Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 125

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 125
“You must win at any cost, even if it means wagering your life. I’ve invested a fortune in you, after all.”
“Ha, Sect Leader, you do worry quite a bit. How many times is this now that you’ve reminded me?”
“….”
Tap! Clack!
Hyeoksa Sect Leader Jeok Wi-ryang walked forward, tapping his cane more loudly than usual, his anxiety evident in every step.
For someone barely approaching sixty, he looked far too decrepit.
Such was the inevitable fate of those who had cultivated the demonic arts. Yet his eyes still gleamed with a venomous intensity.
“Sect Leader, you needn’t worry yourself. Though I am but a mere wanderer, I am not so incompetent as to lose to some barbarian from the Frontier.”
The Hyeoksa Sect Leader’s face twisted.
“I told you he’s no ordinary foreigner.”
“In any case, set your mind at ease. I’ve already received the advance payment, and I swear upon my honor that I shall claim victory without fail.”
The man flashed a confident grin, revealing yellowed teeth, and tapped the sword and saber crossed at his lower back.
He was none other than the elite wanderer known as Yeom Jeok, the Dual Blade Master.
“Honor? From one who sells his skills for coin…”
“Ah, well said! For me, honor is precisely what coin represents.”
“Just ensure victory. If you succeed, I’ll even double your compensation.”
“Double? Ha! Now that’s truly inspiring!”
Soon they arrived at the entrance of the arena, and the Hyeoksa Sect Leader withdrew his registration documents from his robes.
“I am the Hyeoksa Sect Leader. This one is my fighter, and those two behind are my guards.”
“Confirmed. We wish you victory, Sect Leader.”
“Much obliged.”
Upon entering, a young man and woman—guides and overseers as always—awaited them.
“The fighter from Hyeoksa Sect should proceed downstairs to prepare. We shall escort the Sect Leader.”
The Hyeoksa Sect Leader’s eyes gleamed with avarice as he swept his gaze across the pair.
A sinister smile soon curled his lips.
“Oho… So the Bloodfiend Sect Leader has taken some care with me this time. Assigning such fresh attendants. Hehehehe!”
“….”
“I see now—they’ve cultivated martial arts as well. Excellent physiques, and such lovely appearances… Most pleasing. Most pleasing indeed…”
The Hyeoksa Sect Leader chuckled lecherously, ignoring Yeom Jeok entirely and clinging to the guide.
Yeom Jeok regarded him with contempt, then turned away.
“Let us proceed to the waiting room. Which way should we go?”
“This way, please.”
Yeom Jeok departed without so much as a farewell.
Soon the Hyeoksa Sect Leader reached the entrance to the VIP chamber, but rather than entering, he fixed his gaze upon the young guide.
“Don’t wait outside—come in with me. You understand what I’m saying, don’t you?”
“Pardon?”
The Hyeoksa Sect Leader gently brushed his cane against the guide’s shin, his sharp eyes gleaming.
“New to the job, are you? All the better. Come inside and pour me some wine.”
“…!”
The young guide’s expression hardened instantly.
“Me, sodomite?”
At the young man’s inadvertent murmur, the Bloodsword Sect Leader’s eyes flashed with menace.
“What did this insolent bastard just say?”
“I-I’m terribly sorry.”
“I’ll forgive you this once. You two there—go outside with that woman and guard the entrance. Don’t come in until I call for you.”
“Yes!”
“Ah, yes!”
The Bloodsword Sect Leader dragged the young man’s forearm roughly and entered the guest chamber.
“Huh?”
And in the next instant, the Bloodsword Sect Leader’s eyes widened in shock.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
From within the guest chamber where no one should have been, a young man twice as handsome as the guide approached, clapping his hands.
The young man’s mouth opened.
“Wow, enchanting people without saying a word. A man of such demonic charm that even with a mask and disguise, his allure cannot be hidden—his name is Dokgo Ak.”
“Shut your mouth, you bastard!”
