Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 197

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

Chapter 197
Only after Dokgo Wi-hak had thoroughly scolded him could Dokgo Myeong finally resume a normal conversation.
“Still, you’ve gathered truly remarkable people.”
“Yes, they are the most valuable treasures I have ever obtained.”
I meant every word of it.
Dokgo Wi-hak spoke with a slightly stern tone.
“To gain one person is to gain their entire world. If you have chosen to be their lord, then become a man capable of bearing their world.”
“Yes, I will endeavor to do so.”
“Good.”
Then Dokgo Wi-hak opened his mouth with a somewhat cautious expression.
“However, perhaps….”
“Please speak freely.”
“Is Nangung also merely a relationship of lord and servant, and a friend?”
“Pardon?”
Huh?
What kind of question is that?
A beat too late in grasping the meaning of those words, Dokgo Myeong’s voice rose without his realizing it.
“What do you mean by such strange words!?”
“Strange, you say?”
Dokgo Wi-hak countered with his usual composed expression.
“You are now past twenty-three years of age. While martial artists marry late, at that age, is it not time to see children? Is that so strange?”
“Wow, you sounded very much like a father just then.”
“I am your father. Though it seems I haven’t heard that word from you in some time.”
“Cough.”
Dokgo Myeong coughed dryly.
Wow, to disturb the breathing of a master who has reached the pinnacle of cultivation. Truly, the Sect Leader is formidable.
Dokgo Myeong smacked his lips and spoke.
“It’s just… well, circumstances have become somewhat complicated.”
“I see?”
What was that?
That sounded rather meaningful just now.
“As for marriage… I know it would be unfilial, but I have no such thoughts at present.”
“I understand.”
Though he rarely displayed emotion, a hint of disappointment could be felt in those words.
‘Wow, this is not easy.’
It would be easier to debate with the Family Lord. I felt as though my breath was being suffocated.
“Since you understand, tell me of the matters in the Gangho.”
“Yes.”
Only then could Dokgo Myeong unfold the affairs of the Gangho. Though recounting the same events, the content and expression differed slightly from when he reported to the Family Lord.
After hearing all the stories.
Dokgo Wi-hak asked this first.
“Are you alright?”
Dokgo Myeong smiled faintly.
“It was manageable.”
“Still putting on a strong front, I see.”
Dokgo Wi-hak spoke with a slightly stern expression.
“Show me your palm.”
“Pardon?”
“Quickly now.”
When Dokgo Myeong extended his palm, Dokgo Wi-hak placed his hand over it.
“Don’t resist. Accept it.”
“…!”
Whoooosh!
In an instant, a surge of inner force like an angry wave rushed into my body.
My aggressive Hyocheon Technique naturally rose up, but I immediately suppressed it.
‘I knew he had mastered the Jeong Sect’s profound techniques, but to this extent?’
The turbid qi from my injuries was instantly washed away. The severely damaged areas were wrapped in his power to accelerate recovery.
Truly pure inner force.
It was of a different nature from the qi I had accumulated. If anything, it resembled the energy of the Xuanmen Daoists.
Whoosh!
After guiding a cycle of true qi through me, Dokgo Wi-hak withdrew his hand.
“There has been a greater change in your true qi than what you mentioned.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“The influence of demonic possession still lingers. Did you know this?”
“Pardon?”
“As I thought, you didn’t.”
As Dokgo Myeong expressed his surprise, Dokgo Wi-hak opened his mouth as if taken aback.
“There are some areas where the flow of your qi and blood has changed somewhat.”
“Which areas are you referring to?”
“The secondary meridians and the extraordinary acupoints. It seems you haven’t paid attention to them.”
“That’s not quite right. I observed that they were flowing appropriately….”
Dokgo Wi-hak shook his head.
“When one undergoes so many changes in such a short time, these things happen. Have you shown any emotional instability since breaking through the barrier?”
Dokgo Myeong nodded.
“It seems I have, somewhat. I thought it was the influence of demonic interference.”
“I believe you already know what I’m about to say.”
“Yes.”
Dokgo Myeong exhaled a long breath.
“It appears I rushed forward without looking back.”
“The aftermath of demonic possession, the reversal of true qi… you glossed over these with advancement in realm and rebirth, but without sufficient time to stabilize your new realm, discrepancies were inevitable.”
Countless masters waste years trying to comprehend new insights and reach higher realms of cultivation.
Dokgo Myeong had been skipping over that process by drawing upon knowledge from the future. But now, having climbed too high, gaps had begun to form.
‘In the midst of all that—adapting the Seoncheon Technique to my body, continuing combat, sustaining injuries, navigating formation arrays….’
