Almighty God of War - Chapter 56

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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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056

The secret chamber of the hall in Cheonhyang Pavilion Back Garden, shrouded in darkness.

Guyang Cheongang pulled out the last golden needle from So Jin-woo’s wrist.

He no longer relied on Akasha’s nanobots.

With the profound acupuncture he had awakened from the Scripture of Life and Death, he opened So Jin-woo’s blocked meridians and infused pure true energy that had reached sixty years of cultivation to sustain his severed life force.

“He’s passed the critical point.”

Guyang Cheongang looked at Heavenly Fragrance Fairy, who had been watching anxiously beside him, and continued.

“After sleeping soundly for about a day, he’ll regain consciousness. After that, if we just pay attention to his recuperation, he should be able to move without difficulty in about a month.”

“…Thank you, Young Master.”

“Now I’d like to receive payment for the commission, Tower Master.”

Guyang Cheongang turned the conversation to his original purpose.

“It would be better to change locations, wouldn’t it?”

Heavenly Fragrance Fairy smiled and left the room.

Moving to the tea room, she personally brewed clear tea and handed it to him as she began to speak.

“Master Jupyo of Heaven and Earth Single Hand was last spotted several years ago near Gugang, north of Poyang Lake. The witness was Sangchwigae Nohae, the branch leader of the Beggar’s Sect in that region.”

Guyang Cheongang’s eyes sharpened.

“You’ve obtained internal information from the Beggar’s Sect. I can’t even fathom how far your information network extends, Tower Master.”

“You might be curious about how I obtained this, but I hope you’ll keep that question to yourself.”

Heavenly Fragrance Fairy continued with a playful smile.

“This is also one of my trade secrets.”

Guyang Cheongang also smiled and responded in a calm voice.

“Of course. I also haven’t explained the origins of my martial arts and medical skills to you, Tower Master, so we’re even, aren’t we?”

A brilliant smile appeared around Heavenly Fragrance Fairy’s eyes upon hearing his response.

She set down her teacup on the table and said.

“If I may offer one piece of advice, Sangchwigae Nohae is a branch leader but is actually an elder-level figure in the Beggar’s Sect. The reason his position is still low is because he’s known to have no desire for fame or fortune. He’s someone who is indifferent to worldly affairs and has no greed. When dealing with him, a bottle of good liquor and sincerity will be far more effective.”

“Thank you for the valuable advice.”

Guyang Cheongang bowed respectfully and rose from his seat.

He had finally obtained a decisive clue about Jupyo’s whereabouts.

He let out a long breath.

‘I’ve barely taken the first step.’

His next destination had become clear.

Gugang, north of Poyang Lake.

Early the next morning, in front of Heavenly Fragrance Tower’s main gate.

Guyang Cheongang stood ready for the long journey ahead.

Only Heavenly Fragrance Fairy and Nokju were there to see him off.

Kying… Kying…

Golden King seemed reluctant to part with Nokju, clinging to her embrace and refusing to let go.

Nokju also had tears welling up in her eyes as she continuously stroked Golden King’s silver fur.

The sight was so touching(?) that it was almost difficult to watch.

Watching this scene, Guyang Cheongang wiggled his finger and said in a playful voice.

“Golden Brother, if you don’t let go soon, I really will leave you here.”

Kyi-!

Golden King made a pitiful sound as if he had no choice.

Then, after rubbing his cheek against Nokju’s cheek one last time, he leaped up onto Guyang Cheongang’s shoulder.

Thus, Guyang Cheongang left Heavenly Fragrance Tower with the farewell of the two women.

After he departed, Heavenly Fragrance Fairy immediately headed to the secret chamber in the back garden where So Jin-woo was lying.

When she lightly stimulated his meridians, So Jin-woo regained consciousness with difficulty.

Despite his severe internal and external injuries, he got down from the bed, placed his forehead on the floor, and knelt.

It was a gesture of utmost respect toward his master.

