Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 174

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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 174
The times were far from ordinary. The world had grown so turbulent that even such words seemed laughable.
The martial artists of the realm craved power, and that power had always been drawn from the blood and sweat of the commoners.
Even in years of plenty, many starved. Desperate commoners, driven to the brink, increasingly turned to crooked paths for survival.
Merchants became smugglers, fishermen became pirates, and farmers became bandits. As incidents and chaos multiplied throughout the martial realm, the people’s discontent spiraled downward, yet the authorities paid no heed.
This was not an age where the strong protected the weak. Even martial artists who were weak trembled in silence.
Righteous chivalry had fallen to the ground, and heroes and legends could not be found.
In such an atmosphere.
With the spring breeze came a young man who spoke of injustice and righteousness, raising his voice across the realm.
-I shall await the countless heroes at Deungyongji.
-Whether black path or white path, orthodox sect or heterodox sect, ally or enemy—if you conduct yourselves with propriety, all who have devoted themselves to the martial realm are welcome.
Hunan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang…. With the help of beggars from the Beggar Clan, the proclamation was posted everywhere across the Central Plains.
It was only natural that the eyes of the realm turned toward this.
Inevitably, the words about avenging a fallen friend and challenging the Moyong Family were brought back into the spotlight.
In truth, Dokgo Myeong did not merely speak—he had actually drawn Moyong blood since then.
There were suspicions that this was all orchestrated by the Dokgo Household, but their response was clear.
-As he himself stated, this is Dokgo Myeong’s independent decision.
The Dokgo Household has drawn a clear line between themselves and Dokgo Myeong.
Regardless of right or wrong, Dokgo Myeong’s refreshing audacity in such a suffocating age ignited the hearts of martial artists.
Of course, malicious rumors about Dokgo Myeong spread with wings.
Yet even slander was a form of attention, and the eyes of the realm became fixed upon Deungyongji.
Thus, on the morning of the Dragon Boat Festival, the sun rose bright.
It was the day of the promise written upon the proclamation.
* * *
Deungyongji was bustling from dawn.
Even without a martial tournament being held that year, Deungyongji was originally a famous scenic site that attracted many visitors.
Yet still, the crowds that gathered were several times greater than usual.
“Black martial robes with purple flower patterns… Could those be the Plum Blossom Swordsmen of Huashan?”
“What about those? They look like Paedobyeon over there….”
“Isn’t that the Leader of the Seomyeongseongdan? Why would a merchant leader involve himself in martial realm affairs….”
“Do you see that white-robed old man? Isn’t that the White-Robed Assassin?”
“Look over there. The yin-yang symbol—Taoists! Could it be the Zhenwu Pavilion? Elite Taoist disciples!”
Exclamations and murmurs of awe echoed throughout the area.
And for good reason—the assembly was magnificent. From those who stood alone at the pinnacle of the martial realm to members of sects, families, and merchant houses, the numbers were staggering.
“Is it really the case that so many great powers gather just because one young man posted a proclamation?”
“He’s no ordinary young man. They say he’s the supreme master who reached the highest realm faster than anyone in history.”
“What?”
“Moreover, not only did he challenge the Moyong Family single-handedly, but he’s also taken the Beggar Clan as allies, or so I’ve heard.”
“Anyone living in the martial realm cannot help but be curious!”
Those who came to challenge Dokgo Myeong’s reputation, those who came to maintain order, those who sought opportunity in between—yet the vast majority were drawn by simple curiosity.
Meanwhile, on the upper floor of the premium establishment at Dengyongji, there were those observing the spectacle below.
“Quite the commotion, isn’t it?”
“What else would you expect? This is hardly an ordinary matter.”
“True enough. Challenging the Moyong Family? They’re not called a Great House for nothing.”
“He must be mad. There are limits to arrogance. The title ‘Radiant Sword Dragon’ didn’t come from nowhere.”
A young man and woman conversed from the finest seat in the inn’s uppermost level.
It was Jegal Soso, the Foremost Flame of the Jegal Family, Paeng Gangseong, the Blade Dragon of the Paeng Family, and Hwangbo Yeol, whose expression was grim.
“Your words seem unusually sharp today.”
“…Is there a problem?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Paeng Gangseong crossed his arms and chuckled softly as he regarded Jegal Soso.
“You don’t seem to care much for this man Dokgo Myeong, do you?”
