Almighty God of War - Chapter 45

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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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045

Heo Ilbi’s face clearly showed disappointment.

“You’re leaving already? Why do you want to depart so quickly instead of staying here longer to fully recover your health?”

Guyang Cheongang responded with a calm expression.

“To create the Heavenly Mechanism Pill Furnace here, I used half of the Ten Thousand Year Cold Jade obtained from Daeyang Mountain Island. With the remaining half, I must create the same device at my Main Family Estate.”

He paused briefly, then looked at Heo Ilbi with even more serious eyes.

“And there’s one more thing I must tell you, Uncle.”

“Speak.”

“I plan to return to the Main Family Estate and refine Supreme Yang Dragon Pills using the Supreme Blood Moss and Dragon Brain Jade Mushroom obtained from Daeyang Mountain Island. I will mobilize all my knowledge and skills.”

At his words, Heo Ilbi’s eyes widened.

On the first day, Guyang Cheongang had mentioned bringing legendary spirit herbs that grew wild in the underground cave, so he knew of their existence.

But he never imagined that he would use them to create spirit medicine.

Guyang Cheongang continued.

“I estimate that spirit medicine will have the effect of enhancing internal energy by ten years with just one pill. Though it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as taking multiple doses wouldn’t add to the effect.”

Ten years of internal energy.

At the weight of those words, Heo Ilbi swallowed hard.

Even for a supreme master, that was tremendous power that couldn’t be ignored—enough to raise one’s level by another stage.

“When it’s completed, I will invite you to my family estate, Uncle.”

Guyang Cheongang continued with a gentle smile.

“Half of that spirit medicine belongs to you, after all.”

“…!”

Heo Ilbi was momentarily speechless, staring into Guyang Cheongang’s clear eyes.

There was no calculation or ulterior motive in them.

Only pure trust and respect for someone who had believed in and helped him.

Heo Ilbi felt a warm emotion rising from deep within his heart.

The spirit herbs from Daeyang Mountain Island were entirely obtained through Guyang Cheongang’s fortune.

No matter how he chose to handle them, Heo Ilbi had no right to claim a share.

Being human, he hadn’t been without desire when he heard about the spirit herbs.

But that moment was brief, and he had forgotten about it afterward.

Yet Guyang Cheongang was willingly offering to share half of a treasure that all under heaven would covet.

“Gang-a… you make me feel ashamed.”

Heo Ilbi understood his deeper meaning and could no longer hold him back.

However, one practical problem weighed on his mind.

“I understand your intention, but there’s one problem. Your Main Family Estate is crawling with Dong Hyeondo’s spies. Whether we supply medicinal herbs or transfer the enormous profits that will be generated, it will all inevitably catch their attention. What will you do about that?”

To his concern, Guyang Cheongang answered calmly.

“I’ve already thought of a solution for that. All transactions must be conducted secretly at a different location, not at the Guyang Family Estate.”

“A different location?”

“As soon as I return to the Family Estate, I’ll have Elder Hwang arrange a secret residence in a remote place about ten li away from the estate.”

“Hmm…”

“All medicinal herbs and profits that you send, Uncle, can be delivered through that location. I plan to entrust Elder Hwang with that task.”

Heo Ilbi realized his worry had been unfounded.

He clicked his tongue at Guyang Cheongang’s thoroughness and burst into hearty laughter.

“Hahaha, you had already thought that far ahead. Truly flawless. Good. Let’s do that.”

He stood up and grasped the shoulders of his nephew, who had somehow grown to nearly match his eye level.

His eyes were filled with pride and satisfaction.

“Gone is the precarious appearance from when you first came here, and now you overflow with the spirit of a great man who could shoulder a family clan. Seeing you return in such healthy condition makes this uncle happy with that alone. How could I possibly stop you from seeking your Main Family’s revival?”

Heo Ilbi added with a worried expression.

“Tell Ryeong-a yourself. She won’t be mentally prepared, so the shock will be considerable. I hope you’ll consider that child’s feelings a little.”

That night, Guyang Cheongang visited Heo Choryeong’s quarters.

Heo Choryeong, who had been holding the Golden King while gazing at the moon, spotted him and smiled with eyes that held both joy and an inexplicable disappointment.

The season had already entered early winter, and the night breeze was quite chilly.

Cold air seeped between the collars of both their clothes.

“Gang-je, what brings you here? At this late hour.”

“I’ll be returning to the Main Family Estate tomorrow morning. I wanted to bid you farewell in advance, Elder Sister.”

At his words, Heo Choryeong’s eyes shook greatly, but she forced herself to maintain a composed expression.

Guyang Cheongang silently watched her like that.

Heo Choryeong’s face bathed in moonlight was unrealistically beautiful.

‘Get a grip… Heo Choryeong is nineteen…’

Thirty-eight-year-old Lee Jin-woo perceived her as a minor girl he should protect and guide.

But seventeen-year-old Guyang Cheongang’s heart found it hard to resist being drawn to her strength and beauty.

He struggled to suppress these troublesome and complex emotions as he spoke.

