Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 24

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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 24
A father and son walked through the corridors of the Main Hall of the Family Head toward the Dokgo Family compound.
“My son. We must secure this matter for ourselves. Do you understand?”
They were none other than Dokgo Jo-hak and his son, Dokgo Ak.
“…Yes, Father. I understand.”
Dokgo Ak nodded with a lifeless expression.
Dokgo Jo-hak exhaled deeply, observing his unmotivated son.
“You truly understand what I’m saying, don’t you?”
Dokgo Ak merely nodded silently once more.
“…Tsk.”
Dokgo Jo-hak clicked his tongue.
Ever since that sparring match, his son had become strange somehow. Normally, he would have thrown a fit, demanding to know why he should go to some place he’d never even heard of, yet now he simply nodded obediently.
“Do you have any idea how much the prestige of the Main Sect has plummeted because of you? This is our chance to recover. Get your head straight.”
“Yes, I apologize.”
Apologies, of all things.
Dokgo Jo-hak clicked his tongue and glanced around quickly.
Fortunately, there were no signs of anyone nearby.
“Sigh… My son.”
“…Yes.”
“I heard some information as I left my quarters earlier.”
Dokgo Jo-hak muttered, his voice deliberately lowered.
“It seems the Family Head is taking great interest in this matter.”
“…The Family Head?”
As his son showed slight interest, Dokgo Jo-hak twisted his lips upward.
“In truth, there are more than one or two peculiar things about this affair. There’s far more hidden beneath the surface than it appears.”
“Then wouldn’t other powerful sect leaders be eyeing this as well?”
“No. That’s unlikely.”
Dokgo Jo-hak shook his head firmly.
“Thanks to the Law Enforcement Bureau stirring up the family recently, factional conflicts have reignited. The atmosphere within the family is turbulent.”
The key figures of the family would certainly be more focused on internal politics than some neighboring gang leader’s gold distribution ceremony.
“And above all… that fellow seems to be attending this event.”
“…That fellow?”
Dokgo Ak trembled slightly.
“Yes, Dokgo Myeong. That incompetent bastard.”
“…”
“Aren’t you furious? Shouldn’t you seek revenge by any means necessary!”
Dokgo Ak stared blankly at his father.
Revenge?
Against whom?
That demonic creature?
It isn’t over until it’s truly over.
In that moment, the image of that madman whispering in my ear atop the martial grounds, swinging his fists, flashed through my mind.
“Have you lost your mind?”
“What?”
“Ah, never mind.”
“…?”
Dokgo Jo-hak narrowed his eyes slightly before continuing.
“Regardless… just because you lost once, you plan to keep losing? If you were defeated in martial prowess, you should think of winning through other means.”
“Other means….”
“Yes, ability. I’m talking about ability.”
A spark of life began to return to Dokgo Ak’s eyes.
That day’s martial bout had been nothing short of a shock to Dokgo Ak.
His entire body had been trampled, leaving him bedridden for some time, and all the stubbornness and obstinacy he’d carried his whole life had shattered. And with that shattered pride, he’d clung to what little self-respect remained, unable to step beyond his door.
‘That’s right, I can’t live like this forever!’
Since when had he become so intimidated by such men?
Wasn’t he Dokgo Ak, the notorious rogue of all under heaven!
‘No, this doesn’t suit me at all.’
Regardless, this appearance didn’t befit him.
‘That’s right, he’s nothing but the successor of the crumbling Saheongang, no matter how you look at it.’
If I displayed my ability!
If that happened, perhaps he would see me anew!
Dokgo Ak exhaled sharply and straightened his posture.
“At last, the light returns to your eyes.”
Dokgo Jo-hak nodded with satisfaction as he looked at his son.
“Don’t worry. The preparations are already complete. You need only sit still.”
The recruitment was already finished. Strangely, a few sect leaders had shown ambiguous responses, but it didn’t affect the overall momentum.
‘When the direct line says they’ll do it, how would the subordinates dare to resist?’
Dokgo Jo-hak’s eyes gleamed as he headed toward the Gajubu.
* * *
A group of people had gathered in the Main Hall of the Dokgo Family’s Gajubu.
They were the leaders of Baekgak, who guided the greatest family under heaven.
“You’ve all heard the news?”
“Of course. The Family Head need only give the order, so I’m curious why you’ve summoned us all to the Main Hall.”
“There must be some intention behind it.”