“What reason would I have to like him? The Dokgo Household’s pursuit of the Tyrant’s Way is well-known, but there are limits.”
“Ha, well.”
“Why do you laugh?”
“Do we have the right to criticize the Tyrant’s Way? I don’t think I do. What about you, Yeol?”
“….”
Paeng Gangseong glanced to the side with a teasing expression.
Hwangbo Yeol, who had been sitting in silence, turned his gaze away uncomfortably.
Jegal Soso’s face contorted further.
“Are you taking Dokgo Myeong’s side, Paeng?”
“Hm? Can’t you tell? Yes, I am.”
“…Are you insane?”
“I find this man Dokgo Myeong quite impressive. If one doesn’t feel a competitive spirit from his actions, how can one claim to be a martial artist?”
“Don’t speak well of that person.”
“What?”
“That person… is the one who severed Brother Lim’s head.”
Flames flickered in Jegal Soso’s eyes.
Paeng Gangseong also refrained from responding to that remark, for Jegal Soso had once been betrothed to Moyong Lim, who fell by Dokgo Myeong’s hand.
Moreover, even setting that aside, hadn’t numerous disciples of the later generation suffered humiliation at Dokgo Myeong’s hands during that gathering at Yongbongji?
‘Well, it’s not my concern anyway.’
Paeng Gangseong let out a scoff.
Though they belonged to the same Four Dragons, he had never particularly liked Moyong Lim. The man’s sinister nature was painfully obvious.
Conversely, though he had never met Dokgo Myeong, he found him quite appealing. The man kept his word and challenged the Moyong Family without hesitation, did he not?
‘He’s likely a chivalrous swordsman who cannot tolerate injustice, a true and taciturn warrior. I look forward to meeting him.’
Paeng Gangseong paid no attention to the sulking Jegal Soso and smiled knowingly.
Then, Hwangbo Yeol, who had kept silent all along, shook his head firmly.
“Why must we sharpen our blades against each other? Gangseong, don’t be so harsh with Soso.”
“Ah, fine. I understand. That’s why I’m staying quiet.”
At Hwangbo Yeol’s rebuke, Paeng Gangseong closed his mouth.
“Hmm, well, that aside—they’re certainly taking their time. I wonder when they’ll arrive. Should I order some drinks?”
Paeng Gangseong raised his hand to call the Innkeeper, his expression listless.
His eyes suddenly gleamed, and he whipped his head around.
A crisp aura rose from below the stairs.
Tap!
“….”
What ascended was a female Daoist.
Upon spotting her, Paeng Gangseong’s expression turned grave, while she wore a slightly awkward look before slowly approaching them and offering a respectful bow.
“Primordial Celestial Worthy. It’s been a while.”
She was none other than Baek Song, the Little Sword Saint—a prodigious swordswoman of the Huashan School and a renowned heroine throughout the martial realm.
“Long time indeed. For a moment, I thought my eyes deceived me. The Little Sword Saint has achieved considerable progress in our time apart.”
Paeng Gangseong’s eyes brightened.
A dense plum blossom qi emanated from her. A brilliant power that could only emerge from considerable mastery.
The Nine Great Sects and the great families were rivals of sorts. While they had acquaintance, they could only meet with a somewhat awkward feeling.
Baek Song laughed lightly.
“Merely modest progress. And I see that you, Young Master Paeng, are radiating blade qi as well.”
“Ah, how embarrassing. I hadn’t even noticed. My apologies.”
Their smiles converged in the middle.
Paeng Gangseong laughed with playful mischief, while beneath Baek Song’s gentle smile lay undisguised competitive spirit.
As the atmosphere grew subtly peculiar, Jegal Soso beside them spoke up.
“I suppose I’m invisible? Not even a greeting?”
Baek Song’s smile turned enigmatic.
“Oh, my apologies. It’s been so long.”
“Never mind. What brings you here?”
“Ah, much like yourselves. You all came after reading the contents posted on the notice board, did you not?”
At her words, the three exchanged glances toward the martial arena of Dengyongji, faintly visible in the distance.
Baek Song’s words weren’t wrong, but in truth, they had been summoned by their household leaders.
—It seems worth observing what unfolds. The Moyong Family’s reaction is unusual.
—You must carefully observe the Moyong Family’s reaction and that fellow Dokgo Myeong’s response. It would be beneath the dignity of an elder to attend, so go in our stead.
