Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 176

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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 176
What I thought would end quickly stretched on for an unexpectedly long time.
Though it had been broad daylight when we began, the sun was now sinking toward the horizon. The people had thrown themselves into the conversation with remarkable enthusiasm.
Young martial artists eagerly challenged Dokgo Myeong to combat, while the elders scolded or rebuked them.
The atmosphere grew tense at times, yet no one conducted themselves shamefully. Those who showed even a hint of impropriety were met with jeers from the Martial Arts Alliance leaders.
Dokgo Myeong gradually relaxed his guard and led the gathering in his usual manner.
“…Why else would I have cut down those bastards from the Mogyeong Household? Those wretches targeted my friend here, the Cheonma Sect Elder, and our Sohwa—the last descendant of the Namgung Household!”
“Is this young lady truly a descendant of the Namgung Household?”
“How can we believe that! Do you have proof?”
“Prove it!”
Namgung Sohwa felt somewhat flustered.
How was she supposed to prove she was the heir of a clan that had already been exterminated? It wasn’t as though she could draw blood and show them something they could understand.
After a moment’s hesitation, Namgung Sohwa had no choice but to demonstrate the Cheonggung Infinite Blade before the gathered crowd.
She had only performed a few sword techniques, which surely could not serve as proof of her descent from the Namgung clan.
Or so she thought.
“Indeed, a remarkable technique. There is no explaining it without the martial arts of the Changtian Sword School.”
“Is that the Cheonggung Unobstructed Blade?”
“The bloodline of Namgung still lives!”
Amid the exclamations erupting from all sides, someone offered this observation.
“An energy wave extending straight without wavering, a single blade with a solid center. That is unmistakably the Cheonggung Unobstructed Blade technique.”
It was none other than Yeong-han of the Mudan School.
Though it was merely one person’s unsupported opinion, it was sufficient.
“Then could it be true that the Mogyeong Household was after the martial arts of the Namgung clan?”
Namgung Sohwa felt somewhat bewildered.
‘This easily? They believe it this simply?’
Before she knew it, she had been acknowledged by the world as a descendant of the Namgung Household. She had thought she would need to prove it throughout her entire life, yet she had accomplished it in less than a moment.
It was extraordinary. With merely a word from Dokgo Myeong followed by a few sword strikes, the suspicion was melting away like snow.
Yet no one contradicted or questioned this. Everyone simply believed it as though it were obvious.
A thought suddenly occurred to her.
If she had tried to prove her descent from Namgung through martial skill alone, would everyone have believed her then?
Or could things have turned out this way if Dokgo Myeong had merely tried to clear away all those false accusations through public opinion?
A hundred pieces of evidence and a thousand words would not have sufficed.
She turned her head to look at Dokgo Myeong.
There, Dokgo Myeong was….
“Ah, why is your tongue so long? Act like a martial artist and have a proper match!”
“You brat! What is the age difference between us! How dare you try to pressure a senior of the martial world with martial skill! Such insolence!”
“Ugh, really!”
His earlier solemn demeanor had vanished, replaced by his usual carefree manner as he tangled with the martial artists.
He remained unflinchingly composed throughout.
Was it simply because Dokgo Myeong was such an exceptional person?
I didn’t think that was the case.
When a person carries themselves with confidence, there is nothing to hesitate about. And that attitude was making people believe words without any basis.
“…So there is such a martial world.”
This was the martial world Dokgo Myeong was trying to create.
It didn’t seem so bad.
* * *
The sky had already turned a deep navy blue.
The gathering still hadn’t ended.
Dokgo Myeong looked around and clicked his tongue.
‘What a mess this is.’
The people he’d invited were nowhere to be seen, while uninvited guests had been occupying the space for hours.
The senior martial artists had brought chairs from somewhere to maintain their dignity, while the black-clad disciples and young men simply sat on the ground to watch.
This created an awkward situation.
“Young Master. We should contact the nearby inns now and have them prepare food, and perhaps set up some tents. Complaints are coming from all sides.”
Geum Seok-du approached and said this.
Dokgo Myeong’s brow furrowed.
