Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 232

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

Chapter 232
“Kyaaaah! This is exquisite! I can taste life itself! The flavor of vitality!”
Glug, glug!
Dokgo Myeong tilted his wine bottle with unbridled enthusiasm and let out an exclamation of delight.
“Ah, won’t you have a drink too, Village Chief?”
“…I’ll pass.”
“Come now, don’t be so modest. This is rare wine!”
“…”
Dan-hu cast a sidelong glance at the mouth of the bottle.
Flash!
…Why was something’s gaze gleaming from inside the bottle? What in the world had he fermented this liquor with?
Dan-hu’s eyes twitched slightly.
“I really…cannot.”
“Oh, don’t be so reluctant!”
“You see, the essence of Yongryeong Mountain is stirring and raising my internal cultivation. I cannot afford to cloud my mind with drink.”
“Essence? Internal cultivation? What are those?”
“Well, such things exist.”
“Ah, I see.”
As Dokgo Myeong nodded in understanding, Dan-hu released a sigh of relief.
“Still, people live to eat and drink—do so in moderation, in moderation.”
“Hehe.”
Dan-hu laughed awkwardly.
The man who had single-handedly done all the most dangerous and brutal work was now being told to take it easy.
“Well then, I’ll simply drink alone.”
“Please, don’t mind me.”
Pop!
Dokgo Myeong uncorked what appeared to be a new bamboo vessel.
In that instant.
Kyaaaah! Splurt!
As something burst forth from the opening, Dokgo Myeong quickly sealed it shut again.
“Hmm, it seems it hasn’t fermented long enough yet?”
Fermentation didn’t seem to be the issue…something had just tried to escape from within…
Thud! Thud!
Dan-hu deliberately averted his gaze from the trembling bamboo vessel.
But looking away proved futile.
Bubble, bubble!
Beside him sat an enormous cauldron bubbling away vigorously.
It was a broth that Dokgo Myeong had personally prepared and was cooking in the village’s largest cauldron, seasoned with every conceivable spice.
Dan-hu squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head once. He did not wish to recall what kind of broth that was.
The only consolation was that Dokgo Myeong wasn’t actually eating it.
Munch, munch, munch!
Dokgo Myeong was eagerly devouring the dishes prepared by the skilled villagers.
“Ah, my stomach is practically touching my spine right now… I know it’s improper to eat like this in front of others, but I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“Not at all. Eat at your leisure. It was I who interrupted your rest, after all.”
“What interruption? Ah, would you like some?”
“I’m fine.”
“Well then.”
Dokgo Myeong had quite the appetite, dispatching the food with impressive speed.
After swiftly emptying a plate of spicy stir-fried vegetables, Dokgo Myeong opened his mouth to speak.
“So, what brings you here?”
Dan-hu smiled gently.
“There are other matters to discuss… but first, I felt I should offer my gratitude.”
“Gratitude?”
“I am truly grateful that you handled the village’s affairs in our stead.”
Dan-hu bowed his head.
“You are the village’s benefactor. Didn’t you resolve the problem that arose from our negligence in maintaining the ancestral grounds?”
“Negligence in maintenance….”
“Hmm?”
“It’s nothing.”
Clack!
Dokgo Myeong set down his spoon and his eyes gleamed with intensity.
‘It may not have been their fault at all.’
Merely that extraordinary individuals had targeted this place.
But why had they targeted it?
‘Did that talisman cause the iron net to malfunction?’
If so, then their purpose was….
‘The inner elixir? Or Yongryeong Mountain itself?’
A sharp, piercing light suddenly flashed across Dokgo Myeong’s relaxed eyes.
“Young Master?”
Dan-hu asked carefully.
Dokgo Myeong’s lips curved into a smile as he continued.
“If that’s why you came, don’t concern yourself. To be frank, neither you nor the village bear responsibility for this.”
“Still….”
“Truly. And well, though it’s strange to say, I gained quite a lot from this incident myself.”
Dokgo Myeong smiled and glanced at Dan-hu before asking casually.
“But it seems your resolve has undergone some change?”
“What do you mean?”
“People who have resolved to change something tend to have that look of determination in their eyes, just as you do now.”
“Haha.”
Dan-hu let out a quiet laugh.
Soon after, he wiped the smile from his face and lowered his voice.
“Determination… You saw it clearly. In fact, that’s why I have a request for you.”
“Speak freely.”
“But first, let me clarify one thing. Does Dokgo Myeong entering the Sacred Tomb mean that the current Family Head considers you a successor?”
I waved my hand dismissively.
“No, no, successor? That’s not the sort of decision he’d make. The household is still in chaos arguing over who should become the next Family Head.”
“Then how did you come to be here?”
“It just happened that I requested this as compensation from the Family Head instead. They said direct descendants could enter if they had the Family Head’s permission.”