“Deputy Tower Master…”

Thick tears flowing from his prostrated eyes wet the floor.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Heavenly Fragrance Fairy helped him up by his shoulders and asked.

“So, did you find out about ‘that’?”

Pain and anger mixed together appeared on So Jin-woo’s face.

“I’m sorry. I barely managed to confirm part of it, but the rest is stored deep in the secret archives of the Azure Heaven Murim Alliance Leader, and I failed to access it. In the process, I was discovered by Chumyeong Sword…”

“Half a success then.”

“My abilities were insufficient…”

“That can’t be. Don’t blame yourself. I won’t either. How could I blame you when you risked your life to carry out the mission?”

“Thank you…”

“Tell me what you discovered.”

So Jin-woo’s expression hardened as he began to speak.

“During the Great War between Orthodox and Demonic sects, some of the Azure Heaven Murim Alliance’s leadership were secretly communicating with the Sacred Fire Divine Cult.”

“Hmm…”

“They leaked information about political enemies who were obstacles to each other, naturally eliminating them in the chaos of war. Regardless of orthodox or demonic, purely for their own benefit. They… used the war to consolidate their own power.”

It was a secret that would cause great upheaval if Gangho knew about it.

A heavy groan escaped from Heavenly Fragrance Fairy’s lips.

“Ah… I had expected it, but to think it was actually true…”

She continued to ask.

“Did you obtain the list of traitors from the Sacred Fire Divine Cult?”

So Jin-woo hung his head low.

“…I’m sorry, Deputy Tower Master, the registry… I couldn’t find it in the end.”

A sigh filled with regret flowed from Heavenly Fragrance Fairy’s lips.

“Haah…”

So Jin-woo continued with his head bowed.

“I confirmed that the registry is in the deepest part of the Alliance Leader’s secret archives. But it’s protected by supreme masters and powerful mechanical formations, so I couldn’t find any way to approach it with my abilities.”

Heavenly Fragrance Fairy nodded, and her eyes became cold as ice.

She asked again.

“What about information related to Great Master Seol Hyang’s death?”

So Jin-woo hung his head again.

“That also… seemed to be in the Alliance Leader’s secret archives. I’m sorry.”

Heavenly Fragrance Fairy’s eyes sank deeply, very deeply.

She quietly approached the window and simply gazed at the northern sky where Guyang Cheongang had departed for a long time.

* * *

Meanwhile, before leaving Nanchang, Guyang Cheongang secretly infiltrated Bamboo Forest Manor like smoke.

He approached Heo Choryeong’s quarters.

It was still early morning.

Heo Choryeong was leaning against the pavilion’s railing, staring at the brightening eastern sky with vacant eyes.

The emotion contained in her back view was loneliness and regret.

Guyang Cheongang was in the shade of a rooftop, barely five zhang away from where she stood.

‘Huu…’

He unconsciously sighed inwardly.

[Doctor, Miss Heo’s current heart rate and hormone levels indicate a state of ‘mild depression and sense of loss.’ The probability that revealing yourself now and having a conversation would help her psychological stability is 99%.]

Guyang Cheongang quietly shook his head.

‘No. My appearing now would not give her hope, but only greater attachment. Sometimes in life, it’s better medicine not to meet than to meet, Akasha.’

Instinctively sensing that meeting her would make it difficult to part ways easily, he quietly turned away.

In Guyang Cheongang’s heart as well, subtle emotions toward her were blooming through the cracks of his cold rationality.

But he had to walk his own path.

There were countless tasks he absolutely had to accomplish.

Guyang Cheongang arrived at Gugang Castle north of Poyang Lake three days after leaving Nanchang.

True to its name, this place where nine river streams converged with the mighty Yangtze River was a bustling harbor where countless ships came and went, and a vibrant commercial city.

The humid winds blowing from the lake and river carried thick water mist, enveloping the entire city in a mysterious atmosphere.