“What? What do they have to complain about? If they don’t like it, they can leave!”
“What can we do? The situation has come to this.”
Dokgo Myeong clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, fine. I’ve gathered people, so I should provide them with a place to rest and food to eat. But will contacting the inns now actually work?”
“I’m not entirely sure about that.”
That was when it happened.
An unexpected and welcome face appeared.
“Young Master, there’s no need for that. I’m a bit late, but I’ve brought preparations with me.”
“Huh? Who are you?”
Geum Seok-du grinned and called out to the man.
“Big Brother!”
A middle-aged man with a generous appearance.
The one who had come to find Dokgo Myeong and his group was none other than Geumsan Sect Leader Son Tae-im.
“Ahem! It’s been a long time, Young Master. Good to see you too, Seok-du.”
“What? What brings you here?”
“I saw the notice and came looking for you. I thought I’d arrive by morning, but all the boat routes were full, so I arrived a bit late.”
“Huh? All the boat routes are full?”
“I’m not entirely sure either. Not just the waterways, but the official roads seemed a bit chaotic as well.”
Dokgo Myeong tilted his head in confusion.
Son Tae-im continued speaking.
“Regardless, that’s not the important part. On my way here, I sent word to the merchant houses that have connections with the sect and made preparations. You don’t need to have Seok-du handle the arrangements.”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“Shall I have them set up the seating first?”
“Yes, go ahead and try it.”
Son Tae-im grinned and stepped onto the martial platform, drawing the attention of all the Martial Arts Alliance Leaders.
Clap clap!
“Greetings, heroes of the martial world. I am Son Tae-im, the Geumsan Sect Leader of the Dokgo Household, serving under the esteemed Dokgo Myeong. By his command, I shall erect these pavilions. There may be some temporary commotion, but I humbly ask for your understanding.”
Before he could finish speaking, workers appeared from all directions, setting up pavilions and laying out straw mats.
Son Tae-im approached Dokgo Myeong and asked quietly.
“I’ve prepared wine and refreshments as well. What shall I do with them?”
“Skip the wine—just lay out the food. With so many martial artists gathered here, adding alcohol will only spark sword fights.”
Son Tae-im nodded and stood before the Martial Arts Alliance Leaders once more.
“We shall now distribute some simple refreshments for you all.”
The members of the Geumsan Sect began distributing mixed grain rice balls wrapped in lotus leaves and dried meat to the surrounding martial artists.
It was an excellent choice, given that there were Daoists and monks present who abstained from certain foods.
“Water has been prepared near the entrance of the Deungyongji. Please help yourselves with a ladle. Then I shall withdraw.”
Son Tae-im bowed respectfully and retreated from the martial platform.
Dokgo Myeong stared intently at Son Tae-im as he descended, then slowly began to clap.
“Wow, my Tae-im is insane. You absolutely tore up that stage.”
“…Why do you say such things?”
“You earned points with me, made a name for yourself, and orchestrated the entire affair flawlessly. Your cunning is approaching the greatest under heaven.”
Son Tae-im flinched slightly, then laughed awkwardly and asked.
“…Your cunning is truly the greatest under heaven. How did you see through it?”
“A master must always understand his disciple’s heart.”
“Pardon? You had a master?”
“You, of course. You taught me the Way of Commerce. So aren’t you my master?”
Son Tae-im was startled.
“How could I ever presume to be your master?”
“Why not? From what I can see, you’ve now surpassed even the realm of a supreme master. Truly impressive.”
Son Tae-im’s expression showed he didn’t know what to do with himself.
It wasn’t mere flattery—Dokgo Myeong was genuinely impressed.
‘This fellow just made an impression on all the martial artists gathered from across the realm with nothing but a pavilion and some lotus leaf rice. How did that gilded pig end up like this?’
At the same time, he had also brought credit to his own lord.
He had publicly declared himself in service to Dokgo Myeong, and subtly attributed the preparations he had brought to Dokgo Myeong’s prior instructions, giving all the credit to him.
As a superior, knowing such intentions only made one feel better about it.
It was a perfect two-for-one. True to his merchant nature, his scheming was exquisite.
