Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 173

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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 173
“I saw it clearly. I am a Sado of the White Lotus Sect and the sect leader’s emissary.”
“No wonder there was something amateurish about you. So that’s what it was.”
“….”
Dokgo Myeong shifted the direction of the conversation.
“Was the Yeong-myeol Army Commander one of your people as well?”
“There’s no ‘side’ to speak of. Unless they’re high-ranking commanders, most simply follow the sect, I would think.”
“So he wasn’t one of yours after all. But then why were you curious about his final moments? He was your enemy.”
The Cheonryeong General spoke calmly.
“He was a disciple I taught, however brief our connection. If he’s dead, I should at least hear how he went. The sect won’t remember him.”
At those words, Dokgo Myeong clicked his tongue.
He became certain that everything this man had said so far held no falsehood.
Dokgo Myeong asked.
“If you’re opposed to the sect leader, why did you become a general? What reason did you have to crawl beneath the sect leader’s authority?”
“To preserve the sect’s lineage, someone had to reach a high position. I volunteered.”
“Why abandon the easier path?”
“The easier path?”
“Whether it’s the White Lotus Sect or anything else, if the teachings steal lives, it’s a hundred times better to abandon them. What good is maintaining a lineage?”
The Sado chuckled softly.
“The problem has always been not the teachings, but the people who follow them. Haven’t you experienced that? The hardship of taking on suffering for those who follow you?”
“….”
I had. Plenty of it. The Cheonma Sect had been that way.
Dokgo Myeong stared into the Cheonryeong General’s eyes for a moment.
He looked somewhat tired and worn.
Well, after tormenting him for nearly two hours straight, it would be hard not to be exhausted.
“How old are you?”
“I’m not certain of the exact number. I’ve passed fifty, and I still have quite a bit before sixty.”
“You look older than your years.”
“….”
“I thought you’d long passed sixty. You look ten years older. Time has struck you directly.”
Beside him, Ju Won-gwang pressed his temples as if dizzy.
But Dokgo Myeong hadn’t spoken carelessly.
‘Even without cultivating the Zhu’an technique, could this be right?’
Martial prowess doesn’t necessarily cause rebirth of bones and flesh or slow aging. But the appearance of those who’ve reached the upper realms should look younger than ordinary people, never older.
“When one cultivates blood arts, strain falls upon the upper and middle dantians. Like evil techniques, they’re easy to learn and quick to master, but the mind and body suffer greatly for it. That’s why the masters of Sima Waidao become so eccentric.”
“….”
“The upper dantian is well-known, and the middle dantian is the core of blood circulation and human movement. To touch both of these… blood arts are a martial study with great costs. Do you understand?”
The Cheonryeong General nodded.
“I do.”
“How many years do you have left?”
“Roughly ten years. There’s still time enough.”
“Did you learn it without knowing?”
“I understand. If one learns flawed martial arts through flawed methods, paying the price is only natural.”
It was a calm response.
Dokgo Myeong closed his eyes gently, then opened them again.
“Tsk, truly bothersome.”
Dokgo Myeong glanced subtly around the surroundings.
“Dokgo Ak, Sohwa. Put away your swords. Seok-du, you and Sohwa tend to their wounds. Ak-i, you and Ye-hwa prepare some drinks. Mu-baek, scout the perimeter.”
The Cheonryeong General regarded Dokgo Myeong with puzzled eyes.
Soon a low table laden with drinks was set up on the veranda facing the courtyard.
Dokgo Myeong placed wine cups before the Cheonryeong General, the two other commanders, himself, and Ju Won-gwang, filling each one generously.
“From now on, call me Sado.”
The Cheonryeong General—or rather, Sado—expression became peculiar.
Dokgo Myeong lifted his cup.
“You’ve spoken much, so your throat must be parched. Have a drink. Let’s wet our throats first.”
Dokgo Myeong drained his cup in one long gulp.
Ju Won-gwang watched for a moment, then downed his cup as well, after which Sado grasped his own.
