Almighty God of War - Chapter 6

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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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006

The next afternoon, Guyang Cheongang was in his room, absorbed in analyzing the patterns carved on the Budai Monk Jade Statue.

The front courtyard of the estate became noisy.

Clang clang-

Thud thud thud thud thud-

Clear bell sounds rang out along with the loud clattering of horse hooves.

‘What’s going on?’

Guyang Cheongang approached the window.

The separate building he was in was on high ground, so he could look down at the front courtyard.

Clop clop- Clop clop-

Through the shabby main gate of the Guyang Family Estate, an extremely luxurious carriage and four mounted guard warriors were entering.

The carriage, decorated entirely with golden ornaments, sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight, and even the horses’ coats gleamed down to every hair.

Just the attire of the coachman and guard warriors alone seemed worth a month’s living expenses for the Guyang Family’s household.

‘What are those guys?’

[Doctor, the carriage has the Golden Tower Manor’s emblem clearly carved on it.]

‘Golden Tower Manor… wasn’t that Dong Yeonhwa’s family home?’

[That’s correct.]

A young man and woman who appeared to be around twenty years old stepped down from the carriage.

The man wore a blue silk robe, and the luster and delicate embroidery of the fabric showed at a glance that it was the finest quality that ordinary people could hardly even see in their lifetime.

The woman also wore a splendid pink hanbok, and the various jeweled hairpins in her hair sparkled in brilliant colors under the sunlight.

From their every glance and gesture flowed an arrogance that said ‘I am a chosen, special being.’

And in their gaze as they looked around the Guyang Family Estate was an undisguisable coldness and subtle contempt.

Guyang Cheongang, who was actually a 38-year-old man inside, couldn’t fail to notice their attitude.

He frowned.

‘They seem like kids who want to advertise with their whole bodies that they were born with golden spoons… kind of annoying.’

[This is a world where a class system based on wealth and power is strongly maintained. People from a family like Golden Tower Manor could be said to belong to the heavenly realm from the moment they’re born.]

‘Don’t talk as if it’s only like that here. Earth wasn’t much different either.’

[That’s true, but…]

Guyang Cheongang smiled bitterly and muttered to himself.

‘Kids full of pretense have arrived… I have a feeling troublesome things are going to happen.’

Soon Jo Inchung, the chief steward of the Guyang Family, came running out hurriedly from inside to guide the two people in.

And not long after, Elder Hwang’s voice was heard outside Guyang Cheongang’s door.

“Young Master, guests have come from Golden Tower Manor. The family head asks that you be brought to him.”

Opening the door to face him, Guyang Cheongang tilted his head and asked.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Wouldn’t it be to have you greet your cousins who have visited after a long time?”

Guyang Cheongang didn’t ask further and left his room.

Elder Hwang, walking beside him, said.

“Young Master, the people from Golden Tower Manor are the grandchildren of Elder Dong, and as I mentioned, they are your cousins.”

“So?”

“Please think twice before speaking your thoughts.”

“Why should I do that?”

Elder Hwang asked with a puzzled expression.

“Young Master, have you perhaps forgotten what circumstances the family is currently in?”

“Maybe it’s because of my recent headaches, but my thoughts aren’t coming clearly. So please explain, Elder.”

“Haah…”

The current state of the Guyang Family that he heard from the sighing Elder Hwang was miserable.

The Guyang Family had rapidly lost the farmlands and property they owned through the Great War between Orthodox and Demonic forces.

After the death of his first wife Seol Hyang, if Guyang Baek hadn’t married Dong Yeonhwa and received support from his father-in-law Dong Hyeondo, they wouldn’t have been able to maintain even the main estate.

Even the thirty-some warriors and twenty-some servants and maids currently protecting the family all belonged to Golden Tower Manor and received their monthly wages from there.

Guyang Cheongang’s mouth fell open, not knowing the situation would be this bad despite the family’s decline.

