Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 18

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 18
The road leading to Saheon-gak.
Jang Sam asked in a quiet voice.
“Young Master, will this be enough?”
“For now.”
Dokgo Myeong replied indifferently as he walked.
Jang Sam gazed blankly at Dokgo Myeong’s retreating figure.
Where did such confidence come from?
The fate of Saheon-gak would be decided in mere days, yet Dokgo Myeong remained as composed and unhurried as always.
“Young Master. About this matter…”
Jang Sam swallowed hard and continued.
“Though Son Tae-im accepted your proposal, he could harbor different thoughts behind closed doors, couldn’t he?”
“That’s true enough.”
“…Do you trust Son Tae-im, Young Master?”
Jang Sam’s voice trembled slightly without his realizing it.
Dokgo Myeong chuckled and replied.
“Of course I don’t trust him.”
“Pardon? Then how…?”
“I trust the greed he possesses.”
“I beg your pardon?”
Jang Sam tilted his head in lingering doubt, but Dokgo Myeong merely smiled meaningfully and gazed up at the sky.
Greed is like a rolling snowball.
Once it begins to roll, it grows larger and larger, until eventually it rolls of its own accord without anyone needing to push it.
“I understand for now. But what if, against all odds, he chooses to uphold his honor?”
A blade pressed against the throat of a man consumed by such ambition—to think he would reject it and cling to honor…
“Then I would have to admire him.”
In my judgment, he is absolutely not that kind of man, but if he were to prove otherwise, I would have no choice but to acknowledge it.
Dokgo Myeong lowered his gaze and smiled faintly.
“Though I doubt it will come to that.”
“Ah, yes…”
Jang Sam nodded.
Then he clenched his fist and spoke.
“I don’t fully understand, but I accept it. So what will you do now?”
“What is there to do? Let’s go eat.”
“Pardon?”
“The Sect Leader said it himself. Do nothing.”
…Now, of all times?
Jang Sam opened and closed his mouth without speaking, then cautiously asked.
“You truly won’t do anything?”
“That’s right.”
“Really, truly?”
Dokgo Myeong turned back with a smirk playing at his lips.
Long shadows stretched across the ornate buildings of Geumsan Sect, cast by the afternoon sun at their backs.
* * *
After Dokgo Myeong departed, Son Tae-im spent nearly an entire day lost in thought within his study.
And finally, he reached a conclusion.
‘That proposal wasn’t even worth laughing at.’
A hunting dog? That was absurd.
After all I’ve contributed to Geumsan Sect, and he calls me a hunting dog?
Moreover, this talk of a “transaction” regarding the Sect Leader’s position was equally ridiculous.
Wouldn’t that position fall into my hands eventually without needing to switch allegiances?
I only pretended to accept the deal in that moment to buy time, but it was a proposal utterly devoid of merit.
“Ahem, Vice Sect Leader. Shouldn’t we begin handling the matters the Sect Leader instructed us with?”
Subordinates of Geumsan Sect approached and bowed their heads respectfully. They were among those who had heard the conversation in the Sect Leader’s chambers yesterday.
“That’s true enough. For now, you all should….”
Son Tae-im began speaking but abruptly fell silent.
‘What do they think of me?’
The thought suddenly struck him.
Dokgo Maek’s trusted subordinate? His right hand? Or perhaps… a hunting dog?
No clear answer emerged.
‘What did I think of them?’
Son Tae-im stopped his thoughts there.
And he waved his hand dismissively.
“Ahem! No need to worry about that. I’ve already figured it all out.”
“Sir?”
“More importantly, has the Sect Leader emerged?”
“Yes, he’s currently in his chambers.”
“I’ll visit the Sect Leader first, so wait here.”
Son Tae-im rose abruptly from his seat and headed toward Dokgo Maek.
“Sect Leader, it is I, Son Tae-im.”
“Come in.”
Upon entering the Sect Leader’s chambers, Dokgo Maek immediately frowned.
He clicked his tongue and questioned him at once.
“What brings you here so early? Have you completed the tasks I instructed yesterday?”
“Actually….”
Son Tae-im, about to speak of Dokgo Myeong, suddenly closed his mouth.
“…We are processing it as quickly as possible.”
“As quickly as possible? You haven’t even finished that yet, and what else have you been doing!”
Son Tae-im lowered his head and cast a furtive glance at Dokgo Maek.
Dokgo Maek clicked his tongue sharply, his brow furrowed in displeasure.
“But, Sect Leader.”
“What is it now?”
“What if the ledger in the rumors is real? What should we do then?”
Dokgo Maek let out a hollow laugh.
Son Tae-im had been hoping for some word of reassurance from Dokgo Maek.
Even if it were merely words.
“Why are you asking me that?”
“Pardon?”
“Isn’t that something you should handle? Must I do that as well?”
“….”
Son Tae-im tried to swallow, but for some reason, his throat felt swollen and the saliva wouldn’t go down.
Dokgo Maek spoke in a considerably softer tone.
“Sigh… Deputy Sect Leader, or rather, Son Tae-im.”