At that moment, the Yeonggwi Military Commander whispered from beside him.
“…Sado.”
“That’s improper. Set it aside.”
The Yeonggwi Military Commander, oblivious to the hint, produced a silver hairpin, but Sado flatly refused and drained his cup.
Thus everyone silently emptied their cups in succession.
Dokgo Myeong gazed at the drinking table and let out a long sigh.
‘I truly don’t understand anymore. How did I end up like this?’
No matter how much this was a new life, I was sitting at the same table sharing drinks with members of the Jeongheol Sect.
No, if I were still Dokgo Hyeon, I wouldn’t have sat at the same table or spoken at such length. One of us would already be dead. Had it been a life-or-death duel, my side would have had casualties too. Someone might have died.
“Heh, life truly is…”
Each time I lifted my cup, laughter leaked out uncontrollably.
I knew better than anyone that life’s affairs were unpredictable, but this seemed to exceed all bounds.
After chuckling to myself for a moment, I soon wiped the smile from my face and spoke.
“Now, the second bottle. I’ll give you the time it takes to finish this entire bottle.”
“…?”
“Convince me. Give me a reason why I should help you.”
Sado refilled his cup and spoke.
“We possess considerable information about the sect…”
“That the headquarters continuously changes location, that the sect leader and the great commanders are masters of the Wuji realm, that Heuk-hyeol among the left and right demon commanders has infiltrated the Central Plains—and so forth. Is there information beyond this?”
“How did you…”
“That’s not important. Rather, reveal the identities of the sect members who’ve infiltrated the Central Plains.”
“The commanders only know the identities of those under their own commands. Perhaps we could offer payment instead…”
“Are you unaware that I control the distribution rights of the southern Central Plains trade routes?”
“Then, regarding a method to counter the sect’s martial techniques….”
“That’s intriguing. But wouldn’t that alone make the deal unbalanced?”
The two men continued exchanging questions while drinking.
When I finally poured the last cup, Dokgo Myeong tilted the bottle to show it was empty and smiled crookedly.
Sado nodded his head.
“From the start, this wasn’t something I could speak of. What do you desire?”
“Betray them.”
“…!”
“It needs to be a complete betrayal. Your name should appear on every disciple’s death list. Especially the news of the Singnyeo’s escape must reach the ears of all the military commanders.”
At my resolute words, Sado’s eyes trembled faintly.
“In the Jeongheol Sect’s terms, you’d become a heretic. Bring everything you have and cross over to our side. If you can’t present conditions beyond what I’ve already stated, this is the only answer.”
“Surely….”
Sado closed his mouth for a moment, then spoke as if forcing out the words.
“You intend to use the Singnyeo and me as bait?”
“Bait—let’s think of it differently. If you’ve defected, you should earn your keep by being protected. Consider bait as one of those roles.”
“I cannot place the Singnyeo in danger.”
“Then this meeting ends here. This is the final cup. Drink it.”
“If I drink and stand from this seat, will you let me leave as is?”
I shook my head.
“That’s not possible.”
“….”
“Sado, we are warriors of the martial realm.”
I shook my head as I spoke, then lifted only one leg. It was an informal posture with my elbow resting on my knee, yet it appeared entirely natural.
“….”
Sado gazed down at the final cup with a troubled expression.
‘Should I leave this place again as is?’
The blood path was already unsealed. With the help of the soldiers withdrawn outside, escape would succeed.
But then what?
Would I flee from the Jeongheol Sect? Would that even be possible?
And then would I need to find another helper? When I don’t even know who in the Central Plains opposes the Blood Sect, or who the hidden disciples are?
“Sigh, True Emptiness, Home Village, Birthless Mother….”
He recited the eight-character true mantra he’d never heard before in his life, then lifted the cup.
Gulp!
Sado’s Adam’s apple moved greatly.
When he lowered his hand again, the cup was no longer in it. Only dust the same color as the cup scattered from his hand along with his inner energy.
Sado spoke.
“May I make one request, not for myself but for the few people I lead?”
