Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 169

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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 169
Whoosh!
The sword halted in mid-air.
The motionless blade slowly rotated, then stabbed the empty space with precision before freezing once more.
Crack!
This time, as I brought the sword down and paused before returning it to its original position, I slightly altered the trajectory and drew a diagonal line downward to the lower right before stopping.
The elderly Swordsman continued moving the blade in discrete, segmented motions.
Rather than practicing forms or sword techniques, the purpose seemed to be positioning the sword at precise locations—a method typically employed when novices first entering the sect or conscripted soldiers were learning basic movements.
Which made this all the more peculiar.
This old man had no need for such training.
The old man’s name was Dokgo Cheon.
He was a swordsman said to have reached the most exalted position with the blade in all the realm.
Dokgo Cheon turned his body with one hand clasped behind his back and the other holding the sword loosely at his side.
“You’ve arrived?”
“I pay my respects to the Household Head.”
The Black Dragon Sect Leader, Lee Seong-cheon, bowed briefly and spoke.
“I didn’t realize you were in the midst of training. I shall withdraw and return later.”
“It wasn’t truly training, so think nothing of it and come closer.”
Lee Seong-cheon gazed at the sword in Dokgo Cheon’s hand.
“It seems like a very long time since I’ve seen you wield a sword directly.”
Dokgo Cheon lifted the blade slightly.
As I gazed upon the keen edge of my cherished blade, Yeokrin, I let out a soft chuckle.
“Indeed, now that I think about it, it has been quite some time since I’ve wielded it.”
Drawing the sword itself was a rare occurrence.
The most recent time had been when I sought to test that troublesome grandson of mine, and before that, I had gone so long without holding a blade that the years were nearly uncountable.
Shing! Click!
Dokgo Cheon sheathed the sword smoothly.
Lee Seong-cheon suddenly felt his breathing ease without knowing why. He hadn’t even been aware of any tightness in his chest until now.
“Have you gained any insights, sir?”
Dokgo Cheon answered Lee Seong-cheon’s question with a question of his own.
“What does it look like to your eyes?”
“Forgive me. At my current level, I could discern nothing, but…”
Lee Seong-cheon spoke thus, seeming to ponder for a moment before continuing with difficulty.
“It appeared to be a sword technique focused entirely on offense.”
“Why did you perceive it that way?”
“Because the movements appeared to be the most efficient ones for taking the initiative in attack.”
“So that’s how it appeared. You’ve come far, or perhaps you still have much further to go.”
Dokgo Cheon spoke matter-of-factly while gazing at the sky.
“I’ve already determined the intent of the sword, yet I cannot discern whether this can truly manifest it. It feels like mere wordplay and hollow insight, yet conversely, the answer seems tantalizingly close.”
It was a statement as elusive as grasping at clouds.
These were the words of an absolute master who had transcended completion and reached the celestial realm. It was only natural that they were not easily understood.
“If you are the Household Head, you could surely infuse anything into your blade. If you cannot infuse it, then it must be something originally impossible. Who in all the world could accomplish what you cannot?”
Dokgo Cheon chuckled heartily while gripping his sword.
“You’ve grown old too. That taciturn man of yours has resorted to flattery.”
“….”
“So then, what is this about?”
At Dokgo Cheon’s words, Lee Seong-cheon withdrew a letter from his robes.
“I have brought news that should prove intriguing.”
Dokgo Cheon’s eyes shifted.
The only news that could capture the interest of one who had recently withdrawn from all matters concerned a single person.
“Is it about Myeong-a?”
“Yes, it is. It appears he is conducting affairs in quite an unconventional manner.”
“Let me see it.”
Dokgo Cheon read through the letter in full. Though the contents should not have changed, he read it several times in succession before letting out a hollow laugh.
“I truly cannot fathom who this boy takes after.”
“….”
“What is your assessment?”
Lee Seong-cheon exhaled a long breath.
“It is difficult to say with certainty.”
“Your words of uncertainty have been frequent today.”
“Young Master always moves contrary to my subordinate’s expectations, so I am cautious in my judgments.”
“Still, speak your mind.”
Lee Seong-cheon spoke in a measured voice.
“The situation appears unfavorable.”
“Because there are too many enemies?”
“Yes. The rift with Moyong cannot be mended, the Jeongheol Sect sharpens their blades in the shadows, and the two factions of the Main Sect circle behind him.”
