Almighty God of War - Chapter 77

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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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077

At noon on a day when the season had entered the heart of winter and spring.

A single horse appeared on the official road leading to Bamboo Forest Manor.

Clop-clop- Clop-clop-

Guyang Cheongang had pushed back his corded bamboo hat behind him, letting his body sway with the horse’s rhythmic movement.

Without his human skin mask, his inhuman beauty was brilliantly revealed under the sunlight.

He needed to travel like this for the time being.

Because he wanted someone to know that he had left the Guyang Family Estate.

‘I need to clearly show that I’ve come out into Gangho. Only then will news of my movements reach Dong Hyeondo’s ears.’

Of course, he didn’t plan to maintain this appearance all the way.

His destination was the Imperial Capital.

When going there, he would need to conceal his identity.

Because his meeting with Shangguan Wana was something Dong Hyeondo must not know about.

It was half a day’s distance to Bamboo Forest Manor.

Guyang Cheongang arrived at the entrance of the familiar bamboo forest when the sun had passed its zenith and tilted far to the west.

Deep emotion rose in his eyes.

It was his first return visit in half a year.

At that time, his internal energy was only about three years’ worth, and he had a sickly body that hadn’t opened a single major acupoint of the Nine Yin Severed Meridians.

But now he had returned as a supreme master who had opened four major acupoints and possessed two jiazi worth of internal energy.

‘Half a year ago, I struggled just to enter that gate. Without Uncle Heo and Elder Sister Choryeong’s help, the current me wouldn’t exist.’

Thinking of the two people, he felt warmth spreading in his chest.

“Grand Young Master!”

The servants of Bamboo Forest Manor recognized him as he entered through the wide-open main gate and greeted him.

Soon after hearing the news, Heo Ilbi and Heo Choryeong, father and daughter, came rushing out in a fluster.

“Gang-a!”

Heo Ilbi came out to greet him with a joyful smile, but his expression suddenly stiffened when he felt the aura emanating from Guyang Cheongang’s entire body as he dismounted.

An aura as deep and vast as the ocean.

Unable to contain his surprise, he asked.

“What on earth… what happened during this time!”

“Quite a lot happened, Uncle.”

Guyang Cheongang said with a gentle smile while giving a cupped fist salute.

Heo Choryeong stood before him, unable to speak.

The unapproachable aura flowing from Guyang Cheongang’s entire body made her hesitate.

She looked at him with complex feelings, sensing joy along with a subtle sense of distance.

Screech screech!

Whether knowing her feelings or not, Golden King, who had been showing off his golden fur on Guyang Cheongang’s shoulder, flew into her arms.

“Oh my! Golden King!”

Only then did the stiff atmosphere soften.

After exchanging brief pleasantries, Heo Ilbi spread out ledgers in his study and told Guyang Cheongang about their achievements during this time.

“Gang-a, the Dragon Nourishing Pills and Yin Dragon Pills have become so popular that we can’t keep them in stock, not only in Jiangxi Province but also among the merchant groups in Hebei. And thanks to the Evil-Warding Divine Pills you sent, our Bamboo Forest Manor is respected by the common people of Nanchang as a righteous family. We’ve gained a reputation that money can’t buy. This is all thanks to you.”

Though the ledgers showed unbelievably large profits, Heo Ilbi was more pleased that the family’s reputation had risen.

After finishing his words, he looked at Guyang Cheongang and asked carefully.

“Gang-a, you’re the one people call the Divine Physician of Life and Death, aren’t you?”

Guyang Cheongang tilted his head as if hearing this for the first time and asked back.

“Divine Physician of Life and Death? That’s the first time I’ve heard that title. What does it have to do with me, Uncle?”

At his reaction, Heo Ilbi looked even more bewildered.

“You really didn’t know? Right now in Gangho, everyone is calling the divine physician who created the Evil-Warding Divine Pills that stopped the plague disaster the Divine Physician of Life and Death. Since you created those divine pills, the Divine Physician of Life and Death can’t be anyone else.”

“Ah… I see.”

Guyang Cheongang smiled bitterly.

“I didn’t see the sun for over a month while making the divine pills. Where would I have had time to hear such rumors?”

Finally understanding everything, Heo Ilbi burst into hearty laughter.

“Hahaha, that’s right! Of course! You wouldn’t have had the peace of mind for that. Gang-a, if you revealed even now that you’re the Divine Physician of Life and Death, who in all under heaven wouldn’t revere you!”

But Guyang Cheongang quietly shook his head.

“I prefer to remain as I am now, as a nameless young master of the Guyang Family Estate. I’m sufficiently satisfied just with our family’s reputation rising rather than my personal fame. I don’t want to attract people’s attention. I just want to live quietly.”

Heo Ilbi was inwardly amazed by his attitude of having no greed for fame and profit.

Because this was truly not an easy attitude to maintain.

That night, at the pavilion in the back garden.

Guyang Cheongang, with Golden King perched on his shoulder, sat alone with Heo Choryeong drinking tea.

The night air was filled with the fragrant scent of spring flowers carried on the wind.

And the pale pink petals fluttering in the moonlight created a dreamlike, enchanting scene.

Their conversation was nothing special, but that wasn’t important.

Heo Choryeong captured in her heart his hand movements as he poured tea, his deepened gaze, and his quiet smile.

She was sensing a tremendous presence from Guyang Cheongang that was clearly different from before.

This made her happy, but at the same time, it seemed like an invisible distance had formed between them.

Guyang Cheongang’s heart wasn’t comfortable either.

He would soon have to leave for the Imperial Capital.

For him, this time with Heo Choryeong was like the calm before the storm and a sanctuary.

