Martial God of the Sun and Moon - Chapter 276

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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 276
Hwangbo Cheong, who had been deep in thought, looked at Dokgo Myeong and asked.
“How is it that you know them so well?”
“Surely the household leader can deduce the culprit’s school of martial arts, at least roughly, by analyzing the traces of their techniques?”
“Of course, that’s true.”
“It’s similar for me. The only difference is that I’m more familiar with their martial arts than those of the jianghu.”
“…I see. But is it even possible to deliberately cause an epidemic?”
“It’s not much different from poison. Or rather, you can think of it simply as poison.”
Dokgo Myeong continued calmly.
“Under the Black Bloodfiend, there was a military commander who specialized in researching poisons and diseases. A man who knows humans with meticulous detail.”
“What’s his name?”
“The Cheon-dok Military Commander. His subordinate soldiers are called the Cheon-dok Military Unit.”
Normally, lethal poisons have extremely difficult conditions for administration. Moreover, any master of considerable skill can resist and counteract them.
That’s why they didn’t use lethal poisons.
‘The poisons used by the Cheon-dok Military are crude.’
They’re easy to administer, the symptoms are mild, and they’re even easier to shake off. The symptoms amount to nothing more than stomach upset, nausea, body aches, and dizziness—things that can be dispelled with just a brief circulation of inner energy.
The problem is that no one knows who administered it, when, how, or where.
Poisoning can occur from freshly distributed rations, from drinking water, from clothing or weapons.
After enduring it and finally entering a state of energy cultivation, only then do the disciples reveal themselves.
The extreme poison is scattered at that moment. For an opponent without the strength to resist, a dagger to the chest is sufficient.
The dying realize many things too late.
That the disciple who spread the poison was a comrade they had shared hardship and joy with, and that this disciple also followed along, poisoned themselves to avoid suspicion.
“The Cheon-dok Military Commander himself probably won’t show his face. He rarely does. It would be one of his soldiers, and catching them shouldn’t be too difficult.”
Hwangbo Cheong tilted his head.
“How? The epidemic spread years ago, and my son suffered from the illness years ago as well.”
“You said servants, martial artists, guest scholars, and elders all fell ill simultaneously, didn’t you?”
The answer lay in the question.
Hwangbo Cheong’s expression hardened.
“The culprit must be someone capable of contacting all of them.”
“Or someone capable of administering poison indirectly. Someone with access to food or drinking water.”
In other words, likely a servant or a guard.
Hwangbo Cheong closed his eyes, then opened them and spoke.
“Understood. I’ll narrow down those who didn’t fall ill and capture them.”
“The opposite.”
“What?”
“Search among those who actually fell ill instead.”
“Why? The culprit wouldn’t have poisoned themselves, would they?”
Yes, that would be normal thinking.
But they’re not like that.
“They don’t care about such things. They’re the type who would gladly go to their deaths, calling it martyrdom.”
“….”
“I would actually prefer that option.”
At those words, Hwangbo Cheong exhaled a sigh as if the ground beneath him had collapsed.
“Then there’s only one.”
“Who?”
“A young girl who was raised in the main house from age nine… someone the entire household cherished and doted upon.”
She was a child I had taken in after losing her parents during the conflict between the Black Blade and the Goru forces.
That had been a decade ago now. Intelligent, good-natured, and exceptionally capable—she was a guard whom everyone in the household treasured.
‘Now that I think about it, my second son was particularly fond of that child, and he suffered from a burning fever.’
Hwangbo Cheong forced back a sigh that threatened to escape through gritted teeth.
I would not be certain until the very end.
But I would harbor suspicions. After that….
“…I understand. I’ll root her out immediately. Then there’s only one matter left.”
The one who had implanted the Goru blood technique into Hwangbo Wi-gwan.
“The Goru blood technique absolutely requires physical contact.”
“You mean it must be someone capable of touching the household leader’s body? I could narrow it down, but there are far too many.”
Hwangbo Cheong furrowed his brow.
It wasn’t a matter of a month or two—this had happened years ago.
