Almighty God of War - Chapter 57

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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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057

‘Akasha, confirm if my senses are correct. That old man, something’s strange about him. His outward appearance and the flow of qi he’s emanating don’t match at all.’

At his request, Akasha immediately sent several nanobots carried by the wind toward the old man’s body.

They infiltrated inside his body through the pores of his skin.

It was nearly impossible for a martial artist to sense the nanobots’ penetration into their body.

Their size, smaller than red blood cells, was in a realm that even the most sensitive ki sensing of peak masters could not detect.

Of course, someday he might encounter a peerless master whose martial arts reached mythical realms who could notice it, but at least that person wasn’t the old beggar before his eyes.

Shortly after, Akasha’s voice, having completed the precision scan, rang in Guyang Cheongang’s mind.

[Yes, Doctor’s senses are correct. The target’s vital signs are stable, but his blood alcohol concentration approaches lethal levels. However, contrary to his appearance, his musculoskeletal density and the flow of qi felt from his dantian are by no means those of an ordinary old man. Highly compressed energy lies dormant.]

He approached the old beggar sprawled drunk with confidence and stood before him.

Guyang Cheongang’s shadow blocked the face of the old beggar who had been basking in the remaining winter sunlight.

Then the old beggar, without even opening his eyes, immediately cursed in a heavily slurred voice.

“What damn bastard is this? It’s cold enough to freeze to death, and now you’re a thief stealing even this old man’s only pleasure – the sunlight!”

Along with his words came a terrible smell of alcohol and an indescribable stench.

However, Guyang Cheongang didn’t bat an eye at the old beggar’s rude behavior.

He respectfully performed a cupped fist salute and spoke.

“Excuse me, but I have come looking for Elder Sangchwigae Nohae, the branch leader of the Beggar’s Sect Gugang Branch.”

Only then did the old beggar open one eye drowsily.

His bloodshot, murky pupils looked up and down at Guyang Cheongang’s ordinary face and shabby attire.

His eyes clearly showed that he found everything in the world bothersome.

“No Hae? What kind of dog bone bastard’s name is that?”

He let out a stale burp with a ‘hic’ and continued speaking.

“I don’t know any such guy. So don’t block the sunlight and get lost, kid.”

He closed his eyes again and turned to lie on his side.

It was a blatant order to leave, showing he didn’t want to deal with him anymore.

Instead of getting angry, Guyang Cheongang took out a gourd bottle he had been carrying at his waist.

This was something Heavenly Fragrance Fairy had casually given him while advising about Sang Chwi-gae, saying ‘It will be effective if you use it when you meet him.’

The moment he opened the cork of the gourd bottle, an intensely fragrant and clear wine aroma, as if condensed from moonlight and flower fragrance, spread throughout the alley.

The nose of the old beggar, who had been lying turned away without moving, twitched.

As if struck by lightning, he bolted upright and stared intently at Guyang Cheongang’s hand holding the gourd bottle.

No trace of drunkenness could be found in his eyes anymore.

Guyang Cheongang calmly recorked the gourd bottle while watching his reaction.

With an expression as if his heart was melting, the old beggar asked urgently.

“That thing in your hand… could it possibly be Moonlight Fragrance that can only be drunk at Heavenly Fragrance Tower?”

“That’s correct.”

“You must want something since you brought that out, right?”

“Of course.”

“What is it?”

“I simply wish to have a conversation, Elder.”

“A conversation… you mean if I just do that, you’ll let me drink the Moonlight Fragrance?”

“That’s right.”

“To think you have such a precious thing… I thought you weren’t an ordinary guy. Fine.”

The old beggar, No Hae, looked at Guyang Cheongang with clear, bright eyes as if he had never been drunk.

“Follow me.”

Standing up abruptly, he led the way, swaying as if still not fully sober.

Guyang Cheongang thought No Hae would go to the abandoned temple where the Beggar’s Sect branch was located, but his expectation was wrong.

No Hae wasn’t heading to the abandoned temple but toward a deep, secluded riverside.

He entered without any hesitation into a place where reeds as tall as a person stood densely packed.