The situation where he couldn’t stay by her side because he wanted to protect her weighed heavily on his heart.

Heo Choryeong asked carefully.

“How long are you planning to stay, Gang-je?”

“I’m thinking of leaving tomorrow.”

“So soon?”

Disappointment was evident in her voice.

“I have many things to do. And…”

Guyang Cheongang paused briefly, then continued with a bitter expression.

“The longer I stay, the more dangerous it could become for Bamboo Forest Manor.”

“What do you mean?”

“There are those who target me. They might come here and harm you or Uncle.”

“What kind of people are targeting Gang-je?”

“I don’t know yet either. But… I’ll find out soon.”

Heo Choryeong’s eyes wavered.

“Then all the more reason you shouldn’t travel alone, right?”

“Don’t worry. I’m not the same sickly Guyang Cheongang as before.”

After hesitating for a moment, Heo Choryeong said.

“Can’t you stay just one more day? If I send Gang-je away without even staying a full day, Father will be very disappointed.”

Guyang Cheongang asked with a slightly mischievous expression.

“What about Elder Sister?”

Flustered, Heo Choryeong’s cheeks reddened.

“Ah… that’s… me too…”

When she couldn’t properly continue her words, Golden King broke the mood.

Screech-!

The little creature cried out with a mischievous expression, jumped down from Guyang Cheongang’s shoulder, and quickly moved to Heo Choryeong’s embrace.

Then, as if showing off, it rubbed its face against her chest and stuck its tongue out at Guyang Cheongang.

It seemed the atmosphere between just the two of them didn’t please it at all.

At this sight, both of them burst into laughter.

“Hahaha, Golden Brother is the greatest playboy under heaven and also the most jealous. This is really troublesome.”

Heo Choryeong said with a brightened expression.

“Shouldn’t we hurry and find Golden King a mate?”

“A mate… if fate allows, one will appear someday.”

Heo Choryeong asked cautiously with a serious expression.

“Gang-je, your mind about leaving tomorrow, it still hasn’t changed?”

Meeting her expectant gaze, Guyang Cheongang sighed inwardly.

Those were eyes he simply couldn’t refuse.

He smiled gently and replied.

“Staying one more day shouldn’t cause any problems. I’ll leave the day after tomorrow.”

Heo Choryeong’s face brightened.

Meanwhile, Guyang Cheongang clicked his tongue and muttered to himself.

‘When I say things like that, problems always seem to arise…’

[That’s called setting a flag. I’ll thoroughly monitor the surroundings to prevent such incidents from occurring.]

‘Thank you, Akasha.’

Early the next morning, Guyang Cheongang left Bamboo Forest Manor with Heo Choryeong.

Just one day.

During that brief time, Heo Choryeong wanted to create many memories with Guyang Cheongang, whom she would now rarely meet.

She walked the same path she had once walked with him before.

They slowly toured the bustling medicinal herb market filled with the scent of herbs, and climbed the steep stairs of Tengwang Pavilion that seemed to pierce through the clouds.

The Gan River viewed from the top floor of Tengwang Pavilion was calm, with ferry boats dotting the water’s surface.

Guyang Cheongang leaned against the railing and said.

“It’s exactly the same as before.”

Standing beside him and looking at the same scenery, Heo Choryeong nodded and continued.

“Yes. Some things don’t change.”

As they descended from Tengwang Pavilion and strolled through the streets, Guyang Cheongang could see many people bowing their heads in greeting to Heo Choryeong.

It was a scene where he could feel the elevated status of Bamboo Forest Manor after the Black Death outbreak had passed.

When the sun reached its zenith and they grew hungry, they naturally turned their steps toward an inn.

Sea Dragon Inn was a three-story pavilion located along the Gan River.

With Tengwang Pavilion and the Gan River visible from the windows, plus a reputation for delicious food, it never lacked customers.

Guyang Cheongang and Heo Choryeong were guided by the innkeeper to the second floor.

Soon, steaming dishes were placed one by one before the two seated at their table.

“When will I be able to see you again after you leave tomorrow?”

Heo Choryeong’s voice was filled with regret as she asked.

“I’ll try not to make it take too long.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“You promise?”

“Hahaha, yes.”

It was the moment Guyang Cheongang answered with a light laugh.

Thud thud-

Along with regular footsteps, a long, dark shadow fell over their table.

“My, I didn’t expect to see you here, Miss Heo.”

A situation that felt like déjà vu.

‘They say words become reality… I really need to watch my mouth from now on…’

Recalling what he had said last night, Guyang Cheongang turned his head.

There stood Hwa Doryeong, the Young Manor Lord of Hwaga Trading House.

He was dressed in even more splendid silk clothing than before, and wore a blade with gems embedded in its handle at his waist.

But what caught the eye even more were the three men and one woman standing behind him.

Guyang Cheongang’s gaze deepened.

The three men and one woman possessed remarkable beauty, their attire more splendid than Hwa Doryeong’s, and their aura was extraordinary.

Just their presence seemed to change the very air around them.

Hwa Doryeong completely ignored Guyang Cheongang as if he didn’t exist and spoke to Heo Choryeong.

“I’ve prepared a precious gift for you, Young Lady. Won’t you spare a moment to talk?”

Golden King, who was wrapped around Heo Choryeong’s neck and nestled against her chest, seemed displeased with him and bared its teeth while growling sharply.

Screech-

Guyang Cheongang maintained a calm expression and quietly sipped his tea without interfering.

‘To be able to say such cheesy words without any shame in a place like this… The vulgarity may be his, but why must the embarrassment fall to Elder Sister and me…’

[I’m truly sorry about this, Doctor.]

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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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