Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 199

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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 199
Two days had passed since I returned to the Dokgo Family.
Only a few days remained until the Hundred Clans Tournament.
Despite the sun barely rising over the horizon, the Outer Hall’s study was crowded with numerous people.
Dokgo Un-hak opened the discussion.
“Now then, let’s hear some reports. How do things appear to be progressing?”
“It appears matters will proceed without major complications until the Hundred Clans Tournament.”
“We will cooperate in suppressing Dokgo Myeong’s faction. However….”
“However?”
“Regarding matters related to the Geumsan Sect, they continue to show uncooperative behavior.”
“Leave that be. It’s not a real threat. Merely a smokescreen.”
“Understood, sir.”
“Any other significant movements? Who was assigned to handle this matter? Was it also handled by the Military Council?”
“It was I, sir. I shall provide a detailed report immediately.”
A man stood and distributed pre-prepared documents.
“There have been complications with our expansion into Shaanxi and Fujian. We’ve encountered interference.”
“Explain in detail.”
“Though the funds were untraceable, it appears the Elder Council has noticed the financial flows that the Crown Prince has been using.”
“Is that a significant problem?”
“It may become a minor weakness.”
The Outer Hall had been sending Dokgo Gun outside, visiting many factions.
Outwardly, it was to allow Dokgo Gun to gain experience, but in reality, they had been seeking collaborators to expand their influence in regions near Hunan.
‘What are the Elder Council plotting?’
Have they only discovered the financial flows? Or is there something else?
Dokgo Un-hak furrowed his brow.
“Prepare for that matter as much as possible before the Hundred Clans Tournament. Assume the worst-case scenario.”
“It shall be done.”
“Now, let’s hear about my nephew. Since his house arrest, what movements has his faction made?”
At those words, the Military Council Leader, who could be called the brains of the Outer Hall, swallowed hard.
“That is… quiet.”
“Hmm?”
Two of the leadership figures spoke in turn.
“We’ve confirmed that the Geumsan Sect Leader has been meeting with former meritorious officials, but beyond that, there are no movements whatsoever.”
“In fact, the young master is currently behaving obediently under the Law Enforcement Bureau’s punishment. Law Enforcement Officers are stationed at his room’s entrance, so contact with outsiders is also restricted.”
Dokgo Un-hak’s brow furrowed even deeper.
“Quiet, you say? That fellow?”
It was Dokgo Myeong, no one else. Certainly, he couldn’t ignore a punishment directly handed down by the Law Enforcement Bureau Leader and roam about, but he should still be making moves to prepare for future contingencies in some manner.
‘He’s not so foolish as to be unaware of the situation….’
This was an ominous sign indeed.
“All of you, share your thoughts. What do you think that fellow might be planning?”
“You’re not giving up, are you?”
“In truth, there’s no other way forward. The Jipbeop-bu Leader is acting according to family law….”
Bang!
In that instant, Dokgo Un-hak slammed his hand against the table.
“Why has everyone become so slack? Aren’t you keeping your wits about you?”
“I, I apologize.”
“Those fools outside the family may underestimate Myeong-i for his youth, but you shouldn’t. Do you really not know what kind of man he is?”
Everyone gathered here was from the Outer Hall’s leadership. In other words, they were people who knew the truth and secrets behind the various incidents Dokgo Myeong had caused.
Even if others let their guard down because of Dokgo Myeong’s age, they should have remained vigilant.
“Keep your eyes wide open and your ears alert. If you catch even the slightest hint of anything, report it to me immediately.”
“Yes, Outer Hall Master.”
“Now go back and attend to your duties.”
After dismissing the leadership, Dokgo Un-hak remained seated with his eyes half-closed, lost in thought.
How much time had passed like that?
It was the moment he rose from his seat with a short sigh.
“Outer Hall Master! There’s news regarding Dokgo Myeong. The Law Enforcement Bureau has just made a move.”
“The Law Enforcement Bureau? What news?”
“Dokgo Myeong is being imprisoned in the detention cell!”
* * *
Dokgo Myeong was receiving the Law Enforcement Officers at Sa Heon-gak.
“…For the aforementioned charges, you will be punished according to the strict family law. Criminal Dokgo Myeong, do you have anything else to say?”
Dokgo Yeon-sin finished reading the verdict.
Dokgo Myeong, kneeling before him, let out a wry smile.
“How could one of Dokgo blood make excuses? Though I feel wronged, I will accept the punishment willingly.”
Dokgo Yeon-sin folded the verdict and opened his mouth.
“Taking into consideration that you admitted your guilt and confessed, that you attempted to cover your tracks, that you had the Family Head’s permission, and that you have rendered several merits to the main family….”