‘This is truly the kind of cunning I could never possess.’
Thump thump!
Dokgo Myeong gave Son Tae-im a hearty pat on the back.
“Excellent, my Tae-im. Well done!”
“Hehe, thank you… Ow! Young Master, that hurts a bit… Ow!”
Thump! Thump!
“Haha! You’ve grown well. Grown so well.”
“Hehe! It’s all thanks to you, Young Master.”
“That’s true enough. I’m the one who made our Tae-im into a capable man.”
“….”
“But could it be that as hair falls out, the mind works better? The less hair you have, the smarter you seem to get? Maybe I should just shave it all off right now….”
Son Tae-im’s expression turned stern.
“Young Master.”
“Hmm?”
“Do not overstep.”
The intensity of his presence was so overwhelming that even Dokgo Myeong flinched.
Son Tae-im grumbled.
“Tsk, there are things a person shouldn’t touch, and you’re touching my hair?”
Son Tae-im glared at Dokgo Myeong with blazing eyes, then turned his body away.
Then he bowed respectfully to the people standing beside Dokgo Myeong.
“It is an honor to meet you. Are you the new martial artists serving the Young Master?”
“Yes? Ah… yes.”
“I see.”
“Allow me to introduce myself again. I am Son Tae-im.”
“I’m Namgung Sohwa. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Delighted. I am Cheolmu-baek.”
“I’m called Ye-hwa….”
Son Tae-im nodded his head.
“It is my pleasure. Should you need anything in the future—funds or otherwise—please do not hesitate to seek me out. I look forward to working with all of you.”
After that, Son Tae-im engaged in warm conversation with the Cheonma Sect Elders.
Watching this unfold, Dokgo Myeong slowly blinked his eyes.
Then he rubbed his eyes several times, and repeatedly closed and opened them.
‘What is this?’
There was nothing wrong with his eyes.
Why did my golden pig Tae-im suddenly look so impressive?
Dokgo Myeong let out a hollow laugh.
No matter how many times he closed and opened his eyes, it remained the same—Son Tae-im had truly become a magnificent man.
With one more person added to their group, they gathered together and began their meal.
Even the Martial Arts Alliance Leaders remained quiet while eating. Seen this way, the martial artists who could split stones and leap over mountains were simply ordinary people.
As the modest meal drew to a close, Son Tae-im opened his mouth.
“Young Master, I have something to report.”
“Speak.”
“You did not know I was coming, did you?”
“Of course not—there was no message, so how would I know?”
“As I thought.”
“What about it?”
Son Tae-im’s expression grew troubled.
“In truth, Baek Ok-gak and I have been in constant communication.”
Dokgo Myeong froze mid-chew, his mouth stuffed with rice balls.
“You sent correspondence?”
“I wrote down the household’s changes and news every week and sent them to you. In fact, the reason I came all the way here myself was because I never received a reply.”
“That means….”
“Yes, it appears the communications were cut off somewhere along the way.”
That was strange indeed.
Had I not learned of the household’s upheaval through Ju Won-gwang?
Normally, I should have received word through Cheon I-gak from either Dokgo Jo-hak, Jang Sam, or Son Tae-im here.
“How could this happen? Cheon I-gak is composed of the household lord’s loyal retainers, so the outer faction and the elders’ council couldn’t have interfered.”
Dokgo Myeong pondered for a moment, then shook his head.
“No. The truly loyal ones are only the highest ranks of Cheon I-gak.”
“What do you mean by that….”
“The branch commanders and their subordinate members can be influenced by either faction.”
Dokgo Myeong had no choice but to acknowledge it.
“Tch, this never would have happened while the household lord was alive. The Dokgo Household has truly fallen into chaos. Remarkable! Splendid! The Dokgo Household!”
Son Tae-im exhaled a deep sigh.
“Did you perhaps hear nothing of the household’s situation?”
“Only that both factions are targeting me.”
Son Tae-im’s expression darkened.
“That’s not nearly the extent of it. I thought you would already be prepared….”
“What is it then?”
“I shall explain from now on.”

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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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