Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 182

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

Chapter 182
A sharp blade sang through the air!
A sword flashed before my eyes.
Ju Won-gwang roared.
“Where do you think you are, old fool! I am Ju Won-gwang of the Gae-bang!”
Ju Won-gwang thrust his palm forward without hesitation.
A tremendous boom erupted!
A dragon formed of inner energy surged upward.
It was the Subduing Dragon Palm, the supreme technique of the Ten Thousand Gae-bang.
Ju Won-gwang was sent flying backward, executing a somersault in mid-air before landing on the ground.
The impact was considerable—his right knee touched the earth as he stumbled, but he quickly pushed himself back up.
“Cough! Hack, spit!”
Ju Won-gwang spat out something—whether blood or bloody phlegm, it was unclear—his eyes blazing with fury.
“Come on! Try again! How dare this accursed old man attempt an ambush!?”
Ju Won-gwang bellowed and provoked Moyong Aejeon with wild gestures.
Moyong Aejeon’s face twisted with rage.
“You insolent wretch! I’ll cut that treacherous tongue of yours!”
Just as Moyong Aejeon raised his sword again, a terrifying presence came hurtling from his flank.
Moyong Aejeon quickly turned his blade horizontal and swung it in a wide arc.
A tremendous crash! Screech, screech, screech!
Moyong Aejeon was driven back more than three zhang, his feet scraping the ground.
He gritted his teeth and cried out the name of his attacker.
“Dokgo Myeong!”
A flutter of fabric!
A black dragon robe settled gracefully around Dokgo Myeong’s shoulders.
Dokgo Myeong laughed playfully and spoke.
“There are limits to disrespecting me. How dare you target someone else right before my eyes?”
With that, Dokgo Myeong glanced back.
“Brother Ju, are you alright? Why do you keep getting beaten like this?”
“Little brother, I exhausted all my inner energy breaking through the encirclement. If my power were intact, I would have turned that old man into mush.”
“As if that would happen.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled and turned his gaze forward again.
“Senior, doesn’t it seem like quite an interesting story is about to unfold? Why don’t we listen calmly?”
“You mad fools are testing my patience. If you go any further, you will all perish! Do you not understand this?”
“We’ll only know if we’re finished after we try.”
Dokgo Myeong gestured with his eyes.
Ju Won-gwang rose to his feet with resolute determination and shouted.
“I will resume my account! The Moyong Family brought outsiders into their clan and conducted human experiments on innocent commoners and martial artists whom they kidnapped for the purpose of testing new martial techniques!”
This was information the Gae-bang had painstakingly uncovered while Dokgo Myeong drew the Moyong Family’s attention.
The darkness that the Moyong Family had concealed was being exposed.
* * *
Moyong Aejeon recalled the conversation he had shared with the Gaju before being dispatched here.
-Return successful. There is no failure.
-Of course, I shall do so.
-It seems you did not understand my words well. If you are to fail, then leave your life there and do not return.
-Pardon? What do you mean by that….
-If that bastard completely refutes all of the main family’s schemes, or if the Martial Arts Alliance Leaders react differently than expected, or if the Dokgo Family’s intervention comes too late, or if in any other way that bastard sabotages the main family’s intentions….
-….
-Even if it means sacrificing the life of the branch leader, kill that bastard and recover the woman of the Namgung Family. Do you understand?
-I understand….
-I sincerely hope such a situation does not arise. If you fail even at this, I too shall have to commit irreversible acts to clean up the mess.
And in the end, that situation had come to pass.
“Not only the disappearance of living martial artists, but the corpses of the dead as well! The Moyong Family has, over these past years…!”
Behind Dokgo Myeong, Ju Won-gwang’s mouth would not stop.
The atmosphere in the hall had transcended the previous intrigue and confusion, now veering toward shock.
Moyong Aejeon turned his gaze to fix upon Dokgo Myeong.
As if they occupied entirely different spaces, the surrounding commotion could not penetrate the space between Dokgo Myeong and Moyong Aejeon.
“So you finally crossed the line.”
