Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 250

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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 250
With the support of Chammarwon.
The man stood by the well, ceaselessly dousing himself with water, scrubbing his skin raw with straw so coarse it left marks.
‘Simply breathing feels like I’m being covered in filth.’
So I couldn’t stop washing even if I wanted to.
Normally, I would use poisoned water for cleansing and scrub myself with wire cloth, but such luxuries weren’t available here.
“…Ah, truly. Your skin will be completely stripped away. How can you be so fastidious when you don’t appear that way at all on the surface?”
“Hehe, I’m quite meticulous beneath appearances. Why don’t you scrub your back once more, Hyeong-jang?”
The man spoke with a smile to this newly acquainted person.
“I’m fine. I’ll head in first. It’s nearly mealtime, so hurry along.”
“Very well. Hehe.”
When I turned my head again, my expression had become blank.
‘How ignorant—they don’t even realize the sin of being covered in filth.’
These foolish martial artists of the jianghu, unaware of their own defilement.
It was pitiful. Truly pitiful.
Humans accumulate karmic sin merely by breathing, yet how can they live so ordinarily without knowing this?
‘I have no choice but to guide them toward cleanliness and the righteous path. Only through blood can one attain Jeongheol….’
This world is hell itself. People don’t realize this.
The only methods of atonement are to shed filthy blood or elevate one’s cultivation, yet these countless people of the Central Plains reject and spurn this teaching.
‘I mustn’t curse them as foolish. With the wisdom of Jeongheol Maitreya, I must save the suffering beings trapped in this hellish realm.’
But….
There were demons who must never be allowed to walk the righteous path.
‘…Dokgo Myeong.’
A powerful and malevolent demon.
The sect’s great adversary, finally encountered.
‘To seduce pitiful beings and build his own army—committing such grievous karmic sins while reveling in it. How contemptible.’
I recalled Dokgo Myeong, whom I had witnessed with my own eyes today.
At his age, possessing such martial prowess—he had already strayed far from the righteous path.
What sins could he have accumulated to possess such unnatural power?
I remembered too the sect’s great mission that he had obstructed, and the divine generals who had fallen gloriously.
He must be killed without question.
At the very least, he must be stopped.
I harbored no fear. I had resolved myself to martyrdom. Only….
‘Could he have noticed me?’
There was no basis for such worry, yet he was one who had obstructed the sacred mission even without reason.
‘I am safe. But… I cannot know whom he might find or how. If he lacks means, he is a devil capable of creating them to hunt his prey.’
No, it’s fine. He cannot know.
The blood cultivation of the Jeongheol Sect cannot be discovered by any means.
Splash!
The man doused himself with water once more and scrubbed his body clean.
My worries washed away with the water.
Since I had already entered, or since someone I didn’t even know had entered, anyone would gladly become a martyr.
And that would become the means to tighten the noose around Dokgo Myeong’s neck.
“I should get going now.”
He carefully dried himself and moved forward.
Soon he blended in among the two hundred reserve members.
* * *
The atmosphere in the Chammaewon dining hall where the reserve members gathered was quite pleasant.
“They say the Dokgo Household’s warehouses never run dry of gold, silver, and treasures, nor of rice.”
“The Black Dragon treats even those who aren’t yet official members with such courtesy. He’s clearly a man who values people.”
“If it’s this good now, I can only imagine how wonderful life in the Chammadae will be. Truly, I’m looking forward to it.”
After a tense day of testing, with fine liquor and food laid out, how could the atmosphere be anything but good?
Moreover, one man wandered about with a cheerful demeanor, striking up conversations everywhere, and as time passed, the atmosphere grew increasingly warm and convivial.
“Delighted to meet you!”
The man leading the conversation, breaking through any remaining awkwardness, was Yang Un-rang.
“Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but isn’t this fate? They say even brushing sleeves is a connection, so to come here and take the test together, and now to share drinks—what fortune!”
He was a man so affable he seemed to wag his tail.
Whether his liquor tolerance was exceptional or he simply didn’t drink much, he showed no signs of intoxication despite clinking cups at every table.
“My! Aren’t you that remarkably strong Jang Han I admired from afar? We seem about the same age, so I hope we can speak comfortably?”
“Get lost.”
“Come now, this is fate too. Here, have a drink.”
“…Fine.”
“I’m Un-rang of the Yang clan from Luoyang. Feel free to call me Un-rang. Pleased to meet you.”
Yang Un-rang poured a drink for the burly man.
It was Jang Han, who wore leather draped like a robe. His bandit-like appearance had kept others away, but Yang Un-rang approached without hesitation.
“For someone who looks like a courtesan’s brother, you’ve got some nerve.”
“Ha! Thank you for the compliment.”
