Almighty God of War - Chapter 52

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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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052

Winter was deepening.

However, the weather in Nanchang, located in the central-southern continent, was not severely cold, with only occasional heavy snow fluttering outside the window.

Guyang Cheongang received a message from Shangguan Wana and visited the separate building where she was staying.

It was because of news that her body had completely recovered and her business plan was also fully completed.

“Is your body alright now, Young Lady?”

“Thanks to you, Young Master.”

The sickly pallor had completely disappeared from her face, and her eyes were full of clear, intelligent spirit.

“I’m also glad to hear that Young Lady has fully recovered. You’ll be leaving for Nanzhou where the main family estate is located soon. The journey is long and treacherous, so you’ll need to prepare thoroughly.”

At his words, Shangguan Wana shook her head and smiled gently.

“No, Young Master. Our destination is not Nanzhou.”

“Not Nanzhou? Then where…?”

Doubt flashed in Guyang Cheongang’s eyes.

Shangguan Wana answered with a voice filled with fervor.

“Young Master, the Dragon Nourishing Pills and Yin Dragon Pills are not items to be sold for small change in frontier regions like Nanzhou. We must sell them to those who recognize the value of this miracle, and those who can pay a price worthy of that value.”

Guyang Cheongang, who saw through her intention at a glance, said.

“…You’re planning to go to the Imperial Capital.”

“Yes.”

Shangguan Wana held out a book consisting of about thirty pages to Guyang Cheongang and said.

“Before we get to the main point, there’s something I’d like to show you first, Young Master.”

The book contained an analysis of the Imperial Capital’s commercial circles and the launch strategy for the spirit pills that she had been contemplating and writing since making the contract with Guyang Cheongang.

Guyang Cheongang silently took the book and turned to the first page.

‘Akasha, begin full scan and key summary.’

[Understood, Doctor. Converting text and chart data, visual information for direct transmission to the brain.]

A strange sight was unfolding before Yeom Pung and Shangguan Wana’s eyes.

Swish—

Guyang Cheongang was not reading the book.

His pupils emitted a faint light, and his hands turned the pages at a constant speed like a machine.

From closing the last page of the book to placing it on the table, only enough time had passed for a couple of breaths.

Bewilderment along with faint disappointment flashed across Shangguan Wana’s beautiful face.

“Young Master, this is something I put my heart and soul into creating. Please don’t look at it carelessly.”

Her voice carried hurt feelings without her realizing it.

But Guyang Cheongang only smiled gently.

“How could I not know Young Lady’s hard work and the depth of wisdom contained within?”

He lightly tapped the cover of the closed book with his finger and said.

“The analysis of the relationship diagram between the seven influential families in the eastern commercial district of the Imperial Capital that you mentioned was also very interesting for me to read. However, I think targeting the Prime Minister’s residence as the first goal is too burdensome an approach strategy in the early stages when inventory is insufficient. Rather, wouldn’t it be safer and more effective to first target retired civil officials from the south who are distant from the imperial court but value honor, using them as the source of rumors?”

“…!”

Shangguan Wana was momentarily speechless.

There was not a trace of falsehood or pretense in Guyang Cheongang’s eyes.

He had perfectly grasped all the contents of the book in that short time, and even presented supplementary measures for the core strategy.

She tried to force an awkward smile but soon realized her mistake and straightened her expression.

This young man who wasn’t even twenty was an existence beyond what she had imagined.

A genius like a monster.

Having collected herself, she brought up the main point.

“I will deeply consider the advice you’ve given me. However, I want to prove the value of this medicine before the high officials of the Imperial Capital and the powerful figures of all under heaven. When they experience the effects, the ripple effect will shake all under heaven.”

Worry appeared on Yeom Pung’s face as he heard her words.

He knew that Shangguan Wana had completed her sales concept, but he didn’t know the specific details.

“Wan-a, isn’t this plan too dangerous? The Imperial Capital is no different from the backyard of Geumsan Tower, the number one trading company in all under heaven, which is even more powerful than Geumgeum Mountain Villa. Trying to sell such tremendous items in such a place could be like sticking your head into a tiger’s mouth.”

Even at Yeom Pung’s words, Shangguan Wana’s gaze toward Guyang Cheongang remained unwavering.

She was waiting for the answer from him who held the most important key to this plan.

Guyang Cheongang looked at Yeom Pung in silence for a moment, then opened his mouth with a faint smile.

“Hero Yeom’s concerns are natural. However, I trust Young Lady Shangguan’s insight and boldness.”

His gaze turned back to Shangguan Wana.

“The most dangerous place can also become the best stage to strike at the enemy’s weakness. It’s not bad to reshape the game in the heart of Geumsan Tower.”

A bright smile appeared on Shangguan Wana’s face.

“As expected, Young Master thinks the same as I do.”

She continued speaking to Guyang Cheongang in a tone now addressing a perfect business partner.

“Then our roles are decided. The Guyang Family will stably produce the spirit pills, and I will open the path to the Imperial Capital.”

“Let’s do that.”

Guyang Cheongang nodded.

He felt that Shangguan Wana’s passion and ambition were not simply limited to the spirit pill business.