“Don’t be embarrassed. Be proud, be amazed, be impressed—Dokgo Ak!”
“…?”
The Bloodsword Sect Leader’s face showed complete bewilderment as his head swiveled back and forth.
Then, in an instant, his eyes caught sight of a man and woman lying face-down in the corner of the room.
‘Could they be the guides?’
If so, then the one in the room and those who had guided him were….
“These bastards, surely not!”
The Bloodsword Sect Leader tightened his grip on his staff with urgency.
Whoosh!
But before he could even swing the staff, the Bloodsword Sect Leader saw something obscuring his vision.
It was something with calluses studded across it, hard and rigid….
‘A fist?’
Why was a fist here?
There had been no sign of an attack, nothing at all?
Whoosh! Crack!
The sound came three times, brief and quiet.
The Bloodsword Sect Leader’s neck twisted in a direction it should never have gone, then twisted back, and his body collapsed forward like a felled log.
Thud!
The young man, Dokgo Myeong, didn’t even glance at the fallen Bloodsword Sect Leader before rushing to open the guest chamber door and stepping outside.
Bang!
“Uh….”
But the situation outside was already finished.
Namgung Sohwa, the other guide who had come along, tilted her head and looked at Dokgo Myeong with a puzzled expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, no. It’s nothing.”
“Stop daydreaming and help me out.”
“Y-yes, of course.”
Dokgo Myeong seized the belts of the two unconscious guards and hurled them into the VIP room with swift, practiced motions.
Namgung Sohwa exhaled a sigh of relief.
“I thought everything would fall apart when the Bloodsword Sect Leader suddenly sent his guards outside.”
“Fortunately, the old fool was distracted elsewhere, so we subdued him without much difficulty.”
Dokgo Myeong glanced sideways at Dokgo Ak.
“But why do you look like that?”
“Why would I look any particular way? Why would I….”
Dokgo Ak clutched his head, overwhelmed by an unsettling feeling, and shook it vigorously.
Then he cast his eyes sideways to observe Dokgo Myeong.
‘But this bastard, even if he ambushed someone caught off guard, to subdue a martial master of an established clan so easily….’
Admittedly, the Bloodsword Sect Leader was a heterodox martial artist whose skills had deteriorated with age.
But still, the Bloodsword Sect Leader was the master of an entire faction. Subduing such a person so swiftly that he couldn’t even resist was far from easy.
‘Could this bastard possibly….’
Dokgo Ak regarded Dokgo Myeong with suspicious eyes.
Could he have reached a new realm without anyone knowing?
“Brother, what are you doing? Snap out of it!”
“Huh?”
“Hurry up and get this old man on his feet, then seat him in the chair. We need to make sure there’s nothing suspicious when viewed from outside.”
“Oh, right! Got it!”
“Ugh, when will this fool ever grow up?”
“I said I got it….”
Dokgo Ak quickly rose and seated the Bloodsword Sect Leader in the chair, positioning him to face the arena.
Namgung Sohwa, observing this, asked in a voice that had grown more serious.
“Will this work? Won’t there be any problems?”
“When I surveyed this place last time, I learned that the VIP rooms are rarely frequented. Especially not during a match.”
“Hmm….”
“Of course, variables can still arise. Someone might come looking, or someone might pass by and notice you’re not actually guides.”
“What should we do then?”
“I’m leaving the judgment to you.”
“Me?”
“Dokgo Ak is still inexperienced. But I can trust you with this. However, do your best to escape if needed. You remember the planned exit route, don’t you?”
“…But you said there was something we needed to retrieve from the auction house?”
“We’ll abandon it. Your safety matters more.”
Namgung Sohwa nodded.
“Understood.”
“Good, then do your best.”
“That wanderer looked quite strong. Will you be alright?”
“Who are you worried about right now?”
“Even monkeys fall from trees.”
“I won’t fall. Don’t worry.”
Namgung Sohwa said.
“Be careful.”
Dokgo Myeong grinned widely.
“Careful? I’m going to beat them senseless and come back.”