Several sect leaders huddled together in conversation.
Meanwhile, Dokgo Wi-hak, who had arrived at the Main Hall earlier, sat in a corner, observing the sect leaders.
“…There are more empty seats than I expected.”
Though several sect leaders had gathered, there were quite a few vacant seats in the Main Hall. It seemed less than half had arrived.
Whether many or few, that ambiguous number testified to the main sect’s level of interest in this matter.
“The family is quite unsettled these days.”
“Even accounting for that, they’re still insufficient.”
“They’re quite arrogant nobles, aren’t they? They seem to think that even the Jeongcheon Meng Leader has less influence than the Sect Leaders of the Main Family.”
Dokgo Myeong, standing behind Dokgo Wi-hak, spoke with an indifferent expression.
“In reality, the Jeongcheon Meng Leader is a far more impressive figure than that.”
“That’s precisely the problem. To maintain proper protocol, we’d need someone at least at the Sect Leader level.”
It was while Dokgo Wi-hak and Dokgo Myeong were in the midst of their conversation.
Tap!
Someone came to a halt before the two of them.
“What a surprise to meet you here, Elder Brother.”
“…Jo-hak.”
A man wearing a leisurely smile.
None other than Dokgo Jo-hak.
* * *
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes narrowed.
‘What is this bastard doing here?’
Dokgo Jo-hak cast a venomous glance at Dokgo Myeong.
“You see your uncle but offer no greeting?”
“Ah, yes.”
Dokgo Myeong gave a curt nod and left it at that.
“….”
Dokgo Jo-hak’s face twisted for a moment, but he quickly turned his head away.
Then he looked at Dokgo Wi-hak with a smirk playing at his lips.
“I heard you said you wouldn’t meddle in family affairs anymore, yet it seems your mind has changed.”
“That’s not your concern.”
“True enough. I merely felt it unfortunate that you made a wasted trip.”
“A wasted trip?”
As Dokgo Wi-hak narrowed his eyes in question, Dokgo Jo-hak suddenly swept his gaze across the Main Hall and spoke.
“Surely you know that such gatherings are merely formalities?”
“….”
“It seems you’ve taken an interest in the Jeongcheon Meng matter, but unfortunately, it’s already decided.”
Dokgo Jo-hak chuckled softly and bowed his head slightly, as if to say the decision had already been made according to his will.
“You….”
“I’ll take my leave now. Ha ha!”
Dokgo Jo-hak burst into laughter and walked away.
Watching his retreating figure, Dokgo Myeong blinked.
“What is that idiot doing?”
“…Watch your tongue.”
“No, seriously, if he keeps acting like that, won’t he lose face? Isn’t that right?”
“Regardless, he’s still your uncle.”
“….”
“Answer me.”
“Yes, yes.”
Dokgo Wi-hak looked at Dokgo Myeong with eyes that betrayed a hint of concern.
“Are you certain about this? Your uncle seems to have made quite extensive preparations.”
“Yes, well, I’m fine with it.”
Dokgo Myeong laughed and glanced to the side.
“Isn’t that right, Tae-im?”
“Ah, yes. Yes! Of course!”
Son Tae-im, who had grown noticeably gaunt, straightened her posture sharply as she answered.
“Well, good. If this goes wrong, I’ll be running straight to the Law Enforcement Bureau, so you’d better have done well.”
“…!”
“I was joking. Why aren’t you laughing? Wasn’t it funny?”
“Ha, haha! How, how could that be? That’s hilarious! Haha!”
Dokgo Myeong’s expression turned serious.
“You find what I said amusing?”
“…!”
“Haha! I was joking, laugh. I’m telling you to laugh. You’re not laughing?”
“…*sob*.”
Son Tae-im’s face crumpled into tears in an instant.
Dokgo Myeong laughed broadly and patted her back repeatedly.
“….”
Dokgo Wi-hak looked back and forth between his son and Son Tae-im, then pressed his forehead with his hand.
He could no longer be certain what path his son was walking down.
Creak—!
And soon after, the doors to the Main Hall opened.
“My apologies for the delay. I shall commence the meeting.”
Everyone gathered in the Main Hall turned their gaze toward the entering figure.
Chief Administrator Wi Baek.
If the Black Dragon Sect Leader Lee Seong-cheon were Dokgo Cheon’s limbs, then Wi Baek was his mind and tongue.