‘This… it’s only the Guyang Family in name, but in reality it’s a colonial(?) family under Golden Tower Manor’s control…’

Elder Hwang, having finished his brief explanation, said.

“Golden Tower Manor doesn’t only have goodwill toward our family. So I hope you’ll avoid giving them any reason to find fault, Young Master.”

“I understand. I’ll be careful.”

Arriving at the Main Hall, Guyang Cheongang could see the luxuriously dressed man and woman who had gotten off the carriage sitting across from the couple Guyang Baek and Dong Yeonhwa.

Dong Yeonhwa still looked cold, and Guyang Baek’s face was expressionless.

But Guyang Cheongang got the feeling that both of them seemed somewhat uncomfortable.

Then the young woman smiled and spoke to him.

“Cheongang! Have you been well all this time?”

Her tone was as gentle as her expression, but rather than feeling at ease, Guyang Cheongang felt displeased.

‘This woman… she’s smiling, but her eyes aren’t laughing at all. If I’d met her elsewhere, I would have thought she was a sociopath.’

[I understand your displeasure, but your expression is too…]

‘It can’t be helped even if it’s blunt. It’s completely a psycho smile. Don’t you think so?’

[It does… look that way somewhat.]

Then the woman’s continuing words pierced his ears.

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Almost three years? But… you’ve gotten thinner than before and your face looks gaunt? Seeing you like this makes my heart ache. Uncle and Aunt must be very worried.”

The young man beside her agreed with the woman’s words and made a sighing gesture.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying, Cheongang. Even when we met three years ago, your condition didn’t look mild, and this Nine Yin Severed Meridians disease is truly frightening. For the eldest son of a prestigious family to be so sickly, I’m truly worried about what will become of the family’s future.”

As the two people acted like they knew him well, Guyang Cheongang hurriedly searched his memories.

Fragmentary memories related to the two people surfaced in his mind.

‘Ah, I see. Dong Hajin, Dong Seola… Dong Hyeondo’s grandchildren… But they seem more arrogant than when they met this body’s original owner before.’

Even in the 10% of memories that Akasha had restored, these people were classified as ‘troublesome individuals to deal with.’

Of course, Guyang Cheongang didn’t reveal his inner thoughts and politely cupped his hands in greeting.

“Brother Hajin, Sister Seola. It’s been a long time. You must have had a hard journey coming such a long way.”

Dong Seola slightly covered her mouth with her sleeve and let out a refined laugh.

“Hoho, Cheongang is still so respectful.”

Following her, Dong Hajin looked Guyang Cheongang up and down carefully and said.

It was an unpleasant gaze, like appraising a rare but flawed object.

“Cheongang, Grandfather is also working hard in many ways for your recovery, so don’t be too disheartened. Miracles originally come at unexpected moments.”

‘These guys are descendants of a merchant family, but didn’t they learn how to manage their expressions? Would anyone be convinced when they speak with such fake expressions?’

But outwardly, Guyang Cheongang showed a moved expression.

“I’m deeply grateful for Grandfather’s and both of your excessive concern and worry, but you don’t need to worry about me so much. Father and Mother are working hard for my sake.”

Dong Seola looked at Dong Yeonhwa and spoke in a meaningful tone.

“Aunt, Grandfather especially asked me to convey his regards.”

Dong Yeonhwa’s expression momentarily stiffened slightly, then immediately changed to a gentle smile.

“I see… Please tell Father I’m grateful for his concern.”

[Doctor, Dong Yeonhwa’s facial micro-muscles and voice frequency don’t match. She seems to be feeling some kind of severe pressure.]

‘Why?’

[I don’t know. Even though I’m a superintelligent AI, it’s impossible to draw conclusions without any information.]

‘You say you don’t know quite confidently.’

Clicking his tongue, Guyang Cheongang continued his thoughts.

‘Considering Dong Yeonhwa’s reaction, it doesn’t seem like those two people’s purpose in visiting here is simply to check on their aunt’s family’s well-being, right?’

[Yes. My thoughts are the same as yours, Doctor.]