—We’ve already boarded the same ship with Moyong, but perhaps another path may reveal itself. Go and investigate.
These were the words heard respectively by Jegal Soso, Paeng Gangseong, and Hwangbo Yeol.
Though all three had come separately and encountered each other while wandering about, parting ways seemed improper, so they had decided to share a table.
“But when did Huashan begin concerning itself with worldly affairs to come all this way?”
“Ah, there are circumstances at our main sect.”
“Circumstances at the main sect?”
“I apologize. I cannot speak in detail….”
Paeng Gangseong nodded his head.
“No offense taken.”
“Not at all. It was good to see you. Then I shall take my leave… Primordial Celestial Worthy.”
She left her Daoist title and turned to depart.
Afterward, I took a seat alongside the Middle-aged Man, who seemed to be my companion, and turned my gaze outward.
‘Who is this person?’
The man’s martial aura was ambiguous.
Then it had to be one of two things.
Either a master whose cultivation had transcended even my perception at the peak of the Perfected Realm, or simply an ordinary middle-aged man.
Given that he shared a table with the First Successor of the Three Great Sects’ Huashan School, the former was far more likely.
‘Hmm.’
I couldn’t discern the details, but one thing was certain.
It wasn’t merely that a young man in his twenties had captured the world’s attention—there were deeper interests and more complex circumstances entangled beneath the surface.
That was when it happened.
Tap!
At the sound that reached my ears, Paeng Gangseong’s gaze naturally turned. Rather than sensing something consciously, his head simply rotated of its own accord.
‘What is this?’
And immediately after, he realized he wasn’t the only one who had turned his head.
Jegal Soso, Hwangbo Yeol, and Baek Song as well.
All the people filling the main road below the inn were looking at the same place.
It was a handsome young man.
Sharp eyes and a playfully upturned mouth revealed a carefree spirit.
The hem of his jet-black robe, cut somewhat generously, swayed gently as he walked, resembling the imperial dragon robes that only emperors were said to wear.
Should this be called an imperial procession, then?
In truth, the young man was not alone. Five exceptional men and women, each displaying remarkable martial auras like loyal subjects attending an emperor, followed in his wake.
‘No, this is far from an emperor and his loyal retainers.’
Paeng Gangseong swallowed dryly.
Whether one called it carefree spirit or commanding presence.
The six youths each displayed different martial schools and auras, yet somehow they resembled siblings—there was an unmistakable kinship among them.
Different auras, yet unified momentum.
Such cohesion could only manifest if they trusted and relied upon each other perfectly.
“Those people… could it be?”
“Move aside! What are you doing?”
“You fool! Get over here!”
Soon the crowd filling the main road slowly parted, opening a path for them.
‘This can’t be.’
Paeng Gangseong’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Merely six of them.
The auras of those six were naturally overwhelming the crowd. No—he himself was affected as well.
‘At least one person standing at my level… or is it two? Three? What in the world is this?’
Each of them displayed the remarkable momentum of masters carefully cultivated by the Nine Sects and Great Families.
At ages when they would be called late bloomers or rising stars, yet they far exceeded such classifications.
‘Where on earth did he find such people?’
Paeng Gangseong gazed toward the front of the group.
‘And how in the world could he possibly lead such people?’
At the very front.
A man who had proven himself in the martial world so much in less than five years.
The man who had brazenly displayed his martial prowess and forcibly drawn the attention of all the warlords—Dokgo Myeong—came into view.
“Let’s go.”
Creak!
Paeng Gangseong rose from his seat and spoke.
“…Yes, let’s.”
Hwangbo Yeol also stood, and Jegal Soso asked in bewilderment.
“What? W-where are we going?”
“Where else?”
Paeng Gangseong tossed an entire purse onto the table and spun around sharply.
Seo Geom-seong and the Mysterious Man were already leaping out through the window.
Thus, as if enchanted, they all headed toward the arena.
Thud, thud!
Dokgo Myeong stood upon the martial stage of the arena.
No one stopped him, and no one raised objections.
“Many have gathered here. Since I step forward not as a direct member of the Dokgo Household, allow me to introduce myself differently. Greetings. I am Dokgo Myeong, Master of the True Demon Sect.”
At last, Dokgo Myeong opened his mouth before the assembly of warlords.

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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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