Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 194

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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 194
The moment I shouted with full force and bowed my head deeply.
Screeeech!
A thin, sharp sound like paper fluttering reached my ears.
My sensory awareness sounded an alarm.
Before I could even draw my breath back in, I had to tense every muscle in my body.
In truth, it wasn’t a conscious action. The Hyocheon Technique, an outer art of absolute mastery, had positioned my body to move instantly in response to my sensory warning.
Immediately after, I drew up my inner force. All available power concentrated into the sleeve of my Dragon Scale Robe.
Dokgo Myeong extended his palm strike.
Kwaaaaaang!
With a tremendous explosion, my body lifted into the air. That wasn’t enough—I flew far backward and crashed into the ground.
“…!”
The Chamma disciples reacted only after Dokgo Myeong flew away, each drawing their weapons.
‘What, what was that?’
‘What just happened?’
Was it sword energy? A palm strike? Or something else entirely?
They felt nothing and saw nothing.
Only the sound of air splitting reached them, and the result of Dokgo Myeong being sent flying remained.
Actually, thinking about it, even that sound seemed to arrive a step behind Dokgo Myeong’s flight.
Then, from the deepest part of the great hall, a single voice flowed out.
“Running wild like a reckless fool, I see….”
Everyone’s gaze turned forward.
An old man bearing the Black Dragon emblem sat upon the high seat, smiling.
Perhaps due to the sunlight streaming into the great hall, they momentarily saw Dokgo Cheon not as a man but as an enormous dragon coiled upon itself.
“…Certainly a noteworthy achievement. Your reaction wasn’t particularly poor.”
“Huff, huff…. That’s quite a rough way to express your welcome…. Whew!”
Dokgo Myeong gasped as if breathless, then painfully straightened his waist.
Dokgo Cheon spoke coldly.
“I wondered if you had a death wish, running wild like that. So I tested you. Fortunately, you’ve grown beyond my expectations.”
“I dipped my feet in Samdocheon a few times and came back stronger.”
“Yet your tongue still moves well despite the cold sweat pouring down.”
“Isn’t that another one of my charms?”
Watching Dokgo Myeong grin, Dokgo Cheon also smiled.
“Clever boy, come here.”
“Clever boy. I’ve just returned.”
Grandfather and grandson welcomed each other with similar smiles.
* * *
In the atmosphere that had settled once more.
Dokgo Cheon looked past Dokgo Myeong’s back and opened his mouth.
“You brought outsiders into the great hall without fear, without asking permission beforehand. I should have a word with the Black Dragon Sect Leader who made way for you.”
It was unclear whether he was trying to intimidate or make a joke.
The Chamma Unit members who didn’t know Dokgo Cheon well, including Dokgo Ak, became serious, but Dokgo Myeong spoke as if it were nothing.
“These are the captains who will be walking alongside me from now on. I wanted to introduce them to the Family Head first.”
Dokgo Myeong gestured to the Chamma Unit members.
The Chamma Unit members hesitantly approached and stood in a line on either side of Dokgo Myeong.
Dokgo Cheon regarded them with an indifferent gaze before speaking.
“If you’ve taken on people, then you’ve taken them on. Why waste my time with this?”
“Come now, isn’t it reasonable to take up a little of your time?”
Dokgo Cheon’s eyes twitched.
“What?”
“Your grandson has come to show his grandfather his friends. Wouldn’t it be nice if you looked them over approvingly and offered some words of blessing?”
“Regardless. I wonder who taught you that smooth tongue of yours…”
Dokgo Cheon chuckled softly.
The Chamma Unit members watched the two of them converse so comfortably with astonishment.
It was as if a heavenly being had become an earthly one.
In truth, Dokgo Cheon conversing with Dokgo Myeong appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary human.
“But…”
Then Dokgo Cheon’s gaze fell upon Dokgo Ak.
“Ak. Did you agree to do the same?”
Dokgo Ak flinched and opened his mouth.
“Ah, yes… It just turned out this way.”
“No matter how outstanding Myeong is, he’s merely a cousin of the same generation. Did you choose to submit just because Baek Ok-gak has attached himself beneath Myeong?”
It was nearly abusive language. In the past, it would have been the kind of thing to deeply wound and break one’s spirit.
Yet Dokgo Ak felt surprisingly calm, much to his own surprise.
And he answered composedly, channeling that very feeling.
“It’s not submission. It’s companionship.”
“Companionship?”
“My brother needs me, and I wish to follow him at his side. Father feels the same way.”
Just then, a murmuring sound came from beside him.
“I don’t need you that much.”
“Please, have some tact!”
Namgung Sohwa and Geum Seok-du, standing on either side, jabbed Dokgo Myeong’s ribs sharply.
Dokgo Ak let out a small sigh.
‘Ugh, to think of him as both brother and lord…’
Though Dokgo Ak thought this, a natural smile played at the corners of his mouth.
Dokgo Cheon’s eyes gleamed as he asked.
