Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 105

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 105
Glug, glug, glug!
“Ahhh!”
Dokgo Myeong drained the bottle in one go and let out an exclamation of satisfaction as he set down his cup.
“The alcohol is going down well, sir?”
“It goes down just fine.”
Geum Seok-du chuckled and nodded his head.
“I’m beginning to think we shouldn’t visit the Inn with you anymore, sir.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Every time we come here, something always happens. A disciple of the Nine Sects, the Master of Hugu Hall from the Open Faction, and now Mo Yong Lim, the Young Master of the Moyong Family… Wait!”
Geum Seok-du slapped his knee as if struck by sudden realization.
“Could this be your drinking habit, sir?”
“Want to die?”
“….”
Geum Seok-du let out a deep sigh.
“Young Master.”
“What?”
“Will you be alright?”
“You’re starting to sound just like Elder Jang. Are you becoming like him too?”
Geum Seok-du shifted his weight nervously as he spoke.
“The Young Master of Moyong might take offense to this.”
“He already offended me first.”
“…Well, that’s true enough.”
Geum Seok-du’s expression turned sullen.
‘Come to think of it, who am I even worried about?’
If anything, it would be more concerning if Dokgo Myeong had simply complied and followed along obediently.
That was when it happened.
“Found you.”
A group of young men poured into the Inn.
The innkeeper could only stammer “uh, uh” in confusion, unable to properly greet them.
Before Dokgo Myeong could even speak, the young man at the front plopped himself down in a seat.
The young man, Moyong Lim, spoke.
“It’s been a while.”
“…?”
“You told me to come, so I came. Why do you have that look on your face?”
“Are you Moyong Lim?”
For a moment, Moyong Lim’s brow furrowed, but soon he burst into laughter.
“Haha! Well, since I haven’t attended the Dragon Phoenix Conference in a while, it’s understandable you’d forget my face. Yes, I’m Moyong Lim.”
Moyong Lim turned slightly and swept his gaze across his companions who had scattered around near Dokgo Myeong’s seat.
“Greet them. Surely you haven’t forgotten them as well?”
Huh… I forgot?
How am I supposed to remember these people?
‘Hmm, their faces seem familiar somehow…’
Just as Dokgo Myeong was struggling to find a response, they spoke first.
“It’s been a while, Myeong.”
“It’s been a while. Surely you haven’t forgotten us, have you, Myeong?”
The saying about birds of a feather flocking together had never been more apt.
Not a single crane among them—all of these young men possessed the elegant and beautiful features of cranes, and they rushed forward to greet me.
“Yes, it’s been a while.”
“…Heh, it’s been a while? You’ve certainly changed as a person.”
“That’s for sure.”
Several of them let out hollow laughs as they examined Dokgo Myeong openly.
Of course, Dokgo Myeong swept his gaze across them, his eyes gleaming.
‘The Jegal clan, the Paeng clan, the Hwangbo clan… now that I think about it, they were talking about something called the Dragon Phoenix Assembly at the Inn, weren’t they? Could it be these people?’
Then, Dokgo Myeong spotted a familiar face and his eyes widened.
“Why are you here?”
“That’s what I should be asking! Why are you here?”
The one who answered was none other than Dokgo Ak.
“I came because of the martial tournament.”
“I came to attend the Dragon Phoenix Assembly.”
“Hmph, I thought you’d finally grown some sense, but here you are gallivanting about again…”
“What are you talking about! Since you didn’t show up, I came in your place!”
Dokgo Ak looked at Dokgo Myeong with an incredulous expression.
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened.
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
Then Mo Yong Lim let out a scoff and smirked.
“Whether you’re pretending not to know or genuinely don’t know.”
“…?”
“Anyway, get up. I’ve already settled the bill for what you ate. Surely you didn’t come all this way to meet us just to stay in this shabby Inn, did you?”
“Well, true. Since you paid for the drinks too, there’s no reason not to go. Seok-du, let’s get up.”
