Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 192

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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 192
It was time to return home.
The Law Enforcement Bureau had shown me considerable courtesy.
They had prepared a carriage and treated me appropriately. Since I hadn’t been formally declared a criminal yet, they were treating me as a Follower.
Of course, that was merely on the surface.
“…I apologize, but that is not possible.”
It was Hong Yeong-chan, the Third Division Leader directly under the Jipbeop-bu Leader.
At his somewhat overbearing words, I narrowed my eyes.
“I’m not trying to escape, and all I’m asking is to ride in the same carriage as my children. You’re saying that’s not allowed?”
“Young Master, you are currently being escorted under the Jipbeop-bu Leader’s orders.”
“And?”
“This arrangement itself represents the maximum convenience we can provide. I humbly ask that you board the designated carriage.”
“It sounds like you’re already treating me as a criminal.”
“If my words have caused offense, I sincerely apologize. However, I ask that you consider your current situation.”
This had come up when I suggested riding in a separate carriage with the Followers.
I let out a quiet laugh.
“You certainly have a grand way of telling someone to know their place. But Hong, may I ask you one thing?”
“Of course, please ask freely.”
“Are you a martial officer of the Law Enforcement Bureau?”
Hong Yeong-chan tilted his head.
“Yes, of course.”
“Then are you acting as a martial officer enforcing the household laws, or are you simply occupying your position?”
Hong Yeong-chan’s brow twitched slightly.
But he soon smiled and bowed his head.
“Young Master, the first principle of a Law Enforcement Officer is to act according to household law. That is what I am doing.”
I nodded at his words.
“Well, you’re impressive. It’s because people like you exist that the household runs so smoothly.”
“….”
“Besides, what does it matter which carriage I ride in? Come on, Ak-i. Let’s go. You need to ride here too.”
“What? Why me!”
“If all the Followers are riding here, you can’t ride separately. Absolutely not.”
And so I boarded the adjacent carriage without complaint.
Hong Yeong-chan, who had been bowing, let out a snort as I climbed into the carriage and turned away.
“A stubborn one indeed. Even surrounded on all sides, he remains so composed….”
Hong Yeong-chan pulled a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to a nearby martial officer.
“Deliver this to those above.”
The outside of the letter bore not the name of the Law Enforcement Bureau, but that of another place.
* * *
The carriage held Followers.
What I mean is, not only Dokgo Ak and I were present, but Dokgo Yeon and Dokgo Gun were also sitting across from us.
There was no way those four could chat cheerfully together, so the atmosphere inside the carriage was naturally….
“I can’t breathe in here. Ugh, how suffocating.”
Dokgo Myeong jabbed Dokgo Ak in the ribs with his elbow.
“Hey, little brother. You doing okay?”
“…Don’t talk to me! Why are you picking on me!?”
Dokgo Ak, who had been keeping his mouth firmly shut like someone with indigestion, suddenly cried out in alarm.
Dokgo Myeong grinned and opened his mouth.
“Well, last time you said you held back from hitting our eldest brother because he didn’t sit right with you.”
“Y-you crazy bastard! Why bring that up now…!?”
Dokgo Ak, who had been startled, held his breath with a gasp and quickly averted his gaze.
Dokgo Gun, sitting across from him, was grinning widely.
“Is that so?”
“N-no, eldest brother. It’s not like that… well, it’s not that it didn’t happen. What I mean is, it’s not….”
Dokgo Myeong patted Dokgo Ak’s shoulder reassuringly.
“You were huffing and puffing about how you’d pickle him someday. Now that I think about it, isn’t today the perfect opportunity? At this distance, neither the Five Generals nor the Three Sovereigns could protect him from an ambush. Come on, go for it! Dokgo Ak!”
“Ah, don’t do this!”
Dokgo Ak cried out with a miserable expression.
Dokgo Yeon nodded in admiration from beside him.
“I see now. I thought you were just a Young Master, but you’ve got big dreams. Come to think of it, you’ve grown quite a bit since I last saw you.”
