Almighty God of War - Chapter 89

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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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089

The Separate Building of Sangsan Inn, one of the Ten Great Inns of Imperial Capital.

Moonlight filtering through the window bars gently illuminated the room.

This place was famous as the most secure inn in the Imperial Capital.

Due to its thick walls and the complex structure of the hall, external surveillance or eavesdropping was nearly impossible.

In the room, a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar with extraordinary presence was giving a report to Cheon Ungi.

“Supreme One, you seem to be showing excessive interest in someone called Guyang Cheongang who hasn’t even reached adulthood yet.”

The middle-aged man spoke cautiously.

He was a trusted subordinate who had served Cheon Ungi for decades, usually not one to show emotions, but today was different.

“Are you dissatisfied, Amhon?”

Cheon Ungi still smiled as he tilted his cup of alcohol.

“Rather than dissatisfied… I’m curious.”

Amhon hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“In the decades I’ve served the Supreme One, I’ve never seen you take such deep interest in a specific individual. Moreover, when that person is merely a descendant of the fallen Guyang Family Estate…”

His voice was calm as usual, but it contained undeniable doubt.

“I can understand why you’d think that. But did you investigate him without me asking?”

“Since you seemed unwilling, I didn’t investigate thoroughly. So far, I’ve only collected stories circulating in public.”

“I’ll give you permission, so watch him more carefully from now on.”

“Understood.”

Cheon Ungi set down his cup and looked outside the window.

His profile illuminated by moonlight held strange interest and anticipation.

“That guy has many fascinating aspects. You’ll soon understand too, but he’s really interesting to watch.”

“What about Guyang Cheongang draws the Supreme One’s interest so much?”

Amhon asked even more cautiously.

Cheon Ungi smiled and asked back.

“How long do you think that guy has been learning martial arts?”

“According to intelligence, I heard it’s been barely a year…”

Amhon’s expression suddenly hardened mid-sentence.

He realized something was strange.

“Now you’re catching on.”

Cheon Ungi’s gaze deepened.

“That guy hasn’t been seriously learning martial arts for even a year. But do you know what level he’s at now?”

Amhon swallowed and answered.

“According to reports… he’s already approaching supreme master level…”

“Not approaching – he’s already at supreme master level. Do you think this makes sense?”

“Hmm…”

“You’ve been learning martial arts for about fifty years?”

“Seventy-four years.”

“Has it been that long already? You really don’t age much after Bone and Marrow Cleansing.”

“You’re not in a position to say such things, are you?”

“Huh? Now that I think about it, that’s true too.”

Cheon Ungi smiled and continued asking.

“What level are your martial arts at now?”

“…Advanced Transformation Stage.”

“How long did it take you to reach supreme master level after learning martial arts?”

“Twenty-eight years… sir.”

Amhon lowered his head in embarrassment.

“You don’t need to blush – it’s not because you’re lacking. That’s normal. Actually, it’s quite fast compared to Murim standards. But that guy…”

Cheon Ungi paused and took a sip of alcohol.

“Guyang Cheongang – that guy is an incurable patient who suffered from Nine Yin Severed Meridians. Moreover, he’s still not completely cured.”

“…!”

Amhon’s eyes widened.

“But for some reason I don’t know, he suddenly started changing about a year ago. His illness began healing, and his martial arts started rapidly improving. Then he became a supreme master.”

“Is such a thing… possible?”

“I couldn’t believe it at first either. But when I confirmed it directly, it was true.”

“For years, I thought you were indulging in wine and women in Nanchang, but you were actually observing Guyang Cheongang?”

“I do like Nanchang’s beauties and meat, but isn’t ‘wine and women’ a bit harsh? People might think I’m a tyrant.”

“My apologies.”

Though he apologized, Amhon remained composed.

This showed that the relationship between Cheon Ungi and him wasn’t that of ordinary lord and subordinate.

“When exactly did you start watching him?”

“Since he stayed at Bamboo Forest Manor. What he did there was very fascinating. There was no way not to pay attention.”

“Ah…!”

“Amhon, throughout Murim history, there have been many geniuses born with unimaginably excellent martial arts talent. But none of them reached supreme master level just one year after learning martial arts.”

Cheon Ungi looked into the distance and continued.

“Even the one called the greatest of all time, my lifelong rival, didn’t show the same progress speed as Guyang Cheongang.”

“How does he compare to the Supreme One?”

“I’m also inferior to that guy.”

“…!”

“Do you now realize how unprecedented Guyang Cheongang’s growth rate is?”

“…Yes. If he maintains his current growth rate, could there come a day when he surpasses the Supreme One?”

“What? Hahahaha!”

Cheon Ungi laughed loudly and said.

“No matter how outstanding that guy is, between him and me lies an insurmountable river of countless years.”

“You’re saying it’s impossible. That’s somewhat reassuring.”

“You’ve gotten more talkative in your old age.”

“…Sorry for being old.”

Amhon continued asking.

“What does the Supreme One seek to gain through Guyang Cheongang?”

A meaningful smile appeared on Cheon Ungi’s lips.

“That guy might be able to help with something I’ve harbored alone in my heart for a long time.”

“What do you mean…”

Amhon requested a more detailed explanation, but Cheon Ungi shook his head.

“It’s not time yet. If you don’t understand, just watch. You’ll naturally find out.”