Moyong Aejeon spoke in a voice that had grown oddly composed.
Dokgo Myeong responded with indifference.
“Your side crossed it first.”
-….
“I received the report and was shocked myself. Human experimentation, no less. Not content with shaking hands with those blood cult bastards, you dragged people here—living or dead—and split open their bellies?”
“You know that much?”
“I do. I know it very well. That’s why I found it utterly absurd. If you’re a martial artist, you should aspire to perfect the martial arts you’ve learned and become the greatest under heaven. What kind of mind does it take to covet not just blood techniques, but the martial arts of others as well?”
“You could never understand.”
“Damn it. Ah, this wretched old bastard….”
Moyong Aejeon had followed the family’s atrocities knowing full well what they were, driven only by loyalty. That was what Dokgo Myeong found most incomprehensible.
Meanwhile, the situation spiraled further into chaos.
“What in the world is this talk?”
“They kidnapped not just the dead but the living as well and conducted experiments? How can such a thing even be spoken of?”
“B-but Gae-bang is the one saying it….”
As everyone murmured in disbelief, a long sigh escaped from within the crowd.
“Alas, he has finally done it.”
It was none other than Paeng Gangseong.
He let out a hollow laugh and gazed upon Dokgo Myeong’s back.
‘Sohyup only needed to clear his name here. It should not have gone beyond that….’
Dokgo Myeong had attacked the Moyong Family.
Not content with the attack alone, he had exposed their shameful secrets to all under heaven.
The Moyong Sega had suffered too great a loss. Now they had no choice but to kill Dokgo Myeong.
And at that moment, Ju Won-gwang’s account came to an end.
“That concludes my report! Detailed information is available in my quarters, and I will disclose it to anyone who wishes to see it. The Moyong Family must provide an explanation for this!”
That thunderous voice cut off abruptly, and a heavy silence consumed the atmosphere.
Moments later, the voices that had vanished erupted all at once.
“Is that truly the truth?!”
“Geomho! You must explain yourself!”
“Are you saying what the Hugu Party Leader just stated is fact?!”
“Such a heinous act! To appear here so shamelessly without a shred of shame!”
At the crowd’s outcries, Moyong Aejeon ground his teeth as though they might shatter.
“It’s over, Dokgo Myeong.”
“So it seems.”
“What confidence did you harbor? No matter how I look at it, you’ve barely stepped into this realm. Are you not afraid of death? You stand two or three steps below me.”
“Life and death are not determined by realm alone.”
“True enough, that much is correct. But you, fool, know one thing and miss two others.”
Whoooosh!
An ominous military aura surged toward the martial arena.
Like ants swarming to food scraps, a multitude of uniformed soldiers with synchronized weapons approached the arena.
‘Who are they?’
At that moment, one of the Hugu Party Members on the arena spoke in an urgent voice.
“They appear to be the Gunkon Unit forces that our party cast out. The entire Gunkon Unit may not have come, but…”
“…”
Generally, a warrior unit consisted of around ten soldiers forming one squad, and when five squads gathered, they were called a battalion. Furthermore, when four or five warrior units assembled, they formed a single division.
‘At least around one hundred fifty.’
Moreover, these were not mediocre soldiers, but the elite of the Moyong Family, trained to their limits.
“Would you take my head? It would invite the condemnation of all under heaven.”
“Do not worry. This is my decision alone. I intend to take responsibility with my own head.”
Dokgo Myeong exhaled a long breath, mixing sighs with hollow laughter in equal measure.
‘One wrong move and I’ll be reincarnating again.’
I had succeeded in ensnaring the Moyong Family, yet this mad old man Moyong Aejeon was pulling at my trouser leg.
“So, what will you do now?”
Moyong Aejeon’s aura began to rise gradually.
Dokgo Myeong looked at him, then at the crowd, then at the Cheonma Sect members, and exhaled once more in a long breath.
And slowly, he opened his mouth.
“I shall deliver my final words to all the Martial Arts Alliance Leaders gathered here at Deungyong-ji.”