“…?”
* * *
A man who was once Manpaknoesa’s disciple, the first subordinate of a truly unhinged master, and formerly a back-alley gambler.
Geum Seok-du had now become a guide for the Bloodfiend Sect.
“Huh? Who are you? I haven’t seen your face before.”
“Ah, I’m a newly hired guide. This person is a champion fighter for the Bloodsword Sect Leader, and he’s the elite vagrant swordmaster Yeom Jeok who will be fighting the Invincible One this time. Is there something you need?”
“…Ah, no. It’s nothing. Go on.”
Though members of the Bloodfiend Sect who passed by tried to strike up a conversation, Geum Seok-du smoothly brushed them off without changing his expression.
‘Acting is essential if you want to be a con artist.’
What more could be said.
Geum Seok-du was skilled at acting too.
“Come this way, champion. This is it.”
Soon after arriving at the waiting area, Yeom Jeok opened the door and stepped inside.
‘Hmm, this is quite nice.’
They said the Bloodfiend Sect had been raking in money lately, and it certainly looked that way.
The room had weapons and clothing laid out, a bed for rest, and even alcohol and simple snacks prepared.
Yeom Jeok leisurely strolled around the room, pocketing jade ornaments and gold decorations he spotted here and there. These were all nice little side profits.
“Once I complete this contract, that’s six thousand taels. With the money I’ve saved, retirement isn’t just a dream anymore.”
Yeom Jeok chuckled and settled into a chair, lifting a wine bottle.
It was while he continued drinking.
“…Yes… here….”
“…went in… you join….”
Voices from outside the door reached his keen ears.
Right after.
Crash!
Someone kicked open the door and burst into the waiting room.
“Oh my! Senior Yeom Jeok! How long has it been? I never expected you’d come as a champion!”
“Huh?”
Yeom Jeok’s eyes widened.
Some young man had entered with a beaming smile, acting overly familiar.
“What? Who are you?”
“My goodness, you don’t remember me? Aren’t you the senior I worked with on several contracts in the Honam vagrant circles?”
“I did work there, but… I have no memory of having a junior like you.”
“No, you really don’t remember?”
“That’s right.”
Yeom Jeok’s eyes narrowed.
The young man, Dokgo Myeong, let out a deep sigh before speaking.
“I’m disappointed. Didn’t you tell me the story of how you came to learn the blade-drawing technique from a senior, and inform me about how I got cheated out of money by that Bloodfiend bastard from the Honam Wanderer’s Guild on my first commission, and teach me a few sword techniques while you were at it?”
“Huh?”
What is this? How does he know that?
While I do enjoy talking, that was information I only shared with people I was genuinely close to.
‘Is he really someone I know?’
Yeom Jeok glared at Dokgo Myeong with suspicious eyes.
Seeing his thoughts written plainly on his face, Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly.
‘How many top-tier wanderers with special rank exist in all of Zhongyuan? It’s been a while, Senior Yeom Jeok.’
Just as the most renowned masters in the martial world inevitably know each other, top-tier wanderers in the Wanderer’s Guild often cross paths.
Dokgo Myeong, a former top-tier wanderer—or rather, a top-tier wanderer in his past life—had frequently entangled with Yeom Jeok.
“Stop. That’s enough. Don’t come any closer.”
Yeom Jeok halted Dokgo Myeong at the exact distance where his blade would touch him.
Dokgo Myeong grinned and extended his hand.
“…What is this?”
“Can’t you tell by looking?”
“What?”
“The Blackfiend Gesture. Surely you didn’t forget after teaching it to me directly? Wait, are you really Yeom Jeok?”
“What? How dare you suspect me—”
“Ha! So you’re not really Senior Yeom Jeok? Tell me! Who are you!”
This madman charges in and then suspects me? What’s his problem?
‘That aside… what is that?’
Yeom Jeok’s eyes wavered.
It wasn’t just an extended hand. The finger formation was unusual.
Just as he said, it was the Blackfiend Gesture. It was something only acquaintances or those involved could know.