“Ah, I see.”
Dan-hu nodded in understanding.
“Even if you’re not a successor… at minimum, you must wield considerable influence within the family, wouldn’t you say?”
I paused to consider this.
Then I gave a light nod.
“Well, I suppose I do have that much standing. But what exactly are you trying to say with all this buildup?”
“I want to strengthen the village’s power. Will you help me?”
I hesitated.
“Strengthen the village’s power? What do you mean by that?”
“Do you remember when I first said our village carries on the bloodline of the Dokgo Family?”
I nodded.
Dan-hu laughed bitterly.
“But in truth, we merely manage the Sacred Tomb and Sacred Mountain. We simply live alongside the mountain and serve the Divine Spirits.”
“And?”
“I’ve come to see this as problematic. You mentioned the chaos yourself, and it actually came to pass.”
I tilted my head in confusion.
“May I ask a few questions?”
“By all means.”
“In name, this village is a branch of the family, but doesn’t the Main Sect provide very little? Mostly just money and funds, correct?”
Dan-hu nodded.
“That’s right.”
“Then why do you want to strengthen the village’s power? You’re essentially handling the Main Sect’s troublesome duties in their stead. Couldn’t you simply sever ties and be done with it? There’s no reason this village must protect the Sacred Tomb, is there?”
Dan-hu let out a hollow laugh.
In Zhongyuan, where the teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism flourished, severing ties carried immense weight. It was a radical statement no one from Zhongyuan would easily make.
‘But he seems to genuinely believe that.’
That was the nature of this man called Dokgo Myeong.
Those who lived their entire lives wearing a leash eventually began to feel responsibility toward it and take pride in it. I found that sight truly repugnant.
“You’re thinking about this incorrectly.”
“Incorrectly?”
“We are also of the Dokgo Family.”
“….”
“Though we’ve grown distant, the people of our village take pride in being members of the Dokgo Family.”
That is how our predecessors have lived, and history and tradition demand it.
Can one truly call that a leash or mere sense of duty?
“Moreover, cultivating and protecting Yongryeong Mountain while dwelling here is our pride and joy. This place is our ancient home and our way of life.”
“Your thinking differs from mine. Had I been in your position, I would have abandoned this long ago and fled.”
When I spoke bluntly, Dan-hu chuckled softly.
“I know you wouldn’t have. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have fought the Iron Net.”
“…That was actually for brewing snake liquor.”
“Hehe.”
“Why are you laughing? I’m serious.”
“Let’s say that’s the case.”
Dan-hu’s smile held a mysterious quality.
He continued speaking.
“We enjoy our life here. But to do so… I’ve come to realize we cannot simply remain idle. To preserve our way of life now, we need strength.”
Dan-hu paused briefly, gathering his thoughts, then spoke again.
“I hear Gangho is in turbulent times. This region is less affected, but one can never be certain what will happen. In truth, unprecedented events have already occurred on this mountain.”
“Mm.”
“So I wish to prepare and fortify our home. Will you help me?”
I nodded lightly.
“But why ask me specifically now?”
“Truth be told, I’ve already sent word to the Main Sect several times. But each time, I was refused.”
“What? Why?”
“What main sect would approve of a branch family growing stronger?”
My eyes widened.
That was true.
Moreover, wasn’t the Family Head extremely averse to the sorcery of the Baek Ok-gak?
“Then what exactly do you want from me?”
“First… martial prowess and funds. If possible, consistent contact and communication as well.”
I leaned back against the chair.
My expression grew grave as I pondered internally.
‘Can I decide this on my own?’
Though I led one of the three major factions, I lacked the authority to make decisions affecting the entire family. If I arbitrarily supported this place and maintained correspondence, I might provide unnecessary leverage for criticism.
‘Especially if the Family Head and the Alliance Leader had something to say….’
As I fell into thought, Dan-hu added somewhat urgently.
“I do not expect aid without compensation. We intend to offer something in return.”
“Oh? You’ll give something?”
“We can supply medicinal herbs from the sacred mountain and byproducts from demonic creatures. Especially demonic creature byproducts—I’ve heard they’re used in crafting weapons and that high officials purchase them at steep prices.”
Really?
‘I’ve heard they’re expensive, but to that degree?’
I began calculating mentally.
‘Come to think of it, if I join hands with them, wouldn’t I be able to freely access the sacred mountain?’
In the first place, a key was needed to enter the Sacred Tomb, but the Sacred Mountain could be traversed freely at their discretion.
‘What?’
Suddenly, it felt as though thunder and lightning struck directly into Dokgo Myeong’s mind.
“Hah, huff….”
“Hm? What’s wrong?”
“Oh, oh no. It’s nothing. Hehe.”
Without realizing it, I had nearly cried out, “Welcome!”
Dokgo Myeong, who had hastily swallowed his words and ended up speaking in formal speech, let out a sheepish laugh.