“Ah, that’s really… sigh.”
Realizing that excuses were pointless, Dokgo Ak let out a sigh deep enough to crack the earth.
Dokgo Gun, wearing a peculiar smile, quietly made eye contact with Dokgo Myeong.
“Your qi has become much more stable. Did you consume the Spirit Restoration Pill?”
“Yes, it worked quite well.”
“But for someone who consumed the Spirit Restoration Pill, your recovery seems rather slow.”
“It felt awkward to keep the good medicine all to myself, so I shared it with the friends who suffered alongside me.”
At those words, Dokgo Yeon’s mouth fell open.
“You shared something so precious?”
“I received it, so I’ll use it as I see fit. What’s it to you?”
Dokgo Gun spoke.
“While caring for your subordinates is indeed a virtue of a ruler, if you give away everything like that, one day they will look down on you and act as though they are the masters.”
“Is that from your experience, eldest brother?”
“You could call it a truth of the world.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled.
“Why does that sound like you’re speaking from being disrespected first?”
“What did you say?”
“If you want to be served, you must also know how to serve, shouldn’t you?”
“….”
“And besides, like I said before, what does it matter how I use what’s mine?”
Dokgo Gun remained silent for a moment, then smiled broadly.
“So that’s your way, then.”
“Well, calling it a ‘way’ might be generous.”
Silence descended once more.
If I endured this atmosphere any longer, I feared I’d fall into demonic possession, so I half-opened my eyes and began circulating my qi.
How much time had passed like that?
The voice of the Law Enforcement Officer leading the procession outside reached us.
“Young Master. We’re approaching Wuyang County shortly. It’s somewhat early, but we’ll make a stop there.”
“Very well.”
“Yes, then.”
Soon the procession arrived at Wuyang County, situated on the border between Hunan and Hubei.
Though called a village, it was a bustling place the size of a small city. The sun had begun to set, yet the marketplace remained vibrantly open.
“This is the place. The Melsa Brigade and White Tiger Brigade, being the largest units, will use the inn on the left.”
One could gauge the power of the First Household Under Heaven from how they arranged lodgings.
In the most prosperous district, they had rented two entire inns outright. And as if that weren’t enough, servants and guards dispatched from the main residence—not merely the inns’ own staff—had come to greet us.
“Wow, what is this….”
The eyes of the Chamado members widened in astonishment.
Amid this, Dokgo Gun settled himself in the center of the inn and spoke.
“Just unpack your things and come back down. Let’s share a meal.”
I politely declined the offer.
“I’ll browse the marketplace I saw on the way here and grab something to eat. Please start without me.”
“The marketplace?”
“Yes, now that I think about it, I’ve been away for quite some time, and I realized I haven’t prepared anything for the Household Head or Father. I thought I’d look around a bit.”
The moment I stood up from my seat.
Hong Yeong-chan, Sect Leader, blocked my path.
“That’s not possible, Young Master.”
“What now?”
“Rest comfortably at the inn, and we depart first thing tomorrow. I cannot permit any outings.”
“Permit?”
“Did I not mention it? Please consider your current situation.”
The atmosphere in the hall became tense in an instant.
Everyone stared at me and Hong Yeong-chan.
Even Gun and Yeon didn’t seem inclined to intervene, merely watching the two of us quietly.
“…?”
When I gave no response, Hong Yeong-chan hesitated and slightly lifted the head he had lowered.
I was grinning widely.
As if amused, or perhaps entertained.
“Seo Ryun!”
Suddenly, I called out to an unexpected person.
Seo Ryun, standing toward the back, responded with some discomfort in his manner.
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Doesn’t something about this situation feel off to you?”
“Pardon? Ah….”
Seo Ryun blinked suddenly.
Dokgo Myeong, who had stepped outside his household.
A mere Sect Leader who regarded him lightly.
The friction between those two.
‘Ugh, my head….’
An incident buried in the depths of memory flashed across his mind.
And now he could foresee how this situation would unfold.