Dokgo Cheon nodded as if urging him to continue. Lee Seong-cheon spoke on calmly.
“Of these, an attack from the Jeongheol Sect should pose no problem. Since Young Master’s martial prowess has reached the pinnacle, it would not be a significant threat.”
“Then?”
“Moyong’s intentions are the greater concern, and the Main Sect’s inaction is the secondary one.”
Lee Seong-cheon’s gaze grew more solemn.
“In truth, Moyong has already secured sufficient public sentiment and opinion to strike at Young Master Myeong at any time. The reason they deliberately prolong this is….”
Lee Seong-cheon’s eyes became grave.
“It appears they are artificially amplifying the controversy to establish the Alliance.”
“Controversy and attention are separated by the thinnest of lines. They are deliberately drawing the world’s gaze….”
Dokgo Cheon nodded.
“How far along do you assess this has progressed?”
“Hwangbo has been completely won over, Jegal is at seventy percent or more, and the Peng Family appears to be at roughly half. The agreements beneath the surface have likely already been finalized.”
“So all that is needed is a catalyst.”
Constructing an alliance creates countless collisions of interests.
That’s why justification and opportunity were crucial.
A great enemy, a cause worth believing in, the gains to be had through alliance, or….
‘Demonstrating overwhelming power and compelling others to follow.’
Moyong would display his strength and walk the path of a tyrant. His conduct thus far had been consistent with this.
“Are you planning to make Myeong-i into a great evil?”
“Since the Gaebang is entangled in this situation, we could target them together as well.”
The plan was to make Dokgo Myeong a villain, remove the Gaebang from power, and have Moyong eliminate them both.
Then what would happen?
From Moyong’s perspective, a perfect narrative would be created—both blood revenge and the completion of a righteous cause.
However, Dokgo Cheon expressed doubt.
“If that’s all there is to it, it’s too clumsy. The Moyong Family Head is narrow-minded, true, but not incompetent.”
“What do you mean by that, sir?”
“It seems there’s another reason why he’s carefully targeting Myeong-i.”
Dokgo Cheon gazed into empty space as if calculating something.
Soon his eyes gleamed.
“The Namgung Family’s Daughter.”
“Pardon?”
“You said the Moyong Family coveted the Namgung Family’s Daughter’s martial arts.”
“Yes, sir. It was written in the notice you spread. Most people thought it was unlikely.”
Dokgo Cheon suddenly let out a scornful laugh.
“So it was true after all.”
“Then…?”
“This is no laughing matter. Not content with harboring blood-crazed demons in their household, they covet others’ martial arts as well. They’ve truly fallen into ruin.”
At those words, Lee Seong-cheon, who had been pondering, widened his eyes.
“In the process of securing the Namgung Family’s Daughter, they can’t make too much noise, so they’re carefully manipulating public opinion instead? How pathetically clumsy….”
Dokgo Cheon clicked his tongue disapprovingly.
Yet clumsy or not, the situation was quite difficult for Dokgo Myeong.
The reason was simple.
The Gaebang was helping with the war of public opinion, but they couldn’t openly provide full support. A massive faction like the Gaebang openly defending an individual would itself become controversial.
“Knowing this situation, the outer sects and the Elder Council are targeting your back, sir… It’s a siege from all sides.”
Dokgo Cheon laughed.
“But you didn’t find the situation entirely hopeless, did you?”
Lee Seong-cheon made an enigmatic expression.
“As I mentioned, sir, you are one who favors unconventional methods.”
“Unconventional. Yes, unconventional….”
…?”
Dokgo Cheon thought of his grandson.
How to describe him.
Even in the eyes of Dokgo Cheon, who had witnessed the old Gangho, he was a person far removed from common sense.
In a word, he was like a madman. He did things that should not be done by rational and calculated standards, instead acting on sentiment and emotion.
Yet in doing so, he captivates people’s attention and exudes a charisma that draws them to follow him.
Unconventional.
Was it truly unconventional?
Perhaps most people simply avoided or endured such things out of necessity, bound by practical reasons and justifications.
Unlike them, I simply act first and see what happens. I merely follow my emotions, and perhaps it cannot be called unconventional at all.
“Seong-cheon, have you also seen the contents of the letter?”
“Yes, I have.”
“It appears Myeong-i has chosen this as the method to break through that encirclement. What are your thoughts?”
