Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 167

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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 167
Dokgo Myeong and his companions remained at Milmilgok for a time.
Since commoners might arrive at any moment, they needed to clean up the aftermath. Behind the brilliant clashes of martial artists, there was always this tedious work of restoration that couldn’t be avoided.
Rumble!
Dokgo Ak hauled over building debris larger than his own frame and dumped it into a pit.
“Ugh! This is exhausting, so exhausting. Hnngh!”
Dokgo Ak straightened his back, tapping his waist with the back of his hand.
Geum Seok-du, who was nearby, approached with a bound leather pouch filled with water.
“You’ve worked hard. Would you care for some water?”
“Thanks. Hmm? What is this? The scent is a bit different.”
“I ground some wild tea leaves I found nearby with fruit juice.”
“Oh.”
Dokgo Ak’s eyes sparkled as he drank.
“Phew! This tastes incredible!”
Dokgo Ak caught his breath and grumbled.
“Why does this cleanup take so blasted long? Phew, my back’s about to snap.”
“This wasn’t an ordinary sect—it was an assassin stronghold. There’s no helping it.”
“I know, I know.”
Dokgo Ak surveyed the surroundings.
Because the battle had been so fierce, corpses, dangerous blades, and traces of poison appeared endlessly in all directions.
At least the reinforcements from the Open Sect had handled most of it, but the real problem was the buildings Milmilgok had used.
As befitted an assassin stronghold, all manner of traps, formation arrays, and hidden weapons remained intact, making demolition unavoidable.
Crash!
“Haha! Hahahaha!”
Dokgo Ak alternated his gaze between the collapsing building and Cheolmu-baek, who was roaring with laughter, letting out a hollow chuckle.
He was a walking disaster. How one man could obliterate everything with a single axe was beyond comprehension.
Geum Seok-du clicked his tongue and spoke.
“Is that even human?”
“When you just smash the entire building to pieces, traps and everything become useless.”
“No matter how strong one is, how can a person possibly…”
Dokgo Ak and Geum Seok-du simply laughed helplessly, watching that unbelievable sight.
As the building crumbled, a group of people suddenly rushed in from somewhere.
A young girl at the front of the group pointed at the collapsed debris and spoke.
“Clean it up.”
“…”
“No answer? Want to be buried in the ground? If I give an order, respond immediately. Did your mouths all get sick?”
Surprisingly, it was Ye-hwa and the group of converted assassins.
Ye-hwa was barking orders at the assassins while directing their work, and they obeyed her instructions despite their hesitation.
Dokgo Ak muttered with a troubled expression.
“That girl seems to have learned something rather wrong.”
“I can certainly understand what you learned from watching.”
“That said…”
Dokgo Ak glanced around before speaking.
“Where is that older brother of ours going and what is he doing? Is he slacking off again?”
“Ah, he’s been wandering around meddling in various things while drinking. After lunch, he said he’d help Namgung Sohwa organize her insights and went up the mountain.”
At those words, Dokgo Ak flinched. His expression looked quite troubled.
Dokgo Ak made a sound that could have been a sigh or a hollow laugh, then slowly rose from his seat.
“That was a good rest. I should get back to work too. Thanks for the water.”
Geum Seok-du looked at Dokgo Ak with slightly surprised eyes.
“What’s gotten into you? You’re usually the one trying to avoid work.”
“…Just because you use formal speech doesn’t mean you’re being respectful.”
“That’s not wrong, is it?”
“Are you picking a fight?”
“So why are you suddenly like this?”
“Ah, there’s no reason! I’m just doing it because I’m told to!”
Dokgo Ak shouted abruptly, then hurried off toward where the debris was piled.
His back and hair were drenched with sweat.
Among the group, Dokgo Ak had the strongest inner power after Dokgo Myeong. Yet he was this exhausted, which meant he wasn’t just pretending—he was genuinely working hard.
Geum Seok-du closed his mouth and murmured.
“He seems quite shocked.”
From this battle, Cheolmu-baek had finally learned to use his power efficiently, and Namgung Sohwa had suddenly reached her peak. Even Ye-hwa seemed to have undergone significant emotional growth, as the atmosphere around her had completely changed.
Yet among the group, only Dokgo Ak showed no major transformation.
Though he pretended otherwise, he was clearly shaken inside. The fact that he was training his external power following Dokgo Myeong’s advice while cleaning up proved it.
‘I suppose it makes sense.’
Dokgo Ak had the strongest foundation among the group. Perhaps he thought he’d fallen the furthest behind.
Thud! Thud!
Geum Seok-du watched as Dokgo Ak silently shouldered the debris and moved it.
A thought suddenly occurred to Geum Seok-du.
Would the old Dokgo Ak have done such work to become stronger?
Perhaps Dokgo Ak was already in a period of transition.
He simply didn’t realize it himself.