“Yes? Ah, yes…”
Dokgo Myeong clasped his hands behind his back and looked at Mo Yong Lim.
“What are you doing?”
“…?”
“Lead the way.”
Mo Yong Lim’s expression hardened.
* * *
“What? You can’t remember? How is that possible?”
“Enough. Give me a brief explanation.”
“Whether you genuinely can’t remember or you’re pretending not to…”
Dokgo Ak exhaled sharply.
Then he glanced at Moyong Lim walking ahead and whispered into my ear.
“I heard that Moyong Lim bastard sparred with you back at the Dragon Phoenix Gathering. Naturally, you lost.”
“Naturally?”
“What, did you win? Back then, you were so weak you’d lose to a dog guarding the house.”
“….”
“….”
Dokgo Ak shrank back.
“S-sorry. Don’t raise your fists. W-we’re still outside….”
“Let’s do this properly.”
“R-right, anyway that was already several years ago… it was the Dragon Phoenix Gathering held near the Main Sect.”
“Is that so?”
“Back then you were defeated by that bastard in three seconds. After that, you barely left Saheongang.”
“I distinctly heard that the Jeongcheon Alliance was my first venture into Gangho?”
“Is stepping outside your house considered a venture into Gangho? Why are you being so difficult today? Or is it that you’ve reverted to your old self?”
Whoosh!
“Ugh!”
“Now, shall we get going?”
“…Grrgh.”
“Yes, eyes wide open. Let’s do this right?”
Dokgo Ak’s eyes and mouth twitched.
‘I wish someone would just kill this bastard. Seriously.’
No matter what, I had my pride, yet here I was getting hit on the back of the head in the middle of the street….
Then Dokgo Myeong let out a long sigh and looked ahead.
‘So that’s why everyone’s expressions were so strange.’
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes grew cold.
Dokgo Ak flinched in alarm.
“W-why are you opening your eyes like that again! No. Absolutely not!”
“What?”
“Do you know how many people got hurt the last time you looked like that? Please, let’s just go quietly.”
Dokgo Ak trembled and pleaded.
“I’m just stating the obvious. People will think I’m some reckless brute who beats everyone indiscriminately.”
Isn’t that what you are?
You beat everyone regardless of age or gender.
“As long as they don’t provoke me first, I’ll naturally stay still.”
“…And if they do provoke you first?”
“Well then.”
The corners of Dokgo Myeong’s mouth curled up slowly.
“I beat them.”
“….”
“Then you’re just going to let that slide?”
Usually I just let it go….
Even if I’m upset, I just make peace with words and move on….
“Well, I get the gist of what’s happening. So who are all these people?”
Dokgo Myeong gestured toward the front with his chin.
“You’re saying you don’t even remember their names?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
“Sigh… Well, starting from over there—Jegal Soso of the Jegal Family, Hwangbo Yeong-cheon of the Hwangbo Family, Paeng Myeong-yu of the Paeng Family, and….”
“All pure Murim Family disciples.”
“They’re all people you know. There are quite a few regional faction members inside too. Why, did you think this was the Dragon Phoenix Gathering?”
“What about the Nine Sects?”
“The Nine Sects wouldn’t attend the Dragon Phoenix Gathering in the first place, would they?”
Dokgo Ak shrugged his shoulders.
“Even if those hypocrites showed up, we’d reject them on our end.”
….
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes deepened.
‘The young ones are already divided among themselves.’
The Nine Sects and the Murim Families.
Two pillars that represent the righteous path. Of course there would inevitably be rivalry and differences, but still, the younger generation should harmonize without prejudice.
‘Yet here we are, in this state….’
The current state of Gangho revealed itself here as well. It was truly frustrating and irritating.
Dokgo Myeong shook his head slowly.
That aside.
‘…That fellow is exceptional.’
Dokgo Myeong’s gaze turned toward Moyong Lim, who was leading at the front.