“What is it?”
“I am fine. The Singnyeo has no choice either. But if we come under your command, can you promise not to treat us like slaves?”
At those words, the Five Cheonma Sect Elders all smiled enigmatically in unison.
While Sado looked bewildered, Geum Seok-du stepped forward and spoke.
“At the very least, our Young Master would never place a leash around someone’s neck and drag them about. If he were that sort of man, none of us here would follow him.”
“That doesn’t change anything, Seok-du.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly and turned his head away.
“I promise you.”
“I’ll trust you.”
Dokgo Myeong lifted a fresh bottle of liquor.
“Leave behind a contact, and bring the Singnyeo. When you do, I’ll open this bottle. If you don’t come, then I’ll be a fool deceived by the Jeongheol Sect’s words. I hope that won’t happen.”
“Have no worries.”
Dokgo Myeong drained his final cup as well.
This strange and unexpected drinking session ended just like that.
* * *
“It shouldn’t take long. However….”
“What is it?”
“If the escape succeeds, there will likely be pursuit. I’ll need assistance. I’ll send a contact.”
“Do so.”
Sado seemed confused. He had come to make a request, but it appeared he hadn’t expected everything to be laid bare like this, nor had he anticipated being put in the position of the weaker party and pushed into a corner.
Dokgo Myeong, seeing through this, spoke.
“Sado.”
“I’m listening.”
“Let’s both remember the words we exchanged before the drinks arrived.”
Sado offered a bitter smile, then brought his palms together in a respectful bow.
“I’m grateful for your guidance.”
Unlike most monks, he had hair, wore ordinary clothes, and carried the scent of alcohol—yet his gesture carried the dignity of a venerable master of great renown.
“Go carefully.”
“I’ll see you again soon.”
“Ah, wait.”
Dokgo Myeong called out to Sado, who was turning to leave with a faint smile.
“I almost forgot the most important thing.”
“What is it?”
“Say one thing before you go.”
“What should I say?”
Dokgo Myeong spoke.
“Call the Jeongheol Sect Master a bastard.”
“….”
“Go on, say it. What are you doing? Don’t tell me you won’t?”
Sado exhaled a deep sigh as though emptying his lungs completely of air.
The Five Cheonma Sect Elders gazed toward distant mountains, and Ju Won-gwang squeezed his eyes shut.
Sado reluctantly opened his mouth.
“The Jeongheol Sect Master is a bastard….”
Dokgo Myeong nodded with satisfaction.
“Yes, very good indeed.”
“….”
“What’s with that expression? Do you have something to say?”
“It was because of you.”
“Hm?”
“The sect sent word through the military commanders. They said there would likely be movements to identify disciples through this kind of question-and-answer exchange….”
“Ah, word of this has already spread?”
Dokgo Myeong smacked his lips, while Sado let out a hollow laugh.
“Then we’ll take our leave.”
Sado stomped the ground.
Dokgo Myeong watched silently as the three streaks of light receded into the distance.
Just then, Ju Won-gwang spoke from beside him.
“Brother, do you trust them?”
“There’s nothing to trust or distrust. If it’s a lie, I’ve already let them go so there’s nothing I can do about it, and if it’s true, they’ll escape somehow and become allies regardless.”
“How composed. Did you anticipate such a meeting?”
“Not at all.”
“Really?”
“But I did set things in motion at Deungyongji precisely so that such unexpected events would occur. This is only the beginning.”
Dokgo Myeong turned his body.
“We’ve gained one ally by chance, so the start is promising. I don’t know what kind of guests will come next, but Deungyongji might well become quite the entertaining festival ground.”
Dokgo Myeong’s gaze reached toward the distant horizon.
* * *
A brilliant yellow radiance, a faint blue glow, and an ominous crimson light—the tri-colored energy flashed.
Kwaaaang!
The shockwave resonated through the training ground with a deafening ring.
Above the thick iron sphere, three grooves wound like a serpent’s path had been carved.
Ching!