* * *
After two days of hectic cleanup work, the group finished their preparations to depart.
And before Dokgo Myeong stood exactly thirty-four assassins, lined up in neat rows and sitting on the ground.
Dokgo Myeong, with his arms crossed, glared at them before opening his mouth.
“We will begin moving now. Before that, I have something to convey.”
“…”
“If any of you don’t want to follow, are thinking of ambushing us during the journey, want revenge, want to poison the food, or anything like that—speak up now. If you tell me now, I’ll let it slide.”
At those words, Geum Seok-du beside him tilted his head in confusion.
“What do you mean by letting it slide?”
“I’ll kill you cleanly.”
“Yes.”
The assassins remained crouched, staring blankly up at Dokgo Myeong.
In that moment, Ye-hwa beside him blazed with intensity.
“No response?”
The assassins answered in unison.
“Yes, understood.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
Their voices remained utterly devoid of emotion.
Still, it was remarkable progress.
Dokgo Myeong nodded with satisfaction, then called out someone from among the assassins.
“You there. The one who answered well. Was it Number 113?”
“Yes.”
“Stand.”
Number 113 rose silently—true to his nature as an assassin.
“From now on, you’re the leader of these men. If anyone deserts or flees, report it to me.”
“What happens if I report them?”
“They get beaten senseless.”
“You mean the deserter?”
“No, you.”
“….”
Number 113 clamped his mouth shut.
This man Dokgo Myeong was difficult even for the assassins’ leader to comprehend.
“I’m not skilled enough to be a leader.”
“What skill? The skill to strangle people? This bastard still hasn’t come to his senses.”
“….”
“…Tsk! Now, everyone focus.”
Dokgo Myeong clapped his hands sharply, gathering attention.
Thirty-four pairs of frozen eyes converged on Dokgo Myeong.
It felt like standing in a fish market—goosebumps crawled across my skin.
Dokgo Myeong opened his mouth.
“From now on, this man is your leader. Why? Because he answers, offers opinions, and asks questions. In other words, he’s the most human among you. He’s the best you have. Any objections? Speak now.”
Whoosh!
As he spoke, radiating killing intent in waves, everyone fell silent.
With no one objecting, they all seemed satisfied.
Dokgo Myeong grinned and turned his head.
“Well then? Let’s depart!”
“Young master! Wait a moment!”
Geum Seok-du urgently stopped Dokgo Myeong.
“Ugh, what now!”
“Wait, what about all these supplies? Why are you trying to leave right away? The carriage is only for us to ride in. Were you planning to just abandon all of this here?”
Geum Seok-du pointed toward the back.
Countless boxes and bundles lay scattered there—half of Milmilgok’s wealth, the ritual implements used for sorcery, and the collection of martial manuals and texts that had been gathered since Salgok.
“I thought you had some plan in mind, so I didn’t bring it up… but I can procure pack animals and additional carriages right now.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled.
“Why would we need pack animals, Seok-du?”
“Pardon? But there’s so much luggage…”
“Besides, we have plenty of people, don’t we?”
“…?”
Dokgo Myeong grinned and glanced at the assassins.
“Well then, assassins. On your feet!”
The assassins rose, their eyes barely blinking.
Number 113 felt a twinge of unease.
Dokgo Myeong looked at the assassins standing motionless and spoke.
“What are you doing? Each of you, pick up a load.”
The assassins’ already rigid expressions hardened further.
Geum Seok-du’s mouth fell open in disbelief.
“Surely you don’t mean to travel all the way there like this?”
Dokgo Myeong simply laughed and climbed into the carriage.
Everyone shook their heads in unison.
* * *
Gwak Dae-ryong exhaled deeply.
The moment he spotted the group moving on the distant mountain, he knew they were coming, so he had picked up his bow and stepped outside.
He was somewhat relieved that Ye-hwa had left.
But what in the world was this…?
“Hey, Gwak. It’s been a while.”
“…”
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Gwak Dae-ryong stared intently at Dokgo Myeong.
“You were acting like you’d never see me again.”
“Things turned out this way. That’s how life goes—you never know how it will unfold.”
“You little…”
Gwak Dae-ryong’s lips trembled before he turned his head away.
“How many days has it been since we parted, and you’re already showing up?”
“Little one, how long has it been?”
“It’s been a fortnight. And please don’t call me that.”
Ye-hwa spoke with a sharp tone, then approached Gwak Dae-ryong and bowed her head deeply.
“I have returned.”
“Welcome back.”
Gwak Dae-ryong suddenly felt an ominous presence emanating from Ye-hwa. Still, he welcomed her nonetheless.
“Welcome. These past few days have been turbulent, but seeing your face washes away all my troubles.”
“I feel the same way.”
“Something about your demeanor seems different?”
“I’ve found something I want to do.”
Gwak Dae-ryong’s eyes widened.
“Something you want to do? What is it?”