Dokgo Myeong turned his head sharply and fixed his gaze on Hong Yeong-chan once more.
“Hong Sect Leader. Did you just issue me a command?”
“…How could I possibly presume to command someone as noble as yourself?”
“Strange. That’s exactly how it sounded to my ears.”
“I apologize for employing language that could be so easily misunderstood.”
Tch, he speaks well. Slipping away like a loach, infuriatingly nimble with his words.
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly.
“I’m unfamiliar with the structure of the Law Enforcement Bureau, so I’m asking—where exactly does a Third Seat rank?”
“…Why do you ask?”
“Look here. I’m asking you a question, and you answer with another?”
“….”
Hong Yeong-chan’s expression grew slightly rigid.
Just as he was about to speak, Dokgo Myeong shook his head.
“Never mind.”
“Sir?”
“Your insolence is sufficient. Since I hold respect for the Jipbeop-bu Leader, let’s simply move past this gracefully, shall we? Do you understand?”
Hong Yeong-chan sighed and reluctantly nodded.
“Then at the very least, travel with the Law Enforcement Officers.”
“My subordinates are sufficient for protection.”
“It’s not about protection…um.”
Hong Yeong-chan made a sound that could have been a sigh or a groan, then continued.
“Young Master. I must reiterate—you are currently being escorted under suspicion of violating household law. To indulge in leisurely outings during such circumstances is simply not permissible….”
Whoosh!
In that instant, Hong Yeong-chan felt something terrifying approaching from directly ahead.
“…!”
Crash! Clang!
Alarmed, he shoved his chair and table aside, retreating backward as he raised his guard.
Yet nothing approached from the front.
Dokgo Myeong simply remained in his original position, regarding him with the same posture as before.
“Hong Sect Leader. You must know your place. Why do you keep acting as though you’re a master swordsman when you’re merely a blade?”
“….”
“No judgment or punishment has been handed down to me yet. I don’t know what you believe in or what you’re intoxicated by, but stop deluding yourself and come to your senses. Do you understand?”
Hong Yeong-chan trembled visibly.
Dokgo Myeong slowly approached and patted Hong Yeong-chan’s shoulder gently.
“Why are you sweating so much? Go drink some cold water and rest. I’ll need to keep watching you until we get home.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly as he brushed past Hong Yeong-chan.
Creak!
Dokgo Ak rose slowly and followed in his wake, with the remaining members of the Inspection Unit trailing behind as if standing guard.
* * *
Dokgo Myeong came out to the marketplace and browsed the wares.
Ye-hwa suddenly spoke from beside him.
“Captain.”
“Ah, I know. But not now.”
“Understood.”
Dokgo Myeong leisurely toured the marketplace.
As expected, it was quite bustling. It wasn’t far from Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province, and the southern region itself had excellent transportation, which seemed to account for it.
Since it had been a long time since I indulged myself like this, I enjoyed the marketplace atmosphere at ease.
I bought simple ornaments and combs for Ye-hwa and Sohwa, several books for Seok-du, and had a martial robe tailored for Cheolmu-baek. As for this fellow Dokgo Ak, since he showed no interest unless it was premium quality, I simply gave him some candies to suck on.
Then on the way, I spotted a stall selling lamb and chicken skewers.
Dokgo Myeong spoke.
“Ye-hwa.”
“Yes.”
“My senses no longer detect them. Are they truly no longer following us?”
“There are about three or four uncertain individuals remaining.”
“Who would you like to go with?”
“I’ll go alone and return.”
“Here, eat some skewers before you go.”
“Yes.”
Ye-hwa efficiently consumed two skewers and disappeared into the alley beside us.
“Shopkeeper, for the number of people here….”
Dokgo Myeong glanced at Namgung Sohwa and spoke again.
“Just give me everything you have.”
“Oh my, that’s quite a lot. Are you sure?”
“Ah, there’s a big eater in our group.”
“…Why did you glance at me when you said that? Surely you’re not talking about me, are you? Right?”
