Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 267

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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 267
‘A spear? No, without a blade, is it a staff? But…’
The shaft wasn’t rounded like a typical spear or staff. Though the edges were somewhat blunt, it formed a distinctly hexagonal shape.
Just over five feet in length, it bore no particular ornamentation, and a calm dark luster played across its surface.
“May I grip it properly?”
Heo Yong-do remained silent for a moment before nodding.
Dokgo Myeong applied more force and seized the iron staff.
Click!
Rather than simply grasping it, the weapon seemed to cling to his palm of its own accord. I had worried the smooth surface might slip despite its angular form, but felt no such sensation whatsoever.
I could instinctively sense this was no ordinary material.
“Is this Hyeon-steel?”
“Indeed. But surely that’s not all. I poured every precious material imaginable into solid Hyeon-steel.”
Heo Yong-do murmured with an enigmatic gleam in his eyes.
“Originally, that thing was a sword. Or rather, it was meant to become one.”
“What do you mean, sir?”
It looked far too crude to be called a sword—merely a lump of rough metal.
Heo Yong-do gazed quietly at the iron staff and continued.
“In this work, the most common excuse I hear is about weapons. How many mediocre practitioners blame their tools, never recognizing their own shortcomings?”
“…”
“I grew so sick of it that I attempted to forge the ultimate sword—one that would never bend or break. This is the failed result.”
“But you said earlier it was incomplete.”
“It’s a failure. How can something without a blade be a sword?”
“Couldn’t you simply sharpen it into a blade now?”
Heo Yong-do laughed bitterly and shook his head.
“I’ve tried grinding it, hammering it, attempting everything imaginable, yet this angular form was the best I could achieve. Without a blade, it’s neither sword nor saber. With these angles, it fails as a spear or staff. It’s a failure.”
“…”
“Yet I did enjoy creating it immensely.”
As I listened to Heo Yong-do’s account, I examined the staff—or rather, that crude sword—carefully.
“Try grasping the middle section and infuse your inner power while twisting it.”
“Like this, sir?”
I immediately infused my power forcefully and twisted my hand.
Clack!
Suddenly I felt the ridges shift, and the sword’s center separated.
“What? This is…?”
“Hehe, fascinating, isn’t it? Depending on how you use it, it can function as a spear, staff, or blunt weapon. You could even bind chains or rope to it for use.”
“Wouldn’t that compromise the durability of the connection?”
“By that logic, where does one find an indestructible weapon? Spears and swords are ultimately assembled from blade and hilt anyway, are they not?”
That was a fair point.
Moreover, one must infuse inner power regardless.
Crunch!
Dokgo Myeong infused his inner energy once more and merged the swords into one.
“…If you’ve seen enough, put it down now and find yourself a proper weapon.”
Heo Yong-do, who had been speaking with momentary enthusiasm, quickly reverted to his cantankerous old self.
Dokgo Myeong continued examining the crude blade as he spoke.
“I’ll use this one.”
Heo Yong-do’s eyebrows twitched.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. There is nothing superior to this.”
“It’s neither one thing nor another. You like that?”
“….”
Dokgo Myeong hesitated for a moment.
Like it?
Such words alone could not express it.
How could I describe this….
“Throughout my life, whenever I’ve seen a weapon, I’ve never once thought ‘This is mine!’ …”
“…Never once?”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed.
“But this one feels like mine.”
“So you like it or you don’t.”
“I like it. Very much.”
Depending on how it’s wielded, its applications seem boundless.
Heo Yong-do’s expression became peculiar.
He opened and closed his mouth for a moment, then clicked his tongue and spoke.
“Hmph! Then do as you please. It should serve well enough until you find your true weapon.”
“Thank you. I’m as delighted as when I obtained the Yongrin Spear.”
Heo Yong-do’s expression became speechless.
In any case, he was sincere.
Dokgo Myeong had taken a liking to this crude, weighty blade that deviated from the ordinary.
“Ah, but what is this called?”
“Don’t tell me you’re one of those who names their weapons too? If you’re going to name it, do it yourself.”
Dokgo Myeong grinned widely.
“In my entire life, I can count on one hand the magnificent ones I’ve seen. So it would be perfect if the father who created this blade would bestow a name upon it.”
Heo Yong-do clamped his mouth shut.
He gazed at the sword with profound eyes.
After a long silence, he murmured in a voice tinged with regret.
“What need does an unfinished blade have for a name. Yet it has finally found its master….”
Heo Yong-do looked at Dokgo Myeong and spoke.
“Hyeoncheoljunggum—the Profound Iron Heavy Sword.”
“Pardon?”
