Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 273

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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 273
Hubei Province, Wuhan, a high-class tavern near Dengyongzhi.
The representatives of each household gathered once more in the same place where the Sword King of the Dokgo Household had already caused a scene.
Given that this was a resumption of talks that had collapsed before even beginning, I harbored no illusions that things would proceed smoothly.
“At last we see the faces of our household leaders. If you were going to gather so quickly anyway, why did you drag your feet so long? Haha!”
True to form, our Outer Hall Master. He didn’t let it slide and opened by needling the household leaders.
To summarize the meaning of his words intuitively, it would be something like this:
‘You arrogant bastards can’t even read the room? Do you need a beating to come to your senses? Why didn’t you do things properly from the start?’
The household leaders caught off guard by the sudden jab stiffened their expressions.
Jegal Mun did not remain silent.
“We were merely upholding propriety and etiquette. We never anticipated the Sword King would take offense enough to speak of war.”
Jegal Mun chose counterattack over defense.
Translated, it would mean something like: ‘You lawless, uncouth bastard. What kind of person discusses war outright? The title of Sword King is wasted on you.’
“….”
At the sharp counterattack, Dokgo Un-hak’s brow twitched.
“The main house arranged this meeting to show magnanimity, yet you speak thus. How disappointing.”
Afraid to take a hit, yet lecturing about propriety and etiquette?
“Magnanimity, you say. Indeed, well spoken.”
“Paeng Sect Leader?”
“As it is with us, does the Dokgo Household not ultimately sit here hoping for the concessions of we three great households?”
Peng Jin-cheol had entered the fray. Though separated from the Jegal camp, they had still coordinated their assault against the common enemy.
“The Paeng Sect Leader has struck at the heart of the matter with remarkable precision.”
Jegal Mun swiftly seized the words and pressed his advantage.
“Surely the Dokgo Household does not think otherwise? If so, that would be most unfortunate indeed.”
After all, you need our consent as well, do you not? Shall we overturn the table once more?
“Would that be acceptable?”
“I will make it acceptable.”
Crack!
Where their gazes collided, lightning seemed ready to strike at any moment.
“Hahaha!”
“Hehehehe!”
Dokgo Un-hak laughed.
Jegal Mun laughed as well.
Dokgo Myeong shuddered.
‘My skin crawls, it crawls.’
Hidden meanings, veiled threats, and sharp words—they were all here.
Watching our Outer Hall Master handle this with such ease was admirable, but I was beginning to suffocate.
“Perhaps we should set aside the pleasantries and wrap this up quickly?”
“….”
“We gathered to proceed amicably, yet this is how it goes? I truly cannot fathom it.”
In that instant, every gaze in the room converged on Dokgo Myeong.
As if bound by an unspoken agreement, they clicked their tongues, let out hollow laughs, or glared at him with murderous intent. Though no one spoke, the air seemed to carry the unspoken words: “You dare say such a thing?”
Dokgo Myeong tilted his head in confusion.
“Why? What is it?”
Jegal Mun and Dokgo Un-hak shook their heads vigorously, then exchanged glances with one another.
“…Shall we begin proceedings?”
“Let us do so.”
Thus the final negotiations commenced.
From that point forward, I held my tongue. This was Un-hak’s moment to shine.
“The Moyong Family took several trading enterprises that the Main House and Hwangbo Family jointly invested in. It is improper for the Dokgo Household to monopolize the profits from those establishments.”
“We cannot simply hand them over.”
“In exchange, the Main House will provide military equipment, the Hwangbo Family will supply horses, and the Paeng Family will furnish laborers.”
“Then we shall accept.”
“Additionally….”
Once substantive discussion began, there was scarcely any negotiation to speak of.
Dokgo Un-hak had already demonstrated the Dokgo Household’s unwavering resolve through his earlier display of force, while the three family leaders were fragmented. They merely accepted what the Dokgo Household offered to concede and adjusted only minor details.
As the negotiations proceeded in full swing, I nudged Namgung Sohwa beside me and whispered.
‘Are you watching carefully?’
Namgung Sohwa nodded.
‘Yes, I am.’
‘Learn well from this. One day, this will be your responsibility, and this will be your place to stand.’
‘Understood.’
For Namgung Sohwa, who dreamed of rebuilding the Namgung Family, this gathering itself was an invaluable lesson.
“I believe this suffices. Shall we have the practical details handled by our respective representatives?”
“Very well.”
Just as it seemed the negotiations would conclude smoothly, complications arose as they always do.
“…One final matter—the Main House intends to support the Dokgo Household in this coming war.”
“Pardon?”
“If agreeable, I would hope the Hwangbo Family and Paeng Family would also join in this support.”