“A life in the shadows. You can’t possibly be satisfied with that?”
“I have no intention of becoming a shadow. I’ll simply live as Dokgo Ak.”
“Hahahaha!”
Dokgo Cheon laughed heartily.
“Truly a pleasing sight. You and your father have both come to your senses. Your advancement in martial arts must surely stem from this change of heart.”
“That is… well…”
Dokgo Ak’s eyes wavered considerably.
He had never received such praise from his grandfather before, which left him flustered.
“Though it appears you’ve hit a wall of sorts.”
“Your grandson lacks skill, I’m afraid…”
“No. Your external cultivation may be lacking, but the issue lies with your martial techniques themselves.”
“Pardon?”
“The Iron Sword Ten Forms are sufficient at your current level. I’ll inform the inner sect—at the next selection of the Ten Perfect Martial Arts, choose one of the Main Sect’s Eight Divine Techniques to study. With your foundation well-laid, you’ll break through that wall soon enough.”
“…!”
Dokgo Ak steadied his trembling voice and lowered his head.
“I shall diligently cultivate, grandfather.”
Dokgo Cheon nodded once in acknowledgment.
Dokgo Myeong opened his eyes wide, staring at Dokgo Cheon.
“Are you favoring one grandson over another? Why aren’t you looking after me?”
“If you wish to cultivate the Main Sect’s martial arts, you may do so whenever you please. But surely you’re not speaking so carelessly without any real intention, are you?”
“…”
“Tsk, enough idle talk. Introduce them first. How much longer do you intend to waste time with meaningless chatter?”
“Ah, may I proceed?”
Dokgo Myeong broke into a grin.
“You have no idea how much trouble I went through gathering these people… But the Sect Leader will be absolutely astonished. Each and every one of them is truly remarkable…”
Dokgo Myeong launched into his boasts with an excited expression, rattling on proudly.
It was much like introducing friends to an elder of the family. Which, in fact, was exactly what it was.
However, unlike the delighted Dokgo Myeong, the members of the Chamma Squad stood with expressions as if they might be sick.
“No need for such lengthy explanations. I can see at a glance that these are rare talents.”
“Isn’t that right?”
Dokgo Cheon’s gaze fell first upon Geum Seok-du.
“You’re the one who entered the Main Sect first, I hear. You distinguished yourself in the matter of rooting out traitors.”
“Ah, you knew of me. It is an honor.”
Geum Seok-du bowed his head.
“I formally present myself. I am Geum Seok-du, from Zhejiang. I assist the young master with various skills.”
Geum Seok-du had grown considerably.
Though nervousness was evident, he spoke each word clearly to the end.
Dokgo Cheon asked with a peculiar expression.
“By chance, what relation do you have to Manpaknoesa?”
Geum Seok-du was startled.
“He is my master. I studied under him for several years in his later days.”
“His later days?”
“He passed away some years ago.”
“So it has come to that. A regrettable star has set in the Gangho.”
Dokgo Myeong was startled.
He had never expected the Sword Master to speak so candidly.
Geum Seok-du asked in a composed tone.
“Did you have a connection with my master?”
“Long ago, I discussed poetry and painting with him and formed a bond. A wise man of great worth in troubled times. That gentle qi technique of yours… did he also teach you the Baek Ok Kangryeon Gong?”
“How did you know?”
“That technique was originally called Yoga Gong, one of the external martial arts from the Western Regions. Since he was the last successor, I could only deduce it.”
“I see…”
“It seems he took quite a liking to you. If he transmitted the Kangryeon Gong, he must have cherished you greatly.”
Geum Seok-du laughed bitterly.
“My master was displeased with me until the very end. He told me never to call myself his disciple anywhere. He probably transmitted it only out of necessity, fearing the lineage would be lost.”
Dokgo Cheon shook his head firmly.
“That cannot be. That eccentric old man must have severed his attachment knowing his time was near.”
“Pardon?”
“He once said he would take his skills to the grave with him. He wanted to break the lineage entirely. Yet if he taught you his techniques and transmitted the Kangryeon Gong, then surely he regarded you as his one and only disciple, did he not?”
“…!”
Geum Seok-du stared at Dokgo Cheon with wide, astonished eyes, then hastily bowed his head deeply.
His shoulders trembled silently, but no one spoke.
Dokgo Myeong reached to pat his shoulder, then withdrew his hand and looked toward Dokgo Cheon instead.
‘So karma flows in such ways.’
He felt genuine gratitude toward Dokgo Cheon.
The knot in Geum Seok-du’s heart that he himself could not untie—Dokgo Cheon had melted it away with mere words.
Dokgo Cheon met Dokgo Myeong’s gaze with a faint smile, then turned his attention elsewhere.
“And… that young woman is a descendant of Salgok. Was she a disciple of Gwak?”
“…!”
Ye-hwa’s eyes wavered.
Her emotions were laid bare for all to see, and she belatedly lowered her head.