“Simply crude and honest, just as it is. That would be fitting.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled and nodded.
“Excellent. The Hyeon-cheol Sword. From now on, I’ll use this to pummel everyone I come across.”
* * *
Having obtained the Hyeon-cheol Sword, Dokgo Myeong walked out with remarkable confidence.
“But setting that aside, will you accept the commission?”
“Let me hear what the commission is first, then I’ll decide.”
“Wasn’t the atmosphere suggesting you’d accept anything right now?”
“That’s one thing, this is another.”
Contradicting his meticulous attitude, Heo Yong-do’s eyes widened the moment he saw the demonic creature byproducts.
“Where on earth did you obtain these precious materials?”
“So will you do it or not?”
“Of course I’ll do it! This much research material! Kahahaha!”
Thin leather garments worn underneath, armor, weapons, and various other equipment.
Heo Yong-do even promised to send the Cheonma Sect disciples one by one to have custom equipment crafted for them.
“This is… no ordinary matter. These are not precious materials to be consumed so carelessly. The bones are fine, but don’t touch the scales. Where in the world did these even come from?”
Upon seeing the byproducts of the Gwisucheolmang, Heo Yong-do immediately recognized their value.
“The Iron Net? Perhaps it could be melted down and utilized. Leave that to me. Perhaps… I might actually be able to forge a truly monstrous blade.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Not a sword that was already made, but a new one forged solely for you.”
Dokgo Myeong hadn’t brought them this time, but he revealed the materials he’d been steadily accumulating.
The ten-thousand-year cold iron shackles he’d acquired after being kidnapped by a Jeongheol Disciple, the Windsky Blade he’d stolen from the Mandeung Family and kept hidden all this time, and various other demonic creature byproducts.
Heo Yong-do’s eyes gleamed with fervor.
“With this much, I could forge something truly spectacular.”
“….”
“They say masters who’ve reached the Banson realm can forge weapons imbued with wondrous power with mere gestures. If what you say is true, I’ll attempt to forge a divine weapon through human effort.”
“Will you start right away then?”
“I need to prepare first.”
Thus, Dokgo Myeong successfully concluded the transaction.
Heo Yong-do said he would close the Cheolbang’s doors for quite some time and focus solely on handling the Cheonma Sect’s commission.
It would cost considerable money, but the results were worth anticipating.
On the way back.
“Are you pleased with it?”
“Yes. I’ve obtained a divine weapon. Hehehehe!”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed as he swung the Hyeon-cheol Sword.
Whoooosh!
A thunderous boom erupted from merely the wind pressure carrying a trace of inner force.
Dokgo Wi-hak asked with a faint smile.
“You’re that pleased with it?”
“Just imagine. Whether it’s the Moyong Family Lord or the Jeongheol Sect Lord, if they got hit with this… hehehehe!”
Dokgo Wi-hak’s pupils trembled.
Watching my son smile with such a sinister expression, worry bloomed in my heart.
‘…He’s just like Sun Wukong wielding the Golden Hooped Rod.’
It was called a sword, but it was so long and blunt that it looked nothing like one—more like a staff.
Dokgo Wi-hak shook his head repeatedly.
* * *
We took a carriage when returning to the family compound.
Since dusk had fallen, we stayed a day at a respectable inn along the way, and only the next day did we arrive back at the compound.
“A message came from Gae-bang. The date has been set, and the Outer Hall has been informed. The location is Muhanmun. You should be able to depart the day after tomorrow.”
It was Moryong Sohgyo’s report.
During the remaining day before departure, I spent my time productively. I trained with the Cheonma Sect disciples and listened to their joyful screams, and I also pushed the managers a bit.
And so the time to depart arrived.
The managers came to see me off.
“I’m leaving the training in your hands while I’m gone, Seok-du.”
Geum Seok-du’s eyes widened.
“You’re speaking to me, sir?”
“Who else would I ask? You’re the only one who takes good care of people and pays attention to details. Make sure everything is ready so we can move straight into inner energy cultivation when I return.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“And….”
I looked at Moryong Sohgyo.
“How long do you think it will take for our Moyong strategist?”
“I believe I can have the formal training method ready within two weeks at the latest.”
“Good. Perfect timing. Then we’ll distribute the elixir to the disciples, formally teach them martial arts, and begin training.”
Then, Dokgo Ak, who had been listening quietly, asked.
“But are you really sure about not taking anyone else?”
Dokgo Ak’s gaze turned toward the procession of the Outer Hall gathered behind us.
The Outer Hall had prepared this secret journey.
The escort force was merely ten people. Since this was a confidential meeting, we had to move like we were traveling incognito.