“Yes, it’s eliminating wretches like the Milmilgok Sect Leader. I want to ensure that people like me never come into existence again.”
Gwak Dae-ryong exhaled sharply.
Ye-hwa suddenly seemed to have grown immensely.
A warm, swelling sensation bloomed in his chest—
“Now I understand why Father and that man always say such people are plagued by loose tongues. There were far too many like them in this world. From now on, I, as the Jeok-gung Baek Si, shall simply…”
“….”
What is this? What happened to her?
Gwak Dae-ryong whipped his head around and glared daggers at Dokgo Myeong.
“What? Why are you looking at me?”
“….”
As Dokgo Myeong shrugged, Gwak Dae-ryong released a sigh so heavy it seemed the earth itself might collapse.
“…And these people?”
Behind Dokgo Myeong stood a young man and woman in their early thirties.
Covered in dust and wearing exhausted expressions, they carried baggage with visibly poor dispositions.
“I told you. I’d take care of the descendants of Salgok.”
“Those are assassins?”
“Can’t you tell by looking?”
“No, what…”
His head spun.
Gwak Dae-ryong blinked silently for a long moment, organizing his thoughts before speaking again.
“Why did you bring them here?”
“It’s a gift for you and Ye-hwa.”
“What? How is this a gift… Ah…”
Gwak Dae-ryong trailed off, his eyes narrowing.
“You’re asking me to take them in and raise them?”
“Exactly.”
“You…”
Gwak Dae-ryong started to say something but clamped his mouth shut. Ye-hwa beside him also stared blankly at Dokgo Myeong in shock.
Dokgo Myeong simply chuckled.
Saving them would be beneficial for Gwak Dae-ryong himself as well.
Gwak Dae-ryong was the only person who could transform these wretches into ordinary people. He had already proven it himself.
At the same time.
It would also bring solace to the heart of a certain man of assassin’s origin, who still remembered the faces of the comrades he had personally shot dead.
Though I had no choice but to kill them in the past, by helping these assassins who now live because of me, I will resolve my inner demons.
And for a certain girl who has vowed never to create such people again, it will be a demonstration of possibility.
“….”
“….”
Gwak Dae-ryong and Ye-hwa were the sort of people who understood everything without needing to hear it all, so Dokgo Myeong saw no need to elaborate further.
It was then that Gwak Dae-ryong suddenly spoke.
“I don’t have the money to support these bastards.”
“I thought we’d need it anyway, so I brought it. Hey, assassin. Unload the cargo.”
Gwak Dae-ryong’s jaw dropped as he watched the bundles being untied one by one. Each bundle was piled high with precious ornaments and treasures.
“What is all this?”
“Money, obviously. And I also gathered up all the ritual implements and martial arts manuals that leaked out from the secret sect.”
“This is insane.”
Gwak Dae-ryong let out a hollow laugh.
“How is this any different from Salgok?”
“That’s your concern. Don’t waste away here in a daze—shape these juniors into proper people. Who knows? They might become reliable allies for Ye-hwa someday.”
Gwak Dae-ryong stared at the assassins with vacant eyes.
Then, suddenly, a strange thought occurred to him.
‘What about my retirement?’
A retirement starting with thirty-four assassins?
How was that retirement? He’d probably lose sleep worrying about what trouble they’d cause.
Was this really retirement? Was this really retirement?
Dokgo Myeong chuckled and spoke.
“Do your best.”
* * *
Dokgo Myeong and his party stayed for one day.
Gwak Dae-ryong set aside his thoughts about the Milmilgok assassins for now and spent considerable time talking with Ye-hwa. The mere sight of how much she had changed brought him great joy.
The next day, after seeing Dokgo Myeong off, Gwak Dae-ryong stood before the assassins.
“….”
“….”
Gwak Dae-ryong pressed his forehead.
“Sigh.”
He had secretly hoped they would run away, but not a single one fled—they just sat blankly in the courtyard.
Glancing over the wall, he saw:
“Who are those people?”
“What are they anyway?”
“What kind of outsiders….”
The villagers, having heard the rumors, had come near his home to look.
Dae-ryong suddenly felt his chest tighten.
‘Am I about to fall into a new inner demon?’
He endured it.
I had to endure it.
Soon enough, Gwak Dae-ryong understood what he needed to do with them.
“Juniors.”
“….”
“No answer? Did your mouths get sick, you bastards?”
“Yes.”
“From now on, internal energy is forbidden, secret techniques are forbidden, bows are forbidden… everything you learned from Milmilgok is simply forbidden. Understood?”
“Yes.”
Gwak Dae-ryong nodded.
“And from this moment on….”
The assassins focused intently on Gwak Dae-ryong.
“Learn farming.”
“Pardon?”
Thus, the remote mountain village gained precious young laborers.
Gwak Dae-ryong was certain this was right.

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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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