Almighty God of War - Chapter 92

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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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092

Guyang Cheongang fell silent for a moment.

‘Yeon Sahyeok… One of the successors of Geumsan-ru is personally running such a dangerous errand? Just how powerful must this ‘that person’ who moves him be…’

When he showed no signs of getting up from his seat, Yeon Sahyeok spoke.

“Prince Hahou, there isn’t much time. That person wishes to meet you tonight.”

“Who is that person?”

“…It would be better if you went and confirmed it yourself. This person is too exalted for me to dare mention by name. However, I can guarantee that today’s meeting will never bring you harm.”

Guyang Cheongang’s gaze deepened.

From Yeon Sahyeok’s expression and tone, it wasn’t difficult to tell that ‘that person’s’ status was extraordinary.

“Very well. Let’s go.”

The place Guyang Cheongang arrived at following Yeon Sahyeok was the deepest secret chamber of Drunken Dream Pavilion, a members-only pleasure house known only to those in the know in the Imperial Capital.

Drunken Dream Pavilion appeared to be just an ordinary, elegant pavilion from the outside.

But the moment one stepped through its doors, a world completely different from the mundane world unfolded.

The faint sound of a gayageum drifting along with thick musk intoxicated the mind, blurring the boundary between dreams and reality.

Maids dressed in silk clothes passed through the corridors silently like shadows, and elaborate dragon patterns were carved into every wall and pillar.

This hinted that this place had been touched by imperial hands.

Inside the secret chamber.

A handsome man in his thirties, emanating an imperious aura from his entire body, sat in a chair silently watching Guyang Cheongang enter the room.

When their eyes met, Guyang Cheongang’s mind became complicated.

‘That aura isn’t from martial arts but an innate temperament. Is it really him?’

Yeon Sahyeok gave him a cupped fist salute and spoke.

“Your Highness, this is Prince Hahou Gang I told you about.”

He then turned to Guyang Cheongang and said.

“Prince Hahou, please pay your respects. This is His Highness the Second Prince of the Great Hwan Empire.”

Though he had expected it, Guyang Cheongang’s eyebrows twitched upon learning that the handsome man was actually the Second Prince.

He gave a cupped fist salute and bowed his head.

“This humble one, Hahou Gang, pays respects to His Highness the Second Prince.”

Second Prince Han Seo burst into hearty laughter and spoke.

“Hahaha, to think the Divine Physician of Life and Death who defeated the plague is so young – if All Under Heaven knew, wouldn’t it cause a great stir?”

“You flatter me.”

“How could it be flattery? Everyone knows that no divine physician in history could handle plagues.”

Guyang Cheongang responded in a calm tone.

“You didn’t summon me just to discuss such matters, did you?”

Han Seo’s gaze became frighteningly intense.

“I can’t remember the last time I met someone who speaks their mind so freely before me. You’re quite confident, matching your abilities.”

He pointed to the chair across from him and continued.

“Right. I didn’t call you here just for such talk. Sit.”

When Guyang Cheongang sat in the chair, Han Seo spoke.

“I heard you developed a new salt production method. Is it true?”

“It is true.”

“Thanks to that, the old man at Golden Tower Manor is seething with rage. He’s throwing money everywhere to prevent Ten Thousand Gold Mountain Villa from entering the salt business.”

“Is that so?”

“It should be a matter you can’t help but be interested in, yet your reaction is lukewarm.”

“Because Miss Shangguan will obtain the license regardless of what they do. She is someone with that capability.”

“You’re speaking of Shangguan Wana?”

“Yes.”

“Remarkable trust.”

“If I hadn’t trusted her, I wouldn’t have joined hands with her in the first place.”

“True enough.”

Han Seo leaned back in his chair and continued.

“You and I share a common enemy.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you’re pretending not to know, that would be disappointing.”

Guyang Cheongang responded calmly.

“I’ve heard so much about being careful with my words when dealing with imperial family members. Besides, my mind isn’t that sharp. So please speak plainly. I’ll listen attentively.”

“You seem polite yet strangely insolent at the same time.”

“I have no intention whatsoever of displeasing Your Highness.”

Han Seo smacked his lips and spoke.

“You need to overcome Golden Tower Manor’s interference, and I need to surpass my elder brother. If you join hands with me, what you gain won’t be just the salt license.”

“An attractive proposal.”

“So will you take my hand?”

“Your Highness seems confident that you have a chance of surpassing the Crown Prince. May I know the reason?”

Intense divine light blazed in Han Seo’s eyes.

It was clear evidence that his martial arts level was extraordinary.

Of course, Guyang Cheongang didn’t even twitch an eyebrow.

Han Seo’s gaze subsided as he spoke.

“You’re asking me to reveal imperial secrets.”

“I’m merely asking you to provide grounds for me to make a judgment.”

“Hmm…”

Han Seo let out a low murmur, then opened his mouth as if he had made a decision.

“My elder brother has epilepsy.”

Guyang Cheongang acted surprised, widening his eyes as if he didn’t know.

“Really?”

“If you completely cure Myeonghwa, His Majesty will surely have you examine my brother. In such a situation, would I have reason to tell an obvious lie that will soon be exposed?”

“That’s true as well.”

The Second Prince wanted Guyang Cheongang not to treat the Crown Prince.

“Now it seems time to answer my proposal.”

Guyang Cheongang remained silent for a moment before speaking.

“Your Highness, it would be difficult to decide right now.”

Flames of anger blazed in the prince’s eyes.

But he suppressed it and asked.

“Why?”

“Right now, only Princess Myeonghwa’s recovery is my greatest duty. As one who has received imperial orders, dispersing my efforts to other matters would be disloyalty to His Majesty.”

