he was envisioning the future of our Bamboo Forest Trading House as well.’

He struck the armrest of his chair forcefully and said.

“Good. That Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade, this uncle will mobilize every resource I have to find it without fail. You just focus on preparing the next plan.”

Guyang Cheongang stood up and bowed deeply.

“I am grateful for Uncle’s kindness.”

It was late afternoon, several days after Heo Ilbi had mobilized his entire information network.

With a somewhat excited expression, he called Guyang Cheongang to his study.

“Gang-a, I’ve obtained a lead on acquiring Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade.”

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes widened instantly.

“Really? To find a clue about such a rare item so quickly…”

“Hahaha, I mobilized every connection I have. It wasn’t easy though.”

Heo Ilbi continued speaking.

“But that clue came from a very unexpected person.”

“An unexpected person?”

“A woman called Heavenly Fragrance Fairy.”

“Who is Heavenly Fragrance Fairy?”

“She’s the owner of the most glamorous and secretive place in Nanchang, ‘Heavenly Fragrance Tower’. People call it the finest pleasure house in Gangxi.”

Guyang Cheongang frowned slightly and tilted his head.

“That the owner of a pleasure house would have clues about Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade is hard to believe.”

Heo Ilbi nodded as if understanding his doubt.

“That place isn’t a simple pleasure house. Instead of courtesans who sell their bodies, they sell unparalleled artistry and fine wine. And due to the nature of people gathering there, much information flows through that place. It wouldn’t be strange for the owner of such a place to know about Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade.”

“Ah… that could be possible.”

Guyang Cheongang then asked.

“Did you personally inquire there, Uncle?”

Heo Ilbi smiled bitterly and shook his head.

“No. There was no need. They came to me first.”

A look of surprise appeared on Guyang Cheongang’s face.

“What? You’re saying they knew we were looking for Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade before we told them?”

“That’s right. I have to admit that Heavenly Fragrance Tower’s information network is a step above this uncle’s connections.”

Heo Ilbi clicked his tongue and continued.

“This morning, a woman came to see me bearing a message from Heavenly Fragrance Fairy.”

“Was the content of that message about Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade?”

“Correct. But there was a condition for sharing that information. And the target of that condition wasn’t me.”

Heo Ilbi looked directly at Guyang Cheongang and continued.

“Heavenly Fragrance Fairy… Gang-a, she wants to meet you. If you fulfill one request of hers, that is, her condition, she said she would gladly provide information about the whereabouts of Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade.”

Guyang Cheongang frowned slightly.

“…Me?”

“Yes, you specifically. This uncle was most puzzled by that point too. I can’t even guess what that woman knows about you or what she wants. It might be a dangerous proposal. So I think we should consider this offer more carefully…”

Before Heo Ilbi could finish speaking, Guyang Cheongang opened his mouth without hesitation.

“I’ll go, Uncle.”

Heo Ilbi’s eyes widened slightly, surprised by his immediate answer.

“Gang-a, I haven’t finished speaking yet. This isn’t something to decide hastily. The other party is no ordinary person.”

“There’s no reason to hesitate.”

Guyang Cheongang’s voice was calm, but it contained steel-like determination.

“When a clue about Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade is right before us, even if that proposal means walking directly into a tiger’s den, I must go. The proper order would be to meet and hear what condition she has in person.”

Faced with his resolute attitude, Heo Ilbi could no longer dissuade him and nodded.

The sickly nephew before his eyes had somehow grown into a vessel too great for him to handle.

When Guyang Cheongang left Bamboo Forest Manor with Elder Hwang, the sun was setting beyond the western mountains, and lanterns were beginning to light up one by one on Nanchang’s streets.

Of course, their destination was Heavenly Fragrance Tower.

It wasn’t located in Nanchang’s most bustling commercial district, but in the deepest part of a quiet area lined with mansions of high officials and wealthy merchants.

As the horses carrying the two men approached Heavenly Fragrance Tower, the bustling street noise died down as if by magic.

After a while, the carriage stopped in front of a gate where high walls stretched endlessly.

