Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 205

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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 205
The first day of the Hundred Clans Tournament had come to an end.
“Go on ahead. There will be much to handle given the follow-up measures we need to consider.”
Outer Hall Master Dokgo Un-hak spoke thus to his son Dokgo Gun before immediately departing.
It was clear that the Elder Council would be eyeing the various enterprises the Outer Hall had been managing all this time.
‘We’ve gone through all manner of trouble trying to target Dokgo Myeong. Now that it’s all come to naught, the traps the Elder Council has laid await us next.’
A bitter taste filled my mouth.
Preparing for war, defending against the Elder Council’s attacks, soothing the various masters of the Outer Hall.
It seemed I would need to move about quite frantically in the days ahead.
Meanwhile, Dokgo Gun, having seen his father off, stood in a corner of the great hall, observing the chaotic atmosphere.
“Plans truly are futile things. This was never how it was supposed to unfold.”
Perhaps it was because dusk was gradually settling in.
The disorderly atmosphere of the great hall did not reach Dokgo Gun.
Only shadows surrounded him as he stood in that corner of the hall.
Then someone approached him.
“It’s been a while, and yet you still wear that face harboring some mysterious scheme.”
It was a woman of refined bearing whose age was difficult to discern at a glance.
Dokgo Gun smiled lightly and offered her a respectful nod.
“It has been long since we last met, Master.”
“Call me Aunt. Are we not family before anything else?”
“Yes, Aunt.”
A figure who had attended the conference without anyone’s knowledge.
Dokgo Hye, the eldest daughter of Dokgo Cheon, smiled brightly as she regarded Dokgo Gun.
“Things have unfolded quite differently from what I heard in reports. War with the Martial Alliance, no less. This is my home, yet there seems to be no peace.”
“It is due to my incompetence.”
“That’s not wrong. You are the eldest grandson, after all.”
Dokgo Hye threw out the jest and turned her gaze away.
“But about this Dokgo Myeong…”
A peculiar gleam flashed across Dokgo Hye’s eyes.
“So there was such a child among my nephews.”
“He is an extraordinarily talented child. If he were to aid the Outer Hall, he would be worth ten thousand soldiers. Yet somehow we’ve ended up at odds…”
“He doesn’t seem like the type to serve under anyone.”
At Dokgo Hye’s playful response, Dokgo Gun nodded.
“Yes, even if one were called the Heavenly Mandate itself, he would not follow.”
“To that extent?”
“Indeed.”
“What a shame. It seems he is not a child one can take under their wing.”
A brief silence fell.
Dokgo Hye spoke in a slightly lowered voice.
“Do not concern yourself with minor matters that deviate from expectations. You have done enough at this point. I assure you of this.”
“Thank you.”
An incomprehensible exchange passed between them.
Dokgo Hye let slip a single remark.
“That must be quite nerve-wracking.”
“If that child possesses greater capacity than I do, I shall simply accept it.”
“Don’t speak words your heart doesn’t believe. How could someone like that have thrown the situation into chaos without even your father noticing?”
Dokgo Gun smiled broadly.
“Even Myeong-i harbored the same misunderstanding.”
“Hehe, a misunderstanding indeed.”
Dokgo Hye laughed with a meaningful expression.
“That aside… for Wi-hak, that rigid fellow, to have such a child is truly remarkable. I sense no trace of the main family’s martial arts in that child. Both the energy signature and movement patterns are difficult to discern.”
“Indeed. He has mastered an unusual martial art of unknown origin.”
Dokgo Hye’s eyes narrowed.
She fell silent in thought for a moment, then shook her head firmly.
“That cannot be. It could not have emerged into the world yet.”
“It is unlikely to be the martial art of the person you are considering.”
“That must be so. That one’s techniques would inevitably leave traces. Even if it had emerged, there would be no connection.”
Dokgo Hye’s gaze turned toward empty space.
“I had planned to stay only briefly before departing, but it seems I must remain with the family a while longer.”
“What brings about this change?”
“Oh, merely a spark of curiosity.”
Dokgo Hye smiled softly once more, her expression brimming with playfulness.
Yet her eyes, devoid of all emotion, remained fixed upon Dokgo Myeong’s back.
* * *
“I look forward to working with you.”
“The Martial Alliance… how can such an absurd thing exist?”
“At last, the main family rises to prominence.”
The moment the assembly concluded, Dokgo Myeong stepped outside, and many showed their faces before departing.
Sect Leaders and executives he had never seen before each offered a word, their gazes mixing favorable regard with subtle mockery.
‘Roughly seven to three, I’d say?’
Seven parts rejoiced, three parts remained lukewarm.
Remarkably, the Sect Leaders from the Outer Hall Master’s faction maintained their courtesy. They seemed to welcome the Dokgo Household’s full mobilization.