Along with Lee Seong-cheon, he was known as one of Dokgo Cheon’s most trusted aides, and he now entered the Main Hall.
* * *
‘Wi Baek…!’
Dokgo Jo-hak’s eyes ignited with intensity.
Wi Baek. The man responsible for managing the Dokgo Family’s affairs.
One who answered only to the Family Head’s commands—a man of Dokgo Cheon alone.
‘So Father truly is paying attention to this!’
I never expected Wi Baek to appear. This matter seemed far more significant than I had initially thought.
“As you’ve all likely heard, the Alliance Master of the Jeongcheon Meng, Im Cheong-gun the Great Hero, has brought word of the Geumsan Sect’s movements.”
Wi Baek, now seated, spoke with measured composure.
Unlike Lee Seong-cheon, he emanated a different kind of sharpness—his frame was small and bore no obvious marks of martial training, yet his eyes pierced through to one’s very core with a blade-like keenness.
“The Main Sect must also observe proper etiquette, so I ask that those who wish to participate feel free to voice their opinions.”
With those words, Wi Baek fell silent.
The first to speak was Dokgo Wi-hak.
“The Main Sect will participate. I wish to send my son, Dokgo Myeong.”
There were no lengthy explanations.
The other sect leaders said nothing remarkable either.
Dokgo Jo-hak held back a subtle smile at the peculiar atmosphere in the Main Hall.
‘Who would dare support Saheongang?’
More sect leaders participated than expected, but many of them were already his people.
‘The rest are mediocre types hoping for scraps.’
Dokgo Jo-hak was certain of victory.
Then he glanced subtly to one side.
‘Begin.’
The man who received his gaze nodded slightly and opened his mouth.
“Ahem! I shall take charge of this matter.”
It was Dokgo Seung-un of the Wiwon Sect, a collateral branch member.
In the same quiet manner, Dokgo Jo-hak cleared his throat and slowly raised his hand.
“Hmm, that doesn’t quite seem appropriate, does it? Wiwon Sect Leader?”
“Baek Ok-gak Sect Leader, you say? What do you mean by appropriate?”
“A high official cannot personally attend a farmer’s celebration. The status doesn’t match.”
“Then what do you have in mind, Baek Ok-gak Sect Leader?”
“Someone of sufficient standing to maintain propriety, yet without any particular official position—that would be most fitting, I believe.”
The Wiwon Sect Leader’s eyes widened as if suddenly enlightened.
“Surely… you mean Young Master Ak?”
“Precisely. I believe my son would be most suitable. What do you think?”
“Ha! Now that I think about it, there’s no better choice! Then I must step aside.”
“I appreciate your consideration.”
The Main Hall stirred with murmurs.
‘How blatantly orchestrated.’
Dokgo Myeong watched the theatrical exchange with a quiet scoff.
Then Wi Baek spoke.
“Is there any opposing opinion?”
“…Cheonggeom Sect Leader. May I speak?”
At those words, a minor sect leader from an external faction carefully opened his mouth.
“Still, isn’t Young Master Dokgo Ak rather too young?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Distinguished guests from various regions will attend this event. Young Master Dokgo Ak hasn’t even reached his twenties yet…”
When Dokgo Jo-hak openly frowned, the Cheonggeom Sect Leader hesitated and trailed off.
“Even if one hasn’t reached his twenties, if a martial family member possesses exceptional talent, they say he can do a man’s work.”
“Y-yes, that’s true.”
“Or perhaps the Cheonggeom Sect Leader intends to go himself?”
Dokgo Jo-hak’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“Can you handle it?”
“Ah, no, I was merely….”
“Tsk, honestly, an outsider daring to….”
“….”
Though muttered under his breath, everyone heard it.
The Cheonggeom Sect Leader’s expression twisted.
“Baekgak Sect Leader, please observe proper decorum.”
Wi Baek fixed Dokgo Jo-hak with a cold gaze.
“What did you just say?”
“I said to observe proper decorum. This is the Main Hall of the Family Head.”
“….”
Wrinkles creased the bridge of Dokgo Jo-hak’s nose.
Wi Baek turned his gaze away as if uninterested.
“Is there anyone else who wishes to participate?”
“….”
“Then we shall begin the vote. The two young masters, please come forward.”
* * *
Dokgo Myeong and Dokgo Ak stepped into the center of the Main Hall.
Dokgo Ak felt his limbs stiffen as he looked at Dokgo Myeong.
‘This… this bastard’s body is….’