Above the heavy gate made of black sandalwood hung a signboard with ‘Heavenly Fragrance Tower’ written in elegant calligraphy.

Guarding the gate were two young women dressed in refined silk martial robes with swords at their waists.

Their clear eyes and disciplined posture indicated that Heavenly Fragrance Tower was not just any place for entertainment.

When Elder Hwang stepped forward and revealed Guyang Cheongang’s identity, the gate opened smoothly and silently.

The moment they stepped inside the gate, Guyang Cheongang felt as if he had entered a completely different world.

The darkness and noise of the outside world were completely blocked out, and hundreds of soft lanterns illuminated the entire garden like a dream.

The air was harmoniously filled with the fragrance of precious unknown flowers and the finest dragon saliva incense that calmed the mind.

The clear sound of a gayageum echoing from afar added a mystical feeling, as if glimpsing a banquet of immortals.

Before them lay a vast artificial pond with nine cloud bridges crossing over it.

And beyond the lake, standing majestically at the highest point, was a grand five-story pavilion.

Around the pavilion, numerous large and small towers stood in rows.

The immense scale and aesthetic perfection far exceeded the level of an ordinary pleasure house.

The guests here were all wealthy merchants or renowned martial artists, and the women serving them were not simple courtesans, but talented ladies skilled in poetry and calligraphy.

So this place was more accurately described as a secret social venue and information hub for Jiangxi Province’s upper class, rather than a mere pleasure house.

“….”

Guyang Cheongang’s gaze deepened.

‘I should reflect on having preconceived notions about this place being just a pleasure house.’

He intuited that his decision to come here might be far more important than he had initially thought.

He and Elder Hwang followed the woman’s guidance toward the deepest part of the pleasure house’s back garden.

When they reached a quaint pavilion by the moonlit pond, a woman was waiting for them.

She was a woman with the area below her eyes covered by a translucent white silk veil.

But with just her jade-like forehead, picturesque eyebrows, and eyes as deep and clear as a lake, it wasn’t difficult to guess that she was a peerless beauty.

Moreover, her figure wrapped in a flowing silk palace dress was also perfect.

[Doctor, let me reconstruct her full face in 3D based on the visible facial data. Wow, this is….]

The woman’s face that Akasha rendered in his mind was so extraordinarily beautiful that even Guyang Cheongang, whose standards had been raised by becoming accustomed to Heo Choryeong, the greatest beauty of Nanchang, felt his heart skip a beat.

“You have graced us with your precious visit, Young Master Guyang. I am Heavenly Fragrance, the owner of this place.”

“I am Guyang Cheongang.”

He felt somewhat burdened that Heavenly Fragrance Fairy had come out to greet him personally.

It meant that what he needed to ask for wouldn’t be easy.

“Please, come inside.”

The interior of the pavilion they entered under Heavenly Fragrance Fairy’s guidance was filled with a deep, mind-calming, subtle fragrance.

She offered Guyang Cheongang the seat across from her, then personally poured amber-colored clear tea into his cup.

After taking a sip of tea, she was the first to speak.

“Congratulations on Bamboo Forest Manor’s victory, Young Master. You made a decisive contribution to Bamboo Forest Manor’s victory in the fight against Hwaga Trading House.”

Guyang Cheongang’s gaze wavered slightly.

It seemed she knew quite a bit.

“You flatter me. I merely helped my uncle a little.”

“How modest of you.”

Heavenly Fragrance Fairy smiled faintly and set down her teacup.

“I never would have imagined that someone suffering from the heavenly affliction of Nine Yin Severed Meridians would have learned martial arts.”

Guyang Cheongang’s gaze sharpened.

“You didn’t call me here just to show off how much you know about me, did you?”

Heavenly Fragrance Fairy gracefully bowed her head.

“I apologize if I offended you.”

“It’s not that serious. I was just a bit surprised.”

Heavenly Fragrance Fairy looked directly at Guyang Cheongang and spoke.

“You must be curious about why I asked to meet with you, Young Master?”

“Honestly, yes.”

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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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