Almighty God of War - Chapter 37

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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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037

Guyang Cheongang asked.

‘Akasha, can you gauge their strength? Who’s dangerous and who’s relatively weak—is it possible to assess even a rough level?’

[Theoretically possible, Doctor. By dispersing 30 nanobots over a wide area to perform spectrum analysis on the ‘qi energy’ each of them emits. By analyzing the amplitude, frequency, and stability of the energy waves, we could reverse-calculate each individual’s internal energy level and assign approximate combat power ratings. However, Doctor, I absolutely do not recommend this.]

‘Is it because of internal energy consumption again?’

[Yes. This is on a completely different level from the previous eavesdropping where we only needed to listen. This would be an ‘active wide-area scan’ targeting hundreds of masters.]

Akasha’s voice became even more serious.

[For the nanobots to accurately measure their qi waves, they would first need to emit minute detection signals and collect the echoes. This process itself consumes enormous energy, and analyzing the complex data of hundreds of intermingled qi energies in real-time would overload my computational core.]

‘Hmm….’

[With Doctor’s current internal energy level, maintaining this scan for even one minute would result in complete energy depletion and collapse with over 98% probability.]

Guyang Cheongang smiled bitterly and muttered inwardly.

‘I need more internal energy….’

Just then.

“Excuse me, might you be Young Lady Heo Choryeong, the Snow Flower Flying Swallow of Bamboo Forest Manor?”

The person who spoke was a handsome man in his early thirties with shabby scholar’s attire but distinct features and deep eyes.

His smile was gentle, and his impression was favorable.

The moment Guyang Cheongang saw him, he unconsciously frowned.

He had momentarily sensed a very dark and dangerous aura from the man.

Heo Choryeong responded with a puzzled expression.

“How do you know me…?”

“A few years ago, I had business in Nanchang and saw you with Hero Heo. I thought you would become a great beauty when you grew up, but the current Young Lady far exceeds this humble one’s expectations.”

“You recognize me, but I have no memory of you.”

“Hahaha, I, Seop Ilpyeong, am merely an insignificant wandering scholar drifting through Gangho—how could Young Lady remember me?”

It made no sense for a mere scholar to participate in a treasure competition.

Heo Choryeong closed her mouth at Seop Ilpyeong’s dishonest attitude.

However, Seop Ilpyeong remained beside the group as if he didn’t care at all.

Guyang Cheongang said to Heo Choryeong.

“Elder Sister, I’ll take a look around the area for a moment. It won’t take long.”

With Elder Hwang staying close by, there was no need to worry about her safety even if Seop Ilpyeong approached with ill intent.

Knowing well that Guyang Cheongang never acted without purpose, Heo Choryeong nodded.

“Alright.”

Guyang Cheongang slowly walked around the perimeter of Saam Peak, which was shaped like an overturned bowl.

It was to find the source of the resonating energy, but the mountain peak’s perimeter showed only smooth rock walls without even a common cave visible.

‘Akasha, what’s the composition of this rock wall?’

Each time he placed his hand on the rock wall, Akasha’s voice flowed into his mind.

[Ordinary granite. I’ve performed a precision scan of the surface, but no artificial structures or cracks were detected.]

‘As expected, nothing visible on the outside. Then what about the interior?’

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes sharpened as if to pierce through the mountain’s center.

‘Check if there are secret doors operated by mechanisms, explore the interior of the mountain peak.’

[Understood. Initiating ground penetrating radar and sonic detection.]

A breathless silence passed for a moment.

[Doctor, an empty section is detected underground at the mountain peak’s center. It’s a completely isolated hollow space with no connection to the outside.]

Guyang Cheongang’s eyebrows twitched.

‘So the interior is indeed hollow…. But there’s no entrance on the outside. Then only one possibility remains.’

When Guyang Cheongang returned to Heo Choryeong and Elder Hwang’s side, Seop Ilpyeong smiled and asked.

“Young Master seems to have no interest in the Divine Weapon Aura.”

Guyang Cheongang asked without hiding his annoyance.

“What do you mean?”

“Everyone else is mesmerized, staring only at the peak, but Young Master only examines the terrain.”

Guyang Cheongang glanced at him and replied in an indifferent tone.

“Those who know their limits live long. I have something to discuss with my companions, so I’ll excuse myself.”

He took Heo Choryeong and Elder Hwang and moved to a secluded spot in the forest.

Guyang Cheongang released nanobots to confirm no one was within five zhang, then spoke in a quiet tone.

“The Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade seems to be located underground at Saam Peak’s center. But there’s a problem.”

Heo Choryeong asked.

“What’s that?”

“The entrance to that location seems to be near the peak’s summit. I couldn’t find any other way.”

At Guyang Cheongang’s words, both Heo Choryeong and Elder Hwang’s expressions hardened.

It meant they had to climb to that place where all the heroes were watching with burning eyes to obtain their goal.

Heo Choryeong asked with a worried expression.

“Wouldn’t that be too dangerous?”

“That’s why we can’t move now. But soon an opportunity to approach that place will arise.”

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes lit up as he continued.

“If the rumors are true, auspicious energy will soon burst forth from that peak again. Everyone’s attention will focus there, and when the masters move first, the heroes will follow.”

Heo Choryeong nodded and responded.

“You plan to move when chaos breaks out?”

“Exactly, Elder Sister.”

Guyang Cheongang then looked at both of them alternately and continued.