His voice, infused with power, spread in all directions.
Moyong Aejeon’s eyes narrowed.
Did he still have more to say?
Could this be a final testament?
“All gathered here have been treated to meals by me, some have sparred with me, some have debated with me, and most have listened and witnessed. Therefore, you all have the right to hear my words.”
“…”
“Those who walk the martial path inevitably accumulate debts of gratitude and enmity. This junior has also treaded that path, and thus carries considerable obligations. The debt entangled with me was… the Moyong Family.”
“Now you beg for your life?”
Moyong Aejeon scoffed, his gaze fixed on Dokgo Myeong, when he suddenly froze in alarm.
Flash!
A brilliant gleam ignited in Dokgo Myeong’s eyes.
Did he truly speak his final words with such a gaze?
‘No. These are not final words.’
Moyong Aejeon felt a chill run through him as his eyes widened.
“What are you attempting now…?”
“And yet, I say!”
Dokgo Myeong’s voice suddenly rang out with tremendous force.
“I have come to understand the Moyong!”
Moyong Aejeon’s eyes expanded.
Every hair on his body seemed to stand on end.
“For such is the martial world! Beyond matters of righteousness or interest, each soul carries their own circumstances and stories!”
A voice that naturally carried the weight of unshakeable resolve stirred something profound within the listener.
And how much more so when spoken with such conviction before an advancing tide of enemies—it conjured the image of a great general standing firm before an army, refusing to yield.
“Had you merely proposed we settle this through martial contest here, I would have accepted gladly. Yet what has the Moyong Family done?”
“…!”
“Here in this sacred hall, where the great master Beobjon himself established this place of opportunity, you seek to suppress truth through force. What is it you fear so greatly that you would silence this young man’s voice?”
Moyong Aejeon’s face turned ashen.
This would not do.
He had to silence that mouth.
That man was attempting to become a hero in this very moment. He was stirring the crowd.
“Come then! Moyong Family! If you desire battle, I shall oblige. I harbor no shame in my words. Even should I fall, the martial leaders of the realm shall become my eyes and voice. I will neither flee nor hide!”
Whoooosh!
If one could see the air itself, the atmosphere surrounding the martial leaders would ripple like waves at this very moment.
Could silence itself be deafening?
This was precisely such a moment.
The eyes and movements of the martial leaders spoke volumes, yet their lips remained firmly sealed.
Dokgo Myeong pondered within his heart.
‘Will it work?’
Even if it did not, it mattered little.
Still, he wished to believe. He thought it would succeed.
A single spark cast upon a mountain of kindling.
Surely among so many martial leaders, that one person could not be absent?
It was then.
A single voice reached Dokgo Myeong’s ears alone, whispered as though spoken directly into his mind.
-Your three-inch tongue moves most skillfully indeed. With such eloquence, one cannot help but overlook what one knows.
-Son of the Sword Demon. I shall count this as a debt owed.
A clear ring of steel sang out!
From somewhere, a Songmun Sword rose up alongside the crystalline sound of a blade.
“I heard righteousness proclaimed, and witnessed wrongdoing. If I hide here, how can I call myself a martial artist or a seeker of the Way?”
He was none other than Yeong-han, the Flowing Leaf Swordsman of the Wudang School.
“The Zhenmu Pavilion will stand with Dokgo Myeong. I cannot bear to watch the righteous spirit of a young junior be crushed by mere force!”
“…Our sect feels the same!”
“We of the Hubei Cheonryeong School shall join as well!”
People began to move.
Alcohol and atmosphere shared a similar nature. Both intoxicated people and clouded their judgment.
If so, then these people were now thoroughly drunk on sentiment. Those intoxicated by the mood rose up with fervor.
Moyong Aejeon twisted his face like a malevolent demon and shouted.
“Are there really such senseless fools! Do you think you can handle making an enemy of the main family!”
His desperate cry was futile.
Once a crowd was swept up in the current, how could they respond to the shout of a single individual?
Moyong Aejeon ground his teeth and glared down at the figure below.