“I’ve been greatly indebted to you in many ways, Elder Sister.”

Heo Choryeong smiled gently and responded.

“I had a feeling this moment would come soon. Gang-je isn’t someone who would stay confined to this small estate. To be honest, I want to go with you.”

At her honest words, which were tantamount to a confession, Guyang Cheongang’s heart sank with a thud.

Before the startled him could say anything, she continued with bright eyes.

“But I will remain here.”

Her clear voice was firm.

“I’ll protect and nurture this opportunity you’ve created for our family. It would be too difficult for Father alone. So you go your way. I’ll work hard to become your reliable support from here.”

It was a mature decision that belied her nineteen years.

Guyang Cheongang’s mind became complicated.

‘If she were on Earth, she’d be at a young age just stepping into the world. Yet this girl is prepared to shoulder a family’s destiny.’

He found her appearance dazzling as she suppressed her desire to follow him and sought to find her role and fulfill her responsibilities.

His reason told him she was a ‘girl,’ but his heart already saw her as a beautiful and mature ‘woman.’

“I trust you, Elder Sister. I too will do my best from my position.”

He gave her a respectful cupped fist salute.

“Please stay well until we meet again.”

There were no more words between the two.

Just then, the Golden King, nestled in Heo Choryeong’s arms, interjected.

Squeak…

The creature made a soft sound with a conflicted expression, looking back and forth between Guyang Cheongang and Heo Choryeong.

The Golden King buried its face in Heo Choryeong’s warm embrace, then lifted its head to look back at Guyang Cheongang, repeating this several times.

What great conflict must have raged in that small head?

The creature again grasped Heo Choryeong’s hem as if reluctant to part, then soon clenched its small fists as if resolved.

With melancholy eyes and an expression of having no choice, the Golden King left Heo Choryeong’s embrace.

Then, as if this was its path despite not liking it, it crossed the table and leaped onto Guyang Cheongang’s shoulder.

Both immediately understood the meaning of that action.

Guyang Cheongang spoke with a regretful voice.

“It seems Golden Brother has finally made its decision.”

Heo Choryeong answered with a subdued voice.

“Yes. Golden One knows that staying here with me means never finding its former master.”

She reached out and gently stroked the Golden King’s small head, whispering.

“Yes, go on. You must go and find your master.”

Her voice contained regret along with warm feelings that respected the Golden King’s choice.

The Golden King rubbed its cheek against the back of her hand once.

The desolate night breeze swept past Heo Choryeong’s ear as she would now be alone, then past Guyang Cheongang’s collar as he gained a new companion.

The next morning.

In front of Bamboo Forest Manor’s main gate, the refreshing air of early dawn swirled about.

Two sturdy-looking horses brought by the servants waited, breathing out white puffs of air.

On the shoulder of Guyang Cheongang, who had finished preparing to depart, the Golden King—who had naturally become his new companion—was perched.

Elder Hwang stood beside him, holding the reins of a horse.

And Heo Ilbi and Heo Choryeong had come out to the main gate to see them off.

Before finally mounting his horse, Guyang Cheongang and Heo Choryeong’s gazes met in midair.

That was enough.

Guyang Cheongang nodded silently, then mounted his horse with movements incomparably lighter and more agile than before.

As he grasped the reins, Elder Hwang also mounted his own horse.

“Until we meet again, may you all be at peace.”

With those final words of farewell, the two horses kicked off the ground vigorously and set out on the road home toward the Guyang Family Estate.

Clop-clop- Clop-clop-

Until the rhythmic sound of hoofbeats faded into the distance, the Heo Father and Daughter stood there for a long time, watching their retreating figures.

Heo Ilbi looked back and forth between his nephew’s departing figure and his daughter’s face, which couldn’t hide her wistful expression, and let out a deep sigh inwardly.

‘Gang-a will undoubtedly become a great hero who shakes All Under Heaven. But… were the lives of the women who stayed by heroes’ sides ever truly peaceful? Aren’t there countless stories throughout history of women who spent their lives shedding tears in the shadows of brilliantly shining heroes, or who were broken and fell before that very light?’

Knowing that matters of the heart could not be resolved through human effort, he simply embraced his daughter’s shoulders without a word.

While vowing to stake everything he had to protect his daughter.

From Bamboo Forest Manor to the Guyang Family Estate was not a very great distance—one that could be reached in half a day on horseback.

Between the two family estates lay only a low mountain called Maeho Mountain.

Maeho Mountain was famous for its beautiful scenery, but it was not a particularly treacherous mountain, with its highest peak not exceeding three hundred zhang.

The roads were well-maintained enough to cross on horseback, and it was a peaceful place without a single wild beast or common bandit stronghold.

Guyang Cheongang’s party entered Maeho Mountain just as noon had passed.

The mountain path was quiet.

The late afternoon sunlight scattered down through the dense pine needles, and whenever the gentle breeze brushed against the leaves, it made a soft rustling sound.

Except for the occasional calls of unknown birds, the forest was immersed in deep silence.

It was a peaceful scene.

The incident that shattered the tranquility occurred when the party had crossed about half the mountain.

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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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