Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 231

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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 231
The ground crumbled like desert sand beneath my feet.
Reluctant to approach any closer, I kept my distance and observed from afar, the air thick and stale as if mixed with acrid smoke.
“This venomous beast… at least a month must have passed, yet it hasn’t decomposed at all.”
Dokgo Myeong let out a hollow laugh.
The Iron Net remained rigid, its massive jaws gaping wide as though it might spring to life at any moment.
Fangs the size of a man’s forearm gleamed with a bluish sheen, and its steel-like scales still radiated a dull, murky luster.
‘The hide and fangs are hard as steel, so that makes sense, but how has the flesh inside remained intact?’
Warriors who cultivated profound internal energy often experienced slowed corpse decay. For a creature of this caliber, such a phenomenon wouldn’t be unusual.
That is, if it still possessed its inner core—the source of its power. But that had already been consumed by me.
Uuuuuung!
A sickly green aura rippled around the creature’s corpse. Beyond merely avoiding decay, it continued to emit ghostly and toxic miasma.
“Grrrrr…”
Even Hoa, who had remained cheerful throughout, refused to budge from her distant position, clearly disturbed by something.
“Tsk, perhaps attempting to harvest snake venom from the start was too ambitious?”
Was I to leave empty-handed?
Well, I had already swallowed the inner core, so not entirely empty-handed, but I had hoped to at least take the hide and fangs…
‘Just how potent is this toxin to make the very air so oppressive… wait?’
Hold on.
The air is oppressive?
Was the poison it possessed really only at this level?
‘No, that’s not right. It was potent enough to pierce through my Dragon Scale Robe and the Saintly Heavenly Technique.’
After a moment of deliberation, Dokgo Myeong suddenly took a step forward.
“Yelp! Yelp yelp!”
Hoa startled and grabbed hold of the hem of my Dragon Scale Robe, refusing to let go.
I gently stroked Hoa to calm her.
“It’s alright. Let me just test something.”
“Yelp!”
“Besides, I need to retrieve that sword buried beneath the creature.”
Directly beneath the Iron Net’s gaping chest cavity, the Geongon Sword lay scattered on the ground.
“And if we leave it as is, it’ll take quite a while before it fully decomposes.”
“Whiiine…”
Only then did Hoa reluctantly release the hem of my robe, her expression reluctant.
In truth, I needed to verify this regardless of such reasons.
‘If something feels off, I need to address it before moving on.’
I recalled the illusions and phantom sounds I had experienced during my unconsciousness.
Simultaneously, I remembered the ominous sense of discord and various questions I had felt while traversing the sacred mountain.
I needed to settle this before departing.
Step by step.
Thus, I gradually approached the Iron Net.
As I drew closer, my throat felt scratchy as if I had caught a cold, and my eyes stung slightly.
That was all.
‘Is it safe?’
Moving even closer revealed no significant abnormalities.
Even though I had deliberately suppressed my Spirit Core’s energy and come with nothing but my bare strength, it was the same.
Clack!
I retrieved the Geongon Sword first. The blade and sword body seemed slightly damaged, but with careful polishing, they should be fine.
‘It wasn’t called a legendary blade for nothing. It withstood Hongcheon Gi’s output and even cut through the Iron Net’s hide.’
If Muyong Ji saw this, he’d probably pop his eyes out of his head….
Well, as long as the Geongon Sect Members who come to fight later don’t notice, it should be fine, right?
Clack!
I sheathed the blade lightly and moved toward the creature’s head.
‘Getting close doesn’t cause any problems. So let me try this….’
I stared at the creature’s sharp fangs for a moment, then suddenly grasped them.
Sssssss!
The toxic energy surged into my palm like a flood.
Immediately after, my body reacted before my Spirit Core did. It was my liver. The organ governing detoxification dispersed the toxic energy within my body very lightly.
‘Exactly! I’ve developed immunity. As my Spirit Core transforms my physical body!’
My eyes gleamed.
“Then could it be this as well?”
I drew up my true energy.
Whirrrrring!
The power of the Heavenly Exterior Spirit Core flowed out with the rotation.
A single stream of pure energy burst forth, instantly erasing the Gwisucheolmang’s toxic aura.
“…Oh my?”
The corners of my mouth lifted.
“Would you look at that?”
So it can do this too?
The moment I burst into a chuckling laugh.
Roooooaaarrr!
As if to fill the void left by the vanished toxic energy, an ominous and violent aura surged up like flames.
My eyes flashed with light.
‘Found it. This is the energy I was looking for.’
Uuuuuuummmmm!
The Heavenly Exterior Spirit Core rotated.
A single stream of true energy burst forth and split into three branches.