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
“I understand what you’re worried about.”
A hint of color returned to Son Tae-im’s face.
But his expression hardened again at the words that followed.
“However, how much longer will you work so irresponsibly? If I live, you live. So instead of wasting time on such worries, focus on cleaning up this mess. That’s what I’m saying.”
“….”
“If you understand, then leave. Remember that your life hangs in the balance of this matter.”
“…Yes, of course.”
“Keep your wits about you.”
Son Tae-im stared at Dokgo Maek for a moment.
Then he bowed deeply and turned sharply to leave the study.
His eyes flickered with a peculiar gleam.
“A hunting dog….”
When a hunting dog succeeded in the hunt, the prey became the master’s possession. A hunting dog received only scraps of meat.
But if the hunt failed, the outcome would be the cauldron.
Son Tae-im was satisfied with neither outcome.
* * *
Time passed, and the deadline granted to Saheon-gak drew near—just one day remained.
Yet Saheon-gak remained quiet.
Dokgo Myeong did nothing, just as he had told Jang Sam. He simply repeated his usual routine: rising at dawn and cultivating until nightfall.
And just as Dokgo Myeong had anticipated, while he remained still, the snowball rolled on its own, growing larger.
“…You’ve handled it all?”
Geumsan Sect, the Sect Leader’s study.
Dokgo Maek blinked, staring ahead.
There stood Son Tae-im, bowing with even greater formality than usual.
“Yes, Sect Leader.”
Dokgo Maek narrowed his eyes, regarding Son Tae-im.
‘What’s gotten into him?’
Son Tae-im was not the type to move with such urgency. He was competent enough in his usual duties, but only ever did exactly what was asked of him.
“What exactly did you accomplish?”
“I confirmed that servants from Saheon-gak have been spreading word throughout the area. The rumors definitely originate from Saheon-gak.”
“And?”
“Isn’t it common knowledge that rumors are best countered with rumors? I had our Main Sect’s servants amplify and circulate several fabricated tales.”
“What about Lord Yu’s faction…?”
“I’ve already dispatched people to handle it. There’s no need for concern.”
“Hm.”
Dokgo Maek exhaled in admiration at the seamless responses.
“Is something troubling you?”
“I merely did my duty diligently.”
Son Tae-im bowed his head with humble simplicity.
His clean execution, his swift handling of matters—a satisfied smile bloomed across Dokgo Maek’s lips.
“So set your worries aside. Only the final touches remain.”
“Haha! So you’ve finally come to your senses! Why didn’t you act this way from the start! Hahahaha!”
Thump! Thump!
Dokgo Maek burst into hearty laughter and clapped Son Tae-im’s thick shoulders.
“However, Sect Leader.”
“Mm, is there something else to report?”
“Would it not be wise to review our own records and eliminate anything that could be used against us?”
At Son Tae-im’s subtle tone, Dokgo Maek flinched slightly.
“Review?”
“Yes, the records you currently possess.”
“Mm… well, I suppose there’s no harm in it…”
“I shall handle it myself.”
“Mm? You will?”
“Yes, I am Son Tae-im. Please trust me once more.”
Dokgo Maek stroked his beard thoughtfully, then broke into a slight smile.
“Your eagerness is truly a sight to behold. Very well—seal every crack and crevice.”
“Thank you.”
Dokgo Maek gazed with satisfaction at the bowed head of Son Tae-im, his scalp gleaming.
‘Excellent. Indeed, work is accomplished by people.’
He’d thought the man was creaking under the strain, but this dull fellow had finally awakened. He’d intended to use him moderately, yet the man followed his lead so well.
‘Now there should be no problems.’
They wouldn’t be able to secure funds, and the final desperate struggle had been blocked.
As this thought settled in, his lips threatened to curve upward uncontrollably.
Dokgo Maek forced his expression to remain composed.
‘With this handled, the higher-ups will have nothing more to worry about.’
Once this matter was resolved cleanly, he would receive his promised reward.
A height I could never reach before.
At last, my long and arduous goal had drawn within arm’s reach.
“Heh heh, I’m grateful to you, Sect Leader of Saheon-gak.”
My chest felt refreshed, as though I’d swallowed ice water.
Dokgo Maek steadied his racing heart and gazed quietly out the window.
In the direction where Saheon-gak stood—the stepping stone and sacrifice that would elevate me.
* * *
The promised day had arrived.
Dokgo Maek retrieved a resplendent silk robe he rarely wore and stepped outside.
“Well then, is everyone prepared?”
“Yes!”
“Yes, Sect Leader!”
Dokgo Maek twisted one corner of his mouth upward in a smirk.
The entrance of Geumsan Sect was lined with his subordinate warriors and administrative officials.
Dokgo Maek swept his gaze across them and squinted.
“Hmm? Where did the Vice Sect Leader go?”
“Ah, he said to tell you he had remaining matters to attend to.”
“Tsk, at such a crucial moment…”
Dokgo Maek shook his head dismissively.
It was good that the man worked diligently, yet something still felt lacking.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
After all, only formalities remained now. Perhaps Son Tae-im would be more useful handling the aftermath in the Study.