When I thought about it, perhaps it would have been stranger if imbalance hadn’t occurred.
But truthfully, the real problem isn’t the imbalance. Once I’m aware of it, correcting the balance is simple.
‘The real problem is….’
That despite having reached a realm several stages higher than this, I hadn’t even recognized that imbalance.
Now I understood why the Sect Leader had made that pointed remark.
Dokgo Myeong nodded.
“I should review my martial techniques from the ground up during this opportunity. I’ve already discovered the weaknesses inherent in the Cheonoe Gyeong.”
“You’re referring to the connections between each martial technique.”
“You noticed?”
“Yes.”
Dokgo Myeong marveled.
“Just how strong are you, Sect Leader?”
“Strong enough to manage my own survival.”
“It seems to be far beyond that level.”
Dokgo Wi-hak didn’t respond to that remark and changed the subject.
“Do you need advice?”
“Pardon?”
“About your weaknesses.”
“Hmm….”
It felt rather unusual.
Receiving advice about weaknesses from another person?
I had almost no experience receiving guidance about the path I should walk—not about mindset, techniques, or inner force cultivation, but about direction itself.
That was because I had already noticed such things beforehand and reinforced them, or I had stolen and created solutions for my shortcomings myself.
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed slightly.
“I will listen intently. Will you teach me?”
“Rebuild your foundations.”
“And?”
“That’s all.”
Dokgo Myeong responded with a bewildered expression.
“Even as I am, my foundations aren’t lacking.”
“They are lacking. Especially the foundations of orthodox martial arts.”
“Pardon?”
Dokgo Wi-hak spoke with firm conviction.
“The Cheonoe Gyeong is certainly a divine technique without peer. But it’s far too peculiar. It must differ fundamentally from universal martial principles.”
“That is true.”
“Therefore, the foundations of universal martial arts may have been somewhat neglected.”
At those words, my previously muddled mind suddenly became clear.
‘Fundamentals, fundamentals…’
Now that I thought about it, delving into the martial arts of Cheonoe Gyeong was much like indulging in the study of fundamentals.
It was decent advice. No, it was excellent advice.
“I will retrace my steps from the very beginning.”
“Do so. It may well become the catalyst for taking another step forward. But that aside….”
Dokgo Wi-hak’s eyes deepened.
“A disciple of the Wudang Sect came looking for you?”
“Yes, he said his name was Yeong-han, called the Flowing Leaf Sword in Gangho. He said he belonged to the Jinmu Division….”
Dokgo Wi-hak exhaled a long breath with his lips sealed.
“Yeong-han… A man with coarse facial features, a grave disposition, and a Shaanxi accent—is that the one?”
“Do you know him?”
“Once upon a time.”
Dokgo Wi-hak dismissed it at that.
What did that mean now, then?
I didn’t press the matter.
“He wasn’t hostile, was he?”
“He wasn’t. He was simply ordinary, like anyone else.”
“…That’s a relief.”
An emotion I had never seen before flickered across Dokgo Wi-hak’s eyes, if only for a moment.
It was a familiar gaze.
In my past life, the members of the Demon Slaying Division often wore such an expression.
‘Regret.’
Perhaps this was connected to that broken sword I had seen back then.
Dokgo Myeong spoke.
“He said he would visit the main house. Since we exchanged favors that saved our lives, I couldn’t refuse. I apologize.”
“You have no need to apologize. If he said he was coming, there’s no refusing it.”
“As the saying goes, even a sheet of paper is easier to carry with help, is it not?”
At Dokgo Myeong’s sudden remark, Dokgo Wi-hak regarded him with a puzzled expression.
“Though I am still lacking, if there is anything you need, please tell me at any time.”
“You focus on your own affairs.”
“My affairs are that affair.”
Dokgo Wi-hak let out a soft laugh at the persistent attitude, as if he couldn’t help it, and nodded.
“Very well, I’ll rely on you then.”
Dokgo Myeong exhaled deeply once.
Something that had been depleted within him felt replenished, and it was reassuring.
Now it was time to walk into that slightly darker place once more.
“Then I shall take my leave now.”
Dokgo Wi-hak’s expression stiffened slightly.
“Where are you going?”
It might have seemed like an odd question given that he had just returned home.
However, Dokgo Myeong’s current situation was far from favorable.
“I should visit the Law Enforcement Bureau. It seems the Jipbeop-bu Leader’s consideration will only extend through tonight.”
“Will I be thrown into the Naeok?”
“I doubt I’ll be confined immediately. It’s not a grave enough crime for that.”
My current charge was singular.
Failure to deliver results.