Peng Jin-cheol and Hwangbo Cheong exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of Jegal Mun’s intentions.
But soon, both men grasped his meaning and their eyes widened.
Conversely, Dokgo Un-hak’s expression twisted despite receiving free support.
“You mean to prevent the Main House from monopolizing the Moyong Family?”
“I merely wish to collect the debts owed by the Moyong Family.”
“Are you suggesting we form a temporary alliance to divide the spoils?”
“I harbor no such ambition. If we three families become involved, it will appear as though multiple clans are oppressing a single family.”
“Then?”
“Our support will be indirect and multifaceted. Should the Three Great Families lend their backing, the Dokgo Household’s war gains greater legitimacy. In return, I would request a portion of the profits from the Moyong Family.”
Listening quietly, I could not help but admire the strategy.
‘This way, the Three Great Families achieve their revenge, and they recover their lost interests as well.’
The Dokgo Household stood to gain little from this arrangement. Nor did they have much to lose.
Yet…
“I must decline. There’s no reason to drag the Three Great Families into this affair.”
True to his words, the Outer Hall Master saw no benefit in accepting their support. Why fill another’s coffers unnecessarily?
But Dokgo Myeong’s thoughts diverged. This offer had to be accepted.
“I believe we should accept their assistance.”
Dokgo Myeong voiced his opinion for the first time.
Dokgo Un-hak’s brow furrowed.
“What are you doing?”
“Accept it. They’re offering help—why refuse without cause?”
“Do you have some scheme in mind?”
“If you decline, Outer Hall Master, I’ll accept on my own authority.”
Dokgo Un-hak glared at Dokgo Myeong.
Dokgo Myeong pretended not to notice, averting his gaze.
‘The more people we entangle ourselves with, the better.’
Then everyone would understand.
This was no time for petty squabbles over greed.
Blood-crazed demons were approaching.
The war the Dokgo Household would face needed to shake the entire realm.
* * *
After the talks concluded, Jegal Mun approached Dokgo Myeong.
“Why did you help us? Is this an olive branch, or do you have some ulterior motive?”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled softly.
“What help did I provide? You brought up the proposal—prepare yourselves accordingly.”
Jegal Mun nodded.
“Regardless of your intent, I express my gratitude.”
“Think nothing of it.”
“This meeting yielded less than expected, but knowing you is itself a great gain.”
“Is that so?”
“I’ll be watching you.”
With that, Jegal Mun took his leave immediately.
Neither enemy nor ally—a neutral party. I realized I would likely encounter countless such individuals in the days ahead.
“That was a worthwhile meeting. My son praised you so highly—I’ll have to scold that brat when I return home.”
Peng Jin-cheol also came to bid farewell.
“Scold him? For what reason?”
“His praise exceeded reality by several measures. How can the future Sect Leader of the Paeng Family have such poor judgment? I’ll need to discipline him thoroughly. Hahahaha!”
Peng Jin-cheol departed with hearty laughter.
Next came Dokgo Un-hak.
“You’re stopping by the Hwangbo Household?”
“Yes, I have a promise to keep.”
“Hmm.”
Dokgo Un-hak stroked his beard and nodded.
“Make haste. The fire has been lit.”
The final obstacle had been removed.
The straw piled high and thick had been doused with oil, and the spark had been set.
It would take at most three months for it to burn brightly. No, even that seemed too long. Now we had to prepare for war in earnest.
“By the way, what exactly are you thinking?”
Dokgo Un-hak furrowed his brow and looked at Dokgo Myeong.
“What do you mean, sir?”
“Why do you seem so at ease?”
The man who had desired and orchestrated this war more than anyone else was displaying an oddly serene expression.
“Didn’t you say so yourself, Outer Hall Master? That the Chamma Corps needs more time. Regrettably, there is no stage for me to take.”
“I also said I could separate you and the managers for independent action.”
“How could a vice-commander abandon his unit and act separately?”
“If you insist on that, your only place will be in the rear.”
“If the household commands it, I must obey.”
Dokgo Un-hak’s expression twisted further.
Being sent to the rear meant he would earn no merit. What would remain of a man who earned no merit in war?
Moreover, the Martial Alliance itself hung in the balance of this war. Falling behind in the rear would only leave him out of step with the times.
Yet Dokgo Myeong seemed unconcerned. He appeared almost to be avoiding the battle.
“You’re not afraid of that fight, surely. So what exactly are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking of nothing.”
“What?”
“When I return, I shall see you at the household. For now, the Hwangbo Gaju has called for me, so I must take my leave.”
Dokgo Myeong dismissed the matter thus and turned to go.
* * *
“You’ll truly leave right away?”
“Yes.”
“Then might you hurry a bit more? No, I would prefer if you hurried as much as possible. If at all feasible, perhaps leave the household members behind….”