“Moreover, it could be among those who have already departed. Shameful as it is to admit, we’ve had no shortage of guests who have left the main house.”
The Hwangbo Household had an unusually high number of outsiders mixed within it. Finding each and every one who had left would be far from simple.
“Fortunately, they likely haven’t departed. There are traces of relatively recent contact with the household leader.”
“Is that so?”
“The explanation would be lengthy, but in any case, there’s a strong possibility they’re still within the household.”
Hwangbo Cheong’s eyes gleamed.
“So the main house was taken lightly. This despicable rat….”
Hwangbo Cheong’s demeanor was certainly vastly different from when I first saw him.
As if he had shed the curse of the Bloodfiend, the martial power befitting a household leader emanated from his every movement.
“This is sufficient. I’ll handle the rest myself.”
“….”
“Setting aside our transaction, I’ll repay this debt. Please stay as long as you wish—I’ll treat you generously.”
Hwangbo Cheong’s body tensed as if he might rise at any moment.
But then, Dokgo Myeong’s firm voice continued.
“You won’t be able to.”
“What did you just say?”
“Without experience facing opponents like them, you cannot capture them. They are that kind of opponents.”
“….”
“Recklessly stirring the hornet’s nest is what it will be. If you still intend to do this yourself, I won’t stop you.”
At Dokgo Myeong’s words, Hwangbo Cheong fell into thought.
He was a benefactor, but an outsider nonetheless. If I borrowed his hand even to capture the traitor, it would be no different from laying bare the Hwangbo Household’s shame for all to see.
‘It’s unthinkable to let an outsider—and a young man from another household at that—rummage through the family’s affairs.’
It was a matter that would bring shame upon the ancestors resting in the underworld.
But Hwangbo Cheong refused to repeat his mistakes any longer.
‘For the sake of the household, I would not hesitate to borrow the hands of a three-year-old child. I shall apologize directly to my ancestors in the afterlife.’
Hwangbo Cheong nodded heavily.
“If you help me, I swear I shall repay this debt without fail.”
Dokgo Myeong chuckled.
“Do not forget those words. Then shall we go find them at once?”
“How?”
“This creature will help us.”
“What?”
Dokgo Myeong bent down and brushed away the mane from Hoa’s neck.
“Hoa.”
“Grrrr!”
“You’re confident you can find them?”
“Grrrrr….”
Hoa’s eyes gleamed with light.
Dokgo Myeong grinned and looked at Hwangbo Cheong.
“Shall we visit those you suspect most, in order of likelihood?”
* * *
That evening.
Chaos erupted within the Hwangbo Ga.
“Why on earth have you sealed the gates?”
“You’ve forbidden outsiders from entering and even issued a recall order for everyone….”
The Dokgo Household was the same, but the Hwangbo Ga had many members residing outside.
“Listen here, Gicheon-won Guard. At least tell us the reason for this.”
“I cannot disclose that.”
“Hah, this is quite something.”
“What in the world is happening….”
The Gicheon-won had been those who maintained discipline within the household since the days when the Hwangbo family was the Taesan faction.
They moved en masse, sealing every gate and wall.
Such a large-scale operation was impossible without the household leader’s approval. In other words, it was evidence that something unusual had occurred within the family.
Meanwhile, in the office of Baek Gyeong-tae, the Gicheon-won Leader, key figures began gathering one by one.
“You don’t know either?”
“No, Overseer.”
“Hah, this is something.”
Hwangbo Un, the household leader’s cousin and Overseer, shook his head.
“I merely carried out the order. If you understand, please return to your respective positions.”
Baek Gyeong-tae spoke to the key figures of the Hwangbo Ga who had followed Hwangbo Un.
Only then did they sense this was an unusual situation and dispersed.
Only Hwangbo Un remained, staring at Baek Gyeong-tae.
“What in the world is happening? I heard he abandoned even his retainers in Wuhan and rushed here in haste, but a sealed gate the moment he arrives?”
Baek Gyeong-tae shook his head.