I could feel the tyrannical aura flowing through his entire body.
The pinnacle realm—and a complete, undeniable pinnacle at that.
‘But… is that even possible?’
Of course nothing was impossible. That’s simply how the foundation of prestigious families works. Occasionally monsters emerge from them.
But what if….
‘He achieved it through some method, accelerating his progress?’
If he were from another prestigious family, the likelihood of him being a once-in-a-thousand-years prodigy would be greater.
But if he’s from the Moyong Family, suspicion arises. Dokgo Myeong knew the Moyong Family was already stained crimson.
‘If he’s the young master of the Moyong Family, he’d be among the very top of the leadership. I wonder what he’s like.’
Are the leaders still clean?
Or have they stained themselves crimson as well?
Dokgo Myeong clenched and unclenched his fists, his eyes gleaming.
* * *
‘Money really is good, I have to admit.’
I couldn’t help but acknowledge it.
There was a reason why premium establishments were premium.
‘Damn, this is incredible!’
Yesterday I’d tried to go to the Taepyeongru, but when they said there were no rooms, I ended up drinking at a pavilion of slightly lower standing.
Yet this Taepyeongru, supposedly the finest pavilion in the area, was indeed different in every way.
“Ah, this tastes wonderful?”
“Right? Why didn’t you come sooner? Here, have another cup.”
“Oops!”
I’d always thought that once alcohol made you drunk, that was that—but with such fine taste and aroma, it went down so smoothly.
That’s when Paeng Myeong-yu and Jegal Soso burst into laughter.
“Myeong, you’ve really changed quite a bit.”
“It doesn’t seem to bother you, does it, Myeong older brother?”
“Free drinks and free food—what’s there to be bothered about?”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled and stuffed his mouth with appetizers.
“If it didn’t bother you, why haven’t you shown up to gatherings all this time?”
“I had my reasons.”
I must have been wandering around quite a bit during that time.
Mediocre invitations wouldn’t have even reached Dokgo Myeong’s ears.
“I suppose you’ve been too busy with martial training?”
“Is that what you call it? Going from someone who couldn’t even properly ride a sword to building that kind of reputation—how easy do you think that is?”
“Exactly. Surely it’s not mere empty fame, at least.”
“Still, one should show up at places like this now and then. After all, a person must know how to get along with others. Understand?”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled.
He was scratching at me very subtly. Now that I thought about it, there wasn’t a single ally of mine at this table.
“You’ve already drunk quite a bit, yet you can’t take your eyes off the wine. Anyone watching would think you’d abstained completely and done nothing but martial training all this time.”
“Ah! That’s right! What kind of training have you been doing anyway? Share some good methods with us.”
Their intentions were transparent to everyone.
Dokgo Myeong, the fool of the realm.
Weren’t they all peers who had experienced this directly?
They could not accept that Dokgo Myeong had surpassed them. Jealousy and envy, along with the contempt lurking beneath, were spilling out openly.
‘Yeah, I knew this would happen.’
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly and was slowly raising his head when—
“Listen here, you’re playing such childish games!”
Crash!
Suddenly someone slammed their cup down so hard the table shook.
It was Dokgo Ak.
Dokgo Ak stood up abruptly, his face flushed with drink, and glanced around the surroundings.
The atmosphere instantly turned cold. Not only the direct descendants of the Four Great Families gathered in the innermost seats, but also the successors of various regional factions scattered throughout the pavilion all stiffened.
Dokgo Ak opened his mouth with his brows deeply furrowed.
“What kind of shameful nonsense is this?”
“Young Master Ak. Why are you suddenly acting like this?”
“You call yourselves disciples of prestigious families, yet you summon someone and can’t even read the room? What kind of nonsense is this?”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened in shock.
‘What’s gotten into him?’
Geum Seok-du, who had followed along, felt the same bewilderment.
‘He’s been influenced. Definitely influenced. This man has clearly been tainted by the Young Master….’