Given the circumstances, I saw no need to bring along the busy managers or Cheonma Sect disciples.
“It’s not like I’m not taking anyone at all. One person is more than enough.”
I smiled and glanced to my side.
Standing there was Namgung Sohwa, the only manager accompanying me to this meeting.
“I’ll keep a close eye on whether our leader causes trouble or not. Everyone, stay healthy.”
At Namgung Sohwa’s words, Dokgo Ak let out a sigh as if the ground were collapsing beneath him.
“Stay strong, Manager Namgung.”
“Sister, if things go wrong, please come back first.”
“I wish you safe travels.”
At the managers’ encouragement, Namgung Sohwa nodded with a determined expression.
“Don’t worry. I’ll return in good health.”
I made a sullen face.
Why were they acting like they were sending me somewhere I couldn’t come back from?
“Master, it’s time to depart.”
“Very well. Let’s go, Sohwa.”
“Yes.”
I slung the Hyeon-cheol Sword across my shoulder.
“Safe travels, Commander. I shall ensure the Cheonma Sect is well maintained.”
“Good. I’ll be back.”
“May you achieve your desired goals.”
After receiving Geum Seok-du’s farewell, I set off on my way.
A moment later.
The instant Geum Seok-du crossed the threshold of the Cheonma Sect grounds, he spoke.
“Everyone, assemble!”
“…?”
“Did you not hear me! Everyone, assemble!”
“Y-yes, assembling!”
Geum Seok-du laughed with a “hehehehe” as if mimicking me, his voice ringing out.
“The Commander has finally departed!”
“Woooooah!”
The Cheonma Sect disciples reflexively cheered.
‘With Manager Geum in charge, things should be easier, right?’
‘Finally we can rest a bit!’
But then, Geum Seok-du spoke.
“You lot are cheering right now? What exactly did I just hear?”
His voice, unlike his usual friendly tone, was now dripping with provocation.
The disciples immediately sensed something had gone wrong.
“Cheering? Tsk! So you’re cheering, are you? Back in my day, we wouldn’t have dared even think of such a thing, yet here you are, slacking off!”
What’s this? Why is he acting like that?
Why has Dokgo Myeong’s shadow suddenly appeared?
“From this moment on, the Cheonma Sect is under my control, Geum Seok-du, to whom the Commander has delegated full authority!”
“…!”
“What are you doing? Begin basic cultivation training! Anyone slacking off won’t get dinner tonight!”
“…?”
“Why are you all just standing there?”
“….”
“Get down, all of you!!”
Geum Seok-du’s eyes flashed as he shouted.
“Gasp!”
“Ugh!”
“Move! Start running now!”
The Cheonma Sect grounds descended into chaos.
There was one thing they had all forgotten.
The fact was that among all the managers and disciples, Geum Seok-du was the one who had spent the most time alongside Dokgo Myeong.
* * *
Namgung Sohwa spoke abruptly.
“They’ll all do well, won’t they?”
“Of course they will. Do you know how rigorously I’ve drilled them in mental discipline?”
Namgung Sohwa let out a soft laugh and shook her head.
“But why are you only taking me? Why not take the pretty military advisor with the sharp mind?”
“What are you talking about? Of course you have to go. Do you not realize where we’re heading?”
At those words, Namgung Sohwa’s eyes widened. She wasn’t foolish enough to misunderstand that statement.
“Are you planning to use my name as a descendant of the Namgung Family at the conference with the Three Great Families?”
“Well, I wouldn’t say I have such dark intentions. But if you’re there, the Three Great Families will certainly react in some way. After all, you are a descendant of the Namgung Family regardless.”
“….”
The Jegal Family, the Hwangbo Family, the Paeng Family, the Moyong Family, and even the Dang Family, which is now part of the Celestial Assembly.
The martial families of this era owed a debt to the Namgung Family.
During the Age of Secret Teachings, the Namgung Family had united them and shed blood for the sake of all under heaven, and it was they who had perished gloriously in the face of the others’ indifference.
Dokgo Myeong looked at Namgung Sohwa.
“Tell me now if it seems too difficult.”
Namgung Sohwa’s eyes gleamed with light.
“On the contrary, it’s what I’ve always wanted. I’ve been longing to see their faces for myself.”
The two of them boarded the carriage.
And an unexpected situation awaited them.
“…What is this? Why are we traveling in such a cramped carriage?”
“This is a covert journey with minimal numbers. Could we possibly operate two or three carriages?”
Outer Hall Master Dokgo Un-hak.
He was waiting for them inside the carriage with a faint smile.
“Come aboard. We need to depart soon.”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes trembled slightly.
Perhaps I might suffocate and die before we even reach the conference venue.

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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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