“Ha, so you really were a junior?”
“I told you so?”
Yeom Jeok removed his hand from his sword hilt and extended his fingers in kind.
As their hands met, the character for “blade” formed in the empty space between them.
And that was the moment.
“I knew it would work on you.”
“Huh?”
Power surged through Dokgo Myeong’s fingers, and in an instant, they twisted around Yeom Jeok’s.
“Ugh!”
*Crack!*
Yeom Jeok quickly pulled his hand away.
But he was a moment too late. His wrist twisted, and a terrible pain shot through the meridian near his elbow.
“Gack! I knew something was off!”
Yeom Jeok drew his sword with his opposite hand like a flash and swung it down.
Clang! Boom!
The blades clashed and a thunderous explosion erupted.
Dokgo Myeong clicked his tongue.
‘Tsk, he’s not quite on that old man’s level.’
Even using sensory suppression to lower his guard, a top-tier master was still a top-tier master.
Especially since the Bloodsword Sect Leader was damaged and caught off-guard, while I’m in my prime and a seasoned wanderer.
If a surprise attack alone could subdue him, he wouldn’t deserve the title of top-tier. Dokgo Myeong knew this better than anyone.
‘Still, one hand is more than enough for this.’
Dokgo Myeong grinned wickedly.
Yeom Jeok swung his sword in frustration.
“You! Who are you!”
“I told you, I’m your junior. You probably don’t remember.”
“Are you insane?”
“I don’t understand why people keep calling me insane these days.”
Then, Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened.
“Fine, I’ll give you insanity. Now that I think about it, I’m getting angry too. Back then, you beat me half to death because you didn’t like the new top-tier.”
“What, what?”
“So prepare yourself. I’ve come to settle the grudge from my past life!”
Boom! Crash!
Sword and hand intertwined.
It was a tremendous surge of internal energy and impact.
I thought he only played with hand techniques centered on golden energy, but his fist forms were as sharp as wielding a bright blade and precious sword.
‘This won’t do. I need to seize the momentum.’
Whoosh!
This time Yeom Jeok brought his sword down with full force.
In that instant, I saw Dokgo Myeong suddenly push his hand into the descending blade.
‘This foolish bastard!’
He seemed to think he could repay the debt of my broken wrist.
Yeom Jeok poured more violent internal energy into his blade.
And that was his fatal mistake.
Whoosh! Crash!
Dokgo Myeong’s hand never collided with the blade.
His hand traced a gentle curve, touching the flat of the sword, and pushed it away smoothly.
Hongcheon Palm, Jecheon-gi.
Jecheon-gi was a martial art that became more effective the stronger the opponent’s force.
Boom!
The blade flew helplessly to the side.
An entirely exposed opening.
Dokgo Myeong grinned wickedly and lunged forward.
“It was good seeing you. Let’s grab a meal together next time.”
“This…!”
Crash!
Yeom Jeok crumpled under the devastating strike of the Hwacheon Technique.
Of course, the invitation to share a meal was merely a polite farewell.
Wasn’t that what one said when there was nothing else to say?
* * *
Dokgo Myeong hastily crumpled Yeom Jeok’s body and hid it behind the bed where no one from the sect could see, then changed into his clothes and armor.
Though their builds and appearances differed, once he donned the garments and adjusted the face mask slightly, the resemblance became passable.
“I’ll make good use of this. For today, I must play the senior disciple.”
Of course, once this martial tournament concluded, Yeom Jeok’s disappearance, the Bloodsword Sect Leader’s death, and the full extent of this crude scheme would all be revealed.
But by then, the Bloodfiend Sect overseeing Mandeung would be far too overwhelmed to notice.
‘No, I’ll make sure they are.’
That was when it happened.
Boom!
“What’s going on!”
“What in the…?”
The Disciples of the Bloodfiend Sect, sensing the commotion, burst into the waiting room.
What they saw was a room in complete disarray and Dokgo Myeong standing tall in its center.

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