Almighty God of War - Chapter 53

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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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053

A heavy and somber atmosphere hung over the Guyang Family Estate.

This was because the eldest son, Guyang Cheongang, had collapsed due to a sudden worsening of his Nine Yin Severed Meridians.

Guyang Baek continuously summoned famous physicians from Nanchang, but they all shook their heads and left one by one.

The smell of bitter medicinal herbs being brewed flowed out from Guyang Cheongang’s quarters all night long, and servants quietly went back and forth around the separate building.

Elder Hwang, one of the main actors in this theatrical stage, stood guard in front of Guyang Cheongang’s quarters with haggard eyes.

The only people who could pass through him were the family head Guyang Baek and the family matron Dong Yeonhwa.

After four days had passed, Dong Yeonhwa spoke to the leader of Golden Tower Manor who was monitoring the family estate with an expression mixed with sorrow and resignation.

“Gang-a seems… hopeless. Many physicians have shaken their heads. Report this to Father.”

That night, Guyang Cheongang with the Golden King on his shoulder stood side by side with Guyang Baek in the deepest part of the training room, in front of an old weapon display rack.

But Guyang Cheongang’s face had changed.

His world-enchanting, peerless beauty was nowhere to be seen, and in its place stood a young man in his early twenties with an ordinary appearance that could be found anywhere.

He was wearing the human skin mask that Yeom Pung had given him as a gift a few days ago, saying it would be useful during his travels in Gangho.

Guyang Baek felt complex emotions of bitterness and relief as he looked at his son’s unfamiliar face.

‘This is how it must be. That child’s original appearance is far too conspicuous to hide himself. Elder Yeom’s gift is being put to very good use.’

He placed his hand on the display rack holding the eighteen types of weapons and injected his internal energy.

Creak—

With a heavy sound, part of the wall was pushed inward, revealing a dark secret passage.

Guyang Baek placed his hand on his son’s shoulder and continued speaking in a worried tone.

“The path of Gangho that you will walk from now on will lead to places this father cannot imagine. Gang-a, return safely. Do you understand?”

Guyang Cheongang bowed deeply toward Guyang Baek.

“Yes, Father. I will go and return.”

Just as he was about to enter the dark passage with the Golden King, holding a torch.

Guyang Baek called out to him.

“Gang-a, wait a moment. There’s something that concerns me.”

Guyang Baek’s worried gaze turned to the Golden King sitting on Guyang Cheongang’s shoulder.

“It’s about the Golden King. The servants of the family estate have already seen this divine beast. If you take that child with you, won’t your whereabouts be too easily revealed?”

It was a reasonable point.

Guyang Cheongang smiled calmly and said.

“You don’t need to worry about that. Golden Brother has a very special ability.”

“A special ability? What is it?”

Even before Guyang Baek could ask back, the Golden King on Guyang Cheongang’s shoulder moved as if it understood they were talking about it.

The little creature arrogantly puffed out its small chest and held its neck straight, then tapped its chest with its cute fingertips.

It was a gesture as if saying ‘watch carefully.’

And then something strange happened.

The dazzling golden fur covering the Golden King’s entire body instantly changed to a lustrous silver color, as if moonlight had seeped into it.

It was a mysterious sight that glowed softly even in the darkness.

“Oh…!”

An exclamation mixed with amazement burst from Guyang Baek’s mouth.

He stared at the scene in a daze for a moment, then burst into helpless laughter.

“Haha, indeed a divine beast is a divine beast. This father worried needlessly.”

Then he said.

“Go ahead now.”

It was truly time to leave.

“I will try to return as quickly as possible, Father.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Guyang Cheongang bowed once more to show his respect, then entered the dark passage without hesitation along with the Golden King that had turned silver.

The secret passage was connected to the foot of a wild mountain about two hundred zhang away from the family estate’s wall.

When he emerged from the passage with the damp smell of soil, someone blocked his path.

It was Elder Hwang dressed in night clothes.

A bitter smile appeared on Guyang Cheongang’s lips as he had already said his final farewell to him.

Elder Hwang said with a stern expression.

“Young Master, this old man will also go with you. I cannot stand by and watch you go alone into the dangerous Gangho.”

But Guyang Cheongang firmly shook his head.

“That won’t do.”

“Young Master…”

“Elder, you have a more important mission than serving me.”

Strength entered Guyang Cheongang’s continuing voice.

“Didn’t I already tell you? Elder must stay here and properly connect and manage the business between Bamboo Forest Manor and Young Lady Shangguan’s Mangeum Mountain Manor with our family.”

His gaze turned toward the Guyang Family Estate shrouded in darkness.

“Father cannot personally avoid the watchers’ eyes to go in and out of the secret residence to procure medicinal herbs and receive profits. The only person in this household who can serve as my hands and feet to carry out all these secret transactions without error is you, Elder.”

“But…”

Guyang Cheongang cut off Elder Hwang’s words.

“And while I’m gone, you are also the only one who can protect Father and my family. Protecting my family is more important than being with me. You are the only person I can trust, Elder.”

Elder Hwang realized that his lord was no longer a young boy who needed protection.

Guyang Cheongang was telling him that he would entrust him completely with the two most important missions on which the family’s fate depended: the safety of the family and the practical business operations.

It made no sense to think of a man with such consideration as a young boy.

Elder Hwang hid his burning eyes and bowed deeply.

“…If that is truly Young Master’s will, this old man will stake his life to protect the family estate.”

“Thank you, Elder.”