“….”
“…I hereby order you to be imprisoned in the detention cell for one month. Keep in mind that this period may be extended or reduced depending on your conduct.”
No matter how great a martial family or sect, punishment procedures are complex. Matters were not typically resolved in just a day or two.
But the Dokgo Family was different.
Regarding the enforcement of family law, the Law Enforcement Bureau, particularly the Jipbeop-bu Leader, held complete authority.
“Well then, let’s get moving.”
Dokgo Myeong brushed off his knees and stood up.
“…The criminal should extend their hands and feet.”
One of the Law Enforcement Officers standing beside him pulled out a bluish metal object with a reluctant expression.
Clang!
Shackles and leg irons made of eternal cold iron that blocked one’s inner energy—the spirit-sealing restraints.
“Being imprisoned in the detention cell, how thrilling this is.”
Clink! Clatter!
Dokgo Myeong followed right behind Dokgo Yeon-sin, the chains rattling with each step.
Dokgo Yeon-sin merely glanced at me without responding.
I let out a soft chuckle and spoke in a hushed voice.
“I’ll take that as your acceptance of my proposal.”
Dokgo Yeon-sin glared at me.
“Don’t misunderstand. I act only as one who enforces the family law, now and in the future.”
“That’s exactly what I proposed from the beginning.”
Thus I moved to the Law Enforcement Bureau.
An unexpected person was waiting at the Law Enforcement Bureau.
None other than Outer Hall Master Dokgo Un-hak.
“I greet the Law Enforcement Bureau Leader.”
Dokgo Un-hak bowed his head to Dokgo Yeon-sin, though his gaze remained fixed on me.
“Outer Hall Master. What brings you here?”
“I was startled to hear that my nephew Myeong-i was suddenly imprisoned. Wasn’t house confinement supposed to be the punishment?”
“During interrogation, he confessed to additional charges. He also requested direct punishment, so I enforced the family law immediately.”
Privately, they were uncle and nephew.
Yet they maintained a coldness toward each other that was almost professional.
“I see. Would it be permissible for me to have a brief word with him?”
“It is not.”
“Just a moment would suffice.”
Dokgo Un-hak tried to approach me regardless.
But at that instant.
Whoosh.
Dokgo Yeon-sin pivoted his foot slightly to the side, blocking his path.
His voice turned ice-cold as he issued a warning.
“That’s far enough. Even as Outer Hall Master, you cannot interfere in the Law Enforcement Bureau’s proceedings.”
Dokgo Un-hak’s eyes flashed.
“Bureau Leader. This was a matter that should have ended with mere reprimand, yet suddenly he’s imprisoned. How am I to accept this?”
At that sharp response, Dokgo Yeon-sin’s eyes narrowed.
“What are you trying to say?”
“That this handling is uncharacteristic of the usual Law Enforcement Bureau Leader. Is it not?”
“….”
“…This nephew knows well that Uncle would not act contrary to reason. Half an hour would be sufficient.”
Dokgo Yeon-sin regarded him for a long moment, then spoke in a low, measured tone.
“Half a quarter of an hour. I will not tolerate any nonsense beyond conversation.”
Thus Dokgo Un-hak was able to meet with me.
The Law Enforcement Bureau’s courtyard.
With Law Enforcement Officers waiting in the distance, Dokgo Un-hak suddenly opened his mouth.
“What are you thinking?”
My expression twisted sharply.
“Why are you doing this? This was a trap you set, Outer Hall Master!”
Dokgo Un-hak’s eyes narrowed.
‘What is this? He didn’t enter willingly?’
His reaction was slightly off.
He was supposed to enter the Brain Prison during the Baek Tournament, but Dokgo Myeong’s demeanor suggested he knew nothing of this.
‘Is he acting? No, that’s not important right now.’
Dokgo Un-hak’s expression shifted completely as he opened his mouth.
“Let’s stop this probing, this pushing and pulling. Let’s have a real conversation.”
“A real conversation, you say.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed as he regarded Dokgo Un-hak.
“Are you afraid?”
“…What did you just say?”
“Didn’t you know I would act impulsively? You certainly must have known. So what terrifies you so much that you came rushing to find me before even understanding the situation?”
Whoosh!
Dokgo Un-hak’s inner energy began to surge with killing intent.
The aura of a Sword King. For Dokgo Myeong with his suppressed cultivation, it was not easily withstandable.
Yet Dokgo Myeong didn’t flinch.
“Watch your tongue. Whatever schemes you’re hiding, once you enter the Brain Prison, you won’t escape easily. Even if I forgive you, the Outer Hall won’t let it slide. Surely you understand this?”
“Did you come here to speak such useless words?”