“Very well then, let us depart.”
“Yes!”
Dokgo Maek led the Geumsan Sect personnel forward. Before long, the main gate of Saheon-gak came into view.
‘No matter how much time passes, that place never changes.’
While all the other buildings lived up to the name “Greatest Family Under Heaven” with their splendor and grandeur, Saheon-gak alone remained serene and silent. Perhaps that was why it felt all the more exceptional.
‘No, exceptional? It’s merely a shabby place.’
Dokgo Maek recalled Dokgo Wi-hak.
A man born with dragon blood like myself, yet one who rejected Dokgo Cheon’s way and surrendered all his rights.
I could not understand him.
Wasn’t this world ultimately a place where the strong consumed the weak? What kind of life was it to live while protecting everything you could protect?
‘That’s precisely why he was so easily manipulated by a branch family member.’
Dokgo Maek let out a scoff.
I disliked that lofty pride of his, but regardless, it was now over.
Whether he surrendered the sect token or not.
Saheon-gak’s time had come to an end.
Dokgo Maek walked forward with deliberate force in his steps.
When he finally arrived before Saheon-gak.
“You’ve come at last. Well then.”
The person sitting at the entrance brushed off their backside with quick pats and rose to greet them.
“Young Master Myeong?”
It was none other than Dokgo Myeong.
But…
‘Why is he smiling?’
His entire household appeared to be crumbling, yet Dokgo Myeong’s face broke into a broad smile the moment he saw me. It was the expression of someone welcoming a guest they had been eagerly anticipating.
As Dokgo Maek approached with a lukewarm expression, Dokgo Myeong rubbed the back of his neck and spoke.
“I thought my neck would snap off from waiting. Why did you arrive so late?”
‘…His words are rather curt.’
For a moment, indignation welled up within me, but Dokgo Maek quickly composed himself. It would all be over soon anyway—there was no need to redden his face over this.
“Heh heh… Young Master Myeong has come out to greet me personally.”
“Everyone’s waiting, and since the most important person hasn’t arrived, I had no choice but to come greet you.”
Everyone?
Those words bothered me oddly, but Dokgo Maek decided to ignore it for now.
“Heh heh… I appreciate the warm welcome. I have come to meet with the Sect Leader of Saheon-gak, so I ask for your guidance.”
“Ah, of course. You must certainly meet with him.”
Thud!
But then, Dokgo Myeong suddenly stopped in his tracks.
“But listen, before we go in, let me ask you one thing.”
“Ask whatever you wish.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes fixed directly upon Dokgo Maek.
“Aren’t you even afraid?”
“What?”
“Why do guys like you always try to put a leash on anyone who seems easy to push around?”
Dokgo Myeong asked in an irritated tone, as if he genuinely couldn’t understand.
“Don’t you worry that the one putting on the leash might get their throat torn out?”
Dokgo Maek paused for a moment.
Then he let out a hollow laugh.
“Heh heh.”
So the rumors did originate from Saheon-gak, as he’d heard?
It seemed the boy was speaking this way because he had roughly grasped the truth of the matter.
‘Such bluster from a mere youngster.’
But Dokgo Maek remained confident.
His lips twisted into a distorted smile.
“Young Master Myeong, allow me to impart a lesson to you.”
“…”
“No matter how fierce a dog may be, once you place a leash upon it, it will obey meekly. So why should there be any reason to fear?”
Dokgo Myeong remained silent for a moment, then broke into a refreshing laugh.
“True enough—all you types are exactly the same.”
Dokgo Myeong turned his body around.
His hand had already come to rest upon the Saheon Hall Main Gate.
“If you’re so confident, why don’t you say the same thing in front of the Jipbeop-bu Leader?”
The Jipbeop-bu Leader?
Why was that name suddenly brought up now?
While I was reeling from this unexpected remark, Dokgo Myeong slowly pushed open the gates of Saheon-gak.
Creeeeak!
The heavy wooden doors swung open.
“Sect Leader Maek.”
Dokgo Myeong whispered in a low voice.
“Your Tae-im really did an excellent job with this matter.”
“…!”
Son Tae-im? Why was that man’s name being mentioned now?
Thud!
The moment the doors fully opened.
The scene that unfolded before me was far different from what I had anticipated.
“…!”
Dozens of martial artists stood in formation in the courtyard of Saheon-gak, which should have been empty.
“The Jipbeop-bu?!”
Dokgo Maek cried out in shock.
The iron-blooded legacy that the Dokgo Clan had established was forged under strict family law. The Jipbeop-bu, which upheld and enforced that law, belonged to no faction within the main house and was an absolutely loyal organization that answered only to the Clan Leader.
And far ahead, standing at the very front of the assembled Jipbeop-bu warriors, was an elderly man.
The younger brother of Clan Leader Dokgo Cheon, bearing the epithet “Judge’s Sword.”
“Geumsan Sect Leader Dokgo Maek. Come inside.”
It was Jipbeop-bu Leader Dokgo Yeon.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————