Dong Hajin and Dong Seola cut off their interest in Guyang Cheongang and engaged in conversation with Guyang Baek and Dong Yeonhwa.

Guyang Cheongang pretended to know nothing and sat quietly in his seat, but concentrated on reading the subtle exchanges of glances and the hidden meanings between the lines in their conversation.

At that moment, Akasha’s voice echoed in his mind.

[The comprehensive analysis results of Dong Hajin and Dong Seola’s language proficiency, logical development patterns, vocabulary diversity and complexity are ready.]

‘Anything special?’

[They have received systematic higher education and possess considerable intellectual abilities. Also, judging by the degree of their eye clarity and their superior ability to maintain physical balance compared to ordinary people, they seem to have trained in martial arts above a certain level.]

Guyang Cheongang inwardly nodded.

‘If you’re born with a silver spoon, that much should be basic.’

[The patterns shown in their words and actions suggest ‘elitist consciousness solidified by environment’ and ‘lack of consideration for others’ positions.’ Regardless of their intellectual abilities, their empathy and flexibility in situational judgment may be quite lacking.]

‘Simply put, they’re smart but self-centered and mentally immature elite sociopaths?’

[Extreme, but a very concise and clear summary.]

Dong Hajin looked at Guyang Cheongang once more and spoke.

“Brother Cheongang, you must feel so frustrated staying only at home because of your illness. Far from participating in family affairs, even taking care of your own health seems burdensome… Tsk tsk.”

Dong Seola chimed in with a somewhat enjoying expression.

“That’s exactly what I mean, brother. Even Father, when speaking of brother Cheongang, says ‘I thought he would be the pillar of the Guyang Family, but illness has blocked his path, what a lamentable situation’ and feels sorry.”

Dong Hajin nodded and continued.

“He often said such things.”

“With such a sickly body, far from rebuilding the Guyang Family, even managing his own body seems difficult. It’s so pitiful I don’t know what to say.”

Guyang Cheongang maintained a calm expression as if he completely failed to notice the meaning contained in their words.

Of course, his inner thoughts were different.

‘These bastards are scratching at my insides while smiling? Is there really a need to sharpen their claws at me like this?’

[Doctor, I can read hostility in the depths of their eyes.]

‘I saw it too. Why do you think they’re acting like this?’

[It’s difficult to say definitively due to insufficient information… but it seems they probably have some other purpose. It feels different from simple restraint or disregard.]

‘Hmm… mysterious.’

But he still maintained an outwardly sorry and apologetic expression.

“My frail body has caused worry to family members in many ways. I too can only lament my own condition.”

[Doctor, your acting skills seem to be improving day by day. At this level, you could work as an undercover infiltration agent for intelligence agencies without any problem.]

‘Where would thirty-eight years of social experience go?’

Then Dong Hajin carefully looked at Dong Yeonhwa and spoke.

“Aunt, later… I have something to discuss privately. Could I see you briefly when you have time?”

Dong Yeonhwa, whose expression instantly hardened, said.

“Sure. You must be tired from the long journey, so rest.”

She clearly showed signs of not wanting to drag this uncomfortable atmosphere on for long.

Dong Hajin nodded slightly and said.

“Thank you for your consideration, Aunt. Grandfather also told me to examine the situation here more closely. I’ll be imposing for a few days.”

Guyang Cheongang’s gaze deepened.

‘What’s their scheme, saying they’ll stay for several days in a house that openly shows dislike?’

He glanced at Guyang Baek.

Though he was pretending to be expressionless, bitterness and self-loathing floated in the depths of his eyes.

‘Guyang Baek… if you make that face, it makes me too curious about what their real purpose for coming here is and what the hidden circumstances are…’

While his mind felt distant enough to call Guyang Baek and Dong Yeonhwa by name, his heart’s reaction was different.

His chest felt heavy and tingling.

A bitter smile appeared on Guyang Cheongang’s lips.

‘Even in death, blood ties are different…’

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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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