“Hyeon Un! Lend me your aid!”
“…”
Hyeon Un-jin remained silent, glaring at Dokgo Myeong, then turned to look at Moyong Aejeon and spoke.
“This does not appear to be my battlefield.”
“What, what are you saying? Do you intend to betray the promise between the Sect Leader and the main family?”
“That is not my concern.”
With those words, Hyeon Un-jin fled the scene as if escaping.
“Such a petty wretch! How can such a shallow man call himself an Elder of a sect!”
At that moment, a thread of mockery reached the ears of Moyong Aejeon, who was venting his fury.
“Maggot-like old fool. Still haven’t grasped the situation?”
“What, what did you say?”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled lowly. His casual, swaying posture was an added insult.
“The Moyong Family is finished.”
“…!”
“And you’re about to get beaten to death.”
The act ends here.
By now, I had performed enough of this spine-chilling dramatic act. My limbs felt twisted from doing something so unfamiliar.
I had won through deception. Now it was time to win the Cheonma Sect way.
“Now then, my rebel alliance members, the organization of this secret society to seize the martial world, the Five Cheonma Sect Elders!”
“We await your command.”
“Ah, you don’t call me in such an ordinary way.”
“We are listening.”
“Great Leader!”
Before the words even finished.
Boom!
Ye-hwa leaped backward, landing on the roof of a building adjacent to the martial arena.
Geum Seok-du moved alongside her. Ye-hwa’s still-developing abilities reached their full potential only when he fought at her side.
Boom! Whoosh!
Three remained beside Dokgo Myeong.
Cheolmu-baek, Namgung Sohwa, and Dokgo Ak.
Dokgo Myeong spoke in a low voice.
“Everyone focus. Elder Ju.”
“I’m listening.”
“When the fighting starts, you grab Moryong Sohgyo and retreat. No need for explanations, right?”
“I can guess the reason, but I’ll fight alongside you.”
“You’re injured. A weakling who gets hit every time he moves has no business fighting.”
“This bastard really knows how to talk….”
Dokgo Myeong simply chuckled and turned his gaze toward the Cheonma Sect members.
“The rest—it doesn’t matter if they die. Don’t overextend trying to kill them. If they live, we’ll strip their pockets and extract valuable intelligence. Everyone understand?”
“Understood.”
“Understood.”
Dokgo Myeong spoke to Namgung Sohwa last.
“Sohwa.”
“Yes.”
“You’re excited. Steady your breathing.”
….
“Our target isn’t just that old man. You must shatter the Moyong Family’s plaque with your blade. Your stage isn’t here.”
Namgung Sohwa gripped her sword tightly.
“I understand.”
Moyong Aejeon, who had been watching the scene, bowed his head deeply.
Realizing that everything had spiraled beyond his control, he began to laugh like a man losing his sanity.
“Heh, hehehehe….”
He never imagined he would be toyed with to this extent.
The old man’s wrinkled face had twisted beyond recognition, now radiating pure madness.
There was no aura of blood cultivation, yet the pressure he emanated was far from normal. He was clearly drawing forth power beyond his permitted limits.
“So, it has come to this.”
“Old man, have you lost your mind? Your eyes look strange.”
“Amusing. Did you think I couldn’t kill you if the Second and Third Generations didn’t arrive? I alone, with the First Generation, am sufficient. Your fate was sealed to die here.”
Crack! Crackling!
The energy waves of the Heavenly Rupture Divine Art exploded outward—the power of a master approaching the pinnacle of the martial world.
The anomaly stemmed from amplified true qi, fueled by the resolve to embrace death itself. He had even burned his own lifeforce.
Thunderous boom!
Lightning tore across the space.
Screech! Crash!
…!
Moyong Aejeon’s eyes widened in shock.
Dokgo Myeong had evaded the thrust and, burrowing directly into the old man’s embrace, drove a punch straight into his body.
Boom!
He managed to block it with urgent force, but his body, unable to withstand the impact, was sent sliding backward.
The battle of words had ended.
Now it was time for blood to spill.

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