“I am Ye-hwa of the Gwak clan. I pay my respects to the Sword Master.”
“I heard of Salgok’s destruction. I wondered about it, but now I can guess. Are you the last descendant of Salgok?”
“Yes, but… I wish to walk an entirely different new path. The teachings of the Secret Sect will end with my generation.”
“As it should be. There are countless in Gangho who burn with vengeance against the martial arts of the Secret Sect, like grains of sand.”
“…!”
“It is right to abandon such vulgar heterodox teachings. You have made a wise choice.”
Next, Cheolmu-baek and Namgung Sohwa paid their respects in turn.
“I am Cheolmu-baek from the steppes. I meet the absolute master of Gangho.”
Dokgo Cheon had nothing particular to say to Cheolmu-baek.
Cheolmu-baek seemed to require no further conversation either, quietly gazing up at Dokgo Cheon. Like one standing before a towering cliff, preparing to climb, he simply looked on in silence, then nodded as if he had made a resolve.
But Namgung Sohwa was different.
“I am Sohwa of the Namgung clan. I… pay my respects to the Sword Master.”
Surprisingly.
Even Cheolmu-baek maintained a respectful posture, but the moment Namgung Sohwa finished her bow, she glared at Dokgo Cheon with eyes wide open as if she meant to kill him.
‘Wow, she’s actually doing it.’
Dokgo Myeong inwardly marveled.
It was just a figure of speech, but she was actually doing it….
“Your eyes shine brightly. Why do you look at me with such a gaze, young lady?”
Namgung Sohwa didn’t even realize what words were spilling from her mouth as her tongue ran wild.
“B-because the Sect Leader is my target!”
“Target?”
“The Sect Leader is my dream! I will become the next greatest swordmaster under heaven!”
She shouted with uncharacteristic vigor.
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened in bewilderment at her outburst, when suddenly Dokgo Cheon burst into laughter.
“Hahahaha!”
At that laughter, Namgung Sohwa startled and came to her senses.
And she despaired.
‘Oh no, oh no! What have I done!’
She wanted to hide in a mouse hole.
Yet Dokgo Cheon spoke with an expression of amusement.
“Even that arrogant fellow wouldn’t dare speak such words before me, yet here you are—a bold young girl indeed.”
“Th-that is… *hiccup*.”
Her courage completely spent, Namgung Sohwa began to hiccup.
Dokgo Cheon exhaled a long breath and gazed at her.
“When I heard the news, I was uncertain… but indeed, you carry the blood of Namgung. Your eyes resemble those of Namgung Gung-hak greatly.”
Namgung Gung-hak.
The name of the Sect Leader just before Namgung’s fall, and the man who became the leader of the Six Great Families Alliance to guide the chaos of the post-war era.
“You managed to survive.”
It was a statement laden with complex emotions—seeming indifferent yet carrying an undertone of quiet approval.
Namgung Sohwa sensed it too, and she blinked in slight confusion.
‘Considering the age difference… I see. They say the Sect Leader of Namgung created the alliance of families back then. He must have been from the same era as the Sect Leader.’
While Dokgo Cheon regarded other families with indifference, he held Namgung in high regard. There must be a reason for that.
Dokgo Cheon asked.
“Did you say you wish to rebuild your family?”
“Y-yes, that is correct.”
“Then why have you come to the Main Sect? Even if by some chance you achieve that dream, what words do you think will follow in the future?”
Namgung Sohwa understood his meaning immediately.
He spoke of ‘origin’—the kind of talk that clung even to great martial artists of the Wudang Sect, sect founders, and masters like Manpaknoesa.
Tales of learning martial arts at Huashan, of being a disciple of Shaolin, and such.
She too would provide future generations with gossip worth spreading. They might distort the facts and claim that Namgung was merely a branch family of Dokgo.
Yet Namgung Sohwa’s expression showed no concern.
“I am not following the bloodline of Dokgo, but rather a man named Dokgo Myeong.”
“You understand wordplay well enough. Will future generations think the same?”
“Isn’t it impossible to rebuild a clan while trembling at the judgment of posterity?”
Namgung Sohwa glanced at Dokgo Myeong and offered a gentle smile.
“Do everything you can. Those were your words, Myeong. I intend to live by them.”
“I see.”
Dokgo Cheon smiled faintly at her words.
It was an expression rarely seen even among his true grandchildren, causing both Dokgo Ak and Dokgo Myeong to widen their eyes in surprise.
Then, Dokgo Myeong opened his mouth with pride.
“What do you think? These are my companions and subordinates.”
Dokgo Cheon swept his gaze across Chamadae and spoke.
“Is this all of them?”
“There are still many more to come.”
“Talents of this caliber are scattered throughout the Gangho. Yet among the countless martial artists, only a handful survive to leave their names behind.”
Dokgo Myeong laughed with satisfaction.
“Among all those martial artists in the Gangho, I selected these, and they chose me in return. Please watch. They will become my fortress.”

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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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