“Elder Hwang, please return immediately to where the ship is and guard it in preparation for any emergency. And Elder Sister… since you won’t listen even if I ask you to go with Elder Hwang, you’ll come with me.”

Heo Choryeong smiled and nodded as if it were obvious.

Elder Hwang spoke with a worried expression.

“Young Master, my duty is to stay by your side in any situation. How can I send you to the most dangerous place while I alone seek an escape route from afar? I cannot follow that order.”

Though his voice wasn’t raised, it was clear he had no intention of backing down easily.

Guyang Cheongang looked at the old man with gentle but firm eyes.

“Elder Hwang, protecting me doesn’t always mean staying by my side.”

“….”

“If we face crisis and have no preparations with even our retreat blocked, then everyone becomes endangered. So securing a path for Elder Sister and me to return is a mission of incomparable importance.”

He looked directly into Elder Hwang’s eyes and continued.

“Elder Hwang, please trust me. I will return safely to where the ship is.”

Elder Hwang, who had been biting his lips and staring directly into Guyang Cheongang’s eyes, let out a long sigh after a moment and said.

“…If Young Master’s will is truly set, then I will secure the retreat route with my life.”

After he left for where the ship was hidden with secretive movements, Guyang Cheongang and Heo Choryeong returned to the edge of the crowd.

Time continued to flow, and the tension among the Murim people surrounding the mountain peak grew ever higher, ready to explode at any moment.

The night sky was cloudless, the bright moon shone clearly, and the stars formed the Milky Way, sparkling brilliantly.

Though night had deepened, the moonlight alone was bright enough to clearly see the face of the person next to you.

Guyang Cheongang and Heo Choryeong, positioned behind the crowd, sat in comfortable poses watching the massive rocky mountain peak, Seokam Peak.

As the hour of zi when the auspicious energy was said to appear approached, the atmosphere among the heroes turned fierce.

The tense atmosphere created by over five hundred Murim people swirled in the air, ready to explode at any moment.

Time passed, and finally the hour of zi arrived.

At that very moment everyone had been waiting for with bated breath, change occurred.

A beam of light shot vertically from Saam Peak’s summit as if to tear through the night sky.

Kwaaaaah-!

Initially thin as a needle and subtle, but in the span of a single breath it transformed into brilliant rainbow colors, forming a massive pillar of light reaching toward the heavens.

Seven-Colored Treasure Light!

This was the auspicious light that appeared only when legendary Divine Weapon Auras manifested.

The mysterious and sacred light illuminated the darkness.

A momentary silence flowed among the heroes who had filled the area below the mountain peak.

And that silence was soon shattered by explosive cheers that burst forth.

“Waaaaah-!”

“It’s the Seven-Colored Treasure Light!”

“A Divine Weapon Aura has appeared!”

“It’s mine! That treasure is mine!”

The eyes of the assembled heroes turned red with greed all at once.

Shouts and curses mixed with envious oaths toward those rushing ahead first, and the area below the mountain peak instantly transformed into a massive battlefield.

However, Guyang Cheongang frowned and didn’t move a muscle.

‘Akasha, can you analyze the true nature of that light? For treasure light, something feels off about it.’

[The distance is too far for precise analysis, Doctor. I’m not certain, but….]

‘What are you being vague about?’

[Based solely on the basic data collected, it’s difficult to view that light as a naturally occurring energy emission phenomenon. The wavelength is too consistent and artificial.]

Akasha’s analysis drove a wedge into his ominous premonition.

‘Artificial? Then are you saying that’s a fake someone intentionally created?’

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes grew cold as ice.

Just then, over ten figures from among the crowd launched their bodies toward the summit of Saam Peak.

They demonstrated amazing lightness skills, soaring vertically two to three zhang with a single leap, proving themselves to be supreme masters of a different caliber from ordinary martial artists.

Cries rang out from the spectator seats as people recognized them.

“It’s Eight Direction Divine Sword and Wolhee from the Namgung Family!”

“That’s Cheongam Dojang from the Wudang Sect!”

“It’s Hero Lee, the Autumn Wind Swordsman from the Hengshan Sect!”

“One Fist Shakes Heaven from the Zhongli Family is there too!”

They were masters whose names alone carried resounding fame throughout Gangho.

Starting with them, hundreds of Murim people began rushing toward the summit with battle cries.

Even then, Seop Ilpyeong, who had been quietly observing the situation from the side, smiled and asked Heo Choryeong.

“Aren’t you going, Miss Heo? If you don’t go quickly, you won’t even get to see the Divine Weapon Aura.”

Heo Choryeong answered in a calm tone.

“Isn’t there a saying that treasures have predetermined owners? If I am the owner, I should be able to obtain it even if I go last. But if I’m not the owner, I won’t be able to get it even if I’m the first to reach that peak.”

“Hahaha, to think a Young Lady of Tender Age possesses such transcendent grace, free from greed! I can more than imagine what kind of family tradition Bamboo Forest Trading House upholds.”

Seop Ilpyeong continued with admiration.

“This unworthy one is a petty person with an impatient heart, so I can no longer restrain myself and must go ahead first. May I have the fortune to see your beautiful countenance again.”

Having finished speaking, he displayed an Ascending Lightness Skill that covered two zhang in a single step, instantly disappearing into the crowd as he climbed Saam Peak.

Watching Seop Ilpyeong’s retreating figure, Heo Choryeong said quietly.

“Unlike his appearance… he’s a man who doesn’t give off good vibes.”

Guyang Cheongang nodded as well.

“I agree, Elder Sister.”

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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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