It began with Hongcheon Gi. I wrapped and bound the invading energy, and Sungcheon Gi maintained that power.
Nothing surpasses Hwicheon Gi in actual combat. Hwicheon Gi then incinerated the energy that had been restrained.
Soon after, my eyes, gleaming with energy light, pinpointed the source of that aura.
Splaaaash!
My straightened hand blade pierced through the crown of the Demonic Creature like a spear point.
Crack!
As I withdrew my arm, my hand was clenched tightly shut.
“….”
I slowly opened my fingers.
Whoooooosh!
Between my fingers, a vivid crimson aura rippled. For a moment, it appeared so deeply colored that it resembled blood.
Soon the aura dispersed, revealing a pale yellow bundle of paper.
Sophora paper—paper dyed with extract from the sophora tree, primarily used for crafting talismans.
Rustle!
I carefully unfolded the bundle of sophora paper with my fingertips.
It was far more than just one or two sheets. The way the talismans unfurled as I separated them resembled a flower blooming in full blossom.
Soon, strange characters and mottled patterns inscribed in vermillion cinnabar came into view.
My expression hardened.
“Why….”
Though I possessed no expertise in Sima Waidao or left-path forbidden techniques, I had not forgotten this.
“…Are you telling me these are talismans used by that Grand Commander?”
Crunch!
I clenched my fist tightly around the talismans.
* * *
Dan-hu sat in lotus position before a towering tree at the center of the village.
Soon he parted his lips, his voice thick with emotion.
“I felt greatly lacking in this matter. I thought I was managing the Village Chief’s duties reasonably well, but….”
These days, Dan-hu came to this place almost once daily to bare his innermost thoughts.
Though he concealed it from others, he harbored deep shame within.
He had only learned of the outsider’s intrusion, the Demonic Creature’s attack, and the village’s incompetence after the fact, responding too late each time.
It was not without excuse.
He was originally someone who could never become the patriarch of a branch family, nor the Village Chief.
He had merely assumed this position temporarily in place of Hong Lu and Hong Ta’s parents, who had passed away long ago.
“Still, I was far too incompetent. It could have resulted in many deaths. Moreover, I could find no way to dispose of the Iron Net’s corpse, leaving it abandoned….”
He felt ashamed.
What would he say when he met his ancestors and old friends in the afterlife?
The only reason he could sit here now was by chance, having received help from the main family’s direct line.
It was only possible because that person, unlike the other direct descendants, did not simply leave after completing the trial but remained in the mountains, spending time here.
Whoooosh….
At that moment, the great tree trembled violently.
Dan-hu, who had been quietly observing it, brightened his eyes.
“But now I believe things may change. Watching Dokgo Myeong has shifted my thinking. Though it was not his burden, he fought so desperately. Such resolve becomes possible through strength.”
Dan-hu exhaled a deep sigh.
“I intend to raise the village children with that same dedication. I will surely do so.”
I intend to transform this village into a true sect with genuine mystical power, not merely one shrouded in atmosphere.
‘That way, I can repay the debt of gratitude.’
It was then.
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the distance.
‘Ah, so Dokgo Myeong has finally descended the mountain.’
How long did it take, exactly?
The time spent ascending was roughly two months.
The duration within the Immortal Tomb was about a month and a half.
‘Isn’t that faster than the current family head?’
Moreover, considering the nature of the trial Dokgo Cheon had created, he emerged considerably faster than expected.
“Well then, I should go greet him.”
Dan-hu slowly rose to his feet.
Dokgo Myeong was the village’s benefactor—a hero to the countless people dwelling in Yongryeong Mountain and the Ten Thousand Great Mountains.
‘It’s only proper that I receive him with utmost courtesy.’
The moment Dan-hu resolved this.
Hong Ta, the source of those clamorous footsteps, arrived.
“Village Chief! Village Chieeeef! Huff! Huff!”
Dan-hu chuckled softly watching Hong Ta gasping for breath.
“I already know. Has Dokgo Myeong descended the mountain?”
“How did you know? Did someone tell you, sir?”
“Anyone would know from the way you came running like that.”
“Ugh, this guy… huff huff! Leaving his sister behind and running ahead! Wheeze…!”
Hong Lu, arriving a step behind, was also catching her breath.
Dan-hu smiled faintly and spoke.
“Catch your breath. What’s the rush? I was about to head there anyway.”
“Well, it’s just… that….”
Hong Lu’s complexion didn’t look good as she wiped away sweat.
“There’s a problem of some sort.”
“A problem? What kind of problem?”
“It’s hard to explain… you’ll need to see it yourself….”
Unlike her usual self, Hong Lu hesitated and struggled to continue speaking.
Hong Ta suddenly cried out from beside her.