The sword that had left these marks naturally lowered.
Rather than breaking or cleaving the iron sphere, it had left a remarkable trace as if carved by a single blade—a wondrous sword technique.
“One is lacking.”
Moyong Tae, the patriarch of the Moyong Family, clicked his tongue. His face was filled with displeasure.
Yet as he said, one of the three lines was noticeably shallower than the others.
“With merely this….”
His eyes were beginning to tint with blood-red light.
“You called for me, Patriarch?”
A voice came from behind.
Moyong Tae gently closed and opened his eyes, and the blood-red hue vanished completely, revealing a pair of dark, murky pupils.
He turned his body with composure.
“Come here.”
There stood Moryong Sohgyo, a woman of the Moyong Family.
She bore the title of Jejiang’s First Beauty and the epithet Jade Ice Flower, her face taut with tension as she lowered her posture respectfully.
Muyong Tae spoke.
“Call me Uncle. Today I summoned you not as the family head, but as your uncle.”
“I… yes?”
“Why do you hesitate?”
“It is nothing, Uncle. My apologies.”
Moryong Sohgyo offered a radiant smile that belied her epithet of Jade Ice Flower as she greeted him.
‘What is this about?’
She was indeed Muyong Tae’s youngest niece. Her father had been Moyong Ryung, Muyong Tae’s youngest brother.
Yet Muyong Tae had never treated her as a niece. Rather, he had been hostile toward her.
Moyong Ryung was the youngest but of legitimate birth, while Muyong Tae was the eldest but born of a concubine.
“Since your father’s death, I have never called upon you. Do not fault me for being callous.”
“Not at all. I understand the weight of the family head’s position. How could I not comprehend it as your niece?”
Moryong Sohgyo’s eyes brightened as she continued.
“But may I ask why you have summoned me?”
“I hear you have turned twenty this year. Yet I also hear you have rejected every marriage proposal.”
“Ah, that is…”
As she hesitated, Muyong Tae spoke in a frigid tone.
“Is it because of your father’s death?”
Moryong Sohgyo shook her head firmly.
“How could that be? My father was a man of little consequence.”
“You know well.”
Muyong Tae let out a derisive laugh.
“A direct descendant of the great Moyong Family, playing in the skirts of a mere hanger-on, fell into Gi-wang’s trap and died abroad. I am so ashamed I cannot raise my head.”
Moryong Sohgyo’s father, Moyong Ryung.
He was none other than a direct descendant of Moyong who had been entangled in the Nine Flower Blood Calamity.
Moryong Sohgyo lowered her head with an expressionless face.
“I apologize that my father brought shame upon the family.”
She clenched her teeth, concealing her expression.
Certainly, she thought her father contemptible.
But still.
‘How could he say such things to me, his own daughter?’
Moreover, her father’s death was fraught with many unanswered questions.
Resentment surged within her. But she had to suppress it. She did not wish to die yet.
Muyong Tae let out a snort and spoke.
“You are making an effort.”
“…!”
“Do you think I cannot read your thoughts?”
“I… I do not understand what you mean, Uncle…”
“As the sole surviving direct bloodline, you possess both beauty and martial prowess, along with considerable strategic acumen. You must harbor some ambitions of your own. You’re simply holding your breath to preserve your life.”
Moryong Sohgyo’s eyes dimmed for a moment.
‘Was this place meant to be where I die?’
But then it happened.
“If you wish, I will spare your life.”
“…What?”
“You’re keeping your head down because you harbor ambitions of advancement and success, are you not? If you wish it, I can offer you a position within the main family. However, only if you accomplish one task for me.”
Moryong Sohgyo’s eyes gleamed.
‘This wasn’t a place of death—it was an opportunity.’
She spoke with a clear voice.
“Please give me your command.”
“Go to Dengyongji and meet a young man named Dokgo Myeong.”
“Dokgo Myeong? Isn’t he an enemy of the main family?”
“That’s correct.”
Muyong Tae smiled with a bitter edge.

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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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