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Hang San-gwi.”
“Hm? Is that your name?”
“It is. I’m the mountain lord who once ruled the Northern Peak.”
“Wait, isn’t Hang San-gwi a nickname?”
“It’s my name.”
“How is that a name?”
“It’s my name.”
Yang Un-rang tilted his head in confusion, then broke into a grin.
“Well, I suppose it is.”
Yang Un-rang wandered about, exchanging drinks and conversation with people. Everyone responded warmly to the affable young man’s approach.
Of course, not everyone fell for it.
“Why does such a beautiful lady sit alone? Allow me to pour you a drink. I am Yang Un-rang. What is your name, miss?”
“I don’t care, and I have hands. Stop your advances and leave.”
Bang Dan-a, who had been occupied with her meal, didn’t even glance at Yang Un-rang as she spoke while picking at her appetizers.
“Ha, flirtation? I’m simply trying to introduce myself and become acquainted.”
Bang Dan-a sighed as if annoyed, then reluctantly opened her mouth.
“Bang Dan-a.”
“Yang Un-rang.”
“I already heard that.”
“Dan-a, what a beautiful name….”
“Now that we’ve exchanged names, wouldn’t you leave?”
“My, what a spirited young lady you are. Your resolute demeanor is quite charming.”
“What are you talking about, seriously.”
Like a spear and shield, or perhaps a dog and cat.
Yang Un-rang, who refused to back down, and Bang Dan-a, who seemed ready to strike if he approached, engaged in repeated skirmishes without yielding an inch.
The others mingled pleasantly without a care for tomorrow’s interview.
Yet where there were pleasant encounters, there were also awkward ones.
“Oh, you’re that…!”
“Huh? Who… Ah! That cowardly fellow who passed the test?”
Surprisingly, it was Son Baek-chan, who had passed the additional test, and Jang Han-chung from the Jeongheol Sect, who had somehow managed to pass this round as well.
“Cowardly? I passed fairly and squarely!”
“Ah yes, let’s say that then.”
“And you—weren’t you eliminated? Why are you here?”
As Jang Han-chung asked in bewilderment, Son Baek-chan grinned widely.
“I was directly recognized by the Sect Master in the additional test! Ha!”
“No….”
“You seem to have some talent yourself, despite appearances. I thought you were an unremarkable fellow using tricks from the start.”
“Why are you speaking casually to me on first meeting?”
“You’re practically my nephew’s age—should I be formal? Come, sit down. I’ll pour you a drink.”
“No….”
Son Baek-chan laughed heartily and shared drinks with Jang Han-chung.
“…It seems you managed to pass despite such defiance.”
“Of course, I was recognized by that great master Dokgo Myeong!”
“I received recognition too.”
“You? Come on, why are you lying?”
“I’m telling you it’s true! At the registration board!”
“Tsk! Raising your voice before your elder?”
Wow, this old codger really is something.
However, Jang Han-chung, who had never imagined getting angry at an elder, simply suppressed his anger.
“Ah, are you sulking? For such a young man, you’re quite narrow-minded.”
“What did you say?”
“We might end up eating from the same pot soon, so come here. Let me pour you a drink and lighten your mood.”
Jang Han-chung let out a deep sigh and shook his head vigorously.
‘Yes, he might become a colleague after all.’
Jang Han-chung, unable to escape his grasp, found himself reluctantly engaging in conversation.
“…Is it really just about money?”
“Of course it’s about money.”
“I must say, you’re quite materialistic. What exactly do you need so much money for?”
Son Baek-chan chuckled softly.
“Once you build a family, you’ll understand. No matter how much money you have, it’s never enough.”
Jang Han-chung’s eyes widened.
“You have a family?”
“Did you think I’d reach this age without marrying?”
“Ah…”
“My daughter’s name is Soso. She’s four years old and loves sweets. If I want her to live without being looked down upon anywhere, I need to work hard and save money.”
Jang Han-chung regarded Son Baek-chan with fresh eyes.
Perhaps this middle-aged man wasn’t as bad as he’d initially thought.
“…Please, have a drink.”
“Ah, never mind. I can pour for myself. What’s the fuss?”
Jang Han-chung’s expression hardened.
‘Still an insufferable old-timer after all.’
Jang Han-chung shook his head vigorously.
As the night deepened, the atmosphere grew increasingly warm.
By the time over a hundred people had exchanged names and become acquainted with one another.
BOOM!
An explosion erupted from somewhere.
The convivial atmosphere was instantly swept away by that blast.
* * *
“W-what was that just now?”
“A collision of energy. Martial artists clashed. Quite violently too.”
The diners in the hall jumped to their feet, eyes gleaming.
Whoosh!