Though questions arose in his mind, he didn’t ask her about them.

There was nothing wrong with a woman with genius talent in business having ambition.

Moreover, if such a woman was a business partner, it was something to welcome with open arms.

When the conversation ended, a resigned expression appeared on Yeom Pung’s face.

He took out a small, exquisitely made jade box from his chest and spoke in a serious tone.

“Young Master, you are now not only Wan-a’s business partner, but someone like the heart of this entire plan. Young Master’s safety is directly connected to Wan-a’s safety.”

He stared intently at Guyang Cheongang’s face for a moment before continuing.

“However, that appearance which is hard to forget once seen will not be easy to conceal when traveling in Gangho.”

Yeom Pung opened the lid of the jade box.

Inside were several thin, exquisite human skin face masks made with the same texture as human skin.

“This is a top-grade item specially commissioned from Thousand Face Guest, a master craftsman of Gangho. Even those with the sharpest eyes would find it nearly impossible to realize this is fake. There will surely be times when it will be useful during future travels in Gangho. Please accept it.”

He handed the jade box to Guyang Cheongang.

Guyang Cheongang received it and held one of the human skin face masks.

As he felt the light and soft texture, Akasha’s analysis flowed through his mind.

[Doctor, this thing called a human skin face mask is amazing. It’s made of biological polymer compounds that match 99.9% with human skin tissue. It’s a level of disguise technology that would be difficult to achieve even with 21st century technology.]

Guyang Cheongang didn’t refuse and put the jade box inside his sleeve.

“I gratefully accept Hero Yeom’s profound intention. It will surely be of great help.”

At his answer, Yeom Pung smiled with satisfaction.

The next day, Shangguan Wana and Yeom Pung departed for the Imperial Capital, carrying the Dragon Nourishing Pills and Yin Dragon Pills that had been produced.

* * *

After Shangguan Wana’s group departed for the Imperial Capital, Guyang Cheongang began in earnest his plan to rebuild the family’s military power.

‘The Second Family Head of the branch family in Payang has a clear position, so there should be enough time to persuade him. However, finding Master Jupyo of Geonkon Ilsu whose whereabouts are mysterious is a task that could take who knows how long. I need to handle the difficult task first.’

He decided to first find Master Jupyo and gather the scattered former retainers again.

But there was a problem.

The watchers from Golden Tower Manor surrounded the family estate like a spider web.

The moment he officially left the family estate, troublesome tails would be attached to him.

After repeated deliberation, he devised a bold plan.

That evening, Guyang Cheongang visited his father Guyang Baek’s training room.

“What’s the matter?”

“Father, I intend to temporarily leave the family estate to find Master Jupyo and bring the Second Family Head back under our control. However, I need a way to avoid the watchers’ eyes.”

Guyang Baek looked at Guyang Cheongang’s calm face and asked.

“…It seems you already have a plan in mind. What is it?”

“Having grandfather spread reliable false information.”

“Hmm…”

Guyang Cheongang continued in a calm voice.

“What if we announce that my Nine Yin Severed Meridians has worsened again and I’m hovering between life and death? If I go into seclusion afterward, even if I secretly leave the family estate, grandfather won’t suspect my absence. He firmly believes that I’ll die from the Nine Yin Severed Meridians someday. We’ll use that belief against him.”

Guyang Baek’s expression grew heavy.

His son’s plan was exceptionally brilliant, but at the same time, cruel.

For the plan to succeed, it absolutely required one person’s sacrifice and cooperation.

He spoke in a strained voice.

“…I don’t know if your mother will agree to this.”

“She truly loves you and us siblings, and desires the reconstruction of this family estate more than anyone. As far as I know, she’ll try to make the right choice for our sake, so she’ll surely agree.”

At his son’s confident answer, Guyang Baek could say nothing more.

‘I know what kind of heart she’s lived with in this house for the past dozen years. How can I ask such a woman to stab her father in the back… But this method is the best. For Gang-a’s sake, I have no choice but to play the villain.’

For his son and the family clan, he had to become the villain who would drive a nail into his wife’s heart.

He made his decision.

“Alright. Let’s call your mother here.”

The father and son secretly summoned Dong Yeonhwa to the training room through Elder Hwang.

Not knowing what was happening, she looked at her husband and stepson with anxious eyes.

Guyang Baek reluctantly opened his mouth and explained the entire scheme.

It was a cruel request asking Dong Yeonhwa to become a ‘double agent’ who would deceive her father and betray the family clan.

She remained silent for a while.

Complex emotions appeared on her face.

Since it was something that required much thought, Guyang Cheongang and Guyang Baek waited.

After a moment, she raised her head and looked at Guyang Cheongang, not Guyang Baek, as she spoke.

Her voice was surprisingly calm.

“Gang-a, you’ve been thinking this far ahead. For your younger brother Cheongi, and for this family clan.”

Tears formed in her eyes, but a faint smile hung on her lips.

“Yes, I’ll do it. Since it’s a shackle my father created anyway, it wouldn’t be bad for me to break it with my own hands. I’ll… deceive his eyes and ears. So you must accomplish your goal and return safely.”

Once her permission was given, the entire Guyang Family Estate became a stage and began a grand performance.

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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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