Then an old man approached and spoke.
“Hehe, so you’re Myeong-a? I was impressed by your performance.”
“Ah, you’re that person from before!”
Dokgo Myeong remembered this old man. During the assembly, he was the Sect Leader who remained neutral yet subtly favorable to neither side.
Dokgo Myeong bowed lightly.
“Thank you. But may I ask your name?”
“Huh, you don’t know me?”
“Have you perhaps seen me before? My household has so many people that I often become confused…”
“What? Haha!”
As Dokgo Myeong scratched the back of his head, the old Sect Leader burst into laughter as if amused.
“Ahem! My apologies.”
“What use is it for a promising young man to know about us old folk? I understand.”
That was when it happened.
From a distance, Dokgo Jo-hak came rushing over with a flustered expression and shouted.
“Myeong-i, you fool! How can you not know who this person is? Greet them at once!”
Dokgo Jo-hak grabbed the back of Dokgo Myeong’s head and forcefully pushed it down.
As Dokgo Myeong was forced to bow and then raise his head, about to grumble, Dokgo Jo-hak’s mouth opened.
“It has been a long time. I hope you have been well.”
“Yes, Jo-hak, it has been quite a while for you too.”
“I am honored.”
“…?”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Wow, who is this person that they’ve made our usually reckless uncle so well-behaved? They must be quite remarkable.”
Dokgo Jo-hak’s face twisted.
“This brat….”
“Heh, that will do.”
As the old Sect Leader waved his hand, Dokgo Jo-hak’s mouth snapped shut.
“I would say we are about as close as friends with your grandfather. Since I rarely visit the main house, it is understandable that you would not know.”
“The Patriarch has friends?”
“Well, not extremely close. Just someone I worked with quite a lot back in the day.”
“Ah, of course.”
“Hmm?”
“Our Patriarch is not really the type to have many friends.”
The old Sect Leader laughed again and nodded.
“That man is indeed not an easy person. Ah, I have not introduced myself. I am called Eon Yeop-pyeong.”
“I see. Eon Yeop-pyeong, sir… Wait? Eon House?”
A name suddenly flashed through Dokgo Myeong’s mind, and he quickly lifted his head.
“Could it be….”
“So you were not completely ignorant of who I am.”
“Could you be the Patriarch of Eon House?”
“Patriarch is too grand a title. How many household members could I possibly have.”
Eon Yeop-pyeong of Eon House.
He could be described very simply.
One of the Dokgo Family’s greatest masters. The man who became Dokgo Cheon’s sword when he was not yet the Patriarch.
“I greet you, Protector Eon.”
Dokgo Myeong bowed more respectfully.
Just as Dokgo Myeong had the Five Great Commanders, this man had been Dokgo Cheon’s commander.
Now only Lee Seong-cheon remained to lead the Black Dragon Corps, but there were other Protectors who had retired or withdrawn from the front lines.
Eon Yeop-pyeong shook his head.
“There’s nothing difficult about it. I’m just an old man passing time as a Sect Leader these days, so what of it.”
“My, I’ve only heard rumors, but you really do exist?”
Dokgo Jo-hak jabbed his elbow toward Dokgo Myeong’s ribs.
Rather, before he could jab, Dokgo Myeong blocked with his arm, and Dokgo Jo-hak glared at him as if to kill, speaking sharply.
“He’s a great contributor to the main family! Your mouth! That mouth of yours!”
“Ah, our Baek Ok-gak is at it again.”
“Hehehehe.”
As he said, it had been a very long time since Eon Yeop-pyeong entered the family. Many in this generation did not know his face.
Eon Yeop-pyeong turned his gaze and opened his mouth.
“An amusing child. Doesn’t seem to take after you much.”
It was not directed at Dokgo Myeong.
When Dokgo Myeong glanced back slightly, Dokgo Wi-hak was bowing his head.
“It has been a long time since we last met.”
“Indeed.”
Dokgo Wi-hak’s complexion was rigid. He was always a serious man by nature, but now it bordered more on darkness than seriousness.
Eon Yeop-pyeong nodded once and turned away.
“Pay no mind to the reactions of the meritorious servants. They are troublesome old men whom even the Elder Council dislikes. Everyone will welcome the main family’s movements, so there should be no major obstacles.”
“Are you willing to lend your strength?”
“Hehe, I’m merely a Sect Leader—what strength can I offer? You must do well. Then I shall see you next time.”
Eon Yeop-pyeong waved his hand dismissively and left.
Though he spoke thus, I had the feeling he would indeed lend his strength.
‘That man….’
My eyes gleamed as I watched his departing figure.
His gait was flawless.
A living monster whose depths are difficult to fathom. I could see why he had walked alongside Dokgo Cheon’s era.