“Ak, you’ve had too much to drink.”
“Yes, the alcohol is getting to me. How could I not be drunk when you lot spew such filthy drivel from your mouths?”
“…Your words are excessive.”
Dokgo Ak laughed harshly.
“A martial artist who scratches people with words like some petty wretch—you’re quite skilled at that.”
“Young Master Ak!”
“Tsk! Do you still think that fool is your equal? You don’t even realize I was merely playing with you!”
Dokgo Ak grew increasingly agitated, even pointing his finger accusingly.
‘Why am I doing this?’
Perhaps it was the alcohol talking.
Even Dokgo Ak didn’t understand why he was causing such a commotion. Yet the sight of insignificant people gathering around Dokgo Myeong and chattering away grated on his nerves.
‘Hah….’
And once he’d vented, it felt as though a weight had lifted from his chest.
What was the point of holding back?
The reckless personality that had been forcibly suppressed by someone all this time was now bursting forth with the aid of alcohol.
At that moment.
“Enough.”
A quiet voice flowed from the seat of honor.
It was Moyong Lim.
“Heh, so lowering your voice settles it? What will you do if I don’t stop?”
“If you intend to disrupt the atmosphere further, I’ll have to impose sanctions as the host of this gathering.”
“Sanctions? How presumptuous of you to….”
“….”
“Why have you gone quiet? You were acting like you’d strike me.”
In an instant, Moyong Lim’s eyes flashed with brilliance.
Crackle!
A peculiar aura emanated forth.
It was the true qi of the Wind Prison Heavenly Divine Technique. That oppressive aura pushed Dokgo Ak back like a gust of wind.
“…!”
Dokgo Ak raised his own qi in resistance.
Surprise flickered in the eyes of those present. By any measure, it was a formidable display of power, yet Dokgo Ak managed to withstand it.
Moyong Lim’s brow furrowed slightly, but he soon withdrew his energy with composure.
Thud!
Dokgo Ak swayed momentarily.
Moyong Lim regarded Dokgo Ak and spoke as a warning.
“It was merely the joy of meeting an old friend after so long. I admit my curiosity got the better of me.”
Moyong Lim’s head turned slowly toward Dokgo Myeong.
“I simply had many questions. That you, who once could not even be mentioned in the same breath as this Moyong Lim, have built such a formidable reputation—I could not help but be astounded. Understand my position.”
Above his smiling lips, his eyes gleamed with an unsettling brilliance.
Dokgo Myeong let out a soft laugh.
“You weren’t asking out of genuine curiosity, were you?”
“What?”
“You were asking to satisfy your pride.”
Dokgo Myeong drained his cup in one breath and carelessly tossed it onto the table.
Moyong Lim’s eyes shifted.
“Indeed, you have changed greatly.”
“Care to test that?”
“What?”
“That’s simply how family works.”
Dokgo Myeong propped one knee up and rested his arm upon it.
It was a posture as unrefined as a ruffian from the back alleys.
“No matter how much I dislike a younger brother, when I see someone else tormenting him, it leaves a foul taste in my mouth.”
That was the moment.
Whoooosh!
Demonic flames seemed to ignite.
In an instant, as the aura swept across the surroundings, Moyong Lim found himself rising to his feet involuntarily.
“…!”
Crash! Thud!
All dignity from moments before vanished as Moyong Lim trembled, his face drained of color.
It was not only Moyong Lim. Everyone gathered in the hall momentarily forgot even how to breathe.
There was no comparison.
The martial prowess laid bare without any attempt at concealment was utterly beyond imagination. The dozen or so late-stage masters gathered here were completely overwhelmed by the presence of a single man—Dokgo Myeong.
“Now I’m curious too. Answer me this.”
Whoosh!
Dokgo Myeong rose from his seat.
The hem of his dragon-scale robe lifted gracefully.
“Do you have the confidence to test this Dokgo Myeong?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————