They all expelled the alcohol from their systems in their own ways.
Everyone gathered here was a martial artist and a talented individual who had passed the examination. Even intoxicated, they would not lose their vigilance.
“Should we go check?”
“We’re within the walls of the Heavenly First House. Why are you all making such a fuss?”
“Right. It’s probably just some training.”
But then.
CRASH!
Another explosion sounded.
Clang! Clang!
The sound of weapons colliding grew steadily closer.
KABOOM!
A collision of qi erupted, as if Cham Ma-won was about to depart.
“What is this? Could it be another hidden test…?”
“Surely they wouldn’t do something so unprecedented without any warning?”
“Don’t we need to go check it out?”
That was when it happened.
Creak. Creak.
The sound of footsteps on wooden floorboards echoed. Someone was walking toward the dining hall.
All the reserve members instantly tensed, their eyes fixed on the entrance to the dining hall.
Creak! Screech!
The door swung open and someone stepped inside.
“Everyone’s gathered here, I see.”
It was none other than Dokgo Ak.
However, his appearance was starkly different from what the reserve members had witnessed during the day.
Drip. Drip.
His eyes gleamed with murderous intent, his garments torn and tattered, blood dripping from the tip of his lowered blade.
There was no mistaking the signs of battle.
His heaving chest gradually stilled, resembling a wounded beast curling inward to protect itself.
‘How could someone of his caliber end up like this?’
‘Has something happened to the Dokgo Household?’
Dokgo Ak slowly swept his gaze across the room.
From left to right, from near to far.
As his eyes passed over the anxious reserve members, his lips parted slowly.
“I need to verify the headcount.”
“Pardon? Why the sudden need to count…?”
Without further explanation, Dokgo Ak began counting the people present.
Upon confirming that all one hundred and twelve members were accounted for, Dokgo Ak released a sigh of relief.
“Thank goodness none of them are among this group.”
“Please explain. What exactly has happened?”
“We’ve been attacked by enemies.”
Whoosh!
A sharp killing intent radiated from Dokgo Ak’s entire body.
The people faltered.
Yet among them, someone stepped forward boldly.
“An enemy attack? You need to explain this more clearly—it makes no sense.”
It was Jang Han and Hang San-gwi, the burly men.
Dokgo Ak let out a low chuckle.
“Are you aware of the Guhwahyeolsa and Anhwihyeolsa incidents?”
“Of course. The mastermind behind the blood cult incidents was some strange heretical sect.”
“And you know our Cham Ma unit has been targeting them?”
Meanwhile, Bang Dan-a, who casually held a bottle of liquor in one hand, opened her mouth to speak.
“Everyone knows that. So what?”
Dokgo Ak’s eyes flashed with intensity.
“It appears they mixed in with the applicants and scaled the wall this time.”
“…!”
“Just now, some of those fanatics—and rather high-ranking ones at that—appeared and attempted to target the Sect Master’s life with such pathetic heterodox sorcery.”
Splat!
Dokgo Ak hurled the blood-stained and crumpled corpse across the room.
A sickening stench of blood rose into the air.
The atmosphere instantly grew tense.
“Has the Sect Master been injured?”
“It’s not a serious wound, so don’t concern yourselves.”
“Did you capture the attacker?”
“I let them escape.”
Dokgo Ak’s eyes gleamed with cold light.
“They had backup forces waiting in the middle. For mad butchers like them, their preparations were surprisingly meticulous.”
“Then why….”
“They’re nothing but fanatics who spend their lives following a deranged sect leader. How dare they scale the walls of the greatest household under heaven? We’ve already established a siege. They’re rats trapped in a jar.”
His words were as crude and unrefined as those of a street ruffian. Had any of their followers heard him, they would have trembled with murderous intent.
And at those words.
Flash!
Among the numerous reserve members, someone’s eyes suddenly gleamed.
Dokgo Ak didn’t catch that glint. He simply concluded his words calmly.
“So I ask for your cooperation. It seems tomorrow’s interview will need to be replaced with an identity inspection.”
“….”
“I’ll explain the details tomorrow morning. Please remain in your quarters and avoid any behavior that might raise suspicion.”
With those words, Dokgo Ak left the dining hall.
A strange silence settled over the room.
The silence soon transformed into quiet murmurs.
“What in the world is happening….”
“He said he’d explain tomorrow, didn’t he?”
“Let’s just return to our quarters. There’s no need to invite suspicion.”
And so the people gradually withdrew one by one.
In the space they left behind, a presence emerged.
“So there was more than one.”
The Heavenly Demon’s Celestial Scripture pulsed faintly.
A glint of anger crossed Dokgo Myeong’s face.
“So that bastard was a follower all along….”

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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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