Rustle- Rustle-

It was a quiet place with no people, where only the sound of reeds brushing in the wind and water lapping could be heard.

How much further did they go?

No Hae stopped walking at a small clearing in the middle of the reed field.

The place was surrounded on all sides by walls of reeds, making it a perfect location for secret conversations.

No Hae opened his mouth.

“No one will be listening here. What conversation do you want to have?”

“I am looking for Master Ju Pyo of Heaven and Earth One Hand. I heard that you, Branch Leader, were the last to witness him. If you know his whereabouts, please tell me.”

At those words, No Hae’s expression, which had been glancing at the gourd bottle with a silly grin, turned coldly rigid.

“What is your identity?”

“It’s difficult for me to say at this time.”

“So it’s a secret, is that it? Then I’ll make you open that mouth.”

The moment No Hae’s quiet words ended, he who had been swaying shot toward Guyang Cheongang like an arrow.

His movements were unpredictable.

Just when it seemed he was falling to the left, he appeared on the right, and when he seemed to stumble forward, a surprise kick came from behind.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh-

It was the Beggar’s Sect’s secret Drunken Eight Immortals Steps.

Moreover, his hands changed to bizarre angles like a dog’s claws, relentlessly digging toward Guyang Cheongang’s vital points.

Though there was no killing intent in his hands, it was clear that getting caught would easily break a bone.

It was the Beggar’s Sect’s secret martial art Dog Claw Capture Hand, said to be used for catching mad dogs.

However, Guyang Cheongang’s appearance at the center of all those attacks was as calm as the eye of a storm.

‘On the surface it looks like reckless movement, but all the sword forms cleverly mix feints and real attacks. The moment I defend, I’ll fall into a trap. There’s no need to get into a brawl with the old man.’

There was no need to activate Maximum Combat Mode.

No Hae was a peak master, but he wasn’t using his full strength.

The martial arts he was displaying couldn’t escape Guyang Cheongang’s superhuman-level dynamic vision.

He deployed Nine Palace Maze Step and leisurely avoided all of No Hae’s attacks.

His movements had not a single unnecessary motion, and showed no sign of danger whatsoever.

The more fierce No Hae’s attacks became, the more stable his movement technique became and the more precise his evasion.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh-

In an instant, over thirty sword forms were exchanged. But No Hae’s fingertips never once grazed even Guyang Cheongang’s collar.

‘How can this be!’

The drunkenness completely disappeared from No Hae’s eyes, and a look of shock arose.

Although he was only using seven-tenths of his internal energy, it was a wave-like offensive that even first-rate masters of Gangho would find difficult to withstand for three seconds.

The young man before his eyes was avoiding it as if taking a leisurely stroll.

This couldn’t happen unless he knew his martial arts inside and out.

But when examined, it was natural.

Guyang Cheongang wasn’t just avoiding.

All the martial arts No Hae was displaying were being analyzed in real-time by Akasha.

‘Akasha, is the analysis complete?’

[Yes, Doctor. I have grasped over 90% of all the sword form patterns of the movement technique and Dog Claw Capture Hand that No Hae is displaying, as well as the qi circulation pathways of the heart method that forms their foundation.]

Now in Guyang Cheongang’s eyes, not just No Hae’s next movement, but the flow of all the sword forms he would deploy was visible as clearly as reading palm lines.

Then, realizing that further fighting was meaningless, No Hae stopped his attack and stepped back.

He looked at the young uninvited guest before his eyes with disbelieving eyes.

“Damn… where did such a monster-like guy come from…”

Curses flowed from his mouth.

Though he had no greed for fame and profit, acknowledging that the secret techniques he had refined his entire life had been toyed with by some young guy who wouldn’t even reveal his identity wasn’t easy.

“You, what kind of guy are you?”

Only then did Guyang Cheongang readily reveal his identity.

“I am Guyang Cheongang, the eldest son of the Nanchang Guyang Family.”

“Guyang Family? That household that would have disappeared without a trace long ago if not for that Old Man Dong’s help?”</Human: You are an ELITE PROFESSIONAL TRANSLATOR for Korean web novels (COMMERCIAL QUALITY).