According to Heavenly Fragrance Fairy’s information, the Beggar Sect Gugang Branch was located in an old abandoned temple by the riverside, about ten li from the castle.

Guyang Cheongang arrived at the Gugang Branch when the sun was high in the sky.

The abandoned temple was half-collapsed and gave off a desolate atmosphere, but in one corner of the courtyard, about ten beggars had lit a bonfire and were chatting idly.

They were members of the Beggar Sect who had gathered to escape the bitter winter wind.

As Guyang Cheongang approached, the largest and most fierce-looking middle-aged beggar among them jumped up and blocked his path.

“What business brings you to this beggars’ den?”

His attitude was full of wariness, but there was no sign of casual disrespect.

His gaze was fixed on Golden King, who was showing off his brilliant silver fur on Guyang Cheongang’s shoulder.

The instincts of a beggar who had lived his entire life reading others’ moods told him that this young man traveling with such a mysterious spirit beast was definitely no ordinary person.

Guyang Cheongang spoke in a calm tone.

“I’ve come hoping to meet Elder Sangchwigae Nohae, the Branch Leader.”

The middle-aged beggar stared at him intently for a moment.

After pondering Guyang Cheongang’s appearance, which showed no particular hostility, he grinned and gestured toward the castle with his chin.

“Our Branch Leader ain’t here at this time. He’s got another place where he’s always at.”

“Where might that be?”

“A tavern called Sangchun Pavilion. It’s the noisiest place in the castle, so it won’t be hard to find.”

“Thank you.”

Once Guyang Cheongang’s figure completely disappeared beyond the forest path, the simple expression vanished from the middle-aged beggar’s face.

His eyes, now shining deep and cold, were those of a seasoned warrior who had experienced all manner of storms in the jianghu.

He called to one of the beggars who had been chatting idly around the bonfire.

“So Geol-a, come here.”

A boy in his mid-teens who had been grilling fish by the bonfire, with grime streaming down his face, looked up with an annoyed expression.

“What is it, Vice Branch Leader? The fish I caught from Gugang this morning is cooking perfectly right now.”

“Go to the castle immediately. Tell the Branch Leader at Sangchun Pavilion that an unwelcome guest with a silver monkey will arrive soon.”

“Aw, what a pain. Why me? Can’t you tell that lazy glutton over there who only sleeps?”

The boy grumbled and put the tail of the well-cooked fish in his mouth.

At that very moment, the middle-aged beggar’s expression hardened completely.

He silently raised his fist, as large as the boy’s head, and cracked his knuckles.

Crack-

At that chilling sound, all the surrounding noise stopped.

“Want to die?”

“Geez… always with the threats.”

When the middle-aged beggar glared at him, the boy quickly grabbed a stick with fish on it and sprang to his feet.

Then, continuing to grumble in a voice too quiet to hear, he began running toward Gugang Castle.

So Geol-a’s Light Body Technique was as swift as that of a first-rate master.

Sangchun Pavilion, which the middle-aged beggar had told him about, was the largest and most bustling tavern in Gugang Castle.

Past noon, the place was packed with Yangtze River boatmen, jianghu warriors, and merchants, creating a veritable sea of people.

The stale air flowing through the door cracks, the noisy clamor, and the nauseating smell of alcohol made Guyang Cheongang unconsciously furrow his brow.

He did not enter the tavern.

Instead, he looked at an old man sprawled against one side of the outer wall in the sunlight, completely removed from the tavern’s commotion.

The old man’s face was covered with age spots, and his unkempt white hair half-covered his face, making him look shabby.

Seemingly dead drunk, he was holding a gourd wine bottle in his arms like a treasure and was fast asleep.

To anyone’s eyes, he was just an ordinary old drunkard beggar.

But Guyang Cheongang’s gaze as he looked at him was deeply sunken.

Looking at the old man, he instinctively felt a subtle sense of unease.

It was an indescribable pressure, like facing a sleeping beast.

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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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