He emptied his cup and stood up.

“Just remember this one thing. Guyang Cheongang isn’t our enemy yet. He might never be.”

“Then what should we do going forward?”

Amhon asked his final question.

“Keep watching him. Help him if necessary. But don’t act openly.”

“Understood, Supreme One.”

Amhon bowed deeply.

“But may I ask one more thing?”

“What is it?”

“If Guyang Cheongang goes in a different direction than the Supreme One expects, what will you do then?”

Cheon Ungi thought for a moment, then smiled coldly.

“That won’t happen. My eyes aren’t that wrong. But if such a thing occurs…”

His gaze turned cold for an instant.

“I’ll have to eliminate him.”

“Understood, Supreme One.”

Amhon left the separate building.

Left alone, Cheon Ungi gazed outside the window.

The night view of the Imperial Capital spread out under the moonlight came into view at a glance.

The lights seeping out from countless houses sparkled like stars.

“It seems like it will be an interesting era.”

He muttered to himself as he emptied his wine cup.

The moonlight cast deep shadows on his face.

* * *

The main building of the Branch Blood Cave within Golden Tower Manor.

This was a separate building located deep within the manor, and while it appeared to be an ordinary pavilion from the outside, the interior was a completely different world.

Chae Munseong, who could be called the right arm of Dong Hyeondo, the Blood Master of Branch Blood Cave and Master of Golden Tower Manor, burned the finished report with Samadhi True Fire.

Whoosh—

As the report turned to ash and disappeared, his gaze grew increasingly colder.

Cold sweat beaded on the forehead of Ma Eung, the man prostrating before Chae Munseong.

“If Sa-an and Jeokgui are dead, then the Imperial Capital branch is as good as destroyed.”

Chae Munseong’s voice was calm, but Ma Eung could sense how great the anger contained within it was.

“That is correct, Blood Master.”

“The culprit?”

“It is a man named Hahou Gang.”

“The craftsman mentioned in the previous report.”

“Correct, Blood Master.”

Chae Munseong slowly leaned back in his chair.

A chilling killing intent emanated from his every movement.

“Hahou Gang… That craftsman who joined hands with Shangguan Wana to conduct the salt business is the culprit…”

Then Chae Munseong looked at Ma Eung with piercing sharp eyes and asked.

“There’s no way he could have killed Sa-an and Jeokgui and devastated the Imperial Capital branch alone, so did Yeom Pung help him?”

Ma Eung bowed his head and answered.

“No. They say he single-handedly annihilated the entire branch.”

“Single-handedly?”

Chae Munseong’s expression hardened.

“Sa-an, Jeokgui, and all the dozen or so warriors stationed at the branch?”

“That is correct. There were no survivors.”

Chae Munseong’s gaze turned bleak.

“Ma Eung, tell me what we have learned about this Hahou Gang.”

“So far, no direct connection to Ten Thousand Gold Mountain Villa has been confirmed. He was only identified as the person who provided new salt-making technology to Shangguan Wana.”

“So far?”

“Yes. But judging from this incident, it seems he was hiding considerable martial arts skills. The problem is that there are no records of a young master named Hahou Gang in any of our main blood’s intelligence networks.”

“An unidentified supreme master suddenly appears to conduct salt business? That doesn’t make sense. He must have some other backing.”

Chae Munseong fell into thought for a moment.

Countless possibilities were being rapidly calculated in his mind.

“Issue orders to all branches. Tell them to prioritize collecting information about this Hahou Gang.”

“Understood, Blood Master. How shall we handle his disposal?”

A cold smile appeared on Chae Munseong’s lips.

“We must engrave into his bones what fate awaits those who touch Branch Blood Cave. Ma Eung, send the Branch Blood Specters.”

Ma Eung, who had flinched as if this was an unexpected order, quickly realized his mistake and bowed his head.

“Yes, Blood Master.”

“Capture alive is the priority. I will deal with him after confirming his identity and backing.”

* * *

It was a bright spring day.

Warm sunlight seeped into the warehouse and gently embraced the shoulders of Guyang Cheongang, who was tired from engraving work.

He had just finished an hour of full-power engraving work on the solar energy integration circuit of the Heavenly Fire Solar Flame Formation and was taking a brief rest.

But suddenly, Guyang Cheongang scratched his ear and tilted his head.

‘Akasha, this is strange. My ki sensing seems more sensitive than usual.’

[What do you mean?]

‘…It feels like someone very far away is throwing invisible long needles at me.’

Guyang Cheongang frowned.

As his realm had improved, it seemed he was beginning to detect subtle energies he couldn’t feel before.

[Nothing is detected in the data. But I think we can establish one interesting hypothesis.]

‘What kind?’

[The attention and talk of many people directed at you, Doctor, might be forming a kind of ‘causality’ that you can feel. As your mental power has reached a considerable level, you might be starting to detect something that transcends physical distance…]

‘Then those bastards must be cursing me.’

[Though it’s hard to agree, if such people exist, it would definitely be Golden Tower Manor. Annihilating the Imperial Capital branch is more than enough reason for them to be furious.]

‘I should be the one cursing. They’re the ones who tried to kill me.’

It was when Guyang Cheongang shrugged and stood up.

Footsteps were heard from the warehouse entrance.

Turning his head, he saw Shangguan Wana and Yeom Pung entering together.

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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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