“What?”
“Do as you wish. But the Outer Hall Master will find himself in quite a predicament as well.”
“What?”
“Several of the Outer Hall’s irregularities will explode from my hands. I still possess the original, unaltered ledgers.”
“…!”
He was referring to the Geumsan Sect incident.
Though the truth was buried in the handling process, Dokgo Un-hak had once privately used Dokgo Maek, who was the Sect Leader at the time.
“If you expose that, you’ll only face suspicion of concealing evidence yourself.”
“When I’m already entering the Brain Prison, do you think I have anything left to hide?”
For a moment, their gazes locked.
Dokgo Un-hak suddenly smiled.
“A ruthless one. Very well. Then what is this useful matter you speak of?”
“For instance, something like the Elder Council.”
“…!”
“The Alliance Leader’s movements seem to irritate you greatly. You must have prepared countermeasures, yet something feels like it’s going wrong, doesn’t it? And now I suddenly find myself locked in the Brain Prison… it’s enough to unsettle anyone.”
Dokgo Un-hak felt his skin crawl.
‘This bastard?’
Could the source of that strange feeling be this?
‘No, that can’t be.’
He couldn’t have planned this from the start. And even if he had, there was no possibility he’d orchestrated something beyond his perception.
Dokgo Un-hak’s eyes opened narrowly.
“Myeong-i. Do you know something about the Elder Council?”
One can read a person’s true intentions from the questions they ask.
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
‘He was certain I hadn’t joined hands with the Elder Council.’
If he hadn’t been so certain, he would have asked whether I had joined hands with them.
Dokgo Myeong’s lips curled upward as he spoke.
“In truth, I don’t know the exact details.”
“What?”
“But I do know that I’m involved in that plan.”
“You’re involved?”
“Isn’t it my turn to ask questions now?”
Dokgo Un-hak’s brow furrowed.
“Is that how this works? Then you can’t just gloss over things with vague nonsense like that.”
“Very well. From the next question onward, I’ll give you proper answers.”
Dokgo Un-hak clicked his tongue once, then nodded.
Dokgo Myeong asked.
“Outer Hall Master, do you trust the Elder Council Leader?”
“…What?”
Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Dokgo Un-hak’s eyes widened, then a bitter laugh escaped him moments later.
“It was a decent sowing of discord, but clumsy. Did it seem like I trusted him from the start? Where in this world would you find someone who trusts a rival?”
“So you weren’t targeting just me from the beginning either.”
“Correct. Now it’s my turn. This time, it’s not a question but a proposal—”
“Oh dear, what a shame.”
Dokgo Myeong’s expression turned regretful as he cut him off.
“Time’s up.”
“What?”
Dokgo Myeong spun around abruptly.
Clank!
As the sound of chains rang out, Dokgo Un-hak burst out in protest.
“Where are you going in the middle of speaking!”
“Half the time is up, isn’t it?”
Dokgo Myeong raised his manacled hands and pointed to one spot.
A Law Enforcement Officer could be seen slowly approaching that location.
Dokgo Myeong grinned wickedly.
“And I’ve already heard everything I wanted to know.”
“…!”
At that moment, the Law Enforcement Officer reached them.
“Time is up. The Jipbeop-bu Leader has ordered that no further conversation is permitted.”
Being dragged away, Dokgo Myeong merely glanced back over his shoulder and shouted.
“Oh, that’s right! The Spirit Restoration Pills were delicious! And not only the pills but information given so generously! I’m truly moved!”
Dokgo Un-hak’s face contorted with rage.
Whoosh!
I felt qi energy surging from behind me. The anger contained within that energy was quite fierce, yet even he dared not make a move within the Law Enforcement Bureau.
I walked forward with a faint smile on my face.
‘So he’s caught on? Even if his vision was obscured and he was led into complacency, it seems becoming Outer Hall Master wasn’t purely by chance.’
But he had no idea that this entire scheme was orchestrated by his own son.
In fact, I only knew of it because I was aware of what Dokgo Gun would do in the future.
‘For a while, he won’t understand the meaning of my words and will fall into a defensive position. He’ll become passive.’
That was my calculation.
I knew that if I acted recklessly, he would eventually come for me.
I just didn’t expect him to come before I even entered the Prison Tower.
‘His haste means his suspicions have grown considerably.’
Before long, I arrived at the entrance of the Prison Tower.
Screeeech!
A chilling metallic sound grated against my ears.
Dokgo Yeon-sin asked from beside me.
“Are you truly satisfied with this?”
“You saw it yourself, didn’t you? Even the great Outer Hall Master took the bait.”
I smiled wickedly and added one more thing.
“Next is the Elder Council Leader’s turn.”

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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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