That alone would warrant suspension or revocation of my position at worst.
‘But if I’m stripped of my position and then incite a blood purge in Deungyong-ji, that becomes sufficient grounds for imprisonment. And beyond that….’
The Jeong Cheon-maeng incident, the Paedobyeon incident, Jeolgang, the Moyong Family, Deungyong-ji, and more.
If the Outer Sect and the Elder Council demanded accountability for all the losses incurred thus far?
It would be more than enough reason to lock me in the Naeok with my inner force sealed.
“If you wish for my help, speak plainly.”
Dokgo Myeong smiled wickedly.
“On the contrary, I must go in.”
“What?”
“The Naeok. I must enter it. Specifically, the section reserved only for those who’ve committed the gravest crimes.”
* * *
Dokgo Myeong gathered his Chamma Unit captains together.
Since he might be away for some time, he needed to assign tasks to his subordinates.
“…Are you truly certain about this?”
“I said yes, Seok-du.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled.
“While I’m gone, don’t lose focus. Just do what I’ve told you to do.”
“Don’t worry.”
“And continue your training.”
Dokgo Myeong clenched his fist tightly.
“If you’ve grown less than I anticipate, you’ll wish you were dead.”
“…Pardon? What do you mean by that?”
Dokgo Myeong laughed heartily, sweeping his gaze across his subordinates.
“I have a precise expectation of how much you’ll all grow. I can imagine it quite clearly.”
“But, sir…?”
“But if when I return you’re weaker than my expectations, I’ll make you scream so desperately you’ll beg me to kill you instead.”
“…?”
What in the world was he saying?
So he was saying if they weren’t as strong as he predicted, he wouldn’t let them off easy?
What kind of man was this?
“So what should we do? We’d better train ourselves to death, right?”
“Wait a moment, Captain!”
Ye-hwa cried out.
“How are we supposed to know what that standard is? This is unreasonable!”
That’s right! Our Ye-hwa is doing wonderfully!
The department heads sent her looks of genuine pride.
However, her opponent was Dokgo Myeong.
“Ah, your standard is good. I should teach you what the standard is.”
“What? What’s this about?”
“What did you say, Seok-du?”
“Ahem, that was a slip of the tongue.”
Dokgo Myeong exhaled sharply through his nose and jabbed his thumb forcefully against his own chest.
“The standard is me.”
“What did you say?”
“What was that?”
“Huh?”
Dokgo Myeong nodded his head.
“Yes, let me say it again. I am the standard itself.”
Everyone stood there dumbfounded, as if they’d just witnessed the most absurd thing in the world.
Given this situation, there was nothing to do but throw themselves into training relentlessly, madly, and without pause.
“Did you think you could rest easy, eat well, and relax while I suffered in the Neok Prison? Not a chance, understand?”
“B-but that’s….”
“Tell that bastard Ak too. If you don’t break through to the Peak Realm, consider yourself dead.”
Did they think the Peak Realm was some random dog’s name?
There were people who couldn’t reach it even if they spent their entire lives cultivating, yet he spoke of it so casually….
It was then.
“Young Master!”
Jang Sam’s voice came from outside the room.
“P-people from the Law Enforcement Bureau have arrived! But…!”
“The Leader gave me quite a bit of time after all. The moment has come. Let’s go.”
Dokgo Myeong sprang to his feet.
He glanced around briefly, then smiled wickedly.
“I’m heading out. Keep up the hard work.”
That was all he said.
Dokgo Myeong strode out of the room with long steps, as if he were simply taking a casual stroll through the neighborhood.
“Please wait a moment!”
Geum Seok-du shouted urgently.
Then he hesitated briefly before speaking.
“We will devote ourselves to training without a moment’s rest. Please go forth and achieve all that you desire.”
“Good.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
“I’ll destroy it all and return.”
Law Enforcement Officers were waiting in the courtyard of Saheongang.
“Dokgo Myeong, we have come to…!”
“Ah, all bark and no bite. Here I am, you fools.”
Dokgo Myeong sauntered forward with a swagger, extending both his hands.
“What…?”
The Law Enforcement Officer at the front spoke in confusion as Dokgo Myeong continued.
“Well? Put them on.”
“…”
“Should I fasten them myself?”
“Ah, no, sir.”
Normally, Law Enforcement Officers were required to use formal speech when executing the sect’s laws.
But the flustered officer inadvertently slipped into respectful language instead.
Click!
Soon, thick steel shackles were fastened around both of Dokgo Myeong’s wrists.
Dokgo Myeong examined the iron shackles this way and that, then let out a soft chuckle.
“Well then, shall we go?”

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