Namgung Sohwa shot back with an axe-like glare, but when I tore off half the skewers and handed them to her, her anger instantly melted into a smile.
Dokgo Myeong strolled through the village, holding the remaining skewers.
Then, an old man who had stationed himself in a corner of the busiest street approached with a bow.
“Oh dear, young master. I’ve been fasting all day, and the aroma of those skewers carries so far that my stomach is making quite a fuss. Might you spare me a bit?”
“Of course. You seem to have quite a keen sense of smell.”
“People around here call me a scent-hound. Hehe.”
Dokgo Myeong placed about six skewers into the beggar’s bowl.
He rummaged through his clothes as if searching for his coin purse, then subtly withdrew an ivory token and showed it.
The old man gave a shallow nod and spoke in a low voice.
“Sogwang of Hu Gu-dangju greets Paelyong. Please come this way.”
The elderly beggar Sogwang quickly led the group into the alley.
Sogwang glanced around cautiously and tapped something on the ground.
Thud!
A wooden plank suddenly popped out from the side, blocking the path toward the main street.
Sogwang opened his mouth.
“Hu Gu-dangju was troubled. Contact was cut off after entering the inner residence.”
“Things just turned out that way. How did the task go?”
“It was handled better than planned, he says.”
“Good. Then let’s move quickly. I think we’re being followed.”
“Followed, you say? By the Jeongheol Sect?”
“No, by my own household.”
….
Dokgo Myeong let out a quiet laugh.
“The elders of my household are desperate to break my spirit. Whoever it is, they’ve actually dared to lay hands on a Law Enforcement Officer….”
Dokgo Myeong continued immediately.
“First, let me hear the information from the main house. Is there anything?”
“Personnel influenced by the Elder faction within the Dokgo Household are being withdrawn. Intelligence suggests they’re monitoring external operations the outer branch is conducting.”
“As expected.”
The Elder Council’s target had been the outer branch from the start.
“Additionally, Sect Leaders who went outside are returning. It appears they’ll hold the Hundred Masters Conference almost immediately.”
“The picture is becoming clear. What messages do the Sect Leader and Hu Gu-dangju have?”
“First, the message from the Dragon Head Sect Leader: ‘My affairs proceed smoothly, so junior, hasten to cultivate yourself and set your household in order.’ That’s what he conveyed.”
“The man who said beggars shouldn’t observe propriety is now using classical phrases. In other words, he’s telling me to put my house in order, isn’t he?”
“Hehe… Now for Hu Gu-dangju’s message: ‘Sufficient gains have been obtained, and a position is being prepared. The movements of the other households, excluding Moyong, are peculiar. It seems we need to take a longer pause.’ That’s what he conveyed.”
Dokgo Myeong nodded.
“Understood. What about the matter I requested?”
“It’s being organized, so it will take time. He says he’ll bring it to the household without delay, so have hope. And… he asked about handling Ok Binghua.”
The first beauty of Zhejiang, Moryong Sohgyo.
She was currently under Hu Gu-dangju’s protection.
“I can’t concern myself with that. Tell him to handle it as he sees fit.”
“Handle it as he sees fit… you say?”
“Yes.”
Dokgo Myeong gave a single nod and looked at Sogwang.
“Any additional messages?”
“None.”
“Then I have one request. Find out the flow of money and personnel leaving the outer branch of the main house and report it to me.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Just follow whoever the Elder Council is watching. Find out what they’re after and report back to me. When can you get the information?”
“I’ll leave it with the Dokgo Household’s nearby branch. You should receive it within several days.”
“Got it. Good work.”
As Dokgo Myeong turned to leave, Sogwang grabbed the wooden board and pressed it back against the wall.
Several days passed.
Dokgo Myeong finally returned to the Dokgo Household.
“Phew, ha. This suffocating air is still the same.”
Dokgo Myeong inhaled deeply and laughed with a bitter edge.
“Now let’s go stir up some chaos.”
In the distance, someone was waiting for Dokgo Myeong.

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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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