After walking a few steps, Guyang Cheongang turned his head one last time to capture in his eyes the sight of the old loyal servant standing tall in the darkness, seeing him off.

Then, without any more lingering attachment, he disappeared into the shadows of the night with the Golden King.

* * *

Golden Tower Manor in Chang’an, Seomseo Province.

A cool silence flowed through Manor Lord Dong Hyeondo’s inner palace.

Tap… Tap… Tap…

He sat alone, alternately placing black and white go stones, drawing his own game record.

Then, Chae Munseong, the leader of the intelligence organization Jijuhyeol, appeared like a shadow and bowed his head before him.

Dong Hyeondo asked in a quiet voice without taking his eyes off the go board.

“Has other news come up from Nanchang?”

“Yes, Manor Lord, they say Guyang Cheongang’s Nine Yin Severed Meridians worsened and he collapsed again.”

“Again?”

“Yes.”

“If it’s worth reporting, it must be severe this time.”

Chae Munseong reported in a somewhat excited voice.

“It seems so. Word is that even the renowned physicians of Nanchang have given up. And they say the family matron said it seems hopeless.”

Tap.

Dong Hyeondo quietly placed a black stone on the go board.

A faint, barely visible satisfied smile bloomed on his lips.

“Nine Yin Severed Meridians is a heavenly punishment, so it wouldn’t be strange for him to collapse at any time.”

He continued in an indifferent tone.

“How could human shallow schemes go against heaven’s will? That child’s search for a cure at Bamboo Forest Manor was desperate final struggle. Heaven’s karma is not sparse, so in the end it just follows the predetermined fate.”

“The family estate will be in chaos. How about giving orders to our subordinates inside to actively search for the item? This might be the perfect opportunity to uncover the Guyang Family Estate’s secrets.”

But Dong Hyeondo shook his head.

“It’s a precious treasure that Yeonhwa couldn’t find even after thirteen years of searching. Don’t move rashly. If Guyang Baek finds out, the tower we’ve built with effort might crumble.”

He placed down the final black stone, capturing a massive group and securing his victory.

“Just make sure to thoroughly confirm when Gang-a dies. After that child’s funeral ends, we will visit the Guyang Family Estate as true guests. It won’t be too late then to claim their long-held secret.”

“Understood, Manor Master.”

Even after Chae Munseong withdrew, Dong Hyeondo continued gazing down at the completed go board for some time.

Everything was in the palm of his hand.

He believed this without a doubt.

* * *

Through the carriage window, the massive walls of the Imperial Capital, the center of all under heaven, began to appear faintly in the distance.

Yeom Pung looked at Shangguan Wana’s profile as she gazed at that scenery, his eyes mixing worry and pride as he spoke.

“Wan-a, we’ve finally arrived. It’s been exactly one year since you left the family. The remaining four years ahead… in this vast Imperial Capital, you must handle everything alone. Aren’t you truly afraid?”

Shangguan Wana turned to look at him with shining eyes.

“My anticipation is greater than my fear, Uncle Yeom.”

Her voice as she continued carried a depth and composure that didn’t match her twenty-one years of age.

“As you well know, Uncle, our Shangguan Family is a place with many secrets. Those related to heir designation are even more unknown to the outside world.”

“That’s true.”

Yeom Pung nodded.

Mangeum Mountain Villa had no principle of eldest son inheritance.

And whether woman or youngest, anyone of Shangguan blood could become the family’s master.

Of course, there were trials that had to be passed to achieve this.

Shangguan Wana continued while gazing at the Imperial Capital.

“According to the dying wishes of the First Manor Master who founded our family, when there are multiple heirs, all are given equal funds at age twenty and sent out into the jianghu.”

This was a custom Yeom Pung knew well.

The descendants of the Shangguan Family had to go out into the jianghu and achieve results through their own wisdom and ability alone, without the villa’s support, during the promised five years.

The one who achieved the greatest results among them would become the next generation’s Mangeum Mountain Villa Master.

This was according to the First Manor Master’s dying wish that a merchant family should be led by the person with the greatest ability to earn money.

Shangguan Wana’s gaze turned toward the elixir pill boxes stacked in one corner of the carriage.

“The reason I came all the way to Nanchang in distant Jiangxi Province was precisely for that. To develop my own business. When Young Master Guyang asked why I had come to distant Jiangxi Province, I couldn’t tell him the real circumstances for the same reason.”

She looked at Yeom Pung with eyes burning hotly.

“Uncle, during this year of traveling the jianghu, I’ve obtained the ultimate ‘hand’ that none of my siblings would dare covet. I will definitely make this business succeed.”

Yeom Pung saw in her the image of his sworn brother and current Mangeum Mountain Villa Master, Shangguan Cheon.

“Wan-a, that composure of yours truly takes after your elder brother perfectly. But remember this. The Imperial Capital is a place on a different dimension from the jianghu you’ve experienced. One wrong step and you’ll fall into the abyss. So you must always be cautious.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Uncle.”

After finishing her response, Shangguan Wana turned her gaze to the massive city gate of the Imperial Capital that was growing larger.

‘Elder brothers, elder sisters, just wait and see. I’m going to make my decisive move in the heart of the Empire. And the next master of Mangeum Mountain Villa will be me.’

Her eyes burned more intensely than ever before.

Her real battle, having encountered the fateful meeting with Guyang Cheongang, was just beginning now.

Clatter-clatter- Clatter-clatter-

The four-horse carriage carrying her ambitions pressed forward vigorously toward the Imperial Capital.

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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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