“Even if you probe me thus, I truly have no information to share.”
“…I’m beginning to worry whether my elder brother’s mind has truly become unsound.”
Baek Gyeong-tae’s expression hardened.
“Overseer. Please refrain from such words. How can you speak to the Household Head in such a manner?”
“In public he is the Household Head, but surely I can speak thus to a cousin brother I grew up with?”
“Overseer.”
“And the man who has brought the household to ruin like this—they say he even curses the realm when no one is listening.”
“….”
“Very well, very well. Truly, such a rigid person.”
It was then.
Hwangbo Un glanced around before opening his mouth.
“Now that I think about it.”
“What else do you wish to discuss?”
“I heard the Household Head brought a young man and woman into the household. Said they were physicians?”
“That is what I have heard.”
“But are they truly physicians? I heard one wore a sword and the other carried a dark staff.”
Baek Gyeong-tae fixed his gaze upon Hwangbo Un.
“Why do you ask such a thing?”
“Well, I wondered if there might be some connection. Think about it—that Household Head, abandoning all propriety, rushed here and brought outsiders into the household. Yet suddenly he seals the gates?”
Hwangbo Un’s eyes gleamed.
“There must be something afoot, would you not say?”
“I….”
Baek Gyeong-tae shook his head firmly.
“I merely follow the commands given to me.”
“I see. Your loyalty is indeed exceptional.”
“Thank you.”
“With such devotion, serve the Household Head well.”
Hwangbo Un turned his head.
A strange light flickered in his eyes as he gazed toward the distant sky.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“Safe travels.”
Hwangbo Un turned his body.
It was that very moment.
“Grrrrrowwwwl!”
From somewhere, the roar of a ferocious beast echoed forth.
The sun had only just set, and torches had not yet been lit, so the surroundings lay in darkness. Within that gloom, a pair of piercing blue eyes gleamed.
“What is that…?”
“Overseer. Step back, if you please. This is no ordinary creature.”
Baek Gyeong-tae clenched his fist and stepped forward before Hwangbo Un.
But that was when it happened.
“There’s no need for that.”
A familiar voice echoed from behind the creature.
“Household Leader?”
“We greet the Household Leader!”
Hwangbo Cheong entered the Gicheon-won.
Behind him came the man and woman whom Hwangbo Un had just mentioned.
“Household Leader? What brings you here?”
“Overseer, what business do you have in this place?”
“I simply came to ask the Gicheon-won Leader the reason for the seal….”
“I see.”
Hwangbo Cheong stared at him intently.
Hwangbo Un furrowed his brow and spoke.
“Say something. Why are you acting this way?”
“I was truly deceived.”
“…?”
“Truly remarkable. How many years has it been since I trusted you and entrusted you with duties? I believed in you, again and again….”
“What are you saying now, Household Leader?”
“In truth, even at this very moment, it’s difficult to believe. I can only think there must be some mistake somewhere.”
Complex emotions lay buried beneath his calm voice.
The thought that all of this might be false.
The thought that he might be doubting his trusted aide.
So he asked, seeking certainty.
“Baek, Leader of the Branch.”
“…?”
“Tell me. Were you truly a spy?”
That was it.
Hwangbo Cheong was not looking at Hwangbo Un.
Baek Gyeong-tae’s eyes widened as he asked.
“I don’t understand what you mean. A spy?”
“Please continue to speak that way until the end. If I am wrong, I shall atone to you for the rest of my life.”
“Pardon?”
“Sokryeop. I ask this of you.”
As Hwangbo Cheong stepped back, Dokgo Myeong walked out from behind him.
“Gicheon-won Leader, or should I say Jipbeop-bu Leader by main household standards? You’ve climbed quite far.”
Thunk! Thunk!
Dokgo Myeong tapped Baek Gyeong-tae’s shoulder with his mysterious iron sword as he approached with a casual gait.
Despite his demeanor resembling a back-alley thug, a menacing aura emanated from him.
Baek Gyeong-tae asked.
“…Who are you?”