‘Truly… the times are changing rapidly. Names I only knew existed in my past life are now appearing before me.’
I exhaled sharply.
And I narrowed my eyes, surveying my surroundings.
‘With such people present….’
Why.
What exactly happened beneath the surface.
‘Did the martial world fall so easily?’
My eyes turned cold for a moment.
It seemed I needed to sharpen my mind further. From now on, storms would approach that I could not hastily judge even with knowledge of the future.
…But before any storm or nonsense.
“Ugh! I’m starving to death! Tae-im, try not to go near the Brain Prison if you can help it. I thought I’d die from the fasting technique.”
I nudged Son Tae-im, who had come with Dokgo Jo-hak, and spoke.
“W-why would I enter the Brain Prison?”
“From what I can tell, it won’t be long before you do.”
“Just go ahead and curse me all you like.”
The people near Dokgo Myeong looked at him with evident displeasure.
Dokgo Jo-hak clicked his tongue sharply and spoke.
“There’s a limit to how carefree one can be. What are you thinking of putting in your mouth now? What’s your plan going forward?”
At those words, Dokgo Myeong’s eyes merely blinked.
Then he stroked his chin and released a long breath.
“This bastard suddenly has such a look in his eyes….”
“Hssss. Well, I’ve been watching since earlier, you see.”
Dokgo Myeong opened his eyes lazily.
“It seems our Sect Leader Baek Ok has fallen ill again. His manner of speech since earlier….”
“What, what did you say?”
Dokgo Jo-hak felt his spine chill without realizing it.
‘Now that I think about it, this bastard’s martial prowess….’
His previous defeat could at least be excused by his broken body, but seeing him now, he was truly terrifyingly strong.
‘If it’s this bastard, he really could do it! He’s the one who could do it!’
Just as Dokgo Jo-hak’s body stiffened.
The voice of the only person who could perfectly suppress Dokgo Myeong was heard.
“Myeong-a.”
Flinch!
Dokgo Myeong’s body trembled.
It was none other than Dokgo Wi-hak.
“…Yes, yes Sect Leader.”
“Your father asks just one thing out of an abundance of caution.”
“Yes, please ask.”
“You’re not disrespecting your uncle, are you?”
“Ah, me disrespect?”
“….”
“Really, I’m not! Would I be so discourteous?”
Well.
You’re exactly the discourteous type.
Dokgo Jo-hak glanced at Dokgo Myeong once and heaved a deep sigh.
“Fine. Fine then… so what are you planning to do going forward?”
“What do you mean?”
“The main family is massive. War being confirmed doesn’t mean it’s over. Including the Baek Gak, the various halls, the hall members, and each martial division… in any case, all manner of agreements and calculations must follow.”
At Dokgo Jo-hak’s words, Dokgo Myeong nodded.
“Won’t those matters be decided at the upcoming grand councils?”
“Now the Outer Hall and the Elder Council will pursue you in ways different from before. They’ll need to swallow your achievements.”
War requires vast amounts of money and manpower. There were mountains of things to worry about.
But Dokgo Myeong, who had been listening quietly, chuckled and asked.
“Do we have the capacity to worry about such things?”
“What?”
“Do you know why we nearly fell victim to their scheme?”
“Well….”
Dokgo Jo-hak’s expression hardened.
Dokgo Myeong answered.
“Because we appear easy to manipulate.”
“….”
“We still lack the strength to interfere with those two factions. First, we must build our power.”
“Hmm.”
Though he frowned for a moment, Dokgo Jo-hak could only nod in agreement.
We lacked strength.
That was the truth.
Because my faction was weak, both the Outer Hall faction and the Elder faction targeted us.
Because we were weak, escaping their traps required all manner of unconventional methods.
“We must build our strength while preparing for war. Please hurry.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Really hurry. Ah, we went through such trouble to bring Baek Ok-gak here, yet he seems to have nothing to do.”
“This….”
Dokgo Jo-hak ground his teeth.
This bastard never saw things through to a good end.
Dokgo Myeong chuckled and spoke.
“More importantly, I need to go handle some loose ends.”
“What?”
Dokgo Myeong’s gaze turned toward something.
Near the great hall, which was gradually becoming emptier.
In the distance, Dokgo Hwi-hwa was looking in our direction.
“Now that I think about it, you said you made a deal with the Elder faction.”
“Huh? A deal?”
Dokgo Jo-hak tilted his head in confusion.
“Huh?”
“An agreement. Now that the transaction is complete, what comes next?”
“Huh?”
“Stabbing them in the back.”
Stabbing in the back?
What backstab?
“Well then, I’ll be going. I’ll see you at Sa Heon-gak later.”
Before he could ask anything further, Dokgo Myeong walked away.

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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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