“Village Chief! Myeong-i is truly remarkable! I’ve come to truly appreciate just how great he is. You’ll understand once you see him, sir!”
What’s gotten into him?
‘What on earth is this about?’
Dan-hu set off.
“Let’s go see for ourselves then.”
He walked with quickened steps toward the village gate.
And there, passing through the gate, he saw something emerging.
“…!”
An overwhelming surge of vital energy.
When I entered the mountain, when I fought, and now as I emerge—everything was different.
My inner qi perfectly contained within my body.
Yet an aura and martial prowess so brilliant they could not be concealed.
Like a human-shaped tempest walking forward. Dokgo Myeong’s growth was dazzling.
But the real problem was something else….
‘What in the world is he carrying?’
Dan-hu, squinting as he examined Dokgo Myeong’s back closely, suddenly dropped his jaw.
A head resembling a tortoise.
Behind it, a thick and lengthy body being dragged along like a log.
‘A, a Gwisucheolmang!?’
Why would he bring that back!?
Its toxic nature was so severe we couldn’t even dispose of it carelessly!
And that wasn’t even all of it.
Drrrr! Drrrr!
Three piles of cargo were following behind Dokgo Myeong.
And three creatures were dragging those cargo piles like oxen pulling a plow.
“Woof! Woof!”
“Grrrrr….”
They were none other than the Creatures.
Dan-hu’s jaw fell open.
‘What exactly am I looking at?’
What is this.
Why would demonic creatures—creatures that devour even humans—be dragging cargo like beasts of burden.
Bridles were fitted in their mouths, and thick wooden planks connected to those bridles bore cargo piled high.
At first glance, all manner of hides, bones, and unidentifiable miscellany were tangled together.
That was when.
“Huh?”
Dokgo Myeong, spotting him, approached cheerfully and broke into a grin.
The eyes of the Gwisucheolmang on his back gleamed.
“Ah, our Village Chief! It’s been so long!”
I don’t even know where to begin asking.
Dan-hu deliberately averted his eyes from the swarm of Creatures, the byproducts of demonic creatures, and the Gwisucheolmang, and offered a greeting first.
“Ah, well… yes, welcome back. You must have worked hard.”
“Ah, I certainly did work hard.”
“But, but what are all these things?”
Dan-hu finally couldn’t help but ask.
“Ah, this?”
Dokgo Myeong grinned widely.
“Medicinal tonic ingredients.”
* * *
The village fell into brief chaos, but soon quieted down once it was confirmed that no trace of poison or demonic energy lingered.
“I… understand all that, but still, these demonic creatures are rather concerning.”
“They’re docile. It’s fine.”
They don’t look fine at all.
They’re not docile—they’ve been forcibly made docile.
“Tch, there’s no helping it.”
I had no choice but to send the creatures away.
With the three gates between us, I exchanged farewells with the creatures.
“Grrrrr…”
Whether they understood the situation or not, the creatures bared their teeth at me.
I spoke to them.
“All of you, stand at attention.”
“Grrr…”
“Huh? Look at these guys?”
In that instant.
“Kyarrrr!”
Whoosh!
Hoa burst forward in front of them, raised her front paws, and swung her snout around, striking them all at once.
Smack! Crack! Whack!
“Yelp!”
“Squeal!”
“Screech!”
Three of them tumbled to the ground simultaneously.
I marveled at the sight.
“Wow! Our Hoa’s got talent?”
“Yip?”
“Good girl, well done.”
“Purr! Purrr!”
After scratching the spots Hoa enjoyed, I stood before the creatures.
They looked at me with trembling eyes.
“Now you are free. I release you.”
“…?”
The creatures tilted their heads in confusion.
As Hoa growled as if to translate, they widened their crimson eyes in alarm.
I continued.
“Your bodies have grown considerably, thanks to the demonic creatures I’ve fed you. Do you realize that?”
“Screech?”
“You’ll live as demonic creatures anyway. The mountains must be empty of their leaders by now—why don’t you try being the mountain lords yourselves? Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Grrrr?”
The Creatures tilted their heads in confusion, as did Hoa, unable to comprehend my words.
Well, if they could understand speech, they’d be people, not beasts.
I chuckled softly and spoke.
“Just live well on your own. Try not to kill humans if you can help it.”
“….”
“If you don’t behave yourselves, I’ll have to come all the way back here again to set things right. Understand?”
As I let a hint of killing intent seep through, the Creatures blinked their eyes obediently.
“Now go. You’ve suffered enough.”
It was a farewell.
But then, the Creatures approached me one by one, each licking my hand once before spinning around and dashing away.
They vanished into the distance in no time.
From somewhere deep in the mountains, a long, drawn-out cry echoed.
I smiled faintly.

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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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