A bitter smile appeared on Guyang Cheongang’s lips.

“That’s correct, Old Man.”

“If you’re the eldest son there… I’ve heard talk of someone waiting for the day to cross Three Path River with Nine Yin Severed Meridians… are you that bastard?”

“That’s right.”

No Hae, who had been tilting his head this way and that while examining every aspect of Guyang Cheongang, asked with a deeply furrowed brow.

“No matter how I look at you, you don’t seem like someone who’s received his death sentence? Are you really the eldest son of the Guyang Family?”

“Yes.”

“Then why do you look so healthy?”

“I have an interest in medical arts, so there’s been some improvement in my severed meridians.”

No Hae’s eyes widened as he immediately understood the meaning behind Guyang Cheongang’s words.

“You’re saying you’re healing yourself?”

“That’s correct.”

“Huh… you’re an even more damn annoying genius than I thought.”

“Somewhat… yes.”

“You even know how to gild your own face?”

“I’m simply stating facts as they are.”

“You must hear that you’re insufferable quite often?”

“So far, no one has said such things in front of me.”

“Of course they’d say it behind your back. If you tell someone who could die at any moment that they’re insufferable, they’d think you’d go to hell when you die.”

“Well… that could be possible.”

“Kekekeke, well now, an interesting fellow has come to visit.”

No Hae let out an eccentric laugh, glanced at the gourd bottle containing Wolhwahyang, then continued speaking.

“Is that face a human skin face mask? I heard you’re quite the handsome man.”

“That’s correct.”

I can see you’re no ordinary person from how you accepted all this old man’s drunken rambling without complaint. I understand your resolve too. Anyway, now that I’ve confirmed you have the basics down, let’s move somewhere else and start a real conversation.”

“Pardon? If we’re going to talk, here…”

“Shut up and follow me.”

No Hae closed his mouth and began shuffling toward somewhere again.

Since Guyang Cheongang was the one who needed something, he had no choice but to follow.

This time, No Hae headed to a shabby tavern without even a sign in a nearby fishing village.

An old man with deep wrinkles who had been wiping tables with a worn cloth scowled deeply upon seeing No Hae.

“That beggar bastard came again without dying.”

No Hae calmly responded.

“I absolutely won’t die before I’ve tasted all the fine wines under heaven. So Tavern Owner, you’d better give up early on any thoughts of not seeing my face.”

“Damn beggar bastard.”

“Beggars beg for food, have you ever seen one buy it with money!”

Guyang Cheongang watched the two old men bicker without malice with a calm expression.

No Hae pointed at Guyang Cheongang and continued speaking.

“Still, you’ll be able to collect payment for drinks today. That young man will pay.”

The tavern owner asked Guyang Cheongang with a suspicious expression.

“Is what that beggar bastard says true?”

“Yes. No matter how much he drinks today, I will pay for it.”

“Do you have money?”

Guyang Cheongang smiled slightly and pulled out his money pouch from his chest, opening it to show the tavern owner.

Seeing it was full of silver coins, the tavern owner immediately changed his attitude.

“You’re a wealthy young master.”

No Hae shouted loudly.

“Tavern Owner, bring out every single wine jar in this place. Today I’m going to completely bankrupt him!”

“As much as you want.”

When the tavern owner went into the kitchen, No Hae gestured for Guyang Cheongang to sit.

Guyang Cheongang sat across from him and asked with a puzzled expression.

“You have Wolhwahyang, so why do you want to drink other alcohol?”

“With just one measly bottle? I need to fill my belly with other alcohol first, then drink it so it won’t be wasted.”

Guyang Cheongang had rarely drunk alcohol in this world, and hadn’t enjoyed it even during his time on Earth.

So while he found No Hae’s words hard to understand, the atmosphere wasn’t one where he could suggest not drinking, so he kept his mouth shut.

No Hae said.

“If you want to hear this old man’s answer, you must first show that you’re qualified for it.”

“Is that drinking capacity?”

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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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