“Hmm…”

“I think it would be proper to discuss this again after the Princess’s treatment is finished.”

At his words, Han Seo was momentarily at a loss for words.

Then he soon laughed loudly as if delighted.

“Hahaha. Indeed! Those are words befitting someone Yeon Sahyeok evaluates so highly. Good. I won’t demand an answer right now.”

His gaze deepened as he continued.

“After you treat Myeonghwa, I’ll arrange another meeting.”

“Thank you.”

“At that time, it would be best to give a definite answer either way.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Han Seo rose from his seat and left the secret chamber.

* * *

The successful completion of Princess Myeonghwa’s first treatment was when noon was approaching.

Guyang Cheongang left Myeonghwa Palace with heavy steps.

The Imperial Palace was a strict Forbidden Zone that Yeom Pung and Shangguan Wana could not enter.

Thanks to this, Guyang Cheongang once again realized that he ultimately stood alone at the center of this massive whirlpool.

When he entered the quiet path leading to the main gate of the palace, a thin thread of Sound Transmission pierced his ears.

[Prince Hahou, there is someone who wishes to meet with you briefly.]

The voice was young, but the Internal Energy contained within it was by no means shallow.

[Who is it?]

When Guyang Cheongang asked, the voice came again.

[My lord said it would be better for you to confirm this yourself, Young Master. I will guide you.]

His voice was polite, but contained a firmness that would not accept refusal.

Guyang Cheongang recalled that Yeon Sahyeok had said something similar last evening, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips.

‘So this lord must be him. It seems he found out that the Second Prince met with me.’

Guyang Cheongang answered without hesitation.

[Very well. Please guide me.]

The voice of the Sound Transmission led him to the deepest and most secluded part of the Imperial Palace Rear Garden, into an old archive forgotten in people’s memories.

In that deserted place, a man was waiting alone for him, bathed in sunlight streaming through the window.

When Guyang Cheongang entered the archive, the owner of the voice that had guided him silently revealed himself from the shade.

Dressed in black light armor, he bowed deeply toward the man standing by the window.

“Your Highness, I have brought Prince Hahou.”

When the man who had been standing by the archive window looking outside silently nodded, the Guard Warriors bowed once more, then melted back into the shade like he was hiding.

Only then could Guyang Cheongang properly face the man standing alone there.

He had a face similar to Second Prince Han Seo, but was a man with such a different atmosphere that it was hard to believe they were twins.

If the Second Prince was like a blazing flame, he was like thin ice that seemed ready to shatter at any moment.

A pale complexion and lips dark with illness, but clear, deep eyes that overwhelmed all of that.

He was Han Do, the Crown Prince and First Prince of the Great Hwan Empire.

He opened his mouth with a gentle smile.

“Thank you for making this precious visit, Prince Hahou.”

His voice lacked strength, but carried an indescribable dignity.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, for what matter have you summoned this humble person…”

Instead of answering, the Crown Prince gently stroked the old Books in the archive with his fingers and spoke quietly.

“In this old archive sleep countless Books that have lost their owners. Some Books discuss loyalty, some discuss rebellion, each telling different paths. What kind of content do you think would be most interesting, Prince Hahou?”

It was a polite yet sharp question asking ‘which side will you stand on?’

Having grasped his intention, Guyang Cheongang answered with an expressionless face.

“Your Highness, before discussing which Books are more excellent, I think it is more important that this archive itself be preserved intact without collapsing.”

His unwavering gaze turned toward the Crown Prince.

“No matter how excellent the Books may be, if the archive collapses, what use would they be?”

At his extraordinary answer, a faint light of admiration appeared in the Crown Prince’s eyes for the first time.

“…Preserving the archive is important. Indeed, a fitting answer from one revered as the Divine Physician of Life and Death who governs life and death.”

Deep bitterness was heavily infused in his following voice.

“Then, let me ask you just one more thing.”

“Please speak.”

“In your view, do you think the Books my younger brother gave you last night would make this archive more solid, or would they crumble the foundation pillars of the archive?”

The Crown Prince’s question was like a checkmate.

If he criticized the Second Prince, he would become his enemy; if he defended him, he would lose the Crown Prince’s trust.

Whatever answer he gave, he would inevitably be swept into the whirlpool of this massive power struggle.

But Guyang Cheongang had no intention of accepting the checkmate.

He did not avoid the Crown Prince’s deep eyes and opened his mouth calmly.

“Your Highness, the value of any book is determined by the one who reads it. No matter how excellent a scripture may be, if it falls into the hands of an evil person, it becomes a weapon that harms the world, and even a trivial storybook, if it falls into the hands of a sage, can become wisdom that saves the world.”

He paused briefly, then continued while looking straight into the Crown Prince’s eyes.

“Whether that book will collapse the archive or make it more solid… ultimately depends on the heart of the master who opens and reads that book, doesn’t it?”

Guyang Cheongang was saying he would not stand on either side.

A bitter smile appeared on the lips of the Crown Prince, who let out a long sigh.

“I think I understand why the world calls you the Divine Physician of Life and Death. You don’t just heal illnesses, but see through people’s hearts as well.”

He continued speaking.

“I will make no proposals or promises to you. Whose hand you take, that will be your choice.”

After catching his breath briefly, he spoke with a sigh.

“However, please ensure that Princess Myeonghwa at least does not become a sacrifice in this rough political fight. As a physician, please only look after that child’s illness. I ask this of you.”

His words contained no private desires whatsoever, such as asking for Pulse Diagnosis for himself.

Only the tender concern of an older brother worrying about his younger sister was contained within.

Guyang Cheongang bowed his head.

“I will do my best, Your Highness.”

‘Akasha, scan inside the Crown Prince’s body.’

[Understood, 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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