‘I absolutely must seize this opportunity.’
It was a condition with no downside.
But Dokgo Myeong deliberately concealed his excitement.
“Ahem! Well, that is….”
In that instant, Dan-hu’s expression hardened without even hearing the rest.
“It seems I’ve made an unreasonable request. Please forget it. I wouldn’t want to trouble my benefactor….”
Dokgo Myeong cried out in alarm.
“No, no, no! Trouble? What kind of hurtful words are those! Come now, don’t speak such things between us! A person should at least hear the other out to the end!”
‘Between us? What kind of relationship do we have?’
While Dan-hu stood bewildered, Dokgo Myeong cleared his throat and continued.
“Ahem, you mentioned martial prowess and funds? When you spoke of communication and such… you must have meant that various supplies are necessary, yes?”
Dan-hu nodded.
“Indeed. It could be military equipment, or perhaps items for researching sorcery.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
“Excellent.”
“Then?”
“There is a condition, however.”
“Speak freely. I shall accommodate you as much as possible.”
“The Daesan clan will conduct business with our faction, not the Main Sect. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Hm? What do you…?”
“In other words, the Daesan clan will become part of our faction. So uphold merchant’s honor, is what I’m saying.”
“Faction? Merchant’s honor? What are you talking about?”
Dokgo Myeong smiled knowingly.
His expression seemed to say, ‘Ah, so you didn’t know about this?’
“Well then, shall we discuss this in greater detail?”
“What exactly….”
“Ah! Don’t worry! Just trust me! Who am I? The hero who saved the Daesan clan! A great martial master who captured the Imoogi! Surely I wouldn’t speak of anything harmful to this village? Now then….”
Dokgo Myeong’s tone had suddenly changed.
But Dan-hu was so pleased that Dokgo Myeong had given a positive answer that he paid no mind to the change in tone.
* * *
“Now then! Here, just stamp your seal right here with a bang!”
“H-here, you say?”
“Yes, yes, exactly like that… Done!”
When I came to my senses, Dan-hu was affixing his seal to a document covered in dense writing.
‘Huh? When did that happen? How did this…?’
Soon after, I exchanged the contract with Dan-hu.
I folded the contract neatly with a sly expression and tucked it into my robe.
“Kya! That was a fine deal! Now that we have the contract, there’s no backing out!”
“…?”
“Ehehehehe, and just like that, I’ve secured another business partner for free. Ah, Tae-im and Sect Leader Baek Ok will be absolutely delighted.”
I chuckled with the most contented expression on my face.
Dan-hu felt as though he’d been bewitched.
Would this be alright?
Had he truly made the right choice?
Dan-hu’s expression grew uncertain.
Yet no matter how many times he read through the contract, it contained only words like ‘monopoly,’ ‘notification,’ and ‘compensation’—nothing seemed amiss.
“Come now, shall we share a drink to commemorate our partnership?”
I gestured lightly with a carefree air.
Dan-hu shook his head.
“No need. I’ve had quite enough of alcohol.”
“I never understand what appeal alcohol holds for those who practice spirit arts. You’re missing out on something wonderful.”
I took a hearty swig of my drink.
In truth, practitioners of spirit arts aren’t abstainers. The more one drinks, the more one drinks.
“Mm.”
Worry gradually crept across Dan-hu’s face as his awkward smile faded.
He had made his resolve and his choice. Now only responsibility remained for him.
I let out a soft chuckle watching him.
“Village Chief.”
“What is it?”
“I wrote up the contract just in case, but truthfully, it was to protect you.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“My family elders are rather greedy, you see.”
I clicked my tongue disapprovingly.
“I truly hope we can become good friends.”
“Friends, you say?”
“Yes, friends.”
I spoke to Dan-hu, whose eyes had widened in surprise.
“If you’re in trouble, just contact me right away. If you have something good, share it. You understand what I mean, don’t you?”
“…What benefit would that bring to you, Young Master?”
I laughed softly.
“Where in this world do people choose their friends based on profit?”
“….”
“This village pleases me greatly, and so does the mountain. The children are adorable too.”
“A friend, a friend indeed….”
“So let us remain genuine with each other, yes? When I bring people to visit, I hope you’ll welcome us warmly. And should you visit me, I shall do the same. Do you understand?”
I drained my cup in one gulp.
The Ten Thousand Great Mountains had granted me countless mystical experiences.
The humid and oppressive air had become familiar to me now.
I had felt so much here, experienced so much. The landscape of the Ten Thousand Great Mountains filled my heart completely.
“Very well, let us do so.”
“Hehe. In that case, one more drink?”
“…I must respectfully decline.”
“Ah, you’re missing out on something wonderful.”
I let out a chuckling laugh.
After resting for several days like that.
I finally made preparations to depart for Zhongyuan.

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