“If I may speak honestly….”
“Go ahead.”
Lee Seong-cheon’s lips twitched slightly.
His face appeared as though he were smiling.
“It seems the success or failure of this matter is not particularly important.”
“Why is that?”
“It appears you care nothing for grand justifications and simply dream of a bold frontal assault.”
Dokgo Cheon chuckled and gazed at the letter once more.
The letter contained several matters, and at the end was written the content of a proclamation that I had penned.
…I am aware that numerous rumors follow my name.
Do you desire evidence regarding Moyong? If necessary, I shall reveal it.
Do you suspect me? If necessary, let us test our martial prowess.
On the Dragon Boat Festival, I shall await the various warlords at Deungyongji.
Black and white paths, orthodox and unorthodox sects, allies and enemies—if courtesy is observed, I welcome anyone who walks the Gangho.
The date of the Dragon Boat Festival carries profound significance.
Long ago, Qu Yuan, a loyal minister of the ancient Chu kingdom, was exiled by treacherous officials. When he later heard that Chu had fallen to Qin, he threw himself into the river. It is said that upon hearing this, countless boats were launched onto Dongting Lake, yet neither his body nor any trace was ever found.
Thereafter, boats were launched onto the river each year in commemoration, and this is said to be the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival.
Dongting Lake is located in Honam.
And Honam is Dokgo’s land—when the steadfast loyal minister from the ancient tale is compared to me, a truly ironic story is completed.
The invitation to the warlords was a reenactment of that tale.
The final sentence was as follows:
A man’s word is worth its weight in gold. The words I inscribed upon the proclamation remain valid.
If you do not fear me, why does Moyong spread rumors and slander?
If you are unafraid, come find me on the Dragon Boat Festival, where the grudge began.
The words were unexpectedly refined, but in essence, they meant this:
-You spread rumors while claiming to be martial families?
-Stop whining and come. Won’t you? Are you scared?
Dokgo Cheon laughed heartily.
He thought, what kind of childish provocation was this?
Yet such childish provocations were precisely the kind that worked best.
“Will Moyong actually move?”
“If they do not respond, they become cowards.”
“If you move, Myeong-i’s life will be in danger too.”
At minimum, an elder-class master from the Moyong Family would step forward, and their martial warriors would arrive as well.
Furthermore, the Moyong Family had no reason to keep me alive. Their pride had been thoroughly wounded, so they must be desperate to kill me.
What about the Dokgo Household?
Since my location couldn’t be determined, they couldn’t issue a recall order—but now my position had finally been pinpointed.
At Dano Festival, at Deungyongji.
Everyone targeting me would gather in one place.
* * *
I had already arrived near Deungyongji and rented a manor.
Ju Won-gwang sighed and asked.
“Do you have a liver made of stone? You’re really not bothered at all?”
“Why would we fight by spreading rumors like children? Let’s gather them all in one place and see what happens. I have nothing to fear.”
“….”
Ju Won-gwang clamped his mouth shut.
I gestured to Ju Won-gwang with my chin and asked.
“You’re saying the preparations are all complete? Don’t tell me you’re going to be half-hearted like last time.”
“Don’t worry. But the Moyong side will bring plenty of fabricated evidence.”
“Doesn’t matter. Since they came at me dirty first, I’ll come at them dirty too.”
“In any case….”
At that moment, wind swept through the manor.
I furrowed my brow.
‘What is this?’
The air felt different.
It wasn’t killing intent or hostility. An unidentifiable qi wave was felt.
“Brother. This is… a considerable master. Could it be the Moyong side again?”
Ju Won-gwang muttered.
Around that time, the five vice-commanders of the Chamma Corps, who had been training near the manor, also gathered nearby, though a step late.
Whoooosh!
The atmosphere around them suddenly grew heavy.
I let out a low chuckle.
“This isn’t the Moyong side.”
I lifted my head sharply upward.
Something was descending from the sky, fluttering down.
Boom!
A giant figure landed with a crushing impact and slowly rose to his feet.
No, it wasn’t just one giant.
Armed soldiers were leaping over the manor’s walls and pouring in all at once.
“First meeting, Pae-ryong. I am the Cheonryeong General.”
It was the Jeongheol Sect.
The corners of my mouth curved upward.
“Yes, I knew you would come once I revealed my location.”

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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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