“I am Dokgo Myeong.”
“Dokgo Myeong?”
“Seeing your face confirms it. It’s been a long time, Goru Gungjang. Though you wouldn’t remember seeing me before.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“That’s fine. You’ll understand soon enough.”
Boom!
Dokgo Myeong extended his arm holding the staff backward as if hurling a spear.
No—by the time I thought he’d extended it, the dark staff was already closing in on Baek Gyeong-tae’s face.
“Hah!”
Crack! Boom!
Baek Gyeong-tae hurriedly threw his body to the side to evade the staff. But the debris rushed forward, and he tumbled ungracefully across the ground.
Turning back hastily, the staff was half-embedded in the earth, and part of the pavilion was shattered to pieces.
This was no human strength. It was as if a thunderbolt bomb had detonated.
“Cough! Cough! Household Lord! What is the meaning of this! I am Baek Gyeong-tae. You personally appointed me as Gicheon-won Guard…!”
Then, Dokgo Myeong’s calm voice rang out.
“Hoa. Go pull him out.”
“Roooar!”
A golden beast shot forward like lightning.
“Gasp!”
From his fallen position, he couldn’t evade the fangs of the charging beast. The teeth of the Mystical Beast—one said to possess the power to distinguish human virtue from vice—sank into his forearm.
Immediately after, the energy hidden in Baek Gyeong-tae’s dantian was forcibly extracted.
Boom!
A crimson whirlwind swept through.
Hoa lightly threw his body backward and landed on the ground.
‘Ugh! What in the world!’
The Overseer caught nearby in the blast staggered to his feet and pinched his nose.
The stench of blood.
A putrid reek like rotting corpses was emanating from Baek Gyeong-tae.
“At last you’ve revealed your true nature.”
Dokgo Myeong laughed with a sinister edge.
Whoooosh!
An ominous energy burst erupted from Baek Gyeong-tae—no, Goru Gungjang.
He opened his mouth with an expression of utter disbelief.
“I never thought I’d be caught this way. This is truly absurd.”
Hwangbo Cheong cried out.
“Baek Gyeong-tae! So it was you!”
“Household Lord. Please do not be so angry. My loyalty to the Hwangbo Household was genuine.”
Then, a voice dripping with mockery came from before him.
“Let’s cut the nonsense, shall we.”
“…!”
Goru Gungjang flinched in surprise.
Dokgo Myeong had appeared right beside him without warning.
“Here we go.”
Screech! Whoosh!
Dokgo Myeong effortlessly drew the Hyeonchul Heavy Sword that had been embedded in the ground.
Goru Gungjang suddenly recalled the information that had come from the Jiao earlier.
“So it’s you! Dokgo Myeong of the Dokgo Household! You treacherous infidel!”
And that was the moment.
Boom!
“Kyaaaah!”
“What in the—!”
The household descended into chaos.
The disciples Goru Gungjang had planted within the Hwangbo Ga were unleashing torrents of blood energy from all directions.
“I expected you would come for me eventually. Though I didn’t think it would be today… Stop! Do not come any closer!”
Goru Gungjang’s head snapped around as he glared at Hwangbo Cheong.
“Do you intend to attack together? Don’t. Your family members are dying as we speak.”
“Is this how you repay all these years?”
Hwangbo Cheong’s face twisted with fury.
Boom!
Explosions continued to echo through the air.
“Dokgo Myeong, and Household Lord. If you try to kill me without saving your family members, you will face great calamity.”
Then, Dokgo Myeong’s voice rang out in Goru Gungjang’s ears.
“Threats from a small fry.”
“…!”
The moment Goru Gungjang turned his head back toward Dokgo Myeong.
He could not see his face.
All he saw was the black arc of the Hyeonchul Heavy Sword that consumed his entire vision.
Crash!
He flew backward and slammed into the wall in a single strike.
Dokgo Myeong spoke.
“I don’t think it will take much time to deal with you.”
Whirrrrr!
The Cheonoe Youngdan began to spin.
The battle would not be long.

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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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