It had only been a few months, yet Dokgo Myeong’s physique had changed noticeably. At first glance he appeared lean, but beneath that frame, muscles like those of a beast seemed to coil and writhe.
“Well, it’s been a while?”
Pat, pat!
Dokgo Myeong grinned and tapped Dokgo Ak’s shoulder twice.
Dokgo Ak felt goosebumps rise across his skin.
“D-don’t do that…!”
“Still acting cocky, I see. You’ve already forgotten, haven’t you?”
Dokgo Myeong leaned close to Dokgo Ak’s ear and whispered in a low voice.
“It’s not over until it’s over.”
“…!”
“It’s not finished yet?”
Bloodshot veins appeared in Dokgo Ak’s eyes.
Dokgo Myeong watched and grinned wickedly.
“We shall now begin the vote.”
At Wi Baek’s voice from the upper seat, the sect leaders in the Main Hall cleared their throats and grasped their voting tablets.
“Those in favor of Young Master Dokgo Ak’s participation, please present your tablets.”
The sect leaders silently raised their tablets. At a glance, there were quite a few.
“Seventeen sect leaders have voted in favor.”
Dokgo Jo-hak smiled.
‘I’ve won.’
It wasn’t quite half the votes, but it was enough. The ones not holding their faction badges were likely insignificant sect leaders like that presumptuous Cheonggeom Sect Leader from the minor Baekgak.
‘Would any sect leader dare to support Saheongang unless they’ve fallen out of my favor?’
No sect leader would support Saheongang, which had neither strength nor capability.
‘Did you see that, brother? This is ability and politics. Haha!’
I barely suppressed the urge to laugh.
Dokgo Jo-hak turned his head, anticipating the contorted expressions of Dokgo Wi-hak and Dokgo Myeong.
But then.
‘…He’s smiling?’
He was smiling.
That cunning, arrogant fool was grinning with all his white teeth showing.
“Then, those in favor of Young Master Dokgo Myeong’s participation, please raise your faction badges.”
The sound of fabric rustling filled the air.
Dokgo Jo-hak’s gaze snapped to the Main Hall.
“…!”
Dokgo Jo-hak’s eyes widened.
There were far too many.
Faction badges that should have numbered at most two or three were sprouting up everywhere.
“Twenty-five sect leaders have voted in favor. We will confirm Young Master Dokgo Myeong as the delegation’s representative.”
Why? How could this be?
Why were they supporting Saheongang’s side?
Dokgo Jo-hak’s head whipped toward Dokgo Myeong.
* * *
It came down to money.
Dokgo Myeong had long since had Son Tae-im slip bribes to the sect leaders to secure their support.
‘Saheongang may have no money, but do I?’
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly.
‘Besides, when it comes to slipping bribes, my Tae-im is a master, a true master!’
She was the rare talent who had even managed to bribe those stone-faced Law Enforcement Bureau warriors.
A peerless expert in the art of bribery, that was who she was.
“Heh, heh heh heh the money that went out… heh heh, heh.”
Son Tae-im wept quietly in the corner.
Watching her, Dokgo Myeong could only smile with satisfaction.
“This, this is….”
Dokgo Jo-hak gaped in disbelief.
“It’s impossible. Unless one’s mind is addled, how could they support that fool….”
It hadn’t been publicly announced yet that Geumsan Sect had fallen beneath Saheongang, so his confusion was understandable. Only those belonging to major factions or possessing keen insight were aware of this fact.
“Young Master Dokgo Myeong. If you have anything further to say, please speak.”
Wi Baek spoke calmly and gestured for him to continue.
“Ah, yes. Well, there’s nothing much to say….”
I was about to brush past it casually when I caught Dokgo Jo-hak’s gaze, and my eyes sparkled with sudden interest.
“…Actually, thinking about it now, I understand Uncle Jo-hak’s position, and the Cheonggeom Sect Leader’s words from earlier make sense too.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Wi Baek regarded me with a peculiar look.
“I’ve only just come of age, haven’t I?”
“And?”
“Well, it’s not wrong to say I’m still young, is it?”
“Get to the point.”
“I think it would be perfect to take a few more people along. What do you Sect Leaders think?”
I grinned and placed my hand on Dokgo Ak’s shoulder beside me.
“Let’s have this one come along too. What do you think, Uncle Jo-hak?”
In that instant, Dokgo Jo-hak’s eyes wavered.

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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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