Hwangbo Cheong spoke thus with an impatient expression.
A master of such caliber, and moreover a great elder of the martial world, had cast aside all dignity and was fretting before a young man like a son.
Yet his appearance did not seem unseemly. Rather, it was entirely understandable.
Who would concern themselves with propriety when bringing someone to treat a son confined to a sickbed for so long?
“Very well. Let us do so.”
“Are you truly certain?”
“I myself welcome the reduction in time. There are quite a few matters I’ve left neglected at the household.”
“Thank you. I shall surely repay this debt.”
Thus Dokgo Myeong and Namgung Sohwa set out immediately following Hwangbo Cheong.
It was a long journey—quite long indeed. From Munan to Jinan in Shandong Province, where the Hwangbo Family’s main residence stood, was quite a distance.
And along that road, I came to feel the power wielded by the household bearing the name Dokgo Se.
“Military vessels?”
Whoooosh!
A military vessel appeared on the Yangtze River. Not just any ordinary ship, but a bizarre warship capable of high-speed maneuvers.
The boatmen scrambled to get out of the way from a distance, and all the ordinary merchant vessels hastily made way as well. Since it bypassed the checkpoints entirely, it was remarkably swift.
“Neigh! Neeeigh!”
Hoa was the most delighted of all.
Hoa’s mane swayed back and forth as the sea breeze struck her.
“You’ve been sleeping like a drowsy creature lately—when did you wake up?”
Namgung Sohwa gently stroked Hoa’s mane.
Once the overland route became faster than the waterway, we disembarked immediately and switched to using horses.
But these were no ordinary mounts. We had obtained sturdy, well-bred stallions that only government officials typically rode from the state’s relay stations.
“It’s astonishing enough that martial artists can commandeer military vessels, but to actually use the nation’s relay stations as well….”
As Namgung Sohwa muttered in exasperation, Hwangbo Cheong asked with a tone of mild surprise.
“Are you asking out of ignorance, or do you already know?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why else would they be called great households? A great household is precisely a family that has wielded tremendous influence across the realm for generations.”
That influence extended not only throughout the martial world but also into government offices and merchant circles.
Even with the family’s fortunes in decline, such things were hardly difficult. Then what could be the true extent of the Dokgo Household’s power, the greatest family under heaven?
“I hear you dream of reviving the Namgung Family. If you wish to be called a great household rather than merely a prestigious family, you must cultivate such influence. For that influence is the true strength of a great household.”
Fortunately, the journey continued without significant obstruction.
By the fifth day.
Dokgo Myeong and Namgung Sohwa arrived at the Hwangbo Household, an ancient and prestigious great family of the martial world with Taesan as its foundation.
* * *
“The Household Lord?”
“Already? Listen! The Household Lord has…!”
The main gate of the Hwangbo Household was in absolute chaos.
The household lord who had departed on a distant journey days ago had returned without his retinue—what else could be expected?
Moreover, having ridden frantically without pause, his face bore the marks of exhaustion and his entire body was covered in dust.
“That’s enough. Rather, escort our guest to the guest hall.”
“A guest, sir?”
“An honored guest. Should anyone show even the slightest discourtesy, I will have you punished. First, prepare bathwater….”
Despite his frantic state, Hwangbo Cheong still remembered to show proper hospitality to his guest.
Dokgo Myeong casually interjected.
“Ah, but my throat is rather parched—perhaps just a refreshing cup of wine first….”
“Listen! Bring the jade dew wine!”
“And I’m hungry too….”
“Bring appetizers as well!”
“Since we’re on the subject…”
“Really! Enough already!”
Namgung Sohwa smacked Dokgo Myeong’s back as he enthusiastically continued making demands.
“What do you mean, wine! Gaju, please don’t do that. You’re going to spoil our commander’s habits.”
“Is it really true that you see me as a child?”
Dokgo Myeong grumbled and looked at Hwangbo Cheong.
“Well, there is something I need to ask of you first.”
“What kind of request? Do we need to prepare something?”
“Hmm, preparation in a sense, yes…”
“Just tell me what you need.”
Dokgo Myeong glanced subtly around the surroundings.
The Hwangbo Family Members were beginning to look over one by one, wondering what was happening.
“I would appreciate it if you locked all the gates of the household from this moment forward.”
“What?”
“I mean, no one among the household’s key figures should be allowed to leave. If there are already people who have left, issue a recall order immediately.”
“What does that have to do with the treatment?”
Dokgo Myeong’s eyes gleamed with intensity.
“You must always address the root cause of an illness first.”
“…!”
“And I suspect that root cause hasn’t escaped this household yet.”
Dokgo Myeong’s gaze swept across the Hwangbo Family Members.

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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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